41 10 557 https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/867d8e04e328f432c119b69bc6a524a9.pdf ce47009a6e36b256996d5fd85d35c980 PDF Text Text ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/56d3887e0d543549bea92b13aa00cd5b.pdf 308b47246775ad50ccd511a3e7b843f1 PDF Text Text ������������������������������������������������������������������������ https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/01722ba109230043801c10eb1bef0672.pdf 6f85bc50347fdff539aff36184729748 PDF Text Text Theobald (Toby) Barrett (1895-1969) 1913 Transcribed by Rural Diary Archive volunteers DISCLAIMER: This diary depicts some discriminatory content which some may find offensive. During the diary’s time period, such racial terms and prejudices were commonplace in Canadian society. They are considered wrong today. DIARY.1913 T.B.Barrett. Port Dover,Ontario. The Farm........ From January 1st 1913 to November 18th 1913. Wednesday January 1st 1913 We began to think that 13 at the end of the New Year was beginning right away to bring calamities upon us, for Dick who did not come home to tea last night did not put in an appearance all night, and it is the first time since he went into the bank that he did not come home to bed. I woke up at half past four and found Dad & Aunty up and in an awful state as neither one had slept all night and had been thinking Dick had tried to cross the pond about mid night when every body would be asleep and never got to the other side. Dad. & I went down about five and went to Huby’s first to see if he had stayed there. We went to Quint’s window and tapped and immediately saw old Quint - gliding around in the room; as soon as he lighted the light Dad. saw Dick in bed. We couldn't get him more than half awake and he mumbled something about Wiggins being sick - and he & Hazen worked so late, then went down to watch the dance for awhile and he never thought we'd miss him. Later on in the morning I drove Aunty and Lila down town with two mince pies and the turkey we killed for Christmas & which Aunty took down to Huby's to cook. Dad. did chore and we had a cold lunch after which Dad. & I went down to Alfred's followed by Nig. Tige & the white kitten to take him Hubys wooden cross puzzle which he seemed very pleased to get. We went down his lane & home by way of the gully. When we got home we sat around awhile before doing the night chores Quint & Dick came over about six as Dick wanted to 1 �get on a clean shirt or something and we went down with them to tea, or rather turkey dinner I took my skates down but it was too dark to go. Dick went up to a surprise party at Fatty Turner's, and told us he would not be home to-night. Aunty stayed down too. Dad, Frank & I came home about eleven. It has been very mild & sunny Thursday January 2nd I got up very late this morning. Dad. & I did chores and Glen & Wilbur Ryersie came along for a half morning's visit. Wilbur wanted Dad. to buy a pure bred Durham bull-calf for fifty dollars, but Dad told him he would go over & look at it before investing. At eleven Dad. went down to Huby’s and brought Aunty home. This after noon he went down again and saw Vyse up town who solicited his vote for his re election but Dad. told him that though he had nothing against him as a neighbor, he was out of place as reeve for he thought he had acted very unfairly in everything last year. I cleared up some of the old rubbish heap in the barnyard while Dad. was gone. Frank put in the afternoon building a dandy jib crane with his “Meccano” outfit. It has been very soft to-day & looks like a storm. Friday January 3rd This was Aunty's birthday and although we did our best we could not think of anything to give her so she vows that she doesn't know of any thing either, but Win sent her over a couple of aprons. Aunty remembers they are just what she wants. Dad. Aunty and I drove down town in the lumber waggon this afternoon morning. Aunty went in to see Enah who was up walking around and then down to Huby's to get Dads old medicine cupboard and the contents those of ready for removal to the farm. Dad & and I went down to the beach and got all the sand we thought we had better haul the roads down there were great as the sand was frozen enough to hold the wheels up and yet not too much to shovel. The ice banks are very high down there. We came up around by Huby’s and got Aunty and the old cupboard which we are going to use as a store house for Frank’s & my belongings. We are preparing in time against young Huberts development. Dad & I did chores this after noon and then sorted Dad's medicine. It started to rain this morning which turned to an all day snow storm. Colder to-night but not freezing. Saturday January 4th Charlie Martin was over for an hours visit this morning and told Dad. as he was leaving that he had a lame horse over there which he wanted Dad. to look at. He said his mother fell off the back steps before Christmas and nearly broke her leg. He also told us his sister Mrs. 2 �Maglaughlin had a baby girl about two days after Enah's boy came. Dad thought they ought to trade as Mrs. Maglaughlin was all prepared for & had a boy named and it was the other way round with Enah. This after noon we did chores and Dad. went down to see Enah. I went over as far as Martin's with him and saw the chickens which were all washed, fanned, powdered and the dark feathers pulled out of them and ready to start on the five train for the Boston show. We also saw Charlie's lam horse which has an awfully sore looking leg on it. I cut wood and practiced on my horn when I got home. Lila came over soon after I got back with her steam engine. Dad has to go down again to-night to sit with Enah. She is blue because the boy exercises his lungs now & then Froze last night. Cold raw wind all day but sunny and thawing. Sunday January 5th Frank, Dick & Lila went down to Sunday school and Aunty and I went down to church and were a little late. We went into Mrs Lawson's to see how Enah was on our way down and Aunty Maude was with her which surprised us very much but she said she didn't think it would hurt her a bit. Mrs. Roy Silverthorne was there in a very low condition, her little baby which was born last night, died and she didn't know it yet when we were there. Dick and I went down and had a good skate this afternoon though the ice was rather rough. Dad. went down and got Faulkner to bring Enah & the boy home in the covered in bus and it didn't hurt either one in the least. Al. drove at a snail's pace. He was telling Dad his opinion of Vyse. He spoke in the grieved monotone which he assumes for such occasions and said "I told Vyse, when we elected you reeve you promised to build good roads. You haven't done 15 cents worth of road work but spent all the money in sticking up that coup by me. Now what you had better do is to put the man in you built it for, which is Aikens, then you & Bill Graham lock yourselves in with him take a stick of dynamite and blow youse all to hell to save funeral expences"! "yes" said Al. I told him that two weeks ago and he hasn't spoken to me since." Beautiful day. Froze hard last night, but thawed all day. Colder & looks stormy tonight. Monday January 6th We did up all the chores this morning. Frank carried over the chaff & corn from the cows manger to the chicken house which he cleaned out. This after noon Dad.went down and cast his vote for J.R. Davis. Frank Taylor came over after him with Faulkner's bus just he was starting out. I broke the brace in the buck saw and fixed it this after noon Dick came home to night and told us that Vyse was elected reeve with John Walker, Henderson, Carl 3 �Coleman & Billy Laings as councilmen. He and I went down to A.Y.P.A to-night where we spent a pretty slow time. I went over to the band room for awhile where they preparing to start out for a serenade of the succesful candidates in the election. They were greatly proveket at Harry Graham & Art. Lawson because they wouldn't play as they were sore at the way things went. It wasn't right of them for as Harry. Moon said and he was probably as disappointed as any, but was playing, "The band is an organization independant of politics. All we're after is the coin and we don't care whether it is American money or not." It rained all night and drizzled all day, wasn't any colder when Dick & I got home about eleven to night. Tuesday January 7th We just did chores this morning. Aunty went down town to get some things for Dick's birthday which we celebrated to-night. I stayed in the house and read all the afternoon. Quint came over to tea to-night but Dick felt pretty miserable all evening. Quint stayed all night. Stormed all day half rain turning to sleet & ice so that everything is ice coated. Wednesday January 8th Dad. and Enah spent the greater part of last night I guess in the baby's company, who takes great pleasure in making them try to put him to sleep at midnight. He is just one red lump of wickedness & noise at night, sleeps all day. Frank started back to school this morning. Dick felt very miserable but said he must go to work and felt much better to-night when he got home. We did up the chores this morning and I took a picture of the ice mantled trees around Martin's place. I didn't do a thing but read - "Lords of the North" all the after noon. Win. came home with Frank to-night but could only stay a little while. Clear cold and sunny to day, snow crust very hard & slippery. Thursday January 9th Dad & I did chores & cut wood this forenoon. Bill Donald was in for awhile to have Dad. look at his horse. He told Dad. that he heard Jim. Dunbar had some wood for sale at $2.00 a cord, so Dad. drove Joe down to see if he could get her shod and drive down this after noon but he couldn't get in the shop and was afraid to risk driving on these icy roads, smooth shod. This after noon we started to fix up a place between the granary & cow stable for a calf pen but couldn't do much as we had no nails. Dick & I went down town after tea I took my horn down thinking there would be band practice but found when I get down 4 �that the council were treating the band to an oyster supper. I suppose I could have partaken of the feast if I chose but I came home & get my skates. I put them on at the house and skated down to the pond. There were quite a few there but it was so dark I couldn't see any of their faces and I didn't think Dick was there so I skated up to the bank Hazen was there and said Dick had just gone out with his skates on. I stayed there about half an hour and Hazen & I wrote & {talked?} to Baldy Denton. I then went back to the pond but it was nearly deserted so I came home and found Dick had just got here before me, he had been over at Dyer's or someplace and hadn't been skating at all. Win. came over with Frank to stay all night. Nice day very much milder. Friday January 10th Dad. & I drove down as soon as we could get started this morning which wasn't very early to get Joe shod but the shop was full again so we had to get a few things up town including a straw knife and come home. Dad. didn't know what to do as we want wood badly but he was afraid to drive Joe on the icy roads, especially after Vyse told us this morning that Sam. Law lost a cow by slipping on the ice. I supposed it was his old lame one. At last I decided to try and skate down. I left here after eleven and skated down on the road all the way and was back here by before one. Jim Dunbar was in Jarvis but his daughter said she thought he had wood for $2.50 a cord and would tell him to try and bring us a load to-morrow. I tripped several times going but only fell once. There were only a few places where the skating wasn't fairly good, the worst place was going up & down Art Ryersie's hill. We didn't do any thing in particular this after noon Bill Donald came after Dad. to go and see his horse about five o'clock. Some fellow drove in while he was here and wanted to know where Anson Collver lived. Bill knew, he said he supposed that was some body after him for money. Neil Elliot & Charlie McKenzie where in to look at Fred's calf although they had just met Dad. on the road and he told them the calf was not for sale. I went down to Mrs Jarley's wax work practice to-night, but there was "nothing doing". Mrs. Luck, Miss Harding & Booze Waddle were the only ones there. We went up to Mr. Johnson's and he gave me a little idea of what I had to do. I think it will be a pretty poor show. It is advertised for next Thursday and half the ones in it haven't been to practice yet. Mr. Johnson never looked through the book till to-night and he picked out several new caracters that he is going to try & ring in. Not sunny but thawing all day. Almost raining to-night. Saturday January 11th 5 �We got a very lig late start this morning - and so did not do any thing but chores. Art. Ryersie came after Dad. a little before noon to go and see one of his cows which slipped on the ice, and Dad. is afraid it has broken her leg. It was the best cow he had. This after noon we fixed a place in the barn to put Ringworm but could do nothing out side owing to the inclemency of the weather. To-night Dick & I went down town I went to Mrs. Jarley practice & Dick waited for me. Frank spent the morning down town getting his tooth filled and helped up this after noon Raine last night, very soft & cloudy this morning Rained hard all after noon, drizzling to-night. Sunday January 12th Dad. & I drove down to Jim. Dunbar's this morning and Dad. got him to say he'd bring us a load of wood to-morrow. When we got home we were about frozen. I felt kind of sick till I got thawed out. After dinner I helped Dad. do did chores and then started to go down to Harry Moons. I met Hazen who was driving out in front and he drove me down and went up to Harry's with me where we spent quite a time. Dick was down at Dyer's all the after noon and to tea. Bill Donald come and got Dad. this after noon. Very cold and windy early part of the day but milder and fair to-night. Monday January 13th We let Queen out this morning for quite an exercise Dad. was scared to 'death' she'd slip and hurt her self, but I guess she didn't. Mr. Bowlby. drove Louise down this morning. She had to back this after noon so Dad. hooked up Joe and Ginger to the cutter and drove her up. The sleighing was very poor & one of the shoes on the cutter runner broke and ripped a big chunk out of the runner. Tom. Dunbar brought us our cord of wood to-day. He made two trips of it and charged us three dollars. The baby has been awake all day - and to-night is raining "Hail Columbia." Dick went back to-night. Froze hard last night but much milder to-night. Nice day Tuesday January 14th Dad. loaded the cutter in the waggon first thing and we took it down to Butler who said he didn't think the runner was {illegible} much. Dad. found he could get Joe shod so stayed down and I walked home. I started to throw the top off the straw stack. Th Mrs. McBride came to wash at noon and was here till after tea. Dad. cut some wood and we put a door on the barn and cut a bigger doorway. Dick came home to-night and forgot to bring the butter Aunty told him to get and we had a butterless tea, after which Dick went down town to get 6 �a pound I went with him to the Mrs. Jarley Waxwork practice in the town hall and am still convinced that the show will fall far short of what it is advertised to be. Beautiful day and perfect night. Sunny and much milder to-night. Wednesday January 15th Our attention was attracted this morning by a great deal of racket being kicked up by Dave Turner's engine, and learned to-night when Dick got home it was in honor of Gladys Coleman who was married sometime during the night to get off on the early train. We were greatly surprised at the news although Aunty suspected it. We did chores this morning and about eleven o'clock Dad. & I drove up to Ham Tompson's. Ham wasn't home but Dad. had a look at his bull calf. He says his stock is in a very bad condition. When we got home Dad. took Enah out for a short drive. The first time she has been out since she came home. This after noon we husked a little corn and Dad. moved some of the corn stalks from one end of the hay to the other and then cut some wood. I didn't do anything much. I went down again to-night to a Mrs. Jarley practice and had a pretty slow time. It will be over to-morrow night. Dick went down with me and worked awhile then we came home to-gether. Very soft and cloudy to-day. Rained a little this after noon and is raining quite hard to-night. Very slippery Thursday January 16th Mr. Lamb came over this morning before we had breakfast and got Dad. to go down and see a horse that got kicked. He was gone quite awhile and came back with a lovely bunch of flowers. This after noon he and Aunty went down town to get some things for the house. I didn't do any thing much but chores and read To-night Dick, Dad., Frank and I went down to Mrs. Jarley's Waxwork show. It came off a lot better than I expected and there was a full house. Perce Brock who was Mrs. Jarley couldn't have done better and Hazen Waddle was perfect. He was Simple Simon and sat through the whole show with his mouth wide open and the vacantest kind of a look on his face. If any body jarred against him he would fall over in his chair till they set him up straight. They said all the figures were good except poor Captain Robinson who with Lidney McQueen acted as Babes in the Wood. He couldn't keep a straight face, but Lidney kept the same sweet smile all through. They each had an enormous doughnut and when wound up would feed each other. It certainly did look great for two of the biggest men in town. Lila impersonated Little Jack Horner and except when she was exhibited & wound up evidently forgot she was wax work, for she laughed and moved around all she pleased and likley was more amusing than if she had been quiet I, the 7 �deceased Mr. Jarley nearly bit a hole in my cheek to keep from laughing and then didn't succeed very well. I was in agony for awhile when my nose began to tickle and I couldn't scratch it. The girls were all very pretty and I think every body got their money's worth. They had a dance after the performance and Mrs. Moon gave me another lesson. I belive I could learn if I could keep at it but not likely I will get another chance now till next summer. Rained a little this morning, dark & very soft all day. Raining hard to night when Dick & I got home at half past twelve, and had been raining all evening, so Aunty said. Friday January 17th We got rather a late start this morning and did nothing but chores except throw some more off the top of the straw stack Mr. Peace. came in to see Dad about a colt which has some thing on its leg - which oughtn't to be there. Tige resented his visit strongly and bit at him twice, much to his indignation & terror This after noon Dad. cut wood and we straightened up the fence in front of the hay barn two pannels of which have been down all winter. We were rather surprised this afternoon at Ringworm adding a bull calf to our stock collection. It rained all night and to-day Barrett's farm is a quagmire. Still very mild I woke up about half past eleven to-night by Tige barking furiously then I heard Dad who was just going to bed go to the door and a stranger's voice ask for permission to hunt sparrows in the barn, around the stack. Dad. told them they could hunt around the stack but couldn't go in the barn with their lantern. They told him they weren't out for "na fun" (which Dad readily believed) but were trying to rid the country of sparrows & rats. Dad. supposed they were after some prize as they came all the way from Selkirk. Saturday January 18th I read most of the morning and part of the afternoon in Dicks B.O.P. but finished the story and am not going to begin another for awhile. Frank helped us do chores and after dinner went down to Alfred's to buy some butter. Alfred had the puzzle done the right way, and after putting it to-gether to show Frank, sent it home. Frank is working at it now evidently with out much success. I husked corn this after noon and Dad sawed wood. Frank went back to the gully for awhile to watch the creek or something. To-night Dad & I worked at my horn trying to loosen one of the valves with the big monkey wrench. Mild & cloudy this morning. It turned colder with a high north west wind and snow. Quieter & not freezing tonight Sunday January 19th 8 �Aunty and the boys went down to Sunday School. I helped Dad. do a few chores amd went to church. Bill Donald came in just as I left and stayed about a hour & a half. Aunty & I went down to Miss Battersby's after church and found her looking about as well as ever. Winnie came over to dinner with Dick, & Frank stayed down at Huby's. This after noon Dick & I went down town. I guess Dick spent the after noon at the drug store with Bob. while I went over to Waddle's for awhile then up to Harry Moon's, and looked at photographs. I drew to-night. It froze last night. Has been a very nice day and thawing. Monday January 20th I went out this morning to help Dad. do chores but got so dizzy I had to come in and go to bed, where I put in the rest of the day. I didn't have anything to eat all day except half a breakfast and about half a pint of pills with which they dosed me and which I think made me much worse. Enah gave me half a cup of cocoa which did me good as it floated. This evening I came out into the kitchen while Aunty fixed my bed. I was sitting there talking to Dad. when the first thing I knew Frank began to look like a very poor moving picture and the next I seemed to be waking up lying on the floor with Dad. & Aunty asking me how I felt. I then began to realize I had fainted, a thing which I never did before and only twice before ever felt like it - funny feeling -. Charlie Martin came over again this morning for awhile. Aunty went down town this after noon and came home half drowned and mud to her eyes. Dick sent the mail home by Frank but he did come home till after A.Y.P.A. - as he went to hear Cousin Willie's lecture on literature which he liked. It rained again last night but was a lovely sunny day tl till this after noon when it began to pour and kept up till after tea when it turned colder and to snow. Tuesday January 21st I didn't do any thing in the shape of work all day although I felt much better that yesterday. I read nearly all morning. This after noon Louise came over. She had come down on the one o'clock train, and is staying here all night Mr. & Mrs. Art. Ryersie came over and spent the evening Art. took the wooden puzzle home with him. It Froze last night and has been a lovely sunny day, though cold Wednesday January 22nd I went out this morning and tried to do a few chores, but couldn't do much. Louise came out for awhile to see the live stock and Dad. took Queen out in the halter for her entertainment but Tige proved to be the chief attraction in that show. This after noon Mrs. 9 �Bowlby came down & Louise went back with her. Mrs. Bannister, Mrs Vyse & her three kids came over this after noon. I was {scairt?} to come in the house so nearly froze out in the drive shed where Dad. was putting a new head on the scraper which old Harry broke this morning. Dick got home early but went back again to watch the dance. Dad & Frank went down to Alfred's to-night to show him Franks Mecanno Outfit. Lovely sunny day. Freezing slightly to-night. Thursday January 23rd I didn't do any thing today but sit around and feel rotten. Dad. couldn't do anything out side but chores. Enah was feeling miserable this morning having fainted in the night without telling any body. This afternoon Aunty went down to Bible Class. It was raining when we got up this morning and has kept it up steadily all day Friday January 24th About the only thing of much interest that happened to-day on the premises was the birth of a bull calf to Mully and no-body is much exercised over that, Mully included. Ah! Yes, another thing is, we got five eggs and didn't find a nest either. We think that is "going some" for only about forty hens. I am a lot better to-day though my knee is pretty sore yet. The baby isn't very well to-day either. I went out a little to day but drew & read most of the time. Dick had to go back to work at the bank to-night. Froze a little last night. Lovely mild day but not very sunny. Freezing to-night. Saturday January 25th We saw Allan Law & Art Ryersie driving past this morning with the separator and upon inquiry found they were hauling it to Fleming's while the roads are frozen as they are going there after they get though at Arts, there is no telling when they will get here. Dad. and Frank loaded up the rack with blue grass hay this morning from what was on top of the alsike as we have decided not to thresh it on account of the price being so low. This after noon they hauled it over to the other barn where it will be handy to feed to the cows, and then went & hauled up a load of rails. They did all the chores. I didn't do any thing all day owing to my sore knee though I felt better in other ways. The two Mrs. Shands & Miss Shand came in to see the baby to-night and although he was awake he never whimpered so they went off with a very good impression of his conduct. Dick went down to the pond to skate after tea to-night. Perfect day sunny and lovely out 10 �Sunday January 26th The boys were the only members of the family who attended church or Sunday School today. I hung around out side with Dad. for awhile this morning as my knee felt better. Quint. came home to dinner with Dick and stayed all night. This after noon he, Frank & I went out and played marbles for awhile. Tonight. Aunty read to us about an African cannibal & the missionarys. Very, mild, cloudy & muddy. Monday January 27th My knee was much better and I helped Dad. do chores this morning. Arpha Fleming came over and invited Dad to go there threshing this afternoon. Mrs. McBride came to wash and was here nearly all day. Rus. Lambkins was in to see about a wind mill but Dad. told him we didn't need one now on account of Ivey's tile drain at which we have watered the stock all winter so far. and it looks as if it would run for quite awhile yet. Earl. Brown was in also to see Dad. about a cow. Aunty went down town this after noon to see if she could get some lady to stay with Aunt Ida but was unsuccessful. Dad. & I went with her as far as Vyses. We found they had moved the threshing out fit in there instead of Fleming's as Vyse has to go to County Council soon. Cousin Loll & Cousin Phoebe came over to see the baby this afternoon. Mr. Lamb. came over to-night to see about his horse. Froze pretty hard last night and been freezing all day. Tuesday January 28th Dad. left early this morning to thresh at Vyse's. I did the chores as my knee was ever so much better. About ten o'clock Dad. came home. He said they were stopped then but did need him much anyway, so he came home to saw wood which he did till noon Mr. Flemming told him that if they didn't get moved to his place till the middle of the afternoon it wouldn't be worth Dad's while to come over so he didn't. This after noon he gave Queen quite an exercise & I took a picture of her also one of the baby which finished my film. Dad. & I hooked up Harry & Belle & got a couple of loads of rails, one load from the remainder of the fence on the east west side of the wheat field and one from on the north fence. Aunty went down town this after noon to get some birthday presents for Huby. Beautiful day, froze in the night, sunny & milder Wednesday January 29th 11 �Dad left first thing this morning for to thresh at Mr. Flemings and was gone all day. He got home in time to milk before dark and felt pretty well "plugged up". It kept me nearly all morning doing chores. This after noon I practiced my horn a little and read. Mrs. Alfred Ryersie came in to see the baby. Enah took a walk over to Martin's. Allan Law came in at noon and got the waggon to get wood. He didn't know where he was going, but intimated that he was going to "lift" rails from fences along the road. This was Huby's birthday. It has been cloudy & spitting snow all day. Not cold but freezing Thursday January 30th Dad threshed over at Fleming's all day and they finished to night. They finished the alsike about 3 o'clock and got 17 Lays and 1/2 bushel from the 98 loads, and they thrashed 316 bus. of oats in two hours after that. It kept me all morning doing chores and this after noon I cut a little wood. I intended to husk some corn but it was such a nice day I thought I would get a load of rails instead so I went & hooked up Harry & Belle to the waggon and went out and got the rails from the north side of the wheat field where Dad. & I got the last load. The horses were feeling good especially old Harry who hasn't any more sense that a seventeen year old bird's nest. Going out I had to get out to open the gate off the road and as soon as they saw it open in front of them, started through it. I caught Belle's rain but Harry kept on going. so I had to let them go into the field where they immediately started to speed up. and it just kept me humping to run and scramble in the back of the waggon but I was fortunate enough to get the lines and steady them down before they did any damage, but I was thankful to get back safe with my load. Mr. Johnson & Mrs. Quanbury were over this afternoon to see the baby. Aunty went down town this after noon. To-night. Dick & I went down to band practice. I found out from Carl Coleman that we could have their cattle rack on Saturday to go after the {illegible}. Lovely day. sunny & very mild. Friday January 31st It begant to rain this morning which about noon turned to snow and that cleared off & it begant to freeze pretty hard to night. Dad. and I spent the day doing chores, "settin' round the stove" in the meantime, Dad. cut some wood & I unloaded the load of rails this after noon. About four o'clock I went down town & got my hair cut. I also took down 3 doz. eggs & traded them off for meat. Dick did not come home to tea tonight as he had to work this being the end of the month. Saturday February 1st 12 �We intended to go and get the sheep to-day but the weather prevented us. We didn't do any thing but chores and Dad. cut wood. I read a little and this after noon fooled with my horn Dad. managed to get the valve loosened which has been stuck for so long, and I poured a couple of quarts of water down the bell to clean it out and spilt it all over the Floor. Frank also polised up the mouthpiece with his sample of silver polish Aunty succeeded at last in persuading Frank to remove the fourteen wish-bones which have been accumulating on the kitchen hanging lamp for over a year, and she boiled them and polished them up for him. It has been freezing hard all day with a very high cold wind but sunny. Sunday January February 2nd Aunty and the boys went down to Sunday School and I got fixed up and went to church. I got there about twenty minutes too early so waited at "The Dominion". Win. came home with us after church and stayed all night. Dick stayed down all the after noon and stayed at Huby's to dinner. Dad. did all the chores. Aunty had us all going guessing Bible Carachters to-night. It froze like Billy-be-da--ylights, last night and has been very cold and a high wind all day. Bear saw hi shaddow. Monday February 3rd We did up the chores this morning. This afternoon we hooked Joe & Ginger to the waggon and went down town. We found out from Carl Coleman that we could have their stock waggon to get our sheep to morrow. We also got the cutter from Butler. When we got home we found an old pedlar who told Aunty he had walked all the way from Hagersville, he was selling post cards. Archie Long had been here to sell fence. To-night Dick and I went down to the Orchestra dance where we had a dandy time. I think I am getting on to the hang of it now. We got home a little before half past three to-morrow morning. It was a nice day today and quite mild. It snowed a little this morning. Tuesday February 4th I got up about half past seven this morning. We didn't do any chores but got started as early as we could which was about ten for the sheep. We drove Joe & Ginger and took our waggon down to Coleman's and left it there then hooked on to theirs, we got up there in about an hour. Dunkin said he thought we were never coming. He had had bad luck with his imported sheep. Owing to carelessness in the Quarantine Station two of his sheep died and he can't get a cent for them. They charged him forty five dollars for their keep down there 13 �for thirty days. Mine were alright though and we got them home safely. He only charged us two dollars for their keep, but hasn't had them registered yet. We had to walk the horses nearly all the way home on account of bumpy roads. When we unloaded the sheep we went right back with the waggon and got our own, we also went up to Chris. Fairchild's and got the saw blade. Dick took to him this morning & {following words in brackets are guessed at due to being covered up on the page}{it was?} just half past three when we got in the house after {putting?} the horses in. it was just twelve when we left Dunkins {after?} we had a little dinner we went out and did up the chores. The poor horses were pretty hungry & thirsty especially Joe & Ginger who were tired also. Dick & Frank went down to A.Y.P.A. tonight. It has been cloudy & blustery all day and pretty cold. Thursday Wednesday February 5th We hooked up Joe & Ginger to the waggon first thing this morning and went down town and got a load of coal, as Dick found out last night that Jim. Low had some in at last. We lost quite a little bit of it coming home as the roads were rough and it jiggled out the back when going up hills although we scraped it forwards a couple of times. This being Ash Wednesday they had service in the church but none of us attended it. Lent begins earlier this year that it has for 138 years, it can only start one day earlier, at least that's what the "Maple Leaf" states but it is not likely right. Last night was about the coldest night this winter. It must have been down to zero during the night, and has been very cold all day, with a high wind and snow Thursday February 6th We did not do any thing to-day but chores This after noon Aunty went down town to Auxillary or something and Dad. & Enah had an awful time with the baby as he was sick and they couldn't do any thing to ease him or keep him quiet. I practised my horn all after noon. About five o'clock Sam. Law pulled in here with the clover mill. They got through at Ham Thompson's sooner than they expected so moved right down here to night. Allan & Bert Monroe came soon after wards with the engine, which had something wrong with the injector & they worked at it till long after dark. They said they would thrash in the morning if we weren't ready but we bade them come. Sam. was about half drank & the other half frozen when he came in and borrowed our waggon to go home & buck wood but we noticed he hit the trail for town at a pretty good lick. To-night I went down to band practice and got home about eleven. It has been cold with a very high wind 14 �Friday February 7th The men did not get here till after breakfast, they got steam up and moved the machine into the barn and then began to talk of not threshing, "Bert was the only one of the thes that wanted to Allan I guess thought it would be too cold out on the engine {the following words in brackets are guessed at due to being covered up on the page} {and?} it certainly wouldn't be very warm. Their only excuse was {that?} the belt wouldn't stay on in the wind. Mr. Odd was here {to?}day for Mr. Fleming. Allan & Bert went down town and {g?}ot their horses shod. and Sam went home. about noon he came back again and said he guessed they could thrash this after noon. We did the chores all up there was a little more work for Dad. as this morning when he went out to the cow stable he found a red & white bull calf of Spotty's on the floor. We got it & her in as warm quarters as we could but the poor little fellow has been pretty cold all day. The thrashers did come back this afternoon and we thrashed out the four loads of cloverseed and got three bags & about 1/4 bushel I get 1 1/4 bags. Young Billy Louis came over for Tupper but we didn't need him so he went back. They got the machine moved over to the other barn but didn't try to thrash any they said if it was very windy to-morrow they wouldn't come over. This aft. To-night. Dick & I went up to the hockey match in Simcoe - Simcoe vs Hamilton I was going to drive up with Bert Monroe but it turned out such a rotten night that both Bert & I decided to take the train There was quite a big crowd went up from Dover on the Port Rowan train, we came back on the Hamilton special that brought the team up. We got there a little after out eight, and had to sit and freeze by inches for about four hours. They could not have begun to play before half past twelve and it got pretty tedious waiting, but it was a good game when they did start, We rooted for Simcoe and they trimmed Hamilton 8 to 3. The Hamilton boys seemed rather tired the last half. We didn't get to bed till after three to-morrow morning. Dad got a blank form to-night which he had to fill & tell about Tiddums. They named him Hubert James Harold. (poor kid) more name than boy. It was very cold and windy this morning and has been growing worse all day. To-night when we came home it was a holy fright. Saturday February 8th I got up about the same time as usual. This morning it was windy & snowing so we didn't look for the thrashers. Frank. Dad. & I moved some of the poles from over the driveway to above where Ring worm (by the way her name has changed now from Ring worm to Erie, Aunty objected to the former so we called her after Mrs. Fred. Warren as that is who we got her from.) and her calf are. We started to put some clover chaff on them but it was so short it fell through a lot, so Dad. said we would wait till the wind went down and then put some 15 �straw on first to hold the other. but we never got it done all day. Dad felt pretty miserable all day and stayed in the house all the after noon I cut a little {the following words in brackets are guessed at due to being covered up on the page} {wood?} and fooled around the rest of the time. Aunty went down town, she lost her muff the other day and thought {she?} knew where she left it but when she inquired this after {noon?}, she could find it nowhere. Lila came over while she {was?} gone and told her to-night that she saw George Spain {on?} Thursday kicking a muff through the square and he said it was somebody's old worn out muff they had {thrown?} away. Aunty is sure it was her's as it was near there {she?} missed it. It was such a bad night. Lila spent it here Frank went down and visited with Mr. Alfred for awhile this after noon and got some butter. Dick felt pretty rotten when he got home to-night and his ear ached. Allan Law came over to-day to put a fire in the engine to keep the water from freezing It was not very cold to-day but very windy & snowdrifty. Sunday February 9th Dad. has felt very sick all day and didn't to any thing much but milk, feed the calves and let the cows out & in again. I sent the most of the day doing the rest of the chores. I felt kind of tired myself. Aunty, Frank & Lila all went down to Sunday School & church, but none of the rest of us. Dick didn't get up till about noon. This afternoon Mrs. Johnson & Mrs. McPherson with Cecil & Leon came over to see Enah and she walked down to Quanbury's with them. Ada was also over to see H.J.H. Barrett. Allan Law came over again to put a fire in the engine. King Pepper was in this morning with a little dog, which Dad. told him had a broken leg. It was up to far to bandage it so Dad said just to keep him quiet and it would likely get all right. Frank found Aunty's muff this morning right near the bandstand in the snow. George Spain told him in Sunday School that he had taken it home and after keeping it two days and not finding an owner he had brought it back and left it where he found it. It was not at all hurt Aunty said. Not cold to-day but windy. Monday February 10th We got up pretty early this morning on account of threshers They got started about half past nine. The only extra ones we had were Mr. Odd & Billy Louis. We thrashed nearly all morning and never saw a head of alsike, and the blue grass neatly all blew over, so we stopped thrashing the blue grass in the back part of the mow and confined our labor to the front bint. We only got about two bags of seed all day, and there is about two hours more to go through yet. For awhile Dad. thought it wouldn't be worth thrashing but we got nearly 16 �to the floor at one end and it is much thicker so I guess we will finish the job. Dad has the shed, the driveway and over the sheep pen filled up with thrashed hay, and it {the following words in brackets are guessed at due to being covered up on the page} {was} way out in front of the drive way. He had a very {---ty?} place and feels pretty tired to-night. Charlotte {had?} a calf to-night another boy. Aunty says "It may {be?} cold in the house but they are having a "bully" time in {the?} barn" It was very cold & frosty this morning but the sun got up and it was quite a nice day. There was a slight easterly breeze which was just what we wanted as it blew the smoke away from the barn. It is about the first time this winter we have had an east breeze. Dick & I sent away to-night for a work of 10 volumes which we saw advertised called "The Wonders of Science in Modern Life". Tuesday January February 11th We finished up our threshing about noon - the seed came a little faster than yesterday and I guess we have about five or six bushels, they didn't need me much to help them so I didn't hang around looking for a chance to help. I did a few chores but nothing to speak of. This afternoon I went over and helped thrash at Sam Law's we got all the red clover thrashed and he got just the same as we did - three bags and a little more. It turned out pretty well. I have to go back in the morning to help thrash out three loads of alsike. Dad. did up all the chores here this after noon & I did not get home till after tea. Dick had to go back to help Hazen find a mistake to-night. Mr Wiggins was going to a dance in Jarvis. Allan Law was going down too. It has been much milder to-day this morning it looked stormy but was sunny after dinner and it seems colder to-night. Wednesday February 12th I didn't get up very early this morning and went over to Sam Law's as soon as I had my breakfast. They started to thrash soon after nine - and got though just about noon. They got just three bags of alsike so it turned out much better than ours as they said they only had three loads. I stayed over there to dinner. This afternoon Dad. & Frank fixed up three pens in front of the cow for the calves, they had to be separated as they suck each other's ears & Spot's calf had it's ears frozen last night. I battoned up the door of the horse stable with tar paper and it took me nearly all the after noon. We started separating again this morning Frank stayed home from school to-day to help Dad. get some of the thrashed blue grass over to the other barn but the wind was too strong. Dick had to go back to work tonight. There was a very cold north wind all day and quite a snowstorm to-night for a while 17 �Thursday February 13th We didnt get any thing done to-day but chores. I sawed a little wood this after noon & hung around. Aunty went down town to Bible Class. To-night I went down to band practice and got home about half past ten. It has been cold and very windy all day. The wind got up with the sun and made Dad. feel very cross all day as he wanted to get some to the thrashed blue grass moved to the other barn, and we couldnt with the wind & rough road. Friday February 14th We spent our spare time this morning in fixing a door in the east side of the horse stable loft where we can pitch hay off by hand instead of using the hay fork This afternoon after we had the chores done up we went over and put a load of timothy hay in the rack ready to haul to the horse stable at the first opportunity as the supply over there is getting low. Harry. Varey drove Mrs. Johnston over to spend the after noon with Enah & he & {Elan?} {called?} for her again after tea. Tiddums had colic to-day - very wicked. Miss Harding was out this afternoon to see him. Sunny & mild with not much wind to-day, very nice day. Saturday February 15th As soon as we got the chores done this morning we {the following words in brackets are guessed at due to being covered up on the page} {moved?} the load of timothy which we loaded yester day over to the stable and Frank helped us unload it. Then we {al...?} and put on a load of the thrashed blue grass and {hauled it} over to the other barn. This after noon we unloaded it. {We?} loaded two more, we unloaded one and left the other on the barn floor, so we think we have got in a pretty day's work. Nigel came over quite early this morning & Lila followed him up this after noon, both are staying over night. Aunty went down town this after noon to get some things. Something has gone wrong with the dining room stove chimney and we can hardly see accross the room in there for smoke. Nice day, much milder, slight wind and raining to-night. Sunday February 16th I intended to go to church this morning with Aunty, Dick & Frank but I had to go up on the roof to see what was the matter with the dining room chimney, and as I had to wait till the fire went out it was twenty minutes to eleven when I got down, I found the cause of the trouble was that a brick had blown down the chimney and nearly filled up the flue. I hadn't much trouble in disloging it Quint came over with the boys to dinner, and this afternoon we 18 �went skating. I thought I ought to go as I didn't get to church this morning. We were the only ones on the creek, and the skating was good. We were out to the end of the pier and up as far as Tommy Jackson's, Frank & I came home at half past five & Quint & Dick came over later. Nice day, rather cold and cloudy. It turned cold and froze during the night. We saw a flock of geese flying north to-day. Monday February 17th Dad. and I hooked Joe & Ginger to the buggy this morning and took them down to be shod but we found every shop in town full, so after getting a buggy load of groceries came home, I dropped a dollar's worth of sugar on the floor at Bagley & Miller's and spilt it all over, I was mad enough to cuss. We found out that to-morrow would be the last day they would cut ice, so as we couldn't get the team shod, Dad. spoke to Allan Law and he said he would hold it for us. We intended to get the ice house all ready this after noon but didn't get much done to it. Alfred came over for a visit & Felix Perkins came in to sell a wind mill. I was going to print pictures to-night but we were a little late with tea and as I wanted to do quite a lot, I thought I had better wait till I had more time. Dick didn't come home to tea to night. We don't know where he is but suppose he has gone to A.Y.P.A. There was quite a snow storm tonight this morning but cleared off and was very sunny & mild this after noon. Clear & freezing to night. Tuesday February 18th Allan Law came with the first load of ice this morning soon after breakfast before we had our chores done and we have been on the hump all day. We just put in six loads, and think that will be enough till we see if it keeps and we can easily put in more another time. It kept us busy to keep it well chinked with snow and icechips and we have yet to get some sawdust and pack it. Dick had to work last night till midnight and to-night came home, he has to work every other night for awhile. It has been very mild and sunny all day, freezing to-night. Wednesday February 19th Dad. & I did the chores all up this forenoon. Vyse was over for quite awhile and also a pedlar who waited around about ten minutes for Enah to make her appearance to sell something and then received hardly any attention so departed with haste. Aunty went down to the dentists but had to go again to-morrow. We took Joe & Ginger down right after dinner to be shod. I came home soon after we got there but Dad. did not get back till dark. Butler is 19 �so slow. I didn't do much except put some more snow in the chinks of ice and cut a little wood. Dad. had to milk after tea to-night. Dick didn't come home to tea as he has to work to night. Mrs. Jack & Mrs. Charlie Martin were over this after noon while Enah was visiting at Quanbury's. It has been a lovely day but terribly muddy. Thursday February 20th Dad. & I left as soon after breakfast as possible this morning for Brad. Bowlby's to get a load of sawdust, we got back about noon and after putting it in the ice-house found we would need more, so left right after dinner and got a bigger load, getting home at four o'clock. Dick got home early and unloaded it for us, we could use a little more but we have enough for the present. To-night Dick got a ticket for Dad. to go to the Library Concert so I went with them, they had a farce called "That Rascal Pat" which wasn't much in itself, but the actors, Bill Davis, Perce Brock & Art. Lawson were great. It was very short and we were home at half past ten. It barely froze last night, and has thawed very much all day. If we had waited any longer to go for our sawdust we wouldn't have been able to get in after it, the road was so bad. Mrs. Crosby Morgan died last night. Friday February 21st Just as we were getting ready to sack up some oats this morning, Jack came along and bought our veal calf (Erie's) for eight dollars, he was big but very thin. Dad. took some oats & barley down to the mill to be chopped just before dinner. Aunty went down town to get some flowers for Mrs. Morgan's funeral. Frank came home at noon and is to have a half holiday, as Mr. Smith had to go to Captain McFell's funeral this afternoon. Allan Law came in after dinner and said he was going to take his seed to Jarvis in the morning so I am going with him and take ours. Dad. settled up with him for threshing and he didn't charge anything for hauling the ice, so we got it pretty cheap, as Val. didn't charge for cutting it. Dad. and I went down town after some coal oil and came around by the mill and got our chop and then loaded on our seed. We started to have a musical evening but Tiddums opposed uss and had to have refreshments. Colder to-day with cold easterly wind, getting stormier tonight. Saturday February 22nd We got up before day light this morning as I expected to go to Jarvis with Allan Law, but he never turned up, we supposed on account of the weather. Dad. informed us this morning that the old sow had a big litter of piglets. We have counted them several times during the 20 �day and have come to the conclusion there are thirteen, all healthy and of uniform size. Soon after breakfast young Billy Louis came after Dad to go and see a sick cow so Frank and I were left with all the undone chores on our hands, but we got them off in good shape by noon, besides throwing off what was left of the load of threshed blue grass standing on the barn floor. Dad. got home about noon and had to hurry to get down town by one as he had to be bearer at Mrs. Morgan's funeral. Aunty went down with him. I didn't do much all the afternoon except cut a little wood. The Ryersies came up and Frank went with them back to the gully as Frank discovered a rabbit hole in the mound. One of our white cats has been sick for the last couple of days and to-night has disappeared we are afraid for good. I read "Oour Mutual Friend" all evening and wound up with a bath which nearly killed me. It rained last night and then froze and has been raining most of the day with several heavy down pours. Sunday February 23rd The two boys went to Sunday school Aunty didn't go as she has a cold and didn't like to go out in the wind. I went down to church. Winny came over to dinner with Dick, who spent the after noon down town. Dad. did chores. I read most of the time. We had some music. Frank went back in the gully to look at his empty snares. It has been much colder to day with a raw wind, freezing hard to night Dad is very anxious about his little pigs and to day battoned up the cracks in the pig pen, he says they feel as warm as toast. There are thirteen live ones and one dead one. Monday February 24th Allan Law came over this morning before I was through break fast all ready to start for Jarvis I got ready as quickly as I could, with Dad's big coon skin over coat and stalked over to Law's as Allan had to load up their seeds, we got started about nine o'clock. When we got down about to the fourth concession Allan got out to walk and then got in with Bellack who was leading a team to Jarvis to sell to Dave. Ward who is shipping to-day, so I drove on to Jarvis's alone, I pulled into the association store as I saw the name of Fess above the door but Allan saw me and told me to come on down farther to a brother of this fellow, so we went down and left our load at the other place till after dinner. I came away in such a hurry this morning that I forgot to take any money so had to look to Allan for dinner, and so got a dandy. It took the fellow all the after noon to clean up our alsike & blue grass red clover and we had to leave our blue grass for another time. We got $11 1/2 for the alsike & $9 for the red clover, which is as good as any body is getting now I guess. I got $18 for mine. Allan only 21 �got $10 for his alsike as it was part white clover. The fellow said it would have been worth a lot more than ours if it had been brought in two months sooner but now the market was closed for it. Allan got the same for his red seed as we did. I think he expected more than he got. We left there I guess about half past five, and got home about seven, we came a lot faster than we went as we had a big load on this morning. Dad has been over to Louises' this after noon, their cow is getting better he had a very enjoyable visit with John Wess on his way - one of our little pigs got killed some way this morning thirteen was an unlucky number anyway. Emery McPherson and Mrs. Johnson were over this after noon. Mrs. McBride has been here washing all day. Dick did not get home to-night, had to work I suppose. Pretty cold to day but sunny and nice. Roads are awfully rough down east Tuesday February 25th We were very late this morning getting started, owing to my staying in bed later than I should have, so it took us till noon doing chores. Allan Law came in with our seed and took the waggon away with him again. This after noon Dad. & I drove down town on sundry errands Dick came home to tea but went back down town again to see Huby. he said he might skate or work. Aunty has been feeling very miserable all day, with grip or neuralgia or both. Pretty cold, but sunny and no wind. I finished reading "Our Mutual Freind" to night, sorry to leave it. Wednesday February 26th We didn't do any thing but chores to day. We went down to Alfred's with the sacks we borrowed from him and found him feeling pretty sick with a cold, we were there quite awhile and got back about noon Ern. Fleming was in for awhile this after noon to have Dad. look at his horse who has scratches. I drew a little this after noon and spen the evening practising on my horn. Frank went down town to-night to the moving picture show. Dick was going too so we stayed down to tea It snowed all day, no wind and not very cold Thursday February 27th It snew & blew nearly all day. We did up all the chores this morning. Allan Law brought back our waggon and borrowed the hay rack to haul a couple of loads of hay down town, he brought it back to-night. This after noon Dad. drove Enah down town and when they got back he & I drove down to the mill got some corn cobs and took them down to Huby's as he wanted some to smoke his pork. I printed pictures tonight and met with fairly good success. Dick did not work to-night 22 �Friday February 28th Dad. & I went down first thing this morning and got a load of coal with Joe & Ginger. We let Belle & Harry out separately for a ran in the barn yard and they evidently enjoyed them selves immensly, especially Harry. who was enraptured, this after noon we did chores and unloaded our coal. Aunty has felt very miserable all day and feels as if she was getting the grip. Dick did not come home to-night, this being the end of the month he had to work late. It snowed the biggest part of the day but was quite mild. We are getting enough snow now to make up for the rest of the winter. Saturday March 1st We did the chores all up this morning, this after noon we sat down to read, and stayed a good deal longer than we should have - and then drove Joe & Ginger down town for exercise, the sleighing is pretty good now. When we were letting the team into the stable to-night Joe who goes in first stopped in the alleyway to nose for hay and Ginger came up behind and turned in beside Belle and she kicked Ginger just below the knee and raised quite a lump, but we don't think it will be serious. Frank has spent the day looking at his empty trap and snares and scouring the farm in search of material to make a sleigh. Our other white cat is at the point of death to-night, they must have got poisoned. Isaac Johnson & Jack Lawrie were over this morning with a new horse bought by the farmer. March has put in a very lamblike appearance. It snowed quietly most of the morning, and has been sunny & mild the rest of the day. Sunday March 2nd The boys went to Sunday school and I went down to church. Aunty didn't go on account of her cold and the bad weather Quint. came over to dinner and this after noon we went over to the Shand's as Charlie had asked Frank at school. It was a rough day for a drive and we werent sure wheter we could get through the cuts or not. This one out here was nearly full and we just had room for Joe to go down one side of it. The four of us in the cutter made quile a load but she got through the drifts nobly and where there were no drifts the sleighing was pretty good. We were there all the after noon and they wanted us to stay to tea but the wind was getting worse all the time so we thought it was better to leave before dark. We drove around the other way coming home past McQueen's and the Mill as we weren't shure about getting through the other way. It was getting very much colder and in some places I couldn't see any farther than Joe's head for the drifting snow. we got home 23 �just about dark, the lane out here was full and we all had to get out for to let Joe get through Dad walked down to Alfred's this after noon and to Art's as Mrs Tuck asked Frank in Sunday school to let them know that old Mrs. Sindon. had another stroke. Dad got very cold, and says Alfred isn't feeling much better yet. Quint stayed here all night. Aunty read to us all the evening, but I went to sleep before she finished. Monday March 3rd Dad didn't feel very well to-day so we did not do anything out side but chores and cut a little wood. We also started to make out a list of seeds to send for to Simmer's It snowed pretty much all day, was cold and windy this morning but the wind went down a little and it was a great deal milder this after noon. Dick did not come home to tea to-nigh but went to A.Y.P.A. I had quite a piano practice to-night. Tuesday March 4th I drove Dick down town this morning as the walking was so bad, we were to late in starting to take Frank. When I got back Enah was ready to go down with 10 lbs of butter so after cleaning out the stables I drove her down, she got 30 cts a lb. for the butter, we didn't get back much before noon. Allan Law came over to get one of us to help him shovel out the cut on the side road out here but as neither could go he said he wasn't going to do it alone and so departed after breaking the handle of our snow shovel while talking. Dad felt very miserable to-day so we didn't do any thing much this after noon but finish making out our list of seeds. Aunty got a letter from Miss Scott this afternoon saying that a little daughter arrived yesterday after noon to Ray & Vernon. Aunty couldn't make out from the letter whether they were extra anxious about Vernon or not, but we didnt get any more word tonight so Dad. thinks every thing must be all right. We are afraid that all our cats except Fits and her mother have gone where they don't play billiards as neither the grey or black cat has showed up for the last two or three milking times. I had a good practice on horn & piano to-night. It snowed a little to-day but was pretty sunny & not cold. Wednesday March 5th I drove Aunty & Dick down town, this morning. Aunty got Cousin Willie to telephone Ray and find out how things were, he said they were doing better and said there would be a letter from him on the noon train. I drove around town while waiting for Aunty as I didn't want to keep Joe waiting. Bob. Miller asked me if we could keep a ewe for awhile for him as didn't want to kill it yet. Aunty found out from Aunty Maude that Mrs. Baugner's friend Mr. Hamer 24 �the great Shropshire man was coming to Mr Scofield's this afternoon so Dad. & I went down and met him and thought he was a very nice fellow. We have been troubled lately by a very disagreeable odour in the dining room and until this morning have been unable to discover the cause, but upon investigation Dad found our two cats the black one and the white one which disappeared from the horse stable so mysteriously lying dead in the garret directly over the dining room stove, where it was warm. Frank found the remains of the grey cat underneath the cultivator in the barn to-night, our once great supply of cats has now dwindled down to two head. Dick had to work to-night so did not get home to tea. Mrs. McBain. died very suddenly this morning about ten o'clock. I had a pretty good practice tonight. Rather cold, but sunny, windy to-night. Thursday March 6th Helen Agusta Wind was here to-day, so in honor of her visit we didn't do any thing but chores, and not all of them as we didn't clean out the horse stable at all, for the first time this winter. This afternoon I walked down town to get the mail as Dick wasn't coming home to tea to-night. The lane was full of snow-drift so we couldn't drive. To night I went down to the Orchestra dance, I didn't decide to go till just in time to get ready but the wind had died down, so it wasnt so bad going. Dick was there and we had a good time, the only boots I could find to wear, were a pair of thin soled paten leathers of Dad's, they were about a foot too long for me but worked pretty well, we got home about three in the morning; it was freezing hard and I guess was the coldest night this winter. Frank didn't go to school to-day on account of a bad cold. Friday March 7th Dad. and I started to dig out the lane this morning but Sam Law came over - about ten o'clock - and got Dad. to go and help dig out the one cut on the side road and at the winding hills, so I didn't get finished here. This afternoon we did chores, and I walked down and got the mail and my hair cut. Frank was in the house all day to-day again and feels pretty sick. Dick brought home a book to-night which he persisted in reading out loud and so I could not get this written. Had a practice on my horn. It has been freezing hard all day but sunny and no wind. Saturday March 8th Dad. and I did up the chores this morning, we also finished shovelling out the lane. I drove Enah down town this after noon to sell her butter and do shopping I didn't wait for her 25 �standing as I was afraid Joe would get cold so drove around town I picked up Roy Dell and afterwards Quint & Jim Muth piled in too but they didn't stay long. When we got home Mr. & Mrs. Morley Buck and kids were over just leaving. Mrs. Buck had been comparing babies but thought Tiddums would be not much account as he didn't sleep out doors. Jack Martin came over this after noon while we were gone and took all his roosters. Dick didn't come home to tea to-night we supposed he had to work. We started to have a practice to-night but Tiddums had to wake up and be fed just as we got started and it looks now as if I was in for a bath. It has been much milder to-day snowed this morning and is almost thawing this evening before sundown. Sunday March 9th The boys went to Sunday school this morning, Aunty stayed home to mind Tiddums so as to let Dad. & Enah go to church, we started rather late and it was beginning to rain before we got to the corner it was pouring so hard we came back. Frank did not go to church. This after noon we didn't do anything much Dad. did all the chores and Enah & I practiced Dick read, he was very disappointed as he has been counting on a sleigh ride this afternoon but the sleighing is nearly all gone, although a cutter & bob sleigh did go past in the mud. It has been very mild & sunny this after noon but every thing is flooded. Monday March 10th Dad. and I loaded up some wheat oats this morning and took it down to be chopped. This after noon Dad drove Aunty down to the McBains and on down town to get the mail and then drove around by the mill for the chop Just after dinner Allan Law drove in with his new buggy and harness and wanted to go to Jarvis after the blue grass money, so I went with him. the roads were a little muddy but not bad we went down and back in three hours, and were there half an hour or more. We got eight dollars for our seed with 17 lbs of alsike in it and Allan got a little over five for his. we didn't expect any more. He gave usl 2 1/2 cts for the blue gras & 17 cts per lb for the alsike. Allan bought me a cigar and I was fool enough to smoke it on the way home. It was my first whole one and although I didn't suffer any ill effects from it I think it will be my last because I don't see any sense in it. Mrs. McBride has been here washing to-day. Cliff Mc{Baind?} was in before break fast this morning to see if Dad would take their old mare but we couldn't so Dad told him to shoot her which he did this afternoon. Although they hated to do it, they couldn't manage any other was as they are all leaving for Toronto to-night. Dick did not get home to tea to-night. Very mild and sunny. snow going fast. 26 �Tuesday March 11th Teddy George was in before breakfast this morning to get Dad. to go over to Monteith's to see a sick cow Dad. fed the calves and had a cup of coffee but when he got over there the cow was dead. After doing up the chores Dad hooked up Joe & Ginger and we hauled up a load of rails. This afternoon we put a load of timothy on the rack to haul to the horse stable in the fmorning when the ground is frozen. Dad had been carrying blue grass over lately. Frank went down to see a health-car to-night so was late getting home. Just before ten Hazen & Murray drove in to tell Dick that he needn't go to work to night but Dick didn't come home anyway. Murray says he is home on sick leave but not very sick. Miss Monteith & Mrs Welch were in this after noon. Mild. muddy and springlike Wednesday March 12th Lorne Myers and his father came in first thing this morning to get a load of the threshed blue grass which Dad. told him he could have for five dollars a load, while they were putting it on we took Joe & Ginger and hauled our load of timothy over to the horse stable. Bill Donald came in just as the Myers were going - and it was nearly noon when he left. Dad. discovered Queen had cut a nasty gash in her {right?} fore leg just above the fetlock, he thought at first the tendon was cut but when he bathed it after dinner found it wasn't; he feels very badly about it and is afraid it will always be rough there. This afternoon we weighed and took Alfred's bushel of clover seed to him. He his pretty sick yet. When we got back we went out and cleaned out the road ditch running on the south side of the wheat field - as it was full of snow - and was backing a big pond on to the wheat. The seeds we sent to Simmer's for came to-day. Froze last night but sunny & thawing to-day looks like a big storm. Thursday March 13th We bathed Queen's leg and did chores this morning Aunty went down town to the dentist and stayed down to go to Bible class this after noon Dad. drove down after her about half past four. This after noon Dad & I moved quite a lot of the threshed blue grass out of the drive way into the barn. To night Dick and I went down to band practice but there wasn't any thing much going on as a lot of them were practicing at the Presbyterian concert. Dick couldn't get his cornet as Bill Graham has taken it. Murray was playing a lot of the new song hits over on the town hall piano for Walt Perce Brock was dancing to them. Vyse was over 27 �most of the morning. It rained a little but has been sunny & warm Frank and Dad each saw a robin to-day and Dick said he saw two or three, they are the first I have heard of. Friday March 14th I didn't get up early this morning and had the blues for most of the forenoon. We fixed up the ice house a little more and put some tar paper and siding on the front of it so that it looks ever so much better. This after noon we trimmed apple trees we got two pretty well browsed in two hours and a half. The cows all went back to the gully this after noon, when I went back for them they were nosing around half way to the culvert but they came when I called them. Lila came over with Frank to stay all night. Dick came home to tea. After we sat down to tea Roy Bannister came after Dad. to go and see their old horse which he said was choking. Dad. had his tea and then went over to see it. Tiddums allowed Enah to play the whole evening for Dick and me. and I didn't go to bed till about eleven. It has been a beautiful day quite hot but to-night a very heavy thunder storm came up and it rained & hailed nearly all evening, that in the spring means cold weather. Saturday March 15th We got up pretty fairly early this morning and Dad discovered that the calves were in the sheep pen and upon investigation found that they had come through the barn and had let the sheep all out. we supposed the wind last night had blown the barn doors open. Another little bit of excitement we had was Dick discovering that Lila had come in to his room before he was awake and taken his Romany Club pin of his coat. and she wouldn't give it back. She said he had no right to it as he didn't belong to their club. but he said he was going to keep it as they had sold it to him. We found out later when Winnie came over that Lila had lost hers, and there wasn't another one so she had taken Dick's but Win persuaded to give it back as they had found the lost one. I think Dick bought it so as there wouldn't be enough to go round and led them to under stand he was buying it for another member of the club. We got the chores done up pretty early but didn't get any thing else much done. Dad. went over to Bannister's to see their horse and says he thinks it will die. Roy came back with him and fooled around with Frank nearly all morning and at last went home with an Horatio Alger book after Frank had showed about half a dozen {"tame" illegible} Win and Lila went home soon after dinner. This afternoon Dad drove Enah and Frank down town, Enah sold her butter and Frank got a new suit which he is highly delighted with. Dad arranged with Marshall to send our cream to the butter factory in April.The roads were a fright, frost nearly out in some places. I cut wood and cleaned out enough threshed 28 �bluegrass to shut the barn doors. It rained this morning this after noon very high wind and colder not quite freezing to-night. Dick had to work tonight. Tiddums on the mend slept most of the day. Sunday March 16th Aunty and the boys went down to sunday school & church I helped Dad do up some of the chores and then left here about eleven for church. I was a little late of course so sat in the back with Dick & Fred Tuck. Quint came over to dinner with us and this afternoon he Dick & I went down town and sat around down at the Vigilant with Jim Muth till six. Dick stayed down to tea at Huby's but I came home. Dad did up the chores. It froze last night and has been much colder to-day with a sharp wind. Freezing pretty hard to night. Snow flurries to day. Monday March 17th Dad. and I caught the two young gobblers this morning and put them up over the pig pen, where we hope to get them in a corpulent state, one for home consumption and the other to convert into cash, we started before dinner to move more alsike & bluegrass threshing and this after noon got it all out of the drive way and piled in one corner of the empty bent in the barn as high as was convenient to pich, there is still quite a pile in the shed. Enah went down town to church this afternoon, there is church every afternoon this week now. Dick came home with her. Tom. Abbot was in this morning to see Dad. about his mare who has distemper. It froze pretty stiff last night and there has been a rather sharp breeze to- day but sunny. Tuesday March 18th I went down town this morning took some saws down for Emery to sharpen and got him to come over to morrow to help us build a smoke house. I also saw Huby and asked him to come over as Dad. wanted to speak to him about tendering for a mail route. He came over this afternoon and said he would think about it. I got a pair of low shoes and came home. This after noon we tore down most of the old chicken house - as that is were we expect to get the material for the smoke house. Skinny Ryersie came over this after noon with the ewe Bol. Miller wanted to keep her for awhile. He said it was one of my old ones, but I dont beleive I would have recognised it. Aunty went down to church this after noon. Art Quanbury was in soon after dinner and got all the white wyandotte pullets (14). It has been very much milder but windy. 29 �Wednesday March 19th Emery did not show up this morning as we expected and we found out after wards that he stayed at home to help Mrs. McPherson get ready to go to Courtright in the morning. Dad. and I finished taking the nails out of the old chicken house boards and I just hung around this after noon and went back to the gully where I heard a frog. Enah went down to church this afternoon. To-night Dick and Frank went to the show the Presbyterian church had in the town hall called "The Old District School" which they enjoyed very much. I had a good practice. Lovely day very mild the frost nearly all out. Thursday March 20th Emery came over this morning and built the smoke house getting it all finished by to-night. Dad. & I helped him and I cleaned out the separator this after noon Aunty went down to church to-day. Emery stayed here to tea and Cecil came over here to find him. After tea Dick. Emery Cecil and I went down town & I went to band practice Dick got his first long pants to-night but I don't think he likes them much. It rained a little and was threatening this morning but turned out fine and was a beautiful night. Friday March 21st It poured rain most of the morning. Frank and Enah went down to church as this is Good Friday. Cecil McPherson came over and said he thought he would stay here awhile on his way to his Grandpa's, but owing to the weather he stayed till after dinner when his father came and called for him. A terrific wind got up about noon and blew things "galley west." It flatene our barnyard fence, tore some of the roof of our cow stable rooted up the old half dead mountain ash tree at the corner of the spare bedroom and blew over our new smoke house. We three boys went down town and found the water very high down at the pier. We noticed Woodson's tank has blown off its tower and their fence is lying all over the sidewalk. Aunty and I intended to go to church to-night but as the wind was so bad we decided to stay home and I had a pretty fair practice. Dick went down town to a party at {Bessie?} Graham's. Saturday March 22nd Dad and I & Frank fixed up the fence around the barnyard which blew down yesterday. Roy Bannister came over to spend the morning with Frank. This after noon Dad and I went down town to get some groceries. We have to take beef for Easter as the wind yesterday blew 30 �apart the pig pen door and both the turkeys got loose and we haven't caught them yet. We heard of quite a lot of damage being done around here several wind mills put out of business and the roof blew off Chart. Wooleys barn. but by the paper we see there is much more damage done in other parts of the province. Dad. got his hair cut and I waited around till he got through Mrs. Lawrie was here when we got back. I had a good practice to-night. Sunny with cold wind. Sunday March 23rd As this was Easter Sunday, Dad. and Enah managed to get down to church while Aunty looked after Tiddums. This after noon I wasted in sleeping and reading Dad & Frank did all the chores. It was cloudy this morning and rained all the afternoon Aunty wanted to go to church to-night but couldn't on account of the weather. Franks got 12 eggs to-day which is more than he has got since Christmas but for that it has seemed very un-Eastery. Monday March 24th I didn't do any thing much to-day but chores Dad & Frank cleaned up the old barn, and I read a lot of "Tom Dick & Harry". Jimmy Lawse came over quite early this morning and got Fred. Dad. was disappointed Bob. didn't see her before she got all wet and muddy but I saw Bob to-night and he said she was in better shape than he expected. The fellow that lives down at the corner where Andre used to live was over this morning to see if he could buy some little pigs as he had a lot of milk going to waste, he seemed disappointed when he couldn't get them but Dad. didn't want to sell any and had had a lot speak before. It poured rain all last night and most of the morning but was clear all the afternoon. About dark it began again and kept it up all night to-night. Dick and I went down to the Orchestra dance to-night, it was raining so hard when we left about 3 am that we went down to Huby's. I just took off my coat and boots and lay on the sofa. Dick I guess turned in with Quint. About six I came home. Dick spent about half of his holiday yesterday in bed and the other half in town. {The entries for Mar. 25 & 26 were written by Toby's father, Harry Barrett.} Tuesday March 25th It poured rain all last night and this forenoon, the mud is terrible Tobe and Dick stayed at Hubert's after the ball. Tobe got home Just as Frank and I were getting the fires going. We did very little but chores all day, the papers are full of the awful loss of life and property 31 �caused by the storm on Good Friday. It was fair for a little while this afternoon but is raining and freezing a little tonight. Wednesday March 26th A very heavy fog this morning, but mild the ice was dropping from the trees, we took Joe and Ginger on the lumber wagon and moved the big bin from the drive house over to the old barn there we put on three sacks of oats to go to the mill, we got there and then on down town. Aunty went with us, (Frank & me) she stayed down town. Frank and I got home about noon with our chop and our flour. After dinner we cleaned up some wheat. Aunty got home about six. Dick did not get home to tea. Toby went down to have a practice. It is a dark dismal night and not knowing whether to snow or rain. Thursday March 27th It blew & snew all day so we didn't do any thing out side but chores. I drew a little this morning while Dad. paid a visit to Alfred and Frank worked at his "Mecanno" We weren't sure whether Dick would be home to night with the mail. I walked down after it, I saw Dick and we went down and got our Science books and I brought them home. I took my horn down this afternoon and went down to band practice to night. Dick did get home to tea after all. The papers are full of account of the awful floods in Ohio.There has been a blizzard most of the day and to-night is freezing quite stiff. Snow all over again Friday March 28th We put in most of the day to-day hauling hay. We had two motives for so doing, first because we were out of hay both in horse stable and cow barn, and secondly because we wanted to get at the clover which was under what we hauled for the sheep, we just cut a square out of one corner of the blue grass mow and took out all the blue grass till we struck clover. We could only haule half loads as the mud under the frozen crust was to hard to pull through but Joe & Ginger did it. We hauled one half load to the other barn and half a one to the horse stable and put half a one on the rack Frank pitched out of the mow Dad pitched on and I loaded. Enah went down town this morning and Aunty went calling at Brileys & Martin's this afternoon. It has been very sunny all day but a cold wind, freezing to night. Saturday March 29th 32 �Frank, Dad and I cleaned up more wheat this morning but have quite a lot left yet. Nig. came over this morning and he and Frank went back hunting this after noon around the gully. I went back too with my camera. I intended to follow the south creek to its source but as I couldn't get across it and there were several branches to it I had to keep on the south of every branch. I was led at last nearly to Colin McNellige's barn - and then I went down to Cedar swamp in quest of skunk cabbage but as I was on the wrong side of that creek and the log was gone I didn't find any, I think it is a little early any way. I heard a dog barking down the stream and upon investigation, discovered Billy Louis & Balby Wright with their dog's. I talked to them awhile and then came part way home with Billy the same way I came went. Dad. and Aunty went down town this after noon Dad. settled up with Bob Miller for Fred. he got $60.00 for her, just what he asked and Bob said she was worth it. Bob offered him $48.00 for the twelve little pigs now but Dad. doesn't want to sell them till he has spoken to the othe people who have asked for them, he saw Carl Coleman coming over here on his way home with his cow who had another piece of turnip in her throat. Dick did not get home to tea to night It has been much milder to-day and very sunny. Sunday March 30th I went down to church this morning. Aunty and the boys went down to Sunday School and church. Dick stayed down at Huby's to tea dinner. This after noon I decided to take a walk up to Wooley's to make sure whether the roof was off his barn or not as we have heard conflicting reports concerning it. I fell in with Jacks Spain & Winn, Lewie Larose & Geordie Spain. and they came to the conclusion that they would go with me, but Lewie didn't go very far. The rest of went up to Wooley's point with out much adventure, then I left them there to go and ascertain the facts of the barn case, and found it in perfectly good condition and I didn't think it was likely they would have it all fixed up so soon. I came back to the lake just by Hay Creek and saw the other fellows down the beach, and saw by their foot prints that they had kept on the beach so I thought if they could go that way I could too but soon found out that I was very much mistaken. I got into quicksand above my boot tops and just covered myself with mud (I was fool enough to have worn my good clothes) I lost one rubber and fished around with my fingers for about five minutes before I found it. I struck for the bank at the first opportunity and stayed there till I got to where I knew I wouldn't have to cross any more mud. I washed my rubbers off as well as I could. When I got down to McCoy's bush I found Skinny & Perce Ryersie with Fred Tuck Bangers & {Smock?} making maple syrup they had quite a quantity of sap gathered and were boiing it down right there. I took a picture of them and then homeward plodded my weary way, via 33 �the back streets of Dover thus escaping the notice of most of the good people who might scoff at my appearance. I stopped at Huby's to try and brush off some of the mud but did not succeed he gave me a piece of Sassafras root which Mr Henderson had got. Lovely sunny day but muddy in spots Monday March 31st Dad. went off this morning to settle up about the sale of his little pigs, he saw. John Quanbury & Vyse and they didn't want to block the sale of the bunch so he sold the eleven of them to Bob. Miller for forty five dollars he had given the runt to Frank so couldn't sell it with the rest. I did the chores up and Tupper came through on his way down town. This afternoon the old man that lives down at the corner came up here with his cream to churn as Dad. told him he might this morning. Part of the barn yard fence blew down again this morning and some of the cattle got into the field. About four o'clock Dad. and I went up to Ham Thompsons and Dad bought his registered short horn bull calf for fifty five dollars although he wanted sixty as he says their price has gone up very much lately. We didn't get home till six so were late with the chores. Dick did not get home to tea to-night I suppose as it is the last of the month It rained alittle this morning, cloud, windy and colder to-night. Tuesday April 1st There was a very strong wind blowing all day to-day and as wind makes Dad. sick & mad. we didn't do anything but chores, but did them thoroughly, we also went out and I held the ladder while Dad nailed a board on the eve of the cow stable roof, as the wind was getting under our roofing paper and tearing it. This after noon I slept most of the time and Dad made some meat hooks out of the rod he got from Butler the other day. Aunty went down town this morning and stayed down till after the auxillary this after noon. Dick did not get home to tea. I had a good practice to-night. Ed. Aikens was in this after noon to see Dad. about a dog which he left here to be looked after. Cold but sunny to-day. Froze pretty stiffly last night but the wind dried up a lot of mud. Wednesday April 2nd Dad. and I put up the barnyard fence again this morning which the wind blew down the day before yesterday While we were at it the old man at the corner, (whose name he told us was Mr. Green, but who is commonly known as Jonas by the surrounding neighbourhood.) came in and bargained for a load of hay. Dad. said he would let him have a load of thashed alsike for five dollars but would not deliver it with the roads in the shape they are, so this 34 �after noon he got Allan Law to come and get it for him, his wife came last night so he is a little more cheerful, Charlie Martin was over this morning for awhile to see about getting some meat smoked and he helped us raise the smoke house. We chopped up the old mountain ash tree that blew down and got a small pile of firewood from it. This after noon we didn't do much as Allan Law and his friend Jonas came after the latter's hay and we stayed out at the barn watching them work. Tupper came in soon after their exodus and entertained us for about an hour relating the history of Jonas, & Sairy his wife as he had known them in the days of his youth when they lived near Waterford. It appears that Jonas has a few shingles of his roof and that some of "Saiway's" as Jonas evidently calls her are loose. It was rather late in the life of each of them when they entered upon their matrimonial career and all has not been perfectly clear sailing since as they now and then strike a rock in the shape of a pugilistic bout, in which the old lady generally comes off with the laurels. Many were the anecdotes he told of pranks & tricks enjoyed by the juvenile portion of the comunnity at Mr. Green's expence and one case where that gentleman's claw's did him a good service in peeling a youth's face with whom he was engaged in battle. Aunty went down town this after noon and brough back a note from Mrs. Lawson containing news of the arrival of a new member to the house of Tupper, and it was to be delivered to the head of that house. Mrs. Tupper is down at Mrs. Lawson's and the stork called yesterday morning but Mrs. Lawson hadn't seen anybody to carry the tidings home. Tupper said this after noon he in tended to call down there the end of this week or the beginning of next to see if there was any thing doing, he supposed they would let him know if a boy came but if it was a girl he didn't care a cent. Poor Tupper it was a girl and he was going fishing to-night. Just before ten to-night Billy Barlow drove in he had been down in this country after beef and dropped in to see us and Dad sold him his two gobblers. Dick did not come home to tea to night but I went down to private band practice and we came home to gether. Pud. Slocomb Roy Dell & Walt were at band practice and we had a fairly good one. Very nice day to-day Sunny and quite mild, Roads are drying up fast. Blacker than a stack of black cats to-night. Found 4 duck eggs in mudpuddle Thursday April 3rd Mr. Green came in this morning for a little visit before breakfast and sat by the door with his hat on all the time we were eating. We couldn't do very much out side to day on account of the weather but this morning we finished cleaning up the wheat and this after noon started to clean up oats but didn't get much done Emery came over with the pieces he is going to put on the bed piece of the rack to rest on the holster instead of the cross 35 �pieces on the holster but he couldnt finish the job as the bolts he brought over didn't have a long enough thread cut on them. Tonight I went down to band practice with Emery. I wore my steel boots and gaiters to keep off the mud and I left my horn at Hubys. It has rained nearly all day to-day with thunder and lightening but seems to have cleared off to night. It seems there is a new fellow now negotiating with the town concerning a canning factory they have formed a joint stock company and yesterday sold $8000 worth of shares they want to sell $15000 worth. Friday April 4th Dad. & I drove Joe & Ginger up to Simcoe to-day. Dad went to Frank Reid's and paid the intrest on the mortgage and $1000 of the principal which Aunty got and wanted to pay last fall but couldn't as they wouldn't take it till the right date. We got there just a little after twelve and Dad. just caught Mr. Reid as he was leaving for dinner we also called around to see Billy Barlow but his shop door was locked so we dropped in at Church's and got our old harnessed fixed and came home getting here about half past three. The roads were very bad in some places especially in the streets of Simcoe, we didn't go by the half way house but turned at the cemetry corner and came out on the gravel at St. John's as Carl Coleman told me the other night there was a bad place near Brad. Bowlby's but we found the back road in very good condition. We had our dinner and did up a few chores after we got home Charlie Martin came over just before tea and tuned the piano Dick came home to tea. It has been cloudy and threatening all day but quite mild. It rained before and after we went to Simcoe but was fair all the time we were gone. Quint was over a couple of times after some ducks, Frank saw in the timothy field. But Saturday April 5th Frank and Dad. went up to Ham. Thompson's about the first thing this morning and got our bull, they were gone quite a while as he gave them considerable trouble and got away once and ran way down the track. We have to think of name for him as is to be registered. While they were gone Quint and George Haymaker came along, they had come up the creek and came over here to see if the ducks were here, but they weren't. George wanted to know if I knew any body around here by the name of Mull or some name sounding like that, who kept brown leg horn chickens and lived a long way in from the road; by this last hint I suppose I mentioned Tupper which proved to be the correct answer; they didn't know the way over there so I showed them part way as George wanted to get some eggs. This after noon Frank & Enah went down town for supplies. I cut wood and Dad carried hay and then we hung the 36 �hams all up in the smoke house Dick didn't come home to tea to-night. It has been colder and windy to-day with quite a snow storm to-night. Sunday March April 6th Aunty and the boys went down to Sunday school and I went to church this morning. This after noon I drew a pattern to carve and Dick went down town. Dad. did nearly all the chores. {The remainder of this paragraph was written by Toby's father, Harry Barrett.} Toby and Hattie have gone in to have some music so I told him I would finish this, there is little more to say. It has been a cold miserable day, quite a wind with occasional snow flurries, it is freezing hard tonight. Monday April 7th I didn't do anything much to-day, helped Dad. a little clean out the place where we had the calves as he wants to build a stall for the bull (who by the way we have decided to call Dreadnought after Aunty's suggestion) in one corner of it. Dad. lit a fire in the smoke house this morning and about noon Art Quanbury came over with Charlie Martin's hams and some side meat of his fathers which Dad promised to smoke. Bob. Miller came over and got the little pigs to-day. He paid $44.00 for the eleven but left Runty for Frank, we left him in with the old sow but soon had to remove him as we heard a terrible racket in the pig pen and when Dad went to investigate found the old sow with the little pig down and treating it in a very savage manner and if she had been left to continue would soon have killed it but as it was she didn't hurt it much Aunty went down town this after noon, and something or other struck Enah to go down to A.Y.P.A. to-night so Dad. went with her I guess it was because Aunty Maude was going to recite. Dick did not get home to tea to-night we don't know whether he had to work or not. We think of getting up early in the morning and going fishing back in the gully. Ray Dell told Frank to-night that Ern. Fleming caught 6 pike above the culvert at our place yesterday or the day before. Mrs. McBride was here washing to-day. It was cloudy and inclined to snow this morning but turned sunny & muddy & mild this after noon. Lovely night. {indistinct marks on page} Tuesday April 8th Dad finished building his bull stall to-day. I didn't do much in the morning but this after noon I pruned another apple tree. We got up about half past five this morning and started to the gully armed with a rifle and two pitch forks. We went down to the culvert and walked up but didn't see a sign of aquatic life except a mud turtle who was too cold to resist my 37 �picking him out of the water on my fork and some sort of a fish about a foot long which I speared at but missed. I also saw two minnows. Aunty went down town to the dentists this morning and was successful in finding the door unlocked and Bill in working order. Dick had to work to-night and said when he got home that got nearly through he only made a mistake of $1800.00. Froze hard last night, sunny & breezy to-day. Wednesday April 9th This morning I started to clean up the lawn in front of the house and I raked the grass across the ditch. Then Dad. & I went back to the gully and burned some of the old grass on the flat. After dinner went back again. we burned quite a lot of it but it is a little too wet to run. When we got back we bolted the pieces on the bed pieces of the rack. To-night I went down with my horn to practice but found there was a public meeting on in the hall and consequently no practice so I went to the meeting, it was about the new school by law. Mr. Ivey was speaking when I went in, and he was against it. Then Dr. Hicks & Mr. Robertson who were for it had a little say, then Old Maneer & Dr. Jolly the former for & the latter against it. Old Maneer told us that as he had lived in the back woods all his life he had no education so would like to see a good school and that if nobody else would build it for less than $28000.00 he would take the contract himself. They spent a good part of the time arguing who was going to have the last word but Mr. Ivey left before it was over I think. Dick & I did any way and got home after eleven. Aunty went down town this morning and stayed down all night as Aunty Maude has not been at all well all day. It has been a nice day but with quite a cold wind. Thursday April 10th It rained nearly all day so we didn't do much but chores. As I was cleaning out the stable this morning I got a sharp stitch in my side and had to go in the house and lie down till after dinner, and it was quite a while after dinner before it entirely left me. Aunty came over this morning. This afternoon Dad fixed up the boxstall door and cleaned & admired Queen. Tonight I went down to band practice to-night. There weren't many there as all the orchestra went to Port Rowan to a dance. Bob. Rankin was down and we had a pretty fair practice. Dick had to work all evening hunting for a mistake of 40 something dollars and we came home to-gether through the pouring rain. Quint got word by telephone to-day from Geordie Allen saying he had a job for him and he is to go to Port Coulborne to morrow night. He doesn't know yet what the job is but thinks it is on a boat. 38 �Friday April 11th Quint came over this morning to say goodbye to us and I went out with him to get his traps which he set for the ducks and we scared up six but were too far away to get a shot at them. Aunty went down with Quint and is going to stay down all night I went over as far as Martin's with them and Aunty got Mrs. Charlie Martin to telephone down to see if Bagley & Miller's car of potatoes had come yet but they hadn't so I went over again after the train should have come in but they weren't here. This after noon Jonas came over to prune apple trees. We hardly knew him as he has had his beard shaved off. he got over quite a lot of trees but didn't cut out any thing much but the suckers. He says he will be over to-morrow if it is fine but has to go to work for Ivey on Monday. I went down to-night to see Quint off. Dick was down and said he would have to look for his mistake again to-night. Cloudy & very mild, windy Saturday April 12th Jonas came over at seven this morning and pruned in the orchard all day. He got pretty well over all the trees but I think they would stand a lot more being cut out of them. Dad & I went down to Porter's in the lumber waggon and got back about two o'clock. The roads were awful in places. Art. Ryersie just scraped his hill before the rain so it was like a mortar bed, so to miss it we came home but the Plank road and it was just about as hard pulling down the hill above the brick yard as it would have been pulling up Art. Ryersie's. Dad. & Enah walked down town after dinner and did not get back till after six. Dad. voted for the School by-law and before he came home found out that it had carried by a majority of 10 in town but they hadn't heard from the town-ship yet, most likely the moss backs will be against it. I started to dig up the plum trees out on the front lawn this after noon but the ground was too wet. Frank and I found the turkey nests right out here along the side of the road. Aunty came over this morning after she had voted. Dick is still in quest of his mistake. Jim Law was in here this morning trying to sell Enah some tea & coffee but didn't. Dark & threatening all day but quite mild. Sunday April 13th Dad. caught a whole family of rats in the horse stable last night in the cage trap, there was a mother and five ratlets. He had to drown them although he hated to. He also discovered that Bob's ewe had a lamb last night. Aunty & the boys went down to Sunday school and I went down late to church. This afternoon Dick and I took some duck eggs down to Mrs. 39 �Tuck and Dick bought a film for Frank's camera with the money. We hung around the lake till about five o'clock with Roy Dell and then came home. We found Pud. Smythe & his father had been here all the afternoon and were just going We went in on our way down to see Jona's colt which came this morning. It is a nice colt only one hind leg is crookeder than a snake fence. Enah went to church to-night and Dick went down with her but said he was not going to church. Lovely day, roads drying up fast. Monday April 14th Dad managed to poke a hole through the blocade in the center of the culvert this morning with a scantling and as there was such a head of water on it washed it out clear and in a few minutes it drained the lake that has been in the field on the west side of the road all spring & winter. Then we grubbed out the six plum trees that were planted all in a heap along the lane in the lawn as they were full of black knot and haven't borne fruit since we came here so we want to plant a grape vine in their place. While we were out there Billy Louis drove along breaking his colt then Art. Ryersie, then Mr. Monteith came and each stopped to talk Charlie Martin came over and talked till nearly noon. This after noon I fixed the place up where we dug out the trees and Dad brushed them out. When we went out to the {Courslake?} we had to spend some time with Bobby who had a big bull calf just come.We were rather late getting through to-night but Dad & I went down to Mrs. {Halles?} as soon as we could get ready after tea. Dick came all the home after he had had his tea to tell Dad. to take his songs down but he didn't. We had a nice evening and enjoyed Miss Prest's playing on the violin very much. We got home about twelve and came with Dick who had just got through work as we came out. Aunty Maude went to London to-day as delegate to the W.A. Meetings and Aunty has gone down to keep house for Huby & the girls Charlie Martin got his meat this after noon. and Dad is going to take ours out as it is smoked enough. It has been very nice & sunny but with rather raw east wind. Tuesday April 15th Sam. Law came after Dad. this morning to put a team on the road scraper so he took Joe & Ginger and has had them at it all day. They used the old three cornered {drag?} that has been leaning up against our barn since the reign of Titus and just had the two teams on. Law's & ours. Sam drove their team this morning and Allan drove this after noon. Dad got home about five to-night and said he would have been home half an hour earlier but they hauled the scraper to Law's and Sam was bound he should see their bull calf - and then Allan insisted on him going in to hear a record or two on his new graphaphone. I didn't do 40 �much but chores this morning but chores and this after noon took a walk over the estate. I found the wheat in some places to be pretty badly killed but where we ploughed the manure under it is pretty good and where it was top dressed is better than where there is none at all. On the fall ploughing I noticed that parts of the fields are dry as a bone but in other places it is a little too soggy to work yet. I went back to the gully & burnt a lot more grass but didn't have anything to carry the fire. I went back to the woods and saw quite a lot of May flowers and two garter snakes Dick came home to tea with the mail but had to go back to work. Mild, sunny & breezy. Wednesday April 16th Dad. & I went down first thing this morning with Joe & Ginger & the lumber waggon to get the team shod. we didn't get back till noon. I got some things up town and then went down to Huby's where Aunty showed me where to get some raspberriesroots. I also got a white rose root, one of the old bushes This afternoon I set them out but didn't get all the raspberries put out. Dad got a load of rails, we intended if we had had time to have gone back and harrowed a little this after noon, Vyse has started disking. Frank & Dick had tea at Huby's to-night as they are going to a show in the town hall. Jonas came over to night to pay Dad for what he owed him on the hay and got some apples. One of the hen turkeys died during the night. When Dad went out to feed the calves to-night he gave Frank's runt a big feed of milk - and when he returned he found the poor pig dead at the back of its pen. Lovely sunny day quite hot. Thursday April 17th Dad. started to work on the field this side of the gully on the east side of the lane with Joe & Ginger. He harrowed all morning. I went back with him but just as we got back I noticed the colts out. I went back to put them in. Tig under took to help me but as she chased them way over to the side road I shut her up in the stable I managed to get them back into the barn yard through the lane. While I was after them Taurus & all the calves got out and I chased them for about an hour but a last had to shut them up just where they were. some of them in the clover field, John in the plum orchard and left Jim out on the road. I then planted out the raspberries and Dad put the calves in when he came up. This after noon Aunty came over for a few minutes Dad. took the disks back and disked what he harrowed this morning, some of the land is a little too wet to work yet. I did chores. and cleaned up my horn with some stuff of Quint's which Aunty brought over. its what they used down on the "Vigilant" and is great stuff. To-night I went down to band practice. Roy. Dell. Walt & 41 �John Smith were the only ones there. Dad. went down with me and got the baby carriage which Mrs. Johnston sent to Enah. He came home with Dick who hasn't been working all the after noon. We went down to Huby's for awhile after practice Aunty Maude came home tonight. None of us expected her It has been a lovely day, sunny & hot. Friday April 18th Dad and I worked on the land all day. I disked with Belle & Harry and Dad harrowed wth the little team. We are just working up half the field and are going to try to get it in to morrow after noon. Enah took Tiddums down town this after noon in his fancy carriage. Aunty & Win came over to-night. but Win had to go back after tea. Dick went home with her. Very warm, thunder & lightening after tea but no rain to speak of Saturday April 19th I went out and disked all morning. Dad. and Frank got out the drill and cleaned up some oats, then Dad. came out and harrowed for a couple of hours before noon We didn't get out very early after dinner owing to chores and things but Dad. got sowed nearly all we have worked up and I harrowed after him Frank & Roy Bannister have been hob nobbing together this after noon. Frank went down to Law's after the butter and stayed quite awhile listening to the phonograph We didn't get in till late to-night and didn't get through tea till about nine I had a bath and went to bed Aunty was down town all the after noon. The old sow got out at noon and our efforts to recapture her were unsuccessful. Frank put some apples in her pen but she waited till we were all away before she ate them and then came out again. It froze last night and there has been a cold north wind all day very strong this after noon quite sunny. Sunday April 20th Aunty & the boys went down to Sunday school and I came to church. Lila came over to dinner with us and is staying all night. This after noon, Lila Aunty and I went back to the woods and got some wild flowers. Frank rode his bicycle out to the Shand's and he & Charlie rode out to Renton. Dick spent the after noon with the girls down town. Dicky Smith came over to see Dad. about pasturing a calf this summer, and Dad. said he would. Uncle Ward & Aunt Lucy also came over. Enah went down alone to church to-night. It froze quite hard last night and there has been a cold wind to-day. Monday April 21st 42 �We have been working on the land all day. I went out to disk this morning but the ground was so frozen for an hour or two that it did very little good. Dad. took Joe & Ginger and went down town this morning and got the potatoes which came at last. When he got back he came out and harrowed the rest of the morning and all the after noon. We are now cross disking & cross harrowing it. and we think we will be able to sow to-morrow after noon. Sam. Law came over at noon to borrow the drill and Vyse came and got his roller. Mrs. McBride was here washing to-day. Aunty went down to Huby's to-night & I went with her she expects to leave for Toronto to-morrow night. Cold, but sunny Tuesday April 22nd Dad. kept Frank home this morning and they cleaned up enough seed oats to finish this field. I I disked all morning and finished crossing the field. Dad came out a little before noon and started to drill and drilled all the afternoon just finishing up to-night. I followed him with the harrows and it was after six when I got through but the field is now put in, in good shape and running out the ditches is all that remains to be done. Dick did not come home to-night as he said if he didn't have to work he was going to an old time social in the Methodist church. Frank went to school this after noon & he & Dick went down to the station to see Aunty off. The cows knocked the fence down around the barn-yard and some of them got out so I had to come up to try & put them in but I only got one in so I shut them up in the stable and fixed the fence as well as I could - as we both had to stop in the field for Dad to watch my team. It has been cloudy & cool all the morning it looked threatening and did rain a little but this after noon it came out sunny & hot. {The entries for April 23-24 were written by Toby's father, Harry Barrett.} Wednesday April 23rd We had a terrific Thunder storm last night and as it was pouring rain when I woke at 5 this morning I had another little sleep. The rain cleared off and it came out very hot before noon I opened up a lot of ditches in the old corn ground and Toby and I trimmed up all the sheep. Dick did not come home to tea and Toby went to band practice after tea. Thursday April 24th We were up early this A.M. Frank went to Vyse's after the grass seeder, before breakfast. I had to go down to Art Ryerses first thing had a dickens of a job. Toby and I got the wheat ground all seeded and a lot of the ditches opened up on the Timothy sod, the had to go 43 �down to Joe Longs to see a cow, and after tea tonight I had to go down to old Jonas Greens, The boys, Frank and Dick were at {Win's?} tea party. Tobe is down at band practice It has been very hot all day, every thing has grown since the rain {The entry for April 25 was written by Toby's step-mother, Hattie James ("Enah").} Friday April 25th Toby, having finished a game of hide and seek with Dick and Frank is too tired to write so is exchanging work with me and is darning stockings. This morning was bright and very warm Toby & Harry dug ditches in the old Timothy sod preparatory to sowing oats. They also burnt off the grass around the fences and set fire to a post. Sam Law extinguished the blaze before any damage was done. In the afternoon Toby disked the oat field. Harry did all the chores, brought up the harrows on the stone boat ready to take out in the morning, went out for a load of rails, came in and did up the chores for the night. At noon we had a visitation from our friend Jonas who has a sick cow and came for advice. This has been an exceedingly hot day, unseasonably hot. {The entry for April 26 was very faint and had to be guessed at.} Saturday April 26th As our supply of ink has run out I foun that to {?} of ink: {name?} pencil. I disked all day. Dad. {?} in the early morning up the north part of the field as the other is too wet {?} our {?} waiting under the upper part of the field. It began to rain about half past four this after noon some bad so we had to quit. Frank put in the day building a duck pen in the plum orchard down under the {oak?} tree. Dick got home early to night Great change in the temperatures yesterday I peeled off every thing but my {?} clothes and to-day I was wearing a sweater & mitts. Sunday April 27th It rained all night nearly, not very hard but a steady cool rain, which will the wheat a lot of good and which is bursting the buds on all the trees. Frank went down to Sunday school and Dick and I went down to church. This after noon I read my self to sleep (although I tried not to) and so wasted half a day. Dad. & Frank did chores. Dick went down town for awhile. It didn't rain much this afternoon. Mr. Lawrie was in church this morning & Mr. Herbert prot. the sermon. 44 �{The entry for April 28 was written by Toby's brother, Richard (Dick) Barrett.} Monday April 28th This morning Dad and Toby packed the sawdust in around the edge of the ice-house and put some some blue-grass on top. Then we went out and cleaned up about 20 bushels of oats. Frank was sick all day and did not go to school. I think he feels better now as he is talking a blue streak. After dinner Dad went out and cleaned out ditches in the north-west field this side of the gulch. Toby did the chores in the afternoon and then went out and dug up two maple trees in the woods besides fooling around picking flowers. Between 4 and 6 o'clock while Frank was sleeping on the kitchen sofa and Enah was in the dining-room some unknown person came in and left a silver spoon on the kitchen table for Tiddums with his initials carved on it and then went away before anyone saw her or him. It was cloudy and windy all day with about ten minutes sunshine.. Tuesday April 29th Dad. has been opening up ditches all day out in the field next Ivey's where we sowed the oats and is now pretty well finished. I cut some wood this morning and then went back to the woods and dug up a couple of maple trees one of which I brought up at noon with me & we planted in place of one of the dead ones along the lane. This after noon I dug up two more and Dad. & I put out one of them to-night. The other two I left down in the creek so as the roots wouldn't dry out. Frank has been home all day although he feels a lot better today. This after noon Wyatt Waddle came in with the general agent for the Massey Harris Company and he proved himself to be a good man for the company not only by persuading Dad. to order a manure spreader, but Dad. seemed to like him & showed him Queen who he thought like everyone else was perfect. We got the manure spreader on easy terms as we don't have to make a payment on it till a year from next fall when we pay 28 dollars & 50 dollars a year for the next two years. Dick told us to-night that Huby had got a job at the canning factory which they started work on to-day. He went down to the dance to-night. I only have five cents to my name so stayed home although I guess I could have got enough tin to take me sunny & mild but a cool wind. Wednesday April 30th This morning we planted out the four little trees which I had dug up, then we went over to see what the field looked like, it is getting pretty dry, from there we went over to see if Sam Law's wheat was any better than ours, but it wasn't. We found him over trimming up the 45 �limbs he had cut out of his orchard. As he was just contemplating a visit to Alfred who was disking the other side of the hedge we made a joint attack and sat around over there for about an hour. so by the time we had wandered back home it was noon. This after noon instead of working on the field as we had thought of doing, we took our wheat down to the mill. I went down and borrowed some sacks from Blight and we had to make two trips of it as the ground was a little soft. We had eighteen bags and it went over two bus {bushels}. to the bag, that job took up all the afternoon. Tonight I went down to band practice and came home with Dick. The school board were having a meeting, we heard after wards that Mr. Ivey called it but as none but kickers attended it soon adjourned with out any thing being done except Old Stringer falling down stairs coming out so Pud. Slocomb says. Nice day Mild & sunny cool breeze. Thursday May 1st We worked on the land all day to-day. I disked & Dad. harrowed, we have it in pretty nice shape now I went down to band practice to-night. Dick went down with me although he didn't have to work. Jonas came over to pay Dad for some hay he got this morning and he stayed half the night telling them stories of his experiences in the United States with, snakes bears and such like. Cars. Rankin told us to-night that his Dad is laid up with blood poisoning and is in pretty bad shape, they just moved back to town the other day It has been sunny and fair with a cool breeze. Friday May 2nd We worked on the land all day. I cross disked & Dad. harrowed. We could have drilled it to day I suppose but thought we would have it in extra good shape. Enah took Tiddums down to Mrs. Battersby's this afternoon. I nearly went to sleep on the disk this afternoon It has been fair & sunny. Sun set clear to-night. Saturday May 3rd Bill Oaks came over this morning with his grey horse which had hurt his head in the manger. Later in the morning he came over and borrowed the clover seeder, which he brought back at noon and had a short visit. All Ivey's men except the teamsters quit at noon on Saturdays now. and the factory closes at twelve instead of one. Dad. dritled what we have worked up to-day. Itook him till a little after noon and then he harrowed I hitched to the waggon this morning & took the seed out and left the waggon for Frank to fill with rails and then disked nearly all of this end of the field the rest of the day. Frank did chores & odd jobs. Charlie 46 �Batter{sby?} was in here to-night to see Dad about a colt which came this morning. I started to cut the lawn to night. Dick went for a swim & the stump to-night, but I guess I will have to hit the tub. Very hot to-day. Dick went down town to-night to hear the result of the election recount, which they were having in Simcoe over the school by law but he couldn't hear. Sunday May 4th The boys went down to Sunday school and I went to church. This afternoon Dad. Enah & Tiddums started to drive out to Jim. Waddles. but before they had gone far Tiddums objected so strongly to continuing the journey that they were forced to return. Lila had come over so Dad. took Frank & her to Jim. Waddle's. Dick & I went down town Dick went off with some girls but I went up the beach and hung around alone, till I was about cooked and then came home. We let Artful Dodger out to-night and he was so weak on account of always being shut up that he could hardly walk. Frank McBride came over to-night with a note from his mother saying to send the washing over there as she would be unable to come here so Frank went back with it to-night with Frank Mc. Lila stayed to tea, and Dick went down home with her after. It has been exceptionally hot to-day but is cooler to-night and feels as if it had rained some where near. Monday May 5th We got a fairly good early start. I cross disked all day and Dad. harrowed. This after noon Dad was afraid it was going to rain so went & got the drill and some seed & put in all we had worked up about 2 acres. If it doesn't rain we will be through on that field to-morrow. Cars. Rankine was in here to-night to have Dad. look at his horse's teeth as {Schooley?} had told him that if a horse got wolfe teeth it would go blind. After tea Mrs. McBride brought the washing back. It has been very hot to-day and looks rainy. Fred's calf got out two or three times to-day and tried our patience sorely at it's own cost. Mully also got out but went in easier. Tuesday May 6th We finished up the field to-day. Dad. has to sow a little by had around the water holes and he may harrow the whole field over. I disked all day & Dad. harrowed and drilled. I took seed out in the waggon this morning but we had to clean up another sack at noon to finish with. I brought back rails in the waggon both at noon & to-night. I cut lawn before tea till Dick 47 �came & inticed me to play catch with him. Very much cooler to-day with quite a breeze this after noon Wednesday May 7th Dad. went out this morning and sowed by hand around the water holes and then harrowed all day on that field. It is now finished all but running & cleaning the ditches. I brought the disks up and disked on the old corn ground all day and got nearly over it. It is pretty hard but we think we will be able to get about 3 inches on top worked up for barley. Tonight at tea time Jonas came over with a guinea hen which he presented us with as a reward for our neighborly conduct towards him. He got a setting each of duck & turkey eggs. I was going down to band practice so went down with him as he was going down town. He confided to me after we had got a short distance from the house in an almost inaudible whisper that they had an "awful funny feller as a boarder." His peculiarity evidently lay in the fact that he went down town before & after tea. As I was coming home an English man passed me and I thought likely he was Jona's funny boarder & upon inquiry I found I was correct. Went we got to the top of Prospect hill we found Jonas & Allan Law so I enjoyed the pleasure of the company of them nearly home. I heard Redface - the funny feller. tell his lanlord. that he would have to drive Bill's team to-morrow as he was going away with a gentleman from Toronto, as I saw Jack Paine up town to-night, I surmised that old Bill had a dose of Long Point fever. I guess he is insurable. I went up to the bank to-night to see why Dick hadn't turned up. When I knocked Dick came to the door & I was just going to step in and swear at them when I caught a glimpse of a stranger Then Dick who looked very care worn motioned me back and informed me that the inspector was paying them a visit, and they would likely have to work every night for a week, he had his wheel anyway so I didn't wait for him It has been rather cool to-day and looks frosty to-night. Thursday May 8th We went out this morning and ran the ditches in the oat field. Then Dad ploughed a ridge along the west side of the old corn field, it couldn't be ploughed before on account of the old rails lying there. This after noon we turned the cattle & two colts back the lane. We let the two fillys out in the pasture field and they & the colts have been hanging around on opposite sides of the lane fence ever since, we managed to get the colts in the box stall tonight. We went back to the gully to fix fence, but didn't have very good luck. We barricade the gap into the other pasture and then Dad started to dig out a post that was broken off and while he was prying on the shovel handle he broke it so we had to cobble the rest up 48 �by hand as well as we could. Dicky Smith came over to-night to see if we had turned our cattle out yet and I went down town with him to band practice, got home about eleven. It froze last night but has been sunny & nice to-day. Friday May 9th I went out and finished disking the old corn field this morning and Dad brought out the old cultivator but after going a few rounds he decided that it was going to be lumpy and hard to put barley on so we thought we would leave it, manure it and summer fallow it which would be better farming anyway. We brought up the disks and the plow & harrows and Dad ploughed the garden over again, this after noon he disked & harrowed it, so that it looks pretty nice only it is inclined to be lumpy. I got my currant bushes and grapevines from Simmer's yesterday and spent the in putting them out and staking them to protect them from the curse'd hens. I also cut a little lawn Dick Smith brought his heifer, Joe, over tonight. It has been cold & raw all day. I wore my over coat while disking and then was cold. Robert John Watson was in here to-night to inquire about a colt "Mable". Dad enjoyed his elevating conversation for he has a most extraordinary vocabulary which is all his own. Saturday May 10th Frank got us all up early this morning as he had to get down to the Canning factory by seven where he has been all day setting out tomato plants in baskets. He told us the other night that hands (his size) were wanted and hasen't talked of much else since, he was to get 8 cts & hour but has got his envelope yet, as they are not through. Vyse came over this morning and Dad broke the news of our spreader deal and he took it calmly although he thinks we made a big mistake in not putting in with him & Mr Fleming on his John Deere as he "conscientiously believes it to be the best in Americy". I went down this morning for the purpose of obtaining some particulars concerning a load of hay which Mrs. Battersby is purchasing from us through the agency of John but as that gentleman was in bed with a cold. I failed to recieve any valuable data. so I came home and mowed lawn till noon. Dad took back Alfred's bags this morning and borrowed his shovel with the intention of cleaning out the ditches in the oat field but as he found in Alfred an opponent to the building of a new school, he stayed and argued till noon. I read most of the after noon and then went out and assisted Dad to rearrange the implements in the old shed so as to create a space for the old waggon we then repaired a little fence to enable us to turn out the old sow, but it didn't take her a great while to discover the weak spots in the {rockery?} which we call a 49 �fence and now she is at liberty. I think Dick came home to tea and says our manure spreader has arrived It froze ice last night and has been very cold to-day Sunday May 11th Frank & Dick went down to sunday school & Frank & I went to our church but Dick attended the Presbyterian as he saw no-one to associate with in the back pews of the Episcopal. This after noon Dad & I drove up to Dunkin's to see how many lambs he had; but he has had no better luck than we, for his flock has only increased by one ewe lamb. He is really worse off than we are because two of his ewes now won't have lambs till they are three years old wile ours are all yearlings and if any thing will be better off. Dunkin him self was at church but his son was home, he gave Dad. guinea fowl to mate with the one Jonas gave us but when we got it home we learned they were both of the feminine gender from the fact that the new comer requests imaginary foes to retrace their steps by the imperitave sentence "Go back" and it seems the gentlemanbird of the species is not addicted to that habit. It was nearly six when we got home. Enah was down at Art Ryersie's with Tiddums the Wicked. Dick has been gone all the after noon and has patronized the church again to-night as he said he would be home to tea if he didn't. Frank has been knocking around the woods all the afternoon. He tried to bargain with Tupper for a guinea cock but he had no success. It has been sunny to-day but a cold wind. Walt McCall & his retinue came over in his automobile this morning and was agreeably surprised in Dolly. He says he is going to take her up and train her now. He wants Dad to keep his mare for him this summer. Frank Faulkner was over this morning too to see about bringing over his heifer calf to pasture. He brought her over to-night. It froze ice last night and I wrote to Aunty Alice & Uncle Hal tonight. Monday May 12th We didn't do any thing much the first part of the morning but Dad. went and cleaned out the ditch in the oat field. I barricaded two of the four little trees which are in the pasture field to protect them from the ravages of Queen. Dad. took Alfred's shovel back and I barricaded the other two trees. Frank started off about nine o'clock this morning on his wheel for Dunkin's to return the guinea hen which he had tied in an old sack on his back. Just as we were thinking of starting out to look for him to night about four o'clock he came home with a rooster guinea which sings properly in a bass voice. He had stayed up there to dinner and explored the country. When he got home we planted a few rows of spuds in the garden. Jonas came over to-night to ask us if we could deliver him his hay in the morning, 50 �he also got some apples. To-night we played hide & go seek and then came in and kicked up such a rumpus that Tiddums couldn't go to sleep, and Enah got mad and said she wouldn't press Dick's pants in time for the dance, but she is pressing them now - and we weren't making much noise and Tiddums didn't want to go to sleep anyway much. Tupper told Dad. to-day that he killed his pup yesterday and intended to keep Fanny but she followed him down town to-day and he ran over her with the waggon and killed her, he said he thought he would send Blakie a funeral notice. A week or two ago the Dover council advertised for a cop. They got fifty something applicants some all the way from Calgary. They engaged a man from Hamilton who has been on duty before. Good man for the job. big, Scotch & total abstainer. He came to this morning. Now he is in bed at the Dominion sleeping off a drunk - fired. We're still Dover. It froze a little again last night and there has been a raw breeze to-day but it is much milder and looks rainy Monday Tuesday May 13th Dad went over to Martin's this morning to try to telephone to Krompart and find out why he hasn't come down but Charlie wasn't home so he didn't go in, he then went over to Quanbury's and as John was in better health than when I went to interview him Dad found out that he wanted about half a ton of any kind of hay. We pitched on a load for Jonas, (he bought all that was left of the thrashed bluegrass) before dinner. Dick rode home at noon as he had got about half an hour's leave of absence to tell us that the station agent wanted our manure spreader unloaded as it was holding the car so Dad. & I had to go down after dinner. Dad understood the agent to say that we were to let Krompart in Simcoe know as soon as the spreader arrived and he would come down and set it up at the station and we could haul it home from there, so he was naturally pretty hot at them for not coming. The men at the station were also getting into a state of rightful indignation - as their car had to be sent back tomorrow. As we were in our farm uniform we didn't want to go up town so Dad. went up to the Norfolk House and telephoned Kompart. Wyatt Waddle was there and he told Dad that they understood Dad was going to take the thing off the car and they were to come to the farm to set it up, and that they would be down in a day or two. Dad. went for him over the 'phone but of course that wasn't much satisfaction. We went home and took Jona's hay down and put it off and then went down to the station with the rack to get the spreader as it was too wide for the waggon, with the aid of Truman Roadhouse and a couple of fishermen we got it loaded all right and were home soon after six To-night Dick and I went down to the dance but I got a headache from some uncertain cause and had to 51 �come home at twelve. Nice day but with rather a cold wind looks as if it might possibly rain to-night or sooner. Wednesday May 14th We took a small jag. of hay down to John Quanbury this morning on an improvised rack which Dad rigged by laying boards across the waggon box, as we didn't want to unload the manure spreader off our rack. When we got back from there we took some posts back around by the side road and left them in places where the fence was down with the intention of coming back at a future date to repair the damage done by the Good Friday wind. We also took some material and fixed the old gate going into the gully off the road. We found the cattle all out of the far end of the gully and in the blue grass field so I took them back while Dad. went up with the waggon, they were all there but the Artful Dodger and he was nowhere to be found, so this after noon Dad. and I went back to look for him. We went into the wood and saw there had been a lot of cows in there and after a little search found our missing calf in John Wess McBride's place in the corner of the fence where he had walked and finding he could go no further stayed there we chased him into the gully to be left till called for while we went over to Tupper's to borrow his post auger, the consequence was of course that we didn't do a thing all the afternoon and didn't get home till about five or after We saw everything on the place from his oat field down to the baby. We saw some things off his farm too such as Charlie Butlers colt which got an awful kick in the dots from its mother and Dave Lamkins white heifer which was on the road and which was worth fifty dollars but he sold it for forty five, also Art Walker who was rolling on his cornground. We had a very entertaining after noon and enjoyed it much better than digging post holes. To-night I went down to band practice Dick with me. Theodore Brown came up and entreated Walt to play "Way down upon the Swanee River" promising him some beer but Walt said he couldn't. Theodore tried to impress up on us - as a bit of good advice that "We could borrow from a thief but not from a liar." Weather about the same Thursday May 15th Dad and I went back and fixed up most of the fence this morning. Mr. Evans' came along the side road and wanted to Dad. to look at his horses teeth so Dad. told him to come in at noon on his way back. He did and Dad. floated them as the poor old horse's tongue was just about cut in two. We also found when we got here at noon that Wyatt Waddle and his man Mr. Hillis were in the barn setting up the spreader. They got it all up and we took out a load before they left so they could show Dad how to run it. Joe & Ginger pulled it alone and a 52 �couple of times Ginger's whipple tree caught and she pulled it all alone. I went down to band practice. I came very nearly staying there for awhile - for we all got locked in. The door fastens on the out side with a hasp and staple, the padlock is broken. The door was open and some one who was getting cold ordered it shut. Jack Smith kicked it to and the hasp sprung over the staple and stayed there. Perce Brock tried desparatly to open it but failing turned to John. and told him frantically that he would be the first to satiate our appetites when we got ravenous, he then mounted the table under the window and proceeded to let the {word heavily scored out} anybody who happened to be around (it was pouring rain) let us know of our fate. Perce remarked sorrowfully that it was the first time he had ever been behind the bars trying to get out. (The bandroom is in the old lockup). Dick {Faulmshy?} was the first to be alarmed by the pitiful cries but the hard hearted jay refused to come saying he didn't know the combination on the door. How ever Walt McCall was soon aroused and he and some other fellows came up and released us. They say Long Geordie Long nearly committed suicide last night, it seems his wife put him on the Indian List, but Geordie got full and he & his wife were having a quarrel down by the dam when Geordie told her he was going to drown him self. She told him to give her his coat to hold for him, but I guess Geordie & water don't go well to-gether for as far as he got on his desperate deed was to twist his legs well around the post and let go the railing with his hand, then go home. After he got there he was again seized with a mad desire to leave this unhappy world - and left the house with a razor asserting that he was about to sever his carotid artery Mrs. Geordie gave him about an hour to perform the opperation but upon investigation found him out side in a dormant condition but was disappointed to hearm him snoring heavily and in perfect health. Cold all day. very cold before dark and poured rain all night with terrific thunder & vivid lightening. Dick & I stayed at Huby's all night. I planted some onion seed to night. Friday May 16th We didn't do anything much to-day. Dick & I got home before they had break fast here but it was late when we went out and then Bill Donald came in to talk about the spreader and before he left Allan Law rode in to have the wolfe teeth pulled out of his sorrel for fear they would affect his eyesight. It was noon when he left us. After dinner Bob. Miller came in to get his ewe and lamb and of course the sheep were nearly to the gully Dad. wrote a letter to Aunty Alice while Bob & I were after the sheep and then saddled Joe and I rode down town to post it. I was only gone about fifteen minutes, but when I got back we read the 53 �"Maple Leaf." after which we did chores. I went to bed soon after tea. We let Harry & Belle out this after noon. Fine but cool. Saturday May 17th I started first thing this morning and raked over about half the garden, it raked fine because the rain the other night had softened the lums. Dad. fixed fence around the orchard to keep the sheep & calves in. Frank went down town to sell some duck eggs to the {ear tapper?}. This after noon we all worked in the garden and have about all the small seeds in, onion, carrot, beet, cabbage & peas, a few beans. Allan Law was over to borow the disks also John Wess came to get some stuff for his horse which has colic. We turned the four calves in the orchard at noon. Lila came over to spend the day. Huby ran a nail in his foot yester day and was unable to work to-day. Enah took Tiddums down to Mrs. Laws to get the butter this afternoon, there was another baby about Tiddum's age there which he was greatly interested in until it began to "talk?" when Tiddums got badly frightened. Lovely warm day rain to-night. Sunday May 18th The boy's went to sunday scholl. I to church - late, different preacher. Dad. rode Joe down to see Huby while we were at church, he went in to see the John Deere spreader on his way back. This after noon Dick & I went for a drive with Joe, not far. Winnie & Lila came over this after noon & stayed to tea. We let Belle, Ginger & Harry out to-day and had a hard time catching the latter. Lovely day with a little shower at noon and rather cloudy Monday May 19th We hauled out manure to-day as we didn't get a very early start we only got out eleven loads, & most of it was dry clover chaff. The spreader works fine in spite of the fact that there are one or two nuts & keys missing from various parts of the gearing machine. Dad found one large key on the road was unable to locate the place where it was missing. Sam Law was over this morning to see about keeping the disks a little longer. Mrs. McBride was here to-day. This after noon we were agreeably surprised to have a visit from Ed. & Marion. Ed. came home on Saturday as he has left his job in Brantford he is going back to the Falls for the summer. To night Dick and I printed pictures and had fairly good luck. Huby sent word over by Ed. that Dad's steel boot had saved his life on account of easing his injured foot. Dick says he only has one on - one steel & one leather one. It froze last night again but 54 �has been a nice day with cold breeze. Dick bought me a saddle & bridle to-day for six dollar he got them from Bobbie Leany and says they are nearly new. Tuesday May 20th We got one less load out to-day than yesterday but I think we have good ground for excuse in the fact that it was so hard to load. A lot of it was dry clover chaff burnt to powder and there was a layer of it just like a board which had to be chopped up with an axe, we didn't get any earlier start either. Erie cut her eyeball to-day someway, likely on barbed wire. Jonas came over to-night to see if he could get some turkey or duck eggs or get Dad. to plow his garden, he couldn't get any of the three so took the rhubarb roots out in the lawn. He was relating to us some of the heroic deeds performed by him in the past & United States, of how he headed a torch light procession and was so disguised by his uniform & medal that he was not recognised by his father, he also saved a young man's life from drowning and was rewarded by his boss the young man's father by a ten dollar bill & three weeks board free. Another time he stopped a train wreck by his presence of mind and drew another ten dollars and a pass to go where everd he wanted to on the rail road or a chance to learn braking, he stayed at the job a week and one day when he was in a reckless mood (good mood for a train man) he boarded a train which was headed he didn't know where and was landed in Niagara Falls where he got acquainted with his wife, and in course of time drifted to the condition in which we now see him. Frank & I drove down town to night and took Jonas & his rhubarb roots home, and got the saddle & bridle from Bobbie Leany, they are roughly made, the saddle being half covered and riveted but they are nearly new & I think are worth six dollars. When we got back we found Dad. & Dick had gone down to the Scotch man who works for Harry Ansley to minister to a cow which is not enjoying the best of health. Nice day may rain soon. Wednesday May 21st It rained a little this morning and looked cloudy so we just did odd jobs. Dad. took up some of the rotten apples out of the cellar and drew off what cider was left in the barrel. I didn't do anything much but took a walk around by the wheat & oat fields which are doing fine. This after noon we got the spreader into commission again and hauled out seven loads. The shed is nearly empty now. I fixed Dad's saddle rack up on the wall in the drive house and started to make one for mine between loads, while Dad was out spreading. {A?} big thunder storm blew up about tea time to-night but it stopped raining long enough for me to go down to band practice, but it more than pelted when Dick & I came home. Dick had to work 55 �to-night. He got a telephone from who he thought was Roy referring to his 24th of May visit but it after wards transpired to be Wiggins down at the drug store enjoying himself at Dick's expense. Thursday May 22nd It rained hard during the night so we couldn't do much, we made an evestrough for the west side of the old house and made the rest of the saddle rack I started yesterday. Dad. also opened some ditches out in the oat field. This after noon Dad would have liked to have started plowing the corn ground but as there were several errands to do in town, we we thought this would be a good time to go. We got some groceries, and Dad got a chain for Dreadnought and a ring for his nose. We took the waggon wheel down for Butler to put the bands on as they were both broken. Dad. was very pleased that Vyse saw him going down with the wheel and inquired after it as it was off "the best waggon made" which he got from Vyse We bought a Little Giant Sprayer from Huby for ten dollars, they are no use as sprayers but have a good tank which was what Dad wanted to put out at the pump for watering stock, a good pair of wheels & a tongue besides a lot of old iron, - Huby is selling them for Jack Paine Jack told him to sell the ten for for $100. and, Huby has been selling them at $10 apiece and he says Paine called him up, and gave him a gereat calling down, he wanted him to sell them all to one man. Huby told him he was a fool and asked him what one man would want to buy 10 no-account sprayers. I went down to band practice tonight, and got back after eleven. Nice day, but cloudy. Friday May 23rd I planted out some lettuce plants this morning and Dad & I got some rails and took them back in the waggon to the gully to repair the fence there, we also hauled up some for the house. About noon I drove down town with Dick's valise as he went going to Toronto tonight to stay till Monday night. Frank went down to see him off. After dinner Mr. Krompart drove in with a Gould. Shapley & Muir agent who talked a little about a windmill but didn't bother many. Mr. Krompart went over the spreader ajusted several mistakes in the setting up which the other fellows made the principal one being changing the double trees on the evener. The way they had it, the single horse had the short end and so was pulling twice as much as the team. When they went Dad. & I went and cobbled up the gully fence and opened the gap so as to let the cows in the far end as the grass in there is getting rank. Frank says the old black & white cat has a large family on her hands now, but her hands are equipped with six or seven fingers each. Poor Fits had part of her tail nearly cut off in the 56 �door to-night. Dad was going to finish the job but forgot. It has been cloudy all day but quite cool. Old Ivey has succeeded in overthrowing the election on the school by-law. He got ten illegal votes, his own son's among them and it seems every illegal vote no matter on which side it was polled counts against the majority. Saturday May 24th Dad. started to plow the corn ground to day he plowed a head land all around the field this morning so as he wouldn't have to tramp on the clover at the north end of the field. This after noon he got quite a strip plowed and harrowed over. I put in the day cutting lawn and it was awful. It hadn't been cut for over a week and all this rain to-gether with a dull lawn mower wasn't a very good combination to make a satisfactory job. Frank worked around this morning and this afternoon went down to the creek to fish with the rest of the inhabitants of this part of the country, but I guess only drowned worms as he wasn't hardened with luck on his return. Winnie came over after dinner and I drove her home tonight. Enah to Tiddums down town and I shunted the buggy down to the side walk for her Win went down & came back with her. To day at noon we placed a ring just below the septum nasi of poor Dreadnought. It has rained once or twice to-day and been cloudy & sunny & hot by turns. Sunday May 25th Frank went to Sunday school and church this morning but was the only member of the family who attended Dad & I went up to Ham Thompson's to tell him we named Dreadnought. and he will soon get the registration papers. We were up there quite awhile and it was after noon when we got back. This after noon we put the saddle on Ginger - and gave her a lesson, I didn't get on her because Dad. says it is no use "breaking" her, she has to be "trained." Dad, & Enah & Tiddums drove out to Shand's but there was no body home. Lila & Frank went out after merells but didn't get any. Nice day rather inclined to be cloudy, quite cool to-night. Monday May 26th I spent the day cleaning up back of the wood shed and the east side of the old house and have it looking pretty decent now. I also cleaned out the gear case of the separator. Dad. plowed all day and got a nice chunk done. Enah went down town about noon to buy wall paper and stayed for the afternoon. The stores were all closed to-day instead of Saturday so the drug store was only open for a couple of hours. Dad & I had dinner alone. To-night 57 �Frank and I drove down and met Dick. The old turkey that was sitting in the old house hatched out to-day {Toby's brother, Richard (Dick) Barrett, wrote the next two lines and most of the entry for Tuesday May 27. Toby wrote the last three words of May 27, thanking his brother for writing in the diary.} Dick got home safely and had a good time. Everyone was well in Toronto. Cloudy and cool all day. Tuesday May 27th Right after breakfast Dad went down to Sam Laws and got a roller and rolled down all he had plowed. The calves got out of the orchard and Dad and Tobe had a devil of a time getting them back in again. We hauled out one load of manure. In the afternoon it drizzled rain most of the time and we helped Mrs McBride put down the carpet and paper Auntys room. They are working there yet. (9.15pm). Cold miserable day. To Richard, - thanks. Wednesday May 28th We hauled out eleven loads to-day one of them was pitched on yester day. We are only going to haul a little more and then work up the corn ground. The old turkey which was sitting in the old house got out with her family to-day, there are nine of them and they all look lively. I went down to band practice to-night they had the regular one as there is a dance on to-morrow night. Harry Moon was present for the first time in many weeks, I had began to think he had been wiped off the map, but it looks more as if the map had been wiped of him or at least buried with whiskers. He has some thing the matter with his face and can't shave. They have the Ivey gang about cinched now on the school board as Blight who was on Ivey's side has dropped out and that gives the other side the majority and they can elect any man they like to take Blight's place, before there was a deadlock. Gus Smith fell off a scaffold somewhere to-day and broke his shoulder or some thing I couldn't hear any details from any one but over heard Harry Moon saying some thing about it up in the band room which was so chuck full of noise you couldn't drive a nail in it.. Johnny Walker's mother & old Mrs. O'Harra of Norkway died yesterday & to-day. It was quite mild this morning but there is a cold wind to-night. Thursday May 29th 58 �We hauled out enough manure to-day to go over to the hickory nut tree which is as far as we are going to put corn in. We got along very slowly the first part of the day as we were getting it out of the old shed where the implements are and it took us about an hour to put on a load, but we have it just about cleared out of there now and this after noon hauled five loads out of the barn yard, that is enough for awhile now. Vyse was over for awhile this morning. Fred & Carl Coleman were over this after noon. I rode Ginger for the first time to night. Dad. - got on her first - and rode her to the end of the lane, then I took her down to Sam Law's corner. We have had the little saddle on her every night but one since Sunday, and she has behaved a little better each time. To-night Dad. put his heavy saddle on her There was another dance on to-night but owing to "pecuniary liabilitys" I spent a quiet evening at home. Dick worked till after midnight so did not feel in much humor to attend either. Warmer to-day. Friday May 30th Dad. plowed all day with Harry & Belle, and I disked with Joe & Ginger as neither they nor I are much account on either end of a plow. Dad. will finish plowing to-morrow if all's well and it won't take us long to work it up. Mr. Henderson & Ronald were down this morning for Dad to have a look at their horse. To-night Mr. & Mrs. Jim Waddle & the little girls came in and Jim & Dad talked till about nine o'clock, before we had tea. Dick had work late again tonight. I had another little ride on Ginger to-night she turned in at the open gate into the corn field and also onto Sam Law's lane, but other wise was pretty good. It has been cloudy most of the day and sprinkled a few drops now & then, a lot warmer to-day. Saturday May 31st Dad. plowed all day but is not quite done yet. I disked with the little team all morning but as Dad. saw he couldn't finish plowing to-day said I might as well not work them this after noon but cut lawn which I did. He disked and harrowed over all he had plowed to-day, before he turned out. Peg. Long & Bill Dunbar came over to day after Bob. Miller's hay which was to be part payment for {Roy?}. I helped them put it on and they took a good one. Jimmy Corbett was in at noon to get Dad. to go down to see his sick colt but Dad declined the invitation on the grounds that he was too busy but told him what to do Lila spent the after noon and night over here. Tiddums is growing a tooth now and is pretty cranky. Tige appeared to show an interest in Tiddums to-night whent he was out in his buggy but when Tiddums endeavored to gett a strangle hold on her eye she ceased her attentions. Dick did not get home to-night, as this is the last day of the month I suppose he had to work. Cloudy 59 �this morning, clearing and developing into about the hottest day this month. We didn't put the saddle on Ginger to-night. I have been barefooted most of the afternoon. Sunday June 1st The boys went to sunday school & church & I went down to church. It began to rain soon after we got out so we went down to Huby's after for dinner. Huby was in his bare feet and had just finished hoeing his garden. Frank & I came home soon after dinner but Dick went up town. Dad. & I went for a little ride to night. I rode Joe & Dad. Ginger. Mr. Fleming, Vyse, Roy Bannister & Allan Law were over here to night day. I saw Jim Blaike down town this morning. It has been very hot to-day with two heavy showers the last of which was tonight. Monday June 2nd Dad. was greatly surprised this morning as he was going to the cow stable, to hear a strange {whinny?} in the horse stable and upon investigation to find Belle the grand possessor of a colt full brother to Queen. He is a lively & strong little fellow and has been on his feet nearly all day. He is about the same color as Davy & has the same triangular spot on his fore head he has two white feet both on the same side and his legs are as crooked as rams' horns. We heard yester day that Johnnie Walker had been made take his horse off the dray on accout of a sore neck which it had. and as we were very anxious to get the corn field finishe up and as the advent of Belle's colt has knocked the use of her, we drove down to see what arrangements we could make for getting Johnnie's horse. We met him just coming out, and he said he wanted to get the horse out to pasture and that we could take him, but would have to be careful about working him or that "thingh" by which he meant Aikens I suppose would be jumping on him again. Aikens was the one who raised the row and it was nothing but a dirty piece of spite work. He didn't go to Johnnie him self but to Ellis Ryersie who was driving for Johnnie as it was while Mrs. Walker was dead in the house, and told him to tell Johnnie to take the horse off. Ellis evidently thought there was enough trouble in the house so refrained from mentioning it, whereupon Aikens tried to get out a summons against Jack, but Bond wouldn't issue one. Most people seem to think it was a low down trick of Aikens to bother Jack at such a time especially when it is none of his business anyway. Dad. went up and saw the old horse whose name is Joe. and found he has a sore shoulder as well as a sore neck but decided to bring him home and try to fix him up. We got a collar at the barn there for him and Dad put a short pad under it, and as the draught comes above the lump on his shoulder there is no weight on the raw part at all. As 60 �long as we plow harrow and disk with him there will be no weight on his neck so he promises to be just what we want. Dad plowed a couple of rounds with him & Harry before dinner and he says they make a dandy plow team and Joe never felt his shoulder in the least. He finished plowing that piece quite early in the after noon and says he wouldn't have finished with Belle but this team doesn't feel the plow any more than a waggon. I spent about half the after noon printing Dads. name on the cream can and there is room for improvement on the job at that. the other half I spent mowing the rest of the lawn. Mrs. McBride was washing here all day. Dick had to work late tonight but he and Frank both get a holiday tomorrow as it is the anniverssity anniversary of the King's birthday. They say the Polocks got on a tear last night and broke all the lamp in the park. It has been quite cold this after noon. It looked this morning as if it would be hot but a wind got up at noon. Tuesday June 3rd Dad. went down with Joe & Ginger this morning and borrowed Vyse's roller while I went out and disked with Joe Walker & Harry. Dad rolled the field and then harrowed After dinner he went out with Joe Walker & Harry - and disked. I played catch with Dick and hoed.. for about an hour and a half - and then brought the little team out and Dad harrowed with them while disked. He started to roll crosswise to-night but didn't get half over it and Vyse told him to bring the roller home to-night - although when he got as far as Martin's Odd. told him Vyse had said they could have it in the morning. Dick spent the morning in bed & the after noon down town playing ball. Frank cut weeds in the fore noon and went fishing up in the upper pond this after noon but I guess his visit will soon be forgotten by the finny inhabitants of that spot as what few did happen to run into his hook, he did not deem worth of transportation home so kindly returned them to their natural element. He has been hearing great tales of the angler's luck out at the celp and built on-going out to-day but could find no one to accompany him. Jack Ivey came over this after noon to buy hay. Dad told him he could have the hay but unless it rained we wouldn't be able to haul it, but they sent their team over and got a few forkfulls for to-night.. We found one of the little turkeys nearly dead, this is hard weather on them, we were hoping it wouldn't rain but he said they had six thousand little asters wich needed rain badly. Jack Martin told Dad to night that the latest piece of devilment of Old Ivey is to have Cousin Willie & Bob Miller disqualified as school trustees as Cousin Willie drew up the papers for trans ferring Mrs. Gordon's property over to the school and the school have bought brooms from Bagley & Miller some time. Both men I think have gone to Simcoe to see Kelly about it, and Dad. went over to Martin's tonight to remind Jack that Old Stringer has done carpenter work for the school 61 �and so should be put off too if it is legal. Mrs. Charlie Martin was the only one home so he left the message with her. They found out to-day that it wasn't the Polocks that committed the depradation in the park the other night but a couple of pesky Yankees who are working at the fish shanties. Hugh McQueen & Aikens went down to arrest them to-night. Hugh got one but Aikens chased the other one down the plank road and I don't know whether he caught him or not, they ought to run Aikens in with them. It was pretty hot all day. A big thunder storm blew up late this after noon and for awhile it looked as if we were in for a "souser" but it only rained enough to chase us in off the field and then stopped {Toby's father, Harry Barrett, wrote the entries for June 4,5, and half of 6.} Wednesday June 4th As Toby went to band practice tonight or at least Wednesday and Thursday nights he is behind in writing this up as this is Friday night We finished working the corn ground Toby disced all day and I rolled it twice and harrowed it and we have it in first rate shape. Cold wind nearly all day. Thursday June 5th First thing after breakfast I went over where Bill was working at Iveys and drove his team while he came over here and marked our corn ground, he finished at noon. After dinner Toby went down and borrowed a planter from Mr Fleming and we got more than half the field planted There was quite a frost last night. Friday June 5 6th We did not get out very early this morning, several interruptions before we got in the field and Just as I was going to begin to plant Will Donald drove along and well, "Talk about talking". Toby went down to Alfreds to see if he could get a corn planter that would do better work than Mr. Flemings, he got one but it was worse. We did not finish at noon there were still 13 rows to plant. I had to go to a raising at Frank Ryerses, there were lots of men there and they had every thing done before seven O'Clock, We had a grand lay out at tea and I came home with Mr. Fleming. Toby had finished the corn, and he & Frank had {Toby resumes writing the entry for June 6 at this point.} (the pens all ran out of ink so I am finishing this to-morrow night myself) the chores all done when Dad. got home. Jonnie came over tonight and & got a little field corn and an ear of 62 �Golden Bantam to plant in his garden, he stayed a little while but as no body made any effort at carrying on a conversation he soon left. Jack Walker came after Dad to night as he was nicely in his first sleep about twelve o'clock to go down and see his new horse which had colic or some thing and which was quite recovered when Dad arrived. Al. Faulkner & Charlie Long were both in attendance. Dick did not get home till late owing to surplus of labor. The Woodsons all came yesterday after noon. It was hot all day and almost suffocating to-night, looks like a big thunder storm. Saturday June 7 6th Dad. & I went down to Bruce's this morning but found that he & Mr. Ashbow V.S of Caledonia were up Mud. Street on a "professional visit, so we drove up the town line till we met them and brought them up here to have a look at Dave & Osprey who have not been acting as we would like to see them lately. They were here to dinner and Mr. Ashbow proved to be a very entertaining talker. This after noon Dad. went down town and got his hair cut, while Frank went over and worked in John Quanbury's garden for him. I hoed a little in the garden here but spent most of the time hunting crows with Frank's rifle, although I had several good shots I failed to inflict any visible injury on the villains they have been preying upon the little turkeys and now will be at the corn field when an opportunity offers. I scared them off with a bullet every time I saw them light this after noon. Dick did not get home to tea again to-night. It rained hard last night and this morning but cleared off and has been quite cool & windy to-day. Sunday June 8 7th The boys went down to Sunday school and church Dad (after a good deal of squirming) also attended the morning service, he tried to induce me to go but when I uselfishly offerd to stay at home to take his place he couldn't very well get out of it. I cut a little wood watered the horses & fooled around. I went out once with the rifle in quest of crows but as none were in evidence in the vicinity of the cornfield I in my wrath sought to drive a bullet to the heart of the hickory nut tree, but owing to my unpracticed marksmanship it escaped unscathed. Lila came over this afternoon and she and Frank went back to the gully armed with the rifle and returned this evening with a quantity of wild strawberries, which we were not aware of being developed into an edible condition, Dad, Enah & Tiddums went down to the Woodson's till the latter grew into such a state of excitement which was unequaled in magnitude & noise to any of his former vocal exercises, so much so that Dad. grew anxious about him and brought him home. I started to read Hamlet while they were gone. Dick 63 �spent this post meridian in town. Enah & I took in church to-night and we all had tea after we came home It has been cold & raw wind all day again to-day. Monday June 9 8th We were late this morning anyway and before Dad got the team out Walt. & Tom McCall with Dick {Faulmsby?} came in and their visit culminated in Dad. going back with them to see a colt of Walt's which just came this morning, they weren't gone very long, When Dad. refused to take five dollars from Walt. for just taking him down town & back in his automobile, Walt said he was glad to see him in such affluent circumstances financially but Dad told him that if he had a little pile the fiver would have added to it and persuade him to accept it but as he was penniless that amount would only be tantalizing, this was before he knew that Tom Abbott had been in while he was away and left a cream check for twenty five dollars for the month of May, which we don't consider bad for three cows & two heifers one of which (Erie) doesn't produce much more than a quart of milk. Dad started to plow the old garden before dinner we are going to put in potatoes, mangels & turnips there if all's well as it is such a loamy spot, he only got a few rounds done before dinner. At noon he got thinking about the little colt down town and as he knew that it wouldn't be properly looked after down there where there were so many around he thought he would like to have it over here as he hated to think of it dying, so he went over to the Martin's and telephoned Walt. and told him if the colt wasn't any better and he liked to bring it over here to do so, which he did about four o'clock. He, Bob. Rankin & I suppose Jack Davis Yeagers man & the colt came over in the automobile - and Billy Loan led the mare over, she is the gentlest thing to handle & work around ever lived. They were here for quite awhile and gave the colt some refreshments they have to hold it up it is so weak but it is well aparently every other way and is willing enough get up but can only flounder around. Dad got up at midnight and fed it. He gave it some whisky & milk but it didn't like it much This colt to-gether with old Joe begins to make Barrett's farm look like an infirmary for afflicted members of the equine race. This afternoon I wed a few carrots till Dad. yelled at me to tell me the cattle were in the clover on the north side of the gully. I went over with some wire & pinchers and found the miscreants were John & Fred's calf, but one wasn't enough to put them back through the hole they got through so I left them & Dad & I put them back to-night. Bob. Rankin & Mrs. Rankin drove over to night to have Dad. look at their horses feet which I guess are all right. Vyse was over to say that our roller has come but is the wrong kind owing to a mistake of his in the order, and I suppose will have to be shipped back. We didn't get 64 �through till very late to night. It froze last night and there has been a cold wind all day & it is cold to night. Tuesday June 10th As soon as it got warm enough we got the mare & colt out of the boxstall and put them in front of the drive house in the lane so she doesn't move more than ten feet away from it. This after noon it got a little cold there so we put it around between the drive house & barn. It sows great improvement to day. It can now stand up a little while by itself and has got up by itself a couple of times when we saw it and I don't know how many times besides. Walt. Mrs McCall, Tom & a couple of his pals were over this morning to see it. Dad finished plowing the old garden at noon & this afternoon I disked it while Dad. harrowed over the corn ground. This morning I went back and fixed the hole in the fence where the calves got through, I also cleaned up the lawn mower. We didn't get any word from Aunty to-day - and as she said in her last letter she would like to come home with Miss Battersby to-night we didn't know whether to expect her or not. Frank went down to the station and met her as she did come. to-night. She went to Huby's for to night she had written Aunty Maude a card yester day but she had failed to let us know about it. It froze again last night but has been a little warmer to-day but raw wind Dick went down to a surprise party at the Culp's to-night given for Ray who is leaving town in the near future Wednesday June 11th Dad harrowed the old garden this morning but says it will have to be left till the sods dry out before we can work anymore on it. Bob. Miller & Bill Dunbar were over talking to him for about an hour and bought Taurus for sixty two & a half dollars. Bob. offered sixty & Dad. asked sixty five, they wont take him till the first of July when he will likely be worth seventy. I cut some wood and a little lawn. This after noon I went over to Tupper's to get him to come over and shear our sheep. I found him just finishing up his own He came over about half past three or four and sheared three. Dad. started on one and Tupper finished it for him He makes a very nice job of it and doesn't mind leaving a few nicks in the hide, we worked rather late but he said he would be back in the morning. The poor little colt died to-night. We noticed when we brought her out this morning she wasn't nearly as lively as yesterday and she has just been getting weaker all day, and to to-night she just "goin out". I went down to band practice to-night and told George {Faulmsby?} about it. Walt was in Delhi and had not got home yet. The poor old mare feels pretty badly. It has been quite summery today. 65 �Thursday June 12th Tupper came over before we had breakfast this morning and "proceeded" to shear the rest of the sheep, we chased them around into the barn so as we could catch them easily. He got through about eleven and as he had his wool with him to take to market I went down in his rig with ours. We had 45 1/2lbs and at 18 cts - got $8.19. Dad get 1/7 of that. Frank gets 1/4 of what is left & I get the balance. Tupper beat us by a dollar and he only had six fleeces to our seven but his were bigger sheep, he had fifty something pounds & got the same price. We took it down here to Penman's. Vyse was working on Uncle Ward's side hill so I went to see him about the roller that is here for us but he says it isn't the right one. This after noon Dad. buried the little colt and I worked a little in the garden Mrs. Brad Bowlby came in to see Tiddums I guess and Aunty & Enah went down town Aunty stayed all night. Ada. & Hubert Lawrie were over for awhile. Hubert is just here for a day or so. About five o'clock Dad. & I drove Belle out to Jim Waddle's. I went down to band practice to-night and didn't get to bed till twelve. Dick came home with me his new suit came to-day. Pretty hot, breezy. Tom Law's auto mobile up set last night the other side of Simcoe and nearly killed Harry Dyer and injured Tom. They though at first that Dyer's back was broken but that report was contradicted later, but he is in pretty bad shape in Simcoe Friday June 13th Dad. went down town this morning with the waggon and got Joe & Ginger shod, he also got Aunty Maude's refrigerator. I cut a little lawn and chored around till noon. About twelve Enah heard the fire bell, and I lit out hot foot for the town but when I got over behind Vyse's I noticed the smoke over by Mrs. Munroe's. I got there just as Alh Faulkner arrived on the hump with the bus & fire pails. It was the house I think that Bill Philips used to live in, but is now occupied by a fellown by the name of Smith - and is owned by Person. They soon had the fire checked but not before it had burned down the kitchen and part of the roof. It was late when we got through dinner. Dad. and I went down to the mill to get some flour & chop. Dad took some grist down this morning. When we got home, he went out and harrowed over the old garden, I didn't do any thing much as I felt lazier than a yellow dog. Mrs. Skey & Mrs. Battersby came over this after noon. Aunty came over after noon she got a ride with old Fawset. Lila also came over to spend the night. Frank & I went down to the stump tonight, the water was fine it was the first time in for me this year. It was very hot to-day. Saturday June 14th 66 �We caught all the calves but Bobbie's when we fed them this morning, they have not been feeling very lively to-day. Bill Oaks came over for a drink and visited for about half an hour. He is going to leave Ivey to-day. We cut potatoes most of the morning. This after noon we got some ice out to put in the refrigerator, it is meling a lot but seems all right in side. Frank went to a picnic this after noon that Mrs. Tuck was having for her Sunday School class. We did not get out in the field till about three and then Dad ploughed some furrows to plant potatoes in the old garden and we planted four rows. We planted Huby's early ones which he has been telling us ought to be planted for the last month, two rows from the west side of the east section. Alfred came over while we were out there and paid a short visit. Dad. & I had to go down town to-night for some stuff. Lila went down with us. Tupper went past today and told Dad he was going to begin road work on Tuesday. Sunday June 15th Frank went to Sunday school but Dick didn't get up in time; he, Dad. & I drove down to church. Dad. & I went in the choir. The Rev. Larry Shey prought about the Dominion Alliance and its efforts in trying to "Abolish the bar". I walked home with Paul Lee Woodson. Dick stayed down and is not home yet (9.10 P.M.) This afternoon I read till I went to sleep, and then read again. Mr. & Mrs. Frank Faulkner were over, and Walt McCall, Dave. Waddle, Powell McKintosh & Bill Davis came over. Walt. said he would send over his mare in the morning. Dad. & Tiddums went down to Alfreds so missed all visitors. Enah intended to go to church to-night but Tiddums woke up about that time so she stayed home. It has rained quite a few times to-day and has been sunny & hot in between. Monday June 16th Dad. & I planted the rest of the potatoes this morning and went over to Sam Law's before dinner. This afternoon we moved the kitchen stove from the inside kitchen to the woodshed, we didn't have enough hands and the consequence was the base got broken and now the stove is supported by columns of brick, we then went out and planted three rows of mangels. We had a garden line which was to short and had to be stretched twice in the same line. Dad had to make the drill with a stick and I shook the seed in with a can with a hole in the bottom, which worked all right. Tonight I went down to band practice and got home just at twelve Aunty went down and spent the evening with Mrs. Bumpas at Mrs. Skey's. It was too late to wait for me so she came back alone. This has been about the hottest day we have had 90° in the shade I think We are hearing a lot of talk now about the enormous almmount of money the government & the railway are going to spend on 67 �harbour improvements. I found our poor black & white cat killed this morning in Joe's stall I suppose she has run up after a mouse and frightened Joe when she stepped on her. Frank has undertaken to raise her family for her but has a hard job making them drink. We heard yesterday that Harry Dyer was dead but I heard to-day that he was better yester day. Tuesday June 17th Dad. & I worked on the road all day, we took Harry & little Joe and the plow. Tupper, Mr Flemming, Mr. Walker & Ben were all there with teams. They plowed a ditch from the corner to the top of the gully on our side of the road and took the dirt and filled up the holes around the culvert and covered the stones that have been the source of many a cuss word coming from travellers mounting the hill. Of course there are a lot of kickers that feel called upon to tell us that a worse mess couldn't be made than the job we are doing but they cant suggest a remedy. One mug told us we might better be home in bed. Dad. told him we would much rather be. Roy telephoned Dick to-day that Aunty Louisa died this morning so Aunty went down on the five train. Tonight I went down with Dick intending to go to Aunty Maude's & Ada's party at Mrs Scofield's but when I found out that it was to be mostly {illegible} I thought I had better be in bed. The Woodson boys went down with us, and Dick his best to persuade us to go up but they didn't want to go so we came home and Dick stayed and says he had a good time and any ammount of dancing. Lewis treated the four of us to a dish of ice cream. Pretty warm but not so bad as yesterday. Wednesday June 18th We worked on the road all morning. As our time was finished at noon by Dad. & the team alone, Tupper rewarded me with a dollar for my services, he said he knew I wasn't worth it but as it was a government job, he would let it go. at that. This after noon we planted a few more mangles and have another row to plant yet. To-night I went down to band concert, it was the first night we have been out this year and the first night I ever played in public, I guess I did as well as ever, but just about froze on the stand and was so stiff I could hardly walk home. Very much cooler and cloudier to-day. Thursday June 19th I went out this morning and planted the rest of the mangels (one row). Dad disked up the unsowed part to the garden and then started to plow the other half of the corn field for wheat, This after noon I raked the garden and got a place ready to plant corn but only got one row of Golden Bantam in on account of the rain. Dad. plowed all the after noon Our 68 �corn is coming up very nicely except in a few hard spots which are as dry as a bone. Dick came home tonight and we had some music to-night. We had quite a thunder shower about noon and another about tea time We needed them badly but they weren't enough Friday June 20th Vyse came over this morning and told us our roller was at the station, so Dad told him that we would go right down and get it and for him to wait for us to set it up. When we got there it proved to be a nine foot instead of an eight foot one which was ordered so Dad. did not accept it. We went up by town to get some cream jars at the hardware store and around by the Spaints for Vyse to inquire after Alex, who was taken sick last Monday night, and they have been afraid he would have to be operated upon. He is better this morning. I planted the rest of the corn when we got home and Dad. went back to fix the gully fence where Fred's calf got into the field. I went over to the Quanbury's at noon and got some tomato and cauliflower plants, but just as I got home it began to rain and poured all the afternoon. There were a few very close claps of thunder but I don't think anything around here was struck. The ground was just about flooded but it didn't take it long to run off & in. I read myself to sleep and slumbered till about five when I went out and we planted out the tomato & cauliflower. It is raining quietly again to night. Very hot this morning. Mr Lamb brought us over a lovely bunch of peonys this morning. Saturday June 21st As it was too muddy for Dick to walk or ride his wheel (which was down town any way), I drove him down town as far as Mrs. Lawson's, I didn't care to go any farther on account of my appearance. Frank & I wed out a few onions. Frank got quite a lot done, he is getting skilled at the job from his practice at the Quanbury's. Dad. started to clean out the wood shed and we helped him a little. We also steadied & levelled the separator. It took nearly all the after noon to the the wood shed cleaned but it looks a lot better now. Frank went over to Mrs. Martin's with the cream and got eight more tomato plants from John to fill out the row. I put them out and helped him put out some Cabbage plants, he has sixty out now. He got another hatch of chickens over at Jack Martin's these are single combed ones to keep for ourselves, he also went over to Law's and got the butter. To night he and Dad. have driven down town after the mail & some groceries, as Dick did not come home to tea. Dad. wants to see Emery about a corn cultivator which I saw he had for sale this morning. It has been cool and cloudy all day. 69 �Sunday June 22nd The boys went down to church and Sunday School this morning but I went back to the gully for an hour or two instead and I guess was just as much benefited as if I had gone to church. I found a breach in the fence where I suppose John gets through into the alsike and patched it up as well as I could. I took a walk way up around by Robert John's and fell in with Edmond England coming from Ivey's where he has three heifer's pastured. While I was gone Dad. went down town and got Huby and Lila to come over for dinner and see the farm. Win came over after dinner. This after noon Harry & Mrs. Moon and Jack & Mrs. Walker came over. Harry spent about half an hour trying to take a picture of Queen & the colt, but Queen was too tame and wanted to examine the camera while the colt was a little shy and would get behind Belle. Then Old Harry seemed to think that it was his likeness which was wanted or else Ginger would take a run across the field and the rest would all be after her. At last however Johnny got Mrs. Walker's parasol and attracted their attention enough for Harry to get a couple. Dad. drove Huby home soon after dinner and I drove Enah, Win & Lila down and Enah. Win & I went to church. We over took all the Woodson's but Lewis coming over here after church. When they left we had some sanwiches is place of tea which we missed. Lovely day sunny but not hot cool to-night. Monday June 23rd Sam & Allan Law came over this morning to borrow our waggon, Lewis Woodson also came over with a scythe blade to be sharpened. I spent the day in clearing the blue grass field of daisys and strawberries there were some fat ones back there. When I went out this morning I had designs on a patch of daisys which we could see from here and which I thought I could corner in an hour or two but when I over there I found a lot more on the side hill, and they took me the most of the day. I pulled them, which took a good deal longer than to cut them as I had first intended, so I am not through yet with the patch I set out after. Dad plowed all day. and at noon drove down to see Emery about his cultivator but Emery couldn't find the teeth for it then. but I went down to-night to band practice and he told me he had gone out to his fathers and found them out there so I guess we will buy it. It was half past eleven when Dick and I got home. pretty fairly hot. Tuesday June 24th I went back and harvested the remainder of my flower garden and got through a little before noon with out feeling any regret at leaving. At noon Dad went down to Emery's and 70 �brought the cultivator home. I cut a little lawn while he was gone. As the trip down town delayed dinner we were late getting out and by the time we got Belle in and harnessed to put on the cultivator it was about three o'clock, but it was just as well for she was inclined to be pretty balky and mad at six. Dad drove her up and down the field once when she balked and soon got her to behave fairly well, and got a nice start on the cornfield To-night I worked in the garden till dark and then Frank and I went for a swim and got back about ten. Frank had just started his exams today and appears to be very interested in them, he thinks he passed in the subjects he had to-day. Arithmetic, Spelling & Writing. Hot & sultry I have felt about half asleep all day. Dad's head ached and he felt pretty rotten about noon Wednesday June 25th As it showed symtoms this morning of being an extra hot day and as Belle's colt didn't seem very well this morning on account of being away from her while she was working yester day, and because she cut up rather rustily yesterday, Dad. went over to Sam Law's before break fast and borrowed old Ben. to cultivate our corn. Dad. plowed all day with Harry & Joe Walker so I was sentenced to keep Bent and the cultivator in the straight and narrow way lying between the corn rows. He went pretty well all morning and for awhile after dinner till I started to go crosswise; but then I couldn't do anything with him, he did his best to step on every hill and wouldn't mind at all. Dad. took him a couple of rounds or so while I plowed and said he went pretty well but I couldn't see any improvement. When Frank got home from school he rode him for awhile and things went better. Tonight Frank took him home and we decided not to cultivate any more till he got through with school, he is just having his exams now and tomorrow & Friday is his last day. Frank's guinea hen started setting today. Drat {ink blotch on page} Thursday June 26th I worked in the garden all day, and got most of the weeds out but nothing else done. Dad. plowed all day and finished the rest of the corn field for summer fallow. Wyatt Waddle came in this after noon with a duplicate of the broken casting on the manure spreader. Aunty came home to night. Dick met her and she stayed at Huby's all night. Dick started the other day to take music lessons from Miss Wimmer. Allan Law brought our waggon back this morning. Very hot and sultry to-day. Friday June 27th 71 �It rained last night and the thunder which accompanied it was deafening. There was one clap that fairly shook Dad out of bed, and he went around shutting all the windows. When he got to ours I partly woke up but if it hadn't been for him I would never have known there was any thunder. It has been a very stifling day. It was about 90° in the shade and so muggy and wet we could hardly breathe. Dad. plowed all day on the old corn stubble and nearly croaked with the heat and his uncomfortable foot wear. I planted out a few tomato plants which Frank found coming up from seed among the potatoes. I was to lazy to do any thing else much. Aunty came over about noon. This after noon I put on a bathing suit and hooked up Joe and took the buggy down here to the grist mill and gave it a good washing. Lila came over just as I was starting so got on a bathing suit and went down with me and I think enjoyed herself immensely, going right up under the dam and all over. I got well washed off by by getting under the stream that overflows from the flume but there was awful force to it. I went down at seven to-night and attended the Methodist strawberry fistival with the rest of the band. Dad. Dick, Frank & Enah were all there. Aunty & Lila took care of Tiddums. We got home pretty fairly early and had a good time. Saturday Saturday June 28th I plowed all day to-day. Dad made three strike outs yester day and I turned then under leaving about three feet for Dad. to finish up on each land. I got around three strike outs, and didn't do so very badly considering it was the first day I had put in at the job never before plowing more than three or four rounds at a time. It seemed to go much better and I made a better looking job this morning than after dinner. I had old Harry and Joe Walker who made a pretty good team once they got started of but I generally had some trouble at the ends - as neither one of them much more than enough braints to make a square meal for a chipmonk. Dad. took Belle out to cultivate but she acted pretty mean so Frank came out to lead her she was still bad till Dad. took her and Frank took the cultivator, when she worked like a charm and they continued operations all day in this manner but did not quite get over the field. About five o'clock the colts came up the lane and some way knocked down the bars into the field and took a race down the corn field and back, but we soon got them out. Aunty went down town to see Mrs. Bompas who I think is going away soon. They expected Quint home to-night but he didn't come, but may be here yet for the first. Fairly warm but nothing like yesterday. Sunday June 29th 72 �We got up fairly early this morning and Dad drove Aunty up to the cemetry with some flowers before Sunday School. None of us went down to church except Frank. Hubert & Edith Lawrie came over with Aunty after church for the afternoon. I left at half past one - as this was decoration day for the odd fellows - and the band furnishes them with music for them. We had to march from the Dominion Hotel to the School house - and as it was the first march for me I didn't enjoy it much, what made it triply hard for me, I had no music harp for my horn so had to hold the music with half of one had, play with half of the other and hold the horn with half of each so I couldn't do any thing properly. Then I got out of step about half a dozen times in every block and every body suggested hobbles or some other contrivance to keep my length of step at about a foot & a half instead of three feet. We rode up to the back from the cemetry on Val. Lany's dray with Johnnie Walker's team. We played a few old hymns up there and marched back from the school house to Harry Graham's store to "Auld Lang Syne". There is an great change for the better in the appearance of the cemetry since Munroe has been looking after it. When I got home I found Mr. Blaikie here, his arm is badly crippled with rheumatism, he just came up for the first, was going to Alfred's to spend the night, - and to Simcoe to-morrow. There was great excitement up the Radical road last night, as Art Williams was going home after midnight he saw Geordie Waldick's barn opposite Cory's place on fire, Geordie wasn't home so he alarmed Stringer's. They just nicely got it out when they saw a fire at Chart Wooley's so they going over there, they saved the barn but the straw stack was burned. Next thing a blaze was noticed over at John King's, who being more unlucky than the other two lost his barn and all his implements. It was evident that this was the work of some man, and for some reason I think they tracked him they suspect the fellow who lives at Cory's. I forget his name any way - they had the house watched, but as Dad. & Enah told were going to church to-night they were very much surprised to meet this same man walking leisurely along the road in front of this place. Dad. informed Art Quanbury - and this led to Hugh McQueen and Faulkner in Al's automobile starting in pursuit and his recapture on the way to Renton. He deserves all he gets for being fool enough to keep to the road. Geordie Waldick and some other fellow were in here while Dad. was at church to see him about some vetinary business. Mr. Blaikie and Alfred were also over. Lila stayed all night over here. Very hot for me to-day, breezy and not extraordinary for other people. Monday June 30th I plowed a few rounds this morning but made such a mess of it that Dad. took it and Frank and I cultivated corn. I led Belle and he held the cultivator she went fine, we got over the 73 �rest of the corn crosswise and nearly half over it lengthwise. To night I went down to band practice, Aunty polished my horn up beautifully for me this after noon she went down with me to see Quint if he came, but he didn't. Dick waited for the late train which did not get in till after eleven in hopes that Quint would be aboard but was disappointed. I saw Stuffy tonight. Mrs. McBride was here this after noon washing. It has been pretty hot all day but a nice breeze, awfully hot to-night. Quite a few are into their hay now. Tuesday July 1st Dad went down to Vyse's, and from there down town to get the roller, it came all right this time and they set it up at Vyse's and left in there for the present. He had to stop in at Martin's on his way down to see their cow who got into the chicken cook-house the other night - and filled up on every thing she could find, and now is in a rather critical condition. Among other things I hoed some of the corn in the garden this morning and then Frank and I went to the stump and enjoyed a good swim. Frank went on down town with the lawn mower to have it sharpened, but I came home and had dinner as I had to be down town by one as the band started performing then. we played for awhile on the bandstand, and then went around town, they took us in to the three hotels and to Jake's. Jack Paine was very much in evidence on these occasions making all sorts of rash promises to the band, such as sending up a new set of instruments or anything else they wanted if each member would send him twentyfive bull dog ammonia cupons. At the lower hotel, they struck up, "He's a jolly good fellow". and Jack and the rest of them down there danced and kicked up a row, till they got out of wind and then he commenced to talk, but as they were waiting for us out side, we had to leave him much to his disgust, without all the good wine he had been promising us. I rode Frank's wheel home to tea and changed my once white pants as I thought I might take in the dance. We played awhile over in the park till the orchestra had to go in to the dance, by that time I didn't feel much like dancing so sat around with Egg Thompson & some others and came home early Among the chief numbers on the list of sports were was a a slow horse race which Hazen entered but was disqualified because his horse stopped - and which ended in a dispute, as some thought that Dave Fields who came in last let his horse stop, but others said that it didn't stop for although it wasn't making any progress its feet were going. Another was a tug of war between Simcoe & Dover. The Dover end of the rope was supported by Hugh McQueen, Sandy Leitch etc. and walkeded right down the road with Simcoe, but it also ended with {picking?} for some reason or other. Harry Moon yelled him self hoarse at that, An unadvertised sensation was created by the arresting of a motor cyclist by Val. Leany. It seems the fellow either through non control of 74 �his machine or whisky or pure devilment or all three was {illegible} the roads through the crowd at a very reckless and dangerous rate. He did stop at last and evidently objected to peace ably accompany Val to the cooler, so that gentleman picked him up, put him under his arm and carried him in out of the hot sun. I heard afterwards that Bond tried him and that he contributed nineteen dollars to the municipal treasary. A Simcoe man dropped dead over at the Dominion at noon. I suppose he collapsed with the heat, that didn't cause much excitement though as every body else felt the same way. It was almost unbearably hot especially under a coat that has been collecting the bandroom dirt for an unknown number of ages. Wednesday July 2nd Dad. plowed and. Frank. Belle & I cultivated corn all day. We finished the field lengthwis length wise and got up as far cross wise as where Frank & Dad. begun the other day. We are going to leave it that way for awhile now. To-night I went down to the regular weekly night band concert. Lila came over and spent the night, she cut her lip quite badly inside by falling off Frank's wheel several times. It swelled up like a sick toad or we wouldn't have known she hurt as she didn't feel it. Aunty went down town to-day and to-night Mrs. & Miss Woodson came over to inquire after her as the cook though some delusion on her part had told them she fainted while going through their place this afternoon. It rained a few drops this morning and has been a most comfortable breezy day. Thursday July 3rd Vyse came in this morning with our roller, he and Aikens were going out to haul in his hay. Dad had to go over to Martin's to see their cow and when he came back he got the mower out and cleaned it up I turned the grindstone while he sharpened one of the knives. Mrs. McPherson and her three angels came over to spend the day. I hope they enjoyed themselves, for then somebody would have. Arthur would have if they had let him spend a little more time in the blacking box and flour tin. After dinner Dad took the mower back the other side of the gully and started on the half of the old wheat stubble, the other half is in alsike. I went back with him till he cut a round. He didn't quite finish the field to-night but has a couple or so hours more, he said none of it would be fit to rake before tomorrow noon any way. When I came up I worked in the garden till six. Frank thinned out the carrots and Paris Greened the potatoes. Dick got home to tea to-night. Very hot again to-day. As the cats have been taking a duck or two lately Frank has moved them, the ducks, out on the front lawn. They don't add to the beauty of the place any, but I guess no body in particular 75 �cares a cent. Dad had to go over to Martin's again to-night as the cow is in a worse condition, he punched a hole in her stomach and has created a spring of chicken feed with the above mentioned stomach as the source. Friday July 4th Dad. went back as early as he could, which was pretty late to finish mowing. I didn't do any thing much but start to make a rack for the beans to climb on, about ten I went back to shake up some of the hay which Dad. cut yesterday but mowed instead Dad. went to shake up the hay but found there wasn't enough of it to make it necessary so went over and visited with John Wess McBride who while cultivating corn was taking things as coolly as possible. Some menl were there putting a new roof on his barn and he wasn't at all satisfied with it. We finished mowing about noon. When we got to the house we found Huby there with a horse and buggy out electioneering. This was the day, they voted on the by law to fix the canning factory's taxes. but every body had forgotten about it. even the canners them selves. Vyse told them he had forgotten and had been thinking it was the twelfth, and telling people that was the date. Huby stayed to dinner and Dad. & Aunty drove down afterwards with Joe, while Huby went after Uncle Ward & others. Win came over with him but went home with Edith who also came over as she pretended to be scared of the horse which ran away several times so Huby said. Mrs. McBride came this morning to paper our room and Frank has been helping her all day. It rained all the after noon so I didn't do any thing much. Dad. cleaned out the cellar and I helped a little break the sprouts of some apples potatoes. Mrs. McBride & Frank finished the room to-night all but the border on one side which they didn't have enough of. Bill Dunbar and some other fellow came after poor old Taurus this morning they led him down and although he was quiet enough they had a little time with him as he didn't know what being tied up meant. After dinner both the Dr. Burts. from Simcoe came in to see Dad. They had come down to look at Martin's cow but she was just about dead, she died soon after. Dick didnt come home till late but hadn't heard how the election went. Saturday July 5th I drove Dick down this morning as the roads were too muddy for him to ride or walk. He got me the rest of the roll of border and a few other things to bring home. Martin's were just about to inter the remains of their cow when I came home and were evidently waiting for Dad to come and hold a post mortem as he told them he wanted to yesterday, he went over but said it was to long after her death to make any observations. He and Frank then 76 �went down to the mill with some grist for chop. I tied binder twine together to make a trellis for the beans to climb on. This after noon I just walked around the garden. Frank planted out another row of cabbages & Dad. cut weeds around here and put up the other piece of border. Aunty went down town this afternoon but came back to tea. After tea Dad. & I drove down town I tried to get some coarse salt but couldn't but got some chloroform for Fran's butterfly. I then went over to the dance - and put in a very miserable time - as no body would dance or have anything to do wth me. Dick was there and never missed a dance. It rained hard last night but there has and has been pretty hot all day although there was a very nice cool breeze off the lake this after noon. Sunday July 6th Dad. & Frank did all the chores this morning as I didn't get up very early. Aunty & Frank went down to Sunday school and Dick and I went to church. This after noon Dad. Enah, Aunty and Tiddums went out to the Shand's and stayed to tea. We did chores. Dick spent the after noon down town in swimming. Frank went back to the gully and I tried to draw a picure but didn't make much of a job of it. To-night the boys fed the little ducks some whisky soaked grain and they got {bory?} eyed two or three could hardly walk, and would roll over & over. It has been cool & quite windy all day. It rained a short time this after noon. Monday July 7th This was Dad's. birthday so we didn't get a very early start although we never do any other day either. Dad. went over and raked up the hay he cut and finished at noon I went back with him and started to cock up. Frank had to take a consignment of sick little chickens over to Jack Martin to have their case diagnosed, he pronounced it chickenpox and ordered them to be quartined, fumigated, disinfected, vaccinated and about half a dozen other things, when he got back he came and cocked up too.This afternoon we took the waggon back and put on a load. It took us nearly two hours as the the hay was very loose & short and the wind was very strong. Frank went a head of us and bunched it out of the windrow, Dad. pitched on & I loaded or piled it on the rack. We cocked up a little before we came up with the load. Aunty Maude, Win and Lila came over to-night to wish Dad. a happy birth day. I went down to band practice and got home soon after eleven. It has been very cool and a strong wind all day. Tuesday July 8th 77 �We cocked up all morning and finished about noon all but about one load in the north west corner we then all went over to John Wess. McBride's to get some information regarding slings, as Dad. never used them before. We found out all we wanted to and he gave us an ash board to make the uprights which bolt on the rack. We were over there quite awhile and didn't get back till after one so by the time we had dinner did chores and pitched off the load on the rack it was pretty late. It looked a little like rain so we went out and got the load that was in wind row instead of rigging the slings. We couldn't take it quite all in one load but it didn't rain anyway. Frank bunched it all up, so as to make it easier to pitch on. I loaded it again and it didn't upset. It was after six by the time we got up with it. Winnie came over this after noon and stayed all night. Lila went home. Very nice cool day and not so windy. Wednesday July 9th We spent the whole morning in fixing the sling rigging on the rack and oiling the pulleys and making general preparation for getting in the rest of our hay. We also put off the load by hand which was on the rack We got a good start after dinner, but as it was the first time we had ever had the sling ropes to bother with, we didn't get on extra fast, but we got it off with out any trouble as the slings worked fine. We went back and got about half a load on when a very heavy thunder storm blew up and we all got soaked to the skin. It didn't last long as we left the field as soon as it began and it had nearly stopped when we got to the barn. We had a hard time coming up the hill as it was too slippery for the horses. Old Harry fell right down once on his nose - and they both came down on their knees two or three times, but I don't think either of them sustained any serious injuries. Lila came over after dinner and came out to the field with us. so got soaked with the rest of us. Dad took down a panel of the barnyard fence when he drove the team through into the field with the sling rope so had to take the horses out of the field, he put Belle & her colt in the boxstall and turned Ginger & Queen back the lane in fear & trembling best they should get into the barbed wire, and to-night before tea we noticed Queen in the pasture field and on investigation Dad. found she had jumped the lane fence, and had a few scratches on her but otherwise was not hurt. Ginger was all right. I went down to band practice concert tonight. Dad. & Frank drove me down but I was late. I just missed the first piece. I came home with Dick. Very cool and breezy. They got their smoke stack up to-night at the canning factory. Thursday July 10th 78 �Frank and I cultivated corn all day, we started to go twice in a row but made such little headway that we knew we wouldn't get over all of it so went once in a row. We also went up between the potatoes rows, they are coming slowly but the grass is bad in them and they need hoeing. I am afraid our mangel crop is a failure, it looks as if the seed was no good. Dad. started to cut the new meadow this side of the gully where the wheat was last year, he only started to cut a {?} part of it which was west of the old garden but didnt get it quite done. One of the sections on the blade got loose this morning, and he was delayed quite awhile fixing it, then at noon we sharpened the other knife. Lila has spent the whole day going back and forth from the house to the fields, watching her chance to drive the horses or hold the cultivator, she wanted to go home to-night as to-morrow is her music lesson day. but Aunty thought she would be too tired so persuaded her to stay. Aunty & I went over to the Woodson's to-night and spent a very enjoyable evening. Most of the family were out in the kitchen assisting the cook to entertain her two gentlemen callers, who were a mexican who Paul Lee says is the Ingram's cook and a negro dwarf from Simcoe, they had a banjo or some instrument but were stage struck before so large an audience. We got home about half past ten and every one was in bed. Dick stayed down late to the dance tonight and forgot to put the light out when he got home. I discovered to-day that my big knife was gone out of my overalls pocket and I am afraid I have lost it in the load of hay, which means that it is gone forever, it was a dandy too. Very cool all day cold to-night. {Toby's aunt, Emily Louisa Barrett (Aunty), wrote the entries for July 11 and 12.} Friday July 11th Lila went home when Dick went to the Bank. Harry, Toby & Frank drew in two loads of hay in the morning and unloaded them with the sling it worked beautifully it was a lovely day to work "clear and cool", in the afternoon they raked the hay that was cut and put part of it in cock, they were quite late coming in from the field, and we were very late having tea Hattie had a long visit from Mr. Law, who brought the butter. before tea I went over to see Mrs Battersby and Ethel, Hattie took the baby out for a little while. Dick came home to tea he wrote to Ferdie Wiser and went to bed very early. Harry and Hattie drove out to {see?} Harvey Shand in the evening Saturday July 12th It began to rain this morning before the boys got out in the field, and rained heavily nearly all the forenoon. They were very disappointed that so much hay was out, but they were 79 �busy all the morning with the numerous odd's and sod's which are left waiting for a rainy day. Harry helped us with one or two bits of work in the house, while the two boys began to tidy the drive house, he then went to help them at that, they got it finished and Frank cleaned his chicken house. I made a mistake in saying the rain began before they went to work, it looked very like rain early this morning, but it was cool and windy so Harry and the boys did go out and raked up more of the hay, hoping to draw more in today, but the rain came on and drove them in. After dinner Toby drove Enah down town Dick did not come home to tea, he is staying over for the dance - We heard from Roy, he said Jean was coming to the Woodson's tonight - Since tea Toby and Frank have been for a bathe at the Mill. This is Cousin Loll's Birthday, Enah went to see her, and took her some cream Sunday July 13th Aunty and the boys went down to Sunday school and I met them at church. Aunty stayed down at Miss Battersby's for dinner, she came over to-night with Lila. Dick went down to the lake this after noon and didn't get back till about eight o'clock. Dad. Frank and I took a drive after dinner. We went out to the Winding Hills east to Black Creek. South to the Dog's Nest and up this road home. We were pleased to note that the other neighbors are not much farther ahead than we are and their crops except the wheat are not much better than ours I didn't feel very husky this afternoon, I guess I haven't had enough sleep lately. Nice day, but windy. Wednesday July 16th We got up extra early this morning in order to get in a good day hauling hay, we got out soon after seven to unload the load standing on the barn floor. While Dad. and I were in the field after a load Frank took the pulleys and ropes down out of the barn as we want to fill up our horse stable mow with the hay we are now hauling in. Dad. had to change the car from one track to another when we came in and that took half an hour, then we found our slings wouldn't work there, the first lift nearly knocked the old ventilator chute over, there was one would hardly go in the doors and the hay all dropped out of the last one for some unknown reason we got the fork to lift what had dropped but it wouldn't work in the short blue grass. It took us about two hours to get through which was rather discouraging, we got in one more load before noon and two this afternoon, they went up all right but we didn't put on nearly as big ones. We quit on time as this was the night of Dad's party out at the Shand's, and we had to have the hay rack to carry them all. One of the Miss Shand's drove in this afternoon and took Enah and Tiddums out, they will stay all night as Tiddums wouldn't go 80 �very well with the load. There were twenty two of us on the rack and lots of room, besides all the crowd at the Woodson's (10) there were Mrs. Hobbes and Miss Prest. Aunty Maude and Lila Ada, Miss Beemer and Edith Lawrie, Dad., Aunty and we three boys made a nice load. There was quite a bunch out there consisting of Shand's and relations of Shands, Mr. & Mrs. Nixon and very sleepy son from Renton and a Mr. Hare with his mother, who is a sister of Mrs. Shand's came all the way from Jarvis. Mr. Hare had his clarinet with him and also his violin, but he wouldn't play the latter after he had heard Miss Prest. He is the leader of the Jarvis Band which had just started this year. I had to miss the band concert to-night. We had music of every description and a good time. We didn't leave till after mid-night. and it was about half past two when we got all the passengers delivered at their different places of abode and got home and the horses put away. I was dead sleepy. We didn't see a living creature down town but Mr. Hobbes was stalking up and down like a ghost past the bank waiting anxiously for his family A fierce cat fight some where in the neighbourhood of Billy Frank's cottages made us aware that Dover was not completely enveloped in slumber. Winnie went to Waterford to-day with the other Miss Beemer, she will be in a very joyful state of mind as she passed entrance with honors. Poor Lila failed and feels badly although nobody would know it from her behaviour. Nice, cool breezy day, cloudy to-night and sprinkling a few drops of rain when we got home. Thursday July 17th Dad. got up a little later than usual this morning, I slept till after seven and Frank spent the best part of the morning in bed, but it had rained quite a spatter so we couldn't do much in the field. We just puttered around. Dad. worked a little in the garden and cut some of the grass and all the young plum trees on the front lawn and some of the thistles in the plum orchard. I mowed lawn. This after noon Dad. went back and started in to cut the alsike I cut more lawn and thinned some onions while Frank scythed thistles. About five I went back and cut alsike till dark while Dad came up and did chores and had tea. He had been having a hard time with it clogging up the knife, as it was wet and a lot of stuff in the bottom. I had just as bad a time for awhile but it got better. Dad. Dick and Frank all came back when it got pretty dark and Dad. thought we could finish it to-night, but decided that we had better leave it till morning. It was about half past nine when we got up to the house. The Miss Shands drove Enah and Tiddums home this after noon. Tiddums was tickled nearly to busting at getting back home again. Damp and muggy drizzled nearly all morning. Friday July 18 81 �Dad. went back this morning to finish cutting the alsike Frank and I went out to cock up the rest of the hay in windrow, but found it too wet so just turned it out and went over to the alsike field. Dad. told us to go up and get the rack ready to put on a load, so we went up and threw off the hay which was left on from the night of the party and put on the ladders and sling standards. Dad. came up just as we got about through. Mr & Mrs. Harry Dyer with Nancy drove in about this time and Harry was dickering with Dad. about his lots on St. George St. Dad. told him he could have the two for $600 but he wouldn't sell one separate. Harry said he would decide and let Dick. know to-morrow. We went out and got one load before dinner. Mr. Lamb came over to see if he could get some hay. Dad said if he would send a couple of men and a team & waggon over he could get a load but we didn't have time to haul it, so he said he would. This after noon we got another load in and unloaded, and then went out to cock up the rest of the wind rows. One of the little black kittens followed us out and caught a very young mouse and gobbled it. We didn't get quite through before tea, so Dad. went out after tea and worked at it till nearly ten and still left some. Frank and I drove down town after tea as Dick didn't come home and Frank wanted to see the Maple Leaf to know his fate - as to whether he passed his exams. although he made it seem as though getting his wheel was the real object of our trip. The wheel wasn't done so we went down to Huby's to see the paper, he was very disappointed not to find his name among the successful candidates as he was pretty confident he had passed. Poor old Jim Low was killed to-day by Dave Turner's engine. He was crazy with drink and as near as we know jumped in front of the engine before Dave could stop for him, the engine threw him and I think fractured his skull. He died an hour or two afterwards without becoming conscious. Aunty, Enah & Tiddums went visiting this afternoon at the Johnston's and Martin's, Aunty went over to Mrs. McBride's to find out why Frank didn't come to pick cherries but no-one was home. Dick didn't get home till after midnight as he went up to Mrs. Scofields where Ada and the rest were having a dance, Pretty warm to-day. Saturday July 19th Dad went out early as soon as he got up and raked up the alsike, he finished about eight. I got the cows and milked. While Dad. was having his breakfast Ivey's men came and got a load of hay out of the field, after we had cocked up the hay which Dad. didn't finish last night we went over and started to bunch the alsike, it was pretty dry but did not seem to be shelling out much. It was about ten o'clock when we went out, and as we had quite a lot done by noon, we took the rack back with us after dinner - and when we finished bunching the alsike, put on a load of the old clover & weed hay. It was six when we got it on. When we 82 �came up Mrs. McBride was here picking cherries, Frank has run away again they haven't seen him since Wednesday morning, there is a search party composed of Jane on the look out for him now. Aunty went down this after noon to stay all night. Frank wanted me to go for a swim to-night but it was too late. While I was milking this morning one of the little black kittens crawled up the edg of the pail I had filled and fell in I pulled her out as as soon as I could but was a little doubtful about using the cream from that pail. However we did separate it into a separate dish as we thought there was lots worse things than kitten often coming in contact with cream, and the separator is supposed to take all dirt out of the milk any way. The alsike back there is full of bees' nests. Dad got stung over the eye while he was raking and his face is so swollen up that I believe he would scare some people at first glance for that side of his face is exactly like poor old Simply Jim's. Windy and cool looks rainy. Sunday July 20th The boys went down to church and Sunday school but I went for a swim instead. I went in down below Quanbury's as Chris told me there was a good place. There is a good bottom and you can wade out a long way. Dad. went off without any dinner to take Huby to Jim Low's funeral. It was private but they didn't know it and so were the only ones at it. They didn't get home till late as Huby wanted to go down and see the canning factory's corn field at King's and also Mrs. Bill Oakes to see if she would come and pick cherries. Dad says their corn field is only a few inches high. About four o'clock I dressed up and went down town I intended to get a film for my camera but was too late, so didn't go up town. Dad drove Enah and Tiddums down when he went home and we all stayed at Huby's to tea. Aunty kept Tiddums while Enah and Aunty Maude went to church. I went to church and expected to hear the choir boys sing as they were there this morning but they didn't show up, there was a big crowd there expecting them, thery are camping down here and got fooling around so could get dressed in time to get to church. Instead we had a little shrimp of a lay reader from Vittoria who chewed the rag about some thing or other which was supposed to be a sermon for about three quarters of an hour. After church Dad. drove Enah, Tiddums & Aunty home. I started to walk the same time they did and beat them. They met the Bawlby's with Louise in an automobile on their way home, she expects to be down some time this week. Nice day threatening, and rained quite a shower before tea Monday July 21st 83 �I started to cut the timothy this morning but made so little progress and became so exasperated at old Harry & Joe Walker who were pulling the machine for me that I had turn the job over to Dad. They were driven nearly wild by the flies but that wasn't my fault. Old Joe would walk leisurely along next the standing grass and stop now and then to munch timothy heads or bite a fly while old Harry at the same time would get a fly chewing him and as he seemed to be of the opinion that he could run out from under the flys if he went fast enough he would everlastingly rip things, however Dad took them and finished the piece soon after six to-night. Frank and I cultivated corn all day we got it done lengthwise from where we left off the other day and crosswise up to the hickory nut tree from the road. Sam Law came over and borrowed our spreader this morning and spread all their pile which they had back in the field they are going to put wheat on. Allan brought it back tonight and said they had lost the crank to wind back the apron Clark Matthews brought Teddy over to pasture this after noon. He saw Dad yesterday and told him he hadn't a care in the world except his wife a white cat and Teddy, who according to his own assertion knows as much as a man. He is going for a long trip to the coast I think, and is taking his wife with him, I don't know what will become of the white cat, and he wanted to know if Teddy could come over here, so Dad told him if it wouldn't add to his care in stead of lessen it to have him surrounded by barbed wire fences in a very bad state of repair, Teddy might come over and stay with our colts for awhile. Jean and Adelenan came over this after noon to stay for a few days. Tonight I went down to band practice, there were only a few of us there as Harry Graham was having a dance over in the pavillion Walt. had some new music there which proved lvery unpopular and punk. Aunty went down town with me to stay all night, and Dick went to the dance. Cool. Tuesday July 22nd Dad raked up the hay he cut yesterday first thing I hoed potatoes till he got enough to start cocking up then went at that. Frank also started but it got to heavy for him so he hoed some more potatoes. The hay is mostly pretty thin it is not so bad at this end but up at the other end of the field the cocks are few and far between. It is pretty fair hay blue grass & timothy except in the low holes which Dad. didn't rake. we didn't get finished to-night. This afternoon every body but Dad and I went to the Sunday school picnic. Enah got home about eight, and Frank & the girls about half past nine. Win who got home from Waterford to-day came over with them. Dad. & I quit at five o'clock so as Dad could go to the mill for a bag of flour. just as we were coming up we noticed two men departing in an auto mobile we supposed it was Walt McCall, whoever it was left two cigars behind on the gate post. Frank 84 �McBride was over this morning to pick black currants but there were none ripe. Isaac Johnston drove a couple over at noon who had a little spaniel with a split toe nail which they had brought over to Dad for advice as to treatment. Dick I guess is working to-night. Cool and windy. Wednesday July 23rd Dad. & I went out this morning and finished working up the timothy; we then came in and threw off the load of clover and weeds that was on the rack by hand as we put it over at the barn for the sheep and didn't want to change our car for one load. We went out and got one load before dinner. After dinner we unloaded it and got two more unloaded, one of our sling ropes broke in the middle loop on the last load we couldn't have got another in tonight anyway. Lila went up in the mow with Frank to-night and while running around up there w stepped on a fork full of hay which was lying just over the top of the chute, the hay was loose and she took a drop of about sixteen feet to the cement floor with about a half a forkfull of hay under her which likely came down with her, she cut her tongue and scrapped both thighs a little but was not hurt seriously, it is a wonder she wasn't killed. I went down to band concert to-night, it was raining a little when I went down and they didn't start playing till a while after eight. Louise came to-night, so I stayed down at Huby's till I heard them start so was late. It was raining so hard when I started home that I went down to Huby's and stayed all night. Dick came to the window soon after I got in to bed and said he was going to stay so came around to the back door and crawled in with me. I took the sling rope inl to Jim Bannister to-night and he said he would splice it. I saw Vyse sitting out on his veranda and he seems to be in pretty bad shape, he says he is not going to try to do anything for a month. Betty Woodson came over to-day and the girls all went back to the woods with a bottle of hard cider which may account for Lila's conduct. Cool and windy. Thursday July 24th (mistake) Dick and I both got up about six this morning, Dick went around by town to post a letter and I went home I went through Martin's and got soaked on the long grass Dick beat me home. Huby didn't have to go to work this morning as they laid the whole gang off last night on account of some unbusinesslike bungle, so none of the house hold was up. Aunty came out just as I was leaving to wish me a happy birthday, for it is just eighteen years ago today that I first squeaked. Dad. and Frank had the chores nearly done when I got home. I got all sorst of presents from every body. Dad. found my knife the other day that I thought I had lost in the hay, it was not hurt much. Dick did not hear about it till this morning and had 85 �bought me a new one but he exchanged it for a necktie before he told me. After breakfast this morning I drove down to bring Aunty and Louise over. Louise was not ready so I took Win. up town to get a plug of tobacco for Dad. before we got back we met Aunty on her way up town so we drove her up to get a tin pail to replace the one the Sunday school lost for us she also got some ice cream but forgot about it till to-night and then it was in rather a mushified condition. Before dinner we ran the binder out of the wood shed and this after noon Dad started to cut wheat he only got a few rounds but it will be a good start for to morrow. Dick did not get home till late to-night he said the canning factory gang had gone to work again about nine o'clock all except Huby & Bill Oakes who had gone fishing up to Doan's. Louise and Aunty went back to Huby's to-night. After tea Mr. & Mrs. Bob Rankin drove over to have Dad look at their horse who has a few pimples on it in various places. Hot this morning but cooler this afternoon. Friday July 25th We got a pretty early start this morning and finished the wheat field at just six to-night. Dad cut all day and is nearly shaken to pieces from dropping into the ditches. Frank and I shocked up, and we each took one side & one end so by this means kept up with the binder. Jean came out this after noon and helped us for awhile, its a pretty slim crop but won't take long to handle. Louise and Frank went down town after tea to-night. It has been a very nice day. Saturday July 26th We hauled hay to-day, but only got in four loads, we were unloading with the hay fork as the loft is getting too full for the slings to work well. I went down town to-night to get my hair cut. Dad. drove me down and I got a ride home with Tupper and Jonas. Aunty and Louise stayed here all night so Frank and I slept out in the hay. Dick stayed down to the dance and did not get home till late. He got word to-day that he would have a ruise of fifty dollars in his salary. Lovely day. Sunday July 27th I drove Aunty, Jean & Adelena down right after break fast and they wanted to be down in time to get ready for Sunday school. I started to get ready for church but couldn't get a necktie that would slip through my collar before I got mad so just drove Enah & Louise down and waited for them at Huby's. I tied Joe in front of the gate. Dave Waddle and Harry Battersby came and stayed most of the time I was there. This after noon Frank and I went 86 �down to get the scow to go up creek. Huby had just let a couple of the Polocks have it but he whistled for them and they brought it back, Winnie and Lila went up with us, we went up nearly as far as we could and did not get back in time for me to get ready for church. Dick went to church to-night as he slept till to late to go this morning. Mr. Lawrie and Edith came over and spent the afternoon Dad. drove Mr. Lawrie over to see John Wess McBride but he was not at home so they Mr. Blaikie who is helping John Wess this summer. It has been very hot and sultry all day and to-night wound up in a teriffic thunder storm. The rain started with the worst crash of thunder I ever heard and the only one that ever made me cringe, it rained very hard but I don't think it lasted long. Monday July 28th Owing to the rain last night we were unable to do any thing with the hay, so I drove Aunty and Dick down town this morning and got Joe's shoes set of course it took Butler nearly all the morning but I looked at "The Literary Digest", and listened to Jack Spain talk when I wasn't holding Joe. I had to give her one small licking because she teased Butler too much, I went over to Billy Langs while I was there and got a sack of binder twine to be ready for cutting the oats. Aunty came back home with me. Lila is sick to-day and put in a very bad night of it, Huby is still not working, they are having a meeting of the share holders of the canning factory this morning down on the band stand. When we got home about noon Dad. & Frank were out straightening up the wheat sheaves that were down. They had fixed up the hay in the barn ready to put the alsike in. Dad. nearly killed himself while he was trying to tighten up the track in the barn. He had the big monkey wrench - and - could hardly reach to get it on the nut while working with it, it fell and struck him in the eye with a force which knocked him down and nearly stunned him, it left him with a headache for the rest of the day. This afternoon, he & I went out to finish straightening up the wheat, we didn't bother with the thislly sheaves, we went down to see Alfred for awhile who was cutting grass along the fence in his wheat stubble across the road. We saw that Mr. Fleming was hauling alsike though it can't be fit. He has a lot more dead ripe to cut and his oats ought to be cut so we aren't so very far behind. Frank went over to Martins this after noon and got some more chickens, he also returned Sam Law's binder twine. I had an attack of the blues to-day caused I think from seeing the garden and lawn in such an eye sore state, but we got about half an hour's pulling weeds in the garden this evening so I felt a little better. Tonight I drove Louise up to Mr. Frank Bowlby's. She would probably have had to walk from Lynn Valley there if I had not. It was after six when we left and I got back about nine in time to go to band practice Dad and Frank brought my horn down town and took Joe home, I 87 �stopped in at the Smyth's on my way home but Pud. was having a swim. I saw signs of the new railroad for the firss time. It has been very hot to day and to-night. Tuesday July 29th We hauled in hay all day but only got in four loads. Dad. & Enah went down to the church concert to-night and Aunty stayed here to mind Tiddums. Frank and I worked in the garden till after dark and to night I am so dead sleepy I can hardly hold my head up. Very hot today. Wednesday July 30th We hauled wheat to-day. Dad. loaded because he can do it so much faster than I can and I pitched on. We only got in two loads before dinner and at noon I thought I was tuckered out but this after noon got rested some way by working harder than ever and we got in three loads. This morning I laid them in the mow and Dad. pitched off but after dinner we made a change Dad. could mow them twice as fast as I could so I got on and pitched off. I took my shirt off and left it in the sun to dry and then I everlastingly threw them, I just about covered old Frank up two or three times as he couldn't get time to turn them but we made things hum. The neighbours are hauling in wheat to-day too. Sam Law we thought was going a little faster than we were but he could go from the field right into the barn. Mr. Fleming was going about the same and John Wess was too far away for us to tell.... Quint came home last night for a couple of days and this after noon came over here for a little while, he seems to like his job well and is enjoying himself. Tonight I went down to band concert, and didn't get home till about eleven as I went down after wards with Quint to get some ice cream. The canning factory gang are still not at work. They had a meeting of the share holders to-night. It has been terribly hot to-day. Thursday July 31st We got up early this morning to get a good start but were sorely hindered. Dad. noticed stranged cows in the lane as soon as he went out and found upon investigation that every head of Vyse's stock had got in to our place. The horses were way back on the timothy sod near the oats and the cows in the lane although we don't know where they got in, it just took about an hour to get them back, we found the cows had been right through the corn but besides eating thirty or more hills had not done it very much damage. It was really my fault for leaving our wheat field gate open but I never thought a thing about it last night, and the animals had some way got Vyse's gate open about three feet and walked a ac cross the 88 �road into our place. Owing to other small but aggravating delays we didn't get out at all early and just got our wheat in and unloaded by noon, we made two trips of it but could have taken it in one load if we had kneeded to. It just comes up to the first beam in the bint opposite the granary in the old barn and is the smallest wheat crop we ever want to have. We spent all the afternoon getting in the rest of the hay on this side of the gully, there was were just two small loads. It has been pretty hot to-day. Friday August 1st We started to haul alsike to-day but although we did our best we only got one load in and un loaded this morning, we got if off about eleven so instead of going back we did up all the chores before dinner and Frank and I planted some turnip seed in the garden. This afternoon we did better, we worked till nearly eight - and got in three loads, there is a lot of it but we think we can get it all in to-morrow if we can get out good and early Quint went away this morning so Aunty came over here. Jean & Adelena with the McPherson kids this after noon Dick came home early to go for a swim but as I couldn't go with him, he went back, had a swim at the lake and came back to tea. Nice and cool to-day Saturday August 2nd We got up before sunrise this morning and for the first time this summer got out at seven. It took us a long time to get the first load this morning as it was miserable stuff to pitch, we just got in two loads this morning and two this after noon, and have all the best of the alsike, there is another load over there but it is very grassy and we did not think it would be worth thrashing especially as we are getting a little cramped for more room, so we shall likely put this over the cow stable. I pitched on both yester day & to-day this. alsike where it is good is very light and easy to pitch and as it has been bunched up so long it lifts nicely. When we came up with the last load the old pig was out in the barn yard evidently looking for a nest as during the night some time a family of fifteen piglets arrived. Frank is going to raise three of them on the bottle owing to lack of lunch counter accommodation on the part of the old sow. Dick was late to-night - dance. Much hotter to-day and very windy. Sunday August 3rd I got up about half past six this morning and instead of doing a chore I went down to the stump and had a good swim. I needed it the worst way Dick and I went to church this morning. Dad & Enah drove down and Aunty minded Tiddums. Frank went to Sunday school but not to church. This after noon I read myself to sleep, and don't know what the rest of 89 �the family did except that Dick went down town. I drove Aunty down to church to-night but as I had a little pain I didn't go but after taking Joe over to Silverthorn's took Pud. Slocomb for a drive up the Radical and down The Gravel. Pud has heard that he passed and is going to Normal in Hamilton next month. {Gorby?} failed. Lila came over this morning with Dad. & Enah and is staying here all night, she feels well now but is weak yet. Huby says he has quit the canning factory, and is not going to do any thing now, but I think likely he will. It was very hot all day, cooler and threatening rain to night. Monday August 4th Dad cut oats all day but did not finish the field, it is the one west of the lane next the gully, he had old Joe Walker and Harry, and said he could have finished it if he had had little Joe in stead of Joe Walker. Frank and I shocked up, Frank didn't feel well at all and had to feed his little pigs quite often so we didn't nearly keep up with the binder. I went down to band practice to night but as Walt. Steele and Bob. Rankin were the only members present we didn't have any - and I came home early. I scared the gizard out of Frank when I got home to-night, they were all sitting tin the parlor where Enah was playing, and I went up and shook the pear tree by the window which Frank was near - and as it was a still night old Frankus felt mighty uncomfortable. Mr. Hall, an old friend of Enah's came over to dinner today escorted by Cecil McPherson who greatly entertained us with his wonderful fairy tales of his experiences & exploits. The gang at the canning factory went back to work to-day but Huby has quit and I am afraid is not doing anything. Nice day, cool morning and evening. Tuesday August 5th Dad. finished cutting the oats and we got them shocked up by noon. It is a pretty fair crop very good in some spots. This after noon we put off the load of alsike which was on the waggon and went back and got all the rest of it except three or four bunches which we will bring up with the hay. It made a tremendous load but we got up safely with it. Frank went back with us to pick blackberries or thimble berries but didn't get many as they are not ripe yet. Harry Battersby came over this after noon to see us as he is leaving tomorrow, Lila went back home with him. Aunty went over to dinner and spent the afternoon at Mrs. Battersby's. Warm day & cool night. Wednesday August 6th We unloaded the load of alsike which we hauled yesterday. It just went in and there was no room to spare. Dad & I had to dig a runway for it first. We then loaded the wire that Robert 90 �John bought from Sid McBride a year ago to put up along our woods between him & us on the rack and took it back we rolled it all out flat along the woods - and this after noon Frank and I went back and cleared away the old fence - and rubbish around it and trimmed the tree branches off so as the wire can be just tacked up temporally till Sid. McBride can come to stretch it - as we want to turn the cows in the field which the woods are in. Aunty and I drove down town we got a lot of groceries and I got one of Joe's shoes set which she pulled a couple of nails out of someway. Lila came back with us. Huby has gone back to work again at the canning factory, and we are all very glad of it. I went down to band concert to-night. It has been cloudy and cooler all day and rained a shower before tea. Thursday August 7th Aunty and I got started about nine o'clock for Burford to see Mr. Hanmer and his sheep. We stopped for awhile at St. John's Church which is getting nearly finished and for awhile at Simcoe but arrived in Scotland near where Uncle Robuck lives about two o'clock, we stayed at Uncle Robuck's for dinner and as Aunty and I both went to sleep there we didn't leave for Burford till nearly five. It was about seven miles farther on and we got there about six Mr. Hanmer was just going to dip some sheep that were to be shipped to the other side, he had a government vetinary inspector there and so we saw the whole performance. As we were almost strangers to them we felt a little uncomfortable at paying them such an such an unexpected visit at such a time of day, but they couldn't have been nicer or more hospitable and wouldn't hear of us going else where to spend the night. Before going to bed to-night we found Joe had put her foot through a board in the stable floor and had to be moved. It has seemed to us like a lovely day, it has not been too hot and a little breeze the roads were fine and as we met very few vehicles of any kind were not bothered at all with the dust, the country is very dry though Friday August 8th I don't know what time I got up this morning but I wandered around out side for a good while before I found anybody, but when I went out to give Josie a cleaning off I found her all cleaned, fed & watered. Mr. Hanmer had tended to her, he thinks a lot of horses - and admired Joe very much, he has a nice team of hackneys now and his daughter has taken a good many prizes & ribbons for driving. We didn't have breakfast till rather late and as he had some business to - do after wards, I didn't have such a lot of time as I would have liked, however he showed me a good many of his sheep and one ram especially which I may buy, he wants fifty dollars for him so I thought I had better speak to Dad. first. We also saw a few 91 �imported sheep which were going through Burford, but Mr. Hanmer thought he had lots that could beat them. As Aunty had said we would be at Uncle Robuck's for dinner we thought we had better go although they pressed us to stay there. We left at twenty minutes to twelve and got to Uncle Robuck's at about twenty five minutes after. We stayed there todinner and left about three. Harry was off thrashing but came home just before we left. We went home by way of Waterford and Aunty went to see Mrs. York & Mrs. Boughner there for awhile. We got home before seven and although we enjoyed our drive & visit immensly were very glad to be home again, we had to ask the way a few times but didn't get off the road much, they are fixing a bridge at the bottom of Decou's hill so we had to drive a little way down the fourth concession and get to the third through Sol. Smith's lane. It has been another very nice day, roads fine and quite a breeze in our face. It looked rainy to this morning but seemed to clear off again but to-night it is thundering and shows signs of a big storm. I don't know all that Dad. and Frank did while we were gone but yesterday they tacked up the wire along the edge of the bush enough to keep the cattle out of Robert John's till Sid. McBride can stretch it and turned the cattle in there. To-day Frank took the team and went over all the summer fallow with the disks and Dad. cut weeds and tidied up. Jean & Adelena are over here to-night. Saturday August 9th It rained cats and dog's last night and things are so flooded we can do nothing outdoors. I didn't hear any thingh all night but they said the thunder was terrific. I drove Dick down this morning and didn't do much else all morning as it kept raining a little. It cleared off at noon and I drove Jean & Adelena down town as Jean's grand mother wanted to see her about something we got some groceries and came home I wrote a letter to Mr. Hanmer telling him that Dad. was willing for me to get his fifty dollar ram, it seems a lot to pay but if we never get any good headers for our flock we will never have any good stock. Frank and I went down to the mill for a bathe after tea and had a good one as there is a big head of water coming over. it began to thunder & lightening & rain heavily again before we went to bed. Dick did not come home at all to-night. Sunday August 10th It rained harder than ever last night and the cannonade of thunder was terrific with a steady blaze of lightening. It didn't bother me any, I don't think I would have wakened at all but Frank was afraid the barns would be struck and got up over me to investigate Aunty also got up to look around. but Dad slept through it. It was too wet for any of us to go to 92 �church or Sunday school so we didn't do any thing much all day. I drew a little and Dad went down and drove Dick home to dinner, but he went down again this after noon as Wiggins wanted him to help him hang pictures in his room. It began to rain again about five to-night so I put on my bathing suit to go after the cows as Dad. couldn't have got them this morning if it had not been for Tige as the stream was so swollen as to be impassable. He found that they had been in John Wess peas the other night so shut them out of the woods. We heard that Joe Long had a horse killed the night before last with the lightening Monday August 11th Dad. went back to John Wess's first thing this morning to get Frank Faulkner's heifer which had got into John Wesse's peas with the rest of the cattle but had not come back with them so was taken by John Wess & put in with his. He was not at home but Blaikie was there so Dad. didn't get back very soon. I cut lawn off and on most of the day, I started to get the part across the the ditch cut as it had grown up pretty long. When Dad came home we started to dig a culvert across the front of the lane but after it was pretty well dug Dad. discovered that we couldn't make a satisfactory job of it with the material we had so we had to fill it in again. Dad. shocked up the oats over again all the after noon he said they were soaked right through and every shock had to be changed he didn't get finished of course. Frank thinned out the carrots this after noon and to-night. he & I went to the moving picture show which wasn't bad. Dad. drove Jean & Adelena & Lila down as the two former are going home on Thursday. Huby & Lila came over about noon. Huby had taken a day off to settle up some insurance business and Aunty went back with him. Mr. Bowby brought Louise down to-night, she was here when Frank & I got home. Dick didn't get home till late, he is kept pretty busy now as Mr. Hobbes is taking his holidays. It has been sunny and very cool to-day. the storm has quite cleared off. To-day's papers are full of the news of great damage to property and general depradation caused by the lightening last Saturday night and the night before, all is not known yet as telegraph & telephone wires are down all over. Tuesday August 12th Frank and I drove down and got Louise's trunk first thing this morning. Frank also got a new carborundum scythe stone which I broke on the scythe in a short time, Dad. sharpened the scythe while we were gone and I started to cut weeds around the fences as soon as I got home, by to-night I had all around the wheat field and on three sides of the summer fallow and corn there was none to cut on the fourth side, but my ribs and back ached so that I 93 �could hardly wiggle. It's hard work when one's not used to it. Dad turned nearly all the rest of the oat shocks to-day, he didn't quite finish it's a miserable job I would rather cut weeds even if if it does break my back. Frank picked black currants from the old garden and nursed his young hogs most of the day. Sunny & nice to-day. Vyse was in for quite awhile this morning, he told Dad he was going to sell out entirely and go West for awhile on account of his health. Lila came over for the afternoon. Frank went home with her to-night. Old Jonas was in to-night Ivy's have taken him back. Wednesday August 13th Dad finished turning and setting the oat shocks this morning. I went out and cut all around the field he was working in - and a little around the house, before dinner we put of the load of old hay that was on the rack we put what we could of it over the cow stable and left the rest in the shed, it was after noon when we got through so we got a pretty late start. after dinner Dad started to cut the oats over by the side road, we went out with him but didn't shock any up as we had to wait for quite awhile before there was room and we quit early to go up and do chores as I went down to band concert but Dad. kept on cutting till sundown, the ground is pretty soft, he has to cut around the holes and there is water standing in some of the furrows. Frank went down with me to-night, and got some machine oil and went to see the movies. There was quite an accident downtown to-day, the bridge going over the road into Buck's Park broke with a crowd on it, we don't know very much about it but there were none killed and I don't know that there were any very seriously hurt, but there were a good many bones broken, the canning factory is going full tilt now, Huby and the rest worked till dark to-night. Nice day, cool but sunny. Thursday August 14th Mr. Flemming came over this morning with the woful tidings that he wanted two men to help thrash this after noon, so Frank went over to John Wesses to get Blaikie to come in Dad's place. John Wess was about to start cutting peas but insisted on Mr. Blaikie coming. Dad. cut oats most of the day and finished some time during the after noon. I shocked up a few in the morning - and after dinner Mr. Blaikie & I lit out for Flemmings, we got a pretty late start as the machine wasn't there on time so will have to go back in the morning. We got word this after noon that there was sheep down at the station for us we were so busy we couldn't go till night, then Dad. & I went down in the waggon, we picked Huby up who was in a great state of excitement over the ram, (for it proved to be the one I ordered from Mr. Hanmer), if we hadn't come down he was going to have it sent over, he wasn't any the 94 �worse for his trip - as all hands at the station had been careful to keep him in the shade. I was very surprised to see him as I under stood Mr. Hanmer to say he wouldn't ship him till after he had been shown at the different fairs, he is certainly a beauty. Hot. Friday August 15th Dad. went with me to Mr. Flemming's this morning we finished there and had our dinner about eleven. Sam Law wanted us to go and help thrash his stuff and as he thrashed his oats out of the field he wanted our team and rack so we went out and put a load of our oats on to take over it wasn't a big load but we got forty seven bushels of good plump oats out of it, which will last us till we have time to thrash. We finished at Sam's a little after six and had our tea there so we were rather late doing our chores. Pretty hot to-day. Saturday August 16th Dad. and I went out this morning before the dew was off and turned out every shock of the first cutting of oats, we then went over and shocked up some of the others, we didn't finish but quit at noon and this afternoon hauled the others, we got them all in, there were only four more good sized loads, but it took us till about nine o'clock the last one, it was so dark we could hardly find the shocks, of course we didn't unload this last load. Aunty brought us out a little lunch at six and we had some more when we came in. Very hot and looks like rain soon Sunday August 17th I didn't get up till about nine o'clock this morning and then we three boys all went to the stump and had a good swim, about half the kids in town were down there, and we didn't hurry at all, it was about one when we got home. I didn't do any thing much this after noon but perspire. I started to read but went to sleep, it was too hot to sleep and I started to write but it was too hot to think, so I had to quit that. It rained pretty hard for a short time before tea. Monday August 18th Owing to the little shower we had yesterday it was a little too wet to haul any oats this morning as we had intended, Dad. and Frank took a load of grist to the mill first thing, they waited till it was chopped and then went down to Mrs. Battersbys where Frank Slocomb is laying side walk and got a load of yellow sand from him to put in front of the lane gate 95 �where there is such a mud hole, they then went and got a load of rails. I raked up the weeds and chopped the grass with the lawn mower back of the old house and along the east side of it; I worked at it all day and although it looks a lot better there is lots of room for improvement yet. This after noon Dad. went out and shooked up the rest of the oats. Dr. Hicks & Cousin Willie went out to ask him if he would run against Bob. Taylor in the election for a school trustee next Monday, as he hates to see them so tied up in their business he said he would, but woudn't take time to get out & work at all. Enah and Louise drove Joe down town this after noon Jean Marks came over to say that she and Louise were wanted in Toronto to help christen Rebecca Lee Scott next Friday. Louise hadn't intended going till next Monday but I guess she will have to go Wednesday now. Aunty thinks she will go down with them. Dad and I went out about six to night and brought in one load of oats. It has been hot all day cooler to-night. Tuesday August 19th We hauled in oats to-day but as we didn't get out very early and quit early we only got in four loads. We stopped work at five as I had to be down town at seven to accompany the band to a {?} scocial at Port Ryersie. It wasn't a full band as Bob. Rankine had a lame back & Johnny Walker had no one to run his engine at the picture show for him, Miss. Thompson & Old Silverthorne took a load of girls up on the Victoria but the lake was so rough they could hardly land and they would not go back any way but by land so some came in one of the band rigs and Theodore Brown brought the rest down We had a time although the wind was cold and the torches blew so we could hardly see. I got home a little after twelve and Dick who spent the evening at the Hobbes got home soon after. Very cool all day Wednesday August 20th We hauled in all the rest of the oats to-day. There were just two loads and a jag. We brought the jag in about three o'clock and Dad. & Frank pitched it off while I got Joe ready to drive Louise & her trunk to the station. She, Aunty and Jean all got off to-night. While I was down town Dad took the mower out and cut around the holes in the oat field which he couldn't do with the binder on account of them being so wet. I came home around by Huby's to get some peony roots and he was just getting ready to go to work as he is night watchman these days at the works. I went down to band concert to-night, after we got through on the stand Johnny Walker very kindly offerd us each a freelticket to the moving picture show so we all went down, tore off a piece in front of "The Gem" and then went in, he put on the three reels almost solely for our benefit as there were very few others in 96 �there. Edith came over this after noon and is going to stay for a few days or a week. Warmer than yesterday but not too hot. Thursday August 21st Dad. and I went out this morning with the rack and got the oats which were around the edge of the water holes and which Dad had cut with the mower, it took along time as Dad. just raked the stuff up in piles with his pitch fork. I set fire to the grass & weeds which I cut the other day between the corn field and the wheat stubble and had to watch it that it didn't do any damage. This after noon Dad went out and rolled the summer fallow but it was very hard and lumpy. Frank and I cleaned all the rubbish and burdocks out of the yard between the horse stable and the hay barn and fixed the fence so that we can turn the old ram out. To-night we printed pictures and got some good ones mostly of Tiddums. Dick did not come home to-night. Nice day not too hot. It got very black this evening and rained a little before tea. Friday August 22nd It began to rain - quietly about six this morning but stopped about nine or ten. Dad. patched the roof on the old barn and Frank held on to the rope to which Dad was tied. This after noon it got too windy to shingle so Dad plowed a little more of the old corn stubble. I started to clean up the limbs out of the orchard and got quite a lot done, Frank and I had to go down town to night about five for groceries. Cloudy and cool. Saturday August 23rd Dad. plowed at the old corn ground all morning while I worked in the orchard. This after noon Dad took the the team and waggon and we took all the brush and piled & burned it in the north end of the orchard where the little trees are mostly dead, we then took the big limbs and piled them behind the wood shed fore stove wood. it took us all the afternoon but it has made a great improvement in the looks of the orchard. This was Baughner Picnic day but Frank was the only one who celebrated from here. Doctor Hicks & Doctor Cook were over before tea to talk election to Dad. They said things were going pretty well although there are several working against him. Vyse was over this morning to say he wanted us to go & thrash on Monday. Edith left this after noon. Lila came over this morning for her music but didn't stay long None of us went down to meet Aunty to-night as we think likely she will stay ay Huby's to-night. It as been very cool all day and mostly cloudy, regular fall day. 97 �Sunday August 24th This was the sunday that they decided to have Tiddums christened. Aunty came over before Sunday school and brought Tiddums a lot of presents she got for him in Toronto and which Vernon and Mrs. Marks sent up. We all went down to church. Dad. drove Enah down and she & Tiddums stayed over at the Harding's till the time of the christening arrived - and then she & Dad. brought him in Huby was the extra godfather, and has been studdying the service up for the last few nights. Tiddums never let a whimper out of him but sat on Dad's hand, and jumped, stared, laughed and crowed a little although they said he was getting sleepy before the end. Dad. & Enah drove right home with him but the rest of us waited for the rest of the service. This after noon Dick and I went down town. I went to see Harry & Mrs. Moon but they weren't home so after calling at the bank where the whole staff except Mr. Hobbes were hard at work and at Huby's for a minute or two I came home. Dick got back for tea. Dad. and Enah drove down to church to-night as Enah had to play the organ for Elva; when they got home Dick and I drove down to post a couple of letter for Aunty. Cool & windy all day Cold to-night. Monday August 25th Dad. and I both went over to Vyse's to help thrash and were there till noon, although he didn't have much stuff, but it was awkward getting it out and we were late getting started. Dad. made a mistake by going at all for this was election day, when he was running against Bob. Taylor for school trustee, and Vyse sent two of Martin's men home saying he had enough hands, then went down town as soon as we got started and I suppose worked as hard as he could for Taylor. This after noon I went up to the glen with a picnic party of Mrs Hobbe's, Dick got off and went with us we went up in the "Victoria" and had a fine time. We got back a little after dark, and went up to Mrs. Hobbes and danced till about twelve, most of the music was supplied by Col. Smith's gramophone about the first news we heard when we struck town was that Dad. had beaten Taylor by a majority of 9. He was down town all the after noon - and had an exciting time. The school board can now do business as Tibbets and Miller were not disqualified and they will have a majority on their side. Lovely day, cool & sunny. Tuesday August 26th Dad. and I went over to help thrash at Martin's this morning, it didn't take long to thrash their oats out but they had a few interruptions so we just got through about eleven and had 98 �our dinner. This after noon Dad disked on the summer fallow, and I cut at the lawn but didn't get much done. Allan Law had to pull Vyse out of a hole to-day, he found him beating his little balky mare unmercifully, because she balked with a load of 16 bags of wheat Vyse told him he would kill her if he had ambition enough. Cool and threatening. Wednesday August 27th Dad. disked and harrowed on the summer fallow all day and I cut the rest of the front lawn this side of the ditch and worked around at other odd jobs. Frank and I fixed a couple of bars at the end of the horse stable to close the yard south and west of the horse stable, and then turned old 4700 out, he spent most of the afternoon under an old door leaning against the fence. Frank noticed today that he is club footed behind, we couldn't see his foot before in the stable. I went down to band concert to-night. It has been a nice sunny day but cool. Thursday August 28th When Tom Albert came this morning he said there was a loose horse on the road, Dad got her and put her in, she had a halter on but Dad. didn't know her, but we had an idea she belonged to Bill George so when Dick went down he happened to see the above mentioned Bill. and told him whereupon that gentleman came over immediately and took the mare home. We started to haul manure to-day but owing to interuptions such as oiling the spreader and as it was drizzling rain we were undecided whether to go to to work or not; we didn't get started till after ten, we got four loads out and one on the spreader by twelve and one out after dinner, but it started to rain so hard that we put the horses and machine away. I then drove Enah down town to Mrs. Schrams and had to wait quite awhile for her, we got home at five and I drove Aunty down, she to the old German Roller canary who has not been in a healthy condition for "some time back" down to Mrs. Tusk for repair, she also got a student lamp from Miss Battersby who made a present of it to Dad. It has drizzled nearly all day and to-night another big thunder storm came up with an awful downpour. About ten o'clock Aunty & Dad. noticed fire north of here, where some poor fellow's barn had been struck. Friday August 29 It was too wet this morning to work on the land so Dad opened up ditches on the summer fallow and I sawed up the old apple limbs and rubbish behind the wood shed. This afternoon, I went to see if the field next the woods across the gully was fit to plow but 99 �found water lying in the furrows and ditches. Frank and Lila went back as far as the gully with me to look for mushrooms. I set out three little rose bushes on the mound just for fun I don't expect them to grow, but the were in the lawn and I didn't know what else to do with them. I took John Wess McBride's rope back to him, which Dad had borrowed the day he brought Frank Faulkner's heifer home. I saw Mr. Blaike and he told me it was Bob. Winter's barn that was burned last night he lives on the townline just north and one lot west of this place. I came home around by R. J. Watson's, and Charlie McQueens. I also went over to Lorne Myers where Geordie Murphy is ditching I got home about four and then Frank & I went down to Martins where Frank got some grit for his chickens and I got some information re planting out straw berries & pruning grape vines from John Quanbury. Dad. had to go to a school board meeting to-night, he hasn't felt very well all the after noon. Frank is better to-day he was quite sick yesterday. Sunny and breezy to day. Saturday August 30th I spent the whole day working around the garden. I cut the two high patches of weeds and pulled them out as well as I could of the onion bed, This after noon I cut the lawn behind the house and about five drove Enah down town for supplies. We got word to-day that Walter was coming to night he has been in Toronto for the last few days - and Roy & Vernon may come up with him, {undecipherable} we have been making preparations for them all day. Dad. went over to John Wess McBrides this morning to see his lame cow and get advice about the field back there we were going to put wheat on but there is so much blue grass on it we that we would not likely get half a crop especially now that we wouldn't be able to get in in early, so we thought of fall ploughing it and summer fallowing it then plow in June & put wheat on it next fall, that was just what John Wess said he would do as that will just about fix the blue grass. This after noon Dad plowed up a strip in the garden where the potatoes were and which I am going to try to work up in shape to set out a few straw berryplants. Dad. and Aunty drove down to-night to meet Walter and the others if they came. They did come but it took about half the night to collect them all. It had been arrangd that Vernon would spend the night at the Woodson's - and Walter & Roy would come here, so Dad. drove Vernon over - and then came on home with the impedimenta, leaving Aunty to come home with Walter & Roy. He just nicely got in the lane when Walter came in alone. He had come up town with Dick (who had to work till midnight.) to get some cigarettes and had forgotten whether Roy and Aunty were waiting for him or not and evidently didn't care a hang so came on over by him self - getting information concerning the route from some of the Woodson's who were outside as he came past. We were just 100 �about to start of with the lanterns in search of the other two when Roy came up, ignorant of the whereabouts of Aunty saying he had left her in front of the Dominion waiting for Walter while he went down to the canning factory to see Huby, but couldn't find him so came on over, he was very indignant - at finding Walter here - and proceded to call him down as he well could and Walter smoked and enjoyed it all as he well could while Dad. and I started to hook Joe up and go in quest of Aunty, however we just nicely got sh the buggy when poor Aunty came up, she had waited a long time and then went up to the bank and found out from Dick that Walter had gone home, so she followed, when each ones evidence had been given and the mystery of the mixup unravelled we all had tea - after which we talked till after Dick came home. Nice day, cloudy & cool Sunday August 31st We all went to church this morning except Dad. who went over to John Wess McBrides to see his lame cow and spent a very enjoyable morning and Enah who had household duties & Tiddums to attend to. I drove Walter & Roy down, as I was supposed to drive Vernon back to dinner but she was booked for dinner at the Woodson's so I drove Aunty and Frank part way home then went back and got Walter & Win who had gone up to see Cousin Bessy for a few minutes. Huby. came over with Roy, as we had a couple of Frank's ducks for dinner. He says he was there last night when Walter & Roy paid their separate visits but as they are going to get him a clock to "punch" he has to make the most of his unregistered time unless he can get George Gamble to figure out a scheme to punch the clock all at one time, in all probability George is quite capable of doing such a thing. This afternoon we inspected the livestock, the gully & mound - and such things besides "settin around". Tupper & his Englishman came over & spent the afternoon visiting with Dad. Tonight Dad. and Enah drove down to church as Enah had to play the organ. Vernon came over to tea and she & Roy went down to Mrs. Battersby's for awhile. Cool and nice. Monday September 1st Dad's cold was very bad to-day and he felt too rotten to do anything, I didn't do any thing to speak of all morning but this after noon I put some manure on my strawberry bed and chopped it up pretty well with the hoe. Frank chored around all morning and this after noon went down town with the Ryersie's, he has to go back to school in the morning, poor kid, I feel sorry for him. This being Labor Day the bank was closed but Dick went down and worked for an hour or two this morning and was down town all the after noon. Dad. drove Roy down to the station to-night as he & Vernon couldn't stay away from business & baby 101 �(respectively) any longer. Aunty and Walter stayed at Huby's for tea. Cloudy & threatening this fore noon Hot & sunny this after noon. Old Jonas was over to-night for a long visit during which Queen broke out of the pasture and caused us a lot of trouble getting her in, then I traipsed all over the pasture looking for the others and fearing they were out on the road but at last found them all safe in the pasture. Roy is thinking quite seriously of coming up here and starting a poultry ranch for the city market. I which he would. but. - Tuesday September 2th Jonas came over this morning with a basket of tomatoes which he promised us last night. He came before seven but if he had not been in such a hurry - and left them to enjoy - a few more sunny hours they would have been in much better condition. He also brought a boquet of about three asters, two gladiolii & one geranium with one foot in the grave. It was very kind of him though. Poor Frank went back to jail this morning but got out for the afternoon. Dad. & I hauled out manure. We monkeyed around till after ten o'clock so only got out about 10 loads all day. This afternoon Carl Coleman & Perce Kindree came over and got Edmond England's heifer that has been sending the summer with our cows. having crossed the dilapitaded line fence from Ivys where she & three others were boarding, as we didn't have time, means or enough inclination to repair the fence, our gully has furnished her with free board and lodging. I think Walter slept & read most of the day except when he rode out with Dad. on the spreader bant load. and when Aunty with some difficulty induced him to call on Mrs Battersby with her. Edith came over this after noon to say good bye, as she is going back to Toronto on Thursday. Tiddums has not felt very lively to-day, they think he is enlarging upon his dental equipment. Cecil Lamb has been very ill for a week or more wth typhoid fever and now Dick says they don't expect him to live. Vyse left this morning for the West, I don't know how he expects Dover to exist without him. Very hot & hard to work Wednesday September 3rd Dad. & I pitched manure all day we got out 12 or 13 loads which we thought was pretty good considering the circumstances. we were getting it from between the barn & the stack where we can't get in with the spreader so have to carry it quite a way. We don't think the spreader is sowing it at 16 loads per acre which it is set at. This afternoon Aunty and Walter went down town and stayed at Huby's to tea. I went down to band practice to-night and Frank went to the moving pictures. This was the last concert of the season and Walt. was going to treat the boys over at the Dominion afterwards but I came right home with Carl. 102 �Coleman, Frank & Jonas. Jonas seemed in a melancholy state of mind to-night. Sairy was sick and had evidently been calling him down about something, anyway he told us he did not lead a happy life and he didn't care who knew it. Very hot & thundery & rainy. Thursday September 4th Dad. and I started to tear up the old stable floor which was half buried in manure so that we could drive right through instead of steering clear of this old rubbish heap, but Dad. felt so rotten we had to quit and he couldn't do any thing all day. This after noon I mussed around a little and cut weeds along the side road, gully and lane fences. Aunty and Walter went down town this afternoon and to-night they went over to see Mrs. Battersby. We were all asleep whent they got home. Aunty has at last decided to go as far as Winnipeg with Walter on her way to Fort Saskatchewan. Very much cooler, fine day to work. Friday September 5th Dad. didn't feel much better to-day but worked all day in spite of his illness, he says his bones ache all over and he is so weak he has to exert himself to double up his fist. This morning we took the team and snaked the sleepers of the old stable out of the manure and piled them up in the yard and out of our way. About eleven o'clock I drove Aunty over to the Shand's as she wanted very much to say good bye to them before she went west and thought she might not get a better chance. we got back about noon, we lost a little time putting John & Snowdrop in the gully as they had got on the road through the culvert. but Joe made up for lost time by the rate she got over the pike. Dad. had two or three more sleepers to get out when I left but he finished all but one which is too deeply buried and not at all in the road so he left it till some other time. This after noon we didn't think it was worthwhile getting started hauling manure as one of us had to drive Walter's suitcase to the station, so Dad. plowed all the afternoon. I was out with him for awhile but about four I drove Aunty and Walter to the station. I hung around till after the train went out and then brought Aunty home with me, she is going to meet Walter in Toronto next Wednesday Tuesday and go west with him from there as he is going to stay a few days with Roy before he leaves. Very nice day a little warmer We had to shut old 4700 up in the boxstall to stay to day as to-night Dad. noticed he had rubbed a big wad of wool of his shoulder on the bars where he was trying to get through, he aparently enjoys it just as much in confinement as he does when out in the yard where he sees & hears the other sheep. 103 �Saturday September 6th - Although Dad feels very miserable yet he worked all day, we didn't get a very early start this morning but had Frank nearly all the time to help us and I think we got out 14 loads of manure We were delayed for awhile this after noon when the spreader was incapicated incapacitated through a lot of stuff being jammed between the beater and the comb above it. Dad lost quite a little time adjusting it. Lila has been over all day and has spent nearly the whole time riding Frank's wheel up and down the road, she went down town on it once for Enah. Aunty has been down town nearly all day preparing for her journey. Fine day - pretty warm this afternoon Sunday September 7th Dad. Aunty & Frank left about eight o'clock this morning for Port Rowan as Aunty wanted to say goodbye to Aunt Ida before she left and they took Frank as a part compensation for him missing a trip to the Toronto Exhibition. I finished up the chores and went to church alone as Dick was in bed till noon Lila went down this morning to Sunday-school but this after noon does not feel very well so Dick says, due probably to her violent exercise on Frank's wheel yesterday. I slept this after noon for two or three hours and then milked and did chores which aren't much with Josie away and the other horses out. Dick was down town swimming with the girls all the after noon. Dad. Aunty and Frank got home about nine o'clock. They had quite a day of it, saw Aunt Ida, Clara and the Howe bunch, and Aunty got some rare flowers on the way home. It has been a lovely day but pretty hot. Monday September 8th We hauled out six loads of manure this fore noon but had to go thrashing down at Alfreds, we were there all the afternoon. I stayed {heart shaped ink blot here} tea but Dad. came home to drive Aunty's valise down town, he was gone quite a while as he got some thing in his eye this after noon and had to go to the doctors to have it taken out. I had all the cows but the two heifers milked when he and Frank got back so he did up all the rest of the chores while I took Joe and drove Mrs. McBride home, she has been here all day washing and picking plums, she took a lot home with her. Nice day with east wind. Tuesday September 9th We got up extra early this morning and Dad. Frank and I drove down to see Aunty off. Mr. Wiggins was going home on his holidays so she would have company all the way. On our 104 �way back we met Tupper who wanted one of us to go and help thrash, he expected the machine there between ten & eleven. I went over about ten but there wasn't a sign of the machine and Tupper was plowing I hung around till after dinner, they started soon after dinner and didn't stop once till after six, we put through about 650 bushels of oats in the after noon I was getting pretty well worked out when they stopped, it was Win Law's out fit. Tupper got disgusted with Sam. last year so wouldn't have him again. I got a ride home with Mr. Flemming. Dad plowed all the afternoon and is all finished but about two rounds, it was an awful job when he got into the land next the fence which was plowed up last spring and the weeds were three or four feet high. I feel pretty sick to-night but have to go back in the morning. It has been very cold all day. Wednesday September 10th I was over at Tupper's soon after seven this morning and we started to work soon after I got there and got through about half past eleven, we thrashed wheat, and it was an awful mess of thistles, the down was so thick it was as if some one had shaken out a feather pillow. I came home before dinner with Bill Philips was there for Mr Flemming, I was glad to be done as it did me up for most of the afternoon. Dad. went to the mill this morning and got some oats chopped and finished plowing and disked down what he plowed. After dinner we hauled out seven loads of manure, the piece north of the orchard all covered now and we have four loads on the piece east of the orchard. Allan Law was over after dinner and borrowed the roller. They are putting their wheat in. They are working two teams, old Ben, and Bert Monroe's little mare, each with one of the big team, Jonas was over to-night to get some plums and he helped me put in some srawberry plants which Frank got to-night from Jack. Martin. It froze last night but has been warmer to-day Tiddums is not feeling well today. Thursday September 11th We got a good early start this morning at the manure and broke all previous records, we got out 16 loads, and have got just about all there is that i suitable for top dressing. Allan Law came over this morning and borrowed the waggon and drill, they finished up over there to- night and he brought the things home. Jonas was over again to-night and picked some more plums, he stayed for about an hour telling Frank and me stories of his experiences in a lumber camp. Betty Woodson was also over and brought us another kitten which she got from some kids who were going to drown it. Tiddums seems to be quite well again to-day. Much warmer looks rainy 105 �Friday September 12th We got out 16 loads of manure to-day but could have got out another, but as the field was covered all but a little strip we put the spreader away, we didn't put much on the little side hills as the spreader {shughs?} and does not work well there, Mr. Morgan came over this morning and stayed to dinner. This after noon Winnie came over to borrow some books and Frank's camera, she is not at school as she has hives. Betty & the twins were past here to- day - with three hounds and another dog, one of the hounds got in our corn field and they were a long time getting it out. Cloudy and threatening to-day. Saturday September 13th We worked both teams on the land all day and now have the piece between the orchard and the corn in pretty nice shape. I disked all day and Dad rolled & harrowed on both pieces of ground. Frank dug around and mulched some of the peach trees this afternoon. Dick expected Ferdie to-night but I guess he didn't come as he said if he had any luggage he would leave it in the barber shop, for I told him I would be in to get my hair cut. Dad. & I went down to get some groceries but it was so cold I didn't get my locks trimmed, however I went to see if Ferdie's impedimenta was there but it wasit wasn't and there was no sighn of Dick we came home alone I suppose Dick has gone to the dance - the last of the season I think. We saw Huby to-night coming from home where he had been to fill his lantern, he says he has ordered twine but he thinks they can't get anythingh from the stores now. Mrs. McBride was over this morning to pick plums, Very cold wind all day Clear & cold to-night. Sunday September 14th It froze hard enough last night to crimp the tomato tops and corn leaves, but I don't think it will hurt the corn except the leaves for fodder. I didn't get up till late & felt so rotten with a bad cold in my head that I didnt try to do much ore - go to church. Frank has just the same cold but he went down to Sunday school and church. First thing this morning we put up the little stove in the kitchen and it makes things much more comfortable. Old Jonas came over this afternoon to look at the corn he is going to help cut it but it won't be ready for awhite yet. Johnny Walker also came over to have a look at old Joe. he drove down with Dad. Enah & Tiddums, the two latter stayed at Huby's till church time and Dad. came home to help do chores and then went down again to go to church with Enah. They have heard so much about the famous Irish preacher the same one who was there last Sunday that they thought they would like to hear him so Aunty Maude will keep the baby for them while they 106 �are gone. Walt. Steele sent me over ten dollars to-day by Dick which is for my playing with the band all summer, and which I consider easy money. Ferdie didn't come last night Dick got a card from him saying he has lost his job and isn't coming at all I guess. Dick went up the beach to a corn roast last night and has been down town all this after noon. Dad. turned the old sow out this morning, he is going to wean the little pigs now, he let her in with them again to-night after they had had a good supper so as not to wean them too suddenly. We put poor old Dave in this after noon and gave him a {bath?} his three white feet are in awful shape all swollen way up his legs and terribly broken out around the feet. The only thing we can think of that can ail him is alsike poisening which we have heard of before but which Dad never believed in much. Neither Osprey nor Dolly seem affected and they both have white feet. Tiddums didn't stay asleep long down at Huby's during church and when he awoke and found himself among strangers he became home sick and cried so lustily that they were forced to send to church after Enah to come and pacify him. Monday September 15th I finished cross disking on the piece where I left of Saturday and started to roll it all this morning while Dad. harrowed awhile on the other piece and then went with Frank over to John Wess McBride's to get the seed. John Wess has gone to Grand Rapids but Blaikie was there and they cleaned up nearly {21?} bushels, and got back before dinner. Blaikie and Bill Lemons are keeping {batch?} over there. This after noon I finished rolling that piece and then started to disk the other piece deeply, and Dad. & Frank drilled in the small piece they put in about 8 1/2 bushels, they started with the drill set at 2 bus. & a peck but thought it was overrunning so changed it to 2 bus. Frank stayed home partly on account of his cold and partly to help Dad keep the drill from clogging up on the straw & grass which didn't all work in. Tonight old Jonas came over and stayed about half the night trying to sell Dad some seed oats (heavy yielders). Dad. didn't order any much to the grief of Jonas but promised him he would Dad. bathed and powdered poor Davy's feet to-night, they certainly are in awful shape and he is as thin as a board. I have felt pretty rotten all day. It froze again last night but has been warm and sunny all day. The men struck at the canning factory to-day as they haven't been payed for two pay days or more. Dick said to-night that he heard Harry Graham has failed, and that George Gamble they are afraid has typhoid fever. Gordie Faulkner has it not badly & Cecil Lamb's fever didn't break yesterday when the three weeks was up Tuesday September 16th 107 �We both worked on the land all day. I disked all morning and Dadl harrowed over the sowed piese and part of the other. It began to drizzle soon after dinner so Dad took my team and ran out the ditches in the sowed field also the cross ditches in the other. I then took little Joe & Belle and began to roll but the earth at last got so wet that about four o'clock I put them in, when Dad. got through with the others team I disked awhile but not long as I began to get too wet for comfort, so I came in Dad. did chores as I felt too tough except to help milk. Franks cold was too bad for him to go to school to-day. this morning he went down and saw the operations of the canning factory, they are working full blast to-day as the men are promised money to-night or tomorrow It didn't freeze last night and looked rainy all morning Saturday Wednesday September 17th I cross disked all morning, Dad. went over and borrowed Ivy's disks and started to cross from the other end we nearly met by noon. It looked so nebulus that Dad thought he would drill it in this after noon thohugh under other circumstances we would have rolled & harrowed it yet. I finished disking while Dad was getting the seed and drill out. and then started to go over the dead furrows length ways. Dad. got about two or three rounds drilled when it began to rain so hard we were forced put our teams in much to Dad's disgust as we couldn't do anything but chore the rest of the day and he is afraid we won't be able to get back on the land for quite awhile. Alfred came over just before it began to rain and brought back the old cultivator. I think I forgot to mention at the thime but the ice ran out a week or so ago, it lasted pretty well but we think we can make it do better next year by putting in more sawdust and making better drainage Frank stayed home from school again to-day, my cold is better to-night but Dad thinks he is getting another one now. Frank took a boquet of wild flowers down to exhibit at the horticultural show tomorrow night. Cloudy all day, didn't rain very long. Thursday September 18th I haven't done a tap of work all day, I have felt all day like a cake of soap after a hard day's washing and just lay around the house. This morning Dad. thought it was a little too wet to work on the the land so after he did chores he went out and got a load of rails and took back Ivey's disks. This after noon he drilled in the rest of the wheat. He ran out of seed when he was within a round or two of finishing and had to go down to Alfred's to get another bag, when he got back it was too late to finish so he will have to wait till morning, he thinks Alfred's wheat a better sample than John Wess's as there is not so much cracked wheat in 108 �it. Frank went back to school this morning but Dad. kept him home this afternoon to help him drill. Enah and Tiddums went down to see the flower show, she said it was not as large as other years and that Frank didn't get a prize on his wild flowers. Frank did not go down to see it. Dick did not get home till late as he went to the dance in the pavillion the last of the season. The men and women at the canning factory did not get their wages as they had been promised so have all struck again except Huby & the engineer. It has been a nice day - I think Friday September 19th I didnot do much more to-day than yesterday. I started to clean out the stables but became so exhausted that I had to give it up and just poke around, this afternoon I read and answered an advertisement I saw in "The Literary Digest" for a fellow who tells how to get strong, if he fails to help me I think I shall take to dressmaking or somethingh of that nature. Dad. finished drilling before Frank went to school this morning and then harrowed the field over, he started to run the furrows before dinner but old Harry & Joe proved so incompetent that it took him the whole after noon to finish the job, the last five of the dead furrows were so crooked that he harrowed them out and ran them over again He intended to go down and help Mr Flemming this after noon as Alfred told him yesterday that he is far behind with his work having been sick, and unable to work ever since Tupper thrashed, Dad may go down to morrow if Mr Flemming wants him. Jonas was over for a short visit to-night. We have had to keep Belle tied up all day as we turned her out twice and he jumped right back in to the lane in front of the house immediately, she & Harry got in the night before last and ate all the Golden Bantam corn down to within a foot of the ground. Dad. had to get up at half past four to shut them in the stable and then he didn't go back to bed again. It has been a nice sunny day. Sun set clear to-night. Saturday September 20th I felt quite a lot better to-day but my throat is still sore I intended to go back and cut the clover seed this morning but there were two rivets had to be replaced in the pitman rod of the mower before it could be used so I took it down to Butler's for repairs. Dad. told me that if no one else was in the shop I might as well get Joe's shoes set - as they needed it badly, I did, so did not get home till after noon This after noon Frank & I cleaned out the stables which haven't been properly cleaned for about a week and then drove down town to get stuff on our way back we stopped at Uncle Wards and he & Frank picked a bushel of 109 �tomatoes which we brought home for Enah to do up. He has a good many there going to waste as he put in a lot for the canning factory but they closed down before he got them all picked. It got very black while we were there and just as we left began to sprinkle - and just as we got home to rain hard. Dick got in just behind us the first time he has been home so early - all summer I believe. It did not rain long nor extra heavily - and there was only about one hard crack of thunder, but I don't know whether it is all over yet or not. Dad. has been cleaning ditches all day but has more to do yet. Frank went down this morning to ask Mr Flemming if Dad. could help him any if he came down but Mr. Flemming said he expected Ern. up and would be through this afternoon. Frank went over to John Wess McBride to return the bags they brought the wheat over in. Blaikie was cutting the buckwheat with a scythe he couldnt manage it with a cradle. Frank saw a black squirrel on the line fence when he was over there Dad and we three boys had a bath to-night, I needed one badly Sunday September 21st I sat around the house all day except to help do chores and finished reading Hamlet. I don't want to got to church till I get my hair cut for fear some body taking me for a wild creature would put me out. Enah still having a desire to hear the Irish preacher of the two preceding Sunday's went down driven by Dick. Frank walked down to Sunday school and church Dad. looked after Tiddums and the house. Tiddums has not been himself to day, for some obscure reason. Dick spent the after noon at home for a change, reading. Cars. Rankin and Arly McCarter drove over this afternoon to have Dad look at Car's horse's foot which got burned on a rope. It has been dull & chilly & wet off & on all day Monday September 22nd It rainded nearly all night and most of the day, the roads being inconsequence in such a condition as to prohibit travel by bicycle, so I drove the boys to the scenes of their labors and as there was nothing pressing in progress here and not knowing when a better opportunity would present itself I put Joe in at Hendersons and proceeded to have, my hair cut, a shave, and my teeth cleaned, this last item I promised Aunty I would have seen to on the first favorable occasion which presented itself. I arrived home after getting a roll of roofing paper to repair the cow shed roof - and some other articles - a little before noon, we read and did chores most of the remainder of the day, although we did go out for a while to strengthen the grain barn floor as in one place it is too much decayed to permit the safe passage of the thrashing machine over it, but as from time to time we must go outside and come in contact with the disagreeable weather, there was no pleasure in it so 110 �we postponed the duty to a future and fairer day. Mrs McBride was here allday performing her biweekly labors and it being such a 'dirty' night Dad. drove her home while I got the cows. I began to read "The White Company" to-day and I am afraid it will be a hard one to leave at the call of duty. Dick is not expected home to-night. Tuesday September 23rd Sam Law came in this morning and informed up that he was going up to Clarke Matthew's old place to thrash to-day, and would thrash his own three loads of oats on his way back and then come here, Allan came in tonight and told us that they just pulled the machine into their barn to night and would not be over here till noon to-morrow. This morning Dad & I levelled the butt of the old stack - and this after noon we finished fixing the barn floor and sweeping out the granary bins. To night when Frank got home from school he & I drove down town to purchase provisions and warn out Mr. Fleming & the Martins. Dad. has gone over to Mrs. McBrides to-night to see if he can her - to help Enah to-morrow. It has been sunny all day but with a cold wind Wednesday September 24th We went over about eight o'clock this morning to help Sam. Law, we thrashed out their three loads in a very short time and then came home and hauled a load of rails and made general preparations for them here. They got here about twelve, and were just about ready to start after dinner Frank stayed home from school and first thing went on his wheel to secure the aid of a man from Tupper's and one from Billy Louis as they promised one when Dad gave them free treatment for their cow. Mr. Fleming himself came and brought Bill Philips. Martin's sent two men - and Alfred & Jonas both came so we had plenty of help. Mrs. McBride came to help Enah and Ada came over and looked after Tiddums the whole after noon. We thrashed out all the oats 513 bushels - and made quite a hole in the wheat which lis coming pretty slowly. I helped Bill Philips carry away the oats and they kept us on the hump we got 320 bushels off the 10 acres by the side road and about 240 off the 8 acres back the lane, counting the load we thrashed before over at Sam's, we expect the wheat to go about 10 bushels to the acre. To-night I drove Mrs. McBride and Ada home, it was awfully dark and I nearly ran into a waggon and did run over a log, across the road. Lovely day sunny and warm Thursday September 25th 111 �We finished up the wheat about nine o'clock this morning it went better than we expected. 133 bushels and we didn't look for more than 100. It wasn't a very big thrashing but might have been worse. About ten o'clock Jonas and I lit into the corn field, and at noon had 13 or 14 shocks put up. Jonas doesn't use a horse but I think he would be better off if he did, as one blows down now and then and takes longer to set it up than it would to move a horse quite a few times. I didn't go out to help him this afternoon but Frank went out some time after dinner with a pail of water for him, and he wasn't there we saw him going up the road afterwards about half past three, but he got ten more shocks cut by six, he said he felt pretty sick after dinner. We trimmed up the sheep and let the old ram out in the orchard. Frank saw when he went after the mail that Butler had the tires on the waggon set so he and Dad went down before tea and brought it home. Cousins Loll & Phoebe were over for awhile this after noon Mrs. Dave Waddle died to-day at five o'clock, she has been sick for a long time but only a few days in bed, she was down town on Monday. Dad. & Frank cleaned up the barn floor this morning.. It has been hot to-day and hazy looking all around Friday September 26th When Dad. got up this morning he found the old sow had knocked down the orchard gate and let all the ewes out. We got them in with out much difficulty but noticed the ram was up at the north end of the orchard lying down by himself. When we went to look at him we saw at once that he was very sick, so brought him down and put him in his old yard between the drive house and the big barn, he has laid around all day and wont eat or drink, he is not bloated but is quite hollow and does not seem in any pain but now and then stretches out his neck and swells his sides like a dog trying to vomit. Dad. and I went up to Dunkin's this morni to see him as we got a letter from him yesterday morning saying he had a ram he would let us have for awhile not knowing of course that we had one, we expected to be back at noon but it begant to rain soon after we got started and kept up so long that we stayed there for dinner and did not get home till half past four, we didn't think his sheep much ahead of ours and his rams not a patch on old 4700. When we got home Enah told us the old sow was out and had wandered down the road but Frank brought her home on his way home from school so we shut her up in Queen's boxstall and nailed up the door. To-night the ram got in the barn and we gave him a drench, he does not seem any better but no worse. Jonas cut corn this morning to cut corn and cut till it rained. and this after noon tore down the old fence around the hill, he was over to-night to see if we would haul it for him to morrow Dad. told him he would try to. When I went back after the cows to-night I found Bobby & Fred's calf missing and walked way out to the Winding Hills to see them but 112 �when I got back they were standing at the culvert and Dad. & Frank were just going to let them in, the fence was down at the culvert and there was an empty whisky bottle near it. Saturday September 27th When we went out this morning we found the ram had gone out of the barn into the yard and seemed weaker than last night After breakfast we went out and Dad gave him some more dope, but while we were there we tried to get him to stand up but his feet just shook from under him and he stretched out and died we spent the rest of the morning skinning and burying him, we think of it a rough bit of luck but suppose it is all in the game, we will get a lovely mat off him if we can get it tanned right. what through life held his worth after his death will hold another's wealth. Dad held a post mortem on him and found that it was inflamation of the bladder which killed him, we didn't look for any thingh - like that, and Dad says nothing could have been done for him. This after noon Dad. & Frank cleaned up some of the wheat and oats that were on the floor and took it down to the mill to be chopped they went down town to take Elva's cream and get stuff. I took Harry & Joe and the hay rack and went down to help old Jonas get some of his fence up as he won't be back to cut corn till it is off the highway, he is so afraid of the law, I only got up two loads as it is hard stuff to load alone and Jonas had Leitch's team and waggon so didn't help me any, and I had to knock half of it to pieces, I did not get home till nearly dark. Lovely fall day. Sunday September 28th Frank was the only member of the family who attended church and Sunday school. I read most of the morning but got dressed up about noon and this after noon Dick and I went down to Mrs. Waddles funeral. Dad. drove us down and his went down and got Huby & Lila and they drove up to the cemetery. There was an awful crowd at the house and there must have been over a hundred rigs in the procession. Dick and I knocked around town til Dad. got back then I came home with him but Dick stayed down to go to church to-night. When we got home we found Emery & his whole family here as well as Mrs. Smythe with Susie & George. they stayed to tea so we were late getting the chores done. Beautiful day. Monday September 29th Jonas came over to cut corn this morning but after cutting for about an hour came in, in a great state of excitement vowing that he would cut no more corn with a sickle as he had cut an other piece off his finger, and said that if he couldn't - a corn hook which he was used to in Dover he would got to Simcoe after one. Dad. put some turpentine on his finger 113 �which he said just had the skin nicked - and told me that I might as well drive Jonas to Simcoe and take old 4700's hide up to be tanned, we left here about nine and went about half a dozen places in Simcoe, and got home about half past twelve, Jonas got his corn hook, some stuff at Fall's, some half stake from Billy Barlow's - a drink of beer and a prize list of the Simcoe Fair. I saw Mr. Hogg and gave Mr. Shaver the hide, and went to see Kompart about getting a new crank for the spreader to replace the one Allan Law lost but although all the doors in the place were wide open there wasn't a sign of a living creature around. This after noon I got started to cut clover seed but as {illegible} had to grind the knives and get the horses in I didn't get started till after three so only got a little more than seven rounds cut. Dad. cleaned out the ditches in the wheat field and Jonas got in a pretty good after noon cutting corn. George Slocomb Sr. was over this after noon with a shore shouldered horse. To-night Dad. had to go down to a school board meeting and I guess wished that R. M. Taylor had beaten him on the election It has been cloudy and mild all day and looks like rain Tuesday September 30th I finished cutting the clover seed this afternoon and got two rounds cut in the field next the wood which is all weeds, some of them are up to the horses backs. Dad. helped Jonas cut corn all day and they got a lot done, but Dad. had old Jonas pretty well tired out to-night, Jonas says it is the best corn he ever cut. It has been - a nice bright breeze day, doesn't look so rainy When we got up this morning we found that the old sow had knocked the gate of the orchard down and let the sheep all out, she her self was sleeping peacefully in a comfortable nest in the hay on the big barn floor. The cows cattle all got in through the bars at the end of the orchard and had wandered all through the corn and over the wheat, they were on the oat stubble when Dad. went out this morning, to-night he shut the cows in the horse pasture Wednesday September October 1st The old sow repeated the same performance as last night, but the young stock did not bother the bars at the end of the orchard, but as soon as the cows were turned in with them they went back and broke in through the gully fence and Dad. & Jonas had to stop cutting corn to put them out. Dad. had to stop later on to get Clark Matthews some wheat & oats which he came over to buy for Teddy & his chickens. In spite of these hindrances they got quite a bit cut and {illegible} the field half cut at noon. I cut weeds all morning in the back field, I think I could have finished it to-night but Jonas came over at noon to tell us 114 �that he had to help Bob. Leitch thrash so I stayed up to help Dad. cut corn we just nicely got started when we had to chase the cattle out of the field again this time we put them all up in the horse pasture but lost quite a lot of time doing it, before we got out again to work Walt. McCall, Mrs. McCall & three kids including Tommy came in, in Al. Faulkners auto-mobile (as Walt has sold his) to see the colts. so it was about the middle of the afternoon when we got settled down to work, then I cut my finger and had to come up to tie it up but Frank came out and helped us a little after school so we got about twenty two or three shocks cut. I cut a poor little half grown rabbits feet nearly off in the mower this morning but did not kill it, because I thought like Niel Elliot's man that life was sweet. Frank caught a broken winged crow on Sunday and is trying to tame it. Nice day, still looks rainy Thursday October 2nd It begant to rain about six o'clock this morning and rained all the first part of the morning and most of the afternoon but isn't raining to-night. I drove Dick down to work first thing as the roads were too bad for him to wheel, I dug up some of the onions when I got home and left them right on the ground till they dry, Dad. cleaned out the pig. pen and Frank who has a holiday to-day on account of the teachers' convention and tomorrow because Mr. Smith is going to judge at the rural school fall fair which is to be held in the town hall tomorrow. We had dinner about eleven and three of us left as soon as possible after it for Dunkin's to get the ram he told us about. We went past the rail road construction camp which is on the side road on the north of Charlie Dixon's place just as the men and teams were coming in to dinner, they made quite an army. We left Frank on the road about 3/4's of a mile this side of Dunkin's while we went on to get the ram, he is a big heavy fellow and pretty good looking, he looks very long but that is because the fellow Duncan let have him last year did not shear him. It begant to rain soon after we left his place and we just nicely got home when it commenced coming down heavily, it was pretty late then so we had an early tea and did chores after. Dad. is going down to Quanbury's to a surprise pedro party for John. He told them he would go orl he would not go through the mud Friday October 3rd We did not get up till seven o'clock this morning as Dad played pedro last night very late and came home at two o'clock this morning with the booby prize, as he is always first up and calls the rest we were late. Jonas came over at seven and cut corn all day I helped him this morning - and we got a shock or two over two rows cut which wasn't so bad considering I did not get out till nine o'clock. Dad. helped him this after noon and they got 115 �another two rows cut. I cut weeds all afternoon in the back field but did not quite finish. Frank and Dad. got a load of rails this morning and repaired the gully fence and turned the cattle back, besides other odd jobs. This afternoon Frank went back to Charlie McQueen's after nuts. Enah & Tiddums went down to see the rural school fair held in Buck's pavillion. She said there was a big exhibit of every thing the shape of farm produce & house keeping all produced & collected by the school children. Lila came back with her to stay all night. Tommy Manning came up to-nigh from the gully where he had been in quest of mushrooms but failed to discover any. Dick is at a party of Inez Schram's It has been cool and cloudy all day but fair. Clear to-night. Saturday October 4th I finished cutting the weeds in the back field a little before noon and brought the mower up. Dad. & Jonas did not get started cutting corn till about half past eight it was so wet from the frost on it thawing, so they did not finish the field till after dinner. When Dad. settled up with him he owed him $7.25 as he paid him at the rate of $1.50 a day for cutting corn and $2.00 for thrashing and as Dad. & Frank went down with the team after they got through to help him haul fence Jonas took $2.50 off for the two quarter days last Saturday and this. They did not get the fence all up. This after noon I cut a little lawn and picked up over two bushels of pears & apples of the lawn and gave them to the chickens. I did not get much done and quit early to do chores. To-night Frank and I drove down town for provisions and I finished reading "The White Company" aloud to Dad. when I got home, very sorry to finish it. Mrs. Woodson & Betty were over for awhile this after noon. Lovely day. Sunday October 5th Frank went down to Sunday school and I drove Enah down to church but as were were as usual late I went up behind the organ, where also was Charlie Martin he having come later even than we. When we came past the Martin's they were all out prepared to drive down to church in Jack's automobile but as the tire was flat they had decided to walk so we brought old Mrs Martin down with us, however they got the tire pumped up afterwards and he stayed long enough to take them down town. The Rev. Mr. Armstrong of Delhi conducted the service while Mr. Johnston was off somewhere else. Johnny Walker sang a solo by way of - a special attraction. Dad. stayed home & looked after the house and Tiddums while we were gone and also wrote a poem on the death of 4700 and an epitaph to send to Louise in answer to one she sent us. Dick spent the morning in bed but went down this after noon and stayed down to tea & church getting home quite late. Musa. Dyer sang a solo to-night 116 �in church. This after noon Ed. Moon, Marion & Alice Miller came over and spent the after noon. Ed. is working already in the mill in Sloan's place but says he will come over some Saturday after noon and do some fixing up. I was delighted this morning by discovering a book entitled "Sir Nigel" by A Conan Doyle and upon looking into it finding that it dealt with many of the same characters as "The White Company". I began it to-night. Tom Abbot came in this afternoon to inquire whether Jonas was a reliable person to make a business transaction with as he had bargained for some wood and then Jonas showed signs of backing out of his agreement but Dad. reassured Tom. It has been a very nice day, sunny & warm Monday October 6th I went with Jonas right after break fast to help him take his cows down to the cattle pen where Niel Elliot was shipping. Old Ivy at the mill bought them and Niel was going to take them to Jarvis for him in with his stuff that he was shipping. They were back here in Ivys gully and we & Sairy had quite a time catching them but got them down with out much trouble and put them in the pen which was chock full of hogs. Jonas had to squabble with Ivy for awhile as he wouldn't take any thing but cash for his cows not even a checqu and then Elliot did not want to take them at all with his hogs but they at last got things smoothed out and Jonas got his money and they tied the cows in the car. It was noon when I got home I had spent most of the morning with Skinny Ryersie who was looking after the stock. Dad. started to rake up the clover seed this after noon morning and finished this after noon we burned what we could of the weeds & grass in the back field this after noon - and most of it burned but there are patches where the fire did not run, it ran in the grass, along the fence bottom and burned about 1/3 of the posts and stakes it also chased the same little rabbit out into the field whos legs I injured with mowing machine the other day. I brought him up to the barn I suppose he has been along the fence ever since I put him there Nice day but very hot. Tuesday October 7th Dad. and I cocked up all the clover seed this morning except a few cocks which we did yesterday. We intended to haul a load this after noon but Loyd Ryersie came over at noon to tell Dad. they wanted to see him down town this after noon at four o'clock to interview the High School Inspector. He went down a little late (he took Enah & Tiddums) but said he might as well have stayed home, as it was all over, and they had had it up at the school house the {kid?} told him to go down town, but it wasn't any regular meeting any way. I felt 117 �as lazy as a drunk toad this afternoon but managed to get the barn floor pretty well cleared up of the thrashing refuse. Frank helping me when he got home from school. Dick says he is pretty sure he saw old Jonas coming home {bory?}-eyed last night and nobody but Frank has seen anything of him to-day, but he said last night that he would not be over except to set up some shocks he left down as he was going to buy some pig's, and I guess he set up the shocks. It has been a a lovely day - a little more breeze and not as hot as yesterday Dick came home before tea to-night and started to clean the buggy he says he is going to finish it in the morning. He wants it on Thursday. Wednesday October 8th We hauled in clover seed all day today but only got in three loads, we did not get out till nearly ten this morning but got one load on and off before dinner, this afternoon we got two loads in and left one unloaded, there is just one more small one out yet. Dad. let poor old Dave back the lane this after noon and he spent the afternoon on top of the hill with the other colts in the boiling sun. Mrs. Art Ryerise paid Enah a visit to-day, she has been over in Chicago for a week or so, she said that Orpha Flemming & Wilbur Ryersie were to have been married to-day. but as we have heard no other report of it, are not sure about it. Pretty hot. Thursday October 9th We were late on the start this morning, and just as Dad. & I were going out to pitch off the load we left on the barn floor last night we noticed the cattle on the wheat, and all over the oat stubble and clover. It took us quite awhile to get them back in the gully, so by the time we got the load pitched off and the jag that was left back there up to the barn it was noon we burned one or two of the cocks which were composed solely of leaves & dead grass. This after noon we went back over the gully to burn the rest of the weeds in the back field. We thought they would burn well after all the hot weather but the fire wouldn't burn at all not nearly so well as it did the other day so we just had to carry it around on our forks and by this means got it pretty well cremated but it took us all the afternoon. Jonas husked corn all day to-day and says it goes a little better than before but he says he is not going to make as much money as he expected, he is husking for four cents a bushel. Dick came home at noon to-day and took Joe and went for a drive with some girl down town Enah and Tiddums went down town this after noon. It has been fine and hot to-day but looks rainy. Friday October 10th 118 �We hauled out manure to-day from the horse stable pile and put it on the oat stubble along the side road. It was such a long way to haul it so we did not get on very fast. and as all the top part of the pile was nothing but burned or dry straw - and we wanted to mix rotten stuff with it took us quite awhile to put on a load. We did not get out till ten o'clock this morning and got out nine loads. Jonas husked corn all day but gets on pretty slowly. I had to take some binder twine out to-night and help him put up a couple of shocks. Lila came over to-night to spend the night, on Frank's wheel, he went down after school to get stuff and a bushel basket for which he went in {vain?}, and he walked home. Fine and hot to-day Saturday October 11th It looked so much like rain this morning just before we hooked to the spreader that we decided to hook to the waggon first and get the husked corn, but just as we were about to start it began to rain so we put the horses in again. Old Jonas came in from the field, and entertained us for a while with a wild west personal experience of how he was stranded out west somewhere in Michigan fell in with a gambling cowboy, and mane a pile in a hurry & revolvers knives, etc. Jonas has seen some awful times in his day if all accounts are true. We then got the sheep in the barn and marked them all with blue chalk and Dad. put the new tag we got from Dunkin in his sheep's ear and stuck up the tame ones ear with sticking plaster as she caught her tag in some thing the other day and tore her ear the full length. By this time the rain had let up and Jonas gone back to husk so we went out with the waggon and got about a load (21 bushels) but before we came in it was raining hard and we got pretty wet. It rained most of the afternoon, I read a little and the rest of the family cracked hickory nuts, while thus engaged a small yearling heifer with a freshly broken horn and a long thin rope around its neck came into the garden followed by very bedraggled man in hip rubber boots and a small freckle faced youth. I found out that he was the man from whom Jonas had purchased his heifer and that the afore mentioned "critter" was her. As Dad. had told Jonas that he might turn her in with our cows, Frank and I proceeded to help him catch her, get the rope off her and put her in the lane, but we found we had undertaken a task which we were incapable of performing, for the heifer was as wild as a deer. The man (Smith his name was) had already chased her over nearly every road between here and Marburg, but she was still very game. First she jumped into the pig yard where I caught the trailing rope, but I might as well have had hold of an engine the rope was so small and wet and she was so small and wild that I was forced to let go, she then leaped over the fence and down the lane toward the road where Dave. the small boy headed her off, I opened the 119 �gate into the barn yard, hoping to get her cornered in there but she got from there into the pig yard, then into the wheat field up the wheat field to the gully down the gully fence to the side road. then over the fence into the gully making straigt for the gap into the blue grass field where I headed her off from there and the three of us followed her up to the gully cross fence. (Dave. stayed back in the barn yard), there the man caught the rope but let go again immediately, she jumped back in to the wheat field and ran the while length of both wheat fields down to the little corner of the south east corner of the plum orchard where Frank & I both got a fall in the clay bank in an attemt to get the rope Frank did lay hands on it but she flopped him, after chasing her half way up the lane fence again, we let her go and the last we saw of her she standing in the north east corner of the oat stubble next the gully & side road. We couldn't get her with the other cows with out getting her in the lane as the cows are shut out of the east end of the gully. The man & boy went on down to tell Jonas that he had delivered his heifer and for Jonas to get his rope for him Frank Lila and I drove down town Lila stayed and Frank and I came back with provisions we drove Mr. Blaikie part way home Tonigh I finished reading "Sir Nigel" and "The Iron Trail" aloud. Sunday October 12th Frank rode his wheel down to Sunday school and Dick and I drove down to church. This afternoon Dick went down town and Frank went over to Charlie McQueen's and got some chestnuts, he also got soaking with his best clothes on. I read most of the after noon a great book I found in a box up over the woodshed. It's about an hundred years or so old, and is "Lord Chesterfield's advice to his son" - its rich. Jonas came over to look for his heifer but failed to find any trace of her so I suppose she is back at Marburg by this time. Poor Jonas is broken hearted - and wishes he had never bought her, he was very foolish I think to sell his good big three years old for forty dollars and then turn around around and pay twenty for this runt of a yearling what he wants with them any way in his position is more than I can see. Sam Law came in this morning to get Dad. to go over and cut a lump off his calf. It froze last night and was a lovely sunny morning but rained most of the after noon. Monday October 13th I had to go thrashing down to Flemming's this morning as he came over on Saturday to "warn us out". Tupper's man did not come till late and Walker never came at all so we were a little short handed I was on the table and pitched on to the feeder, after we got well started it kept me pretty busy and to-night I feel stiff and plugged up as they put some of the straw in the barn and made it pretty dusty. He only thrashed his oats and as he only had 120 �four hundred and forty something bushels we got through before noon although we got a very late start and stopped several times, it was near enough noon however for us to stay there for dinner. When I got home I found Jonas's mare in the stable and his democrat out side, and Enah said he and Dad. had just gone back the lane in quest of his heifer, which he told Dad he had seen in our back field but when Dad found it, it was in Evan's back field. Dad got home about three o'clock leading the heifer almost tame and Jonas following almost wild behind. They had evidently had just such a chase for her over Evan's place - as we had on Saturday over this place, but they got her cornered at last in Evan's cowshed and Dad. went over and borrowed a rope and humbug from John Wess McBride and once he got the ropes on her he soon mastered her, he broke the little clothes line that was on her a couple of times. He said it was pitiful and laughable to watch old Jonas, every time the heifer would break away from them. Jonas would almost weep and swear he would shoot her if he could get a rifle. Evan's wasn't home and Dad. said they got every loose gate and board around the place to barricade the barn yard but she would break through and once climbed about half way up the straw stack. When they brought her home they put her in with the rest of the cows and - although Jonas vowed she would get out she seems to be quite contented. Dad. told him that he would give Jonas $20 for her if she got out and $18 is she stayed in so Jonas said he wouldnt sell her till she got out. I drove Enah & Tiddums down town to Mrs. Schrams this after noon. Belle jumped the fence out by the big barn tonigh and knocked a couple of panels flat. It froze last night and has been very chilly all day. Tuesday October 14th I greased my old boots this morning and Dad took Mrs. Martin over the pint of cream she spoke for yester day. We also haulded two loads of loam & sod. from along the road side under the old wild cherry tree in the wheat stubble, and filled in the holes at this end of the lane in the barn yard, where the horses have pawed a hole when they are drinking from the tub in front of the windmill, and under the gate at the north end of the horse stable. This after noon we hauled out four loads of manure, Walt McCall. Dave Waddle Billy Loan & Tom. McCall came over to-night and we caught Dolly and Dave led her home he put a rope in her mouth although she would have led all right with just a halter and after walking a little way with her got in the automobile, and led her from it. Just about dark to-night Mr. Blaikie came over and got Dad to go over and look at John Wess's cow which was badly bloated and John Wess was away. Dad. went over, stayed to tea and as John Wess got back before he left, he did not get home till about nine o'clock. Frank and I did up the chores. Dad says the 121 �cow will get alright. It froze very hard last night but has been a beautiful day, very clear tonight. Wednesday October 15th We hauled out all the rest of the pile of manure at the horse stable and got through a little before four this after noon and took out eight loads, when we put the spreader away we hooked on to the waggon and got in a load of corn (22 bushels), we sorted it in the field and there is some fine looking corn in it, Jonas has been husking all day. At noon he came in and told us he had an awful foolish notion in his head, we wondered if he was just beginning to realize the fact, as there is nothing much else to him but foolishness, but at last when he got courage enough to "spit out" what he wanted, he asked Enah if she would iron a shirt for him to-night to wear to the Simcoe fair to-morrow as he could never get his "woman" to do any thing like that for him. Enah told him she would if he would bring it over to-night but he never showe up at all. Art Ryersie came over just before tea to tell Dad. he had a cow down there which wouldn't attempt to chew her cud and was panting like a lizard, as he considered her a valuable animal he wanted Dad. to go down and see her, so Dad. & Frank have gone down since tea. I cleaned out the cage I have my rabbit in this morning. his feet are nearly healed up and he can hop and jump pretty well. I think I shall let him go soon Enah and Tiddums went down town this after noon and to say goodbye to the Woodson's as they are going next week but no-one was home It has been a beautiful day. not quite so hot as last week. Thursday October 16th We started from here for Simcoe to attend the fair at about ten this morning and got there just about noon, after driving past the various livery stables in town and finding them all crammed we went back to Yeagers and put Joe in there. Yeager was there and told Dad. she was welcome. The three of us Dad. Frank and I spent the whole after noon on the grounds, but didn't see quite every thing, we didn't see the cattle at all except on parade there wasn't a very big exhibit of sheep or pigs, but the rest of the fair was good. They had a good bunch of horses, especially roadsters. Frank Temmons and Charlie Butler both showed in the carriage horse class but neither got prizes. Yeager took most of the prizes in this class of course. We saw Mr. Hanmer there showing his hackneys but didn't get a chance to speak to him. We saw Harry Langs for a little while. There was an awful crowd on the grounds and about as much fun could be derived from it as any thing else. Yeager had a team of grey mules up there hitched to one of his fancy carriages and driven by King Brown 122 �(Theodore's son) in uniform costume who jujding from his countenance was the happiest man in Simcoe, he paraded around in the ring all the after noon and lined his mules up in every judging class The number of boys on the back of his carriage increased steadily all the after noon and when we left we noticed Frank Temmons was one of them. King's black face shone as brilliantly as it's complexion would let it above a suit of - checkered - cloth covered with a motley display of ribbons, on one side of his wooly pate was a little flat hat about as big as a post card and each of his mules had a red ticket tied to its their ears. As a winding up feature they had a girl make a balloon ascention. She went up about as far as you could see her and then desended with a parachute, about a half amile away from where he went up, every body wondering whether she would light in a tree mud hole or straddle a fence. I heard one lady exclaim that she wouldnt do that for "nothing." It must have been nearly five when we left Yeager's - and - as we were trying to get home before Art Ryersie who we passed and then were passed by just out of Simcoe, we got home about six, but I guess Art beat us and beat us well, he went the back road and we kept the gravel all the way but we didn't see a sign of him after he turned at St. John's. Enah and Tiddums spent the day down town. It looked like rain all morning but faired off into an ideal day. Friday October 17th Dad. and I hauled a load of rails to the house this morning and got about all the good ones there were in the fence bottom running west from the side road along the north end of the wheat stubble We also got a small load of {sand?} to put in front of the north stable door, we then went down to Preston's and got a bushel of potatoes. This after noon we took things pretty easy did chores and Dad. fixed the little ladder goin up into the horse stable loft. which big Joe bumped his head on and broke this morning. Jonas husked corn all morning but as it rained this after noon he spent it trying to build him self a barn to keep his horses and cattle in all winter. He was in a very joyful mood this morning after being at the show and was in a great hurry for Dick to get up as he wanted him to send {illegible} away for him, but to-night he is in the worst state of despair as he evidently did not have very much success buildig his barn out of the old fence rubbish. Dad. told him he was foolish to try and might far better sell his stock and put the money away till he needed it and then have that much more firewood. It has been very cloudy all day drizzling most of the after noon and to-night Saturday October 18th 123 �I drove Dick and his bicycle down to the corner this morning and then went down to the mill to get a bag of flour. Old Jonas was working at his barn which is about the size of a big packing box, he only had a few scantling nailed to-gether for a starter. he said he was nearly wild with apprehensions for the coming winter. When I got home Tupper was just leaving, he and Harry his man were going down to fix the hill in front of Preston's and came in to borrow a fork to pitch sods. We didn't do much, this morning we started to fix the old shed next the cow stable as Dad. wants to separate his pigs and put some of them in there, we didn't get much done at it. Lila came over and this afternoon she and I drove down town principally to take Dick's suit case down as he is going to Toronto to-night. Dad. spent the afternoon cleaning ducks and a chicken. Winnnie came back with Lila and me but didn't stay to tea. Lila is staying all night. This is the fifteenth anniversary of Frank's birthday and he celebrated it by cleaning out and white washing the chicken house. We put Queen and Ginger in to-night as it is pretty cold out. Queen behaves just as if she was fifty years old. It rained quite hard last night - and to day - has been muddy cloudy and cold with a little more rain, very raw wind this afternoon. Sunday October 19th Frank and Lila went down to Sunday school and I drove Enah down for church, we were early for once. Enah expected Elva would be away but she wasn't, Enah played the organ any way. This was a children's day and they had the whole contents of the Sunday school in the front seats. As a little extra, Sam Jacques had his baby christened. Mr. Johnson kept referring to it all through as he or him but its name turned out to be Helen Isabel or something similar.This afternoon Dad. put the saddle on Joe and I went for a ride. She nearly put me off while I was getting on the first time but she didn't and I rode out to the Shands I found them just starting off to the Hares who live on the town-line about three miles this side of Jarvis, to wish old Mrs. Nixon a happy birthday she was 90 years old. Charlie put the saddle on his horse and I went with him, we beat them all of course both coming and going. I got home just about dark and to-night feel pretty stiff I guess Josie is tired too. I lost a nice little tie pin I suppose on the road. Cousin Clare gave it to me and I was very sorry to lose it. It has been cloudy and cold all day, drizzly to-night. Monday October 20th This was Thanksgiving day but has been exceedingly rotten. It rained the greater part of last night and most of the morning and has been cold, raw and muddy.. This morning Dad. went down town to ship the barrel of apples to Uncle Hal. and Aunty Alice which he got from Bill 124 �Duncan and which have been down at the station since Saturday. He also saw Butler about getting a plow but as he walked down he couldn't bring it home. He is going to get a Cockshutt to try and if we don't like it we will get a Wikinson. I didn't do any thing much all morning My muscles are all stiff and sore from my ride yesterday I guess it was too far when I haven't been used to it, it must have been about fifteen miles. Frank cleaned off the walls of the cow stable and this after noon white washed. it. Dad made a box for the wheel barrow after dinner so that I can carry out a much bigger load of manure. Then he and Frank went and struck out a few loads in the oat stubble while I cleaned out the stables. Belle jumped into the pig yard from the barn yard to night and when I went to chase her back she jumped the wire fence into the lane, caught her foot in it and bent a panel of it badly. Ginger and Queen both ran back the lane to the gully. Queen came up with Dad. when he went after the cows but Ginger is back there yet with the colts, which she has been trying to get with all summer. To-night Dad. and Frank walked down to meet Dick he said he wouldn't be home till the late train so they were going to the moving picture show. Frank has been coaxing Dad. to go for quite awhile. Mrs. McBride was here washing to-day. Tuesday October 21st Dad. plowed all day and got on pretty well. I did chores and cleaned out the alley way in front of the cows where the calves spent last winter. That took me the biggest part of the day. I spent about half an hour chasing cattle back into their proper quarters after they had jumped over or crawled through the old fence around the barn yard. This morning Bill Stamp came and got four bushels of wheat for this chickens. Aleeta McBride came over this afternoon to iron. Jonas husked corn all day. I felt rather rotten having a sore throat and getting an all around cold. Cold, windy, cloudy & wet. Wednesday October 22nd Dad. plowed all morning, and I did chores and started to clean out the pile of rubbish in the corner of the big barn but the wind got so bad I stopped and came in to the house. This after noon we went out with the waggon and got alload of corn. We got mostly all Jonas has husked. 26 bushels. We sort it out there and leave the poor stuff to gather up afterwards, there isn't much of it. Niel Elliot came in before dinner to see if we had any cattle for sale but of course we hadn't. Jonas husked all day. It has been a miserable day. It rained this morning and drizzled part of the after noon, being cold, cloudy, muddy and windy all day. I feel rottener. 125 �Thursday October 23rd Dad. lay awake in bed this morning from five to seven thinking from the sound of the wind that it was pouring rain but on getting up found it a beautiful morning. He got out as soon as possible after breakfast and plowed till about eleven. I did up all the chores and then went out and plowed till noon, while Dad. came up to shave as he had to be bearer at Mrs. Brirely's funeral this afternoon, he left a couple of strike oats for me to finish up after dinner and I ran myself out of a job about four o'clock. I left about a round or two on each land for Dad. to finish and as I couldn't strike out I unhooked but when I got to the top of the orchard. I saw Dad. cutting wood so yelled at him and he came out and plowed till dark. Jonas husked corn all day, he is full of an idea now to go south and work for {Evans?} Johnson, bossing niggers working in his orchard. He says they are anxious to have him go and he's going to try to get there. Aleta McBride was over ironing again to-day, she minded Tiddums while Enah went down to the funeral after dinner. My little rabbit died yesterday. It has been a very nice day cloudy, but mild, & breezy. Trying to rain to-night. Friday October 24th Since I watered & fed the horses before breakfast this morning I haven't done another tap all day, except read. I had quite a bad pain in my "stumick" this morning and have put in a bad day on account of my cold in my head. It rained steadily all day so I didn't lose much in the way of work. Dad. couldn't do any thing but chores. Mrs. McBride came over this morning according to promise to see if she could do any thing towards house cleaning, but of course couldn't. Cars. Rankin drove over this after noon to have Dad. look at his horse, which Dad. says has nothing the matter with it. He also wanted Dad. to keep it here and fix it up, but as we will be crowded for room this winter for our own horses, he refused. Saturday October 25th As far - as work is concerned I didn't do a tap more than yesterday although I felt quite a lot better. I read - quite a lot and skimmed through a large parcel of "Saturday Nights" which Roy sent up by Dick the other day and which in all probability would have scarcely been looked at, had not this cold presented the opportunity to me. Dad. and Frank hitched Joe and Belle to the waggon this morning, went down town & got a barrell of salt and the plow which Dad ordered from Butler the other day, they also got a letter from Dick (posted yesterday) saying he wouldn't be home last night and that Jack Walker wanted old Joe back right away, this was very bad news for with out him we cannot work two teams and 126 �the other plow will be useless, and it will be impossible fore one team to do all the fall plowing we had planned. Dad. did not see any thing of Jack while in town so does not know definitely yet. This afternoon they got a load of rails from this side of the east gully fence where we hope to put up a wire one next spring. They also took the plow out there and unloaded it. Vyse's three horses were on the road this morning and came into our lane, Dad. told him on his way down town so he and little Frank came after them. Allan Law was in tonight and Dad. paid him for thrashing. He told us that Jack Philips was very dangerously ill with Typhoid fever. Dick got home fairly early to-night, with the mail - and the news that Mr. & Mrs. Gilbert Lynch are the proud parents of another boy. Dad. heard in town today that some "public spirited citizens of Port Dover are canvassing the town with a petition to have Jack Walker's picture show classed as a public nuisance. Fine & windy, everything very wet. Sunday October 26th Frank went to church and Sunday school, but was the only member of the family who did. I sat around all day and read. the "Literary Digest" for this week, through completely. This after noon the whole family except me went down to wish Lila a happy birthday. Dad. Enah and Tiddums drove down but the latter was too sleepy to enjoy him self, so they didn't stay long but the boys stayed to tea. Jack Walker came over while they were gone and got old Joe, he says he has to have him now as the coal is coming in and one team can't stand it; he says he thinks he could make a dicker with Dad. for him, but as he seems to think old Joe worth $100. I think it very doubtful as Dad wouldn't give more than fifty for him. It has been fair cloudy and raw all day. Monday October 27th Dad. plowed with Harry & Belle all day and got on pretty well, after I got all the chores done up, I started to pick the spies but didn't get on very fast before dinner. It took me all the after noon to get the rest of the spies and there isn't so very many and they are not sorted yet, I also picked all the Kings but there were only fifteen of them on the tree, I got thirteen of them, one fell off and I bruised another knocking it off with a stick. Tonight Frank and I went down to the concert given by a travelling company for the band - and had a good time, there was a ventriloquist with them who was good, as well as an elocutionist and tenor. They had a dance afterwards and Dick and I stayed till it was over I got home about half past one and Dick a little later as he went home with some girls. Frank waited till it was nearly over but was asleep when I got home. Mr. Hodge came over with the tax notices this 127 �morning, they are just about the same as last year. It has been cloudy and threatening all day, and just as I got home to-night I felt a drop or two. Tuesday October 28th When I got up about seven o'clock this morning it was blowing a gale and raining, so after we did the chores we didn't do much else all day, although it didn't rain long we didn't even get the stables cleaned out. Alfred came over this morning for awhile. This after noon I drove Enah down town this afternoon to have her dress fitted at Mrs. Schram's I also practiced a little on my horn, Cloudy, windy and cold. Wednesday October 29th Dad. plowed all day and is now just half over the oat stubble or just at the pile of stoanes, the top of which just sticks up over the surface of the ground, it took me nearly all day morning to clean out the stables, get in straw and cut wood, but this after noon I picked apples. First I picked up all the good Canada Red's which blew down in night before last's wind, they blew down more than the others, I put them down cellar in one big box I picked an orange crate of Talman Sweets, which wil be enough for us, the pigs will likely get the rest, they are beauties. I also picked what few sweet russets I could but as they seem to grow mostly on very tips of the limbs I had to shake most of them down, there were very few barely an orange crate full. It began to rain about three o'clock and although it didn't rain hard it was very steady and wet through everything I had to go out and help Jonas put up some of the husked corn, the threw down a lot but as it began to rain didn't get it husked we didn't put it up. Mully got into the east end of the gully to-night and jumped the fence and came right up the wheat to the bars. Thursday October 30th Dad. plowed all day and - got on well. Jonas husked all day. I picked apples after I got the chores done. Mrs. McBride was here house cleaning all day so I had to beat carpet at noon. This morning Frank took a sack down to Preston's, and they filled it with potatoes and left it outside the gate, I drove down and got it. Frank went back to look for his turkeys after school, he couldn't find them at their old roost in the gully but he saw R. J. Watson who told him he had seen them Tuesday on the road in front of McQueen's. Dick told us last night that Harry Dyer fell off a scaffold yesterday and broke his ankle. It has been sharper to-day, and rained a little this afternoon. Dad. should have gone down to a school board meeting to-night but it is raining and dark so he isn't going 128 �Friday October 31st It froze quite hard last night and snowed a little. Robert John Watson came over this morning just as Dad was getting out to work to get his heifer which had got in with our cows, as I was just going back to fix the fence where Mully and Jim got into the back field where we burned off the grass, I went with him to help him get her home, she was very quiet, so we had no trouble in driving her but it took us all morning to get her to stay on Robert John's place, we got her into Ivey's place but she jumped through the old fence back into our gully, then we drove up along the woods into John Wesse's back field, then into Robert John's field then into his gully from where she ran directly back and jumped into Ivey's again, but we didn't have much trouble getting her from there into his gully again where I left him with her, I then drove Mully & Jim out of the field as they had got in while we were chasing the heifer, and made a good fix on the fence, it was a little after twelve when I got back to the house and Dad. was up with the team. This after noon we hauled in two loads of corn fifty-two bushels. Jonas was in the seventh heaven of delighted as he had Jim Law helping him husk. Jim husks about two bushels to Jonas' one and teases the life out of him at the same time. Frank went to look for his turkeys after school to-night, he went to McQueens and Charlie told him there were eight there and had been there with theirs for a month but Frank wasn't sure whether they were his or not and besides there should be eleven and Robert John said he saw that number last Tuesday, on the road, while Sid McBride was doing some other fencing for Robert John they stretched the piece between him and us so we got out of that job. We were reminded of this being Hallowee'n by hearing the school bell ringing to-night. Tiddums was playing on our bed with some blocks this after noon and crawled off the edge and gave himself a bad bump on his head and cut his eye quite badly, he was up on his hands and knees when Enah found him. Cold and windy all day, two short but blinding snow storms, one this morning, the worst one this after noon. Saturday November 1st It froze the ground so hard last night that we couldn't haul corn as we intended so Dad. plowed all morning. Frank went after his turkeys and got home with nine of them about noon They were over at McQueens and he thinks the other two must have been shot. I did chores and cleaned some of the boards out of the old shed by the cow stable and piled them in the corner of the barn. I finished the job after dinner while Dad. and Frank went down town, they took some oats to the mill to be chopped. and went on down town to get the mail and some provisions. When they got back about four we all three went out and got 129 �the soft corn out of the field. There was nearly a waggon box full of it and it was just about dark when we got up so we just hauled it in on the barn floor. Just as we were starting for the corn field Jonas came along and told Dad. he would like some money. Dad. wanted him to wait till we got the load in but Jonas wanted it right away so Dad went itno the house to get it. Just as he went in he told Jonas he was a darned old nuisance and that he would sooner have a boil on his ear (or words to that effect) than have him around. This Jonas considered an insult and started off for home declaring that he would take no money nor husk any more corn, by the time Dad. came out he was half way home, but Frank went after him and prevailed on him to take the money, he is still pretty mad though. It has been very windy but not very cold all day. Sunday November 2nd Frank went down to church and Sunday school, nobody else went down this morning. Mr. Buck came over and got Dad to go down and see his cow which he thought was sick but which was quite well when Dad got there. I did chores and Dick slept till dinner. This after noon Mr. Brirely came over and stayed - quite awhile - and to-night Dad. and I went down to church, Dick was down to Huby's to tea, and went to church after wards. We stopped in at Huby's on our way down and took him the "Every body's Magazines" that Aunty Alice has been sending us all year. He said he might be over to husk corn to-morrow. This has been a day of disaster, when Dad. first went out this morning he found one of his pigs all in and the others going for it. He carried it over to the barn and later came to the conclusion that its leg was broken up in the "ham" so will have to kill it to-morrow. He also found the old gobbler sick and diagnosed the case as black-head, he died this afternoon. Enah considered he was worth five dollars. Then we noticed a big hard lump under Queenie's jaw to-night which Dad. says is very like distemper although she has no cough I noticed a small lump there some time ago but thought nothing of it. Lovely day much milder Monday November 3rd I didn't do any chores before breakfast but wrote to Aunty instead. After break fast I did up all the chores and about half past eleven went out and plowed a little, Huby came over with his gun before dinner but didn't get a shot at any thing, old Jonas came back again and he & Huby husked all the after noon and got on well. Tom. Abbot said this morning that he might get one of the Bush's to come up and help husk for us. Dad. and I both went out after dinner, and he made two or three strike outs, and then went up to kill his poor little broken legged pig and I kept on plowing we will soon have the oat stubble plowed. Dad. hated to kill 130 �his pig but got forty pounds of dressed pork from him besides the {johcluts?}. Jonas came over to-night, he is afraid the money that he sent to Tildson bouy, has gone astray, but Dad. assured him that he wouldn't lose it as he has the receit of his bank money order, he also gave us quite an entertainment on the mouth organ. It was a lovely morning but has been cloudy and rainy all the afternoon Tuesday November 4th Dad. plowed all day to-day and is nearly over the road fence, I did chores this morning and transplanted the peony roots which I put in the garden the day Walter went away. This after noon I pulled all the carrots and beets and nearly all the onions, we piled the carrots and beets in a pile to-night and covered them for fear of frost, there were 6 1/2 bus. of carrots, what we have eaten so far would I think make 7, a yield at the rate of 784.1 busels to the acre. and 4 big bushels of beets on not half the ammont of ground as the carrots were on or a yield of 1102.78 bushels to the acre.* The onions were small and a lot of them soft, I just got a small basket full of them and there is another line to dig yet. Huby has husked all day and Jonas was here all moring but just got here in time to husk a couple of bushels before dark. Huby got a shot at a black duck in one of the holes in the timothy field but was too faraway, he was afraid he scared them away but they were back this after noon but did not light although he scattered some corn in the swail hole. Dick got home to tea to-night for a change. Cloudy and cold all day looks rainy. *These figures are according to my calculations and may not be absolutely correct Wednesday November 5th Frank caught a skunk under the cow stable in the trap he set last night. He and Tige are next to impossible to live with. He drove all the kids in school about crazy to-day. The cow stable was so thick aired that it tainted the cream. He skinned him to-night, he says it isn't a very good skin as there is too much white on it. Dad. plowed all day and finished the oat stubble. I went out with him at noon and we put on a load of rails from the gully fence and he hauled them up before he backed to the plow. I unloaded the load of soft corn that was on the waggon (21 bus) this morning and this after noon I unloaded rhe rails, cut some of them up and sorted the Northern Spys. Huby and Jonas husked all day. It froze quite hard last night but has been a beautiful day. Frank sent his Meccano outfit down for Cecil Lamb to play with. Thursday November 6th 131 �Dad. set off as soon as he could for Dunkin's with the ram this morning, he took Harry and Belle - and didn't get back till a quarter past two. He brought the imported ram back with him. I started to clean out a canal between one of the water holes in the timothy sod to the one in the oat stubble with the tile under in, I got it pretty well started, but found it would take a very deep ditch to carry it, and as the clay was so stiff I didn't get on very fast, I stopped when Dad. came home to help him unload the ram. and he said there was no use trying to plow the timothy sod this fall. as it is impossible to plow either through or around the water holes and it will waste too much time digging ditches between them so he is going to start on the other side of the gully. D. O. to-morrow and we will try to put tile in there after it freezes up. Huby husked all day but Jonas was only here for an hour or so at noon he has been sick with "information" all day, Huby says he wept bitterly out there for awhile, and then went to see the doctor. Beautiful day. Huby says it is Indian Summer and it certainly looks like it. Friday November 7th We got out good and early this morning as it didn't freeze at all last night. Dad took the new plow back over the gully and started to plow the field which we cut clover seed off. We got a good day in. Huby was over at seven o'clock this morning and got a full day in, although Jonas never showe up all day. I helped him all the after noon. This morning I carried all the apples and vegetables down cellar. Lila came over after school to stay all night. Enah and Tiddums went down to see Cousin Clare who came yesterday. Cars. Rankin came over this after noon and took the light saddle and bridle which I am positive I bought from Dick last spring, but Dick evidently thinks he owns them as he sold them to Cars. for six dollars, I don't want tho the saddle particularly only if I have paid for them I would like the money. It has been a beautiful day; mild and sunny but is raining to-night. Saturday November 8th It rained all night and has kept up a steady and soaking in down pour all day with short intervals of no rain but no sunshine at all. After I did up the chores this morning I came in and chopped suet, cleaned lamp chimney's, and tidyed up all the papers which were stacked all around the kitchen. Dad. spent the whole morning in opening up ditches in the field he has plowed, he also paced it off and found it is nearly 10 acres. Frank cleaned the windows in the kitchen and played with Lila. This afternoon we did chores, I read a little and cut a little wood, about four o'clock Arthur Preston came over to inform us that they had our potatoes all and bagged up and could we could get them any time, so Dad. hooked up 132 �Joe and Ginger and we went after them. we took Lila down to the corner with us and she walked on home. We got 24 bushels of potatoes and they were 60 cts a bushel Joe & Ginger were feeling pretty good as Joe hasn't been hooked up for over a week and Ginger all summer. Joe was glad to get beside Ginger again and "kissed" her profusely. We saw Jonas on our way home, he looks pretty sick and says the doctor told him he had acute indigestion. Sunday November 9th Soon after I got up this morning it began to snow although quite mild not having frozen all night. It turned to rain about noon and kept up all the after noon with increasing severity, and to-night is terrific, but the snow has nearly all disappeared. Frank went down to church and Sunday school but the rest of us hardly went out of the house, except for Dad. and I to do chores, and this after noon Frank and Dad. went out and drove the sheep from the orchard to the shed at the hay barn. Dad. also opened the smoke house door to afford shelter for the old sow, she took advantage of it, and soon made a bed out of the alsike chaff he put in for her, taking the precaution to root the bricks from around the edge into the middle of it. Dad. and Frank also moved Frank's pigs from the old shed where they were about submerged to the barn floor which was dry. Dad. didn't milk to-night and didn't put any of the cows in thinking it would be warmer out around the stack and in the shed than in their stable as the wind coming in above the old barn doors which space has not been boarded up since we thrashed makes it cold and draughty. I read "The Wonders of Science in Modern Life" nearly all day. Dick slept most of the morning, had a bath, this afternoon, wrote to Aunty read and played checkers with Frank. Monday November 10th Soon after breakfast this morning, I went down and got Huby to come over and help up move the cook stove from the woodshed to the inside kitchen, Dad had it all ready to move when we got here so it didn't take long to move it Huby went back home together to dinner As Dad put the little stove up in the dining room as soon as he took it out of the kitchen it was well past into the after noon when he got both stoves set up and late when we had dinner. After dinner I went down town and got some groceries, but didn't stay long. I read the rest of the time. The old sow broke out of the orchard last night and she and the sheep have been roaming at liberty all day. Art. Walker & Charlie Butler were in with, the cream, can, check and butter saving Tom a trip, the check was $2.47 which was better than we expected as we have sent so little cream and bought all the butter there. It looks as if 133 �winter had set in. It has been freezing quite hard all day and snowing with a strong and very cold wind. Tuesday November 11th I cut a good big pile of wood this morning while Dad. was doing chores, we then went out and tore down quite a strip of the gully fence intending to haul it in this afternoon. Huby came over to husk corn soon after dinner. As it snowed most of the afternoon Dad thought he would not take the team out to haul the rails so we pitched off the load of clover seed instead. Dad also shovelled down to see if he could find the hole in the oat bin through which all the grain is escaping, but could find no sign of it. About four Dad. and I went out and helped Huby husk and stayed till a little after five and got four unhusked shocks husked. It was mighty inclement out there but Huby had a very comfortable wind breake constructed of sheaves. Frank went to see Jonas to-night and says he is worrying terribly about everything, he wants Frank to feed his mare & colt a little hay and chop once a day, I suppose he expects them to live at that rate I started to practice on my horn to-night but found the little nib broken off the second valve. Toaty has fixed it on twice already, so I don't think it is much use taking it to him again. It was nice and sunny this morning but turned cloudy and snowed all the afternoon, cold and windy all day. Wednesday November 12th Huby came over at seven o'clock this morning and husked corn all day, we both went out and helped him as soon as we could so got quite a lot done. Dad. had to go down to Flemming's at noon to see Chris Quanbury's cow which has some swelling on its jaw. I went down town after supper to get some groceries, foot wear and my hair cut, Andrews was closed but I did the rest of my errands and took the valve of my horn to Toatys again for repairs. Walt said if I sent it to Whaley Royce & co. it might be three weeks before I could get it again. I went up to the bank and waited there for an hour or two for Dick, he got back from the moving picture show about a quarter to ten and then worked awhile, Hazen was there when I went literally "stripped to the waist" looking for a mistake they made or have been looking for for about a week. Hazen & Wiggins were looking for it when we left. I decorated Hazen's photo-graph album a little while I was there. Tupper was here while I was in town and wants one of us to go and thrash to-morrow. He ran a nail in his hand, and is just about laid up with it. Very much milder to-day, would have been perfect Indian Summer, but for a cold wind 134 �Thursday November 13th It was raining when we got up this morning so we did not hurry to get over to Tupper's. After breakfast it did let up for awhile so I went, it soon began to rain again and we didn't do a thing all morning, except talk, it is the most amusing, entertaining and typical conversation when Bill Donald, Win. Law and Tupper get to-gether. I stayed to dinner and we thrashed all the afternoon as it cleared off quite fine. I came home as far as the corner with Win Law who was driving to town Tupper will have about 60 bushels of alsike seed when he gets through some of it pretty good, he sold it to Green's man to-day for 8.50 cleaned up, he has a very sore hand where he ran the nail in it. I have to go back to morrow. Huby husked corn this after noon Dad said he worked out in all the rain and got the cow stable roof well repaired, and the chicken house roof nearly fixed, both with roofing paper, he also did up all the chores and to-night braided what seed corn we have up Friday November 14th I got over to Tupper's about 8.30 this morning and they had just started when I got there, we finished the alsike just at noon, it was a pretty dirty job even after they put the blower out side before that it was a fright. After dinner we thrashed out his three loads of Hungarian grass with the separator, it didn't take long which was lucky for if it had I for one would have croaked. Art. Walker, Harry & I were in the mow and they had the blower shooting the chaff over our heads, and about as much came back on us as we were pitching out, and the air was full of it. While they ran the separator out and the clover mill in from the far barn I crawled over in the clover seed to enjoy a few minutes rest, there were only three loads of clover seed and it took an hour and forty minutes to finish it up. I spent that short time in agony. For some reason or other all the muscles in my backe and legs ached horribly and I thought they would never throw up the last forkful, I was pitching on the table to Art. Walker. We got through about five and I lit out for home before supper, after they had indulged in a very prolonged and ragtimey whistle to express their joy at being through with that job as they have been there over a week I think. On my way home I came on Sam. and his out fit at the foot of the big hill at the side road, the old engine evidently wouldn't go uphill without sliding so they were just putting the big calks on the wheels. They only had half enoug for one wheel whih caused it to slide twice as much as the other and was hard to hold the front wheels in the middle of the road. It was dark when I got to the cornfield but I saw old Nig. in there and after a little hunting found Huby. and waited there with him till six, when I got to the house I was about ready to drop with cold and fatigue so crawled up as close to the stove as possible, I went to bed right after tea. I 135 �guess Dad. put in a busy day, he finishd fixing the hen house roof, hauled in two loads of rails and a jag of corn. Huby husked from the middle of the forenoon on till six. This storm has been awful in Western Ontario and on the Upper Lakes especially Lake Huron. Over twenty wrecks and over three hunderd lives lost according to the papers which are full of it. We know old Quint is safe though as the Algonquin was reported at Port Coulborne on Monday I think he he has to make one more trip to Montreal before he goes up the lakes, after wheat, that will be the last of the season. In spite of the beautiful night last night it was raining when we got up this morning, but it soon cleared off bright, and is clear and cold to night. Saturday November 15th We have had a busy day to-day. Huby was over at day break and went back first thing to the gully to see if he could get a shot at a duck, when he got to the top of the gully, he saw one a little way up from where he was but thought he saw another closer so crept up on it, he heard the one up the creek fly but thought he was sure of this one, as it didn't fly till he got so close to it and then discovered it to be a muskrat, he didn't shoot it at such close range for fear of spoiling its skin so came back empty handed and went to husking corn. It was frozen stiff early so we thought it an extra good chance to get in the corn, we put off the jag (18 bush) which Dad. got in yesterday and got in three more before noon averaging 25 bushels apiece. Huby helped us while we were in the field and then went back to husking, so with Frank we got on fast. We brought the soft corn in at the same time in the back of the load it ran about five bushels to the load and we put it up above the pig pent. After dinner Dad. and Frank had to go down town to get coal oil, flour and do some other errands, which took up a lot of valuable time, I cleaned out the horse stables and got bed in while they were gone, but when they got back it was snowing, however they got in two more loads, the last one of which they ran into the barn. I only helped get in part of the first load as the sheep got out on the wheat so I stopped to put them in and the last load I spent in putting the cows in and feeding them. Lila came over this morning and went back with Huby to-night. Sunday November 16th We got up very late this morning and Frank went to church and Sunday school and came around by McBains to tend to Jonas's horses. He says Jonas is worse to-day. "The indigestion has gone down on his lungs," poor fellow is in bad shape. Dad. and I went down to see Chris Quanbury's cow after we did up the chores but as neither Chris nor Mr. 136 �Flemming were home and the cow was out, Dad. couldn't see much. We saw Jack Spain and Vyse on the latter's place and had a talk with them principally about the wrecks on the lake. Vyse says they are getting up a fund to help the widows and orphans of the drowned sailors. This after noon Huby came over with a fish and an awful pile of side line which Dave. Law had given him to make a line for digging our ditch, all the string where the nets were fastened has to be taken off. He and I then went back to the gully where we fell in with Frank who had previously gone back with his book "Trappers Guide" which he got from John {Hallam?}, it is the first thing in the literature line he has ever showed any interest in. Huby scattered corn all along the creek to coax the ducks and then we went back into the woods we saw one rabbit but Huby didn't get a shot at it, he got a lot of moss and ferns and a small bird's nest which he says he is going to use for a burnt match receptacle. Dick went down town this after noon, stayed to tea at Huby's, went to church and came home right after, he and I then made so much noise that Tiddums and Dad. had much difficulty one in staying asleep and the other in writing a letter to Aunty. Cloudy and raw. Monday November 17th Dad. and I unloaded the load of corn they ran in on the barn floor, Saturday night, it took a very long time as we had to sorted it out of the waggon, we then went after another load. and got it unloaded a little after noon. Huby helped us load and un- load it as the corncrib is getting so full, that I had to stay in there to dump the bushels as far back as possible. This load took nearly all the good there is husked, there is not a load out there now. This after noon Dad. started plowing again over the gully. I cleaned out the cow stables and then helped Huby husk corn till dark. Cold and cloudy with raw wind. Tuesday November 18th Dad. plowed all day and got on fairly well. Mr. Blaikie came back and had a visit with him this afternoon. I did chores this morning - and braided some corn. I am going to have the drive house beautifully decorated with seed corn when I get it all braided. We were disappointed that Huby didn't show up all morning we don't know just why, but he came over at noon and he and I husked till about five o'clock it was nearly dark then. we got just five shocks husked, Jonas came over this morning, we don't know what his message was, he looks pretty sick and hardly talks above a whisper, but I think that is because he doesn't want to more than because he can't, the old jay has bought eight pigs and has nothing to feed them and is paying a man $2.00 a day to finish building his barn to shelter them. It has been a 137 �very disaguable day, very foggy cloudy and a fine drizzle, one quite hard shower this after noon. DIARY. 1913 T B Barrett, Port Dover, Ontario The Farm From November 19th 1913 to December 31st 1913. Wednesday November 19th 1913. Dad and I got up pretty early this morning and I braided some corn before breakfast. Huby came over but instead of husking this morning he helped me pick up apples for cider, I shook them down and he gathered them up and carried them over to the waggon which was in the lane as it was too soft to take it into the orchard. There were just enough apples left in the orchard to make the waggon-box full (26 bus) and we took them all except a bushel of Newton Pippins which I picked to put down cellar. Dad thinks we will have too many but Huby and I thought it best to be on the safe side, as we have Huby's two 10 gallon kegs to fill this time besides our 42 gallon barrel. We also scalded out the barrel and kegs, and hung up the braided corn in the drive house, we didn't finish the apples till half past two this afternoon, and then I picked the Newton Pippins cut wood and did chores till six, Huby husked corn till after dark, and just about when I was thinking of going out to see if any thing had happened to him, he came in drenched to the skin, he said he just wanted to finish the shock. He killed one of the drakes after dinner, he is going to get another later. Dad plowed all day and to night had to go down to a school board meeting although it is a fierce night. I spent the evening braiding a long rope of seed corn. It has been cloudy and raining all day, not steadily nor hard but a kind of half hearted drizzle about every ten minutes, till about five o'clock to-night when it more than poured down and soaked Huby who stayed out in it to finish his shock. Every thing is covered in water. Dad. got back early from the school meeting, we don't know whether Dick will be home to night or not. Thursday November 20th Dad and I left a little after nine for Walker Waddle's with our apples and got home about one. We had lots of apples, he said he could have filled another keg. He said one bushel of 138 �good apples would make about three gallons of cider. and that the sweet ones mixed in with the others would just make the cider right. We drove around by town coming home and left Hubys two kegs down there. Huby was wheeling Tiddums around the yard when we got home so he helped us get the big barrel into the woodshed. This after noon Dad. drove Enah down town this after. She went to Mrs. Francis Henry Stringer's At Home with Aunty Maude while Dad. kept Tiddums in at Cousin Clare's. Clark Matthew's came over while they were gone and got eight more bushels of oats and four bushels of wheat. He paid me ten dollars for what he got to-day and eight bushels of oats he got the other day. The oats were 35 cts and the wheat 82 cts a bushel. I couldn't find any change in the house for him. I spent the rest of the after noon doing chores. Dad & Enah didn't get back till after six. Huby husked corn all day but says he won't be over in the morning as he has some insurance to look after. We saw Ed. today at noon and he said he would be over to help us on Saturday. They are working short time in the mill now for some reason or other, they only work from eight to five week days and not at all on Saturday. We saw old Jonas when we went past this morning, he looks awful but thinks maybe he will pull through, he wanted {so---?} for his pigs and Dad. said if he had time he would bring him some, we left Tupper talking to him, he may cheer him up a little. Tupper told us he had fired Harry as he was no earthly good to him. It has been a beautiful day, it was quite hot this morning while the sun was shining. Friday November 21st Tiddums broke one of the springs in his buggy this morning and as Dick didn't want to take it down I had to take it to Buller to see if he could fix it, he wasn't very sure about making a good job of it. When I got back I went over the gully where Dad. was plowing and threw the sod out of the ditches till noon. Dad. plowed all day and got a nice lot done. Huby didn't come over till noon and brought us a new dog, named Blucher.. He is a great big yellow Scotch Collie with a white collar and face, he is a pretty dog and only nine months old which Huby says is the proper time to train him He got him from Bob. Rankin and just paid the taxes on him. Huby says he will train him all he can as soon as he gets so as he will stay here loose and not run to town.. I did up all the chores after dinner and then helped Huby husk corn. Dad. was afraid the corn in the crib was getting musty but I dug into it a little and didn't think it looked bad. Mr. Brirely was over to-night to buy a couple of ducks he is going to get them tomorrow night. It has been a lovely, sunny mild day like spring. It rained last night during the night. Saturday November 22nd 139 �This morning Ed. came over about eight o'clock so he, Huby and I husked corn till noon and got about seventeen shocks husked. Huby went home for dinner as he said he had some more insurance to see to this afternoon so couldn't come over. Ed. and I spent the after noon tearing down the old windmill, and by to-night Ed. had it all down but the first section and it wont take long to finish it. Getting the big heavy head to the ground with out hurting any thing or ourselves was the most ticlish job but we managed all right with a rope and pulley. This morning Dad. and Frank hauled Uncle Ward his ten bushels of corn and Jonas' eleven bushels of soft corn right out of the field. I think he is getting 35 cts a bushel for the good and 20 cts for the poor stuff. He said they dumped Jonas' right in one corner of the house which was in such an unsanitary and uninhabitable a condition as to make Dad sick for the rest of the day, he and Frank saw Allan Law to-night and he was quite uneasy about Jonas as he had told him that he was going to jump in the pond and end his miserable career if he wasn't better or dead in a day or so but I guess he will either forget it or think better of it when the time comes and he sees how wet that pond looks, the poor old fish is in misery though I guess, he looks like it. Dad. and Frank hauled in the rest of the corn that was husked this afternoon, and left it in the waggon box on the barn floor. Dad. and I went down town after tea to-night. I got some stuff and Dad. got his hair cut. Dick came home with us. Mr. Brirely came over to get his ducks to-night. Chris also came over and got a pair. It has been another beautiful mild sunny day windy to-night. Sunday November 23rd Frank went down to Sunday school and church and I drove Enah down to church. Dad. looked after Tiddums and cooked dinner. Dick slept all morning and went down town after dinner and probably to church to-night. This after noon Josie and I had a good ride up the Gravel to the cemetry corner and down the Radical. Frank and Blucher went back to the gully. Dad intended to go to church to-night but didn't get there as he wasted a lot of time going nearly back to the gully thinking he saw the cattle in on the wheat but they were way over on the other side of the gully. and by the time he got settled down he didn't feel like getting fixed up and walking down town through the mud. It has been a nice day with a cold wind. We don't know whether it rained last night or not, Enah is sure she heard it raining in the night and there was a puddle of water on the kitchen floor under the leak, and Frank's coat which he left out all night was wet but the ground and all the boards seemed dry and the ceiling over the pool in the kitchen was perfectly dry. I did a little more drawing tonight. Monday November 24th 140 �I spent the whole day in knocking down the rest of the old wind mill and clearing up the debris. I am not quite through yet. This after noon I had to go back and drive Mully, Jim and Snowdrop out of the east end of the gully into the other end through the bluegrass and field where Dad is plowing which is the way they got in. I took the two dogs with me so had quite a time with the cows. Dad. plowed and Huby husked corn all day. Frank brought Tiddum's carriage back mended to-night and he was tickled to death to see it again, and jump in it althoug the spring is stiffer now than it was. Dick sent away for ten books for me to-day called "The Library of Original Sources" which I saw advertised in the "Literary Digest." It is supposed to be a collection of all the documents which have made history and translated. It cost $35.10 cash. I borrowed the money from Dad. It seems a lot to pay in a bunch, but books are mighty nice things to have especially for the long winter evenings on the farm. I suppose if I was town, the same ammount would dribble out in nickels and dimes in the course of a year. Dad. had to go to a school board meeting to-night and Frank went down with him to see the moving picture show. I guess I'll draw a little. It has been colder and very windy with two or three blinding but short snow squalls. Tuesday November 25th After I did the chores up this morning I helped Huby husk all day and by to-night we had only twelve shocks left to husk, we think under favorable circumstances we will be able to finish it to-morrow. Dad. plowed all day and he is nearly through with that field. John Wess was over talking to him for a long time this morning, telling him about his barn roof. He hasn't paid for it because he is not satisfied and the company are going to sue him. Jonas was over for awhile at noon, he wants Frank to cut wood for him as the doctor has forbidden him to do it. Old Nig and Bluch got into a scrap this morning. Nig got jealous because Huby threw Bleuch a corn cob to retrieve after letting Nig do it several times and he piled right into Bleuch who would have killed him pretty quickly if Huby had not separated them, he couldn't keep Nig off till he kicked him in the jaw, this broke poor Nig's heart and he was sulky the rest of the morning, his little scrap cleared his old white eye up wonderfully except a little white spot in the middle. Cars. Rankin rode over to-night to see Bleuch, who knew him afar off and was crazy to go back with him, Cars says he will bring the saddle back the first time drives over this way. To-nigh Dick and I went down to a dance in the town hall, where we had a good time. I didn't dance much because everytime I got up I would make a worse mess of it than the time before, they quit dancing about one but as they had nothing to eat there Dick, Truman Roadhouse and I went up to Jim Law's lunch counter and had a sanwich apiece after the thing was over, there were quite a few of the 141 �other dancers up there, so we didn't get to bed till about two o'clock. It has been bright and sunny all day but a cold breeze, to-night it was drizzling when we came home Wednesday November 26th It looked so rainy this morning that insted of plowing Dad. hauled in the rest of the good corn that was husked. It took us till noon as we had to unload the other load that was on the waggon and Dad. also fixed a couple of old crates. We just left this load on the waggon. Huby didn't come over till noon as he thought it was going to rain I helped him this afternoon but we didn't quite finish as there are four more shocks to husk yet. I was cold and didn't husk fast at all. Dad. plowed all the after noon and has now finished all the field but the head lands, he was delayed as he had to chase the cattle out of the field where we burned the grass off. To-night Frank went down to Confirmation class and I spent the evening writing this and sleeping alternately. Very cloudy all day, drizzled a little but nothing to speak of Thursday November 27th Huby told us he wouldn't be over till about ten o'clock this morning as he was going to get us a long handled shovel to start ditching with. I cut wood and then went back and turned the cattle out of the alsike stubble, when I got back Huby wasn't here so I went out and got two shocks nearly husked by noon. Huby came over to dinner and he and I finished up the corn soon after dinner, we then took Nig, Bluch, and the shotgun back to the woods, we let Bluch loose back there and he behaved excellently, never going far away from us, Huby shot the gun off once accidentally and once on purpose to see what he would do and he wasn't at all frightened, so Huby says there is no danger of him ever being gun-shy now, we didn't get a shot at any thing and got back about four, we chained Bluch up again when we got home. Dad. finished plowing his field at noon and this after noon did chores and raked the overhanging parts all off the stack. Dick told us that Jack Philips died last night Amy Turner was over to-day collecting for the Bible Society. It has been cold and a raw east wind all day. Friday November 28th We didn't get very much done to-day although we were up good and early. We went back and put the cattle out of the east end of the gully and the plowed field and fixed the fence so that they will have to stay out, we think. When we came up we braided all the rest of the seed corn and I hung it up in the drive-house after dinner, it certainly looks nice. I have 142 �driven nails just fifteen inches apart in the back four joists in the drive house, from the south wall over to the cross beam, there are just nine nails in each joist, on the back one I hung nine bunches with twenty or twenty five ears in each, it would look better if they were all the same, about twenty five ears to each, they can hang lower than the corn in front of them on account of being behind the buggy top and they just set the other off. The three front rows I braided into long ropes it would have been too heavy to handle to have braided a rope long enough to hang on the whole nine nails, so I made two ropes for each joist one seventy five inches long which hung on six of the nails and one thirty inches long to hang on three of the nails I tied a loop of binder twine every fifteen inches along the rope and at each end to hang them by, so the weight of the corn just sagged the rope enough between the strings to form a graceful loop. It might have looked better if I had made the two ropes even lengths for each joist say forty five inches long so one would take four nails and leave a row of nails down the middle on this row might be hung short bundles like those at the back only shorter so not to touch the buggy top. After I got through we unloaded the corn that was on the waggon it was a big load, I think there was twenty eight bushels on After this we went and got the last load from the field, it was mostly poor stuff but a big load it was all we could do to pile the last of it on so as it would stay, it was too late to unload it so we don't know how much there was on To-night I went down to the bankquet in the Sunday school for the men of the church. Dick and Dad were invited but neither of them went. Frank went down to help the ladies. There were two speakers from out of town, one Mr. King of Simcoe and the other Mr. Noble from Hamilton, speaking on "The Layman's Missionary Movement". There was a good many there. Huby came over at noon but didn't feel like working so took Bluch back to the woods, he didn't shoot any thing but an owl. Bluch has been running around here loose a good part of the day. It has been very cloudy all day, but not at all cold, looks stormy. Saturday November 29th Dad. took the plow out and opened out some ditches in the corn stubble this morning and Huby cleaned them out, if it stays fine a little longer we hope to get that plowed yet. I cut a little of the stack while he was out and when he came in, he hooked on to the hay rack and we went out and hauled in some corn stalks. Huby helped pitch on and Frank helped Dad. load so we got in two jags before dinner leaving the second load on the waggon, we didn't haul much at a time as they were a little damp. When they came in with the first load while I was opening the gate, they ran over Frank's smallest pig with both wheels of the waggon; just above the hips, so Dad. had to kill the poor little fellow, he only dressed 30 lbs. Huby 143 �went down town this afternoon but Ed. came over, he put in the after noon fixing up the old house, he put in a window casing to fit two old frames we had, he made it on the north side where we hope to have the bench, he patched the floor and took the siding off the south side which is the wall to the ice house and boarded it up part way with inch stuff so that we can fill the space with saw dust. Dad. had to go down town this after noon to interview the Council and get a rebate of three dollars on his taxes as they charged him four dollars for one doz. I supposed the mistake happened when Edmund England was assessing last spring Ed. {Aiker's?} dog was here Ham Thompson was in this morning to see Dad. about a sick cow. and Mr. Oliver {Theshell?} from Vittoria was here this afternoon to get the recipe of some blister which Dad. told him about for ring bone and he forgot it. It was cloudy and a heavy mist all morning but fine and bright this afternoon, cold wind all day. Sunday November 30th Frank was the only member of the family who went to church this morning. I was too late to get ready so started a letter to Aunty but haven't finished it yet. Ham. Thompson's man came after Dad. to go and see his sick cow. Dad. was gone till noon, and drove Ham's man home to dinner and then went back and spent the whole after noon, he feels rather sick tonight. Enah and Tiddums and I drove out to Jim Waddle's this after noon, Jim had gone to town after some bread but the rest of the family was home. We were there quite awhile. Tiddums got hungry and ate up nearly all the bread they had in the house and drank a lot of milk, we got home about dark. Frank went back to the gully and took Blucher back, he came up and got some traps and set them. Dick went down town. I went to church to-night and came home with Dick who was there. Beautiful day, sunny and mild Monday December 1st Huby came over this morning and we hauled cornstalks all day, we had to unload the load in the barn first thing so didn't get a very early start, as the barn was as full as we wanted to put it, we didn't haul any more in but put up some huge shocks on the clover sod, just near the corner of the orchard, we put up six of these big shocks with an average of five shocks in each one, we binded them all up tight with a sling rope before we bound them with sideline or binder twine. we built a small shock on the top of one and think we will top them all out as it will keep the water out much better, we have the field more than half cleared and hope to finish to-morrow if it is a nice day. Blucher was out there with us this after noon and the three dogs did away with three or four big rats and a number of mice. He minds Huby pretty well when he says "Come in" but not so well when he is excited as he 144 �chased both Fitz and the sheep. Old Mr Rankin was over to see if he could get some corn but Dad. told him he wasn't going to sell any more. Huby brought word over this morning that Tom Casper and Toad Long wanted some. Toad sent the money so he will have to get his and Charlie Law will have to have his but we need the rest. John Quanbury was over this evening to see about us subscribing to the church Dad. gave him a little more than he has been giving and I put in a little. Aunty Maude got a card from Quint to-day saying he would be home on Friday. We got a letter from Aunty to-day saying Uncle Hal was pretty sick, having had some kind of a stroke. Mrs. McBride has been here all day, washing. It has been another lovely day cloudy but very mild. Tuesday December 2nd We hauled cornstalks all day and built five more big shocks and topped out two more, we intended to top them all out but found it took to much time. There is just about enough left out there to make another shock and haul a load in the barn. Nig didn't come over to-day but the other dogs caught more rats. Huby gave Bluch another lesson this morning on "Come in" and also to come to heel, he took him in with the sheep and when Bluch came beyond his leg he hit him in the face with a swich and say "heel", it didn't take Bluch long to know what he meant and not bother with the sheep. We had a very entertaining visitation this after noon from three kids. Jimmy Rankin, Jimmy Dickerson and Bobby Low. The two Jimmys were about six or seven and Bobby a year or so younger. They came over to see Bluch and Jimmy Rankin who was spokesman for the party told Huby that May wanted him to steal him and bring him home. He was showing us how he had Bluch trained. He could make him sit still by holding his fore finger up right in front of the dog's eye and then sternly interrogate him "See that finger?" They came through the orchard and scared the sheep so Huby easily persuaded them not to go back that way as the old ram and the old sow hid around to-gether watching for little boys, the old ram knocked them down and the old sow came right after him and ate them up, she was just finishing the little fellow they got this morning. Jimmy happened to mention that some one had been stealing their clothes off the line, so Huby told him that as old Tige Anderson had been so keen for them to get rid of Bluch, there was - no doubt that he stole the clothes and Huby also told them that he caught him once stealing his clothes, and got the shot gun to shoot him but when he came out he was gone. Jim. then rembered seeing Tige with one of his father's shirts on and Jimmy Dickerson saw him one day stealing their clothes. We took them out to the field and they were just preparing for an exciting rat hunt when Bobby got home sick and the other boys had to go home with him. After tea I went down town to meet Louise. The train wasn't 145 �in when I first went there so I walked up town met Hazen, and went into Waddle's store with him, when I came out I heard the train in so started of down street lickety larup, on my way I ran into a very small boy and knocked him flat. I thought he was killed but on picking him up found it to be Jimmy Rankin and had just hurt his knee. Dick was at the station and met Louise and went up to Hubys with her where I met them and walked home with Louise. Dick had to go back to work. Frank went down to some cadet organization of Harry Noon's. They got a card from Aunty saying Uncle Hal. was worse. Anothe nice day cloudy & mild. Wednesday December 3rd Huby didn't get over very early this morning and as old West came over to see if he could get some corn, we didn't get a very early start. Old West is about the worst blow I ever heard I guess Bill. Cooper comes by his lying streak honestly. He was telling all the wonder full stunts he performed when he was young. and he is now nealy 91 and willing to bet any man of his own age ten dollars that he cant beat them in a fast race "wrastle" or fight. He went back the lane from here to John Wess to look for corn and Huby and I saw him down town aparently working at Mrs. Fawcetts house this afternoon. Dad. and I went out and got one load of stalks, and built a shock, then Huby came over and we got the last load up to the barn a little before noon This after noon Huby and I took Joe and Ginger down town and delivered the corn we promised we also had to unload the soft corn which was in the waggon. As near as I can estimate we had about four hundred and forty two bushels of corn, we have about 317 bushels in the crib which wouldn't hold much more than twenty more bushels and then be filled to the top. 82 bus. of soft corn 5 bus. of seed and we have sold 38 bus. Huby and I took Mrs Charlie Law down five bus. and Toad. Long 12 this afternoon at 35 cts a bushel. Jack Martin and Wilson McPherson wanted to get some but we have no more to sell except a little to Uncle Ward. There have been an awful lot after it, we could have sold the whole crop if we had wanted to. Huby and I picked up Jimmy Rankin when we were down there and brought him back with us but he got cold. Dad. started to plow the corn ground when we left but said he couldn't get on well at all with the Peter Hamilton plow as it would turn the furrow over to stay, so when we got home we went back over the gully and got the Cockshutt, which worked much better. After this Huby raked down the stack when we put the horses in and I carried in some bed. It was then dark and Huby took Jim. home. Cousin Clare came over to dinner and Cousin's Loll & Phoebe came over after wards. Uncle Hal. is about the same. Old Tommy Gilles is very ill, not expected to live It has been a lovely day sunny and very mild considering -. Thursday December 4th 146 �After I did chores this morning I went back and threw the sod out of the crossditches in the field Dad. plowed across the gully and Huby shovelled them all out. He ditched all the after noon, but I drove Louise up to the Bowlby's, where she is going to stay till after the opening of St. John's Church. Dick went with us and he and I went on into Simcoe where he got a cap and some collars and I got old 4700's hide it just cost $1.50 to have it tanned and it makes a lovely mat, we put Tiddums on it when we got home but he was afraid of it. We went around to Rus. Lamkin's shop to see him about the wind mill but there was no one there. We got home a little before six. I let Dick out at the head of Main St. as he expected to have to work. He found there was a dance down at the Rankin's so went to it. Joe didn't go well at all on the way up but much better coming home. We wasted a little time by starting to drive up the new Railway survey from the gravel to the next concession but came to a big gully quite a long way up where they hadn't put the culvert in yet so had to retrace our steps. Dad. got a good early start plowing this morning but didn't get much done as he couldn't get the coulter to work. He put the rolling coulter on but couldn't fasten it properly. till Tupper came along and fixed it for him. Cloudy with raw wind. We had no word about Uncle Hal. to-day. Friday December 5th Dad. got another fine start this morning, got out soon after seven and got a nice lot plowed, the corn roots bother a little but every thing else is all right now. I did up about all the chores. Huby came over about nine and wanted to try the hay knife which he sharpened yesterday so we cut a big slipe of the stack, the then went back and shovelled ditches he got pretty well through with the field over the gully and has started in the oat stubble which Dad. plowed next the timothy sod. I went out this morning and tore down a lot more of the old gully fence. Dad. hauled the waggon out there at noon and I loaded it up with rails and he hauled it up to the house to-night. I also worked for a little while at the old house. There was no word from Aunty again to-day. They expected Quint. home to-night but I don't know whether he will get here or not as the last we saw of the Algonquin reported was at Detroit. Beautiful day, sunny and warm. Saturday December 6th Dad. plowed all day but didn't get on very well as it froze hard enough to make the ground sticky when the sun came out and he is in the lowest and wettest part of the field so it was pretty muddy, both he and the horses are tired to-night. After I did up all the chores this morning I gave the hen house a through cleaning and put fresh straw in. I have decided to 147 �take the managership of the hens and see if I can make any thing out of them for Frank doesn't seem to be able to, he evidently thinks there is more money in trapping muskrats, and maybe there is but I don't care for the work. I put some manure on the rose bushes, rhubarb and peonys. This after noon I cleaned up all the chaff and dirt of the hay barn floor and put it over in the chicken yard. Frank did a few chores this morning and spent the rest of the day back in the gully and digging out an empty skunk hole down at the pond on McBains place. Dad. Frank and I caught all the pullets that were rooting around the barn tonight and put them in the chicken yard, there are about 30 white ones besides about a dozen old hens of various breeds. I went to bed soon after tea to-night - bad cold Another nice mild day not so sunny. Sunday December 7th We didn't get up very early this morning and as I had quite a bad cold I didn't go to church. Dick drove Enah down and Dad looked after Tiddums and cooked dinner. Frank went to Sunday school and church, I put in most of the after noon doing chores and shelling corn for my chickens. Dad. helped me. I got two eggs to-day which is a starter. Dick went down town this after noon and stayed pretty late, he bought a very nice looking watch last night for twelve dollars. Dad. and I went down to church to-night. It rained a little last night and this morning and was very mild till noon but then started to snow a little and got steadily colder all the after noon and to-night it is freezing hard with a cold north wind. Monday December 8th I put in most of the day putting in panes in the cow stable window which I had in the house. Dad. worked out in the barn fixing up the empty space between the granary and cow stable for a calf pen, we are going to floor it if we can. We also did chores and shelled a little corn, we found the bushel of soft corn weighed about 40 lbs and when shelled about thirty. Harry Graham and Charlie McKenzie were over this afternoon to get Bob. Miller's corn they took about 10 bushels but didn't measure it very accurately. Charlie said he would take the turkeys at 18 1/2 cts a pound live weight but that I think is higher than is quoted in the 'Globe'. Jonas came over as we were having tea to-night and helped us eat it. He is feeling very much better but looks pretty fishy yet. He is going to try and get the farm up the Radical where Mrs. Cory lived. He was telling us some of his experiences of the road as he evidently was a pedlar at one time. He has heard that Sairy's rich bachelor brother is very ill and I guess he is expecting a little if he drops off. We had a letter from Aunty to-day saying Uncle Hal was still improving and as that was written five days ago we hope he is very much 148 �better by this time. Frank. skinned two muskrats to-night and is now playing checkers with Jonas. It has been snowing and blowing all day - the wind is very cold but the sun was out for awhile and was warm in it and out of the wind. The ground is frozen solid so that there is no chance of plowing. Tuesday December 9th Dad. and I went down town with the waggon this morning and got some groceries and 22 twelve foot plank 10 inches wide to put down in the old barn between the granary and the cowstable and from the door to Dreadnought's stall for a floor to the calf pen, we got home about noon. We met Huby & Quint coming over for a shout they stayed to dinner. Quint. got home yesterday noon, and has a lot to tell if he is asked. We talked to them for quite awhile after dinner but Huby said he had to go back to town this after noon. He said last night just as they were going to bed they heard an awful racket going on and discovered it was a bunch having a shiveree in honor of Gint Rankin who was married about a week ago. Huby and Quint went over and Tom. Low treated the bunch up at Jim's lunch counter where there was a great celebration and concert.. Just as we were going to get to work after Quint and Huby. left, Mr. Blaikie came along to overhaul his {chists?} and stayed till it was time to do chores. He has been helping Tupper plow, he was plowing sod yester day a little and as there is no more sod to plow they can't go on. Mrs. Smythe was in about five to ask Enah and me to stay to dinner at their place on Sunday but I guess we are coming home. I spent quite awhile to-night getting up a time card for the horses. I only got one egg to-day. Frank went down town to-night to go to his cadet class. It has been freezing hard all day but not so windy or cold as yester day. Cloudy pretty much all day. Wednesday December 10th Jonas came over this morning to take the heifers down to the "Bain" place. Dad. had to go with hm and lead the yearling, they didn't have much trouble I guess. Bessie the calf ran away from Jonas once or twice at which he crew bitterly. It rant into Ivey's the first time but came out when it saw Sairy. I cut some wood while Dad. was gone and started to make a hopper for the chickens, and then did chores till noon When Dad. came home he cleaned a couple of chickens. This after noon I read quite awhile and puttyed nearly all the glass in an old window frame which we will use for the barn or old house, the glass was all in it but just fastened with carpet tacks, we didn't get much else done. Green's man was in to-night to buy hay but we don't want to sell any, at least not now. It has been cloudy but very much milder to-day snowed a little to-night. 149 �Thursday December 11th We didn't get any thing but chores done to-day as Mr. Morgan came over this morning and stayed most of the after noon. I ordered some trees from him fifty Carolina Poplars and two English Walnuts. - $9.00 Dick came home to tea to-night and went down to the dance. I didn't go. We fed the sheep a few oats this morning and evening for the first. I didn't get any eggs to-day. It has been nice any sunny but freezing hard all day. Clear and cold to-night. Friday December 12th We did up all the chores this morning and I helped Dad nail the boards over the doors on the south side of the old barn, I also made a littlle more of my feed hopper, and Dad killed three nice chickens and plucked them this afternoon he says he will have to clean them tonight. This after noon I drove Enah down town, and she got a whole buggy load of Christmas groceries and dry goods. I put Joe in at Butler's intending to have her shoes set, but got Butler to fix one of the uprights of the buggy top thinking he would ony be a few minutes, but he put a new piece in and took all the afternoon so than I couldn't have Joe shod. There was a shooting match this after noon and Huby & Quint got quite a bunch of pigeons between them, Huby gave Enah a couple to bring over he also gave her a fish he said he worked down at the fish shanties till midnight last night helping them take fish out of the nets which were in quite a bad mess with the ice. Jonas was over to-night and he and Frank are playing checkers again I think they are about even to night. Jonas beat him two games out of three the other night and Frank is the champion player of this family. It has been very much milder to-day, sunny with strong south west by west wind. Saturday December 13th I went out this morning and tore down a lot more of the gully fence, Dad. cleaned the chickens he killed yesterday and then came out and we put on a load of rails. We unloaded them before dinner and Dad. went down to the mill and got a bag of flour. This after noon we got all the rails I tore down in two loads then did chores. Frank did a few chores and errands and hunted the rest of the day. He shot a skunk back in Robert John's this after noon and when he went up to it found it caught in a trap. He took it all the same, and brought it home and skinned. Lila was over most of the day she said Quint went over to Erie this morning on the tug. It has been a lovely day, sunny and mild, the frost is nearly all out of the ground. I saw some body over in the alsike stubble this morning with a big white ferret, 150 �thinking it might be Quint I went over but found it was Sam. George, he, his father, Harry Burch and Wilson McPherson were all out after rabbits but I didn't hear them shoot much Sunday December 14th Frank went to Sunday school this morning and Enah and I drove up to St. John's. It was the first service in the church since it was burned, but as the Bishop wasn't there they did not dedicate it. The church was packed full and so was the grounds in front I had to tie Joe to a tree but she was all right They had three preacher's. Mr. Evans from Montreal or Ottawa or somewhere down that way, Mr. Edward the regular one and a lay reader. We didn't stay to Communion. After church we drove Louise nearly up to the Bowlby's and then came home by the fourth concession through Lynn Valley, and got home about half past two. Dicky Smith was here after his heifer which he took home this afternoon. I didn't do any thing the rest of the after-noon but shell a little corn and read "The Lady of the Lake." Frank went back to the gully and Dad did chores. Dick didn't get up till noon and then had a {words cut off} his dinner and went down town and is not back yet to-night It barely froze last night and has been thawing all day but was cloudy with a raw west wind. Cars. Rankin and Quint came over with Dick to-night. Quint borrowed Bluch to take to Marburg tomorrow to hunt rabbits. They didn't stay long. Monday December 15th It froze pretty hard last night so Dad. wasnt able to plow as he had hoped. We did chores and Rus. Lampkins drove in soon after breakfast and was here quite awhile till Dad. ordered a windmill, he thought about getting a gasoline engine, and could have got a little 1 1/2 h.p. engine for fifty five dollars but it wouldn't be strong enough to do much more than pump water and one that would do any thing would come about $122. so Dad. thought a $75 windmill would be the best till we get a place rigged to put an engine especially as a wind mill is not nearly as liable to get out of repair as an engine and costs nothing whatever to run it. This after noon Dad. and I took the tank off "The Little Giant Sprayer." to have it ready to put in front of the wind mill, I took the little two cylinder pump down to the ditch and tried it and and it works fine. Quint brought Bluch back, he said he worked all right but they only got one rabbit. Quint stayed all night he slept on the sofa with all his clothes and boots on. He was cutting some wood for us to-night and the saw broke so he spent half the evening repairing it. I drew all evening and have nearly finished the picture Aunty sent me to draw for Aunt {illegible}. Mrs. McBride has been here washing all day and she and Enah have our room fixed up slick as a button with a new carpet it looks fine. Frank brought a cedar 151 �waxwing home and put it in the orchard Lloyd Ryersie caught it up at school although there didn't seem anything the matter wth it. It has been a lovely sunny day though freezing in the shade. milder to-night. Tuesday December 16th I went down town as soon after breakfast as possible this morning and got the storm window sash at Stickney's and took them up to Mr James for him to glaze them. I got an old sash down at Huby's than I thought might doo for the barn but it is pretty badly smashed. Huby came home with me and has worked all day opening up ditches in the corn stubble. Dad. plowed all day and except for it being a little sticky on the surface and a frozen clod here and there, the ground is drier and in better shape than before it froze up. He got on fairly well but has part of a day to put in yet. I just did chores this after noon except for a little while I was out in the field. Cousin Clare came over this morning while I was down town and is staying all night. Quint went down with Dick this morning. Very mild but cloudy. Dad. ordered some fence to-night from Sid McBride. Wednesday December 17th Huby was over before daylight this morning and shovelled ditches all morning. This after noon he cleaned out all the loose straw and sticks out of the old barn between the granary and the cow stable. so as we can lay the floor for the calf pen. Dad. plowed all day and finished up the corn stubble all but the head land, he couldn't get along very fast as it froze a little last night to make it sticky on top. I did chores most of the day and helped Huby a little this after noon besides cleaning off the dropping boards in the hen house. Cousin Clare went home this after noon, she is going to Hamilton to-morrow to stay till after New Year's. We heard to-day that Mrs. McBride's house caught on fire last night and some one who just happened along the road got it out. Aleta went down town and left the two little kids nailed in the house and they got playing with a stick which was part way out of the stove. It didn't do much damage Another nice day, windy and inclined to be cloudy. Thursday December 18th I got up a little after four this morning and wrote a letter to Aunty before daylight. Huby put down the floor over in the barn for the calf pen this fore noon and I was over there with him all morning but didn't do very much except clean out the cow stable. Dad. plowed the head land on the corn field and finished up some bits in the other field and plowed out the ditch from the water hole to the gully which Huby is going to put tile in. This after noon Dad. and 152 �Huby cleaned out the ditch for the old drain this after noon they do think it is going to work all right. I put in the entire after noon doing chores. To-night Huby stayed to tea and helped us catch the turkeys as we have to take them down to-morrow Dad. caught them out of the tree. and gave them to Huby who handed them over the orchard fence to Frank and me and we put them up over the hog pen, there were nineteen but one was roosting so high up that Dad. couldn't get it, it was a hen and as they want to keep three old hens and one young one it didn't matter. One gobbler got away and struck off into the orchard. We followed him up with the lantern and after quite a search found him way up at the northeast corner of the orchard we took him in the house and weighed him, he weighed 20 lbs, so we marked him as Henry Odd was over to-night and wanted to buy one. Jack Martin's men are going to give him one for a Christmas present. Tiny and Miss Ethel Phipps were over this afternoon. Snowed a little this morning and has kept groing colder all day. west wind. Friday December 19th We didn't get started very early this morning to get the turkeys loaded and it took us quite awhile to load them as we weighed each one.The heaviest was 20 lbs and the lightest about 12. Jack Martin's shrunk about a pound during the night. We kept 3 old hens for next year, 2 gobblers for Huby and us for Christmas and two 2 young hens one for Cousin Loll and one for Jameses so we just took eleven down to Bob. We just tied their feet and put them in the waggon and covered it over with the binder canvas. We got down town about noon - and were down about an hour. Bob's weight came to 165 pounds and we made it 171 but with the Old Spring Balance where the ounces aren't marked likely we made a mistake, so we got $30.52 from Bagley and Miller, and Jack Martins came to $3.50 It was about one when we got home, we went around by Huby's and got the little high chair and crib for Tiddums, and a wheel barrow load of cabbages from Uncle Ward. We met Huby coming over on our way down and he finished putting down the floor in the barn. This after noon Dad. and he went down town to get gravel to build the posts for the windmill foundation. Dad. had to go around by the mill with some oats to be chopped, so Huby went right down to the beach to locate some good gravel and to see if he could borrow a pick somewhere in case the sand was frozen but he couldn't get one and I guess didn't need it. He couldn't find any gravel on the beach except some piles which Mr. Porter told him Ivey's men had raked up yester day, so Huby said quoting some Greek Scripture "First come first served" and they took what they wanted of that. Dad said it would have washed away soon any way as the lake was pretty high. They came around by town and got the storm windows and picked Frank up 153 �somewhere. I did chores all the after noon and got three eggs which is the most yet. Mrs. McBride has been here all day and half the night, cleaning the kitchen, picking ducks and a chicken and ironing. To-night I printed pictures and had good luck. Dad. found out this morning that instead of the cistern pump being out of order as we thought yesterday the cistern was dry, so will have to be cleaned out as this is the first time since we have been here that it went dry. Lovely day, froze last night but mild. Saturday December 20th I cleaned all the straw out of the hen house this morning and put fresh in. I had to cut a slice off the stack for straw. Dad. started to put on the storm window but found that Mr. Jones had bored the holes to close to the in side of the sash so the screws wouldnt catch the casing. He then cleaned out the cistern and it took about an hour, we pumped out what little water was in it and then Dad shovelled up quite a few pails full of black muck and pieces of cement. It is a brick cistern with a coat of cement all over the brick and some of the cement was off which caused a leak, so this afternoon Dad went down and got a load of sand and some cement and saw Frank Slocomb who is coming over on Monday morning to fix it up. I did chores all the after noon. Frank went down town with Dad. and cut wood this morning, he and Lila and Bluch went back to the gully to-night. Charlie Shand was in tonight to see if he could trade off a turkey hen but I said he couldn't as his was a mongrel. but Dad. said he could have had Huby's turkey. This was Tiddums first birthday anniversary. I suppose he will have to be Jim now. Lila was over all day and brought him a great line of toys. Uncle Hal also sent him a pair of overalls and a toy whip. We had a rooster for dinner which Mrs. McBride cleaned and got a pretty fair crop of corn out of it. Beautiful day sunny and fine but cloudy to-night. Sunday December 21st I drove Enah down to church this morning, He she had to play the organ. Elva had to stay home to look after her mother who broke her ankle the other day. Frank went down to Sunday School and Church, Dad. stayed home to look after Tiddums and Dick was in bed all morning. This after noon I went for a ride, I went out to the Shand's first to tell them they could trade turkeys, all but Mr & Mrs Shand had gone to Sunday school. Mr. Shand said he would be in tomorrow after noon with the turkey and Mrs. Shand gave me some peanuts that her brother had grown in Virginia. I did stay long but went up to the corner and rode west to the next corner which is where the blue line crosses the fourth concession, and down that road to where the new rail road comes out on Tige Anderson's place. I rode down 154 �it as far as I could go but as there was a sudden drop and a fence at the end of it I had to come back and go down Ham Thompson's lane to his woods, then had to unwire a piece of fencing to get into his wheat field and a cross his wheat to the gate opening on to the radical road, and home through town, and on the whole spent a very enjoyable after-noon. Dick spent the afternoon down town and Frank prowling around the upper pond. Dad. did the chores. Very mild this morning but turned colder and is freezing hard to-night. Monday December 22nd Frank Slocomb came over this morning to plaster the cistern, he went over the whole thing as so much of it was loose and he thought he could make a better job, he will have to come back again in the morning as there are two or three places where the cement is put on thick that it doesn't stick very well to the brick. Dad. had to watch it and keep it plastered up all day, as Slocomb was only here for an hour or so this morning. Enah went down town this after noon and Dad. put on another storm window, he is putting them on now with wooden buttons. I did chores, read a good short story and helped him a little. About four o'clock Colin McNeilley came after him to go and see a sick cow so he didn't get back till dark. Mr. & Mrs Shand came in with their turkey to trade and got theirs on their way back from town. Mrs Shand came to call but no body was home. Dick told Enah that the wind mill was here so Dad. went over to the Quanbury's to telephone Rus. Lampkins and he said he would be down to morrow after noon to take it off the car. Dick also told her that Louise wanted me to drive up and get her to morrow. Mr James gave Enah a new rasin seeder tonight that works all right and Frank is busy seeding rasins with it now. Frank got out of school early to night and doesn't have to go back till after New Year's. Very mild and nice all day but cloudy. Tuesday December 23rd Frank Slocomb came over again and finished the cistern he made a good job of it - and only charged a dollar. I rode Joe down town first thing and got her shod. While Butler was shoeing her, I went up town and did some Christmas shopping - ahem -. I met Huby on my way down with a pickax he had fixed up with a bit which Bill Oakes gave him and a handle he bought and Joe {Hawel?} put it in and sharpened it for him. He came over and helped Dad. pluck the four turkeys. This afternoon he, Dad. and Frank went down with the waggon and got the windmill off the car. Rus. Lampkins was there and said it was alright I cleaned out the cow stables, shelled corn and read at the same time while they were gone. Huby ground our axe he brought over the other day when they got back, and Frank went back to 155 �the gully and caught a muskrat. I intended to go up and get Louise this after noon but it was such a disagreeable after noon I decided to wait till to-morrow and stand a chance of having sleighing but from the looks of things now I would have done better to have gone this after noon. Vyse was over this morning to settle up with Dad for thrashing and some things that Dad. owed him for. Dad. wouldn't take anything for thrashing for him but I got a dollar out of it. Frank and Enah are making candy to-night and Dad is drawing and dressing turkeys. It started to snow soon after break fast this morning and kept up till noon getting milder all the time till this after noon it turned to rain and the water is running into the cistern yet. Dick told us to-night there was a fire in the Wide Spread to-night. They got it out but were afraid it damaged the machinery considerably. $200.00 Wednesday December 24th We all overslept ourselves this morning and so I didn't get started up to the Bowlby's till nearly ten o'clock, however I got Louise and was home by noon. The roads were a little slushy but not bad. Colin McNeilleys came after Dad to go and see his cow again and he got home just before we did. This after noon Dad. and Frank went down town to take the turkeys to Cousin Loll and Mr James and the duck to Ed. and also do some shopping. I fooled around quite a lot and then did chores and shelled corn. It has been very mild all day and the snow is nearly all gone, the cistern has got a good lot of water in it, we just got it fixed in time Thursday December 25th I was up at about a quarter to six this morning and routed the family out of bed, and Louise, Enah and I drove down to eight o'clock communion, and Dick walked down, after I got home I did chores and Dad. and Frank went down to the eleven o'clock service, Dick came back soon after church and went back to the gully to see if there was any ice but there wasn't. Aunty Maude and Lila drove back with Dad, and Frank, Quint and Win. walked over. Huby never showed up all the after noon - darn him. We had dinner about two o'clock and as I hadn't had any thing to eat since last night except a piece of bread & butter and nine wintergreens, I stowed away a large quantity of turkey and plum pudding and many other things. After dinner we kicked up a terrible row for about ten minutes while Tiddums tried to go to sleep, we then doled out the presents. I drew a pile of presents, socks heavy and light from Frank and Lila, shirt from Dick, handkerchief from Win, perfume talcum power etc. from Cousin Clare, photograph album from Aunty Maude and Dad. & I got four copies of Punch from Louise, and Ray is sending me a new diary for 1914. After this Dick and Quint 156 �went down town and I think Dick went to a dance to-night. Aunty Maude, Lila and Win. went home about dark, we didn't have any tea but gormed Louise's chocolates all evening. Tiddums has been rather all in to-day, we think it may be due to his swallowing a grain of corn yesterday, we don't know that he did swallow one but I gave him a cob to play with while I was shelling it for the chickens and there was a grain off it when I took it away from him, but he hasn't been at all well all day. Raw & cloudy all day but not cold Snowing and blowing to-night. Friday December 26th Dad. lost a considerable ammount of peaceful slumber last night wondering if the stack had blown over as there was quite a wind, at last he got about four o'clock and went and looked, but found it still standing, so went back to bed and didn't get up till after daylight, neither did I, consequence being that we got very little down to-day but chores. I shelled a little corn cut a little wood and read a little. Frank went down town and got the mail and some parcels Roy sent up a bread mixer for Enah which was just what I and somebody else had orderd for her but which hasn't come yet. He also sent me two Diary books like the ones I have used for the last two years. The first one was one of Dad's old veterinary college books and last year I sent to Eatons for one but had to pay more than the price of the book in postage. I also got a necktie from Byron and Fred Johnson and another from Aunt Leena. There was also a letter from the University Research Extension Company saying they had shipped "The Library of Original Sources" long ago and that if we don't get them soon they will ship another set and go after the Express company. Dad. & Enah purpose to give me them for a Christmas present but I have set my heart on paying for them myself. To night Dad. though he would put the calves in so Frank and I went out to help him, after a lot of chasing we succeeded in getting Charlottes calf who is tamest into the barn, then after a lot more chasing Dad. got one of the sling ropes and lassoed Mully's calf first throw, but couldn't manage to rope the other two until he had put out hay for the young stock when he made some very clever throws and caught Spots calf first time around the horns and Bobbies with a little more trouble around the neck we were a little afraid he would get hurt as the others seemed to be hunting him around quite a bit but we left him there We then caught all the rose combed roosters and put them up over the pig pen. To-night we spent a rather hilarious evening as Enah and Louise supplied us with lots of music. Dick came home rather late with more mail from which I drew a necktie from Jean & Adelena and a dandy big pocket book from Grand daddy I have been writing this in spats all the evening and as it is gettin on to half past twelve I feel I must get to bed. It froze hard last night and 157 �snowed quite a bit and there has been a cold north and west wind all day, but sunny and otherwise not bad. Enah took a picture of Tiddums to-day, she had him all dressed up in a suit of bouncers or rompers or what ever they call it which Aunty Maude gave him and he looked for all the world like Bill George on a small scale, he is so bowl legged. I called Dad in from the wood pile to see him and to insure a speedy answer to my summons, I intimated that there was something the matter wth him, and Dad. seeing a picture in his mind's eye of Tid. in convulsions or the reservoir or something rushed in livid with fear. Tiddums however met him at the door and he was so overcome by laughter and relief that I escaped uninjured. Saturday December 27th It was after daylight again this morning when we got up so put in most of the day doing chores. but this morning we did get one of the big dead apple trees grubbed out but only have a few limbs cut off it. Frank cut at it quite a hit this after noon, he has been cutting wood nearly all day. This morning he went back to the gully and came up by Alfred's and borrowed his cross cut saw This after noon Dad killed, plucked and dressed a couple of young roosters (single combed) but they were pretty scrawny yet not being fully grown. I didn't do any thing much but read and fool with young Jim. I was giving him walking lessons and find he can run like a deer much faster than I can keep up with him and hang on to him. I got a letter from Aunty to-day saying he had got the picture which I had sent to Aunt Lena around by Aunty so that she could see whether it was worth sending on or not. As I didn't write till a day or two after I posted it she thought I meant it for her so I started another one to-night to do for her birthday Dick brought home a huge parcel to-night which proved to be rwo pair of lovely balankets and two counterpains from Cousin Clare Herring I think. It has been a beautiful day. It froze very hard (hardest yet I guess) last night but has been very sunny and no wind - all day. Sunday December 28th We were very late getting up again this morning so none of us but Frank went down to church, he went down to Sunday school and church Dad. and I did chores and read all morning. We let Belle out for a run, which she enjoyed very much and no doubt benefitted by although we did notice that the swelling in her led was reduced much but she didn't show any sign of lameness. This after noon about half past two I drove Louise up to the Bowlby's again. The roads were good, smooth and hard with no snow to bother so I was home before dark. Jonas climbed in the buggy with me as I passed his place and came up 158 �for a visit, to get rid of trouble he said although he didn't seem in a very down cast mood. He has another farm in view now which is owned by to old maids who live on the place, and if he gets it he is to move the first of March and live in half the double house. Dad. and Enah and Tiddums expected to go down to Mrs. Battersby's this afternoon but Tiddums went to sleep and blocked the games. I drew to-night, Dick has been skating on the creek this afternoon, he says the ice is pretty good and for the most part strong. He went to church to-night. Frank I think spent his time back in the gully. Lovely day, no wind and fairly sunny. Monday December 29th We expected Rus. Lampkins down to day to put up the wind mill but he didn't show up at all. We did up all the chores this morning and worked at the old apple tree a little more. This after noon Dad. decided to go down to township nomination. He didn't get started till about a quarter after three but he enjoyed what little oratory he heard. George Hammond took great pleasure in making personal remarks about Jim Waddle till Jim got "frothing at the mouth" mad. George said he admitted that Jim had a better education and more of something else than he had but that he didn't have any more brains that if he had had brains enough to learn anything he would be going to school yet. Both these fellows were too mad at each other to talk sensibly but Sam King's manner was different. although a great many people were very dissatisfied with him as Councilor and had no doubt told him so, but he said if they put him out this election it would not be because he had sat in council and held his peace as was the custom with other councillors it would be because he had been in action all through and had made some showing, he then stated that every job that the present council had done was a permanent job, whereat someone in the audience inquired "What about Lisby's hill?" Mr. King smiled and acknowledged that that wasn't a permanent job but he said we did the best that could be done and the devil himself could do no better as it was his own hill, Then in reference to Lisby's bridge over which there has been a lot of kicking about on account of the cost he said it was the best bridge in the county of Norfolk. At that a small English sparrow jumped up and chirped out "Mr. King, may I ask you a question". "Certainly go ahead" was the reply. "Well will you please tell me what was the use of putting up such a costly bridge at the foot of an almost impassable hill." King smiled again, and replied blandly that they did it simply because they had to, there had to be a bridge there and why not put one that was indestructible and consequently costly as one that would cost less and have to be replaced in a year or two, and so they wrangled and chewed the rag. Dad. was home about dark, and said that Hammond was going to run against Ed. Aikens for reeve. I did up the chores and after tea 159 �Frank and I went down to {illegible} nomination, where every thing was very quiet. Vyse was the only one who said much and he just gave an account of his stewardship. and solicited the vote of those present. R. M. Taylor, John R. Davis and Ed. Moon where nominated to run against him and Taylor was the only one who said positively he wouldn't run and the general opinion is that the fight will be between Vyse & Ed. All the old council where nominated and about a dozen others but which ones are going to run I don't know. Dick got home a little before we did to-night, he had been skating on the pond though Dad tried to argue with him that it was unsafe. Inez Schram got in to the creek to-day. Mrs. McBride was here all day washing. It has been a very fine day. Mild and pleasant. Tuesday December 30th Sam. Law and Bert Munroe drove in this morning to see if we were ready to thrash yet, but Dad. told him we wanted to get the windmill up first. He said he overheard Rus. Lampkin's telling {Heck?} Henderson last night that he had promised to go some where that day (Sam. didn't hear the name) but that as he couldn't go he would have to go Wednesday. Sam thought that he must have meant here when we told him we expected him as he heard Henderson tell Rus that he could let the boy know, but Dick didn't say anything about it last night but not likely Henderson saw him after that. Allan drove in while Sam was in here and after talking election for awhile they all drove out expecting to thrash some where up the Gravel. I did chores and puttered around most of the morning - and Dad. & Frank cleared up a little around the well so as to be all ready if Rus. Lampkins comes to-morrow. This afternoon they cut up nearly all the apple tree with Alfreds cross cut saw. I raised the nests in the hen house off the floor so the hens wouldn't scratch them full of straw and put fresh straw in. Both Billy Laurises were in to-night to get Dads. advice about a horses leg which has got hurt some way. Very mild and nice all day. When Dick came home to-night he said Henderson did tell him that Rus. Lampkins would be here to-morrow to erect the windmill. Wednesday December 31st I was awakened very early this morning by a great disturbance in the kitchen which I realized after I came to my senses was rat in one of the traps Dad. set last night and trying to get free by dragging himself and the trap all over the place, he was making such a racket and I knew must be putting in such a very disagreeable time of it that I arose and despatched him. It just struck four as I got up and this clock is way over half an hour fast, but as I had my clothes on and was wide awake I decided not to go back to bed again so drew till about half past six and then went out to do chores. I got quite a lot of Aunty's 160 �picture done and Dad. thought it was better than the one I did for Aunt Leena. We fully expected Rus. Lampkins this morning so Frank went down after breakfast and brought Huby over but as Lampkins disappointed us again we started on the tile drain we are going to put in along the font of the garden and back of the chicken house, we all four worked at it this morning and Dad. Huby and I this after noon so we got a nice start at it. Loyd Ryersie came along at noon and Frank went off shooting with him but didn't get any thing. Dad. went down to-night and met Roy who is just going to spend New Years' with us. Jonas came over after supper and wanted Frank and I me to help him fix up a lot of orders that he had got from varios farmers for seed potatoes and oats. We did to the best of our ability but I think we had Jonas in a great state of anxiety on account of our pretended carlessness, after that he played two or three games of checkers with Frank. I slept the last couple of hours of the old year but roused up sufficiently to wish the family a Happy New Year and go to bed. Dick was at a dance and didn't get home till about three o'clock in the morning. Beautiful day, mild and pretty sunny. For more information on Theobald (Toby) Barrett, check out the “Meet the Diarists” section under “Discover” on our website: ruraldiaries.uoguelph.ca 161 � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary Collection Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Theobald "Toby" Barrett Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Courtesy of Archival and Special Collections, University of Guelph Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1911-1925 Language A language of the resource English Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 20th Century, Norfolk County, Woodhouse Township, Ontario Table Of Contents A list of subunits of the resource. Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary & Transcription, 1911 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary & Transcription, 1913 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary & Transcription, 1914 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1915 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1916 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1917 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary & Transcription, 1918 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1919 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1920-1921 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1921 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1925 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1925-1926 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1926-1927 Medium The material or physical carrier of the resource. Scanned Manuscript Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary & Transcription, 1913 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Theobald "Toby" Barrett Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Courtesy of Archival and Special Collections, University of Guelph Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1913 Language A language of the resource English Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 20th Century, Norfolk County, Woodhouse Township, Ontario Date Created Date of creation of the resource. January 1, 1913 Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary Collection Medium The material or physical carrier of the resource. Scanned Manuscript & Typed Transcription UG Transcription Progress Scripto transcription progress Done Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>DIARY.1913</p> <p>T.B.Barrett.</p> <p>Port Dover,Ontario.</p> <p>The Farm........</p> <p>From January 1st 1913 to November 18th 1913.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Wednesday January 1st 1913</p> <p>We began to think that 13 at the end of the New Year was beginning right away to bring calamities upon us, for Dick who did not come home to tea last night did not put in an appearance all night, and it is the first time since he went into the bank that he did not come home to bed.</p> <p>I woke up at half past four and found Dad &amp; Aunty up and in an awful state as neither one had slept all night and had been thinking Dick had tried to cross the pond about mid night when every body would be asleep and never got to the other side.</p> <p>Dad &amp; I went down about five and went to Huby’s first to see if he had stayed there. We went to Quint’s window and tapped and immediately saw old Quint gliding around in the room as soon as he lighted the light Dad. saw Dick in bed. We couldn't get him more than half awake and he mumbled something about Wiggins being sick and he &amp; Hazen worked so late, then went down to watch the dance for awhile and he never thought we'd miss him.</p> <p>Later on in the morning I drove Aunty and Lila down town with two mince pies and the turkey we killed for Christmas &amp; which Aunty took down to Huby's to cook. Dad did chores and we had a cold lunch after which Dad &amp; I went down to Alfred's followed by Nig. Tige &amp; the white kitten</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>to take him Huby's wooden cross puzzle which he seemed very pleased to get. We went down his lane &amp; home by way of the gully. When we got home we slot around awhile before doing the night chores</p> <p>Quint &amp; Dick came over about six as Dick wanted to get on a clean shirt or something and we went down with them to tea, or rather turkey dinner. I took my skates down but it was too dark to go.</p> <p>Dick went up to a surprise party at Fatty Turners, and told us he would not be home to-night. Aunty stayed down too. Dad, Frank &amp; I came home about eleven. It has been very mild &amp; sunny</p> <p>Thursday January 2nd</p> <p>I got up very late this morning. Dad &amp; I did chores and Glen &amp; Wilbur Ryersie came along for a half morning's visit. Wilbur wanted Dad to buy a pure bred Durham bull calf for fifty dollars, but Dad told him he would go over &amp; look at it before investing.</p> <p>At eleven Dad went down to Huby’s and brought Aunty home. This after noon he went down again and saw Vyse up town who solicited his vote for his re-election but Dad told him that though he had nothing against him as a neighbor, he was out of place as reeve for he thought he had acted very unfairly in everything last year.</p> <p>I cleared up some of the old rubbish heap in the barnyard while Dad was gone. Frank put in the afternoon building a dandy jib crane with his “Meccano” outfit. It has been very soft to-day &amp; looks like a storm.</p> <p>Friday January 3rd</p> <p>This was Aunty's birthday and although we did our best we could not think of anything to give her so she vows that she doesn't know of any thing either, but Win sent her over a couple of aprons. Aunty remembers they are just what she wanted.</p> <p>Dad. Aunty and I drove down town in the lumber waggon this afternoon morning. Aunty went in to see Enah who was up walking around and then down to Huby's to get Dads old medicine cupboard and the contents those of ready for removal to the farm. Dad &amp; and I went down to the beach and got all the sand we thought we had better load the wagon as down therewere great as the sand was frozen enough to hold the wheels up and yet not too much to shovel. The ice banks are very high down there. We came up around by Huby’s and got Aunty and the old cupboard which we are going to use as a stove house for Frank’s &amp; my belongings.</p> <p>We are preparing in time against young Huberts development. Dad &amp; I did chores this after noon and then sorted Dad's medicine. It started to rain this morning which turned to an all day snow storm. Colder to-night but not freezing.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Saturday January 4th</p> <p>Charlie Martin was over for an hours visit this morning and told Dad as he was leaving that he had a lame horse over there which he wanted Dad to look at. He said his mother fell off the back steps before Christmas and nearly broke her leg. He also told us his sister Mrs. Maclaughlin had a baby girl about two days after Enah's boy came. Dad thought they ought to trade as Mrs. Maclaughlin was all prepared for &amp; had a boy named and it was the other way round with Enah.</p> <p>This after noon we did chores and Dad went down to see Enah. I went over as far as Martin's with him and saw the chickens which were all washed, fanned, powdered and the dark feathers pulled out of them and ready to start on the five train for the Boston show. We also saw Charlie's lame horse which has an awfully sore looking leg on it.</p> <p>I cut wood and practiced on my horn when I got home. Lila came over soon after I got back with her steam engine. Dad has to go down again to-night to sit with Enah. She is blue because the boy exercises his lungs now &amp; then Froze last night. Cold raw wind all day but sunny and thawing.</p> <p>Sunday January 5th</p> <p>Frank, Dick &amp; Lila went down to sunday school and Aunty and I went down to church and were a little late. We went into Mrs Lawson's to see how Enah was on our way down and Aunty Maude was with her which surprised us very much but she said she didn't think it would hurt her a bit. Mrs. Roy Silverthorne was there in a very low condition, her little baby which was born last night, died and she didn't know it yet when we were there.</p> <p>Dick and I went down and had a good skate this afternoon though the ice was rather rough. Dad went down and got Faulkner to bring Enah &amp; the boy home in the covered in bus and it didn't hurt either one in the least. Al drove at a snail's pace.</p> <p>He was telling Dad his opinion of Vyse. He spoke in the grieved monotone which he assumes for such occasions and said "I told Vyse, when we elected you reeve you promised to build good roads. You haven't done 15 cents worth of road work but spent all the money in sticking up that coup by me. Now what you had better do is to put the man in you built it for, which is Aikens, then you &amp; Bill Graham lock yourselves in with him take a stick of dynamite and blow youse all to hell to save funeral expences!" yes i said Al. I told him that two weeks ago and he hasn't spoken to me since."</p> <p>Beautiful day. Froze hard last night, but thawed all day. Colder &amp; look stormy to-night.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Monday January 6th</p> <p>We did up all the chores this morning. Frank carried over the chaff &amp; corn from the cows manger to the chicken house which he cleaned out. This after noon Dad.went down and cast his vote for J.R. Davis. Frank Taylor came over after him with Faulkner's bus just he was starting out. I broke the brace in the buck saw and fixed it this after noon</p> <p>Dick came home to night and told us that Vyse was elected reeve with John Walker, Henderson, Carl Coleman &amp; Billy Laings as councilmen. He and I went down to A.Y.P.A to night where we spent a pretty slow time. I went over to the band room for awhile where they preparing to start out for a serenade of the succesful candidates in the election. They were greatly proveket at Harry Graham &amp; Art Lawson because they wouldn't play as they were sore at the way things went. It wasn't right of them for as Harry Moon said and he was probably as disappointed as any but was playing, "The band is an organization independant of politics. All we're after is the coin and we don't care whether it is American money or not." It rained all night and drizzled all day, wasn't any colder when Dick &amp; I got home about eleven to night.</p> <p>Tuesday January 7th</p> <p>We just did chores this morning. Aunty went down town to get somethings for Dick's birthday which we celebrated to-night. I stayed in the house and read all the afternoon. Quint came over to tea to-night but Dick felt pretty miserable all evening. Quint stayed all night. Stormed all day half rain turning to sleet &amp; ice so that everything is ice coated.</p> <p><br />Wednesday January 8th</p> <p>Dad and Enah spent the greater part of last night I guess in the baby's company, who takes great pleasure in making them try to put him to sleep at midnight. He is just one red lump of wickedness &amp; noise at night, sleeps all day.</p> <p>Frank started back to school this morning. Dick felt very miserable but said he must go to work and felt much better to-night when he got home. We did up the chores this morning and I took a picture of the ice mantled trees around Martin's place. I didn't do a thing but read "Lords of the North" all the after noon. Win came home with Frank to-night but could only stay a little while. Clear cold and sunny to-day, snow crust very hard &amp; slippery.</p> <p>Thursday January 9th</p> <p>Dad &amp; I did chores &amp; cut wood this forenoon. Bill Donald</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>was in for awhile to have Dad. look at his horse. He told Dad. that he heard Jim. Dunbar had some wood for sale at $2.00 a cord, so Dad. drove Joe down to see if he could get her shod and drive down this after noon but he couldn't get in the shop and was afraid to risk driving on these icy roads, smooth shod.</p> <p>This after noon we started to fix up a place between the granary &amp; cow stable for a calf pen but couldn't do much as we had no nails. Dick &amp; I went down town after tea I took my horn down thinking there would be band practice but found when I get down that the council were treating the band to an oyster supper. I suppose I could have partaken of the feast if I chose but I came home to get my skates. I put them on at the house and skated down to the pond. There were quite a few there but it was so dark I couldn't see any of their faces and I didn't think Dick was there so I skated up to the bank Hazen was there and said Dick had just gone out with his skates on. I stayed there about half an hour and Hazen &amp; I wrote &amp; talked to Baldy Denton. I then went back to the pond but it was nearly deserted so I came home and found Dick had just got here before me, he had been over at Dyer's or someplace and hadn't been skating at all. Win. came over with Frank to stay all night. Nice day very much milder.</p> <p>Friday January 10th</p> <p>Dad. &amp; I drove down as soon as we could get started this morning which wasn't very early to get Joe shod but the shop was full again so we had to get a few things up town including a straw knife and come home. Dad. didn't know what to do as we want wood badly but he was afraid to drive Joe on the icy roads, especially after Vyse told us this morning that Sam. Law lost a cow by slipping on the ice. I supposed it was his old lame one.</p> <p>At last I decided to try and skate down. I left here after eleven and skated down on the road all the way and was back here by before one. Jim Dunbar was in Jarvis but his daughter said she thought he had wood for $2.50 a cord and would tell him to try and bring us a load to-morrow. I tripped several times going but only fell once. There were only a few places where the skating wasn't fairly good, the worst place was going up &amp; down Art Ryersie's hill.</p> <p>We didn't do any thing in particular this after noon Bill Donald came after Dad. to go and see his horse about five o'clock. Some fellow drove in while he was here and wanted to know where Anson Collver lived. Bill knew, he said he supposed that was some body after him for money.</p> <p>Neil Elliot &amp; Charlie McKenzie where in to look at Fred's calf although they had just met Dad. on the road and he told them the calf was not for sale. I went down to Mrs Jarley's wax work practice to-night, but there was "nothing doing". Mrs. Luck, Miss Harding &amp; Booze Waddle were</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>the only ones there. We went up to Mr. Johnson's and he gave me a little idea of what I had to do. I think it will be a pretty poor show. It is advertised for next Thursday and half the ones in it haven't been to practice yet. Mr. Johnson never looked through the book till to-night and he picked out several new caracters that he is going to try &amp; ring in. Not sunny but thawing all day. Almost raining to-night.</p> <p>Saturday January 11th</p> <p>We got a very big late start this morning and so did not do any thing but chores. Art. Ryersie came after Dad. a little before noon to go and see one of his cows which slipped on the ice, and Dad. is afraid it has broken her leg. It was the best cow he had.</p> <p>This after noon we fixed a place in the barn to put Ringworm but could do nothing out side owing to the inclemency of the weather.</p> <p>To-night Dick &amp; I went down town I went to Mrs. Jarley practice &amp; Dick waited for me. Frank spent the morning down town getting his tooth filled and helped up this after noon. Rained last night, very soft &amp; cloudy this morning. Rained hard all after noon, drizzling to-night.</p> <p>Sunday January 12th</p> <p>Dad. &amp; I drove down to Jim Dunbar's this morning and Dad. got him to say he'd bring us a load of wood to-morrow. When we got home we were about frozen. I felt kind of sick till I got thawed out.</p> <p>After dinner I did helped Dad. do chores and then started to go down to Harry Moors. I met Hazen who was driving out in front and he drove me down and went up to Harry's with me where we spent quite a time. Dick was down at Dyer's all the after noon and to tea. Bill Donald come and got Dad. this after noon. Very cold and windy early part of the day but milder and fair to-night.</p> <p>Monday January 13th</p> <p>We let Queen out this morning for quite an exercise Dad. was scared to death she'd slip and hurt her self, but I guess she didn't. Mr. Bowlby. drove Louise down this. morning. She had to back this after noon so Dad. hooked up Joe and Ginger to the cutter and drove her up. The sleighing was very poor &amp; one of the shoes on the cutter runner broke and ripped a big chunk out of the runner. Tom. Dunbar. brought us our cord of wood to-day. He made two trips of it and charged us three dollars.</p> <p>The baby has been awake all day and to-night is raining "Hail Columbia." Dick went back to-night. Froze hard last night but much milder to-night. Nice day</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Tuesday January 14th</p> <p>Dad. loaded the cutter in the waggon first thing and we took it down to Butler who said he didn't think the runner was {illegible} much. Dad. found he could get Joe shod so stayed down and I walked home.</p> <p>I started to throw the top off the straw stack. Th Mrs. McBride came to wash at noon and was here till after tea. Dad. cut some wood and we put a door on the barn and cut a bigger doorway. Dick came home to-night and forgot to bring the butter Aunty told him to get and we had a butterless tea, after which Dick went down town to get a pound I went with him to the Mrs. Jarley Waxwork practice in the town hall and am still convinced that the show will fall far short of what it is advertised to be.</p> <p>Beautiful day and perfect night. Sunny and much milder to-night.</p> <p>Wednesday January 15th</p> <p>Our attention was attracted this morning by a great deal of racket being kicked up by Dave Turner's engine, and learned to-night when Dick got home it was in honor of Gladys Coleman who was married sometime during the night to get off on the early train. We were greatly surprised at the news although Aunty suspected it.</p> <p>We did chores this morning and about eleven o'clock Dad. &amp; I drove up to Stan Tompson's. Ham wasn't home but Dad. had a look at his bull calf. He says his stock is in a very bad condition. When we got home Dad. took Enah out for a short drive. The first time she has been out since she came home.</p> <p>This after noon we husked a little corn and Dad. moved some of the corn stalks from one end of the hay to the other and then cut some wood. I didn't do anything much.</p> <p>I went down again to-night to a Mrs. Jarley practice and had a pretty slow time. It will be over to-morrow night. Dick went down with me and worked awhile then we came home to-gether. Very soft and cloudy to-day. Rained a little this after noon and is raining quite hard to-night. Very slippery</p> <p>Thursday January 16th</p> <p>Mr. Lamb came over this morning before we had breakfast and got Dad. to go down and see a horse that got kicked. He was gone quite awhile and came back with a lovely bunch of flowers. This after noon he and Aunty went down town to get some things for the house. I didn't do anything much but chores and read</p> <p>To-night Dick, Dad., Frank and I went down to Mrs. Jarley's Waxwork show. It came off a lot better than I expected and there was a full house. Perce Brock who was Mrs. Jarley couldn't have done better and Hazen Waddle was perfect. He was Simple Simon and sat through the whole show with his mouth wide open and</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>the vacantest kind of a look on his face. If any body jarred against him he would fall over in his chair till they set him up straight. They said all the figures were good except poor Captain Robinson who with Sidney McQueen acted as Babes in the Wood. He couldn't keep a straight face, but Sidney kept the same sweet smile all through. They each had an enormous doughnut and when wound up would feed each other. It certainly did look great for two of the biggest men in town. Lila impersonated Little Jack Horner and except when she was exhibited &amp; wound up evidently forgot she was waxwork, for she laughed and moved around all she pleased and likley was more amusing than if she had been quiet. I, the deceased Mr. Jarley nearly bit a hole in my cheek to keep from laughing and then didn't succeed very well. I was in agony for awhile when my nose began to tickle and I couldn't scratch it. The girls were all very pretty and I think every body got their money's worth. They had a dance after the performance and Mrs. Moon gave me another lesson. I belive I could learn if I could keep at it but not likely I will get another chance now till next summer.</p> <p>Rained a little this morning, dark &amp; very soft all day. Raining hard to-night when Dick &amp; I got home at half past twelve, and had been raining all evening, so Aunty said.</p> <p>Friday January 17th</p> <p>We got rather a late start this morning and did nothing but chores except throw some more off the top of the straw stack Mr. Peace. came in to see Dad about a colt which has some thing on its leg - which oughtn't to be there. Tige resented his visit strongly and bit at him twice, much to his indignation &amp; terror</p> <p>This after noon Dad. cut wood and we straightened up the fence in front of the hay barn two pannels of which have been down all winter. We were rather surprised this afternoon at Ringworm adding a bull calf to our stock collection.</p> <p>It rained all night and to-day Barrett's farm is a quagmire. Still very mild I woke up about half past eleven to-night by Tige barking furiously then I heard Dad who was just going to bed go to the door and a stranger's voice ask for permission to hunt sparrows in the barn, around the stack. Dad. told them they could hunt around the stack but couldn't go in the barn with their lantern. They told him they weren't out for "na fun" (wich Dad readily believed) but were trying to rid the country of sparrows &amp; rats. Dad. supposed they were after some prize as they came all the way from Selkirk.</p> <p>Saturday January 18th</p> <p>I read most of the morning and part of the afternoon in Dicks B.O.P. but finished the story and am not going to begin another</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>for awhile. Frank helped us do chores and after dinner went down to Alfred's to buy some butter. Alfred had the puzzle done the right way, and after putting it to-gether to show Frank, sent it home. Frank is working at it now evidently with out much success. I husked corn this after noon and Dad sawed wood. Frank went back to the gully for awhile to watch the creek or something.</p> <p>To-night Dad &amp; I worked at my horn trying to loosen one of the valves with the big monkey wrench. Mild &amp; cloudy this morning. It turned colder with a high north west wind and snow. Quieter &amp; not freezing to-night</p> <p>Sunday January 19th</p> <p>Aunty and the boys went down to Sunday School. I helped Dad. do a few chores amd went to church. Bill Donald came in just as I left and stayed about a hour &amp; a half. Aunty &amp; I went down to Miss Battersby's after church and found her looking about as well as ever. Winnie came over to dinner with Dick, &amp; Frank stayed down at Huby's.</p> <p>This after noon Dick &amp; I went down town. I guess Dick spent the after noon at the drug store with Bob. while I went over to Waddle's for awhile then up to Harry Moon's, and looked at photographs. I drew to-night. It froze last night. It has been a very nice day and thawing.</p> <p>Monday January 20th</p> <p>I went out this morning to help Dad. do chores but got so dizzy I had to come in and go to bed, where I put in the rest of the day. I didn't have anything to eat all day except half a breakfast and about half a pint of pills with which they dozed me and which I think made me much worse. Enah gave me half a cup of cocoa which did no good as it floated.</p> <p>This evening I came out into the kitchen while Aunty fixed my bed. I was sitting there talking to Dad. when the first thing I knew Frank began to look like a very poor moving picture and the next I seemed to be waking up lying on the floor with Dad. &amp; Aunty asking me how I felt. I then began to realise I had fainted, a thing which I never did before and only twice before ever felt like it - funny feeling.</p> <p>Charlie Martin came over again this morning for awhile. Aunty went down town this after noon and came home half drowned and mud to her eyes. Dick sent the mail home by Frank but he did come home till after A.Y.P.A. as he went to hear Cousin Willie's lecture on literature which he liked.</p> <p>It rained again last night but was a lovely sunny day till this after noon when it began to pour and kept up till after tea when it turned colder and to snow.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Tuesday January 21st</p> <p>I didn't do any thing in the shape of work all day although I felt much better that yesterday. I read nearly all morning. This after noon Louise came over. She had come down on the one o'clock train, and is staying here all night</p> <p>Mr. &amp; Mrs. Art. Ryersie came over and spent the evening Art. took the wooden puzzle home with him. It Froze last night and has been a lovely sunny day, though cold</p> <p>Wednesday January 22nd</p> <p>I went out this morning and tried to do a few chores, but couldn't do much. Louise came out for awhile to see the livestock and Dad. took Queen out in the halter for her entertainment but Tige proved to be the chief attraction in that show.</p> <p>This after noon Mrs. Bowlby came down &amp; Louise went back with her. Mrs. Bannister, Mrs. Vyse &amp; her three kids came over this after noon. I was {illegible} to come in the house so nearly froze out in the drive shed where Dad. was putting a new head on the scraper which old Harry broke this morning. Dick got home early but went back again to watch the dance.</p> <p>Dad &amp; Frank went down to Alfred's to-night to show him Franks. Mecanno Outfit. Lovely sunny day. Freezing slightly to-night.</p> <p>Thursday January 23rd</p> <p>I didn't do any thing today but sit around and feel rotten. Dad. couldn't do anything out side but chores. Enah was feeling miserable this morning having fainted in the night. without telling any body. This afternoon Aunty went down to Bible Class. It was raining when we got up this morning and has kept it up steadily all day.</p> <p>Friday January 24th</p> <p>About the only thing of much interest that happened to-day on the premises was the birth of a bull calf to {Mully?} and no-body is much exercised over that, Mully included. Ah! Yes. another thing is, we got five eggs and didn't find a nest either. We think that is "going some" for only about forty hens.</p> <p>I am a lot better to-day though my knee is pretty sore yet. The baby isn't very well to-day either. I went out a little to-day but drew &amp; read most of the time. Dick had to go back to work at the bank to-night. Froze a little last night. Lovely mild day but not very sunny. Freezing to-night.</p> <p>Saturday January 25th</p> <p>We saw Allan Law &amp; Art Ryersie driving past this morning with the separator and upon inquiry found</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>they were hauling it to Fleming's while the roads are frozen as they are going there after they get though at Arts, there is no telling when they will get here. Dad. and Frank loaded up the rack with blue grass hay this morning from what was on top of the alsike as we have decided not to thresh it on account of the price being so low.</p> <p>This after noon they hauled it over to the other barn where it will be handy to feed to the cows, and then went &amp; hauled up a load of rails. They did all the chores. I didn't do any thing all day owing to my sore knee though I felt better in other ways.</p> <p>The two Mrs. Shands &amp; Miss Shand came in to see the baby to-night and although he was awake he never whimpered so they went off with a very good impression of his conduct. Dick went down to the pond to skate after tea to-night. Perfect day sunny and lovely out</p> <p>Sunday January 26th</p> <p>The boys were the only members of the family who attended church or Sunday School to-day. I hung around outside with Dad. for awhile this morning as my knee felt better. Quint. came home to dinner with Dick and stayed all night. This after noon he, Frank &amp; I went out and played marbles for awhile. Tonight. Aunty read to us about an African cannibal &amp; the missionarys. Very, mild, cloudy &amp; muddy.</p> <p>Monday January 27th</p> <p>My knee was much better and I helped Dad. do chores this morning. Arpha Fleming came over and invited Dad to go there threshing this afternoon. Mrs. McBride came to wash and was here nearly all day. Rus. Lambkins was in to see about a windmill but Dad. told him we didn't need one now on account of Ivey's tile drain at which we have watered the stock all winter so far. and it looks as if it would run for quite a while yet. Earl. Brown was in also to see Dad. about a cow.</p> <p>Aunty went down town this after noon to see if she could get some lady to stay with Aunt Ida but was unsuccessful. Dad. &amp; I went with her as far as Vyses. We found they had moved the threshing outfit in there instead of Fleming's as Vyse has to go to County Council soon. Cousin Loll &amp; Cousin Phoebe came over to see the baby this afternoon. Mr. Lamb. came over to-night to see about his horse. Froze pretty hard last night and been freezing all day.</p> <p>Tuesday January 28th</p> <p>Dad. left early this morning to thresh at Vyse's. I did the chores as my knee was ever so much better. About ten o'clock Dad.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>came home. He said they were stopped then but did need him much anyway, so he came home to saw wood which he did till noon Mr. Flemming told him that if they didn't get moved to his place till the middle of the afternoon it wouldn't be worth Dad's while to come over so he didn't.</p> <p>This after noon he gave Queen quite an exercise &amp; I took a picture of her also one of the baby which finished my film. Dad. &amp; I hooked up Harry &amp; Belle &amp; got a couple of loads of rails, one load from the remainder of the fence on the east west side of the wheat field and one from the north fence. Aunty went down town this after noon to get some birthday presents for Huby. Beautiful day, froze in the night, sunny &amp; milder</p> <p>Wednesday January 29th</p> <p>Dad left first thing this morning for to thresh at Mr. Flemings and was gone all day. He got home in time to milk before dark and felt pretty well "plugged up". It kept me nearly all morning doing chores.</p> <p>This after noon I practiced my horn a little and read. Mrs. Alfred Ryersie came in to see the baby. Enah took a walk over to Martin's. Allan Law came in at noon and got the waggon to get wood. He didn't know where he was going, but intimated that he was going to "lift" rails from fences along the road. This was Huby's birthday. It has been cloudy &amp; spitting snow all day. Not cold but freezing</p> <p>Thursday January 30th</p> <p>Dad threshed over at Fleming's all day and they finished to night. They finished the alsike about 3 o'clock and got 17 Lays and 1/2 bushel from the 98 loads, and they thrashed 316 bus. of oats in two hours after that. It kept me all morning doing chores and this after noon I cut a little wood.</p> <p>I intended to husk some corn but it was such a nice day I thought I would get a load of rails instead so I went &amp; hooked up Harry &amp; Belle to the waggon and went out and got the rails from the north side of the wheat field where Dad. &amp; I got the last load. The horses were feeling good especially old Harry who hasn't any more sense that a seventeen year old bird's nest. Going out I had to get out to open the gate off the road and as soon as they saw it open in front of them, started through it. I caught Belle's rain but Harry kept on going. so I had to let them go into the field where they immediately started to speed up. and it just kept me humping to run and scramble in the back of the waggon but I was fortunate enough to get the lines and steady them down before they did any damage, but I was thankful to get back safe with my load.</p> <p>Mr. Johnson &amp; Mrs. Quanbury were over this afternoon to see the baby. Aunty went down town this after noon. To-night. Dick &amp; I went down to band practice. I found out from Carl Coleman that we could have their cattle rack on Saturday to go after the {illegible}. Lovely day. sunny &amp; very mild.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Friday January 31st</p> <p>It begant to rain this morning which about noon turned to snow and that cleared off &amp; it begant to freeze pretty hard to night.</p> <p>Dad. and I spent the day doing chores, {"settin' round the blow"?} in the meantime, Dad. cut some wood &amp; I unloaded the load of rails this after noon. About four o'clock I went down town &amp; got my hair cut. I also took down 3 doz. eggs &amp; traded them off for meat. Dick did not come home to tea tonight as he had to work this being the end of the month.</p> <p>Saturday February 1st</p> <p>We intended to go and get the sheep to-day but the weather prevented us. We didn't do any thing but chores and Dad. cut wood. I read a little and this after noon fooled with my horn. Dad. managed to get the valve loosened which has been stuck for so long, and I poured a couple of quarts of water down the bell to clean it out and spilt it all over the floor. Frank also polised up the mouthpiece with his sample of silver polish</p> <p>Aunty succeeded at last in persuading Frank to remove the fourteen wish-bones which have been accumulating on the kitchen hanging lamp for over a year, and she boiled them and polished them up for him. It has been freezing hard all day with a very high cold wind but sunny.</p> <p>Sunday January February 2nd</p> <p>Aunty and the boys went down to Sunday School and I got fixed up and went to church. I got there about twenty minutes too early so waited at "The Dominion". Win. came home with us after church and stayed all night. Dick stayed down all the after noon and stayed at Huby's to dinner.</p> <p>Dad. did all the chores. Aunty had us all going guessing Bible Carachters to-night. It froze like Billy-b-da--ylights, last night and has been very cold and a high wind all day. Bear saw his shaddow.</p> <p>Monday February 3rd</p> <p>We did up the chores this morning. This afternoon we hooked Joe &amp; Ginger to the waggon and went down town. We found out from Carl Coleman that we could have their stock waggon to get our sheep to morrow. We also got the cutter from Butler.</p> <p>When we got home we found an old pedlar who told Aunty he had walked all the way from Hagersville, he was selling post cards. Archie Long had been here to sell fence. To-night Dick and I went down to the Orchestra dance where we had a dandy time. I think I am getting on to the hang of it now. We got home a little before half past three to-morrow morning. It was a nice day to-day and quite mild. It snowed a little this morning.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Tuesday February 4th</p> <p>I got up about half past seven this morning. We didn't do any chores but got started as early as we could which was about ten for the sheep. We drove Joe &amp; Ginger and took our waggon down to Coleman's and left it there then hooked on to theirs, we got up there in about an hour. Dunkin said he thought we were never coming. He had had bad luck with his imported sheep. Owing to carelessness in the Quarantine Station two of his sheep died and he can't get a cent for them. They charged him forty five dollars for their keep down there for thirty days.</p> <p>Mine were alright though and we got them home safely. He only charged us two dollars for their keep, but hasn't had them registered yet. We had to walk the horses nearly all the way home on account of bumpy roads. When we unloaded the sheep we went right back with the waggon and got our own, we also went up to Chris. Fairchild's and got the saw blade. Dick took to him this morning &amp; {following words in brackets are guessed at due to being covered up on the page}{it was?} just half past three when we got in the house after {putting?} the horses in. it was just twelve when we left Dunkins {after?} we had a little dinner we went out and did up the chores. The poor horses were pretty hung up &amp; thirsty especially Joe &amp; Ginger who were tired also. Dick &amp; Frank went down to O.Y.P.O. to-night. It has been cloudy &amp; blustery all day and pretty cold.</p> <p>Thursday Wednesday February 5th</p> <p>We hooked up Joe &amp; Ginger to the waggon first thing this morning and went down town and got a load of coal, as Dick found out last night that Jim. Low had some in at last. We lost quite a little bit of it coming home as the roads were rough and it jiggled out the back. when going up hills. although we scraped it forwards a couple of times.</p> <p>This being Ash Wednesday they had service in the church but none of us attended it. Lent begins earlier this year that it has for 138 years, it can only start one day earlier, at least that's what the "Maple Leaf" states but it is not likely right. Last night was about the coldest night this winter. It must have been down to zero during the night, and has been very cold all day, with a high wind and snow</p> <p>Thursday February 6th</p> <p>We did not do any thing to-day but chores This after noon Aunty went down town to Auxillary or something and Dad. &amp; I Enah had an awful time with the baby as he was sick and they couldn't do any thing to ease him or keep him quiet. I practised my horn all after noon. About five o'clock Sam. Law pulled in here with the clover mill. They got through at Ham Thompson's sooner than they expected so moved right down here to night. Allan &amp; Bert Monroe came soon after wards.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>with the engine, which had something wrong with the injector &amp; they worked at it till long after dark. They said they would thrash in the morning if we weren't ready but we bade them come. Sam. was about half drank &amp; the other half frozen when he came in and borrowed our waggon to go home &amp; {load?} wood but we noticed he hit the trail for town at a pretty good lick. To-night I went down to band practice and got home about eleven. It has been cold with a very high wind.</p> <p>Friday February 7th</p> <p>The men did not get here till after breakfast, they got steam up and moved the machine into the barn and then began to talk of not threshing, "Bert was the only one of the this that wanted to Allan I guess thought it would be too cold out on the engine {the following words in brackets are guessed at due to being covered up on the page} {and?} it certainly wouldn't be very warm. Their only excuse was {that?} the belt wouldn't stay on in the wind. Mr. Odd was here {to?}day for Mr. Fleming. Allan &amp; Bert went down town and {g?}ot their horses shod. and Sam went home. about noon he came back again and said he guessed they could thrash this afternoon. We did the chores all up there was a little more work for Dad. as this morning when he went out to the cow stable he found a red &amp; white bull calf of Spotty's on the floor. We got it &amp; her in as warm quarters as we could but the poor little fellow has been pretty cold all day. The thrashers did come back this afternoon and we thrashed out the four loads of cloverseed and got three bags &amp; about 1/4 bushel I get 1 1/4 bags. Young Billy Louis came over for {Tapper?} but we didn't need him so he went back. They got the machine moved over to the other barn but didn't try to thrash any they said if it was very windy to-morrow tney wouldn't come over.</p> <p>This aft. To-night. Dick &amp; I went up to the hockey match in Simcoe - Simcoe vs Hamilton I was going to drive up with Bert Monroe but it turned out such a rotten night that both Bert &amp; I decided to take the train There was quite a big crowd went up from Dover on the Port Rowan train, we came back on the Hamilton special that brought the team up. We got there a little after out eight, and had to sit and freeze by inches for about four hours. They could not have begun to play before half past twelve and it got pretty tedious waiting, but it was a good game when they did start, We rooted for Simcoe and they trimmed Hamilton 8 to 3. The Hamilton boys seemed rather tired the last half. We didn't get to bed till after three to-morrow morning.</p> <p>Dad got a blank form to-night which he had to fill &amp; tell about Tiddums. They named him Hubert James Harold. (poor kid) more name than boy. It was very cold and windy this morning and has been growing worse all day. To-night when we came home it was a holy fright.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Saturday February 8th</p> <p>I got up about the same time as usual. This morning it was windy &amp; snowing so we didn't look for the thrashers. Frank. Dad. &amp; I moved some of the poles from over the driveway to above where Ring worm (by the way her name has changed now from Ring worm to Erie, Aunty objected to the former so we called her after Mrs. Fred. Warren as that is who we got her from.) and her calf are. We started to put some clover chaff on them but it was so short it fell through a lot, so Dad. said we would wait till the wind went down and then put some straw on first to hold the other. but we never got it done all day.</p> <p>Dad felt pretty miserable all day and stayed in the house all the afternoon I cut a little {the following words in brackets are guessed at due to being covered up on the page} {wood?} and fooled around the rest of the time. Aunty went down town, she lost her muff the other day and thought {she?} knew where she left it but when she inquired this {afternoon?}, she could find it nowhere.</p> <p>Lila came over while she {was?} gone and told her to-night that she saw George {Spain?} {on?} Thursday kicking a muff through the square and he said it was somebody's old worn out muff they had {thrown?} away. Aunty is sure it was her's as it was near there {she?} missed it. It was such a bad night. Lila spent it here Frank went down and visited with Mr. Alfred for awhile this after noon and got some butter. Dick felt pretty rotten when he got home to-night and his ear ached. Allan Law came over to-day to put a fire in the engine to keep the water from freezing It was not very cold to-day but very windy &amp; snowdrifty.</p> <p>Sunday February 9th</p> <p>Dad. has felt very sick all day and didn't to any thing much but milk, feed the calves and let the cows out &amp; in again. I sent the most of the day doing the rest of the chores. I felt kind of tired myself. Aunty, Frank &amp; Lila all went down to Sunday School &amp; church, but none of the rest of us. Dick didn't get up till about noon.</p> <p>This afternoon Mrs. Johnson &amp; Mrs. McPherson with Cecil &amp; Leon came over to see Enah and she walked down to Quanbury's with them. Ada was also over to see H.J.H. Barrett. Allan Law came over again to put a fire in the engine. King Pepper was in this morning with a little dog, which Dad. told him had a broken leg. It was up to far to bandage it so Dad said just to keep him quiet and it would likely get all right.</p> <p>Frank found Aunty's muff this morning right near the bandstand in the snow. George Spain told him in Sunday School that he had taken it home and after keeping it two days and not finding an owner he had brought it back and left it where he found it. It was not at all hurt Aunty said. Not cold to-day but windy.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Monday February 10th</p> <p>We got up pretty early this morning on account of thrashers They got started about half past nine. The only extra ones we had were Mr. Odd &amp; Billy Louis. We thrashed nearly all morning and never saw a head of alsike, and the blue grass neatly all blew over, so we stopped thrashing the blue grass in the back part of the mow and confined our labor to the front bit. We only got about two bags of seed all day, and there is about two hours more to go through yet. For awhile Dad. thought it wouldn't be worth thrashing but we got nearly to the floor at one end and it is much thicker so I guess we will finish the job.</p> <p>Dad has the shed, the driveway and over the sheep pen filled up with thrashed hay. and it {the following words in brackets are guessed at due to being covered up on the page} {means?} no way out in front of the drive way. He had a very {---ty?} place and feels pretty tired to-night. Charlotte {had?} a calf to-night another boy. Aunty says "It may {be?} cold in the house but they are having a "bully" time in {the?} barn"</p> <p>It was very cold &amp; frosty this morning but the sun got up and it was quite a nice day. There was a slight easterly breeze which was just what we wanted as it blew the smoke away from the barn. It is about the first time this winter we have had an east breeze. Dick &amp; I sent away to-night for a work of 10 volumes which we saw advertised called "The Wonders of Science in Modern Life".</p> <p>Tuesday January February 11th</p> <p>We finished up our threshing about noon. the seed came a little faster than yesterday and I guess we have about five or six bushels, they didn't need me much to help them so I didn't hang around looking for a chance to help. I did a few chores but nothing to speak of.</p> <p>This afternoon I went over and helped thrash at Sam Law's we got all the red clover thrashed and he got just the same as we did - three bags and a little more. It turned out pretty well. I have to go back in the morning to help thrash out three loads of alsike.</p> <p>Dad. did up all the chores here this after noon &amp; I did not get home till after tea. Dick had to go back to help Hazen find a mistake to-night. Mr Wiggins was going to a dance in Jarvis. Allan Law was going down too. It has been much milder to-day this morning it looked stormy but was sunny after dinner and it seems colder to-night.</p> <p>Wednesday February 12th</p> <p>I didn't get up very early this morning and went over to Sam Law's as soon as I had my breakfast. They started to thrash soon after nine - and got though just about noon. They got just three bags of alsike so it turned out</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>much better than ours as they said they only had three loads. I stayed over there to dinner. This afternoon Dad. &amp; Frank fixed up three pens in front of the cow shed for the calves, they had to be separated as they suck each other's ears. &amp; Spot's calf had it's ears frozen last night. I battoned up the door of the horse stable with tar paper and it took me nearly all the after noon. We started separating again this morning. Frank stayed home from school to-day to help Dad. get some of the thrashed blue grass over to the other barn but the wind was too strong. Dick had to go back to work to-night. There was a very cold north wind all day and quite a snowstorm to-night for a while</p> <p>Thursday February 13th</p> <p>We didnt get any thing done to-day but chores. I sawed a little wood this after noon &amp; hung around. Aunty went down town to Bible Class. To-night I went down to band practice and got home about half past ten.</p> <p>It has been cold and very windy all day. The wind got up with the sun and made Dad. feel very cross all day as he wanted to get some to the thrashed blue grass moved to the other barn, and we couldnt with the wind &amp; rough road.</p> <p>Friday February 14th</p> <p>We spent our spare time this morning in fixing a door in the east side of the horse stable loft where we can pitch hay off by hand instead of using the hay fork. This afternoon after we had the chores done up we went over and put a load of timothy hay in the rack ready to haul to the horse stable at the first opportunity as the supply over there is getting low.</p> <p>Harry. Varey drove Mrs. Johnston over to spend the after noon with Enah &amp; he &amp; {Elan?} called for her again after tea. Tiddums had colic to-day - very wicked. Miss Harding was out this afternoon to see him. Sunny &amp; mild with not much wind to-day, very nice day.</p> <p>Saturday February 10th</p> <p>As soon as we got the chores done this morning we {the following words in brackets are guessed at due to being covered up on the page} {moved?} the load of timothy which we loaded yesterday over to the stable and Frank helped us unload it. Then we {al...?} and put on a load of the thrashed blue grass and {hauled?} it over to the other barn. This after noon we unloaded it. {We?} loaded two more, we unloaded one and left the other on the barn floor, so we think we have got in a pretty day's work. Nigle came over quite early this morning &amp; Lila followed him up this after noon, both are staying</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>over night. Aunty went down town this after noon to get some things. Something has gone wrong with the dining room stove chimney and we can hardly see accross the room in there for smoke. Nice day, much milder, slight wind and raining to-night.</p> <p>Sunday February 16th</p> <p>I intended to go to church this morning with Aunty, Dick &amp; Frank but I had to go up on the roof to see what was the matter with the dining room chimney, and as I had to wait till the fire went out it was twenty minutes to eleven when I got down, I found the cause of the trouble was that a brick had blown down the chimney and nearly filled up the flue. I hadn't much trouble in disloging it</p> <p>Quint came over with the boys to dinner, and this afternoon we went skating. I thought I ought to go as I didn't get to church this morning. We were the only ones on the creek, and the skating was good. We were out to the end of the pier and up as far as Tommy Jackson's, Frank &amp; I came home at half past five &amp; Quint &amp; Dick came over later. Nice day, rather cold and cloudy. It turned cold and froze during the night. We saw a flock of geese flying north to-day.</p> <p>Monday February 17th</p> <p>Dad. and I hooked Joe &amp; Ginger to the buggy this morning and took them down to be shod but we found every shok in town full, so after getting a buggy load of groceries came home, I dropped a dollar's worth of sugar on the floor at Bayley &amp; Miller's and spilt it all over, I was mad enough to cuss. We found out that to-morrow would be the last day they would cut ice, so as we couldn't get the team shod, Dad. spoke to Allan Law and he said he would hold it for us. We intended to get the ice house all ready this after noon but didn't get much done to it.</p> <p>Alfred came over for a visit &amp; Felix Perkins came in to sell a wind mill. I was going to print pictures to-night but we were a little late with tea and as I wanted to do quite a lot, I thought I had better wait till I had more time. Dick didn't come home to tea to night. We don't know where he is but suppose he has gone to O.Y.P.O There was quite a snow storm tonight this morning but cleared off and was very sunny &amp; mild this after noon. Clear &amp; freezing to night.</p> <p>Tuesday February 18th</p> <p>Allan Law came with the first load of ice this morning soon after breakfast before we had our chores</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>done and we have been on the hump all day. We just put in six loads, and think that will be enough till we see if it keeps and we can easily put in more another time. It kept us busy to keep it well chinked with snow and icechips and we have yet to get some sawdust and pack it.</p> <p>Dick had to work last night till midnight and to-night came home, he has to work every other night for awhile. It has been very mild and sunny all day, freezing to-night.</p> <p>Wednesday February 19th</p> <p>Dad. &amp; I did the chores all up this forenoon. Vyse was over for quite awhile and also a pedlar who waited around about ten minutes for Enah to make her appearance to sell something - and then received hardly any attention so departed with haste. Aunty went down to the dentists but had to go again to-morrow. We took Joe &amp; Ginger down right after dinner to be shod. I came home soon after we got there but Dad. did not get back till dark. Butler is so slow.</p> <p>I didn't do much except put some more snow in the chinks of ice and cut a little wood. Dad. had to milk after tea to-night. Dick didn't come home to tea as he has to work to night. Mrs. Jack &amp; Mrs. Charlie Martin were over this after noon while Enah was visiting at Quanbury's. It has been a lovely day but terribly muddy.</p> <p>Thursday February 20th</p> <p>Dad. &amp; I left as soon after breakfast as possible this morning for Brad. Bowlby's to get a load of sawdust, we got back about noon and after putting it in the ice-house found we would need more, so left right after dinner and got a bigger load, getting home at four o'clock. Dick got home early and unloaded it for us, we could use a little more but we have enough for the present.</p> <p>To-night Dick got a ticket for Dad. to go to the Library Concert so I went with them, they had a farce called "That Rascal Pat" which wasn't much in itself, but the actors, Bill Davis, Perce Brock &amp; Art. Lawson were great. It was very short and we were home at half past ten. It barely froze last night, and has thawed very much all day. If we had waited any longer to go for our sawdust we wouldn't have been able to get in after it, the road was so bad. Mrs. Crosby Morgan died last night.</p> <p>Friday February 21st</p> <p>Just as we were getting ready to sack up some oats this morning, Jack came along and bought our veal calf</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>(Erie's) for eight dollars, he was big but very thin. Dad. took some oats &amp; barley down to the mill to be chopped just before dinner. Aunty went down town to get some flowers for Mrs. Morgan's funeral. Frank came home at noon and is to have a half holiday, as Mr. Smith had to go to Captain McFell's funeral this afternoon.</p> <p>Allan Law came in after dinner and said he was going to take his seed to Jarvis in the morning so I am going with him and take ours. Dad. settled up with him for threshing and he didn't charge anything for hauling the ice, so we got it pretty cheap, as Val. didn't charge for cutting it. Dad. and I went down town after some coal oil and came around by the mill and got our chop and then loaded on our seed.</p> <p>We started to have a musical evening but Tiddums opposed us and had to have refreshments. Colder to-day with cold easterly wind, getting stormier to-night.</p> <p>Saturday February 22nd</p> <p>We got up before day light this morning as I expected to go to Jarvis with Allan Law, but he never turned up, we supposed on account of the weather. Dad. informed us this morning that the old sow had a big litter of piglets. We have counted them several times during the day and have come to the conclusion there are thirteen, all healthy and of uniform size.</p> <p>Soon after breakfast young Billy Louis came after Dad to go and see a sick cow so Frank and I were left with all the undone chores on our hands, but we got them off in good shape by noon, besides throwing off what was left of the load of threshed blue grass standing on the barn floor. Dad. got home about noon and had to hurry to get down town by one as he had to be bearer at Mrs. Morgan's funeral. Aunty went down with him.</p> <p>I didn't do much all the afternoon except cut a little wood. The Ryersies came up and Frank went with them back to the gully as Frank discovered a rabbit hole in the mound. One of our white cats has been sick for the last couple of days and to-night has disappeared we are afraid for good. I read "Oour Mutual Friend" all evening and wound up with a bath which nearly killed me. It rained last night and then froze and has been raining most of the day with several heavy downpours.</p> <p>Sunday February 23rd</p> <p>The two boys went to Sunday school Aunty didn't go as she has a cold and didn't like to go out in the wind. I went down to church. Winny came over</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>to dinner with Dick, who spent the after noon down town. Dad. did chores. I read most of the time. We had some music. Frank went back in the gully to look at his empty snares.</p> <p>It has been much colder to day with a raw wind, freezing hard to night Dad is very anxious about his little pigs and to day battoned up the cracks in the pig pen, he says they feel as warm as toast. There are thirteen live ones and one dead one.</p> <p>Monday February 24th</p> <p>Allan Law came over this morning before I was through breakfast all ready to start for Jarvis I got ready as quickly as I could, with Dad's big coonskin overcoat and walked over to Law's as Allan had to load up their seeds, we got started about nine o'clock.</p> <p>When we got down about to the fourth concession Allan got out to walk and then got in with Bellack who was leading a team to Jarvis to sell to Dave. Ward who is shipping to-day, so I drove on to Jarvis's alone, I pulled into the association store as I saw the name of {Tess?} above the door but Allan saw me and told me to come on down farther to a brother of this fellow, so we went down and left our load at the other place till after dinner. I came away in such a hurry this morning that I for got to take any money so had to look to Allan for dinner, and so got a dandy. It took the fellow all the after noon to clean up our alsike &amp; blue grass red clover and we had to leave our blue grass for another time. We got $11 1/2 for the alsike &amp; $9 for the red clover, which is as good as any body is getting now I guess. I got $18 for mine. Allan only got $10 for his alsike as it was part white clover. The fellow said it would have been worth a lot more than ours if it had been brought in two months sooner but now the market was closed for it. Allan got the same for his red seed as we did. I think he expected more than he got. We left there I guess about half past five, and got home about seven, we came a lot faster than we went as we had a big load on this morning.</p> <p>Dad has been over to Louises' this after noon, their cow is getting better he had a very enjoyable visit with John Wess on his way- one of our little pigs got killed some way this morning thirteen was an unlucky number anyway. Emery McPherson and Mrs. Johnson were over this after noon. Mrs. McBride has been here washing all day. Dick did not get home to-night, had to work I suppose. Pretty cold to day but sunny and nice. Roads are awfully rough down east</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Tuesday February 25th</p> <p>We were very late this morning getting started, owing to my staying in bed later than I should have, so it took us till noon doing chores. Allan Law came in with our seed and took the waggon away with him again.</p> <p>This afternoon Dad. &amp; I drove down town on sundry errands Dick came home to tea but went back down town again to see Huby. he said he might skate or work. Aunty has been feeling very miserable all day, with grip or neuralgia or both. Pretty cold, but sunny and no wind. I finished reading "Our Mutual Freind" to night, sorry to leave it.</p> <p>Wednesday February 26th</p> <p>We didn't do any thing but chores to day. We went down to Alfred's with the sacks we borrowed from him and found him feeling pretty sick with a cold, we were there quite awhile and got back about noon</p> <p>Ern. Fleming was in for awhile this after noon to have Dad. look at his horse who has scratches. I drew a little this after noon and spen the evening practising on my horn. Frank went down town to-night to the moving picture show. Dick was going too so we stayed down to tea It snowed all day, no wind and not very cold</p> <p>Thursday February 27th</p> <p><br />It snew &amp; blew nearly all day. We did up all the chores this morning. Allan Law brought back our waggon and borrowed the hay rack to haul a couple of loads of hay down town, he brought it back to-night.</p> <p>This after noon Dad. drove Enah down town and when they got back he &amp; I drove down to the mill got some corn cobs and took them down to Huby's as he wanted some to smoke his pork. I printed pictures tonight and met with fairly good success. Dick did not work to-night.</p> <p>Friday February 28th</p> <p>Dad. &amp; I went down first thing this morning and got a load of coal with Joe &amp; Ginger. We let Belle &amp; Harry out separately for a ran in the barnyard and they evidently enjoyed them selves immensly, especially Harry. who was enraptured, this after noon we did chores and unloaded our coal.</p> <p>Aunty has felt very miserable all day and feels as if she was getting the grip. Dick did not come home to-night, this being the end of the month he had to work late. It snowed the biggest part of the day but was quite mild. We are getting enough snow now to make up for the rest of the winter.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Saturday March 1st</p> <p>We did the chores all up this morning, this after noon we sat down to read, and stayed a good deal longer than we should have, and then drove Joe &amp; Ginger down town for exercise, the sleighing is pretty good now. When we were letting the team into the stable to-night Joe who goes in first stopped in the alleyway to nose for hay and Ginger came up behind and turned in beside Belle and she kicked Ginger just below the knee and raised quite a lump, but we don't think it will be serious.</p> <p>Frank has spent the day looking at his empty trap and snares and scouring the farm in search of material to make a sleigh. Our other white cat is at the point of death to-night, they must have got poisoned. Isaac Johnson &amp; Jack Lawrie were over this morning with a new horse bought by the farmer. March has put in a very lamblike appearance. It snowed quietly most of the morning, and has been sunny &amp; mild the rest of the day.</p> <p>Sunday March 2nd</p> <p>The boys went to Sunday school and I went down to church. Aunty didn't go on account of her cold and the bad weather Quint came over to dinner and this after noon we went over to the Shand's as Charlie had asked Frank at school. It was a rough day for a drive and we werent sure wheter we could get through the cuts or not. This one out here was nearly full and we just had room for Joe to go down one side of it. The four of us in the cutter made quite a load but she got through the drifts nobly and where there were no drifts the sleighing was pretty good. We were there all the after noon and they wanted us to stay to tea but the wind was getting worse all the time so we thought it was better to leave before dark. We drove around the other way coming home past McQueen's and the Mill as we weren't shure about getting through the other way. It was getting very much colder and in some places I couldn't see any farther than Joe's head for the drifting snow we got home just about dark, the lane out here was full and we all had to get out for to let Joe get through</p> <p>Dad walked down to Alfred's this after noon and to Art's as Mrs Tuck asked Frank in Sunday school to let them know that old Mrs. Sindor. had another stroke. Dad got very cold, and says Alfred isn't feeling much better yet. Quint stayed here all night. Aunty read to us all the evening, but I went to sleep before she finished.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Monday March 3rd</p> <p>Dad didn't feel very well to-day so we did not do anything out side but chores and cut a little wood. We also started to make out a list of seeds to send for to Simmer's</p> <p>It snowed pretty much all day, was cold and windy this morning but the wind went down a little and it was a great deal milder this afternoon. Dick did not come home to tea to-nigh but went to O.Y.P.O. I had quite a piano practice to-night.</p> <p>Tuesday March 4th</p> <p>I drove Dick down town this morning as the walking was so bad, we were to late in starting to take Frank. When I got back Enah was ready to go down with 10 lbs of butter so after cleaning out the stables I drove her down, she got 30 cts a lb. for the butter, we didn't get back much before noon.</p> <p>Allan Law came over to get one of us to help him shovel out the cut on the side road out here but as neither could go he said he wasn't going to do it alone and so departed after breaking the handle of our snow shovel while talking. Dad felt very miserable to-day so we didn't do any thing much this after noon but finish making out our list of seeds. Aunty got a letter from Miss Scott this afternoon saying that a little daughter arrived yesterday afternoon to Ray &amp; Vernon. Aunty couldn't make out from the letter whether they were extra anxious about Vernon or not, but we didnt get any more word to-night so Dad. thinks every thing must be all right.</p> <p>We are afraid that all our cats except Fits and her mother have gone where they don't play billiards as neither the grey or black cat has showed up for the last two or three milking times. I had a good practice on horn &amp; piano to-night. It snowed a little to-day but was pretty sunny &amp; not cold.</p> <p>Wednesday March 5th</p> <p>I drove Aunty &amp; Dick down town, this morning. Aunty got Cousin Willie to telephone Ray and find out how things were, he said they were doing better and said there would be a letter from him on the noon train. I drove around town while waiting for Aunty as I didn't want to keep Joe waiting. Bah. Miller asked me if we could keep a ewe for awhile for him as didn't want to kill it yet.</p> <p>Aunty found out from Aunty Maude that Mrs. Baugner's friend Mr. Hamer the great Shropshire man was coming to Mr Scofield's this afternoon so Dad. &amp; I went down and met him and thought he was a very nice fellow. We have</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>been troubled lately by a very disagreeable odour in the dining room and until this morning have been unable to discover the cause, but upon investigation Dad found our two cats the black one and the white one which disappeared from the horse stable so mysteriously lying dead in the garret directly over the dining room stove, where it was warm. Frank found the remains of the grey cat underneath the cultivator in the barn to-night, our once great supply of cats has now dwindled down to two head.</p> <p>Dick had to work to-night so did not get home to tea. Mrs. McBain. died very suddenly this morning about ten o'clock. I had a pretty good practice to-night. Rather cold, but sunny, windy to-night.</p> <p>Thursday March 6th</p> <p>Helen Agusta Wind was here to-day, so in honor of her visit we didn't do any thing but chores, and not all of them as we didn't clean out the horse stable at all, for the first time this winter.</p> <p>This afternoon I walked down town to get the mail as Dick wasn't coming home to tea to-night. The lane was full of snow-drift so we couldn't drive. To night I went down to the Orchestra dance, I didn't decide to go till just in time to get ready but the wind had died down, so it wasnt so bad going. Dick was there and we had a good time, the only boots I could find to wear, were a pair of thinsoled paten leathers of Dad's, they were about a foot too long for me but worked pretty well, we got home about three in the morning; it was freezing hard and I guess was the coldest night this winter. Frank didn't go to school to-day on account of a bad cold.</p> <p>Friday March 7th</p> <p>Dad. and I started to dig out the lane this morning but Sam Law came over about ten o'clock and got Dad. to go and help dig out the our cut on the side road and at the winding hills, so I didn't get finished here.</p> <p>This afternoon we did chores, and I walked down and got the mail and my hair cut. Frank was in the house all day to-day again and feels pretty sick. Dick brought home a book to-night which he persisted in reading out loud and so I could not get this written. Had a practice on my horn. It has been freezing hard all day but sunny and no wind.</p> <p>Saturday March 8th</p> <p>Dad. and I did up the chores this morning, we also finished shovelling out the lane. I drove Enah down town this after noon to sell her butter and do shopping</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>I didn't wait for her standing as I was afraid Joe would get cold so drove around town I picked up Roy Dell and afterwards Quint &amp; Jim Math piled in too but they didn't stay long. When we got home Mr. &amp; Mrs. Morley Buck and kids were over just leaving. Mrs. Buck had been comparing babies but thought Tiddums would be not much account as he didn't sleep out doors. Jack Martin came over this after noon while we were gone and took all his roosters.</p> <p>Dick didn't come home to tea to-night we supposed he had to work. We started to have a practice to-night but Tiddums had to wake up and be fed just as we got started and it looks now as if I was in for a bath. It has been much milder to-day snowed this morning and is almost thawing this evening before sundown.</p> <p>Sunday March 9th</p> <p>The boys went to Sunday school this morning, Aunty stayed home to mind Tiddums so as to let Dad. &amp; Enah go to church, we started rather late and it was beginning to rain before we got to the corner it was pouring so hard we came back.</p> <p>Frank did not go to church. This after noon we didn't do anything much Dad. did all the chores and Enah &amp; I practiced Dick read, he was very disappointed as he has been counting on a sleigh ride this afternoon but the sleighing is nearly all gone, although a cutter &amp; bob sleigh did go past in the mud. It has been very mild &amp; sunny this after noon but every thing is flooded.</p> <p>Monday March 10th</p> <p>Dad. and I loaded up some wheat oats this morning and took it down to be chopped. This after noon Dad drove Aunty down to the McBains and on down town to get the mail and then drove around by the mill for the chop</p> <p>Just after dinner Allan Law drove in with his new buggy and harness and wanted to go to Jarvis after the blue grass money, so I went with him. the roads were a little muddy but not bad we went down and back in three hours, and were there half an hour or more. We got eight dollars for our seed with 17 lbs of alsike in it and Allan got a little over five for his. we didn't expect any more. He gave us 2 1/2 cts for the blue grass @ 17 cts per lb for the alsike. Allan bought me a cigar and I was fool enough to smoke it on the way home. It was my first whole one and although I didn't suffer any ill effects from it I think it will be my last because I don't see any sense in it.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Mrs. McBride has been here washing to-day. Cliff Mc{Baird?} was in before break fast this morning to see if Dad would take their old mare but we couldn't so Dad told him to shoot her which he did this afternoon. Although they hated to do it, they couldn't manage any other was as they are all leaving for Toronto to-night. Dick did not get home to tea to-night. Very mild and sunny. snow going fast.</p> <p>Tuesday March 11th</p> <p>Teddy George was in before breakfast this morning to get Dad. to go over to Monteith's to see a sick cow Dad. fed the calves and had a cup of coffee but when he got over there the cow was dead. After doing up the chores Dad hooked up Joe &amp; Ginger and we hauled up a load of rails.</p> <p>This afternoon we put a load of timothy on the rack to haul to the horse stable in the morning when the ground is frozen. Dad had been carrying blue grass over lately. Frank went down to see a health car to-night so was late getting home. Just before ten Hazen &amp; Murray drove in to tell Dick that he needn't go to work to night but Dick didn't come home anyway. Murray says he is home on sick leave but not very sick. Miss Monteith &amp; Mrs Welch were in this after noon. Mild. muddy and springlike</p> <p>Wednesday March 12th</p> <p>Lorne Myers and his father came in first thing this morning to get a load of the threshed blue grass which Dad. told him he could have for five dollars a load, while they were putting it on we took Joe &amp; Ginger and hauled our load of timothy over to the horse stable. Bill Donald came in just as the Myers were going and it was nearly noon when he left. Dad. discovered Queen had cut a nasty gash in her right fore leg just above the fetlock, he thought at first the tendon was cut but when he bathed it after dinner found it wasn't; he feels very badly about it and is afraid it will always be rough there.</p> <p>This afternoon we weighed and took Alfred's bushel of clover seed to him. He his pretty sick yet. When we got back we went out and cleaned out the road ditch running on the south side of the wheat field - as it was full of snow - and was hacking a {big?} pond on to the wheat. The seeds we sent to Simmer's for came to-day. Froze last night but sunny &amp; thawing to-day looks like a big storm.</p> <p>Thursday March 13th</p> <p>We bathed Queen's leg and did chores this morning Aunty went down town to the dentist and stayed down to go to Bible class this afternoon Dad. drove down</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>after her about half past four. This after noon Dad &amp; I moved quite a lot of the threshed blue grass out of the drive way into the barn. To night Dick and I went down to band practice but there wasn't any thing much going on as a lot of them were practicing at the Presbyterian concert. Dick couldn't get his cornet as Bill Graham has taken it. Murray was playing a lot of the new song hits over on the town hall piano for Walt Perce Brock was dancing to them.</p> <p>Vyse was over most of the morning. It rained a little but has been sunny &amp; warm Frank and Dad each saw a robin to-day and Dick said he saw two or three, they are the first I have heard of.</p> <p>Friday March 14th</p> <p>I didn't get up early this morning and had the blues for most of the forenoon. We fixed up the ice house a little more and put some tar paper and siding on the front of it so that it looks ever so much better.</p> <p>This after noon we trimmed apple trees we got two pretty well browsed in two hours and a half. The cows all went back to the gully this after noon, when I went back for them they were nosing around half way to the culvert but they came when I called them.</p> <p>Lila came over with Frank to stay all night. Dick came home to tea. After we sat down to tea Roy Bannister came after Dad. to go and see their old horse which he said was choking. Dad. had his tea and then went over to see it.</p> <p>Tiddums allowed Enah to play the whole evening for Dick and me. and I didn't go to bed till about eleven. It has been a beautiful day quite hot but to-night a very heavy thunder storm came up and it rained &amp; hailed nearly all evening, that in the spring means cold weather.</p> <p>Saturday March 10th</p> <p>We got up pretty fairly early this morning and Dad discovered that the calves were in the sheep pen and upon investigation found that they had come through the barn and had let the sheep all out. we supposed the wind last night had blown the barn doors open. Another little bit of excitement we had was Dick discovering that Lila had come in to his room before he was awake and taken his Romany Club pin of his coat. and she wouldn't give it back. She said he had no right to it as he didn't belong to their club. but he said he was going to keep it as they had sold it to him. We found out later when Winnie came over that Lila had lost hers, and there wasn't anothe one so she had taken Dick's but Win persuaded</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>to give it back as they had found the lost one. I think Dick bought it so as there wouldn't be enough to go round and led them to under stand he was buying it for another member of the club. We got the chores done up pretty early but didn't get any thing else much done.</p> <p>Dad. went over to Bannister's to see their horse and says he thinks it will die. Roy came back with him and fooled around with Frank nearly all morning and at last went home with an Horatio Alger book after Frank had showed about half a dozen {"tame" illegible} Win and Lila went home soon after dinner.</p> <p><br />This afternoon Dad drove Enah and Frank down town, Enah sold her butter and Frank got a new suit which he is highly delighted with. Dad arranged with Marshall to send our cream to the butter factory in April.The roads were a fright, frost nearly out in some places. I cut wood and cleaned out enough threshed blue grass to shut the barn doors. It rained this morning this after noon very high wind and colder not quite freezing to-night. Dick had to work tonight. Tiddums on the mend slept most of the day.</p> <p>Sunday March 16th</p> <p>Aunty said the boys went down to sunday school &amp; church I helped Dad do up some of the chores and then left here about eleven for church. I was a little late of course so sat in the back with Dick &amp; Fred Tuck. Quint came over to dinner with us and this afternoon he Dick &amp; I went down town and sat around down at the Vigilant with Jim {Muth?} till six. Dick stayed down to tea at Huby's but I came home. Dad did up the chores. It froze last night and has been much colder to-day with a sharp wind. Freezing pretty hard to night. Snow flurries to day.</p> <p>Monday March 17th</p> <p>Dad. and I caught the two young gobblers this morning and put them up over the pig pen, where we hope to get them in a corpulent state, one for home consumption and the other to convert into cash, we started before dinner to move more alsike &amp; bluegrass threshing and this after noon got it all out of the drive way and piled in one corner of the empty bent in the barn as high as was convenient to pich, there is still quite a pile in the shed.</p> <p>Enah went down town to church this afternoon, there is church every afternoon this week now. Dick came home with her. Tom. Abbot was in this morning to see Dad. about his mare who has distemper. It froze pretty stiff last night and there has been a rather sharp breeze to-day but sunny.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Tuesday March 18th</p> <p>I went down town this morning took some saws down for Emery to sharpen and got him to come over to morrow to help us build a smoke house. I also saw Huby and asked him to come over as Dad. wanted to speak to him about tendering for a mail route. He came over this afternoon and said he would think about it. I got a pair of low shoes and came home.</p> <p>This after noon we tore down most of the old chicken house as that is were we expect to get the material for the smoke house. Skinny Ryersie came over this after noon with the ewe Bol. {Milly?} wanted to keep her for awhile. He said it was one of my old ones, but I dont beleive I would have recognised it. Aunty went down to church this afternoon. Art Quanbury was in soon after dinner and got all the white wyandotte pullets (14). It has been very much milder but windy.</p> <p>Wednesday March 19th</p> <p>Emery did not show up this morning as we expected and we found out afterwards that he stayed at home to help Mrs. McPherson get ready to go to Courtright in the morning. Dad. and I finished taking the nails out of the old chicken house boards and I just hung around this after noon and went back to the gully where I heard a frog.</p> <p>Enah went down to church this afternoon. To-night Dick and Frank went to the show the Presbyterian church had in the town hall called "The Old District School" which they enjoyed very much. I had a good practice. Lovely day very mild the frost nearly all out.</p> <p>Thursday March 20th</p> <p>Emery came over this morning and built the smoke house getting it all finished by to-night. Dad. &amp; I helped him and I cleaned out the separator this after noon Aunty went down to church to-day. Emery stayed here to tea and Cecil came over here to find him.</p> <p>After tea Dick. Emery Cecil and I went down town &amp; I went to band practice Dick got his first long pants to-night but I don't think he likes them much. It rained a little and was threatening this morning but turned out fine and was a beautiful night.</p> <p>Friday March 21st</p> <p>It poured rain most of the morning. Frank and Enah went down to church as this is Good Friday. Cecil McPherson came over and said he thought I would</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>stay here awhile on his way to his Grandpa's, but owing to the weather he stayed till after dinner when his father came and called for him. A terrific wind got up about noon and blew things "galley west." It flatened our barnyard fence. tore some of the roof of our cow stable rooted up the old half dead mountain ash tree at the corner of the spare bedroom and blew over our new smoke house.</p> <p>We three boys went down town and found the water very high down at the pier. We noticed Woodson's tank has blown off its tower and their fence is lying all over the sidewalk. Aunty and I intended to go to church to-night but as the wind was so bad we decided to stay home and I had a pretty fair practice. Dick went down town to a party at {Bessie?} Gaham's.</p> <p>Saturday March 22nd</p> <p>Dad and I &amp; Frank fixed up the fence around the barnyard which blew down yesterday. Roy Bannister came over to spend the morning with Frank. This after noon Dad and I went down town to get some groceries. We have to take beef for Easter as the wind yesterday blew apart the pig pen door and both the turkeys got loose and we haven't caught them yet. We heard of quite a lot of damage being done around here several wind mills put out of business and the roof blew off Chast. Wooleys barn. but by the paper we see there is much more damage done in other parts of the province.</p> <p>Dad. got his hair cut and I waited around till he got through Mrs. Lawrie was here when we got back. I had a good practice to-night. Sunny with cold wind.</p> <p>Sunday March 23rd</p> <p>As this was Easter Sunday, Dad. and Enah managed to get down to church while Aunty looked after Tiddums. This after noon I wasted in sleeping and reading Dad &amp; Frank did all the chores. It was cloudy this morning and rained all the afternoon.</p> <p>Aunty wanted to go to church to-night but couldn't on account of the weather. Franks got 12 eggs to-day which is more than he has got since Christmas but for that it has seemed very un-Eastery.</p> <p>Monday March 24th</p> <p>I didn't do any thing much to-day but chores Dad &amp; Frank cleaned up the old barn, and I read a lot of "Tom Dick &amp; Harry". Jimmy Lawse came over quite</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>early this morning and got Fred. Dad. was disappointed Bob. didn't see her before she got all wet and muddy but I saw Bob to-night and he said she was in better shape than he expected. The fellow that lives down at the corner where Andre used to live was over this morning to see if he could buy some little pigs as he had a lot of milk going to waste, he seemed disappointed when he couldn't get them but Dad. didn't want to sell any and had had a lot speak before.</p> <p>It poured rain all last night and most of the morning but was clear all the afternoon. About dark it began again and kept it up all night to-night. Dick and I went down to the Orchestra dance to-night, it was raining so hard when we left about 3 am that we went down to Huby's. I just took off my coat and boots and lay on the sofa. Dick I guess turned in with Quint. About six I came home. Dick spent about half of his holiday yesterday in bed and the other half in town.</p> <p>Tuesday March 25th It poured rain all last night and this forenoon, the mud is terrible. Tobe and Dick stayed at Hubert's after the ball. Tobe got home just as Frank and I were getting the fires going. We did very little but chores all day, the papers are full of the awful loss of life and property caused by the storm on Good Friday. It was fair for a little while this afternoon but is raining and freezing a little tonight.</p> <p>Wednesday March 26th A very heavy fog this morning, but mild the ice was dropping from the trees, we took Joe and Ginger on the lumber wagon and moved the big bin from the drive house over to the old barn there we put on three sacks of oats to go to the mill, we got there and then on down town. Aunty went with us, (Frank &amp; me) she stayed down town. Frank and I got home about noon with our chop and our flour.</p> <p>After dinner we cleaned up some wheat. Aunty got home about six. Dick did not get home to tea. Toby went down to have a practice. It is a dark dismal night and not knowing whether to snow or rain.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Thursday March 27th</p> <p>It blew &amp; snew all day so we didn't do any thing out side but chores. I drew a little this morning while Dad. paid a visit to Alfred and Frank worked at his Mecanno. We weren't sure whether Dick would be home to-night with the mail. I walked down after it, I saw Dick and we went down and got our Science books and I brought them home.</p> <p>I took my horn down this afternoon and went down to band practice to-night. Dick did get home to tea after all. The papers are full of accounts of the awful floods in Ohio.There has been a blizzard most of the day and to-night is freezing quite stiff. Snow all over again</p> <p>Friday March 28th</p> <p>We put in most of the day to-day hauling hay. We had two motives for so doing. first because we were out of hay both in horse stable and cow barn. and secondly because we wanted to get at the clover which was under what we hauled for the sheep, we just cut a square out of one corner of the blue grass mow and took out all the blue grass till we struck clover. We could only haul half loads as the mud under the frozen crust was to hard to pull through but Joe &amp; Ginger did it. We hauled one half load to the other barn and half a one to the horse stable and put half a one on the rack Frank pitched out of the mow Dad pitched on and I loaded.</p> <p>Enah went down town this morning and Aunty went calling at Brileys &amp; Martin's this afternoon. It has been very sunny all day but a cold wind, freezing to-night.</p> <p>Saturday March 29th</p> <p>Frank, Dad and I cleaned up more wheat this morning but have quite a lot left yet. Nig. came over this morning and he and Frank went back hunting this after noon around the gully. I went back too with my camera. I intended to follow the south creek to its source but as I couldn't get across it and there were several branches to it I had to keep on the south of every branch. I was led at last nearly to Colin {McKellige's?} barn - and then I went down to Cedar swamp in quest of skunk cabbage but as I was on the wrong side of that creek and the log was gone I didnt find any, I think it is a little early any way. I heard a dog barking down the stream and upon investigation, discovered Billy Louis &amp; Balby</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Wright with their dog's. I talked to them awhile and then came part way home with Billy the same way I came went. Dad. and Aunty went down town this after noon. Dad. settled up with Bob Miller for Fred. he got $60.00 for her, just what he asked and Bob said she was worth it. Bob offered him $48.00 for the twelve little pigs now but Dad. doesn't want to sell them till he has spoken to the othe people who have asked for them, he saw Carl Coleman coming over here on his way home with his cow who had another piece of turnip in her throat. Dick did not get home to tea to-night. It has been much milder to-day and very sunny.</p> <p>Sunday March 30th</p> <p>I went down to church this morning. Aunty and the boys went down to Sunday School and church. Dick stayed down at Huby's to tea dinner. This after noon I decided to take a walk up to Wooley's to make sure whether the roof was off his barn or not as we have heard conflicting reports concerning it. I fell in with Jacks Spain &amp; Winn, Lewie Larose &amp; Geordie Spain. and they came to the conclusion that they would go with me, but Lewie didn't go very far. The rest of went up to Wooley's point with out much adventure, then I left them there to go and ascertain the facts of the barn case, and found it in perfectly good condition and I didn't think it was likely they would have it all fixed up so soon.</p> <p>I came back to the lake just by Hay Creek and saw the other fellows down the beach, and saw by their foot prints that they had kept on the beach so I thought if they could go that way I could too but soon found out that I was very much mistaken. I got into quicksand above my boot tops and just covered myself with mud (I was fool enough to have worn my good clothes) I lost one rubber and fished around with my fingers for about five minutes before I found it. I struck for the bank at the first opportunity and stayed there till I got to where I knew I wouldn't have to cross any more mud. I washed my rubbers off as well as I could.</p> <p>When I got down to McCoy's bush I found Skinny &amp; Perce Ryersie with Fred Tuck Bangers &amp; Smock making maple syrup they had quite a quantity of sap gathered and were boiing it down right there. I took a picture of them and then homeward plodded my weary way, via the back streets of Dover thus escaping the notice of most of the good people who might scoff at my appearance. I stopped at Huby's</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>to try and brush off some of the mud but did not succeed he gave me a piece of Sassafras root which Mr Henderson had got. Lovely sunny day but muddy in spots.</p> <p>Monday March 31st</p> <p>Dad. went off this morning to settle up about the sale of his little pigs, he saw. John Quanbury &amp; Vyse and they didn't want to block the sale of the bunch so he sold the eleven of them to Bob. Miller for forty five dollars he had given the runt to Frank so couldn't sell it with the rest. I did the chores up and Tapper came through on his way down town.</p> <p>This afternoon the old man that lives down at the corner came up here with his cream to churn as Dad. told him he might this morning. Part of the barn gate fence blew down in the morning and some of the cattle got into the field. About four o'clock Dad. and I went up to Ham Thompsons and Dad bought his registered short horn bull calf for fifty five dollars although he wanted sixty as he says their price has gone up very much lately. We didn't get home till six so were late with the chores. Dick did not get home to tea to-night I suppose as it is the last of the month It rained alittle this morning, cloud, windy and colder to-night.</p> <p>Tuesday April 1st</p> <p>There was a very strong wind blowing all day to-day and as wind makes Dad. sick &amp; mad. we didn't do anything but chores, but did them thoroughly, we also went out and I held the ladder while Dad nailed a board on the eve of the cow stable roof, as the wind was getting under our roofing paper and tearing it.</p> <p>This afternoon I slept most of the time and Dad made some meat hooks out of the rod he got from Butler the other day. Aunty went down town this morning and stayed down till after the auxillary this after noon. Dick did not get home to tea.</p> <p>I had a good practice to-night. Ed. Aikens was in this after noon to see Dad. about a dog which he left here to be looked after. Cold but sunny to-day. Froze pretty stiffly last night but the wind dried up a lot of mud.</p> <p>Wednesday April 2nd</p> <p>Dad. and I put up the barnyard fence again this morning which the wind blew down the day before yesterday While we were at it the old man at the corner, whose name he told us was Mr. Green, but who is commonly known as Jonas by the surrounding neighbourhood.) came in and bargained for a load of hay. Dad. said he</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>would let him have a load of thashed alsike for five dollars but would not deliver it with the roads in the shape they are, so this after noon he got Allan Law to come and get it for him, his wife came last night so he is a little more cheerful, Charlie Martin was over this morning for awhile to see about getting some meat smoked and he helped us raise the smoke house. We chopped up the old mountain ash tree that blew down and got a small pile of firewood from it.</p> <p>This after noon we didn't do much as Allan Law and his friend Jonas came after the latter's hay and we stayed out at the barn watching them work. Tupper came in soon after their exodus and entertained us for about an hour relating the history of Jonas, &amp; Sairy his wife as he had known them in the days of his youth when they lived near Waterford. It appears that Jonas has a few shingles of his roof and that some of Saiway's "as Jonas evidently calls her are loose. It was rather late in the life of each of them when they entered upon their matrimonial career and all has not been perfectly clear sailing since as they now and then strike a rock in the shape of a pugilistic bout, in which the old lady generally comes off with the laurels. Many were the anecdotes he told of pranks &amp; tricks enjoyed by the juvenile portion of the comunnity at Mr. Green's expence and one case where that gentleman's claw's did him a good service in peeling a youth's face with whom he was engaged in battle.</p> <p>Aunty went down town this after noon and brough back a note from Mrs. Lawson containing news of the arrival of a new member to the house of Tupper, and it was to be delivered to the head of that house. Mrs. Tupper is down at Mrs. Lawson's and the stork called yesterday morning but Mrs. Lawson hadn't seen anybody to carry the tidings home. Tupper said this after noon he in tended to call down there the end of this week or the beginning of next to see if there was any thing doing, he supposed they would let him know if a boy came but if it was a girl he didn't care a cent. Poor Tupper it was a girl and he was going fishing to-night.</p> <p>Just before ten to-night Billy Barlow drove in he had been down in this country after beef and dropped in to see us and Dad sold him his two gobblers. Dick did not come home to tea to-night but I went down to private band practice and we came home to gether. {Pat Slow...?} Roy Dell &amp; Walt were at band practice and we had a fairly good one. Very nice day to-day Sunny and quite mild, Roads are drying up fast. Blacker than a stack of black cats to-night. Found 4 duck eggs in mudpuddle</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Mr. Green came in this morning for a little visit before breakfast and sat by the door with his hat on all the time we were eating. We couldn't do very much out side to day on account of the weather but this morning we finished cleaning up the wheat and this after noon started to clean up oats but didn't get much done Emery came over with the pieces he is going to put on the bed piece of the rack to rest on the holster instead of the cross pieces on the holster but he couldnt finish the job as the bolts he brought over didn't have a long enough thread cut on them.</p> <p>Tonight I went down to band practice with Emery. I wore my steel boots and gaiters to keep off the mud and I left my horn at Hubys. It has rained nearly all day to-day with thunder and lightening but seems to have cleared off to-night.</p> <p>It seems there is a new fellow now negotiating with the town concerning a canning factory they have formed a joint stock company and yesterday sold $8000 worth of shares they want to sell $15000 worth.</p> <p>Friday April 4th</p> <p>Dad. &amp; I drove Joe &amp; Ginger up to Simcoe to-day. Dad went to Frank Reid's and paid the intrest on the mortgage and $1000 of the principal which Aunty got and wanted to pay last fall but couldn't as they wouldn't take it till the right date. We got there just a little after twelve and Dad. just caught Mr. Reid as he was leaving for dinner we also called around to see Billy Barlow but his shop door was locked so we dropped in at Church's and got our old harnessed fixed and came home getting here about half past three. The roads were very bad in some places especially in the streets of Simcoe, we didn't go by the half way house but turned at the cemetry corner and came out on the gravel at St. John's as Carl Coleman told me the other night there was a bad place near Brad. Bowlby's but we found the back roadway good condition.</p> <p>We had our dinner and did up a few chores after we got home Charlie Martin came over just before tea and tuned the piano Dick came home to tea. It has been cloudy and threatening all day but quite mild. It rained before and after we were at Simcoe but was fair all the time we were gone. Quint was over a couple of times after some ducks, Frank saw in the timothy field. But -</p> <p>Saturday April 5th</p> <p>Frank and Dad. went up to Ham. Thompson's about the first thing this morning and got our bull, they were gone quite a while as he gave them considerable trouble</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>and got away once and ran way down the track. We have to think of name for him as is to be registered. While they were gone Quint and George Haymaker came along, they had come up the creek and came over here to see if the dudes were here, but they weren't. George wanted to know if I knew any body around here by the name of Mull or some name sounding like that, who kept brown leg horn chickens and lived a long way in from the road; by this last hint I suppose I mentioned Tapper which proved to be the correct answer; they didn't know the way over there so I showed them part way as George wanted to get some eggs.</p> <p>This afternoon Frank &amp; Enah went down town for supplies. I cut wood and Dad carried hay and then we hung the hams all up in the smoke house Dick didn't come home to tea to-night. It has been colder and windy to-day with quite a snow storm to-night.</p> <p>Sunday March April 6th</p> <p>Aunty and the boys went down to Sunday school and I went to church this morning. This afer noon I drew a pattern to carve and Dick went down town. Dad. did nearly all the chores. Toby and Hallie have gone in to have some music so I told him I would finish this, there is little more to say. It has been a cold miserable day, quite a wind with occasional snow flurries, it is freezing hard tonight.</p> <p>Monday April 7th</p> <p>I didn't do anything much to-day, helped Dad. a little clean out the place where we had the calves as he wants to build a stall for the bull (who by the way we have decided to call Dreadnought after Aunty's suggestion) in one corner of it. Dad. lit a fire in the smoke house this morning and about noon Art Quanbury came over with Charlie Martin's hams and some side meat of his fathers which Dad promised to smoke. Bob. Miller came over and got the little pigs to-day. He paid $44.00 for the eleven but left Runty for Frank, we left him in with the old sow but soon had to remove him as we heard a terrible racket in the pig pen and when Dad went to investigate found the old sow with the little pig down and treating it in a very savage manner and if she had been left to continue would soon have killed it but as it was she didn't hurt it much Aunty went down town this after noon, and something or other struck Enah to go down to A.Y.P.A. to-night so Dad. went with her I guess it was because Aunty Maude was going to recite.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Dick did not get home to tea to-night we don't know whether he had to work or not. We think of getting up early in the morning and going fishing back in the gully. Ray Dell told Frank to-night that Earn. Fleming caught 6 pike above the culvert at our place yesterday or the day before. Mrs. McBride was here washing to-day. It was cloudy and inclined to snow this morning but turned sunny &amp; muddy &amp; mild this after noon. Lovely night. {indistinct marks on page}</p> <p>Tuesday April 8th</p> <p>Dad finished building his bull stall to-day. I didn't do much in the morning but this afternoon I pruned another apple tree. We got up about half past five this morning and started to the gully armed with a rifle and two pitch forks. We went down to the culvert and walked up but didn't see a sign of aquatic life except a mud turtle who was too cold to resist my picking him out of the water on my fork and some sort of a fish about a foot long which I speared at but missed. I also saw two minnows.</p> <p>Aunty went down town to the dentists this morning and was successful in finding the door unlocked and Bill in working order. Dick had to work to-night and said when he got home that got nearly through he only made a mistake of $1800.00. Froze hard last night, sunny &amp; breezy to-day.</p> <p>Wednesday April 9th</p> <p>This morning I started to clean up the lawn in front of the house and I raked the grass across the ditch. Then Dad. &amp; I went back to the gully and burned some of the old grass on the flat. After dinner went back again. we burned quite a lot of it but it is a little too wet to run. When we got back we bolted the pieces on the bed pieces of the rack.</p> <p>To-night I went down with my horn to practice but found there was a public meeting on in the hall and consequently no practice so I went to the meeting, it was about the new school bylaw. Mr. Ivey was speaking when I went in, and he was against it. Then Dr. Hicks &amp; Mr. Robertson who were for it had a little say, then Old Maneer &amp; Dr. Jolly the former for &amp; the latter against it. Old Maneer told us that as he had lived in the back woods all his life he had no education so would like to see a good school and that if nobody else would build it for less than $28000.00 he would take the contract himself. They spent a good part of the time arguing who was going to have the last word but Mr. Ivey left before it was over I think Dick &amp; I did any way and got home after eleven.</p> <p>Aunty went down town this morning and stayed down all night as Aunty Maude has not been at all well all day. It has been a nice day but with quite a cold wind.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Thursday April 10th</p> <p>It rained nearly all day so we didn't do much but chores. As I was cleaning out the stable this morning I got a sharp stitch in my side and had to go in the house and lie down till after dinner, and it was quite a while after dinner before it entirely left me. Aunty came over this morning.</p> <p>This afternoon Dad fixed up the boxstall door and cleaned &amp; admired Queen. To-night I went down to band practice to-night. There weren't many there as all the orchestra went to Port Rowan to a dance. Bob. Rankin was down and we had a pretty fair practice. Dick had to work all evening hunting for a mistake of 40 something dollars and we came home to-gether through the pouring rain.</p> <p>Quint got word by telephone to-day from Geordie Allen saying he had a job for him and he is to go to Port Coulborne to morrow night. He doesn't know yet what the job is but thinks it is on a boat.</p> <p>Friday April 11th</p> <p>Quint came over this morning to say goodbye to us and I went out with him to get his traps which he set for the ducks and we scared up six but were too far away to get a shot at them. Aunty went down with Quint and is going to stay down all night I went over as far as Martin's with them and Aunty got Mrs. Charlie Martin to telephone down to see if Bagley &amp; Miller's car of potatoes had come yet but they hadn't so I went over again after the train should have come in but they weren't here.</p> <p>This after noon Jonas came over to prune apple trees. We hardly knew him as he has had his beard shaved off. he got over quite a lot of trees but didn't cut out any thing much but the suckers. He says he will be over to-morrow if it is fine but has to go to work for Ivey on Monday. I went down to-night to see Quint off. Dick was down and said he would have to look for his mistake again to-night. Cloudy &amp; very mild, windy</p> <p>Saturday April 12th</p> <p>Jonas came over at seven this morning and pruned in the orchard all day. He got pretty well over all the trees but I think they would stand a lot more being cut out of them. Dad &amp; I went down to Porter's in the lumber waggon and got back about two o'clock. The roads were awful in places. Art. Ryersie just scraped his hill before the rain so it was like a mortar bed, so to miss it we came home but the Plank road and it was just about as hard pulling down the hill above the brick yard as it would have been</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>pulling up Art. Ryersie's. Dad. &amp; Enah walked down town after dinner and did not get back till after six. Dad. voted for the School by-law and before he came home found out that it had carried by a majority of 10 in town but they hadn't heard from the town-ship yet, most likely the moss backs will be against it. I started to dig up the plum trees out on the front lawn this afternoon but the ground was too wet.</p> <p>Frank and I found the turkey nests right out here along the side of the road. Aunty came over this morning after she had voted. Dick is still in quest of his mistake. Jim Law was in here this morning trying to sell Enah some tea &amp; coffee but didn't. Dark &amp; threatening all day but quite mild.</p> <p>Sunday April 13th</p> <p>Dad. caught a whole family of rats in the horse stable last night in the cage trap, there was a mother and five ratlets. He had to drown them although he hated to. He also discovered that Bob's ewe had a lamb last night. Aunty &amp; the boys went down to Sunday school and I went down late to church.</p> <p>This afternoon Dick and I took some duck eggs down to Mrs. Tuck and Dick bought a film for Frank's camera with the money. We hung around the lake till about five o'clock with Roy Dell and then came home. We found Pud. Smythe &amp; his father had been here all the afternoon and were just going We went in on our way down to see Jona's colt which came this morning. It is a nice colt only one hind leg is crookeder than a snake fence. Enah went to church to-night and Dick went down with her but said he was not going to church. Lovely day, roads drying up fast.</p> <p>Monday April 14th</p> <p>Dad managed to poke a hole through the blocade in the center of the culvert this morning with a scantling and as there was such a head of water on it washed it out clear and in a few minutes it drained the lake that has been in the field on the west side of the road all spring &amp; winter. Then we grubbed out the six plum trees that were planted all in a heap along the lane in the lawn as they were full of black knot and haven't borne fruit since we came here so we want to plant a grape vine in their place. While we were out there Billy Louis drove along breaking his colt then Art. Ryersie, then Mr. Monteith came and each stopped to talk Charlie Martin came over and talked till nearly noon.</p> <p>This after noon I fixed the place up where we dug out the trees and Dad bunched them out. When we went out to the {Courslake?} we had to spend some time with Bolly who had a</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>big bull calf just come.We were rather late getting through to-night but Dad &amp; I went down to Mrs. {Halles?} as soon as we could get ready after tea. Dick came all the home after he had had his tea to tell Dad. to take his songs down but he didn't. We had a nice evening and enjoyed Miss Prest's playing on the violin very much. We got home about twelve and came with Dick who had just got through work as we came out.</p> <p>Aunty Maude went to London to-day as delegate to the W.A. Meetings and Aunty has gone down to keep house for Huby &amp; the girls Charlie Martin got his meat this after noon. and Dad is going to take ours out as it is smoked enough. It has been very nice &amp; sunny but with rather raw east wind.</p> <p>Tuesday April 15th</p> <p>Sam. Law came after Dad. this morning to put a team on the road scraper so he took Joe &amp; Ginger and has had them at it all day. They used the old three cornered dray that has been leaning up against our barn since the reign of Titus and just had the two teams on. Law's &amp; ours. Sam drove their team this morning and Allan drove this after noon. Dad got home about five to-night and said he would have been home half an hour earlier but they hauled the scraper to Law's and Sam was bound he should see their bull calf - and then Allan insisted on him going in to hear a record or two on his new graphaphone. I didn't do much but chores this morning but chores and this after noon took a walk over the estate. I found the wheat in some places to be pretty badly killed but where we ploughed the manure under it is pretty good and where it was top dressed is better than where there is none at all. On the fall ploughing I noticed that parts of the fields are dry as a bone hat in other places it is a little too soggy to work yet. I went back to the gully &amp; burnt a lot more grass but didn't have anything to carry the fire. I went back to the woods and saw quite a lot of May flowers and two garter snakes Dick came home to tea with the mail but had to go back to work. Mild, sunny &amp; breezy.</p> <p>Wednesday April 16th</p> <p>Dad. &amp; I went down first thing this morning with Joe &amp; Ginger &amp; the lumber waggon to get the team shod. we didn't get back till noon. I got some things up town and then went down to Huby's where Aunty showed me where to get some raspberriesroots. I also got a white rose root, one of the old bushes This afternoon I set them out but didn't get all the</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>raspberries put out. Dad got a load of rails, we intended if we had had time to have gone back and harrowed a little this after noon, Vyse has started disking. Frank &amp; Dick had tea at Huby's to-night as they are going to a show in the town hall. Jonas came over to night to pay Dad for what he owed him on the hay and got some apples. One of the hen turkeys died during the night. When Dad went out to feed the calves to-night he gave Frank's runt a big feed of milk - and when he returned he found the poor pig dead at the back of its pen. Lovely sunny day quite hot.</p> <p>Thursday April 17th</p> <p>Dad. started to work on the field this side of the gully on the east side of the lane with Joe &amp; Ginger. He harrowed all morning. I went back with him but just as we got back I noticed the colts out. I went back to put them in. Tig undertook to help me but as she chased them way over to the side road I shut her up in the stable I managed to get them back into the barn yard through the lane. While I was after them Taurus &amp; all the calves got out and I chased them for about an hour but a last had to shut them up just where they were. some of them in the clover field, John in the plum orchard and left Jim out on the road. I then planted out the raspberries and Dad put the calves in when he came up.</p> <p>This after noon Aunty came over for a few minutes Dad. took the disks back and disked what he harrowed this morning, some of the land is a little too wet to work yet. I did chores. and cleaned up my horn with some stuff of Quint's which Aunty brought over. its what they used down on the "Vigilant". and is great stuff.</p> <p>To-night I went down to band practice. Roy. Dell. Walt &amp; John Smith were the only ones there. Dad. went down with me and got the baby carriage which Mrs. Johnston sent to Enah. He came home with Dick who hasn't been working all the after noon. We went down to Huby's for awhile after practice Aunty Maude came home to-night. None of us expected her It has been a lovely day, sunny &amp; hot.</p> <p>Friday April 18th</p> <p>Dad and I worked on the land all day. I disked with Belle &amp; Harry and Dad harrowed wth the little team. We are just working up half the field and are going to try to get it in to morrow after noon. Enah took Tiddums down town this after noon in his fancy carriage. Aunty &amp; Win came over to-night. but Win had to go back after tea. Dick went home with her. Very warm, thunder &amp; lightening after tea but no rain to speak of.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Saturday April 19th</p> <p>I went out and disked all morning. Dad. and Frank got out the drill and cleaned up some oats, then Dad. came out and harrowed for a couple of hours before noon We didn't get out very early after dinner owing to chores and things but Dad. got sowed nearly all we have worked up and I harrowed after him Frank &amp; Roy Bannister have been hobnobbing to-gether this after noon. Frank went down to Law's after the butter and stayed quite awhile listening to the phonograph We didn't get in till late to-night and didn't get through tea till about nine I had a bath and went to bed</p> <p>Aunty was down town all the after noon. The old sow got out at noon and our efforts to recapture her were unsuccessful. Frank put some apples in her pen but she waited till we were all away before she ate them and then came out again. It froze last night and there has been a cold north wind all day very strong this after noon quite sunny.</p> <p>Sunday April 20th</p> <p>Aunty &amp; the boys went down to Sunday school and I came to church. Lila came over to dinner with us and is staying all night. This after noon, Lila Aunty and I went back to the woods and got some wild flowers. Frank rode his bicycle out to the Shand's and he &amp; Charlie rode out to Renton. Dick spent the after noon with the girls down town.</p> <p>Dicky Smith came over to see Dad. about pasturing a calf this summer, and Dad. said he would. Uncle Ward &amp; Aunt Lucy also came over. Enah went down alone to church to-night. It froze quite hard last night and there has been a cold wind to-day.</p> <p>Monday April 21st</p> <p>We have been working on the land all day. I went out to disk this morning but the ground was so frozen for an hour or two that it did very little good. Dad. took Joe &amp; Ginger and went down town this morning and got the potatoes which came at last. When he got back he came out and harrowed the rest of the morning and all the after noon. We are now cross disking &amp; cross harrowing it. and we think we will be able to sow to-morrow after noon.</p> <p>Sam. Law came over at noon to borrow the drill and Vyse came and got his roller. Mrs. McBride was here washing to-day. Aunty went down to Huby's to-night &amp; I went with her she expects to leave for Toronto to-morrow night. Cold, but sunny</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Tuesday April 22nd</p> <p>Dad. kept Frank home this morning and they cleaned up enough seed oats to finish this field. I I disked all morning and finished crossing the field. Dad came out a little before noon and started to drill and drilled all the afternoon just finishing up to-night. I followed him with the harrows and it was after six when I got through but the field is now put in, in good shape and running out the ditches is all that remains to be done. Dick did not come home to-night as he said if he didn't have to work he was going to an old time social in the Methodist church. Frank went to school this after noon &amp; he &amp; Dick went down to the station to see Aunty off.</p> <p>The cows knocked the fence down around the barn-yard and some of them got out so I had to come up to try &amp; put them in but I only got one in so I shut them up in the stable and fixed the fence as well as I could - as we both had to stop in the field for Dad to watch my team. It has been cloudy &amp; cool all the morning it looked threatening and did rain a little but this after noon it came out sunny &amp; hot.</p> <p>Wednesday April 23rd</p> <p>We had a terrific Thunder storm last night and as it was pouring rain when I woke at 5 this morning I had another little sleep. The rain cleared off and it came out very hot before noon I opened up a lot of ditches in the old corn ground and Toby and I trimmed up all the sheep. Dick did not come home to tea and Toby went to band practice after tea.</p> <p>Thursday April 24th We were up early this A.M. Frank went to Vyse's after the grass seeder, before breakfast. I had to go down to Art Ryerses first thing had a dickens of a job. Toby and I got the wheat ground all seeded and a lot of the ditches opened up on the Timothy sod, he had to go down to Joe Longs to see a cow, and after tea tonight I had to go down to old Jonas {Greens?}, The boys, Frank and Dick were at Wess's tea party. Tobe is down at band practice It has been very hot all day, every thing has grown since the rain</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Friday April 25th</p> <p>Toby, having finished a game of hide and seek with Dick and Frank is too tired to write so is exchanging work with me and is darning stockings.</p> <p>This moning was bright and very warm Toby &amp; Harry dug ditches in the old Timothy sod preparatory to sowing oats. They also burnt off the grass around the fences and set fire to a post. Sam Law extinguished the blaze before any damage was done.</p> <p>In the afternoon Toby disked the oat field. Harry did all the chores, brought up the harrows on the stone boat ready to take out in the morning, went out for a load of rails, came in and did up the chores for the night.</p> <p>At noon we had a visitation from our friend Jonas who has a sick cow and came for advice. This has been an exceedingly hot day, unseasonably hot.</p> <p>Saturday April 26th</p> <p>As our supply of milk has run out Frank has taken {much of this paragraph is too faint to make out}</p> <p>Sunday April 27th</p> <p>It rained all night nearly, not very hard but a steady cool rain, which will the wheat a lot of good and which is bursting the buds on all the trees. Frank went down to Sunday school and Dick and I went down to church.</p> <p>This after noon I read my self to sleep (although I tried not to) and so wasted half a day. Dad. &amp; Frank did chores. Dick went down town for awhile. It didn't rain much this afternoon. Mr. Lawrie was in church this morning &amp; Mr. Herbert prot. the sermon.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Monday April 28th</p> <p>This morning Dad and Toby packed the sawdust in around the edge of the ice-house and put some some blue-grass on top. Then we went out and cleaned up about 20 bushels of oats. Frank was sick all day and did not go to school. I think he feels better now as he is talking a blue streak.</p> <p>After dinner Dad went out and cleaned out ditches in the north-west field this side of the gulch. Toby did the chores in the afternoon and then went out and dug up two maple trees in the woods besides fooling around picking flowers.</p> <p>Between 4 and 6 o'clock while Frank was sleeping on the kitchen sofa and Enah was in the dining-room some unknown person came in and left a silver spoon on the kitchen table for Tiddums with his initials carved on it and then went away before anyone saw her or him. It was cloudy and windy all day with about ten minutes sunshine.</p> <p>Tuesday April 29th</p> <p>Dad. has been opening up ditches all day out in the field next Ivey's where we sowed the oats and is now pretty well finished. I cut some wood this morning and then went back to the woods and dug up a couple of maple trees one of which I brought up at noon with me &amp; we planted in place of one of the dead ones along the lane. This after noon I dug up two more and Dad. &amp; I put out one of them to-night. The other two I left down in the creek so as the roots wouldn't dry out. Frank has been home all day although he feels a lot better to-day.</p> <p>This after noon Wyatt Waddle came in with the {catalogue?} for the Massey Harris Company and he proved himself to be a good man for the company not only by persuading Dad. to order a manure spreader, but Dad. seemed to like him &amp; showed him Queen who he thought like everyone else was perfect. We got the manure spreader on easy terms as we don't have to make a payment on it till a year from next fall when we pay 28 dollars &amp; 50 dollars a year for the next two years.</p> <p>Dick told us to-night that Huby had got a job at the canning factory which they started work on to-day. He went down to the dance to-night. I only have five cents to my name so stayed home although I guess I could have got enough tin to take me sunny &amp; mild but a cool wind.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Wednesday April 30th</p> <p>This morning we planted out the four little trees which I had dug up, then we went over to see what the field looked like, it is getting pretty dry, from there we went over to see if Sam Law's wheat was any better than ours, but it wasn't. We found him over trimming up the limbs he had cut out of his orchard. As he was just contemplating a visit to Alfred who was disking the other side of the hedge we made a joint attack and sat around over there for about an hour. so by the time we had wandered back home it was noon.</p> <p>This after noon instead of working on the field as we had thought of doing, we took our wheat down to the mill. I went down and harrowed some sacks from Blight and we had to make two trips of it as the ground was a little soft. We had eighteen bags and it went over two bus {bushels}. to the bag, that job took up all the afternoon.</p> <p>Tonight I went down to band practice and came home with Dick. The school board were having a meeting, we heard after wards that Mr. Ivey called it but as none but kickers attended it soon adjourned with out any thing being done except Old Stringer falling down stairs coming out so Pud. Slocomb says. Nice day Mild &amp; sunny cool breeze.</p> <p>Thursday May 1st</p> <p>We worked on the land all day to-day. I disked &amp; Dad. harrowed, we have it in pretty nice shape now I went down to band practice to-night. Dick went down with me although he didn't have to work. Jonas came over to pay Dad for some hay he got this morning and he stayed half the night telling them stories of his experiences in the United States with, snakes bears and such like. Cars. Rankin told us to-night that his Dad is laid up with blood poisoning and is in pretty bad shape, they just moved back to town the other day It has been sunny and fair with a cool breeze.</p> <p>Friday May 2nd</p> <p>We worked on the land all day. I cross disked &amp; Dad. harrowed. We could have drilled it to day I suppose but thought we would have it in extra good shape. Enah took Tiddums down to Mrs. Battersby's this afternoon. I nearly went to sleep on the disk this afternoon It has been fair &amp; sunny. Sun set clear to-night.</p> <p>Saturday May 3rd</p> <p>Bill Oaks came over this morning with his grey horse</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>{This page is a duplicate of page 50}.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>which had hurt his head in the manger. Later in the morning he came over and borrowed the clover seeder, which he brought back at noon and had a short visit. All Ivey's men except the teamsters quit at noon on Saturdays now. and the factory closes at twelve instead of one.</p> <p>Dad. drilled what we have worked up to-day. Itook him till a little after noon and then he harrowed I hitched to the waggon this morning &amp; took the seed out and left the waggon for Frank to fill with rails and then disked nearly all of this end of the field the rest of the day. Frank did chores &amp; odd jobs.</p> <p>Charlie Batter{sby?} was in here to-night to see Dad about a colt which came this morning. I started to cut the lawn to-night. Dick went for a swim at the stump to-night, but I guess I will have to hit the tub. Very hot to-day. Dick went down town to-night to hear the result of the election recount, which they were having in Simcoe over the school by law but he couldn't hear.</p> <p>Sunday May 4th</p> <p>The boys went down to Sunday school and I went to church. This afternoon Dad. Enah &amp; Tiddums started to drive out to Jim. Waddles. but before they had gone far Tiddums objected so strongly to continuing the journey that they were forced to return. Lila had come over so Dad. took Frank &amp; her to Jim. Waddle's. Dick &amp; I went down town Dick went off with some girls. but I went up the beach. and hung around alone, till I was about cooked and then came home.</p> <p>We let Artful Dodger out to-night and he was so weak on account of always being shut up that he could hardly walk. Frank McBride came over to-night with a note from his mother saying to send the washing over there as she would be unable to come here so Frank went back with it to-night with Frank Mc. Lila stayed to tea, and Dick went down home with her after. It has been exceptionally hot to-day but is cooler to-night and feels as if it had rained somewhere near.</p> <p>Monday May 5th</p> <p>We got a fairly good early start. I cross disked all day and Dad. harrowed. This after noon Dad was afraid it was going to rain so went &amp; got the drill and some seed &amp; put in all we had worked up about 2 acres. If it doesn't rain we will be through on that field to-morrow. Caw. Rankine was in here to-night to have Dad. look at his horse's teeth as {Schavley?} had told him that if a horse got wolfe teeth</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>it would go blind. After tea Mrs. McBride brought the washing back. It has been very hot to-day and looks rainy. Fred's calf got out two or three times to-day and tried our patience sorely at it's own cost. Mully also got out but went in easier.</p> <p>Tuesday May 6th</p> <p>We finished up the field to-day. Dad. has to sow a little by hand around the water holes and he may harrow the whole field over. I disked all day. &amp; Dad. harrowed and drilled. I took seed out in the waggon this morning but we had to clean up another sack at noon to finish with. I brought back rails in the waggon both at noon &amp; to-night. I cut lawn before tea till Dick came &amp; inticed me to play catch with him. Very much cooler to-day with quite a breeze this after noon</p> <p>Wednesday May 7th</p> <p>Dad. went out this morning and sowed by hand around the water holes and then harrowed all day on that field. It is now finished all but running &amp; cleaning the ditches. I brought the disks up and disked on the old corn ground all day and got nearly over it. It is pretty hard but we think we will be able to get about 3 inches on top worked up for barley. Tonight at tea time Jonas came over with a guinea hen which he presented us with as a reward for our neighborly conduct towards him. He got a setting each of duck &amp; turkey eggs. I was going down to band practice so went down with him as he was going down town. He confided to me after we had got a short distance from the house in an almost inaudible whisper that they had an awful funny feller as a boarder. His peculiarity evidently lay in the fact that he went down town before &amp; after tea.</p> <p>As I was coming home an Englishman passed me and I thought likely he was Jona's funny boarder &amp; upon inquiry I found I was correct. Went we got to the top of Prospect hill we found Jonas &amp; Allan Law so I enjoyed the pleasure of the company of them nearly home. I heard Redface - the funny feller. tell his lanlord. that he would have to drive Bill's team to-morrow as he was going away with a gentleman from Toronto, as I saw Jack Paine up town to-night, I surmised that old Bill had a dose of Tong Point fever. I guess he is insurable.</p> <p>I went up to the bank to-night to see why Dick hadn't turned up. When I knocked Dick came to the door &amp; I was just going to step in and swear at them when I caught a glimpse of a stranger Then Dick who looked very care worn motioned me</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>back and informed me that the inspector was paying them a visit, and they would likely have to work every night for a week, he had his wheel anyway so I didn't wait for him It has been rather cool to-day and looks frosty to-night.</p> <p>Thursday May 8th</p> <p>We went out this morning and ran the ditches in the oat field. Then Dad ploughed a ridge along the west side of the old corn field, it couldn't be ploughed before on account of the old rails lying there. This after noon we turned the cattle &amp; two colts back the lane. We let the two fillys out in the pasture field and they &amp; the colts have been hanging around on opposite sides of the lane fence ever since, we managed to get the colts in the box stall to-night.</p> <p>We went back to the gully to fix fence, but didn't have very good luck. We barricade the gap into the other pasture and then Dad started to dig out a post that was broken off and while he was prying on the shovel handle he broke it so we had to cobble the rest up by hand as well as we could. Dicky Smith came over to-night to see if we had turned our cattle out yet and I went down town with him to band practice, got home about eleven. It froze last night but has been sunny &amp; nice to-day.</p> <p>Friday May 9th</p> <p>I went out and finished disking the old corn field this morning and Dad brought out the old cultivator but after going a few rounds he decided that it was going to be lumpy and hard to put barley on so we thought we would leave it, manure it and summer fallow it which would be better farming anyway. We brought up the disks and the plow &amp; harrows and Dad ploughed the garden over again, this after noon he disked &amp; harrowed it, so that it looks pretty nice only it is inclined to be lumpy. I got my currant bushes and grapevines from Simmer's yesterday and spent the in putting them out and staking them to protect them from the curse'd hens. I also cut a little lawn</p> <p>Dick Smith brought his heifer, Joe, over to-night. It has been cold &amp; raw all day. I wore my over coat while disking and then was cold. Robert John Watson was in here to-night to inquire about a colt "Mable". Dad enjoyed his elevating conversation for he has a most extraordinary vocabulary which is all his own.</p> <p>Saturday May 10th</p> <p>Frank got us all up early this morning as he had to get down to the Canning factory by seven</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>where he has been all day setting out tomato plants in baskets. He told us the other night that hands (his size) were wanted and hasen't talked of much else since, he was to get 8 cts @ hour but has got his envelope yet, as they are not through. Vyse came over this morning and Dad broke the news of our spreader deal and he took it calmly although he thinks we made a big mistake in not putting in with him &amp; Mr Fleming on his John Deere as he "conscientiously believes it to be the best in Americy".</p> <p>I went down this morning for the purpose of obtaining some particulars concerning a load of hay which Mrs. Battersby is purchasing from us through the agency of John but as that gentleman was in bed with a cold. I failed to recieve any valuable data. so I came home and mowed lawn till noon. Dad took back Alfred's bags this morning and borrowed his shovel with the intention of cleaning out the ditches in the oat field but as he found in Alfred an opponent to the building of a new school, he stayed and argued till noon.</p> <p>I read most of the after noon and then went out and assisted Dad to rearrange the implements in the old shed so as to create a space for the old waggon we then repaired a little fence to enable us to turn out the old sow, but it didn't take her a great while to discover the weak spots in the {rockery?} which we call a fence and now she is at liberty. I think Dick came home to tea. and says our manure spreader has arrived It froze ice last night and has been very cold to-day</p> <p>Sunday May 11th</p> <p>Frank &amp; Dick went down to sunday school &amp; Frank &amp; I went to our church but Dick attended the Presbyterian as he saw no-one to associate with in the back pews of the Episcopal. This after noon Dad &amp; I drove up to Dunkin's to see how many lambs he had; but he has had no better luck than we, for his flock has only increased by one ewe lamb. He is really worse off than we are because two of his ewes now won't have lambs till they are three years old wile ours are all yearlings and if any thing will be better off. Dunkin him self was at church but his son was home, he gave Dad. guinea fowl to mate with the one Jonas gave us but when we got it home we learned they were both of the feminine gender from the fact that the new comer requests imaginary foes</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>to retrace their steps by the imperitave sentence "Go back" and it seems the gentlemanbird of the species is not addicted to that habit. It was nearly six when we got home. Enah was down at Art Ryersie's with Tiddums the Wicked. Dick has been gone all the after noon and has patronized the church again to-night as he said he would be home to tea if he didn't. Frank has been knocking around the woods all the afternoon. He tried to bargain with Tupper for a guinea cock but he had no success.</p> <p>It has been sunny to-day but a cold wind. Walt McCall &amp; his retinue came over in his automobile this morning and was agreeably surprised in Dolly. He says he is going to take her up and train her now. He wants Dad to keep his mare for him this summer. Frank Faulkner was over this morning too to see about bringing over his heifer calf to pasture. He brought her over to-night. It froze ice last night and I wrote to Aunty Alice &amp; Uncle Hal to-night.</p> <p>Monday May 12th</p> <p>We didn't do any thing much the first part of the morning but Dad. went and cleaned out the ditch in the oat field. I barricaded two of the four little trees which are in the pasture field to protect them from the ravages of Queen. Dad. took Alfred's shovel back and I barricaded the other two trees. Frank started off about nine o'clock this morning on his wheel for Dunkin's to return the guinea hen which he had tied in an old sack on his back. Just as we were thinking of starting out to look for him to night about four o'clock he came home with a rooster guinea which sings properly in a bass voice. He had stayed up there to dinner and explored the country. When he got home we planted a few rows of spuds in the garden.</p> <p>Jonas came over to-night to ask us if we could deliver him his hay in the morning, he also got some apples. To-night we played hide &amp; go seek and then came in and kicked up such a rumpus that Tiddums couldn't go to sleep, and Enah got mad and said she wouldn't press Dick's pants in time for the dance, but she is pressing them now - and we weren't making much noise and Tiddums didn't want to go to sleep anyway much. Tapper told Dad. to-day that he killed his pup yesterday and intended to keep Fanny but she followed him down town to-day and he ran over her with the waggon and killed her, he said he thought he would send Blakie a funeral notice. A week or two ago the Dover council</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>advertised for a cop. They got fifty something applicants some all the way from Calgary. They engaged a man from Hamilton who has been on duty before. Good man for the job. big, Scotch &amp; total abstainer. He came to this morning. Now he is in bed at the Dominion sleeping off a drunk-fired. We're still Dover. It froze a little again last night and there has been a raw breeze to-day but it is much milder and looks rainy</p> <p>Monday Tuesday May 13th</p> <p>Dad went over to Martin's this morning to try to telephone to Krompart and find out why he hasn't come down but Charlie wasn't home so he didn't go in, he then went over to Quanbury's and as John was in better health than when I went to interview him Dad found out that he wanted about half a ton of any kind of hay. We pitched on a load for Jonas, (he bought all that was left of the thrashed bluegrass) before dinner.</p> <p>Dick rode home at noon as he had got about half an hour's leave of absence to tell us that the station agent wanted our manure spreader unloaded as it was holding the car so Dad. &amp; I had to go down after dinner. Dad understood the agent to say that we were to let Krompart in Simcoe know as soon as the spreader arrived and he would come down and set it up at the station and we could haul it home from there, so he was naturally pretty hot at them for not coming. The men at the station were also getting into a state of rightful indignation as their car had to be sent back tomorrow. As we were in our farm uniform we didn't want to go up town so Dad. went up to the Norfolk House and telephoned Kompart Wyatt Waddle was there and he told Dad that they understood Dad was going to take the thing off the car and they were to come to the farm to set it up, and that they would be down in a day or two. Dad. went for him over the 'phone but of course that wasn't much satisfaction. We went home and took Jona's hay down and put it off and then went down to the station with the rack to get the spreader as it was too wide for the waggon, with the aid of Truman Roadhouse and a couple of fishermen we got it loaded all right and were home soon after six</p> <p>To-night Dick and I went down to the dance but I got a headache from some uncertain cause and had to come home at twelve. Nice day but with rather a cold wind looks as if it might possibly rain to-night or sooner.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Wednesday May 14th</p> <p>We took a small jag. of hay down to John Quanbury this morning on an improvised {rack?} which Dad rigged by laying boards across the waggon box, as we didn't want to unload the manure spreader off our rack. When we got back from there we took some posts back around by the side road and left them in places where the fence was down with the intention of coming back at a future date to repair the damage done by the Good Friday wind. We also took some material and fixed the old gate going into the gully off the road.</p> <p>We found the cattle all out of the far end of the gully and in the blue grass field so I took them back while Dad. went up with the waggon, they were all there but the Artful Dodger and he was nowhere to be found, so this after noon Dad. and I went back to look for him. We went into the wood and saw there had been a lot of cows in there and after a little search found our missing calf in John Wess McBride's place in the corner of the fence where he had walked and finding he could go no further stayed there we chased him into the gully to be left till called for while we went over to Tapper's to borrow his post auger, the consequence was of course that we didn't do a thing all the afternoon and didn't get home till about five or after</p> <p>We saw everything on the place from his oat field down to the baby. We saw some things off his farm too such as Charlie Butlers colt which got an awful kick in the face from its mother and Dave Lamkins white heifer which was on the road and which was worth fifty dollars but he sold it for forty five, also Art Walker who was rolling on his cornground. We had a very entertaining after noon and enjoyed it much better than digging post holes.</p> <p>To-night I went down to band practice Dick with me. Theodore Brown came up and entreated Walt to play "Way down upon the Swanee River" promising him some beer but Walt said he couldn't. Theodore tried to impress up on us as a bit of good advice that "We could borrow from a thief but not from a liar." Weather about the same</p> <p>Thursday May 15th</p> <p>Dad and I went back and fixed up most of the fence this morning. Mr. Evans' came along the side road and wanted to Dad. to look at his horses teeth so Dad. told him to come in at noon on his way back. He did and Dad. floated them as the poor old horse's tongue was just about cut in two. We also found when we got here at noon what Wyatt Waddle and his man Mr. Hillis were in the barn setting up the spreader. They got it</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>all up and we took out a load before they left so they could show Dad how to run it. Joe &amp; Ginger pulled it alone and a couple of times Ginger's whipple tree caught and she pulled it all alone.</p> <p>I went down to band practice. I came very nearly staying there for awhile. for we all got locked in. The door fastens on the out side with a rasp and staple, the padlock is broken. The door was open and some one who was getting cold ordered it shut. Jack Smith kicked it to and the rasp sprung over the staple and stayed there. Perce Brock tried desparatly to open it but failing turned to John. and told him frantically that he would be the first to satiate our appetites when we got ravenous, he then mounted the table under the window and proceeded to let the {word heavily scored out} anybody who happened to be around (it was pouring rain) {word scored out} know of our fate.</p> <p>Perce remarked sorrowfully that it was the first time he had ever been behind the bars trying to get out. (The bandroom is in the old lockup). Dick {Faulmshy?} was the first to be alarmed by the pitiful cries but the hard hearted jay refused to come saying he didn't know the combination on the door. How ever Walt McCall was soon aroused and he and some other fellows came up and released us. They say Long Geordie Long nearly committed suicide last night, it seems his wife put him on the Indian List, but Geordie got full and he &amp; his wife were having a quarrel down by the dam when Geordie told her he was going to drown him self. She told him to give her his coat to hold for him, but I guess Geordie &amp; water don't go well to-gether for as far as he got on his desperate deed was to twist his legs well around the post and let go the railing with his hand, then go home. After he got there he was again seized with a mad desire to leave this unhappy world and left the house with a razor asserting that he was about to sever his carotid artery Mrs. Geordie gave him about an hour to perform the opperation but upon investigation found him out side in a dormant condition but was disappointed to hear him snoring heavily and in perfect health.</p> <p>Cold all day. very cold before dark and poured rain all night with terrific thunder &amp; vivid lightening. Dick &amp; I stayed at Huby's all night. I planted some onion seed to night.</p> <p>Friday May 16th</p> <p>We didn't do anything much to-day. Dick &amp; I got home before they had breakfast here but it was late when we went out and then Bill Donald came in to</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>talk about the spreader and before he left Allan Law rode in to have the wolf teeth pulled out of his sorrel for fear they would affect his eyesight. It was noon when he left us. After dinner Bob. Miller came in to get his ewe and lamb and of course the sheep were nearly to the gully Dad. wrote a letter to Aunty Alice while Bob &amp; I were after the sheep and then saddled Joe and I rode down town to post it. I was only gone about fifteen minutes. but when I got back we read the "Maple Leaf." after which we did chores. I went to bed soon after tea. We let Harry &amp; Belle out this after noon. Fine but cool.</p> <p>Saturday May 17th</p> <p>I started first thing this morning and raked over about half the garden, it raked fine because the rain the other night had softened the lumps. Dad. fixed fence around the orchard to keep the sheep &amp; calves in. Frank went down town to sell some duck eggs to the car {tapper?}.</p> <p>This after noon we all worked in the garden and have about all the small seeds in, onion, carrot, beet, cabbage &amp; peas, a few beans. Allan Law was over to borow the disks also John Wess came to get some stuff for his horse which has colic. We turned the four calves in the orchard at noon. Lila came over to spend the day. Huby ran a nail in his foot yesterday and was unable to work to-day.</p> <p>Enah took Tiddums down to Mrs. Laws to get the butter this afternoon, there was another baby about Tiddum's age there which he was greatly interested in until it began to "talk?" when Tiddums got badly frightened. Lovely warm day rain to-night.</p> <p>Sunday May 18th</p> <p>The boy's went to sunday scholl. I to church late. different preacher. Dad. rode Joe down to see Huby while we were at church, he went in to see the John Deere spreader on his way back. This after noon Dick &amp; I went for a drive with Joe, not far. Winnie &amp; Lila came over this after noon &amp; stayed to tea. We let Belle, Ginger &amp; Harry out to-day and had a hard time catching the latter. Lovely day with a little shower at noon and rather cloudy</p> <p>Monday May 19th</p> <p>We hauled out manure to-day as we didn't get a very early start we only got out eleven loads, &amp; most of it was dry clover chaff. The spreader works fine in spite of the fact that there are one or two nuts &amp; keys missing from various parts of the gearing machine. Dad</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>found one large key on the road was unable to locate the place where it was missing. Sam Law was over this morning to see about keeping the disks a little longer. Mrs. McBride was here to-day.</p> <p>This after noon we were agreeably surprised to have a visit from Ed. &amp; Marion. Ed. came home on Saturday as he has left his job in Brantford he is going back to the Falls for the summer. To-night Dick and I printed pictures and had fairly good luck. Huby sent word over by Ed. that Dad's steel boot had saved his life on account of easing his injured foot. Dick says he only has one on, one steel &amp; one leather one. It froze last night again but has been a nice day with cold breeze. Dick bought me a saddle &amp; bridle to-day for six dollars he got them from Bobbie Leany and says they are nearly new.</p> <p>Tuesday May 20th</p> <p>We got one less load out to-day than yesterday but I think we have good ground for excuse in the fact that it was so hard to load. A lot of it was dry clover chaff burnt to powder and there was a layer of it just ike a board which had to be chopped up with an axe, we didn't get any earlier start either. Erie cut her eyeball to-day someway, likely on barbed wire.</p> <p>Jonas came over to-night to see if he could get some turkey or duck eggs or get Dad. to plow his garden, he couldn't get any of the three so took the rhubarb roots out in the lawn. He was relating to us some of the heroic deeds performed by him in the past &amp; United States, of how he headed a torch light procession and was so disguised by his uniform &amp; medal that he was not recognised by his father, he also saved a young man's life from drowning and was rewarded by his boss the young man's father by a ten dollar bill &amp; three weeks board free. Another time he stopped a train wreck by his presence of mind and drew another ten dollars as a pass to go where ever he wanted to on the railroad or a chance to learn braking, he stayed at the job a week and one day when he was in a reckless mood (good mood for a train man) he boarded a train which was headed he didn't know where and was landed in Niagara Falls where he got acquainted with his wife, and in course of time drifted to the condition in which we now see him.</p> <p>Frank &amp; I drove down town to-night and took Jonas &amp; his rhubarb roots home, and got the saddle &amp; bridle</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>from Bobbie Leany, they are roughly made, the saddle being half covered and riveted but they are nearly new &amp; I think are worth six dollars. When we got back we found Dad. &amp; Dick had gone down to the Scotch man who works for Harry Ansley to minister to a cow which is not enjoying the best of health. Nice day may rain soon.</p> <p>Wednesday May 21st</p> <p>It rained a little this morning and looked cloudy so we just did odd jobs. Dad. took up some of the rotten apples out of the cellar and drew off what cider was left in the barrel. I didn't do anything much but took a walk around by the wheat &amp; oat fields whcih are doing fine.</p> <p>This after noon we got the spreader into commission again and hauled out seven loads. The shed is nearly empty now. I fixed Dad's. saddle rack up on the wall in the drive house and started to make one for mine between loads, while Dad was out spreading. A big thunder storm blew up about tea time to-night but it stopped raining long enough for me to go down to band practice, but it more than pelted when Dick &amp; I came home. Dick had to work to-night. He got a telephone from who he thought was Roy referring to his 24th of May visit but it afterwards transpired to be Wiggins down at the drug store enjoying himself at Dick's expense.</p> <p>Thursday May 22nd</p> <p>It rained hard during the night so we couldn't do much, we made an {ewe?} trough for the west side of the old house and made the rest of the saddle rack I started yesterday. Dad. also opened some ditches out in the oat field.</p> <p>This after noon Dad would have liked to have started plowing the corn ground but as there were several errands to do in town, we we thought this would be a good time to go. We got some groceries, and Dad got a chain for Dreadnought and a ring for his nose. We took the waggon wheel down for Butler to put the bands on as they were both broken. Dad. was very pleased that Vyse saw him going down with the wheel and inquired after it as it was off "the best waggon made" which he got from Vyse. We bought a little giant sprayer from Huby for ten dollars, they are no use as sprayers but have a good tank which was what Dad wanted to put out at the pump for watering stock, a good pair of wheels &amp; a tongue besides a lot of old iron, Huby is selling them for Jack Paine</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Jack told him to sell the ten for for $100. and, Huby has been selling them at $10 apiece and he says Paine called him up, and gave him a great calling down, he wanted him to sell them all to one man. Huby told him he was a fool and asked him what one man would want to buy 10 no-account sprayers. I went down to band practice to-night, and got back after eleven. Nice day, but cloudy.</p> <p>Friday May 23rd</p> <p>I planted out some lettuce plants this morning and Dad &amp; I got some rails and took them back in the waggon to the gully to repair the fence there, we also hauled up some for the house. About noon I drove down town with Dick's valise as he went going to Toronto to-night to stay till Monday night. Frank went down to see him off.</p> <p>After dinner Mr. Krompart drove in with a Gould. Shapley &amp; Muir agent who talked a little about a windmill but didn't bother many. Mr. Krompart went over the spreader ajusted several mistakes in the setting up which the other fellows made the principal one being changing the double trees on the evener. The way they had it, the single horse had the short end and so was pulling twice as much as the team. When they went Dad. &amp; I went and cobbled up the gully fence and opened the gap so as to let the cows in the far end as the grass in there is getting rank.</p> <p>Frank says the old black &amp; white cat has a large family on her hands now, but her hands are equipped with six or seven fingers each. Poor Fits had part of her tail nearly cut off in the door to-night. Dad was going to finish the job but forgot. It has been cloudy all day but quite cool. Old {Roy?} has succeeded in overthrowing the election on the school by-law. He got ten illegal votes, his own son's among them and it seems every illegal vote no matter on which side it was polled counts against the majority.</p> <p>Saturday May 24th</p> <p>Dad. started to plow the corn ground to day he plowed a headland all around the field this morning so as he wouldn't have to tramp on the clover at the north end of the field. This after noon he got quite a strip plowed and harrowed over. I put in the day cutting lawn and it was awful. It hadn't been cut for over a week and all this rain to-gether with a dull lawn mower wasn't a very good combination to make a satisfactory job. Frank worked around this morning and this afternoon went down to the creek to fish with the rest of the</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>inhabitants of this part of the country, but I guess only drowned worms as he wasn't hardened with luck on his return. Winnie came over after dinner and I drove her home to-night. Enah to Tiddums down town and I shunted the buggy down to the side walk for her Win went down &amp; came back with her. To day at noon we placed a ring just below the septum nose of poor Dreadnought. It has rained once or twice to-day and been cloudy &amp; sunny &amp; hot by turns.</p> <p>Sunday May 25th</p> <p>Frank went to Sunday school and church this morning but was the only member of the family who attended. Dad &amp; I went up to Ham Thompson's to tell him we named Dreadnought. and he will soon get the registration papers. We were up there quite awhile and it was after noon when we got back.</p> <p>This afternoon we put the saddle on Ginger - and gave her a lesson, I didn't get on her because Dad. says it is no use "breaking" her, she has to be "trained." Dad, &amp; Enah &amp; Tiddums drove out to Shand's but there was no body home. Lila &amp; Frank went out after merells but didn't get any. Nice day rather inclined to be cloudy, quite cool to-night.</p> <p>Monday May 26th</p> <p>I spent the day cleaning up back of the woodshed and the east side of the old house and have it looking pretty decent now. I also cleaned out the gear case of the separator. Dad. plowed all day and got a nice chunk done. Enah went down town about noon to buy wall paper and stayed for the afternoon. The stores were all closed to-day instead of Saturday so the drug store was only open for a couple of hours. Dad &amp; I had dinner alone.</p> <p>To-night Frank and I drove down and met Dick. The old turkey that was sitting in the old house hatched out to-day Dick got home safely and had a good time. Everyone was well in Toronto. Cloudy and cool all day.</p> <p>Tuesday May 27th</p> <p>Right after breakfast Dad went down to Sam Laws and got a roller and rolled down all he had plowed. The calves got out of the orchard and Dad and I had a devil of a time getting them back in again. We hauled out one load of manure.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>In the afternoon it drizzled rain most of the time and we helped Mrs McBride put down the carpet and paper Auntys room. They are working there yet. (9.15pm). Cold miserable day. To Richard, thanks.</p> <p>Wednesday May 28th</p> <p>We hauled out eleven loads to-day one of them was pitched on yesterday. We are only going to haul a little more and then work up the corn ground. The old turkey which was sitting in the old house got out with her family to-day, there are nine of them and they all look lively.</p> <p>I went down to band practice to-night they had the regular one as there is a dance on to-morrow night. Harry Moon was present for the first time in many weeks, I had began to think he had been wiped off the map, but it looks more as if the map had been wiped of him or at least buried with whiskers. He has some thing the matter with his face and can't shave. They have the Ivey gang about {winched?} now on the school board as Blight who was on Ivey's side has dropped out and that gives the other side the majority and they can elect any man they like to take Blight's place, before there was a deadlock. Gus Smith fell off a scaffold somewhere to-day and broke his shoulder or some thing I couldn't hear any details from any one but over heard Harry Moon saying some thing about it up in the band room which was so chuck full of noise you couldn't drive a nail in it.</p> <p>Johnny Walker's mother &amp; old Mrs. O'Harra of Norkway died yesterday &amp; to-day. It was quite mild this morning but there is a cold wind to-night.</p> <p>Thursday May 29th</p> <p>We hauled out enough manure to-day to go over to the hickory nut tree which is as far as we are going to put corn in. We got along very slowly the first part of the day as we were getting it out of the old shed where the implements are and it took us about an hour to put on a load, but we have it just about cleared out of there now and this after noon hauled five loads out of the barn yard, that is enough for awhile now.</p> <p>Vyse was over for awhile this morning. Fred &amp; Carl Coleman were over this after noon. I rode Ginger for the first time tonight. Dad. - got on her first - and rode her to the end of the lane, then I took her down to Sam Law's corner. We have</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>had the little saddle on her every night but one since Sunday, and she has behaved a little better each time. To-night Dad. put his heavy saddle on her There was another dance on to-night but owing to "pecuniary liabilitys" I spent a quiet evening at home. Dick worked till after midnight so did not feel in much humor to attend either. Warmer to-day.</p> <p>Friday May 30th</p> <p>Dad. plowed all day with Harry &amp; Belle, and I disked with Joe &amp; Ginger as neither they nor I are much account on either end of a plow. Dad. will finish plowing to-morrow if all's well and it won't take us long to work it up. Mr. Henderson &amp; Ronald were down this morning for Dad to have a look at their horse.</p> <p>To-night Mr. &amp; Mrs. Jim Waddle &amp; the little girls came in and Jim &amp; Dad talked till about nine o'clock, before we had tea. Dick had work late again to-night. I had another little ride on Ginger to-night she turned in at the open gate into the corn field and also onto Sam Law's lane, but otherwise was pretty good. It has been cloudy most of the day and sprinkled a few drops now &amp; then, a lot warmer to-day.</p> <p>Saturday May 31st</p> <p>Dad. plowed all day but is not quite done yet. I disked with the little team all morning but as Dad. saw he couldn't finish plowing to-day said I might as well not work them this after noon but cut lawn which I did. He disked and harrowed over all he had plowed to-day. before he turned out.</p> <p>Peg. Long &amp; Bill Dunbar came over to day after Bob. Miller's hay which was to be part payment for {Ray?}. I helped them put it on and they took a good one. Jimmy Corbett was in at noon to get Dad. to go down to see his sick colt but Dad declined the invitation on the grounds that he was too busy but told him what to do. Lila spent the after noon and night over here.</p> <p>Tiddums is growing a tooth now and is pretty cranky. Tige appeared to show an interest in Tiddums to-night whent he was out in his buggy but when Tiddums endeavored to get a strangle hold on her eye she ceased her attentions. Dick did not get home to-night, as this is the last day of the month I suppose he had to work. Cloudy this morning, clearing and developing into about the hottest day this month. We didn't put the saddle on Ginger to-night. I have been barefooted most of the afternoon.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Sunday June 1st</p> <p>The boys went to sunday school &amp; church &amp; I went down to church. It began to rain soon after we got out so we went down to Huby's after for dinner. Huby was in his bare feet and had just finished hoeing his garden. Frank &amp; I came home soon after dinner but Dick went up town.</p> <p>Dad. &amp; I went for a little ride to night. I rode Joe &amp; Dad. Ginger. Mr. Fleming, Vyse, Roy Bannister &amp; Allan Law were over here to night day. I saw Jim Blaike down town this morning. It has been very hot to-day with two heavy showers the last of which was to-night.</p> <p>Monday June 2nd</p> <p>Dad. was greatly surprised this morning as he was going to the cow stable, to hear a strange whinny in the horse stable and upon investigation to find Belle the grand possessor of a colt full brother to Queen. He is a lively &amp; strong little fellow and has been on his feet nearly all day. He is about the same color as Davy &amp; has the same triangular spot on his fore head he has two white feet both on the same side and his legs are as crooked as rams' horns.</p> <p>We heard yesterday that Johnnie Walker had been made take his horse off the dray on account of a sore neck which it had. and as we were very anxious to get the corn field finished up and as the advent of Belle's colt has knocked the use of her, we drove down to see what arrangements we could make for getting Johnnie's horse. We met him just coming out, and he said he wanted to get the horse out to pasture and that we could take him, but would have to be careful about working him or that "thingh" by which he meant Aikens I suppose would be jumping on him again.</p> <p>Aikens was the one who raised the row and it was nothing but a dirty piece of spite work. He didn't go to Johnnie him self but to Ellis Ryersie who was driving for Johnnie as it was while Mrs. Walker was dead in the house, and told him to tell Johnnie to take the horse off. Ellis evidently thought there was enough trouble in the house so refrained from mentioning it, whereupon Aikens tried to get out a summons against Jack, but Bond wouldn't issue one. Most people seem to think it was a low down trick of Aikens to bother Jack at such a time especially when it is none of his business anyway. Dad. went up and saw the old horse whose name is Joe. and found he has a sore shoulder as well as a</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>sore neck but decided to bring him home and try to fix him up. We got a collar at the barn there for him and Dad put a short pad under it, and as the draught comes above the lump on his shoulder there is no weight on the raw part at all. As long as we plow harrow and disk with him there will be no weight on his neck so he promises to be just what we want. Dad plowed a couple of rounds with him &amp; Harry before dinner and he says they make a dandy plow team and Joe never felt his shoulder in the least. He finished plowing that piece quite early in the after noon and says he wouldn't have finished with Belle but this team doesn't feel the plow any more than a waggon.</p> <p>I spent about half the after noon printing Dads. name on the cream can and there is room for improvement on the job at that. the other half I spent mowing the rest of the lawn. Mrs. McBride was washing here all day. Dick had to work late tonight but he and Frank both get a holiday tomorrow as it is the anniversary of the King's birthday. They say the Polocks got on a tear last night and broke all the lamp in the park. It has been quite cold this afternoon. It looked this morning as if it would be hot but a wind got up at noon.</p> <p>Tuesday June 3rd</p> <p>Dad. went down with Joe &amp; Ginger this morning and borrowed Vyse's roller while I went out and disked with Joe Walker &amp; Harry. Dad rolled the field and then harrowed After dinner he went out with Joe Walker &amp; Harry and disked. I played catch with Dick and hoed.. for about an hour and a half - and then brought the little team out and Dad harrowed with them while disked. He started to roll crosswise to-night but didn't get half over it and Vyse told him to bring the roller home to-night - although when he got as far as Martin's Odd. told him Vyse had said they could have it in the morning.</p> <p>Dick spent the morning in bed &amp; the afternoon down town playing ball. Frank cut weeds in the fore noon and went fishing up in the upper pond this after noon but I guess his visit will soon be forgotten by the finny inhabitants of that spot as what few did happen to run into his hook, he did not deem worth of transportation home so kindly returned them to their natural element. He has been hearing great tales of the angler's luck out at the celp and built on-going out to-day but could find no one to accompany him. Jack Ivey came over this after noon to buy hay. Dad told him he could have the hay but</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>unless it rained we wouldn't be able to haul it, but they sent their team over and got a few forkfulls for to-night. We found one of the little turkeys nearly dead, this is hard weather on them, we were hoping it wouldn't rain but he said they had six thousand little osters wich needed rain badly. Jack Martin told Dad to night that the latest piece of devilment of Old Ivey is to have Cousin Willie &amp; Bob Miller disqualified as school trustees as Cousin Willie drew up the papers for trans ferring Mrs. Gordon's property over to the school and the school have bought brooms from Bagley &amp; Miller some time. Both men I think have gone to Simcoe to see Kelly about it, and Dad. went over to Martin's tonight to remind Jack that Old Stringer has done carpenter work for the school and so should be put off too if it is legal. Mrs. Charlie Martin was the only one home so he left the message with her.</p> <p>They found out to-day that it wasn't the Polocks that committed the depradation in the park the other night but a couple of pesky Yankees who are working at the fish shanties. Hugh McQueen &amp; Aikens went down to arrest them to-night. Hugh got one but Aikens chased the other one down the plank road and I don't know whether he caught him or not, they ought to run Aikens in with them. It was pretty hot all day. A big thunder storn blew up late this after noon and for awhile it looked as if we were in for a "souser" but it only rained enough to chase us in off the field and then stopped</p> <p>Wednesday June 4th As Toby went to band practice tonight or at least Wednesday and Thursday nights he is behind in writing this up as this is Friday night We finished working the corn ground Toby disced all day and I rolled it twice and harrowed it once we have it in first rate shape. Cold wind nearly all day.</p> <p>Thursday June 5th</p> <p>First thing after breakfast I went over where Bill was working at Iveys and drove his team while he came over here and marked our corn ground, he finished at noon. After dinner Toby went down and borrowed a planter from Mr Fleming and we got more than half the field planted There was quite a frost last night.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Friday June 5 6th We did not get out very early this morning, several interruptions before we got in the field and just as I was going to begin to plant Will Donald drove along and well, "Talk about talking". Toby went down to Alfreds to see if he could get a corn planter that would do better work than Mr. Flemings, he got one but it was worse. We did not finish at noon there were still 13 rows to plant.</p> <p>I had to go to a raising at Frank Ryerses, there were lots of men there and they had every thing done before seven O'Clock, We had a grand lay out at tea and I came home with Mr. Fleming. Toby had finished the corn, and he &amp; Frank had (the pens all ran out of ink so I am finishing this to-morrow night myself) the chores all done when Dad. got home. Jonnie came over tonight and &amp; got a little field corn and an ear of Golden Bantam to plant in his garden, he stayed a little while but as no body made any effort at carrying on a conversation he soon left. Jack Walker came after Dad to night as he was nicely in his first sleep about twelve o'clock to go down and see his new horse which had colic or some thing and which was quite recovered when Dad arrived. Al. Faulkner &amp; Charlie Long were both in attendance. Dick did not get home till late owing to surplus of labor. The Woodsons all came yesterday after noon. It was hot all day and almost suffocating to-night, looks like a big thunder storm.</p> <p>Saturday June 6 7 th</p> <p>Dad. &amp; I went down to Bruce's this morning but found that he &amp; Mr. Ashbow U.S of Caledonia were up Mud. Street on a "professional visit, so we drove up the town line till we met them and brought them up here to have a look at Dave &amp; Osprey who have not been acting as we would like to see them lately. They were here to dinner and Mr. Ashbow proved to be a very entertaining talker.</p> <p>This after noon Dad. went down town and got his hair cut, while Frank went over and worked in John Quanbury's garden for him. I hoed a little in the garden here but spent most of the time hunting crows with Frank's rifle, although I had several good shots I failed to inflict any visible injury on the villains they have been preying upon the little turkeys and now will be at the corn field when an opportunity offers. I scared</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>them off with a bullet everytime I saw them light this afternoon. Dick did not get home to tea again to-night. It rained hard last night and this morning but cleared off and has been quite cool &amp; windy to-day.</p> <p>Sunday 8 9th</p> <p>The boys went down to Sunday school and church Dad (after a good deal of squirming) also attended the morning service, he tried to induce me to go but when I unselfishly offerd to stay at home to take his place he couldn't very well get out of it.</p> <p>I cut a little wood watered the horses &amp; fooled around. I went out once with the rifle in quest of crows but as none were in evidence in the vicinity of the cornfield I in my wrath sought to drive a bullet to the heart of the hickory nut tree, but owing to my unpracticed marksmanship it escaped unscathed.</p> <p>Lila came over this afternoon and she and Frank went back to the gully armed with the rifle and returned this evening with a quantity of wild strawberries, which we were not aware of being developed into an edible condition, Dad, Enah &amp; Tiddums went down to the Woodson's till the latter grew into such a state of excitement which was unequaled in magnitude &amp; noise to any of his former vocal exercises, so much so that Dad. grew anxious about him and brought him home. I started to read Hamlet while they were gone. Dick spent this post meridian in town. Enah &amp; I took in church to-night and we all had tea after we came home It has been cold &amp; raw wind all day again to-day.</p> <p>Monday June 9 8th</p> <p>We were late this morning anyway and before Dad got the team out Walt. &amp; Tom McCall with Dick {Faulmshy?} came in and their visit culminated in Dad. going back with them to see a colt of Walt's which just came this morning, they weren't gone very long, When Dad. refused to take five dollars from Walt. for just taking him down town &amp; back in his automobile, Walt said he was glad to see him in such affluent circumstances financially but Dad told him that if he had a little pile the fiver would have added to it and persuade him to accept it but as he was penniless that amount would only be tantalizing, this was before he knew that Tom Abbott had been in while he was away and left a cream check for twenty five dollars for the month of May, which we don't consider bad for three cows &amp; two heifers one of</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>which (Erie) doesn't produce much more than a quart of milk. Dad started to plow the old garden before dinner we are going to put in potatoes, mangels &amp; turnips there if all's well as it is such a loamy spot, he only got a few rounds done before dinner.</p> <p>At noon he got thinking about the little colt down town and as he knew that it wouldn't be properly looked after down there where there were so many around he thought he would like to have it over here as he hated to think of it dying, so he went over to the Martin's and telephoned Walt. and told him if the colt wasn't any better and he liked to bring it over here to do so, which he did about four o'clock. He, Bob. Rankin &amp; I suppose Jack Davis Yeagers man &amp; the colt came over in the automobile and Billy Loan led the mare over, she is the gentlest thing to handle &amp; work around ever lived. They were here for quite awhile and gave the colt some refreshments they have to hold it up it is so weak but it is well aparently every other way and is willing enough get up but can only flounder around.</p> <p>Dad got up at midnight and fed it. He gave it some whisky &amp; milk but it didn't like it much This colt to-gether with old Joe begins to make Barrett's farm look like an infirmary for afflicted members of the equine race.</p> <p>This afternoon I wed a few carrots till Dad. yelled at me to tell me the cattle were in the clover on the north side of the gully. I wemt over with some wire &amp; pinchers and found the miscreants were John &amp; Fred's calf, but one wasn't enough to put them back through the hole they got through so I left them &amp; Dad &amp; I put them back to-night.</p> <p>Bob. Rankin &amp; Mrs. Rankin drove over to night to have Dad. look at their horses feet which I guess are all right. Vyse was over to say that our roller has come but is the wrong kind owing to a mistake of his in the order, and I suppose will have to be shipped back. We didn't get through till very late to-night. It froze last night and there has been a cold wind all day &amp; it is cold to night.</p> <p>Tuesday June 10th</p> <p>As soon as it got warm enough we got the mare &amp; colt out of the boxstall and put them in front of the drive house in the lane so she doesn't move more than ten feet away from it. This after noon it got a little cold there so we put it around between the drive house &amp; barn. It shows great improvement to day. It can now stand up a little while by itself and has got up by itself a couple of times when we</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>saw it and I don't know how many times besides. Walt. Mrs McCall, Tom &amp; a couple of his pals were over this morning to see it. Dad finished plowing the old garden at noon &amp; this afternoon I disked it while Dad. harrowed over the corn ground. This morning I went back and fixed the hole in the fence where the calves got through, I also cleaned up the lawn mower.</p> <p>We didn't get any word from Aunty to-day and as she said in her last letter she would like to come home with Miss Battersby to-night we didn't know whether to expect her or not. Frank went down to the station and met her as she did come. to-night. She went to Huby's for to night she had written Aunty Maude a card yesterday but she had failed to let us know about it. It froze again last night but has been a little warmer to-day but raw wind Dick went down to a surprise party at the Culp's to-night given for Ray who is leaving town in the near future</p> <p>Wednesday June 11th</p> <p>Dad harrowed the old garden this morning but says it will have to be left till the sods dry out before we can work anymore on it. Bob. Miller &amp; Bill Dunbar were over talking to him for about an hour and bought Taurus for sixty two &amp; a half dollars. Bob. offered sixty &amp; Dad. asked sixty five, they wont take him till the first of July when he will likely be worth seventy. I cut some wood and a little lawn.</p> <p>This afternoon I went over to Tupper's to get him to come over and shear our sheep. I found him just finishing up his own. He came over about half past three or four and sheared three. Dad. started on one and Tupper finished it for him. He makes a very nice job of it and doesn't mind leaving a few nicks in the hide, we worked rather late but he said he would be back in the morning. The poor little colt died to-night. We noticed when we brought her out this morning she wasn't nearly as lively as yesterday and she has just been getting weaker all day, and to to-night she just "gain out".</p> <p>I went down to band practice to-night and told George {Faulmshy?} about it. Walt was in Delhi and had not got home yet. The poor old mare feels pretty badly. It has been quite summery today.</p> <p>Thursday June 12th</p> <p>Tupper came over before we had breakfast this morning and "proceeded" to shear the rest of the sheep, we chased them around into the barn so as we could catch them easily. He got through about eleven and as he</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>had his wool with him to take to market I went down in his rig with ours. We had 45 1/2lbs and at 18cts got $8.19. Dad get 1/7 of that. Frank gets 1/4 of what is left &amp; I get the balance. Tupper beat us by a dollar and he only had six fleeces to our seven but his were bigger sheep, he had fifty something pounds &amp; got the same price. We took it down here to Penman's. Vyse was working on Uncle Ward's side hill so I went to see him about the roller that is here for us but he says it isn't the right one.</p> <p>This afternoon Dad. buried the little colt and I worked a little in the garden. Mrs. Brad Bowlby came in to see Tiddums I guess and Aunty &amp; Enah went down town Aunty stayed all night. Ada. &amp; Hubert Lawrie were over for awhile. Hubert is just here for a day or so. About five o'clock Dad. &amp; I drove Belle out to Jim Waddle's.</p> <p>I went down to band practice to-night and didn't get to bed till twelve. Dick came home with me his new suit came to-day. Pretty hot, breezy. Tom Law's automobile upset last night the other side of Simcoe and nearly killed Harry Dyer and injured Tom. They thought at first that Dyer's back was broken but that report was contradicted later, but he is in pretty bad shape in Simcoe</p> <p>Friday June 13th</p> <p>Dad. went down town this morning with the waggon and got Joe &amp; Ginger shod, he also got Aunty Maude's refrigerator. I cut a little lawn and chored around till noon. About twelve Enah heard the fire bell, and I set out hot foot for the town but when I got over behind Vyse's I noticed the smoke over by Mrs. Munroe's. I got there just as Al Faulkner arrived on the {hump?} with the bus &amp; fire pails. It was the house I think that Bill Philips used to live in, but is now occupied by a fellow by the name of Smith and is owned by Person. They soon had the fire checked but not before it had burned down the kitchen and part of the roof.</p> <p>It was late when we got through dinner. Dad. and I went down to the mill to get some flour &amp; chop. Dad took some grist down this morning. When we got home, he went out and harrowed over the old garden, I didn't do any thing much as I felt lazier than a yellow dog.</p> <p>Mrs. Skey &amp; Mrs. Battersby came over this after noon. Aunty came over after noon she got a ride with old Fawset. Lila also came over to spend the night. Frank &amp; I went down to the stump to-night, the water was fine it was the first time in for me this year. It was very hot to-day.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Saturday June 14th</p> <p>We caught all the calves but Bobbie's when we fed them this morning, they have not been feeling very lively to-day. Bill Oaks came over for a drink and visited for about half an hour. He is going to leave Ivey to-day. We cut potatoes most of the morning.</p> <p>This after noon we got some ice out to put in the refrigerator, it is meling a lot but seems all right in side. Frank went to a picnic this after noon that Mrs. Tuck was having for her Sunday School class. We did not get out in the field till about three and then Dad ploughed some furrows to plant potatoes in the old garden and we planted four rows. We planted Huby's early ones which he has been telling us ought to be planted for the last month. two rows from the west side of the east section.</p> <p>Alfred came over while we were out there and paid a short visit. Dad. &amp; I had to go down town to-night for some stuff. Lila went down with us. Tupper went past to-day and told Dad he was going to begin road work on Tuesday.</p> <p>Sunday June 15th</p> <p>Frank went to Sunday school but Dick didn't get up in time; he, Dad. &amp; I drove down to church. Dad. &amp; I went in the choir. The Rev. Larry Shey prought about the Dominion Alliance and its efforts in trying to "Abolish the bar". I walked home with Paul Lee Woodson. Dick stayed down and is not home yet (9.10 P.M.)</p> <p>This afternoon I read till I went to sleep, and then read again. Mr. &amp; Mrs. Frank Faulkner were over, and Walt McCall, Dave. Waddle, Powell McKintosh &amp; Bill Davis came over. Walt. said he would send over his mare in the morning. Dad. &amp; Tiddums went down to Alfreds so missed all visitors. Enah intended to go to church to-night but Tiddums woke up about that time so she stayed home. It has rained quite a few times to-day and has been sunny &amp; hot in between.</p> <p>Monday June 16th</p> <p>Dad. &amp; I planted the rest of the potatoes this morning and went over to Sam Law's before dinner. This afternoon we moved the kitchen stove from the inside kitchen to the woodshed, we didn't have enough hands and the consequence was the base got broken and now the stove is supported by columns of brick, we then went out and planted three rows of mangels. We had a garden line which was to short and had to be stretched</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>twice in the same line. Dad had to make the drill with a stick and I shook the seed in with a can with a hole in the bottom, which worked all right. Tonight I went down to band practice and got home just at twelve. Aunty went down and spent the evening with Mrs. Bumpas at Mrs. Skey's. It was too late to wait for me so she came back alone. This has been about the hottest day we have had 90 in the shade I think</p> <p>We are hearing a lot of talk now about the enormous almmount of money the government &amp; the railway are going to spend on harbour improvements. I found our poor black &amp; white cat killed this morning in Joe's stall I suppose she has run up after a mouse and frightenend Joe when she stepped on her. Frank has undertaken to raise her family for her but has a hard job making them drink. We heard yesterday that Harry Dyer was dead but I heard to-day that he was better yesterday.</p> <p>Tuesday June 17th</p> <p>Dad. &amp; I worked on the road all day, we took Harry &amp; little Joe and the plow. Tupper, Mrs Flemming, Mr. Walker &amp; Ben were all there with teams. They plowed a ditch from the corner to the top of the gully on our side of the road and took the dirt and filled up the holes around the culvert and covered the stones that have been the source of many a cross word coming from travellers mounting the hill. Of course there are a lot of kickers, that feel called upon to tell us that a worse mess couldn't be made than the job we are doing but they cant suggest a remedy. One mug told us we might better be home in bed. Dad. told him we would much rather he.</p> <p>Roy telephoned Dick to-day that Aunty Louisa died this morning so Aunty went down on the five train. Tonight I went down with Dick intending to go to Aunty Maude's &amp; Ada's party at Mrs Scofield's but when I found out that it was to be mostly {illegible} I thought I had better be in bed. The Woodson boys went down with us, and Dick his best to persuade us to go up but they didn't want to go so we came home and Dick stayed and says he had a good time and any ammount of dancing. Lewis treated the four of us to a dish of ice cream. Pretty warm but not so bad as yesterday.</p> <p>Wednesday June 18th</p> <p>We worked on the road all morning. As our time</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>was finished at noon by Dad. &amp; the team alone. Tupper rewarded me with a dollar for my services, he said he knew I wasn't worth it but as it was a government job, he would let it go. at that. This afternoon we planted a few more mangles and have another row to plant yet.</p> <p><br />To-night I went down to band concert, it was the first night we have been out this year and the first night I ever played in public, I guess I did as well as ever, but just about froze on the stand and was so stiff I could hardly walk home. Very much cooler and cloudier to-day.</p> <p>Thursday June19th</p> <p>I went out this morning and planted the rest of the mangels (one row). Dad disked up the unsowed part to the garden and then started to plow the other half of the corn field for wheat, This after noon I raked the garden and got a place ready to plant corn but only got one row of Golden Bantam in on account of the rain. Dad. plowed all the after noon</p> <p>Our corn is coming up very nicely except in a few hard spots which are as dry as a bone. Dick came home to-night and we had some music to-night. We had quite a thunder shower about noon and another about tea time We needed them badly but they weren't enough</p> <p>Friday June 20th</p> <p>Vyse came over this morning and told us our roller was at the station. so Dad told him that we would go right down and get it and for him to wait for us to set it up. When we got there it proved to be a nine foot instead of an eight foot one which was ordered so Dad. did not accept it. We went up by town to get some cream jars at the hardware store and around by the Spaints for Vyse to inquire after Alex. who was taken sick last Monday night, and they have been afraid he would have to be operated upon. He is better this morning.</p> <p>I planted the rest of the corn when we got home and Dad. went back to fix the gully fence where Fred's calf got into the field. I went over to the Quanbury's at noon and got some tomato and cauliflower plants, but just as I got home it began to rain and poured all the afternoon. There were a few very close claps of thunder but I don't think anything around here was struck. The ground was just about flooded but it didn't take it long to run off &amp; in. I read myself to sleep and slumbered till about five when I went out and we planted out the tomato &amp; cauliflower. It is raining quietly again to night. Very hot this morning. My Frank brought us over a lovely bunch of peonys this morning.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Saturday June 21st</p> <p>As it was too muddy for Dick to walk or ride his wheel (which was down town any way), I drove him down town as far as Mrs. Lawson's, I didn't care to go any farther on account of my appearance. Frank &amp; I wed out a few onions. Frank got quite a lot done, he is getting skilled at the job from his practice at the Quanbury's. Dad. started to clean out the wood shed and we helped him a little. We also steadied &amp; levelled the separator. It took nearly all the afternoon to the the wood shed cleaned but it looks a lot better now. Frank went over to Mrs. Martin's with the cream and got eight more tomato plants from John to fill out the row. I put them out and helped him put out some Cabbage plants, he has sixty out now. He got another hatch of chickens over at Jack Martin's these are single combed ones to keep for ourselves, he also went over to Law's and got the butter.</p> <p>To night he and Dad. have driven down town after the mail &amp; some groceries, as Dick did not come home to tea. Dad. wants to see Emery about a corn cultivator which I saw he had for sale this morning. It has been cool and cloudy all day.</p> <p>Sunday June 22nd</p> <p>The boys went down to church and Sunday School this morning but I went back to the gully for an hour or two instead and I guess was just as much benifited as if I had gone to church. I found a breach in the fence where I suppose John gets through into the alsike and patched it up as well as I could. I took a walk way up around by Robert John's and fell in with Edmond England coming from Ivey's where he has three heifer's pastured.</p> <p>While I was gone Dad. went down town and got Huby and Lila to come over for dinner and see the farm. Win came over after dinner. This after noon Harry &amp; Mrs. Moon and Jack &amp; Mrs. Walker came over. Harry spent about half an hour trying to take a picture of Queen &amp; the colt, but Queen was too tame and wanted to examine the camera while the colt was a little shy and would get behind Belle. Then Old Harry seemed to think tnat it was his likeness which was wanted or else Ginger would take a run across the field and the rest would all be after her. At last however Johnny got Mrs. Walker's parasol and attracted their attention enough for Harry to get a couple. Dad. drove Huby home soon after dinner and</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>I drove Enah, Win &amp; Lila down and Enah. Win &amp; I went to church. We over took all the Woodson's but Lewis coming over here after church. When they left we had some sanwiches is place of tea which we missed. Lovely day sunny but not hot cool to-night.</p> <p>Monday June 23rd</p> <p>Sam &amp; Allan Law came over this morning to borrow our waggon, Lewis Woodson also came over with a scythe blade to be sharpened. I spent the day in clearing the blue grass field of daisys and strawberries there were some fat ones back there. When I went out this morning I had designs on a patch of daisys which we could see from here and which I thought I could corner in an hour or two but when I over there I found a lot more on the side bilt, and they took me the most of the day. I pulled them, which took a good deal longer than to cut them as I had first intended, so I am not through yet with the patch I set out after.</p> <p>Dad plowed all day. and at noon drove down to see Emery about his cultivator but Emery couldn't find the teeth for it then. but. I went down to-night to band practice and he told me he had gone out to his fathers and found them out there so I guess we will buy it. It was half past eleven when Dick and I got home. pretty fairly hot.</p> <p>Tuesday June 24th</p> <p>I went back and harvested the remainder of my flower garden. and got through a little before noon with out feeling any regret at leaving. At noon Dad went down to Emery's and brought the cultivator home. I cut a little lawn while he was gone.</p> <p>As the trip down town delayed dinner we were late getting out and by the time we got Belle in and harnessed to put on the cultivator it was about three o'clock, but it was just as well for she was inclined to be pretty balky and mad at six. Dad drove her up and down the field once then she balked and soon got her to behave fairly well, and got a nice start on the cornfield to-night</p> <p>I worked in the garden till dark and then Frank and I went for a swim and got back about ten. Frank had just started his exams today and appears to be very interested in them, he thinks he passed in the subjects he had to-day. Arithmetic, Spelling &amp; Writing. Hot &amp; sultry I have felt about half asleep all day. Dad's head ached and he felt pretty rotten about noon</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Wednesday June 25th</p> <p>As it showed symtoms this morning of being an extra hot day and as Belle's colt didn't seem very well this morning on account of being away from her while she was working yesterday, and because she cut up rather rustily yesterday. Dad. went over to Sam Law's before break fast and borrowed old Ben. to cultivate our corn. Dad. plowed all day with Harry &amp; Joe Walker so I was sentenced to keep Bent and the cultivator in the straight and narrow way lying between the corn rows. He went pretty well all morning and for awhile after dinner till I started to go crosswise; but then I couldn't do anything with him, he did his best to step on every hill and wouldn't mind at all. Dad. took him a couple of rounds or so while I plowed and said he went pretty well but I couldn't see any improvement. When Frank got home from school he rode him for awhile and things went better. Tonight Frank took him home and we decided not to cultivate any more till he got through with school, he is just having his exams now and tomorrow &amp; Friday is his last day. Frank's guinea hen started setting today. Drat {ink blotch on page}</p> <p>Thursday June 26th</p> <p>I worked in the garden all day, and got most of the weeds out but nothing else done. Dad. plowed all day and finished the rest of the corn field for summer fallow. Wyatt Waddle came in this afternoon with a duplicate of the broken casting on the manure spreader.</p> <p>Aunty came home tonight. Dick met her and she stayed at Huby's all night. Dick started the other day to take music lessons from Miss Wimmer. Allan Law brought our waggon back this morning. Very hot and sultry to-day.</p> <p>Friday June 27th</p> <p>It rained last night and the thunder which accompanied it was deafening. There was one clap that fairly shook Dad out of bed, and he went around shutting all the windows. When he got to ours I partly woke up but if it hadn't been for him I would never have known there was any thunder. It has been a very stifling day. It was about 90° in the shade and so muggy and wet we could hardly breathe. Dad. plowed all day on the old corn stubble and nearly croaked with the heat and his uncomfortable footwear. I planted</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>out a few tomato plants which Frank found coming up from seed among the potatoes. I was to lazy to do any thing else much. Aunty came over about noon.</p> <p>This after noon I put on a bathing suit and hooked up Joe and took the buggy down here to the grist mill and gave it a good washing. Lila came over just as I was starting so got on a bathing suit and went down with me and I think enjoyed herself immensely, going right up under the dam and all over. I got well washed off by by getting under the stream that overflows from the flume but there was awful force to it. I went down at seven to-night and attended the Methodist strawberry fistival with the rest of the band. Dad. Dick, Frank &amp; Enah were all there. Aunty &amp; Lila took care of Tiddums. We got home pretty fairly early and had a good time.</p> <p>Saturday Saturday June 28th</p> <p>I plowed all day to-day. Dad made three strike outs yesterday and I turned then under leaving about three feet for Dad. to finish up on each land. I got around three strike outs, and didn't do so very badly considering it was the first day I had put in at the job never before plowing more than three or four rounds at a time. It seemed to go much better and I made a better looking job this morning than after dinner. I had old Harry and Joe Walker who made a pretty good team once they got started of but I generally had some trouble at the ends - as neither one of them much more than enough braints to make a square meal for a chipmonk. Dad. took Belle out to cultivate but she acted pretty mean so Frank came out to hold her she was still bad till Dad. took her and Frank took the cultivator, when she worked like a charm and they continued operations all day in this manner but did not quite get over the field. About five o'clock the colts came up the lane and some way knocked down the bars into the field and took a race down the corn field and back, but we soon got them out.</p> <p>Aunty went down town to see Mrs. Bompas who I think is going away soon. They expected Quint home to-night but he didn't come, but may be here yet for the first. Fairly warm but nothing like yesterday.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Sunday June 29th</p> <p>We got up fairly early this morning and Dad drove Aunty up to the cemetry with some flowers before Sunday School. None of us went down to church except Frank. Hubert &amp; Edith Lawrie came over with Aunty after church for the afternoon.</p> <p>I left at half past one as this was decoration day for the odd fellows - and the band furnishes them with music for them. We had to march from the Dominion Hotel to the School house - and as it was the first march for me I didn't enjoy it much, what made it triply hard for me, I had no music harp for my horn so had to hold the music with half of one hand, play with half of the other and hold the horn with half of each so I couldn't do any thing properly. Then I got out of step about half a dozen times in every block and every body suggested hobbles or some other contrivance to keep my length of step at about a foot &amp; a half instead of three feet. We rode up to the back from the cemetry on Val. Lany's dray with Johnnie Walker's team. We played a few old hymns up there and marched back from the school house to Harry Graham's store to "Auld Lang Syne". There is a great change for the better in the appearance of the cemetry since Munroe has been looking after it.</p> <p>When I got home I found Mr. Blaikie here, his arm is badly crippled with rheumatism, he just came up for the first, was going to Alfred's to spend the night, and to Simcoe to-morrow. There was great excitement up the Radical road last night, as Art Williams was going home after midnight he saw Geordie Waldick's barn opposite Cory's place on fire, Geordie wasn't home so he alarmed Stringer's. They just nicely got it out when they saw a fire at Chart Wooley's so they going over there, they saved the barn but the straw stack was burned. Next thing a blaze was noticed over at John King's, who being more unlucky than the other two lost his barn and all his implements. It was evident that this was the work of some man, and for some reason I think they tracked him they suspect the fellow who lives at Cory's. I forget his name any way they had the house watched, but as Dad. &amp; Enah told were going to church to-night they were very much surprised to meet this same man walking leisurely along the road in front of this place. Dad. informed Art Quanbury - and this led to Hugh McQueen and Faulkner in Al's automobile starting in pursuit</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>and his recapture on the way to Renton. He deserves all he gets for being fool enough to keep to the road. Yordie Waldick and some other fellow were in here while Dad. was at church to see him about some vetinary business. Mr. Blaikie and Alfred were also over. Lila stayed all night over here. Very hot for me to-day, breezy and not extraordinary for other people.</p> <p>Monday June 30th</p> <p>I plowed a few rounds this morning but made such a mess of it that Dad. took it and Frank and I cultivated corn. I led Belle and he held the cultivator she went fine, we got over the rest of the corn crosswise and nearly half over it lengthwise. To night I went down to band practice, Aunty polished my horn up beautifully for me this after noon she went down with me to see Quint if he came, but he didn't. Dick waited for the late train which did not get in till after eleven in hopes that Quint would be aboard but was disappointed. I saw {Stuffy?} to-night. Mrs. McBride was here this after noon washing. It has been pretty hot all day but a nice breeze, awfully hot to-night. Quite a few are into their hay now.</p> <p>Tuesday July 1st</p> <p>Dad went down to Vyse's, and from there down town to get the roller, it came all right this time and they set it up at Vyse's and left in there for the present. He had to stop in at Martin's on his way down to see their cow who got into the chicken cook-house the other night and filled up on every thing she could find. and now is in a rather critical condition.</p> <p>Among other things I hoed some of the corn in the garden this morning and then Frank and I went to the stump and enjoyed a good swim. Frank went on down town with the lawn mower to have it sharpened, but I came home, and had dinner as I had to be down town by one as the band started performing then, we played for awhile on the bandstand, and then went around town, they took us in to the three hotels and to Jake's.</p> <p>Jack Paine was very much in evidence on these occasions making all sorts of rash promises to the band, such as sending up a new set of instruments or anything else they wanted if each member would send him twentyfive bulldog ammonia coupons. At the lower hotel, they struck up, "He's a jolly good fellow". and Jack and the rest of them down there danced and kicked up a row, till they got out</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>of wind and then he commenced to talk, but as they were waiting for us out side, we had to leave him much to his disgust, without all the good wine he had been promising us. I rode Frank's wheel home to tea and changed my once white pants as I thought I might take in the dance. We played awhile over in the park till the orchestra had to go in to the dance, by that time I didn't feel much like dancing so sat around with Egg Thompson &amp; some others and came home early</p> <p>Among the chief numbers on the list of sports was were a a slow horse race which Hazen entered but was disqualified because his horse stopped, and which ended in a dispute, as some thought that Dave Fields who came in last let his horse stop, but others said that it didn't stop for although it wasn't making any progress its feet were going. Another was a tug of war between Simcoe &amp; Dover. The Dover end of the rope was supported by Hugh McQueen, Sandy Leitch etc. and walkeded right down the road with Simcoe, but it also ended with {picking?} for some reason or other. Harry Moon yelled him self hoarse at that,</p> <p>An unadvertised sensation was created by the arresting of a motor cyclist by Val. Leany. It seems the fellow either through non control of his machine or whisky or pure devilment or all three was {illegible} the roads through the crowd at a very reckless and dangerous rate. He did stop at last and evidently objected to peaceably accompany Val to the cooler, so that gentleman picked him up, put him under his arm and carried him in out of the hot sun. I heard afterwards that Bond tried him and that he contributed nineteen dollars to the municipal treasary.</p> <p>A Simcoe man dropped dead over at the Dominion at noon. I suppose he collapsed with the heat, that didn't cause much excitement though as everybody else felt the same way. It was almost unbearably hot especially under a coat that has been collecting the bandroom dirt for an unknown number of ages.</p> <p>Wednesday July 2nd</p> <p>Dad. plowed and. Frank. Belle &amp; I cultivated corn all day. We finished the field lengthwise and got up as far crosswise as where Frank &amp; Dad. begun the other day. We are going to leave it that way for awhile now. To-night I went down to the regular weekly night band concert. Lila came over and spent</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>the night, she cut her lip quite badly inside by falling off Frank's wheel several times. It swelled up like a sick toad or we wouldn't have known she hurt as she didn't feel it. Aunty went down town to-day and to-night Mrs. &amp; Miss Woodson came over to inquire after her as the cook though some delusion on her part had told them she fainted while going through their place this afternoon. It rained a few drops this morning and has been a most comfortable breezy day.</p> <p>Thursday July 3rd</p> <p>Vyse came in this morning with our roller, he and Aikens were going out to haul in his hay. Dad had to go over to Martin's to see their cow and when he came back he got the mower out and cleaned it up I turned the grindstone while he sharpened one of the knives. Mrs. McPherson and her three angels came overe to spend the day. I hope they enjoyed thenselves, for then somebody would have. Arthur would have if they had let him spend a little more time in the blacking box and flour tin.</p> <p>After dinner Dad took the mower back the other side of the gully and started on the half of the old wheat stubble, the other half is in alsike. I went back with him till he cut a round. He didn't quite finish the field to-night but has a couple or so hours more, he said none of it would be fit to rake before tomorrow noon anyway. When I came up I worked in the garden till six. Frank thinned out the carrots and Paris Greened the potatoes. Dick got home to tea to-night. Very hot again to-day.</p> <p>As the cats have been taking a duck or two lately Frank has moved them, the ducks, out on the front lawn. They don't add to the beauty of the place any, but I guess no body in particular cares a cent. Dad had to go over to Martin's again to-night as the cow is in a worse condition, he punched a hole in her stomach and has created a spring of chicken feed with the above mentioned stomach as the source.</p> <p>Friday July 4th</p> <p>Dad. went back as early as he could, which was pretty late to finish mowing. I didn't do any thing much but start to make a rack for the beans to climb on, about ten I went back to shake up some of the hay which Dad. cut yesterday but mowed instead Dad. went to shake up the hay but found there wasn't enough of it to make it necessary so went</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>over and visited with John Wess McBride who while cultivating corn was taking things as coolly as possible. Some men were there putting a new roof on his barn and he wasn't at all satisfied with it. We finished mowing about noon. When we got to the house we found Huby there with a horse and buggy out electioneering. This was the day, they voted on the by law to fix the canning factory's taxes. but every body had forgotten about it. even the canners themselves. Vyse told them he had forgotten and had been thinking it was the twelfth, and telling people that was the date.</p> <p>Huby stayed to dinner and Dad. &amp; Aunty drove down afterwards with Joe, while Huby went after Uncle Ward &amp; others. Win came over with him but went home with Edith who also came over as she pretended to be scared of the horse which ran away several times so Huby said. Mrs. McBride came this morning to paper our room and Frank has been helping her all day. It rained all the afternoon so I didn't do any thing much. Dad. cleaned out the cellar and I helped a little break the sprouts of some apples potatoes. Mrs. McBride &amp; Frank finished the room to-night all but the border on one side which they didn't have enough of</p> <p>Bill Dunbar and some other fellow came after poor old Taurus this morning they led him down and although he was quiet enough they had a little time with him as he didn't know what being tied up meant. After dinner both the Dr. Burts. from Simcoe came in to see Dad. They had come down to look at Martin's cow but she was just about dead, she died soon after. Dick didnt come home till late but hadn't heard how the election went.</p> <p>Saturday July 5th</p> <p>I drove Dick down this morning as the roads were too muddy for him to ride or walk. He got me the rest of the roll of border and a few other things to bring home. Martin's were just about to inter the remains of their cow when I came home and were evidently waiting for Dad to come and hold a post mortem as he told them he wanted to yesterday, he went over but said it was to long after her death to make any observations.</p> <p>He and Frank then went down to the mill with some grist for chop. I tied binder twine together to make a trellis for the beans to climb on. This afternoon I just walked around the garden. Frank planted out another row of cabbages. Dad. cut weeds around here</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>and put up the other piece of larder. Aunty went down town this afternoon but came back to tea. After tea Dad. &amp; I drove down town I tried to get some coarse salt but couldn't but got some chloroform for {Yran's?} butterfly. I then went over to the dance - and put in a very miserable time - as no body would dance or have anything to do wth me. Dick was there and never missed a dance. It rained hard last night but there has and has been pretty hot all day although there was a very nice cool breeze off the lake this after noon.</p> <p>Sunday July 6th</p> <p>Dad. &amp; Frank did all the chores this morning as I didn't get up very early. Aunty &amp; Frank went down to Sunday school and Dick and I went to church. This after noon Dad. Enah, Aunty and Tiddums went out to the Shand's and stayed to tea. We did chores. Dick spent the afternoon down town in swimming. Frank went back to the gully and I tried to draw a picure but didn't make much of a job of it.</p> <p>To-night the boys fed the little ducks some whisky soaked grain and they got lazy eyed two or three could hardly walk, and would roll over &amp; over. It has been cool &amp; quite windy all day. It rained a short time this after noon.</p> <p>Monday July 7th</p> <p>This was Dad's. birthday so we didn't get a very early start although we never do any other day either. Dad. went over and raked up the hay he cut and finished at noon I went back with him and started to cock up.</p> <p>Frank had to take a consignment of sick little chickens over to Jack Martin to have their case diagnosed, he pronounced it chickenpox and ordered them to be quartined, fumigated, disinfected, vaccinated and about half a dozen other things, when he got back he came and cocked up too.This afternoon we took the waggon back and put on a load. It took us nearly two hours as the the hay was very loose &amp; short and the wind was very strong. Frank went a head of us and bunched it out of the windrow, Dad. pitched on &amp; I loaded or piled it on the rack. We cocked up a little before we came up with the load.</p> <p>Aunty Maude, Win and Lila came over to-night to wish Dad. a happy birth day. I went down to band practice and got home soon after eleven. It has been very cool and a strong wind all day.</p> <p>Tuesday July 8th</p> <p>We cocked up all morning and finished about noon all but about one load in the north west corner</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>we then all went over to John Wess. McBride's to get some information regarding slings, as Dad. never used them before. We found out all we wanted to and he gave us an ash board to make the uprights which bolt on the rack. We were over there quite awhile and didn't get back till after one so by the time we had dinner did chores and pitched off the load on the rack it was pretty late. It looked a little like rain so we went out and got the load that was in windrow instead of rigging the slings. We couldn't take it quite all in one load but it didn't rain anyway. Frank bunched it all up, so as to make it easier to pitch on. I loaded it again and it didn't upset. It was after six by the time we got up with it. Winnie came over this after noon and stayed all night. Lila went home. Very nice cool day and not so windy.</p> <p>Wednesday July 9th</p> <p>We spent the whole morning in fixing the sling rigging on the rack and oiling the pulleys and making general preparation for getting in the rest of our hay. We also put off the load by hand which was on the rack We got a good start after dinner, but as it was the first time we had ever had the sling ropes to bother with, we didn't get on extra fast, but we got it off with out any trouble as the slings worked fine. We went back and got about half a load on when a very heavy thunder storm blew up and we all got soaked to the skin. It didn't last long as we left the field as soon as it began and it had nearly stopped when we got to the barn. We had a hard time coming up the hill as it was too slippery for the horses. Old Harry fell right down once on his nose - and they both came down on their knees two or three times, but I don't think either of them sustained any serious injuries.</p> <p>Lila came over after dinner and came out to the field with us. so got soaked with the rest of us. Dad took down a panel of the barnyard fence when he drove the team through into the field with the sling rope so had to take the horses out of the field, he put Belle &amp; her colt in the boxstall and turned Ginger &amp; Queen back the lane in fear &amp; trembling best they should get into the barbed wire, and to-night before tea we noticed Queen in the pasture field and on investigation Dad. found she had jumped the lane fence, and had a few scratches on her but otherwise was not hurt. Ginger was all right. I went down to band practice concert to-night. Dad. &amp; Frank drove me down but I was late. I</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>just missed the first piece. I came home with Dick. Very cool and breezy. They got their smoke stack up to-night at the canning factory.</p> <p>Thursday July 10th</p> <p>Frank and I cultivated corn all day, we started to go twice in a row but made such little headway that we knew we wouldn't get over all of it so went once in a row. We also went up between the potatoes rows, they are coming slowly but the grass is bad in them and they need hoeing. I am afraid our mangel crop is a failure, it looks as if the seed was no good.</p> <p>Dad. started to cut the new meadow this side of the gully where the wheat was last year, he only started to cut a part of it which was west of the old garden but didnt get it quite done. One of the sections on the blade got loose this morning, and he was delayed quite awhile fixing it, then at noon we sharpened the other knife. Lila has spent the whole day going back and forth from the house to the fields, watching her chance to drive the horses or hold the cultivator, she wanted to go home to-night as to-morrow is her music lesson day. but Aunty thought she would be too tired so persuaded her to stay.</p> <p>Aunty &amp; I went over to the Woodson's to-night and spent a very enjoyable evening. Most of the family were out in the kitchen assisting the cook to entertain her two gentlemen callers, who were a mexican who Paul Lee says is the Ingram's cook and a negro dwarf from Simcoe, they had a banjo or some instrument but were stage struck before so large an audience. We got home about half past ten and every one was in bed. Dick stayed down late to the dance to-night and forgot to put the light out when he got home.</p> <p>I discovered to-day that my big knife was gone out of my overalls pocket and I am afraid I have lost it in the load of hay, which means that it is gone forever, it was a dandy too. Very cool all day cold to-night</p> <p>Friday July 11th</p> <p>Lila went home when Dick went to the Bank. He, Toby &amp; Frank drew in two loads of hay in the morning and unloaded them with the sling it worked beautifully it was a lovely day to work "clear and cool", in the afternoon they raked the hay that was cut and put part of it in cock, they were quite late coming in from the field, and we were very late having tea</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Hattie had a long visit from Mr. Law, who brought the butter. before tea I went over to see Mrs Battersby and Ethel, Hattie took the baby out for a little while. Dick came home to tea he wrote to Ferdie Wiser and went to bed very early. Harry and Hattie drove out to {see?} Harvey Shand in the evening.</p> <p>Saturday July 12th</p> <p>It began to rain this morning before the boys got out in the field, and rained heavily nearly all the forenoon. They were very disappointed that so much hay was out, but they were busy all the morning with the numerous odd's and sod's which are left waiting for a rainy day. Harry helped us with one or two bits of work in the house, while the two boys began to tidy the drive house, he then went to help them at that, they got it finished and Frank cleaned his chicken house. I made a mistake in saying the rain began before they went to work, it looked very like rain early this morning, but it was cool and windy so Harry and the boys did go out and raked up more of the hay, hoping to draw more in today, but the rain came on and drove them in.</p> <p>After dinner Toby drove Enah down town Dick did not come home to tea, he is staying over for the dance. We heard from Roy, he said Jean was coming to the Woodson's tonight. Since tea Toby and Frank have been for a bathe at the mill. This is Cousin Lila's Birthday, Enah went to see her, and took her some cream.</p> <p>Sunday July 13th</p> <p>Aunty and the boys went down to Sunday school and I met them at church. Aunty stayed down at MIss Battersby's for dinner, she came over to-night with Lila. Dick went down to the lake this after noon and didn't get back till about eight o'clock.</p> <p>Dad. Frank and I took a drive after dinner. We went out to the Winding Hills east to Black Creek. South to the Dag's Nest and up this road home. We were pleased to note that the other neighbours are not much farther ahead than we are and their crops except the wheat are not much better than ours</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>I didn't feel very husky this afternoon, I guess I haven't had enough sleep lately. Nice day, but windy.</p> <p>Wednesday July 16th</p> <p>We got up extra early this morning in order to get in a good day hauling hay, we got out soon after seven to unload the load standing on the barn floor. While Dad. and I were in the field after a load Frank took the pulleys and ropes down out of the barn as we want to fill up our horse stable mow with the hay we are now hauling in. Dad. had to change the car from one track to another when we came in and that took half an hour, then we found our slings wouldn't work there, the first lift nearly knocked the old ventilator chute over, there was one would hardly go in the doors and the hay all dropped out of the last one for some unknown reason we got the fork to lift what had dropped but it wouldn't work in the short blue grass.</p> <p>It took us about two hours to get through which was rather discouraging, we got in one more load before noon and two this afternoon, they went up all right but we didn't put on nearly as big ones. We quit on time as this was the night of Dad's party out at the Shand's, and we had to have the hay rack to carry them all. One of the Miss Shand's drove in this afternoon and took Enah and Tiddums out, they will stay all night as Tiddums wouldn't go very well with the load. There were twenty two of us on the rack and lots of room, besides all the crowd at the Woodson's (10) there were Mrs. Hobbes and Miss Prest. Aunty Maude and Lila Ada, Miss Beemer and Edith Lawrie, Dad., Aunty and we three boys made a nice load. There was quite a bunch out there consisting of Shand's and relations of Shands, Mr. &amp; Mrs. Nixon and very sleepy son from Renton and a Mr. Hare with his mother, who is a sister of Mrs. Shand's came all the way from Jarvis.</p> <p>Mr. Hare had his clarinet with him and also his violin, but he wouldn't play the latter after he had heard Miss Prest. He is the leader of the Jarvis Band which had just started this year. I had to miss the band concert to-night. We had music of every description and a good time. We didn't leave till after mid-night. and it was about half past two when we got all the passengers delivered at their different places of abode and got home and the horses put away. I was dead sleepy. We didn't see a living creature down town but Mr. Hobbes was stalking up and down like a ghost past the bank waiting anxiously for his family</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>A fierce cat fight some where in the neighbourhood of Billy Frank's cottages made us aware that Dover was not completely enveloped in slumber. Winnie went to Waterford to-day with the other Miss Beemer, she will be in a very joyful state of mind as she passed entrance with honors. Poor Lila failed and feels badly although nobody would know it from her behaviour. Nice, cool breezy day, cloudy to-night and sprinkling a few drops of rain when we got home.</p> <p>Thursday July 17th</p> <p>Dad. got up a little later than usual this morning, I slept till after seven and Frank spent the best part of the morning in bed, but it had rained quite a spatter so we couldn't do much in the field. We just puttered around. Dad. worked a little in the garden and cut some of the grass and all the young plum trees on the front lawn and some of the thistles in the plum orchard. I mowed lawn.</p> <p>This after noon Dad. went back and started in to cut the alsike I cut more lawn and thinned some onions while Frank scythed thistles. About five I went back and cut alsike till dark while Dad came up and did chores and had tea. He had been having a hard time with it clogging up the knife, as it was wet and a lot of stuff in the bottom. I had just as had a time for awhile but it got better. Dad. Dick and Frank all came back when it got pretty dark and Dad. thought we could finish it to-night, but decided that we had better leave it till morning. It was about half past nine when we got up to the house.</p> <p>The Miss Shands drove Enah and Tiddums home this afternoon. Tiddums was tickled nearly to busting at getting back home again. Damp and muggy drizzled nearly all morning.</p> <p>Friday July 18</p> <p>Dad. went back this morning to finish cutting the alsike Frank and I went out to cock up the rest of the hay in windrow, but found it too wet so just turned it out and went over to the alsike field. Dad. told us to go up and get the rack ready to put on a load, so we went up and threw off the hay which was left on from the night of the party and put on the ladders and sling standards. Dad. came up just as we got about through.</p> <p>Mr &amp; Mrs. Harry Dyer with Nancy drove in about this time and Harry was dickering with Dad. about his lots on St. George St. Dad. told him he could have the two for $6.00 but he wouldn't sell one separate. Harry said he would decide and let Dick.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>know to-morrow. We went out and got one load before dinner. Mr. Lamb came over to see if he could get some hay. Dad said if he would send a couple of men and a team &amp; waggon over he could get a load but we didn't have time to haul it, so he said he would.</p> <p>This afternoon we got another load in and unloaded, and then went out to cock up the rest of the wind rows. One of the little black kittens followed us out and caught a very young mouse and gobbled it. We didn't get quite through before tea, so Dad. went out after tea and worked at it till nearly ten and still left some.</p> <p>Frank and I drove down town after tea as Dick didn't come home and Frank wanted to see the Maple Leaf to know his fate - as to whether he passed his exams. although he made it seem as though getting his wheel was the real object of our trip. The wheel wasn't done so we went down to Huby's to see the paper, he was very disappointed not to find his name among the successful candidates as he was pretty confident he had passed.</p> <p>Poor old Jim Low was killed to-day by Dave Turner's engine. He was crazy with drink and as near as we know jumped in front of the engine before Dave could stop for him, the engine threw him and I think fractured his skull. He died an hour or two afterwards without becoming conscious.</p> <p>Aunty, Enah &amp; Tiddums went visiting this afternoon at the Johnston's and Martin's, Aunty went over to Mrs. McBride's to find out why Frank didn't come to pick cherries but no-one was home. Dick didn't get home till after midnight as he went up to Mrs. Scofields where Ada and the rest were having a dance, Pretty warm to-day.</p> <p>Saturday July 19th</p> <p>Dad went out early as soon as he got up and raked up the alsike, he finished about eight. I got the cows and milked. While Dad. was having his breakfast Ivey's men came and got a load of hay out of the field, after we had cocked up the hay which Dad. didn't finish last night. we went over and started to bunch the alsike, it was pretty dry but did not seem to be shelling out much. It was about ten o'clock when we went out, and as we had quite a lot done by noon, we took the rack back with us after dinner, and when we finished bunching the alsike, put on a load of the old clover &amp; weed hay. It was six when we got it on.</p> <p>When we came up Mrs. McBride was here picking cherries, Frank has run away again they haven't seen him since Wednesday morning, there is a search party composed of Jane on the look out for him now.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Aunty went down this after noon to stay all night. Frank wanted me to go for a swim to-night but it was too late. While I was milking this morning one of the little black kittens crawled up the edg of the pail I had filled and fell in I pulled her out as as soon as I could but was a little doubtful about using the cream from that pail. However we did separate it into a separate dish as we thought there was lots worse things than kitten often coming in contact with cream, and the separator is supposed to take all dirt out of the milk any way.</p> <p>The alsike back there is full of bees' nests. Dad got stung over the eye while he was raking and his face is so swollen up that I believe he would scare some people at first glance for that side of his face is exactly like poor old Simply Jim's. Windy and cool looks rainy.</p> <p>Sunday July 20th</p> <p>The boys went down to church and Sunday school but I went for a swim instead. I went in down below Quanbury's as Chris told me there was a good place. There is a good bottom and you can wade out a long way. Dad. went off without any dinner to take Huby to Jim Low's funeral. It was private but they didn't know it and so were the only ones at it. They didn't get home till late as Huby wanted to go down and see the canning factory's corn field at King's and also Mrs. Bill Oakes to see if she would come and pick cherries. Dad says their corn field is only a few inches high. About four o'clock I dressed up and went down town I intended to get a film for my camera but was too late, so didn't go up town. Dad drove Enah and Tiddums down when he went home and we all stayed at Huby's to tea.</p> <p>Aunty kept Tiddums while Enah and Aunty Maude went to church. I went to church and expected to hear the choir boys sing as they were there this morning but they didn't show up, there was a big crowd there expecting them, thery are camping down here and got fooling around so could get dressed in time to get to church. Instead we had a little shrimp of a lay reader from Vittoria who chewed the rag about some thing or other which was supposed to be a sermon for about three quarters of an hour. After church Dad. drove Enah, Tiddums &amp; Aunty home. I started to walk the same time they did and beat them. They met the Bawlby's with Louise in an automobile on their way home, she expects to be down some time this week. Nice day threatening, and rained quite a shower before tea.</p> <p>Monday July 21st</p> <p>I started to cut the timothy this morning but made</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>so little progress and became so exasperated at old Harry &amp; Joe Walker who were pulling the machine for me that I had turn the job over to Dad. They were driven nearly wild by the flies but that wasn't my fault. Old Joe would walk leisurely along next the standing grass and stop now and then to munch tomothy heads or bite a fly while old Harry at the same time would get a fly chewing him and as he seemed to be of the opinion that he could run out from under the flys if he went fast enough he would everlastingly rip things, however Dad took them and finished the piece soon after six to-night. Frank and I cultivated corn all day we got it done lengthwise from where we left off the other day and crosswise up to the hickory nut tree from the road.</p> <p>Sam Law came over and borrowed our spreader this morning and spread all their pile which they had back in the field they are going to put wheat on. Allan brought it back to-night and said they had lost the crank to wind back the apron Clark Matthews brought Teddy over to pasture this afternoon. He saw Dad yesterday and told him he hadn't a care in the world except his wife a white cat and Teddy, who according to his own assertion knows as much as a man. He is going for a long trip to the coast I think, and is taking his wife with him, I don't know what will become of the white cat, and he wanted to know if Teddy could come over here, so Dad told him if it wouldn't add to his care in stead of lessen it to have him surrounded by barbed wire fences in a very bad state of repair, Teddy might come over and stay with our colts for awhile. Jean and Adelena came over this after noon to stay for a few days.</p> <p>Tonight I went down to band practice, there were only a few of us there as Harry Graham was having a dance over in the pavillion Walt. had some new music there which proved very unpopular and punk. Aunty went down town with me to stay all night, and Dick went to the dance. Cool.</p> <p>Tuesday July 22nd</p> <p>Dad raked up the hay he cut yesterday first thing I hoed potatoes till he got enough to start cocking up then went at that. Frank also started but it got to heavy for him so he hoed some more potatoes. The hay is mostly pretty thin it is not so bad at this end but up at the other end of the field the cocks are few and far between. It is pretty fair hay blue grass &amp; timothy except in</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>the low holes which Dad. didn't rake. we didn't get finished to-night. This afternoon every body but Dad and I went to the Sunday school picnic. Enah got home about eight, and Frank &amp; the girls about half past nine. Win who got home from Waterford to-day came over with them. Dad. &amp; I quit at five o'clock so as Dad could go to the mill for a bag of flour. just as we were coming up we noticed two men departing in an automobile we supposed it was Walt McCall, whoever it was left two cigars behind on the gate post.</p> <p>Frank McBeed was over this morning to pick black currants but there were none ripe. Isaac Johnston drove a couple over at noon who had a little spaniel with a split toe nail which they had brought over to Dad for advice as to treatment. Dick I guess is working to-night. Cool and windy.</p> <p>Wednesday July 23rd</p> <p>Dad. &amp; I went out this morning and finished working up the timothy; we then came in and threw off the load of clover and weeds that was on the rack by hand as we put it over at the barn for the sheep and didn't want to change our car for one load. We went out and got one load before dinner. After dinner we unloaded it and got two more unloaded, one of our sling ropes broke in the middle loop, on the last load we couldn't have got another in to-night anyway.</p> <p>Lila went up in the mow with Frank to-night and while running around up there stepped on a fork full of hay which was lying just over the top of the chute, the hay was loose and she took a drop of about sixteen feet to the cement floor with about a half a forkfull of hay under her which likely came down with her, she cut her tongue and scrapped both thighs a little but was not hurt seriously, it is a wonder she wasn't killed.</p> <p>I went down to band concert to-night, it was raining a little when I went down and they didn't start playing till a while after eight. Louis came to-night, so I stayed down at Huby's till I heard them start so was late. It was raining so hard when I started home that I went down to Huby's and stayed all night. Dick came to the window soon after I got in to bed and said he was going to stay so came around to the back door and crawled in with me.</p> <p>I took the sling rope in to Jim Bannister to-night and he said he would splice it. I saw Vyse sitting out on his veranda and he seems to be in pretty bad shape, he says he is not going to try to do anything for a month. Betty Woodson came over to-day and the girls all went back to the woods with a bottle of hard cider which may account for Lila's conduct. Cool and windy.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Thursday July 24th (mistake)</p> <p>Dick and I both got up about six this morning, Dick went around by town to post a letter and I went home. I went through Martin's and got soaked on the long grass Dick beat me home. Huby didn't have to go to work this morning as they laid the whole gang off last night on account of some unbusinesslike bungle, so none of the house hold was up. Aunty came out just as I was leaving to wish me a happy birthday, for it is just eighteen years ago to-day that I first squeaked. Dad. and Frank had the chores nearly done when I got home. I got all sorst of presents from every body. Dad. found my knife the other day that I thought I had lost in the hay, it was not hurt much. Dick did not hear about it till this morning and had bought me a new one but he exchanged it for a necktie before he told me.</p> <p>After breakfast this morning I drove down to bring Aunty and Louise over. Louise was not ready so I took Win. up town to get a plug of tobacco for Dad. before we got back we met Aunty on her way up town so we drove her up to get a tin pail to replace the one the Sunday school lost for us she also got some ice cream but forgot about it till to-night and then it was in rather a mushified condition. Before dinner we ran the binder out of the wood shed and this after noon Dad started to cut wheat he only got a few rounds but it will be a good start for to-morrow. Dick did not get home till late to-night he said the canning factory gang had gone to work again about nine o'clock all except Huby &amp; Bill Oakes who had gone fishing up to Doan's. Louise and Aunty went back to Huby's to-night. After tea Mr. &amp; Mrs. Bob Rankin drove over to have Dad look at their horse who has a few pimples on it in various places. Hot this morning but cooler this afternoon.</p> <p>Friday July 25th</p> <p>We got a pretty early start this morning and finished the wheat field at just six to-night. Dad cut all day and is nearly shaken to pieces from dropping into the ditches. Frank and I shocked up, and we each took one side &amp; one end so by this means kept up with the binder. Jean came out this after noon and helped us for awhile, its a pretty slim crop but won't take long to handle. Louise and Frank went down town after tea to-night. It has been a very nice day.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Saturday July 26th</p> <p>We hauled hay to-day, but only got in four loads, we were unloading with the hay fork as the loft is getting too full for the slings to work well. I went down town to-night to get my hair cut. Dad. drove me down and I got a ride home with Tupper and Jonas. Aunty and Louise stayed here all night so Frank and I slept out in the hay. Dick stayed down to the dance and did not get home till late. He got word to-day that he would have a ruise of fifty dollars in his salary. Lovely day.</p> <p>Sunday July 27th</p> <p>I drove Aunty, Jean &amp; Adelena down right after breakfast and they wanted to be down in time to get ready for Sunday school. I started to get ready for church but couldn't get a necktie that would slip through my collar before I got mad so just drove Enah &amp; Louise down and waited for them at Huby's. I tied Joe in front of the gate. Dave Waddle and Harry Battersby came and stayed most of the time I was there. This after noon Frank and I went down to get the scow to go up creek. Huby had just let a couple of the Polocks have it but he whistled for them and they brought it back, Winnie and Lila went up with us, we went up nearly as far as we could and did not get back in time for me to get ready for church. Dick went to church to-night as he slept till to late to go this morning.</p> <p>Mr. Lawrie and Edith came over and spent the afternoon Dad. drove Mr. Lawrie over to see John Wess McBride but he was not at home so they Mr. Blaikie who is helping John Wess this summer. It has been very hot and sultry all day and to-night wound up in a teriffic thunder storm. The rain started with the worst crash of thunder I ever heard. and the only one that ever made me cringe, it rained very hard but I don't think it lasted long.</p> <p>Monday July 28th</p> <p>Owing to the rain last night we were unable to do any thing with the hay, so I drove Aunty and Dick down town this morning and got Joe's shoes set of course it took Butler nearly all the morning but I looked at "The Literary Digest", and listened to Jack Spain talk when I wasn't holding Joe. I had to give her one small licking because she teased Butler to</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>much, I went over to Billy Langs while I was there and got a sack of binder twine to be ready for cutting the oats. Aunty came back home with me. Lila is sick to-day and put in a very bad night of it, Huby is still not working, they are having a meeting of the share holders of the canning factory this morning down on the band stand.</p> <p>When we got home about noon Dad. &amp; Frank were out straightening up the wheat sheaves that were down. They had fixed up the hay in the barn ready to put the alsike in. Dad. nearly killed himself while he was trying to tighten up the track in the barn. He had the big monkey wrench and could hardly reach to get it on the nut while working with it, it fell and struck him in the eye with a force which knocked him down and nearly stunned him, it left him with a headache for the rest of the day.</p> <p>This afternoon, he &amp; I went out to finish straightening up the wheat, we didn't bother with the thistly sheaves, we went down to see Alfred for awhile who was cutting grass along the fence in his wheat stubble across the road. We saw that Mr. Fleming was hauing alsike though it can't be fit. He has a lot more dead ripe to cut and his oats ought to be cut so we aren't so very far behind.</p> <p>Frank went over to Martins this after noon and got some more chickens, he also returned Sam Law's binder twine. I had an attack of the blues to-day caused I think from seeing the garden and lawn in such an eye sore state, but we got about half an hour's pulling weeds in the garden this evening so I felt a little better.</p> <p>To-night I drove Louise up to Mr. Frank Bowlby's. She would probably have had to walk from Lynn Valley there if I had not. It was after six when we left and I got back about nine in time to go to band practice Dad and Frank brought my horn down town and took Joe home, I stopped in at the Smyth's on my way home but Pud. was having a swim. I saw signs of the new railroad for the firss time. It has been very hot to day and to-night.</p> <p>Tuesday July 29th</p> <p>We hauled in hay all day but only got in four loads. Dad. &amp; Enah went down to the church concert to-night and Aunty stayed here to mind Tiddums. Frank and I worked in the garden till after dark and to night I am so dead sleepy I can hardly hold my head up. Very hot to-day.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Wednesday July 30th</p> <p>We hauled wheat to-day. Dad. loaded because he can do it so much faster than I can and I pitched on. We only got in two loads before dinner and at noon I thought I was tuckered out but this afternoon got rested some way by working harder than ever and we got in three loads. This morning I laid them in the mow and Dad. pitched off but after dinner we made a change Dad. could mow them twice as fast as I could so I got on and pitched off. I took my shirt off and left it in the sun to dry and then I everlastingly threw them, I just about covered old Frank up two or three times as I couldn't get time to turn them but we made things hum. The neighbours are hauling in wheat to-day too. Sam Law we thought was going a little faster than we were but he could go from the field right into the barn. Mr. Fleming was going about the same and John Wess was too far away for us to tell....</p> <p>Quint came home last night for a couple of days and this after noon came over here for a little while, he seems to like his job well and is enjoying himself. Tonight I went down to band concert, and didn't get home till about eleven as I went down after wards with Quint to get some ice cream. The canning factory gang are still not at work. They had a meeting of the share holders to-night. It has been terribly hot to-day.</p> <p>Thursday July 31st</p> <p>We got up early this morning to get a good start but were sorely hindered. Dad. noticed strange cows in the lane as soon as he went out and found upon investigation that every heard of Vyse's stock had got in to our place. The horses were way back on the timothy sod near the oats and the cows in the lane although we don't know where they got in, it just took about an hour to get them back, we found the cows had been right through the corn but besides eating thirty or more hills had not done it very much damage. It was really my fault for leaving our wheat field gate open but I never thought a thing about it last night, and the animals had some way got Vyse's gate open about three feet and walked a cross the road into our place. Owing to other small but aggravating delays we didn't get out at all early and just got our wheat in and unloaded</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>by noon, we made two trips of it but could have taken it in one load if we had kneeded to. It just comes up to the first beam in the bit opposite the granary in the old barn and is the smallest wheat crop we ever want to have. We spent all the afternoon getting in the rest of the hay on this side of the gully, there was were just two small loads. It has been pretty hot to-day.</p> <p>Friday August 1st</p> <p>We started to haul alsike to-day but although we did our best we only got one load in and un loaded this morning, we got if off about eleven so instead of going back we did up all the chores before dinner and Frank and I planted some turnip seed in the garden. This afternoon we did better, we worked till nearly eight and got in three loads, there is a lot of it but we think we can get it all in to-morrow if we can get out good and early</p> <p>Quint went away this morning so Aunty came over here. Jean &amp; Adelena with the McPherson kids this after noon Dick came home early to go for a swim but as I couldn't go with him, he went back, had a swim at the lake and came back to tea. Nice and cool to-day.</p> <p>Saturday August 2nd</p> <p>We got up before sunrise this morning and for the first time this summer got out at seven. It took us a long time to get the first load this morning as it was miserable stuff to pitch, we just got in two loads this morning and two this after noon, and have all the best of the alsike, there is another load over there but it is very grassy and we did not think it would be worth thrashing especially as we are getting a little cramped for more room, so we shall likely put this over the cow stable. I pitched on both yesterday &amp; today. this. alsike where it is good is very light and easy to pitch and as it has been bunched up so long it lifts nicely.</p> <p>When we came up with the last load the old pig was out in the barn yard evidently looking for a nest as during the night some time a family of fifteen piglets arrived. Frank is going to raise three of them on the bottle owing to lack of lunch counter accommodation on the part of the old sow. Dick was late to-night - dance. Much hotter to-day and very windy.</p> <p>Sunday August 3rd</p> <p>I got up about half past six this morning and</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>instead of doing a chore I went down to the stump and had a good swim. I needed it the worst way. Dick and I went to church this morning. Dad &amp; Enah drove down and Aunty minded Tiddums. Frank went to Sunday school but not to church.</p> <p>This after noon I read myself to sleep, and don't know what the rest of the family did except that Dick went down town. I drove Aunty down to church to-night but as I had a little pain I didn't go but after taking Joe over to Silverthorn's took Pud. Slocomb for a drive up the Radical and down the Gravel. Pud has heard that he passed and is going to Normal in Hamilton next month. Gordy failed. Lila came over this morning with Dad. &amp; Enah and is staying here all night, she feels well now but is weak yet. Huby says he has quit the canning factory, and is not going to do anything now, but I think likely he will. It was very hot all day, cooler and threatening rain to-night.</p> <p>Monday August 4th</p> <p>Dad cut oats all day but did not finish the field, it is the one west of the lane next the gully, he had old Joe Walker and Harry, and said he could have finished it if he had had little Joe in stead of Joe Walker. Frank and I shocked up, Frank didn't feel well at all and had to feed his little pigs quite often so we didn't nearly keep up with the binder. I went down to band practice to-night but as Walt. Steele and Bob. Rankin were the only members present we didn't have any - and I came home early. I scared the gizard out of Frank when I got home to-night, they were all sitting tin the parlor where Enah was playing, and I went up and shook the pear tree by the window which Frank was near and as it was a still night old Frankus felt mighty uncomfortable. Mr. Hall, an old friend of Enah's came over to dinner to-day escorted by Cecil McPherson who greatly entertained us with his wonderful fairy tales of his experiences &amp; exploits. The gang at the canning factory went back to work to-day but Huby has quit and I am afraid is not doing anything. Nice day, cool morning and evening.</p> <p>Tuesday August 5th</p> <p>Dad. finished cutting the oats and we got them shocked up by noon. It is a pretty fair crop very good in some spots. This after noon we put off the load of alsike which was on the waggon and went back</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>and got all the rest of it except three or four bunches which we will bring up with the hay. It made a tremendous load but we got up safely with it. Frank went back with us to pick blackberries or thimble berries but didn't get many as they are not ripe yet. Harry Battersby came over this after noon to see us as he is leaving tomorrow, Lila went back home with him. Aunty went over to dinner and spent the afternoon at Mrs. Battersby's. Warm day &amp; cool night.</p> <p>Wednesday August 6th</p> <p>We unloaded the load of alsike which we hauled yesterday. It just went in and there was no room to spare. Dad &amp; I had to dig a runway for it first. We then loaded the wire that Robert John bought from Sid McBride a year ago to put up along our woods between him &amp; us on the rack and took it back we rolled it all out flat along the woods and this after noon Frank and I went back and cleared away the old fence and rubbish around it and trimmed the tree branches off so as the wire can be just tacked up temporally till Sid. McBride can come to stretch it as we want to turn the cows in the field which the woods are in.</p> <p>Aunty and I drove down town we got a lot of groceries and I got one of Joe's shoes set which she pulled a couple of nails out of someway. Lila came back with us. Huby has gone back to work again at the canning factory, and we are all very glad of it. I went down to band concert to-night. It has been cloudy and cooler all day and rained a shower before tea.</p> <p>Thursday August 7th</p> <p>Aunty and I got started about nine o'clock for Burford to see Mr. Hanmer and his sheep. We stopped for awhile at St. John's Church which is getting nearly finished and for awhile at Simcoe but arrived in Scotland near where Uncle Robuck lives about two o'clock, we stayed at Uncle Robuck's for dinner and as Aunty and I both went to sleep there we didn't leave for Burford till nearly five. It was about seven miles farther on and we got there about six Mr. Hanmer was just going to dip some sheep that were to be shipped to the other side, he had a government vetinary inspector there and so we saw the whole performance. As we were almost strangers to them we felt a little uncomfortable at paying them such an</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>such an unexpected visit at such a time of day, but they couldn't have been nicer or more hospitable and wouldn't hear of us going elsewhere to spend the night. Before going to bed to-night we found Joe had put her foot through a board in the stable floor and had to be moved. It has seemed to us like a lovely day, it has not been too hot and a little breeze the roads were fine and as we met very few vehicles of any kind were not bothered at all with the dust, the country is very dry though.</p> <p>Friday August 8th</p> <p>I don't know what time I got up this morning but I wandered around out side for a good while before I found anybody, but when I went out to give Josie a cleaning off I found her all cleaned, fed &amp; watered. Mr. Hanmer had tended to her, he thinks a lot of horses and admired Joe very much, he has a nice team of hackneys now and his daughter has taken a good many prizes &amp; ribbons for driving. We didn't have breakfast till rather late and as he had some business to do after wards, I didn't have such a lot of time as I would have liked, however he showed me a good many of his sheep and one ram especially which I may buy, he wants fifty dollars for him so I thought I had better speak to Dad. first. We also saw a few imported sheep which were going through Burford, but Mr. Hanmer thought he had lots that could beat them.</p> <p>As Aunty had said we would be at Uncle Robuck's for dinner we thought we had better go although they pressed us to stay there. We left at twenty minutes to twelve and got to Uncle Robuck's at about twenty five minutes after. We stayed there to dinner and left about three. Harry was off thrashing but came home just before we left. We went home by way of Waterford. and Aunty went to see Mrs. York &amp; Mrs. Boughner there for awhile. We got home before seven and although we enjoyed our drive &amp; visit immensly were very glad to be home again, we had to ask the way a few times but didn't get off the road much, they are fixing a bridge at the bottom of Decou's hill so we had to drive a little way down the fourth concession and get to the third through Sol. Smith's lane.</p> <p>It has been another very nice day, roads fine and quite a breeze in our face. It looked rainy to this morning but seemed to clear off again but to-night it is thundering and shows signs of a big storm. I don't know all that</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Dad. and Frank did while we were gone but yesterday they tacked up the wire along the edge of the bush enough to keep the cattle out of Robert John's till Sid. McBride can stretch it and turned the cattle in there. To-day Frank took the team and went over all the summer fallow with the disks and Dad. cut weeds and tidied up. Jean &amp; Adelena are over here to-night.</p> <p>Saturday August 9th</p> <p>It rained cats and dog's last night and things are so flooded we can do nothing outdoors. I didn't hear any thingh all night but they said the thunder was terrific. I drove Dick down this morning and didn't do much else all morning as it kept raining a little. It cleared off at noon - and I drove Jean &amp; Adelena down town as Jean's grand mother wanted to see her about something we got some groceries and came home I wrote a letter to Mr. Hanmer telling him that Dad. was willing for me to get his fifty dollar ram, it seems a lot to pay but if we never get any good headers for our flock we will never have any good stock. Frank and I went down to the mill for a bathe after tea and had a good one as there is a big head of water coming over. it began to thunder &amp; lightening &amp; rain heavily again before we went to bed. Dick did not come home at all to-night.</p> <p>Sunday August 10th</p> <p>It rained harder than ever last night and the cannonade of thunder was terrific with a steady blaze of lightening. It didn't bother me any, I don't think I would have wakened at all but Frank was afraid the barns would be struck and got up over me to investigate Aunty also got up to look around. but Dick slept through it.</p> <p>It was too wet for any of us to go to church or Sunday school so we didn't do any thing much all day. I drew a little and Dad went down and drove Dick home to dinner, but he went down again this afternoon as Wiggins wanted him to help him hang pictures in his room. It began to rain again about five to-night so I put on my bathing suit to go after the cows as Dad. couldn't have got them this morning if it had not been for Tige as the stream was so swollen as to be impassable. He found that they had been in John Wess peas the other night so shut them out of the woods. We heard that Joe Long had a horse killed the night before last with the lightening</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Monday August 11th</p> <p>Dad. went back to John Wess's first thing this morning to get Frank Faulkner's heifer which had got into John Wess's peas with the rest of the cattle but had not come back with them so was taken by John Wess &amp; put in with his. He was not at home but Blaikie was there so Dad. didn't get back very soon. I cut lawn off and on most of the day, I started to get the part across the the ditch cut as it had grown up pretty long. When Dad came home we started to dig a culvert across the front of the lane but after it was pretty well dug Dad. discovered that we couldn't make a satisfactory job of it with the material we had so we had to fill it in again.</p> <p>Dad. shocked up the oats over again all the after noon he said they were soaked right through and every shock had to be changed he didn't get finished of course. Frank thinned out the carrots this after noon and to-night. he &amp; I went to the moving picture show which wasn't bad. Dad. drove Jean &amp; Adelena &amp; Lila down as the two former are going home on Thursday. Huby &amp; Lila came over about noon. Huby had taken a day off to settle up some insurance business and Aunty went back with him. Mr. Bowby brought Louise down to-night, she was here when Frank &amp; I got home. Dick didn't get home till late, he is kept pretty busy now as Mr. Hobbes is taking his holidays. It has been sunny and very cool to-day. the storm has quite cleared off. To-day's papers are full of the news of great damage to property and general depradation caused by the lightening last Saturday night and the night before, all is not known yet as telegraph &amp; telephone wires are down all over.</p> <p>Tuesday August 12th</p> <p>Frank and I drove down and got Louise's trunk first thing this morning. Frank also got a new carborundum scythe stone which I broke on the scythe in a short time, Dad. sharpened the scythe while we were gone and I started to cut weeds around the fences as soon as I got home, by to-night I had all around the wheat field and on three sides of the summer fallow and corn there was none to cut on the fourth side, but my ribs and back ached so that I could hardly wiggle. It's hard work when one's not used to it. Dad turned nearly all the rest of the oat shocks to-day, he didn't quite finish it's a miserable job I would rather cut weeds even if</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>if it does break my back. Frank picked black currants from the old garden and nursed his young hogs most of the day. Sunny &amp; nice to-day. Vyse was in for quite awhile this morning, he told Dad he was going to sell out entirely and go West for awhile on account of his health. Lila came over for the afternoon. Frank went home with her to-night. Old Jonas was in to-night Ivy's have taken him back.</p> <p>Wednesday August 13th</p> <p>Dad finished turning and setting the oat shocks this morning. I went out and cut all around the field he was working in, and a little around the house, before dinner we put of the load of old hay that was on the rack we put what we could of it over the cow stable and left the rest in the shed, it was after noon when we got through so we got a pretty late start. after dinner Dad started to cut the oats over by the side road, we went out with him but didn't shock any up as we had to wait for quite awhile before there was room and we quit early to go up and do chores as I went down to band concert but Dad. kept on cutting till sundown, the ground is pretty soft, he has to cut around the holes and there is water standing in some of the furrows.</p> <p>Frank went down with me to-night, and got some machine oil and went to see the movies. There was quite an accident downtown to-day, the bridge going over the road into Bucks Park broke with a crowd on it, we don't know very much about it but there were none killed and I don't know that there were any very seriously hurt, but there were a good many bones broken, the canning factory is going full tilt now, Huby and the rest worked till dark to-night. Nice day, cool but sunny.</p> <p>Thursday August 14th</p> <p>Mr. Flemming came over this morning with the woful tidings that he wanted two men to help thrash this after noon, so Frank went over to John Wesses to get Blaikie to come in Dad's place. John Wess was about to start cutting peas but insisted on Mr. Blaikie coming. Dad. cut oats most of the day and finished some time during the after noon. I shocked up a few in the morning and after dinner Mr. Blaikie &amp; I lit out for Flemmings, we got a pretty late start as the machine wasn't there on time so will have to go back in the morning. We got word this after noon that</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>there was sheep down at the station for us we were so busy we couldn't go till night, then Dad. &amp; I went down in the waggon, we picked Huby up who was in a great state of excitement over the ram, (for it proved to be the one I ordered from Mr. Hanmer), if we hadn't come down he was going to have it sent over, he wasn't any the worse for his trip, as all hands at the station had been careful to keep him in the shade. I was very surprised to see him as I under stood Mr. Hanmer to say he wouldn't ship him till after he had been shown at the different fairs, he is certainly a beauty. Hot.</p> <p>Friday August 15th</p> <p>Dad. went with me to Mr. Flemming's this morning we finished there and had our dinner about eleven. Sam Law wanted us to go and help thrash his stuff and as he thrashed his oats out of the field he wanted our team and rack so we went out and put a load of our oats on to take over it wasn't a big load but we got forty seven bushels of good plump oats out of it, which will last us till we have time to thrash. We finished at Sam's a little after six and had our tea there so we were rather late doing our chores. Pretty hot to-day.</p> <p>Saturday August 16th</p> <p>Dad. and I went out this morning before the dew was off and turned out every shock of the first cutting of oats, we then went over and shocked up some of the others, we didn't finish but quit at noon and this afternoon hauled the others, we got them all in, there were only four more good sized loads, but it took us till about nine o'clock the last one, it was so dark we could hardly find the shocks, of course we didn't unload this last load. Aunty brought us out a little lunch at six and we had some more when we came in. Very hot and looks like rain soon</p> <p>Sunday August 17th</p> <p>I didn't get up till about nine o'clock this morning and then we three boys all went to the stump and had a good swim, about half the kids in town were down there, and we didn't hurry at all, it was about one when we got home. I didn't do any thing much this after noon but perspire. I started to read but went to sleep, it was too hot to sleep and I started to write but it was too hot to think, so I had to quit that. It rained pretty hard for a short time before tea.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Monday August 18th</p> <p>Owing to the little shower we had yesterday it was a little too wet to haul any oats this morning as we had intended, Dad. and Frank took a load of grist to the mill first thing, they waited till it was chopped and then went down to Mrs. Battersbys where Frank Slocomb is laying side walk and got a load of yellow sand from him to put in front of the lane gate where there is such a mud hole, they then went and got a load of rails.</p> <p>I raked up the weeds and chopped the grass with the lawn mower back of the old house and along the east side of it, I worked at it all day and although it looks a lot better there is lots of room for improvement yet. This afternoon Dad. went out and shooked up the rest of the oats. Dr. Hicks &amp; Cousin Willie went out to ask him if he would run against Bob. Taylor in the election for a school trustee next Monday, as he hates to see them so tied up in their business he said he would, but woudn't take time to get out &amp; work at all.</p> <p>Enah and Louise drove Joe down town this afternoon Jean Marks came over to say that she and Louise were wanted in Toronto to help christen Rebecca Lee Scott next Friday. Louise hadn't intended going till next Monday but I guess she will have to go Wednesday now. Aunty thinks she will go down with them. Dad and I went out about six tonight and brought in one load of oats. It has been hot all day cooler to-night.</p> <p>Tuesday August 19th</p> <p>We hauled in oats to-day but as we didn't get out very early and quit early we only got in four loads. We stopped work at five as I had to be down town at seven to accompany the band to a {havana?} social at Port Ryersie. It wasn't a full band as Bob. Rankine had a lame back &amp; Johnny Walker had no one to run his engine at the picture show for him, Miss. Thompson &amp; Old Silverthorne took a load of girls up on the Victoria but the lake was so rough they could hardly land and they would not go back any way but by land so some came in one of the band rigs and Theodore Brown brought the rest down We had a time although the wind was cold and the torches blew so we could hardly see. I got home a little after twelve and Dick who spent the evening at the Hobbes got home soon after. Very cool all day</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Wednesday August 20th</p> <p>We hauled in all the rest of the oats to-day. There were just two loads and a jag. We brought the jag in about three o'clock and Dad. &amp; Frank pitched it off while I got Joe ready to drive Louise &amp; her trunk to the station. She, Aunty and Jean all got off to-night. While I was down town Dad took the mower out and cut around the holes in the oat field which he couldn't do with the binder on account of them being so wet. I came home around by Huby's to get some peony roots and he was just getting ready to go to work as he is night watchman these days at the works.</p> <p>I went down to band concert to-night, after we got through on the stand Johnny Walker very kindly offerd us each a free ticket to the moving picture show so we all went down, tore off a piece in front of "The Gem" and then went in, he put on the three reels almost solely for our benefit as there were very few others in there. Edith came over this after noon and is going to stay for a few days or a week. Warmer than yesterday but not too hot.</p> <p>Thursday August 21st</p> <p>Dad. and I went out this morning with the rack and got the oats which were around the edge of the water holes and which Dad had cut with the mower, it took along time as Dad. just raked the stuff up in piles with his pitch fork. I set fire to the grass &amp; weeds which I cut the other day between the corn field and the wheat stubble and had to watch it that it didn't do any damage.</p> <p>This after noon Dad went out and rolled the summer fallow but it was very hard and lumpy. Frank and I cleaned all the rubbish and burdocks out of the yard between the horse stable and the hay barn and fixed the fence so that we can turn the old ram out.</p> <p>To-night we printed pictures and got some good ones mostly of Tiddums. Dick did not come home to-night. Nice day not too hot. It got very black this evening and rained a little before tea.</p> <p>Friday August 22nd</p> <p>It began to rain quietly about six this morning but stopped about nine or ten. Dad. patched the roof on the old barn and Frank held on to the rope to which Dad was tied. This after noon it got too windy to shingle so Dad plowed a little more of the old corn stubble. I started to clean up the limbs out of the orchard and got quite a lot done, Frank and I had to go down town to-night about five for groceries. Cloudy and cool.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Saturday August 23rd</p> <p>Dad. plowed at the old corn ground all morning while I worked in the orchard. This after noon Dad took the the team and waggon and we took all the brush and piled &amp; burned it in the north end of the orchard where the little trees are mostly dead, we then took the big limbs and piled them behind the wood shed for storewood it took us all the afternoon but it has made a great improvement in the looks of the orchard.</p> <p>This was Baughner Picnic day but Frank was the only one who celebrated from here. Doctor Hicks &amp; Doctor Cook were over before tea to talk election to Dad. They said things were going pretty well although there are several working against him. Vyse was over this morning to say he wanted us to go &amp; thrash on Monday. Edith left this after noon. Lila came over this morning for her music but didn't stay long None of us went down to meet Aunty to-night as we think likely she will stay ay Huby's to-night. It as been very cool all day and mostly cloudy, regular fall day.</p> <p>Sunday August 24th</p> <p>This was the sunday that they decided to have Tiddums christened. Aunty came over before Sunday school and brought Tiddums a lot of presents she got for him in Toronto and which Vernon and Mrs. Marks sent up. We all went down to church. Dad. drove Enah down and she &amp; Tiddums stayed over at the Harding's till the time of the christening arrived - and then she &amp; Dad. brought him in Huby was the extra godfather, and has been studdying the service up for the last few nights. Tiddums never let a whimper out of him but sat on Dad's hand, and jumped, stared, laughed and crowed a little although they said he was getting sleepy before the end. Dad. &amp; Enah drove right home with him but the rest of us waited for the rest of the service.</p> <p>This after noon Dick and I went down town. I went to see Harry &amp; Mrs. Moon bur they weren't home so after calling at the bank where the whole staff except Mr. Hobbs were hard at work and at Huby's for a minute or two I came home. Dick got back for tea Dad. and Enah drove down to church to-night as Enah had to play the organ for {Elsa?}; when they got home Dick and I drove down to post a couple of letters for Aunty. Cool &amp; windy all day Cold to-night.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Monday August 25th</p> <p>Dad. and I both went over to Vyse's to help thrash and were there till noon, although he didn't have much stuff. but it was awkward getting it out and we were late getting started. Dad. made a mistake by going at all for this was election day, when he was running against Bob. Taylor for school trustee, and Vyse sent two of Martin's men home saying he had enough hands, then went down town as soon as we got started and I suppose worked as hard as he could for Taylor.</p> <p>This after noon I went up to the glen with a picnic party of Mrs Hobbe's, Dick got off and went with us we went up in the "Victoria" and had a fine time. We got back a little after dark, and went up to Mrs. Hobbes and danced till about twelve, most of the music was supplied by Col. Smith's gramophone about the first news we heard when we struck town was that Dad. had beaten Taylor by a majority of 9. He was down town all the afternoon and had an exciting time. The school board can now do business as Tibbets and Miller were not disqualified and they will have a majority on their side. Lovely day, cool &amp; sunny.</p> <p>Tuesday August 26th</p> <p>Dad. and I went over to help thrash at Martin's this morning, it didn't take long to thrash their oats out but they had a few interruptions so we just got through about eleven and had our dinner.This after noon Dad disked on the summer fallow, and I cut at the lawn but didn't get much done. Allan Law had to pull Vyse out of a hole to-day, he found him beating his little balky mare unmercifully, because she balked with a load of 16 bags of wheat Vyse told him he would kill her if he had ambition enough. Cool and threatening.</p> <p>Wednesday August 27th</p> <p>Dad. disked and harrowed on the summer fallow all day and I cut the rest of the front lawn this side of the ditch and worked around at other odd jobs. Frank and I fixed a couple of bars at the end of the horse stable to block the yard south and west of the horse stable, and then turned old 4700 out, he spent most of the afternoon under an old door leaning against the fence. Frank noticed today that he is club footed behind, we couldn't see his foot before in the stable. I went down to band concert to-night. It has been a nice sunny day but cool.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Thursday August 28th</p> <p>When Tom Albert came this morning he said there was a loose horse on the road, Dad got her and put her in, she had a halter on but Dad. didn't know her, but we had an idea she belonged to Bill George so when Dick went down he happened to see the above mentioned Bill. and told him whereupon that gentleman came over immediately and took the mare home. We started to haul manure to-day but owing to interuptions such as oiling the spreader and as it was drizzling rain we were undecided whether to go to to work or not; we didn't get started till after ten, we got four loads out and one on the spreader by twelve and one out after dinner, but it started to rain so hard that we put the horses and machine away.</p> <p>I then drove Enah down town to Mrs. {Scobrams?} and had to wait quite awhile for her, we got home at five and I drove Aunty down, she to the old German Roller canary who has not been in a healthy condition for "some time back" down to Mrs. Tusk for repair, she also got a student lamp from Miss Battersby who made a present of it to Dad. It has drizzled nearly all day and to-night another big thunder storm came up with an awful downpour. About ten o'clock Aunty &amp; Dad. noticed fire north of here, where some poor fellow's barn had been struck.</p> <p>Friday August 29</p> <p>It was too wet this morning to work on the land so Dad opened up ditches on the summer fallow and I sawed up the old apple limbs and rubbish behind the wood shed. This afternoon, I went to see if the field next the woods across the gully was fit to plow but found water lying in the furrows and ditches. Frank and Lila went back as far as the gully with me to look for mushrooms. I set out three little rose bushes on the mound just for fun I don't expect them to grow, but the were in the lawn and I didn't know what else to do with them.</p> <p>I took John Wess McBride's rope back to him, which Dad had borrowed the day he brought Frank Faulkner's heifer home. I saw Mr. Blaike and he told me it was Bob. Winter's barn that was burned last night he lives on the townline just north and one lot west of this place. I came home around by R. J. Watson's, and Charlie McQueens. I also went over to Lorne Myers where Geordie Murphy is ditching I got home about four and then Frank &amp; I went down to Martins where Frank got some grit for his chickens and I got some information re planting out straw berries &amp; pruning grape vines from John Quanbury. Dad. had to go to a school board meeting to-night, he hasn't felt very well all the after noon. Frank is better to-day he was quite sick yesterday. Sunny and breezy to-day.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Saturday August 30th</p> <p>I spent the whole day working around the garden. I cut the two high patches of weeds and pulled them out as well as I could of the onion bed, This after noon I cut the lawn behind the house and about five drove Enah down town for supplies. We got word to-day that Walter was coming to-night he has been in Toronto for the last few days - and Roy &amp; Vernon may come up with him, if we have been making preparations for them all day.</p> <p>Dad. went over to John Wess McBrides this morning to see his lame cow and get advice about the field back there we were going to put wheat on but there is so much blue grass on it we that we would not likely get half a crop especially now that we wouldn't be able to get in in early, so we thought of fall ploughing it and summer fallowing it then plow in June &amp; put wheat on it next fall, that was just what John Wess said he would do as that will just about fix the blue grass.</p> <p>This afternoon Dad plowed up a strip in the garden where the potatoes were and which I am going to try to work up in shape to set out a few straw berryplants. Dad. and Aunty drove down to-night to meet Walter and the others if they came. They did come but it took about half the night to collect them all. It had been arranged that Vernon would spend the night at the Woodson's - and Walter &amp; Roy would come here, so Dad. drove Vernon over, and then came on home with the impedimenta, leaving Aunty to come home with Walter &amp; Roy. He just nicely got in the lane when Walter came in alone. He had come up town with Dick (who had to work till midnight.) to get some cigarettes and had forgotten whether Roy and Aunty were waiting for him or not and evidently didn't care a hang so came on over by him self - getting information concerning the route from some of the Woodson's who were outside as he came past.</p> <p>We were just about to start off with the lanterns in search of the other two when Roy came up, ignorant of the whereabouts of Aunty saying he had left her in front of the Dominion waiting for Walter while he went down to the canning factory to see Huby, but couldn't find him so came on over, he was very indignant at finding Walter here - and proceded to call him down as he well could and Walter smoked and enjoyed it all as he well could while Dad. and I started to hook Joe up and go in quest of Aunty, however we just nicely got the buggy when</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>poor Aunty came up, she had waited a long time and then went up to the bank and found out from Dick that Walter had gone home, so she followed, when each ones evidence had been given and the mystery of the mix-up unravelled we all had tea - after which we talked till after Dick came home. Nice day, cloudy &amp; cool.</p> <p>Sunday August 31st</p> <p>We all went to church this morning except Dad. who went over to John Wess McBrides to see his lame cow and spent a very enjoyable morning and Enah who had household duties &amp; Tiddums to attend to. I drove Walter &amp; Roy down, as I was supposed to drive Vernon back to dinner but she was booked for dinner at the Woodson's so I drove Aunty and Frank part way home then went back and got Walter &amp; Win who had gone up to see Cousin Bessy for a few minutes. Huby. came over with Roy, as we had a couple of Franks ducks for dinner. He says he was there last night when Walter &amp; Roy paid their separate visits but as they are going to get him a clock to "punch" he has to make the most of his unregistered time unless he can get George Gamble to figure out a scheme to punch the clock all at one time, in all probability George is quite capable of doing such a thing.</p> <p>This afternoon we inspected the livestock, the gully &amp; mound - and such things besides "settin around". Tupper &amp; his Englishman came over &amp; spent the afternoon visiting with Dad. To-night Dad. and Enah drove down to church as Enah had to play the organ. Vernon came over to tea and she &amp; Roy went down to Mrs. Battersby's for awhile. Cool and nice.</p> <p>Monday September 1st</p> <p>Dad's cold was very bad to-day and he felt too rotten to do anything, I didn't do anything to speak of all morning but this afternoon I put some manure on my strawberry bed and chopped it up pretty well with the hoe. Frank chored around all morning and this afternoon went down town with the Ryersie's, he has to go back to school in the morning, poor kid, I feel sorry for him.</p> <p>This being Labor Day the bank was closed but Dick went down and worked for an hour or two this morning and was down town all the after noon. Dad. drove Roy down to the station to-night as he &amp; Vernon couldn't stay away from business &amp; baby (respectively) any longer. Aunty and Walter stayed at Huby's for tea. Cloudy &amp; threatening this forenoon Hot &amp; sunny this afternoon. Old Jonas was</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Duplicated page from previous page (115).</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>over to-night for a long visit during which Queen broke out of the pasture and caused us a lot of trouble getting her in, then I traipsed all over the pasture looking for the others and fearing they were out on the road but at last found them all safe in the pasture. Roy is thinking quite seriously of coming up here and starting a poultry ranch for the city market. I which he would. but.</p> <p>Tuesday September 2th</p> <p>Jonas came over this morning with a basket of tomatoes which he promised us last night. He came before seven but if he had not been in such a hurry and left them to enjoy a few more sunny hours they would have been in much better condition. He also brought a boquet of about three asters, two gladioli &amp; one geranium with one foot in the grave. It was very kind of him though.</p> <p>Poor Frank went back to jail this morning but got out for the afternoon. Dad. &amp; I hauled out manure. We monkeyed around till after ten o'clock so only got out about 10 loads all day. This afternoon Carl Coleman &amp; Perce {Kindren?} came over and got Edmond England's heifer that has been sending the summer with our cows. having crossed the dilapitaded line fence from Ivys where she &amp; three others were boarding, as we didn't have time, means or enough inclination to repair the fence, our gully has furnished her with free board and lodging. I think Walter slept &amp; read most of the day except when he rode out with Dad. on the spreader load. and when Aunty with some difficulty induced him to call on Mrs Battersby with her. Edith came over this after noon to say good bye, as she is going back to Toronto on Thursday.</p> <p>Tiddums has not felt very lively to-day, they think he is enlarging upon his dental equipment. Cecil Lamb has been very ill for a week or more wth typhoid fever and now Dick says they don't expect him to live. Vyse left this morning for the West, I don't know how he expects Dover to exist without him. Very hot &amp; hard to work</p> <p>Wednesday September 3rd</p> <p>Dad. &amp; I pitched manure all day we got out 12 or 13 loads which we thought was pretty good considering the circumstances. we were getting it from between the barn &amp; the stack where we can't get in with the spreader so have to carry it quite a way. We don't think the spreader is sowing it at 16 loads per acre which it is set at. This afternoon Aunty and Walter went down town</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>and stayed at Huby's to tea. I went down to band practice to-night and Frank went to the moving pictures. This was the last concert of the season and Walt. was going to treat the boys over at the Dominion afterwards but I came right home with Carl. Coleman, Frank &amp; Jonas. Jonas seemed in a melancholy state of mind to-night. {Sairy?} was sick and had evidently been calling him down about something, anyway he told us he did not lead a happy life and he didn't care who knew it. Very hot &amp; thundery &amp; rainy.</p> <p>Thursday September 4th</p> <p>Dad. and I started to tear up the old stable floor which was half buried in manure so that we could drive right through instead of steering clear of this old rubbish heap, but Dad. felt so rotten we had to quit and he couldn't do any thing all day.</p> <p>This after noon I mussed around a little and cut weeds along the side road, gully and lane fences. Aunty and Walter went down town this afternoon and to-night they went over to see Mrs. Battersby. We were all asleep whent they got home. Aunty has at last decided to go as far as Winnipeg with Walter on her way to Fort Saskatchewan. Very much cooler, fine day to work.</p> <p>Friday September 5th</p> <p>Dad. didn't feel much better to-day but worked all day in spite of his illness, he says his bones ache all over and he is so weak he has to exert himself to double up his fist. This morning we took the team and snaked the sleepers of the old stable out of the manure and piled them up in the yard and out of our way.</p> <p>About eleven o'clock I drove Aunty over to the Shand's as she wanted very much to say good bye to them before she went west and thought she might not get a better chance. we got back about noon, we lost a little time putting John &amp; Snowdrop in the gully as they had got on the road through the culvert. but Joe made up for lost time by the rate she got over the pike. Dad. had two or three more sleepers to get out when I left but he finished all but one which is too deeply buried and not at all in the road so he left it till some other time.</p> <p>This after noon we didn't think it was worthwhile getting started hauling manure as one of us had to drive Walter's suitcase to the station, so Dad. plowed all the afternoon. I was out with him for awhile but about four I drove Aunty and Walter to the station. I hung around till after the train went out and then brought Aunty home with me, she is going to meet Walter in Toronto next Wednesday Tuesday and go west</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>with him, from there as he is going to stay a few days with Roy before he leaves. Very nice day a little warmer We had to shut old 4700 up in the boxstall to stay to day as to-night Dad. noticed he had rubbed a big wad of wool of his shoulder on the bars where he was trying to get through, he aparently enjoys it just as much in confinement as he does when out in the yard where he sees &amp; hears the other sheep.</p> <p>Saturday September 6th</p> <p>Although Dad feels very miserable yet he worked all day, we didn't get a very early start this morning but had Frank nearly all the time to help us and I think we got out 14 loads of manure. We were delayed for awhile this after noon when the spreader was incapacitated through a lot of stuff being jammed between the beater and the comb above it. Dad lost quite a little time adjusting it.</p> <p>Lila has been over all day and has spent nearly the whole time riding Frank's wheel up and down the road, she went down town on it once for Enah. Aunty has been down town nearly all day preparing for her journey. Fine day - pretty warm this afternoon</p> <p>Sunday September 7th</p> <p>Dad. Aunty &amp; Frank left about eight o'clock this morning for Port Rowan as Aunty wanted to say goodbye to Aunt Ida before she left and they took Frank as a part compensation for him missing a trip to the Toronto Exhibition. I finished up the chores and went to church alone as Dick was in bed till noon Lila went down this morning to sunday school but this afternoon does not feel very well so Dick says, due probably to her violent exercise on Frank's wheel yesterday. I slept this after noon for two or three hours and then milked and did chores which aren't much with Josie away and the other horses out.</p> <p>Dick was down town swimming with the girls all the afternoon. Dad. Aunty and Frank got home about nine o'clock. They had quite a day of it, saw Aunt Ida, Clara and the Howe bunch, and Aunty got some rare flowers on the way home. It has been a lovely day but pretty hot.</p> <p>Monday September 8th</p> <p>We hauled out six loads of manure this fore noon but had to go thrashing down at Alfreds, we were there all the afternoon. I stayed {heart shaped ink blot here} tea but Dad. came home to drive Aunty's valise down town, he was gone quite awhile</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>as he got some thing in his eye this afternoon and had to go to the doctors to have it taken out. I had all the cows but the two heifers milked when he and Frank got back so he did up all the rest of the chores while I took Joe and drove Mrs. McBride home, she has been here all day washing and picking plums, she took a lot home with her. Nice day with east wind.</p> <p>Tuesday September 9th</p> <p>We got up extra early this morning and Dad. Frank and I drove down to see Aunty off. Mr. Wiggins was going home on his holidays so she would have company all the way. On our way back we met Tupper who wanted one of us to go and help thrash, he expected the machine there between ten &amp; eleven. I went over about ten but there wasn't a sigh of the machine and Tupper was plowing I hung around till after dinner, they started soon after dinner and didn't stop once till after six, we put through about 650 bushels of oats in the afternoon I was getting pretty well worked out when they stopped, it was Win Law's outfit. Tupper got disgusted with Sam. last year so wouldn't have him again. I got a ride home with Mr. Flemming. Dad plowed all the afternoon and is all finished but about two rounds, it was an awful job when he got into the land next the fence which was plowed up last spring and the weeds were there are four feet high. I feel pretty sick to-night but have to go back in the morning. It has been very cold all day.</p> <p>Wednesday September 10th</p> <p>I was over at Tupper's soon after seven this morning and we started to work soon after I got there and through about half past eleven, we thrashed wheat, and it was an awful mess of thistles, the down was so thick it was as if some one had shaken out a feather pillow. I came home before dinner with Bill Philips was there for Mr Flemming, I was glad to be done as it did me up for most of the afternoon. Dad. went to the mill this morning and got some oats chopped and finished plowing and disked down what he plowed. After dinner we hauled out seven loads of manure, the piece north of the orchard all covered now and we have four loads on the piece east of the orchard.</p> <p>Allan Law was over after dinner and borrowed the roller. they are putting their wheat in. They are working two teams, old Ben, and Bert Monroe's little mare, each with one of the big team, Jonas was over to-night to get some plums and he helped me put in some srawberry plants which Frank got to-night from Jack. Martin. It froze last night but has been warmer to-day Tiddums is not feeling well to-day.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Thursday September 11th</p> <p>We got a good early start this morning at the manure and broke all previous records, we got out 16 loads, and have got just about all there is that is suitable for top dressing. Allan Law came over this morning and borrowed the waggon and drill, they finished up over there to-night and he brought the things home. Jonas was over again to-night and picked some more plums, he stayed for about an hour telling Frank and me stories of his experiences in a lumber camp. Betty Woodson was also over and brought us another kitten which she got from some kids who were going to drown it. Tiddums seems to be quite well again to-day. Much warmer looks rainy</p> <p>Friday September 12th</p> <p>We got out 16 loads of manure to-day but could have got out another, but as the field was covered all but a little strip we put the spreader away, we didn't put much on the little side hills as the spreader sloughs and does not work well there, Mr. Morgan came over this morning and stayed to dinner.</p> <p>This after noon Winnie came over to borrow some books and Frank's camera, she is not at school as she has hives. Betty &amp; the twins were past here to-day with three hounds and another dog, one of the hounds got in our corn field and they were a long time getting it out. Cloudy and threatening to-day.</p> <p>Saturday September 13th</p> <p>We worked both teams on the land all day and now have the piece between the orchard and the corn in pretty nice shape. I disked all day and Dad rolled &amp; harrowed on both pieces of ground. Frank dug around and mulched some of the peach trees this afternoon. Dick expected Ferdie to-night but I guess he didn't come as he said if he had any luggage he would leave it in the barber shop, for I told him I would be in to get my hair cut. Dad. &amp; I went down to get some groceries but it was so cold I didn't get my locks trimmed, however I went to see if Ferdie's impedimenta was there but it wasn't and there was no sighn of Dick we came home alone I suppose Dick has gone to the dance - the last of the season I think.</p> <p>We saw Huby to-night coming from home where he had been to fill his lantern, he says he has ordered twine but he thinks they can't get anything from the states now. Mrs. McBride was over this morning to pick plums, Very cold wind all day Clear &amp; cold to-night.</p> <p>Sunday September 14th</p> <p>It froze hard enough last night to crimp the tomato tops and corn leaves, but I don't think it will hurt the corn except the leaves for fodder. I didn't get up till late &amp; felt so rotten with a bad cold in my head that I didn't</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>try to do much or go to church. Frank has just the same cold but he went down to Sunday school and church. First thing this morning we put up the little stove in the kitchen and it makes things much more comfortable. Old Jonas came over this afternoon to look at the corn he is going to help cut it but it won't be ready for awhile yet. Johnny Walker also came over to have a look at old Joe. he drove down with Dad. Enah &amp; Tiddums, the two latter stayed at Huby's till church time and Dad. came home to help do chores and then went down again to go to church with Enah. They have heard so much about the famous &amp; rich preacher the same one who was there last Sunday that they thought they would like to hear him so Aunty Maude will keep the baby for them while they are gone.</p> <p>Walt. Steele sent me over ten dollars to-day by Dick which is for my playing with the band all summer, and which I consider easy money. Ferdie didn't come last night Dick got a card from him saying he has lost his job and isn't coming at all I guess. Dick went up the beach to a corn roast last night and has been down town all this afternoon. Dad. turned the old sow out this morning, he is going to wean the little pigs now, he let her in with them again to-night after they had had a good supper so as not to wean them too suddenly. We put poor old Dave in this afternoon and gave him a bath his three white feet are in awful shape all swollen way up his legs and terribly broken out around the feet. The only thing we can think of that can ail him is alsike poisoning which we have heard of before but which Dad never believed in much. Neither Osprey nor Dolly seem affected and they both have white feet.</p> <p>Tiddums didn't stay asleep long down at Huby's during church and when he awoke and found himself among strangers he became homesick and cried so lustily that they were forced to send to church after Enah to come and pacify him.</p> <p>Monday September 15th</p> <p>I finished cross disking on the piece where I left of Saturday and started to roll it all this morning while Dad. harrowed awhile on the other piece and then went with Frank over to John Wess McBride's to get the seed. John Wess has gone to Grand Rapids but Blaikie was there and they cleaned up nearly {21?} bushels, and got back before dinner. Blaikie and Bill Lemons are keeping {batch?} over there.</p> <p>This after noon I finished rolling that piece and then started to disk the other piece deeply, and Dad. &amp; Frank drilled in the small piece they put in about 8 1/2 bushels, they started with the drill set at 2 bus. &amp; a peck but thought it was overrunning so changed it to 2 bus.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Frank stayed home partly on account of his cold and partly to help Dad keep the drill from clogging up on the straw &amp; grass which didn't all work in. Tonight old Jonas came over and stayed about half the night trying to sell Dad some seed oats (heavy yielders). Dad. didn't order any much to the grief of Jonas but promised him he would Dad. bathed and powdered poor Davy's feet to-night, they certainly are in awful shape and he is as thin as a board. I have felt pretty rotten all day.</p> <p>It froze again last night but has been warm and sunny all day. The men struck at the canning factory to-day as they haven't been payed for two pay days or more. Dick said to-night that he heard Harry Graham has failed, and that George Gamble they are afraid has typhoid fever. Gordie Faulkner has it not badly &amp; Cecil Lamb's fever didn't break yesterday when the three weeks was up</p> <p>Tuesday September 16th</p> <p>We both worked on the land all day. I disked all morning and Dad harrowed over the sowed piece and part of the other. It began to drizzle soon after dinner so Dad took my team and ran out the ditches in the sowed field also the cross ditches in the other. I then took little Joe &amp; Belle and began to roll but the earth at last got so wet that about four o'clock I put them in, when Dad. got through with the others team I disked awhile but not long as I began to get too wet for comfort, so I came in Dad. did chores as I felt too tough except to help milk. Franks cold was too bad for him to go to school to-day. this morning he went down and saw the operations of the canning factory, they are working full blast to-day as the men are promised money to-night or tomorrow It didn't freeze last night and looked rainy all morning</p> <p>Saturday Wednesday September 17th</p> <p>I cross disked all morning, Dad. went over and borrowed Ivy's disks and started to cross from the other end we nearly met by noon. It looked so {nebulous?}that Dad thought he would drill it in this after noon though under other circumstances we would have rolled &amp; harrowed it yet. I finished disking while Dad was getting the seed and drill out. and then started to go over the dead furrows lengthways. Dad. got about two or three rounds drilled when it began to rain so hard we were forced put our teams in much to Dad's disgust. as we couldn't do anything but chore the rest of the day and he is afraid we won't be able to get back on the land for quite awhile. Alfred came over</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>just before it began to rain and brought back the old cultivator. I think I forgot to mention at the time but the ice ran out a week or so ago, it lasted pretty well but we think we can make it do better next year by putting in more sawdust and making better drainage Frank stayed home from school again to-day, my cold is better to-night but Dad thinks he is getting another one now. Frank took a boquet of wild flowers down to exhibit at the horticultural show to-morrow night. Cloudy all day, didn't rain very long.</p> <p>Thursday September 18th</p> <p>I haven't done a tap of work all day, I have felt all day like a cake of soap after a hard day's washing and just lay around the house. This morning Dad. thought it was a little too wet to work on the land so after he did chores he went out and got a load of rails and took back Ivey's disks. This after noon he drilled in the rest of the wheat. He ran out of seed when he was within a round or two of finishing and had to go down to Alfred's to get another bag, when he got back it was too late to finish so he will have to wait till morning, he thinks Alfred's wheat a better sample that John Wess's as there is not so much cracked wheat in it.</p> <p>Frank went back to school this morning but Dad. kept him home this afternoon to help him drill. Enah and Tiddums went down to see the flower show, she said it was not as large as other years and that Frank didn't get a prize on his wild flowers. Frank did not go down to see it. Dick did not get home till late as he went to the dance in the pavillion the last of the season. The men and women at the canning factory did not get their wages as they had been promised so have all struck again except Huby &amp; the engineer. It has been a nice day - I think</p> <p>Friday September 19th</p> <p><br />I did not do much more to-day than yesterday. I started to clean out the stables but became so exhausted that I had to give it up and just poke around, this afternoon I read and answered an advertisement I saw in "The Literary Digest" for a fellow who tells how to get strong, if he fails to help me I think I shall take to dressmaking or something of that nature. Dad. finished drilling before Frank went to school this morning and then harrowed the field over, he started to run the furrows before dinner but old Harry &amp; Joe proved so incompetent that it took him the whole after noon to finish the job, the last five of the dead furrows were so crooked that he harrowed them out and ran them over again</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>He intended to go down and help Mr. Flemming this after noon as Alfred told him yesterday that he is far behind with his work having been sick, and unable to work ever since Tupper thrashed, Dad may go down tomorrow if Mr. Flemming wants him. Jonas was over for a short visit to-night. We have had to keep Belle tied up all day as we turned her out twice and she jumped right back in to the lane in front of the house immediately, she &amp; Harry got in the night before last and ate all the Golden Bantam corn down to within a foot of the ground. Dad. had to get up at half past four to shut them in the stable and then he didn't go back to bed again. It has been a nice sunny day. Sun set clear to-night.</p> <p>Saturday September 20th</p> <p>I felt quite a lot better to-day but my throat is still sore I intended to go back and cut the clover seed this morning but there were two rivets that had to be replaced in the pitman rod of the mower before it could be used so I took it down to Butler's for repair. Dad. told me that if no one else was in the shop I might as well get Joe's shoes set, as they needed it badly, I did, so did not get home till after noon This after noon Frank &amp; I cleaned out the stables which haven't been properly cleaned for about a week and then drove down town to get stuff on our way back we stopped at Uncle Wards and he &amp; Frank picked a bushel of tomatoes which we brought home for Enah to do up. He has a good many there going to waste as he put in a lot for the canning factory but they closed down before he got them all picked.</p> <p>It got very black while we were there and just as we left began to sprinkle and just as we got home to rain hard. Dick got in just behind us the first time he has been home so early all summer I believe. It did not rain long nor exra heavily and there was only about one hard crack of thunder, but I don't know whether it is all over yet or not.</p> <p>Dad. has been cleaning ditches all day but has more to do yet. Frank went down this morning to ask Mr. Flemming if Dad. could help him any if he came down but Mr. Flemming said he expected Ern. up and would be through this afternoon. Frank went over to John Wess McBride to return the bags they brought the wheat over in. Blaikie was cutting the buckwheat with a scythe he couldnt manage it with a cradle. Frank saw a black squirrel on the line fence when he was over there Dad and we three boys had a bath to-night, I needed one badly</p> <p>Sunday September 21st</p> <p>I sat around the house all day except to help do chores and</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>finished reading Hamlet. I don't want to got to church till I get my hair cut for fear some body taking me for a wild creature would put me out. Enah still having a desire to hear the Irish preacher of the two preceding Sunday's went down driven by Dick. Frank walked down to Sunday school and church Dad. looked after Tiddums and the house. Tiddums has not been himself to day, for some obscure reason. Dick spent the afternoon at home for a change, reading. Cars. Rankin and Arly McCarter drove over this afternoon to have Dad look at Car's horse's foot which got burned on a rope. It has been dull &amp; chilly &amp; wet off &amp; on all day</p> <p>Monday September 22nd</p> <p>It rainded nearly all night and most of the day, the roads being inconsequence in such a condition as to prohibit travel by bicycle, so I drove the boys to the scenes of their labors and as there was nothing pressing in progress here and not knowing when a better oportunity would present itself I put Joe in at Hendersons and proceeded to have, my hair cut, a shave, and my teeth cleaned, this last item I promised Aunty I would have seen to on the first favorable occasion which presented itself.</p> <p>I arrived home after getting a roll of roofing paper to repair the cow shed roof and some other articles a little before noon, we read and did chores most of the remainder of the day, although we did go out for awhile to strengthen the grain barn floor as in one place it is too much decayed to permit the safe passage of the thrashing machine over it, but as from time to time we must go outside and come in contact with the disagreeable weather, there was no pleasure in it so we postponed the duty to a future and fairer day.</p> <p>Mrs McBride was here allday performing her biweekly labors and it being such a 'dirty' night Dad. drove her home while I got the cows. I began to read "The White Company" to-day and I am afraid it will be a hard one to leave at the call of duty. Dick is not expected home to-night.</p> <p>Tuesday September 23rd</p> <p>Sam Law came in this morning and informed us that he was going up to Clarke Matthew's old place to thrash to-day, and would thrash his own three loads of oats on his way back and then come here, Allan came in tonight and told us that they just pulled the machine into their barn to night and would not be over here till noon to-morrow. This morning Dad &amp; I levelled the butt of the old stack and this afternoon we finished fixing the barn floor and sweeping out the granary bins.</p> <p>To-night when Frank got home from school he &amp; I drove down town to purchase provisions and warn out Mr. Fleming &amp; the Martins. Dad. has gone over to Mrs. McBrides to-night to see if he can her to help Enah to-morrow. It has been sunny all day but with a cold wind</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Wednesday September 24th</p> <p>We went over about eight o'clock this morning to help Sam. Law, we thrashed out their three loads in a very short time and then came home and hauled a load of rails and made general preparations for them here. They got here about twelve, and were just about ready to start after dinner Frank stayed home from school and first thing went on his wheel to secure the aid of a man from Tupper's and one from Billy Louis as they promised one when Dad gave them free treatment for their cow. Mr. Fleming himself came and brought Bill Philips. Martin's sent two men and Alfred &amp; Jonas both came so we had plenty of help. Mrs. McBride came to help Enah and Ada came over and looked after Tiddums the whole afternoon.</p> <p>We thrashed out all the oats 513 bushels, and made quite a hole in the wheat which is coming pretty slowly. I helped Bill Philips carry away the oats and they kept us on the hump we got 320 bushels off the 10 acres by the side road and about 240 off the 8 acres back the lane, counting the load we thrashed before over at Sam's, we expect the wheat to go about 10 bushels to the acre.</p> <p>To-night I drove Mrs. McBride and Ada home, it was awfully dark and I nearly ran into a waggon and did run over a log, across the road. Lovely day sunny and warm</p> <p>Thursday September 25th</p> <p>We finished up the wheat about nine o'clock this morning it went better than we expected. 133 bushels and we didn't look for more than 100. It wasn't a very big thrashing but might have been worse. About ten o'clock Jonas and I lit into the corn field, and at noon had 1307 14 shocks put up. Jonas doesn't use a horse but I think he would be better off if he did, as one blows down now and then and takes longer to set it up than it would to move a horse quite a few times. I didn't go out to help him this afternoon but Frank went out some time after dinner with a pail of water for him, and he wasn't there we saw him going up the road afterwards about half past three, but he got ten more shocks cut by six, he said he felt pretty sick after dinner.</p> <p>We trimmed up the sheep and let the old ram out in the orchard. Frank saw when he went after the mail that Butler had the tires on the waggon set so he and Dad went down before tea and brought it home. Cousins Loll &amp; Phoebe were over for awhile this after noon Mrs. Dave Waddle died to-day at five o'clock, she has been sick for a long time but only a few days in bed, she was down town on Monday. It has been hot to-day and hazy looking all around</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Friday September 26th</p> <p>When Dad. got up this morning he found the old sow had knocked down the orchard gate and let all the ewes out. We got them in with out much difficulty but noticed the ram was up at the north end of the orchard lying down by himself. When we went to look at him we saw at once that he was very sick, so brought him down and put him in his old yard between the drive house and the big barn, he has laid around all day and wont eat or drink, he is not bloated but is quite hollow and does not seem in any pain but now and then stretches out his neck and swells his sides like a dog trying to vomit.</p> <p>Dad. and I went up to Dunkin's this morning to see him as we got a letter from him yesterday morning saying he had a ram he would let us have for awhile not knowing of course that we had one, we expected to be back at noon but it began to rain soon after we got started and kept up so long that we stayed there for dinner and did not get home till half past four, we didn't think his sheep much ahead of ours and his rams not a patch on $4700. When we got home Enah told us the old sow was out and had wandered down the road but Frank brought her home on his way home from school so we shut her up in Queen's boxstall and nailed up the door. To-night the ram got in the barn and we gave him a drench, he does not seem any better but no worse.</p> <p>Jonas cut corn this morning to cut corn and cut till it rained. and this after noon tore down the old fence around the hill, he was over to-night to see if we would haul it for him to morrow Dad. told him he would try to. When I went back after the cows to-night I found Bobby &amp; Fred's calf missing and walked way out to the Winding Hill to see them but when I got back they were standing at the culvert and Dad. &amp; Frank were just going to let them in, the fence was down at the culvert and there was an empty whisky bottle near it.</p> <p>Saturday September 27th</p> <p>When we went out this morning we found the ram had gone out of the barn into the yard and seemed weaker than last night After breakfast we went out and Dad gave him some more dope, but while we were there we tried to get him to stand up but his feet just shook from under him and he stretched out and died we spent the rest of the morning skinning and burying him, we think of it a rough bit of luck but suppose it is all in the game, we will get a lovely mat off him if we can get it tanned right. what through life held his worth after his death will hold another's wealth. Dad held a post mortem on him and found that it was inflamation of the bladder which</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>killed him, we didn't look for any thing like that, and Dad says nothing could have been done for him. This afternoon Dad. &amp; Frank cleaned up some of the wheat and oats that were on the floor and took it down to the mill to be chopped they went down town to take Elva's cream and get stuff. I took Harry &amp; Joe and the hay rack and went down to help old Jonas get some of his fence up as he won't be back to cut corn till it is off the highway, he is so afraid of the law, I only got up two loads as it is hard stuff to load alone and Jonas had Leitch's team and waggon so didn't help me any, and I had to knock half of it to pieces, I did not get home till nearly dark. Lovely fall day.</p> <p>Sunday September 28th</p> <p>Frank was the only member of the family who attended church and Sunday school. I read most of the morning but got dressed up about noon and this afternoon Dick and I went down to Mrs. Waddles funeral. Dad. drove us down and his went down and got Huby &amp; Lila and they drove up to the cemetery. There was an awful crowd at the house and there must have been over a hundred rigs in the procession.</p> <p>Dick and I knocked around town til Dad. got back then I came home with him but Dick stayed down to go to church to-night. When we got home we found Emery &amp; his whole family here as well as Mrs. Smythe with Susie &amp; George. they stayed to tea so we were late getting the chores done. Beautiful day.</p> <p>Monday September 29th</p> <p>Jonas came over to cut corn this morning but after cutting for about an hour came in, in a great state of excitement vowing that he would cut no more corn with a sickle as he had cut an other piece off his finger, and said that if he couldn't a corn hook which he was used to in Dover he would got to Simcoe after one. Dad. put some turpentine on his finger which he said just had the skin nicked, and told me that I might as well drive Jonas to Simcoe and take old 4700's hide up to be tanned, we left here about nine and went about half a dozen places in Simcoe, and got home about half past twelve, Jonas got his corn hook, some stuff at Fall's, some half stake from Billy Barlow's, a drink of beer and a prize list of the Simcoe Fair. I saw Mr. Hogg and gave Mr. Shaver the hide, and went to see Kompart about getting a new crank for the spreader to replace the one Allan Law lost but although all the doors in the place were wide open there wasn't a sign of a living creature around.</p> <p>This after noon I got started to cut clover seed but as I had to grind the knives and get the horses in I didn't get started till after three so only got a little more than seven rounds cut. Dad. cleaned out the ditches in the wheat field and Jonas got in a pretty</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>good afternoon cutting corn. George Slocomb Sr. was over this afternoon with a sore shouldered horse. To-night Dad. had to go down to a school board meeting and I guess wished that R. M. Taylor had beaten him on the election It has been cloudy and mild all day and looks like rain</p> <p>Tuesday September 30th</p> <p>I finished cutting the clover seed this afternoon and got two rounds cut in the field next the wood which is all weeds, some of them are up to the horses backs. Dad. helped Jonas cut corn all day and they got a lot done, but Dad. had old Jonas pretty well tired out to-night, Jonas says it is the best corn he ever cut.</p> <p>It has been a nice bright breezy day, doesn't look so rainy. When we got up this morning we found that the old sow had knocked the gate of the orchard down and let the sheep all out, she her self was sleeping peacefully in a comfortable nest in the hay on the big barn floor. The cows cattle all got in through the bars at the end of the orchard and had wandered all through the corn and over the wheat, they were on the oat stubble when Dad. went out this morning, to-night he shut the cows in the horse pasture</p> <p>Wednesday September October 1st</p> <p>The old sow repeated the same performance as last night, but the young stock did not bother the bars at the end of the orchard, but as soon as the cows were turned in with them they went back and broke in through the gully fence and Dad. &amp; Jonas had to stop cutting corn to put them out. Dad. had to stop later on to get Clark Matthews some wheat &amp; oats which he came over to buy for Teddy &amp; his chickens. In spite of these hindrances they got quite a bit cut and had the field half cut at noon.</p> <p>I cut weeds all morning in the back field, I think I could have finished it to-night but Jonas came over at noon to tell us that he had to help Bob. Leitch thrash so I stayed up to help Dad. cut corn we just nicely got started when we had to chase the cattle out of the field again this time we put them all up in the horse pasture but lost quite a lot of time doing it, before we got out again to work Walt. McCall, Mrs. McCall &amp; three kids including Tommy came in, in Al. Faulkners automobile (as Walt has sold his) to see the colts. so it was about the middle of the afternoon when we got settled down to work, then I cut my finger and had to come up to tie it up but Frank came out and helped us a little after school so we got about twenty two or three shocks cut. I cut a poor little half grown rabbits foot nearly off in the mower this morning but did not kill it, because I thought like Niel Elliot's man that life was sweet. Frank caught a broken winged crow on Sunday and is trying to tame it. Nice day, still looks rainy</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Thursday October 2nd</p> <p>It began to rain about six o'clock this morning and rained all the first part of the morning and most of the afternoon but isn't raining to-night. I drove Dick down to work first thing as the roads were too bad for him to wheel, I dug up some of the onions when I got home and left them right on the ground till they dry, Dad. cleaned out the pig. pen and Frank who has a holiday to-day on account of the teachers' convention and tomorrow because Mrs. Smith is going to judge at the rural school fall fair which is to be held in the town hall tomorrow.</p> <p>We had dinner about eleven and three of us left as soon as possible after it for Dunkin's to get the ram he told us about. We went past the rail road construction camp which is on the side road on the north of Charlie Dixon's place just as the men and teams were coming in to dinner, they made quite an army. We left Frank on the road about 3/4's of a mile this side of Dunkin's while we went on to get the ram, he is a big heavy fellow and pretty good looking, he looks very long but that is because the fellow Duncan let have him last year did not shear him. It began to rain soon after we left his place and we just nicely got home when it commenced coming down heavily, it was pretty late then so we had an early tea and did chores after. Dad. is going down to Quanbury's to a surprise pedro party for John. He told them he would go but but he would not go through the mud</p> <p>Friday October 3rd</p> <p>We did not get up till seven o'clock this morning as Dad played pedro last night very late and came home at two o'clock this morning with the booby prize, as he is always first up and calls the rest we were late. Jonas came over at seven and cut corn all day I helped him this morning, and we got a shock or two over two rows cut which wasn't so bad considering I did not get out till nine o'clock. Dad. helped him this afternoon and they got another two rows cut. I cut weeds all afternoon in the back field but did not quite finish. Frank and Dad. got a load of rails this morning and repaired the gully fence and turned the cattle back, besides other odd jobs.</p> <p>This afternoon Frank went back to Charlie McQueen's after nuts. Enah &amp; Tiddums went down to see the rural school fair held in Buck's pavillion. She said there was a big exhibit of every thing the shape of farm produce &amp; house keeping all produced &amp; collected by the school children. Lila came back with her to stay all night. Johnny Manning came up to-night from the gully where he had been in quest of mushrooms but failed to discover any. Dick is at a party of Inez Schram's It has been cool and coudy all day but fair. Clear to-night.</p> <p>Saturday October 4th</p> <p>I finished cutting the weeds in the back field a</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>little before noon and brought the mower up. Dad. &amp; Jonas did not get started cutting corn till about half past eight it was so wet from the frost on it thawing, so they did not finish the field till after dinner. When Dad. settled up with him he owed him $7.25 as he paid him at the rate of $1.50 a day for cutting corn and $2.00 for thrashing and as Dad. &amp; Frank went down with the team after they got through to help him haul fence Jonas took $2.50 off for the two quarter days last Saturday and this. They did not get the fence all up.</p> <p>This after noon I cut a little lawn and picked up over two bushels of pears &amp; apples of the lawn and gave them to the chickens. I did not get much done and quit early to do chores. To-night Frank and I drove down town for provisions and I finished reading "The White Company" aloud to Dad. when I got home, very sorry to finish it. Mrs. Woodson &amp; Betty were over for awhile this after noon. Lovely day.</p> <p>Sunday October 5th</p> <p>Frank went down to Sunday school and I drove Enah down to church but as we were as usual late I went up behind the organ, where also was Charlie Martin he having come later even than we. When we came past the Martin's they were all out prepared to drive down to church in Jack's automobile but as the tire was flat they had decided to walk so we brought old Mrs Martin down with us, however they got the tire pumped up afterwards and he stayed long enough to take them down town. The Rev. Mr. Armstrong of Delhi conducted the service while Mr. Johnston was off somewhere else. Johnny Walker sang a solo by way of a special attraction. Dad. stayed home &amp; looked after the house and Tiddums while we were gone and also wrote a poem on the death of 4700 and an epitaph to send to Louise in answer to one she sent us. Dick spent the morning in bed but went down this afternoon and stayed down to tea &amp; church getting home quite late. {Musa?}. Dyer sang a solo to-night in church.</p> <p>This after noon Ed. Moon, Marion &amp; Alice Miller came over and spent the afternoon. Ed. is working already in the mill in Sloan's place but says he will come over some Saturday afternoon and do some fixing up. I was delighted this morning by discovering a book entitled "Sir Nigel" by A Conan Doyle and upon looking into it finding that it dealt with many of the same characters as "The White Company". I began it to-night.</p> <p>Tom Abbot came in this afternoon to inquire whether Jonas was a reliable person to make a business transaction with as he had bargained for some wood and then Jonas showed signs of backing out of his agreement but Dad. reassured Tom. It has been a very nice day, sunny &amp; warm</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Monday October 6th</p> <p>I went with Jonas right after breakfast to help him take his cows down to the cattle pen where Niel Elliot was shipping. Old {Jug?} at the mill bought them and Niel was going to take them to Jarvis for him in with his stuff that he was shipping. They were back here in Jugs gully and we &amp; Sairy had quite a time catching them but got them down with out much trouble and put them in the pen which was chock full of hogs. Jonas had to squabble with Jug for awhile as he wouldn't take any thing but cash for his cows not even a cheque and then Elliot did not want to take them at all with his hogs but they at last got things smoothed out and Jonas got his money and they tied the cows in the car. It was noon when I got home I had spent most of the morning with Skinny Ryersie who was looking after the stock.</p> <p>Dad. started to rake up the clover seed this afternoon morning and finished this after noon we burned what we could of the weeds &amp; grass in the back field this afternoon and most of it burned but there are patches where the fire did not run, it ran in the grass, along the fence bottom and burned about 1/3 of the posts and stakes it also chased the same little rabbit out into the field whos legs I injured with mowing machine the other day. I brought him up to the barn I suppose he has been along the fence ever since I put him there Nice day but very hot.</p> <p>Tuesday October 7th</p> <p>Dad. and I cocked up all the clover seed this morning except a few cocks which we did yesterday. We intended to haul a load this afternoon but Loyd Ryersie came over at noon to tell Dad. they wanted to see him down town this after noon at four o'clock to interview the High School Inspector. He went down a little late (he took Enah &amp; Tiddums) but said he might as well have stayed home, as it was all over, and they had had it up at the school house the {kid?} told him to go down town, but it wasn't any regular meeting any way. I felt as lazy as a drunk toad this afternoon but managed to get the barn floor pretty well cleared up of the thrashing refuse. Frank helping me when he got home from school.</p> <p>Dick says he is pretty sure he saw old Jonas coming home bozy-eyed last night and nobody but Frank has seen anything of him to-day, but he said last night that he would not be over except to set up some shocks he left down as he was going to buy some figs, and I guess he set up the shocks. It has been a a lovely day a little more breeze and not as hot as yesterday Dick came home before tea to-night and started to clean the buggy he says he is going to finish it in the morning. He wants it on Thursday.</p> <p>Wednesday October 8th</p> <p>We hauled in clover seed all day today but only got</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>in three loads, we did not get out till nearly ten this morning but got one load on and off before dinner, this afternoon we got two loads in and left one unloaded, there is just one more small one out yet. Dad. let poor old Dave back the lane this after noon and he spent the afternoon on top of the hill with the other colts in the boiling sun. Mrs. Art Ryerise paid Enah a visit to-day, she has been over in Chicago for a week or so, she said that {Clipha?} Flemming &amp; Wil{--} Ryersie were to have been married to-day. but as we have heard no other report of it, are not sure about it. Pretty hot.</p> <p>Thursday October 9th</p> <p>We were late on the start this morning, and just as Dad. &amp; I were going out to pitch off the load we left on the barn floor last night we noticed the cattle on the wheat, and all over the oat stubble and clover. It took us quite awhile to get them back in the gully, so by the time we got the load pitched off and the jag that was left back there up to the barn it was noon we burned one or two of the cocks which were composed solely of leaves &amp; dead grass. This afternoon we went back over the gully to burn the rest of the weeds in the back field. We thought they would burn well after all the hot weather but the fire wouldn't burn at all not nearly so well as it did the other day so we just had to carry it around on our forks and by this means got it pretty well cremated but it took us all the afternoon. Jonas husked corn all day to-day and says it goes a little better than before but he says he is not going to make as much money as he expected, he is husking for four cents a bushel. Dick came home at noon to-day and took Joe and went for a drive with some girl down town Enah and Tiddums went down town this afternoon. It has been fine and hot to-day but looks rainy.</p> <p>Friday October 10th</p> <p>We hauled out manure to-day from the horse stable pile and put it on the oat stubble along the side road. It was such a long way to haul it so we did not get on very fast. and as all the top part of the pile was nothing but burned or dry straw - and we wanted to mix rotten stuff with it took us quite awhile to put on a load. We did not get out till ten o'clock this morning and got out nine loads. Jonas husked corn all day but gets on pretty slowly. I had to take some binder twine out to-night and help him put up a couple of shocks. Lila came over to-night to spend the night, on Frank's wheel, he went down after school to get stuff and a bushel basket for which he went in {illegible}, and he walked home. Fine and hot to-day</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Saturday October 11th</p> <p>It looked so much like rain this morning just before we hooked to the spreader that we decided to hook to the waggon first and get the husked corn, but just as we were about to start it began to rain so we put the horses in again. Old Jonas came in from the field, and entertained us for a while with a wild west personal experience of how he was stranded out west somewhere in Michigan fell in with a gambling cowboy, and {made?} a pile in a hurry &amp; revolvers knives, etc. Jonas has seen some awful times in his day if all accounts are true.</p> <p>We then got the sheep in the barn and marked them all with blue chalk and Dad. put the new tag we got from Dunkin in his sheep's ear and stuck up the tame ones ear with sticking plaster as she caught her tag in some thing the other day and tore her ear the full length. By this time the rain had let up and Jonas gone back to husk so we went out with the waggon and got about a load (21 bushels) but before we came in it was raining hard and we got pretty wet.</p> <p>It rained most of the afternoon, I read a little and the rest of the family cracked hickory nuts, while thus engaged a small yearling heifer with a freshly broken horn and a long thin rope around its neck came into the garden followed by very bedraggled man in hip rubber boots and a small freckle faced youth. I found out that he was the man from whom Jonas had purchased his heifer and that the afore mentioned critter was her. As Dad. had told Jonas that he might turn her in with our cows, Frank and I proceeded tp help him catch her, get the rope off her and put her in the lane, but we found we had undertaken a task which we were incapable of performing, for the heifer was as wild as a deer.</p> <p>The man (Smith his name was) had already chased her over nearly every road between here and Marburg, but she was still very game. First she jumped into the pig yard where I caught the trailing rope, but I might as well have had hold of an engine the rope was so small and wet and she was so small and wild that I was forced to let go, she then leaped over the fence and down the lane toward the road where Dave. the small boy headed her off, I opened the gate into the barn yard, hoping to get her cornered in there but she got from there into the pig yard, then into the wheat field up the wheat field to the gully down the gully fence to the side road. then over the fence into the gully making straigt for the gap into the blue grass field where I headed her off from there and the three of us followed her up to the gully cross fence. (Dave. stayed back in the barn yard), there the man caught the rope but let go again immediately, she jumped back in to the wheat field and ran the while length of both wheat fields</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>down to the little corner of the south east corner of the plum orchard where Frank &amp; I both got a fall in the clay bank in an attemt to get the rope Frank did lay hands on it but she flopped him, after chasing her half way up the lane fence again, we let her go and the last we saw of her she standing in the north east corner of the oat stubble next the gully &amp; side road. We couldn't get her with the other cows with out getting her in the lane as the cows are shut out of the east end of the gully. The man &amp; boy went on down to tell Jonas that he had delivered his heifer and for Jonas to get his rope for him</p> <p>Frank Lila and I drove down town Lila stayed and Frank and I came back with provisions we drove Mr. Blaikie part way home Tonigh I finished reading "Sir Nigel" and "The Iron Trail" aloud.</p> <p>Sunday October 12th</p> <p>Frank rode his wheel down to Sunday school and Dick and I drove down to church. This afternoon Dick went down town and Frank went over to Charlie McQueen's and got some chestnuts, he also got soaking with his best clothes on. I read most of the after noon a great book I found in a box up over the woodshed. It's about an hundred years or so old, and is "Lord Chesterfield's advice to his son", its rich.</p> <p>Jonas came over to look for his heifer but failed to find any trace of her so I suppose she is back at Marburg by this time. Poor Jonas is broken hearted - and wishes he had never bought her, he was very foolish I think to sell his good big three years old for forty dollars and then turn around around and pay twenty for this runt of a yearling what he wants with them any way in his position is more than I can see. Sam Law came in this morning to get Dad. to go over and cut a lump off his calf. It froze last night and was a lovely sunny morning but rained most of the afternoon.</p> <p>Monday October 13th</p> <p>I had to go thrashing down to Flemming's this morning as he came over on Saturday to "warn us out". Tupper's man did not come till late and Walker never came at all so we were a little short handed I was on the table and pitched on to the feeder, after we got well started it kept me pretty busy and to-night I feel stiff and plugged up as they put some of the straw in the barn and made it pretty dusty. He only thrashed his oats and as he only had four hundred and forty something bushels we got through before noon although we got a very late start and stopped several times, it was near enough noon however for us to stay there for dinner.</p> <p>When I got home I found Jonas's mare in the stable and his democrat out side, and Enah said he and Dad. had just gone back the lane in quest of his heifer, which he told Dad he had seen in our back field but when Dad found it, it was in Evan's back field. Dad got home</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>about three o'clock leading the heifer almost tame and Jonas following almost wild behind. They had evidently had just such a chase for her over Evan's place - as we had on Saturday over this place, but they got her cornered at last in Evan's cowshed and Dad. went over and borrowed a rope and humbug from John Wess McBride and once he got the ropes on her he soon mustered her, he broke the little clothes line that was on her a couple of times.</p> <p>He said it was pitiful and laughable to watch old Jonas, every time the heifer would break away from them. Jonas would almost weep and swear he would shoot her if he could get a rifle. Evan's wasn't home and Dad. said they got every loose gate and board around the place to barricade the barn yard but she would break through and once climbed about half way up the straw stack. When they brought her home they put her in with the rest of the cows and although Jonas vowed she would get out she seems to be quite contented. Dad. told him that he would give Jonas $20 for her if she got out and $18 is she stayed in so Jonas said he wouldnt sell her till she got out.</p> <p>I drove Enah &amp; Tiddums down town to Mrs. Schrams this after noon. Belle jumped the fence out by the big barn to-nigh and knocked a couple of panels flat. It froze last night and has been very chilly all day.</p> <p>Tuesday October 14th</p> <p>I greased my old boots this morning and Dad took Mrs. Martin over the pint of cream she spoke for yesterday. We also haulded two loads of loam &amp; sod. from along the road side under the old wild cherry tree in the wheat stubble, and filled in the holes at this end of the lane in the barn yard, where the horses have pawed a hole when they are drinking from the tub in front of the windmill. and under the gate at the north end of the horse stable.</p> <p>This afternoon we hauled out four loads of manure, Walt McCall. Dave Waddle Billy Loan &amp; Tom. McCall came over to-night and we caught Dolly and Dave led her home he put a rope in her mouth although she would have led all right with just a halter and after walking a little way with her got in the automobile, and led her from it.</p> <p>Just about dark to-night Mr. Blaikie came over and got Dad to go over and look at John Wess's cow which was badly bloated and John Wess was away. Dad. went over, stayed to tea and as John Wess got back before he left, he did not get home till about nine o'clock. Frank and I did up the chores. Dad says the cow will get alright. It froze very hard last night but has been a beautiful day, very clear to-night.</p> <p>Wednesday October 15th</p> <p>We hauled out all the rest of the pile of manure at the horse stable and got through a little before four this after noon and took out</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>eight loads, when we put the spreader away we hooked on to the waggon and got in a load of corn (22 bushels), we sorted it in the field and there is some fine looking corn in it, Jonas has been husking all day. At noon he came in and told us he had an awful foolish notion in his head, we wondered if he was just beginning to realize the fact, as there is nothing much else to him but foolishness, but at last when he got courage enough to "spit out" what he wanted, he asked Enah if she would iron a shirt for him to-night to wear to the Simcoe fair to-morrow as he could never get his "woman" to do any thing like that for him. Enah told him she would if he would bring it over to-night but he never showed up at all.</p> <p>Art Ryersie came over just before tea to tell Dad. he had a cow down there which wouldn't attempt to chew her cud and was panting like a lizard, as he considered her a valuable animal he wanted Dad. to go down and see her, so Dad. &amp; Frank have gone down since tea. I cleaned out the cage I have my rabbit in this morning. his feet are nearly healed up and he can hop and jump pretty well. I think I shall let him go soon Enah and Tiddums went down town this after noon and to say goodbye to the Woodson's as they are going next week but no-one was home. It has been a beautiful day. not quite so hot as last week.</p> <p>Thursday October 16th</p> <p>We started from here for Simcoe to attend the fair at about ten this morning and got there just about noon, after driving past the various livery stables in town and finding them all crammed we went back to Yeagers and put Joe in there. Yeager was there and told Dad. she was welcome. The three of us Dad. Frank and I spent the whole after noon on the grounds, but didn't see quite every thing, we didn't see the cattle at all except on parade there wasn't a very big exhibit of sheep or pigs, but the rest of the fair was good. They had a good bunch of horses, especially roadsters.</p> <p>Frank Temmons and Charlie Butler both showed in the carriage horse class but neither got prizes. Yeager took most of the prizes in this class of course. We saw Mr. Hanmer there showing his hackneys but didn't get a chance to speak to him. We saw Harry Langs for a little while. There was an awful crowd on the grounds and about as much fun could be derived from it as any thing else. Yeager had a team of grey mules up there hitched to one of his fancy carriages and driven by King Brown (Theodore's son) in uniform costume who jujding from his countenance was the happiest man in Simcoe, he paraded around in the ring all the afternoon and lined his mules up in every judging class The number of boys on the back of his carriage increased steadily all the after noon and when we left we noticed Frank Temmons was one of them. King's black face shone as brilliantly as</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>it's complexion would let it above a suit of checkered cloth covered with a motley display of ribbons, on one side of his woolly pate was a little flat hat about as big as a post card and each of his mules had a red ticket tied to its their ears. As a winding up feature they had a girl make a balloon ascention. She went up about as far as you could see her and then descended with a parachute, about a half amile away from where he went up, every body wondering whether she would light in a tree mud hole or straddle a fence. I heard one lady exclaim that she wouldnt do that for "nothing.'</p> <p>It must have been nearly five when we left Yeager's and as we were trying to get home before Art Ryersie who we passed and then were passed by just out of Simcoe, we got home about six, but I guess Art beat us and beat us well, he went the back road and we kept the gravel all the way but we didn't see a sign of him after he turned at St. John's. Enah and Tiddums spent the day down town. It looked like rain all morning but faired off into an ideal day.</p> <p>Friday October 17th</p> <p>Dad. and I hauled a load of rails to the house this morning and got about all the good ones there were in the fence bottom running west from the side road along the north end of the wheat stubble We also got a small load of sand to put in front of the north stable door, we then went down to Preston's and got a bushel of potatoes. This after noon we took things pretty easy did chores and Dad. fixed the little ladder goin up into the horse stable loft. which big Joe bumped his head on and broke this morning.</p> <p>Jonas husked corn all morning but as it rained this after noon he spent it trying to build himself a barn to keep his horses and cattle in all winter. He was in a very joyful mood this morning after being at the show and was in a great hurry for Dick to get up as he wanted him to send {illegible} for him, but to-night he is in the worst state of despair as he evidently did not have very much success building his barn out of the old fence rubbish. Dad. told him he was foolish to try and might far better sell his stock and put the money away till he needed it and then have that much more firewood. It has been very cloudy all day drizzling most of the after noon and to-night</p> <p>Saturday October 18th</p> <p>I drove Dick and his bicycle down to the corner this morning and then went down to the mill to get a bag of flour. Old Jonas was working at his barn which is about the size of a big packing box, he only had a few scantlings nailed to-gether for a starter. he said he was nearly wild with apprehension for the coming winter. When I got home Tupper was just</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>leaving, he and Harry his man were going down to fix the hill in front of Preston's and came in to borrow a fork to pitch sods. We didn't do much, this morning we started to fix the old shed next the cow stable as Dad. wants to separate his pigs and put some of them in there, we didn't get much done at it. Lila came over and this afternoon she and I drove down town principally to take Dick's suitcase down as he is going to Toronto to-night. Dad. spent the afternoon cleaning ducks and a chicken. Winnnie came back with Lila and me but didn't stay to tea. Lila is staying all night.</p> <p>This is the fifteenth anniversary of Frank's birthday and he celebrated it by cleaning out and white-washing the chicken house. We put Queen and Ginger in to-night as it is pretty cold out. Queen behaves just as if she was fifty years old. It rained quite hard last night and to day has been muddy, cloudy and cold with a little more rain, very raw wind this afternoon.</p> <p>Sunday October 19th</p> <p>Frank and Lila went down to Sunday school and I drove Enah down for church, we were early for once. Enah expected {Elva?} would be away but she wasn't, enah played the organ any way. This was a children's day and they had the whole contents of the Sunday school in the front seats. As a little extra, Sam Jacques had his baby christened. Mr. Johnson kept referring to it all through the as he or him but its name turned out to be Helen Isabel or something similar.This afternoon Dad. put the saddle on Joe and I went for a ride. She nearly put me off while I was getting on the first time but she didn't and I rode out to the Shands I found them just starting off to the Hares who live on the town-line about three miles this side of Jarvis, to wish old Mrs. Nixon a happy birthday she was 90 years old. Charlie put the saddle on his horse and I went with him, we beat them all of course both coming and going.</p> <p>I got home just about dark and to-night feel pretty stiff I guess Josie is tired too. I lost a nice little tie pin I suppose on the road. Cousin Clare gave it to me and I was very sorry to lose it. It has been cloudy and cold all day, drizzly to-night.</p> <p>Monday October 20th</p> <p>This was Thanksgiving day but has been exceedingly rotten. It rained the greater part of last night and most of the morning and has been cold, raw and muddy. This morning Dad. went down town to ship the barrel of apples to Uncle Hal. and Aunty Alice which he got from Bill Duncan and which have been down at the station since Saturday. He also saw Butler about getting a plow but as he walked down he couldn't bring it home. He is going to get a Cockshutt to try and if we don't like it we will get a Wilkinson. I didn't do any thing much all morning My muscles are all stiff and sore from my ride yesterday</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>I guess it was too far when I haven't been used to it, it must have been about fifteen miles. Frank cleaned off the walls of the cow stable and this after noon white washed. it. Dad made a box for the wheel barrow after dinner so that I can carry out a much bigger load of manure. Then he and Frank went and struck out a few loads in the oat stubble while I cleaned out the stables.</p> <p>Belle jumped into the pig yard from the barn yard tonight and when I went to chase her back she jumped the wire fence into the lane, caught her foot in it and bent a panel of it badly. Ginger and Queen both ran back the lane to the gully. Queen came up with Dad. when he went after the cows but Ginger is back there yet with the colts, which she has been trying to get with all summer.</p> <p>To-night Dad. and Frank walked down to meet Dick he said he wouldn't be home till the late train so they were going to the moving picture show. Frank has been coaxing Dad. to go for quite awhile. Mrs. McBride was here washing to-day.</p> <p>Tuesday October 21st</p> <p>Dad. plowed all day and got on pretty well. I did chores and cleaned out the alley way in front of the cows where the calves spent last winter. That took me the biggest part of the day. I spent about half an hour chasing cattle back into their proper quarters after they had jumped over or crawled through the old fence around the barn yard. This morning Bill Stamp came and got four bushels of wheat for this chickens. Aleeta McBride came over this afternoon to iron. Jonas husked corn all day. I felt rather rotten having a sore throat and getting an all around cold. Cold, windy, cloudy &amp; wet.</p> <p>Wednesday October 22nd</p> <p>Dad. plowed all morning, and I did chores and started to clean out the pile of rubbish in the corner of the big barn but the wind got so bad I stopped and came in to the house. This afternoon we went out with the waggon and got alload of corn. We got mostly all Jonas has husked. 26 bushels. We sort it out there and leave the poor stuff to gather up afterwards, there isn't much of it. Niel Elliot came in before dinner to see if we had any cattle for sale but of course we hadn't. Jonas husked all day. It has been a miserable day. It rained this morning and drizzled part of the afternoon, being cold, cloudy, muddy and windy all day. I feel rottener.</p> <p>Thursday October 23rd</p> <p>Dad. lay awake in bed this morning from five to seven thinking from the sound of the wind that it was pouring rain but on getting up found it a beautiful morning. He got out as soon as possible after breakfast and plowed till about eleven.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>I did up all the chores and then went out and plowed till noon, while Dad. came up to shave as he had to be bearer at Mrs. Birely's funeral this afternoon, he left a couple of strike oats for me to finish up after dinner and I ran myself out of a job about four o'clock. I left about a round or two on each land for Dad. to finish and as I couldn't strike out I unhooked but when I got to the top of the orchard. I saw Dad. cutting wood so yelled at him and he came out and plowed till dark. Jonas husked corn all day, he is full of an idea now to go south and work for {Eumer?} Johnson, housing niggers working in his orchard. He says they are anxious to have him go and his going to try to get there.</p> <p>Aleta McBride was over ironing again to-day, she minded Tiddums while Enah went down to the funeral after dinner. My little rabbit died yesterday. It has been avery nice day cloudy, but mild, &amp; breezy. Trying to rain to-night.</p> <p>Friday October 24th</p> <p>Since I watered &amp; fed the horses before breakfast this morning I haven't done another {tap?} all day, except read. I had quite a bad pain in my "stumick" this morning and have put in a bad day on account of my cold in my head. It rained steadily all day so I didn't lose much in the way of work. Dad. couldn't do any thing but chores. Mrs. McBride came over this morning according to promise to see if she could do anything towards house cleaning, but of course couldn't.</p> <p>Cars. Rankin drove over this afternoon to have Dad. look at his horse, which Dad. says has nothing the matter with it. He also wanted Dad. to keep it here and fix it up, but as we will be crowded for room this winter for our own horses, he refused.</p> <p>Saturday October 25th</p> <p>As far as work is concerned</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>took the plow out there and unloaded it. Vyse's three horses were on the road this morning and came into our lane, Dad. told him on his way down town so he and little Frank came after them. Allan Law was in to-night and Dad. paid him for thrashing. He told us that Jack Philips was very dangerously ill with typhoid fever. Dick got home fairly early to-night, with the mail, and the news that Mr. &amp; Mrs. Gilbert Lynch are the proud parents of another boy. Dad. heard in town today that some "public spirited citizens of Port Dover are canvassing the town with a petition to have Jack Walker's picture show classed as a public nuisance. Fine &amp; windy, everything very wet.</p> <p>Sunday October 26th</p> <p>Frank went to church and Sunday school, but was the only member of the family who did. I sat around all day and read. the "Literary Digest" for this week, through completely. This after noon the whole family except me went down to wish Lila a happy birthday. Dad. Enah and Tiddums drove down but the latter was too sleepy to enjoy himself, so they didn't stay long but the boys stayed to tea.</p> <p>Jack Walker came over while they were gone and got old Joe, he says he has to have him now as the corn is coming in and one team can't stand it; he says he thinks he could make a dicker with Dad. for him, but as he seems to think old Joe worth $100. I think it very doubtful as Dad wouldn't give more than fifty for him. It has been fair cloudy and raw all day.</p> <p>Monday October 27th</p> <p>Dad. plowed with Harry &amp; Belle all day and got on pretty well, after I got all the chores done up, I started to pick the spies but didn't get on very fast before dinner. It took me all the afternoon to get the rest of the spies and there isn't so very many and they are not sorted yet, I also picked all the Kings but there were only fifteen of them on the tree, I got thirteen of them, one fell off and I bruised another knocking it off with a stick.</p> <p>Tonight Frank and I went down to the concert given by a travelling company for the band, and had a good time, there was a ventriloquist with them who was good, as well as an elocutionist and tenor. They had a dance afterwards and Dick and I stayed till it was over I got home about half past one and Dick a little later as he went home with some girl. Frank waited till it was nearly over but was asleep when I got home. Mr. Hodge came over with the tax notices this morning, they are just about the same as last year. It has been cloudy and threatening all day, and just as I got home to-night I felt a drop or two.</p> <p>Tuesday October 28th</p> <p>When I got up about seven o'clock this morning it was blowing a gale and raining, so after we did the chores we didn't do much else all day, although it didn't rain long</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>we didn't even get the stables cleaned out. Alfred came over this morning for awhile. This afternoon I drove Enah down town this afternoon to have her dress fitted at Mrs. Schram's I also practiced a little on my horn, Cloudy, windy and cold.</p> <p>Wednesday October 29th</p> <p>Dad. plowed all day and is now just half over the oat stubble or just at the pile of stoanes, the top of which just sticks up over the surface of the ground, it took me nearly all day morning to clean out the stables, get in straw and cut wood, but this afternoon I picked apples. First I picked up all the good Canada Red's which blew down in night before last's wind, they blew down more than the others, I put them down cellar in one big box I picked an orange crate of Talman Sweets, which wil be enough for us, the pigs will likely get the rest, they are beauties. I also picked what few sweet russets I could but as they seem to grow mostly on very tips of the limbs I had to shake most of them down, there were very few barely an orange crate full.</p> <p>It began to rain about three o'clock and although it didn't rain hard it was very steady and wet through everything I had to go out and help Jonas put up some of the husked corn, the threw down a lot but as it began to rain didn't get it husked we didn't put it up. Mully got into the east end of the gully to-night and jumped the fence and came right up the wheat to the bars.</p> <p>Thursday October 30th</p> <p>Dad. plowed all day and got on well. Jonas husked all day. I picked apples after I got the chores done. Mrs. McBride was here house cleaning all day so I had to beat carpet at noon. This morning Frank took a sack down to Preston's, and they filled it with potatoes and left it outside the gate, I drove down and got it. Frank went back to look for the turkeys after school, he couldn't find them at their old roost in the gully but he saw R. J. Watson who told him he had seen them Tuesday on the road in front of McQueen's. Dick told us last night that Harry Dyer fell off a scaffold yesterday and broke his ankle. It has been sharper to-day, and rained a little this afternoon. Dad. should have gone down to a school board meeting to-night but it is raining and dark so he isn't going</p> <p>Friday October 31st</p> <p>It froze quite hard last night and snowed a little. Robert John Watson came over this morning just as Dad was getting out to work to get his heifer which had got in with our cows, as I was just going back to fix the fence where Mully and Jim got into the back field where we burned off the grass, I went with him to help him get her home, she was very quiet, so we had no trouble in driving her but it took us all morning to get her to stay in Robert John's place, we got her into Ivey's place but she jumped through the old</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>fence back into our gully, then we drove up along the woods into John Vyse's back field, then into Robert John's field then into his gully from where she ran directly back and jumped into Ivey's again, but we didn't have much trouble getting her from there into his gully again where I left him with her, I then drove Mully &amp; Jim out of the field as they had got in while we were chasing the heifer, and made a good fix on the fence, it was a little after twelve when I got back to the house and Dad. was up with the team.</p> <p>This afternoon we hauled in two loads of corn fifty-two bushels. Jonas was in the seventh heaven odf delighted as he had Jim Law helping him husk. Jim husks about two bushels to Jonas' one and teases the life out of him at the same time. Frank went to look for his turkeys after school to-night, he went to McQueens and Charlie told him there were eight there and had been there with theirs for a month but Frank wasn't sure whether they were his or not and besides there should be eleven and Robert John said he saw that number last Tuesday, on the road, while Sid McBride was doing some other fencing for Robert John they stretched the piece between him and us so we got out of that job. We were reminded of this being Hallowe'en by hearing the school bell ringing to-night. Tiddums was playing on our bed with some blocks this afternoon and crawled off the edge and gave himself a bad bump on his head and cut his eye quite badly, he was up on his hands and knees when Enah found him. Cold and windy all day, two short but blinding snow storms, one this morning, the worst one this afternoon.</p> <p>Saturday November 1st</p> <p>It froze the ground so hard last night that we couldn't haul corn as we intended so Dad. plowed all morning. Frank went after his turkeys and got home with nine of them about noon They were over at McQueens and he thinks the other two must have been shot. I did chores and cleaned some of the boards out of the old shed by the cow stable and piled them in the corner of the barn. I finished the job after dinner while Dad. and Frank went down town, they took some oats to the mill to be chopped. and went on down town to get the mail and some provisions. When they got back about four we all three went out and got the soft corn out of the field. There was nearly a waggon box full of it and it was just about dark when we got up so we just hauled it in on the barn floor.</p> <p>Just as we were starting for the corn field Jonas came along and told Dad. he would like some money. Dad. wanted him to wait till we got the load in but Jonas wanted it right away so Dad went itno the house to get it. Just as he went in he told Jonas he was a darned old nuisance and that he would sooner have a boil on his ear (or words to that effect) than have him around. This Jonas considered an insult and started off for home declaring that he would take no money nor husk any more corn, by the time Dad. came out he was half way home, but Frank went after him and prevailed on him to take the money, he is still pretty mad though. It has been very windy but not very cold all day.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>{Duplicate of page 145}</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Sunday November 2nd</p> <p>Frank went down to church and Sunday school, nobody else went down this morning. Mr. Buck came over and got Dad to go down and see his cow which he thought was sick but which was quite well when Dad got there. I did chores and Dick slept till dinner. This afternoon Mr. Birely came over ans stayed quite awhile and to-night Dad. and I went down to church, Dick was down to Huby's to tea, and went to church afterwards. We stopped in at Huby's on our way down and took him the "Every body's Magazines" that Aunty Alice has been sending us all year. He said he might be over to husk corn to-morrow.</p> <p>This has been a day of disaster, when Dad. first went out this morning he found one of his pigs all in and the others going for it. He carried it over to the barn and later came to the conclusion that its leg was broken up in the "ham" so will have to kill it to-morrow. He also found the old gobbler sick and diagnosed the case as black-head, he died this afternoon. Enah considered he was worth five dollars. Then we noticed a big hard lump under Queenie's jaw to-night which Dad. says is very like distemper although she has no cough I noticed a small lump there some time ago but thought nothing of it. Lovely day much milder.</p> <p>Monday November 3rd</p> <p>I didn't do any chores before breakfast but wrote to Aunty instead. After breakfast I did up all the chores and about half past eleven went out and plowed a little, Huby came over with his gun before dinner but didn't get a shot at any thing, old Jonas came back again and he &amp; Huby husked all the after noon and got on well. Tom. Abbot said this morning that he might get one of the Bush's to come up and help husk for us. Dad. and I both went out after dinner, and he made two or three strike outs, and then went up to kill his poor little broken legged pig and I kept on plowing we will soon have the oat stubble plowed. Dad. hated to kill his pig but got forty pounds of dressed pork from him besides the jiblets.</p> <p>Jonas came over to-night, he is afraid the money that he sent to Tildson bouy, has gone astray, but Dad. assured him that he wouldn't lose it as he has the receit of his bank money order, he also gave us quite an entertainment on the mouth organ. It was a lovely morning but has been cloudy and rainy all the afternoon</p> <p>Tuesday November 4th</p> <p>Dad. plowed all day to-day and is nearly over the road fence, I did chores this morning and transplanted the peony roots which I put in the garden the day Walter went away. This afternoon I pulled all the carrots and beets and nearly all the onions, we piled the carrots and beets in a pile to-night and covered</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>them for fear of frost, there were 6 1/2 bus. of carrots, what we have eaten so far would I think make 7, a yield at the rate of 784.1 busels to the acre. and 4 big bushels of beets on not half the ammout of ground as the carrots were on or a yield of 1102.78 bushels to the acre.*</p> <p>The onions were small and a lot of them soft, I just got a small basket full of them and there is another line to dig yet. Huby has husked all day and Jonas was here all morning but just got here in time to husk a couple of bushels before dark. Huby got a shot at a black duck in one of the holes in the timothy field but was too faraway, he was afraid he scared them away but they were back this afternoon but did not light although he scattered some corn in the swail hole. Dick got home to tea to-night for a change. Cloudy and cold all day looks rainy. *These figures are according to my calculations and may not be absolutely correct.</p> <p>Wednesday November 5th</p> <p>Frank caught a skunk under the cow stable in the trap he set last night. He and Tige are next to impossible to live with. He drove all the kids in school about crazy to-day. The cow stable was so thick aired that it tainted the cream. He skinned him to-night, he says it isn't a very good skin as there is too much white on it. Dad. plowed all day and finished the oat stubble. I went out with him at noon and we put on a load of rails from the gully fence and he hauled them up before he backed to the plow. I unloaded the load of soft corn that was on the waggon (21 bus) this morning and this afternoon I unloaded rhe rails, cut some of them up and sorted the Northern Spys. Huby and Jonas husked all day. It froze quite hard last night but has been a beautiful day. Frank and his Meccano outfit down for Cecil Lamb to play with.</p> <p>Thursday November 6th</p> <p>Dad. set off as soon as he could for Dunkin's with the ram this morning, he took Harry and Belle - and didn't get back till a quarter past two. He brought the imported ram back with him. I started to clean out a canal between one of the water holes in the timothy sod to the one in the oat stubble with the tile under in, I got it pretty well started, but found it would take a very deep ditch to carry it, and as the clay was so stiff I didn't get on very fast, I stopped when Dad. came home to help him unload the ram. and he said there was no use trying to plow the timothy sod this fall. as it is impossible to plow either through or around the water holes and it will waste too much time digging ditches between them so he is going to start on the other side of the gully. D. O. to-morrow and we will try to put tile in there after it freezes up. Huby husked all day but Jonas was only here for an hour or so at noon he has been sick with "information" all day, Huby says he wept bitterly out there for awhile, and then went to see the doctor. Beautiful day. Huby says it is Indian Summer and it certainly looks like it.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Friday November 7th</p> <p>We got out good and early this morning as it didn't freeze at all last night. Dad took the new plow back over the gully and started to plow the field which we cut clover seed off. We got a good day in. Huby was over at seven o'clock this morning and got a full day in, although Jonas never showed up all day. I helped him all the after noon.</p> <p>This morning I carried all the apples amd vegetables down cellar. Lila came over after school to stay all night. Enah and Tiddums went down to see Cousin Clare who came yesterday. Cars. Rankin came over this after noon and took the light saddle and bridle which I am positive I bought from Dick last spring, but Dick evidently thinks he owns them as he sold them to Cars. for six dollars, I don't want tho the saddle particularly only if I have paid for them I would like the money. It has been a beautiful day; mild and sunny but is raining to-night.</p> <p>Saturday November 8th</p> <p>It rained all night and has kept up a steady and soaking in down pour all day with short intervals of no rain but no sunshine at all. After I did up the chores this morning I came in and chopped suet, cleaned lamp chimney's, and tidyed up all the papers which were stacked all around the kitchen. Dad. spent the whole morning in opening up ditches in the field he has plowed, he also paced it off and found it is nearly 10 acres. Frank cleaned the windows in the kitchen and played with Lila. This afternoon we did chores, I read a little and cut a little wood, about five o'clock Arthur Preston came over to inform us that they had our potatoes all and bagged up and could we could get them anytime, so Dad. hooked up Joe and Ginger and we went after them. we took Lila down to the corner with us and she walked on home. We got 24 bushels of potatoes and they were 60 cts a bushel Joe &amp; Ginger were feeling pretty good as Joe hasn't been hooked up for over a week and Ginger all summer. Joe was glad to get beside Ginger again and "kissed" her profusely. We saw Jonas on our way home, he looks pretty sick and says the doctor told him he had a cut in his digestion.</p> <p>Sunday November 9th</p> <p>Soon after I got up this morning it began to snow although quite mild not having frozen all night. It turned to rain about noon and kept up all the afternoon with increasing severity, and to-night is terrific, but the snow has nearly all disappeared. Frank went down to church and Sunday school but the rest of us hardly went out of the house, except for Dad. and I to do chores, and this after noon Frank and Dad. went out and drove the sheep from the orchard to the shed at</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>the hay barn. Dad. also opened the smoke house door to afford shelter for the old sow, she took advantage of it, and soon made a bed out of the alsike chaff he put in for her, taking the precaution to root the bricks from around the edge into the middle of it. Dad. and Frank also moved Frank's pigs from the old shed where they were about submerged to the barn floor which was dry. Dad. didn't milk to-night and didn't put any of the cows in thinking it would be warmer out around the stack and in the shed than in their stable as the wind coming in above the old barn doors which space has not been boarded up since we thrashed makes it cold and draughty. I read "The Wonders of Science in Modern Life" nearly all day. Dick slept most of the morning, had a bath, this afternoon, wrote to Aunty read and played checkers with Frank.</p> <p>Monday November 10th</p> <p>Soon after breakfast this morning, I went down and got Huby to come over and help up move the cook stove from the woodshed to the inside kitchen, Dad had it all ready to move when we got here so it didn't take long to move it Huby went back home together to dinner As Dad put the little stove up in the dining room as soon as he took it out of the kitchen it was well past into the afternoon when he got both stoves set up and late when we had dinner. After dinner I went down town and got some groceries, but didn't stay long. I read the rest of the time. The old sow broke out of the orchard last night and she and the sheep have been roaming at liberty all day. Art. Walker &amp; Charlie Butler were in with, the cream, can, check and butter saving Tom a trip, the check was $2.47 which was better than we expected as we have sent so little cream and bought all the butter there. It looks as if winter had set in. It has been freezing quite hard all day and snowing with a strong and very cold wind.</p> <p>Tuesday November 11th</p> <p>I cut a good big pile of wood this morning while Dad. was doing chores, we then went out and tore down quite a strip of the gully fence intending to haul it in this afternoon. Huby came over to husk corn soon after dinner. As it snowed most of the afternoon Dad thought he would not take the team out to haul the rails so we pitched off the load of clover seed instead. Dad also shovelled down to see if he could find the hole in the oat bin through which all the grain is escaping, but could find no sign of it. About four Dad. and I went out and helped Huby husk and stayed till a little after five and got four unhusked shocks husked.</p> <p>It was mighty inclement out there but Huby had a very comfortable wind break constructed of sheaves. Frank went to see Jonas to-night and says he is worrying terribly about everything, he wants Frank to feed his mare &amp; colt a little hay and chop once a day, I suppose he expects them to live at that rate</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>I started to practice on my horn to-night but found the little nib broken off the second valve. Toaty has fixed it on twice already, so I don't think it is much use taking it to him again. It was nice and sunny this morning but turned cloudy and snowed all the afternoon, cold and windy all day.</p> <p>Wednesday November 12th</p> <p>Huby came over at seven o'clock this morning and husked corn all day, we both went out and helped him as soon as we could so got quite a lot done. Dad. had to go down to Flemming's at noon to see Chris Quanbury's cow which has some swelling on its jaw. I went down town after supper to get some groceries, footwear and my hair cut, Andrews was closed but I did the rest of my errands and took the valve of my horn to Toatys again for repairs. Walt said if I sent it to Whaley Royce &amp; co. it might be three weeks before I could get it again.</p> <p>I went up to the bank and waited there for an hour or two for Dick, he got back from the moving picture show about a quarter to ten and then worked awhile, Hazen was there when I went literally "stripped to the waist" looking for a mistake they made or have been looking for for about a week. Hazen &amp; Wiggins were looking for it when we left. I decorated Hazen's photograph album a little while I was there. Tupper was here while I was in town and wants one of us to go and thrash to-morrow. He ran a nail in his hand, and is just about laid up with it. Very much milder to-day, would have been perfect Indian Summer, but for a cold wind</p> <p>Thursday November 13th</p> <p>It was raining when we got up this morning so we did not hurry to get over to Tupper's. After breakfast it did let up for awhile so I went, it soon began to rain again and we didn't do a thing all morning, except talk, it is the most amusing, entertaining and typical conversation when Bill Donald, Win. Law and Tupper get to-gether. I stayed to dinner and we thrashed all the afternoon as it cleared off quite fine. I came home as far as the corner with Win Law who was driving to town Tupper will have about 60 bushels of alsike seed when he gets through some of it pretty good, he sold it to Green's man to-day for 8.50 cleaned up, he has a very sore hand where re ran the nail in it. I have to go back to-morrow.</p> <p>Huby husked corn this afternoon Dad said he worked out in all the rain and got the cow stable roof well repaired, and the chicken house roof nearly fixed, both with roofing paper, he also did up all the chores and to-night braided what seed corn we have up.</p> <p>Friday November 14th</p> <p>I got over to Tupper's about 8.30 this morning and they had just started when I got there, we finished the alsike just at noon, it was a pretty dirty job even after they put the blower out side before that it was a fright. After dinner we thrashed out his</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>three loads of Hungarian grass with the separator, it didn't take long which was lucky for if it had I for one would have croaked. Art. Walker, Harry &amp; I were in the mow and they had the blower shooting the chaff over our heads, and about as much came back on us as we were pitching out, and the air was full of it. While they ran the separator out and the clover mill in from the far barn I crawled over in the clover seed to enjoy a few minutes of rest, there were only three loads of clover seed and it took an hour and forty minutes to finish it up. I spent that short time in agony. For some reason or other all the muscles in my back and legs ached horribly and I thought they would never throw up the last forkful, I was pitching on the table to Art. Walker. We got through about five and I lit out for home before supper, after they had indulged in a very prolonged and ragtimey whistle to express their joy at being through with that job as they have been there over a week I think.</p> <p>On my way home I came on Sam. and his outfit at the foot of the big hill at the side road, the old engine evidently wouldn't go uphill without sliding so they were just putting the big calks on the wheels. They only had half enoug for one wheel which caused it to slide twice as much as the other and was hard to hold the front wheels in the middle of the road. It was dark when I got to the cornfield but I saw old Nig. in there and after a little hunting found Huby. and waited there with him till six, when I got to the house I was about ready to drop with cold and fatigue so crawled up as close to the stove as possible, I went to bed right after tea. I guess Dad. put in a busy day, he finished fixing the hen house roof, hauled in two loads of rails and a jag of corn. Huby husked from the middle of the forenoon on till six.</p> <p>This storm has been awful in Western Ontario and on the Upper Lakes especially Lake Huron. Over twenty wrecks and over three hunderd lives lost according to the papers which are full of it. We know old Quint is safe though as the Algonquin was reported at Port Coulborne on Monday I think he he has to make one more trip to Montreal before he goes up the lakes, after wheat, that will be the last of the season. In spite of the beautiful night last night it was raining when we got up this morning, but it soon cleared off bright, and is clear and cold to-night.</p> <p>Saturday November 15th</p> <p>We have had a busy day to-day. Huby was over at day break and went back first thing to the gully to see if he could get a shot at a duck, when he got to the top of the gully, he saw one a little way up from where he was but thought he saw another closer so crept up on it, he heard the one up the creek fly but thought he was sure of this one, as it didn't fly till he got so close to it and then discovered it to be a muskrat, he didn't shoot it at such close range for fear of spoiling its skin so came back empty handed and went to husking corn. It was frozen stiff early so</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>we thought it an extra good chance to get in the corn, we put off the jag (18 bush) which Dad. got in yesterday and got in three more before noon averaging 25 bushels apiece. Huby helped us while we were in the field and then went back to husking, so with Frank we got on fast. We brought the soft corn in at the same time in the back of the load it ran about five bushels to the load and we put it up above the pig pen.</p> <p>After dinner Dad. and Frank had to go down town to get coal oil, flour and do some other errands, which took up a lot of valuable time, I cleaned out the horse stables and got load in while they were gone, but when they got back it was snowing, however they got in two more loads, the last one of which they ran into the barn. I only helped get in part of the first load as the sheep got out on the wheat so I stopped to put them in and the last load I spent in putting the cows in and feeding them. Lila came over this morning and went back with Huby to-night.</p> <p>Sunday November 16th</p> <p>We got up very late this morning and Frank went to church and Sunday school and came around by McBains to tend to Jonas's horses. He says Jonas is worse to-day. The indigestion has gone down on his lungs; poor fellow is in bad shape. Dad. and I went down to see Chris Quanbury's cow after we did up the chores but as neither Chris nor Mr. Flemming were home and the cow was out, Dad. couldn't see much. We saw Jack Spain and Vyse on the latter's place and had a talk with them principally about the wrecks on the lake. Vyse says they are getting up a fund to help the widows and orphans of the drowned sailors. This after noon Huby came over with a fish and an awful pile of side line which Dave. Law had given him to make a line for digging and ditch, all the string where the nets were fastened has to be taken off. He and I then went back to the gully where we fell in with Frank who had previously gone back with his book "Trappers Guide" which he got from John {Hallam?}, it is the first thing in the literature line he has ever showed any interest in.</p> <p>Huby scattered corn all along the creek to coax the ducks and then we went back into the woods we saw one rabbit but Huby didn't get a shot at it, he got a lot of moss and ferns and a small bird's nest which he says he is going to use for a hunt {match?} receptacle. Dick went down town this afternoon, stayed to tea at Huby's, went to church and came home right after, he and I then made so much noise that Tiddums and Dad. had much difficulty one in staying asleep and the other in writing a letter to Aunty. Cloudy and raw.</p> <p>Monday November 17th</p> <p>Dad. and I unloaded the load of corn they ran in on the barn floor, Saturday night, it took a very long time as we had to sorted it out of the waggon, we then went after another load. and got it unloaded a little after noon. Huby helped us load and un-</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>load it as the corncrib is getting so full, that I had to stay in there to dump the bushels as far back as possible. This load took nearly all the good there is husked, there is not a load out there now. This after noon Dad. started plowing again over the gully. I cleaned out the cow stables and then helped Huby husk corn till dark. Cold and cloudy with raw wind.</p> <p>Tuesday November 18th</p> <p>Dad. plowed all day and got on fairly well. Mr. Blaikie came back and had a visit with him this afternoon. I did chores this morning and braided some corn. I am going to have the drive house beautifully decorated with seed corn when I get it all braided. We were disappointed that Huby didn't show up all morning we don't know just why, but he came over at noon and he and I husked till about five o'clock it was nearly dark then. we got just five shocks husked, Jonas came over this morning, we don't know what his message was, he looks pretty sick and hardly talks above a whisper, but I think that is because he doesn't want to move than because he can't, the old jay has bought eight pigs and has nothing to feed them and is paying a man $2.00 a day to finish building his barn to shelter them. It has been a very disagreeable day, very foggy cloudy and a fine drizzle, one quite hard shower this after noon.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>DIARY. 1913</p> <p>T B Barrett,</p> <p>Port Dover, Ontario</p> <p>The Farm</p> <p>From November 19th 1913 to December 31st 1913.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Wednesday November 19th 1913.</p> <p>Dad and I got up pretty early this morning and I braided some corn before breakfast. Huby came over but instead of husking this morning he helped me pick up apples for cider, I shook them down and he gathered them up and carried them over to the waggon which was in the lane as it was too soft to take it into the orchard. There were just enough apples left in the orchard to make the waggon-box full (26 bus) and we took them all except a bushel of Newton Pippins which I picked to put down cellar. Dad thinks we will have too many but Huby and I thought it best to be on the safe side, as we have Huby's two 10 gallon kegs to fill this time besides our 42 gallon barrel. We also scalded out the barrel and kegs, and hung up the braided corn in the drive house, we didn't finish the apples till half past two this afternoon, and then I picked the Newton Pippins cut wood and did chores till six, Huby husked corn till after dark, and just about when I was thinking of going out to see if any thing had happened to him, he came in drenched to the skin, he said he just wanted to finish the shock.</p> <p>He killed one of the drakes after dinner, he is going to get another later. Dad plowed all day and to-night had to go down to a school board meeting although it is a fierce night. I spent the evening braiding a long rope of seed corn. It has been cloudy and raining all day, not steadily nor hard but a kind of half hearted drizzle about every ten minutes, till about five o'clock to-night when it more than poured down and soaked Huby who stayed out in it to finish his shock. Every thing is covered in water. Dad. got back early from the school meeting, we don't know whether Dick will be home to-night or not.</p> <p>Thursday November 20th</p> <p>Dad and I left a little after nine for Walker Waddle's with our apples and got home about one. We had lots of apples, he said he could have filled another keg. He said one bushel of good apples would make about three gallons of cider. and that the sweet ones mixed in with the others would just make the cider right. We drove around by town coming home and left Hubys two kegs down there. Huby was wheeling Tiddums around the yard when we got home so he helped us get the big barrel into the woodshed.</p> <p>This afternoon Dad. drove Enah down town this after. She went to Mrs. Francis Henry Stringer's At Home with Aunty Maude while Dad. kept Tiddums in at Cousin Clare's. Clark Matthew's came over while they were gone and got eight more bushels of oats and four bushels of wheat. He paid me ten dollars for what he got to-day and eight bushels of oats he got the other day. The oats were 35 cts and the wheat 82 cts a bushel. I couldn't find any change in the house for him. I spent the rest of the after noon doing chores. Dad &amp; Enah didn't get back till after six. Huby husked corn all day but says he won't be over in the morning as he has some insurance to look after.</p> <p>We saw Ed. today at noon and he said he would be over to help us on Saturday. They are working short time in the mill now for some reason or other, they only work from eight to five week days and not at all on Saturday. We saw old Jonas when we went past this morning, he looks awful but thinks maybe he will pull through, he wanted {so---?} for his pigs and Dad. said if he had time he would bring him some, we left Tupper talking to him, he may cheer him up a little. Tupper told us he had fired Harry as he was no earthly good to him. It has been a beautiful day, it was quite hot this morning while the sun was shining.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Friday November 21st</p> <p>Tiddums broke one of the springs in his buggy this morning and as Dick didn't want to take it down I had to take it to Buller to see if he could fix it, he wasn't very sure about making a good job of it. When I got back I went over the gully where Dad. was plowing and threw the sod out of the ditches till noon. Dad. plowed all day and got a nice lot done. Huby didn't come over till noon and brought us a new dog, named Blucher, he is a great big yellow Scotch Collie with a white collar and face, he is a pretty dog and only nine months old which Huby says is the proper time to train him He got him from Bob. Rankin and just paid the taxes on him. Huby says he will train him all he can as soon as he gets so as he will stay here loose and not run to town. I did up all the chores after dinner and then helped Huby husk corn. Dad. was afraid the corn in the crib was getting musty but I dug into it a little and didn't think it was bad. Mr. Brirely was over to-night to buy a couple of ducks he is going to get them tomorrow night. It has been a lovely, sunny mild day like spring. It rained last night during the night.</p> <p>Saturday November 22nd</p> <p>This morning Ed. came over about eight o'clock so he, Huby and I husked corn till noon and got about seventeen shocks husked. Huby went home for dinner as he said he had some more insurance to see to this afternoon so couldn't come over. Ed. and I spent the afternoon tearing down the old windmill, and by to-night Ed. had it all down but the first section and it wont take long to finish it. Getting the big heavy head to the ground without hurting any thing or ourselves was the most ticlish job but we managed all right with a rope and pulley. This morning Dad. and Frank hauled Uncle Ward his ten bushels of corn and Jonas' eleven bushels of soft corn right out of the field. I think he is getting 35 cts a bushel for the good and 20 cts for the poor stuff. He said they dumped Jonas' right in one corner of the house which was in such an unsanitary and uninhabitable a condition as to make Dad sick for the rest of the day, heard Frank saw Allan Law to-night and he was quite uneasy about Jonas as he had told him that he was going to jump in the pond and end his miserable career if he wasn't better or dead in a day or so but I guess he will either forget it or think better of it when the time comes and he sees how wet that pond looks, the poor old fish is in misery though I guess, he looks like it.</p> <p>Dad. and Frank hauled in the rest of the corn that was husked this afternoon, and left it in the waggon box on the barn floor. Dad. and I went down town after tea to-night. I got some stuff and Dad. got his hair cut. Dick came home with us. Mr. Brirely came over to get his ducks to-night. Chris also came over and got a pair. It has been another beautiful mild sunny day windy to-night.</p> <p>Sunday December 23rd</p> <p>Frank went down to Sunday school and church and I drove Enah down to church. Dad. looked after Tiddums and cooked dinner. Dick slept all morning and went down town after dinner and probably to church to-night. This after noon Josie and I had a good ride up the Gravel to the cemetry corner and down the Radical. Frank and Blucher went back to the gully. Dad intended to go to church to-night but didn't get there as he wasted a lot of time going nearly back to the gukly thinking he saw the cattle in on the wheat</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>but they were way over on the other side of the gully. and by the time he got settled down he didn't feel like getting fixed up and walking down town through the mud. It has been a nice day with a cold wind. We don't know whether it rained last night or not, Enah is sure she heard it raining in the night and there was a puddle of water on the kitchen floor under the leak, and Frank's coat which he left out all night was wet but the ground and all the boards seemed dry and the ceiling over the pool in the kitchen was perfectly dry. I did a little more drawing to-night.</p> <p>Monday November 24th</p> <p>I spent the whole day in knocking down the rest of the old windmill and clearing up the debris. I am not quite through yet. This afternoon I had to go back and drive Mully, Jim and Snowdrop out of the east end of the gully into the other end through the bluegrass and field where Dad is plowing which is the way they got in. I took the two dogs with me so had quite a time with the cows. Dad. plowed and Huby husked corn all day. Frank brought Tiddum's carriage back mended to-night and he was tickled to death to see it again, and jump in it althoug the spring is stiffer now than it was.</p> <p>Dick sent away for ten books for me to-day called "The Library of Original Sources" which I saw advertised in the "Literary Digest." It is supposed to be a collection of all the documents which have made history and translated. It cost $35.10 cash. I borrowed the money from Dad. It seems a lot to pay in a bunch, but books are mighty nice things to have especially for the long winter evenings on the farm. I suppose if I was town, the same ammount would dribble out in nickels and dimes in the course of a year. Dad. had to go to a school board meeting to-night and Frank went down with him to see the moving picture show. I guess I'll draw a little. It has been colder and very windy with two or three blinding but short snow squalls.</p> <p>Tuesday November 25th</p> <p>After I did the chores up this morning I helped Huby husk all day and by to-night we had only twelve shocks left to husk, we think under favorable circumstances we will be able to finish it to-morrow. Dad. plowed all day and he is nearly through wth that field. John Wess was over talking to him for a long time this morning, telling him about his barn roof. He hasn't paid for it because he is not satisfied and the company are going to sue him. Jonas was over for awhile at noon, he wants Frank to cut wood for him as the doctor has forbidden him to do it.</p> <p>Old Nig and Bluch got into a scrap this morning. Nig got jealous because Huby threw Bluch a corn cob to retrieve after letting Nig do it several times and he piled right into Bluch who would have killed him pretty quickly if Huby had not separated them, he couldn't keep Nig off till he kicked him in the jaw, this broke poor Nig's heart and he was sulky the rest of the morning, his little scrap cleared his old white eye up wonderfully except a little white spot in the middle. Cars. Rankin rode over to-night to see Bluch, who knew him afar off and was crazy to go back with him, Cars says he will bring the saddle back the first time drives over this way.</p> <p>To-nigh Dick and I went down to a dance in the town hall, where we had a good time. I didn't dance much because everytime I got up I would make a worse mess of it than the time before, they quit dancing about one but as they had nothing to eat there Dick, Truman Roadhouse and I went up to Jim Law's lunch counter and had a sanwich apiece after the thing was over, there were quite a few of the other dancers up there, so we didn't get to bed till about two o'clock. It has been bright and sunny all day but a cold breeze, to-night it was drizzling when we came home</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Wednesday November 26th</p> <p>It looked so rainy this morning that insted of plowing Dad. hauled in the rest of the good corn that was husked. It took us till noon as we had to unload the other load that was on the waggon and Dad. also fixed a couple of old crates. We just left this load on the waggon. Huby didn't come over till noon as he thought it was going to rain I helped him this afternoon but we didn't quite finish as there are four more shocks to husk yet. I was cold and didn't husk fast at all.</p> <p>Dad. plowed all the afternoon and has now finished all the field but the head lands, he was delayed as he had to chase the cattle out of the field where we burned the grass off. To-night Frank went down to Confirmation class and I spent the evening writing this and sleeping alternately. Very cloudy all day, drizzled a little but nothing to speak of</p> <p>Thursday November 27th</p> <p>Huby told us he wouldn't be over till about ten o'clock this morning as he was going to get us a long handled shovel to start ditching with. I cut wood and then went back and turned the cattle out of the alsike stubble, when I got back Huby wasn't here so I went out and got two shocks nearly husked by noon. Huby came over to dinner and he and I finished up the corn soon after dinner, we then took Nig, Bluch, and the shotgun back to the woods, we let Bluch loose back there and he behaved excellently, never going far away from us, Huby shot the gun off once accidentally and once on purpose to see what he would do and he wasn't at all frightened, so Huby says there is no danger of him ever being gun-shy now, we didn't get a shot at any thing and got back about four, we chained Bluch up again when we got home. Dad. finished plowing his field at noon and this afternoon did chores and raked the overhanging parts all off the stack. Dick told us that Jack Philips died last night Amy Turner was over to-day collecting for the Bible Society. It has been cold and a raw east wind all day.</p> <p>Friday November 28th</p> <p>We didn't get very much done to-day although we were up good and early. We went back and put the cattle out of the east end of the gully and the plowed field and fixed the fence so that they will have to stay out, we think. When we came up we braided all the rest of the seed corn and I hung it up in the drive-house after dinner, it certainly looks nice. I have driven nails just fifteen inches apart in the back four joists in the drive house, from the south wall over to the cross beam, there are just nine nails in each joist, on the back one I hung nine bunches with twenty or twenty five ears in each, it would look better if they were all the same, about twenty five ears to each, they can hang lower than the corn in front of them on account of being behind the buggy top and they just set the other off. The three front rows I braided into long ropes it would have been too heavy to handle to have braided a rope long enough to hang on the whole nine nails, so I made two ropes for each joist one seventy five inches long which hung on six of the nails and one thirty inches long to hang on three of the nails I tied a loop of binder twine every fifteen inches along the rope and at each end to hang them by, so the weight of the corn just sagged the rope enough between the strings to form a graceful loop. It might have looked better if I had made the two ropes even lengths for each joist say forty five inches long so one would take four nails and leave a row of nails down the middle on this row might be hung short bundles like those at the back only shorter so not to touch the buggy top. After I got through we unloaded the corn that was on the waggon it</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>was a big load, I think there was twenty eight bushels on After this we went and got the last load from the field, it was mostly poor stuff but a big load it was all we could do to pile the last of it on so as it would stay, it was roo late to unload it so we don't know how much there was on To-night I went down to the bankquet in the Sunday school for the men of the church. Dick and Dad were invited but neither of them went. Frank went down to help the ladies. There were two speakers from out of town, one Mr. King of Simcoe and the other Mr. Noble from Hamilton, speaking on "The Layman's Missionary Movement". There was a good many there.</p> <p>Huby came over at noon but didn't feel like working so took Bluch back to the woods, he didn't shoot any thing but an owl. Bluch has been running around here loose a good part of the day. It has been very cloudy all day, but not at all cold, looks stormy.</p> <p>Saturday November 29th</p> <p>Dad. took the plow out and opened out some ditches in the corn stubble this morning and Huby cleaned them out, if it stays fine a little longer we hope to get that plowed yet. I cut a little of the stack while he was out and when he came in, he hooked on to the hay rack and we went out and hauled in some corn stalks. Huby helped pitch on and Frank helped Dad. load so we got in two jags before dinner leaving the second load on the waggon, we didn't haul much at a time as they were a little damp. When they came in with the first load while I was opening the gate, they ran over Frank's smallest pig with both wheels of the waggon; just above the hips, so Dad. had to kill the poor little fellow, he only dressed 30 lbs.</p> <p>Huby went down town this afternoon but Ed. came over, he put in the afternoon fixing up the old house, he put in a window casing to fit two old frames we had, he made it on the north side where we hope to have the bench, he patched the floor and took the siding off the south side which is the wall to the ice house and boarded it up part way with inch stuff so that we can fill the space with saw dust. Dad. had to go down town this afternoon to interview the Council and get a rebate of three dollars on his taxes as they charged him four dollars for one doz. I supposed the mistake happened when Edmund England was assessing last spring Ed. Aikers dog was here Ham Thompson was in this morning to see Dad. about a sick cow. and Mr. Oliver Theshell from Vittoria was here this afternoon to get the recipe of some blister which Dad. told him about for ring bone and he forgot it. It was cloudy and a heavy mist all morning but fine and bright this afternoon, cold wind all day.</p> <p>Sunday November 30th</p> <p>Frank was the only member of the family who went to church this morning. I was too late to get ready so started a letter to Aunty but haven't finished it yet. Ham. Thompson's man came after Dad. to go and see his sick cow. Dad. was gone till noon, and drove Ham's man home to dinner and then went back and spent the whole afternoon, he feels rather sick to-night.</p> <p>Enah and Tiddums and I drove out to Jim Waddle's this afternoon, Jim had gone to town after some bread but the rest of the family was home. We were there quite awhile. Tiddums got hungry and ate up nearly all the bread they had in the house and drank a lot of milk, we got home about dark. Frank went back to the gully and took Blucher back, he came up and got some traps and set them. Dick went down town. I went to church to-night and came home with Dick who was there. Beautiful day, sunny and mild</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Monday December 1st</p> <p>Huby came over this morning and we hauled corn stalks all day, we had to unload the load in the barn first thing so didn't get a very early start, as the barn was as full as we wanted to put it, we didn't haul any more in but put up some huge shocks on the clover sod, just near the corner of the orchard, we put up six of these big shocks with an average of five shocks in each one, we binded them all up tight with a sling rope before we bound them with sideline or binder twine. we built a small shock on the top of one and think we will top them all out as it will keep the water out much better, we have the field more than half cleared and hope to finish to-morrow if it is a nice day.</p> <p>Blucher was out there with us this after noon and the three dogs did away with three or four big rats and a number of mice. He minds Huby pretty well when he says "Come in" but not so well when he is excited as he chased both Fitz and the sheep. Old Mr Rankin was over to see if he could get some corn but Dad. told him he wasn't going to sell any more. Huby brought word over this morning that Tom Casper and Toad Long Long wanted some. {illegible} sent the money so he will have to get his and Charlie Law will have to have his but we need the rest.</p> <p>John Quanbury was over this evening to see about us subscribing to the church Dad. gave him a little more than he has been giving and I put in a little. Aunty Maude got a card from Quint to-day saying he would be home on Friday. We got a letter from Aunty to-day saying Uncle Hal was pretty sick, having had some kind of a stroke. Mrs. McBride has been here all day, washing. It has been another lovely day cloudy but very mild.</p> <p>Tuesday December 2nd</p> <p>We hauled cornstalks all day and built five more big shocks and topped out two more, we intended to top them all out but found it took to much time. There is just about enough left out there to make another shock and haul a load in the barn. Nig didn't come over to-day but the other dogs caught more rats. Huby gave Bluch another lesson this morning on "Come in" and also to come to heel, he took him him with the sheep and when Bluch came beyond his leg he hit him in the face with a swich and say "heel", it didn't take Bluch long to know what he meant and not bother with the sheep.</p> <p>We had a very entertaining visitation this after noon from three kids. Jimmy Rankin, Jimmy Dickerson and Bobby Low. The two Jimmys were about six or seven and Bobby a year or so younger. They came over to see Bluch and Jimmy Rankin who was spokesman for the party told Huby that May wanted him to steal him and bring him home. He was showing us how he had Bluch trained. He could make him sit still by holding his fore finger up right in front of the dog's eye and then sternly interrogate him "See that finger". They came through the orchard and scared the sheep so Huby easily persuaded them not to go back that way as the old ram and the old sow hid around to-gether watching for little boys, the old ram knocked them down and the old sow came right after him and ate them up, she was just finishing the little fellow they got this morning.</p> <p>Jimmy happened to mention that some one had been stealing their clothes off the line, so Huby told him that as old Tige Anderson had been so keen for them to get rid of Bluch, there was no doubt that he stole the clothes and Huby also told them that he caught him once stealing his clothes, and got the shot gun to shoot him but when he came out he was gone. Jim. then rembered seeing Tige with one of his father's shirts on and Jimmy Dickerson saw him one day stealing their clothes. We took them out to the field and they were just preparing for an exciting rat hunt when Bobby got home sick and the other boys had to go home with him. After tea I went down town to meet Louise. The train</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>wasn't in when I first went there so I walked up town met Hazen, and went into Waddle's store with him, when I came out I heard the train in so started of down street lickety larup, on my way I ran into a very small boy and knocked him flat. I thought he was killed but on picking him up found it to be Jimmy Rankin and had just hurt his knee. Dick was at the station and met Louise and went up to Hubys with her where I met them and walked home with Louise. Dick had to go back to work. Frank went down to some cadet organization of Harry Noon's. They got a card from Aunty saying Uncle Hal. was worse. Anothe nice day cloudy &amp; mild.</p> <p>Wednesday December 3rd</p> <p>Huby didn't get over very early this morning and as old West came over to see if he could get some corn, we didn't get a very early start. Old West is about the worst blow I ever heard I guess Bill. Cooper comes by his lying streak honestly. He was telling all the wonder full stunts he performed when he was young. and he is now nearly 91 and willing to bet any man of his own age ten dollars that he cant beat them in a fast race "wrastle" or fight. He went back the lane from here to John Wess to look for corn and Huby and I saw him down town aparently working at Mrs. Fawcetts house this afternoon.</p> <p>Dad. and I went out and got one load of stalks, and built a shock, then Huby came over and we got the last load up to the barn a little before noon This after noon Huby and I took Joe and Ginger down town and delivered the corn we promised we also had to unload the soft corn which was in the waggon. As near as I can estimate we had about four hundred and forty two bushels of corn, we have about 317 bushels in the crib which wouldn't hold much more than twenty more bushels and trhen be filled to the top. 82 bus. of soft corn {5?} bus. of seed and we have sold 38 bus. Huby and I took Mrs Charlie Law down five bus. and Toad. Long 12 this afternoon at 35 cts a bushel. Jack Martin and Wilson McRhason wanted to get some but we have no more to sell except a little to Uncle Ward. There have been an awful lot after us, we could have sold the whole crop if we had wanted to.</p> <p>Huby and I picked up Jimmy Rankin when we were down there and brought him back with us but he got cold. Dad. started to plow the corn ground when we left but said he couldn't get on well at all with the Peter Hamilton plow as it would turn the furrow over to stay, so when we got home we went back over the gully and got the Cockshutt, which worked much better. After this Huby raked down the stack when we put the horses in and I carried in some bed. It was then dark and Huby took Jim. home. Cousin Clare came over to dinner and Cousin's Loll &amp; Phoebe came over afterwards. Uncle Hal. is about the same. Old Tommy Gilles is very ill, not expected to live It has been a lovely day sunny and very mild considering.</p> <p>Thursday December 4th</p> <p>After I did chores this morning I went back and threw the sod out of the crossditches in the field Dad. plowed across the gully and Huby shovelled them all out. He ditched all the afternoon, but I drove Louise up to the Bowlby's, where she is going to stay till after the opening of St. John's church. Dick went with us and he and I went on into Simcoe where he got a cap and some collars and I got old 4700's hide it just cost $1.50 to have it tanned and it makes a lovely mat, we put Tiddums on it when we got home but he was afraid of it.</p> <p>We went around to Rus. Lamkin's shop to see him about the windmill but there was no one there. We got home a little before six. I let Dick out at the head of Main St. as he expected to have to work. He found there was a dance down at the Rankin's so went to it. Joe didn't go well at all on the way up but much better coming home. We wasted a little time by starting to drive up the new Railway survey from the gravel to the next concession but came to a big gully quite a long way up where they hadn't put the culvert in yet so had to retrace our steps. Dad. got a good early start plowing this morning but didn't get much done as he couldn't get the coulter to work. He put the rolling coulter on but couldn't fasten it properly. till Tupper came along and fixed it for him. Cloudy with raw wind. We had no word about Uncle Hal. to-day.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Friday December 5th</p> <p>Dad. got another fine start this morning, got out soon after seven and got a nice lot plowed, the corn roots bother a little but every thing else is all right now. I did up about all the chores. Huby came over about nine and wanted to try the hay knife which he sharpened yesterday so we cut a big stripe of the stack, the then went back and shovelled ditches he got pretty well through with the field over the gully and has started in the oat stubble which Dad. plowed next the timothy sod.</p> <p>I went out this morning and tore down a lot more of the old gully fence. Dad. hauled the waggon out there at noon and I loaded it up with rails and he hauled it up to the house to-night. I also worked for a little while at the old house. There was no word from Aunty again to-day. They expected Quint. home to-night but I don't know whether he will get here or not as the last we saw of the Algonquin reported was at Detroit. Beautiful day, sunny and warm.</p> <p>Saturday December 6th</p> <p>Dad. plowed all day but didn't get on very well as it froze hard enough to make the ground sticky when the sun came out and he is in the lowest and wettest part of the field so it was pretty muddy, both he and the horses are tired to-night. After I did up all the chores this morning I gave the hen house a through cleaning and put fresh straw in. I have decided to take the managership of the hens and see if I can make any thing out of them for Frank doesn't seem to be able to, he evidently thinks there is more money in trapping muskrats, and maybe there is but I don't care for the work. I put some manure on the rose bushes, rhubarb and peonys.</p> <p>This afternoon I cleaned up all the chaff and dirt of the hay barn floor and put it over in the chicken yard. Frank did a few chores this morning and spent the rest of the day back in the gully and digging out an empty skunk hole down at the pond on McBains place. Dad. Frank and I caught all the pullets that were rooting around the barn to-night and put them in the chicken yard, there are about 30 white ones besides about a dozen old hens of various breeds. I went to bed soon after tea to-night - bad cold - Another nice mild day not so sunny.</p> <p>Sunday December 7th</p> <p>We didn't get up very early this morning and as I had quite a bad cold I didn't go to church. Dick drove Enah down and Dad looked after Tiddums and cooked dinner. Frank went to Sunday school and church, I put in most of the after noon doing chores and shelling corn for my chickens. Dad. helped me. I got two eggs to-day which is a starter. Dick went down town this after noon and stayed pretty late, he bought a very nice looking watch last night for twelve dollars. Dad. and I went down to church to-night. It rained a little last night and this morning and was very mild till noon but then started to snow a little and got steadily colder all the after noon and to-night it is freezing hard with a cold north wind.</p> <p>Monday December 8th</p> <p>I put in most of the day putting in panes in the cow stable window which I had in the house. Dad. worked out in the barn fixing up the empty space between the granary and cow stable for a calf pen, we are going to floor it if we can. We also did chores and shelled a little corn, we found the bushel of soft corn weighed about 40 lbs and when shelled about thirty. Harry Graham and Charlie McKenzie were over this afternoon to get Bob. Miller's corn they took about 10 bushels but didn't measure it very accurately. Charlie said he would take the turkeys at 18 1/2 cts a pound live weight but that I think is higher than is quoted in the 'Globe'. Jonas came over as we were having tea to-night and helped us eat it. He is feeling very much better but looks pretty fishy yet. He is going to try and get the farm up the Radical where Mrs. Cory lived. He was telling us some of his experiences of the road as he evidently was a pedlar at one time. He has heard that Sairy's rich bachelor brother is very ill and I guess he is expecting a little if he dreeps off.</p> <p>We had a letter from Aunty to-day saying Uncle Hal was still improving and as that was written five days ago we hope he is very much better by this time. Frank. skinned two muskrats to-night and is now playing checkers with Jonas. It has been snowing and blowing all day. the wind is very cold but the sun was out for awhile and was warm in it and out of the wind. The ground is frozen solid so that there is no chance of plowing.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Tuesday December 9th</p> <p>Dad. and I went down town with the waggon this morning and got some groceries and 22 twelve foot plank 10 inches wide to put down in the old barn between the granary and the cow stable and from the door to Dreadnought's stall for a floor to the calf pen, we got home about noon. We met Huby &amp; Quint coming over for a shout they stayed to dinner. Quint. got home yesterday noon, and has a lot to twel if he is asked. We talked to them for quite awhile after dinner but Huby said he had to go back to town this afternoon. He said last night just as they were going to bed they heard an awful racket going on and discovered it was a bunch having a shiveree in honor of Gint Rankin who was married about a week ago. Huby and Quint went over and Tom. Low treated the bunch up at Jim's lunch counter where there was a great celebration and concert.</p> <p>Just as we were going to get to work after Quint and Huby. left, Mr. Blaikie came along to overhaul his {chists?} and stayed till it was time to do chores. He has been helping Tupper plow, he was plowing sod yesterday a little and as there is no more sod to plow they can't go on. Mrs. Smythe was in about five to ask Enah and me to stay to dinner at their place on Sunday but I guess we are coming home. I spent quite awhile to-night getting up a time card for the horses. I only got one egg to-day. Frank went down town to-night to go to his cadet class. It has been freezing hard all day but not so windy or cold as yesterday. Cloudy pretty much all day.</p> <p>Wednesday December 10th</p> <p>Jonas came over this morning to take the heifers down to the "Bain" place. Dad. had to go with hm and lead the yearling, they didn't have much trouble I guess. Bessie the calf ran away from Jonas once or twice at which he crew bitterly. It rant into Ivey's the first time but came out when it saw Sairy. I cut some wood while Dad. was gone and started to make a hopper for the chickens, and then did chores till noon When Dad. came home he cleaned a couple of chickens. This afternoon I read quite awhile and puttyed nearly all the glass in an old window frame which we will use for the barn or old house, the glass was all in it but just fastened with carpet tacks, we didn't get much else done. Green's man was in to-night to buy hay but we don't want to sell any, at least not now. It has been cloudy but very much milder to-day snowed a little to-night.</p> <p>Thursday December 11th</p> <p>We didn't get any thing but chores done to-day as Mr. Morgan came over this morning and stayed most of the afternoon. I ordered some trees from him fifty Carolina Poplars and two English Walnuts. - $9.00 Dick came home to tea to-night and went down to the dance. I didn't go. We fed the sheep a few oats this morning and evening for the first. I didn't get any eggs to-day. It has been nice and sunny but freezing hard all day. Clear and cold to-night.</p> <p>Friday December 12th</p> <p>We did up all the chores this morning and I helped Dad nail the boards over the doors on the south side of the old barn, I also made a littlle more of my feed hopper, and Dad killed three nice chickens and plucked them this afternoon he says he will have to clean them to-night. This afternoon I drove Enah down town, and she got a whole buggy load of Christmas groceries and dry goods. I put Joe in at Butler's intending to have her shoes set, but got Butler to fix one of the uprights of the buggy top thinking he would ony be a few minutes, but he put a new piece in and took all the afternoon so than I couldn't have Joe shod.</p> <p>There was a shooting match this afternoon and Huby &amp; Quint got quite a bunch of pigeons between them, Huby gave Enah a couple to bring over he also gave her a fish he said he worked down at the fish shanties till midnight last night helping them take fish out of the nets which were in quite a bad mess with the ice. Jonas was over to-night and he and Frank are playing checkers again I think they are about even tonight. Jonas beat him two games out of three the other night and Frank is the champion player of this family. It has been very much milder to-day, sunny with strong south west by west wind.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Saturday December 13th</p> <p>I went out this morning and tore down a lot more of the gully fence, Dad. cleaned the chickens he killed yesterday and then came out and we put on a load of rails. We unloaded them before dinner and Dad. went down to the mill and got a bag of flour. This afternoon we got all the rails I tore down in two loads then did chores. Frank did a few chores and errands and hunted the rest of the day. He shot a skunk back in Robert John's this after noon and when he went up to it found it caught in a trap. He took it all the same, and brought it home and skinned.</p> <p>Lila was over most of the day she said Quint went over to Erie this morning on the tug. It has been a lovely day, sunny and mild, the frost is nearly all out of the ground. I saw some body over in the alsike stubble this morning with a big white ferret, thinking it might be Quint I went over but found it was Sam. George, he, his father, Harry Burch and Wilson McPherson were all out after rabbits but I didn't hear them shoot much</p> <p>Sunday December 14th</p> <p>Frank went to Sunday school this morning and Enah and I drove up to St. John's. It was the first service in the church since it was burned, but as the Bishop wasn't there they did not dedicate it. The church was packed full and so was the grounds in front I had to tie Joe to a tree but she was all right They had three preacher's. Mr. Evans from Montreal or Ottawa or somewhere down that way, Mr. Edward the regular one and a lay reader. We didn't stay to Communion.</p> <p>After church we drove Louise nearly up to the Bowlby's and then came home by the fourth concession through Lynn Valley, and got home about half past two. Dicky Smith was here after his heifer which he took home this afternoon. I didn't do any thing the rest of the after-noon but shell a little corn and read "The Lady of the Lake." Frank went back to the gully and Dad did chores. Dick didn't get up till noon and then had a {words cut off} his dinner and went down town and is not back yet to-night It barely froze last night and has been thawing all day but was cloudy with a raw west wind. Cars. Rankin and Quint came over with Dick to-night. Quint borrowed Bluch to take to Marhay tomorrow to hunt rabbits. They didn't stay long.</p> <p>Monday December 15th</p> <p>It froze pretty hard last night so Dad. wasnt able to plow as he had hoped. We did chores and Rus. Lampkins drove in soon after breakfast and was here quite awhile till Dad. ordered a windmill, he thought about getting a gasoline engine, and could have got a little 1 1/2 h.p. engine for fifty five dollars but it wouldn't be strong enough to do much more than pump water and one that would do any thing would come about $122. so Dad. thought a $75 windmill would be the best till we get a place rigged to put an engine especially as a windmill is not nearly as liable to get out of repair as an engine and costs nothing whatever to run it.</p> <p>This after noon Dad. and I took the tank off "The Little Giant Sprayer." to have it ready to put in front of the windmill, I took the little two cylinder pump down to the ditch and tried it and and it works fine. Quint brought Bluch back, he said he worked all right but they only got one rabbit. Quint stayed all night he slept on the sofa with all his clothes and boots on. He was cutting some wood for us to-night and the saw broke so he spent half the evening repairing it. I drew all evening and have nearly finished the picture Aunty sent me to draw for Aunt {illegible}. Mrs. McBride has been here washing all day and she and Enah have our room fixed up slick as a button with a new carpet it looks fine. Frank brought a cedar waxwing home and put it in the orchard Lloyd Ryersie caught it up at school although there didn't seem anything the matter wth it. It has been a lovely sunny day though freezing in the shade. milder to-night.</p> <p>Tuesday December 16th</p> <p>I went down town as soon after breakfast as possible this morning and got the storm window sash at Stickney's and took them up to Mr James for him to glaze them. I got an old</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>sash down at Huby's than I thought might do for the barn but it is pretty badly smashed. Huby came home with me and has worked all day opening up ditches in the corn stubble. Dad. plowed all day and except for it being a little sticky on the surface and a frozen clod here and there, the ground is drier and in better shape than before it froze up. He got on fairly well but has part of a day to put in yet. I just did chores this afternoon except for a little while I was out in the field. Cousin Clare came over this morning while I was down town and is staying all night. Quint went down with Dick this morning. Very mild but cloudy. Dad. ordered some fence to-night from Sid McBride.</p> <p>Wednesday December 17th</p> <p>Huby was over before daylight this morning and shovelled ditches all morning. This afternoon he cleaned out all the loose straw and sticks out of the old barn between the granary and the cow stable. so as we can lay the floor for the calf pen. Dad. plowed all day and finished up the corn stubble all but the head land, he couldn't get along very fast as it froze a little last night to make it sticky on top. I did chores most of the day and helped Huby a little this afternoon besides cleaning off the dropping boards in the hen house. Cousin Clare went home this afternoon, she is going to Hamilton to-morrow to stay till after New Years. We heard to-day that Mrs. McBride's house caught on fire last night and some one who just happened along the road got it out. Aleta went down town and left the two little kids nailed in the house and they got playing with a stick which was part way out of the stove. It didn't do much damage. Another nice day, windy and inclined to be cloudy.</p> <p>Thursday December 18th</p> <p>I got up a little after four this morning and wrote a letter to Aunty before daylight. Huby put down the floor over in the barn for the calf pen this forenoon and I was over there with him all morning but didn't do very much except clean out the cow stable. Dad. plowed the head land on the corn field and finished up some bits in the other field and plowed out the ditch from the water hole to the gully which Huby is going to put tile in. This afternoon Dad. and Huby cleaned out the ditch for the old drain this afternoon they do think it is going to work all right. I put in the entire afternoon doing chores. To-night Huby stayed to tea and helped us catch the turkeys as we have to take them down to-morrow Dad. caught them out of the tree. and gave them to Huby who handed them over the orchard fence to Frank and me and we put them up over the hog pen, there were nineteen but one was roosting so high up that Dad. couldn't get it, it was a hen and as they wanted to keep three old hens and one young one it didn't matter. One gobbler got away and struck off into the orchard. We followed him up with the lantern and after quite a search found him way and weighed him, he weighed 20 lbs, so we marked him as Henry Odd was over to-night and wanted to buy one. Jack Martin's men are going to give him one for a Christmas present. Tiny and Miss Ethel Phipps were over this afternoon. Snowed a little this morning and has kept groing colder all day. west wind.</p> <p>Friday December 19th</p> <p>We didn't get started very early this morning to get the turkeys loaded and it took us quite awhile to load them as we weighed each one.The heaviest was 20 lbs and the lightest about 12. Jack Martin's shrunk about a pound during the night. We kept 3 old hens for next year, 2 gobblers for Huby and us for Christmas and 2 young hens one for Cousin Loll and one for Jameses so we just took eleven down to Bob. We just tied their feet and put them in the waggon and covered it over with the binder canvas. We got down town about noon and were down about an hour. Bob's weight came to 165 pounds and we made it 171 but with the Old Spring Balance where the ounces aren't marked likely we made a mistake, so we got $30.52 from Bagley and Miller, and Jack Martins came to $3.50 It was about one when we got home, we went around by Huby's and got the little high chair and crib for Tiddums, and a wheel barrow load of cabbages from Uncle Ward. We met Huby coming over on our way down and he finished putting down the floor in the barn. This after noon Dad. and he went down town to get gravel to build the posts for the windmill foundation. Dad. had to go around by the mill with some oats to be chopped, so Huby went right down to the beach to locate some good gravel</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>and to see if he could borrow a pick somewhere in case the sand was frozen but he couldn't get one and I guess didn't need it. He couldn't find any gravel on the beach except some piles which Mr. Porter told him Ivey's men had raked up yesterday, so Huby said quoting some Greek Scripture "First come first served" and they took what they wanted of that. Dad said it would have washed away soon any way as the lake was pretty high. They came around by town and got the storm windows and picked Frank up somewhere.</p> <p>I did chores all the afternoon and got three eggs which is the most yet. Mrs. McBride has been here all day and half the night, cleaning the kitchen, picking ducks and a chicken and ironing. To-night I printed pictures and had good luck. Dad. found out this morning that instead of the cistern pump being out of order as we thought yesterday the cistern was dry, so will have to be cleaned out as this is the first time since we have been here that it went dry. Lovely day, froze last night but mild.</p> <p>Saturday December 20th</p> <p>I cleaned all the straw out of the hen house this morning and put fresh in. I had to cut a slice off the stack for straw. Dad. started to put on the storm window but found that Mr. Jones had bored the holes to close to the in side of the sash so the screws wouldnt catch the casing. He then cleaned out the cistern and it took about an hour, we pumped out what little water was in it and then Dad shovelled up quite a few pails full of black muck and pieces of cement. It is a brick cistern with a coat of cement all over the brick and some of the cement was off which caused a leak, so this afternoon Dad went down and got a load of sand and some cement and saw Frank Slocomb who is coming over on Monday morning to fix it up.</p> <p>I did chores all the afternoon. Frank went down town with Dad. and cut wood this morning, he and Lila and Bluch went back to the gully to-night. Charlie Shand was in to-night to see if he could trade off a turkey hen but I said he couldn't as his was a mongrel. but Dad. said he could have had Huby's turkey. This was Tiddums first birthday anniversary. I suppose he will have to be Jim now. Lila was over all day and brought him a great line of toys. Uncle Hal also sent him a pair of overalls and a toy whip. We had a rooster for dinner which Mrs. McBride cleaned and got a pretty fair crop of corn out of it. Beautiful day sunny and fine but cloudy to-night.</p> <p>Sunday December 21st</p> <p>I drove Enah down to church this morning, she had to play the organ. Elva had to stay home to look after her mother who broke her ankle the other day. Frank went down to Sunday School and Church, Dad. stayed home to look after Tiddums and Dick was in bed all morning. This afternoon I went for a ride, I went out to the Shand's first to tell them they could trade turkeys, all but Mr &amp; Mrs Shand had gone to Sunday school. Mr. Shand said he would be in tomorrow afternoon with the turkey and Mrs. Shand gave me some peanuts that her brother had grown in Virginia. I did stay long but went up to the corner and rode west to the next corner which is where the blue line crosses the fourth concession, and down that road to where the new rail road comes out on Tige Anderson's place. I rode down it as far as I could go but as there was a sudden drop and a fence at the end of it I had to come back and go down Ham Thompson's lane to his woods, then had to unwire a piece of fencing to get into his wheat field and a cross his wheat to the gate opening on to the radical road, and home through town, and on the whole spent a very enjoyable afternoon. Dick spent the afternoon down town and Frank prowling around the upper pond. Dad. did the chores. Very mild this morning but turned colder and is freezing hard to-night.</p> <p>Monday December 22nd</p> <p>Frank Slocomb came over this morning to plaster the cistern, he went over the whole thing as so much of it was loose and he thought he could make a better job, he will have to come back again in the morning as there are two or three places where the cement is put on thick that it doesn't stick very well to the brick. Dad. had to watch it and keep it plastered up all day, as Slocomb was only here for an hour or so this morning.</p> <p>Enah went down town this afternoon and Dad. put on another storm window, he is putting them on now with wooden buttons. I did chores, read a good short story and helped him a little. About four o'clock Colin McNeilley came after him to go and see a sick cow so he didn't get back till dark. Mr. &amp; Mrs Shand came in with their turkey to trade and got theres on their way back from town. Mrs</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Shand came to call but no body was home. Dick told Enah that the windmill was here so Dad. went over to Mr. Quanbury's to telephone Rus. Lampkins and he said he would be down tomorrow afternoon to take it off the car. Dick also told her that Louise wanted me to drive up and get her tomorrow. Mr James gave Enah a new rasin seeder tonight that works all right and Frank is busy seeding rasins with it now. Frank got out of school early to-night and doesn't have to go back till after New Year's. Very mild and nice all day but cloudy.</p> <p>Tuesday December 23rd</p> <p>Frank Slocomb came over again and finished the cistern he made a good job of it. and only charged a dollar. I rode Joe down town first thing and got her shod. While Butler was shoeing her, I went up town and did some Christmas shopping - ahem -. I met Huby on my way down with a pickax he had fixed up with a bit which Bill Oakes gave him and a handle he bought and Joe {Hawel?} put it in and sharpened it for him. He came over and helped Dad. pluck the four turkeys.</p> <p>This afternoon he, Dad. and Frank went down with the waggon and got the windmill off the car. Rus. Lampkins was there and said it was alright.I cleaned out the cow stables, shelled corn and read at the same time while they were gone. Huby ground our axe he brought over the other day when they got back, and Frank went back to the gully and caught a muskrat. I intended to go up and get Louise this after noon but it was such a disagreeable afternoon decided to wait till to-morrow and stand a chance of having sleighing but from the looks of things now I would have done better to have gone this afternoon.</p> <p>Vyse was over this morning to settle up with Dad for thrashing and some things that Dad. {used?} him for. Dad. wouldn't take anything for thrashing for him but I got a dollar out of it. Frank and Enah are making candy to-night and Dad is drawing and dressing turkeys. It started to snow soon after breakfast this morning and kept up till noon getting milder all the time till this after noon it turned to rain and the water is running into the cistern yet. Dick told us to-night there was a fire in the Wide Spread to-night. They got it out but were afraid it damaged the machinery considerably. $200.00</p> <p>Wednesday December 24th</p> <p>We all overslept ourselves this morning and so I didn't get started up to the Bowlby's till nearly ten o'clock, however I got Louise and was home by noon. The roads were a little slushy but not bad. Colin McNeilleys came after Dad to go and see his cow again and he got home just before we did. This after noon Dad. and Frank went down town to take the turkeys to Cousin Loll and Mr James and the duck to Ed. and also do some shopping. I fooled around quite a lot and then did chores and shelled corn. It has been very mild all day and the snow is nearly all gone, the cistern has got a good lot of water in it, we just got it fixed in time.</p> <p>Thursday December 25th</p> <p>I was up at about a quarter to six this morning and routed the family out of bed, and Louise, Enah and I drove down to eight o'clock communion, and Dick walked down, after I got home I did chores and Dad. and Frank went down to the eleven o'clock service, Dick came back soon after church and went back to the gully to see if there was any ice but there wasn't. Aunty Maude and Lila drove back with Dad, and Frank, Quint and Win. walked over. Huby never showed up all the afternoon - darn him. We had dinner about two o'clock and as I hadn't had any thing to eat since last night except a piece of bread &amp; butter and nine wintergreens, I stowed away a large quantity of turkey and plum pudding and many other things.</p> <p>After dinner we kicked up a terrible row for about ten minutes while Tiddums tried to go to sleep, we then doled out the presents. I drew a pile of presents, socks heavy and light from Frank and Lila, shirt from Dick, handkerchief from Win, perfume talcum power etc. from Cousin Clare, photograph album from Aunty Maude and Dad. &amp; I got four copies of Punch from Louise, and Ray is sending me a new diary for 1914. After this Dick and Quint went down town and I think Dick went to a dance to-night. Aunty Maude, Lila and Win. went home about dark, we didn't have any tea but gormed Louise's chocolates all evening. Tiddums has been rather all in to-day, we think it may be due to his swallowing a grain of</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>corn yesterday, we don't know that he did swallow one but I gave him a cob to play with while I was shelling it for the chickens and there was a grain off it when I took it away from him, but he hasn't been at all well all day. Raw &amp; cloudy all day but not cold Snowing and blowing to-night.</p> <p>Friday December 26th</p> <p>Dad. lost a considerable ammount of peaceful slumber last night wondering if the stack had blown over as there was quite a wind, at last he got about four o'clock and went and looked, but found it still standing, so went back to bed and didn't get up till after daylight, neither did I, consequence being that we got very little down to-day but chores. I shelled a little corn cut a little wood and read a little. Frank went down town and got the mail and some parcels Roy sent up a bread mixer for Enah which was just what I and somebody else had ordered for her but which hasn't come yet. He also sent me two Diary books like the ones I have used for the last two years. The first one was one of Dad's old veterinary college books and last year I sent to Catona for one but had to pay more than the price of the book in postage. I also got a necktie from Byron and Fred Johnson and another from Aunt Lena. There was also a letter from the University Research Extension Company saying they had shipped "The Library of Original Sources" long ago and that if we don't get them soon they will ship another set and go after the Express company. Dad. &amp; Enah purpose to give me them for a Christmas present but I have set my heart on paying for them myself.</p> <p>To-night Dad. though he would put the calves in so Frank and I went out to help him, after a lot of chasing we succeeded in getting Charlottes calf who is tamest into the barn, then after a lot more chasing Dad. got one of the sling ropes and lassoed Mully's calf first throw, but couldn't manage to rope the other two until he had put out hay for the young stock when he made some very clever throws and caught Spots calf first time around the horns and Bobbies with a little more trouble around the neck we were a little afraid he would get hurt as the others seemed to be hunting him around quite a bit but we left him there We then caught all the rose combed roosters and put them up over the pig pen. To-night we spent a rather hilarious evening as Enah and Louise supplied us with lots of music. Dick came home rather late with more mail from which I drew a necktie from Jean &amp; Adelana and a dandy big pocket book from Grand daddy I have been writing this in spats all the evening and as it is getting on to half past twelve I feel I must get to bed.</p> <p>It froze hard last night and snowed quite a bit and there has been a cold north and west wind all day, but sunny and otherwise not bad. Enah took a picture of Tiddums to-day, she had him all dressed up in a suit of bouncers or rompers or what ever they call it which Aunty Maude gave him and he looked for all the world like Bill George on a small scale, he is so bowl legged. I called Dad in from the woodpile to see him and to insure a speedy answer to my summons, I intimated that there was something the matter wth him, and Dad. seeing a picture in his mind's eye of Tid. in convulsions or the reservoir or something rushed in livid with fear. Tiddums however met him at the door and he was so overcome by laughter and relief that I escaped uninjured.</p> <p>Saturday December 27th</p> <p>It was after daylight again this morning when we got up so put in most of the day doing chores. but this morning we did get one of the big dead apple trees grubbed out but only have a few limbs cut off it. Frank cut at it quite a hit this afternoon, he has been cutting wood nearly all day. This morning he went back to the gully and came up by Alfred's and borrowed his crosscut saw This afternoon Dad killed, plucked and dressed a couple of young roosters (single combed) but they were pretty scrawny yet not being fully grown. I didn't do any thing much but read and fool with young Jim. I was giving him walking lessons and find he can run like a deer much faster than I can keep up with him and hang on to him.</p> <p>I got a letter from Aunty to-day saying she had got the picture which I had sent to Aunt Lena around by Aunty so that she could see whether it was worth sending on or not. As I didn't write till a day or two after I posted it she thought I meant it for her so I started another one to-night to do for her birthday Dick brought home a huge parcel to-night which proved to be rwo pair of lovely balankets and two counterpains from Cousin Clare Herring I think. It has been a beautiful day. It froze very hard (hardest yet I guess) last night but has been very sunny and no wind all day.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Sunday December 28th</p> <p>We were very late getting up again this morning so none of us but Frank went down to church, he went down to Sunday school and church Dad. and I did chores and read all morning. We let Belle out for a run, which she enjoyed very much and no doubt benefitted by although we did notice that the swelling in her led was reduced much but she didn't show any sign of lameness. This afternoon about half past two I drove Louise up to the Bowlby's again. The roads were good, smooth and hard with no snow to bother so I was home before dark. Jonas climbed in the buggy with me as I passed his place and came up for a visit, to get rid of trouble he said although he didn't seem in a very down cast mood. He has another farm in view now which is owned by to old maids who live on the place, and if he gets it he is to move the first of March and live in half the double house.</p> <p>Dad. and Enah and Tiddums expected to go down to Mrs. Battersby's this afternoon but Tiddums went to sleep and blocked the games. I drew to-night, Dick has been skating on the creek this afternoon, he says the ice is pretty good and for the most part strong. He went to church to-night. Frank I think spent his time back in the gully. Lovely day, no wind and fairly sunny.</p> <p>Monday December 29th</p> <p>We expected Rus. Lampkins down to day to put up the wind mill but he didn't show up at all. We did up all the chores this morning and worked at the old apple tree a little more. This after noon Dad. decided to go down to township nomination. He didn't get started till about a quarter after three but he enjoyed what little oratory he heard. George Hammond took great pleasure in making personal remarks about Jim Waddle till Jim got "frothing at the mouth" mad. George said he admitted that Jim had a better education and more of something else than he had but that he didn't have any more brains that if he had had brains enough to learn anything he would be going to school yet. Both these fellows were too mad at each other to talk sensibly but Sam King's manner was different. although a great many people were very dissatisfied with him as Councilor and had no doubt told him so, but he said if they put him out this election it would not be because he had sat in council and held his peace as was the custom with other councillors it would be because he had been in action all through and had made some showing, he then stated that every job that the present council had done was a permanent job, whereat someone in the audience inquired "What about Lisby's hill?" Mr. King smiled and acknowledged that that wasn't a permanent job but he said we did the best that could be done and the devil himself could do no better {illegible} was his own hill, Then in reference to Lisby's bridge over which there has been a lot of kicking about on account of the cost he said it was the best bridge in the county of Norfolk. At that a small English sparrow jumped up and chirped out "Mr. King, may I ask you a question". "Certainly go ahead" was the reply. "Well will you please tell me what was the use of putting up such a costly bridge at the foot of an almost impassable hill." King smiled again, and replied blandly that they did it simply because they had to, there had to be a bridge there and why not put one that was indestructible and consequently costly as one that would cost less and have to be replaced in a year or two, and so they wrangled and chewed the rag. Dad. was home about dark, and said that Hammond was going to run against Ed. Aikens for reeve.</p> <p>I did up the chores and after tea Frank and I went down to {illegible} nomination, where every thing was very quiet. Vyse was the only one who said much and he just gave an account of his stewardship. and solicited the vote of those present. R. M. Taylor, John R. Davis and Ed. Moon where nominated to run against him and Taylor was the only one who said positively he wouldn't run and the general opinion is that the fight will be between Vyse &amp; Ed. All the old council where nominated and about a dozen others but which ones are going to run I don't know. Dick got home a little before we did to-night, he had been skating on the pond though Dad tried to argue with him that it was unsafe. Inez Schram got in to the creek to-day. Mrs. McBride was here all day working. It has been a very fine day. Mild and pleasant.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Tuesday December 30th</p> <p>Sam. Law and Bert Munroe drove in this morning to see if we were ready to thrash yet, but Dad. told him we wanted to get the windmill up first. He said he overheard Rus. Lampkin's telling {Heck?} Henderson last night that he had promised to go some where that day (Sam. didn't hear the name) but that as he couldn't go he would have to go Wednesday. Sam thought that he must have meant here when we told him we expected him as he heard Henderson tell Rus that he could let the boy know, but Dick didn't say anything about it last night but not likely Henderson saw him after that.</p> <p>Allan drove in while Sam was in here and after talking election for awhile they all drove out expecting to thrash some where up the Gravel. I did chores and puttered around most of the morning. and Dad. &amp; Frank cleared up a little around the well so as to be all ready if Rus. Lampkins comes to-morrow. This afternoon they cut up nearly all the apple tree with Alfreds cross cut saw. I raised the nests in the hen house off the floor so the hens wouldn't scratch them full of straw and put fresh straw in. Both Billy Laurises were in to-night to get Dads. advice about a horses leg which has got hurt some way. Very mild and nice all day. When Dick came home to-night he said Henderson did tell him that Rus. Lampkins would be here to-morrow to erect the windmill.</p> <p>Wednesday December 31st</p> <p>I was awakened very early this morning by a great disturbance in the kitchen which I realized after I came to my senses was rat in one of the traps Dad. set last night and trying to get free by dragging himself and the trap all over the place, he was making such a racket and I knew must be putting in such a very disagreeable time of it that I arose and despatched him. It just struck four as I got up and this clock is way over half an hour fast, but as I had my clothes on and was wide awake I decided not to go back to bed again so drew till about half past six and then went out to do chores. I got quite a lot of Aunty's picture done and Dad. thought it was better than the one I did for Aunt Lena. We fully expected Rus. Lampkins this morning so Frank went down after breakfast and brought Huby over but as Lampkins disappointed us again we started on the tile drain we are going to put in along the font of the garden and back of the chicken house, we all four worked at it this morning and Dad. Huby and I this afternoon so we got a nice start at it. Loyd Ryersie came along at noon and Frank went off shooting with him but didn't get any thing. Dad. went down to-night and met Roy who is just going to spend New Years' with us.</p> <p>Jonas came over after supper and wanted Frank and I me to help him fix up a lot of orders that he had got from various farmers for seed potatoes and oats. We did to the best of our ability but I think we had Jonas in a great state of anxiety on account of our pretended carelessness, after that he played two or three games of checkers with Frank. I slept the last couple of hours of the old year but roused up sufficiently to wish the family a Happy New Year and go to bed. Dick was at a dance and didn't get home till about three o'clock in the morning. Beautiful day, mild and pretty sunny.</p> </div> transcribed https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/2a8b0f34d6702e8351969013b26b9324.pdf b4ccd4108dd8e5eae49a41d2ffe1a212 PDF Text Text ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������� https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/927dcd402233f2210d88ce9edf461fa9.pdf 8a4d40761abeabacf65f4f201f86fad4 PDF Text Text �������������������������������������������������������������������������������� https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/85b97b1286fd8fbc09ddd8f75802b2e2.pdf 0f01392e5af55da20b1b9f04f0b37b73 PDF Text Text Theobald (Toby) Barrett (1895-1969) 1914 Transcribed by Rural Diary Archive volunteers DISCLAIMER: This diary depicts some discriminatory content which some may find offensive. During the diary’s time period, such racial terms and prejudices were commonplace in Canadian society. They are considered wrong today. January 1st 1914. Thursday, I began the New Year very badly by allowing the sun to get up or nearly so before me, but I was utterly unaware of it until too late, of course we didn't pretend to do any thing but chores so it didn't matter much. We got every thing done up and I got dressed ready for dinner at Aunty Maude's which was supposed to be at half past one sharp, but as Tiddums went to sleep and they didn't like to wake him, Dad, Enah, Roy & Frank didn't get down till about half past two, but I went down on time and told Aunty Maude how things stood. However when we did get after the turkey we soon polished him off. Dad, Tiddums and I came home about five and did chores and minded Tiddums by turns. Roy had to go back to-night and Enah and Frank went down to the station to see him off Enah and Aunty Maude also went over to Mrs. Johnson's reception where Winnie was tending door. Mrs. Johnson's sent word over to have Huby go over this morning, as she wanted - a man to be the first caller on New Year's day. Dick was skating all the afternoon and I guess it is great on the pond Enah came home after dark and Frank and Lila a little later. Huby and Aunty Maude went up to Mrs. Belle's to a party, Winnie came over to Aunt Lucy's and Quint is capable of looking after himself so Lila came over here to stay all night. Ed. was over here just before Dad. went down town this morning to talk over the coming election. Ed. says he has gone over the voters' list and given Vyse all the doubtful ones and has I think one hundred and fifty something votes to Vyse's one hundred and ten, but still Dad. is shaking in his shoes for fear of Ed. being defeated. Dad. sent a card to Rus. Lampkins to-day saying to come down to morrow if at all possible and put up the windmill. It has been freezing and cloudy all day but nice. The wind is rising to-night. Friday January 2nd 1 �Rus. Lampkins came at last this morning, he and his man have been here all day and now have the windmill all put to-gether and all ready to erect. I expected to see them build it up but instead of that they put the whole thing to-gether on the ground and rais it with, ropes, pulleys and a team. Huby and Quint came over at noon, Huby was up at his party till three o'clock so didn't get up this morning. He put in the after noon digging the holes for the foundation of the legs, they are just a little inside of the old legs and as they have been put in with stone and brick piled around them he had a fierce time but got three nearly dug. Frank went over and borrowed Tupper's post hole digger and that helped a lot as it will pick out a good sized stone. Chris Quanbury came over this morning and took 16 of the roosters. Lila has been over all day but went home with them to-night. Old Mrs. Martin and {Mrs. Atkinson?} were over this after noon. Cloudy with raw wind, not very cold. Saturday January 3rd It has been a very disagreeable day, it was just spitting snow when we went out this morning and threatened to clear up several times during the fore noon, but after dinner it settled in to snow and stayed right at it till by to-night there was a blinding snow storm raging, before tea the flakes were big and wet but there is quite a north east wind and the snow is drifting. First thing this morning Jim Waddle drove in canvassing for Aikens but Dad. didn't promise him his vote. When he left Rus. Lampkins and his man came, and soon after them Huby and Lila, although they were very doubtful about the weather permitting them to finish the job. We worked all morning digging the holes and Rus. levelled the little tank up and fitted the overflow pipe into it, after dinner they set two of the legs in cement, they just put a little cement in the bottom of the holes around the plates which are bolted on to the legs, and filled the rest up with clay. He said he didn't like to set the other two feet till he got the mill up and saw just where the wanted to go, and he couldn't raise it to-day on account of the snow, he said he would get his ropes all wet, so they left about three o'clock or a little after. Huby and Lila went at the same time. Rus. sized up the kitchen at noon and said he could put in a sink and all fittings from cistern to sink and all for about $17.00 Dad. thinks he will let him. We put the three heifers in the cow stable to-night but let John go loose in there we had a bad time tying Snowdrop up as she was frightened Sunday January 4th When we got up this morning which was late we found ourselves almost snowed in, so we had to get right to work and spend an hour or two shovelling ourselves out, but by breakfast which we had some where in the vicinity of ten o'clock we had the buildings 2 �pretty well connected by canals through the drifts, some of the paths are pretty roundabout but we took advantage of all bare spots along the sides of the buildings and made them part of the paths. We put in the rest of the day doing chores Dick couldn't very well get down town this after noon so he slept till noon and this after noon he helped us move the piano from the parlor to the living room and Enah played for us most of the afternoon. Tiddums also tore off a little ragtime for us but spent most of his time on the floor. No one has been off the place to-day and no outsider been on it. It has been cloudy (mostly) cold and windy but as the snow had packed a little it didn't drift much to-day, it is milder to-night. Monday January 5th Dad hooked up Joe to the cutter and drove the boys down this morning as Frank had to start back to school, the drifts were pretty bad but he only had to break the trail to the corner as Ed. Forest had been up to Iveys. Dad noticed just before he started out that Joe had rubbed the skin all off under her fetlock we supposed on Ginger's rope, she has been pretty sore on it all day. Dad. came right back and we did up all the chores this morning. After dinner we both drove down town. Dad. voted for Ed. and then I don't know where he went as there is a new law or else an old one being enforced that no one except the candidate can drive a voter to the polls, so Dad. lent Ed. the horse to do a little canvassing with, we took Belle because Dad. thought if he was allowed to drive any elderly ladies to vote they would not be at all afraid to ride behind Belle and they might be with Joe and Joe's leg was sore and Belle needed the exercise. I went around and got my hair cut and hung around all the after noon although things were very quiet. Dad. and Frank went home about five but as I had to be down at the band room at seven o'clock I didn't go home to tea but stayed at Huby's and Dad. and Frank drove down again with my horn Quint and I were up in Jim Low's pool room when they were counting ballots, when we thought they ought to be about through we came down and the first person we saw was Hugh McQueen and my heart dropped when he told us that Vyse had beat Ed. by 40 of course we thought he was lying but on going down street we found Ed. in the Dominion, and it was all too true, although it is rather hard to understand. The councillors are Freeman Henderson, Billy Langs, Ward Sovereign and R.M. Taylor. I was up at the band room soon after seven and all the boys were there except Murphy and Fred Warren although they were both in town. and they say Murphy was the one who first proposed that we go out to-night, but they suppose he was a little sore at the way things went, he should have seen Harry Moon who must have been as much disappointed as any of us and yet went out and enjoyed himself as much as 3 �any one. We started out soon after seven with Al. Martin and Douglas the Scotchman hauling Harry Dyer and his drum on a hand sleigh in the ban and followed by a large number of kids ranging from those about two sizes larger than Tiddums right up to those old enough to know better, and we had Barge Waddles {Jeik?} McDonald, Tisy and Ceicl Schram as torch bearers. Of course we set out for Vyse's first but by the time we got over the hill our horns were frozen solid so we had to go in to Carl Coleman's to thaw them out we got treated there to wine and fruit cake and in return played a measly waltz, which I got hopelessly mixed up in, we then went up to Vyse's and by the time we got there my horn was frozen solid and I had to thaw it out on a torch we got more wine and fruit cake in there to say nothing of the eloquent speeches of Walt. and Vyse, the former extending congratulations on behalf of the band and the latter slobbering smooth {bosh?} all over us, intimating how grand and fortunate for the band to have had him in the past and to have him again in the future, Dover's chief cook and bottle washer. We then dropped in on Uncle Ward where we got a royal reception, Aunty Maude, Win and Lila were all there and Huby had been over with some cider which was very much enjoyed by all who partook of it, we also had coffee, cake and oranges fixed up, as we were leaving Uncle Ward. remembered he had a box of cigars for us so chased us out into the snow to give them to us. I didn't take one but induced Pud. Slocomb to give me a few puffs on his, he became alarmed for fear I was going to keep it so knocked it out of my mouth into the snow but smoked it all the way down town then volunteered the information that it had been too much for him, our next call was on Mr. Taylor, but we had to thaw our horns out first at Bob. Rankin's before we could make our presence known to R.M. He didn't ask us in but made a donation to the band and passed around more cigars one of which I collared and smoked (foolishly I suppose) and was not bothered by Pud. claiming any puffs or by any feeling that it was too much for me. The next man on our calling list was Henderson and we thawed out at Mr. Thompson's before doing our little stunt for him. He made another donation and speech which contained the information that his house was much too small for us, which we know to be perfectly correct. Walt also gave his recitation which he had pretty well off by heart at this time, the same as we had the piece of music which he had us play and every stop. Billy Langs living farthest away was the last councillor for us, so we bent our steps for his domain. None of our number resided in that vicinity so we called unceremoniously on George Steel to be warmed up. George told us we were a hot bunch to come in on a feller with out being asked and that Bill Langs had just as much gas as he did but he lit another fire for us and we rattled off "We wont go home till morning" for him, he said it was pretty poor playing and sounded to him just like "To hell with Bill Langs. To hell with Bill Langs. When we went over to Billys he took us in and fed us up properly. I had got pretty well filled 4 �up before though so didn't partake of much We were there quite awhile and on coming out trailed down street in any old order playing "Marching throu Georgia" and such airs as we didn't need music for. I know I was coming down Main street beside Carl who banged the drum, with Harry Moon ahead of me and leads and other parts both ahead and behind. It was getting late but at the door of the Dominion we found George Hammond who we had heard had beaten Aikens by 109 votes so we went inside and kicked up a little row in honor of him Gundry who was last on the list of township councillors was also there. Hammond bought cigars but I {let} bad enough alone. We played The "Campbells are comin" in which the horns drone on one note with out music. Harry struck the note but neither of us remembered the name of it, I got E♭which sounded about like Harry's and played it all through finding out after wards that it was the wrong note the right one being A♭. but Enah said that it would not be a discord although I guess it wouldn't have mattered much if it was and mabee would have been better to give the desired bagpipe effect. We then broke up, and went home I picked Dick up or at least he fell in with me as he had been spending the evening at the Dyer's and we got home about twelve. Every body was in bed of course but Dad. was not asleep as he was brooding over the elections, the only bright spot in the whole day for him was a little incident this morning. When he was coming down Main street after leaving Frank at school, old man Stringer hailed him and asked him for a ride down town Dad. pulled up and growled at him to get in - and then said he supposed he was going down to kill his (Dads) vote 'Ah!' says old Henry "I dont know". "Well I know" Dad said good and savagely "darned well you are". They hadn't got quite to old Henry's place and hadnt gone half a block when he thought he would like to get out home and change his clothes, but Dad. assured him that his clothes were plenty good enough for the man he was going to vote for, however the old boy disembarked and told Dad. he thought he had used him a little rough, he had always had a great admiration for him Dad. said he had a mighty queer way of showing it. But what tickled Dad. about it was that Jack Martin told him to-night that old Henry has told the tale among the Vysebites. It has been a pretty nice day as far as the weather was concerned, and a beautiful night, clear, frosty and moonlight. It think it froze pretty hard before midnight judging from the looks of things and the way the boards in the side walks scrunched and creaked, I didn't feel a bit cold although I had no overcoat or gloves on I think it turned milder towards morning. Tuesday January 6th Dad. drove the boys down this morning and got a sack of flour. Rus. Lampkins and his man came while he was gone but they met him so he went around and got Huby. It took till noon 5 �to get everything ready to raise the wind mill as the snow made things nasty to work with, but right after dinner we raised it with out any trouble Harry and Bell walked it up nicely and by to-night it was all complete and pumping water, it works all right. Mr. Flemming was here to-day to invite us to go thrashin there to-morrow. It has been a raw, damp, miserable day and windy Wednesday January 7th Dad. went down to Sam. Laws this morning and got Jimmy to go over to Flemming's for us as he thought my cold would be pretty was too bad to go thrashing, and as they are coming here next we were too busy to go any way. After breakfast he drove the boys down to school & bank and saw Butler about getting a set of bobsleighs. Butler had sold the set which was there but was getting two more in a day or so. When Dad got home he went down and borrowed Alfred's. We did up the chores this morning - as we had neglected a lot of yesterdays we had {lots} to do. After dinner we went down to Penmans to see if we could get a load of soft coal for the thrashers. Harry Moon said that the General Superintendent was there then and Henderson didn't like to sell any coal but we could get it if we came down after five to-night or early to-morrow morning, so we went down and weighed the sleighs and on our way home stopped in at Uncle Ward's to get some wood. He has some good apple wood which he split and piled in the shed last winter hoping to have it for his furnace but he found it smoked there so said we could have it. We got all that he had in the shed in two trips and put it in the wood shed here. He has some more long stuff piled out side but we didn't take it to-day. This was Dick's birthday but he didn't get home till late to-night. Fine and mild. Thursday January 8th Dad. and I went down right after breakfast this morning and got our load of Coal Dick rode down as far as the mill with us. We only got 1850 lbs. and as no one was around the office to pay we don't know how much it cost. It wasn't very good - as there were hardly any big lumps, when we brought it home and unloaded it. Frank and I took the sleighs back to Alfred's as he wants to get a load of hard coal and Omar said it was going fast. Dad. did chores. This after noon we cleaned up the floor of the old barn and about five Enah and I drove down town for provisions Frank was sick last night and has not been at school all day. Dad. also feels pretty rotten with a cold so does Enah but Tiddums and mine are getting better I think. It has been cloudy but very soft all day it looks as though our sleighing 6 �wouldn't last long. There hasn't been wind enough to drive the wind mill since six o'clock this morning. Friday January 9th Dad. and I put in most of the morning cleaning up the big barn floor and Dad. patched the weak spots. Jack McBride and Albert Reid brought over the wire fencing that Dad. ordered from Sid. McBride. He was in yesterday and said he would dump it off the car down there some place for us to get when we had time but as it is we are saved a trip. They finished at Flemming's soon after dinner and moved right over here, it took them quite awhile to get set and they didn't thrash any this afternoon. About four o'clock Frank and I drove down for some more provisions which Enah forgot to get yesterday. While I was waiting for him Johnny and Helen Anderson came along and expressed the desire to see New York so I took them for a swirl around half a dozen blocks or so. Jim Law was in this afternoon and only charged Dad. $3.00 for two days and a half thrashing. It has been very soft again all day. There wasn't enough wind to drive the windmill till late this after noon and then she pumped a trough tank full of water. Saturday January 10th We thrashed all day to-day in the alsike but didn't quite finish as the clover mill broke down some where this after noon and there is still another load or so in the mow, it hasn't turned out very well so far we have only got about seven bushels of seed. We put the straw out doors and I looked after it or at least was supposed to I have kind of a {stede?} & square one but of course it isn't topped out yet. It was rather hard to build owing to a strong nor' west wind. It was pretty rotten up there except just on the north west corner. I kept that corner pretty well tramped. Dad. hired Jim Law again and Tupper sent Jonas over. Mr. Flemming sent old Bill George and Bill sent Teddy. Dad. did all the chores and as Enah had no one to help her, he and Frank I think looked after Tiddums quite a lot. It has been much colder today, froze a little all day and windy with a little snow. Sunday January 11th Dad. and I did chores off and on all day and I read, shelled corn and darned a sock in the intervals. Frank was sick in the night and has felt very miserable all day hardly stirring away from the stove. Dick got up about noon and this after noon took Belle and went for a drive we are not sure who with, conscience tells us it was Dess. Dyer but Dick tells us it was Mr. Hobbes. He didn't stay long ast it was a nasty day but went down to the pond as soon as he 7 �got home he said there was a big bunch down there, he intended to go to church and I guess did. Allan Law came over this afternoon and put a little fire in the engine to warm up the water in the boiler. He said his father sprained his ankle last night and was pretty lame on it to-day. I was a beautiful sunny morning with out any wind but this after noon it got cloudy and blustery with a little snow and to-night there is a fierce south west wind with snow. Dad. had to kill one of the pigeons which came here from the shooting match to day. Monday January 12th This has been the worst day we have had this winter. There has been a high north west wind and the snow blowing in clouds so that at times we couldn't see from the house to the barns, it has been very cold, and freezing hard all day. First thing this morning Mrs. McBride came over but of course didn't try to wash. Jonas and Ted. George came over too but there was no possibility of thrashing so they didn't stay long. I drove Dick down to the bank this morning and when I got back took Mrs. McBride home. The roads weren't impassable any where but our lane was drifted full in the road way so I had to go along the top of the bank next the lawn fence. We didn't try to do any thing but tend to the stock, not even clean out the horse stable. Allan Law came over this afternoon to put a fire in the engine to thaw her out. About five o'clock Dad. walked down town and got the mail and some whooping cough medicine from Dr. Cook for Tiddums as we are pretty sure he has it. He left word at Huby's for Dick to stay down all night. Frank was a little better to-day but feels pretty sick yet. Tuesday January 13th We didn't do any thing but chores and shovel snow all day. Mrs. McBride came this morning and was tuckered right out after her walk through the drifts. The road from here to the corner is impassable with a cutter and we shovelled a road out the lane. Ted George came over this morning thinking we would be thrashing but it was too cold so he played in the house with Frank most of the day building a swing bridge with Frank's Meccano. Sam and Allan came over this after noon to thaw out the boiler and fix the mill where it broke the other night. Sam said they never thrashed when it was below zero. They said it was 7° below zero down town this morning and I think it must have stayed about that all day for I had to spend about half the time keeping my hands and ears from freezing although it was a lovely sunny day with just breeze enough to run the windmill. Dick went to Simcoe to-night with a sleigh load which Billy Boughner took up and he said it was 16 below up there. In Toronto it was lower temperature than they had had for 27 years. 8 �Wednesday January 14th I didn't feel very well when I got up this morning, and while I was watering the horses a sick & weak feeling came on me and it was all I could manage to get to the house and flop myself on the sofa in the kitchen. I haven't done any thing but sit around the stove and read all day. To-night I went out to have a little tea but while I was at it I felt deathly sick and made for the door. I can just remember standing there for a minute and then tumbling over on the wood shed floor. Dad. and Enah hiked out and got me in on the sofa where I felt quite a lot better. Ted. George was over again to-day but as they didn't thrash he helped Dad. do chores. Jonas was also over but didn't stay long. Dad. and Ted went down with the team this morning and got the bobsleighs from Butler, this after noon they put the box on them and went down town again for groceries and got a load of apple wood at Uncle Ward's, this is smaller limbs than the last we got and will have to be sawed a couple of times. I guess they thought it was too cold to thrash again to day but we would have been short handed anyway with me sick and Jim. Law has gone to Stratford to a cheese makers convention. It has not been quite so cold as yesterday but more windy and with a little snow. Frank put in the day fixing a spring on Tiddum's carriage and fixing locks on various doors in the house Wednesday Thursday January 15th Although not quite O.K. I felt ever so much better to-day and was able to do quite a few little chores and fix a bit of sacking in the chicken house window to keep the snow out. Sam & Allan were in this morning and said they thought if it was fair they would thrash Saturday, but we saw Allan again this after noon and he said they would get at it to-morrow. Ted. and Jonas both came over again. Jonas went on over to Tupper's to work but Ted. stayed here all day and chopped wood. This after noon we hooked up Joe and Ginger to the bobsleighs and Dad. Ted and I drove down town and got the mail. We saw Dick but as there is a dance on to-night he didn't come home with us for Wiggins is going to press his every day pants for him. Very soft and cloudy all day looks like rain. Friday January 16th Sam Law came over soon after daylight this morning but as it was raining then he didn't know whether to fire up or not, but at last decided to, as it let up a little it took an hour or two to get any steam for some reason or other and it was after ten before they got started to thrash and then a belt broke - and it took half an hour to fix it. Ted. George was the only 9 �man to show up early Jim Law came over the middle of the fore noon and Jonas in time for dinner he was over at Tupper's. There was only a little alsike left and we just got about a bushel of seed out of it. They finished it up and got all moved over to the other barn by half past twelve as they had to spend half an hour or so getting the engine through a snow drift. By the time we got through dinner it was raining again so we hung around in the drive shed for quite awhile where Jim Law mauled the life pretty near out of Jonas - and then over in the barn where we kept snowballs on the fly but at last Sam decided to quit. and told them to be back by tomorrow noon. Dad. and I did up the chores and then we drove Belle down after the mail and took Ted. with us. Dad. saw Dr. Cook about the baby as he has been very miserable to day, the whooping cough is bad enough but he is cutting another tooth Saturday January 17th I drove Dick down to the bank first thing this morning and when I got back Dad. and I hooked Harry and Belle to the sleigh and went down to Porter's, we didn't get back till about noon. Sam Law came over while we were gone & fired up and they got started up about one o'clock and finished about four, there was about two bags and a half of seed from the four loads. Allan & Jim Law & Bert Munroe were all down at Ern Flemming's to a dance last night and didn't get in till about six o'clock this morning they said they had a fine time but thought it a little strange that they should be invited to a private house with the slipulation that the ladies were to bring refreshments, and that a collection should be taken up to pay the fiddler - and that the host should keep two dollars out - and submit the remaining five to the fiddler, who was Lym Waddle. After tea to-night Dad. & I drove down to get the mail and we took Ted. George with us, (the others all went home to tea) we chased all over town to find Dick as he had the key to the post office box and at last found him and he came home with us, he got another fifty dollar raise in his salary to-day dating back to December 1st. That is the secon one since he has been in there which is just a little over a year. Lila has been over all day and is staying all night. Tiddums feels pretty rotten but is a little brighter to-day. It was cloudy and blustery this morning but the sun came out this after noon and it was not so cold high north wind all day. Sunday January 18th I just did a few chores this morning and went down to church alone Lila went down earlier to be ready for Sunday school. Frank's calf was too bad for him to go, Dick was in bed, Enah had to look after Tiddums and Dad's. time was taken up ministering to the needs of a heifer calf which Charlotte presented us with soon after we went out this morning. Its ear froze a 10 �couple of times but Dad. and Frank thawed it out with snow, when I came home it was on the kitchen floor, they had to bring it in to keep it from freezing to death. They took it out after it got good and warm and dry and I had taken a picture of it but Charlotte didn't seem very anxious to own it so Dad is going to try to teach it to drink now but it hasn't drunk any to-day. Allan Law came in this morning with a bottle of stuff which he bought down town for Witch Hazel for Sam's eye. Sam said it wasn't the right color (dark brown) for with Hazel and told him to ask Dad. Dad smelt it and tasted it and said it was clear whisky. Allan said if Sam had known that he would have swallowed it but Dad said he hadn't better as something else might be in it, so he gave him some of his. Allan said his sleighs had come but weren't set up yet, so he said we would go to Jarvis with our seed to-morrow with our sleighs and his team. This after noon I drove Enah down town to see the Doctor about Tiddums, Dick went down with us and I suppose has gone to church to-night. It has been pretty cold all day but fairly sunny and no wind, milder to-night. Monday January 19th I was up before six this morning and we had the seed loaded and allready to start for Jarvis at eight o'clock, Allan brought his team up soon after and by the time we got his seed on and on the road it was ten minutes to nine, but the sleighing was fine and we got there in a little more than an hour. We unloaded the seed at Jake Fesses and he just got started on our lot a little before dinner. I had my dinner alone as Allan was down at Roy Misner's. I was over at Fesses all the after noon but Allan was just there a little while. They finished cleaning up the seed about four o'clock in time for me to get my check cashed which I did as I wanted to buy half a dozen bags from Fess and forgot to tell him to take the price of them off the check. The whole thing came $55.26. The alsike cleaned away about half, so I only got 4 bushels and 20 lbs, he docked me a little on it as there was a little white clover in it but I got $8.00 a bushel for it. The red seed he said had a little buckhorn in it and I only got 7.75 for it. I brought home about a bushel of it and sold 2 bushel and 40 lbs. Alan only had about a pail ful of alsike which he brought home and he got the same as me for his red seed, it had no buck horn in it but he docked him on brown seed. We got home here just about dark pretty well satisfied with the day's doings Dad. I guess did chores most of the day the new calf got loose this after noon and milked Charlotte for him. Miss Newel was over to see Tiddums and he drove her home. Cloudy, mild and a little breeze looks like snow or rain Tuesday January 20th 11 �We didn't get up till about eight o'clock this morning so were late with every thing. Dad. drove Dick down town while I was at breakfast After I cleaned out the stables I sacked some corn and Frank and I bagged up some oats to take down to be chopped. Dad. wanted to go down to a meeting of the cream factory patrons but it was too late when we got through dinner. He and I took our grist to the mill after dinner and came up around by Uncle Ward's and got another load of wood when we got it unloaded Frank and I went down town for the mail and provisions and came up around by the mill and got our chop and some bran, shorts & buckwheat, getting home soon after five. Dad. did chores and cut wood while we were gone. Mrs. Art Ryersie was in this morning with some garlicks which she said mixed with rum made a fine concoction for the whooping cough and she thought Tiddums would benefit by it I don't know whether he is to take it internally or not I think it will be {infernally?} which ever way it goes. Alan and Jim Law brought our sleigh home this morning. They drove down in them to get their own which are Bain make and cost $32.00. They are very similar to ours but a little heavier and there is $4.00 difference in the price. Rotten day, very cloudy and foggy, fine rain most of the day freezing light breeze to-night. Wednesday January 21st First thing this morning Molly had a fine big bull calf, good red one and as big as Charlotte's now or bigger. Dad. drove Dick down to the bank this morning and we didn't do any thing much but chores the rest of the morning. Lloyd Phillips came over and got a load of hay but he had Garf Porrit and another fellow with him so we didn't have to help him put it on. This after noon Dad. Frank and I wrote to Uncle Hal. for his birthday and I went over to Martin's with the bit Frank borrowed from Art. Quanbury the other day, I saw Mr. Briley and he was telling me that he didn't think a mash was the right thing at all for laying hens, while Chris told me to feed it so it's hard to tell what to do exactly. Dad. and I hooked Joe & Ginger to the bobs and went down to post Uncle Hal's letter but we were too late for to-night's mail. Dick and Wiggins rode over as far as the corner with us and then walked on around the hill we gave {Bruce?} Vice a ride home too. We also brought some lumber over from Tommy Gilles's for John Quanbury as Chris asked us to on our way down. We had great difficulty to-night in trying to catch Dreadnaught and drive him into his stall and at last by running him through the deep snow until he was tired and he went in of his own accord. Snowed an inch or two last night and has been rather cold and blustery all day. Thursday January 22nd 12 �I did chores this morning and cleaned the straw out of the chicken house and also sat in the dining room for awhile to catch Tiddums if he woke up coughing and put in the time sorting "Farmer's Advocate's" Dad. and Frank sawed down the old Northern Spy in the pig yard as it was dead. This after noon they cut some of it up and got a lot of first class fire wood out of it. After dinner I put a lot of fresh straw in the chicken house - and helped Dad fix a pent in the corner of the old barn to put the calves into. Lovely day, fairly sunny and not too cold, looks like snow. Friday January 23rd We spent most of the morning battoning up the calf pen and Dad. put the window in. This after noon he put the surcingle & bridle on Osprey. He didn't like it at all at first but once he got started he walked down to the corner and back alright but sweat up a lot. When we got back I did a few chores and Dad and Frank got some more apple wood. Cousins Loll & Phoebe came over - and about four o'clock Frank & I drove them home we also got the mail and a couple of boxes to feed the calves in Charlie Butler was in at noon to see Dad. about some horse. It has been cloudy and very soft all day. Looks very much like a storm. Saturday January 24th It was raining when we got up this morning, turned to snow about nine o'clock and snowed till noon. Dad. put the harness and bridle on Osprey again but we couldn't take him out so just left him there all morning He must have gone through some violent exercise, probably trying to get loose - as when we went in at noon he was wringing wet. Dad. also trimmed his front feet and had to resort to chastisement to make him behave We put the old waggon and the plow in the shed out of the rain before dinner. This after noon it stopped storming but got a little colder. Frank went down to the McBain's auction sale but didn't buy anything he said there was a big crowd there. I spent half the after noon looking at a book of house plans and then helped Dad. saw up a few pieces of the old apple tree we then did chores. I drew a plan for our new barn to-night. Sunday January 25th Frank was the only one from here who went to church this morning as it was late when we got up and Dad. and I spent most of the fore noon doing chores and we also took Osprey out for a little exercise. Dick was asleep the greater part of the morning. Frank and I went for a skate down on the pond this afternoon. Dick went down but I guess there weren't enough girls on the ice to catch him so he went on up town and lent his skates to Fred. 13 �Tuck. I was late getting there so only had an hour or two's skate but I enjoyed that much for the ice was pretty good and as it was my first skate this season maybe it was just as well not to make it too long. I went down to church to-night and came home right after, but didn't see any thing of Dick who was not home to tea. It has been sunny and quite mild all day but is a little colder to-night. Monday January 26th After we did chores this morning, we hooked up Harry and Belle to the waggon and went over to Sam's to get our quarter of beef. We took it down to Alfred's and weighed it and it was just 90 lbs which was pretty good for the front quarter of a calf not quite a year old. It was just about noon when we got home but we went and got a jag of rails before dinner. After dinner we went and got another load of rails and then went down town for the mail and some yeast cakes and got back about five. John Wess was in just before dark as his mare has a little touch of lymphangitis again. Dad. told him what to do for it and said that he would go over and see it in the morning. To-night I went down to the pond for a skate as I saw they had quite a lot shovelled off. I got a ride part way down with Allan Law and he said they were going to start hauling ice to-morrow and that he could haul ours for us if we wanted him to. I told him we couldn't put it in to-morrow but we might the day after. There wasn't a big crowd on the pond and only a very few girls but the ice was good. I put in most of the time chasing Bunyan Beecraft and Tony Bannister to punish them for throwing snowballs all over. I caught Tony early in the game and twisting his hair till he got down on the ice and filling his hat with snow succeeding in persuading him to behave himself but Bunyan was another proposition. In the first place I couldn't begin to catch up with him, being out of practice I suppose - and then he was so nimble getting around the corners. I would sometimes be nearly on him and he would jump right off the track into the snow and aparently make just as good progress there as on the ice. I jumped in after him once but my feet slid out from under me and I cleaned off quite an area of ice in a very short time and carried most of the snow off on my clothes. At last Alex Spain joined in the chase and we both got Bunyan headed for Ivey's point where we thought we would catch him for sure, we could just see his figure ahead of us - and followed him around the point right through the snow - and some very poor ice till the first thing we knew he was taking to the land like one of these aligator boats, we hiked back around the point hoping to be where we thought he would get on the ice again by the time he was but there was no sign of him. He told us after wards when we were taking our skates off in Greenbury's woodshed that he was up behind Ivey's ice house and heard us go past. Dick came down before I left and hung 14 �around till I got my skates off and went up to Huby's after a loaf of bread I got up town. We got home about ten. Very soft all day not wind enough to turn the windmill till after dark. Mrs. McBride was here washing all day. Tuesday January 27th As soon as we got things done up this morning which was about ten o'clock we hooked up and went over to John Wesses and Dad. gave his mare a ball. Mr. Morgan was looking over there and we got looking at his gasoline engine and he was running it and grinding oats and showing us all around so it was after noon when we got home. Mr. Morgan came home with us and stayed to dinner and half the after noon, consequence being that we didn't get any thing but chores done although we had intended to haul some rails and clear out the ice house Allan Law was in to-night and said if they were hauling ice to-morrow he would haul ours for us but I think it is raining now so not likley they will be doing much with the ice. It has been very soft and spring like to-day. It rained last night and took most of the snow of the roads and left them very slippery. Wednesday January 28th We cleaned out the ice house first thing this morning and got it all ready to fill. It rained last night and was so very mild that we didn't think Alan was coming but just as we got ready for him he came along with a load, he said he went to see Val. about it last night but Val. was at lodge, so this morning he went down after a load of sand for the chickens as the thought they wouldn't be cutting to-day but some body saw him down town and told him that Val. wanted him to haul what was on the stand over here so he did, he got two loads over before dinner and four this after noon. we didn't get the last load chincked or placed to-night and if all is well he is going to haul one or two more loads in the morning. We think we are putting this in better than we did last year, we are leaving a good space between the walls and the ice for sawdust - and we put rails and sawdust in the bottom, but the ice isn't as good as last year especially what has been out of the water in the sun all day. Jim Coley was over this morning and got Dad. to give him a two weeks option on his lots, he says he can almost guarantee the sale of them at $600.00. Bob. and Cars. Rankin also drove over and brought the saddle & bridle back. Bluch was very glad to see them and followed them way down the road but came back when we called him. Tupper came in to get his post auger which we borrowed to dig the holes for the windmill feet. Mrs. Tupper and the baby were with him. I guess Mrs. Tupper wanted to see Tiddums but she didn't want to bring her kid in on account of the whooping cough and it was asleep anyway, Enah 15 �brought Tiddums to the window to wave at her. It has been very spring like and the sleighing is going fast. Thursday January 29th Just about as we got ready for him this morning Alan came along with a load of ice and hauled one more before dinner, we then saw that we needed eleven more cakes to fill up the ice house evenly so he brought 14 over this after noon, he said he had a hard time getting them as the machine wasn't working. We put the extra three on top. Dad. chincked it while I cleaned out the horse stable which has been neglected for two days, that makes over eight loads of ice that can be put in that ice house. Old Bill George drove over before dinner to get the fork that Ted. left over here. He was driving his yearling colt to the cutter and the sleighing is about gone, it is the same age as Queen and not nearly so big so that sort of treatment must be hard on it. Harry Dyer, his brother and Hammy Innes were over for awhile this after noon. Dick came home to tea to-night to change his clothes and attend the dance of the Orchestra's in the town hall. Another April day, water is running over everything and "the buds are within a holy ace of bustin" as Art. Ryersie says. The snow is fast giving place to mud and it looks as if it would rain again. Quite a strong south west breeze all day. Friday January 30th It was freezing when Dick came home at three o'clock this morning and has been freezing in the shade all day but not very hard. We found that the south west wind the early part of last night had melted quite a lot of the ice that it could reach through the west window, so Dad. had to fix it a little and we put in all the sawdust we had, but will need quite a lot more. Dad. thought the roads would be too icy to go to-day. We gave Osprey a little exercise before dinner - and I sorted out a lot of the apples down cellar. This afternoon we tore down a lot more of the gully fence but just put the rails in piles. It was a lovely day to do it as the snow is nearly all gone. More like a lat fall day to-day except that there is so much running water. Saturday January 31st We didn't do much but chores to-day. Dad. cut a big pile of wood and I Frank carried it and I wheeled most of the sand which Dad. got for Frank Slocomb to mend the cistern with from the house over to the drive shed and put it in to dry up the mud - as the water as run in a lot since it thawed. This afternoon Dad. and Frank drove down town to get the mail and 16 �some provisions. They got a letter from "The Library of Original Sources" saying that our books would doubtless be here with in the next few days. I spent the evening making entries for the past month in my book keeping book. The hens haven't nearly payed for themselves. I got six eggs to-day which is the most yet. Mr. and Mrs. Walt McCall drove Dolly over this morning. She cawked one of her front feet and Walt got Dad. to look at it. It has been a very blizzardy day but not cold. It was hail sleet when we got up this morning then rain and a blow this after noon with strong east wind which shifted right around. Tonight it is blowing hard but I think clear. Sunday January February 1st I haven't done much all day. This morning Enah and I drove down to church but got home very early. After dinner Dick and I went down town I went over to Harry Moon's and spent the after noon and stayed to tea. Harry was showing me over the new part of his house which he has fixed up pretty slick but hasn't quite finished the upstairs yet. They went to church to-night so I went down to Huby's. Quint. and Win were at church and Lila was over here but Huby and Aunty Maude were home. Frank came home with Lila while I was there so I went home with him. I don't know where Dick went but I have a sneaking idea that he spent the after noon over at Dyers. Last night when Dad. locked up the stable there wasn't a sign of Bluch so we thought he must have followed them down town when they went down after the mail last night, although they watched him, so to-day after church Frank went down to the Rankin's and sure enough he found Bluch there so brought him home. Bob. Rankin told Huby. that Jimmy cried himself to sleep last night because they wouldn't let Bluch sleep with him and told him they couldn't keep him. Some fellow was in here from Nanticoke to-day to have Dad look at his horse. I got seven eggs to-day. It has not been very cold stormy to-day but there has been a cold strong west wind. Monday February 2nd After we got the chores done we went out and hauled up three loads of rails before dinner, we got nearly all we had torn down. We also cut the tips off Erie's and Spotty's horns as we thought that the comfort or even saftey of the other animals was hazarded by their sharp points, we cut one of Erie's a little lower than we intended and severed a little artery. It soon stopped after we let her out but this after noon she scrubbed it against Snowdrop or the straw stack and covered Snowdrop with gore and when we let them in to-night a beautiful little spurt was coming out of it but Dad. soon stopped it but putting a little chop stuff on it. We intended to go prospecting for sawdust this after noon but by the time I got the rails 17 �unloaded The Law's came in to take their clover mill and engine down to Bob. Leitch's as the roads are now in grand shape. We were very glad to have the clover mill out of the barn as it was a great nuisance, but we didn't get a chance to go for our saw dust as they were here most of the after noon getting up enough steam to raise hel the engine out of the ground where she was frozen in, when Alan threw her in she would hump and stop "breathing" just like a horse trying to lift a big load, but after a few strains she loosened up and got out. Sam's brother-in-law was with them and he seemed to understand quite a lot about it. When they went Dad. put Joe's harness on Osprey and hooked him up to the bobs with Belle. he did pretty fair but seems to throw or paddle his nigh forefoot. Jonas came over this morning and borrowed a pitch fork and the hay knife as he is going to move the hay from McBains barn to Sam McBrides as they are tearing down the old McBain barn to-day. he brought them back to-night and is now playing checkers with Frank. The bear had ample chance to see his shadow to-day as the sun has been shining nearly the whole time it has been an ideal winter day, not too cold and just enough wind to turn the wind mill. I got seven eggs again to-day. They are getting a lot of milk now and it is beginning to tell on them. Tuesday February 3rd I got up about five this morning and read till daylight When Dad. came out I found that Dick had brought home word last night that {Winkey?} Smith was dead and was to be brought here on the eleven o'clock train to be buried, and as the funeral was to be taken charge of by the mason's, Dad. was wanted at the lodgeroom at ten o'clock. I drove down with Dad. and hung around till the train came in and then drove up to the cemetery with him. After the service was over there we drove over to Evan's woods on the Radical opposite old Stringer's place to see if there was any saw dust. We had quite a time finding any signs of a sawmill but at last Dad. came on it way back in a little ravine. He said there were no men around but quite a few bags and a pile of saw dust. This after noon Dad. went down and got his hair cut and was gone all the after noon. I watered the horses and cleaned out the cow stable and then I took a walk back the lane to look at the little trees. Most of them on the west side are dead while most on the east are alive. To-night Dad. went over to a men's party at Jack Martin's. It has been very soft all day and the sleighing is just about gone. There is snow lying in the fence corners and on the north side of things but it looks very Spring like, water is running every where and the fields are nearly all brown and where ever the sun can reach it looks dry and warm. I got twelve eggs to-day which I thought was pretty good. 18 �{Harry Barrett (Toby's father) wrote the entries for February 4th and 5th.} Wednesday February 4th Tobe did not write this up last night as he went skating. I did not get up this morning until 7.30. I found Toby up and the kitchen fire on and good and warm. Dick did not get home last night till sometime after I did and then we talked till after 2 O'Clock. After doing up the usual round of chores, we caught the 5 roosters and took them over to Jack Martin. It was dinner time when we got home from there. After noon we put on a small load of hay to take over to the other barn for the cows and calves. Frank went to skate after school. After tea Toby and I went down town he to skate and I to a school board meeting where we had a lively time, it looked at first as if we would not get anything done but it became quite peaceable towards the close. Old Mark Topley is getting along fine in his walking and his cough is much better. Rus Lampkins came in this evening and I paid him for the windmill. Fairly cold all day. Thursday February 5th It was late again this morning when I got up, 7 O'Clock, being out at night does not agree with me. Dick worked late last night Toby and I came home with Jack Martin and got home first. Dick brought home word that the long looked for books had come. After the chores were done we hauled the hay over that we loaded yesterday and put it off, then we hauled ni a load of corn stalks. After dinner we went down town and got the books. That accounts for my writing tonight, Toby is absorbed in them. Dick went to Simcoe this afternoon, Frank went down and had his hair cut after school, Enah and little {Taphy?} went through their usual daily round. It has been pretty cold all day, but for the most part bright. I find it hard to keep awake, I will have to take a look at the new books. Friday February 6th We took a load of grist to the mill this morning six bags of oats and four of corn, we got one bag of the oats rolled for the chickens. Tige. Farr was in for awhile to see if he could rent some of the back of the place for pasture but of course there was nothing doing. Dad. went down town right after dinner to give the deeds of his lots to Jim Caley but as Cousin Willie was sick they couldn't get them fixed up so he & Enah will have to go down some other time to sign off. he got home about four and we then went down to the mill for our chop. We had quite a time getting up the hill as it was very icy and the horses slipped all the way. Old Jonas was over this morning to get a dose of salts for his pig which he says he thinks 19 �will die Dad. looked at it and he thinks so too - if it does he will only have one left as two have died already. Allan & Jim Law were in to-night Allan's horse got its legs cut in some way he doesn't know how and he wanted Dad. to look at it. I got up at half past four this morning to read the new books and also learn a little Latin out of Dad's old book. It froze pretty hard last night - and there was a cold east wind all morning but it turned mild at noon and has been snowing & raining alternately all day afternoon. Poor Tiddums felt very miserable this morning and they thought the poor little cus had the earache but after he had his sleep he felt a lot better - and has been all rigt the rest of the day Saturday February 7th I got up about half past five this morning learned latin till Dad. came out about half past six, then I went out to do chores It has been blowing a hurricane and snowing all day so we didn't do anything but chores and Dad. cut a pile of wood. This after noon Frank went down town this after noon to see if there were any waves on the lake but there weren't although it was a south west wind, but likely there is a lot of ice in the lake. Dad. and I started to make a boock case for the new books out of the box they came in. Frank got some cloth down town to line it with. I got thirteen eggs to-day. It has been pretty cold and very blizzardy to-day. Sunday February 8th Frank went down to Sunday school and church and Dad. and I went down to church this morning we were late for although we came accross the pond we had to stop in at Henderson's as my ear got frozen by the cold wind on the pond and we went in there where Dad. thawed it out with snow I nearly froze my hand holding snow on it from the pond up there. We came around by Huby's on our way home and got the old glue pot to make some glue for our book case and also looked at the old chicken house as we are going to bring it over here for a breeding pen. This after noon we read did chores and listened to Enah play the piano. Dick got up and had a bath before dinner, got Dad. to shave him and went down town about the middle of the after noon as he says he is going to church to-night. Frank spent most of the after noon skating on the ditch out here from the lane fence up to the oak trees and down in Bannister's gully. Very cold and strong west wind, a little snow otherwise not a bad day Monday February 9th 20 �It froze about the hardest yet last night and has been pretty cold and breezy all day, but was bright and sunshiny part of the time, and snowing a little part of the time. We didn't do any thing but chores and Dad. cut wood. Mrs. McBride was here washing all day and as it was too cold and draughty for Tiddums in the kitchen Frank had to stay home to look after him in the dining room. Dad. and Enah were contemplating a trip down town this after noon to sign the deeds to the lots but Mr. Howey who is buying them and a Mr. Ross brought them over this after noon and saved them the trouble. The option is up on them to-morrow so they wanted to get things settled. He paid Dad. a check for the six hundred. Jonas was over here most of the afternoon selling seeds. Dad. gave him an order for some of L.P. Gunson's seed oats and we are going to make out and order for him to-night of garden seeds from Simmers No body was down town to-day, so we haven't got the mail. Tuesday February 10th Dad saw a load of ice going into Mrs Battersby's this morning and just remembered that we had not returned John Quanbury's little ice tongs, and as we thought he might be needing them I took them down but he said he never used them as they were too small so told me to take them home again which I did. I stayed there quite awhile helping & watching him. Bob. Leitch was hauling the ice, it is a lot bigger and better looking than ours but John says it doesn't keep at all well in Mrs. Battersby's ice house. It is cement and built right in the side hill. The let the ice slide down the hill and drop about eight feet to the bottom of the ice house and it breaks up badly. Dad. cut wood while I was away and when I got back helped me clean out the chicken house. This after noon I cut a piece off the stack and Dad carried over a lot of straw to the chicken house. Jonas came over this morning and we gave him the Simmer's order although we are sure he is not an authorized agent, but as we don't have to pay for the stuff till we get it I suppose it will be alright. Dad. told him he was crazy to waste his time selling seeds instead of cutting his hedge down for wood over at Myers but Jonas said he had to get a little money some way as he only had fifty cents. Frank said he was working down cutting ice this after noon. It has been much milder though still freezing to-day cloudy and just breeze enough this after noon to turn the wind mill, snowing a little to-night. Wednesday February 11th We did chores and Dad cut wood most of the day, this afternoon we put some poles across a couple of beams in the big barn and covered them with hay to make a pen for the ewes'. The old ram seems to be getting crosser, he attacked me to-day for the first time, and we 21 �think it is because he has some way got the wool all pulled away from his eyes - and can see much better all around him. I got fourteen eggs to-day, the cold weather doesn't seem to affect the hens any, I guess it is the feed and care that counts. Enah cut the cloth for the book case of my new books this after noon and to-night Dad and I glued it on the wood, it is going to look pretty nice I think. It froze very hard last night. Frank said it was seven below zero, and although bright and sunny has been frosty all day barely thawing even in the sun. They say there was a slight earthquake felt in different parts of Ontario and in Montreal but I think the ones that felt it here just thought so after they got the paper. Thursday February 12th Dad. and I took a walk down to Porter's and back this morning, we got back about half past one. This after noon we just did chores. To-night after a lot of hesitation I decided to go down to the dance. Dick said he didn't think there would be many there but there was enough to suit me. No-one from Simcoe was down but all the Dover bunch was there and I had a good time. I didn't miss more than half a dozen dances and much to my surprise found that I could dance fairly well. I didn't expect to be able to do any better than the last time I tried especially as I haven't been down for over a month. They say it was fifteen below zero down town this morning and although it has been a lovely sunny day with out breeze enough to blow the wind mill, it has been freezing hard all day, and is just as cold tonight. Friday February 13th After we did the chores up this morning Dad. & I hooked Harry and Belle to the sleighs and went down town, the sleighing was good most of the way in town but was pretty icy in places. I took down 7 1/2 doz. eggs and got at the rate of 35 cts a doz for them but traded them off for groceries. Dad. got some lumber to fix up the sheep pen with and settled up with Tommy. This after noon we just did chores and I had a little snooze as I only had about four hours last night or rather this morning. To-night Dad. dressed up and went down to pay a visit to Alfred. and Lulu. Billy Faulkner came over this morning and took their heifer away. An old Peddler came in to-night about five he looked about frozen and piked off towards Sam Law's who he evidently knew as he asked up if he didn't live down by the mill before he moved up here. This is poor weather I should think for his job. I wouldn't mind it at all in the summer. pretty frosty all day and a cold north east wind but mostly sunny. It is milder to-night and trying to snow. 22 �Saturday February 14th I did chores all morning and Dad. & Frank cut up the old apple tree in the pigyard. They had some pretty hard sawing in it. This after noon Dad and I took the team and waggon sleigh and hauled it up to the house where Dad. split a lot of it. Frank went down town and got his tooth filled - and sent off a lot of valentines. Bert. Thompson came over this afternoon to see if we had any Black Orpington hens. There was just one left of the ones that Huby hatched out three years ago of the eggs he got from Bert. I knew she wasn't laying and was glad enough to get rid of her, I would have sold her for fifty cents or less but Bert offered me a dollar for her so I let him have her. Dad. had quite a visit down at Alfred's last night, the old peddler, whose name is Foster was there. Lulu was in Toronto but got home before he left, she told them that Art Ryersie who had brought her home heard down town that Blaikie was dead, but as we have heard nothing about it to-day, we feel pretty sure there is a mistake some-where. It has been milder to-day a little though still freezing hard. It snowed a little but was mostly sunny. Sunday February 15th Enah and I walked down to church this morning and Frank went down to Sunday school and church. This after noon Cousins Clare and Phoebe came over and also Quint, Huby and Lila. Dick was in bed all morning and went down town this after noon and says he is going to church to-night. Huby said Aunty Maude was pretty sick to-day. Dad. and I walked down to church to-night and went around to see Aunty Maude on our way home, she was sitting up on the sofa but looks pretty miserable, we got home about nine o'clock and Dick soon after we did. It is still pretty frosty but getting milder I think. cloudy most of the day and to-night. Huby told us of a great joke they played on old Tom the cook on the Vigilant. It seems he is quite a lady's man and gets a letter occasionally from a young lady he met in St. Thomas. Young Archie McQueen knew this and put Bill Davis, Parks and a few more of the bunch wise to it and they with Mrs. Walt. McCalls assistance composed a letter to Tom, from his girl telling him to meet her at the Fair corner (so as everything could be seen from the Dominion Hotel windows) at noon yesterday and to be sure and bring a bottle of gin along. When Tom. got the letter he never caught on and was in a great state of excitement all morning and kept his eyes on the Fair corner, meanwhile Archie had been getting togged up in a lot of Mrs. McCall's clothes, he is rather small and good looking and about two o'clock slipped out of the side door at the hotel and around the block up to the Fair corner, of course old Tom was right there to meet him and Archie immediately inquired about the gin so Tom told him to go over to the hotel and wait for him at the head of the stairs while he 23 �got it. He rushed into the bar to get a fifty cent bottle but Walt. told him that they didn't have any smaller than a dollar and a quarter bottles.Tom was in such a hurry that he said any thing would do so took a big bottle up stairs and rushed the fair one of to his room. Archie told Huby after wards that it would have been rich if he could have played his part a little longer but when Tom began to kiss his hands, he could stand no more, so with a burst of laughter he picked up his skirts and fled down stairs. Tom was so mad he never spoke to any one the rest of the day but got bory eyed on the bottle of gin. Monday February 16th Dad. and I went down as soon as we could get ready this morning to get the chicken house down home ready to move Huby helped us and we got it raised and up on blocks by noon. While we were at it, who should come along, bare headed, and without an overcoat, but Walter, he had come through the house and Aunty Maude had told him where we were, so that accounted for the absence of hat and overcoat, but as we hadn't the slightest idea that he was within a thousand miles of us, we were quite surprised to see him, but this after noon we got a letter from Roy which we should have got on Saturday, saying that Walter was then in Barrie having come down with the body of Mrs. {illegible} father. He got into Toronto Friday night and {illegible} up here this morning but had to go right back again tonight. He stayed at Huby's to dinner for as he said a walk over here before dinner did not sound {illegible} tempting and right after dinner Dad. hooked up Belle and went down and got him, he was only here an hour or two and then Dad. and I drove him down he had to stop in for a minute or two to see Miss Phipps, Cousins Bessie, Clare and Loll and say goodbye to Aunty Maude. Dick Quint at Huby went to the station to see him off so he had a very hurried visit, but we were all very glad to see him if it was only for a short time. Old Jonas came over to-night to get his orders ready to send away, and to get a little corn but I think principally for a visit. Aunty Maude says she feels better to-day but looks very miserable. I only got twelve eggs to-day. It was a beautiful morning but this after noon the wind got up and it was a rotten after noon very blizzardy and cold. Quieter and colder tonight. Tuesday February 17th We just did chores and cut wood this morning, I read for awhile this afternoon and then Dad. and I drove down town and Dad. saw Johnny Walker about bringing over the hen house, he said he thought he could load it on the sleigh and bring it over to-morrow after noon we went down to see if we could get it any more ready but thought we couldn't do 24 �much more to it alone. A couple of the little Ryersie girls came in with Frank after school and young Roy Bannister appeard from somewhere soon after Frank got home and they went sleigh riding back in the gully and Roy borrowed a book to take home with him. Tonight I blew a little on my horn for the first time since election night. It was a very blizzardy blustery morning, but turned out a nice bright after noon, snowed quite a little bit, and there wasn't enough wind to turn the windmill. Wednesday February 18th Dad. and I did chores most of the morning besides taking the wire off the posts in the hen yard so we could get through with the other hen house which we intend to put in the north east corner of the yard. We had to pump water for the cattle this morning as there wasn't enough wind to turn the wind mill, it took us over half an hour to pump half a tank full, we took turns at it, it is the first time we have had to pump for them this winter, and if we had a bigger tank which would hold two or three days supply, it wouldn't matter about it being quiet for one day. As soon as we could after dinner Dad and I went down to get the old hen house Jack Walker didn't come for quite a while, but I went up town and got Huby and we got it raised up in front nearly high enough to back the sleighs under, when Johnny came he said he thought it would pay us to raise it up high enough behind to back the sleighs, so we did and without so very much more work got it loaded beautifully, we were afraid the top of the pigeon house which Dad. built on the roof of the hen house would catch on wires and branches but we hated to take it off - as it has been there so long but Johnny said he thought it would go alright. The first obstruction occured going out the lane and we had to chop a limb off Mrs. Low's apple tree, but got past. Then going from the lane gate to the road where Dad. had a nice driveway fixed the road-scraper made a nasty ditch and never filled it in. Johnny was afraid the building might tip over on the horses going over the bump so Dad. went over and borrowed some rope from Gint. Rankin and tied it to the {rave?} of the Sleigh over the roof of the chicken house, we thought we had her solid but Johnny let his horses go a little fast down hill and rounding the curve with such a big top weight, she just keeled right over sleigh and all at the side of the road on end just nicely between the side walk and the road. I thought the jar would rack her all to pieces but as far as we could see it did hurt a bit, except knocked the pigeon house right off the roof. We decided to leave her there for the night and Johnny said he would get a pair of skids from Val. and take her over on them in the morning. Old Faucet said he would hang a light on to-night for us. We got a ride home with Charlie Quanbury. Tonight Dad. togged up in his dress suit and went down to pay a visit to Cousin Loll as she likes to see him dressed up so much. It was 25 �about eight below zero last night they say but has been a lovely day, rather Foggy but quite mild and no wind. Thursday February 19th Dad. and I went down about half past nine this morning as that was the time Johnny said he would be on the spot but there was no sign of him so Dad went down to see if Jim Low had any chestnut coal but he hadn't a pound. When he came back from there he went in to see old Mrs. Fawsett for awhile Huby and I carried back Mrs. Jim Low's blocks which we borrowed and then went and sat in the house, then as there was no sign of Johnny Dad. came over. At last about eleven we thought he wasn't coming so thought we would go home. Huby went down to the mill with us as they saw Johnny go in there with a load of shooks, when we found him he said he was just ready to go so we went back with him. It took us quite awhile to get it turned over on to the skids and we had to get a few extra hands to help us. Allan Law came along just as we were about ready to start and as one of Johnny's horses is very poor on the draw and he couldn't start it Allan hooked his team on and the two snaked it along to Allan's corner, then Johnny took his team off as they thought two teams would be too wide going down that narrow road and over the bridge. Allan hauled it to the top of the hill and then Johnny took it alone the rest of the way, he let his team sail right through and as it was too hard work keeping up afoot I rode part of the way so did Huby. Johnny got stuck in our lane here where the snow was deep and he ran into the side of the bank, we had to take the little horse off and put old Harry on with Johnny's big horse and they pulled it easily. Huby stayed to dinner and this after noon we placed the hen house just where we want to leave it and put it up on blocks. Dad. and Huby then drove back to straighten things up down there and to take back some stuff we borrowed from Mrs. Jim Low. I did chores while they were gone. Charlie Butler was in for a few minutes this after noon to see Dad. about his horse which has something like lymphangitis. Dad. brought the pigeon house back with him this after noon. Nice day, snowed a little, mostly sunny with a little breeze. Friday February 20th After we did chores this morning Dad. and I sacked up eleven bags of oats and took them down to get chopped. We went on down town and got some stuff and then down to Huby's where we cut down a little locust tree and sawed it up in lengths to fit the waggon box and brought it over for fire wood we also took a big limb which was broken off the old Newton pippin tree. We didn't get home till nearly one. This after noon we discovered we 26 �had left Alfred's cross-cut saw down at Huby's so we hooked up Joe and Ginger (who were delighted to get out after about a month's confinement) and went down and got the saw and came around by the mill and got our grist. It was time to do chores when we got home. Tonight Dad. went down to a school board meeting, he didn't feel much like it especially as he didn't know that it was specially important. Frank went down with him to go to the moving picture show. Pretty cold, sunny but cold breeze. Dick told us that Frances Henry got badly hurt last night on Edmonson's hill where a bunch were sleigh riding. She was walking up hill and fell and a sleigh coming down ran in to her and cut an awful gash in her leg. I practiced my horn a little to-night. Dad. heard down town that Billy Anderson was dead Saturday February 21st Frank and I went over to Jack Martin's this morning and got a couple of roosters, as we want to mate up a breeding pen as soon as possible. We got what they said over there were a couple of good ones although they were tough looking characters, as owing to their blood stained countenances it appears as though they had been indulging in a passage at arms. When we got home Frank helped Dad. saw up the wood we got yesterday and I cleaned out the new chicken pen. After dinner, Dad and I went down and got a load of coal, as Allan Law was in before dinner and told us there was a car in, we thought it would pay to get in in time and wood saved. I took down eight dozen eggs to-day but the price is down to thirty two cents, when we got home Dad helped me put windows, perches and straw in the new hen house and after tea to-night we caught fifteen nice looking pullets - and mated up a pen in there. Frank went back to the gully to-night this after noon and killed a dandy muskrat. Dick got home to tea to-night - as he had a bath to-night. Sunny and nice day but a cold wind. We three boys had a bath to-night and sat on the kitchen table in our night shirts till midnight telling bad stories, while Dad. snored in the big chair. Sunday February 22nd Frank was the only member of the family who went to church to-day and he went to the Roman Catholic (to see what it was like) but he went to our Sunday school. As the wind last night tore the door of the new chicken house off its hinges, Dad. and I were forced to break the Sabbath and put it on. We just did chores and sat around all day I drew a little this after noon I am going to try and draw the picture I took of the mill and Herb. Cooke's house from the old cemetery at the top of the hill, and Frank went back to the gully. Dick slumbered peacefully all morning and went down town this after noon, with the intention of going to 27 �church to-night. I got fifteen eggs to-day, eight of them were from the breeding pen of fifteen pullets, we thought that was pretty good for the first day. I drew a little to-night. It snowed to-day and was very windy and blustery, pretty cold. Monday February 23rd I learned this morning that our hard luck with the sheep deal was not over yet for when I went out to feed them I found a fine big pair of ewe lambs lying dead on the barn floor, as last night was one of the coldest nights we have had, I suppose the poor little things had hardly lived at all after they were born, but still I think if we had only been there to bring them in the warm as soon as they came we could have saved them but we never dreamed of any of them lambing before the 25th and this ewe wasn't due till next Saturday. It has been very cold all day (one of the coldest days we have had) so we didn't do any thing but chores and nail up a few boards for a sheep pen. Mrs. McBride was here washing all day, in spite of the weather. I got seventeen eggs to-day. Tuesday February 24th I went to bed with my clothes on last night as I got up about three to have a look at the sheep but they were all right, it is a good thing no lambs came last night for it was bitterly cold. We fooled with the ewe which had her lambs quite a lot this morning and shut her up in the stable this after noon away from the others. Dad. went over to see if Brirely had ever had such a case to deal with as he used to be a sheppard in the old country but he didn't get much information. Quint was here for a little while this after noon. He and Big George Hamaker had come back to the gully on the trail of a skunk which Bill Oakes saw tracks of, but they found Wilson McPherson and some Matthews had got ahead of them and were digging it out up in Robert John's gully, George joined them but Quint said they were all covered with mud so he didn't care for the job and came home via this place. He says Ivey's gully is full of men and teams hauling sod but I guess they finished to-night. This afternoon Dad. and I unloaded the load of coal we got and hauled up a load of rails which Frank unloaded when he got home. Sam. Law was in this morning and Dad. paid him for the threshing and beef. To-night Dad. and Enah went down to the Library concert leaving Tiddums in our care. (Frank's & mine) but Dad. says he will not enjoy himself at all for fretting. I also have to keep watch on the sheep for although it is not so cold as last night it would be too much for little lambs. It has been freezing hard all day in the shade but it was very sunny and thawed a lot in the sun. I think it is gradually getting milder. 28 �Wednesday February 25th I slept with my clothes on again last night and got up about four to look at the sheep, there were no lambs but I noticed one of the ewes was not well, she has been sick all day and has not eaten anything but snow, we offered her water and she drank a lot which made Dad think she was feverish, she was also quite badly foundered, and is evidently suffering from indigestion. To-night Frank and Dad. tried to dose her with salts but couldn't get much down her. Dad is afraid she won't pull through, it certainly looks doubtful. We don't know what caused it unless she has eaten some of the old chaff that came out of the clover mill and which is mixed up with the hay on the barn floor. Dad. thinks she may have got an overfeed of corn as he found them the other day out by the corn crib where Frank's pig had rooted a slat loose and had got out a pile of corn out on the ground. The ewe that lost her lambs and which we had shut up in the stable, we found to be all right this morning so after trimming her up a little Dad. let her out with the rest in the shed, while we were there we heard a racket in the barn and on entering found the split eared ewe, the one which was due to lamb to-day engaged in a desperate fight with Frank's pig, down in the corner was a wee lamb just arrived and unhurt thanks to the courage of its mother as the pig would have made short work of it, if she had alloud it. I had the satisfaction of landing that pig a swift one and send it squealing out of there. I hadn't been there very long when another lamb came bigger that the first one. It wasn't very cold in the barn but we had to take the little fellows in the house by turns and warm them Enah and Tiddums looked after them, the latter was greatly interested in them. When they both got good and warm and dry, we moved them and the ewe into the horse stable where it is very much warmer than the barn and they all three seem to be all right. Jim Waddle was in this morning to see Dad. as his horses have lymphangitis. Jonas was in at noon with our parcel of seeds from Simmer's, he said he guessed they wanted him to work for nothing, so I suppose he will not get any commission and as he had to pay express on the seeds I don't know just where the profit comes in, but he was going off canvassing again this after noon. He says he is through with "Ivorys" for ever now, he had some rumpus with them about his house rent. Dad. told him he was going to kill a couple of the biggest pigs this after noon soon and wanted his valuable assistance. Jonas is a wonderful pig sticker (as he says).. A fellow from Simcoe was in here to see him soon after he had gone. Lorne Brown came in after dinner with the sink and fixtures, he said Rus would be down to put it in as soon as we got the ditch dug for the drain. To-night I went down and got my hair cut and also to the moving picture show principally to go in with young Schrammy who was too young to go alone Dick got home 29 �soon after I did and we sat up till after twelve but I went to bed in a more civilized manner to-night. Sunny and soft but cold wind. Thursday February 26th As this is Saturday night and I am dead sleepy I can't remember the details of Thursday's happenings, we hauled two loads of sawdust from Evan's place up on the Radical road we just took the waggon box full this morning but as there were no very bad spots we took side boards with us this after noon and hauled twice as big a load. Dad. saw Evans about getting some wood and he is going to start buzzing up the limbs & tops of trees next week and said we could get 10 loads of it for a dollar a cord sixteen inches long. The sick ewe seems ever so much better to-night, she is not lame and picks at the hay a little. Dick went down to the dance to-night. I fully intended to go but thought as it was Lent I would go over to Quanbury's instead - as they were having a surprise party I think in honor of Charlie & Lottie coming home from the West. I had a good time in spite of the fact that they played Pedro and I tried to learn the game, but couldn't. Thawed hard in the sun, cold wind. Friday February 27th We went up again this morning and got another load of sawdust. We had to go around by town this morning to get some groceries, when we got up there young Stickney from Port Ryersie was there ahead of us but had his load nearly on, the pit was pretty well undermined but we got a good load alright and got home about one, the sleighing is just about gone. This after noon we unloaded the Sawdust we filled up all we wanted inside the ice house and Dad. threw the rest outside to pack in between the outside and inside walls. When we got through there we started to clean out the boxstall which hasn't been cleaned out for over a month. Dad. took two sleigh loads out and put on the old garden and there is still another load, the two days accumulation in the stable made the biggest part of the first load. Frank went over to tell Jonas to come and kill pigs in the morning as he told us he was going to work for "Ivory's" on Monday. He drove Frank home about seven he was bound for some Englishman's place way out past Tupper's some where to sell seeds. The sick ewe is apparently all right to-night. The salts had their effect and we found where she had eaten a whole pile of corn and not digested it at all, very sunny and mild barely froze last night. Saturday February 28th Jonas came over about nine o'clock this morning armed with a formidable looking knife, which he told us was no good all ready to show us how to "boocher" hogs. He did quite a lot 30 �of ordering around and knife grinding before he was ready. We killed the two biggest pigs of the lot and they weren't very big, and did it up in the pig-pen. Dad. & I held the pig while Jonas with great display made the fatal thrust. It took him a good big minute to do it which isn't a record breaking speed as Dave Waddle claims to be able to stick a pig and get the knife out with out getting a drop of blood on the knife, however they died alright under Jonas' treatment, we hauled them down to the old house on Frank's sleigh and scalded them both to-gether. Dad. said it was a dandy scald and Jonas says it was due to his method of putting a dipper of woodashes in the barrell and to his accuracy in testing the temperature of the water with his had. Dad. helped scrape them and then had to go out to Jim Waddle's to see his lymphatic horse as he was in after him this morning. Jonas and Frank dressed the pigs and I guess made a pretty fair job of it. I cleaned out the chicken house and fooled around. They finished up before dinner and Jonas stayed to dinner. The same fellow that was here to-day the other day from Simcoe was in again to-day to see Jonas and caught him this time. This after noon I drove Enah down town to do shopping, she took down ten dozen eggs but the price had dropped to twenty eight cents. I got twenty eggs yesterday and to-day. I had to wait quite awhile for Enah so drove around with Fred Tuck. Very soft and mostly sunny but cool wind raining and snowing a little to-night. Sunday March 1st Frank went down to Sunday school and church to-day and Dad. drove Enah down to church but didn't stay himself. I didn't go down at all to-day principally because I was too lazy. I didn't get up till way late this morning and haven't done any thing much all day but a few chores. Dick went through his regular Sunday programme, stayed in bed till noon, went down town after dinner and I suppose to church to-night. He took my camera down and was going to get a film for it. Dad. and I intended to go out to the Shand's this after noon but it was so late when we got ready that we didn't go. Mostly sunny but cold North wind, freezing hard to-night and wind getting worse. Monday March 2nd Dad. cut up the pigs this morning we weighed them with the old stillyard which Dad. brought over from home and they just came to 105 lbs apiece. I put in the whole morning writing to Aunty and at the same time watching Tiddums who was asleep. This after noon we did chores and covered over all of the sheep pen instead of a part of it we tried to fasten up the door which blew out of the peak of the barn but it fell out again while we were working at it and as it broke a little we left it for another time. I also helped Dad carry over a 31 �couple of loads of hay to the other barn on his back with the {illegible} rope. We couldn't do much out side to-day as there has been a terriffic north wind with a little snow and besides it has been cold. The storm was much worse in other parts of the province than here but has gone down to-night. Tuesday March 3rd After we did chores this morning Dad. fixed some bars up at the south end of the horse stable out of the old wind mill posts to keep the sheep in their own yard. Arthur Preston came over to borrow some of Dad's show clothes to wear at the Methodist concert next week. Colin Ryersie was also over for awhile. About noon Dand. and I drove down town to get some stuff and he wanted to see Harry Moon to see what kind of duds he wanted for the concert. I went over to the barn when we got home and found a lamb just arriving, the ewe was No. 117 and we didn't expect lambs from her till Saturday. This was a good big ram lamb, we left him there till after dinner and when I went out then his sister was just getting off. We brought them both into the house for awhile one at a time and to-night put them in the little box stall in the horse stable. We didn't do any thing much but fool with the lambs this after noon. Much milder to-day and sunny but frosty to-night. Wednesday March 4th Dad. and I didn't take our clothes off all night last night. Dad crawled into bed about half past two and I dozed in the big chair the rest of the night going out to the barn every hour or so to see how the sheep were, we expected lambs all along but they didn't show up nor all day to-day, so I guess we will have another night's vigil. It is the ewe which was sick that we are watching, she is due on Friday. We spent about half an hour this morning trying to get Osprey out of the stable to give him a little exercising. Dad. put the harness on him and went to lead him out the door where there is a drop of about a foot into the drivehouse, and he hung back. Dad. tried to coax him but he was positive and the more determined Dad was to bring him out the more determined he was not to come out. Dad. put a little rope under his chin and we tugged on that for quite awhile but couldn't get him any farther than the door. Then we tried whipping him but that had not the desired effect although it put old Harry into the notion of kicking and scared the other horses. Osprey would rear and paw and throw himself but not go ahead. Then Dad. put a rope on his front foot and we tried pulling him out that way but he would just paw and must have thrown himself a dozen times or more some times right under Belle's or Harry's feet. At last one time when he threw himself I took a hitch around a post with the rope on his leg and by dragging him out and 32 �not giving him a chance to fly back we at last got him out. He didn't seem at all mad and I took him down to the corner and back and he went beautifully. We didn't do any thing much the rest of the day but chores and I had a little snooze after dinner. Frank worked at the old house after he got home from school he is boarding it up so as he can fill it in with sawdust around the ice. Thawed all day, some snow & cold wind. Since writing this we have put in quite a night of it. I went over to the barn about eight o'clock and found Dad's ewe with a lamb. I came to the house and got Frank and Dad. who was asleep in the chair the only sleep he had all night to come out, while they were there another one arrived, so we brought the first one to the house to get warm, we noticed the sick one the one we have been watching all day looked very much as if she would lamb in a few minutes, but she didn't till about four o'clock. We all sat up for a long time, till Dick came home and he and Frank went to bed. I sat up till about one or two and then I went to bed. Dad. sat up and out at the barn all night with the two little fellows as they were both very weak at first but got stronger and he held an old coat over them a long time to keep them warm till they went to sleep and stopped trying to crawl out and till the old one lay down beside them and stopped trying to paw the coat off. He also had his eye on the other ewe and about four o'clock came in and woke me up, he said he hated to as I was so sound asleep and I guess he didn't hate to any more than I hated to get up but he thought the sick ewe was not right and something ought to be done so I went out with him and we caught her but didn't bother her much and we hadn't been out very long when her baby came, it was a ram and a bouncer, the biggest one yet I think, but she is the first ewe that didn't have twins. I went to bed again about five o'clock but Dad. stayed up all night. Thursday March 5th I didn't get up till about eleven this morning, so I guess I had my sleep out. Dad put the harness on Osprey and we gave him quite a long exercise, we got him out of the stable easier to-day. I held Belle out in the drive house and when Dad saw Osprey wouldn't lead out he just let him loose and got behind him and touched him a little with the whip till he jumped out with out much fooling. I started to take him down the road and got about as far as the culvert and he didn't want to go any farther. I wouldn't let him go back so we just turned around and around in the road till Dad. came out and he got him to go down to the corner and back alright. I then took him down the other way as far as Preston's barnyard and he got frightened and their cows and would go past so I started the same performance there again and at last started to lead him past but Dad. came down and said to take him home as it was so late. This after noon I cleaned out the hen house and did chores. 33 �Whitesell was in this after noon to see Dad. about a sick horse. Thawed all day in the sun but not in the shade cold east wind. Friday March 6th I camped in the big chair all night last night and Dad. went to bed. I didn't go to sleep till after midnight as I wasn't at all sleepy so had a good read. I went out to the barn at 12, 3 and half past 6 and slept in the mean time, every thing was alright out there. When I woke up at half past six this morning my knee was pretty stiff but it soon limbered up. I find I have a brute of a cold due I think to getting my feet wet. We did chores this morning and Dad. put the harness on Osprey and I took him out and he went fine, he started his little game of trying to turn around and go back this morning but I found out that instead of trying to make him go ahead which to me was impossible, I just let him turn around and then back him up in the direction I want him to go, he soon wants to turn around and when he does goes all right in the right direction. I tried it on him several times and it worked fine every time. I took him down to Flemming's corner on the side road and then back and down to Mrs. Battersby's corner. This after noon I had a sleep and then took what few eggs I had over to Jack Martin and was over there quite awhile. I only got sixteen eggs to-day I don't know what is the matter with the hens. To-night Frank and Enah went down to see "Satan" at the moving picture show I was going down but as I had such a cold thought I would wait till to-morrow night. It snowed all day to-day but didn't put much in the ground. Not very cold. Saturday March 7th Dad. and I sacked up 12 bags of oats this morning while Frank went down town after some salt petre to salt the pork with, then he and Dad. went down to the mill with the load. When they got back they cleaned out the rest of the box-stall and I started to chop a hole out in the chicken yard to put a post in but it was frozen too deep. This afternoon Dad. and Frank went down to the mill and got their grist and I took Osprey out while they were gone he went fine. When they got back Dad. drove Enah down town and left her there and I minded Tiddums all the after noon he slept for awhile. Frank worked at the old house and Dad. did chores when he got back. To night I went down to the moving picture show and saw "Satan" I thought it was pretty good. Cloudy and snowy but quite soft. Raw breeze. Sunday March 8th 34 �Neither Dad nor I have been off the farm all day to-day but have just done chores and sat around. We thought of hooking Osprey and Belle to the buggy and going out to the Shand's this after noon but we didn't, we have to keep a rather close watch on one of the ewes Frank went down to church and Sunday school this morning and Enah walked down to church alone to-night. We didn't get through in time to go with her. Dick slept till dinner and after dinner went down town, he will likely go to church to-night. Cloudy and rather cold with some snow and raw wind. Monday March 9th We didn't do any thing much but chores to-day and watch sheep Dad. was not in bed at all last night and when he went out at four this morning to look at the sheep, found the wideheaded ewe with a lamb, which if it had been left much longer would have perished with the cold; but Dad. wrapped it up in his old pea jacket and brought it around alright. Mrs McBride was here washing all day and it has been very miserable out cold and windy. To-night Enah and I went down to the Methodist Choir concert, and thought it was great especially the costumes which were all old fasioned. The hall was packed full, and they say some were turned away. It lasted till late, we got home about twelve half past eleven o'clock. Dick and Dad. were both up. Tuesday March 10th We did chores all morning. Mr. Fleming was over for a little while this after noon. We hitched Osprey and Belle up to the bob-sleigh and drove them down to Jonas' corner and back a couple of times as that was the only place there was any snow. Tommy Jackson was over for quite awhile late this after noon to see about getting some corn stalks, he was telling us a lot about sheep and a good many other things. Cold, raw wind, sunny. Wednesday March 11th Dad. was up all night last night again and hardly slept at all I stayed up awhile but got so sleepy and chilly that I couldn't stand it so went to bed. The white ewe, which is due to lamb to-morrow was in rather bad shape all night, and there was no sign of lambs so Dad. got us all up early this morning and we had breakfast over by a little after seven and then Dad went out to examine her, and in about half an hour, we had two more buck lambs but one was dead. She was very weak, so we just left her alone for awhile and brought the live lamb in the house to get warm. When we took it out, the ewe wouldn't own it so it has been in the house all day and Dad. takes it out every now and then for refreshments, she was so 35 �weak we didn't like to urge her. We were afraid this morning that she wouldn't pull through but she seems much stronger now, she eats and chews her cud so I guess will recover. We haven't done much to day but chores and sit around. Dad is very tired. Tonight Colin Ryersie was here and Bill Duncan's man wanted Dad to go up there but he was too tired to go. There was a grand wedding in town to-day, Leo O'Heron and Inez Schram, Frank saw them go off. Tiddums can walk now all alone but he is a little afraid to unless someone's right besid him to catch him. Very sunny to-day but cold north wind. There was a fine eclipse of the moon to-night, we didn't know about it till we saw it. Thursday March 12th We did up the chores this morning and then hauled the hay rack over to where the sheep are and put on a load of hay, we got it on by noon and hauled it over to the horse stable Cousins Phoebe & Loll were over to dinner and after Dad. had showed them all around the ranch and talked awhile we put the load off over the horse stable and hauled another load over to the other barn for the cows and left it on the barn floor. The little lamb has been in the pen with its mother all day but still she doesn't recognise it although isn't bad to it. Dad. has to catch her for the little fellow to get refreshments but once he gets started she stands quietly. Tiddums started off of his own accord to walk to-day noon and was greatly pleased with himself to find out he could. he has prancing around ever since Jonas was over for a visit, after tea, and gave us a few selections on the mouth organ. It has been freezing pretty hard in the shade all day, fairly sunny. Friday March 13th This morning we did chores and I cleaned out the chicken house and separator as we want to begin separating again now. Loyd Ryersie came in at noon with a notice for Dad to attend a meeting of the school board at three o'clock on the school grounds. We wanted to go after a load of wood up to Evan's this after noon so went around that way although it made us pretty late. The way they have it surveyed out now, there is just the same width of ground on each side of the building and is fifty feet in from Main St. This they all think is too close to the street but they can't move it back without cutting down or trimming up the old hickory nut tree and as none of them want that done, they think it will have to go where they now have it unless they buy some more lots. When Dad. got through with them we went up to Evan's and got the waggon box full of wood. a lot of it was cut too long for our stove but we managed to get on about three quarters of a cord. We just got home a little before six. Not quite so cold to-day although freezing all day in the shade. 36 �Saturday March 14th Dad was up at twenty minutes to five this morning and I got up at six so he and Frank were able to get started at half past eight for a load of wood at Evans. They got back at noon with a little over a cord. I did chores all morning. They got another load this after noon and I piled the two loads that were here along the end of the old house, besides doing a few chores and watching the colts. dogs. chickens and Frank's pig that they didn't get into mischief. It was too muddy to take Osprey out on the road so I let him out in the yard and he and Dave ran around and chased the sheep out of the barn once. I also let this pen of hens out all over the place as I wanted to clean their place out and some out of the other pen got out in the hen yard so I couldnt let both pens in there to-gether. Tom Abbot was in here to see Dad about a cow of his but as Dad. wasn't here he came in again just before dark. He is going to start coming here for cream a week from Monday, if he is alive and well. It has thawed all day in the shade to-day and is very muddy and wet Sunday March 15th I didn't get up in time to get ready to go to church to-day and unless Dick goes to-night and I suppose he will Frank was the only one of this family who went to-day. I just did chores and poked around. About noon Dad. and Enah took Tiddums out to see the lambs, it was the first time he had been out side the house since New Year's day. I took a couple of snapshots of him - Dick also got up about that time and came out. This after-noon Frank went back to the gully and Dick went down town. The cows all wandered back to the gully and I went back after them we noticed they were all covered with mud and Dad is afraid they have been slipping down the hill, but seem to be all right. It has been very mild sunny and spring like to-day. Water and mud all over. Monday March 16th We did chores most of the morning, this after noon Huby came over as Frank told him this morning that we could use him now. he was glad to get to work he said and we hauled in two loads of corn stalks, putting two shocks on a load. They are in great shape to haul now as they have all thawed out. Tupper came in for quite a visit on his way home from town. He and Huby were both telling us about Tom Hurley hanging himself. Huby stayed to tea and Frank and I went down town with him. I went to band practice, the first one of the season. Walt had a lot of new music but there were only one or two of us there. Frank went to the moving picture show and then came up to the band room Dick came in too so we all came 37 �home to-gether. From the way they all talk there are going to be great doings in Dover this year, with the rail road, big soup factory and harbor improvements. It has been a lovely spring day sunny and mild and very muddy Tuesday March 17th Huby was over at seven o'clock this morning and we started as soon as possible to haul corn stalks. we hauled in two more loads and now have all in the barn that we have room for and left the last load on the waggon, there are only three shocks left out there now. Huby and I put in nearly the whole afternoon setting a couple of anchor posts in the chicken yard to put a cross fence in to make a separate yard for the breeding pen, they all got out together to-day. The frost was in the ground about two feet but by a lot of chopping and scaping Huby managed to get down past it. Dad is tickled to-night to think that the old white ewe has at last recognised her lamb. She noses him and lets him get "meals at all hours" and apparently thinks as much of him as the others did when their lambs were first born we blame it to St. Patrick. Froze pretty stiff last night, mild and muddy to-day. There have been a lot of robins seen in town but I haven't seen one yet. Wednesday March 18th I got up about half past four this morning but have been very lazy all day. Just sat around and did as few chores as possible, I had a sleep this after noon, I think the reason I felt so rotten was because my feet were so cold and wet. When Dad. went out to the cow stable this morning he found a black and white calf the property of Snowdrop up and running around with its poor mother tied fast in her stanchions; we got them both around in the barn where the soon were all right. By after breakfast another calf arrived on the scene this one a red and white one and Jim's both were bulls. Dad. just turned all the cows out of stable and let Jim and her calf have it to themselves. Tonight he tied Jim's calf in the alley way in front of her and let Snowdrop's run loose in the barn and tied both of the mothers up and milked them. He thinks they are both going to be good milkers and easy to milk Jim especially. This after noon Dad. and I drove down town in the waggon and got some groceries and also half a bushel of beans from George Gamble as Huby said he had some very nice ones. Dad. got me a pair of rubber boots which have made my feet ever so much more comfortable. Dad. went to a school board meeting to-night and I thought I would go down and get the films from Dick which he took down the other day to have developed. He said he was going to work to-night so I went up to the bank but no one was there so I went down and saw the moving picture show, they had on "Robinson Crusoe" and it was pretty 38 �good. When I got out of there I went again to the bank but there was still no sign of life so I came home and fell in with Dad. Mr. Flemming and Jack Martin. They are having some squabble about the street up there which the council orderd closed but which Vyse never signed (just dirty work. They have also decided to cut down the old hickory nut tree. Dick got home soon after we did and said he was at the bank all the time but he wasn't. It snowed last night and has been pretty cold and wet all day. Freezing hard to-night. Thursday March 19th We didn't do any thing much but chores to-day except set a hen up over the drive house in the loft on 15 eggs, we also wrung Frank's pig which we hope will keep him her from comitting any depredation by rooting. It has been pretty cold all day but fairly sunny. I drew some more to-night at my picture of the mill & Herb Cooke's house. Friday March 20th We just did chores to-day as there wasn't much else we could do except take a grist to the mill and we didn't bother with that. This after noon I practiced on my horn a little and finished my bookcase. Dick Faulmsbe was over this morning to see if Dad. would put any thing in for the canning factory, but Dad. told him he wouldn't although he signed his name to show McPherson that Dick had been here. There is more excitement down town now over the swing bridge; it seems at the council meeting the other night after Henderson had left having been told that no more important business was on that Taylor moved and Uncle Ward seconded that the County council go ahead and build a stationer bridge over the creek which is just what the Board of Trade is fighting against. Billy Laings made a vigorous kick (could be heard a block away) but he couldn't do any thing and Vyse, he just, oh he just smiled I suppose up his sleeve. Cold with raw wind sunny and freezing hard to-night. Saturday March 21st I did chores most of the morning and Dad. & Frank sacked up twelve bags of oats. Two Cooper kids and young Hayan came up the lane - and when they saw Dad. asked him if they could cut through here. Dad. told them he thought they had cut through and then Bluch charged them. This afternoon Dad. Frank went down town and took their grist to the mill. They saw a big flock of geese light out in the swail holes just before they left and and in a very short time Jim Law appeared and wanted to see if we had a shot gun as he had seen them too. Ont their way home from down town, just as they got to the garage the tire broke on one of the wheels of the old waggon, they crawled along to Ray Waddles and left the 39 �wheel and as it happened Bob. Law's waggon was at Chris Fairchild's with a broken axle so they just took one of Bob's wheels. I took Osprey out for a little run while they were gone and then came in the house and read. Tiddums feels rather out of sorts these days as he is cutting four big teeth. Sunny and bright but froze all day in the shade. Sunday March 22nd Frank went down to church and Sunday school and Enah and I walked down to church, while Dad watched Tiddums and kept house. This after noon Dick having got up for dinner he and I decided to go for a ride. so Dad. saddled Joe and I was to ride her to the corner and then bring her back for Dick. I got on her alright but as soon as I did she began to perform. I don't know just what she did but I know I was a little uncertain till I got out of the lane whether I could manage to sit on her or not, but did. I rode her down to the corner and back and when I came up Dick had vanished. Dad. said he had had enough before even I got nicely started and had got in to change his clothes and go down town. Dad. cinched Joe up again and I rode her around the block. I was very much surprised to find Tupper, John Wess and all out that way had the rural mail service. I wasn't gone very long and came home and read till it was time to do chores. Quint & Lila came over with Frank who had stayed down there to dinner. Quint had his shotgun with him as Frank had told him about the geese and they went to look for them but didn't get a shot at any thing. They followed a white hawk or owl all over the country but didn't get it either Quint went down before tea as he wanted to get ready for church but Lila stayed and Frank walked down with her after tea. Tiddums feels pretty miserable yet. Much milder to-day sunny and breezy. When Dad. went out to the cow stable he found a lovely red and white heifer calf lying dead behind Erie. It had been born dead and about a month ahead of time. Dad. thinks she must have been hurt when she fell back in the gully last Sunday. Monday March 23rd We did chores most of the morning and spent quite awhile with Erie. Huby came over after dinner and pruned trees all the after noon. I helped him till about four and then went down town with Dad. to get our own wheel for the waggon and take Bob. Law's back. Mrs. McBride was here all day. To-night I lugged my horn down to band practice but there was none. Frank came down with me to go to the moving picture show so I went with him it was pretty fair. I saw the orchestra there so understood why there was no band practice Walt. was there and told me it would be Wednesday. Allan Law overtook us on our way home and gave us a ride to their corner. We got home about half past eleven and Dick arrived before 40 �we were asleep. Snowed a lot more last night but has been very mild and sunny all day freezing to-night. We started sending our cream to the factory this morning. Tuesday March 24th I got up at five this morning although I hated to and didn't feel wide awake for an hour or two, but got the chores pretty well done up before breakfast. Huby was over at seven and pruned orchard all day. I helped him most of the day except doing a few chores. We didn't get over many trees but we gave the ones we were at a proper old trimming, especially the russet tree which has an awful brush pile under it now. Dad did chores all day, and late this after noon a new calf arrived via Spotty. It is a big bull calf and nearly all black. This morning Dad and I put some Nitrate of potash on the bulls calves horns to see if we could take them out, we can't tell yet whether it is going to work alright or not. Dick came home to tea tonight to try on his clown suit which Enah is making for him for the masquerade dance he had to go back again after tea. It thawed a lot to-day in the sun, but froze all day in the shade. Dad. sent away for a gobbler to-day. Wednesday March 25th Huby came over this morning and pruned the orchard most of the day. I didn't help him any as Dad. and I put up a fence across the chicken yard to separate the two pens. It begant to rain about the middle of the after noon so Huby and I put the cornstalks off the waggon and then he and Dad. started to clean out the calf pen. Enah went down town at three to havel her tooth fixed and Dad. and I minded Tiddums by turns till Frank got home. We forgot to tell Tom Abbot to bring us any butter although he hasn't brought our can back anyway yet, and as Frank forgot to get any on his way home, he had to traipse back to town and get some when Enah got home. I went down to band practice to-night but as Harry Moon, Walt. and Carl were the only ones there we didn't have any. It was a lovely day till it rained and was very mild all day and to-night. Thursday March 26th Huby trimmed orchard till we got the chores done and then we went over to the big barn and put on a load of hay before dinner. When we took the team over to the trough to water them at noon I let go of old Harry thinking he would go to the stable but the old fool lit out right for the field and Belle after him and they tore around there quite awhile before we caught them but didn't damage their harness any. This after noon we hauled the hay over to the other barn and put it off for the cows and then went over and got another load for 41 �the horse stable but didn't get time to haul it over. Huby did Frank's skins up for him and he is going to send them down to Hallam. Dick came home to tea to get all fixed up for the dance, he looked fine. I was kind of sorry I didn't go to a little trouble and fix up myself. It was terribly muddy and dark so I drove him down to the side walk. He didn't come home after it was over. It has been very dark all day and rained nearly all the after noon we heard thunder growl two or three times which Dad. now believes when heard in Spring to be a sure sign of cold weather off and on for six weeks but according to the other reliable forecast that the wind on the twenty first and twenty second will be the prevailing wind for six weeks we are to have it from the south west so Bill Oakes says, but they are having it very cold in the North West -6 below at Edmonton. Friday March 27th It rained nearly all day and got much colder as the wind veered right around to the north. Huby couldnt work in the orchard so put in the whole morning cleaning out the calf pen. I helped him for a couple of hours before dinner and Dad. for quite awhile but we finished soon after dinner. We then cleaned up the barn floor and sacked up what few oats were in the small bin so as we could have the bin to put the seed oats which we cleaned up in, we set the fanning mill but didn't have time to put any through to-night only a few to see if it was all right. Dad & I sat up till after twelve to night and finished reading Friar Tuck. Dick didn't come home again I suppose he couldn't get through the mud. Frank brought the new gobbler home to-night and weighed 18 lbs. but is young he looks all righ Saturday March 28th We didn't do any thing much but chores to-day. Huby didn't get over till about ten o'clock and he trimmed in the orchard all day. Frank took his furs down town to post and worked a lot at the old house. After dinner he, Huby and I went back to the gully to see if we could see a fish in the creek but failed although we saw a coupe of ducks get up out of a swail in the old timothy sod. There were two very interesting letters in the "Maple Leaf" yesterday everlastingly jumping on Vyse for not signing the bylaw which the council passed for closing Alma St for school property and also for representing to the County Council that it is the wish of the people of Port Dover to have a stationary bridge erected over Black Creek where a swing bridge ought to be, a good many other of his misdeeds are mentioned. Sunny & muddy cold north wind Sunday March 29th 42 �Frank went down to Sunday school and church and I drove Enah down to the corner and she walked down to church as she could make better time that way than driving the roads are so bad. I cleaned out the stables while she was gone and then drove down again after her. Lila was with her and came over to spend the after noon. Frank came home through Flemming's gully and found a skunk cabbage. Just before dinner Charlie Shand came over as he had walked down to church and he stayed all the after noon. Sam. and Tom Jacques came over for a little while late this after noon. Tom wanted to see if he could get a gobbler. Dick came home last night, spent the morning in bed and the afternoon down town I suppose he is at church to-night. Mild & muddy. Monday March 30th It was raining when we got up this morning and rained most of the fore noon but cleared off before dinner and although cloudy it didn't rain at all after dinner, rather a raw wind all day. Huby came over and while we were doing chores he sharpened the spade, shovel, pick and axes, and after break fast we cleaned up oats for seed we ran through over sixty bushels so think we have enough. This after noon Huby pruned the orchard. I did chores and helped him for a couple of hours, Dad. spent most of the after noon doing chores and writing to Aunty. Sam Law came over to borrow the buggy pole. Quint came through the orchard while we were out there. He and George Hamaker had been up creek and Quint came around this way to see if he could get a shot at the ducks but I don't think he saw them. He and George have been out since early this morning through all the rain, just to fish & hunt. Jonas came over to-night and as Frank was very anxious to go back to the gully to see if he could get a fish as the Ryersie's told him they got some in the little creek, and as neither of us were very anxious to go Jonas went with him. Tuesday March 31st Huby didn't come over this morning as he had some insurance to look after. Dad. and I did chores and I cleaned out the hen houses. We also docked all the lambs, we did the trick with a hammer, butcher knife and block. They all seemed to come through pretty well except the little fellow belonging to the white ewe. The shock seemed harder on him than the rest and he suffered more, but I think he will pull through allright. We also trimmed up the ewes. Huby came over after dinner and pruned in the orchard all the after noon I helped him for a little while but spent most of my time pitching the wet straw off the stack and carrying dry over to the chicken house and stables. I got a letter from Rus. Gordon to-day asking if he could come up here to spend his Easter holidays, it was about the first I had 43 �heard for three or four years from him. Frank and Jonas got home last night about half past eleven and never saw a fish although the Ryersie's were out and got a dozen I think Frank said. Jonas has been over at Tupper's all day pruning his orchard. It has been sunny and windy and very nice all day the mud is beginning to stiffen in spots. Wednesday April 1st Huby spent most of the morning repairing the long ladder but about ten he and I went out and started to prune we worked away till nearly one. Dad. went down town but didn't get back till after two. He spent most of the after noon doing chores and Huby cleaned up the old house - and put the lead in the cider barrel as Dad. took it out when we scalded the pigs. I took what eggs I had over to Jack Martin and just sat around and watched Huby till it was time to do chores. Jonas came through on his way from Tupper's Frank stuck a wind mill up on a fence post to-night (entered by request). I got a lovely bit of poetry from Louise to-day but not one of her own it is a college song she says. Mr. Morgan was through here this morning canvassing for the canning factory he said Dick Faulmsbe being out had helped him any. About noon Dick drove in with the Rural Mail carrier. He was a Scotchman and Dick was evidently showing him round, but neither of them seemed to know just where to go and Dick and his horse wouldnt keep still long enough to tell him any thing (it wasn't Dick's old horse I didn't know it at all) This was the first day they started on this new route. We didn't know they came past the front of this place but Dad. thinks it is just as handy to have Frank bring it from school. Huby asked Dick if he had quit the Canning factory and he said he was laid off till further notice. It drizzled a good part of the fore noon and rained quite hard most of the after noon, no wind. Thursday April 2nd Huby brought a coupl of quarts of harness oil over with him this morning and also a couple of saw benches which he made. While we were doing chores he fixed up the step ladder. We then took a tub of warm water out to the stable, slung up a couple of poles and began to clean harness. Dad. had wiped off all the windows which let in considerably more light. It was nearly noon and as we didn't want to get our hands all oily before dinner we just washed one set. About noon we saw Jonas mooching through the orchard headed for Tupper's. Dad told him it was too wet to prune trees so he came over and helped us oil harness all the after noon for half a dollar. Dad. did chores most of the after noon but Huby and I worked at it steadily, we washed it and Jonas oiled and what time Dad. had he put it to-gether after it had been oiled. We got all the heavy double harness done and half the 44 �light double set. Bruce Dell brought Rex over for Dad. to look at as he has a little lump on his back. Frank got the money to-day from Hallam for his musk rat skins I think they brought him $2.23. It has been a rotten day. It snowed quite a lot this morning and been either raining or snowing most of the day. Very mudy and raw nor'west wind. Friday April 3rd The ground was covered with snow when we got up this morning and it was quite cold although not freezing very hard but it got colder during the day and is freezing pretty hard to-night. Huby pruned trees for a couple of hours till we got things all fed up and then we started in at the harness again. Jonas came over soon after we got started and helped all the after noon We got all the harness including bridles, breaking harness & kicking strap oiled and put to-gether before six. Huby and Jonas worked steadily at and I was there most of the time but Dad did the chores so was not there so much. We had quite a concert at noon Jonas & Tiddums with the mouth organ & Enah with the guitar and all of them singing. Frank set the alarm to get up at half past four in the morning to go fishing with the Ryersies. Saturday April 4th It froze the ground stiff enough last night for us to haul the load of hay we have had on the waggon for the last two or three weeks over to the horse stable. I was pretty glad to haul it over as it was a great nuisance carring it over from the barn by the forkful. Huby fixed up one of the little ladders we got of the wind mill this morning while he was waiting for us to get the hay over thinking we would need him to help mow it away but we found we didn't so he pruned in the orchard the rest of the day. After we hauled the hay over we took the rack back to the big barn and hooked to the waggon and loaded up with the oats which we sacked up the other day. Dad. also hauled the sleighs over to where they will be handy to put in the shed as they have been standing out in the lane ever since winter. This after noon Dad. & Frank to the oats to the mill for chop, went down town while it was being chopped and got some shingles for the old house, and got home about four. Old Ivey at the mill who we have named the marquis owing to his likeness to gentleman of that title in "St. George & St. Michael" got Dad. to haul 600 lbs of flour down town as Herb's horse is rather laid up owing to the mud. The roads are a fright. I cleaned out the stables and helped Huby for about an hour. It was a lovely sunny morning but cloudy & a raw wind this after noon. Last night's snow thawed off to-day but the ground is covered again to-night. Froze all day in the shade. 45 �Sunday April 5th Frank went down to Sunday school and church and Enah and I walked down to church. I went up to see Ed. after church as he told Dad. if I came down any time last week he would give me a couple of grapevines but as I hadn't been able to get down I went up to tell him I would try and get them to-morrow. They are a couple he set out up there and as he is going to move down into Mrs. Allan's house opposite the evaporator and has no place for them down there, he didn't care to leave them especially as they have never done very well along the fence where he had them. I thought of going for a ride this after noon but the roads are in such a condition that I didn't think I would enjoy it much so didn't do any thing much but a few chores and read myself to sleep. Frank went back to the gully and Dick who was up for dinner went down town. It was a lovely sunny morning and the snow which fell during the night nearly all disappeared by noon but this after noon it got cloudy and colder and I think will pretty soon freeze Monday April 6th Dad. and I spent most of the morning doing chores but just before noon I went back and tore down a little of the gully fence. Huby came over late as he had to go up town to get his insurance papers and he spent a good part of the day measuring the buildings and renewing the insurance aplication. Mrs. McBride was here washing all day. After dinner I took some eggs over to Jack Martin and then went down town to get my grapevine which Ed. gave me. I stopped in at Uncle Ward's on my way home to ask him about them and he talked to me for about an hour and told me all about his Uncle Loudon Bougner's vinyard over at Flint. I couldnt plant out my grapevines when I got home so just put them down cellar in a bag. To-night I walked down to band practice and had a fairly good one although there were only five of us there. It snowed nearly all day and has been a rotten day, Tuesday April 7th I didn't do much this morning but get dressed up and go down and meet Rus. Gordon. I drove down although the roads were awful. He came alright and we got home about noon. Huby didn't come over this morning as he had to finish up his insurance. He came over this after noon and Russ. helped us put on a load of hay. Huby also put in the two grape vines I got from Ed. He brought over a piece of hard wood and braced the step ladder. It has been a miserable day not at all cold but terribly muddy and cloudy all the fore noon and it rained 46 �all the after noon Dick came home early to-night and slept with Russ. I put the alarm clock in their room to-night set for half past three. Wednesday April 8th After we did chores this morning we cleaned up the barn floor where the fanning mill was and hauled over the load of hay which we put on yester day for the cow stable Russ & I put it off and Dad. bathed Spottys udder, the bad quarter is better and he was able to get the siphon in this morning. Huby came over about ten and pruned apple trees all day he saw the ducks get up out of one of the swail holes this after noon so went over and built a hide of some corn shocks, he also found two tame duck eggs in the orchard. This after noon Russ and I put on another small load of hay on the rack to take to the horse stable. After we got it on we went back to the gully and fooled around for awhile armed with Frank's rifle but we didn't shoot anything except a fence post we both took a shot at it and Russ hit it. It has been a miserable day, it snowed last night and has been cold - and windy all day, freezing hard to-night. Thursday April 9th After we did chores this morning Dad. hauled the load of hay we put on yesterday over the horse stable and Russ and I put it off. We then went out and cleaned out some of the big wood in the orchard. This afternoon Russ and I went down town. I got my hair cut and he went to see the Morgan's, then we both went up to school and had a talk with Mr. Smith after four and came home around by the mill with Frank. The old setting hen hatched out a few chicks to-day but I don't know how many. Huby came over at seven this morning and pruned nearly all day, it was too windy for awhile this after noon so he put a window in the wood shed which is a great improvement. Sam Law was over for quite awhile to tell us we could get butter over there now. It has been very cold and windy all day. It looked as if it would be a lovely day this morning although it froze very hard last night, but it clouded up and snowed every now and then all day. Freezing hard to-night. Friday April 10th Good Friday Huby pruned in the orchard most of the day but this morning he and I took a walk back to the gully and he paced off the length of fence it would take to go along the top of the gully to the road. When we came back I cleaned up some more brush in the orchard, I worked at it a little this afternoon to. This being Good Friday. Enah went down to church. Dick had a holiday so stayed in bed till noon. Frank and Russ spent the after noon back in the gully, 47 �they saw some fish but had no way of catching them. Dick was down town all after noon got home at mid night. We three boys went down to the Moving Picture show to see the battle of Waterloo, it was pretty good only all about the same. Lovely day sunny and windy much milder. Saturday April 11th It was cloudy cold and raining at seven o'clock this morning but Huby came over and worked around in the old house till we did chores he then went over with Dad. & me to see Tupper. Dad. wanted to ask him if he could borrow his hay rack and we took the shotgun & fish spear. After we'd seen all around the place Huby and I struck off down Tupper's creek we followed it way down to Black Creek but never saw a thing we then cut across to Art. Ryersies where we saw Wilson & James McPherson & Stewart Reeves with two or three measly looking fish. We got home quite awhile after noon. This afternoon Rus. & I did chores. Huby pruned orchard and late Dad. went over and got Tuppers hay waggon & scales which Tupper. was very anxious he should bring over. Frank went down town this after noon to get some window sash fixed & glazed for his shop. Quint came over this after noon and saw the ducks out in the swail hole and shot at them but was not close enough. Huby and I saw six geese fly over the place this after noon. It didn't turn out to be a bad after noon at all but is freezing a little to-night. Sunday April 12th Easter. I haven't done a thing in the shape of chores to-day since seven this morning. I got up fed the chickens sheep and horses and then went down with Dick to the early communion service we ran nearly all the way down or rather dog trotted but it just about killed me but Dick didn't seem to mind it, when we got home we had breakfast and then went down to the eleven o'clock service. The church was packed and Zeitha Barwell sang a solo. Every member of the Barrett family except Dad. and Tiddums was at church from both houses. After church, Rus. Quint, Frank and I took a walk over to the Thompson's with Joe who is keeping hatch at present. Quint came over with us to dinner which we had rather late Rus. wanted to make a few calls this afternoon so I went with him down town, we went to the Hobbes where we found Zeitha, Murry and Ada. Miss Prest is here over Easter. we had such a good time that the first thing we knew it was time to come home for tea. I did a few chores after I got home. The old hen I set on fifteen eggs up in the loft hatched out nine chicks but during yesterday the old hen got off the nest which is about a foot off the floor and three little fellows got off and couldn't get back when we went up at night we found 48 �them chilled to death and beyond all recovery. One of the turkey hens has disappeared, and we don't know where she is. It has been very windy all day but a nice day. The roads are drying up. Monday April 13th We loaded the hogs up first thing this morning and Dad. and I took them down to Neil. Elliot, we put Frank's pig in with the others and he weighed 172 lbs. We weighed them all on Tuppers scales before we started aand we made the total weight 994 lbs. none of them weighed 200 lbs and the lightest was 153 lbs. On Jim Law's scales they just came to 950 we didn't think they shrank 44 lbs coming down town and don't think we made any mistake, how ever we only got paid $9.00 a cwt for 950 lbs of hogs. We came around by Tommy Gillies to get some lumber for Frank to fix up the old house. Hazen was over for awhile this morning but didn't stay long. Dick didn't get up till the middle of the fore noon and then went down town to get some ham to make sandwiches for the dance to-night. He was down town all the afternoon playing base ball. This after noon we put a scaffold up along the east side of the old house and the boys and Huby got two or threes rows of shingles laid while we were doing chores. Huby pruned a little in the orchard and opened a ditch up out in the corn stubble. To-night we three boys went down to a dance in the hall given by the Sewing Club. The boys supplied the "eats" and the girls put up for the hall Dick went down early and went to the picture show first and Rus. and I got there about half past nine. We had a good though mighty hot time and got home about two o'clock. It has been a nice sunny day but cold raw wind. Tuesday April 14th I didn't do any thing much but chores and sow red clover seed on the wheat east of the orchard It froze hard last night and by the time I got that piece sowed it was too muddy & wet to sow the other. Rus. Huby & Frank shingled nearly all day at the old house and have it nearly finished. Rus. had to go back to Toronto to-night or they likely would have finished. I drove him down to the train, he said he had a good time while he was here, and felt a lot better than when he came. I drove Dick up town from the station he said he had been very busy all day and would have to work late to-night. I got a bunch of shingles from Tommy and the seed oats we got from Jonas on my way home. There was a school board meeting to-night but Dad. had such a terrible headache he couldn't attend. Frank went down to a nigger show which I suppose he enjoyed. I felt rotten with a cold to-night and nearly coughed my insides out after I went to bed. It has been a lovely day one of the nicest we 49 �have had this year - it was fairly hot. The young stock all got back across the gully after dinner and Dad and I had to go back after them we took Bluch on the chain. Wednesday April 15th Huby and Frank finished shingling the old house this morning and Dad. helped them put the ridgeboards on. I just did chores and fooled around. Mr. & Mrs Tupper came in and Tupper wants Dad. to put a team on the road scraper to-morrow if it is a nice day. After dinner Dad. and Enah drove to Simcoe and Lila and I looked after Tiddums with out any trouble. Dad. went up to pay Reid for discharging the mortgage and got all the old papers belonging to the farm - We spent the whole evening exploring them. The deed which gave Colin McNellige the place from the Crown in 1837 is lost but there is a big pile of other deeds and mortgages - and the will of old Alexander Clark which {Fa?}. drew up for him, where he leaves the place to his son. Huby finished pruning the orchard this after noon and started to trim up the trees in front of the house Frank worked all the afternoon at the old house. I got twenty four eggs to-day, it is the first time I have got above twenty. It has been very cloudy but not very cold all day. Quint came over this after noon and stayed to tea and fixed the music box. Thursday April 16th I haven't done much to-day but sit around and do chores. I have a pretty bad cold and don't feel up to much Huby and Frank worked at the old house most of the morning and Huby trimmed the trees out in front this after noon. Dad. did chores, went down to Sam. Law's after butter and helped Frank this after noon. Mr. Shand was over for a few minutes to see Dad. about one of his heifers. Art. Quanbury came over to get what eggs I had I only got fifteen to-day and two of my little chickens died. It rained all morning but wasn't a bad after noon, not cold. Friday April 17th Huby and Quint were over before seven this morning to see if the ducks were out in the water hole in the timothy sod they wern't so they set a lot of musk rat traps for them. Quint was here all morning and he and Huby helped Frank with the old house. Dad. started to dig an anchor post hole at the north west corner of the big barn as he wants to stretch some wire accross the barn yard for the old rail fence will not keep the cattle in this time of year, they are bound to get into the field which they punch all up. I didn't feel much like working so after I got the chores done I started back to the gully. Quint saw me going so got his gun 50 �and joined me. He didn't shoot any thing but got a crack at a ground hog but was a little too far away. We found a lot of spring beautys in Robert John's place they were on a sunny side hill. I suppose the may flower's are out too but we didn't run accross any plants Quint got one blood root. He didn't stay to dinner as he said he wanted to go up the Radical Road after dinner. Huby and Dad continued to dig anchor post holes this after noon and they set a couple of posts with an auger Frank borrowed from Jack Martin. Huby also pruned some more of the pear tree out in front. I started to stretch chicken wire down the fence between the plum orchard and lawn. Allan Law went by at noon with a new horse he sold his little chestnut yester day, he was going down to work at the school. It has been a beautiful day, sunny and warm. Spring at last. Saturday April 18th Huby and I hung some rails ont the bottom of the line fence where Ivy's tile drain runs through there is a depression in the land and the sheep walk right under the fence but we fixed it to hold them I think. This after noon Huby set the rest of the posts accross the barn yard, burned the old brush heap in the pasture field near Ivy's fence which has been there for a couple of years and pruned some more of the trees in front of the house. I stretched the rest of the roll of chicken wire which I started on yesterday. it just reached part way down the plum orchard fence. I also cut a hole in the yard fence - and let one pen of hens out to-night they were tickled to death and soon explored the whole plum orchard and most of them got out through the fence where there is nou poultry netting. They didn't all find the way back to roost - and we found one on a fence post way back the lane. John Wess McBride came over to-night about seven before we had had our tea, and got Dad. to go over and look at one of his mares which was sick. I went back with them and we didn't get back to supper till about half past nine. Dad didn't know what was the matter with the mare. She didn't seem very sick but was breathing very hard when we got there and was a little stiff in the nigh fore leg. Before we left her breathing got better and Dad. said he hadn't the slightest idea what ailed her. John Wess was up all night last night with Ray Lampkin's who died about ten o'clock this morning. Beautiful day, hot. windy to-night. Sunday April 19th Frank went to church and Sunday school this morning and Dick got up at noon had dinner and went down town, with the intention of attending church to-night but the rest of the family stayed home. I didn't like the idea of going to church and coughing or blowing my nose all through service so we just did chores and sat around. Ed. came over this after noon 51 �with Marion, he brought over a couple of dandy plans for the pig pen, the side elevation and ground floor plan. Frank stayed at Huby's to dinner. Huby said that Charlie McQueen told him he had seen our hen turkey over in Preston's woods Frank went to look for her but didn't see her. It rained most of the morning but not hard. Cloudy most of the day but very mild The wheat and grass has got very green to-day. Monday April 20th Huby & I spent the whole morning clearing the brush of the lawn and we got it all nicely raked and the brush piled in the plum orchard. Dad. put in the forenoon receiving visitors Dick Faulmsbe was the first caller. Billy Faloon then came in for a long time. He has a sick horse - and Bruce wanted him to get Dad's advice. He said {Buse?} was just about bushed, he had been practicing night and day and every thing he has been doctoring this spring has died. Charlie Martin then "dropped in on us" for awhile and the purport of his mission was to ascertain whether it would be convenient to smoke his meat in our smoke house. As Dad. has our meat just about ready to smoke, he told Charlie to bring his over any time so he came over with five pieces after dinner This after noon we put the fence up against the posts in the barn yard. We braced one anchor post well by putting wire around it and around the corner post in the barn but we couldn't stretch the wire tight although we had all of old Mr. Walker's outfit but the other anchor post was in very soft earth and the brace post was fairly floating. We forgot to get any staples so couldn't fasten it to the posts but we got so that we think it will keep the cattle out in till we can stretch it better. It has been cloudy and rather raw all day and drizzled & rained all the after noon. Mrs McBride was here washing all day. Huby brought over the grape vine that was down at the boat house and planted it along the front fence it has a big root & stalk. Tuesday April 21st Huby brought over another grape vine this morning and set it out down under the old willow. After breakfast he and I set fire to the pile of brush in the plum orchard it didn't burn very fast but it nearly all burned up. Dad. was very busy attending to a new bull calf which arrived this morning and for whose arrival Bobbie is responsible. We hung the meat in the smoke house and he and Huby started to build a stake and rider fence four panels long from the north west corner of the old barn to within a gate's width of the north anchor post of the new fence. We got it up by noon and it is a dandy about seven feet high. I went over to Jack Martin's with some eggs and to ask him about getting an incubator as I think I will have to have one or no chickens. none of the hens show any symptoms of wanting to sit. I 52 �found out he has one he wants to sell it being to small or something for him. It is a "Peerless" and he said he would let me have it and the brooder for half price or seventeen dollars. He told me he was paying me 36 cts a dozen for my eggs, so I have sold him more than enough eggs to pay for the outfit. This after noon we built five more panels of stake & rider fence from the north east corner of the big barn to the north west corner of the horse stable and we fixed up an old gate to put at the gate way between the old barn and new fence at the end of the rail fence we built this morning. We didn't get it quite fixed but set it up so now have the barnyard pretty well fenced. John Wess was in to-night to see if it would be all right to work his mare to-morrow. Dad. said he thought it would be all right for although her leg is swollen she seems all right every other way. Cloudy and raw all day. Wednesday April 22nd Huby didn't get over till late this morning he had gone over to Stickney's to get his rubber boots fixed and then up to Val. Leaney's to see Bill Rankin about fixing an old saw he has.. and he saw so many people that he couldn't get away but when he did get here we hooked old Harry to the stone boat and started to clean the brush out of the orchard. we hauled it up to the far end of the orchard and piled it where we burned it before. This morning we just had the little stone boat but it took such a small load that Dad. nailed a couple of boards to it and we found we could put more than twice as much on but when we started up the brush caught on the ground and the stone boat pulled out from under it, but Dad. got another board and put down the middle so there was no space for the brush to stick in the ground and it went all right. Huby and I went up with every load one on each side with a bar jammed into the brush for a lever to hold it on. We put on big loads and packed them well by taking the long iron bar and putting it accross the top of the load every now and then and one got on each end of the bar and bear down with all our weight and every now and then Huby would walk up the load and tramp on it. By to-night we had nearly all the brush which was separated from the big limbs cleaned up. spare moments Huby painted the places on the trees where he cut big limbs off and has got over most of the trees. Alfred paid us a visit this after noon he had come up the gully with a fish spear on a "wild goose chase" so he said and just stopped in on his way home. By today's paper we see that the Mexican war with the U.S. has started. The Americans have taken the Vera Cruz custom house with only four of their men killed and about 200 Mexicans. Canon Hicks died yesterday with pneumonia so Dick told us. It has been a lovely sunny day with a drying breeze. Thursday April 23rd 53 �We finished the orchard up to-day, it looks very nice and neat. We got the brush all hauled up by noon but are going to leave it till Saturday if it is a nice day so Lila can see it. We hauled the big limbs up and piled them between the old house and the woodshed. We also hauled the old stump of the dead tree that we cut down last winter up to the house and to-night before we took old Harry of the stone boat Huby and I hauled the old shoes which have been in the garret over the old house since the days of Titus up to the brush pile and dumped them. There was an awful pile of them. Huby brought over some suckers with him this morning that Quint caught and Frank went fishing after school to-night and caught seven perch down at the pier. They are about the first he has got since he has been here. Enah got a letter from Louise to-day inviting her down next Wednesday night to hear the new organ in St. Pauls cathedral. It is supposed to be the best organ in America and they are having the best payed organist in the world to play it so it ought to be good. Of course she said she couldn't go but there is no reason what ever why she can't as so I guess she will It has been a nice sunny day but a cold raw wind this morning. I got twenty three eggs from the white chickens alone to-day. Friday April 24th After we did up the chores this morning Huby and I went back with some old rags and a bottle of crude oil to make torches to burn of the blue grass field. It was just the day for the job with a little east wind and when we set fire at the east end of the field it swept over the whole area in no time. It burned quite a few of the fence posts and the first thing we knew it was in the wood. It was not burning fast in there but was spreading steadily Huby said we would have a very hard job putting it out and we might better let it go as it would be a good thing to clean the ground up and was not hot enough to hurt the little trees. He didn't think it would burn far any way so we took a walk over to McQueens in quest of the lost turkey hen, we found Charlie at the black smith trade shoeing a team for Phil Shaver and the old man outside. As John Henry Butler is about dead and Ralph Waddle is sick Charlie picks up quite a lot of business. Coming home Huby and I separated and looked both sides of McQueens gully and through Preston's wood. We had Bluch and he put up a rabbit but we saw no sign of the turkey - but just as we were about home coming along the top of Ivey's gully Bluch scared her up, we didn't find her nest but left her back there. It was nearly noon when we got to our gully and we thought of coming up to dinner but on second thought we decided to see how the fire in the wood was progressing. The blue grass field was black all over but the wood was full of smoke and after we got in a little way we found Dad. who had seen the fire in the wood and come back and had been fighting to keep it away from Evan's 54 �fence. It had got pretty well all through the wood but hadn't got to the fence yet, we all three fought for an hour or so and at last got it pabout stamped out of course there were stumps on fire. I was by myself most of the time and Huby and Dad had an awful time trying to keep it away from a few panels of rail fence between John Wess and us {arrows indicate order of names in this sentence} but about one or after we thought it was safe to leave till after dinner, then Huby and I went back again. We found it all out through the wood except a few stumps but it had started up at the fence again and completely destroyed it for a fence as the rails in two panels were nearly burned up and we had to tear them down and throw them on to the burnt territory. It had also started in the grass on the other side again and if we had been a few minutes later it would have been into Evan's wood and we would have had our morning's fun repeated. We were back there all the after noon trimming the trees along the edge of the wood whose branches hang over the field. We looked at the fence again before we came up to-night but it seemed to be out so we left. It looks like rain to-night and if it does; that will fix it. Nice day but cloudy. Dad started disking on the corn stubble this morning but found it too wet in spots. Sam Law was harrowing they are the only ones I know of around here who have tried it at all Saturday April 25 It was raining when we got up this morning but cleared of during the fore noon. Huby came over and worked at the old house and sawed wood most of the day. I spent most of the morning making a hopper for my little chickens so the turkeys can't steal their food. This after noon I drove Enah down to doo some shopping and she walked back Lila came over this after noon. Win was coming over but she thought it would be too wet to burn the bonfire in the orchard so didn't come when I got home, we went out to try it. it was a little too wet but Huby got a fire started in one place and it would probably have gone but a big thunder storm came up about six and not only quenched the fire but drove them all in from looking after it. Huby and Lila stayed to tea but as it stopped raining they went down after wards. Dad. Frank & I had a bath to-night (for a change). There was another editorial in the "Maple Leaf" everlastingly raking Vyse down. Every body seems to think Vyse will try to enter a libel suit against L.G. but I guess its all true about him Sunday April 26th I was up fairly early this morning so was able to get the chores all done, get ready and drive Enah down to church on time. There was a very short service and no sermon as Mr. Johnson felt sick. This after noon I went down town for a little while. I went around by Hubys 55 �and found him pruning his apple trees he is getting them in pretty nice shape. Dick went through his Sabbath routine. Frank went back to the gully and the rest of the family stayed home for company's sake. Cloudy and breezy all day not a bad day. Monday April 27th I finished making my little chicken feed hopper this morning all but putting the hinges on the lid. I didn't do any thing else much. Huby didn't get over till late this morning as he waited for Stickney to see if he had the post auger, he hadn't but said Stocker would make it and some of them would bring it down in a day or two. Sam Law came over after Dad. to go down and see his pig. Huby brought down over some stone nest eggs and put them in the various turkey nests. This after noon Dad. spent the after noon getting his hair cut and Huby and I sorted the apples and cleaned out the cellar. Tonight I went down to band practice. Harry Moon wasn't there but we had a good practice Murray was there with his picilo and a new man who is learning the clarinet. Cloudy mostly cool Tuesday April 28th We didn't get much done this morning. Huby and I cleaned out the wood shed and chored around. This after noon I took some eggs (three dozen) over to Jack Martin's. I am going to save all the eggs from both pens now for myself till I get enough to fill the incubator. I have ninety three now. I got twenty five altogether to-day, the most I have got yet. Sam. Law came after Dad. again to go and see a cow. When we got back we made some alterations in the site of the building in the back yard and to-night the view from the dining room window is considerably improved. Tupper was in to-night to say that he wants Dad. to put a team on the road scraper to-morrow but it is raining to-night so we will probably be relieved from the job. Cousin Clare came over this morning to stay till Enah gets back from Toronto. It has been very hot and muggy all day feels very much like rain. Wednesday April 29th I got up about four this morning and the rest of the family soon after. Dad. drove Enah down to the station, and as Belle was a little nervous of the train shunting around he let her out a little way up the street just as Mr. Barwell came along he was bound for Toronto too so she was alright. Huby came back with Dad. I didn't do much to-day except plant out some little daisy plants in the front border bed and fix it up a little. Cousin Clare brought the plants over. I had to stay with Tiddums a little while after dinner. He has been very good all day especially as he hasn't been able to be out although he is lonesome of course. Huby worked 56 �around out side and cleaned out the old house nicely. Jim Waddle came after Dad. just before dinner to go and see a sick colt and he didn't get back till about three o'clock. It has been a miserable day. Cloudy and chilly. Rained a lot during the night and drizzled off and on all day. Thursday April 30th Frank McBride came over before breakfast this morning with some maple syrup which Mrs Carpenter sent to Frank. He told us just where we Aleta had found the turkey's nest in Ivey's gully over near Preston's fence, so after breakfast Huby and I went back to look for it, we found the place but didn't see any nest so went over to ask Aleta. On our way over we saw the old turkey on the other side of Preston's wood. Aleta told us the nest was just where she we had been looking but as she had taken the eggs out of it, we thought she might have moved so went down to the mill to ask Clarence Ferris as he had found it before and taken two eggs out. He said it was in the same place, we got the two eggs from him and the five Aleta had taken and went back and found what we supposed to be the empty nest but although we searched for quite awhile we could find no sign of the old turkey. We brought the eggs home and and got Huby's gloves which have been back at the wood ever since the fire. This after noon Huby lined out his ditch at the end of the old garden and got it started the whole length. I did chores and fooled around and Dad. put in most of the day minding Tiddums who is terribly home-sick. Winnie came over after school while he was alone with Cousin Clare and she supposes he thought it was Enah for when he was terribly disappointed when he recognised Win. To-night I went down to a surprise party of Hazel Silverthorne's. The sewing club was meeting at her place and she invited eight or nine boys over, we all rounded up at the bank and went over in a body. We played pedro which I don't know any more about than I do about making toads, but still I would have had a great time only my head ached and I felt rather sick for some unknown reason. We also played a lot of other games to add to the card playing score. One table blew bubbles, another cut out paper dolls, another speared peanuts in a bowl with hat pins, next played crocono, next snipped buttons - and the other made some sort of rhymes, we had dandy refreshments but I couldn't take much and felt so rotten before I left that I forgot to say good-night. Dad. went down and met Enah. She said she had a great time "to the city" and enjoyed the organ very much. Tiddums was glad to see her but didn't kick up much fuss over it. Art. Quanbury came over to-night with my incubator and brooder. Nice day but rather raw. Friday May 1st 57 �Huby and I put on a small load of hay this morning and this after noon Dad. hauled it over to the barn for the cows we then put on a pretty good sized load and Dad. & Huby unloaded it in the horse stable, while I took little Joe and drove Cousin Clare home. Tupper came over this morning to get Dad. to put a team on the road scraper, but Dad rode down with him to Sam Law's and got him to go on instead. Whit. Dixon came in while he was gone - after a pig for Bob. Miller, he brought two of the most horrible looking sheep I ever saw. He said Bob. had had them down in the barn in a crate and nobody fed them much except Mrs. Tate. He said Bob. wanted him to bring them over here and if Dad. didn't want to keep them till they got in shape to kill to leave them for a few days anyway, Whit. said he supposed Bob. thought if he got them unloaded here they would stay. The poor things could hardly stand up when they took them out of the waggon and they have been gorming grass ever since they got loose. Whit. was telling Huby and me all about his western experiences, he is sick of it. We sent down the biggest pig with Whit. Huby worked. Mrs. McBride was here all day housecleaning. Sunny with cool breeze Saturday May 2nd After I did chores this morning I went over to Martin's and borrowed Art Quanbury's spirit level and leveled up my incubator and started the lamp going, I won't put the eggs in till I see how it is going to go. George Holden and his brother brought the fifty Carolina poplars and the two English wallnuts. I heeled them in the garden and this after noon Huby and I planted them out. We planted the two wallnuts out in front. They were very healthy looking trees - and a good size. It was pretty late when we got them planted so we just took ten poplars back to the gully, we put them out in the east end of the gully mostly on the flat. but a couple on the hill, we stuck slips in all over mostly on ant hills. We didn't get back till about seven o'clock. Huby stayed to tea and he and Frank set fire to the bonfire in the orchard but it didn't burn well and they had to leave it after being out there an hour or two, sunny and nice to-day but cool Sunday May 3rd Dad. and I intended going to church to-day but -. First of all we didn't get up very early, then Fred's calf got into the pig yard and the old sow got out so Dad. had to fix it. Then I noticed old split ear walking lame over in the pasture and we found the wall of her foot was turned over. While we were trimming her feet up, Mr. Brirely came along and stayed till about noon telling us all about chickens and things. He said he would come over in a night or two to see if the incubator is going all right. I think I will fill it up to-morrow. I have the 58 �temperature up to about 103° now. This after noon Dad. Enah and Tiddums drove out to Jim Waddle's. I just sat around the house while they were gone and read a little, snoozed a little, practiced a little on my horn and a little on the guitar. Frank went back to the gully but I don't think it had changed much since last night, he got some wild flowers. Dick spent the after noon in town, which I have no doubt he also will find in much the same condition as when he last saw it. He will likely go to church to-night. It has been a lovely day quite hot. Dad is afraid it will rain before long if it doesn't we are going to start work on the land tomorrow if all is well. Monday May 4th We got a fairly early start this morning and I had both teams cleaned and ready to slap the harness on and start farming but just about seven it began to rain. It didn't last long but plenty long enough to put an end to {starting?} operations to-day. It came out sunny and a nice breeze after the shower but this after noon it was more cloudy and threatening. It is very hot and lightening to-night. Dad. and Huby fixed the wind mill rod which Dad. broke yesterday and I took Art Quanbury's spirit level back and got a few final instructions about the incubator. I filled it up about noon and by to-night she was up to 97° and blowing off. I didn't know whether to regulate it or not but I happened to overtak Mr. Brirely coming home to-night and he told me I should. This after noon Dad. and Huby went back to the gully and fixed the fence as well as they could as there will soon bee picking enough to let the young stock out I started to grub out the trees between along the fence between the plum orchard. I got a couple of little plum trees out but didn't get any of the cherries {illegible} We want to set out a cedar hedge along there if we ever get time. I went down to band practice to-night and we had pretty fair practice. Harry Moon wasn't there but Mid. is back home now and he was there. Tuesday May 5th It was pouring rain when we got up this morning and kept it up till the middle of the after noon and it had been raining most of the night. Dad was pretty well disgusted but that didn't seem to do much good. I got a loaf of bread last night and left it up in the band room so this morning I drove Dick down town and went up and got it. Dick had a bad toothache last night. Huby hadn't come over so I went around and got him, he thought there wouldn't be any thing to do if it rained but he came over so to be there in case it cleared up. We didn't do any thing much all day. He worked at the old house tacking up old window blinds for wall covering. He brought a lot of burlap over the other day and is going to use it to but 59 �the wind blows through it more that it does the blinds. He scraped some of the apple trees when it quit raining. Enah broke a tooth to-day so had to go down and get it fixed while Dad. minded Tiddums. Wednesday May 6th I didn't get up till late this morning, and haven't done any thing much but chores all day. I had to turn my eggs in the incubator twice to-day. Huby and Dad. squared up the old block they got from the dead apple tree in the orchard. It makes a beauty and is good and solid. Huby dug quite a bit at his ditch and Dad. took the storm windows off. Whit Dixon came in this after noon and got another pig. Two other fellows were in they wanted Dad. to go down to Henderson's to-night and have a look at their big black Percheron stallion. They want to travel him down this way. Dad. got notice of a school board meeting to-night so he went down. I got chores done up early hoping to take Osprey out for a run before dark but it began to rain just before dark. It has been very hot all day and felt like rain. I don't think it rained very hard nor long Winnie & Jonny Miller were over for awhile before tea. Thursday May 7th We put the halter on Pommer's for the first time this morning and tied him in Joes stall for awhile, he was pretty crazy at first but soon quieted down when he found there was no use fighting. We put the harness on Osprey and I took him down to the corner and back. He felt pretty gay and looked fine. Dad. and Huby cleaned up a lot more of the old barn floor. This after noon we hooked up Osprey and Harry to the waggon and the whole three of us went down to Billy Cunningham's to get Dave's cart. We found him and Billy Loan building a house. He said he had brought the cart up to Bobbie McMullins two or three weeks ago so Huby is going to bring it over in the morning We got a couple of nice little silver birch trees in Hammond's bush on our way home and Huby set one out on the lawn. He wants to put the other in the gully. We saw Tom Abbot and he gave us our cream check. It wasn't very high this month as butter has gone down. We only got a little over 19 dollars. Tom told us that Wilbur and Orpha Ryersie are the proud parents of a daughter. We met another man with an Iron grey Percheron stallion to-day. Huby said he liked the black one the best, but Dad. liked this one the best in some ways although he had poor legs. T.A. Ivey was in this morning to have his old mare's teeth fixed and also to get Dad to attend a friendly meeting to the farmer's who will be affected by some ditch on the other road that he wants the council to put in. It won't really affect any body much but him. Osprey went fine we had a stay chain on old Harry's double tire. None of the farmers down that way have any oats in - 60 �and we didn't see any wheat that could beat ours east of the orchard. It has been very nice to-day and clear to-night. Tiddums isn't very well to-night Friday May 8th Huby went around by Bobbie McMullin's this morning to see if he had our cart done but it wasn't quite finished. He took the other birch trees back to the gully and planted it out and set two little ones which were in the earth at the roots of the other one. Dad and I started to measure the distance from the road to the gully along the lane and orchard fence so as to get the fence we are going to put along the top of the gully the same distance from the road (concession) at the east end as at the west where it joins the lane fence at right angles. We got as far as the north orchard fence at right an when it was raining so hard we had to stop. Huby. put some more burlap and paper on the walls of the shop and late this after noon dug some more at his ditch. This after noon Dad. went down to Sam. Law's after the butter and I took a couple of dozen eggs over to Quanbury's as John was over and said Art. wanted to get them I had quite a visit with Charlie who was planting potatoes. He has his garden nearly all in and it looks fine. Enah went down to the Methodist church for choir practice as they want her to sing with the "Mothers day bunch" on Sunday. Frank went down with her intending I think to take in the movies. Tiddums doesn't feel very well yet. I started to cut the lawn to day but it was not long enough for the lawn mower. I couldn't see where I had gone. Saturday May 9th I started after breakfast towards town to head Huby off with the cart he was going to haul over because as we were going down in the waggon we thought it was too bad for him to draw it all the way over here, but when I got to Martin's I saw Art Quanbury and he was showing me how to test eggs and when I got back to the side walk Huby had come and as he had got so far he persisted in taking it all the way. It was a good cart but will need a little patching. We then hooked up Harry and Belle to the waggon and went down town. We got four big anchor posts and four small posts, some siding for the shop, lime for the chicken house and plaster for the kitchen. We saw Harry Ansley and he gave us three nice white fish. This after noon I took some eggs over to Martin's. Art Quanbury wanted another half dozen, he wanted two settings instead of two dozen. Huby planted out a lot more of the poplars along the rail fence. I went out with him when I got back and we got a lot put out on both sides of the corner field. Mr. Lawrie was here when we came up. He Huby and Lila stayed to tea. Lila came over this after noon - and rode Frank's bicycle and she and Frank 61 �went back to the woods. Frank put a lot of the siding on the shop. Dad. has felt very miserable all day and his muscles ache all over his body. Up till to-day it has just been in his arms. He is afraid it is rheumatism. It has been a lovely day. Quite hot this morning but nice fresh breeze this after noon. Sunday May 10th We got up rather late this morning and I have had my old clothes on all day. Frank went down to Sunday school but didn't go to church this morning I drove Enah down and on my way home fell in with Jimmy and Billie Rankin who {boned?} me for a ride so I brought them over to see Bluch who was overjoyed to see them. They went back to the gully with Frank and got some flowers and went home with Dick when he drove down after Enah. It rained a little now and then during the day so I think Frank was prevented from making his periodical call on the gully this after noon but Dick went down town. He was pretty tired last night and had some excuse for sleeping all morning. Wiggins offered him a quarter yesterday if he would cut the lawn around the bank so he started in at two o'clock, when he got it done Mr. Hobbes offered him double the price of cutting the two lawns if he would cut his lawn too so Dick kept right at it till eight o'clock and then with out any supper started to work at his balance sheets or whatever it was. This morning his hands were blistered all over and as he didn't get up to breakfast he went twenty four hours without a meal but made $1.30 out of it. He has been ledger keeper for the last week and balanced up very easily the other night. To-night I drove Enah and Frank down to church Enah turned Methodist for to-night as she is going to sing with the mothers this being their "day" I met Hazen on his way over to tak his girl to church so I gave him a ride over. When I let him out at Flemming's, I found Bluch who in spite of all our commands to go home had followed us down was not following me back so I went back and as I expected found him at Rankin's. After quite a lot of coaxing I induced him to get into the buggy and brought him home. It would have been a nice day but for a shower ever now and then. Tiddums feels very rotten to-day - cutting teeth. Monday May 11th It rained a good deal to-day so we didn't do very much, but remark on the inclemencey of the weather. We saw Reeve Vyse go past with his disks just before it began to rain but after going a few rounds it chased him in. We could see old Sam at it for quite awhile but at last he had to give up no doubt in disgust. Dad. and I put on a load of hay this morning and Huby oiled up the little dining room stove and pipes and put it away. This after noon I made a bootjack. I have tugged and pulled and nearly broken the rungs out of the kitchen chairs 62 �ever since I have got my rubber boots trying to pull them off at night and now when it is about sollid enough to do with out them I have made a neat little boot jack; however it will be ready for next season and I have hung it handy in the wood shed for us anytime we get mad. Huby covered more of the walls of the shop with some stiff wrapping paper he got from Tip. Varey and tinkered around. Dad. minded Tiddums who is fare from scoocum today. Geordie Allan was over for a little while, he is just up to Dover for a visit. To-night Chris Quanbury came over and test my eggs for me, he found 32 infertile out of the 138 which he said was a better test than most of theirs were doing. It is just about 23% bad. Raining hard with thunder and lightening to-nigh. Tuesday May 12th It poured rain nearly all day. It let up for awhile at noon and hasn't rained much since five to-night, but there was a steady downpour the rest of the time. Every thing is covered with water, and it looks as if we'd have to postpone some of the features in the game of farming for another season. I was pretty busy all day. This morning I cleaned all the straw out of the hen houses and this after noon started to white wash them. I couldn't find the white wash brush so I had to use a broom so I don't know whether it will make much improvement in appearance but will sweeten the place up. I got the pen this way white washed and part of the one we brought over from Huby's and used a pail of white wash, then I had to quit to do chores. Huby came over this after noon and worked at the old house. Dad did think of taking Joe down to Bobby McMillian to be shod but when he was ready thought better of it. Tom. Abbot came after the cream this morning and request Dad not to mention the weather, he hears enough about it. Wednesday May 13th I finished white washing the other hen house this morning. I did white wash the pen where the colored hens are as I had no place to let them out and they make such a fuss if I try to work with them in there. Huby scraped some of the trees in the orchard this morning but it started to rain so he came in and worked at the shop it didn't rain long but he worked in there most of the day. He put some of the white wash I had left over on the trees he scraped. Dad. took Joe down to be shod this morning but Bobby McMillian's shop was full so he came home. He doesn't want to take her to Joe Howel for fear she will make him mad, and he says Ralph Waddle knows too much. Bob. Davis was in this after noon with Bycler's big black horse. He is certainly a nice looking one. I put another broody hen up over the hog 63 �pen to-night. I don't know whether she will sit or not as I didn't notice her setting till to-day. It has been cloudy all day with a little rain before dinner and to-night the sun was out. Thursday May 14th We spent quite awhile giving Pommers a lesson on the halter. We took both the colts out and I held Queen while Dad. and Huby worked awhile with Pommers. We then let them run in the front field the rest of the day. We put Joe in the box stall for the day and Dave in Joe's stall but put them all back in to night and Dave out, he was pretty lonesome as we let all the young stock back the lane to-day and left them back. We let the cows back too but didn't let them out after they were milked to-night. This after noon Dad. put the harness on Dave and took him down the road a little way. It was the first time he has had a bit in his mouth so didn't do so badly. When we get him broken Huby is going to take him for his driver. We are very glad we didn't shoot him last fall as we intended. This morning we three boys went back and fixed a good set a bars from the gully into the blue grass field on the west side next John Wess's (the field not the bars). Dad cut new bars in the wood. We took the chain back and measured our share of John Wess's line fence. It was just 10 chains and one foot. We want to put up a new fence there if we can. This after noon Dad. and I put off the load of hay we loaded up for the horse stable the other day and Huby put out the rest of the young poplars. Stan Lowrie was in this morning to have Dad. look at his horse's mouth. He says some of them down there around Nanticoke have oats in but they are afraid after this rain they will rot in the ground. The rain caused a lot of damage up in Western Ontario, The whole country was flooded in places and they say even barns floated off their foundations. Poor Tiddums is pretty sick to-night. Cutting teeth, whooping cough and fever. Lovely day sunny & mild. Friday May 15th I got up about four o'clock this morning to choke off the alarm clock. I wanted to get out anyway before the hens did as I discovered yesterday that the old duck was laying in the chicken yard and so I wanted to leave the yard open for her to get in during the night but as I don't let the same pen out two days in succession I had to get up before the hens to shut it up. I didn't think to shut them in the house but I will here after I hope. Dick brought home word last night that Mr. Hobbes wanted two settings of eggs so I went over to ask Jack Martin if he wanted them especially but he wasn't home and Chris was down town so I sent them down. Vyse was over for awhile, after breakfast Huby got the brush heap in the orchard burned at last. I threw the brush out of the pig yard and helped him carry it over to 64 �the fire. After we burned it we started to clean up the wheat. We got it all cleaned by about half past four this after noon. There was only about forty bushels of it cleaned. we put a coarse seive in the bottom so got a lot of stuff in the drip box nearly enough to fill up the chicken feed bin. When we got it done Huby and I tore down and piled up handy to where we could get them with the waggon what few rails were left from the old barn yard fence. Sunny but raw wind all day. Sam Law was on his field to-day but Tom Abbot says it is very mucky. Poor Tiddums is very miserable, the whooping cough is back again. Saturday May 16th Lila came over with Huby first thing this morning and has been over all day. Jim Bannister sent over word with them for Dad. to come over as his mare was just foaling. Dad. has been over two or three times during the day - and is there now with Frank. Burt is there from Simcoe, and Dad. says his is afraid Jim will lose the mare, the colt I think is dead. Dad. and I hauled up a load of rails this morning from the old barn yard fence and then took the wheat to the mill. We made two trips of it and took down three sacks of oats for chop. We had 44 bushels and 14 lbs of wheat and it is just a dollar a bushel so we did gain a little by waiting after all. After dinner Huby and I went back to the woods and were gone nearly all the after noon but we got a beautiful little elm and set it out out here near the drive house and just behind the anchor post for this lane fence, we got it out in the open and it is a perfect shape and as we didnt cut much of the top off it will be pretty from the first. Frank and Lila went back with us but went the other way when we got to the gully and got a lot of flowers and some merels which Huby found the other day and told them about. Our little tree was all out in leaf but Huby took great pains in planting it, and he thinks with the attention we will be able to give it being so near the house that it will grow. Dad. was going down town this afternoon but as we didn't get back he didn't go so I helped him milk and then hooked up Joe and took Huby & Lila down, we took Win in at Uncle Ward's and she went up and got the stuff for me. I gave Joe Thompson a lift over the hill and old Mrs. Martin home from about Chris Quanbury's. Lovely day sunny and dry. Messers Flemming & Evans scraped the road again. Sunday May 17th Frank went down alone to church and Sunday School this morning. After breakfast Dad. and I went over to Jim Bannister's for a little while, the mare was dead and buried. Vyse was there and Jack Spain soon came. When we got home, we hooked Joe and Osprey up to the buggy and took them around the block. Joe was the worst colt of the two but they went 65 �fine. Dick got up for dinner and he and I played catch for awhile before he went down town. Then Frank and I went back to the gully and went in for a swim in Robert John's big pool. The water was pretty cold at first but after we got out and let the wind blow on us it felt warm to get in. I came home about four and unintentionally went to sleep. Dad. Enah and Tiddums were all out for a drive and while things were in this condition Mr. & Mrs. John Shand came, they never woke me up and so thought no one was home, pinned a note on the door and left but Dad. and Enah just came along as they were going out the lane so they came back. I got the chores done as quickly as possible and got ready and went down to church. I overtook Quint. After church I went up with him to see Big George about a fishing excursion to-morrow but he wasn't home so Quint came over as far as Martin's with me. Dick came along while we were talking. He said he felt pretty sick so we came home and he went to bed. It has been a lovely day, Sunny and a little breeze. Monday May 18th I woke up about three o'clock and heard Dad prowling around, he said he had just come back from town. Al Faulkner had come over after him to go and see his colt, which had got tangled up in the halter shank and was in awful shape. I got up at four o'clock and would have been ready to get a good early start on the land but for visitors. First Mr. Porter drove in then a little while afterwards old Mr. Duncan, he had what he thought to be a sick cow and wanted Dad to go up so Dad. didn't get out at all this morning and I didn't till about nine. When Dick got up he felt very miserable and was bound to go to work but they persuaded him not to so he lay down and slept most of the day and Dad. on his way to Duncan's stopped in and told Wiggins. Huby and Dad. started for Duncan's but met old Bill who told them the horse cow was alright. I got over the field once lengthwise with the disks and started to go again and Dad. gave it a good harrowing this after noon. Huby took my team for awhile after dinner while I got a nest ready to set a hen. Sam. Law came over and borrowed the drill at noon, he has his piece about in shape. Mrs McBride was here washing all day. To-night I went down to band practice and didn't get to bed till eleven Lovely day sunny and not too hot Tuesday May 19th I was up at four again this morning, the way I manage it I wind the alarm clock up so it will ring for quite awhile and set it over on the bureau where I can't reach it from the bed. Then in the morning it makes such a clatter that I can't stand the noise so have to get up to smother it and once I'm up I stay up although I felt pretty tough for awhile this morning. Try 66 �as we did we weren't able to get in the field before eight, but we got both teams started about the same time and got a pretty good day in I finished the field lengthwise and got more than half over it cross wise. Dad harrowed it both ways and is now following me down cross wise with the harrows. He thinks when we get done that way, it will be in good shape to drill. It was a hard day on the poor little team, they are too tired to eat to-night. I had to make several trips to the ditch to swab my eyes off with cold water and keep them from going to sleep. Old Bluch plodded up and down after the disks all day long. Once I took the little team and harrowed to keep awake when I wasn't near the ditch and poor Bluch was badly puzzled. He didn't know which one of us to follow. Sam Law brought the drill back and left it in the field. Vyse drilled his piece in to-day.. I set two hens to-night on thirty eggs. Huby worked around here and helped mind Tiddums all day. Dick felt better to-day but didn't go to work. He went down town this after noon to get his tooth fixed and didn't feel quite so well to-night. Cars. Rankin went by here to-day with an automobile they just bought. They have started to take down the dam bridge. They are going to put up a new ston one. It has been a nice day but pretty hot. Wednesday May 20th Four o'clock for mine again this morning and I didn't feel so sleepy during the day as I got to bed at ten last night. I did have one little short snooze on the disks while the horses were resting. Water is getting pretty hard to find now, but I located some in the wood to swab my eyes with. I got out soon after eight, and finished cross disking then hooked on the harrows and cross harrowed from where Dad left off till noon. Dad. didn't get out till ten o'clock owing to divers hindrances, so he started right in to drill. He put Jonas' oats in on the north head land they went two drill widths the width of the field and quite a few left over. He took out four big two bushel and a half bags and had the drill set for sowing 2 bushels and a peck and used all the seed and didn't quite finish to-night so there is something wrong as we didn't think there was more than four acres in the field. I finished cross harrowing soon after dinner and then took the disks back to the field accross the gully, and got over quite a chunk of it. Huby sowed clover seed to-day on the piece of wheat north of the orchard he also cleaned up around the shop a lot. Dick went to work today although he is far from well. It has been fine and pretty hot to-day. Thursday May 21st I didn't get over the gully to work till nearly nine o'clock so didn't get through disking till after dinner I then started over it again length ways with the disks a notch deeper. Dad. 67 �finished drilling in the other field, harrowed it all over and brought the harrows back and got a good chunk done in the back field. Huby didn't come over this morning till noon as he had some insurance to attend to. Dick has been home all day and has a pretty sore throat. Fine and sultry. Friday May 22nd Dad. had to take my team this morning to run the ditches in the field we have in so I hooked up Joe and took my eggs over to Jack Martin and took Dick down to see Dr. Cook. He gave Dick some pills and I think told him he would be alright soon. When we got home I got a little ice out and put it in the refrigerator which we placed in the kitchen this morning. Dad. had gone back over the gully and was disking but about the time we got home it began to rain. It rained hard enough to persuade Dad. to come in and then stopped for the day although it has been cloudy. Dad. helped me take the old bits of sacking from the chicken house windows and put in poultry fencing. Dad. and I went back after dinner and he harrowed and I disked but didn't get quite over the piece. I had to stop for awhile to drive a herd of cattle into out of Sam Law's wheat. I took Bluch and he chased them into the wood's so I suppose they were Art Ryersies. Huby had more insurance to look after so didn't get over till after dinner. I got up at four o'cock this morning but went to sleep saying my prayers and slumbered peacefully till nearly five. Tom Abbot told us this morning that Edna Sidway isn't expected to live. Saturday May 23rd Dad. and I got a fairly good day's work in on the land to-day, he harrowed and I disked. I am part way over it cross ways and have the disks set in the last hole but one except on the sand knolls. It makes them {lug?}. John Wess was over for a long time this morning talking to Dad. He is working on his buckwheat stubble. Huby and Lila came over this morning early and during the fore noon Quint and Charlie Ferris brought a ferrit over. They were going to put him after the rats under the corn crib but he was so big he couldn't get into their holes. They burned the three corn shocks in the field but didn't get any there either. Huby cleaned the ditches most of the afternoon in the sowed field. He got a toad and put on the front lawn to eat ants. Dick was better to-day and was down town this after noon, but Frank is all in to-day. He took the lawn mower down to be sharpened but feels tough. Quite cold today but mostly sunny. Sunday May 24th 68 �I haven't been off the place all day. I intended to go to church to-night but went to sleep before tea so couldn't get ready in time. Dad. and Enah & Tiddums drove down with Joe & Ginger this morning. They left Tiddums with Huby while they went to church and Huby took him up to the dam in the scow. There was no organist at church till Enah got there so she had to go down to-night again alone. Elva has quit for sure. I sat around and read nearly all day. This morning when I took the eggs out of the incubator to caul them I could hear the chickens peeping and one or two eggs chipped. To-night one chick is out. Dick got up and went to church this morning stayed at Huby's to dinner, down town all the after noon and came home to tea to-night. Frank went down to church and Sunday school this morning and back to the gully this after noon. Lovely day. Monday May 25th Dad. and I both got a pretty fairl early start this morning and I nearly finished cross disking by noon. He drilled all morning but after dinner harrowed with the little team till after dinner I finished disking then took my team and hooked on the drill I finished harrowing with his team only went length ways instead of cross ways which made a much better job. When I finished I brought the little team and the disks up but Dad. stayed back till about seven o'clock and finished drilling. Jack Hodge and family just drove in as I came up and startled poor Huby who was running around in his bare feet. Frank and I went over to Jack Martin's with some eggs - and I wanted to ask Chris about the brooder. There is an awful grist of chickens out. We sprinkled the eggs that weren't hatched again to-night and I put a fire in the brooder. The boys had holidays to-day but Dick was down town all day working part of the time. Frank worked around home and he and Tony Bannister went back to the gully. Jonas came over in high glee this morning he says he has the prettiest little colt he ever saw, he told Dad. that he and the woman had to dance for the joy of it. It has been very sultry all day and looked very like rain this morning, fresh breeze to-night. Tuesday May 26th I didn't get up till half past four this morning, but it rained a little so we couldn't go back first thing any way. Dad. took 38 little chickens out of the incubator and put them in the brooder this morning. I went over and got a little grit and charcoal to feed them from Chris. He says not to give them anything for forty eight hours. Dad. thinks they will all starve to death before that. After dinner we took 23 more out and there are still five or six just hatched. A lot of them have died in the shell after they got it all picked ready to come out. Just before dinner Dad. took the big team and roller back and started roll the back field as we thought 69 �that would just break all the lumps nicely. After dinner I went back and hooked on the roller and he came back about an hour later and started to harrow after me. He harrowed till I finished rolling about five o'clock, then he came up with his little team and the roller and I finished harrowing it took me till about seven. Huby. didn't come over this morning but was here this after-noon. He worked at the ditch, sawed wood and minded Tiddums & Frank brought home the news that poor Edna Sidway is dead. It has been way hot and sultry all day but quite a strong breeze. Wednesday May 27th Dad. helped me carry my incubator out this morning we took the seven little chickens that were in it and put them in a basket over the stove. I took the unhatched eggs out and buried them, there were forty thirty eight and twenty four of them had chickens in them. There are 68 chicks altogether and they all seem healthy and sound but one of these seven which has crooked legs. Dad. took the big team back to run the the ditches in the back field and I went over to Martins to get some chick feed and scratch feed. We fed the little fellows in the brooder. to-day. They thought over there that I had a dandy hatch especially as it was the first attempt. It began to rain while I was over there and rained quite hard for awhile so I didn't get back very soon. I didn't do any thing much after that except fool around. Huby came over at noon he had insurance to look after, and dug some more at his ditch. Dad. disked the garden all up. It had got so hard he thought he had better disk it before he ploughed it. Bob. Davis was in for about an hour. Quint also came over for a little while, he expects to go to work to-morrow. They are drilling at Blackheath where ever that is, somewhere down towards Canfield Junction. Aleta McBain was here house cleaning all day. About half past four we hooked up to the waggon and Dad and I went down and got a load of tile for Huby's ditch. We got three inch as they didn't have any four. We took Enah down to Miss Buckwells tea party and she walked home. Huby looked after Tiddums. It came out pretty hot after the rain but is cooler to-night. The rain freshened things up a lot and we noticed that the English walnuts which we thought were dead are budding. Thursday May 28th Old Jonas came over long before breakfast this morning and pestered around for Dad to go and look at his colt and while Dad. was at breakfast Jimmy Corbett came in to ask about his colt. Dad. gave him some stuff, he went over with Jonas with for a few minutes. I made a yard for the little chickens in the brooder and let them out. I also fixed it so as the old hens couldn't get in the yard where they are at all. One little fellow died last night but the rest 70 �look fine. Huby came over about nine thinking Dad was going down town before dinner. Vyse came over to fix his hammer handle for a while. About ten o'clock I took the disks out and started in the timothy sod. I worked all the after noon but didn't get over half of it. It is very grassy but I think will work up fine and make a fine piece for corn. This after noon Dad. & Huby went down town. They got Joe shod at Joe Howells and put in a big load of shaving to put in the ditch over the tile so Dad. didn't get home till about six. It has been very hot all day but breezy, cool to-night. Friday May 29th I disked all day on the corn ground and got all over it by to-night and started to straddle the furrows Dad brought the harrows out and worked for a couple of hours before dinner. This after noon he went back and borrowed a set of three horse eveners from John Wess McBride. John Wess was just ready to shear sheep so Dad. stayed and watched him for awhile. Huby laid the tile in the ditch as far as the chicken house which is far as it is leveled and covered them with shavings and got most of the earth shovelled in. Cars. Rankin brought a couple of girls over in his automobile to see Bluch this after noon. I didn't get up till five this morning I put the clock under the bed where I could grab it and consequently went to sleep again. Dick tells us that Norm. Brock is the latest purchaser of a car and Mr. Johnsons father gave him one. Very hot to-day but nice breeze. Saturday May 30th I went out this morning and straddled the furrows with the disks as we will put corn on and then started to harrow. I didn't lap the harrows at all so got over quite a piece. Frank and Dad. went down town this morning with the waggon and got some stuff chopped at the mill and the windo shash for the shop which have been at the widespread all spring. Huby worked around - This after noon we had to move the stove into the wood shed. We got it out all right but they broke another side of the base or rather the end so we had to set it up on bricks. We then went rat hunting. Huby had flooded all the holes with water this morning and ripped some boards off the floor of the corn crib but we found we couldnt get them without taking up nearly the whole floor so we did. We were all armed with clubs and had the three dogs. Dad. stayed inside and scared them out and the dogs would catch them Lila killed one big one with a lath but Bluch killed most of the others. Huby says he is the best rat dog he ever saw he doesn't waste any time about nabbing them and never let one get away. Nig. got one or two. I think we got five great big ones and two half grown ones besides a nest of eleven little fellows. When we got through with them it was too late for 71 �Dad. to plow the garden - as he had hoped to do but Huby and Frank surveyed all the land east of the lane and this side of the gully and "got stakes up" to set the fence posts by. They figur there is about fifty acres. Lila ha been over all day and Win. came over about five They and Huby stayed to tea. Frank and I went down with them after tea and found they had just laid fresh cement on the bridge and no-one could go over. So we went through Uncle Wards and took Ada's boat down from the barn and launched it for her. She went over with us in the boat and as it leaked like a seive Huby had to make two trips of it. I went up to get my hair cut and Frank went to the moving picture show. Ada was going to wait for us at Huby's so we could go back with her but when I got down there she and Huby had just gone. Frank came soon after I did and when we got down to the bridge Huby was just coming back with the boat so we took it back with us and left it below Woodson's. Dick came home afterwards when the watchmen didn't happen to be around and walked over the cement but didn't leave any tracks. The papers are full of the awful wreck of the Empress of Ireland which went down off Father Point yesterday with nearly 1000 people. It was a heavy fog and another a coal boat ran into her. Hot but nice breeze. Sunday May 31st Dad and Enah went to church this morning and left Tiddums with Huby. Dick and I went down and had a swim at the stump the water was fine we then came home and got dinner started Frank went to Sunday school and church. This after noon I had a dandy ride on Joe. We went up to Smythe's but Pud was at Vittoria Frank started for Marburg on his wheel but got held up at Ryersie's and fooled around with them all the after noon. Dick went down town and to church to-night. Enah and I went to church to-night. Mr. Johnson came over with his automobile to take Enah down, so I didn't wait for her after church thinking he would bring her home but walked down as far as the bridge with Quint and then home. I found Dad. looking after Tiddums who was too tired to go to sleep and Dad. having been so beset with visitors that the chores weren't all done. Enah got home about ten I don't what did happen to her except that she went down to Huby's. Cousins' Loll, Bessie, Harry & Willie drove over for a little while this after noon. To-night young Billy Louis came in to get his horse's shoulder lanced and hung around till dark so people wouldn't see the blood. Then Sam. Law came over to see if he could borrow the roller in the morning. Jonas then came for a short visit. It has been hot to-day but a very nice strong breeze. Monday June 1st 72 �I put in the whole morning writing in this and to Aunty Alice & Aunty, while Dad. ploughed the garden. This after noon I worked down the garden I disked it lengthwise & crosswise a couple of times each and once right around & around. I rolled it and harrowed it so it looks in pretty fair shape. Sam. Law borrowed the roller this morning and he rolled it before he took it away and then again when he brought it back at noon. Dad. spent nearly all the after noon shearing a ewe. He did pretty well and says he thinks if he had a good pair of shears he could do all right. Huby didn't get over this morning as he had to see about Kolbe's insurance. Kolbe was over at Erie so he has to see him about eleven to-night. He goes over to Erie every morning about five o'clock and doesn't get back at night till eleven. Dad. went down to a school board meeting and I went down to band practice. We didn't have any though as there weren't enough there. Walt says we will have to quit for awhile anyway if the council don't come over with the extra money he wants. The town hall was full of meetings. Council meeting, School meeting, band practice and a whole bunch out on the stairs I don't know whether they were all fellows tendering for the heating of the school or the bridge builders waiting on the council for money. Dad. and I met at Huby's and didn't get home till after twelve. Huby went down to the lake about eleven and found Kolbe & Harry Ansley down there. He got Kolbe's insurance raised and as it has run out will have to make out a new application so won't be over to-morrow fore-noon. Quite cool all day. Tuesday June 2nd We didn't get very much done to-day. Jim's calf was sick this morning, all bloated so Dad. & I gave it a dose of salts. It is much better to-night. I went out about eleven and rolled the corn ground till one. I couldn't hear the whistles. This after noon Dad. and I surveyed the field and fence along the top of the gully and decided to put a notch in the fence where the dividing fence between the two fields go. We then measured off six acres of what is ploughed for corn and the remaining four for buckwheat. I came out about half past four and finished rolling the corn ground. Huby didn't come over to-day, I don't know whether he went up to the nomination in Port. Rowan or not. They wanted him to but he said he wasn't going. There are two bunches of delegates going up from here One bunch cosists of Vyse, Cliff Lees and R.E. Matthews and I don't know who go from the other faction. I saw Tupper to-day and he said he might be able to slip over towards the end of the week to shear sheep for us. Bruce was in for a little while before tea. He wanted to get some instruments. It has been sunny but fairly cool all day. Wednesday June 3rd 73 �We hauled out manure all day to-day. We didn't get started very early and were bothered this afternoon by Bob. Davis coming, so only got out nine loads. Dad. is spreading it on the corn ground. Frank was home from school to-day as it was a sort of half in half holiday, being the King's birthday. The kids could go if they wanted to but it wouldn't be marked against them if they didn't so Frank stayed. We heard the bell ringing all through the day so there must have been some fools there. Frank worked all day putting in the garden and we helped him between loads. Dad. ploughed six potatoes furrows this morning and we got the Dad. Atkinson ones planted but there was only three of them so they didn't go very far. Huby planted two rows of Golden Bantam corn and we got in some cabbage and raddishs lettuce and onion seed. Huby's turkey eggs all came out to-day. The one down the road hasn't been off the nest as far as we know since she started to sit so all her eggs were rotten, but as near as they can see the one in the smoke house and Mrs. Bannister's old hen had a fairly good hatch. Dad. and I moved the twelve little chickens that hatched out Monday down in the yard where the brooder is; one of them died. Mrs. McBride was here washing all day. Huby didnt go up to Nomination yesterday but as near as he can find out Andrew Innes and his gang didn't get a chance to say a word as Mr. Slippery Slick at the last minute got ahead of them. Cloudy, cool, raining to-night. Thursday June 4th It rained steadily all night and rained a lot during the day. Huby came over this morning laden down with tomato plants and cabbage plants which he got from Ed. and some seed corn which he got from John Quanbury and four of the consignment of axes in the back of his hunting coat. He set out a row of Frank's asters the whole length of the garden and we put out some of the to-mato plants but it began to rain so hard we had to quit. However he got them out later in the day and a long row of cabbage plants out. Dad. sowed clover seed on the oats this morning till the rain drove him in when he was within five lands of finishing. We won't have enough seed to sow the piece across the gully. I cleaned the incubator all out and started it going this after noon. I had to go over to Martin's to borrow a spirit level this after noon. Carl. Coleman was in for a little while this morning to see if Tupper was here, he was going up to Stocker's to get his horse shod so Huby told him to bring our post auger down if it was done. John told Huby this morning that Mrs. Battersby has sold her place to some fellow in Los. Angeles. Dick didn't get home at all last night and he expects to start for Toledo to-morrow or next day. Friday June 5th 74 �I failed to get up till five this morning. After I got the chores all done I cleaned out the separator. I then went out and planted another row of Golden Bantam corn and a couple of rows of Country Gentleman. I also helped Huby cut some potatoes, which he planted. He came over this morning with about a dozen tomato plants which Uncle Ward. gave him. We only wanted three and Frank bought them to-night over at Quanbury's on his way home from {arrow pointing to blank space}. After dinner I made some drills and got some of the pecans planted. Tommy Jackson was in here soon after dinner to ask Dad. about a colt and he told us our cattle were all in the far end of the gully so Dad. and I went back we found they had broken down the fence where there were some rails. Nine of them were on the road but not far away we got them back with out much trouble, but found they had just torn our little white birch tree all to pieces. Dad. spent most of the day ploughing the pig yard, working it down and sowing the thousand headed kale on it. He also finished sowing the clover seed in the oats. He shut the old sow up this morning and she went to work and had sixteen young ones three of which got killed in the squabble for seats at the refreshment booth which will only accomodate twelve. We gave the eight turkeys that Mrs. Bannister's hen hatched out to the old turkey hen which made her family number twenty two as near as we can count. She struck off into the orchard with them but didn't get very far. Huby and I picked about half of them out of the ditch at noon where they had fallen in the attempt to follow her across. Mr. Monteith was in to-night to buy some seed corn. He has gone past with two loads of tomato plants. Sunny cool Saturday June 6th Huby didn't get over till about ten o'clock this morning as he went up town to buy a hoe. He also got some new kind of plants from Arthur Anderson called Koli Rabbi which are a cross between a cabbage and a turnip. Frank went down on his wheel to get some provisions and Mr. Johnson gave him a few plants of stocks. He came over with Huby and Lila rode his wheel over. We started hauling out manure as soon as Huby got here and all day got out 7 loads. The colts broke the wire we had stretched across the gap into the alsike and all got in so Huby, Frank and I had to put them out and fix the fence. I spent most of the day between loads putting in the rest of the peas and Huby dug out some posts which were in the shed covered with manure. He started to paint the window frames of the shop with some paint he found out in the brush heap. Frank fooled around with Lila most of the day and pulled some bindweed out in the oats. Art Quanbury came over this morning to see if he could borrow the roller for Jack Martin's corn ground and Bill Philips came over this after 75 �noon to get it. He told us that Jim Bannister has sold his place for $6000. Dick left this after noon for Toledo to visit Ferdie. His holidays last a couple of weeks. Hot & sunny all day. Sunday June 7th I lay "a bed" most of the day not getting up till seven o'clock but I got some chores done and drove Enah down to church. We got home and got through a light lunch early so had a long after noon most of which I spent in sleep although I read and wrote quite a bit too. Dad. and Enah talked of going for a drive till Tiddums went to sleep and then they couldn't. Frank rode his wheel over to the McPherson's and made arrangements to get a skip of bees from Mr. McPherson when they swarm. He is to get a hive from Boyd in Simcoe which will cost four dollars and the bees will cost two dollars I may put something into it if I ever have any money to invest. He and I spoke of going for a swim to-night but it got so rainy looking that we decided not too. It has been sultry and hot all day and to-night is thundering and very cloudy. It sprinkled a few drops. {Harry Barrett (Toby's father) wrote the entries for June 8, 9, and 10.} Monday June 8th We did not get a very early start this morning though we were up early and ready to begin but Mr Monteith came for a bushel of seed corn and he visited some little time we hauled out manure till about 10-30 when I had a break down, went through the double tree. I heard some one laugh when I went off the seat and there was Bruce and Ashleigh in a buggy on the side road they came in and stayed to dinner so we were late in getting to work in the afternoon. Frank rode his wheel down after dinner and got me some bolts and I fixed the double tree. Tobe and Hubert were busy with the garden and odd Jobs while I was out with a load. Tupper came along about 5 O'Clock on his way to the mill. Toby took his load on for him and he stayed to shear sheep so I helped him and we worked till after 7 we then had tea and it was good and late before we had finished every thing It has been a terribly hot day the thunder storm Sunday night did not cool things off. The horses nearly melted this afternoon. Tuesday June 9th I finished the shearing as there was one ewe we did not get done last night. Hubert and Toby went back to fix up the fence in the gully between Ivey and us I had my sheep finished and was putting on a load of manure when the boys got back, we hoped to have finished 76 �clearing out the old shed tonight but there are a few loads yet it has been another roasting hot day. Wednesday June 10th We finished hauling out manure at noon and after dinner I went down to Mr Flemings and got his diamond tooth harrows, it took some time to rig up a three horse outfit when I got back. Hubert helped me hitch Osprey with Joe and Ginger and I got in an hour and a half or so in the field. Toby was disking, if all is well we hope to get in a good day tomorrow. Toby and Frank went over to the McPhersons tonight with a bea hive so that accounts for my writing this. Thursday June 11th I didn't get up till nearly five this morning and Dad. & I didn't get started in the field till nine o'clock. We worked on the corn ground all day. I disked and he harrowed with the three horses and Flemming's diamond tooth. I had to make a couple of trips to the creek in the gully to keep myself awake. I did go to sleep several times but not for very long. I would see the horses in front of me when I woke up and be frightened for fear of running into them. Huby didn't get over till after we were in the field this morning. He was up town last night and heard some rich news. Charlton has pulled out of the election campaign and Andrew Innes is going to run against Pratt. Independent. Huby spent the day doing odd jobs and filling in his ditch. I cut a little lawn and set out a little castor oil bean plant. Very hot for awhile this morning and this afternoon but about noon it was quite cool and looked very rainy Friday June 12th I was up at four o'clock this morning and wrote in this and hoed in the garden till five. I then started to do chores and by leaving the stables for Huby to clean out and not cleaning any horses but Belle & Harry I managed to get into the field a very few minutes after seven. I worked steadily all day although I slept a little at the same time I got it all cross disked by about four o'clock and about half of it rolled. Dad got out about half past eight this morning and finished crossing with the diamond tooth and harrowed it all over with the drags by six to-night. It made quite a long day for his team and Ginger seems pretty tired but Osprey aparently is all right. Huby is going to try and get Bill Oakes to come over and mark it for us in the morning and we hope to get it planted. Quite chilly all morning & windy but sunny and pretty hot after dinner. Frank has gone down to the show to-night. 77 �Saturday June 13th Huby and Bill came over this morning at seven o'clock and Bill and I got right out and started to mark the corn ground. We took Harry & Belle and they proved to be a great improvement on Harry and Joe as a corn marking team. Bill made a beautiful job of it, with very little blasphemy. He got through a little before noon and stayed here to dinner. He said no other man but Dad would have got him to-day as he was very busy and has to be back this after noon. He shouldn't have come away this morning but George Gamble relieved him They are putting the canopy top on the new launch that he and George have just finished building for George Faulmsly. Frank scoured the country this morining in search of corn planters, we have one of our own and we wanted two more. He got one from John Wess which proved very satisfactory and one from Tupper which proved very unsatisfactory. It was an ancient and decrepit looking instrument with one handle and a spring and foot at the bottom to open it and release the corn. Huby took John Wesses and after he got his gait had no trouble at all. Dad. took our own and it was all right, but I got Tupper's and had to quit about the fourth hill, the corn came out from all over it, so I left it and went over to Alfred's, to borrow his. I went through Sam's place but he didn't have one. He said he borrowed Charlie McQueens two years ago and it was a good one. Alfred gave me one he said was a dandy. I brought it home but couldn't do anything with it, so traded with Dad. He worked it awhile but at last decided it was no good. By this time it was about half past four and he decided to go up and do chores so Huby and I stayed there till about eight o'clock when we ran out of seed although Dad. had sent some more out. We only had six more rows to plant, but my back was nearly broken and I was fairly hungry. We left a sand knoll near the south west corner of the field to plant potatoes and roots on. Lila and Dorothy Anderson have been over all day nursing Tiddums, who didn't seem to mind it much. Win came over for a little while this evening and said that Uncle Ward wants to get Huby for all day Monday. She didn't know what for but we supposed it was to set out tomato plants, Dad. told Huby to tell him that he wouldn't see him stuck but if possible to get someone else. Cloudy most of the day and cool. Sunday June 14th I didn't get up this morning till eight o'clock. and haven't done any thing all day but loaf around and do chores. Frank went down to Sunday school this morning but there was no church. They said Mr. Johnson had gone away and a temperance man was supposed to take his place but he never showed up, so Frank came home. I was out in the shop trying to caulk up the cracks in the chicken trough so as they would hold water when we heard some 78 �crows. We took the shotgun and started out in pursuit. We saw them flying around in the vicinity of the corn field but they were not within a mile of the place when we got there. We hid in a thick bush for quite awhile but no crows showed up, so we took a walk up the gully to Ivey's strawberry patch and made a careful examination of all the plants we could find, but there were very few ripe ones. We got all there were and nearly all the half ripe ones, which seemed to be much more edible than they generally are. It was about half past twelve when we got up to the house and Dad was getting ready to put the harness on Osprey. We got the cart out and it was very rickety. We oiled one wheel but couldn't get the other one off We hooked Osprey to it though and Dad. got on. Osprey didn't know just what was expected of him at first and cut up a little down at the end of the lane but once he got started he went beautifully. Dad took him down to Jonas' corner and then up the other way and down the side road to Flemming's corner and I couldn see but what he trotted pretty straight Dad said he didn't like doing it on Sunday but I think he enjoyed it when he got started. He doesn't feel very well to day. We had dinner about three much to Enah's disgust and after dinner Dad. Enah and Tiddums drove down with Quint's tent and some bed springs. The gas drillers are going to camp down at Black Heath and they wanted this tent to cook in Charlie Martin came over for a visit a little while before they left but didn't stay long after. Frank spent the after noon down with the Ryersie's. We just did chores to night and went to bed soon after tea. Nice day but cool breeze Monday June 15th Craig Long came over before breakfast this morning to see Dad about Ivey's mare. She was down and in pain and he didn't know what ailed her, so Dad. went over right after break fast to see her. She had the colic and he told them to send for Bart if she did not show any symptoms of improvement, but she was better in a short time. Dad. went from there down to Martin's - and I came down with Joe and the cart as soon as I had break fast and got two bushels of potatoes for seed. They are very small so we will exchange the same ammount of them for the ones of Preston's that are left in the cellar. Frank went over to Preston's before school and found out that he could get a couple of bushels there so I went right down there and got them as soon as I got home from Martin's. I then shelled enough seed corn to finish planting and went out and finished. Dad went out and furrowed out the potatoe patch. After dinner we did up the chores and hooked Harry and Belle to the waggon and went down town to get some provisions and a pile of sand for Tiddums to play in. Huby has been agitating that move for quite awhile. He wants a pile on each side of the wood shed so Tiddums can always be in the shade. We took Enah and Tiddums and the 79 �baby carriage down with us and Enah walked home. Tiddums went to sleep before he got home and never woke up all evening. We saw Huby down at Uncle Wards, having a great time. He had three or four kids which he said were the best in town and they had all their tomatoes set out and waiting for more and a lot of potatoes planted. Chris said that they found Martin's dog but he was dead down at Sovereign's. Charlie Martin had told Mr. Flemming to shoot at it if it came around his place so Mr. Flemming did just to scare it. He didn't know he had killed it till they found it. He felt very badly about but Jack. felt worse. He wouldn't have taken fifty dollars for it. They say poor old Jimmy Larose has been sent down for eighteen months for forging a check, sunny, cool breeze. Tuesday June 16th I went over to Martin's first thing this morning and sold my eggs and got some scratch feed for the little fellows. I hadn't been home very long when Billy Louis came in with Tupper's team and fancy buggy and the news that Tupper wanted a couple of men for a couple of hours so as Dad. felt pretty miserable he said for Huby and me to go. Huby jumped at the chance of a ride in such a carriage and would have climbed over the back of the seat he said if Billy hadn't have tipped up the front ones and let him into a sort of trap nest. When we got over there Huby didn't know how to get out. We found old Maneer was bossing the job. All they are doing is raising the peak of the roof to square pitch, so we simply had to lift on the rafters with shores and when we got them up to the desired height didn't do anything but sit around and talk, while some of those who appeared to enjoy it worked like niggers spiking pieces on the ends of the rafters to meet at the peak. We stayed to dinner and hung around a little while after dinner - and helped raise a very little. Old Maneer was going to leave at noon to go to Vittoria as Andrew Innes is having a mass meeting there today, but I guess Tupper induced him to stay. We came home soon after dinner. Huby said he had a lovely time "socially" but didn't know whether he rendered much valuable assistance. The rest of the gang certainly appeared to enjoy his company. We got home about two o'clock or after and after I did up the chores I went out and planted beans on the two outside rows on each side of the cornfield. I planted them with the planter but couldn't see the marks along the head land. Dad. has felt too rotten to do anything to-day. It has been almost cold all day although sunny but cold wind. Wednesday June 17th Frank's exams started to-day at noon so he didn't have to go to school this morning. Rigt after breakfast he and I went out and planted mangel and turnip seed in the rows we left 80 �for them on the knoll in the cornfield. We planted two rows of each and seemed to have about as much seed when we got through as when we started and we watched to see that it was being planted plenty thick enough. We only had the four rows so I don't know what we will do with the rest of the seed. Huby and Dad. cut potatoes while we were out there so when we got through we came and got some and got quite a few rows planted before dinner. Huby and I went out after dinner and planted all there were cut which were Preston's, we had nearly 15 rows of them. We then brought out Jack Martin's, and planted over nine rows of them which was all there was in the field. They were much smaller so we had quite a few left and we think we will planted them in the old garden Dad. harrowed them in. Huby and I went and spread the manure Dad. hauled out on it last winter. Win was over to dinner to-day her exams are over. Mrs. McBride was here all after noon and nearly all evening washing and ironing. Whit Dixon & Bob. Miller drove over after tea to look at Fred's calf. Frank went back to the gully with them. The steer with Spottys last year's calf were through the fence into Ivey's but they got them back. Bob. told Dad. he would take him and not due him a dollar on the price which was $75.00. Mr. & Mrs. Lea Marshall were in before they left. Tom. Abbot. had told them we had a horse for sale so he came to look at it. Dad. took Osprey out and paraded him around and I think Lea might have taken him but his wife thought he wasn't big enoug to fit the price $150.00. She said he was worth about $125.00 However we are to hook him up and take him down some night so they can see him in harness. Dad. brought Ginger and Joe out and she was stuck on them especially Ginger but Dad. would not think of selling them. She thought Ginger was bigger than Osprey but Dad. told her she was mistaken. She said she wasn't as heavy but she was taller and in reality Ginger is about a head shorter but heavier than Osprey. She guessed Joe's age (thirteen) first time although Dad. told her Joe was the biggest colt in the stable. It has been pretty cool and dry all day. Thursday June 18th Dad. and I hooked to the waggon this morning and took the buggy down to Joe Howel's to have the tires set and brought back a load of fence posts, we unloaded them out along the top of the gully where we want to put them in. We were talking to Uncle Ward and he said they would be terribly hard digging it was so hard, and he said the best way to do was to dig down about a foot and fill the hole with water and leave it for a day and then it would be just in right shape. Huby spent the morning fixing the orchard fence so we can let the calves out. This after noon He. and Dad hung the gate we brought over from his place and let the five calves in the orchard. We didn't let Horace out as Dad. has to wean him from 81 �Erie and teach him to drink first. I hoed in the garden while they were at that and Col. McDonald came over. I had never seen him before and Huby didn't recognise him at first but Dad. knew him first thing. He said he and other officers of the insurance company were up taking a motor trip through this country visiting their agents. He didn't know when he started out that Dover was on the list. Dad was very glad to see him and appreciated his visit very much. About four o'clock Dad took the team out and we went to finish planting potatoes, just plow them right under the sod, but we only got two rows planted when a big thunder shower came up and we had to seek shelter at the house. Dad. and Huby got soaked but I got there a little sooner so didn't get the worst of it. Frank was back in the gully with the shotgun so he got a pretty good soaking. We heard the gun go off he shot at a crow, both barrels went off at the same time but he missed the crow. His papers have been pretty easy so far the only one he is much afraid of is the spelling. It didn't rain very long but freshened things up considerably. It has been very hot and sultry to-day but is cooler since the rain. Tiddums feels in a very festive humor to-night. The house is all torn up from the ravages of house cleaning and he thinks it's great. Friday June 19th I got up at four this morning and wrote in this till five. I then hurried through chores and cut quite a lot of grass on the front lawn. It rained a little about breakfast and looked so cloudy afterwards that Dad. didn't like to take the team out so he and I hoed in the garden and Huby worked in the shop. About ten Dad. thought it wasn't going to rain so we went out and ploughed in the rest of the potatoes in the patch we were at in the old garden. It began to rain just as Huby and I were through so we dug for the shop and got pretty wet but Dad. had to plough a little more so got properly soaked. We didn't do anything till after dinner. It stopped raining soon after dinner and when we got our chores done Dad. hooked Osprey to the cart again and took him down the road away with satisfactory results. We then hooked up the big team to the waggon and Dad & Huby and I went down town. Huby stayed down and Dad. & I went up and got our buggy from Joe Howell On our way back we got 18 more fence posts from Tommy. Frank is through his exams, he thinks he did fairly well on most of the papers. I saw Lila to-night she said both Huby's goslings were dead, died from exposure. Cold & wet. Saturday June 20th I worked all morning on the front lawn. I got all the long grass cut with the scythe and a good patch cut with the lawnmower, besides weeding out the flower beds. Dad. Huby and 82 �Frank went back and staked out the fence along the top of the gully and Huby. dug anchor post holes and bored ordinary post holes all day. Dad. fixed fence and plastered up some holes in our bed room this morning and this afternoon hooked Osprey up to the cart and took him for a little jaunt and then rolled down most of the buckwheat ground and the potato patches. I went down to meet Dick to-night. He came on the Woodstock train so was home early. He had a great time in Toledo and I guess enjoyed his holidays immensly. Lila was over here all day. Harry Ansley was over this morning electioneering. He told Huby he could get him the job of deputy returning officer but Huby didn't want it. It has been sunny & fair all day but cool wind. Sunday June 21st Frank rode his wheel down to Sunday school this morning and I drove Enah down to church. We called around by Huby's on our way home but didn't see any sign of the Lang's - This after noon it looked rather rainy so I read and played duets with Enah. Dad. sat around and slept and did all the chores. About four o'clock he took Osprey out all the way around the block. Frank went back to the gully and brought home some lovely {illegible}. Dick went down town after dinner with the intention of going to church to night. Elva. & Mr. Brady were over for a few minutes on the latter's motor cycle which was inclined to be balky. They had a side saddle rigged on behind for Elva. Jack Martin and Mr. {Culp?} were over for a little while before (tea looking at the horses. It has been cloudy all day and sprinkled a few times but not much Monday June 22nd Huby dug post holes all day and I helped him set the posts and tamp them in. We had to do a little surveying after dinner to get the two anchor posts in line which go lengthwise with the field. We got all the posts except anchor and brace posts, between the road and the jog in the fence which is just half way. I helped Dad. take the anchor posts out this morning and then he went down to the mill for some feed. This after noon he rolled down the rest of the buckwheat ground and disked the old garden where we planted the potatoes He started to harrow the corn ground, the corn is just coming up but quit at five and took Osprey around the block. They were doing road work over by McQueen's but he never paid any attention to them, He said someone shot a gun off right beside them going down Preston's hill and he never jumped. He has never seen an automobile yet. Tupper and Billy Louis came over this mornin to night to invite Dad. to Tupper's raising tomorrow. He has the roof off the other half of the barn now and is going to put plates up to run right through. 83 �Frank finished putting in the garden to-day he planted carrots beets and beans. Cloudy but not so cool. Tuesday June 23rd Dad went over to Tupper's raising as soon after seven as he could this morning and was over there till after dinner. This afternoon he finished harrowing the corn ground. Huby and I worked at the fence all morning. It took us a good part of the morning to get it lined out on account of two or three little dips where we couldn't see the stakes. We dug two more anchor post holes I dug one and Huby the other. I got mine started all crooked but fixed it so as the post will sit straight. We got the posts set part way across the field. The ground is getting pretty hard. When I came in to-night, the temperature in the incubator had gone up to 110°. I don't know whether it cooked all the chickens or not. It couldn't have been that way very long because I looked at it at noon, and as they are due to hatch in a day or so I think mabee they will be strong enough to stand it. To-night Dad. and I drove Joe and Osprey down to Lea Marshall's but he had gone to lodge so we told Mrs. Marshall we would be down again in the morning. Old Tom Abbot told us he was pretty sure Lea would take him if we dropped the price a little. It has been very hot & sultry. Wednesday June 24th Dad. and I got started about nine o'clock for Marshall's with Joe and Osprey. He took quite awhile to decide but at last bought him. I came down to $135 and he wouldn't go higher that $130 so we split the difference. He said he would come and get him in a few days. A big thunder cloud came up while we were gone and it began to rain just as we got home. Huby was back at the fence - and got soaked. It didn't rain very long but came out almost unbearably hot and sultry after it although there was a strong wind but it seemed hot too. We didn't do any thing much before dinner but this after noon worked at the fence. Huby dug the last anchor post hole but the ground was so hard that I only got two holes bored and three or four started, so I got a couple of pails and filled the holes all up with water. Huby is afraid we got a little low in the line going through one of the little dips and I guess we did. He went over to Ivey's and got a hat full of strawberries to refresh us a little. Bob. Davis was in this after noon. Dad. worked around the house till he came and then struck out four or five lands in the buckwheat ground. Mrs. McBride was here to-day and they have ripped the paper all of the kitchen walls. She is coming to paper it on Saturday if all's well. Frank and I went down for a swim at Quanburys to-night and Enah and Dad went down town to get Slocomb to come over and do some plastering in the kitchen. We saw Tupper 84 �to-night and he told us that there was a car of crushed stone to haul on the Winding Hill but Dad. told him we wouldn't have time to do it. Very hot. Thursday June 25th Slocomb and his man came over about eight and were all morning patching the kitchen, there was a lot to do. Dad. helped them and I did chores and got some of the chicken wire stretched along the fence between the garden and orchard. Huby dug post holes all day but the ground is very hard and he had to put water in a lot of them. This afternoon Dad and I went and got a load of gravel Enah and Tiddums went down with us and we took the baby carriage and they Enah walked home. We couldn't get any gravel on the beach but as Bob. Law was down there Dad. bought a load from him and he charged Dad a dollar We took it right out to the field when we got home and a couple of bags of cement and left a pile at each anchor place where we are going to put an anchor post. It was time to do chores when we got through with that it was time to After tea Dad. and I went down to hear Pratt. He has got to be quite an orator, and I think turned several who were a little doubtful which to vote for. He pointed out how the Whitney administration had closed so many bars where the two Liberal governments before him although they had made great promises the same as Rowel is doing now had not done a thing.. He had a wine list of the Ontario Club which is the headquarters for the Liberal party in Town and he said it was the most compete and elaborate list of drinks he had ever seen and among the list of directors he read out Mr. Rowel and several other temperance politicians. It was a good speech anyway and we were glad we went. Frank rode his wheel down. Lea Marshall and Jack Richardson were in to-night and Lea wanted to take Osprey wth them but as they were going to town first and would have to stand him in Henderson's barn. The other fellow persuaded him to leave him and we told him we would take him down to-morrow night. Hot all day. Friday June 26th I took some eggs over to Jack Martin's this morning but he has stopped buying them. Old Ivey came over about nine o'clock and wanted Dad. to come over and roll down the field he is getting ready for tomatoes. He said the factory fellows were over this morning. The have rented it and he prepares the ground for them then they plant them and look after them altogether after that. He seemed in such a pinch and offered fifty cents an hour so Dad. sent me over. I was over there about seven hours so didn't do so badly. Huby and Dad. worked all day setting the anchor posts along the line of the new fence. Dad. had to go down to a school board meeting but it wasn't very important. Fairly hot all day. 85 �Saturday June 27th Dad. and I cultivated the corn and potatoes in the garden this morning and then I hoed in it all day and got over nearly all of it. Huby and Dad. finished setting their anchor posts today. Mrs. McBride was here all day and stayed till twelve o'clock to-night papering the kitchen. She had poor Frank helping her and he put in an awful day of it. Dick came home to tea to-night to inform me that there was a band practice on at eight o'clock as it was then half past six and I hadn't got all the chores done or had my tea it made me hump to get down there by half past eight. They were practising for Decoration day to-morrow. I drove down and got home about ten just before a big thunder storm came up Mrs McBride papered up till twelve and then went home with the lantern and wouldn't listen to anyone going with her and it was too dark to drive. Henry {Odd?} came over this morning and got some more seed corn they soaked the last they planted in zincoleum and it never sprouted. Cloudy & threatening. Sunday June 28th We took the little chickens out of the incubator this morning and gave 16 to each of the four hens, there were sixty five but one was a cripple so we killed it. Dad fixed up some coops for them this morning while I cleaned my horn or tried to. It took me till dinner time and right after I had to hike down to the band room. It was a dandy day for a march as it was much cooler after yesterday's rain but on account of puddles we had to go on the side walk - Walt. had two Simcoe fellows on the baritone and alto - and a stranger who is working here for the summer on a cornet - so we had a pretty good band. I couldn't do much as I haven't had any practice either in playing or marching but still managed to escape from making any conspicuous errors. I was down at Huby's for awhile after we got through and when I got home We put the old hens with chickens all out under coops. None were dead yet but Dad. had to change one hen as she was pecking the little fellows and had several with raw spots on their heads.. Cloudy and cool all day quite cold to-night. Monday June 29th I ploughed all day to-day around the strike outs which Dad. made the other day. Huby didn't come over till late as he had to vote for Pratt. Walt McCall brought him and Lila over in an automobile and took Dad. out to Wiggin's to vote. They went around by Myer's and called for old Jonas and he went out and cast his ballot for Pratt.The Myer's were very much annoyed at it as Lorne had tried to induce him to go with him and vote for Andrew. The 86 �latest news we heard to-night was that Pratt was elected, Andrew got a big majority in Dover and Woodhouse but Houghton & Walsingham sent Pratt's majority way up. There was quite an interesting article in the Globe to-day about a lawsuit which has just been opened by A.C. Pratt, Conservative candidate for South Norfolk againss Fred Mossop, proprietor of the Hotel Mossop Toronto for damages in a series of poker games amounting to I think something like $3500.00. It is a sort of counter claim against a suit Mossop entered against Pratt for over $500. owing to him. This is a very nice mix-up for Mr. Pratt. anyway just before election and now people will know that he is more than a crooked skunk but a fool and a poor sport as these games have been going on for a long time and Pratt's been getting skinned right along. This after noon Huby Dad. & Frank set some of the braces and brace posts. Drizzled most of the day and has been cool. Tuesday June 30th When Huby came over this morning he told us that the Whitney Government was returned with an overwhelming majority and Pratt had beaten Andrew by 130 something. Old Tom was in next hurrahing for Pratt and he got a little Union Jack here and tacked on the front of his rig. He said he didn't know whether he would ever get back alive sallying forth in that manner into the teeth of the Innes men down east. Huby and I spent the whole day back in the gully barricading the little poplars. Huby bored holes three feet deep with the post auger and I stuck in rails we got four done and the hole started for five. We are going to stretch wire barbed if we can get enough of it around the rails. It was a slow job as the ground was pretty hard in lots of places. Dad. did some patch plastering in the pantry this morning and plowed the rest of the day he finished the land that I was at and struck out the rest of the fields. Enah and Frank papered the pantry all but part of the border. Mr. Johnson went past this morning in his automobile with Winnie, Lila, Norah Cunningham and some other girls on a wild strawberry hunt and they came in and paid Dad. a visit on their way back. Frank has been investigating in the corn and reports a large number of wireworms in places which news causes Dad. much distress as the corn is all up so nicely. The mangels and turnips are also up but there is no sign of the potatoes yet. It has been pretty hot today. Wednesday July 1st The first thing on the programme for to-day's celebration was a little foot raise by Tiddums. He was sitting by Enah at break fast and while she was pouring the coffee the handle came off the coffee pot and the red hot liquid spilt on Tiddum's foot. He had his stockings pinned 87 �on and by the time they were off the skin was off his foot. It gave him a horrible scald but only blistered one foot. He cried himself to sleep after a while and when he woke up felt very much like himself again as long as people would leave his foot alone but there are some beautiful blisters on it. Mrs. McBride came and worked around most of the morning. Dick went down town but didn't have to work much so helped Joe on the merry-go-round. Frank spent the after noon and evening down town but came home to tea. For the first time that I can remember I spent the entire first of July at home. Huby came over and we went back to the gully to finish barricading the little trees but didn't get much done on account of the rain. Dad rolled down what he ploughed this morning and this after noon we hung around till Bob. Davis came and then Dad. undertook to ring the old sow. He fooled around trying to get a rope in her mouth and when he did and made three attemts to ring her with one ring sticking the rope slipped out of her mouth I thought it would take all the after noon unless the old sow got mad and ripped Dad's leg off so I came in the house and wrote in this pesky thing. Huby wasn't any to keen about and Dad. couldn't manage alone so they worked in the garden till five o'clock when we quit to do chores. Mr. Brady came over on his motor cycle with a bottle of mentholatum salve Elva sent over for Tiddums foot. There was an editorial in "The Globe yesterday relating to A.C. Pratt's gambling and intimating that there were points in common between that episode and the one referred to in Bret Hartes poem entitled the "Heathen Chinee" Cloudy and cool all day and drizzly to rainy off and on all day. Thursday July 2nd I ploughed all day around Dad's strike outs and rolled down what I ploughed to-night. About another day will finish the ploughing but we want to start haying as soon as possible. Huby Dad. & Frank worked at the fence all morning fixing braces and putting in some extrat posts. Dad. hauled the wire out and this after noon Dad. & Huby set a lot of it up along the posts as they didn't know whether Sid McBride could come or not right away and Dad is anxious to let the cows in that end of the gully, but about five to-night Frank rode his wheel down to Marburg and saw Sid. McBride. He said he would be up tomorrow after noon. Dad. and Huby came up early and ground one of the mower knives so as we can get started tomorrow. Enah and Tiddums went down town this after noon. Lila was over all day. Charlie Martin came over and borrowed the disks for some thing. Mrs. Innes told Enah that Perce Brock was here yesterday and had been to a lawyer to see if he could claim his baby who has been down at old Mrs. Well's for the last two months. The lawyer told him that if he could prove that he was more capable of caring for it that its mother that he should have it. 88 �So Perce said it was the only thing he had to live for and meant to have it as he had a good place for it in St. Thomas, it seems his wife and her mother have all gone to the dogs and the baby has been in a home. So this morning when he knew Mrs. Wells was up town he went up to the house and found Mat. Lawrie looking after the kid, so grabbed it and lit out hotfoot up St. Patrick St. and up to his mother's where his sister was waiting with a horse and rig to drive him to Simcoe where he caught the St. Thomas train. Cloudy, hot, cool wind. Friday July 3rd I tried to get an early start this morning but as it took a little time to get the mower into running order I didn't get out till after eight. Dad. went the first round with me and then I mowed pretty steadily all day. I started on the south east corner field and have a good chunk down but it will take a couple of hours to finish. Huby and Dad & Frank hauled out some rocks on the stone boat this morning to put in the dips along the fence to anchor it. This after noon they put wire around a couple of the trees in the gully and waited around for Sid McBride but he never showed up, so that will put us out a little as we hoped to get the fence up to-day. Mrs. Woodson and Betty were over to-night to inquire after Tiddums foot. He doesn't seem to feel it much as he tramps all around the floor in his sock feet. Old Tom Abbot told us that Osprey rolled into a wire fence in pasture last night and will have to be laid up for awhile. He was getting along fine and Marshall was very well pleased with him. Tom. said Roy Hammond was telling around that he supposed we passed off the horse that was so badly poisoned with alsike last fall. He must think Marshall is an awful fool or else doesnt know what alsike poison is like for old Dave's feet show the scars yet and probably always will. Cloudy this morning but sunny and pretty hot this after noon. Saturday July 4th I finished mowing about half past ten this morning and hooked right on to the rake and finished raking about five o'clock. Dad. & Frank went down in the waggon with Joe & Ginger and got a couple of bushels of buckwheat for seed and took the wool down but the mill was closed as usual on Saturday and the watchman put it in the wool house. Huby waited down for them thinking they would take the tank he got for us but it was bolted fast to the trucks and Dad. didn't want to take time to get it loose. They got over about eleven and put up a few cocks before dinner. Sid. McBride came after dinner so Huby, Dad & Frank had to help him, they worked till after six but have the fence all stretched in fine shape but it isn't stapled yet. I just did up my chores when I got through raking. Enah went down to Maud Jamieson's sale this after noon but nearly every thing was sold when she got there. Cousin 89 �Clare was over for a little while this after noon and Lila most of the day. Sid McBride stayed to tea and it was late when we got through and Dad. had to milk after wards but Huby, Frank and I went out and cocked up hay. It was moonlight but rather cloudy most of the time so wasn't very light We worked till after eleven and got quite a chunk done. Dad. came out and relieved Frank a little while before we quit. I drove Huby home and got back about one. Enah spent the evening painting the oilcloth in the kitchen and the floor around the edge so I had to go to bed via the window. One of the Scotch mail-men was in to see Dad. to day about his horse which he said was sore inside. J.H. Butler died this morning and Capt. Spain & Mrs. Dave Turner are very low. Fairly hot to-day. Sunday July 5th Enah and I managed to get to church this morning although we didn't get up till very late. Frank didn't go to Sunday school or church but went for a swim and while riding around on his wheel caught his shoe in the chain and got upset and hurt his arm. Dick spent the morning in bed and went down town after dinner. Enah had to play the organ as Topsy who has applied for the job and who has been practising came this morning without her hat and had to go back to the Methodist choir for to-day where they eliminate their roofs. This after noon the family spent in peaceful slumber or literary pursuits. I hit the hay about three and never got up till six. Then chores and a family gathering on the front step to partake of some sandwiches and cake. Old man West was over this after noon to tear off a few fairy tales and disturb all the family but me. Lovely day sunny but not scorching. Monday July 6th We didn't get a very early start this morning and I ploughed till noon - and Huby and Dad. cocked up hay. Frank was exempt from strenuous labor owing to his injured wrist which he deems necessary to be exceptionally careful of. He took John Wess' corn planter home and went over to McPherson's to inquire after our bees. They have a skip in the hive for us and we can get them anytime. He came home around by Tupper's and borrowed his corn cultivator as it has a special thistle cutter on it but he didn't bring it home with him. This after noon Dad. finished up what I plowed and has just a couple more loads to finish up to have the field all turned under. Huby and I continued to cock up but didn't get through. Frank spent some time picking paper off the kitchen oilcloth which is out on the lawn. Enah painted it Saturday night right here on the kitchen floor and yesterday morning it wasn't dry so she put down a lot of newspapers down but they all stuck to the paint and made an awful mess of it. Frank scraped a lot off and then went down town and got the mail. He also 90 �saw the Doctor about his wrist and he put a bandage on it and told him to keep it there for a week Frank has it in a sling and I think is highly satisfied. Lila was over most of the day. The old guinea hatched out to-day but we don't think she had an extra good hatch. It would have been very hot to-day but for a cool nice breeze. Tuesday July 7th This being Dad's birthday and everybody wishing him a happy one and many returns we put in about the most strenuous day this summer. Dad. decided we had better haul in the hay before any rain gets on it although we are very anxious to get the buckwheat in and the thistles are whooping it up in the cornfield. It took us a long time to get started as various preparations had to be made for the slings, but we got one load in and off before dinner but not before twelve. This after noon we managed to get in three good sized ones and left the last on the barn floor. Huby helped us put on the last two but bunched up the winrows while we were unloading. This morning he had to throw a lot of old straw out of the bay in the big barn where we are putting the hay. As a little special sensation for Dad. the cows all came up early, the first time they have done it since they were out this year - and as the gates were all open - got into the garden before Frank noticed them and trimmed the "Country Gentleman" corn completely. We had the colts shut up in the stable and the sheep in the orchard. We had quite a time putting them in this morning as they would get nearly to the gate when one fool would run back and the rest of course all follow. They got in to the garden on trip and trimmed what little they could in half a minute. Frank of course is about useless but does a little with one hand. He helped Enah paint the oil cloth this after noon which they put out between the stable and the barn he also painted his wheel. Winnie was over this morning to dinner and Lila this after noon. It has been pretty warm to-day but a nice breeze Wednesday July 8th We hauled hay all day to-day and got in five loads leaving the last one on the barn floor. I went down town to-night to get my hair cut and got wet - owing to the fact that I indulged in two swims. I had one on my way down below Quanbury's but it was a premeditated one, then while I was in the barber shop Kindree came in to invite {Corny?} to go in and I joined them. Charlie Cooper and Booze Waddle also went we went in the pond at the danger sign and had a good one. I saw Dick with a new bank clerk. The other poor fellow is too sick to work and is going back home to-morrow. When I got home we had quite a hunt for some 91 �pills which Huby gave Dad for his birthday, and which Huby is very anxious for him to take as he thinks it will cure his arm. Hot and dry. Thursday July 9th Huby didn't come over till noon to-day as he had to attend to Mrs. Faulmsbee's insurance so we didn't try to haul in any hay. Frank and I took the team and waggon and went over to Tupper's first thing and borrowed his cultivator, he had to put the thistle cutter on which were the advantage it had over our own. When we got home we went down to the mill and got a couple of sacks of shorts for the pigs. Dad. had been training Jonas's mare to cultivate in the garden with our own cultivator but when we came took her out to the cornfield and worked with her till noon. She goes pretty well but gets rammy at the ends of the rows and walks fast. When we got back from the mill I hooked the team to the disks and disked on the buckwheat ground till noon. Huby came over at noon and we hauled in hay, we didn't rush at it so it was dark when we hauled the last load in but we had had our tea at six o'clock. We got in three loads and all we are going take off that field. There are a few winrows of couch grass which Tom Abbot is going to take as we don't want the seed to get in the manure. It has been very hot everything is drying up and we need a rain badly. Friday July 10th Huby Frank and I spent the whole day in the gully, we put the wire around the four little trees which we had the stakes around. This took us a long time as we put split rails around the stakes to brace them. Dad. & Huby did two the other day. Frank sat around with his pesky arm which everybody is getting heartily tired of. We used him principally as an object to heap abusive language on. We went all around the fence and patched it up as well as possible but it is in awful shape. We didn't do anything to the culvert hoping that the cows will be so delighted with the new pasture that they will not try to escape through the culvert till we can make a good fix of it. We let them all in to-night and the first thing they did was to tramp straight down along the creek and examine all the tree barricades. Tonight Frank and I went for a swim down below Quanbury's. Frank couldn't resist the temptation in spite of his poor wrist which he has been unable to wash for a week on account of the bandage but went in and swam around so now will have no excuse for not making a little use of it. Another very hot day, but nice breeze. Dad cultivated corn all day. Saturday July 11th 92 �Huby and Dad had a little work to attend to with the calves and pigs which took them an hour or so this morning. I took Belle out and cultivated a few rows of corn till Dad came out and relieved me. Then I went to help Huby staple on the wirefence, but I didn't feel very well for awhile so didn't do anything. Snowdrop got out at the culvert and stood in the middle of the road for about half an hour so we went down just before dinner to put her in. We met an old man on the road with a good looking setter and he and Huby had quite a conversation about sport. He wouldn't tell Huby his name but said Hec. Henderson would tell him. This after noon I felt better and we stapled on the wire fence - and then Huby went up and got a lot of wire and we barricaded the culvert. We stretched three strands of wire from the two posts each side of it and hung rails from the center at the bottom. It took us till after six quite a bit and then we took a look at Ivey's strawberry patch but there were hardly any left. To-night about eleven o'clock Dad. went out to wash his feet and and saw a fire down town. I lit right out for town but didn't know till I got to the top of the hill that it was the brickyard. The big building and the new long shed were beyond all hope when I got that far. I went down and sat on Huby's front step for awhile. Then Frank came down on his wheel and rode over to it he said the machinery was all ruined. I came part way home with old Jonas and induced him to go for a swim with me below Quanbury's. It was about midnight then. Frank has been driving his old mare all day. He went down town with her this morning and washed the buggy. This after noon he drove Enah and Tiddums down town. Warm but breezy all day. Dad got over the corn lengthwise going twice in a row and has started going crosswise. Sunday July 12th We didn't get up till very late this morning but I managed to get down to church. Frank also went down to church and Sunday School. Before we finished dinner Mr. and Mrs. Jim Waddle came over and stayed all the after noon. It was very hot this morning but began to rain the middle of the after noon and cooled things off. It didn't rain very long nor extra heavy. Tupper and a bunch of fellows drove in out of the rain and ran their buggy in the shed. Dick was in bed all morning down town this afternoon and at church to-night. Frank went down town on his wheel for a little while to look at the debris over at the brickyard. There was no insurance on the buildings, the rate being to high to carry it. They don't know at all how it started. A cow and calf got in the wheat this after noon & Frank and Bluch had quite a time with them. Monday July 13th 93 �Dad. & Frank went down town first thing this morning in the waggon and as it was so muddy they took Dick down with them. They got the tank at the Widespread which Huby has had ready for them for the last week or two. It is just a mate for the one we have and we are going to put it at the end of this one and connect them with a pipe at the top. Huby and Lila came back with them. I did chores and set out cabbage plants all morning. Huby helped me when he came, we got out a lot in the garden. Dad. worked on the buckwheat ground till noon. After dinner I disked the rest of the buckwheat ground and Dad. harrowed. Huby took all the rest of the cabbage plants and set them out in the corn field where there are hills of corn missed. He didn't get them all out by to-night so I guess we will be well fixed for cabbages next winter. Frank worked all day cleaning up the wood shed and the shop. He got a ticket from the inspector to-day bearing the joyful tidings that he had failed on his examination. He failed on Spelling and Arithmetic and was way down on the total. The failure doesn't appear to sit very heavy on his mind and I don't think he will lose very many meals over it. Dad. had to go down to a school board meeting to-night. Cloudy and not hot. Tuesday July 14th We worked on the buckwheat ground most of the day. I disked & rolled and this after noon Dad. sowed with the broadcast seeder. I harrowed after him till he finished and then he took the harrows and finished. He got the four two bushels on the four acres but had to go over some of it twice to cover it. Enah Frank and Tiddums went down to the Sunday school picnic this afternoon. I went down after tea thinking there might be a dance but I saw Joe and he said they were going to have a little dance but some of them left and delayed it so long that Morley closed up the pavillion. I fooled around with Joe, we went for a little drive but it began to rain so we went down to the moving picture show, we saw {Hale?} Long just as we came out and I didn't get home till nearly midnight. I picked Dick up at the bank he was talking to Douglas who is going to leave them soon. Huby worked in the garden all morning and picked all the cherries. Pretty cloudy all day and rain to-night. Wednesday July 15th We didn't get a very early start this morning but I cut hay all day and have quite a chunk of the timothy down; I had to leave one corner to cut afterwards as it is bounded on two side by ditches which I couldn't go over. I quit mowing before six and raked up what I cut this morning as it was dry. There is one spot or two where the timothy is not bad but most of it is very short blue grass. Dad cultivated the corn with Joe this after noon. He didn't do too badly. Huby and Frank worked in the garden. Huby got a lot of red cabbages from {Stan?} 94 �and set them out. Mrs. McBride was here all day, washing and stoning the cherries which Huby picked yesterday. Jonas presented us with a lot of vegetables to-night. Old Maneer was through here on his way to Tupper's to look at the shed. Pretty hot. Lila was over all day. The sheep all got out of the orchard to-day and got in the wheat. Thursday July 16th I finished cutting the hay this morning and raked it up after dinner. Then I helped Huby and Frank cock up we got quite a bit of it up, it will be a light crop. Dad. cultivated corn all morning with Joe but she didn't behave very well so he took Belle as soon as I got through raking. The Simcoe band came down to-night and we all went down to hear them Dad. Enah and Tiddums drove down and didn't stay very long but Frank and I walked and went in for as swim at Quanbury's on our way down. We went down to Huby's for a minute or so and he was the only one home. After the band quit we went over and watched the dance for awhile getting home about midnight. Hot with nice breeze. Friday Saturday July 17th Dad. cultivated corn all morning with Belle and Huby Frank and I cocked up hay. We got it all up but a few windrows. A big thunderstorm rolled in at noon but although there were some very close flashes of lightning and some beautiful cracks of thunder it didn't last long. It rained very hard for a few minutes but soon dried off. It was too wet to cock hay this after noon so Huby and Frank went back and fixed the fence where the cattle got into Ivey's last night. Dad. took Harry and I took Belle and we cultivated all the after noon. We didn't get a very early start or we would have finished. It has been cooler and breezy this afternoon. Saturday July 18th Dad. finished cultivating the corn this morning and went through the potatoes again. He also went through the potatoes in the old garden which are up enough to see. Huby and I thinned the turnips and Huby thinned the mangels and hoed some of the potatoes. This after noon we got the binder out and cut the wheat east of the orchard. It took quite awhile to get started but Dad. cut it by soon after six but it took the three of us Huby, Dad. & me till dark to shock it all up. It is a good crop with hardly a thistle in it. Frank cleaned the binder up this morning and has been hobnobbing around with old Jonas all the rest of the day. They went to Simcoe this after noon with Nellie & Jonas' old rattletrap of a democrat, and Frank got a hive and various apiary supplies. Lila was over all the after noon and Win most of the morning. It has been a nice day a little cloudy. 95 �Sunday July 19th Enah and I went to church this morning and Frank went down to Sunday school and church. Dick didn't get up till noon and then drove down town with me I went around and got Marj. Clarke and we had a very enjoyable drive When I got home Ed. was here and had been here all the after noon. Lovely day with nice breeze. Monday July 20th We put off the load of hay that was on the barn floor and then had to chance the car over to the horse stable as that is where we want to put the timothy. It took us quite awhile to get ready so we only got in one load before dinner and didn't get it unloaded. We unloaded it after dinner but as we have to use the fork in the horse stable it took quite awhile. We got one more in and unloaded and then about four o'clock I drove Enah down. We went around to Miss Battersby and got a hanging lamp which Miss Battersby gave us. I went down to the station as Marj. told me she was going to-night but I found she had changed her mind. Dad. cut alsike from about six till I had my tea and then I cut till dark while Dad. did chores. Nice day pretty hot. Tuesday July 21st I set the alarm for half past three this morning and although I heard it go off was too sleepy to get up and stayed in bed till Dad. called me about five. I got out to the alsike field as soon as possible and cut till after seven, but there is still quite a bit to cut yet. We got started hauling hay as soon as we could after break fast and got two in before dinner. It took a long time to put on a load as the cocks are so far apart we have to chase all over the field to get enough to make a load. After dinner we got all the hay there was left which wasn't quite a load and got it unloaded by a little before four. Dad. then went out and started to cut the wheat north of the orchard. Huby and Frank helped him shock up and as there wasn't anything very pressing for me to doo Enah Tiddums and I drove down town. They went to see Elva and she went down and got some ice cream with them and I went down to the station to say goodbye to Marj. She & Bessy Perry went to-night. Quite a strong breeze to-day but hot. Wednesday July 22nd Dad. took the alarm clock last night and got me up soon after half past four and I went out and finished the alsike soon after eight. Dad. took Nellie Green & Joe and raked up what 96 �was cut yesterday. We didn't have breakfast till after nine so Dad didn't get much of the wheat cut before noon. We noticed this morning that for some reason the windmill although revolving was not pumping. We surmised that some of the rods were uncoupled so Frank took Nellie & the democrat and went down and got old Felix. He was here all the after noon and found the valve in the cylinder had gone out order but he put in a new one Dad. finished cutting the wheat this after noon and we put the binder back in the woodshed. Huby and I shocked up for a little while before dinner but helped old Felix all the after noon so most of the wheat has to be shocked up any way. Frank went over to John Wess to-night to see if he would like a little help to-morrow as from here it looks as if he had a lot of hay out, and we knew he had no man. He was cutting wheat and expected to be at it to-morrow but said a man would come in hadny the next day, so I guess I will go over. Frank has put in most of the day running errands. He drove Felix home to-night and Huby went down with them. Felix told us that Jack McCarty cut his throat this morning. He has been sick for quite awhile and I suppose it has left him in bad shape. The papers are giving very apalling accounts of the terrible damage being done by the army worms in the counties directly north of us. They say they have struck the O.A.C. at Guelph. Pretty hot today. Thursday July 23rd Dad. routed me out again this morning before five and I went out and raked up the alsike finishing about seven. Huby got over early and went right out to shock up wheat. Frank went out soon after to help him and Dad. to help them as soon as he could and I to help them as soon as I got through with my chores. It didn't take long to finish it up but we were hindered a little by the horses all getting out on the road, they ran up the lane and as both the stable doors had been left open ran right through on to the road. Luckily they didn't go far either way and we managed to head them off without a great deal of difficulty. Enah ran out to help us and left Tiddums in his bath. When Dad. came in afterwards he found him standing up in the tub filling one of his (Dad's) slippers with water. and pouring it all over himself. When we got the wheat shocked up we hooked up to go after a load off the other piece. Huby & Frank cleaned up the barn floor while Dad. and I were after a load. By the time we got the first load off the waggon it was raining quite a shower so we couldn't haul any more. I hooked Joe up to the buggy and Huby and I drove down to see old Felix as the windmill was working again this morning without pumping and we thought the sucker must be again out of order. Felix said it would kill him to go out in the rain but that we could fix it any way. He said some of the scales off the inside of the pipe end jerked down and got 97 �underneath the valve and all it needed was a pail of water poured down the pipe. We tried it and sure enough the old coon was right. Huby had some insurance to do so didn't come back with me. This after noon Dad. took Belle and cultivated the potatoes in the field and garden. I cut the weeds around the wheat field we last cut. About four o'clock Dad. thought it was dry enough to haul wheat so we got started in about an hour after a load. We just got it unloaded by six but went out and got another and left it on the barn floor. Harry Harding was over for awhile to see Dad. but he couldn't stay long as his mother is in very bad shape and he didn't like to be away from her for very long at a time. Allan Law came in for a little while to see if he could borrow the manure spreader to-morrow. Frank rode down town tonight to get the mail and Huby told him that he didn't finish his insurance so wouldn't be able to be over to-morrow morning so I won't be able to go over and help John Wess as we have to get our own wheat in first of all. Cloudy but hot after the rain. Friday July 24th Frank rode over first thing to tell John Wess that I wouldn't be able to be over. He said that Crysler's man helped him yester day and was going to again to-day, and if he wanted me to-morrow he would come over, but Allan Law was in this morning to get the spreader and he said he was going to take John Wess a man to-night. We unloaded the load on the waggon as soon as we could get started after breakfast but only got in two before dinner. However we cleaned the one field. Tupper came in for awhile to ask us to bring back his cultivator and just as he was leaving he broke the cross bar on his buggy and had to borrow our shaftues. Zeitha Barwell came over for a little while to see if she and Mr. Crooker could come over this evening and practice som songs for the concert as they want Enah to play for them. We got in two loads off the other field this after noon. We got a late start and quit at five to have tea but unloaded a load after tea. Frank and I went down to Quanbury's for a swim - and Frank went on down and got them mail. When I got home Zeith, Miss Wimmer and Mr. Crooker were here Zeitha and Mr. Crooker were practicing with Enah while Verdi. was looking after Tiddums. He took her all over the place and enjoyed himself immensely. Old Jonas had Nellie to-day and sent her home with young Mertland one of his boarders kids who isn't bigger than a skinned minute and he let her come in the lane on the run and ran smash into the cutter in the drive house. I don't think he broke anything but I told him to tell Mr. Jonas to come after the mare and bring him home himself after this. As soon as we could get ready we left for Mrs.Scofield's where Aunty Maude and Ada were having a party although I felt much more like going to bed. Dad. stayed home to mind Tiddums but Enah Frank and I went Zeitha went with us to the party, but the other two didn't go. Frank didn't 98 �stay very long as Huby had to play bridge instead of spending the evening with Frank as he had wanted to. All the older people played cards but there was just a nice bunch to dance. They were nearly all strangers to me but I had a good time although it was awfully hot. Enah and I got home about three o'clock. Pretty hot. Thursday Saturday July 25th I woke up very suddenly this morning about five o'clock by having the two dogs barking and on investigation found two or three of Vyse's lambs in the garden. Dad. was out and was just getting them out. When I came to my senses I found I felt very rotten and had quite a bad pain. I went to sleep again for a little while and my pain got better but I still felt pretty miserable and haven't done any thing much all day although I felt better this after noon. I don't know what ailed me. all my bones seemed to ache and it hurt to take a long breath. Huby got over about nine o'clock. He said last night that his foot hurt him all day yesterday but he got a new pair of shoes and it isn't so bad to-day. He Dad. and Frank hauled in the rest of the wheat and I helped mow it away - we finished it up before five. They got in four loads. We then went out to get a load of alsike. Huby and Frank bunched up enough to make a load and Dad. pitched it on to me. It was very short and it took us till after six to put on a load and it wasn't a big one. My back got pretty tired. To-night Dad. Enah and Tiddums drove down town. Dad. got his nearly semi-annual crop of hair reaped and Enah and Tiddums went to Cousin Clare's. Frank rode down to the moving picture show. Dick didn't come home to-night and we suppose he went to Turkey Point with Hazen in the "Lake fly". They intended going up there to-night and stay at Tip Varey's cottage and then go across to Long Point and home to-morrow. Joe & {Hali"} Long were going in the "Pilot". We thought there would be quite a sea on as there was quite a strong South West wind. The last report of the army worm is that they have gone to camp at Niagara. I neglected to say that yesterday was my birthday and that I received handsome gifts, letters and good wishes from all members of the family. Breezy. Sunday July 26th I didn't get up till very late this morning and haven't been off the place all day. I just chored around slept & read and to-night wrote a letter to Aunty & Aunty Alice and another to Roy. Frank went down to church and Sunday school this morning and has been riding around on his wheel the rest of the day. He went to the stump for a swim to-night. Dad. Enah and Tiddums drove over to John Wess McBride's this morning before Tid. has his morning sleep and he hasn't slept a wink all day. Dad. tried to have a sleep this after noon but Tiddums 99 �wouldn't allow it. Dad. and Enah wanted to go down to the Methodist Church to hear Mr. Crooker sing but Tiddums wouldn't go to sleep and was inclined to be cranky so they didn't go. Dick got home late to-night burned to a crisp. I guess he didn't enjoy his sail as much as he expected. He and Hazen didnt get out of the boat till Sunday Morning and they left here at six o'clock Saturday night but there was no wind. They went over to Ryerson's Island where Joe & Hal. Long joined them and they went in for a swim. They saw Quint & George Hamaker over there. They had a good sail home they left at twelve and got here about two o'clock. Poor old A.M. Todd formerly of the "Maple Leaf" died to-day of heart failure while in bathing in the lake. They didn't find his body till about three hours afterwards when some people happened to run into it. Nobody missed him. Fair day. Monday July 27th We unloade the load of alsike we had on and got in one more and unloaded it before dinner. We got out right after dinner and managed to get in three by half past six. It is very slow stuff to handle it is so heavey & short and loose. Huby and Frank bunched up the first load, and then Frank bunched all the rest up this after noon. Frank Odd. came for Dad. while we were at dinner to go and see one of Flemming's horses so Huby and Frank pitched on after dinner till Dad. got back. Enah went down town this after noon to practice in the hall with some of the ones at the concert. Mr. Johnson brought Lila. Tiddums & her home at six. Lila and Tiddums stayed but Enah went back. Huby went down with them. She left word that Mr. Crooker never showed up and that Murray was coming up on the evening train and she wanted to practice with each of them. She got home about eleven and said that Murray didn't come and Mr. Crooker couldn't be found any where. She forgot and left today's paper down town but Lila says it reported bloodshed in Ireland. Cool and pretty breezy all day. We thought at noon we would get a rain but it seems to have passed over. Tuesday July 28th Huby didn't get over this morning as he had some insurance to look after but Dad. & I got in what was left of the alsike alone and Frank helped mowed it away. There was just one full load and a half of one. We left it on the waggon as it was half past twelve when we got in with it. This after noon we ground a mower knife and I got a few rounds cut in the blue grass and weeds this side of the gully while Dad. and Frank hoed some of the potatoes in the old garden. Dad. quit at five and I quit soon after so that he could get ready in plenty of tim for the concert. Billy Barwell came over at noon with some music for Enah to practice for the concert and he played around with Frank for quite awhile. Later Tuppy Fick brought Huby, 100 �Lila and Aunty Maude over in his car. Huby & Lila stayed and Aunty Maude took the musick back for Murray to practice. Huby went out and piled up the marsh grass we left out in the timothy sod to make duck hides. He thinks there will be lots of ducks next fall with the corn and buckwheat so near. When he got through Tuppy came back and got him. Tonight Dad. & Enah went to the church concert and Frank Lila & I stayed home with Tiddums. He went to sleep before they left and didn't wake up at all while they were gone. Dad. said he enjoyed the singing and playing of Zeitha, Miss Prest & Mr. Crooker very much and Pursell for his class, but the rest he didn't care for at all. Cloudy and cool all day and quite cold to-night. Nor'east wind. Wednesday July 29th Dad. & I hooked up Belle this morning and drove up to Bickler's. Dad. was never in there before but we found it to be a beautiful farm of 800 acres with the buildings set in a grove of natural timber a half a mile in from the road. It was gettin on to noon when we left there but we drove over to Dunkin's. He was down at a picnic at Port Ryersie so the young fellow told us so we went down there and saw him. He has had pretty rough luck again this year. He was sick all spring and nearly died and the young fellow had so much to look after that he lost five of his crop of eight lambs and the ones he has left don't look anything extra. He hasn't ours registered yet but is going to see about it as soon as he can. We heard several reports of the army worms on the radical road but didn't see any. Fred. Warren told us they were thick in all the pea fields but didn't seem to be doing any damage so we came to the conclusion they weren't the genuine army worm as they didn't seem to be anywhere but in the peas. Innes said they were the real thing and wouldn't take the peas green but will buy them thrashed. We got home about two o'clock. After we had our dinner I went out and cut a little more hay with Joe & Harry and Dad. cultivated corn & potatoes with Belle. Frank picked raspberries for Ivey this morning and helped Huby hoe potatoes this after noon. Mrs. McBride was here all day and looked after Tiddums this after noon while Enah took old Nellie and went to the Methodist Bazaar. Jonas sent a couple of kids after Nellie. He never said anything about wanting her to-day so he had to wait till Enah got back. Cool & windy no sign of rain. Thursday July 30th I cut hay all morning and nearly finished the piece I went out after dinner and only got a few rounds cut when the rivets came out of the pitman rod and it came loose so I had to quit mowing. I hooked on to the rake and raked for the remainder of the after noon but didn't 101 �get over it all. Dad cultivated corn all day. Huby didn't get over till noon and he burn a lot of worms nests in the trees. Frank and he hoed some thistles in the corn and potatoes and started to cock up hay but Enah called to them that the old sow was out and she got way down the road with all the little ones and it took them a long time to round her up, so they didn't get much hay cocked. They saw some fellows on the road who told them that the army worms were on Charlie Dixon's & Charlie Clalland's places and were skinning the oats; that is a Charlie Dixon who lives way out Black Creek on the fourth concession. John Wes. came over this forenoon to see if he could rent the manure spreader but Dad told him he would lend it to him, so he came over after dinner and got it. Tonight Frank went down to the moving picture show with Roy Bannister. An automobile came in after dark to-night and I think Dad. is holding a post mortem on a dog or something I don't know who the people are except their names are Simpson from Toronto. According to to-days reports nothing short of a miracle can prevent a general war in Europe. Austria has all ready declared war with Servia and Belgrade is taken. Russia is mobilizing an inormous army to support Servia and Germany. Britain and France are all beginning to squirm. Cool, cloudy day. Friday July 31st We spent quite awhile this morning watching Dad. operate on the dead dog. In daylight he found the left side of it full of shot and dug eleven no. 5 shot out of its hind leg. They had gone right through the flesh but didn't come through the skin. He then opened it and found a shot in its lungs and all through it so came to the conclusion that whoever shot it carried it to the lake and threw it in as that is where it was found dead. He thought it must have been fired at from close range but when Huby came he said a full choke gun would make the same pattern at forty yards. Huby didn't get over till quite late this morning as he didn't wake up and we didn't get out in the field till nearly ten o'clock. Frank took the pitman rod down and got Joe Howell to rivet it. The rest of us cocked up till he got back. Then I finished mowing before dinner. This after noon I finished raking about three o'clock - and then went out and cocked up with the rest of them. We didn't quite finish. Frank went over to John Wes's after dinner and brought Bluch home. He followed John Wes. home with the spreader yesterday and stayed all night. Jonas sent another hoach of kids after his mare again today and they chased her all over the field and then had to get Frank to help them so Dad. gave Jonas beans when he brought her home to-night. John Watts was in for a few minutes tonight to ask Dad. about a cow or some thing. Cool & breezy with a few clouds Frank went down after the paper to-night and went to tell Mr. Simpson about his dog. He has Aikens on the trail. 102 �Saturday August 1st Dad. and I put off the half load of alsike which was on the waggon and changed the car and pulleys from the barn to the horse stable it didn't take us very long as we didnt take any of the pulleys off the ropes Frank and Huby cocked up till we got out in the field and then Huby helped Dad. pitch on a load and Frank finished cocking up this afternoon we got one load in before dinner and three in this after noon but hauled the last one in on the barn floor and left it. We couldn't haul full loads as we had to use the slings and too big a lift wouldn't go in the doors but we got in some pretty good sized ones. I drove down town to-night with Huby to get provisions and the town was so full and the stores so crowded that I didn't get home till late. Frank went down on his wheel to see Professor Atkinson do some stunts in the town hall but I guess the show didnt ammount to much. Huby and I are planning a trip to-morrow to go and see Dr. McInnes about growing ginseng and come home by way of Billington's. It has been breezy and not hot all day. We need a rain very much everything is drying up and if it doesn't come soon it will be too late when it does come. Sunday August 2nd I got down to Huby's about nine o'clock and he was already to start but it took us quite awhile to get what we wanted to take loaded in the buggy. We had to take our lunch and several other things. Quint came home last night and he said he would like to accompany us so Huby fixed a seat in front of the dashboard for him so we didn't have to hold him on our knees. We let Joe take it easy as the sun was hot and the flys were bad and we made quite a load. Huby found Dr. Macinnes in his office in Vittoria and he told him quite a lot about Ginseng. He said that there never was a better market price for the roots as there is now and he thought that anybody starting in now would be independent in ten years. He had none of it there to show us as he grows it all on his farm four miles west of Vittoria, but he invited us to go up there - and wrote to his man introducing us. He told us where to find it if the man was not at home and said to put the horse in and feed her. We went up, it seemed like a long drive through about the most barrenest looking country I ever saw although Huby said there was worse in other spots. When we got there we found the man was not at home so did as the doctor told us and put Joe in. The Ginseng gardens were in plain sight and all in lattice work houses or sheds they have to be grown in the shade so he has these sheds built of pickets and clothes which lets in all the air but which keeps out most of the sunlight. It is as near like a forest as could be built. He must have had nearly an acre under cover like this and all the beds were full but the plants were not all the same age some just seedlings and others eighteen inches high. We took a good look around and then 103 �went over to the well to eat our lunch. There were fully a million half starved and half grown chickens beseiging us the whole time and we couldnt lay a piece of bread down for a minute but they would seize it and run off with it. It was very annoying and Huby felt very much like catching a couple biting their necks and broiling them. We left right after we had our lunch for Billington's but it was about two o'clock then. We got a little mixed up with the roads and went quite a bit out of our way, but got to Billington's about four or soon after. They were very glad to see Huby. We stayed there to tea and till after nine visiting. Before it got dark I took some pictures of the bunch and fooled around the creek. Huby and Quint spent most of the time in its vicinity but didn't have extra good luck. We got home about midnight it was moonlight but very chilly. It hasn't been at all hot all day and this after noon it rained a shower but there wasn't enough to do any harm or good. Monday August 3rd We hauled in all the rest of the hay off that field to-day. It took us all day and there were just five loads. We put four of them in the horse stable loft and left one on the old barn floor for the bull. Huby and Dad pitched one, I loaded and Huby and Frank mowed away. Frank spent most of the time between loads fixing the boiler pipe which Rus Lampkins brought down for the sink from the pump to the orchard fence to carry water to the calves and sheep in the orchard. Dad is not at all in favor of the scheme as he says Frank can't make it work and it blocks his path to the pig pen, but Frank is undaunted and has it nearly carrying water. Pretty hot to-day. Tuesday August 4th Huby didn't come over at all to-day, he had some insurance to look after and spent the rest of the day working around his own garden. Dad. and Frank went back this morning to fix the line fence between John Wes. and us as the cows got it last night and broke it down and tramped through his oats & buckwheat and ate up his beans. John Wes. came back with the spreader while they were gone and when I told him he just laughed and said such things would happen. They didn't get back till noon. I cut weeds while they were gone. This after noon Dad cultivated corn and Frank and I started to hoe the potatoes. Harry Harding came over and I went back to the gully with him to look at the horses and cattle. It was getting on to five when we got back and then I drove him down town and got some provisions. Dad. quit early. He and Enah went out to the Shand's last night and invited them all over here tonight for some music. Mr. Crooker, Zeitha, Verdi, Wimmer all came over and Mr. Johnson brought Aunty Maude. Win & Lila and Nora Cunningham over in his car. Dick also managed 104 �to get home, and all the Shands came so we had a very pleasant evening. Not hot to-day. Quite cold to-night. Wednesday August 5th {Harry Barrett (Toby's father) wrote the following entry and much of August 12.} We were up about the usual time after our night of song. I cultivated corn all day and the boys hoed all the weeds and thistles out that the cultivator missed Wednesday August 12th For a whole week this interesting and valuable record has been missed owing to an accumulation of circumstances, the terrible war being the chief upsetting cause for after reading the paper Toby had no time to make entries in this, he wanted to go down to get his hair cut tonight to I said I would do my best to write the doings of the past week. I think we began hauling out manure on the 4 acres we had sowed with Buckwheat on Thursday 6th and we hauled until Saturday noon. We then got the binder out and cut the oats in the old well field, it was a nice crop but the weather is and has been so dry that the grain was very light. Hubert and Frank cobbled up the fence around the hog yard on Friday and Saturday forenoon, Saturday afternoon they all shocked up oats. Sunday Morning Toby drove down to church, had dinner at Huberts and he and Hubert went up to {illegible} Hooleys in the after noon, Frank was at S.S. and church. Dick did not get up until noon. Hattie intended going to church but did not feel very well in the morning so did not go as she had to go down in the evining to play for Mr Crooker who sang a solo. I went down also in the evening there were very few in church a young student tried to preach. It was a very hot day and looked a little like a thunder storm. On Monday I had to go and load the binder on the truck the first thing Frank went with me, after bringing it in I went and got the roller and put it in, Hubert worked at the Hog fence, and Toby at the fence around the orchard to keep his chickens in. I brought up the old hay {illegible} valves and Frank has been taking it to pieces. Monday afternoon we all worked at the sheep for some time separating them so as to try and mark them for {resist....?} it actually rained quite a shower Monday evening and laid the dust. On Tuesday morning we marked the lambs, Hubert worked at his fence. In the afternoon Toby and I hauled out manure. It was quite cool at night. This morning, Wednesday we took {Toby resumed writing the diary at this point.} the binder back over the gully to cut the oats. We didn't get started very early either in the morning or after dinner so didn't finish to-night. Frank and I shocked up but we didn't get it all up either as 105 �we didn't work very hard. The oats are so rusted that they are all bent flat and there is nothing whatever in them. To-night Frank and I drove down town I got my hair cut and Frank got a pair of boots. On our way down we got started on the approach to the bridge before we saw a team on the bridge and we had to back up. Joe got a little impatient and hacked accross the road and got herl hind legs down a nasty hole between the bank and the sidewalk but didn't hurt herself. We saw Huby down town and he told us he had more insurance to look after tomorrow so couldn't come over again. He says his leg is bad again even worse as it hurts him now. Chris Quanbury asked us if two of us could come over to Martin's and help them thrash. It looked a little like rain to-day but didn't. Thursday August 13th We went back this morning and finished cutting and shocking up the oats just at noon but by the time we got up to the house and had dinner and put the binder in winter quarters it was pretty late and soon after dinner we saw the thrashing out fit coming around the hill so Dad. and I went over to Martins. They didn't get started thrashing till after four but we finished up about six. Their wheat only turned out about 20 bushels to the acre both Charlie's and Jack's. Neither one of them was there. Chris. was running things. The machine was out side and they put the straw in the barn. Dad. and I carried away. Cousin Clare was here all the after noon and stayed all night. One of us will have to go and help Flemming thrash to-morrow. It has been rather cloudy and threatening all day and to-night it did rain quite a shower and thundered quite a lot. It still looks very black. Friday August 14th There was a very hard thunder shower after we went to bed last night and every thing was pretty wet this morning but it has been windy and sunny all day so the mud is about dried up. We needed the rain very badly and it will likely do a lot of good to the corn roots and late sowed potatoes, but we could stand a lot more of it. Dad. had an early breakfast and got down to Flemming's about seven. He only thrashed his wheat and a load of oats so they finished at noon. Dad. said the wheat didn't turn out very well but the oats weren't so bad. I just did chores this morning and wrote in this and made a new milk record card and tacked it up in the cow stable. Frank and I looked at the bees and put in three frames which had full sheets of foundation in, in place of three which they hadn't worked on at all. We just took them from the super and put them in the lower hive. I got stung for the first time. We didn't do anything much right after dinner. Frank went down and got the paper but there wasn't anything startling in it. They don't know where the British Army is at all Kitchener is keeping 106 �its whereabouts strictly secret. The first decoration for gallantry was awarded to a French lieutenant of dragoons who had the Cross of the Legion of Honor confered upon him for doing what he would have been guillotined for a month ago. Such incidents do make war look horribly foolish. Dad. and I went out to look at the potatoes in the field to see if the wire worms were in them at all but we couldn't find any. They promise to be a fair crop for this year. When we came in we took the team and went down to Uncle Ward's and got a load of shingles. It was six o'clock when we got home. To-night Cousin Clare and Enah have gone over to see Mrs. Battersby and Frank has gone down town with Roy Bannister Lila is over here for all night. Frank went over to see Mrs. McPherson and her bees this after noon and got stung too. Like every one else's hers have made very little honney this year. Saturday August 15th We chored around about half the morning and then went out and straightened the oat shocks up a little, some of them were pretty wet and one or two heads had sprouted. We then came in and put the load of hay off that was on the rack before dinner Frank mowed it nearly all away in by Dreadnought's stall. He also unloaded our load of shingles while Dad. was examining the refrigerator, it was leaking and we didn't know what caused it but Dad. found the overflow pipe was blocked up. Frank went down and got the paper right after dinner and Dad. went to sleep. He has been saying so long how much he would like to take a sleep so we let him go till Tiddums came in about half past three and woke him up. We then went out and hauled out five loads of manure before tea. Frank hoed the potatoes in the old garden, and I helped him between loads. We got the buckwheat ground all covered. Bob. Davis & Jonas came in to-night while we were at tea with "Golden Crown". Enah drove Cousin Clare and Lila home after tea. Very windy. Sunday August 16th We didn't get up till late this morning, but Enah and I went to church. Frank went to church and Sunday school. Mr. Leigh preached he is from Courtright and Enah knew him when she was there. This after noon I read "The Lady of the Lake." Dad. Tiddums & Enah slept. Dick went down town and Frank rode out to Teeple's woods to see a lot of bees that some fellow from Simcoe has there. He didn't see the owner and Teeple's told him he had taken a lot away. Sam Law came in this morning to say he was going to thrash his oats out of the field to-morrow if it didn't rain and wanted us and our team and waggon, so I guess we will take a load of our oats over and thrash them. It rained a little this after noon and has been cool & cloudy. 107 �Monday August 17th It was raining when I got up this morning but didn't last long but it was too wet to thrash oats out of the field so after breakfast I went out and disked up most of the buckwheat ground. I got over the part where the buckwheat is the thickest. The buckwheat won't ammount to any thing now as only a little of it came up on the knolls and we are going to work it in and put wheat on it. Dad. spent the forenoon I think writing to Aunty. Tupper was in to see if we wanted to haul stone for road work but I guess Dad will pay it. I went over to Sam's at one o'clock and helped them thrash their wheat out, and Frank and Dad. came over with the team and rack to haul oats. They had three teams, ours and two of their own and three waggons, ours, Art Ryersies and theirs. Dad. and I each hauled in and Art. pitched on to us. Frank helped a little, while Bert Munro & Al. Martin pitched off the load standing. They had poor Skinner Manning and Douglas the Scotchman on the stack. Skinner says it is the last stack he is going to work on. The oats were very light. There were 830 bushels of oats and 66 of wheat. We all three stayed over there to tea. Huby came up creek in the boat and walked up here but Enah said he didn't feel very well he rode back as far as Sam's with Ham Thompson who was coming down to see Dad. His old mare was kicked by Frank Mar's horse and had her leg broken. Dad. told him to shoot her. The Japs have sent an ultimatum to Germany now giving them orders to get their cruisers out of the Far East. Pretty hot to-day and lightening a lot to-night. Tuesday August 18th Just as we got ready for bed to-night a terrific thunder storm broke on us. Dick just got home in time. There was an almost steady flicker of vivid lightening although there were no ear breaking thunder claps, but the rain came down by the barrell. The wind was so strong that it sounded like hail battering at the west side of the house. It was still raining when I got up this morning but was not so boisterous about it. It rained off and on all morning and has been very hot and sultry all day. It is thundering again to-night and seems to be shaping for another round. I drove Dad. down right after breakfast and got some groceries. I went down to Joe Howell's to have Joe shod, but he had a team to shoe all around so I didn't wait. When I got home Dad. drove down to the mill and got a bag of flour. Frank and I went over to Jack Martin's with his two roosters which I have had over here since last spring. I spent the rest of the day building a trap nest according to instructions I read. Dad. put the cloak shelf up in the kitchen and Frank has been prowling around with his bee book looking for enlightenment on several subjects pertaining to bees. To-night I drove Dad. down to a school board meeting and got the mail. Mr. Flemming was in this after noon to have Dad. 108 �look at his horses mouth as she didn't eat right. Dad. found a great big piece of wood wedged in some way. Wednesday August 19th Last night we had a repetition of night before last's storm with more and heavier thunder. Dad. came home in it and got soaked. The school board are in trouble again. The debentures haven't been sold yet and they are afraid there will be difficulty in disposing of them now on account of the war. Secord is going to quit work on the school if they don't pay him. It rained a little more this morning but has been sunny with a fresh breeze all the after noon but very sultry and muggy before noon. This morning Dad. drove over after Mrs. McBride who has been here washing and ironing all day while I cut wood and then we both drove down town. Dad went and saw Mr. Smith to consult with him on the advisability of keeping Frank out of school till the hot weather is over as Aunty suggested. Mr. Smith thought it would be a good idea, so I guess Dad. will let him if he doesn't object. This after noon Enah took Nellie and drove down town to visit Cousin Clare and others and Mrs. McBride minded Tiddums. Dad. & I took the plow back to the alsike stubble and plowed all the after noon. I made a couple of strike outs my first ones and they certainly looked like it. Frank came back and joined us after a while Dad. went up about half past five to milk and I plowed till after six. Thursday August 20th It began to rain soon after breakfast this morning and rained steadily and quite heavily till after dinner it then cleared up for the rest of the day but it doesn't act as if it was through with us yet. I read all morning, the last bulletin from the Department of Agriculture on Lightening Rods. Frank studied his bee book and Dad minded Tiddums and slept. A fellow drove in to see if he could sell us oil wholesale but he couldn't so didn't stay long. This after noon Frank and I took Joe down to Joe Howell's and had her shod. Frank stopped in at Uncle Ward's on his way home to see how his vice was attached to his bench and was in there about half an hour. We got home a little before five. I looked over the paper and then carried Tiddums back to where Dad. was plowing and from there to the gully. We got back about six. Dad. plowed all the after noon. Friday August 21st It rained hard again during the night but has been sunny and windy all day and to-night the sky looks clear and it is cooler. Dad. plowed all morning and Frank and I tidied up a little 109 �around the yard in the vicinity of the woodshed and shop. This after noon Frank drove Enah and Tiddums down town to go visiting and brought Uncle Ward. back with him as he had some tools he wanted to sharpen on our grindstone and Frank turned it for him. As Jonas wanted Nellie at three o'clock I had to drive down before tea and get Enah and Tiddums who was getting homesick. Uncle Ward. wouldn't stay to tea so I took him home. Dad. and I spen the after noon turning the oats We turned every shock as far as we went but didn't finish. The ones that stood up weren't very wet but there weren't many that were left standing and the down ones were very wet and some of them sprouted. I had to help Dad. milk to-night and it was very late when we got through. We tried to get John into the stancions and nearly had her in when Tige commenced to bark at the Shand boys coming in and frightened her out. Whit Dixon came over this morning and Dad. let him have her calf and she has been bawling for it all the after noon. Dad. says he feels like a traitor as John. went back this morning without her calf thinking it was safe up here and when he, Frank and Whit surrounded it, it was all alone. It was watching Whit thinking (so Dad says) that he (Dad) would protect it when he came up from behind & grabbed it. To-day's paper says that the war is commencing now in earnest and the Germans now occupy Brussels. They, the Canadian Government, have put a war tax on Sugar Coffee Tobacco & liquors. so Dad thinks he will have to quit smoking. Huby left to-night for Toronto. Saturday August 22nd Dad. plowed all day and got in a good day Frank and I took a look at the bees first thing and then I went out and finished turning the oats which took me till noon. This after noon I put in cutting weeds along the fence bottoms & in the old garden, and to-night feel a great admiration for the pioneers who would swing a scythe all day and carouse all night. I don't wonder a lot of whisky was consumed in those days although I got along without even any water. Frank worked around up at the house all day. Winnie, Lila and Miss Leigh where here to dinner. This was the day of the Great Boughner Picnic which this year assembled in Simcoe, it is the first time they went out of Dover this wouldn't {happen} now only they got every inducement from the Simcoe people to come there while other years Dover has soaked them for all they could get out of them. A lot of cheap sports down town here got up another picnic to-day in opposition and made arrangements with Buck to get the Park free. They got out bills and put them all over the country they say advertising it as being formerly the Boughner Picnic but the Boughners threatened to take action against them and they had to around and collect all their posters. I guess they didn't get much of a crowd. The Toronto regiments got a sudden order to go from Long Branch to Valcartier and 110 �they all left to-day. Aunty told us in her letter that Fred. McDonald is with the 48th Highlanders and Elva told Enah that Byron Johnson belongs to the signal corps of the Chatam regiment. Dick is wishing he was old enough to enlist. I don't know but that I would if I were in his place but I think untill conditions develop more and the odds are against Britain, the Canadian farmer is of as much importance as the soldier, as they cant fight on empty stomachs, and Canada is where they are looking for their bread & butter, but I'm good & ready to scrap when they do need me. It has been pretty hot to-day, but looks fair. Sunday August 23rd Enah & Dad. went to church this morning and Frank went to Sunday school & church. I stayed home to watch Tiddums. He woke up before they got home and I took him back to the gully and woods where appeared to enjoy himself. Dick stayed in bed till noon and went down town after dinner. This afternoon Dad. Enah & Tiddums drove out to the Shand's and got back just before it began to rain. I got two or three mushrooms back in the gully this morning so Frank went back this after noon to see if he could find any. He came back with about a peck of them. I read, slept and cursed flies all the after noon till Frank came home and fixed a fly net over me which was a great protection. Huby got home last night - and I guess had a good time and saw everybody he knew either by lucky chance or by a premeditated call. He said Rus. Skey took him into the private office and talked for an hour. He is crazy to go to the war as an assistant army surgeon but they won't take him. Huby told Dad. & Enah that Vernon said we could all go down there any time and stay as long as we liked and that we could go in a body or by installments and that if Quint was home for him to go too. It has been very hot and a big thunderstorm came up this after noon. It poured rain for a few minutes and hasn't cleared off yet. Monday August 24th It rained hard again during the night but has been cool and windy all day and feels as if it had cleared up. We all got up pretty early and Dad. got a good fore-noon's plowing done. I cleaned out the separator and cut a little wood and before dinner went out to see if the oats were ready to be turned again as yesterday's wind knocked a lot of them down but they hadn't dried out quite enough on the outside. Frank spent most of the morning down town with Nellie, he got some groceries and then took Nellie down and let Lila drive Mr. & Mrs. Leigh over to dinner - and he waited down and got the mail. Early this morning he went back to the gully and got a nice lot of mushrooms. This after noon we didn't get out so early as Dad. wanted to talk to Mr. & Mrs. Leigh for awhile after dinner. He went back and struck 111 �out a couple of lands and then I came back and plowed around them and left three or four furrows on each for him to finish up. He came back about half past five and plowed till six. In the meantime he fixed at the pig yard fence to try & keep the little fellows in as they have been running all over the place and to-day took to roving on to Martin's domains and helping themselves to his chicken food. Dad. didn't finish the job but thinks it efficient as far as he has gone. Tuesday August 25th We hooked up Belle to the buggy this and I called for Huby about eight o'clock. We drove up to Bickler's again. We stopped in at Andrew Smith's but he was not at home Bickler's weren't home either but the man was and we went over to see Bickler as he was on another farm he has bought just south of Vittoria. We had a fine drive and got home about one. Dad. tried to plow this morning with Joe and Harry but had a terrible time as Joe acted very mean so he was glad enough to have Belle back this afternoon. Frank spent the after noo morning fixing the rest of the pig fence. After dinner Frank and I started to turn out all the oats in this field but got about half done when Mr. Morgan came to see the English Wallnut trees and we didn't get any more done that day, but Frank & I hauled up a load of rails with Harry and Belle as Dad. quit early. To night Dad. & Enah went down to a musical at Mrs. Hobbes and Frank and I stayed home to watch Tiddums. Quite cold this morning and cool all day. Wednesday August 26th We didn't get up very early this morning and Jim Bannister came over to get Dad. to go over and see a sick cow he has. She wouldn't eat last night or this morning and can't get up. Dad. went over and said he was afraid she was going to die. We got one load of oats in before dinner and three after and there is still a load out there. To-night I went down and joined a surprise party which they had for Verdy Wimmer who is going away next week to train for a nurse. There was quite a bunch and we went up there and played pedro all evening. I have never learned anything about the pesky game yet but I had a rattling good time just the same. I went up to the bandroom and found several practicing up there for to-morrow. Harry Moon told me the other day they were going to have a flag day Thursday but I didn't know they were going to practice for it. Cloudy and cool. Thursday August 27th 112 �I helped Dad. & Frank to get the load of oats off which we left on the barn floor and then got ready to go down town at half past ten. Jim Bannister's cow died so Dad. went over to hold a post mortem on her but could find nothing abnormal except an enlarged gall bladder. I went down to Huby's first thing to see if he could come over and help get in the rest of the oats but he didn't seem to feel very well but went over after dinner. Verdy Wimmer nailed me to buy a flag just as I was going into Huby's and I had to buy another from Pansy Fischer before I got up town, however they did me for the day although they were both sold again before the day was over. I was up at the bandroom on time but nobody else was we had to wait about an hour before the float appeared and it was then to late to meet the eleven o'clock train as we intended. Harry Moon had been working hard all morning and he and Jack Ivey I had Johnny Walker's dray all rigged up fin with flags and flowers and drawn by four horses. They had Al. Faulkner's spotted team on the lead and Johnny Walker's team on for wheelers but they had to have two drivers. Anyway they toated the band all over town all day and we played all the patriotic tunes we could find.. They had all the pretty girls in town pretty nearly riding on the a running board around the dray where it was easy for them to jump on and off selling flags. They sold all their flags early in the day and had to make a lot of little tricolored bows and sell flowers which Ivey gave them. We came over Prosper Hill here where they collected over thirty dollars mostly from Mrs. Battersby and Jack Martin, we also went over Brant hill I stayed to Huby's for dinner and went home for supper and didn't go down to the dance after dinner tea. The girls were going to sell flowers over at the dance but I guess most of them were pretty tired as they were on the go all day. They got a little over two hundred and fifty dollars. It will be sent to the patriotic fund for the releif of the wives of soldiers gone to the front. Dad. & Frank got the rest of the oats of the front field in and Huby came over to help them after dinner but they found the oats over the gully to be soaking wet so they turned a load out and left them. Dad. plowed for about an hour and Huby Frank and Lila hunted mushrooms. Very cloudy and threatening all day & cool. Friday August 28th Dad. went over first thing this morning to see John Quanbury's cow which has been taken sick the same way Jim Bannister's was and has been running in the same pasture Dad. says it is going to die but doesn't know what is the matter with it. I cut a little lawn and Frank and I pitched of the few sheaves while he was gone - and then we took the rack back over the gully. We all turned out for awhile and then Frank finished up and Dad & I put on a load. We got one load on before dinner. This afternoon we hauled three in and left a couple out there. 113 �We threw them up on top the alsike. To-night Enah had to go down to choir practice as Topsy asked her to play for her while she is in Toronto so I drove her down. We called for Miss Draton who was waiting for us at the gate of Mrs. Battersby. It was drizzling when we went down and was raining quite hard when we got home It rained very hard during the night. Saturday August 29th It rained a good part of the morning. Dad. went over to Billy Lewis' as he couldnt do anything else and the old man came over after him last night to see a sick heifer. He stopped in at Shand's on his way home and was there till after noon.They were weighing up all their stock. This after noon Charlie Quanbury came over after him to go and take a last look at their cow. She was better last night and this morning but before dinner took a turn for the worse and is on her last legs. Dad. couldn't imagine what was the matter with her. He got some new veterinary down from Simcoe and he happened to have the inspector with him so they both came down, they said it must be Anthrax the germs of which have come in with a lot of chickens Jack Martin has just bought from some fellow on the other side, but Dad. says he doesn't think it is that because the eggs or whatever it comes from wouldn't have had time to develop yet. He says if it is that, that likely all the cattle on this place will be infected through him and no telling where it will end. I didn't do anything much all day except write part of a letter to Uncle Hal. Tom. Abbot brought Mrs. McBride over after dinner and Frank and I took her down as far as Preston's orchard to-night. We intended driving on down town but just as I cramped the buggy off for Mrs. McBride to get out Joe gave a quick switch around and brought the wheel up against the bed of the buggy and the shaft broke at the curve. It held enough to pull me home but I didn't like to go down town so Frank walked down and got Dad's tobacco. Cloudy and cool all day. Sunday August 30th Dad. and Enah drove down to church this morning after we had fixed a good whipple tree to a good pair of shafts in a poor way. I stayed home to watch Tiddums. We stayed out in the barn for about half an hour and then we came in the house and he chased around till he rooted Dick out of bed. Dick got up and he & I took five pictures of Tiddums. This after noon Dick took the camera and took twelve pictures. Dad. and I drove out to the Shands to get a book of Dad's on sick cows but none of them were home. To-night Enah and I drove down to church. Cloudy and cool but looks clearer. 114 �Monday August 31st Dad. plowed this fore noon and opened some ditches out of some of the holes in the cornfield. Frank went back and turned over the rest of the oats across the gully. Huby came over a little while before dinner and piled up his duck hide hay. This after noon Dad. and I hauled in the last two loads of oats and Huby helped us unload them. Between loads he fixed up a gate post at the north end of the drive house and fixed the fence. Cloudy but fair very hot for awhile this after noon but fresh breeze sprang up later Bill Donald was in tonight to have Dad look at a shoe boil on his {toe?} Tuesday September 1st It was sprinkling this morning when Dad. took the team out but he didn't think it would ammount to much so took the roller out as he wanted to roll down what he has plowed before he puts any manure on it with the spreader. He just nicely got started when a nut broke on the roller and he had to quit, he would have had to anyway for just then it began to pour rain. It rained very hard for awhile but aparently cleared up before dinner but after dinner another cloud came up and we had a short session of the hardest down pour this year. Every thing was flooded in no time. I spent the morning in putting another roost in the far chicken pen and enlarging the table underneath. This after noon I made another trap nest or at least started another. Dad. went over to Tupper's this morning to pay him for our road work. Wednesday September 2nd Dad. got a fairly good day in plowing to day although he had a couple of visitors. Young Hawn came in to ask him about a sick cow and a map agent went over and sold him a new map of the Dominion. This morning Frank and I took the brooder and chicken coops out of the chicken yard and I dug up where they were. We then went out to the corn field and I opened some more ditches from some more holes and Frank started to dig the potatoes in the wet place but he said they were all rotten. This afternoon I cut the lawn, I had quite a time with the lawn mower as the {pauls?} have been worn. Mrs. McBride has been here washing all day. To-night Enah and I drove down and got the mail. We got a letter from Aunty bearing the astounding news that Walter is on the verge of getting married. Breezy all day very hot after dinner and looked very much like rain for awhile. Thursday September 3rd 115 �Dad. plowed all day again to-day and the flies weren't quite so bad. I spent the whole day trimming the edges and digging up the rhubarb bed and also digging a piece in the strip where the currant bushes are. I didn't get much done as my back ached quite a lot from the digging. Frank cut wood and this after noon went down town and got the mail. To-night he has gone down to the moving picture show as Johnny Walker has on a twenty cent show "The Mobilization of the British Army." Cool and windy today. A short shower before tea. Friday September 4th We hauled manure all day to-day and got out 16 loads which just covered the unplowed part of the alsike stubble I spent in between loads cutting a little lawn and choring Frank went down town this morning and this afternoon cut wood. He has a big pile cut which he expects to last till he gets back from Toronto. A Mr. Walker was in this morning and bothered Dad. for awhile showing him a Nature Study chart which he said this school ought to have. Dad. told him the Minister of Education was a goat for putting stuff like Nature Study on the school curriculum but gave his name as one of the trustees in favor of buying a chart. It has been very cold all day and tried to rain this morning. {Harry Barrett (Toby's father) wrote the diary from this point to the end of Saturday, September 12.} Hattie went to choir practice tonight and the boys printed photographs, they had some very good ones. Saturday September 5th First thing after breakfast Toby, Frank and I went out to put the new bolt in the roller to replace the one that broke and we had a time but at last succeeded. I got the team out there and went at the ploughing Hubert and Quint came over for a little while Just before noon but would not stay for dinner as Hubert wanted to go to Charley Teeples and get some weed to send down to Roy. Toby and Frank had to do so many odds and ends preparing for their trip to Toronto. They left here about 3-30 and the whole four of them got off on the 5 O'Clock train, taking a basket of things down to Roy and Vernon. I had to quit the plough at 5 O'Clock and then it was late enough when I had every thing done up. It is terribly lonely I will be glad to see them all back safely. It has been cool all day. Sunday September 6th I put in a very lazy day. Hattie had to go to church both morning and evening and baby and I stayed home he was very good all day. I had to do the chores up early in the evening so 116 �that Hattie could get off in time. It rained a little in the early morning. I read while baby was asleep when I should have been writing letters. Monday September 7th I was up at 5-15 this A.M. and had nearly all the chores done up by 7. I had to go out to the corn field after the disk and it looked so much like rain I hardly knew whether to go to the field or not but I went and it did not rain but was so cold that I nearly froze but I got over a big piece. Hattie went down town in the afternoon and Lila came home with her to stay all night Hubert was over for a few minutes to tell me that he could not come in the morning as he had to see about the insurance on the Town Hall Tuesday September 8th This has been a most unsatisfactory day I got out fairly early considering I had every thing to do and rolled nearly all I had ploughed by noon. I thought I would have a good afternoon at the plough but Just as I was going out after dinner John Quanbury came and wanted me to talk to McMahon he had a report on the blood he sent away from John's cow stating an organism had been found in it that looked suspicious when I got back from talking to him Hattie told me that Charlie Shand had been here to say the three colts were out at their fence so I had to saddle Joe and go after them I had quite a time getting them home and it was too late to go to the field when I got back, in fact it took me all my time to get everything done up before dark Hattie and baby went down town again today It has been very cold all day. Wednesday September 9th I have had another upset day, a most trying one. In the first place I did not get up very early. Dick came home about midnight and the dogs woke me up barking at him, we talked for a long time after he came to bed, then I remembered that I had not shut the wind mill off and I stayed awake a long time wondering if the wind would get up before daylight, finally I got up and went out and shut it off and then could not get to sleep for ever so long after I went back to bed, so the consequence was when I did go to sleep I did it so properly that I never heard the alarm and slept until 6 O'Clock. I was Just ready for breakfast when Jack King drove in to have me fix his old grey mare's teeth, and after getting breakfast doing up all the chores, backing the spreader out of the barn oiling it and hitching up it was 10 O'Clock. I had my fourth load Just on when Jim Banister came over to beg me to go to Simcoe with him to argue the case of Lead poisoning against that of Anthrax with Dr McMahon. (Jim said) he 117 �would get Jack Martin to take us up in his car if he could, so after dinner Jack, Charlie Jim and I went to Simcoe to find our man in Delhi. I telephoned him and he said he would be in Simcoe in an hour and a quarter so we waited and when he showed up I showed him that in all reason and common sense the animals did not have Anthrax while there was every reason and many symptoms to charge the death to Lead poison. Hubert did not come over today and it was a splendid day to work. Jim said he would be over to help me in the morning so maybe we can get a little caught up. I must write to Walter now. It has been cool all day and from the looks of things there was quite a frost about Simcoe last night. I do hope the frost will keep off for a while yet and give the poor corn a chance for it has not had much of a one so far this Summer. Thursday September 10th I got up at daylight this morning and had most of the chores done before breakfast. I was putting the harness on the horses after breakfast when Jim Banister came over and he helped me with the manure till noon. Hubert came over Just before dinner and he and I worked all the afternoon. Harry Harding came over about 3 O'Clock and he stayed out with us till we quit work. Hattie went down town and Win came home with her they all stayed to tea and after tea I drove Win home and waited at Allan's corner until the boys came along. Then Harry drove up with me and held Joe while I went in and said goodbye to Miss Battersby, she leaves on Saturday for Brantford. It has been cold all day but much warmer than yesterday. Dick went to the dance at night and I don't know what time he got home. Friday September 11th I was up before it was light this morning It looked very like rain, in fact it did sprinkle several times, Hubert came over about 8 O'Clock and we got a fairly good start, we hauled manure all day but I did not keep account of the loads so I suppose Tobe will go for me. We expect them home tonight but it is now 8.20 and there is no sign of them so I think we will have tea It has been a horrible day, such a strong, cold East Wind, but it was a pretty good day to work. Saturday September 12th We got a horrible disappointment last night the boys did not come. Hattie had killed the fatted calf, which consisted of a boiled ham, (the last one) a fruit cake, baked custard, hot biscuit, fried potatoes and several "Entres" as Mrs McBride would say. We waited tea to give them plenty of time to get home after the train came in but there were no boys so we had 118 �our tea, Lila had come over to be here to see what old "Sunny Jim" would do when he first saw them but she was fooled too. This morning I wanted to get started for town early but I was Just putting the bridle on Belle when Whit Dixon came to see if he could buy Erie and Artful, I asked him $130.00 but he beat me down $5.00, he talked for so long "understand" that it was 10 O'Clock before Lila and I got started, and it was after 11 when Hubert and I got back with the plank for the barn floor. We did not get it quite done before dinner and Alan Law got here with the separator before we were ready for him, but we soon had the floor fixed and he then put the machine in the barn and put his team on our roller and took it home with him. Hubert and I then went at the yard manure again and have the place for the stack cleared. It has been a lovely day though quite a cool East Wind, we are expecting the boys any minute now, 8 O'Clock. Sunday September 13th Well we all got back at last safley last night after a very enjoyable week of it. We went over to Niagara Falls on Thursday, which took a day out of our plans. It was the first time Frank and I had ever seen the Falls but Quint had been there before. We thought they were great. It was also the first time we had ever been in the U.S. - We weren't so favorably impressed with it. We came over from Toronto by boat to Lewiston and from there to Niagara Falls by the Gorge Route so weren't on the Canadian Side at all. We were at the Exhibition three times, at two theatres, and out at Riverdale Zoo, besides down town and on several visits so we spent very little time sitting around. Rebecca proved to be a very entertaining person, and very good most of the time. Frank went down to church and Sunday school this morning and Harry Harding came back with him to dinner. I went for a walk back to the gully and around the farm and found it still all there. This after noon Dad. hooked up Joe and Ginger to the buggy and took Harry Harding for a long drive. Uncle Ward came over and stayed all the after noon. The Barwell family were in for about a minute. Dick slept all morning and went down to take some pictures with my camera this after noon. It was late when we got through to-night. It has been a lovely day, sunny but not hot. Monday September 14th We didn't get out very early this morning. I disked all morning on the alsike stubble and Dad. & Frank hauled rails with Joe & Ginger. Huby and Tiddums cleaned up all the little sticks out of the barnyard with the wheel barrow which Tiddums calls the auto. He is about the most comical looking thing imaginable now as he wears a little pair of blue overalls which Uncle Hall sent him and is never happy unless working at some thing. This after noon we hauled 119 �out eight loads of manure but the field isnt covered yet. Allan Law came over and borrowed the drill and the roller. Another nice cool but sunny day. If things keep on the way they are now it looks as if the war couldn't last much longer. The Germans (what are left of them) seem to be in full flight with the British & French after them and the Russians haven't got started at them yet. Tuesday September 15th We hauled manure all day and got out 16 loads and the field covered. We got through about half past four or five and I disked till six. Huby didn't get over till late this morning a rat stole seven of his little chickens. Quint came over and put in a connection in the two water troughs for us and stayed till after dinner. Frank spent most of the day running messages as we expect to have the threshers here to-morrow morning. It won't take long though to thrash us out. Allan Law brought back our drill and roller. Warmer. Wednesday September 16th We got up early this morning and were getting thing's all prepared to thrash when about seven o'clock Allan Law came over to inform us that they had broken the mud {parte?} (what ever that is) off the engine and unless they could get one in Dover which was very unlikely they would have to go to Simcoe or telephone to Hamilton. They telephoned to Hamilton so won't be over here till to-morrow. The cream separator wouldn't work this morning. It went all right yesterday morning but last night it bucked and again this morning. They took it all apart both times and washed and could find nothing wrong with it but they couldn't get it to go. However to-night it went beautifully although they hadn't done anything to it. Huby came over good & early and chopped wood all morning, and this after noon He and Frank went back to see if they could fix the fence along the woods. They took the shotgun with them. Dad & I worked on the land all day. I disked and Dad. harrowed on the alsike stubble. Mrs. McBride was here all day. Dave. Waddle & a man named Hawkins drove over after dinner and had a little shooting. Sunny quite hot and flies very bad. Thursday September 17th The threshers arrived this morning but didn't get started quite early enough to finish before dinner, but it only took about half an hour after. We only had 145 bushels of oats, of course it was only off one field but we will have to be economical with them to make them last.There were 208 bushels of wheat or about 26 or 7 bushels to the acre, but it was a lovely sample and clean. Sam. Law said it was the best he had thrashed this year. Most of it 120 �around here is shrivelled. This afternoon I took the team and went out and disked on the buckwheat ground. The rest stayed up here to clean up around the barn. Dad. said Jonas came over about five o'clock after he had got dressed up from thrashing and he was crying like a baby. He poured forth an awful tale of woe to Dad. & Huby saying that Myers was robbing him. He had just come and taken his canning factory ticket. I suppose Jonas owes Myers everything as he has been hireing men all summer for Jonas, but Jonas doesn't understand it. The flower show is on to-night and Jonas had taken a lot of vegetables down so Dad. told him to forget his troubles and go and take a prize on his onions, so about teatime he came across the fields in great excitement waving his hat and apparently as happy as a king, and yelled over to them that he had got three first prizes on his onions and a second on his tomatoes. Enah and I drove down to-night to go to the show and Jonas was there to show us his prizewinning stuff. The also had an orchestra consisting of Sany Lawson, Chris Fairchilds and Frank Mar. George Thompson had his Victrola there. I don't know who was the proudest one there, Jonas, Sandy or George Thompson. Another hot day but cold at night Friday September 18th I disked all day to day on the buckwheat ground I got over the part I didn't get done yesterday lengthways this morning and over most of it crossways this afternoon. We want to sow it tomorrow if we can. Dad. went down this morning and got Sam Law's team Ben & Ned. He told Dad. yesterday he could have them if he wanted them, so Dad. has been plowing all day. He had to quit though about five o'clock as the ground was very hard and the shear dull. Frank did chores all morning and put fresh straw in the chicken house. This after noon he & Huby cleaned up enough wheat to sow to-morrow and he harrowed over what Dad plowed when Dad. quit. Huby had to go down and insure Sam Law's furniture & implements & stock this morning. Pretty hot. Saturday September 19th We worked on the land all day and Dad. got the buckwheat stubble drilled and the ditches run out. I finished disking crossways and then hooked on to the harrows. I finished harrowing length ways by noon and after dinner harrowed it over again after the drill. It was after six by the time Dad. got all the ditches run. I disked over what he plowed yesterday on the alsike stubble before I quit. Huby and Frank cleaned up a lot more wheat. Enah and Tiddums went down this after noon to Miss Battersby's sale but didn't buy anything but a 121 �five cent wash tub. She was going to bid on the cook stove but discovered the back was all out of it so didn't get it. It has been very hot again to-day and the flies very bad. Sunday September 20th Frank went to church and Sunday school, and was the sole representative of the family. We got up very late so I spent about half the forenoon doing chores and helping Dad. trim up some of the sheep. Dick and I went down to Quanbury's for a swim just before dinner, we needed one badly enough but the water wasn't as warm as I have felt it. This after noon Dad. Enah and Tiddums went for a drive down the lake shore. Frank went for a ride on his wheel Dick went down town and I fooled around here for awhile and then went down town to Hubys. Tonight I drove Enah down to church. Mr. Johnson was having service in Vittoria so Cousin Willie was in charge of things. He made a much better job of it than Mr. Johnson generally does. There was no service in either of the other churches as the preachers' are all taking their holidays, so we had a few outsiders with us. Lovely day but still pretty warm. Monday September 21st We got a good long day in on the land but the flies have been so bad and it was so hot that we couldn't go very fast. Frank went down and got Sam's team again and Dad. finished plowing. It was so hard that he didn't try to plow the head land along the lane. Frank took the team back to-night. They want to use old Ned to-morrow so we won't be able to get them again. Dad. just wanted them till he finished plowing. I disked all day. Huby didn't get over till a little before noon but put in the after-noon shovelling out ditches in the buckwheat ground. {Harry Barrett (Toby's father) wrote the entry for Tuesday September 22.} Tuesday September 22nd It has been very hot all day and the flies are enough to drive horses and men crazy we worked at the wheat ground and had it in fine shape by 3 P.M. and got the seed and drill out and several rounds by 4 O'Clock. Toby worked with me to help keep the drill from cloging with grass roots and it kept him busy in places we worked as long as we could see and got more than half the field in, but we Just got the drill and wagon put safely in and the horses in the barn when it began to sprinkle it has not rained very much yet, though there have been several sharp showers. I do hope it wont rain much till we get the field finished. Hattie 122 �and Tobe are printing photographs of the baby tonight. We got some great pictures. There were two fires to-night north. Wednesday September 23rd Although it rained pretty hard before we went to bed last night. It didnt rain much more and as a breeze sprang up soon after Dad. thought we might get the rest of the field in after all so we got up pretty early it began to rain again however just about seven and has kept it up off and on all day and shows no signs of letting up to-night. It is also quite a bit cooler. I read all morning and Frank & Dad. worked around the house. This after noon I did a few chores and then started to fix a drawer so as to fit under one of the shelves in the pantry. Huby came over at noon and worked at flooring the old corn crib till about four when Dad. & Frank drove down in the waggon to get some plank to rig up a pig pen in the barn and Huby went down with them. We also put rings in the pig's noses this morning. Three of the British cruisers are sunk Thursday September 24th We didn't get around very early this morning and Dad & Frank worked till noon penning off the bay in the barn with the plankk they got yesterday. Huby helped them after he come. I spent most of the morning in the shop experimenting with the old moulding planes which were in the tool chest. They work far better than I thought. After dinner we took seven of the biggest pigs out of the pen and put them over in the barn in the pen they made this morning. Dad. & I each took a front leg and Huby took the hind legs and we just carried them that way They were just about all we could handle too. We rubbed each one with crude oil before putting them in as the lice were rather thick on them. Frank and Tiddums watched the caught ones while we were after another. Tiddums was a little afraid when they squealed but very much interested. Dick came over post haste after dinner to inform us that Vernon & Rebecca came up to the Woodson's to-day, so Enah went over to see them. Vernon brought the baby up as she hasn't been able to eat or sleep well lately. They are going to be here till after Thanksgiving. Dad. spent the rest of the afternoon in fixing the pig pen so the four left could roost upstairs instead of the other half so as the old sow could use it. Huby & Frank fanned wheat and I cut lawn. Mrs. McBride was here all day. Enah went down to "Pinafore" practice to-night & Frank to confirmation class. It was cloudy most of the day & cold, but we thought clear, but to-night it is very black & sprinkling. Friday September 25th 123 �Huby and Quint came over this morning. Quint went back to the woods with his gun but I guess didn't get anything much Huby and Frank cleaned up more wheat. Dad. & I put the drawer, we got fixed, on the pantry shelf for Enah and then we went to fix the hog pen some way diffrent and I dug a little more out at the side of the house. This after noon Dad. & I finished drilling the alsike stubble, much to our surprise we found it drilled better that it did on Tuesday, and I think it will come on all right. Huby sawed wood nearly all the after noon and Frank & Quint got the vise nearly ready to put on the bench Quint has made a beautiful job of it. There was a great old piece of oak out there which he used for one side and he is going to put a piece of iron on the bench for the other. Old Walker was over this morning to collect a little for his wire - and Mrs. Jack Martin came over to invite Dad. & Enah to go to Simcoe with them to-night to a patriotic concert. They accepted and so Frank & I are left alone to keep house which we have managed to do without waking up Tid. Win was over to tea. It has been pretty cool all day. Saturday September 26th Dad. went out this morning and harrowed over the sand knoll which didnt cover very well. This after noon he ran the furrows and crossditches. Vernon brought Rebecca over this morning but they didn't stay very long. Tiddums tried his best to make friends with Rebecca but she wouldn't have anty thing whatever to do with him. Lila was over and we took Rebecca & Tiddums out to show them the animals. Tid explained every thing too her but she turned a deaf ear to him. Betty came over with Huby and Quint and went back with Vernon, who said if the roads didn't get better she couldn't bring the baby carriage over again. She started twice yesterday but couldnt make it. She didn't know about coming through Martin's. Lila went down to the Ryersies and spent the day. This after noon Huby, Quint, Frank, Billy Barwell and I went back to the woods. They had their guns but didn't shoot any thing much. Quint shot a bittern which Frank brought home to eat and also a crow. Huby and I went over to John Wes's to take a look at his corn horse and he told us to take it home and use it as he has no corn to cut this year. He isn't through seeding yet. He and old Robert John were harrowing on a six acre field which if the weather permits he wants to get in on Monday. When we got back we fixed up the gap from the alsike field into the gully. Dad. was still running out furrows and Harry Harding was with him. He has to go back West on Wednesday although his mother isn't much better. Val. Laney came over this after noon to see Dad about some thing so as there wasn't much for Huby to do, he Quint Lila and Billy all jumped on Val's dray and rode home. I dug a little more before it was time to do chores. Enah took in the sale of Winkey Smith's stuff this after noon, but the stove 124 �was too small for what she wanted, but Cousin Bessy told her that they had one for sale and wants Dad. to take a look at it. She bought a set of bedsprings. Frank and I drove down to-night as I needed a hair cut and Frank had to get some groceries. We went around to Smith's to get the bed springs but they weren't there so Effie told us that some fellow that lives in the brick house way up St. Patrick St. must have them as he had sent word that he had a set delivered to him which he didn't buy so Frank and I went up there and found the springs on the veranda, and as there was no one home left word with the neighbour and carried them down to Huby's and put them in the woodshed. It was pretty late when we got home. Dick got home soon after with "Larned's History of the World" in five volumes & a dandy big war map all of which he got for $1.98 and some cupons out of a newspaper. We got a letter last night from Aunty saying they all hoped to be home here about the end of October. It has been pretty sunny but a cold wind all day. Sunday September 27th Frank went to Sunday school and church this morning and Dad. & Enah drove down to church as it was Harvest Home and communion, I stayed home to look after Tiddums and had my hands full too after he got up. It was late when they got home as they went around to Cousin Bessy's to see the stove. They are satisfied with it and are going to bring it over and try it before they set on a price. This after noon Dad. put up the box stove in the hall as we were about frozen. Vernon. Rebecca and Betty were all over again this after noon. Dick went down town and Frank went back to the gully. Winnie came over too and stayed to tea. I walked down with her and went to church to-night. It was Harvest Home and we had saved a lot of nice wheat for their decorations and told Mr. Johnson about it, but he either forgot it or was too lazy to come after it so the pigs will get it. I went in to Huby's for awhile after church. Quint expects to go to Jarvis to-morrow to pick apples. Cold wind all day. It froze the night before las and looks & feels as if it would go again to-night. Monday September 28th We got started as soon as possible down town this morning in the waggon to get the stove at Cousin Bessy's. Frank, Dad. & I went down, we picked Huby up on the way and called around for Harry Harding, but he didn't seem to be home, so we took Dave Waddle who happened along instead. Bert Matthews was up there mixing mortar so we had lots of help. The stove seemed to be pretty badly cracked up but we brought it over. We had to stop in at Joe Howell's and get him to fix a piece of the base. We went around by Huby's and got the springs Enah bought at the sale. By the time we got home & unloaded it was nearly 125 �noon. This after noon after we did a few odd Jobs Frank and I started to cut corn. It was getting on to three when we started and we worked till a little after six but we got 20 shocks cut. It seems to be a little green yet and I had a lot of trouble getting bands that wouldn't break. Huby cleaned out ditches in the alsike stubble & Dad. finished plowing out the ditches and started to plow the headland which was too hard before. There was quite a frost last night but it didnt seem to hurt any thing. Quint left for Jarvis this morning to pick apples. Not so cold to-day. Tuesday September 29th Dad. got out good and early this morning and finished plowing the head land, he also rolled it, harrowed it and drilled it, he says it will need rolling and harrowing again. The wheat on the buckwheat ground is up nicely now Frank and I got out about nine o'clock and finished cutting the row there were 13 more shocks in it. We didn't begin another as we didn't know whether it is quite ripe enough yet or not and thought we would leave it a day or two to see if more of it isn't glazed. We started to pull the two rows of beans then Frank got his row done by noon but I only got about half of mine done, however Frank finished it after dinner. This after noon Dad. Enah & Tiddums lit out for Simcoe. Enah went up to attend the Deanery meeting and she stayed to come down by train to-night. Dad. brought Tid. home had his tea and has driven down again to Pinafore practice where he is to meet Enah. They have left Frank & me in charge again with Tiddums asleep. We have just finished washing the dishes, Huby didn't come over till noon and he Frank and I hauled rails this afternoon, we only got up two loads as we had a few visitors Charlie Shand came in just after Dad left with his old dog who has a lump on its jaw about the size of a baseball. I told him to leave it till Dad came home and come after it to-night but when Dad. came home the old dog wouldn't let him touch him, however Mr Shand came in before tea and between them they managed to tie his mouth so that Dad. could jab his knife into it but I guess it didn't do much good so Mr. Shand took him home. To-night is the first night that Tiddums has waked up under Frank's & my care but to-night he not only woke up and stayed awake but he howled as long & loud as he could for "Daddy & Momma. We tried several ways to pacify him and at last showed him his book and told him we would take him out and show him Tige, but Tige wasn't in the woodshed and it was took cold to take him outside. We then showed him Eaton's catalogue which has a picture of a man in it which Tid. calls Daddy. That pleased him for awhile and then we induced him to go into his carriage. Frank jiggled the carriage and I crouched in front of it to jump at him and keep in a good humor. The trouble with that was he got in such a good humor that he wouldnt go to sleep so I just 126 �jumped up when he showed signs of crying but I had to stay crouched in front on my hands & knees where he couldnt see me, as I was afraid if he saw me go way he would commence; However we were releived before very long by the folks arrival home. Cold to-night sunny all day. Wednesday September 30th Dad. went down to see Harry Harding off this morning and brought Huby back with him. He went around to see if he could get old Maneer to come and fix the shed but the old coon wasn't home and whent Frank went down at noon they told him that "Pa" was going to pick apples in the morning and so I suppose we can't get him. Frank and I milked and I had an awful time trying to milk John as her teats are so short. Heny Odd came over to see if he could borrow our hay rack. I told him he could and after breakfast we had to help him put off the load of oats which was on it. Whit Dixon & Mr. Morgan were in on a little visit and Frank and I didn't get out till about {ink blot hiding writing} o'clock but we got twenty shocks cut before dinner. This afternoon we cut thirty more so got in a pretty fair day. Dad. spent most of the day fixing the well as the weight broke off the chain and he had to fish for it with grappling irons. Huby cut wood and helped him most of the after noon. Mrs. McBride was here washing all day. Nice day. Thursday October 1st Frank and I cut corn all morning and got on fairly well. Dad. came out for a few minutes and helped us with two or three shocks. Huby didn't get over till late and when he came he and Dad tended to a little dog which Tom Abbot brought here for vetinary treatment. This after noon Dad. Frank and I all went down to the Rural School Fair in the pavillion under the supervision of the Department of Agriculture. We thought it was fine. The exhibits consisted of poultry all Plymouth Rocks from eggs given to the school children, apples, corn, grain, potatoes and tomatoes. The boys showed samples of carpentry work which consisted chiefly of milk stools and hammer handles. The first prize milk stool which was made by Willie Nixon and hammer handle were beautifully made while the poorest ones looked as if the only tools employed in their manufacture had been an axe & a jack knife. The girls showed cookery & needlework which looked to me to be just as good as {anybody?} could do. Winnie Wadle got first prize on her sewing. They also had collections of bags & butterflys and also drawings & compositions. I went down partly to see Mr. Wilson the District Representative but there was such a crowd there that I didn't get a chance. I wanted to ask him about his baby beef competition. Huby spent the afternoon 127 �back in the gully putting in barricades for some little trees which we hope to plant next spring. To-night Dad. had to go down to a school board meeting. I guess they didn't do much but annoy old Stringer. There was also a Pinnafore practice, part of which Dad. took in, Frank went down to confirmation class. Weather has been very much the same. The days are sunny and nice but the nighs are very cold and as a rule there is a touch of frost. Friday October 2nd Frank and I cut corn all day but didn't get on quite so fast for some reason. We had to take the {horse?} up at noon and Frank put a new piece in its tail. We cut over as far as the potato patch and cut all the corn south of the potato patch so we are quite a bit more than half done the field. Huby and Dad. hauled manure all day on the oat stubble and to-night they have all the old faile which was under the alsike stack cleaned up. I walked down town to-night to get the mail. I {ink blot but writing can be read under it} hung around up town for awhile and then went down to Hubys for another awhile. When I got home they told me my face was dirty. The above blot was caused by my lapsing into a dormant condition with my fountain pen in my hand and on awaking rubbing agains a big drop of ink which had run from the pen. Saturday October 3rd Frank and I cut corn all morning and got on fairly well. Huby and Dad. hauled manure. This after noon Frank went down to Will Bush's sale to bid on some apple crates but they went too high. Tom Abbot said you could have bought them full of apples for the same price - any where else, eleven cents apiece I think. I didn't like to cut corn without Frank so Dad. Huby and I to say nothing of Tiddums who was least but not last in the game caught all the sheep and marked the ewes at least the old ones and trimmed them and as we had no place to dip them we mixed up a solution of zencoleum and poured it down the middle of their backs from a beer bottle. We parted the wool and the stuff ran pretty well all over their bodies as it didn't soak in to the wool at all. These operations took up all the after noon. I drove Huby down to-night and got some provisions. It has been a very nice day and a lovely night. Sunday October 4th Enah and I drove down to church this morning. Frank went down to church and Sunday school and went down to Huby's for dinner and they all went up creek this after noon after butternuts. Vernon and Rebecca came over to Martin's fence just after we got through 128 �dinner and Vernon wanted Dad. & Enah to go down to the Woodson's this afternoon to see them as Mrs. Woodson got a little sore about them not coming. She also wanted Enah to formally invite her over here on Friday as Mrs. Woodson didn't like the idea of her coming without. Dad. Enah and Tiddums got all ready to go when Mr. & Mrs. W.J. Thompson came in. They didn't stay very long so they went down Woodson's but Enah neglected to invite Vernon as she wanted her to do so I don't know how it will pan out. I sat around and read and wrote to Aunty till it was time to do chores and fooled with the guitar all evening. It has been another lovely day. Quint came home last night and isn't going back right away to pick Monday October 5th Frank and I cut corn again all day and by to-night only had twenty one more shocks to cut. Huby and Dad. hauled manure all the after noon. Huby didn't get over till late and they had to fix the spreader a little this morning. The axle had slipped out of place. Misner the livery stable man was over this morning to get his horses teeth filed, and Tupper came over after dinner to get Dad. to go over and look at his Clyde mare but as Dad. was all booked up he said he would wait till morning. Tupper was telling us a great way to cut short clover seed like ours is this year. He says if we cut it with the mower we can never gather it up with the rake but he says if we take the table canvas off the binder and set the reel low we can just take the heads off and when we get the table full we can rake them off. He was also talkin about tile drains. Bill told us there was no use trying to drain clay land with tile as the water wont go through it, but Tupper says that is only blue clay. This red clay he says is the best land for tile as they don't fill up like they do in the sand but it takes a year or two to get all the little pores and channels in the soil running to the tile established. The longer they are in the better they work. It has been much milder to-day and looks as if it might rain soon. Enah and Tiddums went down town this afternoon. Tuesday October 6th Frank and I finished cutting the corn about eleven o'clock amidst great rejoicings on our part. Quint came over this morning and told us Huby was doing insurance work for Ed Moon. He was to have come at noon but didn't appear. Dad. had to go over and see Tupper's mare so Quint rode over with him. When they got back Quint helped him pitch on three or four loads of manure. This after noon Dad. & I hauled manure and made quite a hole in the pile but neglected to keep track. Between loads I swept off the floor of the loft above the hog pen and moved all the old boxes & coops that I had hens with chickens under up there and to-night Dad. helped me get the brooder up. Tiddums was out with us 129 �and would get right where if the brooder ever slipped it would fall on him and Dad. stepped on a hen that was roosting up there and when it squacked it scared poor Tiddums and he more than howled. The latest addition to his vocabulary is hammer pronounced hamoure and ice, he saw Dad. cracking ice with the hammer the other day and has been commenting on the action ever since. He is also developing the typical and aparently inborn desire of young ones to play with the hammer. Frank found him in the chicken yard with it to-night but luckily he had not attacked the bee hive. Frank and Quint went for a tramp with the gun this after noon and got a lot of chestnuts, I suppose at Charlie McQueens. The Jim Waddle family were in about five o'clock and as we hadn't got the mail yet, it was news when he told of a big snow storm out west two feet of snow in Calgary and McCloud and $35,000 worth of property destroyed in the shape of {garages?}. It has been much cooler and cloudy all day with rain but not much to-night. The wheat needs rain badly as it hasn't come up yet in the hard spots and on the head land which Dad. plowed last. Wednesday October 7th We hauled manure all day and to-night got the yard all cleaned up and the field a little more than covered. It is the first time we have had the yard cleaned right up since we have been here. Huby didnt come over till noon and then he brought Jimmy Rankin with him who proved very entertaining. Lila came over after school to stay all night but changed her mind when Huby went home and went with him. Alfred paid us a short visit this morning and also three dollars. Dad. bought a couple of roosters from him to kill for Thanksgiving as ours are not big enough so Frank went down and got them this after noon. This morning he took a walk down the road to see if he could see Hubys old turkey hen but Mr. Johnson picked him up by Art. Ryersie's and took him for a long ride down mud street and up the lake shore in his automobile. Frank didn't see the turkey hen but Mrs. Law told him it roosted right near their door every night and fed with the chickens in the mornings. Enah and Tiddums went down to the Woodson's this afternoon and Enah invited Vernon over here on Friday. Frank has been making arrangemens with Jonas to get Nellie to-morrow as he and Quint want to go after nuts. Poor old Jonas is having a bad time again with his "gitneys" and can't work very hard. It has been sunny and nice all day flies are bad. Thursday October 8th Frank got started this morning about half past seven with Nellie and the democrat to call for Quint and go after nuts. Lila went with them. Frank expected to get back soon after dinner, but they went all the way to Billington's after hazel nuts and didn't get back till after 130 �six. They got lots of wallnuts, chest nuts and hazel nuts but hardly any butternuts or hickory nuts. About nine or a little after Dad and I got started in the waggon for Vittoria. We took the old ram home to Dunkin's and intended bringing the other one back. We also expected to be back by dinner time but it was noon when we got there. Neither of the Dunkin's were home and the hired Englishman didn't know any more about any thing than a hole in a stump. Mrs. Dunkin told us that Mr. Dunkin expected to be back by one, so Dad. and I hung around the barn for about an hour and a half. Dad. took a walk back the lane and saw the ewes and then I took a walk back and saw the two rams the old one and a lamb which I thought was a little beauty. There were three chest nut trees back there just loaded and the burrs were wide open so we got our pockets full of nuts. When I got up to the house Dad. had put the team in and was in the house having dinner so I went in, while we were eating Percy came home he had driven his sister to Simcoe to the teacher's convention. Dunkin himself was off performing b bailiff's duties. Percy was rather provoked that no apples were picked - as he evidently packs for the association up there and if they didn't get theirs packed to-day he wouldn't be able to do it. A Mr. Sharp came in to borrow their waggon to haul buckwheat but he said he would help pick apples till they got them picked but as he was anxious to get his buckwheat loaded before the dew fell, Dad. told him that we could help pick till Dunkin came home. We just got out when Dunkin came so Dad. didn't pick very long only till Dunkin got his dinner. He didn't like to let us have the old ram unless we bought him as there was another fellow who was thinking of buying him and he would want him right away so of course he didn't want to lose the sale of him but Dunkin said we could have the lamb for twelve dollars - and as he was a beauty way better than the old one, we thought we would take him. I picked apples till they went back the lane - got the ram brought him up and loaded him then about four o'clock Dad. and I got started for home. Dunkin gave me a water melon just as I left. We would have been home about six but as we came past her place Mrs. Harry Moon hailed us and asked us to go down and see Jack Walker. He had been after Dad. all day to see one of his horses. We went down and found it was old Joe who had been sick since last night. Dad. was put out at him for not sending to Simcoe for someone instead of waiting so long but brought him home with us and turned him out and to-night gave him a hall. When we got home we found Enah and Huby beginning to get alarmed that none of the family had showed up. When they saw us coming up the road with old Joe they thought Nellie had run away and we were leading her home. I guess poor old Nellie has forgotten long since how to run away but they thought some thing must have happened. However Frank got home about half an hour later and said every thing was all right and after his little calling dow recounted alll his adventures. He had been in at Dunkin's just after we left, and they gave him a lot of watermelons. Huby and 131 �Jimmy Rankin who has been over here all day - affording endless amusement for Huby spent the day digging post holes in the gully and putting in rails for barricades of little trees. Dad. and I met the little tyke just in front of Martins tugging for all he was worth at Bluch who he had on a rope. Dad. asked him what he was going to do with him - and Jimmy said he was going to bring him back in the morning. Dad thought he said back to the farm so told him to just let him go and he would follow. Jimmy had no difficulty in letting him go as Bluch recognised us and the team was just about pulling Jimmy with him. When we got home they told us that Jimmy had asked Enah if couldn't take Bluch home and bring him back in the morning and she told him he had better ask Huby so he went out and told Huby that Enah said it would be alright and he lit out with him. Eliza McBride was here washing this morning. Enah said about noon a couple of auto mobiles went past here so fast they couldn't count the people in them and Eliza surmised that it was Bessy Perry and Pat who were to have been married to-day. It has been a lovely day but hot looks rainy. Friday October 9th It rained quite a shower last night so we didn't do much to-day. Huby came over and went out and dug a bushel of potatoes for himself - and then he and Dad. hauled up a few cornstalks in the waggon box to husk in the barn for the pigs. I started to make a rough plan of a signboard which we intend to tack on the corner out here stating that we have rams lambs for sale. I then went over and took a look at Jack Martin's big new chicken house which Art. Quanbury and Joe Fields are building. I wanted to see what kind of stuff they were using so that I would know what to get for my shed which I hope to build soon. Art. said Jack got a lot of siding that he didn't kneed and he thought I could get it from him. The rest of the building is all hemlock. This after noon Dad. and I figured out how much stuff I needed and we were going down town to haul it but it began to rain so didn't go. Dad. went down town later in the buggy and got the mail. He then got Vernon and Rebecca and brought them over. To-night we went down to meet Roy. I didn't wait at the station to see him but went up town for awhile to see Marj. Clarke as I heard she was here. She came down to help Bessy get married. I stopped in at the bank on my way home and got my camera which Dick had. I then went down to Huby's and borrowed his boots to walk home in but it as it had rained quite a lot and looked as if it would rain quite a lot more. It proved to be an unnessary precaution however as Allan Law over took me on Marshall's hill and drove me right around to the lane. They were all up when I got home. Cloudy wet and cold all day. Saturday October 10th 132 �As soon as we could get started this morning which was any thing but early, we took the lumber waggon down and got a load of stuff from old Tommy to build the henhouse. It was mostly two by four hemlock for the frame and some cheap pine boards for sheeting. We brought Huby and Win over with us. Cousin Clare walked over so we had quite a dinner party. This after noon I took Joe and the buggy and went down and got Marj. to go for a drive in quest of chest nuts. We got up above Port Ryersie when it commenced to thunder, we thought it was a long way off and didn't pay much attention to it. We got up a little farther and found two or three trees loaded with chestnuts and the burs wide open so I got up one of the trees and although I could see it very black in the west I stayed till I shook off all the nuts. Marj. gathered them as fast as she could and I had got down and picked up a hand full or two when it commenced to rain. We hiked for the buggy but before I had the side curtains half on I was drenched. We drove as fast as possible up the road to the next house but the rain beat right in on us. However we managed to get under a driveway which leaked about as bad as the sky, but there was no wind so Joe was content to stay there and we hiked for the house which belonged to the Mr. {Law?}, who married Miss Dixon We waited there till the worst of the storm died down but as it didn't look as if it was going to stop altogether, we lit out for home which we reached soon after five. We didn't get nearly as many nuts as we might have but we had a very enjoyable experience. I don't know exactly what happened around here but I don't think anything in particular Roy and Vernon started for up the creek but the rain prevented them. Sunday October 11th We didn't do any thing much this morning but sit around the house. Frank went to church and Sunday school. Roy & Enah said they were going to church but it was about eleven before they started to get ready. Mrs. Woodson and Betty came over and took Vernon and Rebecca down to see Miss. Dick spent the morning in bed and Dad. cleaned chickens. I went back to the gully and got Nellie for them to drive to church but when they decided not to go Dick took her and went down and brought Aunty Maude over to dinner. He then went and got Vernon who had been waiting at the Woodson's expecting them to go past to church. Then he and Dad. went down to the Law's after the butter. Lila and Win. came over to dinner. This after noon I took five snapshots of the two babies together but I don't know whether they will be very successful as the sun wasn't very bright. Roy and Vernon went back the lane and then down to Mrs. Woodson's for tea. Dad. wrote to Aunty and then drove Aunty Maude home. I didn't do anything much but went down to church to-night. It has been sunny but windy and cool all day. 133 �Monday October 12th Frank got up this morning about five o'clock as he Quint & Lila figured on making another nutting trip up to Billington's. He had to feed old Nellie and take her down to Jonas' to hook her to the democrat. I thought I might as well get up and ride down town with him. It was just seven o'clock when we got down there and I took a walk around by the station and found that Marj. was leaving so I said goodbye to her. I came up around by town and found Joe and Fatty Turner sitting on Anderson's steps waiting for the complement of their different parties to put in an appearance. They both had hunting coats on but Fatty only was armed with a shot gun. He was waiting for Billy Smith. Art. Smith evidently was expected but Fatty found him in bed when he called for him. Joe was very impatient - as Hazel had promised to meet him at seven o'clock to go after chest nuts but hadn't showed up. He walked over as far as Hussy's corner with me grouching all the way. Huby came over but we didn't do much all day. Huby battoned up one of the doorways leading from the shop into the ice house and we expect to put some shelves in. We also got it figured out about where we want our henhouse lined to. Dick. and Dad. went back this morning and drove the cattle out of the back field and Dick went over to the woods where he says he saw a black squirrel. This being Thanksgiving day, Dick had a holiday but had to go down and put the mail through or something. This banking is a dandy job alright. We had a late dinner and Roy and Vernon had to leave soon after for the station. Enah went down later to see them off and Huby, Tiddums, Dad. and I spent the remainder of the after noon separating the ewe lambs from the old ones. We put them in the field back of the orchard but the orchard fence was so bad we were afraid they might break through so we took one of the rolls of wire which we got from old Walker and strung it along the inside of the orchard fence. Cold and raw day. The boys and Lila got lots of wall nuts but someone had picked most of the chest nuts. Tuesday October 13th It was rainy and cold this morning so we didn't get much done I sat around and read half the forenoon and then made a board to paint "Rams for sale" on. Alex. Jameson was in to look at them but he thought ten dollars too much to pay so Dad. didn't bother trying to sell him one Huby didn't come over till noon. Frank fixed up a lot of the old crates around the place so they would hold apples. Dad. husked corn out in the barn. This after noon we nailed the door on the west end of the big barn which blew off last winter. This was the first day of the Simcoe Fair and has been anything but nice weather. 134 �Wednesday October 14th Dad. went over to Uncle Ward's this morning to see if he could get him to put up a barrell of Spies as Aunty Alice wanted him to send a barrell out to Mr. {Shira?}. Uncle Ward couldn't let him have them but he saw Art Quanbury on his way home and he told him they would put up the apples if he could get a barrell so Frank inquired at Bagley & Miller's and found he could get a sugar barrell & an oatmeal and as we want one to ship Roy's apples in, we are all fixed. I went over to Martin's and borrowed Art Quanbury's spirit level and Chris. asked Jack if he would sell the lumber that he got too much off and he said he would. When I got home I gave my signboard a coat of paint. Huby came over before Dad. came back and when he did we levelled up the two chicken houses and they look much better. This after noon we hooked up to the waggon and went out and hauled in five or six more shocks of unhusked corn. Huby stayed out and husked all the after noon. When Frank came home and shelled some hickory nuts he helped him. Dad. and I went over to Jacks Martin's and got our lumber and piled it up over the old house. We then went out and got a load of rails. Tiddums went with us out there but didn't enjoy him self much as he couldn't sit on the seat while we were putting on the load. When we got them unloaded Dad. went out and got Huby with all the corn he had husked which was about four bushels. The five ewe lambs got out of their field to-day and got in with the rest of the bunch then they all got in on the wheat and couldn't be kept off. Mrs. McBride was here all day washing. I went down town after tea and got my films which weren't too bad. I called around by Huby's for a little while. The pesky German's seem to have had a little stroke of luck lately. They now have Antwerp and just about all of Belgium. Much milder to-day. Thursday October 15th Dad. and I had intended going to Simcoe to-day to take in the last day of the fair but it looked so much like rain we didn't start and about nine o'clock it began to drizzle and kept it up all morning and was cloudy all the after noon. This morning I put another roost in the middle hen house so that I will have room enough to accomodate all the cockerels. Dad I think husked corn and Frank shelled nuts and cleaned some fish which Huby sent over last night. He didn't come over all day. This after noon we drove all the sheep in the barn and separated the five ewe lambs and left them in the barn for to-night as they had been in on the wheat and one looked a little bloated. About half past four Dad. hooked up and drove Enah and Tiddums down town to get the mail and some other things. Frank went back to the gully and I dug a little more in the patch at the side of the house. Frank attended confirmation class to-night. Dad. helped me and we got all the cockerels we could pick out. 135 �Friday October 16th It rained quite a lot last night and was rainy looking and muddy this morning so I drove Dick down to work. It drizzled most of the day so we couldn't do much outside. This morning we put ear labels in the nine lambs as we got a bunch yesterday from Hamilton. We had quite a time of it as it was hard to keep the inner & outer skin of the ear opposite after the incision was made but Dad. got the harness punch and his nicking knife and we managed to get them all decorated. After that I spent most of the day making the letters on the signboard. I didn't have any paint but I marked them all out. Dad. & Frank cleaned up the barn floor and Huby came over this after noon and they all cleaned up wheat. About five o'clock I drove Huby down and got the mail. I practiced on the guitar and drew to-night. Tiddums was sick after they went to bed to-night. Saturday October 17th I spent nearly all the morning painting my sign.I did it with just lampblack, boiled oil and turpentine and don't know whether it will prove satisfactory or not. Dad. and Frank took what wheat there was sacked up down to the mill and out of seventeen bags six of which were big ones they had 38 bushels and twenty odd lbs. and got $1.05 for it. Lila came over this morning but Huby didn't get over till noon. He is helping Aunty Maude houseclean. He Dad and I just got nicely started to clean up some more wheat when Bill Donald came in with the information that the gully fence along the road was flat and that all the cattle were out. He had driven them up this way so we just turned them into the barnyard. He said they had been in Sam Law's wheat but Allan didn't know whose they were which seemed rather queer. Bill recognised them. The six calves Harry Dyer's cow and Jonas' heifer weren't with the bunch and I had to go over and head them into the gully from the road. I saw Charlie Quanbury just going out to his farm. He has bought Billy Louis' place this side of Shand's Schoolhouse and is going to raise truck. Dad. and Huby came back the lane with the shovel and some a posts and we got some more which we knew were in the woods and repaired the fence as well as possible by putting posts down about a foot and wiring the old broken off posts to them. Joe Fields came over this morning and borrowed their post auger again so we had to rely on the shovel to perform our operations and it was not very satisfactory. The gate was badly smashed too where they had run through. Somebody I suppose hunters take the wire off the gate and don't bother fixing it again so Dad. fixed it up and wired it solid this time. It was five o'clock when we got up but they fanned wheat for about half an hour. To-night Frank and I printed the pictures I took of the two babies on Sunday some of them were pretty good. Mrs. McBride was here cleaning to-day. Poor old Tid. had a pretty 136 �rough night of it last night. He was sick a lot and feels pretty tough to-day. Frank went down with Jonas this after noon and got a couple of barrels at Bagley & Miller's to pack apples in. It has been a lovely day to-day. Sunday October 18th This being Frank's birthday, he stayed home from Sunday school pricipally though because there wasn't any, this being children's day at church. Frank went to church and to his credit be it said he was the only member of the family who attended all day unless Dick went tonight. I sat around and read most of the morning. This after noon Dad. put the saddle on Joe for me and I had a very enjoyable ride out to see Pud. Smythe. He invited me to go to Simcoe to-morrow night to make inquiries about joining a Captain Simpson's company of the 39th - and I think I will go if I can as he says it is not composed of quite the same class of fellows as the other companys which I guess are pretty tough. If the rules are not too strict and the obligations too great I think I will join, as the Norfolk Rifles belongs to the department of Malitia and defence they wont have to be called out of Canada and if they are ever needed here I would want to be there any way and so I might as well have a little training. Winnie was over for a little while this after noon and Tiddums was much better. It has been cloudy and cool all day inclined to drizzle this morning Monday October 19th First thing after breakfast I put the saddle on Joe and rode her down to be shod. Whit Dixon came in before I left and took the Artful Dodger. Sam Jacques also came over to talk "Pinnafore" to Dad. Their books have come but it seems some English theatre has a royalty on them and won't alow it to be played in public, however I guess they are going on with it just the same. It was getting on to noon when I got home with Joe and I brought the whipple tree off the buggy home with me but when I got here discovered I had lost the little device off it I never dreampt of it coming off as we couldn't take it off when we tried. I had to walk all the way back to look for it. Chris. Quanbury joined me as far as his place and when I got to the bottom of the hill Carl Sovereign plodded up the middle of the road with me. I got all the way to Joe Howell's shop and found it about two feet away from where I started. This afternoon we cleaned up the rest of the wheat Dad. had taken one load down and had on I think 48 bus {bushels} and the last load had on 30 something I went down with him the last load and it was half past five when we got home, so I had to get ready. Dick came home just before six and he went up with me to Simcoe. We called in at Smythe's and left Joe there with and drove the rest of the way with Pud's old skate, it took us about an hour to get to 137 �Simcoe. Pud and I went to the Armories but Dick went over to town and knocked around till we went home. We didn't sign up at all but fell in line with a bunch of beginners and had a little drill and the captain (which is the same fellow who brought his dead dog over here last summer) told us that we could come up as often as we liked and drill and we would be under no obligation till we signed up to go to camp for three years but we didn't have to do that till next June. He said they were going to fix a shooting gallery up in the Armories and also their rifle ranges down by their track and so soon would be having rifle practice. We left Simcoe at ten o'clock but it was twelve when Dick and I got home. Louise came down to-day and is going to stay awhile. Very nice day but a very heavy fog to-night. Tuesday October 20th It was six o'clock before I woke up this morning and then Dad. woke me He wanted to get off to Toronto but thought he wasn't going to make it at that time. But we persuaded him to shave and and I hiked out and hooked Joe up and by not eating any thing he managed to get down in time to catch the train. Huby was down at the train but Dad. got right on to see what damage - a jar of cream had done - as we saw some of it on the robe and the bottom of the buggy so didn't see Huby. I drove around to the house - and got him on there and brought him over. Frank and I spent most of the morning doing chores but Huby husked corn. We went out and helped him when we got through. Alex Jamison came in again to see about a ram and as Dad. wasn't here to beat down he gave us ten dollars and took old Greynose's lamb so we can now rub it into Dad. who seemed to think farm operations would come to a stand still if he left for half an hour but he couldn't sell old Alex a sheep when he was here before. Another fellow was in to-night to inquire about them but he didn't care about them being pure bred and so didn't want to pay so much. Frank told him they could be registered but he said quite solemnly that it wouldn't do him any good if they were red breasted. We didn't know who he was. This after noon Frank hooked up Nellie and Enah Louise and Tiddums went for a drive. Huby and Frank picked apples for Roy while I gave my sign another coat of paint and then I helped them fill the barrel. We got some beautiful Seeks & Spys and a few Canada Reds and what were left of the 20 oz Pippins. It was six o'clock before we we got the barrel filled so we had to leave it out there all night with out any head on it. We didn't know exactly how to pack & head them any way. It was very late when we got through chores. Beautiful day. Sunny and mild. Wednesday October 21st 138 �The total results of our exertions to-day show, our advertisement hung out at the cross roads, a barrel of apples headed and a turnip pulled. After we got the morning chores done which was in pretty good time, Frank and I went out and tacked the signboard on the corner post of the cover field It was pretty well on the slant but I guess people can read it all right. Alfred was plowing in his wheat stubble and we had a short talk with him. We then went over and pulled a good sized turnip for dinner. Huby came over soon after we got in, with old Stringer's apple barrel press which Uncle Ward had lent him, and said Uncle Ward told him just how to head the barrel and that we could do it before dinner. How ever we worked for quite awhile at it and couldn't get the head in, it seemed too big for the barrel, so by dinner time we had come to the conclusion that the best course for us to pursue was to go down and get Uncle Ward and let him do it. Huby said he had to go down after dinner any way so I drove him down got the mail and got Uncle Ward on my way home, After a lot of squeezing he managed to get the head in, but had to enlarge the wooden hoop and put it below the wire as the head was too big and spread the staves. I drove him home - and took Tiddums with me. Frank and I drove down to the station to-night and Louise & Enah stayed home. They all got home safely and Al. Faulkner drove them up to Huby's. I went around and saw them all but didn't stay at all. Dad. and Frank drove home with me as Dad. hadn't had his tea. It has been another lovely day. The quartette that left for the point Monday morning in Faulmsbe's new boat are all back again, poorer than when they left. They got over all right and anchored behind some bluff Monday night and got up early yesterday morning to get started shooting. Cars Rankin and Charlie O'Lair were going down the beach and Bill Oakes & George were going to stay with the boat. Bill had crawled up in the bow which was tightly enclosed and was have a smoke, when George who was near the engine lit a match for his pipe. There had been some gasoline leaking and the fumes immediately ignited and the gasoline which was under the false bottom of the boat caught and the consequence was that although they worked hard to save it George's dandy new launch burned to the waters edge and sank. They managed to save their guns and some of their clothing. Mrs. McBride was here washing all day and Cousin Clare was here to dinner. Thursday October 22nd We got a fairly good start this morning and Dad. started to plow the oat stubble. He thought he was going to have nice easy plowing but it turned over so waxy and stiff that the horse could hardly draw the plow through it. He had to quit once and get the other plow the mould board of which has more shape to it. Frank and I dug potatoes in the cornfield and got about ten rows dug, they were beauties, no small ones and no whoppers. Huby 139 �came over at noon and he and Frank finished digging them out there and piled them up. Dad. & I took the team and waggon and took Roy's apples down and shipped them, we called in at Quanbury's and as they had the barrel all headed that Aunty Alice wanted to send to Mr. Shera, we took it too. We saw all the folks when we were down town. Dad. went out and got what corn we husked the other day. There were 19 1/2 bushels of potatoes of the patch out there. Enah and Louise drove Nellie down town to-day. Allan Law was in tonight inviting two of us over there to thrash to-morrow. It is a little colder to-night but has been a lovely day. Friday October 23rd Dad. and I got over to Sam's to thrash this morning soon after they got started I worked in the mow all day with Art Ryersie but there wasn't any thing for Dad. to do this morning so he went home till after dinner. He then came back and helped some one-eyed guy who is staying at Bill Bush's in the straw which they put in a shed till they got it filled up and then they started to put it in the barn and it was awful, you could hardly see across the barn, and it being alsike dust it was killing. The one eyed man who was in the straw gave out first and had to retire.. I worked till I couldn't breathe - and then I had to quit with the chill. I went and sat by the engine till they quit which was pretty soon although they didn't get it all out. Dad. and I came right home. Aunty was over but went down with Huby. It was all I cared to do to get home and huddle up to the stove. I didn't do a chore. Dad. of course stared off with mentioning what a hot specimen I would be to go to the war if I couldn't stand a little dust but I told him it was just such mugs as me they ought to send, we're no good here and everybody concerned and the country would be much better off if they shipped us all over there and killed us off. Huby and Frank dug six rows of the potatoes in the old garden and got fifteen bushels. They sold another ram this morning to Nixon and Bawyer out at Renton. They took the little fellow. It has been another July day. Saturday October 24th Dad. took the team and rack town to Flemming's this morning as he thought they were going to thrash buckwheat out of the field but it began to rain soon after he left so they just thrashed the oats in the barn and finished about an hour or so after dinner. Frank and I didn't do any thing much this morning on account of the rain. He husked some corn and I dug what potatoes were left in the garden here, and I also drove Louise down to Huby's for dinner. This after noon Frank went and caught Nellie for Enah and then he and I went and dug the rest of the spuds in the old garden we got six more bushels so that altogether we 140 �now have 40 1/2 bushels. Several of the cattle got through the gully fence to-day and so Dad. had to go back and fix it. We got chores done early to-night for a change. A little colder wind to-day. Sunday October 25th Everybody except Dad. & Tiddums went to church this morning even Dick broke into his Sunday timetable and got up to attend Frank went to Sunday school. Aunty came over with us to dinner and stayed all the after noon. After dinner Frank and I went down and joined Huby and Quint and the four of us sailed went up to Wealey's, Quint bought a dandy little strip built skiff with a sail and everything complete. We started to sail up there but found it would take too long tacking so Quint and I rowed up. We got our Ginseng plant and sailed back. It only took about half an hour and there wasn't much wind either. It was nearly six when Frank and I got home so Dad. couldn't get off to church but he and Aunty walked down after tea and he went to see Aunty Alice & Uncle Hal. Uncle Hal. gave me a great black snake skin to-day and Frank his best knife. He gave Quint his shotgun yesterday. It has been colder to-day although sunny and nice but raw breeze. Monday October 26th We didn't do anything much but chores this morning. Frank went over to Flemming's to see what they were going to do but found they wouldn't thrash to-day. We husked a little corn in the barn. This after noon Al. Faulkner drove Aunty Alice & Uncle Hal over in his car. Huby came over with them but didn't stay. Frank went down with them to get the mail. I took the Ginseng root back to the woods and planted it. When Frank got home he and Dad. sawed up one of the old sleepers in the barnyard for the little stove. To-night Louise and I drove up to the Bawlby's where I left Louise as she is going to help them move into their new house. I went on in to Simcoe and to the Armories. We didn't have any drill to-night but the officer gave us musketry instruction. This was Lila's birthday. It has been cold & windy all day and is freezing very hard to-night. Tuesday October 27th It was very late when we got out this morning and after breakfast Dad. & I went out to inspect the oat stubble to see if it was frozen too hard to plow but we saw Allan Law up at the corner with his engine and he said Flemming was going to thrash to-day so Dad. came right home and got the team & rack and went down. It froze very hard last night and seemed harder as it is the first frost this fall. The apples are all frozen on the trees and the 141 �ground is like a board. It hasn't thawed out all day to-day but isn't freezing so hard to-night although there is a cold wind from the west. I sawed wood most of the morning and Frank went out and covered the four piles of potatoes with earth although he said they weren't injured by the frost. The mangels were frozen in the ground but Mr. Flemming says if they are not touched till the frost goes out of them they will be all right. Dad. came home at noon and said they were shorthanded down at Flemming's so I had to go back with him. We finished up early. I pitched on all the after noon so didn't suffer from the dust any. I rode Joe down town after the mail to-night. The big spotted yearling jumped over the bars from the blue grass field to-night, lit on his head and broke one of his horns and mabee worse. Wednesday October 28th John Wess came over this morning to see if we could fix up the line fence a little as he wanted to turn his cattle in on his oat stubble. Dad. told him to turn in and let them break through if they wanted to, there was nothing there they could hurt. He and Frank went back and fixed the gully fence a little to keep our cattle in there. Frank and I husked a little corn this morning for the pigs and then I made a trough for the chickens and spent the morning fixing up the yards to keep the chickens inside and separate. This after noon Frank and I picked the Sprys. I picked and he sorted. I think the frost was all out of most of them so I guess they will be all right. It was too windy to pick but I put the ladder on the inside of the tree and got most of them although there is a lot of nice ones yet around the out side. There were about five bushels of good ones and three of frozen ones & culls. Dad plowed all the after noon and said it went a little better but I guess it was pretty stiff. I went to Simcoe again to-night and had a little drill I drove Aunty home so went around by town. I saw Ed. Turner down there and asked him if he wanted to go up but he didn't to-night. While I was talking to him Andy Moore came along and he wanted to go up so I took him. I told him to be around at the stable about nine and I would drive him home, but when I went down he had been there, paid for the horse and said he wasn't going back. I drove around by town and saw him and he said Tom Law was up there with his car, pickled, and he wanted Andy to drive him home, so I came home alone. Milder to-day but very strong west wind. Very mild to-night and looks like rain. Thursday October 29th It rained during the night and all day, not hard but a steady fine rain. We couldn't do anything much outside but chores. Dad. went back this morning and fixed the gully fence where the cattle got into the west blue grass field and I cleaned out the cellar ready to put 142 �in the apples and roots. This after noon Dad. drove Uncle Hal. and Aunty Alice down to Huby's where they are going to stay for awhile. It was a miserable day to go out but Uncle Hal. was anxious to go. Dad. wanted to bring Huby back with him to help move the stove but he wasn't home so we moved the stove out of the woodshed into the kitchen by ourselves. We put the warming oven on this stove off Cousin Bessy's. When the cattle came up to-night they were all there but the three heifers. Dad. went back to the end of the lane but it was dark and we knew they must be out some where. He didn't milk the others Friday October 30th We didn't get out very early this morning. Josh Varey came over and Dad. had to file his old horse's teeth off for him Huby came up the creek with Quint and then down here and he told me my sign had blown down at the corner so I had to go and fix it up. I cleaned up one of the chicken yards and then we all went out and pulled and topped the mangels and turnips. Dad went back and fixed the place where the heifers got out on the road and the rest of us husked a shock of corn, which we hauled up with us. This after noon Dad. & I hauled in the roots and put them down cellar, there was scarcely a load of mangels but a good load of turnips. We then hauled up a load of rails. Huby & Frank husked corn all the after noon. Jonas helped them for awhile. He is going to work out what he owes for pasture. Win came over after school and I drove Huby and her home and then got the mail. The Turks are now in on this War and have begun hostilities with Russia. They say it may lead to a holy war and all the Mohammedens side in with Turkey. It has been raw and mostly cloudy to-day with a couple of spits of rain. There were some very queer lights in the direct east this after noon. The looked something like the Northern Lights but were not colored. They looked more like rays from some huge light beneath the horizon. Saturday October 31st Dad. got right out after breakfast and plowed, he got in a pretty fair day. Huby came over and he, Frank, Jonas & I husked corn all morning we got about a load husked. There is a lot of nubbins on it which we don't husk. This after noon we picked apples Dad. and Frank went down to Sam Law's with the waggon and borrowed a ladder and then went out and picked up the corn and brought it in and Dad. went on plowing. He gave Jonas a tree of Seeks and told him he could have them if he would help us pick ours, but he picked his own this after noon. We were just picking seeks as there are some beauties and bushels of them. We just picked the biggest ones and when we got a tree done it could hardly be told that we had been it it. We will shake the rest down for cider. To-night Frank went down to the picture 143 �show and I went down with him and got the mail and some provisions. I forgot all about it being Hallowe'en till I heard the school bell ringing when on my way down but the town was full of dressed up girls & noisy boys. It has been a lovely day sunny & bright but rather windy. Sunday November 1st Frank went down to Sunday school and Dad. and I drove down to church. Enah had a headache so didn't go. After church Dad. drove Aunty up to the cemetry and Frank and I went down to Huby's and waited till they got back. We went down and helped Quint pull his new boat out of the creek and turned it over on the bank to see if we could find out where it leaked and we found three or four spots were the strips were punky. Quint was disappointed as he thought she was all sound. This after noon Dad. and Enah drove out to see Mrs. Jim Waddle who is going to the hospital to-morrow. Winnifred had the chicken pox so they didn't stay long with the baby. They came home around by the Shand's but Charlie was the only one home there. Dad. says somebody has been playing Hallowe'en tricks on the side road and have ripped the bars down going into the woods and strung them half way across the road. Ed. came over soon after they left and he, Marion and I took a walk back the lane. We happened to see Snowdrop out on the road so had to go and put her in. Frank spent the afternoon back in the gully and surrounding country. Dick spent the morning in bed and after dinner after we had a little football match and nearly broke all the windows around the place - he went down town where he spent the after noon, evening and part of the night, he likely went to church. It has been a lovely day but looked very rainy to-night. Monday November 2nd Poor Frank started back to school this morning, he didn't say any thing but I don't think the prospect was very cheering. Dad. plowed all day and has the field half done to-night. Huby came over and sawed wood till I got the chores all done and then we went back to the gully to see if we could find any weak spots in the fence but it seemed all right. Snowdrop got out at the edge of the culvert and we blocked a post up there with stone as well as we could. We then went up the road to fix up some Hallowe'en pranks. They had taken the old post by the bars going into the woods and pulled it and the wire half way across the road and had Sam Law's gate and another big one and our bars all scattered around. They had had a fence built right across the road, but some one had taken it down to get past. When we got through there we went up through the woods and were just going up the lane when 144 �we heard turkeys way up Ivey's gully. We thought we had better go up and drive ours home if they were there but we tramped all over the gully & woods and didn't see or hear a thing more of them. Huby had the shot gun - and a chicken hawk flew over us so Huby shot him. He fell on his back and lay there, We thought shurely he was a goner but old Nig went prowling around and he got up and flew away. Huby took another shot and he swerved but kept right on flying and lit on the side hill. We went over to him there and raised again. Huby put a black powder shell in and took a crack at him and this time knocked a bunch of feathers out of his back. He first flew a little farther and dropped. When we got up to him he was sufficiently dead for us to finish the job with a club. After dinner Huby picked apples and I sorted them and carried them down cellar. We now have all the boxes we can find around the place filled with Seeks or Spys and will have to put what few russets we get on the floor. I went down to the corner to see if I could find any trace of my sighn. The Hallowe'en fellows ripped it down and took it away some place. Charlie Quanbury said he saw it down in the bank window but Dick didn't know anything about it. I went up to Simcoe to-night. I called for Ed. Turner but he changed his mind about going to-night but said he would accompany me next Monday. I then Called for Pud. Smythe but he had gone. We had company drill up there to-night. There was a class for any who wanted to stay after wards to study for N.C.O's. but as it meant four nights a week for three or four weeks I didn't stay. The Daughters of the Empire were giving the fellows who are leaving for the front a supper. It was cloudy all day but turned out a beautiful night. DIARY. 1914 T.B.Barrett. Port Dover, Ontario. The Farm........................ {decorative descending triangle of horizontal straight lines} From November 3rd 1914 to December 31st 1914 Tuesday November 3rd 1914. It rained most of the morning so we didn't do much outside. I drove the boys down to the school and the bank and when I got back Tom Abbot had his horse in the drive house and he was in the house getting warm and waiting for the rain to let up. When he left I went out and cleaned out the horse stable and then Dad. & I oiled the buggy and put on the other 145 �whipple tree. Jonas came over and got Nellie with a view to taking the rest of his apples home. We saw Art Quanbury prowling around over by Martin's gully so we went over to see what they were all doing thinking we might get Joe Fields to help me build the new hen house. He said they were all busy but I might get Henry Odd who left Saturday. Art. went to take the old hen home that was sitting under the willow tree and discovered she had just hatched out five chicks so he stuffed them all in his pocket and took them over. Dad. plowed all the after noon. I drove down to town to see Henry. and found him working up at Jim. Caley's new house. I told him what I wanted and he told me he would see me to-night that the job he was at was too hard. I went down to-night and got my hair cut and saw him and he said he would be over Thursday morning. I went down to Huby's for a little while and it was fairly late when I got home. Huby came over this after noon and cleaned up the chicken yard. It has been a lovely after noon and night Wednesday November 4th Dad. got out early this morning to plow and got a good day in. Jonas came over fairly early to help as he is going to try and work out what he owes us for pasture He picked a few more russets first but couldn't get many then he cleaned up the garden. The cabbages all seem to have wilted and have no heads so he just piled them out behind the shop. Huby came over later and he and I sorted the russets and put them down cellar then carried all the apples beets & carrots down. This after noon Jonas didn't come over and we suppose he went to a sale. Huby and I husked corn but didn't get much done. I had to quit early to get off to Simcoe to-night. I drove Win up. She wanted to p a visit to Norah Cunningham. I left her there and when I got through drilling we went down to the moving picture show Norah had sprained her ankle and hadn't been able to get out. Aunty came over to dinner and went down with me to-night. She took Tiddums out to the cornfield where he seemed greatly pleased to find Huby and called him by name for the first time. He is learning to talk quickly. Mrs McBride was here all day washing. Cloudy and showery this after noon but a lovely night. It seems to be a sort of second spring. Several people have found ripe raspberries and Dad is plowing under barley out in head and An old guinea hen hatched out then young ones to-day. Thursday November 5th Henry Auld. came over this morning and I have put in most of the day helping him. We had to quit once or twice for rain and it took us quite awhile to get the sills laid so by to-night we had about half at the front and back studding up. Henry quit early to pick some apples. 146 �He wanted some Tolman Sweets and as we had quite a lot we don't want we told him he could have them. Dad. plowed nearly all day but got the field finished all but running the cross ditches. Jim Bush is plowing up the gull for Jack and I guess is having quite a time of it. This was Aunty Alice's birthday and Aunty has been up visiting her all day. Enah and Tiddums went down to see her this after noon and we were going down after tea but it was so wet we didn't go I went to bed about eight o'clock. Frank went down to confirmation class and to call on Jonas who fell down cellar this morning and hurt himself. I guess he thinks he is about killed. It has been a miserable day. Cloudy and cold and wet. Aunty has sent Tiddums a dandy doll she made out of corn husks. Friday November 6th Right after breakfast this morning Frank and I drove down in the lumber waggon and got some more nails and scantling, we also took what apples Henry had picked down to him. Frank went on to school when he got the stuff for me. Henry and I worked all day at the hen house and have the frame all up and the back siding on. Dad. hauled in the corn that was husked and some rails and ran out the ditches in the field he just plowed. This after noon he plowed the garden. He hauled the waggon in the orchard to fill with apples to take up to Walker Waddles to-morrow. Frank was down at Jonas's for a long time to-night visiting him. He seems greatly stuck on him. Jonas says he has broken a rib and seems to be trying to make himself believe he is killed. It has been a rather decent day not so cold as yesterday. Saturday November 7th Henry was over at half past six this morning and put what he could of the sheeting on but discovered that there was only about half enough so Dad. & I drove down in the rack after breakfast to get some but both Tommy & the Widespread were all out of it but expected some in a day or two. We tried at Jack. Martin's to see if he had any he could let us have but they were waiting for it too. We got some roofing paper and nail and got Huby's two cider kegs and came home rather disgusted as it was a fine day to put on the roofing and we didn't know when there will be another like it. Henry picked a few apples for himself and cut the boards for the front cornice. Dad. & I hauled in some cornstalks before dinner This after noon Dad. & Frank took the load of apples that Frank picked up this morning up to Walker Waddles and got our barrel and Huby's 2 kegs filled. They didn't get back till about five. Henry and I were all the after noon puting siding on the end of the old chicken house and it has improved the appearance of it 100%. Henry left his tools here and said he would come back when the lumber came if he wasn't busy. He only charged me $3.75 for all he 147 �has done and then told me not to pay him now and he has made a fine job so far. Marsh from up the Gravel Road was in this morning to look at the rams but didn't buy on account of the price. It has been another lovely day sunny & mild. Sunday November 8th It rained all morning and part of the after noon but Dad. and Frank drove down to church. Aunty came back with them and she and I walked down to church to-night. I went down to Hubys for about an hour after church. Huby was playing solitare much to Aunty's sorrow, and the worst of it was Aunty Alice would show him a move occasionally. Huby gave me some cider and handed me a large piece of plaster which he told me was Scotch short bread. Before I knew what I was doing I had my mouth full of it. This after noon Dick went down town and Frank back to the gully. I sat around and read and drew. It had cleared off and was a beautiful night to-night but was freezing hard when I came home. Monday November 9th We didn't get started very early this morning and Dad. and I spent most of the day working with the potatoes. We sorted the two pits in the field and got quite a few frozen ones and some which were not frozen but still rotting. We sacked them up and this afternoon we hauled them in and Dad. took 6 bushels down to Huby. Tupper came in and borrowed our waggon box to take his seed to Hagersville. To-night I went to Simcoe. I called for Ed Turner but he was tired and didn't go. After drill Captain Simpson told us we would have to sign up now. He told me I was under no obligations as if I had a good excuse I needn't go to camp and could resign if I wanted to. In case of Canada being invaded I could be turned out for six or eighteen months service but I in that case I would go any way so I swore obedience & fidelity to His Majesty and signed up with C Company. Tuesday November 10th It has been a rotten day to-day cold, windy, cloudy & wet. It snowed a little but rained mostly. Dad. & I put off the load of cornstalks which was on the waggon and then went out and husked a shock and divided three or four unhusked shocks so that we could load them on the waggon. We then took the rack out and with the aid of a sling rope put on nearly a whole row of unhusked shocks. This after noon we did chores and stretched a bit of poultry wire around the old calves' pen in the barn and to-night caught what single comb roosters we could find and an old black hen and confined them in their death cell as we are going to 148 �eat them when we get hungry. Frank says he thinks our lumber has come. Quint & Bill got back from the Point. Wednesday November 11th We didn't do much but chores to-day it has been cloudy and threatening all day. We unloaded the load of cornstalks which was on the waggon and and husked a little corn for the pigs. Dad. killed a couple of chickens and Sid. McBride and an agent came in representing {Gumas?} limited. They were here a long time and went away with a ten dollar order for beef scrap and hog meal. Tupper brought the wagon back. I didn't intend to go to Simcoe to-night it looked so stormy but Dick came home to go with me so we went and although it was dark and sprinkled a little it wasn't a bad night. I got my uniform to-night. Mrs. McBride was here all day. Thursday November 12th Did chores and husked corn all morning. This after noon Dick and I drove to Simcoe. Dick got his photograph taken at Moores and I took a lot of harness up to Church's to be fixed. Dick and hung around town till most of it was done, shot two or three games of pool with Dick, first games I ever played, didn't do so badly considering. I had to leave a bridle up there, we left Simcoe about six so it was fairly late when I had my tea. Cloudy most of the day and inclined to be rainy but not cold. Dad started to plow the plum orchard this after noon, awful job. Young Snider from down {Jaw?} lake bought Dad's ram lamb to-day. Friday November 13th It rained a good part of the morning and I drove the boys down to the bank & school. During the morning a terrific wind came up and lifted the top of the straw stack and flopped it between the stack and barn. Dad. & I discovered that Charlotte's heifer was under it but we could hear her lowing. It took us quite awhile to dig her out but she didn't seem any the worse she was up agains the stack so the big weight wasn't on her. Dad. & I went down town before dinner and got our lumber at Tommy's. This after noon Dad. plowed in the plum orchard and I did chores and husked a little corn. It was cloudy windy and rather cold this after noon with occasional spits of sharp rain. Saturday November 14th 149 �I spent the morning doing chores. Frank helped me husk some corn for the pigs and then went down town after some jars Harry Dyer came after his cow and calf. This after noon Frank & I sorted out another pit of potatoes and found a lot of rotten ones. We husked a little more corn. Frank went back to the gully and found Snowdrop in Sam. Law's wheat so brought her up. The others were all right. Dad. got in a full day and finished the plum orchard. He hauled in the potatoes we sorted to-night. After tea he & Frank killed and dressed a couple of roosters. Aunty, Aunty Alice & Lila were over for a little while this after noon. Sunny but cold east wind. Sunday November 15th It rained steadily all day so none of us went down town but sat around and read. Enah and I had a piano & horn concert this after noon. Dick didn't come home last night so we don't know what happened to him nor any of the news. Very windy night. Monday November 16th Dad. & I took the plow and waggon back over the gully this morning and loaded up a load of rails of John Wess' line. He came over and said he would bring his engine over and buzz them up for us when we got them all hauled. Dad. started to plow the old alsike stubble and took in a band or so of the bluegrass field to plow off the little gully. He plowed all the afternoon and got a good start made. I did chores most of the after noon but went back and put on another load of rails for Dad. to haul up to-night.To-night I went down to a surprise party at Billy Boughner's which Elva and the sewing club got up. Had a great time. Bill Buck came and borrowed the hay rack to haul a load of boxes from Simcoe. It has been very cold and windy all day and is freezing hard to-night. Tuesday November 17 It was frozen up solid this morning and very cold and windy so Dad didn't take the team out although he thought he could have plowed in the sod. He killed and plucked a couple of chickens and I went back to John Wess' to see his cement fence post mould. I was over there quite awhile. Didn't do anything much this after noon. Dad. went down to Sam Law's and got our turkeys and I went over to Jack Martin's to see if he wanted to buy my roosters. He said he would come over soon to look at them. Dad. & Frank went down town as Uncle Hall wasn't so well to-day. Wednesday November 18th 150 �Huby came over this morning and we hauled a load of hay over from the big barn to the other and put it over the bull pen. We then went out and divided all the big shocks of corn in one row and hauled them in this after noon. Quint came over to tea and he and I drove to Simcoe to-night. Quint went over to the armories and but didn't drill. We got home about twelve. Aunty was over here all the after noon and is going to stay awhile. Mrs. McBride was here all day. Cold & windy. Thursday November 19th Dad. & I unloaded the load of corn this morning and Huby came over and he & I went out and divided another lot of big shocks so we could put them on the waggon. We hauled in another row before dinner. I just about froze and felt a little sick at noon so didn't do anything for awhile after dinner till Dad. & Huby husked some corn then we put the load off and got another load in without dividing them. Enah, Aunty and Tiddums all went down town this after noon. It has been thawing all day but a very cold raw wind and before dinner we had a short but fierce snow storm. Friday November 20th We intended to haul in the rest of the cornstalks to-day but Henry Auld came over about nine o'clock so I had to help him. It was pretty cold so we didn't try to put the roofing on but we got the sheeting and front on. Huby came over about noon and he and Dad. husked corn and did chores. About five o'clock Mully rather unexpectedly presented us with a heifer calf althoug we discovered that it was just due instead of being a month early as Dad. supposed. It is a dandy and clear red except for a white tip on its tail which Huby says will be a fine landmark if Bluch doesn't bite it off. That makes six head of cattle that I now own. It has been sunny to-day but didn't thaw at all and there was a cold west wind. Saturday November 21st Henry came over again this morning and made the frames for the front of the henhouse and this after noon we put the roofing on. It was pretty cold and we had to heat the tar so it would run. Dad. Frank and I hauled cornstalks this morning. We got them all in in two loads and got the last load after dinner. We had to leave one shock in the middle of a water hole as it was frozen solid. Henry only charged me seven dollars for all his work Thursday December 3rd 151 �It is nearly two weeks since I last wrote in this but this is first day I have been at all in the mood to write as I have been laid up with the "Yaller Janders" and have felt pretty rotten although spending only one entire day in bed. I am not yet able to do anything outside although I feel ever so much better. Frank and Dad. have had a pretty rough time of it and haven't been able till to-day to get a thing done but chores although the frost went out early last week and all the other farmers are well up with their plowing. Dad. got a good early start this morning and Mr. Flemming came over with this team and plow for a surprise so they will get on famously to-day. A week ago Sunday Uncle Hal. was taken very much worse, and Quint came over after Dad. who was down nearly every night and often during the day so got hardly any sleep at all. Uncle Hal. grew gradually worse through the week and although they didn't think he suffered much actual pain often had a very hard time with his breathing, and on Monday morning about four o'clock he died. He was consious I think right up to the last. Roy came up Sunday Saturday night and went back Monday night. He might have stayed longer but got word from Vernon that Rebecca was sick but I don't think it was any thing serious. The funeral was yester day and Dad. Frank & Enah all went down and took the baby with them I stayed here with Mrs. McBride. It has been pretty nice sunny weather for the most part since the frost went out and has only frozen slightly a couple or so nights. It has rained once or twice one all day rain on Tuesday I think. Friday December 4th Mr. Flemming came over and gave Dad. another day's work to-day so they have got on fine Dad. says he can nearly finish it if he gets a good day in to-morrow I felt ever so much better to-day and cleaned out the chicken house and husked & shelled some corn this morning. This after noon I went down and got the Beef scrap and gut at the station I took Nellie and Jonas' old democrat. Aunty & Aunty Alice came over to-night they are going to stay here for awhile.. Cold, raw wind and cloudy all day. Saturday December 5th Dad. plowed all day to-day and nearly finished the field. He took the waggon back with him at noon and Frank and I went back and filled it with rails and Dad. hauled it up to-night. I spent the whole morning and what time I had this after noon in cleaning up the chicken yard and houses and putting fresh straw in. I got it pretty well fixed up. Frank did most of the chores and Dad. cut his hair to-night. Enah sold one of the young gobblers to-night to Will McNeily. Cloudy and windy to-day but not very cold. 152 �Sunday December 6th Aunty & Frank went down to Sunday School and Dick and I joined them at church. This after noon Frank & I did up most of the chores and Dad. drove Aunty Alice up to the cemetry. Enah took Frank's and my picture. To-night Frank is to be confirmed and Dad. Enah & Aunty have all gone down to church and Aunty Alice and I are looking after the house. It froze a little last night but hasn't been cold to-day. Monday December 7th Huby came over to-day and has been ditching in the back field all day. Dad. finished the piece he was at and got a good start on the bluegrass side hill. I did chores all day it takes so long to husk corn enouh for the pigs that I don't get time to do anything else, although I did go over and see Brierly to ask him about feeding beef scrap. He told me to mix it with rolled oats and feed in a hopper. Jack said he was coming over to-day to look at the roosters but he didn't come. Mr. Morgan came over before dinner and stayed most of the after noon. I ordered a pecan tree from him. Quint came over to tea to-night and he and I went to Simcoe. I was very much behind as I missed all the rifle drill last week. We went out on a march way down to Yeager's place Dad is in a great figit to-night as he was summoned to appear as a jury man and he thinks Court sits to-morrow but he lost the notice and neglected to write and ask if he wasn't exempt as he ase US Tuesday December 8th Dad was very wrathy this morning as I found out in Simcoe last night that the best thing for him to do was to turn up at the court house to morrow and Cousin Willie told him this morning the same thing. He telephoned to Kelly and found out that he had to be there by one o'clock so he went up but he managed to get off as he is a Vet. It would have been a great day to plow. Huby ditched all day and I didn't do a pesky thing but chores principally husk corn for the pigs. Mr. Flemming came over and said he was going to thrash to-morrow but said he could get along if it would have to stop Dad. from plowing or if I didn't feel well enough to work in the dust but Dad. went over to-night to Quanbury's to telephone to Billy Lewis as he said he would give us a hand when we wanted him. Cloudy and windy but not very cold. Wednesday December 9th 153 �It snowed during the night and has been snowing & blowing all day but not very cold. Dad. helped me husk corn this morning but plowed all the after noon. Both Tupper & John Wess told him they were going to give him some help if it stays open. They say plowing under an inch or two of snow is as good as a coat of manure and that is what Dad is doing. This after noon I hooked up Nellie to the democrat and drove Aunty Alice down town I went around by the mill to get a couple of bags of oats rolled for the chickens but they were to light so I got them chopped and rolled and bought some rolled oats I also got a bag of flour and took it down to the Belgian Relief house. We got home about five o'clock. Thursday December 10th Dad. plowed all day and Tupper sent his man over this after noon so they got quite a chunk done. I did chores and this morning built a hopper in the chicken shed and filled it with twenty five lbs of rolled oats and three or four lbs of beef scrap and they seemed very greedy for it. Enah drove down town this morning and brought Cousin Clare over. She was here all day. There was an extra drill on to-night for the recruits but it was so late when we got through that I didn't go up. Friday December 11th Dad. got in a full day again to-day. I went back for awhile this morning and this after noon I hooked up Nellie to the democrat and drove Aunty Alice over to Mrs. Cooke's and went around by Tupper's and borrowed Charlie Butler's side hill plow, Dad. says it saves a lot of carrying furrows but is very awkward, and it is impossible to do a nice job with it, what bothers him most is seeing the furrow go to the left. Sunny day. Saturday December 12th Dad. plowed all day again and John Wess came over and helped him all day so they got on fine. I did chores and putterd around. Frank went down with Nellie and the democrat and got the box which Cousin Lizzie Hyde sent to us it contained a lot of old family treasures of Fa's older brother. There was a pair of old hosllers, an old sword, a revolver of ancient pattern an old portable desk with some old papers and photo-graphs in it some old silverware and a few books and papers. Huby & Lila came over with Frank and Huby husked corn all the after noon. I got four eggs yesterday which is the most I have got yet but none at all to day. Not so sunny but not cold. Sunday December 13th 154 �Auntie and Frank went down to Sunday school and Enah drove down to church. This after noon Aunty and I drove out to the Smythe's. To-night I walked down to church and Aunty & Aunty Alice went down to Huby's as Aunty Alice wants to be down there to-morrow to get ready for her trip to Ingersoll to see Uncle Hal's sister. Dad. went down to Alfred's to-night and found Blaikie down there so had quite a long visit. It has been snowing pretty much all day. It was coming down very thickly this after noon and evening and when I came home it was very soft, the water was dripping into the cistern. Monday December 14th When we got up this morning we found it had turned much colder and quite a strong wind had got up. The wind kept up all day and was terrific to-night and it was also very cold but sunny and freezing very hard to-night. Dad. & I went back this morning and chased the horses all up and put them in the barnyard. We put Ginger in but the others stayed out all night. We took Charlie Butler's side hill plow and put it through the fence on to the road and then came up and hooked up the team to the bob sleighs and to it home to Tuppers and on our way back got our own plow and took it up. This after noon we did chores principally. Blaike came in to tea. Quint came over to go to Simcoe with me but it was so windy & cold we didn't go. I went down town with him after tea and we were both glad we decided not to go. We went up to Tip's and I bought myself a pretty nice over coat for $13.00. I hung around town awhile and went down to Huby's for a little while. Tuesday December 15th We did chores principally to-day and I shovelled some snow. We were going to haul a load of rails up this after noon but Huby came over to tell Dad. that the township council was meeting this after noon and Hammond sent word over for Dad. to come down and see about his taxes so Dad. went but found it was the same mistake in the asesement which the town council was going to rectify but he saw the asessor and had the pleasure of telling him what he thought of him. When he came home Jack Martin came over to look at the roosters and said he could pick twenty out of this lot. Froze hard all day but wind not so strong. Wednesday December 16th Dad. and I hooked up to the bob-sleighs before dinner and hauled up a load of rails. After dinner we went down to the mill and got a couple of hundred of oat chop for the pigs. Then I filled up the three days' accumulation of manure in the horse stable into the bob-sleigs 155 �and Dad hauled it over to the potato pit. When he came up we hauled the manure spreader from the shed at the cow stable over to the shed at the big barn. We did chores early and I went to Simcoe to-night Quint didn't come over so I went alone. We had a good drill after which I went over to the rink for a minute or two they have started skating up there. Mrs. McBride was here all day. Not quite as cold or windy to-day. Thursday December 17th Dad. and I went back to John Wess' line and got another load of rails this morning. We didn't do any thing much but chores this after noon. Aunty was over to dinner but went back again. Dick told us that Dave. Waddle would be over in the morning to butcher hogs. Much milder to-day & sunny but still freezing. The German's bombarded two or three towns on the English coast. Friday December 18th Dave Waddle & Powell McIntosh came over this morning about ten o'clock armed with a rifle and numerous pig killing utensils We let the pigs out of the pen two at a time and Dave shot them & stuck them. He only had to shoot one twice. They had the whole four all dressed by twelve o'clock - and wouldn't stay to dinner nor take any pay. Sid. McBride came in as they left and I paid him for the chicken feed. We then measured the fence along the road and Dad. orderd 120 rods of fence from him. This after noon we hooked up to the waggon and Dad. Frank and I went down with Huby's pig. It was the biggest and dressed 120 lbs. Very much milder to-day and nice out. Saturday December 19th It was snowing hard when we got up this morning and there was quite a wind It was very soft and hasn't frozen all day but is freezing to-night. We moved the calf this morning from the horse stable over to the barn and put the colts in. We also cleaned out the rooster's pen. Chris told me he was coming over to get some of them this morning. He didn't come till to night and as it was getting dusk he only picked out 16! This after noon we hooked up Joe & Ginger to the bob sleighs and the whole family went down town. We left Tiddum's in Aunty's care at Hubys and Aunty Alice who got back on the noon train went up with us. Dad. went in to Moses' and got measured for a suit which Dick is going to have made for him Aunty supplying the stuff. He then went down and cut up Huby's pig for him while Frank and I brought the team home. 156 �Sunday December 20th Daddy & Frank went down to communion at eight o'clock this morning and Frank stayed down to Sunday school and the later service. I didn't go to church at all to-day. About twelve o'clock Dad. hooked up Joe & Ginger to the bob sleighs and drove down and brought over Cousin Clare, Aunty & Aunty Alice to dinner in honor of Tiddum's second anniversary birthday. Dad. drove Aunty Alice & Cousin Claire home before tea and Aunty stayed here to mind Tiddums while Dad. & Enah went down to the Methodist church to hear Nell. Smith sing a solo. Beautiful day, sunny & mild. Monday December 21st It snowed a lot more during the night and it was very wet and heavy but there was quite a cold wind all day and it dried out. I drove the boys down this morning in the bob sleighs and got a couple of bags of chop at the mill for the pigs. Later Dad & I drove down in the cutter and took Aunty down. Dad. went around to see Niel Elliot to see what he would give for Charlotte who is nearly a new milks cow; but Niel wasn't in town but Joe Long said he would tell him. This after noon Dad. cut up a couple of the pigs and I shaved and got ready to go to Simcoe to-night. Dick & Quint came over to tea and we all three went up but it made things pretty crowed in the cutter and consequently cold and heavy pulling. Dick went over to the rink and skated all evening and I drilled. Quint went on a fruitless trek somewhere in the country in quest of a ferret and Dick and I hung around the barn till nearly twelve o'clock and we didn't get home till after one. Tuesday December 22nd We did chores all morning and Dad. cut up the other pig. This afternoon we hooked up to the bob sleighs and drove down and Dad. brought Aunty & Aunty Alice over but I stayed up town got my hair cut and walked home. Frank got out of school at recess to-day for the holidays. He has gone down to the picture show to-night. There has been a very cold wind all day and is freezing hard to-night. Wednesday December 23rd Dad. & Frank went back this morning and got a load of rails and also cut a lot of green poplar sticks out of the woods I spent the morning tacking cotton in one of my chicken frames. This after noon Dad. & Enah drove out to see Mrs. Jim. Waddle who is very ill and not expected to live long. Mrs McBride was here all day. To-night I drove to to Simcoe alone. 157 �We didn't have a long drill as it was so near Christmas so I got home before the family had retired. Windy all day. Cold & still to-night. Frank spent the after noon getting a little Christmas tree for Tiddums. Thursday December 24th I drove Aunty down town this morning in the bob sleighs and got 6.00 of chop at the mill. This after noon Dad. dressed a turkey for to-morrow's dinner and I did chores principally. Winny & Lila came over this after noon with the mail and stayed to tea. Tonight Dad. walked down to get his hair cut and Frank and I hooked up the team later to the bob sleigh and took Win. & Lila down I waited around in the bobs till the Woodstock train came in and then drove Dick, Ferdy who came to spend the holidays with Dick, Dad & Frank home. Cloudy & rather cold. Friday December 25th This being Christmas Day we didn't try to get any more work than was absolutely necessary done. Aunty Alice looked after Tiddums while all the rest of us went down to church Enah got word last night from Harry Moon that Topsy wouldn't be here so she had to play the organ which was rather strenuous as she hasn't had any practice with the choir. Dick & Ferdy spent the after noon at the Dyer's and didn't show up till five o'clock when we had dinner. After church we went around by Huby's and got all of that family but Quint who was hunting but who showed up before dinner. Aunty Maude didn't feel very well but managed to get over Dad. drove them all back again to-night. In the after noon we had a little tree for Tiddums and Huby was Santa Claus. Nobody got or gave any presents (which was arranged before hand) but Tiddums & Lila. Aunty Alice did get us boys some socks etc. but said they weren't Christmas presents. Quint, Tiddums & I went to sleep to-night in the dining room and the rest of the family played "Pit" in the kitchen. Ferdy & Dick went down town after dinner and didnt get back till late when it was discovered that Ferdy's ear was frozen. Beautiful day. Clear and frosty but sunny. Saturday December 26th I did chores principally to-day and Dad & Frank cut down the old snow apple tree in the orchard. Ferdy got up about noon and he had an ear on him as big as a turnip and a great big blister on it. Dad opened it and found it was so badly frozen that poor Ferdy had to stay in the house all day. I guess it was pretty slow but a half-starved Englisman drifted in here looking for work and entertained him while he was getting warm and eating enough to do 158 �him as he said himself till tomorrow morning. Aunty went down town and told us when she came home that some farmer had telephoned in to say this englishman we are sure left him and stole all there was in the house. Dick came home to tea but had to go back again. Huby & Quint came over after tea to catch the little pigeons for a match but could only get two as they roosted so high up in the barn. They came in and played "Pit" with us for quite awhile. They say it was down to 20° below zero last night but has been a beautiful sunny, still but frosty day. Snowed a little this afternoon. Sunday December 27th We didn't get up till late this morning so Dad. & I didn't get to church at all. Aunty walked down to Sunday School and I drove Enah and Frank down to church. Dad. drove after them at noon. Dick & Ferdy spent the morning in bed and the after noon and evening down town. I fooled around and did chores all the after noon. Not so cold to-day but windy & cloudy. Monday December 28th We got a late start again this morning. Dad. & Frank went back to the woods and got some more poplar poles. I went over to Jack Martin's and settled up with him. He gave me a check for $79.00. Neil Elliott came to look at Charlotte but didn't want to give $60.00 for so Dad. thought he would keep her and veal her calf and make enough out of the cream all winter to pay for keeping her although she isn't a very heavy milker. This after noon Dad. intended to go down to Nomination but Tom told us this morning that Mr. Lemon's funeral was this after noon at two o'clock. Right after dinner I drove Enah and Ferdy down town and when I got back Dad. took Joe to go to the funeral but Tom had been here and said he had been mistaken and it was at one o'clock so Dad met them at the Winding Hill and went to the cemetery with them and brought Enah and Tiddums home with him from town. Tonight Dad. Frank and I went down to town nomination but there was no fun Vyse was the only speaker to amount to any thing and will probably go in again by acclaimation. He brought up one little incident of a private nature to spite L.G. Morgan for the articles appearing in the "Maple Leaf" last summer but Murray got up and took L.G.'s part and explained the case satisfactorily. Milder Tuesday December 29th We did chores this morning and this after noon I drove Aunty & Aunty Alice down town in the bob-sleigh. They are going to stay down for awhile to call. Ferdy & Frank went back to the woods with the shotgun, axe & rifle and chopped down a few trees and shot a few 159 �stumps. To-night I went down town thinking there was a band meeting but nobody showed up. Nice day. Wednesday December 30th I went down town this morning to see if I could get Joe shod but Joe Howell's shop was full till noon but I took her down this after noon and got her in Ferdy & Frank went down with me and Frank got the saws from Chris Fairchilds which I took down yesterday to be sharpened and Ferdy stayed down for awhile. While I was at the shop a wedding {illegible} went past which which turned out to be Jean Davis. Quint came over to tea and we went to Simcoe to-night. Quint went to skate and I to drill. There was no light at the armories so they took us out for a couple of miles march and gave us some formations on the march. After this Quint and I went in to the "Reformer" shop to see Karl. who showed us all about his wonderful Linotype machine. Mrs. Jim. Waddle died this afternoon. Nice day and lovely night. Thursday December 31st I didn't do anything but chores all day and this after noon I shaved. Dad. Ferdy and Frank went back to the woods and got a load of poles. This after noon Ferdy & Frank went down town and Ferdy showed Frank through the mill. Ferdy stayed down to tea some where. Tonight I went down to a dance which the "Everready Sewing Club" got up for the relief of the Belgium's. There was a big crown there and altogether they took in fifty four dollars and fifty cents which was clear as they got every thing free. I had a dandy time and danced every dance I could get. I was dancing when the clock struck twelve and Anno Domini One Thousand nine hundred and fourteen was not more than history. For more information on Theobald (Toby) Barrett, check out the “Meet the Diarists” section under “Discover” on our website: ruraldiaries.uoguelph.ca 160 � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary Collection Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Theobald "Toby" Barrett Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Courtesy of Archival and Special Collections, University of Guelph Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1911-1925 Language A language of the resource English Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 20th Century, Norfolk County, Woodhouse Township, Ontario Table Of Contents A list of subunits of the resource. Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary & Transcription, 1911 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary & Transcription, 1913 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary & Transcription, 1914 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1915 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1916 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1917 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary & Transcription, 1918 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1919 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1920-1921 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1921 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1925 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1925-1926 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1926-1927 Medium The material or physical carrier of the resource. Scanned Manuscript Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary & Transcription, 1914 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Theobald "Toby" Barrett Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Courtesy of Archival and Special Collections, University of Guelph Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1914 Language A language of the resource English Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 20th Century, Norfolk County, Woodhouse Township, Ontario Date Created Date of creation of the resource. January 1, 1914 Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary Collection Medium The material or physical carrier of the resource. Scanned Manuscript & Typed Transcription UG Transcription Progress Scripto transcription progress Done Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>January 1st 1914. Thursday.</p> <p>I began the New Year very badly by allowing the sun to get up or nearly so before me, but I was utterly unaware of it until too late, of course we didn't pretend to do any thing but chores so it didn't matter much. We got every thing done up and I got dressed ready for dinner at Aunty Maude's which was supposed to be at half past one sharp, but as Tiddums went to sleep and they didn't like to wake him, Dad, Enah, Roy &amp; Frank didn't get down till about half past two, but I went down on time and told Aunty Maude how things stood. However when we did get after the turkey we soon polished him off. Dad, Tiddums and I came home about five and did chores and minded Tiddums by turns. Roy had to go back to-night and Enah and Frank went down to the station to see him off Enah and Aunty Maude also went over to Mrs. Johnson's reception where Winnie was tending door. Mrs. Johnson's sent word over to have Huby go over this morning, as she wanted a man to be the first caller on New Year's day. Dick was skating all the afternoon and I guess it is great on the pond. Enah came home after dark and Frank and Lila a little later. Huby and Aunty Maude went up to Mrs. Belle's to a party, Winnie came over to Aunt Lucy's and Quint is capable of looking after himself so Lila came over here to stay all night. Ed. was over here just before Dad. went down town this morning to talk over the coming election. Ed. says he has gone over the voters' list and given Vyse all the</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>doubtful ones and has I think one hundred and fifty something votes to Vyse's one hundred and ten, but still Dad. is shaking in his shoes for fear of Ed. being defeated. Dad. sent a card to Rus. Lampkins to-day saying to come down to morrow if at all possible and put up the windmill. It has been freezing and cloudy all day but nice. The wind is rising to-night.</p> <p>Friday January 2nd</p> <p>Rus. Lampkins came at last this morning, he and his man have been here all day and now have the windmill all put to-gether and all ready to erect. I expected to see them build it up but instead of that they put the whole thing to-gether on the ground and rais it with, ropes, pulleys and a team. Huby and Quint came over at noon, Huby was up at his party till three o'clock so didn't get up this morning. He put in the after noon digging the holes for the foundation of the legs, they are just a little inside of the old legs and as they have been put in with stone and brick piled around them he had a fierce time but got them nearly dug. Frank went over and borrowed Tupper's post hole digger and that helped a lot as it will pick out a good sized stone. Chris Quanbury came over this morning and took 16 of the roosters. Lila has been over all day but went home with them to-night. Old Mrs. Martin and {Mrs. Atkinson?} were over this after noon. Cloudy with raw wind, not very cold.</p> <p>Saturday January 3rd</p> <p>It has been a very disagreeable day, it was just spitting snow when we went out this morning and threatened to clear up several times during the fore noon, but after dinner it settled in to snow and stayed right at it till by to-night there was a blinding snow storm raging, before tea the flakes were big and wet but there is quite a north east wind and the snow is drifting. First thing this morning Jim Waddle drove in canvassing for Aikens but Dad. didn't promise him his vote. When he left Rus. Lampkins and his man came, and soon after them Huby and Lila, although they were very doubtful about the weather permitting them to finish the job. We worked all morning digging the holes and Rus. levelled the little tank up and fitted the overflow pipe into it, after dinner they set two of the legs in cement, they just put a little cement in the bottom of the holes around the plates which are bolted on to the legs, and filled the rest up with clay. He said he didn't like to set the other two feet till he got the mill up and saw just where the wanted to go, and he couldn't raise it to-day on account of the snow, he said he would get his ropes all wet, so they left about three o'clock or a little after. Huby and Lila went at the same time. Rus. sized up the kitchen at noon and said he could put in a sink and all fittings from cistern to sink and all for about $9.00 Dad. thinks he will let him. We put the three heifers in the cow stable to-night but let John go loose in there we had a bad time tying Snowdrop up as she was frightened</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Sunday January 4th</p> <p>When we got up this morning which was late we found ourselves almost snowed in, so we had to get right to work and spend an hour or two shovelling ourselves out, but by breakfast which we had some where in the vicinity of ten o'clock we had the buildings pretty well connected by canals through the drifts, some of the paths are pretty roundabout but we took advantage of all bare spots along the sides of the buildings and made them part of the paths. We put in the rest of the day doing chores Dick couldn't very well get down town this after noon so he slept till noon and this after noon he helped us move the piano from the parlor to the living room and Enah played for us most of the afternoon. Tiddums also tore off a little ragtime for us but spent most of his time on the floor. No one has been off the place to-day and no outsider been on it. It has been cloudy (mostly) cold and windy but as the snow had packed a little it didn't drift much to-day, it is milder to-night.</p> <p>Monday January 5th</p> <p>Dad hooked up Joe to the cutter and drove the boys down this morning as Frank had to start back to school, the drifts were pretty bad but he only had to break the trail to the corner as Ed. Forest had been up to Ivey's. Dad noticed just before he started out that Joe had rubbed the skin all off under her fetlock we supposed on Ginger's rope, she has been pretty sore on it all day. Dad. came right back and we did up all the chores this morning. After dinner we both drove down town. Dad. voted for Ed. and then I don't know where he went as there is a new law or else an old one being enforced that no one except the candidate can drive a voter to the polls, so Dad. lent Ed. the horse to do a little canvassing with, we took Belle because Dad. thought if he was allowed to drive any elderly ladies to vote they would not be at all afraid to ride behind Belle and they might be with Joe and Joe's leg was sore and Belle needed the exercise. I went around and got my hair cut and hung around all the after noon although things were very quiet. Dad. and Frank went home about five but as I had to be down at the band room at seven o'clock I didn't go home to tea but stayed at Huby's and Dad. and Frank drove down again with my horn. Quint and I were up in Jim Low's pool room when they were counting ballots, when we thought they ought to be about through we came down and the first person we saw was Hugh McQueen and my heart dropped when he told us that Vyse had beat Ed. by 40 of course we thought he was lying but on going down street we found Ed. in the Dominion, and it was all too true, although it is rather hard to understand. The councillors are Freeman Henderson, Billy Langs, Ward Sovereign and R.M. Taylor. I was up at the band room soon after seven and all the boys were there except Murphy and Fred Warren although they were both in town. and they say</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Murphy was the one who first proposed that we go out to-night, but they suppose he was a little sore at the way things went, he should have seen Harry Moon who must have been as much disappointed as any of us and yet went out and enjoyed himself as much as any one. We started out soon after seven with Al. Martin and Douglas the Scotchman hauling Harry Dyer and his drum on a hand sleigh in the {car?} and followed by a large number of kids ranging from those about two sizes larger than Tiddums right up to those old enough to know better, and we had Barge Waddles {Jeik?} McDonald, Tisy and Ceicl Schram as torch bearers. Of course we set out for Vyse's first but by the time we got over the hill our horns were frozen solid so we had to go in to Carl Coleman's to thaw them out we got treated there to wine and fruit cake and in return played a measly waltz, which I got hopelessly mixed up in, we then went up to Vyse's and by the time we got there my horn was frozen solid and I had to thaw it out on a torch we got more wine and fruit cake in there to say nothing of the eloquent speeches of Walt. and Vyse, the former extending congratulations on behalf of the band and the latter slobbering smooth {loush} all over us, intimating how grand and fortunate for the band to have had him in the past and to have him again in the future. Dover's chief cook and bottle washer. We then dropped in on Uncle Ward where we got a royal reception, Aunty Maude, Win and Lila were all there and Huby had been over with some cider which was very much enjoyed by all who partook of it, we also had coffee, cake and oranges fixed up, as we were leaving Uncle Ward. remembered he had a box of cigars for us so chased us out into the snow to give them to us. I didn't take one but induced Pud. Slocombe to give me a few puffs on his, he became alarmed for fear I was going to keep it so knocked it out of my mouth into the snow but smoked it all the way down town then volunteered the information that it had been too much for him, our next call was on Mr. Taylor, but we had to thaw our horns out first at Bob. Rankin's before we could make our presence known to R.M. He didn't ask us in but made a donation to the band and passed around more cigars one of which I collared and smoked (foolishly I suppose) and was not bothered by Pud. claiming any puffs or by any feeling that it was too much for me. The next man on our calling list was Henderson and we thawed out at Mr. Thompson's before doing our little stunt for him. He made another donation and speech which contained the information that his house was much too small for us, which we know to be perfectly correct. Walt also gave his recitation which he had pretty well off by heart at this time, the same as we had the piece of music which he had us play and every stop. Billy Langs living farthest away was the last councillor for us, so we beat our steps for his domain. None of our number resided in that vicinity so we called unceremoniously on George Steel to be warmed up. George told us we were a hot bunch to come in on a feller with out being asked and that Bill Langs had just as much gas as he did but he lit another fire for us and we rattled off "We wont go</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>home till morning" for him, he said it was pretty poor playing and sounded to him just like "To hell with Bill Langs. To hell with Bill {Young?}. When we went over to Billys he took us in and fed us up properly. I had got pretty well filled up before though so didn't partake of much We were there quite awhile and on coming out trailed down street in any old order playing "Marching throu Georgia" and such airs as we didn't need music for. I know I was coming down Main street beside Carl who banged the drum, with Harry Moon ahead of me and leads and other parts both ahead and behind. It was getting late but at the door of the Dominion we found George Hammond who we had heard had beaten Aikens by 109 votes so we went inside and kicked up a little row in honor of him Gundry who was last on the list of township councillors was also there. Hammond bought cigars but I {let}bad enough alone. We played The "Campbells are comin" in which the horns drone on one note with out music. Harry struck the note but neither of us remember the name of it, I got Eb which sounded about like Harry's and played it all through finding out after wards that it was the wrong note the right one being Ab. but Enah said that it would not be a discord although I guess it wouldn't have mattered much if it was and mabee would have been better to give the desired bagpipe effect. We then broke up, and went home I picked Dick up or at least he fell in with me as he had been spending the evening at the Dyer's and we got home about twelve. Every body was in bed of course but Dad. was not asleep as he was brooding over the elections, the only bright spot in the whole day for him was a little incident this morning. When he was coming down Main street after leaving Frank at school, old man Stringer hailed him and asked him for a ride down town Dad. pulled up and growled at him to get in and then said he supposed he was going down to kill his (Dads) vote 'Ah!' says old Henry "I dont know". "Well I know" Dad said good and savagely "darned well you are". They hadn't got quite to old Henry's place and hadnt gone half a block when he thought he would like to get out home and change his clothes, but Dad. assured him that his clothes were plenty good enough for the man he was going to vote for, however the old boy disembarked and told Dad. he thought he had used him a little rough, he had always had a great admiration for him Dad. said he had a mighty queer way of showing it. But what tickled Dad. about it was that Jack Martin told him to-night that old Henry has told the tale among the Vysebites. It has been a pretty nice day as far as the weather was concerned, and a beautiful night, clear, frosty and moonlight. It think it froze pretty hard before midnight judging from the looks of things and the way the boards in the side walks scrunched and creaked, I didn't feel a bit cold although I had no overcoat or gloves on I think it turned milder towards morning.</p> <p>Tuesday January 6th</p> <p>Dad. drove the boys down this morning and got a sack of flour. Rus. Lampkins and his man came while he was gone but they</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>met him so he went around and got Huby. It took till noon to get everything ready to raise the wind mill as the snow made things nasty to work with, but right after dinner we raised it with out any trouble Harry and Bell walked it up nicely and by to-night it was all complete and pumping water, it works all right. Mr. Flemming was here to-day to invite us to go thrashing there to-morrow. It has been a raw, damp, miserable day and windy</p> <p>Wednesday January 7th</p> <p>Dad. went down to Sam. Laws this morning and got Jimmy to go over to Flemming's for us as he thought my cold would be pretty was too bad to go thrashing, and as they are coming here next we were too busy to go any way. After breakfast he drove the boys down to school &amp; bank and saw Butler about getting a set of bobsleighs. Butler had sold the set which was there but was getting two more in a day or so. When Dad got home he went down and borrowed Alfred's. We did up the chores this morning as we had neglected a lot of yesterdays we had {lots} to do. After dinner we went down to Penmans to see if we could get a load of soft coal for the thrashers. Harry Moon said that the General Superintendent was there then and Henderson didn't like to sell any coal but we could get it if we came down after five to-night or early to-morrow morning, so we went down and weighed the sleighs and on our way home stopped in at Uncle Ward's to get some wood. He has some good apple wood which he split and piled in the shed last winter hoping to have it for his furnace but he found it smoked there so said we could have it. We got all that he had in the shed in two trips and put it in the wood shed here. He has some more long stuff piled out side but we didn't take it to-day. This was Dick's birthday but he didn't get home till late to-night. Fine and mild.</p> <p>Thursday January 8th</p> <p>Dad. and I went down right after breakfast this morning and got our load of Coal Dick rode down as far as the mill with us. We only got 1850 lbs. and as no one was around the office to pay we don't know how much it cost. It wasn't very good as there were hardly any big lumps, when we brought it home and unloaded it. Frank and I took the sleighs back to Alfred's as he wants to get a load of hard coal and Omar said it was going fast. Dad. did chores. This after noon we cleaned up the floor of the old barn and about five Enah and I drove down town for provisions Frank was sick last night and has not been at school all day. Dad. also feels pretty rotten with a cold so does Enah but Tiddums and mine are getting better I think. It has been cloudy but very soft all day it looked as though our sleighing wouldn't last long. There hasn't been wind enough to drive the wind mill since six o'clock this morning.</p> <p>Friday January 9th</p> <p>Dad. and I put in most of the morning cleaning up the</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>big barn floor and Dad. patched the weak spots. Jack McBride and Albert Reid brought over the wire fencing that Dad. ordered from Sid. McBride. He was in yesterday and said he would dump it off the car down there some place for us to get when we had time but as it is we are saved a trip. They finished at Flemming's soon after dinner and moved right over here, it took them quite awhile to get set and they didn't thrash any this afternoon. About four o'clock Frank and I drove down for some more provisions which Enah forgot to get yesterday. While I was waiting for him Johnny and Helen Anderson came along and expressed the desire to see New York so I took them for a swirl around half a dozen blocks or so. Jim Law was in this afternoon and only charged Dad. $3.00 for two days and a half thrashing. It has been very soft again all day. There wasn't enough wind to drive the windmill till late this after noon and then she pumped a trough tank full of water.</p> <p>Saturday January 10th</p> <p>We thrashed all day to-day in the alsike but didn't quite finish as the clover mill broke down some where this after noon and there is still another load or so in the mow, it hasn't turned out very well so far we have only got about seven bushels of seed. We put the straw out doors and I looked after it or at least was supposed to I have kind of a {stede?} &amp; square one but of course it isn't topped out yet. It was rather hard to build owing to a strong nor' west wind. It was pretty rotten up there except just on the north west corner. I kept that corner pretty well tramped. Dad. hired Jim Law again and Tupper sent Jonas over. Mr. Flemming sent old Bill George and Bill sent Teddy. Dad. did all the chores and as Enah had no one to help her, he and Frank I think looked after Tiddums quite a lot. It has been much colder today, froze a little all day and windy with a little snow.</p> <p>Sunday January 11th</p> <p>Dad. and I did chores off and on all day and I read, shelled corn and darned a sock in the intervals. Frank was sick in the night and has felt very miserable all day hardly stirring away from the stove. Dick got up about noon and this after noon took Belle and went for a drive we are not sure who with, conscience tells us it was Dess. Dyer but Dick tells us it was Mr. Hobbes. He didn't stay long ast it was a nasty day but went down to the pond as soon as he got home he said there was a big bunch down there, he intended to go to church and I guess did. Allan Law came over this afternoon and put a little fire in the engine to warm up the water in the boiler. He said his father sprained his ankle last night and was pretty lame on it to-day. I was a beautiful sunny morning with out any wind but this after noon it got cloudy and blustery with a little snow and to-night there is a fierce south west wind with snow. Dad. had to kill one of the pigeons which came here from the shooting match to-day.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Monday January 12th</p> <p>This has been the worst day we have had this winter. There has been a high north west wind and the snow blowing in clouds so that at times we couldn't see from the house to the barns, it has been very cold, and freezing hard all day. First thing this morning Mrs. McBride came over but of course didn't try to wash. Jonas and Ted. George came over too but there was no possibility of thrashing so they didn't stay long. I drove Dick down to the bank this morning and when I got back took Mrs. McBride home. The roads weren't impassable any where but our lane was drifted full in the road way so I had to go along the top of the bank next the lawn fence. We didn't try to do any thing but tend to the stock, not even clean out the horse stable. Allan Law came over this afternoon to put a fire in the engine to thaw her out. About five o'clock Dad. walked down town and got the mail and some whooping cough medicine from Dr. Cook for Tiddums as we are pretty sure he has it. He left word at Huby's for Dick to stay down all night. Frank was a little better to-day but feels pretty sick yet.</p> <p>Tuesday January 13th</p> <p>We didn't do any thing but chores and shovel snow all day. Mrs. McBride came this morning and was tuckered right out after her walk through the drifts. The road from here to the corner is impassable with a cutter and we shovelled a road out the lane. Ted George came over this morning thinking we would be thrashing but it was too cold so he played in the house with Frank most of the day building a swing bridge with Frank's Meccano. Sam and Allan came over this after noon to thaw out the boiler and fix the mill where it broke the other night. Sam said they never thrashed when it was below zero. They said it was 7° below zero down town this morning and I think it must have stayed about that all day for I had to spend about half the time keeping my hands and ears from freezing although it was a lovely sunny day with just breeze enough to run the windmill. Dick went to Simcoe to-night with a sleigh load which Billy Boughner took up and he said it was 16 below up there. In Toronto it was lower temperature than they had had for 27 years.</p> <p>Wednesday January 14th</p> <p>I didn't feel very well when I got up this morning, and while I was watering the horses a sick &amp; weak feeling came on me and it was all I could manage to get to the house and flop myself on the sofa in the kitchen. I haven't done any thing but sit around the stove and read all day. To-night I went out to have a little tea but while I was at it I felt deathly sick and made for the door. I can just remember standing there for a minute and then tumbling over on the wood shed floor. Dad. and Enah hiked out and got me in on the sofa where I felt quite a lot better.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Ted. George was over again to-day but as they didn't thrash he helped Dad. do chores. Jonas was also over but didn't stay long. Dad. and Ted went down with the team this morning and got the bobsleighs from Butler, this after noon they put the box on them and went down town again for groceries and got a load of apple wood at Uncle Ward's, this is smaller limbs than the last we got and will have to be sawed a couple of times I guess they thought it was too cold to thrash again to day but we would have been short handed anyway with me sick and Jim. Law has gone to Stratford to a cheese makers convention. It has not been quite so cold as yesterday but more windy and with a little snow. Frank put in the day fixing a spring on Tiddum's carriage and fixing locks on various doors in the house</p> <p>Wednesday Thursday January 15th</p> <p>Although not quite O.K. I felt ever so much better to-day and was able to do quite a few little chores and fix a bit of sacking in the chicken house window to keep the snow out. Sam &amp; Allan were in this morning and said they thought if it was fair they would thrash Saturday, but we saw Allan again this after noon and he said they would get at it to-morrow. Ted. and Jonas both came over again. Jonas went on over to Tupper's to work but Ted. stayed here all day and chopped wood. This after noon we hooked up Joe and Ginger to the bob-sleighs and Dad. Ted and I drove down town and got the mail. We saw Dick but as there is a dance on to-night he didn't come home with us for Wiggins is going to press his every day pants for him. Very soft and cloudy all day looks like rain.</p> <p>Friday January 16th</p> <p>Sam Law came over soon after daylight this morning but as it was raining then he didn't know whether to fire up or not, but at last decided to, as it let up a little it took an hour or two to get any steam for some reason or other and it was after ten before they got started to thrash and then a belt broke and it took half an hour to fix it. Ted. George was the only man to show up early Jim Law came over the middle of the fore noon and Jonas in time for dinner he was over at Tupper's. There was only a little alsike left and we just got about a bushel of seed out of it. They finished it up and got all moved over to the other barn by half past twelve as they had to spend half an hour or so getting the engine through a snow drift. By the time we got through dinner it was raining again so we hung around in the drive shed for quite awhile where Jim Law mauled the life pretty near out of Jonas, and then over in the barn where we kept snowballs on the fly but at last Sam decided to quit. and told them to be back by to-morrow noon. Dad. and I did up the chores and then we drove Belle down after the mail and took Ted. with us. Dad. saw Dr. Cook about the baby as he has been very miserable to day, the whooping cough is bad enough but he is cutting another tooth</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Saturday January 17th</p> <p>I drove Dick down to the bank first thing this morning and when I got back Dad. and I hooked Harry and Belle to the sleigh and went down to Porter's, we didn't get back till about noon. Sam Law came over while we were gone &amp; fired up and they got started up about one o'clock and finished about four, there was about two bags and a half of seed from the four loads. Allan &amp; Jim Law &amp; Bert Munroe were all down at Ern Flemming's to a dance last night and didn't get in till about six o'clock this morning they said they had a fine time but thought it a little strange that they should be invited to a private house with the stipulation that the ladies were to bring refreshments, and that a collection should be taken up to pay the fiddler, and that the host should keep two dollars out and submit the remaining five to the fiddler, who was {Lym Waddle?}. After tea to-night Dad. &amp; I drove down to get the mail and we took Ted. George with us, (the others all went home to tea) we chased all over town to find Dick as he had the key to the post office box and at last found him and he came home with us, he got another fifty dollar raise in his salary to-day dating back to December 1st. That is the secon one since he has been in there which is just a little over a year. Lila has been over all day and is staying all night. Tiddums feels pretty rotten but is a little brighter to-day. It was cloudy and blustery this morning but the sun came out this after noon and it was not so cold high north wind all day.</p> <p>Sunday January 18th</p> <p>I just did a few chores this morning and went down to church alone. Lila went down earlier to be ready for Sunday school. Frank's calf was too bad for him to go, Dick was in bed, Enah had to look after Tiddums and Dad's. time was taken up ministering to the needs of a heifer calf which Charlotte presented us with soon after we went out this morning. Its ear froze a couple of times but Dad. and Frank thawed it out with snow, when I came home it was on the kitchen floor, they had to bring it in to keep it from freezing to death. They took it out after it got good and warm and dry and I had taken a picture of it but Charlotte didn't seem very anxious to own it so Dad is going to try to teach it to drink now but it hasn't drunk any to-day. Allan Law came in this morning with a bottle of stuff which he bought down town for Witch Hazel for Sam's eye. Sam said it wasn't the right color (dark brown) for with Hazel and told him to ask Dad. Dad smelt it and tasted it and said it was clear whisky. Allan said if Sam had known that he would have swallowed it but Dad said he hadn't better as something else might be in it, so he gave him some of his. Allan said his sleighs had come but weren't set up yet, so he said we would go to Jarvis with our seed to-morrow with our sleighs and his team. This after noon I drove Enah down town to see the Doctor about Tiddums, Dick went down with us and I suppose has gone to church to-night. It has been pretty cold all day but fairly sunny and no wind, milder to-night.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Monday January 19th</p> <p>I was up before six this morning and we had the seed loaded and allready to start for Jarvis at eight o'clock, Allan brought his team up soon after and by the time we got his seed on and on the road it was ten minutes to nine, but the sleighing was fine and we got there in a little more than an hour. We unloaded the seed at Jake Fesses and he just got started on our lot a little before dinner. I had my dinner alone as Allan was down at Roy Misner's. I was over at Fesses all the after noon but Allan was just there a little while. They finished cleaning up the seed about four o'clock in time for me to get my check cashed which I did as I wanted to buy half a dozen bags from Fess and forgot to tell him to take the price of them off the check. The whole thing came $55.26. The alsike cleaned away about half, so I only got 4 bushels and 20 lbs, he docked me a little on it as there was a little white clover in it but I got $8.00 a bushel for it. The red seed he said had a little buckhorn in it and I only got 7.75 for it. I brought home about a bushel of it and sold 2 bushel and 40 lbs. Alan only had about a pailful of alsike which he brought home and he got the same as me for his red seed, it had no buck horn in it but he docked him on brown seed. We got home here just about dark pretty well satisfied with the day's doings Dad. I guess did chores most of the day the new calf got loose this after noon and milked Charlotte for him. Miss Newel was over to see Tiddums and he drove her home. Cloudy, mild and a little breeze looks like snow or rain</p> <p>Tuesday January 20th</p> <p>We didn't get up till about eight o'clock this morning so were late with every thing. Dad. drove Dick down town while I was at breakfast After I cleaned out the stables I sacked some corn and Frank and I bagged up some oats to take down to be chopped. Dad. wanted to go down to a meeting of the cream factory patrons but it was too late when we got through dinner. He and I took our grist to the mill after dinner and came up around by Uncle Ward's and got another load of wood when we got it unloaded Frank and I went down town for the mail and provisions and came up around by the mill and got our chop and some bran, shorts &amp; buckwheat, getting home soon after five. Dad. did chores and cut wood while we were gone. Mrs. Art Ryersie was in this morning with some garlicks which she said mixed with rum made a fine concoction for the whooping cough and she thought Tiddums would benefit by it I don't know whether he is to take it internally or not I think it will be informally which ever way it goes. Alan and Jim Law brought our sleigh home this morning. They drove down in them to get their own which are Bain make and cost $2.00. They are very similar to ours but a little heavier and there is $4.00 difference in the price. Rotten day, very cloudy and foggy, fine rain most of the day freezing light breeze to-night.</p> <p>Wednesday January 21st</p> <p>First thing this morning Molly had a fine big bull calf, good red one and as big as Charlotte now or bigger. Dad. drove Dick down</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>to the bank this morning and we didn't do any thing much but chores the rest of the morning. Lloyd Phillips came over and got a load of hay but he had Garf {Porcrit?} and another fellow with him so we didn't have to help him put it on. This after noon Dad. Frank and I wrote to Uncle Hal. for his birthday and I went over to Martin's with the bit Frank borrowed from Art. Quanbury the other day, I saw Mr. Briley and he was telling me that he didn't think a mash was the right thing at all for laying hens, while Chris told me to feed it so it's hard to tell what to do exactly. Dad. and I hooked Joe &amp; Ginger to the bobs and went down to post Uncle Hal's letter but we were too late for to-night's mail. Dick and Wiggins rode over as far as the corner with us and then walked on around the hill we gave {Bruce?} Vice a ride home too. We also brought some lumber over from Tommy Gilles's for John Quanbury as Chris asked us to on our way down. We had great difficulty to-night in trying to catch Dreadnaught and drive him into his stall and at last by running him through the deep snow until he was tired and he went in of his own accord. Snowed an inch or two last night and has been rather cold and blustery all day.</p> <p>Thursday January 22nd</p> <p>I did chores this morning and cleaned the straw out of the chicken house and also sat in the dining room for awhile to catch Tiddums if he woke up coughing and put in the time sorting "Farmer's Advocate" Dad. and Frank sawed down the old Northern Spy in the pig yard as it was dead. This after noon they cut some of it up and got a lot of first class fire wood out of it. After dinner I put a lot of fresh straw in the chicken house and helped Dad fix a pent in the corner of the old barn to put the calves into. Lovely day, fairly sunny and not too cold, looks like snow.</p> <p>Friday January 23rd</p> <p>We spent most of the morning battoning up the calf pen and Dad. put the window in. This after noon he put the surcingle &amp; bridle on Osprey. He didn't like it at all at first but once he got started he walked down to the corner and back alright but sweat up a lot. When we got back I did a few chores and Dad and Frank got some more apple wood. Cousins Loll &amp; Phoebe came over and about four o'clock Frank &amp; I drove them home we also got the mail and a couple of boxes to feed the calves in Charlie Butler was in at noon to see Dad. about some horse. It has been cloudy and very soft all day. Looks very much like a storm.</p> <p>Saturday January 24th</p> <p>It was raining when we got up this morning, turned to snow about nine o'clock and snowed till noon. Dad. put the harness and bridle on Osprey again but we couldn't take him out so just left him there all morning He must have gone through some violent exercise, probably trying to get loose as when we went in at noon he was wringing wet. Dad. also trimmed his front feet and had to resort to chastisement to make him behave</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>We put the old waggon and the plow in the shed out of the rain before dinner. This after noon it stopped storming but got a little colder. Frank went down to the McBain's auction sale but didn't buy anything he said there was a big crowd there. I spent half the after noon looking at a book of house plans and then helped Dad. saw a few pieces of the old apple tree we then did chores. I drew a plan for our new barn to-night.</p> <p>Sunday January 25th</p> <p>Frank was the only one from here who went to church this morning as it was late when we got up and Dad. and I spent most of the fore noon doing chores and we also took Osprey out for a little exercise. Dick was asleep the greater part of the morning. Frank and I went for a skate down on the pond this afternoon. Dick went down but I guess there weren't enough girls on the ice to catch him so he went on up town and lent his skates to Fred. Tuck. I was late getting there so only had an hour or two's skate but I enjoyed that much for the ice was pretty good and as it was my first skate this season maybe it was just as well not to make it too long. I went down to church to-night and came home right after, but didn't see any thing of Dick who was not home to tea. It has been sunny and quite mild all day but is a little colder to-night.</p> <p>Monday January 26th</p> <p>After we did chores this morning, we hooked up Harry and Belle to the waggon and went over to Sam's to get our quarter of beef. We took it down to Alfred's and weighed it and it was just 90 lbs which was pretty good for the front quarter of a calf not quite a year old. It was just about noon when we got home but we went and got a jag of rails before dinner. After dinner we went and got another load of rails and then went down town for the mail and some yeast cakes and got back about five. John Wess was in just before dark as his mare has a little touch of lymphangitis again. Dad. told him what to do for it and said that he would go over and see it in the morning. To-night I went down to the pond for a skate as I saw they had quite a lot shovelled off. I got a ride part way down with Allan Law and he said they were going to start hauling ice to-morrow and that he could haul ours for us if we wanted him to. I told him we couldn't put it in to-morrow but we might the day after. There wasn't a big crowd on the pond and only a very few girls but the ice was good. I put in most of the time chasing Bunyan Beecraft and Tony Bannister to punish them for throwing snowballs all over. I caught Tony early in the game and twisting his hair till he got down on the ice and filling his hat with snow succeeding in persuading him to behave himself but Bunyan was another proposition. In the first place I couldn't begin to catch up with him, being out of practice I suppose - and then he was so nimble getting around the</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>corners I would sometimes be nearly on him and he would jump right off the track into the snow and aparently make just as good progress there as on the ice. I jumped in after him once but my feet slid out from under me and I cleaned off quite an area of ice in a very short time and carried most of the snow off on my clothes. At last Alex Spain joined in the chase and we both got Bunyan headed for Ivey's point where we thought we would catch him for sure, we could just see his figure ahead of us and followed him around the point right through the snow and some very poor ice till the first thing we knew he was taking to the land like one of these aligator boats, we hiked back around the point hoping to be where we thought he would get on the ice again by the time he was but there was no sign of him. He told us after wards when we were taking our skates off in Greenbury's woodshed that he was up behind Ivey's ice house and heard us go past. Dick came down before I left and hung around till I got my skates off and went up to Huby's after a loaf of bread I got up town. We got home about ten. Very soft all day not wind enough to turn the windmill till after dark. Mrs. McBride was here washing all day.</p> <p>Tuesday January 27th</p> <p>As soon as we got things done up this morning which was about ten o'clock we hooked up and went over to John Wesses and Dad. gave his mare a {ball?}. Mr. Morgan was looking over there and we got looking at his gasoline engine and he was running it and grinding oats and showing us all around so it was after noon when we got home. Mr. Morgan came home with us and stayed to dinner and half the after noon, consequence being that we didn't get any thing but chores done although we had intended to haul some rails and clear out the ice house Allan Law was in to-night and said if they were hauling ice to-morrow he would haul ours for us but I think it is raining now so not likley they will be doing much with the ice. It has been very soft and spring like to-day. It rained last night and took most of the snow of the roads and left them very slippery.</p> <p>Wednesday January 28th</p> <p>We cleaned out the ice house first thing this morning and got it all ready to fill. It rained last night and was so very mild that we didn't think Alan was coming but just as we got ready for him he came along with a load, he said he went to see Val. about it last night but Val. was at lodge, so this morning he went down after a load of sand for the chickens as he thought they wouldn't be cutting to-day but some body saw him down town and told him that Val. wanted him to haul what was on the stand over here so he did, he got two loads over before dinner and four this after noon. we didn't get the last load chincked or placed to-night and if all is well he is going to haul over two more loads in the morning. We think we are putting this in better</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>than we did last year, we are leaving a good space between the walls and the ice for sawdust, and we put rails and sawdust in the bottom, but the ice isn't as good as last year especially what has been out of the water in the sun all day. Jim Coley was over this morning and got Dad. to give him a two weeks option on his lots, he says he can almost guarantee the sale of them at $600.00. Bob. and Cars. Rankin also drove over and brought the saddle &amp; bridle back. Bluch was very glad to see them and followed them way down the road but came back when we called him. Tupper came in to get his post auger which we borrowed to dig the holes for the windmill feet. Mrs. Tupper and the baby were with him. I guess Mrs. Tupper wanted to see Tiddums but she didn't want to bring her kid in on account of the whooping cough and it was asleep anyway, Enah brought Tiddums to the window to wave at her. It has been very spring like and the sleighing is going fast.</p> <p>Thursday January 29th</p> <p>Just about as we got ready for him this morning Alan came along with a load of ice and hauled one more before dinner, we then saw that we needed eleven more cakes to fill up the ice house evenly so he brought 14 over this after noon, he said he had a hard time getting them as the machine wasn't working. We put the extra three on top. Dad. chincked it while I cleaned out the horse stable which has been neglected for two days, that makes over eight loads of ice that can be put in that ice house. Old Bill George drove over before dinner to get the fork that Ted. left over here. He was driving his yearling colt to the cutter and the seighing is about gone, it is the same age as Queen and not nearly so big so that sort of treatment must be hard on it. Harry Dyer, his brother and Hammy Innes were over for awhile this after noon. Dick came home to tea to-night to change his clothes and attend the dance of the Orchestra's in the town hall. Another April day, water is running over everything and "the buds are within a holy ace of bustin" as Art. Ryersie says. The snow is fast giving place to mud and it looks as if it would rain again. Quite a strong south west breeze all day.</p> <p>Friday January 30th</p> <p>It was freezing when Dick came home at three o'clock this morning and has been freezing in the shade all day but not very hard. We found that the south west wind the early part of last night had melted quite a lot of the ice that it could reach through the west window, so Dad. had to fix it a little and we put in all the sawdust we had, but will need quite a lot more. Dad. thought the roads would be too icy to go to-day. We gave Osprey a little exercise before dinner and I sorted out a lot of the apples down cellar. This afternoon we tore down a lot more of the gully fence but just put the rails in piles. It was a lovely day to do it as the snow is nearly all gone. More like a lat fall day to-day except that there is so much running water.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Saturday January 31st</p> <p>We didn't do much but chores to-day. Dad. cut a big pile of wood and I Frank carried it and I wheeled most of the sand which Dad. got for Frank Slocomb to mend the cistern with from the house over to the drive shed and put it in to dry up the mud as the water as run in a lot since it thawed. This afternoon Dad. and Frank drove down town to get the mail and some provisions. They got a letter from "The Library of Original Sources" saying that our books would doubtless be here with in the next few days. I spent the evening making entries for the past month in my book keeping book. The hens haven't nearly payed for themselves. I got six eggs to-day which is the most yet. Mr. and Mrs. Walt McCall drove Dally over this morning. She cawked one of her front feet and Walt got Dad. to look at it. It has been a very blizzardy day but not cold. It was hail sleet when we got up this morning then rain and a blow this after noon with strong east wind which shifted right around. To-night it is blowing hard but I think clear.</p> <p>Sunday January February 1st</p> <p>I haven't done much all day. This morning Enah and I drove down to church but got home very early. After dinner Dick and I went down town I went over to Harry Moon's and spent the after noon and stayed to tea. Harry was showing me over the new part of his house which he has fixed up pretty slick but hasn't quite finished the upstairs yet. They went to church to-night so I went down to Huby's. Quint. and Win were at church and Lila was over here but Huby and Aunty Maude were home. Frank came home with Lila while I was there so I went home with him. I don't know where Dick went but I have a sneaking idea that he spent the after noon over at Dyers. Last night when Dad. locked up the stable there wasn't a sign of Bluch so we thought he must have followed them down town when they went down after the mail last night, although they watched him, so to-day after church Frank went down to the Rankin's and sure enough he found Bluch there so brought him home. Bob. Rankin told Huby. that Jimmy cried himself to sleep last night because they wouldn't let Bluch sleep with him and told him they couldn't keep him. Some fellow was in here from Nanticoke to-day to have Dad look at his horse. I got seven eggs to-day. It has not been very cold stormy to-day but there has been a cold strong west wind.</p> <p>Monday February 2nd</p> <p>After we got the chores done we went out and hauled up three loads of rails before dinner, we got nearly all we had torn down. We also cut the tips off Erie's and Spotty's horns as we thought that the comfort or even saftey of the other animals was hazarded by their sharp points, we cut one of Erie's a little lower than we intended and severed a little artery. It soon stopped after we let her out but this after noon she scrubbed it against Snowdrop or the straw stack</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>and covered Snowdrop with gore and when we let them in to-night a beautiful little spurt was coming out of it but Dad. soon stopped it but putting a little chop stuff on it. We intended to go prospecting for sawdust this after noon but by the time I got the rails unloaded The Law's came in to take their clover mill and engine down to Bob. Leitch's as the roads are now in grand shape. We were very glad to have the clover mill out of the barn as it was a great nuisance, but we didn't get a chance to go for our saw dust as they were here most of the after noon getting up enough steam to raise hel the engine out of the ground where she was frozen in, when Alan threw her in she would hump and stop "breathing" just like a horse trying to lift a big load, but after a few strains she loosened up and got out. Sam's brother-in-law was with them and he seemed to understand quite a lot about it. When they went Dad. put Joe's harness on Osprey and hooked him up to the bobs with Belle. he did pretty fair but seems to throw or paddle his nigh forefoot. Jonas came over this morning and borrowed a pitch fork and the hay knife as he is going to move the hay from McBains barn to Sam McBrides as they are tearing down the old McBain barn to-day. he brought them back to-night and is now playing checkers with Frank. The bear had ample chance to see his shadow to-day as the sun has been shining nearly the whole time it has been an ideal winter day, not too cold and just enough wind to turn the wind mill. I got seven eggs again to-day. They are getting a lot of milk now and it is beginning to tell on them.</p> <p>Tuesday February 3rd</p> <p>I got up about five this morning and read till daylight When Dad. came out I found that Dick had brought home word last night that Winckey Smith was dead and was to be brought here on the eleven o'clock train to be buried, and as the funeral was to be taken charge of by the mason's, Dad. was wanted at the lodgeroom at ten o'clock. I drove down with Dad. and hung around till the train came in and then drove up to the cemetery with him. After the service was over there we drove over to Evan's woods on the Radical opposite old Stringer's place to see if there was any sawdust. We had quite a time finding any signs of a sawmill but at last Dad. came on it way back in a little ravine. He said there were no men around but quite a few bags and a pile of sawdust. This after noon Dad. went down and got his hair cut and was gone all the after noon. I watered the horses and cleaned out the cow stable and then I took a walk back the lane to look at the little trees. Most of them on the west side are dead while most on the east are alive. To-night Dad. went over to a men's party at Jack Martin's. It has been very soft all day and the sleighing is just about gone. There is snow lying in the fence corners and on the north side of things but it looks very Spring like, water is running every where and the fields are nearly all brown and where ever the sun can reach it looks dry and warm. I got twelve eggs to-day which I thought was pretty good.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Wednesday February 4th</p> <p>Tobe did not write this up last night as he went skating. I did not get up this morning until 7.30. I found Toby up and the kitchen fire on and good and warm. Dick did not get home last night till sometime after I did and then we talked till after 2 O'Clock. After doing up the usual round of chores, we caught the 5 roosters and took them over to Jack Martin. It was dinner time when we got home from there. After noon we put on a small load of hay to take over to the other barn for the cows and calves. Frank went to skate after school. After tea Toby and I went down town he to skate and I to a school board meeting where we had a lively time, it looked at first as if we would not get anything done but it became quite peaceable towards the close. Old Mark Topley is getting along fine in his walking and his cough is much better. Rus Lampkins came in this evening and I paid him for the windmill. Fairly cold all day.</p> <p>Thursday February 5th</p> <p>It was late again this morning when I got up, 7 O'Clock, being out at night does not agree with me. Dick worked late last night Toby and I came home with Jack Martin and got home first. Dick brought home word that the long looked for books had come. After the chores were done we hauled the hay over that we loaded yesterday and put it off, then we hauled ni a load of corn stalks. After dinner we went down town and got the books. That accounts for my writing tonight, Toby is absorbed in them. Dick went to Simcoe this afternoon, Frank went down and had his hair cut after school, Enah and little {Taphy?} went through their usual daily round. It has been pretty cold all day, but for the most part bright. I find it hard to keep awake, I will have to take a look at the new books.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Friday February 6th</p> <p>We took a load of grist to the mill this morning six bags of oats and four of corn, we got one bag of the oats rolled for the chickens. Tige. Tarr was in for awhile to see if he could rent some of the back of the place for pasture but of course there was nothing doing. Dad. went down town right after dinner to give the deeds of his lots to Jim Caley but as Cousin Willie was sick they couldn't get them fixed up so he &amp; Enah will have to go down some other time to sign off. he got home about four and we then went down to the mill for our chop. We had quite a time getting up the hill as it was very icy and the horses slipped all the way. Old Jonas was over this morning to get a dose of salts for his pig which he says he thinks will die Dad. looked at it and he thinks so too if it does he will only have one left as two have died already. Allan &amp; Jim Law were in to-night Allan's horse got its legs cut in some way he doesn't know how and he wanted Dad. to look at it. I got up at half past four this morning to read the new books and also learn a little Latin out of Dad's old book. It froze pretty hard last night and there was a cold east wind all morning but it turned mild at noon and has been snowing &amp; raining alternately all day afternoon. Poor Tiddums felt very miserable this morning and they thought the poor little cus had the earache but after he had his sleep he felt a lot better - and has been all rigt the rest of the day</p> <p>Saturday February 7th</p> <p>I got up about half past five this morning learned latin till Dad. came out about half past six, then I went out to do chores It has been blowing a hurricane and snowing all day so we didn't do anything but chores and Dad. cut a pile of wood. This after noon Frank went down town this after noon to see if there were any waves on the lake but there weren't although it was a south west wind, but likely there is a lot of ice in the lake. Dad. and I started to make a book case for the new books out of the box they came in. Frank got some cloth down town to line it with. I got thirteen eggs to-day. It has been pretty cold and very blizzardy to-day.</p> <p>Sunday February 8th</p> <p>Frank went down to Sunday school and church and Dad. and I went down to church this morning we were late for although we came accross the pond we had to stop in at Henderson's as my ear got frozen by the cold wind on the pond and we went in there where Dad. thawed it out with snow I nearly froze my hand holding snow on it from the pond up there. We came around by Huby's on our way home and got the old glue pot to make some glue for our book case and also looked at the old chicken house as we are going to bring it over here for a breeding pen. This after</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>noon we read did chores and listened to Enah play the piano. Dick got up and had a bath before dinner, got Dad. to shave him and went down town about the middle of the after noon as he says he is going to church to-night. Frank spent most of the after noon skating on the ditch out here from the lane fence up to the oak trees and down in Bannister's gully. Very cold and strong west wind, a little snow otherwise not a bad day.</p> <p>Monday February 9th</p> <p>It froze about the hardest yet last night and has been pretty cold and breezy all day, but was bright and sunshiny part of the time, and snowing a little part of the time. We didn't do any thing but chores and Dad. cut wood. Mrs. McBride was here washing all day and as it was too cold and draughty for Tiddums in the kitchen Frank had to stay home to look after him in the dining room. Dad. and Enah were contemplating a trip down town this after noon to sign the deeds to the lots but Mr. Hawey who is buying them and a Mr. Ross brought them over this after noon and saved them the trouble. The option is up on them to-morrow so they wanted to get things settled. He paid Dad. a check for the six hundred. Jonas was over here most of the afternoon selling seeds. Dad. gave him an order for some of L.P. Gunson's seed oats and we are going to make out and order for him to-night of garden seeds from Simmers No body was down town to-day, so we haven't got the mail.</p> <p>Tuesday February 10th</p> <p>Dad saw a load of ice going into Mrs Battersby's this morning and just remembered that we had not returned John Quanbury's little ice tongs, and as we thought he might be needing them I took them down but he said he never used them as they were too small so told me to take them home again which I did. I stayed there quite awhile helping &amp; watching him. Bob. Leitch was hauling the ice, it is a lot bigger and better looking than ours but John says it doesn't keep at all well in Mrs. Battersby's ice house. It is cement and built right in the side hill. The let the ice slide down the hill and drop about eight feet to the bottom of the ice house and it breaks up badly. Dad. cut wood while I was away and when I got back helped me clean out the chicken house. This after noon I cut a piece off the stack and Dad carried over a lot of straw to the chicken house. Jonas came over this morning and we gave him the Simmer's order although we are sure he is not an authorized agent, but as we don't have to pay for the stuff till we get it I suppose it will be alright. Dad. told him he was crazy to waste his time selling seeds instead of cutting his hedge down for wood over at Myers but Jonas said he had to get a little money some way as he only had fifty cents. Frank said he was working down cutting ice this after noon. It has been much milder though still freezing to-day cloudy and just breeze enough this after noon to turn the wind mill, snowing a little to-night.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Wednesday February 11th</p> <p>We did chores and Dad cut wood most of the day, this afternoon we put some poles across a couple of beams in the big barn and covered them with hay to make a pen for the ewes'. The old ram seems to be getting crosser, he attacked me to-day for the first time, and we think it is because he has some way got the wool all pulled away from his eyes and can see much better all around him. I got fourteen eggs to-day, the cold weather doesn't seem to affect the hens any, I guess it is the feed and care that counts. Enah cut the cloth for the book case of my new books this after noon and to-night Dad and I glued it on the wood, it is going to look pretty nice I think. It froze very hard last night. Frank said it was seven below zero, and although bright and sunny has been frosty all day barely thawing even in the sun. They say there was a slight earthquake felt in different parts of Ontario and in Montreal but I think the ones that felt it here just thought so after they got the paper.</p> <p>Thursday February 12th</p> <p>Dad. and I took a walk down to Porter's and back this morning, we got back about half past one. This after noon we just did chores. To-night after a lot of hesitation I decided to go down to the dance. Dick said he didn't think there would be many there but there was enough to suit me. No-one from Simcoe was down but all the Dover bunch was there and I had a good time. I didn't miss more than half a dozen dances and much to my surprise found that I could dance fairly well. I didn't expect to be able to do any better than the last time I tried especially as I haven't been down for over a month. They say it was fifteen below zero down town this morning and although it has been a lovely sunny day with out breeze enough to blow the wind mill, it has been freezing hard all day, and is just as cold to-night.</p> <p>Friday February 13th</p> <p>After we did the chores up this morning Dad. &amp; I hooked Harry and Belle to the sleighs and went down town, the sleighing was good most of the way in town but was pretty icy in places. I took down 7 1/2 doz. eggs and got at the rate of 35 cts a doz for them but traded them off for groceries. Dad. got some lumber to fix up the sheep pen with and settled up with Tommy. This after noon we just did chores and I had a little snooze as I only had about four hours last night or rather this morning. To-night Dad. dressed up and went down to pay a visit to Alfred. and Lulu. Billy Faulkner came over this morning and took their heifer away. Arnold Peddler came in to-night about five he looked about frozen and piked off towards Sam Law's who he evidently knew as he asked up if he didn't live down by the mill before he moved up here. This is poor weather I should think for his job I wouldn't mind it at all in the summer, pretty frosty all day and a cold north east wind but mostly sunny. It is milder to-night and trying to snow.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Saturday February 14th</p> <p>I did chores all morning and Dad. &amp; Frank cut up the old apple tree in the pigyard. They had some pretty hard sawing in it. This after noon Dad and I took the team and waggon sleigh and hauled it up to the house where Dad. split a lot of it. Frank went down town and got his tooth filled - and sent off a lot of valentines. Bert. Thompson came over this afternoon to see if we had any Black Orpington hens. There was just one left of the ones that Huby hatched out three years ago of the eggs he got from Bert. I knew she wasn't laying and was glad enough to get rid of her, I would have sold her for fifty cents or less but Bert offered me a dollar for her so I let him have her. Dad. had quite a visit down at Alfred's last night, the old peddler, whose name is Foster was there. Lulu was in Toronto but got home before he left, she told them that Art Ryersie who had brought her home heard down town that Blaikie was dead, but as we have heard nothing about it to-day, we feel pretty sure there is a mistake some-where. It has been milder to-day a little though still freezing hard. It snowed a little but was mostly sunny.</p> <p>Sunday February 15th</p> <p>Enah and I walked down to church this morning and Frank went down to Sunday school and church. This after noon Cousins Clare and Phoebe came over and also Quint, Huby and Lila. Dick was in bed all morning and went down town this after noon and says he is going to church to-night. Huby said Aunty Maude was pretty sick to-day. Dad. and I walked down to church to-night and went around to see Aunty Maude on our way home, she was sitting up on the sofa but looks pretty miserable, we got home about nine o'clock and Dick soon after we did. It is still pretty frosty but getting milder I think. cloudy most of the day and to-night. Huby told us of a great joke they played on old Tom the cook on the Vigilant. It seems he is quite a lady's man and gets a letter occasionally from a young lady he met in St. Thomas. Young Archie McQueen knew this and put Bill Davis, Parks and a few more of the bunch wise to it and they with Mrs. Walt. McCalls assistance composed a letter to Tom, from his girl telling him to meet her at the Fair corner (so as everything could be seen from the Dominion Hotel windows) at noon yesterday and to be sure and bring a bottle of gin along. When Tom. got the letter he never caught on and was in a great state of excitement all morning and kept his eyes on the Fair corner, meanwhile Archie had been getting togged up in a lot of Mrs. McCall's clothes, he is rather small and good looking and about two o'clock slipped out of the side door at the hotel and around the block up to the Fair corner, of course old Tom was right there to meet him and Archie immediately inquired about the gin so Tom told him to go over to the hotel and wait for him at the head of the stairs while he got it. He rushed into the bar to get a fifty cent bottle but Walt. told him that they didn't have any smaller than a dollar and a quarter bottle.Tom was in such a hurry that he said any thing would do so took a big bottle up stairs and rushed the fair one of to his room. Archie told Huby after wards that it would have been rich</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>if he could have played his part a little longer but when Tom began to kiss his hands, he could stand no more, so with a burst of laughter he picked up his skirts and fled down stairs. Tom was so mad he never spoke to any one the rest of the day but got bozy eyed on the bottle of gin.</p> <p>Monday February 16th</p> <p>Dad. and I went down as soon as we could get ready this morning to get the chicken house down home ready to move Huby helped us and we got it raised and up on blocks by noon. While we were at it, who should come along, bare headed, and without an overcoat, but Walter, he had come through the house and Aunty Maude had told him where we were, so that accounted for the absence of hat and overcoat, but as we hadn't the slightest idea that he was within a thousand miles of us, we were quite surprised to see him, but this after noon we got a letter from Roy which we should have got on Saturday, saying that Walter was then in Barrie having come down with the body of Mrs. {illegible} father. He got into Toronto Friday night and came up here this morning but had to go right back again to-night. He stayed at Huby's to dinner for as he said a walk over here before dinner did not sound tempting and right after dinner Dad. hooked up Belle and went down and got him, he was only here an hour or two and then Dad. and I drove him down he had to stop in for a minute or two to see Miss Phipps, Cousins Bessie, Clare and Loll and say goodbye to Aunty Maude. Dick Quint &amp; Huby went to the station to see him off so he had a very hurried visit, but we were all very glad to see him if it was only for a short time. Old Jonas came over to-night to get his orders ready to send away, and to get a little corn but I think principally for a visit. Aunty Maude says she feels better to-day but looks very miserable. I only got twelve eggs to-day. It was a beautiful morning but this after noon the wind got up and it was a rotten after noon very blizzardy and cold. Quieter and colder to-night.</p> <p>Tuesday February 17th</p> <p>We just did chores and cut wood this morning, I read for awhile this afternoon and then Dad. and I drove down town and Dad. saw Johnny Walker about bringing over the hen house, he said he thought he could load it on the sleigh and bring it over to-morrow after noon we went down to see if we could get it any more ready but thought we couldn't do much more to it alone. A couple of the little Ryersie girls came in with Frank after school and young Roy Bannister appeard from somewhere soon after Frank got home and they went sleighriding back in the gully and Roy borrowed a book to take home with him. To-night I blew a little on my horn for the first time since election night. It was a very blizzardy blustery morning, but turned out a nice bright afternoon, snowed quite a little bit, and there wasn't enough wind to turn the windmill.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Wednesday February 18th</p> <p>Dad. and I did chores most of the morning besides taking the wire off the posts in the hen yard so we could get through with the other hen house which we intend to put in the north east corner of the yard. We had to pump water for the cattle this morning as there wasn't enough wind to turn the wind mill, it took us over half an hour to pump half a tank full, we took turns at it, it is the first time we have had to pump for them this winter, and if we had a bigger tank which would hold two or three days supply, it wouldn't matter about it being quiet for one day. As soon as we could after dinner Dad and I went down to get the old hen house Jack Walker didn't come for quite a while, but I went up town and got Huby and we got it raised up in front nearly high enough to back the sleighs under, when Johnny came he said he thought it would pay us to raise it up high enough behind to back the sleighs, so we did and without so very much more work got it loaded beautifully, we were afraid the top of the pigeon house which Dad. built on the roof of the hen house would catch on wires and branches but we hated to take it off as it has been there so long but Johnny said he thought it would go alright. The first obstruction occured going out the lane and we had to chop a limb off Mrs. Low's apple tree, but got past. Then going from the lane gate to the road where Dad. had a nice driveway fixed the road-scraper made a nasty ditch and never filled it in. Johnny was afraid the building might tip over on the horses going over the bump so Dad. went over and borrowed some rope from {Yint?} Rankin and tied it to the {rave?} of the Sleigh over the roof of the chicken house, we thought we had her solid but Johnny let his horses go a little fast down hill and rounding the curve with such a big top weight, she just keeled right over sleigh and all at the side of the road on end just nicely between the side walk and the road. I thought the jar would rack her all to pieces but as far as we could see it did hurt a bit, except knocked the pigeon house right off the roof. We decided to leave her there for the night and Johnny said he would get a pair of skids from Val. and take her over on them in the morning. Old Faucet said he would hang a light on to-night for us. We got a ride home with Charlie Quanbury. Tonight Dad. togged up in his dress suit and went down to pay a visit to Cousin Loll as she likes to see him dressed up so much. It was about eight below zero last night they say but has been a lovely day, rather foggy but quite mild and no wind.</p> <p>Thursday February 19th</p> <p>Dad. and I went down about half past nine this morning as that was the time Johnny said he would be on the spot but there was no sign of him so Dad went down to see if Jim Low had any chestnut coal but he hadn't a pound. When he came back from there he went in to see old Mrs. Fausett for awhile Huby and I carried back Mrs. Jim Low's blocks which we borrowed and then went and sat in the house, then as there was no sign of Johnny Dad.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>came over. At last about eleven we thought he wasn't coming so thought we would go home. Huby went down to the mill with us as they saw Johnny go in there with a load of shooks, when we found him he said he was just ready to go so we went back with him. It took us quite awhile to get it turned over on to the skids and we had to get a few extra hands to help us. Allan Law came along just as we were about ready to start and as one of Johnny's horses is very poor on the draw and he couldn't start it Allan hooked his team on and the two snaked it along to Allan's corner, then Johnny took his team off as they thought two teams would be too wide going down that narrow road and over the bridge. Allan hauled it to the top of the hill and then Johnny took it alone the rest of the way, he let his team sail right through and as it was too hard work keeping up afoot I rode part of the way so did Huby. Johnny got stuck in our lane here where the snow was deep and he ran into the side of the bank, we had to take the little horse off and put old Harry on with Johnny's big horse and they pulled it easily. Huby stayed to dinner and this after noon we placed the hen house just where we want to lever it and put it up on blocks. Dad. and Huby then drove back to straighten things up down there and to take back some stuff we borrowed from Mrs. Jim Low. I did chores while they were gone. Charlie Butler was in for a few minutes this after noon to see Dad. about his horse which has something like lymphangitis. Dad. brought the pigeon house back with him this after noon. Nice day, snowed a little, mostly sunny with a little breeze.</p> <p>Friday February 20th</p> <p>After we did chores this morning Dad. and I sacked up eleven bags of oats and took them down to get chopped. We went on down town and got some stuff and then down to Huby's where we cut down a little locust tree and sawed it up in lengths to fit the waggon box and brought it over for fire wood we also took a big limb which was broken off the old Newton pippin tree. We didn't get home till nearly one. This after noon we discovered we had left Alfred's cross-cut saw down at Huby's so we hooked up Joe and Ginger (who were delighted to get out after about a month's confinement) and went down and got the saw and came around by the mill and got our grist. It was time to do chores when we got home. Tonight Dad. went down to a school board meeting, he didn't feel much like it especially as he didn't know that it was specially important. Frank went down with him to go to the moving picture show. Pretty cold, sunny but cold breeze. Dick told us that Frances Henry got badly hurt last night on Edmonson's hill where a bunch were sleigh riding. She was walking up hill and fell and a sleigh coming down ran in to her and cut an awful gash in her leg. I practiced my horn a little to-night. Dad. heard down town that Billy Anderson was dead</p> <p>Saturday February 21st</p> <p>Frank and I went over to Jack Martin's this morning and got a couple of roosters, as we want to mate up a breeding pen as soon as possible.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>We got what they said over there were a couple of good ones although they were tough looking characters, as owing to their blood stained countenances it appears as though they had been indulging in a passage at arms. When we got home Frank helped Dad. saw up the wood we got yesterday and I cleaned out the new chicken pen. After dinner, Dad and I went down and got a load of coal, as Allan Law was in before dinner and told us there was a car in, we thought it would pay to get in in time and wood saved. I took down eight dozen eggs to-day but the price is down to thirty two cents, when we got home Dad helped me put windows, perches and straw in the new hen house and after tea to-night we caught fifiteen nice looking pullets and mated up a pen in there. Frank went back to the gully to-night this after noon and killed a dandy muskrat. Dick got home to tea to-night as he had a bath to-night. Sunny and nice day but a cold wind. We three boys had a bath to-night and sat on the kitchen table in our night shirts till midnight telling bad stories, while Dad. snored in the big chair.</p> <p>Sunday February 22nd</p> <p>Frank was the only member of the family who went to church to-day and he went to the Roman Catholic (to see what it was like) but he went to our Sunday school. As the wind last night tore the door of the new chicken house off its hinges, Dad. and I were forced to break the Sabbath and put it on. We just did chores and sat around all day I drew a little this after noon I am going to try and draw the picture I took of the mill and Herb. Cooke's house from the old cemetery at the top of the hill, and Frank went back to the gully. Dick slumbered peacefully all morning and went down town this after noon, with the intention of going to church to-night. I got fifteen eggs to-day, eight of them were from the breeding pen of fifteen pullets, we thought that was pretty good for the first day. I drew a little to-night. It snowed to-day and was very windy and blustery, pretty cold.</p> <p>Monday February 23rd</p> <p>I learned this morning that our hard luck with the sheep deal was not over yet for when I went out to feed them I found a fine big pair of ewe lambs lying dead on the barn floor, as last night was one of the coldest nights we have had, I suppose the poor little things had hardly lived at all after they were born, but still I think if we had only been there to bring them in the warm as soon as they came we could have saved them but we never dreamed of any of them lambing before the 25th and this ewe wasn't due till next Saturday. It has been very cold all day (one of the coldest days we have had) so we didn't do any thing but chores and nail up a few boards for a sheep pen. Mrs. McBride was here washing all day, in spite of the weather. I got seventeen eggs to-day.</p> <p>Tuesday February 24th</p> <p>I went to bed with my clothes on last night as I got up about three to have a look at the sheep but they were all right, it is a good thing</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>no lambs came last night for it was bitterly cold. We fooled with the ewe which had her lambs quite a lot this morning and shut her up in the stable this after noon away from the others. Dad. went over to see if Brirely had ever had such a case to deal with as he used to be a sheppard in the old country but he didn't get much information. Quint was here for a little while this after noon. He and Big George Hamaker had come back to the gully on the trail of a skunk which Bill Oakes saw tracks of, but they found Wilson McPherson and some Matthews had got ahead of them and were digging it out up in Robert John's gully, George joined them but Quint said they were all covered with mud so he didn't care for the job and came home via this place. He says Ivey's gully is full of men and teams hauling sod but I guess they finished to-night. This afternoon Dad. and I unloaded the load of coal we got and hauled up a load of rails which Frank unloaded when he got home. Sam. Law was in this morning and Dad. paid him for the threshing and beef. To-night Dad. and Enah went down to the Library concert leaving Tiddums in our care. (Frank's &amp; mine) but Dad. says he will not enjoy himself at all for fretting. I also have to keep watch on the sheep for although it is not so cold as last night it would be too much for little lambs. It has been freezing hard all day in the shade but it was very sunny and thawed a lot in the sun. I think it is gradually getting milder.</p> <p>Wednesday February 25th</p> <p>I slept with my clothes on again last night and got up about four to look at the sheep, there were no lambs but I noticed one of the ewes was not well, she has been sick all day and has not eaten anything but snow, we offered her water and she drank a lot which made Dad think she was feverish, she was also quite badly foundered, and is evidently suffering from indigestion. To-night Frank and Dad. tried to dose her with salts but couldn't get much down her. Dad is afraid she won't pull through, it certainly looks doubtful. We don't know what caused it unless she has eaten some of the old chaff that came out of the clover mill and which is mixed up with the hay on the barn floor. Dad. thinks she may have got an overfeed of corn as he found them the other day out by the corn crib where Frank's pig had rooted a slat loose and had got out a pile of corn out on the ground. The ewe that lost her lambs and which we had shut up in the stable, we found to be all right this morning so after trimming her up a little Dad. let her out with the rest in the shed, while we were there we heard a racket in the barn and on entering found the split eared ewe, the one which was due to lamb to-day engaged in a desperate fight with Frank's pig, down in the corner was a wee lamb just arrived and unhurt thanks to the courage of its mother as the pig would have made short work of it, if she had alloud it. I had the satisfaction of landing that pig a swift one and send it squealing out of there. I hadn't been there very long when another lamb came bigger that the first one. It wasn't very cold in the barn but we had to take the little fellows in the house by turns and warm them Enah and Tiddums looked after them, the latter was greatly interested in them. When they both got</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>good and warm and dry, we moved them and the ewe into the horse stable where it is very much warmer than the barn and they all three seem to be all right. Jim Waddle was in this morning to see Dad. as his horses have lymphangitis. Jonas was in at noon with our parcel of seeds from Simmer's, he said he guessed they wanted him to work for nothing, so I suppose he will not get any commission and as he had to pay express on the seeds I don't know just where the profit comes in, but he was going off canvassing again this after noon. He says he is through with "Ivorys" for ever now, he had some rumpus with them about his house rent. Dad. told him he was going to kill a couple of the biggest pigs this after noon soon and wanted his valuable assistance. Jonas is a wonderful pig sticker (as he says). A fellow from Simcoe was in here to see him soon after he had gone. Lorne Brown came in after dinner with the sink and fixtures, he said Rus would be down to put it in as soon as we got the ditch dug for the drain. To-night I went down and got my hair cut and also to the moving picture show principally to go in with young Schrammy who was too young to go alone Dick got home soon after I did and we sat up till after twelve but I went to bed in a more civilized manner to-night. Sunny and soft but cold wind.</p> <p>Thursday February 26th</p> <p>As this is Saturday night and I am dead sleepy I can't remember the details of Thursday's happenings, we hauled two loads of sawdust from Evan's place up on the Radical road we just took the waggon box full this morning but as there were no very bad spots we took side boards with us this after noon and hauled twice as big a load. Dad. saw Evans about getting some wood and he is going to start buzzing up the limbs &amp; tops of trees next week and said we could get 10 loads of it for a dollar a cord sixteen inches long. The sick ewe seems ever so much better to-night, she is not lame and picks at the hay a little. Dick went down to the dance to-night. I fully intended to go but thought as it was Lent I would go over to Quanbury's instead, as they were having a surprise party I think in honor of Charlie &amp; Lottie coming home from the West. I had a good time in spite of the fact that they played Pedro and I tried to learn the game, but couldn't. Thawed hard in the sun, cold wind.</p> <p>Friday February 27th</p> <p>We went up again this morning and got another load of sawdust. We had to go around by town this morning to get some groceries, when we got up there young Stickney from Port Ryersie was there ahead of us but had his load nearly on, the pit was pretty well undermined but we got a good load alright and got home about one, the sleighing is just about gone. This after noon we unloaded the Sawdust we filled up all we wanted inside the ice house and Dad. threw the rest outside to pack in between the outside and inside walls. When we got through there we started to clean out the boxstall which</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>hasn't been cleaned out for over a month. Dad. took two sleigh loads out and put on the old garden and there is still another load, the two days accumulation in the stable made the biggest part of the first load. Frank went over to tell Jonas to come and kill pigs in the morning as he told us he was going to work for "Ivory's" on Monday. He drove Frank home about seven he was bound for some Englishman's place way out past Tupper's some where to sell seeds. The sick ewe is apparently all right to-night. The salts had their effect and we found where she had eaten a whole pile of corn and not digested it at all, very sunny and mild barely froze last night.</p> <p>Saturday February 28th</p> <p>Jonas came over about nine o'clock this morning armed with a formidable looking knife, which he told us was no good all ready to show us how to "boocher" hogs. He did quite a lot of ordering around and knife grinding before he was ready. We killed the two biggest pigs of the lot and they weren't very big, and did it up in the pig-pen. Dad. &amp; I held the pig while Jonas with great display made the fatal thrust. It took him a good big minute to do it which isn't a record breaking speed as Dave Waddle claims to be able to stick a pig and get the knife out with out getting a drop of blood on the knife, however they died alright under Jonas' treatment, we hauled them down to the old house on Frank's sleigh and scalded them both to-gether. Dad. said it was a dandy scald and Jonas says it was due to his method of putting a dipper of woodashes in the barrell and to his accuracy in testing the temperature of the water with his had. Dad. helped scrape them and then had to go out to Jim Waddle's to see his lymphatic horse as he was in after him this morning. Jonas and Frank dressed the pigs and I guess made a pretty fair job of it. I cleaned out the chicken house and fooled around. They finished up before dinner and Jonas stayed to dinner. The same fellow that was here to-day the other day from Simcoe was in again to-day to see Jonas and caught him this time. This after noon I drove Enah down town to do shopping, she took down ten dozen eggs but the price had dropped to twenty eight cents. I got twenty eggs yesterday and to-day. I had to wait quite awhile for Enah so drove around with Fred Tuck. Very soft and mostly sunny but cool wind raining and snowing a little to-night.</p> <p>Sunday March 1st</p> <p>Frank went down to Sunday school and church to-day and Dad. drove Enah down to church but didn't stay himself. I didn't go down at all to-day principally because I was too lazy. I didn't get up till way late this morning and haven't done any thing much all day but a few chores. Dick went through his regular Sunday programme, stayed in bed till noon, went down town after dinner and I suppose to church to-night. He took my camera down and was going to get a film for it. Dad. and I intended to go out to the Shand's this after noon but it was so late when we got ready that we didn't go. Mostly sunny but cold North wind, freezing hard to-night and wind getting worse.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>{This page is a copy of the previous page}</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Monday March 2nd</p> <p>Dad. cut up the pigs this morning we weighed them with the old {steelyard?} which Dad. brought over from home and they just came to 105 lbs apiece. I put in the whole morning writing to Aunty and at the same time watching Tiddums who was asleep. This after noon we did chores and covered over all of the sheep pen instead of a part of it we tried to fasten up the door which blew out of the peak of the barn but it fell out again while we were working at it and as it broke a little we left it for another time. I also helped Dad carry over a couple of loads of hay to the other barn on his {back?} with the {illegible} rope. We couldn't do much out side to-day as there has been a terriffic north wind with a little snow and besides it has been cold. The storm was much worse in other parts of the province than here but has gone down to-night.</p> <p>Tuesday March 3rd</p> <p>After we did chores this morning Dad. fixed some bars up at the south end of the horse stable out of the old wind mill posts to keep the sheep in their own yard. Arthur Preston came over to borrow some of Dad's show clothes to wear at the Methodist concert next week. Colin Ryersie was also over for awhile. About noon Dand. and I drove down town to get some stuff and he wanted to see Harry Moon to see what kind of duds he wanted for the concert. I went over to the barn when we got home and found a lamb just arriving, the ewe was No. 117 and we didn't expect lambs from her till Saturday. This was a good big ram lamb, we left him there till after dinner and when I went out then his sister was just getting off. We brought them both into the house for awhile one at a time and to-night put them in the little box stall in the horse stable. We didn't do any thing much but fool with the lambs this after noon. Much milder to-day and sunny but frosty to-night.</p> <p>Wednesday March 4th</p> <p>Dad. and I didn't take our clothes off all night last night. Dad crawled into bed about half past two and I dozed in the big chair the rest of the night going out to the barn every hour or so to see how the sheep were, we expected lambs all along but they didn't show up nor all day to-day, so I guess we will have another night's vigil. It is the ewe which was sick that we are watching, she is due on Friday. We spent about half an hour this morning trying to get Osprey out of the stable to give him a little exercising. Dad. put the harness on him and went to lead him out the door where there is a drop of about a foot into the drivehouse, and he hung back. Dad. tried to coax him but he was positive and the more determined Dad was to bring him out the more determined he was not to come out. Dad. put a little rope under his chin and we tugged on that for quite awhile but couldn't get him any farther than the door. Then we tried whipping him but that had not the desired effect although it put old Harry into the notion of kicking and scared the other horses. Osprey would rear and paw and throw himself but not go ahead. Then Dad. put</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>a rope on his front foot and we tried pulling him out that way but he would just paw and must have thrown himself a dozen times or more some times right under Belle's or Harry's feet. At last one time when he threw himself I took a hitch around a post with the rope on his leg and by dragging him out and not giving him a chance to fly back we at last got him out. He didn't seem at all mad and I took him down to the corner and back and he went beautifully. We didn't do any thing much the rest of the day but chores and I had a little snooze after dinner. Frank worked at the old house after he got home from school he is boarding it up so as he can fill it in with sawdust around the ice. Thawed all day, some snow &amp; cold wind. Since writing this we have put in quite a night of it. I went over to the barn about eight o'clock and found Dad's ewe with a lamb. I came to the house and got Frank and Dad. who was asleep in the chair the only sleep he had all night to come out, while they were there another one arrived, so we brought the first one to the house to get warm, we noticed the sick one the one we have been watching all day looked very much as if she would lamb in a few minutes, but she didn't till about four o'clock. We all sat up for a long time, till Dick came home and he and Frank went to bed. I sat up till about one or two and then I went to bed. Dad. sat up and out at the barn all night with the two little fellows as they were both very weak at first but got stronger and he held an old coat over them a long time to keep them warm till they went to sleep and stopped trying to crawl out and till the old one lay down beside them and stopped trying to paw the coat off. He also had his eye on the other ewe and about four o'clock came in and woke me up, he said he hated to as I was so sound asleep and I guess he didn't hate to any more than I hated to get up but he thought the sick ewe was not right and something ought to be done so I went out with him and we caught her but didn't bother her much and we hadn't been out very long when her baby came, it was a ram and a bouncer, the biggest one yet I think, but she is the first ewe that didn't have twins. I went to bed again about five o'clock but Dad. stayed up all night.</p> <p>Thursday March 5th</p> <p>I didn't get up till about eleven this morning, so I guess I had my sleep out. Dad put the harness on Osprey and we gave him quite a long exercise, we got him out of the stable easier to-day. I held Belle out in the drive house and when Dad saw Osprey wouldn't lead out he just let him loose and got behind him and touched him a little with the whip till he jumped out with out much fooling. I started to take him down the road and got about as far as the culvert and he didn't want to go any farther. I wouldn't let him go back so we just turned around and around in the road till Dad. came out and he got him to go down to the corner and back alright. I then took him down the other way as far as Preston's barnyard and he got frightened and their cows and would go past so I started the same performance there again and at last started to lead him past but Dad.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>came down and said to take him home as it was so late. This after noon I cleaned out the hen house and did chores. Whitesell was in this after noon to see Dad. about a sick horse. Thawed all day in the sun but not in the shade cold east wind.</p> <p>Friday March 6th</p> <p>I camped in the big chair all night last night and Dad. went to bed. I didn't go to sleep till after midnight as I wasn't at all sleepy so had a good read. I went out to the barn at 12, 3 and half past 6 and slept in the mean time, every thing was alright out there. When I woke up at half past six this morning my knee was pretty stiff but it soon limbered up. I find I have a brute of a cold due I think to getting my feet wet. We did chores this morning and Dad. put the harness on Osprey and I took him out and he went fine, he started his little game of trying to turn around and go back this morning but I found out that instead of trying to make him go ahead which to me was impossible, I just let him turn around and then back him up in the direction I want him to go, he soon wants to turn around and when he does goes all right in the right direction. I tried it on him several times and it worked fine every time. I took him down to Flemming's corner on the side road and then back and down to Mrs. Battersby's corner. This after noon I had a sleep and then took what few eggs I had over to Jack Martin and was over there quite awhile. I only got sixteen eggs to-day I don't know what is the matter with the hens. To-night Frank and Enah went down to see "Satan" at the moving picture show I was going down but as I had such a cold thought I would wait till to-morrow night. It snowed all day to-day but didn't put much in the ground. Not very cold.</p> <p>Saturday March 7th</p> <p>Dad. and I sacked up 12 bags of oats this morning while Frank went down town after some salt petre to salt the pork with, then he and Dad. went down to the mill with the load. When they got back they cleaned out the rest of the box-stall and I started to chop a hole out in the chicken yard to put a post in but it was frozen too deep. This afternoon Dad. and Frank went down to the mill and got their grist and I took Osprey out while they were gone he went fine. When they got back Dad. drove Enah down town and left her there and I minded Tiddums all the after noon he slept for awhile. Frank worked at the old house and Dad. did chores when he got back. To-night I went down to the moving picture show and saw "Satan" I thought it was pretty good. Cloudy and snowy but quite soft. Raw breeze.</p> <p>Sunday March 8th</p> <p>Neither Dad nor I have been off the farm all day to-day but have just done chores and sat around. We thought of hooking Osprey and Belle to the buggy and going out to the Shaw's this after</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>noon but we didn't, we have to keep a rather close watch on one of the ewes Frank went down to church and Sunday school this morning and Enah walked down to church alone to-night. We didn't get through in time to go with her. Dick slept till dinner and after dinner went down town, he will likely go to church to-night. Cloudy and rather cold with some snow and raw wind.</p> <p>Monday March 9th</p> <p>We didn't do any thing much but chores to-day and watch sheep Dad. was not in bed at all last night and when he went out at four this morning to look at the sheep, found the wide-headed ewe with a lamb, which if it had been left much longer would have perished with the cold; but Dad. wrapped it up in his old pea jacket and brought it around alright. Mrs McBride was here washing all day and it has been very miserable out cold and windy. To-night Enah and I went down to the Methodist Choir concert, and thought it was great especially the costumes which were all old fasioned. The hall was packed full, and they say some were turned away. It lasted till late, we got home about twelve half past eleven o'clock. Dick and Dad. were both up.</p> <p>Tuesday March 10th</p> <p>We did chores all morning. Mr. Fleming was over for a little while this after noon. We hitched Osprey and Belle up to the bob-sleigh and drove them down to Jonas' corner and back a couple of times as that was the only place there was any snow. Tommy Jackson was over for quite awhile late this after noon to see about getting some corn stalks, he was telling us a lot about sheep and a good many other things. Cold, raw wind, sunny.</p> <p>Wednesday March 11th</p> <p>Dad. was up all night last night again and hardly slept at all I stayed up awhile but got so sleepy and chilly that I couldn't stand it so went to bed. The white ewe, which is due to lamb to-morrow was in rather bad shape all night, and there was no sign of lambs so Dad. got us all up early this morning and we had breakfast over by a little after seven and then Dad went out to examine her, and in about half an hour, we had two more buck lambs but one was dead. She was very weak, so we just left her alone for awhile and brought the live lamb in the house to get warm. When we took it out, the ewe wouldn't own it so it has been in the house all day and Dad. takes it out every now and then for refreshments, she was so weak we didn't like to urge her. We were afraid this morning that she wouldn't pull through but she seems much stronger now, she eats and chews her cud so I guess will recover. We haven't done much to day but chores and sit</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>around. Dad is very tired. Tonight Colin Ryersie was here and Bill Duncan's man wanted Dad to go up there but he was too tired to go. There was a grand wedding in town to-day, Leo O'Heron and Inez Schram, Frank saw them go off. Tiddums can walk now all alone but he is a little afraid to unless someone's right beside him to catch him. Very sunny to-day but cold north wind. There was a fine eclipse of the moon to-night, we didn't know about it till we saw it.</p> <p>Thursday March 12th</p> <p>We did up the chores this morning and then hauled the hay rack over to where the sheep are and put on a load of hay, we got it on by noon and hauled it over to the horse stable. Cousins Phoebe &amp; Loll were over to dinner and after Dad. had showed them all around the ranch and talked awhile we put the load off over the horse stable and hauled another load over to the other barn for the cows and left it on the barn floor. The little lamb has been in the pen with its mother all day but still she doesn't recognise it although isn't bad to it. Dad. has to catch her for the little fellow to get refreshments but once he gets started she stands quietly. Tiddums started off of his own accord to walk to-day noon and was greatly pleased with himself to find out he could he has prancing around ever since. Jonas was over for a visit, after tea, and gave us a few selections on the mouth organ. It has been freezing pretty hard in the shade all day, fairly sunny.</p> <p>Friday March 13th</p> <p>This morning we did chores and I cleaned out the chicken house and separator as we want to begin separating again now. Loyd Ryersie came in at noon with a notice for Dad to attend a meeting of the school board at three o'clock on the school grounds. We wanted to go after a load of wood up to Evan's this after noon so went around that way although it made us pretty late. The way they have it surveyed out now, there is just the same width of ground on each side of the building and is fifty feet in from Main St. This they all think is too close to the street but they can't move it back without cutting down or trimming up the old hickory nut tree and as none of them want that done, they think it will have to go where they now have it unless they buy some more lots. When Dad. got through with them we went up to Evan's and got the waggon box full of wood a lot of it was cut too long for our stove but we managed to get on about three quarters of a cord. We just got home a little before six. Not quite so cold to-day although freezing all day in the shade.</p> <p>Saturday March 14th</p> <p>Dad was up at twenty minutes to five this morning and I got up at six so he and Frank were able to get started at half past eight for a load of wood at Evans. They got back at noon with a little over a cord. I did chores all morning. They got another load this after</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>noon and I piled the two loads that were here along the end of the old house, besides doing a few chores and watching the colts. dogs. chickens and Frank's pig that they didn't get into mischief. It was too muddy to take Osprey out on the road so I let him out in the yard and he and Dave ran around and chased the sheep out of the barn once. I also let this pen of hens out all over the place as I wanted to clean their place out and some out of the other pen got out in the hen yard so I couldnt let both pens in there to-gether. Tom Abbot was in here to see Dad about a cow of his but as Dad. wasn't here he came in again just before dark. He is going to start coming here for cream a week from Monday, if he is alive and well. It has thawed all day in the shade to-day and is very muddy and wet</p> <p>Sunday March 15th</p> <p>I didn't get up in time to get ready to go to church to-day and unless Dick goes to-night and I suppose he will Frank was the only one of this family who went to-day. I just did chores and poked around. About noon Dad. and Enah took Tiddums out to see the lambs, it was the first time he had been out side the house since New Year's day. I took a couple of snapshots of him Dick also got up about that time and came out. This afternoon Frank went back to the gully and Dick went down town. The cows all wandered back to the gully and I went back after them we noticed they were all covered with mud and Dad is afraid they have been slipping down the hill, but seem to be allright. It has been very mild sunny and spring like to-day. Water and mud all over.</p> <p>Monday March 16th</p> <p>We did chores most of the morning, this afternoon Huby came over as Frank told him this morning that we could use him now, he was glad to get to work he said and we hauled in two loads of corn stalks, putting two shocks on a load. They are in great shape to haul now as they have all thawed out. Tupper came in for quite a visit on his way home from town. He and Huby were both telling us about Lom Hurley hanging himself. Huby stayed to tea and Frank and I went down town with him. I went to band practice, the first one of the season. Walt had a lot of new music but there were only one or two of us there. Frank went to the moving picture show and then came up to the band room Dick came in too so we all came home to-gether. From the way they all talk there are going to be great doings in Dover this year, with the rail road. big soap factory and harbor improvements. It has been a lovely spring day sunny and mild and very muddy</p> <p>Tuesday March 17th</p> <p>Huby was over at seven o'clock this morning and we started as soon as possible to haul corn stalks. we hauled in</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>two more loads and now have all in the barn that we have room for and left the last load on the waggon, there are only three shocks left out there now. Huby and I put in nearly the whole afternoon setting a couple of anchor posts in the chicken yard to put a cross fence in to make a separate yard for the breeding pen, they all got out to-gether to-day. The frost was in the ground about two feet but by a lot of chopping and scaping Huby managed to get down past it. Dad is tickled to-night to think that the old white ewe has at last recognised her lamb. She noses him and lets him get "meals at all hours" and apparently thinks as much of him as the others did when their lambs were first born we blame it to St. Patrick. Froze pretty stiff last night, mild and muddy to-day. There have been a lot of robins seen in town but I haven't seen one yet.</p> <p>Wednesday March 18th</p> <p>I got up about half past four this morning but have been very lazy all day. Just sat around and did as few chores as possible, I had a sleep this after noon, I think the reason I felt so rotten was because my feet were so cold and wet. When Dad. went out to the cow stable this morning he found a black and white calf the property of Snowdrop up and running around with its poor mother tied fast in her stanchions, we got them both around in the barn where the soon were all right. By after breakfast another calf arrived on the scene this one a red and white one and Jim's both were bulls. Dad. just turned all the cows out of stable and let Jim and her calf have it to themselves. Tonight he tied Jim's calf in the alley way in front of her and let Snowdrop's run loose in the barn and tied both of the mothers up and milked them. He thinks they are both going to be good milkers and easy to milk Jim especially. This after noon Dad. and I drove down town in the waggon and got some groceries and also half a bushel of beans from George Yanoble as Huby said he had some very nice ones. Dad. got me a pair of rubber boots which have made my feet ever so much more comfortable. Dad. went to a school board meeting to-night and I thought I would go down and get the films from Dick which he took down the other day to have developed. He said he was going to work to-night so I went up to the bank but no one was there so I went down and saw the moving picture show, they had on "Robinson Crusoe" and it was pretty good. When I got out of there I went again to the bank but there was still no sign of life so I came home and fell in with Dad. Mr. Flemming and Jack Martin. They are having some squabble about the street up there which the council orderd closed but which Vyse never signed (just dirty work). They have also decided to cut down the old hickory nut tree. Dick got home soon after we did and said he was at the bank all the time but he wasn't. It snowed last night and has been pretty cold and wet all day. Freezing hard to-night.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Thursday March 19th</p> <p>We didn't do any thing much but chores to-day except set a hen up over the drive house in the loft on 15 eggs, we also wrung Frank's pig which we hope will keep him her from comitting any depredation by rooting. It has been pretty cold all day but fairly sunny. I drew some more to-night at my picture of the mill &amp; Herb Cooke's house.</p> <p>Friday March 20th</p> <p>We just did chores to-day as there wasn't much else we could do except take a grist to the mill and we didn't bother with that. This after noon I practiced on my horn a little and finished my bookcase. Dick {Faulmsbe?} was over this morning to see if Dad. would put any thing in for the canning factory, but Dad. told him he wouldn't although he signed his name to show McPherson that Dick had been here. There is more excitement down town now over the swing bridge, it seems at the council meeting the other night after Henderson had left having been told that no more important business was on that Taylor moved and Uncle Ward seconded that the County council go ahead and build a stationer bridge over the creek which is just what the Board of Trade is fighting against. Billy Laings made a vigorous kick (could be heard a block away) but he couldn't do any thing and Vyse, he just, oh he just smiled I suppose up his sleeve. Cold with raw wind sunny and freezing hard to-night.</p> <p>Saturday March 21st</p> <p>I did chores most of the morning and Dad. &amp; Frank sacked up twelve bags of oats. Two Cooper kids and young Hayan came up the lane - and when they saw Dad. asked him if they could cut through here. Dad. told them he thought they had cut through and then Bluch charged them. This afternoon Dad. Frank went down town and took their grist to the mill. They saw a big flock of geese light out in the swail holes just before they left and and in a very short time Jim Law appeared and wanted to see if we had a shot gun as he had seen them too. On their way home from down town, just as they got to the garage the tire broke on one of the wheels of the old waggon, they crawled along to Ray Waddles and left the wheel and as it happened Bob. Law's waggon was at Chris Fairchild's with a broken axle so they just took one of Bob's wheels. I took Osprey out for a little run while they were gone and then came in the house and read. Tiddums feels rather out of sorts these days as he is cutting four big teeth. Sunny and bright but froze all day in the shade.</p> <p>Sunday March 22nd</p> <p>Frank went down to church and Sunday school and Enah and I walked down to church, while Dad watched Tiddums and kept house. This after noon Dick having got up for dinner he and I decided to go for a ride. so Dad. saddled Joe and I was to ride her to the corner and then bring her back for Dick. I got on her</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>alright but as soon as I did she began to perform. I don't know just what she did but I know I was a little uncertain till I got out of the lane whether I could manage to sit on her or not, but did. I rode her down to the corner and back and when I came up Dick had vanished. Dad. said he had had enough before even I got nicely started and had got in to change his clothes and go down town. Dad. cinched Joe up again and I rode her around the block. I was very much surprised to find Tupper, John Wess and all out that way had the rural mail service. I wasn't gone very long and came home and read till it was time to do chores. Quint &amp; Lila came over with Frank who had stayed down there to dinner. Quint had his shotgun with him as Frank had told him about the geese and they went to look for them but didn't get a shot at any thing. They followed a white hawk or owl all over the country but didn't get it either Quint went down before tea as he wanted to get ready for church but Lila stayed and Frank walked down with her after tea. Tiddums feels pretty miserable yet. Much milder to-day sunny and breezy. When Dad. went out to the cow stable he found a lovely red and white heifer calf lying dead behind Erie. It had been born dead and about a month ahead of time. Dad. thinks she must have been hurt when she fell back in the gully last Sunday.</p> <p>Monday March 23rd</p> <p>We did chores most of the morning and spent quite awhile with Erie. Huby came over after dinner and pruned trees all the after noon. I helped him till about four and then went down town with Dad. to get our own wheel for the waggon and take Bob. Law's back. Mrs. McBride was here all day. To-night I lugged my horn down to band practice but there was none. Frank came down with me to go to the moving picture show so I went with him it was pretty fair. I saw the orchestra there so understood why there was no band practice Walt. was there and told me it would be Wednesday. Allan Law overtook us on our way home and gave us a ride to their corner. We got home about half past eleven and Dick arrived before we were asleep. Snowed a lot more last night but has been very mild and sunny all day freezing to-night. We started sending our cream to the factory this morning.</p> <p>Tuesday March 24th</p> <p>I got up at five this morning although I hated to and didn't feel wide awake for an hour or two, but got the chores pretty well done up before breakfast. Huby was over at seven and pruned orchard all day. I helped him most of the day except doing a few chores. We didn't get over many trees but we gave the ones we were at a proper old trimming, especially the russet tree which has an awful brush pile under it now. Dad did chores all day, and late this after noon a new calf arrived via Spotty. It is a big bull calf and nearly all black. This morning Dad and I put some Nitrate of potash on the bulls calves horses</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>to see if we could take them out, we can't tell yet whether it is going to work alright or not. Dick came home to tea to-night to try on his clown suit which Enah is making for him for the masquerade dance he had to go back again after tea. It thawed a lot to-day in the sun, but froze all day in the shade. Dad. sent away for a gobbler to-day.</p> <p>Wednesday March 25th</p> <p>Huby came over this morning and pruned the orchard most of the day. I didn't help him any as Dad. and I put up a fence across the chicken yard to separate the two pens. It began to rain about the middle of the after noon so Huby and I put the cornstalks off the waggon and then he and Dad. started to clean out the calf pen. Enah went down town at three to have her tooth fixed and Dad. and I minded Tiddums by turns till Frank got home. We forgot to tell Tom Abbot to bring us any butter although he hasn't brought our can back anyway yet, and as Frank forgot to get any on his way home, he had to traipse back to town and get some when Enah got home. I went down to band practice to-night but as Harry Moon, Walt. and Carl were the only ones there we didn't have any. It was a lovely day till it rained and was very mild all day and to-night.</p> <p>Thursday March 26th</p> <p>Huby trimmed orchard till we got the chores done and then we went over to the big barn and put on a load of hay before dinner. When we took the team over to the trough to water them at noon I let go of old Harry thinking he would go to the stable but the old fool lit out right for the field and Belle after him and they tore around there quite awhile before we caught them but didn't damage their harness any. This after noon we hauled the hay over to the other barn and put it off for the cows and then went over and got another load for the horse stable but didn't get time to haul it over. Huby did Frank's skins up for him and he is going to send them down to Hallam. Dick came home to tea to get all fixed up for the dance, he looked fine. I was kind of sorry I didn't go to a little trouble and fix up myself. It was terribly muddy and dark so I drove him down to the side walk. He didn't come home after it was over. It has been very dark all day and rained nearly all the after noon we heard thunder growl two or three times which Dad. now believes when heard in Spring to be a sure sign of cold weather off and on for six weeks but according to the other reliable forecast that the wind on the twenty first and twenty second will be the prevailing wind for six weeks we are to have it from the south west so Bill Oakes says, but they are having it very cold in the North West -6 below at Edmonton.</p> <p>Friday March 27th</p> <p>It rained nearly all day and got much colder as the wind veered right around to the north. Huby couldnt work in the orchard so</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>put in the whole morning cleaning out the calf pen. I helped him for a couple of hours before dinner and Dad. for quite awhile but we finished soon after dinner. We then cleaned up the barn floor and sacked up what few oats were in the small bin so as we could have the bin to put the seed oats which we cleaned up in, we set the fanning mill but didn't have time to put any through to-night only a few to see if it was all right. Dad &amp; I sat up till after twelve to-night and finished reading Friar Tuck. Dick didn't come home again I suppose he couldn't get through the mud. Frank brought the new gobbler home to-night he weighed 18 lbs. but is young he looks all right.</p> <p>Saturday March 28th</p> <p>We didn't do any thing much but chores to-day. Huby didn't get over till about ten o'clock and he trimmed in the orchard all day. Frank took his furs down town to post and worked a lot at the old house. After dinner he, Huby and I went back to the gully to see if we could see a fish in the creek but failed although we saw a couple of ducks get up out of a swail in the old timothy sod. There were two very interesting letters in the "Maple Leaf" yesterday everlastingly jumping on Vyse for not signing the bylaw which the council passed for closing Alma St for school property and also for representing to the County Council that it is the wish of the people of Port Dover to have a stationary bridge erected over Black Creek where a swing bridge ought to be, a good many other of his misdeeds are mentioned. Sunny &amp; muddy cold north wind</p> <p>Sunday March 29th</p> <p>Frank went down to Sunday school and church and I drove Enah down to the corner and she walked down to church as she could make better time that way than driving the roads are so bad. I cleaned out the stables while she was gone and then drove down again after her. Lila was with her and came over to spend the after noon. Frank came home through Flemming's gully and found a skunk cabbage. Just before dinner Charlie Shand came over as he had walked down to church and he stayed all the after noon. Sam. and Tom Jacques came over for a little while late this after noon. Tom wanted to see if he could get a gobbler. Dick came home last night, spent the morning in bed and the afternoon down town I suppose he is at church to-night. Mild &amp; muddy.</p> <p>Monday March 30th</p> <p>It was raining when we got up this morning and rained most of the fore noon but cleared off before dinner and although cloudy it didn't rain at all after dinner, rather a raw wind all day. Huby came over and while we were doing chores he sharpened the spade, shovel, pick and axes, and after breakfast we cleaned up oats for seed we ran through over sixty bushels so think we have enough. This after noon Huby pruned the orchard. I did chores and helped him for a couple of hours, Dad. spent most of the after noon doing</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>chores and writing to Aunty. Sam Law came over to borrow the buggy pole. Quint came through the orchard while we were out there. He and George Hamaker had been up creek and Quint came around this way to see if he could get a shot at the ducks but I don't think he saw them. He and George have been out since early this morning through all the rain, just to fish &amp; hunt. Jonas came over to-night and as Frank was very anxious to go back to the gully to see if he could get a fish as the Ryersie's told him they got some in the little creek, and as neither of us were very anxious to go Jonas went with him.</p> <p>Tuesday March 31st</p> <p>Huby didn't come over this morning as he had some insurance to look after. Dad. and I did chores and I cleaned out the hen houses. We also docked all the lambs, we did the trick with a hammer, butcher knife and block. They all seemed to come through pretty well except the little fellow belonging to the white ewe. The shock seemed harder on him than the rest and he suffered more, but I think he will pull through allright. We also trimmed up the ewes. Huby came over after dinner and pruned in the orchard all the after noon I helped him for a little while but spent most of my time pitching the wet straw off the stack and carrying dry over to the chicken house and stables. I got a letter from Rus. Gordon to-day asking if he could come up here to spend his Easter holidays, it was about the first I had heard for three or four years from him. Frank and Jonas got home last night about half past eleven and never saw a fish although the Ryersie's were out and got a dozen I think Frank said. Jonas has been over at Tupper's all day pruning his orchard. It has been sunny and windy and very nice all day the mud is beginning to stiffen in spots.</p> <p>Wednesday April 1st</p> <p>Huby spent most of the morning repairing the long ladder but about ten he and I went out and started to prune we worked away till nearly one. Dad. went down town but didn't get back till after two. He spent most of the after noon doing chores and Huby cleaned up the old house - and put the lead in the cider barrel as Dad. took it out when we scalded the pigs. I took what eggs I had over to Jack Martin and just sat around and watched Huby till it was time to do chores. Jonas came through on his way from Tupper's Frank stuck a wind mill up on a fence post to-night (entered by request). I got a lovely bit of poetry from Louise to-day but not one of her own it is a college song she says. Mr. Morgan was through here this morning canvassing for the canning factory he said Dick {Faulmsby?} being out had helped him any. About noon Dick drove in with the</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Rural Mail carrier. He was a Scotchman and Dick was evidently showing him round, but neither of them seemed to know just where to go and Dick and his horse wouldnt keep still long enough to tell him any thing (it wasn't Dick's old horse I didn't know it at all) This was the first day they started on this new route. We didn't know they came past the front of this place but Dad. thinks it is just as handy to have Frank bring it from school. Huby asked Dick if he had quit the Canning factory and he said he was laid off till further notice. It drizzled a good part of the fore noon and rained quite hard most of the after noon, no wind.</p> <p>Thursday April 2nd</p> <p>Huby brought a couple of quarts of harness oil over with him this morning and also a couple of saw benches which he made. While we were doing chores he fixed up the step ladder. We then took a tub of warm water out to the stables slung up a couple of poles and began to clean harness. Dad. had wiped off all the windows which let in considerably more light. It was nearly noon and as we didn't want to get our hands all oily before dinner we just washed one set. About noon we saw Jonas mooching through the orchard headed for Tupper's. Dad told him it was too wet to prune trees so he came over and helped us oil harness all the after noon for half a dollar. Dad. did chores most of the after noon but Huby and I worked at it steadily, we washed it and Jonas oiled and what time Dad. had he put it to-gether after it had been oiled. We got all the heavy double harness done and half the light double set. Bruce Dell brought Rex over for Dad. to look at as he has a little lump on his back. Frank got the money to-day from Hallam for his musk rat skins I think they brought him $2.23. It has been a rotten day. It snowed quite a lot this morning and been either raining or snowing most of the day. Very mudy and raw nor'west wind.</p> <p>Friday April 3rd</p> <p>The ground was covered with snow when we got up this morning and it was quite cold although not freezing very hard but it got colder during the day and is freezing pretty hard to-night. Huby pruned trees for a couple of hours till we got things all fed up and then we started in at the harness again. Jonas came over soon after we got started and helped all the afternoon. We got all the harness including bridles, breaking harness &amp; kicking strap oiled and put to-gether before six. Huby and Jonas worked steadily at and I was there most of the time but Dad did the chores so was not there so much. We had quite a concert at noon Jonas &amp; Tiddums with the mouth organ &amp; Enah with the guitar and all of them singing. Frank set the alarm to get up at half past four in the morning to go fishing with the Ryersies.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Saturday April 4th</p> <p>It froze the ground stiff enough last night for us to haul the load of hay we have had on the waggon for the last two or three weeks over to the horse stable. I was pretty glad to haul it over as it was a great nuisance carring it over from the barn by the forkful. Huby fixed up one of the little ladders we got of the windmill this morning while he was waiting for us to get the hay over thinking we would need him to help mow it away but we found we didn't so he pruned in the orchard the rest of the day. After we hauled the hay over we took the rack back to the big barn and hooked to the waggon and loaded up with the oats which we sacked up the other day. Dad. also hauled the sleighs over to where they will be handy to put in the shed as they have been standing out in the lane ever since winter. This afternoon Dad. &amp; Frank to the oats to the mill for chop, went down town while it was being chopped and got some shingles for the old house, and got home about four. Old Joey at the mill who we have named the marquis owing to his likeness to gentleman of that title in "St. George &amp; St. Michael" got Dad. to haul 600 lbs of flour down town as Herb's horse is rather laid up owing to the mud. The roads are a fright. I cleaned out the stables and helped Huby for about an hour. It was a lovely sunny morning but cloudy &amp; a raw wind this after noon. Last night's snow thawed off to-day but the ground is covered again to-night. Froze all day in the shade.</p> <p>Sunday April 5th</p> <p>Frank went down to Sunday school and church and Enah and I walked down to church. I went up to see Ed. after church as he told Dad. if I came down any time last week he would give me a couple of grapevines but as I hadn't been able to get down I went up to tell him I would try and get them to-morrow. They are a couple he set out up there and as he is going to move down into Mrs. Allan's house opposite the evaporator and has no place for them down there, he didn't care to leave them especially as they have never done very well along the fence where he had them. I thought of going for a ride this after noon but the roads are in such a condition that I didn't think I would enjoy it much so didn't do any thing much but a few chores and read myself to sleep. Frank went back to the gully and Dick who was up for dinner went down town. It was a lovely sunny morning and the snow which fell during the night nearly all disappeared by noon but this after noon it got cloudy and colder and I think will pretty soon freeze</p> <p>Monday April 6th</p> <p>Dad. and I spent most of the morning doing chores but just before noon I went back and tore down a little of the gully fence. Huby came over late as he had to go up town to get</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>his insurance papers and he spent a good part of the day measuring the buildings and renewing the insurance aplication. Mrs. McBride was here washing all day. After dinner I took some eggs over to Jack Martin and then went down town to get my grapevine which Ed. gave me. I stopped in at Uncle Ward's on my way home to ask him about them and he talked to me for about an hour and told me all about his Uncle Loudon Bougner's vineyard over at Flint. I couldnt plant out my grapevines when I got home so just put them down cellar in a bag. To-night I walked down to band practice and had a fairly good one although there were only five of us there. It snowed nearly all day and has been a rotten day,</p> <p>Tuesday April 7th</p> <p>I didn't do much this morning but get dressed up and go down and meet Rus. Gordon. I drove down although the roads were awful. He came alright and we got home about noon. Huby didn't come over this morning as he had to finish up his insurance. He came over this after noon and Russ. helped us put on a load of hay. Huby also put in the two grapevines I got from Ed. he brought over a piece of hard wood and braced the step ladder. It has been a miserable day not at all cold but terribly muddy and cloudy all the fore noon and it rained all the after noon Dick came home early to-night and slept with Russ. I put the alarm clock in their room to-night set for half past three.</p> <p>Wednesday April 8th</p> <p>After we did chores this morning we cleaned up the barn floor where the fanning mill was and hauled over the load of hay which we put on yesterday for the cow stable Russ &amp; I put it off and Dad. bathed Spottys udder, the bad quarter is better and he was able to get the siphon in this morning. Huby came over about ten and pruned apple trees all day he saw the ducks get up out of one of the swail holes this afternoon so went over and built a hide of some corn shocks, he also found two tame duck eggs in the orchard. This after noon Russ and I put on another small load of hay on the rack to take to the horse stable. After we got it on we went back to the gully and fooled around for awhile armed with Frank's rifle but we didn't shoot anything except a fence post we both took a shot at it and Russ hit it. It has been a miserable day, it snowed last night and has been cold and windy all day, freezing hard to-night.</p> <p>Thursday April 9th</p> <p>After we did chores this morning Dad. hauled the load of hay we put on yesterday over the horse stable and Russ and I put it off. We then went out and cleaned out some of the big wood in the orchard. This afternoon Russ and I went down town. I got my hair cut and he went to see the Morgan's, then we both went up to</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>school and had a talk with Mr. Smith after four and came home around by the mill with Frank. The old setting hen hatched out a few chicks to-day but I don't know how many. Huby came over at seven this morning and pruned nearly all day, it was too windy for awhile this after noon so he put a window in the wood shed which is a great improvement. Sam Law was over for quite awhile to tell us we could get butter over there now. It has been very cold and windy all day. It looked as if it would be a lovely day this morning although it froze very hard last night, but it clouded up and snowed every now and then all day. Freezing hard to-night.</p> <p>Friday April 10th Good Friday</p> <p>Huby pruned in the orchard most of the day but this morning he and I took a walk back to the gully and he paced off the length of fence it would take to go along the top of the gully to the road. When we came back I cleaned up some more brush in the orchard, I worked at it a little this afternoon to. This being Good Friday. Enah went down to church. Dick had a holiday so stayed in bed till noon. Frank and Russ spent the after noon back in the gully, they saw some fish but had no way of catching them. Dick was down town all after noon got home at midnight. We three boys went down to the Moving Picture show to see the battle of Waterloo, it was pretty good only all about the same. Lovely day sunny and windy much milder.</p> <p>Saturday April 11th</p> <p>It was cloudy cold and raining at seven o'clock this morning but Huby came over and worked around in the old house till we did chores he then went over with Dad. &amp; me to see Tupper. Dad. wanted to ask him if he could borrow his hay rack and we took the shotgun &amp; fish spear. After we'd seen all around the place Huby and I struck off down Tupper's creek we followed it way down to Black Creek but never saw a thing we then cut across to Art. Ryersies where we saw Wilson &amp; James McPherson &amp; Stewart Reeves with two or three measly looking fish. We got home quite awhile after noon. This afternoon Rus. &amp; I did chores. Huby pruned orchard and late Dad. went over and got Tuppers hay waggon &amp; scales which Tupper. was very anxious he should bring over. Frank went down town this after noon to get some window sash fixed &amp; glazed for his shop. Quint came over this after noon and saw the ducks out in the swail hole and shot at them but was not close enough. Huby and I saw six geese fly over the place this after noon. It didn't turn out to be a bad after noon at all but is freezing a little to-night.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Sunday April 12th Easter.</p> <p>I haven't done a thing in the shape of chores to-day since seven this morning. I got up fed the chickens sheep and horses and then went down with Dick to the early communion service we ran nearly all the way down or rather dog trotted but it just about killed me but Dick didn't seem to mind it, when we got home we had breakfast and then went down to the eleven o'clock service. The church was packed and Geitha Barwell sang a solo. Every member of the Barrett family except Dad. and Tiddums was at church from both houses. After church, Rus. Quint, Frank and I took a walk over to the Thompson's with Joe who is keeping hatch at present. Quint came over with us to dinner which we had rather late Rus. wanted to make a few calls this afternoon so I went with him down town, we went to the Hobbes where we found Geitha. Murry and Ada. Miss Prest is here over Easter we had such a good time that the first thing we knew it was time to come home for tea. I did a few chores after I got home. The old hen I set on fifteen eggs up in the loft hatched out nine chicks but during yesterday the old hen got off the nest which is about a foot off the floor and three little fellows got off and couldn't get back when we went up at night we found them chilled to death and beyond all recovery. One of the turkey hens has disappeared, and we don't know where she is. It has been very windy all day but a nice day. The roads are drying up.</p> <p>Monday April 13th</p> <p>We loaded the hogs up first thing this morning and Dad. and I took them down to Neil. Elliot, we put Frank's pig in with the others and he weighed 172 lbs. We weighed them all on Tuppers scales before we started aand we made the total weight 994 lbs. none of them weighed 200 lbs and the lightest was 153 lbs. On Jim Law's scales they just came to 950 we didn't think they shrank 44 lbs coming down town and don't think we made any mistake, how ever we only got paid $9.00 a cwt for 950 lbs of hogs. We came around by Tommy Gillies to get some lumber for Frank to fix up the old house. Hazen was over for awhile this morning but didn't stay long. Dick didn't get up till the middle of the fore noon and then went down town to get some ham to make sandwiches for the dance to-night. He was down town all the afternoon playing base ball. This after noon we put a scaffold up along the east side of the old house and the boys and Huby got two or three rows of shingles laid while we were doing chores. Huby pruned a little in the orchard and opened a ditch up out in the corn stubble. To-night we three boys went down to a dance in the hall given by the Sewing Club. The boys supplied the "eats" and the girls put up for the hall Dick went down early and went to the picture show first and</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Rus. and I got there about half past nine. We had a good though mighty hot time and got home about two o'clock. It has been a nice sunny day but cold raw wind.</p> <p>Tuesday April 14th</p> <p>I didn't do any thing much but chores and sow red clover seed on the wheat east of the orchard. It froze hard last night and by the time I got that piece sowed it was too muddy &amp; wet to sow the other. Rus. Huby &amp; Frank shingled nearly all day at the old house and have it nearly finished. Rus. had to go back to Toronto to-night or they likely would have finished. I drove him down to the train, he said he had a good time while he was here, and felt a lot better than when he came. I drove Dick up town from the station he said he had been very busy all day and would have to work late to-night. I got a bunch of shingles from Tommy and the seed oats we got from Jonas on my way home. There was a school board meeting to-night but Dad. had such a terrible headache he couldn't attend. Frank went down to a nigger show which I suppose he enjoyed. I felt rotten with a cold to-night and nearly coughed my insides out after I went to bed. It has been a lovely day one of the nicest we have had this year, it was fairly hot. The young stock all got back across the gully after dinner and Dad and I had to go back after them we took Bluch on the chain.</p> <p>Wednesday April 15th</p> <p>Huby and Frank finished shingling the old house this morning and Dad. helped them put the ridgeboards on. I just did chores and fooled around. Mr. &amp; Mrs Tupper came in and Tupper wants Dad. to put a team on the road scraper to-morrow if it is a nice day. After dinner Dad. and Enah drove to Simcoe and Lila and I looked after Tiddums with out any trouble. Dad. went up to pay Reid for discharging the mortgage and got all the old papers belonging to the farm. We spent the whole evening exploring them. The deed which gave Colin McNellige the place from the Crown in 1837 is lost but there is a big pile of other deeds and mortgages and the will of old Alexander Clark which {Fa?}. drew up for him, where he leaves the place to his son. Huby finished pruning the orchard this after noon and started to trim up the trees in front of the house Frank worked all the afternoon at the old house. I got twenty four eggs to-day, it is the first time I have got above twenty. It has been very cloudy but not very cold all day. Quint came over this after noon and stayed to tea and fixed the music box.</p> <p>Thursday April 16th</p> <p>I haven't done much to-day but sit around and do chores. I have a pretty bad cold and don't feel up to much Huby and Frank</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>worked at the old house most of the morning and Huby trimmed the trees out in front this after noon. Dad. did chores, went down to Sam. Law's after butter and helped Frank this after noon. Mr. Shand was over for a few minutes to see Dad. about one of his heifers. Art. Quanbury came over to get what eggs I had I only got fifteen to-day and two of my little chickens died. It rained all morning but wasn't a bad after noon, not cold.</p> <p>Friday April 17th</p> <p>Huby and Quint were over before seven this morning to see if the ducks were out in the water hole in the tin alley sod they wern't so they set a lot of musk rat traps for them. Quint was here all morning and he and Huby helped Frank with the old house. Dad. started to dig an anchor post hole at the north west corner of the big barn as he wants to stretch some wire accross the barn yard for the old rail fence will not keep the cattle in this time of year, they are bound to get into the field which they punch all up. I didn't feel much like working so after I got the chores done I started back to the gully. Quint saw me going so got his gun and joined me. He didn't shoot any thing but got a crack at a ground hog but was a little too far away. We found a lot of spring heartys in Robert John's place they were on a sunny side hill. I suppose the mayflower's are out too but we didn't run accross any plants Quint got one blood root. He didn't stay to dinner as he said he wanted to go up the Radical Road after dinner. Huby and Dad continued to dig anchor post holes this after noon and they set a couple of posts with an auger Frank borrowed from Jack Martin. Huby also pruned some more of the pear tree out in front. I started to stretch chicken wire down the fence between the plum orchard and lawn. Allan Law went by at noon with a new horse he sold his little chestnut yesterday, he was going down to work at the school. It has been a beautiful day, sunny and warm. Spring at last.</p> <p>Saturday April 18th</p> <p>Huby and I hung some rails on the bottom of the line fence where Ivy's tile drain runs through there is a depression in the land and the sheep walk right under the fence but we fixed it to hold them I think. This after noon Huby set the rest of the posts accross the barn yard, burned the old brush heap in the pasture field near Ivy's fence which has been there for a couple of years and pruned some more of the trees in front of the house. I stretched the rest of the roll of chicken wire which I started on yesterday, it just reached part way down the plum orchard fence. I also cut a hole in the yard fence and let one pen</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>of hens out to-night they were tickled to death and soon explored the whole plum orchard and most of them got out through the fence where there is no poultry netting. They didn't all find the way back to roost and we found one on a fence post way back the lane. John Wess McBride came over to-night about seven before we had had our tea, and got Dad. to go over and look at one of his mares which was sick. I went back with them and we didn't get back to supper till about half past nine. Dad didn't know what was the matter with the mare. She didn't seem very sick but was breathing very hard when we got there and was a little stiff in the nigh fore leg. Before we left her breathing got better and Dad. said he hadn't the slightest idea what ailed her. John Wess was up all night last night with Ray Lampkin's who died about ten o'clock this morning. Beautiful day, hot. windy to-night.</p> <p>Sunday April 19th</p> <p>Frank went to church and Sunday school this morning and Dick got up at noon had dinner and went down town, with the intention of attending church to-night but the rest of the family stayed home. I didn't like the idea of going to church and coughing or blowing my nose all through service so we just did chores and sat around. Ed. came over this after noon with Marion, he brought over a couple of dandy plans for the pig pen, the side elevation and ground floor plan. Frank stayed at Huby's to dinner. Huby said that Charlie McQueen told him he had seen our hen turkey over in Preston's woods Frank went to look for her but didn't see her. It rained most of the morning but not hard. Cloudy most of the day but very mild The wheat and grass has got very green to-day.</p> <p>Monday April 20th</p> <p>Huby &amp; I spent the whole morning clearing the brush of the lawn and we got it all nicely raked and the brush piled in the plum orchard. Dad. put in the forenoon receiving visitors Dick Faulmsbe was the first caller. Billy {Faloun?} then came in for a long time. He has a sick horse and Bruce wanted him to get Dad's advice. He said {Buse?} was just about bushed, he had been practicing night and day and every thing he has been doctoring this spring has died. Charlie Martin then "dropped in on us" for awhile and the purport of his mission was to ascertain whether it would be convenient to smoke his meat in our smoke house. As Dad. has our meat just about ready to smoke, he told Charlie to bring his over any time so he came over with five pieces after dinner This after noon we put the fence up against the posts in the barn yard. We braced one anchor post well by putting wire around it and around the corner post in the barn but we couldn't stretch the wire tight although we had</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>all of old Mr. Walker's outfit but the other anchor post was in very soft earth and the brace post was fairly floating. We forgot to get any staples so couldn't fasten it to the posts but we got so that we think it will keep the cattle out in till we can stretch it better. It has been cloudy and rather raw all day and drizzled &amp; rained all the after noon. Mrs McBride was here washing all day. Huby brought over the grape vine that was down at the boat house and planted it along the front fence it has a big root &amp; stalk.</p> <p>Tuesday April 21st</p> <p>Huby brought over another grape vine this morning and set it out down under the old willow. After breakfast he and I set fire to the pile of brush in the plum orchard it didn't burn very fast but it nearly all burned up. Dad. was very busy attending to a new bull calf which arrived this morning and for whose arrival Bobbie is responsible. We hung the meat in the smoke house and he and Huby started to build a stake and rider fence four panels long from the north west corner of the old barn to within a gate's width of the north anchor post of the new fence. We got it up by noon and it is a dandy about seven feet high I went over to Jack Martin's with some eggs and to ask him about getting an incubator as I think I will have to have one or no chickens none of the hens show any symptoms of wanting to sit. I found out he has one he wants to sell it being to small or something for him. It is a "Peerless" and he said he would let me have it and the brooder for half price or seventeen dollars. He told me he was paying me 36 cts a dozen for my eggs, so I have sold him more than enough eggs to pay for the outfit. This after noon we built five more panels of stake &amp; rider fence from the north east corner of the big barn to the north west corner of the horse stable and we fixed up an old gate to put at the gate way between the old barn and new fence at the end of the rail fence we built this morning. We didn't get it quite fixed but set it up so now have the barnyard pretty well fenced. John Wess was in to-night to see if it would be all right to work his mare to-morrow. Dad. said he thought it would be all right for although her leg is swollen she seems all right every other way. Cloudy and raw all day.</p> <p>Wednesday April 22nd</p> <p>Huby didn't get over till late this morning he had gone over to Stickney's to get his rubber boots fixed and then up to Val. Leaney's to see Bill Rankin about fixing an old saw he has and he saw so many people that he couldn't get away but when he did get here we hooked old Harry to the stone boat and started to clean the brush out of the orchard, we hauled it up to the far end of the orchard and piled it</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>where we burned it before. This morning we just had the little stone boat but it took such a small load that Dad. nailed a couple of boards to it and we found we could put more than twice as much on but when we started up the brush caught on the ground and the stone boat pulled out from under it, but Dad. got another board and put down the middle so there was no space for the brush to stick in the ground and it went all right. Huby and I went up with every load one on each side with a bar jammed into the brush for a lever to hold it on. We put on big loads and packed them well by taking the long iron bar and putting it accross the top of the load every now and then and one got on each end of the bar and bear down with all our weight and every now and then Huby would walk up the load and tramp on it. By to-night we had nearly all the brush which was separated from the big limbs cleaned up, spare moments Huby painted the places on the trees where he cut big limbs off and has got over most of the trees. Alfred paid us a visit this after noon he had come up the gully with a fish spear on a "wild goose chase" so he said and just stopped in on his way home. By today's paper we see that the Mexican war with the U.S. has started. The Americans have taken the Vera Cruz custom house with only four of their men killed and about 200 Mexicans. Canon Hicks died yesterday with pneumonia so Dick told us. It has been a lovely sunny day with a drying breeze.</p> <p>Thursday April 23rd</p> <p>We finished the orchard up to-day, it looks very nice and neat. We got the brush all hauled up by noon but are going to leave it till Saturday if it is a nice day so Lila can see it. We hauled the big limbs up and piled them between the old house and the woodshed. We also hauled the old stump of the dead tree that we cut down last winter up to the house and to-night before we took old Harry of the stone boat Huby and I hauled the old shoes which have been in the garret over the old house since the days of Titus up to the brush pile and dumped them. There was an awful pile of them. Huby brought over some suckers with him this morning that Quint caught and Frank went fishing after school to-night and caught seven perch down at the pier. They are about the first he has got since he has been here. Enah got a letter from Louise to-day inviting her down next Wednesday night to hear the new organ in St. Pauls cathedral. It is supposed to be the best organ in America and they are having the best payed organist in the world to play it so it ought to be good. Of course she said she couldn't go but there is no reason what ever why she can't as so I guess she will</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>It has been a nice sunny day but a cold raw wind this morning. I got twenty three eggs from the white chickens alone to-day.</p> <p>Friday April 24th</p> <p>After we did up the chores this morning Huby and I went back with some old rags and a bottle of crude oil to make torches to burn of the blue grass field. It was just the day for the job with a little east wind and when we set fire at the east end of the field it swept over the whole area in no time. It burned quite a few of the fence posts and the first thing we knew it was in the wood. It was not burning fast in there but was spreading steadily Huby said we would have a very hard job putting it out and we might better let it go as it would be a good thing to clean the ground up and was not hot enough to hurt the little trees. He didn't think it would burn far any way so we took a walk over to McQueens in quest of the lost turkey hen, we found Charlie at the black smith trade shoeing a team for Phil {Shaver?} and the old man outside. As John Henry Butler is about dead and Ralph Waddle is sick Charlie picks up quite a lot of business. Coming home Huby and I separated and looked both sides of McQueens gully and through Preston's wood. We had Bluch and he put up a rabbit but we saw no sign of the turkey but just as we were about home coming along the top of Ivey's gully Bluch scared her up, we didn't find her nest but left her back there. It was nearly noon when we got to our gully and we thought of coming up to dinner but on second thought we decided to see how the fire in the wood was progressing. The blue grass field was black all over but the wood was full of smoke and after we got in a little way we found Dad. who had seen the fire in the wood and come back and had been fighting to keep it away from Evan's fence. It had got pretty well all through the wood but hadn't got to the fence yet, we all three fought for an hour or so and at last got it about stamped out of course there were stumps on fire. I was by myself most of the time and Huby and Dad had an awful time trying to keep it away from a few panels of rail fence between us and John Wess but about one or after we thought it was safe to leave till after dinner, then Huby and I went back again. We found it all out through the wood except a few stumps but it had started up at the fence again and completely destroyed it for a fence as the rails in two panels were nearly burned up and we had to tear them down and throw them on to the burnt territory. It had also started in the grass on the other side again and if we had been a few minutes later it would have been into Evan's wood and we would have had our morning's fun repeated. We were back there all the after noon trimming</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>the trees along the edge of the wood whose branches hang over the field. We looked at the fence again before we came up to-night but it seemed to be out so we left. It looks like rain to-night and if it does that will fix it. Nice day but cloudy. Dad started disking on the corn stubble this morning but found it too wet in spots. Sam Law was harrowing they are the only ones I know of around here who have tried it at all</p> <p>Saturday April 25</p> <p>It was raining when we got up this morning but cleared of during the fore noon. Huby came over and worked at the old house and sawed wood most of the day. I spent most of the morning making a hopper for my little chickens so the turkeys can't steal their food. This after noon I drove Enah down to doo some shopping and she walked back Lila came over this after noon. Win was coming over but she thought it would be too wet to burn the bonfire in the orchard so didn't come when I got home, we went out to try it, it was a little too wet but Huby got a fire started in one place and it would probably have gone but a big thunder storm came up about six and not only quenched the fire but drove them all in from looking after it. Huby and Lila stayed to tea but as it stopped raining they went down afterwards. Dad. Frank &amp; I had a bath to-night (for a change). There was another editorial in the "Maple Leaf" everlastingly raking Vyse down. Every body seems to think Vyse will try to enter a libel suit against L.G. but I guess its all true about him</p> <p>Sunday April 26th</p> <p>I was up fairly early this morning so was able to get the chores all done, get ready and drive Enah down to church on time. There was a very short service and no sermon as Mr. Johnson felt sick. This after noon I went down town for a little while. I went around by Hubys and found him pruning his apple trees he is getting them in pretty nice shape. Dick went through his Sabbath routine. Frank went back to the gully and the rest of the family stayed home for company's sake. Cloudy and breezy all day not a bad day.</p> <p>Monday April 27th</p> <p>I finished making my little chicken feed hopper this morning all but putting the hinges on the lid. I didn't do any thing else much. Huby didn't get over till late this morning as he waited for Stickney to see if he had the post auger, he hadn't but said Stocker would make it and some of them would bring it down in a day or two. Sam Law came over after Dad. to go down and see his pig. Huby brought down over some stone nest eggs and put them in the various turkey nests. This after noon Dad. spent the after noon getting his hair cut and Huby and I sorted the apples and cleaned out the cellar. Tonight I went down to band practice. Harry Moon wasn't there but we had a good practice Murray was there with his picilo and a new man who is learning the clarinet. Cloudy mostly cool</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Tuesday April 28th</p> <p>We didn't get much done this morning. Huby and I cleaned out the wood shed and chored around. This after noon I took some eggs (three dozen) over to Jack Martin's. I am going to save all the eggs from both pens now for myself till I get enough to fill the incubator. I have ninety three now. I got twenty five altogether to-day, the most I have got yet. Sam. Law came after Dad. again to go and see a cow. When we got back we made some alterations in the site of the building in the back yard and to-night the view from the dining room window is considerably improved. Tupper was in to-night to say that he wants Dad. to put a team on the road scraper to-morrow but it is raining to-night so we will probably be relieved from the job. Cousin Clare came over this morning to stay till Enah gets back from Toronto. It has been very hot and muggy all day feels very much like rain.</p> <p>Wednesday April 29th</p> <p>I got up about four this morning and the rest of the family soon after. Dad. drove Enah down to the station, and as Belle was a little nervous of the train shunting around he let her out a little way up the street just as Mr. Barwell came along he was bound for Toronto too so she was alright. Huby came back with Dad. I didn't do much to-day except plant out some little daisy plants in the front border bed and fix it up a little. Cousin Clare brought the plants over. I had to stay with Tiddums a little while after dinner. He has been very good all day especially as he hasn't been able to be out although he is lonesome of course. Huby worked around out side and cleaned out the old house nicely. Jim Waddle came after Dad. just before dinner to go and see a sick colt and he didn't get back till about three o'clock. It has been a miserable day. Cloudy and chilly. Rained a lot during the night and drizzled off and on all day.</p> <p>Thursday April 30th</p> <p>Frank McBride came over before breakfast this morning with some maple syrup which Mrs. Carpenter sent to Frank. He told us just where we Aleta had found the turkey's nest in Ivey's gully over near Preston's fence, so after breakfast Huby and I went back to look for it, we found the place but didn't see any nest so went over to ask Aleta. On our way over we saw the old turkey on the other side of Preston's wood. Aleta told us the nest was just where she we had been looking but as she had taken the eggs out of it, we thought she might have moved so went down to the mill to ask Clarence Ferris as he had found it before and taken two eggs out. He said it was in</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>the same place, we got the two eggs from him and the five Aleta had taken and went back and found what we supposed to be the empty nest but although we searched for quite awhile we could find no sign of the old turkey. We brought the eggs home and and got Huby's gloves which have been back at the wood ever since the fire. This after noon Huby lined out his ditch at the end of the old garden and got it started the whole length. I did chores and fooled around and Dad. put in most of the day minding Tiddums who is terribly home-sick. Winnie came over after school while he was alone with Cousin Clare and she supposes he thought it was Enah for when he was terribly disappointed when he recognised Win. To-night I went down to a surprise party of Hazel Silverthorne's. The sewing club was meeting at her place and she invited eight or nine boys over, we all rounded up at the bank and went over in a body. We played pedro which I don't know any more about than I do about making toads, but still I would have had a great time only my head ached and I felt rather sick for some unknown reason. We also played a lot of other games to add to the card playing score. One table blew bubbles, another cut out paper dolls, another speared peanuts in a bowl with hat pins, next played crocono, next snipped buttons and the other made some sort of rhymes, we had dandy refreshments but I couldn't take much and felt so rotten before I left that I forgot to say good-night. Dad. went down and met Enah. She said she had a great time "to the city" and enjoyed the organ very much. Tiddums was glad to see her but didn't kick up much fuss over it. Art. Quanbury came over to-night with my incubator and brooder. Nice day but rather raw.</p> <p>Friday May 1st</p> <p>Huby and I put on a small load of hay this morning and this after noon Dad. hauled it over to the barn for the cows we then put on a pretty good sized load and Dad. &amp; Huby unloaded it in the horse stable, while I took little Joe and drove Cousin Clare home. Tupper came over this morning to get Dad. to put a team on the road scraper, but Dad rode down with him to Sam Law's and got him to go on instead. Whit. Dixon came in while he was gone after a pig for Bob. Miller, he brought two of the most horrible looking sheep I ever saw. He said Bob. had had them down in the barn in a crate and nobody fed them much except Mrs. Tate. He said Bob. wanted him to bring them over here and if Dad. didn't want to keep them till they got in shape to kill to leave them for a few days anyway, Whit. said he supposed Bob. thought if he got them unloaded here they would stay. The poor things could hardly stand up when</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>they took them out of the waggon and they have been gorming grass ever since they got loose. Whit. was telling Huby and me all about his western experiences, he is sick of it. We sent down the biggest pig with Whit. Huby worked. Mrs. McBride was here all day housecleaning. Sunny with cool breeze.</p> <p>Saturday May 2nd</p> <p>After I did chores this morning I went over to Martin's and borrowed Art Quanbury's spirit level and leveled up my incubator and started the lamp going, I won't put the eggs in till I see how it is going to go. George Holden and his brother brought the fifty Carolina poplars and the two English wallnuts. I heeled them in the garden and this after noon Huby and I planted them out. We planted the two wallnuts out in front. They were very healthy looking trees and a good size. It was pretty late when we got them planted so we just took ten poplars back to the gully, we put them out in the east end of the gully mostly on the flat. but a couple on the hill, we stuck slips in all over mostly on ant hills. We didn't get back till about seven o'clock. Huby stayed to tea and he and Frank set fire to the bonfire in the orchard but it didn't burn well and they had to leave it after being out there an hour or two, sunny and nice to-day but cool</p> <p>Sunday May 3rd</p> <p>Dad. and I intended going to church to-day but. First of all we didn't get up very early, then Fred's calf got into the pig yard and the old sow got out so Dad. had to fix it. Then I noticed old split ear walking lame over in the pasture and we found the wall of her foot was turned over. While we were trimming her feet up, Mr. Brirely came along and stayed till about noon telling us all about chickens and things. He said he would come over in a night or two to see if the incubator is going all right. I think I will fill it up to-morrow. I have the temperature up to about 103° now. This after noon Dad. Enah and Tiddums drove out to Jim Waddle's. I just sat around the house while they were gone and read a little, snoozed a little, practiced a little on my horn and a little on the guitar. Frank went back to the gully but I don't think it had changed much since last night, he got some wild flowers. Dick spent the after noon in town, which I have no doubt he also will find in much the same condition as when he last saw it. He will likely go to church to-night. It has been a lovely day quite hot. Dad is afraid it will rain before long if it doesn't we are going to start work on the land to-morrow if all is well.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Monday May 4th</p> <p>We got a fairly early start this morning and I had both teams cleaned and ready to slap the harness on and start farming but just about seven it began to rain. It didn't last long but plenty long enough to put an end to starting operations to-day. It came out sunny and a nice breeze after the shower but this after noon it was more cloudy and threatening. It is very hot and lightening to-night. Dad. and Huby fixed the wind mill rod which Dad. broke yesterday and I took Art Quanbury's spirit level back and got a few final instructions about the incubator. I filled it up about noon and by to-night she was up to 97° and blowing off. I didn't know whether to regulate it or not but I happened to overtake Mr. Brirely coming home to-night and he told me I should. This after noon Dad. and Huby went back to the gully and fixed the fence as well as they could as there will soon bee picking enough to let the young stock out I started to grub out the trees between along the fence between the plum orchard. I got a couple of little plum trees out but didn't get any of the cherries {out?} We want to set out a cedar hedge along there if we ever get time. I went down to band practice to-night and we had pretty fair practice. Harry Moon wasn't there but Mid. is back home now and he was there.</p> <p>Tuesday May 5th</p> <p>It was pouring rain when we got up this morning and kept it up till the middle of the after noon and it had been raining most of the night. Dad was pretty well disgusted but that didn't seem to do much good. I got a loaf of bread last night and left it up in the band room so this morning I drove Dick down town and went up and got it. Dick had a bad toothache last night. Huby hadn't come over so I went around and got him, he thought there wouldn't be any thing to do if it rained but he came over so to be there in case it cleared up. We didn't do any thing much all day. He worked at the old house tacking up old window blinds for wall covering. He brought a lot of burlap over the other day and is going to use it to but the wind blows through it more that it does the blinds. He scraped some of the apple trees when it quit raining. Enah broke a tooth to-day so had to go down and get it fixed while Dad. minded Tiddums.</p> <p>Wednesday May 6th</p> <p>I didn't get up till late this morning, and haven't done any thing much but chores all day. I had to turn my eggs in the incubator twice to-day. Huby and Dad. squared up the old block they got from the dead apple</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>tree in the orchard. It make a beauty and is good and solid. Huby dug quite a bit at his ditch and Dad. took the storm windows off. Whit Dixon came in this after noon and got another pig. Two other fellows were in they wanted Dad. to go down to Henderson's to-night and have a look at their big black Percheron stallion. They want to travel him down this way. Dad. got notice of a school board meeting to-night so he went down. I got chores done up early hoping to take Osprey out for a run before dark but it began to rain just before dark. It has been very hot all day and felt like rain. I don't think it rained very hard nor long Winnie &amp; Jonny Miller were over for awhile before tea.</p> <p>Thursday May 7th</p> <p>We put the halter on Pommer's for the first time this morning and tied him in Joes stall for awhile, he was pretty crazy at first but soon quieted down when he found there was no use fighting. We put the harness on Osprey and I took him down to the corner and back. He felt pretty gay and looked fine. Dad. and Huby cleaned up a lot more of the old barn floor. This after noon we hooked up Osprey and Harry to the waggon and the whole three of us went down to Billy Cunningham's to get Dave's cart. We found him and Billy Loan building a house. He said he had brought the cart up to Bobbie McMullins two or three weeks ago so Huby is going to bring it over in the morning We got a couple of nice little silver birch trees in Hammond's back on our way home and Huby set one out on the lawn. He wants to put the other in the gully. We saw Tom Abbot and he gave us our cream check. It wasn't very high this month as butter has gone down. We only got a little over 19 dollars. Tom told us that Wilbur and Orpha Ryersie are the proud parents of a daughter. We met another man with an Iron grey Percheron stallion to-day. Huby said he liked the black one the best, but Dad. liked this one the best in some ways although he had poor legs. T.A. Ivey was in this morning to have his old mare's teeth fixed and also to get Dad to attend a friendly meeting to the farmer's who will be affected by some ditch on the other road that he wants the council to put in. It won't really affect any body much but him. Osprey went fine we had a stay chain on old Harry's double tire. None of the farmers down that way have any oats in and we didn't see any wheat that could beat ours east of the orchard. It has been very nice to-day and clear to-night. Tiddums isn't very well to-night</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Friday May 8th</p> <p>Huby went around by Bobbie McMullin's this morning to see if he had our cart done but it wasn't quite finished. He took the other birch trees back to the gully and planted it out and set two little ones which were in the earth at the roots of the other one. Dad and I started to measure the distance from the road to the gully along the lane and orchard fence so as to get the fence we are going to put along the top of the gully the same distance from the road (concession) at the east end as at the west where it joins the lane fence at right angles. We got as far as the north orchard fence at right an when it was raining so hard we had to stop. Huby. put some more burlap and paper on the walls of the shop and late this after noon dug some more at his ditch. This after noon Dad. went down to Sam. Law's after the butter and I took a couple of dozen eggs over to Quanbury's as John was over and said Art. wanted to get them I had quite a visit with Charlie who was planting potatoes. He has his garden nearly all in and it looks fine. Enah went down to the Methodist church for choir practice as they want her to sing with the "Mothers day bunch" on Sunday. Frank went down with her intending I think to take in the movie. Tiddums doesn't feel very well yet. I started to cut the lawn to day but it was not long enough for the lawn mower. I couldn't see where I had gone.</p> <p>Saturday May 9th</p> <p>I started after breakfast towards town to head Huby off with the cart he was going to haul over because as we were going down in the waggon we thought it was too bad for him to draw it all the way over here, but when I got to Martin's I saw Art Quanbury and he was showing me how to test eggs and when I got back to the side walk Huby had come and as he had got so far he persisted in taking it all the way. It was a good cart but will need a little patching. We then hooked up Harry and Belle to the waggon and went down town. We got four big anchor posts and four small posts, some siding for the shop, lime for the chicken house and plaster for the kitchen. We saw Harry Ansley and he gave us three nice white fish. This after noon I took some eggs over to Martin's. Art Quanbury wanted another half dozen, he wanted two settings instead of two dozen. Huby planted out a lot more of the poplars along the rail fence. I went out with him when I got back and we got a lot put out on both sides of the corner field. Mr. Lawrie was here when we came up. He Huby and Lila stayed to tea. Lila came over this after noon and rode Frank's bicycle and she and Frank went back to the wood. Frank put a lot of the siding on the shop.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Dad. has felt very miserable all day and his muscles ache all over his body. Up till to-day it has just been in his arms. He is afraid it is rheumatism. It has been a lovely day. Quite hot this morning but nice fresh breeze this after noon.</p> <p>Sunday May 10th</p> <p>We got up rather late this morning and I have had my old clothes on all day. Frank went down to Sunday school but didn't go to church this morning I drove Enah down and on my way home fell in with Jimmy and Billie Rankin who boned me for a ride so I brought them over to see Bluch who was overjoyed to see them. They went back to the gully with Frank and got some flowers and went home with Dick when he drove down after Enah. It rained a little now and then during the day so I think Frank was prevented from making his periodical call on the gully this after noon but Dick went down town. He was pretty tired last night and had some excuse for sleeping all morning. Wiggins offered him a quarter yesterday if he would cut the lawn around the bank so he started in at two o'clock, when he got it done Mr. Hobbes offered him double the price of cutting the two lawns if he would cut his lawn too so Dick kept right at it till eight o'clock and then with out any supper started to work at his balance sheets or whatever it was. This morning his hands were blistered all over and as he didn't get up to breakfast he went twenty four hours without a meal but made $1.30 out of it. He has been ledger seeker for the last week and balanced up very easily the other night. To-night I drove Enah and Frank down to church Enah turned Methodist for to-night as she is going to sing with the mothers this being their "day" I met Hazen on his way over to tak his girl to church so I gave him a ride over. When I let him out at Flemming's, I found Bluch who in spite of all our commands to go home had followed us down was not following me back so I went back and as I expected found him at Rankin's. After quite a lot of coaxing I induced him to get into the buggy and brought him home. It would have been a nice day but for a shower ever now and then. Tiddums feels very rotten to-day - cutting teeth.</p> <p>Monday May 11th</p> <p>It rained a good deal to-day so we didn't do very much, but remark on the inclemencey of the weather. We saw Reeve Vyse go past with his disks just before it began to rain but after going a few rounds it chased him in. We could see old Sam</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>at it for quite awhile but at last he had to give up no doubt in disgust. Dad. and I put on a load of hay this morning and Huby oiled up the little dining room stove and pipes and put it away. This after noon I made a bootjack. I have tugged and pulled and nearly broken the rungs out of the kitchen chairs ever since I have got my rubber boots trying to pull them off at night and now when it is about sollid enough to do with out them I have made a neat little boot jack; however it will be ready for next season and I have hung it handy in the wood shed for us anytime we get mad. Huby covered more of the walls of the shop with some stiff wrapping paper he got from Tip. Varey and tinkered around. Dad. minded Tiddums who is fare from scoocum to-day. Geordie Allan was over for a little while, he is just up to Dover for a visit. To-night Chris Quanbury came over and test my eggs for me, he found 32 infertile out of the 138 which he said was a better test than most of theirs were doing. It is just about 23% bad. Raining hard with thunder and lightening to-nigh.</p> <p>Tuesday May 12th</p> <p>It poured rain nearly all day. It let up for awhile at noon and hasn't rained much since five to-night, but there was a steady downpour the rest of the time. Every thing is covered with water, and it looks as if we'd have to postpone some of the features in the game of farming for another season. I was pretty busy all day. This morning I cleaned all the straw out of the hen houses and this after noon started to white wash them. I couldn't find the white wash brush so I had to use a broom so I don't know whether it will make much improvement in appearance but will smarten the place up. I got the pen this way white washed and part of the one we brought over from Huby's and used a pail of white wash, then I had to quit to do chores. Huby came over this after noon and worked at the old house. Dad did think of taking Joe down to Bobby McMullan to be shod but when he was ready thought better of it. Tom. Abbot came after the cream this morning and request Dad not to mention the weather, he hears enough about it.</p> <p>Wednesday May 13th</p> <p>I finished white washing the other hen house this morning. I did white wash the pen where the colored hens are as I had no place to let them out and they make such a fuss if I try to work with them in there. Huby scraped some of the trees in the orchard this morning but it started to rain so he came in and worked at the</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>{ Error in page number}</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>{Error in page number}</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>{Wednesday May 13th continued}</p> <p>shop it didn't rain long but he worked in there most of the day. He put some of the white wash I had left over on the trees he scraped. Dad. took Joe down to be shod this morning but Bobby McMillian's shop was full so he came home. He doesn't want to take her to Joe Howel for fear she will make him mad, and he says Ralph Waddle knows too much. Bob. Davis was in this after noon with Bycler's big black horse. He is certainly a nice looking one. I put another broody hen up over the hog pen to-night. I don't know whether she will sit or not as I didn't notice her setting till to-day. It has been cloudy all day with a little rain before dinner and to-night the sun was out.</p> <p>Thursday May 14th</p> <p>We spent quite awhile giving Pommers a lesson on the halter. We took both the colts out and I held Queen while Dad. and Huby worked awhile with Pommers. We then let them run in the front field the rest of the day. We put Joe in the box stall for the day and Dave in Joe's stall but put them all back in to night and Dave out, he was pretty lonesome as we let all the young stock back the lane to-day and left them back. We let the cows back too but didn't let them out after they were milked to-night. This after noon Dad. put the harness on Dave and took him down the road a little way. It was the first time he has had a bit in his mouth so didn't do so badly. When we get him broken Huby is going to take him for his driver. We are very glad we didn't shoot him last fall as we intended. This morning we three boys went back and fixed a good set a bars from the gully into the blue grass field on the west side next John Wess's (the field not the bars). Dad cut new bars in the wood. We took the chain back and measured our share of John Wess's line fence. It was just 10 chains and one foot. We want to put up a new fence there if we can. This after noon Dad. and I put off the load of hay we loaded up for the horse stable the other day and Huby put out the rest of the young poplars. Stan Lowrie was in this morning to have Dad. look at his horse's mouth. He says some of them down there around Nanticoke have oats in but they are afraid after this rain they will rot in the ground. The rain caused a lot of damage up in Western Ontario, The whole country was flooded in places and they say even barns floated off their foundations. Poor Tiddums is pretty sick to-night. Cutting teeth, whooping cough and fever. Lovely day sunny &amp; mild.</p> <p>Friday May 15th</p> <p>I got up about four o'clock this morning to choke off the</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>alarm clock. I wanted to get out anyway before the hens did as I discovered yesterday that the old duck was laying in the chicken yard and so I wanted to leave the yard open for her to get in during the night but as I don't let the same pen out two days in succession I had to get up before the hens to shut it up. I didn't think to shut them in the house but I will hereafter I hope. Dick brought home word last night that Mr. Hobbes wanted two settings of eggs so I went over to ask Jack Martin if he wanted them especially but he wasn't home and Chris was down town so I sent them down. Vyse was over for awhile, after breakfast Huby got the brush heap in the orchard burned at last. I threw the brush out of the pig yard and helped him carry it over to the fire. After we burned it we started to clean up the wheat. We got it all cleaned by about half past four this after noon. There was only about forty bushels of it cleaned we put a coarse seive in the bottom so got a lot of stuff in the drip box nearly enough to fill up the chicken feed bin. When we got it done Huby and I tore down and piled up handy to where we could get them with the waggon what few rails were left from the old barn yard fence. Sunny but raw wind all day. Sam Law was on his field to-day but Tom Abbot says it is very mucky. Poor Tiddums is very miserable, the whooping cough is back again.</p> <p>Saturday May 16th</p> <p>Lila came over with Huby first thing this morning and has been over all day. Jim Bannister sent over word with them for Dad. to come over as his mare was just foaling. Dad. has been over two or three times during the day - and is there now with Frank. Burt is there from Simcoe, and Dad. says he is afraid Jim will lose the mare, the colt I think is dead. Dad. and I hauled up a load of rails this morning from the old barn yard fence and then took the wheat to the mill. We made two trips of it and took down three sacks of oats for chop. We had 44 bushels and 14 lbs of wheat and it is just a dollar a bushel so we did gain a little by waiting after all. After dinner Huby and I went back to the wood and were gone nearly all the after noon but we got a beautiful little elm and set it out out here near the drive house and just behind the anchor post for this lane fence, we got it out in the open and it is a perfect shape and as we didnt cut much of the top off it will be pretty from the first. Frank and Lila went back with us but went the other way when we got to the gully and got a lot of flowers and some merels which Huby found the other day and told them about. Our little tree was all out in leaf but Huby took great pains in planting it, and he thinks</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>with the attention we will be able to give it being so near the house that it will grow. Dad. was going down town this afternoon but as we didn't get back he didn't go so I helped him milk and then hooked up Joe and took Huby &amp; Lila down, we took Win in at Uncle Ward's and she went up and got the stuff for me. I gave Joe Thompson a lift over the hill and old Mrs. Martin home from about Chris Quanbury's. Lovely day sunny and dry. Messers Flemming &amp; Evans scraped the road again.</p> <p>Sunday May 17th</p> <p>Frank went down alone to church and Sunday School this morning. After breakfast Dad. and I went over to Jim Bannister's for a little while, the mare was dead and buried. Vyse was there and Jack Spain soon came. When we got home, we hooked Joe and Osprey up to the buggy and took them around the block. Joe was the worst colt of the two but they went fine. Dick got up for dinner and he and I played catch for awhile before he went down town. Then Frank and I went back to the gully and went in for a swim in Robert John's big pool. The water was pretty cold at first but after we got out and let the wind blow more it felt warm to get in. I came home about four and unintentionally went to sleep. Dad. Enah and Tiddums were all out for a drive and while things were in this condition Mr. &amp; Mrs. John Shand came, they never woke me up and so thought no one was home, pinned a note on the door and left but Dad. and Enah just came along as they were going out the lane so they came back. I got the chores done as quickly as possible and got ready and went down to church. I overtook Quint. After church I went up with him to see Big George about a fishing excursion to-morrow but he wasn't home so Quint came over as far as Martin's with me. Dick came along while we were talking. He said he felt pretty sick so we came home and he went to bed. It has been a lovely day, Sunny and a little breeze.</p> <p>Monday May 18th</p> <p>I woke up about three o'clock and heard Dad prowling around, he said he had just come back from town. Al Faulkner had come over after him to go and see his colt, which had got tangled up in the halter shank and was in awful shape. I got up at four o'clock and would have been ready to get a good early start on the land but for visitors. First Mr. Porter drove in then a little while afterwards old Mr. Duncan, he had what he thought to be a sick cow and wanted Dad</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>to go up so Dad. didn't get out at all this morning and I didn't till about nine. When Dick got up he felt very miserable and was bound to go to work but they persuaded him not to so he lay down and slept most of the day and Dad. on his way to Duncan's stopped in and told Wiggins. Huby and Dad. started for Duncan's but met old Bill who told them the horse cow was alright. I got over the field once lengthwise with the disks and started to go again and Dad. gave it a good harrowing this afternoon. Huby took my team for awhile after dinner while I got a rest ready to set a hen. Sam. Law came over and borrowed the drill at noon, he has his piece about in shape. Mrs McBride was here washing all day. To-night I went down to band practice and didn't get to bed till eleven Lovely day sunny and not too hot</p> <p>Tuesday May 19th</p> <p>I was up at four again this morning, the way I manage it I wind the alarm clock up so it will ring for quite awhile and set it over on the bureau where I can't reach it from the bed. Then in the morning it makes such a clatter that I can't stand the noise so have to get up to smother it and once I'm up I stay up although I felt pretty tough for awhile this morning. Try as we did we weren't able to get in the field before eight, but we got both teams started about the same time and got a pretty good day in I finished the field lengthwise and got more than half over it crosswise. Dad harrowed it both ways and is now following me down crosswise with the harrows. He thinks when we get done that way, it will be in good shape to drill. It was a hard day on the poor little team, they are too tired to eat to-night. I had to make several trips to the ditch to swab my eyes off with cold water and keep them from going to sleep. Old Bluch plodded up and down after the disks all day long. Once I took the little team and harrowed to keep awake when I wasn't near the ditch and poor Bluch was badly puzzled. He didn't know which one of us to follow. Sam Law brought the drill back and left it in the field. Vyse drilled his piece in to-day. I set two hens to-night on thirty eggs. Huby worked around here and helped mind Tiddums all day. Dick felt better to-day but didn't go to work. He went down town this after noon to get his tooth fixed and didn't feel quite so well to-night. Cars. Rankin went by here to-day with an automobile they just bought. They have started to take down the dam bridge. They are going to put up a new stone one. It has been a nice day but pretty hot.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Wednesday May 20th</p> <p>Four o'clock for mine again this morning and I didn't feel so sleepy during the day as I got to bed at ten last night. I did have one little short snooze on the disks while the horses were resting. Water is getting pretty hard to find now, but I located some in the wood to swab my eyes with. I got out soon after eight, and finished cross disking then hooked on the harrows and cross harrowed from where Dad left off till noon. Dad. didn't get out till ten o'clock owing to divers hindrances, so he started right in to drill. He put Jonas' oats in on the north headland they went two drill widths the width of the field and quite a few left over. He took out four big two bushel and a half bags and had the drill set for sowing 2 bushels and a peck and used all the seed and didn't quite finish to-night so there is something wrong as we didn't think there was more than four acres in the field. I finished cross harrowing soon after dinner and then took the disks back to the field accross the gully, and got over quite a chunk of it. Huby sowed clover seed to-day on the piece of wheat north of the orchard he also cleaned up around the shop a lot. Dick went to work to-day although he is far from well. It has been fine and pretty hot to-day.</p> <p>Thursday May 21st</p> <p>I didn't get over the gully to work till nearly nine o'clock so didn't get through disking till after dinner I then started over it again lengthways with the disks a notch deeper. Dad. finished drilling in the other field, harrowed it all over and brought the harrows back and got a good chunk done in the back field. Huby didn't come over this morning till noon as he had some insurance to attend to. Dick has been home all day and has a pretty sore throat. Fine and sultry.</p> <p>Friday May 22nd</p> <p>Dad. had to take my team this morning to run the ditches in the field we have in so I hooked up Joe and took my eggs over to Jack Martin and took Dick down to see Dr. Cook. He gave Dick some pills and I think told him he would be alright soon. When we got home I got a little ice out and put it in the refrigerator which we placed in the kitchen this morning. Dad. had gone back over the gully and was disking but about the time we got home it began to rain. It rained hard enough to persuade Dad. to come in and then stopped for the day although it has been cloudy. Dad. helped me take the old bits of sacking from the chicken house windows and</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>put in poultry fencing. Dad. and I went back after dinner and he harrowed and I disked but didn't get quite over the piece. I had to stop for awhile to drive a herd of cattle into out of Sam Law's wheat. I took Bluch and he chased them into the wood's so I suppose they were Art Ryersies. Huby had more insurance to look after so didn't get over till after dinner. I got up at four o'cock this morning but went to sleep saying my prayers and slumbered peacefully till nearly five. Tom Abbot told us this morning that Edna Sidway isn't expected to live.</p> <p>Saturday May 23rd</p> <p>Dad. and I got a fairly good day's work in on the land to-day, he harrowed and I disked. I am part way over it crossways and have the disks set in the last hole but one except on the sand knolls. It makes them {lug?}. John Wess was over for a long time this morning talking to Dad. He is working on his buckwheat stubble. Huby and Lila came over this morning early and during the fore noon Quint and Charlie Ferris brought a ferrit over. They were going to put him after the rats under the corn crib but he was so big he couldn't get into their holes. They burned the three corn shocks in the field but didn't get any there either. Huby cleaned the ditches most of the afternoon in the sowed field. He got a toad and put on the front lawn to eat ants. Dick was better to-day and was down town this after noon, but Frank is all in to-day. He took the lawn mower down to be sharpened but feels tough. Quite cold to-day but mostly sunny.</p> <p>Sunday May 24th</p> <p>I haven't been off the place all day. I intended to go to church to-night but went to sleep before tea so couldn't get ready in time. Dad. and Enah &amp; Tiddums drove down with Joe &amp; Ginger this morning. They left Tiddums with Huby while they went to church and Huby took him up to the dam in the scow. There was no organist at church till Enah got there so she had to go down to-night again alone. Elva has quit for sure. I sat around and read nearly all day. This morning when I took the eggs out of the incubator to caul them I could hear the chickens peeping and one or two eggs chipped. To-night one chick is out. Dick got up and went to church this morning stayed at Huby's to dinner, down town all the after noon and came home to tea to-night. Frank went down to church and Sunday school this morning and back to the gully this after noon. Lovely day.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Monday May 25th</p> <p>Dad. and I both got a pretty fair early start this morning and I nearly finished crossdisking by noon. He drilled all morning but after dinner harrowed with the little team till after dinner I finished disking then took my team and hooked on the drill I finished harrowing with his team only went lengthways instead of crossways which made a much better job. When I finished I brought the little team and the disks up but Dad. stayed back till about seven o'clock and finished drilling. Jack Hodge and family just drove in as I came up and startled poor Huby who was running around in his bare feet. Frank and I went over to Jack Martin's with some eggs and I wanted to ask Chris about the brooder. There is an awful grist of chickens out. We sprinkled the eggs that weren't hatched again to-night and I put a fire in the brooder. The boys had holidays to-day but Dick was down town all day working part of the time. Frank worked around home and he and Tony Bannister went back to the gully. Jonas came over in high glee this morning he says he has the prettiest little colt he ever saw, he told Dad. that he and the woman had to dance for the joy of it. It has been very sultry all day and looked very like rain this morning, fresh breeze to-night.</p> <p>Tuesday May 26th</p> <p>I didn't get up till half past four this morning, but it rained a little so we couldn't go back first thing any way. Dad. took 38 little chickens out of the incubator and put them in the brooder this morning. I went over and got a little grit and charcoal to feed them from Chris. He says not to give them anything for forty eight hours. Dad. thinks they will all starve to death before that. After dinner we took 23 more out and there are still five or six just hatched. A lot of them have died in the shell after they got it all picked ready to come out. Just before dinner Dad. took the big team and roller back and started roll the back field as we thought that would just break all the lumps nicely. After dinner I went back and hooked on the roller and he came back about an hour later and started to harrow after me. He harrowed till I finished rolling about five o'clock, then he came up with his little team and the roller and I finished harrowing it took me till about seven. Huby. didn't come over this morning but was here this after-noon. He worked at the ditch, sawed wood and minded Tiddums &amp; Frank brought home the news that poor Edna Sidway is dead. It has been way hot and sultry all day but quite a strong breeze.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Wednesday May 27th</p> <p>Dad. helped me carry my incubator out this morning we took the seven little chickens that were in it and put them in a basket over the stove. I took the unhatched eggs out and buried them, there were forty thirty eight and twenty four of them had chickens in them. There are 68 chicks altogether and they all seem healthy and sound but one of these seven which has crooked legs. Dad. took the big team back to run the the ditches in the back field and I went over to Martins to get some chick feed and scratch feed. We fed the little fellows in the brooder. to-day. They thought over there that I had a dandy hatch especially as it was the first attempt. It began to rain while I was over there and rained quite hard for awhile so I didn't get back very soon. I didn't do any thing much after that except fool around. Huby came over at noon he had insurance to look after and dug some more at his ditch. Dad. disked the garden all up. It had got so hard he thought he had better disk it before he ploughed it. Bob. Davis was in for about an hour. Quint also came over for a little while, he expects to go to work to-morrow. They are drilling at Blackheath whereever that is, somewhere down towards Canfield Junction. Aleta McBain was here house cleaning all day. About half past four we hooked up to the waggon and Dad and I went down and got a load of tile for Huby's ditch. We got three inch as they didn't have any four. We took Enah down to Miss Buckwells tea party and she walked home. Huby looked after Tiddums. It came out pretty hot after the rain but is cooler to-night. The rain freshened things up a lot and we noticed that the English walnuts which we thought were dead are budding.</p> <p>Thursday May 28th</p> <p>Old Jonas came over long before breakfast this morning and pestered around for Dad to go and look at his colt and while Dad. was at breakfast Jimmy Corbett came in to ask about his colt. Dad. gave him some stuff, he went over with Jonas with for a few minutes. I made a yard for the little chickens in the brooder and let them out. I also fixed it so as the old hens couldn't get in the yard where they are at all. One little fellow died last night but the rest look fine. Huby came over about nine thinking Dad was going down town before dinner. Vyse came over to fix his hammer handle for a while. About ten o'clock I took the disks out and started in the timothy sod. I worked all the after noon but didn't get over half of it. It is very grassy but I think will work up fine and make a fine</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>piece for corn. This after noon Dad. &amp; Huby went down town. They got Joe shod at Joe Howells and put in a big load of shaving to put in the ditch over the tile so Dad. didn't get home till about six. It has been very hot all day but breezy, cool to-night.</p> <p>Friday May 29th</p> <p>I disked all day on the corn ground and got all over it by to-night and started to straddle the furrows Dad brought the harrows out and worked for a couple of hours before dinner. This after noon he went back and borrowed a set of three horse eveners from John Wess McBride. John Wess was just ready to shear sheep so Dad. stayed and watched him for awhile. Huby laid the tile in the ditch as far as the chicken house which is far as it is leveled and covered them with shavings and got most of the earth shovelled in. Cars. Rankin brought a couple of girls over in his automobile to see Bluch this after noon. I didn't get up till five this morning I put the clock under the bed where I could grab it and consequently went to sleep again. Dick tells us that Norm. Brock is the latest purchaser of a car and Mr. Johnsons father gave him one. Very hot to-day but nice breeze.</p> <p>Saturday May 30th</p> <p>I went out this morning and straddled the furrows with the disks as we will put corn on and then started to harrow. I didn't lap the harrows at all so got over quite a piece. Frank and Dad. went down town this morning with the waggon and got some stuff chopped at the mill and the window shash for the shop which have been at the widespread all spring. Huby worked around. This after noon we had to move the stove into the wood shed. We got it out all right but they broke another side of the base or rather the end so we had to set it up on bricks. We then went out hunting. Huby had flooded all the holes with water this morning and ripped some boards off the floor of the corn crib but we found we couldnt get them without taking up nearly the whole floor so we did. We were all armed with clubs and had the three dogs. Dad. stayed inside and scared them out and the dogs would catch them Lila killed one big one with a lath but Bluch killed most of the others. Huby says he is the best rat dog he ever saw he doesn't waste any time about nabbing them and never let one get away. Nig. got one or two. I think we got five great big ones and two half grown ones besides a nest of eleven little fellows. When we got through with them it was too</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>late for Dad. to plow the garden as he had hoped to do but Huby and Frank surveyed all the land east of the lane and this side of the gully and "got stakes up" to set the fence posts by. They figur there is about fifty acres. Lila has been over all day and Win. came over about five They and Huby stayed to tea. Frank and I went down with them after tea and found they had just laid fresh cement on the bridge and no-one could go over. So we went through Uncle Wards and took Ada's boat down from the barn and launched it for her. She went over with us in the boat and as it leaked like a seive Huby had to make two trips of it. I went up to get my hair cut and Frank went to the moving picture show. Ada was going to wait for us at Huby's so we could go back with her but when I got down there she and Huby had just gone. Frank came soon after I did and when we got down to the bridge Huby was just coming back with the boat so we took it back with us and left it below Woodson's. Dick came home afterwards when the watchmen didn't happen to be around and walked over the cement but didn't leave any tracks. The papers are full of the awful wreck of the Empress of Ireland which went down off Father Point yesterday with nearly 1000 people. It was a heavy fog and another a coal boat ran into her. Hot but nice breeze.</p> <p>Sunday May 31st</p> <p>Dad and Enah went to church this morning and left Tiddums with Huby. Dick and I went down and had a swim at the stump the water was fine we then came home and got dinner started Frank went to Sunday school and church. This after noon I had a dandy ride on Joe. We went up to Smythe's but Pud was at Vittoria Frank started for Marburg on his wheel but got held up at Ryersie's and fooled around with them all the after noon. Dick went down town and to church to-night. Enah and I went to church to-night. Mr. Johnson came over with his automobile to take Enah down, so I didn't wait for her after church thinking he would bring her home but walked down as far as the bridge with Quint and then home. I found Dad. looking after Tiddums who was too tired to go to sleep and Dad. having been so beset with visitors that the chores weren't all done. Enah got home about ten I don't what did happen to her except that she went down to Huby's. Cousins' Loll, Bessie, Harry &amp; Willie drove over for a little while this after noon. To-night young Billy Louis came in to get his horse's shoulder lanced and hung around till dark so people wouldn't see the blood. Then Sam. Law came over to see if he could borrow the roller in the morning. Jonas then came for a short visit. It has been hot to-day but a very nice strong breeze.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Monday June 1st</p> <p>I put in the whole morning writing in this and to Aunty Alice &amp; Aunty, while Dad. ploughed the garden. This after noon I worked down the garden I disked it lengthwise &amp; crosswise a couple of times each and once right around &amp; around. I rolled it and harrowed it so it looks in pretty fair shape. Sam. Law borrowed the roller this morning and he rolled it before he took it away and then again when he brought it back at noon. Dad. spent nearly all the after noon shearing a ewe. He did pretty well and says he thinks if he had a good pair of shears he could do all right. Huby didn't get over this morning as he had to see about Kolbe's insurance. Kolbe was over at Erie so he has to see him about eleven to-night. He goes over to Erie every morning about five o'clock and doesn't get back at night till eleven. Dad. went down to a school board meeting and I went down to band practice. We didn't have any though as there weren't enough there. Walt says we will have to quit for awhile anyway if the council don't come over with the extra money he wants. The town hall was full of meetings. Council meeting, School meeting, band practice and a whole bunch out on the stairs I don't know whether they were all fellows tendering for the heating of the school or the bridge builders waiitng on the council for money. Dad. and I met at Huby's and didn't get home till after twelve. Huby went down to the lake about eleven and found Kolbe &amp; Harry Ansley down there. He got Kolbe's insurance raised and as it has run out will have to make out a new application so won't be over to-morrow fore-noon. Quite cold all day.</p> <p>Tuesday June 2nd</p> <p>We didn't get very much done to-day. Jim's calf was sick this morning, all bloated so Dad. &amp; I gave it a dose of salts. It is much better to-night. I went out about eleven and rolled the corn ground till one. I couldn't hear the whistles. This after noon Dad. and I surveyed the field and fence along the top of the gully and decided to put a notch in the fence where the dividing fence between the two fields go. We then measured off six acres of what is ploughed for corn and the remaining four for buckwheat. I came out about half past four and finished rolling the corn ground. Huby didn't come over to-day, I don't know whether he went up to the nomination in Port. Rowan or not. They wanted him to but he said he wasn't going. There are two bunches of delegates going up from here the bunch cosists of Vyse, Cliff Lees and R.E. Matthews and I don't know who go from the other faction. I saw Tupper to-day and he said he might be able to slip over towards the end of the week to shear sheep for us. Bruce was in for a little while before tea. He wanted to get some instruments. It has been sunny but fairly cool all day.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Wednesday June 3rd</p> <p>We hauled out manure all day to-day. We didn't get started very early and were bothered this afternoon by Bob. Davis coming, so only got out nine loads. Dad. is spreading it on the corn ground. Frank was home from school to-day as it was a sort of half in half holiday, being the King's birthday. The kids could go if they wanted to but it wouldn't be marked against them if they didn't so Frank stayed. We heard the bell ringing all through the day so there must have been some fools there. Frank worked all day putting in the garden and we helped him between loads. Dad. ploughed six potatos furrows this morning and we got the Dad. Atkinson ones planted but there was only three of them so they didn't go very far. Huby planted two rows of Golden Bantam corn and we got in some cabbage and raddishs lettuce and onion seed. Huby's turkey eggs all came out to-day. The one down the road hasn't been off the nest as far as we know since she started to sit so all her eggs were rotten but as near as they can see the one in the smoke house and Mrs. Bannister's old hen had a fairly good hatch. Dad. and I moved the twelve little chickens that hatched out Monday down in the yard where the brooder is, one of them died. Mrs. McBride was here washing all day. Huby didnt go up to Nomination yesterday but as near as he can find out Andrew Innes and his gang didn't get a chance to say a word as Mr. Slippery Slick at the last minute got ahead of them. Cloudy, cool, raining to-night.</p> <p>Thursday June 4th</p> <p>It rained steadily all night and rained a lot during the day. Huby came over this morning laden down with tomato plants and cabbage plants which he got from Ed. and some seed corn which he got from John Quanbury and four of the consignment of axes in the back of his hunting coat. He set out a row of Frank's asters the whole length of the garden and we put out some of the tomato plants but it began to rain so hard we had to quit. However he got them out later in the day and a long row of cabbage plants out. Dad. sowed clover seed on the oats this morning till the rain drove him in when he was within five lands of finishing. We won't have enough seed to sow the piece across the gully. I cleaned the incubator all out and started it going this after noon. I had to go over to Martin's to borrow a spirit level this after noon. Carl. Coleman was in for a little while this morning to see if Tupper was here, he was going up to Stocker's to get his horse shod so Huby told him to bring our post auger down if it was done. John told Huby this morning that Mrs. Battersby has sold her place to some fellow in Los. Angeles. Dick didn't get home at all last night and he expects to start for Toledo to-morrow or next day.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Friday June 5th</p> <p>I failed to get up till five this morning. After I got the chores all done I cleaned out the separator. I then went out and planted another row of Golden Bantam corn and a couple of rows of Country Gentleman. I also helped Huby cut some potatoes, which he planted. He came over this morning with about a dozen tomato plants which Uncle Ward. gave him. We only wanted three and Frank bought them to-night over at Quanbury's on his way home from {blank space}. After dinner I made some drills and got some of the pecans planted. Tommy Jackson was in here soon after dinner to ask Dad. about a colt and he told us our cattle were all in the far end of the gully so Dad. and I went back we found they had broken down the fence where there were some rails. Nine of them were on the road but not far away we got them back with out much trouble but found they had just torn our little white birch tree all to pieces. Dad. spent most of the day ploughing the pig yard, working it down and sowing the thousand headed kale on it. He also finished sowing the clover seed in the oats. He shut the old sow up this morning and she went to work and had sixteen young ones three of which got killed in the squabble for seats at the refreshment booth which will only accomodate twelve. We gave the eight turkeys that Mrs. Bannister's hen hatched out to the old turkey hen which made her family number twenty two as near as we can count. She struck off into the orchard with them but didn't get very far. Huby and I picked about half of them out of the ditch at noon where they had fallen in the attempt to follow her across. Mr. Monteith was in to-night to buy some seed corn. He has gone past with two loads of tomato plants. Sunny cool</p> <p>Saturday June 6th</p> <p>Huby didn't get over till about ten o'clock this morning as he went up town to buy a hoe. He also got some new kind of plants from Arthur Anderson called Holi Rabbi which are a cross between a cabbage and a turnip. Frank went down on his wheel to get some provisions and Mr. Johnson gave him a few plants of stocks. He came over with Huby and Lila rode his wheel over. We started hauling out manure as soon as Huby got here and all day got out 7 loads. The colts broke the wire we had stretched across the gap into the alsike and all got in so Huby, Frank and I had to put them out and fix the fence. I spent most of the day between loads putting in the rest of the peas and Huby dug out some posts which were in the shed covered with manure. He started to paint the window frames of the shop with some paint</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>he found out in the brush heap. Frank fooled around with Lila most of the day and pulled some bindweed out in the oats. Art Quanbury came over this morning to see if he could borrow the roller for Jack Martin's corn ground and Bill Philips came over this after noon to get it. He told us that Jim Bannister has sold his place for $6000. Dick left this after noon for Toledo to visit Ferdie. His holidays last a couple of weeks. Hot &amp; sunny all day.</p> <p>Sunday June 7th</p> <p>I lay "a bed" most of the day not getting up till seven o'clock but I got some chores done and drove Enah down to church. We got home and got through a light lunch early so had a long after noon most of which I spent in sleep although I read and wrote quite a bit too. Dad. and Enah talked of going for a drive till Tiddums went to sleep and then they couldn't. Frank rode his wheel over to the McPherson's and made arrangements to get a skip of bees from Mr. McPherson when they swarm. He is to get a hive from Boyd in Simcoe which will cost four dollars and the bees will cost two dollars I may put something into it if I ever have any money to invest. He and I spoke of going for a swim to-night but it got so rainy looking that we decided not too. It has been sultry and hot all day and to-night is thundering and very cloudy. It sprinkled a few drops.</p> <p>Monday June 8th</p> <p>We did not get a very early start this morning though we were up early and ready to begin but Mr. Monteith came for a bushel of seed corn and he visited some little time we hauled out manure till about 10-30 when I had a breakdown, went through the double tree. I heard some one laugh when I went off the road and there was Bruce and Ashleigh in a buggy on the side road they came in and stayed to dinner so we were late in getting to work in the afternoon. Frank rode his wheel down after dinner and got me some bolts and I fixed the double tree. Tobe and Hubert were busy with the garden and odd jobs while I was out with a load. Tupper came along about 5 O'Clock on his way to the mill. Toby took his load on for him and he stayed to shear sheep so I helped him and we worked till after 7 we then had tea and it was good and late before we had finished every thing</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>It has been a terribly hot day the thunder storm Sunday night did not cool things off. The horses nearly melted this afternoon.</p> <p>Tuesday June 9th</p> <p>I finished the shearing as there was one ewe we did not get done last night. Hubert and Toby went back to fix up the fence in the gully between Ivey and us I had my sheep finished and was putting on a load of manure when the boys got back, we hoped to have finished clearing out the old shed tonight but there are a few loads yet it has been another roasting hot day.</p> <p>Wednesday June 10th</p> <p>We finished hauling out manure at noon and after dinner I went down to Mr. Fleming's and got his diamond tooth harrows, it took some time to rig up a three horse outfit when I got back. Hubert helped me hitch Osprey with Joe and Ginger and I got in an hour and a half or so in the field. Toby was disking, if all is well we hope to get in a good day tomorrow. Toby and Frank went over to the McPhersons tonight with a bea hive so that accounts for my writing this.</p> <p>Thursday June 11th</p> <p>I didn't get up till nearly five this morning and Dad. &amp; I didn't get started in the field till nine o'clock. We worked on the corn ground all day. I disked and he harrowed with the three horses and Flemming's diamond tooth. I had to make a couple of trips to the creek in the gully to keep myself awake. I did go to sleep several times but not for very long. I would see the horses in front of me when I woke up and be frightened for fear of running into them. Huby didn't get over till after we were in the field this morning. He was up town last night and heard some rich news. Charlton has pulled out of the election campaign and Andrew Innes is going to run against Pratt. Independent. Huby spent the day doing odd jobs and filling in his ditch. I cut a little lawn and set out a little castor oil bean plant. Very hot for awhile this morning and this afternoon but about noon it was quite cool and looked very rainy</p> <p>Friday June 12th</p> <p>I was up at four o'clock this morning and wrote in this and hoed</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>in the garden till five. I then started to do chores and by leaving the stables for Huby to clean out and not cleaning any horses but Belle &amp; Harry I managed to get into the field a very few minutes after seven. I worked steadily all day although I slept a little at the same time I got it all cross disked by after four o'clock and about half of it rolled. Dad got out about half past eight this morning and finished crossing with the diamond tooth and harrowed it all over with the drags by six to-night. It made quite a long day for his team and Ginger seems pretty tired but Osprey aparently is all right. Huby is going to try and get Bill Oakes to come over and mark it for us in the morning and we hope to get it planted. Quite chilly all morning &amp; windy but sunny and pretty hot after dinner. Frank has gone down to the show to-night.</p> <p>Saturday June 13th</p> <p>Huby and Bill came over this morning at seven o'clock and Bill and I got right out and started to mark the corn ground. We took Harry &amp; Belle and they proved to be a great improvement on Harry and Joe as a corn marking team. Bill made a beautiful job of it, with very little blasphemy. He got through a little before noon and stayed here to dinner. He said no other man but Dad would have got him to-day as he was very busy and has to be back this after noon. He shouldn't have come away this morning but George Gamble relieved him They are putting the canopy top on the new launch that he and George have just finished building for George Faulmsly. Frank scoured the country this morining in search of corn planters, we have one of our own and we wanted two more. He got one from John Wess which proved very satisfactory and one from Tupper which proved very unsatisfactory. It was an ancient and decrepit looking instrument with one handle and a spring and foot at the bottom to open it and release the corn. Huby took John Wesses and after he got his gait had no trouble at all. Dad. took our own and it was all right, but I got Tupper's and had to quit about the fourth hill, the corn came out from all over it, so I left it and went over to Alfred's to borrow his. I went through Sam's place but he didn't have one. He said he borrowed Charlie McQueens two years ago and it was a good one. Alfred gave me one he said was a dandy. I brought it home but couldn't do anything with it so traded with Dad. He worked it awhile but at last decided it was no good. By this time it was about half past four and he decided to go up and do chores so Huby and I stayed there till about eight o'clock when we</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>ran out of seed although Dad. had sent some more out. We only had six more rows to plant, but my back was nearly broken and I was fairly hungry. We left a sand knoll near the south west corner of the field to plant potatoes and roots on. Lila and Dorothy Anderson have been over all day nursing Tiddums, who didn't seem to mind it much. Win came over for a little while this evening and said that Uncle Ward wants to get Huby for all day Monday. She didn't know what for but we supposed it was to set out tomato plants, Dad. told Huby to tell him that he wouldn't see him stuck but if possible to get someone else. Cloudy most of the day and cool.</p> <p>Sunday June 14th</p> <p>I didn't get up this morning till eight o'clock. and haven't done any thing all day but loaf around and do chores. Frank went down to Sunday school this morning but there was no church. They said Mr. Johnson had gone away and a temperance man was supposed to take his place but he never showed up, so Frank came home. I was out in the shop trying to caulk up the cracks in the chicken trough so as they would hold water when we heard some crows. We took the shotgun and started out in pursuit. We saw them flying around in the vicinity of the corn field but they were not within a mile of the place when we got there. We hid in a thick bush for quite awhile but no crows showed up so we took a walk up the gully to Ivey's strawberry patch and made a careful examination of all the plants we could find, but there were very few ripe ones. We got all there were and nearly all the half ripe ones, which seemed to be much more edible than they generally are. It was about half past twelve when we got up to the house and Dad was getting ready to put the harness on Osprey. We got the cart out and it was very rickety. We oiled one wheel but couldn't get the other one off We hooked Osprey to it though and Dad. got on. Osprey didn't know just what was expected of him at first and cut up a little down at the end of the lane but once he got started he went beautifully. Dad took him down to Jonas' corner and then up the other way and down the side road to Flemming's corner and I couldn see but what he trotted pretty straight Dad said he didn't like doing it on Sunday but I think he enjoyed it when he got started. He doesn't feel very well to-day. We had dinner about three much to Enah's disgust and after dinner Dad. Enah and Tiddums drove down with Quint's tent and some bedsprings. The gas drillers are going to camp down at Black Heath and they wanted this tent to cook in Charlie Martin came over for a visit a little while</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>before they left but didn't stay long after. Frank spent the afternoon down with the Ryersie's. We just did chores to-night and went to bed soon after tea. Nice day but cool breeze.</p> <p>Monday June 15th</p> <p>Craig Long came over before breakfast this morning to see Dad about Ivey's mare. She was down and in pain and he didn't know what ailed her, so Dad. went over right after breakfast to see her. She had the colic and he told them to send for Bart if she did not show any symptoms of improvement but she was better in a short time. Dad. went from there down to Martin's and I came down with Joe and the cart as soon as I had breakfast and got two bushels of potatoes for seed. They are very small so we will exchange the same ammount of them for the ones of Preston's that are left in the cellar. Frank went over to Preston's before school and found out that he could get a couple of bushels there so I went right down there and got them as soon as I got home from Martin's. I then shelled enough seed corn to finish planting and went out and finished. Dad went out and furrowed out the potato patch. After dinner we did up the chores and hooked Harry and Belle to the waggon and went down town to get some provisions and a pile of sand for Tiddums to play in. Huby has been agitating that move for quite awhile. He wants a pile on each side of the wood shed so Tiddums can always be in the shade. We took Enah and Tiddums and the baby carriage down with us and Enah walked home. Tiddums went to sleep before he got home and never woke up all evening. We saw Huby down at Uncle Wards, having a great time. He had three or four kids which he said were the best in town and they had all their tomatoes set out and waiting for more and a lot of potatoes planted. Chris said that they found Martin's dog but he was dead down at Sovereign's. Charlie Martin had told Mr. Flemming to shoot at it if it came around his place so Mr. Flemming did just to scare it. He didn't know he had killed it till they found it. He felt very badly about but Jack. felt worse. He wouldn't have taken fifty dollars for it. They say poor old Jimmy Larose has been sent down for eighteen months for forging a check, cool breezy.</p> <p>Tuesday June 16th</p> <p>I went over to Martin's first thing this morning and sold my eggs and got some scratch feed for the little fellows. I hadn't been home very long when Billy Louis came in with Tupper's team and fancy buggy and the news that Tupper wanted a couple of men for a couple of hours so as Dad. felt pretty miserable he said for Huby and me to go. Huby jumped at the chance of a ride in such a carriage and would have climbed over the back of the</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>seat he said if Billy hadn't have tipped up the front ones and let him into a sort of trap nest. When we got over there Huby didn't know how to get out. We found old Maneer was bossing the job. All they are doing is raising the peak of the roof to square pitch so we simply had to lift on the rafters with shores and when we got them up to the desired height didn't do anything but sit around and talk while some of those who appeared to enjoy it worked like niggers spiking pieces on the ends of the rafters to meet at the peak. We stayed to dinner and hung around a little while after dinner and helped raise a very little. Old Maneer was going to leave at noon to go to Vittoria as Andrew Innes is having a mass meeting there to-day but I guess Tupper induced him to stay. We came home soon after dinner. Huby said he had a lovely time socially but didn't know whether he rendered much valuable assistance. The rest of the gang certainly appeared to enjoy his company. We got home about two o'clock or after and after I did up the chores I went out and planted beans on the two outside rows on each side of the cornfield. I planted them with the planter but couldn't see the marks along the headland. Dad. has felt too rotten to do anything to-day. It has been almost cold all day although sunny but cold wind.</p> <p>Wednesday June 17th</p> <p>Frank's exams started to-day at noon so he didn't have to go to school this morning. Rigt after breakfast he and I went out and planted mangel and turnip seed in the rows we left for them on the knoll in the cornfield. We planted two rows of each and seemed to have about as much seed when we got through as when we started and we watched to see that it was being planted plenty thick enough. We only had the four rows so I don't know what we will do with the rest of the seed. Huby and Dad. cut potatoes while we were out there so when we got through we came and got some and got quite a few rows planted before dinner. Huby and I went out after dinner and planted all there were cut which were Preston's, we had nearly 15 rows of them. We then brought out Jack Martin's, and planted over nine rows of them which was all there was in the field. They were much smaller so we had quite a few left and we think we will planted them in the old garden Dad. harrowed them in. Huby and I went and spread the manure Dad. hauled out on it last winter. Win was over to dinner to-day her exams are over. Mrs. McBride was here all after noon and nearly all evening washing and ironing. Whit Dixon &amp; Bob. Miller drove over after tea to look at Fred's calf. Frank went back to the gully with them. The steer with Spottys last year's calf were through</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>the fence into Ivey's but they got them back. Bob. told Dad. he would take him and not due him a dollar on the price which was $75.00. Mr. &amp; Mrs. Lea Marshall were in before they left. Tom. Abbot. had told them we had a horse for sale so he came to look at it. Dad. took Osprey out and paraded him around and I think Lea might have taken him but his wife thought he wasn't big enoug to fit the price $150.00. She said he was worth about $125.00 However we are to hook him up and take him down some night so they can see him in harness. Dad. brought Ginger and Joe out and she was stuck on them especially Ginger but Dad. would not think of selling them. She thought Ginger was bigger than Osprey but Dad. told her she was mistaken. She said she wasn't as heavy but she was taller and in reality Ginger is about a head shorter but heavier than Osprey. She guessed Joe's age (thirteen) first time although Dad. told her Joe was the biggest colt in the stable. It has been pretty cool and dry all day.</p> <p>Thursday June 18th</p> <p>Dad. and I hooked to the waggon this morning and took the buggy down to Joe Howel's to have the tires set and brought back a load of fence posts, we unloaded them out along the top of the gully where we want to put them in. We were talking to Uncle Ward and he said they would be terribly hard digging it was so hard and he said the best way to do was to dig down about a foot and fill the hole with water and leave it for a day and then it would be just in right shape. Huby spent the morning fixing the orchard fence so we can let the calves out. This after noon He. and Dad hung the gate we brought over from his place and let the five calves in the orchard. We didn't let Horace out as Dad. has to wean him from Erie and teach him to drink first. I hoed in the garden while they were at that and Col. McDonald came over. I had never seen him before and Huby didn't recognise him at first but Dad. knew him first thing. He said he and other officers of the insurance company were up taking a motor trip through this country visiting their agents. He didn't know when he started out that Dover was on the list. Dad was very glad to see him and appreciated his visit very much. About four o'clock Dad took the team out and we went to finish planting potatoes, just plow them right under the sod, but we only got two rows planted when a big thunder shower came up and we had to seek shelter at the house. Dad. and Huby got soaked but I got there a little sooner so didn't get the worst of it. Frank was back in the gully with the shotgun so he got a pretty good soaking. We heard the gun go off he shot at a crow, both barrels went off at the same time but he missed the crow. His papers have been pretty easy so far the only one he is much afraid of is the spelling.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>It didn't rain very long but freshened things up considerably. It has been very hot and sultry to-day but is cooler since the rain. Tiddums feels in a very festive humor to-night. The house is all torn up from the ravages of house cleaning and he thinks it's great.</p> <p>Friday June 19th</p> <p>I got up at four this morning and wrote in this till five. I then hurried through chores and cut quite a lot of grass on the front lawn. It rained a little about breakfast and looked so cloudy afterwards that Dad. didn't like to take the team out so he and I hoed in the garden and Huby worked in the shop. About ten Dad. thought it wasn't going to rain so we went out and ploughed in the rest of the potatoes in the patch we were at in the old garden. It began to rain just as Huby and I were through so we dug for the shop and got pretty wet but Dad. had to plough a little more so got properly soaked. We didn't do anything till after dinner. It stopped raining soon after dinner and when we got our chores done Dad. hooked Osprey to the cart again and took him down the road away with satisfactory results. We then hooked up the big team to the waggon and Dad &amp; Huby and I went down town. Huby stayed down and Dad. &amp; I went up and got our buggy from Joe Howell On our way back we got 18 more fence posts from Tommy. Frank is through his exams, he thinks he did fairly well on most of the papers. I saw Lila to-night she said both Huby's goslings were dead, died from exposure. Cold &amp; wet.</p> <p>Saturday June 20th</p> <p>I worked all morning on the front lawn. I got all the long grass cut with the scythe and a good patch cut with the lawnmower, besides weeding out the flower beds. Dad. Huby and Frank went back and staked out the fence along the top of the gully and Huby. dug anchor post holes and bored ordinary post holes all day. Dad. fixed fence and plastered up some holes in our bedroom this morning and this afternoon hooked Osprey up to the cart and took him for a little jaunt and then rolled down most of the buckwheat ground and the potato patches. I went down to meet Dick to-night. He came on the Woodstock train so was home early. He had a great time in Toledo and I guess enjoyed his holidays immensly. Lila was over here all day. Harry Ansley was over this morning electioneering. He told Huby he could get him the job of deputy returning officer but Huby didn't want it. It has been sunny &amp; fair all day but cool wind.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Sunday June 21st</p> <p>Frank rode his wheel down to Sunday school this morning and I drove Enah down to church. We called around by Huby's on our way home but didn't see any sign of the Lang's. This after noon it looked rather rainy so I read and played duets with Enah. Dad. sat around and slept and did all the chores. About four o'clock he took Osprey out all the way around the block. Frank went back to the gully and brought home some lovely {furs?}. Dick went down town after dinner with the intention of going to church to-night. Elva. &amp; Mr. Brady were over for a few minutes on the latter's motor cycle which was inclined to be balky. They had a side saddle rigged on behind for Elva. Jack Martin and Mr. {Cuper?} were over for a little while before tea looking at the horses. It has been cloudy all day and sprinkled a few times but not much</p> <p>Monday June 22nd</p> <p>Huby dug post holes all day and I helped him set the posts and tramp them in. We had to do a little surveying after dinner to get the two anchor posts in line which go lengthwise with the field. We got all the posts except anchor and brace posts, between the road and the jag in the fence which is just half way. I helped Dad. take the anchor posts out this morning and then he went down to the mill for some feed. This after noon he rolled down the rest of the buckwheat ground and disked the old garden where we planted the potatoes He started to harrow the corn ground, the corn is just coming up but quit at five and took Osprey around the block. They were doing road work over by McQueen's but he never paid any attention to them, He said someone shot a gun off right beside them going down Preston's hill and he never jumped. He has never seen an automobile yet. Tupper and Billy Louis came over this mornin to-night to invite Dad. to Tupper's raising tomorrow. He has the roof off the other half of the barn now and is going to put plates up to run right through. Frank finished putting in the garden to-day he planted carrots beets and beans. Cloudy but not so cool.</p> <p>Tuesday June 23rd</p> <p>Dad went over to Tupper's raising as soon after seven as he could this morning and was over there till after dinner. This afternoon he finished harrowing the corn ground. Huby and I worked at the fence all morning. It took us a good part of the morning to get it lined out on account of two or three little dips where we couldn't see the stakes. We dug two more anchor post holes I dug one and Huby the other. I got mine started all crooked but fixed it so as the post will sit straight. We got the posts set part way across the field. The ground is getting pretty hard. When I came in to-night, the temperature in the incubator had gone up</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>to 110°. I don't know whether it cooked all the chickens or not. It couldn't have been that way very long because I looked at it at noon and as they are due to hatch in a day or so I think mabee they will be strong enough to stand it. To-night Dad. and I drove Joe and Osprey down to Lea Marshall's but he had gone to lodge so we told Mrs. Marshall we would be down again in the morning. Old Tom Abbot told us he was pretty sure Lea would take him if we dropped the price a little. It has been very hot &amp; sultry.</p> <p>Wednesday June 24th</p> <p>Dad. and I got started about nine o'clock for Marshall's with Joe and Osprey. He took quite awhile to decide but at last bought him. I came down to $135 and he wouldn't go higher that $130 so we split the difference. He said he would come and get him in a few days. A big thundercloud came up while we were gone and it began to rain just as we got home. Huby was back at the fence and got soaked. It didn't rain very long but came out almost unbearably hot and sultry after it although there was a strong wind but it seemed hot too. We didn't do any thing much before dinner but this after noon worked at the fence. Huby dug the last anchor post hole but the ground was so hard that I only got two holes bored and three or four started, so I got a couple of pails and filled the holes all up with water. Huby is afraid we got a little low in the line going through one of the little dips and I guess we did. He went over to Ivey's and got a hat full of strawberries to refresh us a little. Bob. Davis was in this after noon. Dad. worked around the house till he came and then struck out four or five lands in the buckwheat ground. Mrs. McBride was here to-day and they have ripped the paper all of the kitchen walls. She is coming to paper it on Saturday if all's well. Frank and I went down for a swim at Quanburys to-night and Enah and Dad went down town to get Slocomb to come over and do some plastering in the kitchen. We saw Tupper to-night and he told us that there was a car of crushed stone to haul on the Winding Hill but Dad. told him we wouldn't have time to do it. Very hot.</p> <p>Thursday June 25th</p> <p>Slocomb and his man came over about eight and were all morning patching the kitchen, there was a lot to do. Dad. helped them and I did chores and got some of the chicken wire stretched along the fence between the garden and orchard. Huby dug post holes all day but the ground is very hard and he had to put water in a lot of them. This afternoon Dad and I went and got a load of gravel</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Enah and Tiddums went down with us and we took the baby carriage and they Enah walked home. We couldn't get any gravel on the beach but as Bob. Law was down there Dad. bought a load from him and he charged Dad. a dollar We took it right out to the field when we got home and a couple of bags of cement and left a pile at each anchor place where we are going to put an anchor post. It was time to do chores when we got through with that it was time to After tea Dad. and I went down to hear Pratt. He has got to be quite an orator, and I think turned several who were a little doubtful which to vote for. He pointed out how the Whitney administration had closed so many bars where the two Liberal governments before him although they had made great promises the same as Rowel is doing now had not done a thing. He had a wine list of the Outlaw Club which is the headquarters for the Liberal party in Town and he said it was the most compete and elaborate list of drinks he had ever seen and among the list of {illegible} he read out Mr. Lowel and several other temperance {politicians?}. It was a good speech anyway and we were glad we went. Frank rode his wheel down. Lea Marshall and Jack Richardson were in to-night and Lea wanted to take Osprey wth them but as they were going to town first and would have to stand him in Henderson's barn. The other fellow persuaded him to leave him and we told him we would take him down to-morrow night. Hot all day.</p> <p>Friday June 26th</p> <p>I took some eggs over to Jack Martin's this morning but he has stopped buying them. Old Ivey came over about nine o'clock and wanted Dad. to come over and roll down the field he is getting ready for tomatoes. He said the factory fellows were over this morning. The have rented it and he prepares the ground for them then they plant them and look after them altogether after that. He seemed in such a pinch and offered fifty cents an hour so Dad. sent me over. I was over there about seven hours so didn't do so badly. Huby and Dad. worked all day setting the anchor posts along the line of the new fence. Dad. had to go down to a school board meeting but it wasn't very important. Fairly hot all day.</p> <p>Saturday June 27th</p> <p>Dad. and I cultivated the corn and potatoes in the garden this morning and then I hoed in it all day and got over nearly all of it. Huby and Dad. finished setting their anchor posts to-day. Mrs. McBride was here all day and stayed till twelve o'clock to-night papering the kitchen. She had poor</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Frank helping her and he put in an awful day of it. Dick came home to tea to-night to inform me that there was a band practice on at eight o'clock as it was then half past six and I hadn't got all the chores done or had my tea it made me bump to get down there by half past eight. They were practising for Decoration day to-morrow. I drove down and got home about ten just before a big thunder storm came up Mrs McBride papered up till twelve and then went home with the lantern and wouldn't listen to anyone going with her and it was too dark to drive. Henry Odd came over this morning and got some more seed corn they soaked the last they planted in {ginoleum?} and it never sprouted. Cloudy &amp; threatening.</p> <p>Sunday June 28th</p> <p>We took the little chickens out of the incubator this morning and gave 16 to each of the four hens, there were sixty five but one was a cripple so we killed it. Dad fixed up some coops for them this morning while I cleaned my horn or tried to. It took me till dinnertime and right after I had to hike down to the bandroom. It was a dandy day for a march as it was much cooler after yesterday's rain but on account of puddles we had to go on the sidewalk. Walt. had two Simcoe fellows on the baritone and alto - and a stranger who is working here for the summer on a cornet - so we had a pretty good band. I couldn't do much as I haven't had any practice either in playing or marching but still managed to escape from making any conspicuous errors. I was down at Huby's for awhile after we got through and when I got home We put the old hens with chickens all out under coops. None were dead yet but Dad. had to change one hen as she was pecking the little fellows and had several with raw spots on their heads. Cloudy and cool all day quite cold to-night.</p> <p>Monday June 29th</p> <p>I ploughed all day to-day around the strike outs which Dad. made the other day. Huby didn't come over till late as he had to vote for Pratt. Walt McCall brought him and Lila over in an automobile and took Dad. out to Wiggin's to vote. They went around by Myer's and called for old Jonas and he went out and cast his ballot for Pratt.The Myer's were very much annoyed at it as Lorne had tried to induce him to go with him and vote for Andrew. The latest news we heard to-night was that Pratt was elected, Andrew got a big majority in Dover and Woodhouse but Houghton &amp; Walsingham sent Pratt's majority way up. There was quite an interesting article in the Globe to-day about a lawsuit which has just</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>been opened by A.C. Pratt, Conservative candidate for South Norfolk against Fred Mossop, proprietor of the Hotel Mossop Toronto for damages in a series of poker games amounting to I think something like $3500.00. It is a sort of counter claim against a suit Mossop entered against Pratt for over $500. owing to him. This is a very nice mix-up for Mr. Pratt. anyway just before election and now people will know that he is more than a crooked skunk but a fool and a poor sport as these games have been going on for a long time and Pratt's been getting skinned right along. This after noon Huby Dad. &amp; Frank set some of the braces and brace posts. Drizzled most of the day and has been cool.</p> <p>Tuesday June 30th</p> <p>When Huby came over this morning he told us that the Whitney Government was returned with an overwhelming majority and Pratt had beaten Andrew by 130 something. Old Tom was in next hurraking for Pratt and he got a little Union Jack here and tacked on the front of his rig. He said he didn't know whether he would ever get back alive sallying forth in that manner into the teeth of the Innes men down east. Huby and I spent the whole day back in the gully barricading the little poplars. Huby bored holes three feet deep with the post auger and I stuck in rails we got four done and the hole started for five. We are going to stretch wire barbed if we can get enough of it around the rails. It was a slow job as the ground was pretty hard in lots of places. Dad. did some patch plastering in the pantry this morning and plowed the rest of the day he finished the land that I was at and struck out the rest of the fields. Enah and Frank papered the pantry all but part of the border. Mr. Johnson went past this morning in his automobile with Winnie, Lila, Norah Cunningham and some other girls on a wild strawberry hunt and they came in and paid Dad. a visit on their way back. Frank has been investigating in the corn and reports a large number of wireworms in places which news causes Dad. much distress as the corn is all up so nicely. The mangels and turnips are also up but there is no sign of the potatoes yet. It has been pretty hot to-day.</p> <p>Wednesday July 1st</p> <p>The first thing on the programme for to-day's celebration was a little foot raise by Tiddums. He was sitting by Enah at breakfast and while she was pouring the coffee the handle came off the coffee pot and the red hot liquid spilt on Tiddum's foot. He had his stockings pinned on and by the time they were off the skin was off his foot. It gave him a horrible</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>{Repeat of yesterday's page}</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>scald but only blistered one foot. He cried himself to sleep after a while and when he woke up felt very much like himself again as long as people would leave his foot alone but there are some beautiful blisters on it. Mrs. McBride came and worked around most of the morning. Dick went down town but didn't have to work much so helped Joe on the merry-go-round. Frank spent the after noon and evening down town but came home to tea. For the first time that I can remember I spent the entire first of July at home. Huby came over and we went back to the gully to finish barricading the little trees but didn't get much done on account of the rain. Dad rolled down what he ploughed this morning and this after noon we hung around till Bob. Davis came and then Dad. undertook to ring the old sow. He fooled around trying to get a rope in her mouth and when he did and made three attemts to ring her with one ring sticking the rope slipped out of her mouth I thought it would take all the after noon unless the old sow got mad and ripped Dad's leg off so I came in the house and wrote in this pesky thing. Huby wasn't any to keen about and Dad. couldn't manage alone so they worked in the garden till five o'clock when we quit to do chores. Mr. Brady came over on his motorcycle with a bottle of mentholatum salve Elva sent over for Tiddums foot. There was an editorial in "The Globe" yesterday relating to A.C. Pratt's gambling and intimating that there were points in common between that episode and the one referred to in Bret Hartes poem entitled the "Heathen Chinese" Cloudy and cool all day and drizzly to rainy off and on all day.</p> <p>Thursday July 2nd</p> <p>I ploughed all day around Dad's strike outs and rolled down what I ploughed to-night. About another day will finish the ploughing but we want to start haying as soon as possible. Huby Dad. &amp; Frank worked at the fence all morning fixing braces and putting in some extra posts. Dad. hauled the wire out and this after noon Dad. &amp; Huby set a lot of it up along the posts as they didn't know whether Sid McBride could come or not right away and Dad is anxious to let the cows in that end of the gully but about five to-night Frank rode his wheel down to Marburg and saw Sid. McBride. He said he would be up tomorrow after noon. Dad. and Huby came up early and ground one of the mower knives so as we can get started to-morrow. Enah and Tiddums went down town this after noon. Lila was over all day. Charlie Martin came over and borrowed the disks for some thing. Mrs. Innes told Enah that Perce Brock was here yesterday and had been to a lawyer to see if he could claim his</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>baby who has been down at old Mrs. Well's for the last two months. The lawyer told him that if he could prove that he was more capable of caring for it that its mother that he should have it. So Perce said it was the only thing he had to live for and meant to have it as he had a good place for it in St. Thomas, it seems his wife and her mother have all gone to the dogs and the baby has been in a home. So this morning when he knew Mrs. Wells was up town he went up to the house and found Mat. Lawrie looking after the kid, so grabbed it and lit out hotfoot up St. Patrick St. and up to his mother's where his sister was waiting with a horse and rig to drive him to Simcoe where he caught the St. Thomas train. Cloudy, hot, cool wind.</p> <p>Friday July 3rd</p> <p>I tried to get an early start this morning but as it took a little time to get the mower into running order I didn't get out till after eight. Dad. went the first round with me and then I mowed pretty steadily all day. I started on the south east corner field and have a good chunk down but it will take a couple of hours to finish. Huby and Dad &amp; Frank hauled out some rocks on the stone boat this morning to put in the dips along the fence to anchor it. This after noon they put wire around a couple of the trees in the gully and waited around for Sid McBride but he never showed up, so that will put us out a little as we hoped to get the fence up to-day. Mrs. Woodson and Betty were over to-night to inquire after Tiddums foot. He doesn't seem to feel it much as he tramps all around the floor in his sock feet. Old Tom Abbot told us that Osprey rolled into a wire fence in pasture last night and will have to be laid up for awhile. He was getting along fine and Marshall was very well pleased with him. Tom. said Roy Hammond was telling around that he supposed we passed off the horse that was so badly poisoned with alsike last fall. He must think Marshall is an awful fool or else doesnt know what alsike poison is like for old Dave's feet show the scars yet and probably always will. Cloudy this morning but sunny and pretty hot this after noon.</p> <p>Saturday July 4th</p> <p>I finished mowing about half past ten this morning and hooked right on to the rake and finished raking about five o'clock. Dad. &amp; Frank went down in the waggon with Joe &amp; Ginger and got a couple of bushels of buckwheat for seed and took the wool down but the mill was closed as usual on Saturday and the watchman put it in the wool house. Huby waited down for them thinking they would take the tank he got for us but it was bolted fast to the trucks and Dad.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>didn't want to take time to get it loose. They got over about eleven and put up a few cocks before dinner. Sid. McBride came after dinner so Huby, Dad &amp; Frank had to help him, they worked till after six but have the fence all stretched in fine shape but it isn't stapled yet. I just did up my chores when I got through raking. Enah went down to Maud Jamieson's sale this after noon but nearly every thing was sold when she got there. Cousin Clare was over for a little while this after noon and Lila most of the day. Sid McBride stayed to tea and it was late when we got through and Dad. had to milk afterwards but Huby, Frank and I went out and cocked up hay. It was moonlight but rather cloudy most of the time so wasn't very light We worked till after eleven and got quite a chunk done. Dad. came out and relieved Frank a little while before we quit. I drove Huby home and got back about one. Enah spent the evening painting the oilcloth in the kitchen and the floor around the edge so I had to go to bed via the window. One of the Scotch mail-men was in to see Dad. to day about his horse which he said was sore inside. J.H. Butler died this morning and Capt. Spain &amp; Mrs. Dave Turner are very low. Fairly hot to-day.</p> <p>Sunday July 5th</p> <p>Enah and I managed to get to church this morning although we didn't get up till very late. Frank didn't go to Sunday school or church but went for a swim and while riding around on his wheel caught his shoe in the chain and got upset and hurt his arm. Dick spent the morning in bed and went down town after dinner. Enah had to play the organ as Topsy who has applied for the job and who has been practising came this morning without her hat and had to go back to the Methodist choir for to-day where they eliminate their roofs. This after noon the family spent in peaceful slumber or literary pursuits. I hit the hay about three and never got up till six. Then chores and a family gathering on the front step to partake of some sandwiches and cake. Old man West was over this after noon to tear off a few fairy tales and disturb all the family but me. Lovely day sunny but not scorching.</p> <p>Monday July 6th</p> <p>We didn't get a very early start this morning and I ploughed till noon and Huby and Dad. cocked up hay. Frank was exempt from strenuous labor owing to his injured wrist which he deems necessary to be exceptionally careful of. He took John Wess' corn planter home and went over to McPherson's to inquire after our bees. They have a skip in the hive for us and we can get them anytime. He</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>came home around by Tupper's and borrowed his corn cultivator as it has a special thistle cutter on it but he didn't bring it home with him. This after noon Dad. finished up what I plowed and has got a couple more loads to finish up to have the field all turned under. Huby and I continued to cock up but didn't get through. Frank spent some time picking paper off the kitchen oilcloth which is out on the lawn. Enah painted it Saturday night right here on the kitchen floor and yesterday morning it wasn't dry so she put down a lot of newspapers down but they all stuck to the paint and made an awful mess of it. Frank scraped a lot off and then went down town and got the mail. He also saw the Doctor about his wrist and he put a bandage on it and told him to keep it there for a week Frank has it in a sling and I think is highly satisfied. Lila was over most of the day. The old guinea hatched out to-day but we don't think she had an extra good hatch. It would have been very hot to-day but for a cool nice breeze.</p> <p>Tuesday July 7th</p> <p>This being Dad's birthday and everybody wishing him a happy one and many returns we put in about the most strenuous day this summer. Dad. decided we had better haul in the hay before any rain gets on it although we are very anxious to get the buckwheat in and the thistles are whooping it up in the cornfield. It took us a long time to get started as various preparations had to be made for the slings but we got one load in and off before dinner but not before twelve. This after noon we managed to get in three good sized ones and left the last on the barn floor. Huby helped us put on the last two but bunched up the winrows while we were unloading. This morning he had to throw a lot of old straw out of the hay in the big barn where we are putting the hay. As a little special sensation for Dad. the cows all came up early, the first time they have done it since they were out this year and as the gates were all open got into the garden before Frank noticed them and trimmed the "Country Gentleman" corn completely. We had the colts shut up in the stable and the sheep in the orchard. We had quite a time putting them in this morning as they would get nearly to the gate when one fool would run back and the rest of course all follow. They got in to the garden on {trap?} and trimmed what little they could in half a minute. Frank of course is about useless but does a little with one hand. He helped Enah paint the oilcloth this after noon which they put out between the stable and the barn he also painted his wheel. Winnie was over this</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>morning to dinner and Lila this after noon. It has been pretty warm to-day but a nice breeze</p> <p>Wednesday July 8th</p> <p>We hauled hay all day to-day and got in five loads leaving the last one on the barn floor. I went down town to-night to get my hair cut and got wet owing to the fact that I indulged in two swims. I had one on my way down below Quanbury's but it was a premeditated one, then while I was in the barber shop {Kinden?} came in to invite {Corey?} to go in and I joined them. Charlie Cooper and Booze Waddle also went we went in the pond at the danger sign and had a good one. I saw Dick with a new bank clerk. The other poor fellow is too sick to work and is going back home to-morrow. When I got home we had quite a hunt for some pills which Huby gave Dad for his birthday, and which Huby is very anxious for him to take as he thinks it will cure his arm. Hot and dry.</p> <p>Thursday July 9th</p> <p>Huby didn't come over till noon to-day as he had to attend to Mrs. {Folmshee's?} insurance so we didn't try to haul in any hay. Frank and I took the team and waggon and went over to Tupper's first thing and borrowed his cultivator he had to put the thistle cutter on which were the advantage it had over our own. When we got home we went down to the mill and got a couple of sacks of shorts for the pigs. Dad. had been training Jonas's mare to cultivate in the garden with our own cultivator but when we came took her out to the cornfield and worked with her till noon. She goes pretty well but gets rammy at the ends of the rows and walks fast. When we got back from the mill I hooked the team to the disks and disked on the buckwheat ground till noon. Huby came over at noon and we hauled in hay, we didn't rush at it so it was dark when we hauled the last load in but we had had our tea at six o'clock. We got in three loads and all we are going take off that field. There are a few winrows of couch grass which Tom Abbot is going to take as we don't want the seed to get in the manure. It has been very hot everything is drying up and we need a rain badly.</p> <p>Friday July 10th</p> <p>Huby Frank and I spent the whole day in the gully we put the wire around the four little trees which we had the stakes around. This took us a long time as we</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>put split rails around the stakes to brace them. Dad. &amp; Huby did two the other day. Frank sat around with his pesky arm which everybody is getting heartily tired of. We used him principally as an object to heap abusive language on. We went all around the fence and patched it up as well as possible but it is in awful shape. We didn't do anything to the culvert hoping that the cows will be so delighted with the new pasture that they will not try to escape through the culvert till we can make a good fix of it. We let them all in to-night and the first thing they did was to tramp straight down along the creek and examine all the tree barricades. To-night Frank and I went for a swim down below Quanbury's. Frank couldn't resist the temptation in spite of his poor wrist which he has been unable to wash for a week on account of the bandage but went in and swam around so now will have no excuse for not making a little use of it. Another very hot day but nice breeze. Dad cultivated corn all day.</p> <p>Saturday July 11th</p> <p>Huby and Dad had a little work to attend to with the calves and pigs which took them an hour or so this morning. I took Belle out and cultivated a few rows of corn till Dad came out and relieved me. Then I went to help Huby staple on the wirefence but I didn't feel very well for awhile so didn't do anything. Snowdrop got out at the culvert and stood in the middle of the road for about half an hour so we went down just before dinner to put her in. We met an old man on the road with a good looking setter and he and Huby had quite a conversation about sport. He wouldn't tell Huby his name but said {Hec.?} Henderson would tell him. This after noon I felt better and we stapled on the wire fence and then Huby went up and got a lot of wire and we barricaded the culvert. We stretched three strands of wire from the two posts each side of it and hung rails from the center at the bottom. It took us till after six quite a bit and then we took a look at Ivey's strawberry patch but there were hardly any left. To-night about eleven o'clock Dad. went out to wash his feet and and saw a fire down town. I lit right out for town but didn't know till I got to the top of the hill that it was the brickyard. The big building and the new long shed were beyond all hope when I got that far. I went down and sat on Huby's front step for awhile. Then Frank came down on his wheel and rode over to it he said the machinery was all ruined. I came part way home with old Jonas and induced him</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>to go for a swim with me below Quanbury's. It was about midnight then. Frank has been driving his old mare all day. He went down town with her this morning and washed the buggy. This after noon he drove Enah and Tiddums down town. Warm but breezy all day. Dad got over the corn lengthwise going twice in a row and has started going crosswise.</p> <p>Sunday July 12th</p> <p>We didn't get up till very late this morning but I managed to get down to church. Frank also went down to church and Sunday School. Before we finished dinner Mr. and Mrs. Jim Waddle came over and stayed all the after noon. It was very hot this morning but began to rain the middle of the after noon and cooled things off. It didn't rain very long nor extra heavy. Tupper and a bunch of fellows drove in out of the rain and ran their buggy in the shed. Dick was in bed all morning down town this afternoon and at church to-night. Frank went down town on his wheel for a little while to look at the debris over at the brickyard. There was no insurance on the buildings, the rate being to high to carry it. They don't know at all how it started. A cow and calf got in the wheat this after noon &amp; Frank and Bluch had quite a time with them.</p> <p>Monday July 13th</p> <p>Dad. &amp; Frank went down town first thing this morning in the waggon and as it was so muddy they took Dick down with them. They got the tank at the Widespread which Huby has had ready for them for the last week or two. It is just a mate for the one we have and we are going to put it at the end of this one and connect them with a pipe at the top. Huby and Lila came back with them. I did chores and set out cabbage plants all morning. Huby helped me when he came, we got out a lot in the garden. Dad. worked on the buckwheat ground till noon. After dinner I disked the rest of the buckwheat ground and Dad. harrowed. Huby took all the rest of the cabbage plants and set them out in the cornfield where there are hills of corn missed. He didn't get them all out by to-night so I guess we will be well fixed for cabbages next winter. Frank worked all day cleaning up the woodshed and the shop. He got a ticket from the inspector to-day bearing the joyful tidings that he had failed on his examination. He failed on Spelling and Arithmetic and was way down on the total. The failure doesn't appear to sit very heavy on his mind and I don't think he will lose very many meals over it. Dad. had to go down to a school board meeting to-night. Cloudy and not hot.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Tuesday July 14th</p> <p>We worked on the buckwheat ground most of the day. I disked &amp; rolled and this after noon Dad. sowed with the broadcast seeder. I harrowed after him till he finished and then he took the harrows and finished. He got the four two bushels on the four acres but had to go over some of it twice to cover it. Enah Frank and Tiddums went down to the Sunday school picnic this afternoon. I went down after tea thinking there might be a dance but I saw Joe and he said they were going to have a little dance but some of them left and delayed it so long that {Morley?} closed up the pavillion. I fooled around with Joe, we went for a little drive but it began to rain so we went down to the moving picture show, we saw {Hube?} Long just as we came out and I didn't get home till nearly midnight. I picked Dick up at the bank he was talking to Douglas who is going to leave them soon. Huby worked in the garden all morning and picked all the cherries. Pretty cloudy all day and rain to-night.</p> <p>Wednesday July 15th</p> <p>We didn't get a very early start this morning but I cut hay all day and have quite a chunk of the timothy down I had to leave one corner to cut afterwards as it is bounded on two side by ditches which I couldn't go over. I quit mowing before six and raked up what I cut this morning as it was dry. There is one spot or two where the timothy is not bad but most of it is very short blue grass. Dad cultivated the corn with Joe this after noon. He didn't do too badly. Huby and Frank worked in the garden. Huby got a lot of red cabbages from {Stan?} and set them out. Mrs. McBride was here all day washing and stoning the cherries which Huby picked yesterday. Jonas presented us with a lot of vegetables to-night. Old Maneer was through here on his way to Tupper's to look at the shed. Pretty hot. Lila was over all day. The sheep all got out of the orchard to-day and got in the wheat.</p> <p>Thursday July 16th</p> <p>I finished cutting the hay this morning and raked it up after dinner. Then I helped Huby and Frank cock up we got quite a bit of it up, it will be a light crop. Dad. cultivated corn all morning with Joe but she didn't behave very well so he took Belle as soon as I got through raking. The Simcoe band came down to-night and we all went down to hear them Dad. Enah and Tiddums drove down and didn't stay very long but Frank and I walked and</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>went in for a swim at Quanbury's on our way down. We went down to Huby's for a minute or so and he was the only one home. After the band quit we went over and watched the dance for awhile getting home about midnight. Hot with nice breeze.</p> <p>Friday Saturday July 17th</p> <p>Dad. cultivated corn all morning with Belle and Huby Frank and I cocked up hay. We got it all up but a few windrows. A big thunderstorm rolled in at noon but although there were some very close flashes of lightning and some beautiful cracks of thunder it didn't last long. It rained very hard for a few minutes but soon dried off. It was too wet to cock hay this after noon so Huby and Frank went back and fixed the fence where the cattle got into Ivey's last night. Dad. took Harry and I took Belle and we cultivated all the after noon. We didn't get a very early start or we would have finished. It has been cooler and breezy this afternoon.</p> <p>Saturday July 18th</p> <p>Dad. finished cultivating the corn this morning and went through the potatoes again. He also went through the potatoes in the old garden which are up enough to see. Huby and I thinned the turnips and Huby thinned the mangels and hoed some of the potatoes. This after noon we got the binder out and cut the wheat east of the orchard. It took quite awhile to get started but Dad. cut it by soon after six but it took the three of us Huby, Dad. &amp; me till dark to shock it all up. It is a good crop with hardly a thistle in it. Frank cleaned the binder up this morning and has been hobnobbing around with old Jonas all the rest of the day. They went to Simcoe this after noon with Nellie &amp; Jonas' old rattletrap of a democrat, and Frank got a hive and various apiary supplies. Lila was over all the after noon and Win most of the morning. It has been a nice day a little cloudy.</p> <p>Sunday July 19th</p> <p>Enah and I went to church this morning and Frank went down to Sunday school and church. Dick didn't get up till noon and then drove down town with me I went around and got Marj. Clarke and we had a very enjoyable drive When I got home Ed. was here and had been here all the after noon. Lovely day with nice breeze.</p> <p>Monday July 20th</p> <p>We put off the load of hay that was on the barn floor and then had to change the car over to the horse stable as that is</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>where we want to put the timothy. It took us quite awhile to get ready so we only got in one load before dinner and didn't get it unloaded. We unloaded it after dinner but as we have to use the fork in the horse stable it took quite awhile. We got one more in and unloaded and then about four o'clock I drove Enah down. We went around to Miss Battersby and got a hanging lamp which Miss Battersby gave us. I went down to the station as Marj. told me she was going to-night but I found she had changed her mind. Dad. cut alsike from about six till I had my tea and then I cut till dark while Dad. did chores. Nice day pretty hot.</p> <p>Tuesday July 21st</p> <p>I set the alarm for half past three this morning and although I heard it go off was too sleepy to get up and stayed in bed till Dad. called me about five and got out to the alsike field as soon as possible and cut till after seven, but there is still quite a bit to cut yet. We got started hauling hay as soon as we could after breakfast and got two in before dinner. It took a long time to put on a load as the cocks are so far apart we have to chase all over the field to get enough to make a load. After dinner we got all the hay there was left which wasn't quite a load and got it unloaded by a little before four. Dad. then went out and started to cut the wheat north of the orchard. Huby and Frank helped him shock up and as there wasn't anything very pressing for me to do Enah Tiddums and I drove down town. They went to see Elva and she went down and got some ice cream with them and I went down to the station to say goodbye to Marj. She &amp; Bessy Perry went to-night. Quite a strong breeze to-day but hot.</p> <p>Wednesday July 22nd</p> <p>Dad. took the alarm clock last night and got me up soon after half past four and I went out and finished the alsike soon after eight. Dad. took Nellie Green &amp; Joe and raked up what was cut yesterday. We didn't have breakfast till after nine so Dad didn't get much of the wheat cut before noon. We noticed this morning that for some reason the windmill although revolving was not pumping. We surmised that some of the rods were uncoupled so Frank took Nellie &amp; the democrat and went down and got old Felix. He was here all the after noon and found the valve in the cylinder had gone out order but he put in a new one</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Dad. finished cutting the wheat this after noon and we put the binder back in the woodshed. Huby and I shocked up for a little while before dinner but helped old Felix all the after noon so most of the wheat has to be shocked up any way. Frank went over to John Wess to-night to see if he would like a little help to-morrow as from here it looks as if he had a lot of hay out and we knew he had no man. He was cutting wheat and expected to be at it to-morrow but said a man would come in hadny the next day, so I guess I will go over. Frank has put in most of the day running errands. He drove Felix home to-night and Huby went down with them. Felix told us that Jack McCarty cut his throat this morning. He has been sick for quite awhile and I suppose it has left him in bad shape. The papers are giving very apalling accounts of the terrible damage being done by the army worms in the counties directly north of us. They say they have struck the O.A.C. at Guelph. Pretty hot to-day.</p> <p>Thursday July 23rd</p> <p>Dad. routed me out again this morning before five and I went out and raked up the alsike finishing about seven. Huby got over early and went right out to shock up wheat. Frank went out soon after to help him and Dad. to help them as soon as he could and I to help them as soon as I got through with my chores. It didn't take long to finish it up but we were hindered a little by the horses all getting out on the road, they ran up the lane and as both the stable doors had been left open ran right through on to the road. Luckily they didn't go far either way and we managed to head them off without a great deal of difficulty. Enah ran out to help us and left Tiddums in his bath. When Dad. came in afterwards he found him standing up in the tub filling one of his (Dad's) slippers with water. and pouring it all over himself. When we got the wheat shocked up we hooked up to go after a load off the other piece. Huby &amp; Frank cleaned up the barn floor while Dad. and I were after a load. By the time we got the first load off the waggon it was raining quite a shower so we couldn't haul any more. I hooked Joe up to the buggy and Huby and I drove down to see old Felix as the windmill was working again this morning without pumping and we thought the sucker must be again out of order. Felix said it would kill him to go out in the rain but that we could fix it anyway. He said some of the scales off the inside of the pipe had jerked down and got underneath the valve and all it needed was a pail of water poured down the pipe. We tried it and</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>sure enough the old coon was right. Huby had some insurance to do so didn't come back with me. This after noon Dad. took Belle and cultivated the potatoes in the field and garden. I cut the weeds around the wheat field we last cut. About four o'clock Dad. thought it was dry enough to haul wheat so we got started in about an hour after a load. We just got it unloaded by six but went out and got another and left it on the barn floor. Harry Harding was over for awhile to see Dad. but he couldn't stay long as his mother is in very bad shape and he didn't like to be away from her for very long at a time. Allan Law came in for a little while to see if he could borrow the manure spreader to-morrow. Frank rode down town to-night to get the mail and Huby told him that he didn't finish his insurance so wouldn't be able to be over to-morrow morning so I won't be able to go over and help John Wess as we have to get our own wheat in first of all. Cloudy but hot after the rain.</p> <p>Friday July 24th</p> <p>Frank rode over first thing to tell John Wess that I wouldn't be able to be over. He said that Crysler's man helped him yesterday and was going to again to-day, and if he wanted me to-morrow he would come over, but Allan Law was in this morning to get the spreader and he said he was going to take John Wess a man to-night. We unloaded the load on the waggon as soon as we could get started after breakfast but only got in two before dinner. However we cleaned the one field. Tupper came in for awhile to ask us to bring back his cultivator and just as he was leaving he broke the cross bar on his buggy and had to borrow our shafts. Zeitha Barwell came over for a little while to see if she and Mr. Crooker could come over this evening and practice some songs for the concert as they want Enah to play for them. We got in two loads off the other field this after noon. We got a late start and quit at five to have tea but unloaded a load after tea. Frank and I went down to Quanbury's for a swim and Frank went on down and got the mail. When I got home Zeith, Miss Wimmer and Mr. Crooker were here Zeitha and Mr. Crooker were practicing with Enah while Werdi. was looking after Tiddums. He took her all over the place and enjoyed himself immensely. Old Jonas had Nellie to-day and sent her home with young Mertland one of his boarders kids who isn't bigger than a skinned minute and he let her come in the lane on the run and ran smash into the cutter in the drive house. I don't think he broke anything</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Sunday July 26th</p> <p>I didn't get up till very late this morning and haven't been off the place all day. I just chored around slept &amp; read and to-night wrote a letter to Aunty &amp; Aunty Alice and another to Roy. Frank went down to church and Sunday school this morning and has been riding around on his wheel the rest of the day. He went to the stump for a swim to-night. Dad. Enah and Tiddums drove over to John Wess McBride's this morning before Tid. has his morning sleep and he hasn't slept a wink all day. Dad. tried to have a sleep this after noon but Tiddums wouldn't allow it. Dad. and Enah wanted to go down to the Methodist Church to hear Mr. Crooker sing but Tiddums wouldn't go to sleep and was inclined to be cranky so they didn't go. Dick got home late to-night burned to a crisp. I guess he didn't enjoy his sail as much as he expected. He and Hazen didnt get out of the boat till Sunday Morning and they left here at six o'clock Saturday night but there was no wind. They went over to Ryerson's Island where Joe &amp; Hub. Long joined them and they went in for a swim. They saw Quint &amp; George Hamaker over there. They had a good sail home they left at twelve and got here about two o'clock. Poor old A.M. Todd formerly of the "Maple Leaf" died to-day of heart failure while in bathing in the lake. They didn't find his body till about three hours afterwards when some people happened to run into it. Nobody missed him. Fair day.</p> <p>Monday July 27th</p> <p>We unloade the load of alsike we had on and got in one more and unloaded it before dinner. We got out right after dinner and managed to get in three by half past six. It is very slow stuff to handle it is so heavy &amp; short and loose. Huby and Frank bunched up the first load and then Frank bunched all the rest up this after noon. Frank Odd. came for Dad. while we were at dinner to go and see one of Flemming's horses so Huby and Frank pitched on after dinner till Dad. got back. Enah went down town this after noon to practice in the hall with some of the ones at the concert. Mr. Johnson brought Lila. Tiddums &amp; her home at six. Lila and Tiddums stayed but Enah went back. Huby went down with them. She left word that Mr. Crooker never showed up and that Murray was coming up on the evening train and she wanted to practice with each of them. She got home about eleven and said that Murray didn't come and Mr. Crooker couldn't be found anywhere. She forgot and left today's paper down town but Lila says it reported bloodshed in Ireland. Cool and pretty breezy all day. We thought at noon we would get a rain but it seems to have passed over.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Tuesday July 28th</p> <p>Huby didn't get over this morning as he had some insurance to look after but Dad. &amp; I got in what was left of the alsike alone and Frank helped mowed it away. There was just one full load and a half of one. We left it on the waggon as it was half past twelve when we got in with it. This after noon we ground a mower knife and I got a few rounds cut in the blue grass and weeds this side of the gully while Dad. and Frank hoed some of the potatoes in the old garden. Dad. quit at five and I quit soon after so that he could get ready in plenty of time for the concert. Billy Barwell came over at noon with some music for Enah to practice for the concert and he played around with Frank for quite awhile. Later Tuppy Fick brought Huby, Lila and Aunty Maude over in his car. Huby &amp; Lila stayed and Aunty Maude took the musick back for Murray to practice. Huby went out and piled up the marsh grass we left out in the timothy sod to make duck hides. He thinks there will be lots of ducks next fall with the corn and buckwheat so near. When he got through Tuppy came back and got him. To-night Dad. &amp; Enah went to the church concert and Frank Lila &amp; I stayed home with Tiddums. He went to sleep before they left and didn't wake up at all while they were gone. Dad. said he enjoyed the singing and playing of Zeitha, Miss Prest &amp; Mr. Crooker very much and Pursell for his class, but the rest he didn't care for at all. Cloudy and cool all day and quite cold to-night. Nor'east wind.</p> <p>Wednesday July 29th</p> <p>Dad. &amp; I hooked up Belle this morning and drove up to Bickler's. Dad. was never in there before but we found it to be a beautiful farm of 800 acres with the buildings set in a grove of natural timber a half a mile in from the road. It was getting on to noon when we left there but we drove over to Dunkin's. He was down at a picnic at Port Ryersie so the young fellow told us so we went down there and saw him. He has had pretty rough luck again this year. He was sick all spring and nearly died and the young fellow had so much to look after that he lost five of his crop of eight lambs and the ones he has left don't look anything extra. He hasn't ours registered yet but is going to see about it as soon as he can. We heard several reports of the army worms on the radical road but didn't see any. Fred. Warren told us they were thick in all the pea fields but didn't seem to be doing any damage so we came to the conclusion they weren't the genuine army worm as they didn't seem to be anywhere but in the peas.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Innes said they were the real thing and wouldn't take the peas green but will buy them thrashed. We got home about two o'clock. After we had our dinner I went out and cut a little more hay with Joe &amp; Harry and Dad. cultivated corn &amp; potatoes with Belle. Frank picked raspberries for Ivey this morning and helped Huby hoe potatoes this after noon. Mrs. McBride was here all day and looked after Tiddums this after noon while Enah took old Nellie and went to the Methodist Bazaar. Jonas sent a couple of kids after Nellie. He never said anything about wanting her to-day so he had to wait till Enah got back. Cool &amp; windy no sign of rain.</p> <p>Thursday July 30th</p> <p>I cut hay all morning and nearly finished the piece I went out after dinner and only got a few rounds cut when the rivets came out of the pitman rod and it came loose so I had to quit mowing. I hooked on to the rake and raked for the remainder of the after noon but didn't get over it all. Dad cultivated corn all day. Huby didn't get over till noon and he burn a lot of worms nests in the trees. Frank and he hoed some thistles in the corn and potatoes and started to cock up hay but Enah called to them that the old sow was out and she got way down the road with all the little ones and it took them a long time to round her up, so they didn't get much hay cocked. They saw some fellows on the road who told them that the army worms were on Charlie Dixon's &amp; Charlie Clalland's places and were skinning the oats, that is a Charlie Dixon who lives way out Black Creek on the fourth concession. John Wess came over this forenoon to see if he could rent the manure spreader but Dad told him he would lend it to him, so he came over after dinner and got it. Tonight Frank went down to the moving picture show with Roy Bannister. An automobile came in after dark to-night and I think Dad. is holding a post mortem on a dog or something I don't know who the people are except their names are Simpson from Toronto. According to to-days reports nothing short of a miracle can prevent a general war in Europe. Austria has all ready declared war with Servia and Belgrade is taken. Russia is mobilizing an inormous army to support Servia and Germany. Britain and France are all beginning to squirm. Cool, cloudy day.</p> <p>Friday July 31st</p> <p>We spent quite awhile this morning watching Dad. operate on the dead dog. In daylight he found the left side of it full of shot and dug eleven no. 5 shot out of its hind leg. They had gone right through the flesh but didn't come</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>through the skin. He then opened it and found a shot in its lungs and all through it so came to the conclusion that whoever shot it carried it to the lake and threw it in as that is where it was found dead. He thought it must have been fired at from close range but when Huby came he said a full choke gun would make the same pattern at forty yards. Huby didn't get over till quite late this morning as he didn't wake up and we didn't get out in the field till nearly ten o'clock. Frank took the pitman rod down and got Joe Howell to rivet it. The rest of us cocked up till he got back. Then I finished mowing before dinner. This after noon I finished raking about three o'clock and then went out and cocked up with the rest of them. We didn't quite finish. Frank went over to John Wess's after dinner and brought Bluch home. He followed John Wess home with the spreader yesterday and stayed all night. Jonas sent another hoach of kids after his mare again today and they chased her all over the field and then had to get Frank to help them so Dad. gave Jonas beans when he brought her home to-night. John Watts was in for a few minutes to-night to ask Dad. about a cow or something. Cool &amp; breezy with a few clouds Frank went down after the paper to-night and went to tell Mr. Simpson about his dog. He has Aikens on the trail.</p> <p>Saturday August 1st</p> <p>Dad. and I put off the half load of alsike which was on the waggon and changed the car and pulleys from the barn to the horse stable it didn't take us very long as we didnt take any of the pulleys off the ropes Frank and Huby cocked up till we got out in the field and then Huby helped Dad. pitch on a load and Frank finished cocking up this afternoon we got one load in before dinner and three in this after noon but hauled the last one in on the barn floor and left it. We couldn't haul full loads as we had to use the slings and too big a lift wouldn't go in the doors but we got in some pretty good sized ones. I drove down town to-night with Huby to get provisions and the town was so full and the stores so crowded that I didn't get home till late. Frank went down on his wheel to see Professor Atkinson do some stunts in the town hall but I guess the show didnt ammount to much. Huby and I are planning a trip to-morrow to go and see Dr. McInnes about growing ginseng and come home by way of Billington's. It has been breezy and not hot all day. We need a rain very much everything is drying up and if it doesn't come soon it will be too late when it does come.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Sunday August 2nd</p> <p>I got down to Huby's about nine o'clock and he was already to start but it took us quite awhile to get what we wanted to take loaded in the buggy. We had to take our lunch and several other things. Quint came home last night and he said he would like to accompany us so Huby fixed a seat in front of the dashboard for him so we didn't have to hold him on our knees. We let Joe take it easy as the sun was hot and the flys were bad and we made quite a load. Huby found Dr. Macinnes in his office in Vittoria and he told him quite a lot about Ginseng. He said that there never was a better market price for the roots as there is now and he thought that anybody starting in now would be independent in ten years. He had none of it there to show us as he grows it all on his farm four miles west of Vittoria, but he invited us to go up there - and wrote to his man introducing us. He told us where to find it if the man was not at home and said to put the horse in and feed her. We went up, it seemed like a long drive through about the most barrenest looking country I ever saw although Huby said there was worse in other spots. When we got there we found the man was not at home so did as the doctor told us and put Joe in. The Ginseng gardens were in plain sight and all in lattice work houses or sheds they have to be grown in the shade so he has these sheds built of pickets and clothes which lets in all the air but which keeps out most of the sunlight. It is as near like a forest as could be built. He must have had nearly an acre under cover like this and all the beds were full but the plants were not all the same age some just seedlings and others eighteen inches high. We took a good look around and then went over to the well to eat our lunch. There were fully a million half starved and half grown chickens beseiging us the whole time and we couldnt lay a piece of bread down for a minute but they would seize it and run off with it. It was very annoying and Huby felt very much like catching a couple biting their necks and broiling them. We left right after we had our lunch for Billington's but it was about two o'clock then. We got a little mixed up with the roads and went quite a bit out of our way, but got to Billington's about four or soon after. They were very glad to see Huby. We stayed there to tea and till after nine visiting. Before it got dark I took some pictures of the {illegible} and fooled around the creek. Huby and Quint spent most of the time in its vicinity but didn't have</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>extra good luck. We got home about midnight it was moonlight but very chilly. It hasn't been at all hot all day and this after noon it rained a shower but there wasn't enough to do any harm or good.</p> <p>Monday August 3rd</p> <p>We hauled in all the rest of the hay off that field to-day. It took us all day and there were just five loads. We put four of them in the horse stable loft and left one on the old barn floor for the bull. Huby and Dad pitched one, I loaded and Huby and Frank mowed away. Frank spent most of the time between loads fixing the boiler pipe which Rus Lampkins brought down for the sink from the pump to the orchard fence to carry water to the calves and sheep in the orchard. Dad is not at all in favor of the scheme as he says Frank can't make it work and it blocks his path to the pig pen, but Frank is undaunted and has it nearly carrying water. Pretty hot to-day.</p> <p>Tuesday August 4th</p> <p>Huby didn't come over at all to-day, he had some insurance to look after and spent the rest of the day working around his own garden. Dad. and Frank went back this morning to fix the line fence between John Wes. and us as the cows got it last night and broke it down and tramped through his oats &amp; buckwheat and ate up his beans. John Wes. came back with the spreader while they were gone and when I told him he just laughed and said such things would happen. They didn't get back till noon. I cut weeds while they were gone. This after noon Dad cultivated corn and Frank and I started to hoe the potatoes. Harry Harding came over and I went back to the gully with him to look at the horses and cattle. It was getting on to five when we got back and then I drove him down town and got some provisions. Dad. quit early. He and Enah went out to the Shand's last night and invited them all over here to-night for some music. Mr. Crooker, Zeitha, Verdi, Wimmer all came over and Mr. Johnson brought Aunty Maude. Win &amp; Lila and Nora Cunningham over in his car. Dick also managed to get home, and all the Shands came so we had a very pleasant evening. Not hot to-day. Quite cold to-night.</p> <p>Wednesday August 5th We were up about the usual time after our night of song. I cultivated corn all day and the boys hoed all the weeds and thistles out that the cultivator missed</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Wednesday August 12th</p> <p>For a whole week this interesting and valuable record has been missed owing to an accumulation of circumstances, the terrible war being the chief upsetting cause for after reading the paper Toby had no time to make entries in this, he wanted to go down to get his hair cut tonight to I said I would do my best to write the doings of the past week. I think we began hauling out manure on the 4 acres we had sowed with Buckwheat on Thursday 6th and we hauled until Saturday noon. We then got the binder out and cut the oats in the old well field, it was a nice crop but the weather is and has been so dry that the grain was very light. Hubert and Frank cobbled up the fence around the hog yard on Friday and Saturday forenoon, Saturday afternoon they all shocked up oats. Sunday Morning Toby drove down to church, had dinner at Huberts and he and Hubert went up to {illegible} Hooleys in the after noon, Frank was at S.S. and church. Dick did not get up until noon. Hattie intended going to church but did not feel very well in the morning so did not go as she had to go down in the evining to play for Mr Crooker who sang a solo. I went down also in the evening there were very few in church a young student tried to preach. It was a very hot day and looked a little like a thunder storm. On Monday I had to go and load the binder on the truck the first thing Frank went with me, after bringing it in I went and got the roller and put it in, Hubert worked at the Hog fence, and Toby at the fence around the orchard to keep his chickens in. I brought up the old hay {illegible} valves and Frank has been taking it to pieces. Monday afternoon we all worked at the sheep for some time separating them so as to try and mark them for {resist....?} it actually rained quite a shower Monday evening and laid the dust.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>On Tuesday morning we marked the lambs, Hubert worked at his fence. In the afternoon Toby and I hauled out manure. It was quite cool at night. This morning, Wednesday we took the binder back over the gully to cut the oats. We didn't get started very early either in the morning or after dinner so didn't finish to-night. Frank and I shocked up but we didn't get it all up either as we didn't work very hard. The oats are so rusted that they are all bent flat and there is nothing whatever in them. To-night Frank and I drove down town I got my hair cut and Frank got a pair of boots. On our way down we got started on the approach to the bridge before we saw a team on the bridge and we had to back up. Joe got a little impatient and hacked accross the road and got her hind legs down a nasty hole between the bank and the sidewalk but didn't hurt herself. We saw Huby down town and he told us he had more insurance to look after tomorrow so couldn't come over again. He says his leg is bad again even worse as it hurts him now. Chris Quanbury asked us if two of us could come over to Martin's and help them thrash. It looked a little like rain to-day but didn't.</p> <p>Thursday August 13th</p> <p>We went back this morning and finished cutting and shocking up the oats just at noon but by the time we got up to the house and had dinner and put the binder in winter quarters it was pretty late and soon after dinner we saw the thrashing outfit coming around the hill so Dad. and I went over to Martins. They didn't get started thrashing till after four but we finished up about six. Their wheat only turned out about 20 bushels to the acre both Charlie's and Jack's. Neither one of them was there. Chris. was running things. The machine was outside and they put the straw in the barn. Dad. and I carried away. Cousin Clare was here all the after noon and stayed all night. One of us will have to go and help Flemming thrash to-morrow. It has been rather cloudy and threatening all day and to-night it did rain quite a shower and thundered quite a lot. It still looks very black.</p> <p>Friday August 14th</p> <p>There was a very hard thunder shower after we went to bed last night and every thing was pretty wet this morning but it has been windy and sunny all day so the mud is about dried up. We needed the rain very badly and it will likely do a lot of good to the corn roots</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>and late sowed potatoes, but we could stand a lot more of it. Dad. had an early breakfast and got down to Flemming's about seven. He only thrashed his wheat and a load of oats so they finished at noon. Dad. said the wheat didn't turn out very well but the oats weren't so bad. I just did chores this morning and wrote in this and made a new milk record card and tacked it up in the cow stable. Frank and I looked at the bees and put in three frames which had full sheets of foundation in, in place of three which they hadn't worked on at all. We just took them from the super and put them in the lower hive. I got stung for the first time. We didn't do anything much right after dinner. Frank went down and got the paper but there wasn't anything startling in it. They don't know where the British Army is at all Kitchener is keeping its whereabouts strictly secret. The first decoration for gallantry was awarded to a French lieutenant of dragoons who had the Cross of the Legion of Honor confered upon him for doing what he would have been guillotined for a month ago. Such incidents do make war look horribly foolish. Dad. and I went out to look at the potatoes in the field to see if the wire worms were in them at all but we couldn't find any. They promise to be a fair crop for this year. When we came in we took the team and went down to Uncle Ward's and got a load of shingles. It was six o'clock when we got home. To-night Cousin Clare and Enah have gone over to see Mrs. Battersby and Frank has gone down town with Roy Bannister Lila is over here for all night. Frank went over to see Mrs. McPherson and her bees this after noon and got stung too. Like every one else's hers have made very little honney this year.</p> <p>Saturday August 15th</p> <p>We chored around about half the morning and then went out and straightened the oat shocks up a little, some of them were pretty wet and one or two heads had sprouted. We then came in and put the load of hay off that was on the rack before dinner Frank mowed it nearly all away in by Dreadnought's stall. He also unloaded our load of shingles while Dad. was examining the refrigerator, it was leaking and we didn't know what caused it but Dad. found the overflow pipe was blocked up. Frank went down and got the paper right after dinner and Dad. went to sleep. He has been saying so long how much he would like to take a sleep so we let him go till Tiddums came in about half past three and woke him up. We then went out and hauled out five loads of manure before tea. Frank hoed the potatoes in the old garden, and I helped him between loads.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>We got the buckwheat ground all covered. Bob. Davis &amp; Jonas came in to-night while we were at tea with "Golden Crown". Enah drove Cousin Clare and Lila home after tea. Very windy.</p> <p>Sunday August 16th</p> <p>We didn't get up till late this morning, but Enah and I went to church. Frank went to church and Sunday school. Mr. Leigh preached he is from Courtright and Enah knew him when she was there. This after noon I read "The Lady of the Lake." Dad. Tiddums &amp; Enah slept. Dick went down town and Frank rode out to Teeple's woods to see a lot of bees that some fellow from Simcoe has there. He didn't see the owner and Teeple's told him he had taken a lot away. Sam Law came in this morning to say he was going to thrash his oats out of the field to-morrow if it didn't rain and wanted us and our team and waggon, so I guess we will take a load of our oats over and thrash them. It rained a little this after noon and has been cool &amp; cloudy.</p> <p>Monday August 17th</p> <p>It was raining when I got up this morning but didn't last long but it was too wet to thrash oats out of the field so after breakfast I went out and disked up most of the buckwheat ground. I got over the part where the buckwheat is the thickest. The buckwheat won't ammount to anything now as only a little of it came up on the knolls and we are going to work it in and put wheat on it. Dad. spent the forenoon I think writing to Aunty. Tupper was in to see if we wanted to haul stone for road work but I guess Dad will pay it. I went over to Sam's at one o'clock and helped them thrash their wheat out, and Frank and Dad. came over with the team and rack to haul oats. They had three teams, ours and two of their own and three waggons, ours, Art Ryersies and theirs. Dad. and I each hauled in and Art. pitched on to us. Frank helped a little, while Bert Munro &amp; Al. Martin pitched off the load standing. They had poor Skinner Manning and Douglas the Scotchman on the stack. Skinner says it is the last stack he is going to work on. The oats were very light. There were 830 bushels of oats and 66 of wheat. We all three stayed over there to tea. Huby came up creek in the boat and walked up here but Enah said he didn't feel very well he rode back as far as Sam's with Ham Thompson who was coming down to see Dad. His old mare was kicked by Frank Mar's horse and had her leg broken. Dad. told him to shoot her. The Japs have sent an ultimatum to Germany now giving them orders to get their cruisers out of the Far East. Pretty hot to-day and lightening a lot to-night.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Tuesday August 18th</p> <p>Just as we got ready for bed to-night a terrific thunder storm broke on us. Dick just got home in time. There was an almost steady flicker of vivid lightening although there were no ear breaking thunder claps, but the rain came down by the barrell. The wind was so strong that it sounded like hail battering at the west side of the house. It was still raining when I got up this morning but was not so boisterous about it. It rained off and on all morning and has been very hot and sultry all day. It is thundering again to-night and seems to be shaping for another round. I drove Dad. down right after breakfast and got some groceries. I went down to Joe Howell's to have Joe shod, but he had a team to shoe all around so I didn't wait. When I got home Dad. drove down to the mill and got a bag of flour. Frank and I went over to Jack Martin's with his two roosters which I have had over here since last spring. I spent the rest of the day building a trap nest according to instructions I read. Dad. put the cloak shelf up in the kitchen and Frank has been prowling around with his bee book looking for enlightenment on several subjects pertaining to bees. To-night I drove Dad. down to a school board meeting and got the mail. Mr. Flemming was in this after noon to have Dad. look at his horses mouth as she didn't eat right. Dad. found a great big piece of wood wedged in some way.</p> <p>Wednesday August 19th</p> <p>Last night we had a repetition of night before last's storm with more and heavier thunder. Dad. came home in it and got soaked. The school board are in trouble again. The debentures haven't been sold yet and they are afraid there will be difficulty in disposing of them now on account of the war. Secord is going to quit work on the school if they don't pay him. It rained a little more this morning but has been sunny with a fresh breeze all the after noon but very sultry and muggy before noon. This morning Dad. drove over after Mrs. McBride who has been here washing and ironing all day while I cut wood and then we both drove down town. Dad went and saw Mr. Smith to consult with him on the advisability of keeping Frank out of school till the hot weather is over as Aunty suggested. Mr. Smith thought it would be a good idea, so I guess Dad. will let him if he doesn't object. This after noon Enah took</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Nellie and drove down town to visit Cousin Clare and others and Mrs. McBride minded Tiddums. Dad. &amp; I took the plow back to the alsike stubble and plowed all the after noon. I made a couple of strike outs my first ones and they certainly looked like it. Frank came back and joined us after a while Dad. went up about half past five to milk and I plowed till after six.</p> <p>Thursday August 20th</p> <p>It began to rain soon after breakfast this morning and rained steadily and quite heavily till after dinner it then cleared up for the rest of the day but it doesn't act as if it was through with us yet. I read all morning, the last bulletin from the Department of Agriculture on Tightening Rods. Frank studied his bee book and Dad minded Tiddums and slept. A fellow drove in to see if he could sell us oil wholesale but he couldn't so didn't stay long. This after noon Frank and I took Joe down to Joe Howell's and had her shod. Frank stopped in at Uncle Ward's on his way home to see how his vice was attached to his bench and was in there about half an hour. We got home a little before five. I looked over the paper and then carried Tiddums back to where Dad. was plowing and from there to the gully. We got back about six. Dad. plowed all the afternoon.</p> <p>Friday August 21st</p> <p>It rained hard again during the night but has been sunny and windy all day and to-night the sky looks clear and it is cooler. Dad. plowed all morning and Frank and I tidied up a little around the yard in the vicinity of the woodshed and shop. This after noon Frank drove Enah and Tiddums down town to go visiting and brought Uncle Ward. back with him as he had some tools he wanted to sharpen on our grindstone and Frank turned it for him. As Jonas wanted Nellie at three o'clock I had to drive down before tea and get Enah and Tiddums who was getting homesick. Uncle Ward. wouldn't stay to tea so I took him home. Dad. and I spen the after noon turning the oats We turned every shock as far as we went but didn't finish. The ones that stood up weren't very wet but there weren't many that were left standing and the down ones were very wet and some of them sprouted. I had to help Dad. milk to-night and it was very late when we got through. We tried to get John into the stancions and nearly had her in when Tige commenced to bark at the Shand boys coming in and frightened her out. Whit Dixon came over this morning and Dad. let him have</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>her calf and she has been bawling for it all the after noon. Dad. says he feels like a traitor as John. went back this morning without her calf thinking it was safe up here and when he, Frank and Whit surrounded it, it was all alone. It was watching Whit thinking (so Dad says) that he (Dad) would protect it when he came up from behind &amp; grabbed it. To-day's paper says that the war is commencing now in earnest and the Germans now occupy Brussels. They, the Canadian Government, have put a war tax on Sugar Coffee Tobacco &amp; liquors. so Dad thinks he will have to quit smoking. Huby left to-night for Toronto.</p> <p>Saturday August 22nd</p> <p>Dad. plowed all day and got in a good day Frank and I took a look at the bees first thing and then I went out and finished turning the oats which took me till noon. This after noon I put in cutting weeds along the fence bottoms &amp; in the old garden, and to-night feel a great admiration for the pioneers who would swing a scythe all day and carouse all night. I don't wonder a lot of whisky was consumed in those days although I got along without even any water. Frank worked around up at the house all day. Winnie, Lila and Miss Leigh where here to dinner. This was the day of the Great Boughner Picnic which this year assembled in Simcoe, it is the first time they went out of Dover this wouldn't {happen} now only they got every inducement from the Simcoe people to come there while other years Dover has soaked them for all they could get out of them. A lot of cheap sports down town here got up another picnic to-day in opposition and made arrangements with Buck to get the Park free. They got out bills and put them all over the country they say advertising it as being formerly the Boughner Picnic but the Boughners threatened to take action against them and they had to around and collect all their posters. I guess they didn't get much of a crowd. The Toronto regiments got a sudden order to go from Long Branch to Valcartier and they all left to-day. Aunty told us in her letter that Fred. McDonald is with the 48th Highlanders and Elva told Enah that Byron Johnson belongs to the signal corps of the Chatam regiment. Dick is wishing he was old enough to enlist. I don't know but that I would if I were in his place but I think until conditions develop more and the odds are against Britain, the Canadian farmer is of as much importance as the soldier, as they cant fight on empty stomachs, and Canada is where they are looking for their bread &amp; butter, but I'm good &amp; ready to scrap when they do need me. It has been pretty hot to-day, but looks fair.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Sunday August 23rd</p> <p>Enah &amp; Dad. went to church this morning and Frank went to Sunday school &amp; church. I stayed home to watch Tiddums. He woke up before they got home and I took him back to the gully and woods where appeared to enjoy himself. Dick stayed in bed till noon and went down town after dinner. This afternoon Dad. Enah &amp; Tiddums drove out to the Shand's and got back just before it began to rain. I got two or three mushrooms back in the gully this morning so Frank went back this after noon to see if he could find any. He came back with about a peck of them. I read, slept and cursed flies all the after noon till Frank came home and fixed a fly net over me which was a great protection. Huby got home last night and I guess had a good time and saw everybody he knew either by lucky chance or by a premeditated call. He said Rus. Skey took him into the private office and talked for an hour. He is crazy to go to the war as an assistant army surgeon but they won't take him. Huby told Dad. &amp; Enah that Vernon said we could all go down there anytime and stay as long as we liked and that we could go in a body or by installments and that if Quint was home for him to go too. It has been very hot and a big thunderstorm came up this after noon. It poured rain for a few minutes and hasn't cleared off yet.</p> <p>Monday August 24th</p> <p>It rained hard again during the night but has been cool and windy all day and feels as if it had cleared up. We all got up pretty early and Dad. got a good forenoon's plowing done. I cleaned out the separator and cut a little wood and before dinner went out to see if the oats were ready to be turned again as yesterday's wind knocked a lot of them down but they hadn't dried out quite enough on the outside. Frank spent most of the morning down town with Nellie, he got some groceries and then took Nellie down and let Lila drive Mr. &amp; Mrs. Leigh over to dinner and he waited down and got the mail. Early this morning he went back to the gully and got a nice lot of mushrooms. This after noon we didn't get out so early as Dad. wanted to talk to Mr. &amp; Mrs. Leigh for awhile after dinner. He went back and struck out a couple of lands and then I came back and plowed around them and left three or four furrows on each for him to finish up. He came back about half past five and plowed till six. In the meantime he fixed at the pig yard fence to try &amp; keep the little fellows in as they have been running all over the place and to-day took to roving in to Martin's domain and helping themselves to his chicken food. Dad. didn't finish the job but thinks it efficient as far as he has gone.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Tuesday August 25th</p> <p>We hooked up Belle to the buggy this and I called for Huby about eight o'clock. We drove up to Bickler's again. We stopped in at Andrew Smith's but he was not at home Bickler's weren't home either but the man was and we went over to see Bickler as he was on another farm he has bought just south of Vittoria. We had a fine drive and got home about one. Dad. tried to plow this morning with Joe and Harry but had a terrible time as Joe acted very mean so he was glad enough to have Belle back this afternoon. Frank spent the after noo morning fixing the rest of the pig fence. After dinner Frank and I started to turn out all the oats in this field but got about half done when Mr. Morgan came to see the English Wallnut trees and we didn't get any more done that day, but Frank &amp; I hauled up a load of rails with Harry and Belle as Dad. quit early. To-night Dad. &amp; Enah went down to a musical at Mrs. Hobbes and Frank and I stayed home to watch Tiddums. Quite cold this morning and cool all day.</p> <p>Wednesday August 26th</p> <p>We didn't get up very early this morning and Jim Bannister came over to get Dad. to go over and see a sick cow he has. She wouldn't eat last night or this morning and can't get up. Dad. went over and said he was afraid she was going to die. We got one load of oats in before dinner and three after and there is still a load out there. To-night I went down and joined a surprise party which they had for Verdy Wimmer who is going away next week to train for a nurse. There was quite a bunch and we went up there and played pedro all evening. I have never learned anything about the pesky game yet but I had a rattling good time just the same. I went up to the bandroom and found several practicing up there for to-morrow. Harry Moon told me the other day they were going to have a flag day Thursday but I didn't know they were going to practice for it. Cloudy and cool.</p> <p>Thursday August 27th</p> <p>I helped Dad. &amp; Frank to get the load of oats off which we left on the barn floor and then got ready to go down town at half past ten. Jim Bannister's cow died so Dad. went over to hold a post mortem on her but could find nothing abnormal except an enlarged gall bladder. I went down to Huby's first thing to see if he could come over and help get in the rest of the oats but he didn't seem to feel very well but went over after dinner. Verdy Wimmer nailed me to buy a flag just as I was going</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>into Huby's and I had to buy another from Pansy Fischer before I got up town, however they did me for the day although they were both sold again before the day was over. I was up at the bandroom on time but nobody else was we had to wait about an hour before the float appeared and it was then to late to meet the eleven o'clock train as we intended. Harry Moon had been working hard all morning and he and Jack Ivey had Johnny Walker's dray all rigged up fine with flags and flowers and drawn by four horses. They had Al. Faulkner's spotted team on the lead and Johnny Walker's team on for wheelers but they had to have two drivers. Anyway they toated the band all over town all day and we played all the patriotic tunes we could find. They had all the pretty girls in town pretty nearly riding on the a running board around the dray where it was easy for them to jump on and off selling flags. They sold all their flags early in the day and had to make a lot of little tricolored bows and sell flowers which Ivey gave them. We came over Prosper Hill here where they collected over thirty dollars mostly from Mrs. Battersby and Jack Martin, we also went over Brant hill I stayed to Huby's for dinner and went home for supper and didn't go down to the dance after dinner tea. The girls were going to sell flowers over at the dance but I guess most of them were pretty tired as they were on the go all day. They got a little over two hundred and fifty dollars. It will be sent to the patriotic fund for the releif of the wives of soldiers gone to the front. Dad. &amp; Frank got the rest of the oats of the front field in and Huby came over to help them after dinner but they found the oats over the gully to be soaking wet so they turned a load out and left them. Dad. plowed for about an hour and Huby Frank and Lila hunted mushrooms. Very cloudy and threatening all day &amp; cool.</p> <p>Friday August 28th</p> <p>Dad. went over first thing this morning to see John Quanbury's cow which has been taken sick the same way Jim Bannister's was and has been running in the same pasture Dad. says it is going to die but doesn't know what is the matter with it. I cut a little lawn and Frank and I pitched of the few sheaves while he was gone and then we took the rack back over the gully. We all turned out for awhile and then Frank finished up and Dad &amp; I put on a load. We got one load on before dinner. This afternoon we hauled three in and left a couple out there. We threw them up on top the alsike. To-night Enah had to go down to choir practice as Topsy asked her to play for her while she is in Toronto so I drove her down. We called for Miss Draton who was waiting for us at the gate of Mrs. Battersby. It was drizzling when we went</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>down and was raining quite hard when we got home It rained very hard during the night.</p> <p>Saturday August 29th</p> <p>It rained a good part of the morning. Dad. went over to Billy Lewis' as he couldnt do anything else and the old man came over after him last night to see a sick heifer. He stopped in at Shand's on his way home and was there till after noon.They were weighing up all their stock. This after noon Charlie Quanbury came over after him to go and take a last look at their cow. She was better last night and this morning but before dinner took a turn for the worse and is on her last legs. Dad. couldn't imagine what was the matter with her. He got some new veterinary down from Simcoe and he happened to have the inspector with him so they both came down, they said it must be Anthrax the germs of which have come in with a lot of chickens Jack Martin has just bought from some fellow on the other side, but Dad. says he doesn't think it is that because the eggs or whatever it comes from wouldn't have had time to develop yet. He says if it is that, that likely all the cattle on this place will be infected through him and no telling where it will end. I didn't do anything much all day except write part of a letter to Uncle Hal. Tom. Abbot brought Mrs. McBride over after dinner and Frank and I took her down as far as Preston's orchard to-night. We intended driving on down town but just as I cramped the buggy off for Mrs. McBride to get out Joe gave a quick switch around and brought the wheel up against the bed of the buggy and the shaft broke at the curve. It held enough to pull me home but I didn't like to go down town so Frank walked down and got Dad's tobacco. Cloudy and cool all day.</p> <p>Sunday August 30th</p> <p>Dad. and Enah drove down to church this morning after we had fixed a good whipple tree to a good pair of shafts in a poor way. I stayed home to watch Tiddums. We stayed out in the barn for about half an hour and then we came in the house and he chased around till he rooted Dick out of bed. Dick got up and he &amp; I took five pictures of Tiddums. This after noon Dick took the camera and took twelve pictures. Dad. and I drove out to the Shands to get a book of Dad's on sick cows but none of them were home. To-night Enah and I drove down to church. Cloudy and cool but looks clearer.</p> <p>Monday August 31st</p> <p>Dad. plowed this fore noon and opened some ditches out of some of the holes in the cornfield. Frank went</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>back and turned over the rest of the oats across the gully. Huby came over a little while before dinner and piled up his duckhide hay. This after noon Dad. and I hauled in the last two loads of oats and Huby helped us unload them. Between loads he fixed up a gate post at the north end of the drivehouse and fixed the fence. Cloudy but fair very hot for awhile this after noon but fresh breeze sprang up later Bill Donald was in to-night to have Dad look at a shoe boil on his {toe?}</p> <p>Tuesday September 1st</p> <p>It was sprinkling this morning when Dad. took the team out but he didn't think it would ammount to much so took the roller out as he wanted to roll down what he has plowed before he puts any manure on it with the spreader. He just nicely got started when a nut broke on the roller and he had to quit, he would have had to anyway for just then it began to pour rain. It rained very hard for awhile but apparently cleared up before dinner but after dinner another cloud came up and we had a short session of the hardest downpour this year. Everything was flooded in no time. I spent the morning in putting another roost in the far chicken pen and enlarging the table underneath. This after noon I made another trap nest or at least started another. Dad. went over to Tupper's this morning to pay him for our road work.</p> <p>Wednesday September 2nd</p> <p>Dad. got a fairly good day in plowing to day although he had a couple of visitors. Young Hawn came in to ask him about a sick cow and a map agent went over and sold him a new map of the Dominion. This morning Frank and I took the brooder and chicken coops out of the chicken yard and I dug up where they were. We then went out to the cornfield and I opened some more ditches from some more holes and Frank started to dig the potatoes in the wet place but he said they were all rotten. This afternoon I cut the lawn, I had quite a time with the lawn mower as the bauls have been worn. Mrs. McBride has been here washing all day. To-night Enah and I drove down and got the mail. We got a letter from Aunty bearing the astounding news that Walter is on the verge of getting married. Breezy all day very hot after dinner and looked very much like rain for awhile.</p> <p>Thursday September 3rd</p> <p>Dad. plowed all day again to-day and the flies weren't</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>quite so bad. I spent the whole day trimming the edges and digging up the rhubarb bed and also digging a piece in the strip where the currant bushes are. I didn't get much done as my back ached quite a lot from the digging. Frank cut wood and this after noon went down town and got the mail. To-night he has gone down to the moving picture show as Johnny Walker has on a twenty cent show "The Mobilization of the British Army." Cool and windy today. A short shower before tea.</p> <p>Friday September 4th</p> <p>We hauled manure all day to-day and got out 16 loads which just covered the unplowed part of the alsike stubble I spent in between loads cutting a little lawn and choring Frank went down town this morning and this afternoon cut wood. He has a big pile cut which he expects to last till he gets back from Toronto. A Mr. Walker was in this morning and bothered Dad. for awhile showing him a Nature Study chart which he said this school ought to have. Dad. told him the Minister of Education was a goat for putting stuff like Nature Study on the school carricalum but gave his name as one of the trustees in favor of buying a chart. It has been very cold all day and tried to rain this morning. Hattie went to choir practice tonight and the boys printed photographs, they had some very good ones.</p> <p>Saturday September 5th</p> <p>First thing after breakfast Toby, Frank and I went out to put the new bolt in the roller to replace the one that broke and we had a time but at last succeeded. I got the team out there and went at the ploughing Hubert and Quint came over for a little while just before noon but would not stay for dinner as Hubert wanted to go to Charley {Tuples?} and get some weed to send down to Roy. Toby and Frank had to do so many odds and ends preparing for their trip to Toronto. They left here about 3.30 and the whole four of them got off on the 5 O'Clock train, taking a basket of things down to Roy and Vernon. I had to quit the plough at 5 O'Clock and then it was late enough when I had every thing done up. It is terribly lonely I will be glad to see them all back safely. It has been cool all day.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Sunday September 6th</p> <p>I put in a very lazy day. Hattie had to go to church both morning and evening and baby and I stayed home he was very good all day. I had to do the chores up early in the evening so that Hattie could get off in time. It rained a little in the early morning. I read while baby was asleep when I should have been writing letters.</p> <p>Monday September 7th</p> <p>I was up at 5.15 this A.M. and had nearly all the chores done up by 7. I had to go out to the corn field after the disk and it looked so much like rain I hardly knew whether to go to the field or not but I went and it did not rain but was so cold that I nearly froze but I got over a big piece. Hattie went down town in the afternoon and Lila came home with her to stay all night Hubert was over for a few minutes to tell me that he could not come in the morning as he had to see about the insurance on the Town Hall</p> <p>Tuesday September 8th</p> <p>This has been a most unsatisfactory day I got out fairly early considering I had every thing to do and rolled nearly all I had ploughed by noon. I thought I would have a good afternoon at the plough but just as I was going out after dinner John Quanbury came and wanted me to talk to McMahon he had a report on the blood he sent away from John's cow stating an organism had been found in it that looked suspicious when I got back from talking to him Hattie told me that Charlie Shand had been here to say the three colts were out at their fence so I had to saddle Joe and go after them I had quite a time getting them home and it was too late to go to the field when I got back, in fact it took me all my time to get everything done up before dark Hattie and baby went down town again today It has been very cold all day.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Wednesday September 9th</p> <p>I have had another upset day, a most trying one. In the first place I did not get up very early. Dick came home about midnight and the dogs woke me up barking at him, we talked for a long time after he came to bed, then I remembered that I had not shut the windmill off and I stayed awake a long time wondering if the wind would get up before daylight, finally I got up and went out and shut it off and then could not get to sleep for ever so long after I went back to bed, so the consequence was when I did go to sleep I did it so properly that I never heard the alarm and slept until 6 O'Clock. I was just ready for breakfast when Jack King drove in to have me fix his old grey mare's teeth, and after getting breakfast doing up all the chores, backing the spreader out of the barn oiling it and hitching up it was 10 O'Clock. I had my fourth load just on when Jim Banister came over to beg me to go to Simcoe with him to argue the case of Lead poisoning against that of Anthrax with Dr McMahon. (Jim said) he would get Jack Martin to take us up in his car if he could, so after dinner Jack, Charlie Jim and I went to Simcoe to find our man in Delhi. I telephoned him and he said he would be in Simcoe in an hour and a quarter so we waited and when he showed up I showed him that in all reason and common sense the animals did not have Anthrax while there was every reason and many symptoms to charge the death to Lead poison. Hubert did not come over today and it was a splendid day to work. Jim said he would be over to help me in the morning so maybe we can get a little caught up. I must write to Walter now. It has been cool all day and from the looks of things there was quite a frost about Simcoe last night. I do hope the frost will keep off for a while yet and give the poor corn a chance for it has not had much of a one so far this Summer.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Thursday September 10th</p> <p>I got up at daylight this morning and had most of the chores done before breakfast. I was putting the harness on the horses after breakfast when Jim Banister came over and he helped me with the manure till noon. Hubert came over just before dinner and he and I worked all the afternoon. Harry Harding came over about 3 O'Clock and he stayed out with us till we quit work. Hattie went down town and Win came home with her they all stayed to tea and after tea I drove Win home and waited at Allan's corner until the boys came along. Then Harry drove up with me and held Joe while I went in and said goodbye to Miss Battersby, she leaves on Saturday for Brantford. It has been cold all day but much warmer than yesterday. Dick went to the dance at night and I don't know what time he got home.</p> <p>Friday September 11th</p> <p>I was up before it was light this morning It looked very like rain, in fact it did sprinkle several times, Hubert came over about 8 O'Clock and we got a fairly good start, we hauled manure all day but I did not keep account of the loads so I suppose Tobe will go for me. We expect them home tonight but it is now 8.20 and there is no sign of them so I think we will have tea It has been a horrible day, such a strong, cold East Wind, but it was a pretty good day to work.</p> <p>Saturday September 12th</p> <p>We got a horrible disappointment last night the boys did not come. Hattie had killed the fatted calf, which consisted of a boiled ham, (the last one) a fruit cake, baked custard, hot biscuit, fried potatoes and several "Entres" as Mrs McBride would say. We waited tea to give them plenty of time to get home after the</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>train came in but there were no boys so we had our tea, Lila had come over to be here to see what old "Sunny Jim" would do when he first saw them but she was fooled too. This morning I wanted to get started for town early but I was just putting the bridle on Belle when Whit Dixon came to see if he could buy Erie and Artful, I asked him $130.00 but he beat me down $5.00, he talked for so long "understand" that it was 10 O'Clock before Lila and I got started, and it was after 11 when Hubert and I got back with the plank for the barn floor. We did not get it quite done before dinner and Alan Law got here with the separator before we were ready for him, but we soon had the floor fixed and he then put the machine in the barn and put his team on our roller and took it home with him. Hubert and I then went at the yard manure again and have the place for the stack cleared. It has been a lovely day though quite a cool East Wind, we are expecting the boys any minute now, 8 O'Clock.</p> <p>Sunday September 13th</p> <p>Well we all got back at last safley last night after a very enjoyable week of it. We went over to Niagara Falls on Thursday, which took a day out of our plans. It was the first time Frank and I had ever seen the Falls but Quint had been there before. We thought they were great. It was also the first time we had ever been in the U.S. We weren't so favorably impressed with it. We came over from Toronto by boat to Lewiston and from there to Niagara Falls by the Gorge Route so weren't on the Canadian Side at all. We were at the Exhibition three times, two theatres, and out at {illegible} besides down town and on several visits so we spent very little time sitting around. Rebecca proved to be a very entertaining person, and very good most of the time. Frank went down to church and Sunday school this morning and Harry Harding came back with him to dinner. I went for a walk back to the gully and around the farm and found it still all there. This after noon Dad. hooked up Joe and Ginger to the buggy and took Harry Harding for a long drive. Uncle Ward came over and stayed all the after noon. The Barwell family were in for about a minute. Dick slept all morning and went down to take some pictures with my camera this after noon. It was late when we got through to-night. It has been a lovely day, sunny but not hot.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Monday September 14th</p> <p>We didn't get out very early this morning. I disked all morning on the alsike stubble and Dad. &amp; Frank hauled rails with Joe &amp; Ginger. Huby and Tiddums cleaned up all the little sticks out of the barnyard with the wheelbarrow which Tiddums calls the auto. He is about the most comical looking thing imaginable now as he wears a little pair of blue overalls which Uncle Hall sent him and is never happy unless working at some thing. This after noon we hauled out eight loads of manure but the field isnt covered yet. Allan Law came over and borrowed the drill and the roller. Another nice cool but sunny day. If things keep on the way they are now it looks as if the war couldn't last much longer. The Germans (what are left of them) seem to be in full flight with the British &amp; French after them and the Russians haven't got started at them yet.</p> <p>Tuesday September 15th</p> <p>We hauled manure all day and got out 16 loads and the field covered. We got through about half past four or five and I disked till six. Huby didn't get over till late this morning a rat stole seven of his little chickens. Quint came over and put in a connection in the two water troughs for us and stayed till after dinner. Frank spent most of the day running messages as we expect to have the threshers here to-morrow morning. It won't take long though to thrash us out. Allan Law brought back our drill and roller. Warmer.</p> <p>Wednesday September 16th</p> <p>We got up early this morning and were getting thing's all prepared to thrash when about seven o'clock Allan Law came over to inform us that they had broken the {illegible} (what ever that is) off the engine and unless they could get one in Dover which was very unlikely they would have to go to Simcoe or telephone to Hamilton. They telephoned to Hamilton so won't be over here till to-morrow. The cream separator wouldn't work this morning. It went all right yesterday morning but last night it bucked and again this morning. They took it all apart both times and washed and could find nothing wrong with it but they couldn't get it to go. However to-night it went beautifully although they hadn't done anything to it. Huby came over good &amp; early and chopped wood all morning and this after noon He and Frank went back to see if they could fix the fence along the woods. They took the shotgun with them. Dad &amp; I worked on the land all day. I disked</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>and Dad. harrowed on the alsike stubble. Mrs. McBride was here all day. Dave Waddle &amp; a man named Hawkins drove over after dinner and had a little shooting. Sunny quite hot and flies very bad.</p> <p>Thursday September 17th</p> <p>The threshers arrived this morning but didn't get started quite early enough to finish before dinner, but it only took about half an hour after. We only had 145 bushels of oats, of course it was only off one field but we will have to be economical with them to make them last.There were 208 bushels of wheat or about 26 or 7 bushels to the acre, but it was a lovely sample and clean. Sam. Law said it was the best he had thrashed this year. Most of it around here is shrivelled. This afternoon I took the team and went out and disked on the buckwheat ground. The rest stayed up here to clean up around the barn. Dad. said Jonas came over about five o'clock after he had got dressed up from thrashing and he was crying like a baby. He poured forth an awful tale of woe to Dad. &amp; Huby saying that Myers was robbing him. He had just come and taken his canning factory ticket. I suppose Jonas owes Myers everything as he has been hiring men all summer for Jonas, but Jonas doesn't understand it. The flower show is on to-night and Jonas had taken a lot of vegetables down so Dad. told him to forget his troubles and go and take a prize on his onions, so about teatime he came across the fields in great excitement waving his hat and aparently as happy as a king and yelled over to them that he had got three first prizes on his onions and a second on his tomatoes. Enah and I drove down to-night to go to the show and Jonas was there to show us his prizewinning stuff. The also had an orchestra consisting of Sany Lawson, Chris Fairchilds and Frank Mar. George Thompson had his Victrola there. I don't know who was the proudest one there, Jonas, Sandy or George Thompson. Another hot day but cold at night</p> <p>Friday September 18th</p> <p>I disked all day to day on the buckwheat ground I got over the part I didn't get done yesterday lengthways this morning and over most of it crossways this afternoon. We want to sow it tomorrow if we can. Dad. went down this morning and got Sam Law's team Ben &amp; Ned. He told Dad. yesterday he could have them if he wanted them, so Dad. has been plowing all day. He had to quit though about five o'clock as the ground</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>was very hard and the shear dull. Frank did chores all morning and put fresh straw in the chicken house. This after noon he &amp; Huby cleaned up enough wheat to sow to-morrow and he harrowed over what Dad plowed when Dad. quit. Huby had to go down and insure Sam Law's furniture &amp; implements &amp; stock this morning. Pretty hot.</p> <p>Saturday September 19th</p> <p>We worked on the land all day and Dad. got the buckwheat stubble drilled and the ditches run out. I finished disking crossways and then hooked on to the harrows. I finished harrowing lengthways by noon and after dinner harrowed it over again after the drill. It was after six by the time Dad. got all the ditches run. I disked over what he plowed yesterday on the alsike stubble before I quit. Huby and Frank cleaned up a lot more wheat. Enah and Tiddums went down this after noon to Miss Battersby's sale but didn't buy anything but a five cent wash tub. She was going to bid on the cook stove but discovered the back was all out of it so didn't get it. It has been very hot again to-day and the flies very bad.</p> <p>Sunday September 20th</p> <p>Frank went to church and Sunday school, and was the sole representative of the family. We got up very late so I spent about half the forenoon doing chores and helping Dad. trim up some of the sheep. Dick and I went down to Quanbury's for a swim just before dinner, we needed one badly enough but the water wasn't as warm as I have felt it. This after noon Dad. Enah and Tiddums went for a drive down the lake shore. Frank went for a ride on his wheel Dick went down town and I fooled around here for awhile and then went down town to Hubys. Tonight I drove Enah down to church. Mr. Johnson was having service in Vittoria so Cousin Willie was in charge of things. He made a much better job of it than Mr. Johnson generally does. There was no service in either of the other churches as the preachers' are all taking their holidays, so we had a few outsiders with us. Lovely day but still pretty warm.</p> <p>Monday September 21st</p> <p>We got a good long day in on the land but the flies have been so bad and it was so hot that we couldn't go very fast. Frank went down and got Sam's team again and Dad. finished plowing. It was so hard that he didn't try to plow the headland along the lane. Frank took the</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>team back to-night. They want to use old Ned to-morrow so we won't be able to get them again. Dad. just wanted them till he finished plowing. I disked all day. Huby didn't get over till a little before noon but put in the after noon shovelling out ditches in the buckwheat ground.</p> <p>Tuesday September 22nd</p> <p>It has been very hot all day and the flies are enough to drive horses and men crazy we worked at the wheat ground and had it in fine shape by 3 P.M. and got the seed and drill out and several rounds by 4 O'Clock. Toby worked with me to help keep the drill from cloging with grass roots and it kept him busy in places we worked as long as we could see and got more than half the field in, but we Just got the drill and wagon put safely in and the horses in the barn when it began to sprinkle it has not rained very much yet, though there have been several sharp showers. I do hope it wont rain much till we get the field finished. Hattie and Tobe are printing photographs of the baby tonight. We got some great pictures. There were two fires to-night north.</p> <p>Wednesday September 23rd</p> <p>Although it rained pretty hard before we went to bed last night. It didnt rain much more and as a breeze sprang up soon after Dad. thought we might get the rest of the field in after all so we got up pretty early it began to rain again however just about seven and has kept it up off and on all day and shows no signs of letting up to-night. It is also quite a bit cooler. I read all morning and Frank &amp; Dad. worked around the house. This after noon I did a few chores and then started to fix a drawer so as to fit under one of the shelves in the pantry. Huby came over at noon and worked at flooring the old corn crib till about four when Dad. &amp; Frank drove down in the waggon to get some plank to rig up a pig pen in the barn and Huby went down with them. We also put rings in the pig's noses this morning. Three of the British cruisers are sunk</p> <p>Thursday September 24th</p> <p>We didn't get around very early this morning and Dad &amp; Frank worked till noon penning off the bay in the barn with the plankk they got yesterday. Huby helped them after he come. I spent most of the morning in the shop</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>experimenting with the old moulding planes which were in the tool chest. They work far better than I thought. After dinner we took seven of the biggest pigs out of the pen and put them over in the barn in the pen they made this morning. Dad. &amp; I each took a front leg and Huby took the hind legs and we just carried them that way They were just about all we could handle too. We rubbed each one with crude oil before putting them in as the lice were rather thick on them. Frank and Tiddums watched the caught ones while we were after another. Tiddums was a little afraid when they squealed but very much interested. Dick came over post haste after dinner to inform us that Vernon &amp; Rebecca came up to the Woodson's to-day, so Enah went over to see them. Vernon brought the baby up as she hasn't been able to eat or sleep well lately. They are going to be here till after Thanksgiving. Dad. spent the rest of the afternoon in fixing the pig pen so the four left could roost upstairs instead of the other half so as the old sow could use it. Huby &amp; Frank fanned wheat and I cut lawn. Mrs. McBride was here all day. Enah went down to "Pinafore" practice to-night &amp; Frank to confirmation class. It was cloudy most of the day &amp; cold, but we thought clear, but to-night it is very black &amp; sprinkling.</p> <p>Friday September 25th</p> <p>Huby and Quint came over this morning. Quint went back to the woods with his gun but I guess didn't get anything much Huby and Frank cleaned up more wheat. Dad. &amp; I put the drawer, we got fixed, on the pantry shelf for Enah and then we went to fix the hog pen some way diffrent and I dug a little more out at the side of the house. This after noon Dad. &amp; I finished drilling the alsike stubble, much to our surprise we found it drilled better that it did on Tuesday, and I think it will come on all right. Huby sawed wood nearly all the after noon and Frank &amp; Quint got the vise nearly ready to put on the bench Quint has made a beautiful job of it. There was a great old piece of oak out there which he used for one side and he is going to put a piece of iron on the bench for the other. Old Walker was over this morning to collect a little for his {wire?} and Mrs. Jack Martin came over to invite Dad. &amp; Enah to go to Simcoe with them to-night to a patriotic concert. They accepted and so Frank &amp; I are left alone to keep house which we have managed to do without waking up Tid. Win was over to tea. It has been pretty cool all day.</p> <p>Saturday September 26th</p> <p>Dad. went out this morning and harrowed over the sand knoll</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>which didnt cover very well. This after noon he ran the furrows and crossditches. Vernon brought Rebecca over this morning but they didn't stay very long. Tiddums tried his best to make friends with Rebecca but she wouldn't have anything whatever to do with him. Lila was over and we took Rebecca &amp; Tiddums out to show them the animals. Tid explained everything too her but she turned a deaf ear to him. Betty came over with Huby and Quint and went back with Vernon, who said if the roads didn't get better she couldn't bring the baby carriage over again. She started twice yesterday but couldnt make it. She didn't know about coming through Martin's. Lila went down to the Ryersies and spent the day. This after noon Huby, Quint, Frank, Billy Barwell and I went back to the woods. They had their guns but didn't shoot anything much. Quint shot a bittern which Frank brought home to eat and also a crow. Huby and I went over to John Wes's to take a look at his corn horse and he told us to take it home and use it as he has no corn to cut this year. He isn't through seeding yet. He and old Robert John were harrowing on a six acre field which if the weather permits he wants to get in on Monday. When we got back we fixed up the gap from the alsike field into the gully. Dad. was still running out furrows and Harry Harding was with him. He has to go back West on Wednesday although his mother isn't much better. Val. Laney came over this after noon to see Dad about something so as there wasn't much for Huby to do, he Quint Lila and Billy all jumped on Val's dray and rode home. I dug a little more before it was time to do chores. Enah took in the sale of Winkey Smith's stuff this after noon but the stove was too small for what she wanted, but Cousin Bessy told her that they had one for sale and wants Dad. to take a look at it. She bought a set of bedsprings. Frank and I drove down to-night as I needed a haircut and Frank had to get some groceries. We went around to Smith's to get the bedsprings but they weren't there so Effie told us that some fellow that lives in the brick house way up St. Patrick St. must have them as he had sent word that he had a set delivered to him which he didn't buy so Frank and I went up there and found the springs on the veranda and as there was no one home left word with the neighbour and carried them down to Huby's and put them in the woodshed. It was pretty late when we got home. Dick got home soon after with "Larned's History of the World" in five volumes &amp; a dandy big war map all of which he got for $1.98 and some cupons out of a newspaper. We got a letter last night from Aunty saying they all hoped to be home here about the end of October. It has been pretty sunny but a cold wind all day.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Sunday September 27th</p> <p>Frank went to Sunday school and church this morning and Dad. &amp; Enah drove down to church as it was Harvest Home and communion, I stayed home to look after Tiddums and had my hands full too after he got up. It was late when they got home as they went around to Cousin Bessy's to see the stove. They are satisfied with it and are going to bring it over and try it before they set on a price. This after noon Dad. put up the box stove in the hall as we were about frozen. Vernon. Rebecca and Betty were all over again this after noon. Dick went down town and Frank went back to the gully. Winnie came over too and stayed to tea. I walked down with her and went to church to-night. It was Harvest Home and we had saved a lot of nice wheat for their decorations and told Mr. Johnson about it, but he either forgot it or was too lazy to come after it so the pigs will get it. I went in to Huby's for awhile after church. Quint expects to go to Jarvis to-morrow to pick apples. Cold wind all day. It froze the night before las and looks &amp; feels as if it would go again to-night.</p> <p>Monday September 28th</p> <p>We got started as soon as possible down town this morning in the waggon to get the stove at Cousin Bessy's. Frank, Dad. &amp; I went down, we picked Huby up on the way and called around for Harry Harding, but he didn't seem to be home, so we took Dave Waddle who happened along instead. Bert Matthews was up there mixing mortar so we had lots of help. The stove seemed to be pretty badly cracked up but we brought it over. We had to stop in at Joe Howell's and get him to fix a piece of the base. We went around by Huby's and got the springs Enah bought at the sale. By the time we got home &amp; unloaded it was nearly noon. This after noon after we did a few odd jobs Frank and I started to cut corn. It was getting on to three when we started and we worked till a little after six but we got 20 shocks cut. It seems to be a little green yet and I had a lot of trouble getting bands that wouldn't break. Huby cleaned out ditches in the alsike stubble &amp; Dad. finished plowing out the ditches and started to plow the headland which was too hard before. There was quite a frost last night but it didnt seem to hurt anything. Quint left for Jarvis this morning to pick apples. Not so cold to-day.</p> <p>Tuesday September 29th</p> <p>Dad. got out good and early this morning and finished plowing the headland, he also rolled it, harrowed it and</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>drilled it, he says it will need rolling and harrowing again. The wheat on the buckwheat ground is up nicely now Frank and I got out about nine o'clock and finished cutting the row there were 13 more shocks in it. We didn't begin another as we didn't know whether it is quite ripe enough yet or not and thought we would leave it a day or two to see if more of it isn't glazed. We started to pull the two rows of beans then Frank got his row done by noon but I only got about half of mine done, however Frank finished it after dinner. This after noon Dad. Enah &amp; Tiddums lit out for Simcoe. Enah went up to attend the Deanery meeting and she stayed to come down by train to-night. Dad. brought Tid. home had his tea and has driven down again to Pinafore practice where he is to meet Enah. They have left Frank &amp; me in charge again with Tiddums asleep. We have just finished washing the dishes, Huby didn't come over till noon and he Frank and I hauled rails this afternoon, we only got up two loads as we had a few visitors Charlie Shand came in just after Dad left with his old dog who has a lump on its jaw about the size of a baseball. I told him to leave it till Dad came home and come after it to-night but when Dad. came home the old dog wouldn't let him touch him, however Mr Shand came in before tea and between them they managed to tie his mouth so that Dad. could jab his knife into it but I guess it didn't do much good so Mr. Shand took him home. To-night is the first night that Tiddums has waked up under Frank's &amp; my care but to-night he not only woke up and stayed awake but he howled as long &amp; loud as he could for "Daddy &amp; Momma. We tried several ways to pacify him and at last showed him his book and told him we would take him out and show him Tige, but Tige wasn't in the woodshed and it was took cold to take him outside. We then showed him Eaton's catalogue which has a picture of a marmit which Tid. calls Daddy. That pleased him for awhile and then we induced him to go into his carriage. Frank jiggled the carriage and I crouched in front of it to jump at him and keep in a good humor. The trouble with that was he got in such a good humor that he wouldnt go to sleep so I just jumped up when he showed signs of crying but I had to stay crouched in front on my hands &amp; knees where he couldnt see me as I was afraid if he saw me go way he would commence. However we were releived before very long by the folks arrival home. Cold to-night sunny all day.</p> <p>Wednesday September 30th</p> <p>Dad. went down to see Harry Harding off this morning and brought Huby back with him. He went around to see if he</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>could get old Maneer to come and fix the shed but the old coon wasn't home and whent Frank went down at noon they told him that "Pa was going to pick apples in the mornng" and so I suppose we can't get him. Frank and I milked and I had an awful time trying to milk John as her teats are so short. Heny Odd came over to see if he could borrow our hay rack. I told him he could and after breakfast we had to help him put off the load of oats which was on it. Whit Dixon &amp; Mr. Morgan were in on a little visit and Frank and I didn't get out till about {ink blot hiding writing} o'clock but we got twenty shocks cut before dinner. This afternoon we cut thirty more so got in a pretty fair day. Dad. spent most of the day fixing the well as the weight broke off the chain and he had to fish for it with grappling irons. Huby cut wood and helped him most of the after noon. Mrs. McBride was here washing all day. Nice day.</p> <p>Thursday October 1st</p> <p>Frank and I cut corn all morning and got on fairly well. Dad. came out for a few minutes and helped us with two or three shocks. Huby didn't get over till late and when he came he and Dad tended to a little dog which Tom Abbot brought here for vetinary treatment. This after noon Dad. Frank and I all went down to the Rural School Fair in the pavillion under the supervision of the Department of Agriculture. We thought it was fine. The exhibits consisted of poultry all Plymouth Rocks from eggs given to the schoolchildren, apples, corn, grain, potatoes and tomatoes. The boys showed samples of carpentry work which consisted chiefly of milk stools and hammer handles. The first prize milk stool which was made by Willie Nixon and hammer handle were beautifully made while the poorest ones looked as if the only tools employed in their manufacture had been an axe &amp; a jack knife. The girls showed cookery &amp; needlework which looked to me to be just as good as {ink blot hiding writing} could do. Winnie Wadle got first prize on her sewing. They also had collections of bags &amp; butterflys and also drawings &amp; compositions. I went down partly to see Mr. Wilson the District Representative but there was such a crowd there that I didn't get a chance. I wanted to ask him about his {baby?} beef competition. Huby spent the afternoon back in the gully putting in barricades for some little trees which we hope to plant next spring. To-night Dad. had to go down to a school board meeting. I guess they didn't do much but annoy old Stringer. There was also a Pinnafore practice, part of which Dad. took in, Frank went down to confirmation class. Weather has been very much the same. The days are sunny and nice but the nighs are very cold and as a rule there is a touch of frost.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Friday October 2nd</p> <p>Frank and I cut corn all day but didn't get on quite so fast for some reason. We had to take the horse up at noon and Frank put a new piece in its tail. We cut over as far as the potato patch and cut all the corn south of the potato patch so we are quite a bit more than half done the field. Huby and Dad. hauled manure all day on the oat stubble and to-night they have all the old faile which was under the alsike stack cleaned up. I walked down town to-night to get the mail I {ink blot but writing can be read under it} hung around up town for awhile and then went down to Hubys for another awhile. When I got home they told me my face was dirty. The above blot was caused by my lapsing into a dormant condition with my fountain pen in my hand and on awaking rubbing agains a big drop of ink which had run from the pen.</p> <p>Saturday October 3rd</p> <p>Frank and I cut corn all morning and got on fairly well. Huby and Dad. hauled manure. This after noon Frank went down to Will Bush's sale to bid on some apple crates but they went to high. Tom Abbot said you could have bought them full of apples for the same price anywhere else, eleven cents apiece I think. I didn't like to cut corn without Frank so Dad. Huby and I to say nothing of Tiddums who was least but not last in the game caught all the sheep and marked the ewes at least the old ones and trimmed them and as we had no place to dip them we mixed up a solution of genoleum and poured it down the middle of their backs from a beer bottle. We parted the wool and the stuff ran pretty well all over their bodies as it didn't soak in to the wool at all. These operations took up all the after noon. I drove Huby down to-night and got some provisions. It has been a very nice day and a lovely night.</p> <p>Sunday October 4th</p> <p>Enah and I drove down to church this morning. Frank went down to church and Sunday school and went down to Huby's for dinner and they all went up creek this afternoon after butternuts. Vernon and Rebecca came over to Martin's fence just after we got through dinner and Vernon wanted Dad. &amp; Enah to go down to the Woodson's this afternoon to see them as Mrs. Woodson got a little sore about them not coming. She also wanted Enah to formally invite her over here on Friday as Mrs. Woodson didn't like the idea of her coming without. Dad. Enah and Tiddums got all ready to go when Mr. &amp; Mrs. W.J. Thompson came in. They didn't stay very long so they went down Woodson's but Enah neglected</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>to invite Vernon as she wanted her to do so I don't know how it will pan out. I sat around and read and wrote to Aunty till it was time to do chores and fooled with the guitar all evening. It has been another lovely day. Quint came home last night and isn't going back right away to pick</p> <p>Monday October 5th</p> <p>Frank and I cut corn again all day and by to-night only had twentyone more shocks to cut. Huby and Dad. hauled manure all the after noon. Huby didn't get over till late and they had to fix the spreader a little this morning. The axle had slipped out of place. Misner the livery stable man was over this morning to get his horses teeth filed and Tupper came over after dinner to get Dad. to go over and look at his Clyde mare but as Dad. was all booked up he said he would wait till morning. Tupper was telling us a great way to cut short clover seed like ours in this year. He says if we cut it with the mower we can never gather it up with the rake but he says if we take the table canvas off the binder and set the reel low we can just take the heads off and when we get the table full we can rake them off. He was also talkin about tile drains. Bill told us there was no use trying to drain clay land with tile as the water wont go through it, but Tupper says that is only blue clay. This red clay he says is the best land for tile as they don't fill up like they do in the sand but it takes a year or two to get all the little pores and channels in the soil running to the tile established. The longer they are in the better they work. It has been much milder to-day and looks as if it might rain soon. Enah and Tiddums went down town this afternoon.</p> <p>Tuesday October 6th</p> <p>Frank and I finished cutting the corn about eleven o'clock amidst great rejoicings on our part. Quint came over this morning and told us Huby was doing insurance work for Ed Moon. He was to have come at noon but didn't appear. Dad. had to go over and see Tupper's mare so Quint rode over with him. When they got back Quint helped him pitch on three or four loads of manure. This afternoon Dad. &amp; I hauled manure and made quite a hole in the pile but neglected to keep track. Between loads I swept off the floor of the loft above the hog pen and moved all the old boxes &amp; coops that I had hens with chickens under up there and to-night Dad. helped me get the brooder up. Tiddums was out with us and would get right where if the brooder ever slipped it would fall on him and Dad. stepped on a hen that was roosting up there and when it squacked it scared poor Tiddums and he more than howled. The latest addition to his vocabulary is hammer pronounced</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>hamoure and ice, he saw Dad. cracking ice with the hammer the other day and has been commenting on the action ever since. He is also developing the typical and aparently inborn desire of young ones to play with the hammer. Frank found him in the chicken yard with it to-night but luckily he had not attacked the bee hive. Frank and Quint went for a tramp with the gun this after noon and got a lot of chestnuts I suppose at Charlie McQueens. The Jim Waddle family were in about five o'clock and as we hadn't got the mail yet, it was news when he told of a big snow storm out west two feet of snow in Calgary and McCloud and $35,000 worth of property destroyed in the shape of {garages?}. It has been much cooler and cloudy all day with rain but not much to-night. The wheat needs rain badly as it hasn't come up yet in the hard spots and on the headland which Dad. plowed last.</p> <p>Wednesday October 7th</p> <p>We hauled manure all day and to-night got the yard all cleaned up and the field a little more than covered. It is the first time we have had the yard cleaned right up since we have been here. Huby didnt come over till noon and then he brought Jimmy Rankin with him who proved very entertaining. Lila came over after school to stay all night but changed her mind when Huby went home and went with him. Alfred paid us a short visit this morning and also three dollars. Dad. bought a couple of roosters from him to kill for Thanksgiving as ours are not big enough so Frank went down and got them this after noon. This morning he took a walk down the road to see if he could see Hubys old turkey hen but Mr. Johnson picked him up by Art. Ryersie's and took him for a long ride down mud street and up the lake shore in his automobile. Frank didn't see the turkey hen but Mrs. Law told him it roosted right near their door every night and fed with the chicken in the mornings. Enah and Tiddums went down to the Woodson's this afternoon and Enah invited Vernon over here on Friday. Frank has been making arrangemens with Jonas to get Nellie to-morrow as he and Quint want to go after nuts. Poor old Jonas is having a bad time again with his "gitneys" and can't work very hard. It has been sunny and nice all day flies are bad.</p> <p>Thursday October 8th</p> <p>Frank got started this morning about half past seven with Nellie and the democrat to call for Quint and go after nuts. Lila went with them. Frank expected to get back soon after dinner, but they went all the way to Billington's after hazelnuts and didn't get back till after six. They got lots</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>of wallnuts, chestnuts and hazelnuts but hardly any butternuts or hickory nuts. About nine or a little after Dad and I got started in the waggon for Vittoria. We took the old ram home to Dunkin's and intended bringing the other one back. We also expected to be back by dinnertime but it was noon when we got there. Neither of the Dunkin's were home and the hired Englishman didn't know any more about anything than a hole in a stump. Mrs. Dunkin told us that Mr. Dunkin expected to be back by one, so Dad. and I hung around the barn for about an hour and a half. Dad. took a walk back the lane and saw the ewes and then I took a walk back and saw the two rams the old one and a lamb which I thought was a little beauty. There were three chestnut trees back there just loaded and the burrs were wide open so we got our pockets full of nuts. When I got up to the house Dad. had put the team in and was in the house having dinner so I went in, while we were eating Percy came home he had driven his sister to Simcoe to the teacher's convention. Dunkin himself was off performing bailiff's duties. Percy was rather provoked that no apples were picked as he evidently packs for the association up there and if they didn't get theirs packed to-day he wouldn't be able to do it. A Mr. Sharp came in to borrow their waggon to haul buckwheat but he said he would help pick apples till they got them picked but as he was anxious to get his buckwheat loaded before the dew fell Dad. told him that we could help pick till Dunkin came home. We just got out when Dunkin came so Dad. didn't pick very long only till Dunkin got his dinner. He didn't like to let us have the old ram unless we bought him as there was another fellow who was thinking of buying him and he would want him right away so of course he didn't want to lose the sale of him but Dunkin said we could have the lamb for twelve dollars and as he was a beauty way better than the old one we thought we would take him. I picked apples till they went back the lane got the ram brought him up and loaded him then about four o'clock Dad. and I got started for home. Dunkin gave me a watermelon just as I left. We would have been home about six but as we came past her place Mrs. Harry Moon hailed us and asked us to go down and see Jack Walker. He had been after Dad. all day to see one of his horses. We went down and found it was old Joe who had been sick since last night. Dad. was put out at him for not sending to Simcoe for someone instead of waiting so long but brought him home with us and turned him out and to-night gave him a ball. When we got home we found Enah and Huby beginning to get alarmed that none of the family had showed up. When they saw us coming up the road with</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>old Joe they thought Nellie had run away and we were leading her home. I guess poor old Nellie has forgotten long since how to run away but they thought something must have happened. However Frank got home about half an hour later and said everything was all right and after his little calling {illegible} recounted all his adventures. He had been in at Dunkin's just after we left and they gave him a lot of watermelons. Huby and Jimmy Rankin who has been over here all day affording endless amusement for Huby spent the day digging post holes in the gully and putting in rails for barricades of little trees. Dad. and I met the little tyke just in front of Martins tugging for all he was worth at Bluch who he had on a rope. Dad. asked him what he was going to do with him and Jimmy said he was going to bring him back in the morning. Dad thought he said back to the farm so told him to just let him go and he would follow. Jimmy had no difficulty in letting him go as Bluch recognised us and the team was just about pulling Jimmy with him. When we got home they told us that Jimmy had asked Enah if couldn't take Bluch home and bring him back in the morning and she told him he had better ask Huby so he went out and told Huby that Enah said it would be alright and he lit out with him. Eliza McBride was here washing this morning. Enah said about noon a couple of automobiles went past here so fast they couldn't count the people in them and Eliza surmised that it was Bessy Perry and Pat who were to have been married to-day. It has been a lovely day but hot looks rainy.</p> <p>Friday October 9th</p> <p>It rained quite a shower last night so we didn't do much to-day. Huby came over and went out and dug a bushel of potatoes for himself and then he and Dad. hauled up a few cornstalks in the waggon box to husk in the barn for the pigs. I started to make a rough plan of a signboard which we intend to tack on the corner out here stating that we have rams lambs for sale. I then went over and took a look at Jack Martin's big new chicken house which Art. Quanbury and Joe Fields are building. I wanted to see what kind of stuff they were using so that I would know what to get for my shed which I hope to build soon. Art. said Jack got a lot of siding that he didn't need and he thought I could get it from him. The rest of the building is all hemlock. This after noon Dad. and I figured out how much stuff I needed and we were going down town to haul it but it began to rain so didn't go. Dad. went down town later in the buggy and got the mail. He then got Vernon and Rebecca and brought them over. To-night we went down to meet Roy. I didn't wait at the station to see him but went up town for awhile to see Marj.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Clarke as I heard she was here. She came down to help Bessy get married. I stopped in at the bank on my way home and got my camera which Dick had. I then went down to Huby's and borrowed his boots to walk home in but it as it had rained quite a lot and looked as if it would rain quite a lot more. It proved to be an unnessary precaution however as Allan Law overtook me on Marshall's hill and drove me right around to the lane. They were all up when I got home. Cloudy wet and cold all day.</p> <p>Saturday October 10th</p> <p>As soon as we could get started this morning which was anything but early, we took the lumber waggon down and got a load of stuff from old Tommy to build the henhouse. It was mostly two by four hemlock for the frame and some cheap pine boards for sheeting. We brought Huby and Win over with us. Cousin Clare walked over so we had quite a dinner party. This after noon I took Joe and the buggy and went down and got Marj. to go for a drive in quest of chestnuts. We got up above Port Ryersie when it commenced to thunder, we thought it was a long way off and didn't pay much attention to it. We got up a little farther and found two or three trees loaded with chestnuts and the burs wide open so I got up one of the trees and although I could see it very black in the west I stayed till I shook off all the nuts. Marj. gathered them as fast as she could and I had got down and picked up a handfull or two when it commenced to rain. We hiked for the buggy but before I had the side curtains half on I was drenched. We drove as fast as possible up the road to the next house but the rain beat right in on us. However we managed to get under a driveway which leaked about as bad as the sky but there was no wind so Joe was content to stay there and we hiked for the house which belonged to the Mr. {Taar?}, who married Miss Dixon We waited there till the worst of the storm died down but as it didn't look as if it was going to stop altogether, we lit out for home which we reached soon after five. We didn't get nearly as many nuts as we might have but we had a very enjoyable experience. I don't know exactly what happened around here but I don't think anything in particular Roy and Vernon started for up the creek but the rain prevented them.</p> <p>Sunday October 11th</p> <p>We didn't do anything much this morning but sit around the house. Frank went to church and Sunday school. Roy &amp; Enah said they were going to church but it was about eleven before they started to get ready. Mrs. Woodson and Betty came</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>over and took Vernon and Rebecca down to see Miss. Dick spent the morning in bed and Dad. cleaned chickens. I went back to the gully and got Nellie for them to drive to church but when they decided not to go Dick took her and went down and brought Aunty Maude over to dinner. He then went and got Vernon who had been waiting at the Woodson's expecting them to go past to church. Then he and Dad. went down to the Lane's after the butter. Lila and Win. came over to dinner. This after noon I took five snapshots of the two babies together but I don't know whether they will be very successful as the sun wasn't very bright. Roy and Vernon went back the lane and then down to Mrs. Woodson's for tea. Dad. wrote to Aunty and then drove Aunty Maude home. I didn't do anything much but went down to church to-night. It has been sunny but windy and cool all day.</p> <p>Monday October 12th</p> <p>Frank got up this morning about five o'clock as he Quint &amp; Lila figured on making another nutting trip up to Billington's. He had to feed old Nellie and take her down to Jonas' to hook her to the democrat. I thought I might as well get up and ride down town with him. It was just seven o'clock when we got down there and I took a walk around by the station and found that Marj. was leaving so I said goodbye to her. I came up around by town and found Joe and Fatty Turner sitting on Anderson's steps waiting for the complement of their different parties to put in an appearance. They both had hunting coats on but Fatty only was armed with a shotgun. He was waiting for Billy Smith. Art. Smith evidently was expected but Fatty found him in bed when he called for him. Joe was very impatient as Hazel had promised to meet him at seven o'clock to go after chestnuts but hadn't showed up. He walked over as far as Hussy's corner with me grouching all the way. Huby came over but we didn't do much all day. Huby battoned up one of the doorways leading from the shop into the ice house and we expect to put some shelves in. We also got it figured out about where we want our henhouse lined to. Dick. and Dad. went back this morning and drove the cattle out of the back field and Dick went over to the woods where he says he saw a black squirrel. This being Thanksgiving day Dick had a holiday but had to go down and put the mail through or something. This banking is a dandy job alright. We had a late dinner and Roy and Vernon had to leave soon after for the station. Enah went down later to see them off and Huby, Tiddums, Dad. and I spent the remainder of the after noon separating the ewe lambs from the old ones. We put them in the field back of the orchard but the orchard fence was so bad</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>we were afraid they might break through so we took one of the rolls of wire which we got from old Walker and strung it along the inside of the orchard fence. Cold and raw day. The boys and Lila got lots of wallnuts but someone had picked most of the chestnuts.</p> <p>Tuesday October 13th</p> <p>It was rainy and cold this morning so we didn't get much done I sat around and read half the forenoon and then made a board to paint "Rams for sale" on. Alex. Jameson was in to look at them but he thought ten dollars too much to pay so Dad. didn't bother trying to sell him one Huby didn't come over till noon. Frank fixed up a lot of the old crates around the place so they would hold apples. Dad. husked corn out in the barn. This after noon we nailed the door on the west end of the big barn which blew off last winter. This was the first day of the Simcoe Fair and has been anything but nice weather.</p> <p>Wednesday October 14th</p> <p>Dad. went over to Uncle Ward's this morning to see if he could get him to put up a barrell of Spies as Aunty Alice wanted him to send a barrell out to Mr. Shera. Uncle Ward couldn't let him have them but he saw Art Quanbury on his way home and he told him they would put up the apples if he could get a barrell so Frank inquired at Bagley &amp; Miller's and found he could get a sugar barrell &amp; an oatmeal and as we want one to ship Roy's apples in, we are all fixed. I went over to Martin's and borrowed Art Quanbury's spirit level and Chris. asked Jack if he would sell the lumber that he got too much off and he said he would. When I got home I gave my signboard a coat of paint. Huby came over before Dad. came back and when he did we levelled up the two chicken houses and they look much better. This after noon we hooked up to the waggon and went out and hauled in five or six more shocks of unhusked corn. Huby stayed out and husked all the after noon. When Frank came home and shelled some hickory nuts he helped him. Dad. and I went over to Jack Martin's and got our lumber and piled it up over the old house. We then went out and got a load of rails. Tiddums went with us out there but didn't enjoy himself much as he couldn't sit on the seat while we were putting on the load. When we got them unloaded Dad. went out and got Huby with all the corn he had husked which was about four bushels. The five ewe lambs got out of their field to-day and got in with the rest of the bunch then they all got in on the wheat and couldn't be kept off. Mrs. McBride was here all day washing. I went down town after tea and got my films which weren't too bad. I called around by Huby's for a little while. The pesky German's seem to have had a little stroke of luck lately. They now have Antwerp and just about all of Belgium. Much milder to-day.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Thursday October 15th</p> <p>Dad. and I had intended going to Simcoe to-day to take in the last day of the fair but it looked so much like rain we didn't start and about nine o'clock it began to drizzle and kept it up all morning and was cloudy all the after noon. This morning I put another roost in the middle hen house so that I will have room enough to accomodate all the cockerels. Dad I think husked corn and Frank shelled nuts and cleaned some fish which Huby sent over last night. He didn't come over all day. This after noon we drove all the sheep in the barn and separated the five ewe lambs and left them in the barn for to-night as they had been in on the wheat and one looked a little bloated. About half past four Dad. hooked up and drove Enah and Tiddums down town to get the mail and some other things. Frank went back to the gully and I dug a little more in the patch at the side of the house. Frank attended confirmation class to-night. Dad. helped me and we got all the cockerels we could pick out.</p> <p>Friday October 16th</p> <p>It rained quite a lot last night and was rainy looking and muddy this morning so I drove Dick down to work. It drizzled most of the day so we couldn't do much outside. This morning we put ear labels in the nine lambs as we got a bunch yesterday from Hamilton. We had quite a time of it as it was hard to keep the inner &amp; outer skin of the ear opposite after the incision was made but Dad. got the harness punch and his nicking knife and we managed to get them all decorated. After that I spent most of the day making the letters on the signboard. I didn't have any paint but I marked them all out. Dad. &amp; Frank cleaned up the barn floor and Huby came over this after noon and they all cleaned up wheat. About five o'clock I drove Huby down and got the mail. I practiced on the guitar and drew to-night. Tiddums was sick after they went to bed to-night.</p> <p>Saturday October 17th</p> <p>I spent nearly all the morning painting my sign.I did it with just lampblack, boiled oil and turpentine and don't know whether it will prove satisfactory or not. Dad. and Frank took what wheat there was sacked up down to the mill and out of seventeen bags six of which were big ones they had 38 bushels and twenty odd lbs. and got $1.05 for it. Lila came over this morning but Huby didn't get over till noon. He is helping Aunty Maude houseclean. He Dad and I just got nicely started to clean up some more wheat when Bill Donald came in with the information that the gully fence along the road was flat and that all the cattle were out. He had driven them up this way so we just turned them into the barnyard. He said they had</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>been in Sam Law's wheat but Allan didn't know whose they were which seemed rather queer. Bill recognised them. The six calves Harry Dyer's cow and Jonas' heifer weren't with the bunch and I had to go over and head them into the gully from the road. I saw Charlie Quanbury just going out to his farm. He has bought Billy Louis' place this side of Shand's Schoolhouse and is going to raise truck. Dad. and Huby came back the lane with the shovel and some a posts and we got some more which we knew were in the woods and repaired the fence as well as possible by putting posts down about a foot and wiring the old broken off posts to them. Joe Fields came over this morning and borrowed their post auger again so we had to rely on the shovel to perform our operations and it was not very satisfactory. The gate was badly smashed too where they had run through. Somebody I suppose hunters take the wire off the gate and don't bother fixing it again so Dad. fixed it up and wired it solid this time. It was five o'clock when we got up but they fanned wheat for about half an hour. To-night Frank and I printed the pictures I took of the two babies on Sunday some of them were pretty good. Mrs. McBride was here cleaning to-day. Poor old Tid. had a pretty rough night of it last night. He was sick a lot and feels pretty tough to-day. Frank went down with Jonas this afternoon and got a couple of barrels at Bagley &amp; Miller's to pack apples in. It has been a lovely day to-day.</p> <p>Sunday October 18th</p> <p>This being Frank's birthday, he stayed home from Sunday school pricipally though because there wasn't any, this being children's day at church. Frank went to church and to his credit be it said he was the only member of the family who attended all day unless Dick went to-night. I sat around and read most of the morning. This after noon Dad. put the saddle on Joe for me and I had a very enjoyable ride out to see Pud. Smythe. He invited me to go to Simcoe to-morrow night to make inquiries about joining a Captain Simpson's company of the 39th. and I think I will go if I can as he says it is not composed of quite the same class of fellows as the other companys which I guess are pretty tough. If the rules are not too strict and the obligations too great I think I will join, as the Norfolk Rifles belongs to the department of Malitia and defence they wont have to be called out of Canada and if they are ever needed here I would want to be there anyway and so I might as well have a little training. Winnie was over for a little while this after noon and Tiddums was much better. It has been cloudy and cool all day inclined to drizzle this morning</p> <p>Monday October 19th</p> <p>First thing after breakfast I put the saddle on Joe and rode her down to be shod. Whit Dixon came in before I left and</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>took the Artful Dodger. Sam Jacques also came over to talk "Pinnafore" to Dad. Their books have come but it seems some English theatre has a royalty on them and won't alow it to be played in public, however I guess they are going on with it just the same. It was getting on to noon when I got home with Joe and I brought the whipple tree off the buggy home with me but when I got here discovered I had lost the little device off it I never dreampt of it coming off as we couldn't take it off when we tried. I had to walk all the way back to look for it. Chris. Quanbury joined me as far as his place and when I got to the bottom of the hill Carl Sovereign plodded up the middle of the road with me. I got all the way to Joe Howell's shop and found it about two feet away from where I started. This afternoon we cleaned up the rest of the wheat Dad. had taken one load down and had on I think 48 bus {bushels} and the last load had on 30 something I went down with him the last load and it was half past five when we got home, so I had to get ready. Dick came home just before six and he went up with me to Simcoe. We called in at Smythe's and left Joe there with and drove the rest of the way with Pud's old skate it took us about an hour to get to Simcoe. Pud and I went to the Armories but Dick went over to town and knocked around till we went home. We didn't sign up at all but fell in line with a bunch of beginners and had a little drill and the captain (which is the same fellow who brought his dead dog over here last summer) told us that we could come up as often as we liked and drill and we would be under no obligation till we signed up to go to camp for three years but we didn't have to do that till next June. He said they were going to fix a shooting gallery up in the Armories and also their rifle ranges down by their track and so soon would be having rifle practice. We left Simcoe at ten o'clock but it was twelve when Dick and I got home. Louise came down to-day and is going to stay awhile. Very nice day but a very heavy fog to-night.</p> <p>Tuesday October 20th</p> <p>It was six o'clock before I woke up this morning and then Dad. woke me He wanted to get off to Toronto but thought he wasn't going to make it at that time. But we persuaded him to shave and and I hiked out and hooked Joe up and by not eating anything he managed to get down in time to catch the train. Huby was down at the train but Dad. got right on to see what damage - a jar of cream had done - as we saw some of it on the robe and the bottom of the buggy so didn't see Huby. I drove around to the house and got him on there and brought him over. Frank and I spent most of the morning doing chores but Huby husked corn. We went out and helped him when we got through. Alex Jamison came in again to see about a ram and as Dad.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>wasn't here to beat down he gave us ten dollars and took old Greynose's lamb so we can now rub it into Dad. who seemed to think farm operations would come to a standstill if he left for half an hour but he couldn't sell old Alex a sheep when he was here before. Another fellow was in to-night to inquire about them but he didn't care about them being purebred and so didn't want to pay so much. Frank told him they could be registered but he said quite solemnly that it wouldn't do him any good if they were red breasted. We didn't know who he was. This after noon Frank hooked up Nellie and Enah Louise and Tiddums went for a drive. Huby and Frank picked apples for Roy while I gave my sign another coat of paint and then I helped them fill the barrel. We got some beautiful Seeps &amp; Spys and a few Canada Reds and what were left of the 20 oz Pippins. It was six o'clock before we we got the barrel filled so we had to leave it out there all night without any head on it. We didn't know exactly how to pack &amp; head them anyway. It was very late when we got through chores. Beautiful day. Sunny and mild.</p> <p>Wednesday October 21st</p> <p>The total results of our exertions to-day show, our advertisement hung out at the crossroads, a barrel of apples headed and a turnip pulled. After we got the morning chores done which was in pretty good time, Frank and I went out and tacked the signboard on the corner post of the cover field It was pretty well on the slant but I guess people can read it all right. Alfred was plowing in his wheat stubble and we had a short talk with him. We then went over and pulled a good sized turnip for dinner. Huby came over soon after we got in, with old Stringer's apple barrel press which Uncle Ward had lent him, and said Uncle Ward told him just how to head the barrel and that we could do it before dinner. However we worked for quite awhile at it and couldn't get the head in, it seemed too high for the barrel, so by dinner time we had come to the conclusion that the best course for us to pursue was to go down and get Uncle Ward and let him do it. Huby said he had to go down after dinner anyway so I drove him down got the mail and got Uncle Ward on my way home. After a lot of squeezing he managed to get the head in, but had to enlarge the wooden hoop and put it below the wire as the head was too big and spread the staves. I drove him home and took Tiddums with me. Frank and I drove down to the station to-night and Louise &amp; Enah stayed home. They all got home safely and Al. Faulkner drove them up to Huby's. I went around and saw them all but didn't stay at all. Dad.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>and Frank drove home with me as Dad. hadn't had his tea. It has been another lovely day. The quartette that left for the point Monday morning in {Faulmsbe's} new boat are all back again poorer than when they left. They got over all right and anchored behind some bluff Monday night and got up early yesterday morning to get started shooting. Cars Rankin and Charlie O'Lair were going down the beach and Bill Oakes &amp; George were going to stay with the boat. Bill had crawled up in the bow which was tightly enclosed and was have a smoke, when George who was near the engine lit a match for his pipe. There had been some gasoline leaking and the fumes immediately ignited and the gasoline which was under the false bottom of the boat caught and the consequence was that although they worked hard to save it George's dandy new launch burned to the waters edge and sank. They managed to save their guns and some of their clothing. Mrs. McBride was here washing all day and Cousin Clare was here to dinner.</p> <p>Thursday October 22nd</p> <p>We got a fairly good start this morning and Dad. started to plow the oat stubble. He thought he was going to have nice easy plowing but it turned over so waxy and stiff that the horse could hardly draw the plow through it. He had to quit once and get the other plow the mouldboard of which has more shape to it. Frank and I dug potatoes in the cornfield and got about ten rows dug, they were beauties, no small ones and no whoppers. Huby came over at noon and he and Frank finished digging them out there and piled them up. Dad. &amp; I took the team and waggon and took Roy's apples down and shipped them, we called in at Quanbury's and as they had the barrel all headed that Aunty Alice wanted to send to Mr. Shera, we took it too. We saw all the folks when we were down town. Dad. went out and got what corn we husked the other day. There was 19 1/2 bushels of potatoes of the patch out there. Enah and Louise drove Nellie down town to-day. Allan Law was in to-night inviting two of us over there to thrash to-morrow. It is a little colder to-night but has been a lovely day.</p> <p>Friday October 23rd</p> <p>Dad. and I got over to Sam's to thrash this morning soon after they got started I worked in the mow all day with Art Ryersie but there wasn't anything for Dad. to do this morning so he went home till after dinner. He then came back and helped some one-eyed guy who is staying at Bill Bush's in the straw which they put in a shed till they got it filled up and then they</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>started to put it in the barn and it was awful, you could hardly see across the barn, and it being alsike dust it was killing. The one eyed man who was in the straw gave out first and had to retire. I worked till I couldn't breathe and then I had to quit with the {chill?}. I went and sat by the engine till they quit which was pretty soon although they didn't get it all out. Dad. and I came right home. Aunty was over but went down with Huby. It was all I cared to do to get home and huddle up to the stove. I didn't do a chore. Dad. of course stared off with mentioning what a hot specimen I would be to go to the war if I couldn't stand a little dust but I told him it was just such mugs as me they ought to send, we're no good here and everybody concerned and the country would be much better off if they shipped us all over there and killed us off. Huby and Frank dug six rows of the potatoes in the old garden and got fifteen bushels. They sold another ram this morning to Nixon and Bawyer out at Renton. They took the little fellow. It has been another July day.</p> <p>Saturday October 24th</p> <p>Dad. took the team and rack town to Flemming's this morning as he thought they were going to thrash buckwheat out of the field but it began to rain soon after he left so they just thrashed the oats in the barn and finished about an hour or so after dinner. Frank and I didn't do anything much this morning on account of the rain. He husked some corn and I dug what potatoes were left in the garden here and I also drove Louise down to Huby's for dinner. This after noon Frank went and caught Nellie for Enah and then he and I went and dug the rest of the spuds in the old garden we got six more bushels so that altogether we now have 40 1/2 bushels. Several of the cattle got through the gully fence to-day and so Dad. had to go back and fix it. We got chores done early to-night for a change. A little colder wind to-day.</p> <p>Sunday October 25th</p> <p>Everybody except Dad. &amp; Tiddums went to church this morning even Dick broke into his Sunday timetable and got up to attend Frank went to Sunday school. Aunty came over with us to dinner and stayed all the after noon. After dinner Frank and I went down and joined Huby and Quint and the four of us sailed went up to Wealey's, Quint bought a dandy little strip built skiff with a sail and everything complete. We started to sail up there but found it would take too long tacking so Quint and I rowed up. We got our Ginseng plant and sailed back. It only took about half an hour and there wasn't much</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>wind either. It was nearly six when Frank and I got home so Dad. couldn't get off to church but he and Aunty walked down after tea and he went to see Aunty Alice &amp; Uncle Hal. Uncle Hal. gave me a great black snake skin to-day and Frank his best knife. He gave Quint his shotgun yesterday. It has been colder to-day although sunny and nice but raw breeze.</p> <p>Monday October 26th</p> <p>We didn't do anything much but chores this morning. Frank went over to Flemming's to see what they were going to do but found they wouldn't thrash to-day. We husked a little corn in the barn. This after noon Al. Faulkner drove Aunty Alice &amp; Uncle Hal over in his car. Huby came over with them but didn't stay. Frank went down with them to get the mail. I took the Ginseng root back to the woods and planted it. When Frank got home he and Dad. sawed up one of the old sleepers in the barnyard for the little stove. To-night Louise and I drove up to the Bawlby's where I left Louise as she is going to help them move into their new house. I went on in to Simcoe and to the Armories. We didn't have any drill to-night but the officer gave us musketry instruction. This was Lila's birthday. It has been cold &amp; windy all day and is freezing very hard to-night.</p> <p>Tuesday October 27th</p> <p>It was very late when we got out this morning and after breakfast Dad. &amp; I went out to inspect the oat stubble to see if it was frozen too hard to plow but we saw Allan Law up at the corner with his engine and he said Flemming was going to thrash to-day so Dad. came right home and got the team &amp; rack and went down. It froze very hard last night and seemed harder as it is the first frost this fall. The apples are all frozen on the trees and the ground is like a board. It hasn't thawed out all day to-day but isn't freezing so hard to-night although there is a cold wind from the west. I sawed wood most of the morning and Frank went out and covered the four piles of potatoes with earth although he said they weren't injured by the frost. The mangels were frozen in the ground but Mr. Flemming says if they are not touched till the frost goes out of them they will be all right. Dad. came home at noon and said they were shorthanded down at Flemming's so I had to go back with him. We finished up early. I pitched on all the after noon so didn't suffer from the dust any. I rode Joe down town after the mail to-night. The big spotted yearling jumped over the bars from the blue grass field to-night lit on his head and broke one of his horns and mabee worse.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Wednesday October 28th</p> <p>John Wess came over this morning to see if we could fix up the line fence a little as he wanted to turn his cattle in on his oat stubble. Dad. told him to turn in and let them break through if they wanted to, there was nothing there they could hurt. He and Frank went back and fixed the gully fence a little to keep our cattle in there. Frank and I husked a little corn this morning for the pigs and then I made a trough for the chickens and spent the morning fixing up the yards to keep the chickens inside and separate. This after noon Frank and I picked the Sprys. I picked and he sorted. I think the frost was all out of most of them so I guess they will be allright. It was too windy to pick but I put the ladder on the inside of the tree and got most of them although there is a lot of nice ones yet around the outside. There were about five bushels of good ones and three of frozen ones &amp; culls. Dad plowed all the after noon and said it went a little better but I guess it was pretty stiff. I went to Simcoe again to-night and had a little drill I drove Aunty home so went around by town. I saw Ed. Turner down there and asked him if he wanted to go up but he didn't to-night. While I was talking to him Andy Moore came along and he wanted to go up so I took him. I told him to be around at the stable about nine and I would drive him home but when I went down he had been there, paid for the horse and said he wasn't going back. I drove around by town and saw him and he said Tom Law was up there with his car, pickled, and he wanted Andy to drive him home so I came home alone. Milder to-day but very strong west wind. Very mild to-night and looks like rain.</p> <p>Thursday October 29th</p> <p>It rained during the night and all day, not hard but a steady fine rain. We couldn't do anything much outside but chores. Dad. went back this morning and fixed the gully fence where the cattle got into the west blue grass field and I cleaned out the cellar ready to put in the apples and roots. This after noon Dad. drove Uncle Hal. and Aunty Alice down to Huby's where they are going to stay for awhile. It was a miserable day to go out but Uncle Hal. was anxious to go. Dad. wanted to bring Huby back with him to help move the stove but he wasn't home so we moved the stove out of the woodshed into the kitchen by ourselves. We put the warming oven on this stove off Cousin Bessy's. When the cattle came up to-night they were all there but the three heifers. Dad. went back to the end of the lane but it was dark and we knew they must be out somewhere. He didn't milk the others</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Friday October 30th</p> <p>We didn't get out very early this morning Josh Varey came over and Dad. had to file his old horse's teeth off for him Huby came up the creek with Quint and then down here and he told me my sign had blown down at the corner so I had to go and fix it up. I cleaned up one of the chicken yards and then we all went out and pulled and topped the mangels and turnips. Dad went back and fixed the place where the heifers got out on the road and the rest of us husked a shock of corn, which we hauled up with us. This after noon Dad. &amp; I hauled in the roots and put them down cellar, there was scarcely a load of mangels but a good load of turnips. We then hauled up a load of rails. Huby &amp; Frank husked corn all the after noon. Jonas helped them for awhile. He is going to work out what he owes for pasture. Win came over after school and I drove Huby and her home and then got the mail. The Turks are now in on this War and have begun hostilities with Russia. They say it may lead to a holy war and all the Mohammedens side in with Turkey. It has been raw and mostly cloudy to-day with a couple of spits of rain. There were some very queer lights in the direct east this after noon. The looked something like the northern lights but were not colored. They looked more like rays from some huge light beneath the horizon.</p> <p>Saturday October 31st</p> <p>Dad. got right out after breakfast and plowed, he got in a pretty fair day. Huby came over and he, Frank, Jonas &amp; I husked corn all morning we got about a load husked. There is a lot of nubbins on it which we don't husk. This after noon we picked apples Dad. and Frank went down to Sam Law's with the waggon and borrowed a ladder and then went out and picked up the corn and brought it in and Dad. went on plowing. He gave Jonas a tree of {Sleks?} and told him he could have them if he would help us pick ours, but he picked his own this after noon. We were just picking {sleks?} as there are some beauties and bushels of them. We just picked the biggest ones and when we got a tree done it could hardly be told that we had been it it. We will shake the rest down for cider. To-night Frank went down to the picture show and I went down with him and got the mail and some provisions. I forgot all about it being Hallowe'en till I heard the school bell ringing when on my way down but the town was full of dressed up girls &amp; noisy boys. It has been a lovely day sunny &amp; bright but rather windy.</p> <p>Sunday November 1st</p> <p>Frank went down to Sunday school and Dad. and I drove down to church. Enah had a headache so didn't go. After</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>{Repeat of previous page}.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>church Dad. drove Aunty up to the cemetry and Frank and I went down to Huby's and waited till they got back. We went down and helped Quint pull his new boat out of the creek and turned it over on the bank to see if we could find out here it leaked and we found three or four spots were the strips were punky. Quint was disappointed as he thought she was all sound. This after noon Dad. and Enah drove out to see Mrs. Jim Waddle who is going to the hopspital to-morrow. Winnifred had the chickenpox so they didn't stay long with the baby. They came home around by the Shand's but Charlie was the only one home there. Dad. says somebody has been playing Hallowe'en tricks on the side road and have ripped the bars down going into the woods and strung them halfway across the road. Ed. came over soon after they left and he. Marion and I took a walk back the lane. We happened to see Snowdrop out on the road so had to go and put her in. Frank spent the afternoon back in the gully and surrounding country. Dick spent the morning in bed and after dinner after we had a little football match and nearly broke all the windows around the place, he went down town where he spent the after noon, evening and part of the night, he likely went to church. It has been a lovely day but looked very rainy to-night.</p> <p>Monday November 2nd</p> <p>Poor Frank started back to school this morning, he didn't say anything but I don't think the prospect was very cheering. Dad. plowed all day and has the field half done to-night. Huby came over and sawed wood till I got the chores all done and then we went back to the gully to see if we could find any weak spots in the fence but it seemed all right. Snowdrop got out at the edge of the culvert and we blocked a post up there with stone as well as we could. We then went up the road to fix up some Hallowe'en pranks. They had taken the old post by the bars going into the woods and pulled it and the wire halfway across the road and had Sam Law's gate and another big one and our bars all scattered around. They had had a fence built right across the road but someone had taken it down to get past. When we got through there we went up through the woods and were just going up the lane when we heard turkeys way up Ivey's gully. We thought we had better go up and drive ours home if they were there but we tramped all over the gully &amp; woods and didn't see or hear a thing more of them. Huby had the shotgun and a chicken hawk flew over us so Huby shot him. He fell on his back and lay there. We thought shurely he was a goner but old Nig went prowling around and he got up and flew away. Huby took another shot and he swerved but kept right on flying and lit on the side hill. We went over to</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>him there and raised again. Huby put a black powder shell in and took a crack at him and this time knocked a bunch of feathers out of his back. He first flew a little farther and dropped. When we got up to him he was sufficiently dead for us to finish the job with a club. After dinner Huby picked apples and I sorted them and carried them down cellar. We now have all the boxes we can find around the place filled with Seeks or Spys and will have to put what few russets we get on the floor. I went down to the corner to see if I could find any trace of my sighn. The Hallowe'en fellows ripped it down and took it away some place. Charlie Quanbury said he saw it down in the bank window but Dick didn't know anything about it. I went up to Simcoe to-night. I called for Ed. Turner but he changed his mind about going to-night but said he would accompany me next Monday. I then Called for Pud. Smythe but he had gone. We had company drill up there to-night. There was a class for any who wanted to stay afterwards to study for N.C.O's. but as it meant four nights a week for three or four weeks I didn't stay. The Daughters of the Empire were giving the fellows who are leaving for the front a supper. It was cloudy all day but turned out a beautiful night.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>DIARY. 1914</p> <p>T.B. Barrett.</p> <p>Port Dover, Ontario.</p> <p>The Farmer</p> <pre> {descending triangle of straight lines} </pre> <p>From November 31st 1914 to December 31st 1914</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Tuesday November 3rd 1914.</p> <p>It rained most of the morning so we didn't do much outside. I drove the boys down to the school and the bank and when I got back Tom Abbot had his horse in the drivehouse and he was in the house getting warm and waiting for the rain to let up. When he left I went out and cleaned out the horse stable and then Dad. &amp; I oiled the buggy and put on the other whipple tree. Jonas came over and got Nellie with a view to taking the rest of his apples home. We saw Art Quanbury prowling around over by Martin's gully so we went over to see what they were all doing thinking we might get Joe Fields to help me build the new hen house. He said they were all busy but I might get Henry Odd who left Saturday. Art. went to take the old hen home that was sitting under the willow tree and discovered she had just hatched out five chicks so he stuffed them all in his pocket and took them over. Dad. plowed all the after noon. I drove down to town to see Henry. and found him working up at Jim. Caley's new house. I told him what I wanted and he told me he would see me to-night that the job he was at was too hard. I went down to-night and got my hair cut and saw him and he said he would be over Thursday morning. I went down to Huby's for a little while and it was fairly late when I got home. Huby came over this after noon and cleaned up the chicken yard. It has been a lovely after noon and night</p> <p>Wednesday November 4th</p> <p>Dad. got out early this morning to plow and got a good day in. Jonas came over fairly early to help as he is going to try and work out what he owes us for pasture He picked a few more russets first but couldn't get many then he cleaned up the garden. The cabbages all seem to have wilted and have no heads so he just piled them out behind the shop. Huby came over later and he and I sorted the russets and put them down cellar then carried all the apples beets &amp; carrots down. This after noon Jonas didn't come over and we suppose he went to a sale. Huby and I husked corn but didn't get much done. I had to quit early to get off to Simcoe to-night. I drove Win up. She wanted to p a visit to Norah Cunningham. I left her there and when I got through drilling we went down to the moving picture show Norah had sprained her ankle and hadn't been able to get out. Aunty came over to dinner and went down with me to-night. She took Tiddums out to the cornfield where he seemed greatly pleased to find Huby and called him by name for the first time. He is learning to talk quickly. Mrs McBride was here all day washing. Cloudy and showery this after noon but a lovely night. It seems to be a sort of second spring. Several people have found ripe raspberries and Dad is plowing under barley {illegible} in head and An old guinea hen hatched out then young ones to-day.</p> <p>Thursday November 5th</p> <p>Henry Auld. came over this morning and I have put in most of the day helping him. We had to quit once or twice for rain and it took us quite awhile to get the sills laid so by to-night we had about half at the front</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>and back studding up. Henry quit early to pick some apples. He wanted some Tolman Sweets and as we had quite a lot we don't want we told him he could have them. Dad. plowed nearly all day but got the field finished all but runnng the cross ditches. Jim Bush is plowing up the gull for Jack and I guess is having quite a time of it. This was Aunty Alice's birthday and Aunty has been up visiting her all day. Enah and Tiddums went down to see her this after noon and we were going down after tea but it was so wet we didn't go I went to bed about eight o'clock. Frank went down to confirmation class and to call on Jonas who fell down cellar this morning and hurt himself. I guess he thinks he is about killed. It has been a miserable day. Cloudy and cold and wet. Aunty has sent Tiddums a dandy doll she made out of corn husks.</p> <p>Friday November 6th</p> <p>Right after breakfast this morning Frank and I drove down in the lumber waggon and got some more nails and scantling, we also took what apples Henry had picked down to him. Frank went on to school when he got the stuff for me. Henry and I worked all day at the henhouse and have the frame all up and the back siding on. Dad. hauled in the corn that was husked and some rails and ran out the ditches in the field he just plowed. This after noon he plowed the garden. He hauled the waggon in the orchard to fill with apples to take up to Walker Waddles to-morrow. Frank was down at Jonas's for a long time to-night visiting him. He seems greatly stuck on him. Jonas says he has broken a rib and seems to be trying to make himself believe he is killed. It has been a rather decent day not so cold as yesterday.</p> <p>Saturday November 7th</p> <p>Henry was over at half past six this morning and put what he could of the sheeting on but discovered that there was only about half enough so Dad. &amp; I drove down in the rack after breakfast to get some but both Tommy &amp; the Widespread were all out of it but expected some in a day or two. We tried at Jack. Martin's to see if he had any he could let us have but they were waiting for it too. We got some roofing paper and nail and got Huby's two cider kegs and came home rather disgusted as it was a fine day to put on the roofing and we didn't know when there will be another like it. Henry picked a few apples for himself and cut the boards for the front cornice. Dad. &amp; I hauled in some cornstalks before dinner This after noon Dad. &amp; Frank took the load of apples that Frank picked up this morning up to Walker Waddles and got our barrel and Huby's 2 kegs filled. They didn't get back till about five. Henry and I were all the after noon puting siding on the end of the old chicken house and it has improved the appearance of it 100%. Henry left his tools here and said he would come back when the lumber came if he wasn't busy. He only charged me $3.75 for all he has done and then told me not to pay him now and he has made a fine job so far. Marsh from up the Gravel Road was in this morning to look at the rams but didn't buy on account of the price. It has been another lovely day sunny &amp; mild.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Sunday November 8th</p> <p>It rained all morning and part of the after noon but Dad. and Frank drove down to church. Aunty came back with them and she and I walked down to church to-night. I went down to Hubys for about an hour after church. Huby was playing solitare much to Aunty's sorrow and the worst of it was Aunty Alice would show him a move occasionally. Huby gave me some cider and handed me a large piece of plaster which he told me was Scotch shortbread. Before I knew what I was doing I had my mouth full of it. This after noon Dick went down town and Frank back to the gully. I sat around and read and drew. It had cleared off and was a beautiful night to-night but was freezing hard when I came home.</p> <p>Monday November 9th</p> <p>We didn't get started very early this morning and Dad. and I spent most of the day working with the potatoes. We sorted the two pits in the field and got quite a few frozen ones and some which were not frozen but still rotting. We sacked them up and this after noon we hauled them in and Dad. took 6 bushels down to Huby. Tupper came in and borrowed our waggon box to take his seed to Hagersville. To-night I went to Simcoe. I called for Ed Turner but he was tired and didn't go. After drill Captain Simpson told us we would have to sign up now. He told me I was under no obligations as if I had a good excuse I needn't go to camp and could resign if I wanted to. In case of Canada being invaded I could be turned out for six or eighteen months service but I in that case I would go anyway so I swore obedience &amp; fidelity to His Majesty and signed up with C Company.</p> <p>Tuesday November 10th It has been a rotten day to-day cold, windy, cloudy &amp; wet. It snowed a little but rained mostly. Dad. &amp; I put off the load of cornstalks which was on the waggon and then went out and husked a shock and divided three or four unhusked shocks so that we could load them on the waggon. We then took the rack out and with the aid of a sling rope put on nearly a whole row of unhusked shocks. This after noon we did chores and stretched a bit of poultry wire around the old calves' pen in the barn and to-night caught what single comb roosters we could find and an old black hen and confined them in their death cell as we are going to eat them when we get hungry. Frank says he thinks our lumber has come. Quint &amp; Bill got back from the Point.</p> <p>Wednesday November 11th</p> <p>We didn't do much but chores to-day it has been cloudy and threatening all day. We unloaded the load of cornstalks which was on the waggon and and husked a little corn for the pigs. Dad. killed a couple of chickens and Sid. McBride and an agent came in representing {Gumas?} limited. They were here a long time and went away with a ten dollar order for beef scrap and hog meal. Tupper brought the wagon back. I didn't intend to go to Simcoe to-night it looked so stormy but Dick came home to go with me so we went and although it was dark and sprinkled a little it wasn't a bad night. I got my uniform to-night. Mrs. McBride was here all day.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Thursday November 12th</p> <p>Did chores and husked corn all morning. This after noon Dick and I drove to Simcoe. Dick got his photograph taken at Moores and I took a lot of harness up to Church's to be fixed. Dick and hung around town till most of it was done, shot two or three games of pool with Dick, first games I ever played, didn't do so badly considering. I had to leave a bridle up there, we left Simcoe about six so it was fairly late when I had my tea. Cloudy most of the day and inclined to be rainy but not cold. Dad started to plow the plum orchard this after noon, awful job. Young Snider from down Jaw lake bought Dad's ram lamb to-day.</p> <p>Friday November 13th</p> <p>It rained a good part of the morning and I drove the boys down to the bank &amp; school. During the morning a terrific wind came up and lifted the top of the straw stack and flopped it between the stack and barn. Dad. &amp; I discovered that Charlotte's heifer was under it but we could hear her lowing. It took us quite awhile to dig her out but she didn't seem any the worse she was up agains the stack so the big weight wasn't on her. Dad. &amp; I went down town before dinner and got our lumber at Tommy's. This after noon Dad. plowed in the plum orchard and I did chores and husked a little corn. It was cloudy windy and rather cold this after noon with occasional spits of sharp rain.</p> <p>Saturday November 14th</p> <p>I spent the morning doing chores. Frank helped me husk some corn for the pigs and then went down town after some jars Harry Dyer came after his cow and calf. This after noon Frank &amp; I sorted out another pit of potatoes and found a lot of rotten ones. We husked a little more corn. Frank went back to the gully and found Snowdrop in Sam. Law's wheat so brought her up. The others were all right. Dad. got in a full day and finished the plum orchard. He hauled in the potatoes we sorted to-night. After tea he &amp; Frank killed and dressed a couple of roosters. Aunty, Aunty Alice &amp; Lila were over for a little while this after noon. Sunny but cold east wind.</p> <p>Sunday November 15th</p> <p>It rained steadily all day so none of us went down town but sat around and read. Enah and I had a piano &amp; horn concert this after noon. Dick didn't come home last night so we don't know what happened to him nor any of the news. Very windy night.</p> <p>Monday November 16th</p> <p>Dad. &amp; I took the plow and waggon back over the gully this morning and loaded up a load of rails of John Wess' line. He came over and said he would bring his engine over and buzz them up for us when we got them all hauled. Dad. started to plow the old alsike stubble and took in a land or so of the bluegrass field to plow off the little gully. He plowed all the afternoon and got a good start made. I did chores most of the after noon but went back and put on another load of rails for Dad. to haul up to-night.To-night I went down to a surprise party at Billy Boughner's which Elva and the sewing club got up. Had a great time. Bill Buck came and borrowed the hay rack to haul a load of boxes from Simcoe. It has been very cold and windy all day and is freezing hard to-night.</p> <p>Tuesday November 17th</p> <p>It was frozen up solid this morning and very cold and windy so Dad didn't take the team out although he thought he could have plowed in the sod. He killed and plucked a couple of chickens and I went back to John Wess' to see his cement fence post mould. I was over there quite awhile. Didn't do anything much this after noon. Dad. went down to Sam Law's and got our turkeys and I went over to Jack Martin's to see if he wanted to buy my roosters. He said he would come over soon to look at them. Dad. &amp; Frank wemt down town as Uncle Hall wasn't so well to-day.</p> <p>Wednesday November 18th</p> <p>Huby came over this morning and we hauled a load of hay over from the big barn to the other and put it over the bull pen. We then went out and divided all the big shocks of corn in one row and hauled them in this after noon. Quint came over to tea and he and I drove to Simcoe to-night. Quint went over to the armories and but didn't drill. We got home about twelve. Aunty was over here all the after noon and is going to stay awhile. Mrs. McBride was here all day. Cold &amp; windy.</p> <p>Thursday November 19th</p> <p>Dad. &amp; I unloaded the load of corn this morning and Huby came over and he &amp; I went out and divided another lot of big shocks</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>so we could put them on the waggon. We hauled in another row before dinner. I just about froze and felt a little sick at noon so didn't do anything for awhile after dinner till Dad. &amp; Huby husked some corn then we put the load off and got another load in without dividing them. Enah, Aunty and Tiddums all went down town this after noon. It has been thawing all day but a very cold raw wind and before dinner we had a short but fierce snow storm.</p> <p>Friday November 20th</p> <p>We intended to haul in the rest of the cornstalks to-day but Henry Auld came over about nine o'clock so I had to help him. It was pretty cold so we didn't try to put the roofing on but we got the sheeting and front on. Huby came over about noon and he and Dad. husked corn and did chores. About five o'clock Mully rather unexpectedly presented us with a heifer calf althoug we discovered that it was just due instead of being a month early as Dad. supposed. It is a dandy and clear red except for a white tip on its tail which Huby says will be a fine landmark if Bluch doesn't bite it off. That makes six head of cattle that I now own. It has been sunny to-day but didn't thaw at all and there was a cold west wind.</p> <p>Saturday November 21st</p> <p>Henry came over again this morning and made the rfames for the front of the henhouse and this after noon we put the roofing on. It was pretty cold and we had to heat the tar so it would run. Dad. Frank and I hauled cornstalks this morning. We got them all in in two loads and got the last load after dinner. We had to leave one shock in the middle of a water hole as it was frozen solid. Henry only charged me seven dollars for all his work</p> <p>Thursday December 3rd</p> <p>It is nearly two weeks since I last wrote in this but this is first day I have been at all in the mood to write as I have been laid up with the "Yaller Janders" and have felt pretty rotten although spending only one entire day in bed. I am not yet able to do anything outside although I feel ever so much better. Frank and Dad. have had a pretty rough time of it and haven't been able till to-day to get a thing done but chores although the frost went out early last week and all the other farmers</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>field. He took the waggon back with him at noon and Frank and I went back and filled it with rails and Dad. hauled it up to-night. I spent the whole morning and what time I had this after noon in cleaning up the chicken yard and houses and putting fresh straw in. I got it pretty well fixed up. Frank did most of the chores and Dad. cut his hair to-night. Enah sold one of the young gobblers to-night to Will McNeily. Cloudy and windy to-day but not very cold.</p> <p>Sunday December 6th</p> <p>Aunty &amp; Frank went down to Sunday School and Dick and I joined them at church. This after noon Frank &amp; I did up most of the chores and Dad. drove Aunty Alice up to the cemetry. Enah took Frank's and my picture. To-night Frank is to be confirmed and Dad. Enah &amp; Aunty have all gone down to church and Aunty Alice and I are looking after the house. It froze a little last night but hasn't been cold to-day.</p> <p>Monday December 7th</p> <p>Huby came over to-day and has been ditching in the back field all day. Dad. finished the piece he was at and got a good start on the bluegrass side hill. I did chores all day it takes so long to husk corn enough for the pigs that I don't get time to do anything else, although I did go over and see Brierly to ask him about feeding beef scrap. He told me to mix it with rolled oats and feed in a hopper. Jack said he was coming over to-day to look at the roosters but he didn't come. Mr. Morgan came over before dinner and stayed most of the after noon. I ordered a pecan tree from him. Quint came over to tea to-night and he and I went to Simcoe. I was very much behind as I missed all the rifle drill last week. We went out on a march way down to Yager's place Dad is in a great figit to-night as he was summoned to appear as a jury man and he thinks Court sits to-morrow but he lost the notice and neglected to write and ask if he wasn't exempt as he is {US?}</p> <p>Tuesday December 8th</p> <p>Dad was very wrathy this morning as I found out in Simcoe last night that the best thing for him to do was to turn up at the court house to-morrow and Cousin Willie told him this morning the same thing. He telephoned to Kelly and found out that he had to be there by one o'clock so he went up but he managed to get off as he is a Vet. It would have been a great day to plow. Huby ditched all day and I didn't do a pesky thing but chores principally husk corn for the pigs. Mr. Flemming came over and said he was going to thrash to-morrow but said he could get along if it would have to stop Dad. from plowing or if I didn't feel well enough to work in the dust but Dad. went over to-night to Quanbury's to telephone to Billy Lewis as he said he would give us a hand when we wanted him. Cloudy and windy but not very cold.</p> <p>Wednesday December 9th</p> <p>It snowed during the night and has been snowing &amp; blowing all day but not very cold. Dad. helped me husk corn this morning but plowed all the after noon. Both Tupper &amp; John Wess told him they were going to give him some help if it stays open. They say plowing under an inch or two of snow is as good as a coat of manure and that is what Dad is doing. This after noon I hooked up Nellie to the democrat and drove Aunty Alice down town I went around by the mill to get a couple of bags of oats rolled fror the chickens but they were to light so I got them chopped and rolled and bought some rolled oats. I also got a bag of flour and took it down to the Belgian Relief house. We got home about five o'clock.</p> <p>Thursday December 10th</p> <p>Dad. plowed all day and Tupper sent his man over this after noon so they got quite a chunk done.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>I did chores and this morning built a hopper in the chicken shed and filled it with twenty five lbs of rolled oats and three or four lbs of beef scrap and they seemed very greedy for it. Enah drove down town this morning and brought Cousin Clare over. She was here all day. There was an extra drill on to-night for the recruits but it was so late when we got through that I didn't go up.</p> <p>Friday December 11th</p> <p>Dad. got in a full day again to-day. I went back for awhile this morning and this after noon I hooked up Nellie to the democrat and drove Aunty Alice over to Mrs. Cooke's and went around by Tupper's and borrowed Charlie Butler's side hill plow, Dad. says it saves a lot of carrying furrows but is very awkward and it is impossible to do a nice job with it, what bothers him most is seeing the furrow go to the left. Sunny day.</p> <p>Saturday December 12th</p> <p>Dad. plowed all day again and John Wess came over and helped him all day so they got on fine. I did chores and putterd around. Frank went down with Nellie and the democrat and got the box which Cousin Lizzie Hyde sent to us it contained a lot of old family treasures of Fa's older brother. There was a pair of old hosllers, an old sword, a revolver of ancient patteen an old portable desk with some old papers and photographs in it some old silverware and a few books and papers. Huby &amp; Lila came over with Frank and Huby husked corn all the after noon. I got four eggs yesterday which is the most I have got yet but none at all to day. Not so sunny but not cold.</p> <p>Sunday December 13th</p> <p>Auntie and Frank went down to Sunday school and Enah drove down to church. This after noon Aunty and I drove out to the Smythe's. To-night I walked down to church and Aunty &amp; Aunty Alice went down to Huby's as Aunty Alice wants to be down there to-morrow to get ready for her trip to Ingersoll to see Uncle Hal's sister. Dad. went down to Alfred's to-night and found Blaikie down there so had quite a long visit. It has been snowing pretty much all day. It was coming down very thickly this after noon and evening and when I came home it was very soft, the water was dripping into the cistern.</p> <p>Monday December 14th</p> <p>When we got up this morning we found it had turned much colder and quite strong wind had got up. The wind kept up all day and was terrific to-night and it was also very cold but sunny and freezing very hard to-night. Dad. &amp; I went back this morning and chased the horses all up and put them in the barnyard. We put Ginger in but the others stayed out all night. We took Charlie Butler's side hill plow and put it through the fence on to the road and then came up and hooked up the team to the bob sleighs and to it home to Tuppers and on our way back got our own plow and took it up. This after noon we did chores principally. Blaike came in to tea. Quint came over to go to Simcoe with me but it was so windy &amp; cold we didn't go. I went down town with him after tea and we were both glad we decided not to go. We went up to Tip's and I bought myself a pretty nice overcoat for $13.00. I hung around town awhile and went down to Huby's for a little while.</p> <p>Tuesday December 15th</p> <p>We did chores principally to-day and I shovelled</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>some snow. We were going to haul a load of rails up this after noon but Huby came over to tell Dad. that the township council was meeting this after noon and Hammond sent word over for Dad. to come down and see about his taxes so Dad. went but found it was the same mistake in the assement which the town council was going to rectify but he saw the asessor and had the pleasure of telling him what he thought of him. When he came home Jack Martin came over to look at the roosters and said he could pick twenty out of this lot. Froze hard all day but wind not so strong.</p> <p>Wednesday December 16th</p> <p>Dad. and I hooked up to the bob-sleighs before dinner and hauled up a load of rails. After dinner we went down to the mill and got a couple of hundred of oat chop for the pigs. Then I filled up the three days' accumulation of manure in the horse stable into the bob-sleigs and Dad hauled it over to the potato pit. When he came up we hauled the manure spreader from the shed at the cow stable over to the shed at the big barn. We did chores early and I went to Simcoe to-night Quint didn't come over so I went alone. We had a good drill after which I went over to the rink for a minute or two they have started skating up there. Mrs. McBride was here all day. Not quite as cold or windy to-day.</p> <p>Thursday December 17th</p> <p>Dad. and I went back to John Wess' line and got another load of rails this morning. We didn't do anything much but chores this after noon. Aunty was over to dinner but went back again. Dick told us that Dave. Waddle would be over in the morning to butcher hogs. Much milder to-day &amp; sunny but still freezing. The German's bombarded two or three towns on the English coast.</p> <p>Friday December 18th</p> <p>Dave Waddle &amp; Powell McIntosh came over this morning about ten o'clock armed with a rifle and numerous pig killing utensils We let the pigs out of the pen two at a time and Dave shot them &amp; stuck them. He only had to shoot one twice. They had the whole four all dressed by twelve o'clock and wouldn't stay to dinner nor take any pay. Sid. McBride came in as they left and I paid him for the chicken feed. We then measured the fence along the road and Dad. orderd 120 rods of fence from him. This after noon we hooked up to the waggon and Dad. Frank and I went down with Huby's pig. It was the biggest and dressed 120 lbs. Very much milder to-day and nice out.</p> <p>Saturday December 19th</p> <p>It was snowing hard when we got up this morning and there was quite a wind. It was very soft and hasn't frozen all day but is freezing to-night. We moved the calf this morning from the horse stable over to the barn and put the colts in. We also cleaned out the rooster's pen. Chris told me he was coming over to get some of them this morning. He didn't come till to-night and as it was getting dusk he only picked out 16! This after noon we hooked up Joe &amp; Ginger to the bob sleighs and the whole family went down town. We left Tiddum's in Aunty's care at Hubys and Aunty Alice who got back on the noon train went up with us. Dad. went in to Moses' and got measured for a suit which Dick is going to have made for him Aunty supplying the stuff. He then went down and cut up Huby's pig for him while Frank and I brought the team home.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Sunday December 20th</p> <p>Daddy &amp; Frank went down to communion at eight o'clock this morning and Frank stayed down to Sunday school and the later service. I didn't go to church at all to-day. About twelve o'clock Dad. hooked up Joe &amp; Ginger to the bob sleighs and drove down and brought over Cousin Clare, Aunty &amp; Aunty Alice to dinner in honor of Tiddum's second anniversary birthday. Dad. drove Aunty Alice &amp; Cousin Claire home before tea and Aunty stayed here to mind Tiddums while Dad. &amp; Enah went down to the Methodist church to hear Nell. Smith sing a solo. Beautiful day, sunny &amp; mild.</p> <p>Monday December 21st</p> <p>It snowed a lot more during the night and it was very wet and heavy but there was quite a cold wind all day and it dried out. I drove the boys down this morning in the bob sleighs and got a couple of bags of chop at the mill for the pigs. Later Dad &amp; I drove down in the cutter and took Aunty down. Dad. went around to see Niel Elliot to see what he would give for Charlotte who is nearly a new milk cow; but Niel wasn't in town but Joe Long said he would tell him. This after noon Dad. cut up a couple of the pigs and I shaved and got ready to go to Simcoe to-night. Dick &amp; Quint came over to tea and we all three went up but it made things pretty crowed in the cutter and consequently cold and heavy pulling. Dick went over to the rink and skated all evening and I drilled. Quint went on a fruitless task somewhere in the country in quest of a ferret and Dick and I hung around the barn till nearlyy twelve o'clock and we didn't get home till after one.</p> <p>Tuesday December 22nd</p> <p>We did chores all morning and Dad. cut up the other pig. This afternoon we hooked up to the bob sleighs and drove down and Dad. brought Aunty &amp; Aunty Alice over but I stayed up town got my hair cut and walked home. Frank got out of school at recess to-day for the holidays. He has gone down to the picture show to-night. There has been a very cold wind all day and is freezing hard to-night.</p> <p>Wednesday December 23rd</p> <p>Dad. &amp; Frank went back this morning and got a load of rails and also cut a lot of green poplar sticks out of the woods I spent the morning tacking cotton in one of my chicken frames. This after noon Dad. &amp; Enah drove out to see Mrs. Jim. Waddle who is very ill and not expected to live long. Mrs McBride was here all day. To-night I drove to to Simcoe alone. We didn't have a long drill as it was so near Christmas so I got home before the family had retired. Windy all day. Cold &amp; still to-night. Frank spent the after noon getting a little Christmas tree for Tiddums.</p> <p>Thursday December 24th</p> <p>I drove Aunty down town this morning in the bob sleighs and got 6.00 of chop at the mill. This after noon Dad. dressed a turkey for to-morrow's dinner and I did chores principally. Winny &amp; Lila came over this after noon with the mail and stayed to tea. To-night Dad. walked down to get his hair cut and Frank and I hooked up the team later to the bob sleigh and took Win. &amp; Lila down I waited around in the bobs till the Woodstock train came in and then drove Dick, Ferdy who came to spend the holidays with Dick, Dad &amp; Frank home. Cloudy &amp; rather cold.</p> <p>Friday December 25th</p> <p>This being Christmas Day we didn't try to get any more work than was absolutely necessary done. Aunty Alice looked after Tiddums while all the rest of us went down to church Enah got word last night from Harry Moon that Topsy wouldn't be here so she had to play the organ which was rather strenuous as she hasn't had any practice with the choir. Dick &amp; Ferdy spent the after noon at the Dyer's and didn't show up till five o'clock when we had dinner. After church we went around by Huby's and got all of that family but Quint who was hunting but who showed up before dinner. Aunty</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Maude didn't feel very well but managed to get over Dad. drove them all back again to-night. In the after noon we had a little tree for Tiddums and Huby was Santa Claus. Nobody got or gave any presents (which was arranged beforehand) but Tiddums &amp; Lila. Aunty Alice did get us boys some socks etc. but said they weren't Christmas presents. Quint, Tiddums &amp; I went to sleep to-night in the dining room and the rest of the family played "Pit" in the kitchen. Ferdy &amp; Dick went down town after dinner and didnt get back till late when it was discovered that Ferdy's ear was frozen. Beautiful day. Clear and frosty but sunny.</p> <p>Saturday December 26th</p> <p>I did chores principally to-day and Dad &amp; Frank cut down the old snow apple tree in the orchard. Ferdy got up about noon and he had an ear on him as big as a turnip and a great big blister on it. Dad opened it and found it was so badly frozen that poor Ferdy had to stay in the house all day. I guess it was pretty slow but a half-starved Englishman drifted in here looking for work and entertained him while he was getting warm and eating enough to do him as he said himself till tomorrow morning. Aunty went down town and told us when she came home that some farmer had telephoned in to say this englishman we are sure left him and stole all there was in the house. Dick came home to tea but had to go back again. Huby &amp; Quint came over after tea to catch the little pigeons for a match but could only get two as they roosted so high up in the barn. They came in and played "Pit" with us for quite awhile. They say it was down to 20° below zero last night but has been a beautiful sunny, still but frosty day. Snowed a little this afternoon.</p> <p>Sunday December 27th</p> <p>We didn't get up till late this morning so Dad. &amp; I didn't get to church at all. Aunty walked down to Sunday School and I drove Enah and Frank down to church. Dad. drove after them at noon. Dick &amp; Ferdy spent the morning in bed and the after noon and evening down town. I fooled around and did chores all the afternoon. Not so cold to-day but windy &amp; cloudy.</p> <p>Monday December 28th</p> <p>We got a late start again this morning. Dad. &amp; Frank went back to the woods and got some more poplar poles. I went over to Jack Martin's and settled up with him. He gave me a check for $79.00. Neil Elliott came to look at Charlotte but didn't want to give $60.00 for so Dad. thought he would keep her and veal her calf and make enough out of the cream all winter to pay for keeping her although she isn't a very heavy milker. This after noon Dad. intended to go down to Nomination but Tom told us this morning that Mr. Lemon's funeral was this after noon at two o'clock. Right after dinner I drove Enah and Ferdy down town and when I got back Dad. took Joe to go to the funeral but Tom had been here and said he had been mistaken and it was at one o'clock so Dad met them at the Winding Hill and went to the cemetery with them and brought Enah and Tiddums home with him from town. To-night Dad. Frank and I went down to town nomination but there was no fun Vyse was the only speaker to amount to anything and will probably go in again by acclaimation. He brought up one little incident of a private nature to spite L.G. Morgan for the articles appearing in the "Maple Leaf" last summer but Murray got up and took {Leny's?} part and explained the case satisfactorily. Milder</p> <p>Tuesday December 29th</p> <p>We did chores this morning and this after noon I drove Aunty &amp; Aunty Alice down town in the bob-sleigh. They are going to stay down for awhile to call. Ferdy &amp; Frank went back to the woods</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>with the shotgun, axe &amp; rifle and chopped down a few trees and shot a few stumps. To-night I went down town thinking there was a band meeting but nobody showed up. Nice day.</p> <p>Wednesday December 30th</p> <p>I went down town this morning to see if I could get Joe shod but Joe Howell's shop was full till noon but I took her down this after noon and got her in Ferdy &amp; Frank went down with me and Frank got the saws from Chris Fairchilds which I took down yesterday to be sharpened and Ferdy stayed down for awhile. While I was at the shop a wedding {illegible} went past which which turned out to be Jean Davis. Quint came over to tea and we went to Simcoe to-night. Quint went to skate and I to drill. There was no light at the armories so they took us out for a couple of miles march and gave us some formations on the march. After this Quint and I went in to the "Reformer" shop to see Karl. who showed us all about his wonderful Linotype machine. Mrs. Jim. Waddle died this afternoon. Nice day and lovely night.</p> <p>Thursday December 31st</p> <p>I didn't do anything but chores all day and this after noon I shaved. Dad. Ferdy and Frank went back to the woods and got a load of poles. This after noon Ferdy &amp; Frank went down town and Ferdy showed Frank through the mill Ferdy stayed down to tea somewhere. Tonight I went down to a dance which the "Everready Sewing Club" got up for the relief of the Belgium's. There was a big crowd there and altogether they took in fifty four dollars and fifty cents which was clear as they got everything free. I had a dandy time and danced every dance I could get. I was dancing when the clock struck twelve and Anno Domini One Thousand nine hundred and fourteen was not more than history.</p> </div> transcribed https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/2ec1494bf0b5e6604180e5be7bb49cbf.pdf c949edd07f5058fab477f5f9bc51fccc PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. {Blank Front Cover Inside page on the left} {Right side page} DIARY. 1915 T.B.Barrett, Port Dover, Ontario. The Farm From January 1st 1915 to December 31st 1915. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/386a95eb794297f88bfa030495166992.pdf e88c48211d812d09ebecd6621270cdee PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Friday January 1st 1915 When The New Year came in all of us who were dancing joined hands in a circle and sang "Should Auld Aquaintance be forgot", after which we had refreshments and danced for a couple of more hours. Ferdy didn't dance but was down there till the last and I suppose saw one of the girls home. He, Dick and I met at the bank and got home a little before three and turned in a half an hour later. After a few hours slumber I got up and did chores for the rest of the day. This evening I distressed Aunty Alice by sitting around and not going to bed and pleased Aunty by sitting up till nearly eleven o'clock and repeating the first canto of "The Lady of the Lake" off by heart. Charlie Teeple was in this morning and spoke as if Jim Waddle rather wanted to see Dad. so he and Enah drove out there this after noon. They want Dad. for one of the bearers. Dick and Ferdy stayed in bed till noon and spent the after noon and evening down town. Not cold all day turning very windy & stormy to-night. Saturday January 2nd It snowed and blew all night and has kept it up all day to-day so all the roads & tracks are drifted full but except for the wind it has not been very cold. I drove https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/88536facce84829ece96f3a8069e4d5c.pdf 1b4a593123579d28a4cdebff0928c96e PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Aunty Alice and Dick down town this morning in the bob sleighs and came home by the mill and got some chop Aunty Alice had to go down to the dentist's and stayed down to dinner. This after noon Dad. & I drove out to Mrs. Waddle's funeral, he was a bearer so I drove up to the cemetry to bring him home. We didn't know when we started but we had to go up to St. John's. Dad. & I both got our feet pretty cold. We came home around by town and brought Aunty Alice home. She got five new fake teeth. Sunday January 3nd We were too late this morning for Aunty or Frank to get to Sunday school although it was Aunty's birthday but I drove Enah, Aunty & Frank down to church in the bob sleighs and drove down again to bring them home. Winnie & Lila came over to dinner. This after noon Frank, Lila & I went back to the gully to try the tobaggan that Ferdy & Frank made yesterday out of a cheese box. It worked fine and went over the drifts beautifully. I lay down on it once to go down and when I came to the bottom of the hill it stopped and I slid ahead and banged my head. Dick and Ferdy didn't get up till noon and after dinner went down town. It has been a beautifully bright day with not a breath of wind. Rather cold this morning but milder to-night. Monday January 4th Frank stayed home from school to-day to see the last of the hogs. It took us quite awhile to get the waggon box rigged to hold them but with plank and stakes managed to make a satisfactory rack. We had no trouble in loading them as the whole seven ran right in to root in the fresh oat straw which was in the bottom, but they were very troublesome to unload. Neil weighed them. Dad. hoped Ed. would be there but he was up town electioneering but I guess Neil gave him good weight. They just weighed 1250 lbs and as the price has gone up to $7.40 percent. Dad. got a little over $92.00 out of them. We came around by Huby's on our way home and got a load of shingles for kindling. We boys and Fa. stored them away down there in the woodshed when they shingled the house. Hammond was in this morning to urge Dad. to go out and vote for him this after noon and take old Jonas with him so he did drive out to Wiggin's. He took Enah and Tiddums as far as the Shand's and left them while he & Jonas went on out to vote. Tom came back with the car while he was gone and said if he thought Dad. would vote for Hammond he'd quit hauling his cream. Frank and I did chores and unloaded the shingles. The two Miss Hardings came over this after noon but nobody was home as Aunty & Aunty Alice went down to Huby's before dinner and are https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/be927ae1306386be94adb7f889064ced.pdf e904080d5a2bc0ed297526ef4376dca8 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. not coming back before they go to Toronto. To-night I hooked up Joe and Belle to the bobsleighs and took a bunch to Simcoe to see the hockey match between Simcoe & Welland. Dad. went down with me to see how the election went and learned to his satisfaction that Wm. Walker beat Vyse by 31 of a majority and Hammond beat Baughner by 240. The only town councillors that qualified were Wms. Laing & Caley so they will have to have another nomination. They defeated Local Option in Simcoe on an even vote by a majority of fiftynine. I got Quint in down at the house and the rest of the load which Dick had invited were waiting at the Dyer's. They consisted of Dess & Fraser Dyer, Rachel Henry and May Rankin. Dick and Ferdy. Cars. Rankin came home with us. They all went over to the rink right away but Quint and I went to the Armories and Quint went later to the rink. They had no lights again to-night so we had a short drill in the street. Thern I went over to the match. They had only been playing ten minutes when I got there and the score was one in favor of Simcoe. It was a good game and there were very few penalties handout but a lot of offsides but it wound up with a score of five to four in favor of Welland. The girls in our bunch had attracted two Simcoe fellows, Charlie Barker & Sam Hasley and after the match we all went over to the Battersby House to get warm and cut up over there for half an hour or so except Ferdy and Cars. who went over to the quick lunch as they hadn't had any supper. It was a junior O.H.A. match to-night but Cars. didn't play. I guess he doesn't know whether he is on the team or not yet. He has had a room up there at the Melbourne ever since the season opened trying out for it. We had a lovely drive home. It was a little misty but frosty and bright moonlight. I dare say we left in our wake a good many suddenly awakened farmers. Joe and Belle made a very suitable team for although I didn't go at all furiously they slid along at a good steady trot without any urging. Faulkner passed us going up with a load of eighteen all men or boys. Herb Lowril took another cargo of the same kind up. We got home about one. It has been a very nice day sunny and mild. Tuesday January 5th Frank went back to school this morning and Ferdy who for the first time nearly since he has been here got up about ten o'clock and had breakfast and spent the rest of the day down town saying goodbye. He went down to Huby's about two o'clock to say goodbye down there and had his dinner. This after noon Dad. Enah Tiddums and I drove down in the bob sleighs to say goodbye to Aunty and Aunty Alice who went to-night to Toronto https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/c1a349e10eb0e0914007b3530ef89dfe.pdf 478dfdac84632393bfbf3d1816496839 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. to stay with Roy and Vernon for awhile. Dad. settled up with his creditors and bought me a new pair of shoes and overshoes at Andrew's without telling me. Andrew seemed very cheerful and didn't mention election. Dad. got a postcard to-night he is sure it was from Ed. with a little verse on it applying to Vyse It's a long way to the old farm / Good-bye Council Chamber It's a long way to go / Farewell Andrew dear It's a long way to the old farm / It's a long, long way to the old farm Where I have got to go / And my heart's not there. Misner was in this morning to have Dad. look at a horse and said Old Stringer had had his cutter out yesterday to get Ellis Ryersie to vote and had broken it, so Dad's conjectures were evidently right. Last night on his way home he saw somebody drive very carelessly around Geordie Long's corner at the top of the hill and up towards Vyse's where they went in. He heard the driver yell at Vyse and he thought the voice sounded like Old Stringer's. When Vyse came to the door Old Stringer asked him if he had won and Vyse answered very gruffly for him in the negative. It has been a beautiful day sunny & mild. Wednesday January 6th Dick drove Ferdy to Simcoe this morning so that he could catch a 10.45 train at the Air Line station. I think they took Dess. Dyer up with them and Dick didn't get back till after twelve. We did nothing but chores to-day. Mrs. McBride was here washing all day. Frank went over to a Sunday school entertainment after school and stayed to tea. Enah was to have gone down but it was to bad a night. It has rained nearly all day and our January thaw has set in. Thursday January 7th This was Dick's birthday but we didn't celebrate it in any way and postponed it until Sunday. We did chores all morning and Dad. helped me clean the straw out of the chicken shed as the water ran in last night and flooded it. Allan Law came over and borrowed our bob sleighs to take their seed to Green in Simcoe as Fess isn't buying this year. This after noon Dad. and I drove down town and Dad. told Toty Smith he didn't want to qualify again for school trustee. Frank went over to John Wess' to-night canvassing for subscriptions to "The Farmer's Advocate" but didn't get any. He had a long and amusing conversation with old Mrs. Watson. There has been an awful wind all day and it has been freezing. According to the papers the Germans will soon be starving. The French are making great progress in upper Alsapce and the Russians are trimoving the Turks in great shake. The British took the capital of German East Africa the other day and the British and French are trying to force their way into the Dardanelles but the Turks have sunk a lot of old ships in the straits laden with stone and earth which for the present holds them. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/1cb9cbe66022ef07e25ab0c0744339ce.pdf 39df5c66f17ea269bdab99f5f3011d6a PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Friday January 8th When Allan Law brought our <s>waggon</s> sleighs back this morning Dad. got him to go up to Duncan's and get us a load of the rails he bought from Duncan last Spring, he didn't like to sell a load as there is only about another load up there but as we can't get back over the plowing to get any wood he said he wouldn't see us stuck so I went up and helped him put on a load. We got back a little before noon. This after noon Dad. Enah and Tiddums drove down town and I went skating for a little while. The pond is a glace of ice all over except around the edge which is all water there being only about three places connecting the land with the ice but it is inclined to be rough. Sunny but cold with a little wind. Saturday January 9th Dad. drove Dick down this morning and went in to ask Hec' Henderson if Neil Elliott wanted to buy Charlotte as Dad. didn't tell him positively whether he would sell her or not the other day but just as he got home Neil and his man drove in and they not only bought Charlotte and her calf for fiftysix dollars but gave us seven for Joe Lamb and took him with them. Frank Dad. & I went down right away with Charlotte. I drove ahead with the calf in the cutter and the others followed. We went up town and Dad. cashed his check and got his new suit at the tailor's. After dinner Dad. Enah and Tiddums drove down town and got Dick some birthday presents. Frank went back to the woods and cut down some more trees. I cleaned the straw out of the hen houses and put fresh in. Bob. Ellis was in before tea representing Tyler's tea Company of London and left a couple tins here. I don't think he would have if he had been anybody else. Poor old Bob. he looks rather seedy. He has been working down at Tom Fearge's all fall. Cloudy and mild. Sunday January 10th We were late this morning so Frank was the only one who went to church. Dad. and I got the chores pretty well done up and we had an early dinner and celebrated Dick's birthday. This after noon Dad. Enah. Tiddums and I went out to the Shand's and were out there all the after noon. Winnie & Lila came over just as we were starting off and so had to go back Frank and Dick were skating on the pond all the after noon I think. Tonight I walked down to church. All Huby's family including Huby himself were in church and I went around afterward to see them, but Huby had gone around to see Jim Greenbury so I missed him. I wanted to say goodbye to Quint especially as Jack Herring has got him a job in one of his <s>woollen</s> cotton mills in New Bedford and Quint is leaving on Tuesday moring so if he takes the job and stays I won't seem him again maybe for a couple of years. Nice day to-day. Not very sunny but mild. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/ff587b0a259ee3ffee5513ac2f9deda0.pdf d2876b90eac8c446535e586da8ed37a4 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Monday, January 11th We were all up pretty early this morning as Toby had to leave for Guelph at 6-30. I drove him down and we got there in time, but he had very little time to get his ticket, the train was moving out when he came out of the station. I drove round by Huberts to get him but he was not ready so I had to go in and wait for him. Lila came over with us, she and Frank had a holiday as Mr Smith had gone to Toronto to attend Birdie's wedding. Frank and Hubert went back to the woods and worked there all day. I worked around the place. It began snowing about 3 O'Clock and I drove Hattie down to Mrs H. Cooks to get measured for her dress. Lila has gone down to get the mail and post a letter and just got back in time to go with us. Quintin came over in the evening to say goodbye, he leaves D.V. in the morning for New Bedford. He, Hubert and Lila went home before tea, after tea I fell asleep as usual. When Dick came home he asked me to call him at 6 he wanted to go down and see Quint off I gave the Windmill a good oiling. It has been a lovely day, very mild and did not storm much. Tuesday January 12th I jumped out of bed this morning owing to some crazy dream I suppose and thought it was 6-50, but when I struck a match and looked at the clock I found it was only 4-40 so I went back to bed and stayed there nearly an hour. I called Dick and Frank at 6 and they got up and went to see Quintin off. Hubert did not come over with them as he thought it looked like rain but said he would come if it cleared off. I let Frank stay home from school as they might work in the woods together but Hubert never showed up all day and old Frank worked alone. I cleaned out all the hen houses and hog pen, killed 6 roosters and Mrs McBride cleaned them. It has been colder today with a high N.E. wind but it has been thawing all day. Dick came home to tea tonight and had gone to a dance and will be tired out. It is terribly lonely and only two days gone. I am nearly asleep now. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/7250e701dcc36b3e4e78c034b4816108.pdf cd7be536d23666bba0735abef17c8556 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Wednesday, January 13th We were not up so early this morning. Hubert did not get over till nearly noon. Frank and I fixed a fence for the steer we are trying to fatten and Hubert helped us move him, after dinner Hubert and Frank went back to the woods. I did up all the chores, it has been a lovely day, quite a strong wind. Thursday, January 14th Hubert and Frank worked all day in the bush and got a pretty good day in, I did considerable fixing up at difficult things cow stable and rocking chairs etc. Harry Ausley drove his new horse over just as I was busy with the evening chores and it made me late. Has been a lovely mild day, barely freezing in the shade. Friday, January 15th Hubert got over this morning about 9.30 and he and Frank went to the woods, after I did all the morning chores I went to the mill with Joe and the cutter and got 200$ chop $1.75 per {cent?}. The boys took their lunch to the woods with them so Hattie, Sunny Jim and I had a rather lonesome dinner. Hattie started for town about 3 O'Clock to mail a letter to Tobe and to get the mail. We did hope for a letter from Toby but none came. Hattie took the baby down in his carriage but brought him home in a grand red sleigh that his grand-dady made him it is a beauty. I went back to the woods and brought up a load but it is quite bare on the ploughed land we cant haul much till we get more snow. It has been a beautiful day more like Spring than mid-winter. I got 4 eggs today. Saturday, January 16th As soon as we had everything fed this morning Frank and I cut up the load of green wood I hauled yesterday. Hubert did not get over until after 11 O'Clock, he sawed up a lot of rails. Frank carried all the wood we cut into the woodshed, he and Hubert worked at it nearly all the afternoon, quit in time to husk some corn. I worked at the chores. It has been another lovely day. Frank and I had a bath tonight. Hattie had a long letter from Toby and we all knocked off work to hear it. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/d5c1d2521cdc9115bd7ecdbfd29fc6db.pdf 71697b3c3a78e89a39f080cb3eedfa59 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Sunday, January 17th It rained last night and was very dark this morning I thought our trip to the Shands was off, but it turned out a beautiful day and we all left in the bob-sleigh soon after 12, the sleighing was not too bad. We drove Joe and Belle. We did not have dinner till 2 O'Clock. Mr and Mrs Harvey Shand and Charlie were over, Flossie and Willie had to stay with Mrs Nixon. We had a very nice day and did not get started for home till 5 O'Clock. We all got home safely but had a little mix up putting the horses away, Frank was doing up Belle and I did Joe, and through some mistake Joe's line was left fastened to Belle's bridle with the result that as soon as the stable door was opened Joe jumbed in as she always does and would have taken poor Belle's head with her if the bridle and bit had not broken. Old Sunny Jim had the time of his life prowled all over the house and they just let him go, he was very good and a great nights sleep. The sleighing was almost completely gone when we came home. It has been just like a march day. Dick went to church this evening Monday, January 18th I was up early this morning and wrote Toby a short letter, Frank got up and helped me do some of the chores before he went to school. Mrs McBride came quite early for her, we did not expect her until tomorrow. Hubert did not get over till nearly noon, he told us that poor old T. L. Gillies dropped dead in his lumber yard about 10 O'Clock. I cleaned the straw out of one end of the chicken shed as it was pretty wet. Hubert husked corn all the afternoon. Frank went down with him this evening as he had forgotten the paper. They have all gone to bed now and I must go too. It snowed quite a lot this morning and several times through the day it was very wet almost rain, I think it is getting colder tonight. I got 10 eggs today. Tuesday, January 19th Hubert did not come over at all today, he had some insurance to look after. Frank went to school. I did up the chores and we had an early dinner https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/4c8fbd3d012370e2b4cf0b3be5967e3e.pdf 931c06b44321254fcc693e9a1f5a05c7 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. as soon after as possible I drove Hattie and baby down to Mrs Herb Cooks, left them there and went on down town and mailed a letter to the girls, came back got Hattie and baby and went out to the Waddles, Jim was in Simcoe so I did not see him. The sleighing is splendid not it snowed a lot last night and it was a wet heavy snow and stuck in spite of the wind. After tea Frank and I drove out to the H. Shands and did not get home till midnight. Colin was there and we had a great talk. It has been a fine day. Wednesday, January 20th Hubert got over about noon today. After dinner I drove him down to Art Ryerses, he wanted to see Art about the insurance on the new school, but he had gone to T. L. Gillies funeral. We then went a got a load of wood and were back at 3 O'Clock so I went after another load and Hubert stayed and sawed up rails. Dick came home for tea and we had it early and he started for Simcoe to see a Hockey game. Hubert stayed to tea and drove down with him. It is now after 10 O'Clock and he is not home yet. it has been a lovely day. I had a long letter from Toby and Frank and I wrote him tonight. Thursday, January 21st Nothing of importance was on today. I did not get up till nearly 7 O'Clock. I waited up for Dick last night and it was almost 2 O'Clock when he and I went to bed. Hubert was not over at all today. Frank went to school. I did the usual round of chores and got up two loads of wood. Hattie made dough-nuts and cookies beside all her ordinary work, she is stocking up against Toby's homecoming. We had letters from the girls today and I had a card from Quint today and am going to write him now. It has been much colder today and is freezing pretty hard tonight. Friday, January 22nd Owing to Toby's absence from home the diary has so far been kept by Daddy but as he is almost asleep tonight I am going to try a turn at it. This has been rather a blustery https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/ae63be4b9c2c09346ab22dd8374b739f.pdf 38038ce85e9ea814b5cac7a87d357bf2 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. day, the worst day we have had this year. Cold East wind and snow. Hubert did not come over today. Lila told Frank he was fixing the smoke house. Daddy had to do everything himself. He killed and dressed three roosters. The little steer that we have shut up to fatten has been "off her feed" for the last two days but Daddy thinks she is some better tonight. Frank came home from school via Mrs. Cook's and brought my dress also a couple of rolled oats from the mill. He said Mr. Cook told him that Col. Thompson is dead and was to be cremated. He died out in California. Frank went down to the "Movie" tonight to see "The Millionaire Cowboy." He invited me to go but the weather looked too <s>disaggreeable</s> disagreeable for me. We are expecting Toby tomorrow evening and will be very glad to have him home again Saturday January 25th I see the family have been very faithful in keeping account of events of the past two weeks but as soon as I got within forty miles of home their efforts ceased and as I didn't pull in till to-night I don't know exactly what happened to-day, but perhaps a summary of my history of the last fortnight would not be out of place just here. The first day I arrived in Guelph I found the place full of strangers like myself prepared to take some of the short courses at the O.A.C. I was lucky enough to get the last place in a boarding house within walking distance of the College. The last place turned out to be a cot several inches too short for me in a room already occupied by two fellows in a double bed. There were only three bedrooms and seven of us. I slept in the cot the first night but my knee was bad the next day so as one of the other fellows said I could sleep with him in a decent bed I decided to do so, but in order to accomplish this I had to displace another and sentence him to the cot. This could not be done peaceably so we had to use force. This disturbed the household and the old man appeared in his nightshirt to inform us that it would be expedient for me or more of us to hunt a new boarding house. However things went smoother after that and I have slept in a bed ever since and instead of us any of us departing another was introduced and another cot erected for his benefit a week before I left. They weren't a bad bunch of fellows all students at the College. Two of them Jim De Leplante and Copelan were regular students https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/9418bcc329dadbf10b44128ce5c8534b.pdf 9203edf5a76ee2407cd37c0e84d5d0e1 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. and the other four {illegible}. Ben Tex & Jack were taking the short three months dairy course and Coatsworth the last addition to the family was also a dairyman. One of then was from Toronto two from Buffalo one from Prince Edward Island one from England originally and Jack the fellow that got kicked out of bed was from a little town somewhere near St. Thomas. Tex who was my bedfellow proved to be the wildest and most entertaining of the bunch. His father lived in Chicago but owned a factory in Guelph. Tex wasn't bound much by home ties and said his father had threatened to disown him on one occasion for some of his rash actions. He had put in a lot of time in Texas and the West and would talk a blue streak about his numerous adventures. I would like to say whether they were all true or not. There was another very nice fellow up there by the name of Hamilton and he has had some experiences about as thrilling as Tex's and after hearing him recount them a fellow can just about bank on them being straight. He is altogether different from Tex a steady going well educated fellow and very interested in his studies. He has a great scheme about a chicken ranch and a market garden in his head, which if he doesn't make good on I don't think will be his fault. The life at the boarding house was very interesting and the life at the College was none the less so and much more educative. Our classes started at half past eight and every morning we had seed judging for an hour and a half. Prof. Javitz conducted all those classes but the last three which were devoted to the study of weed seeds and were taken by another fellow who name I don't remember. After the seed classs we went to the judging pavillion and put in the rest of the day. The first day we had sheep judging and an old breeder Mr. Harding did most of the talking but Prof. Day was the chief instructor. He was there for all the stock except the horses. The method they took every day was to give a discussion on whatever species of livestock we had before us then give the students a chance to place them in what they thought was the order meriting prizes and then for the proffessor or breeder to place them right and give reasons the students being permitted to ask all the questions they liked at any time. After the sheep we had swine with Mr. Bretham to talk on them then fat cattle and an old fellow named Mr. Gosling then Dairy Cattle with Mr. Bull of Brampton for Jersey's and Mr. Brenan for Holsteins and another for Holsteins. Last of all we had horses and Dr. Hugo Reid took Prof. Day's place. We had all the different types of horses. Some of the sheep cattle & hogs they killed and brought the dressed carcasses into the ring to demonstrate the relations between the live and the https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/c1ee5a3b988a701e77b2b94a407e16f5.pdf 1b2b19faf2cfc225c311e49d0f906d50 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. dressed. We used to get through as a rule soon after four and would have time to look around the farm or go for a swim in the gym or go over to the library as they had a fine one in connection with college. I went over to the poultry department and had a talk with Prof. Graham one night. He told me he was going to bring his class down here to see Jack Martin's chickens in a couple of weeks Two or three evenings they had a lecture or something on which was always interesting. I would have had lots of skating as they had a dandy rink at the College and two or three down town but my knee was bad nearly the whole time. However I did go and skate after a carnival they had and as I knew Hammond who is a second year man up there I got an introduction to several of the girls. I spent one evening with the Graeser's who are friends of Miss Scott and the Millman's so taking it all round I had a mighty good two weeks of it my knee being the only drawback. Sunday January 24th Frank was the only member of this family who went to church this morning and Dick was the sole representative to-night. I had a sore throat all day and felt pretty tough. Dad. spent the day doing chores and about five o'clock took Enah and Tiddums for a short drive. Frank spent the after noon in the woods. Cold but lovely day, sunny and bright. Monday Janaury 25th Frank stayed home from school to-day and he and Dad. did chores and cut wood all day. They got a big pile cut. I felt too rotten to go out of the house at all. Cold day but nice. Tuesday January 26th Frank stayed home again to-day and this morning he and Dad. took the little steer over to the slaughter house. Whit. killed it and dressed it to-day and they went over and got it in the bobsleigh to-night. Enah and Tiddums went down town with them and waited down town while they went over and got the meat. They took one quarter down to Huby and another to Mrs. McBride. He just dressed 352 lbs. Mrs. McBride was here washing all day. Cold & bright. Wednesday January 27th Dad. cut up one of the quarters of beef this morning and this after noon he Enah & Tiddums drove down to Law's to get one of them to haul ice to-morrow Sam was there and he said if Alan couldn't come he would https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/74f4e7640640e85bbf078a51b2b4dcce.pdf 9bdccdec5237138d28c72182102d94d9 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Frank went to school to day but Huby came over and cleaned out the ice house. We had a long visit from Jonas to-night. Still cold and bright. Thursday January 28th Dad. and Huby have been busy to-day filling the ice house Alan came and hauled eight loads. it is nice ice now but the blocks are thick Huby came over just before dinner on Alan's second load. He voted first they are voting for councillors to-day. Dick came home for tea to have a feed of beef heart and he told us that Ed. headed the poles with Mat. Wilson second. Harry Smith just missed by one vote There were just the three running and only two were to be elected. I felt better to-day and took Tiddums out for a ride in his dandy new sleigh which his Granfather made him Weather about the same as yesterday. Friday January 29th I have been out a little more to-day and did a few chores and put the cotton on another of my window frames. Huby has been over all day packing sawdust around the ice. I guess we will have to get another load. Dad. took a load of ice down to Lea Marshall's this after noon as all the farmers are helping him fill his ice house. Frank went down to see a broom-ball match to-night which they are having between the East and West side of Main St. Very cold and windy to-day. Snow drifting. Saturday January 30th Alan Law came over this morning and borrowed our sleighs to haul ice for Bob. Miller but left his here so Dad. and I cleaned out the horse stable and boxstall which had been cleaned out for two weeks so altogether there were two good sleigh loads and Dad. hauled it out on the old garden. I also made a rack in the chicken house to hold the window frames when there are not in use. Huby came over about noon and he and Frank cut wood all the afternoon Dad. and I did chores. Lila came over with Huby. Dad. Enah and Tiddums drove down town about five o'clock They took down eight dozen eggs and got 32 cts a doz. Very cold last night and cold all day but very sunny and still. Sunday January 31st We were very late getting up this morning and except for Frank and Dick nobody has been off or on the farm all day Frank went to church & sunday school this morning and Dick who didn't get up till after noon went down town about three o'clock. Dad. & I did chores most of the morning and I https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/3324bf214ad7a218881f0abca96b1645.pdf dcf56289f4fa5eb4ed3a38ab8d61aa49 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. read this afternoon. To-night Dad. wrote letters and I drew Enah. went to sleep and Frank wrote a letter to Aunt Leena. It has been mild and cloudy all day snowed this morning turning to an icy rain. Monday February 1st It rained all night last night and this morning everything was flooded so I drove the boys down to school and the bank. It began to freeze before noon and the wind got up so by to-night there was a fierce storm raging with a cutting sleet and it was pretty cold. We didn't do anything but chores all day and not any more of them than was necessary. We sat around and read most of the after noon. Tuesday February 2nd This has been the worst storm we have had for quite awhile. It stormed all night and all to-day but to-night is quieter. No trains came in at all to-day and they took the engine of the freight to pull the Stratford train out Dave Turner got out a mile or so but came back. The snow is so solid it is just like sand drifts. I walked down town this morning and got my hair cut This after noon put cotton on another window frame for the chicken house. It was nearly full of snow this morning. Frank came home about three o'clock as there was hardly anyone at school and the room was so cold the snow which drifted in didn't melt all day. Mrs. McBride came over this morning I don't know whether she intended to wash or not but she didn't. The old bear didn't see his shadow to-day but its very doubtful if he stuck his nose outside his log all day, so I suppose we should have an early spring. Wednesday February 3rd Dad. and I spent most of the fore noon shovelling snow as everything was drifted full. Tupper and Mr. Evans broke the trail from the Winding Hills to the mill bridge. Tupper was in here to get a cure for ringworm he has a patch of it near his mouth. I don't think any trains went out to-day but the mail train got in about five o'clock to-night. Frank went down after tea to get the mail and see another broom ball match. Dick didn't come home at all last night. This has been a lovely day. Cold but very sunny and not much breeze. Frank has just come home and said it was the snowplow which came in instead of the mail train but the track is clear now. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/a484f87e4d38ab5131f396d300c6503e.pdf 194fc4fcc9ad59f432460ad741ce6655 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Thursday February 4th Tims and I are alone tonight, the others are all down at the Cadets' concert and as they thought there would be a dance after it I suppose they will be late getting home so I think when I have written this I will go to bed. I have read a lot of the papers Miss Newell sent to Frank we have had no mail since Monday and I dont believe there has been a train in on the Hamilton road since the storm. We prepared for Mrs McBride today but she did not come. Toby and I got a couple of loads of wood up today, it was quite a job breaking the road there is a lot of snow now. It has been a very fine day pretty cold but bright. Friday February 5th We were late getting up this morning but managed to get the chores done up in time to haul up one load of wood. We took Tiddums back with us and he had a fine time. Coming home he showed signs of uneasiness I think owing to the fact that his feet were cold although he declared they were not but when Snoop and Bluch threatened to have a passage at arms he cheered up considerably.The dogs didn't fight however as Sam called Snoop home. Yesterday they had a little set to but old Bluch settled the dispute very quickly. Snoop is game but Bluch is too much for him. It was beginning to rain when we got in and when we got the load off Dad. went down to the mill and got <s>a</s> bags of flour, chop, & rolled oats. By after dinner it was raining too hard to go back to the woods and it kept it up all the after noon and is still raining to-night. I put in the after noon making a door for the partition between the two pens in the chicken shed. Dad. did chores and took the pork out of the pickle and put the beef in. I was going up to Simcoe to-night with a load that Cars. Rankin got up to see a hockey match but as it was raining so hard I didn't go. I don't suppose the rest would as I don't think the ice would be any good let alone the unpleasantness of the trip. The train came in on the Hamilton track to-day for the first time since the blockade and we got out mail to-night after being without it for three or four days. This has been one of the worst storms we have had for a long time. They say the snowplow and two engines ran off the track down by the Creamery yesterday and smashed the snowplow all to pieces and injured one of the engineers quite severly. The last we heard of the Port Rowan train it was stuck in a snowbank a couple of miles south of Simcoe https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/8079e58264beacf6c13af090121c3493.pdf ba19b389753124a612167fe7279d9e80 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Saturday February 6th It rained all fore noon and turned later to snow it has been cold and raw all day. After chores I spent most of the day fixing around the chicken house and made a door for the opening at the east end of the shed. Dad. and Frank sawed wood all morning and right after dinner hooked up and went down after a load of shingles and pickets to make a {sheep rack?}. Huby had them in the woodshed down home. Win came back with them and stayed to tea. After they got home we separated the calves from the sheep and put the former over in the barn near Deadnought's stall. After tea Win, Frank and I went down to the Moving Picture show Win & I got in at the first show but Frank and Lila who were a little later couldn't get in on account of the crowd but they got in at the second show and saw The "Million Dollar Mystery" which was the principal thing we went to see. The films didn't come till the late train so Win. & I missed it. One of the ewes the old fat one looks very sick to-night. Her legs seem stiff and she is panting very hard and not eating, we don't know what ails her but she looks to be pretty sick I have got up fairly early in the morning to write this and although I have the fire lit. It is still so cold in here that I have put on my gloves and cap and pulled down the ear tabs in the hope of feeling comfortable Sunday February 7th Frank went down to church and Sunday school this morning and Dad. & I did up the chores. Dick got up in time for dinner. We all got ready to drive down to see the wreck of the snowplow after dinner on the bobsleighs but just as we got ready a terrific snowstorm came up and in the midst of it Elva, Said. Davis & May Perry came over and were here all the after noon and evening. Then we hooked up to the bobsleigh & Dick Frank and I drove them down home. We had a mighty pleasant time but poor Dick didn't get down at all to see Dess and he was terribly afraid she would be mad. It has been a lovely day most of the time but for a snowstorm now and then. The sick ewe was a lot better to-day but something is wrong with her. Monday February 8th I got up fairly early this morning and got most of my chores done before breakfast. I didn't do much during the morning but make some buttons to hold the frames in the chicken house. We had dinner early and hooked up to the bobsleighs and all drove down to meet the one o'clock train as Aunty & Aunty Alice came in on it from Brantford as they had gone over there from Toronto to see Miss Battersby. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/1c94179f486823e6e1601fa1bca91109.pdf aa546933aeab6190a635642c948eae72 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. They went to Huby's and so we didn't see much of them to-day. When we got home Art Ryersie and Colin came in to settle up some accounts. They were here a long time and Art was expressing his opinion of the war, hard times, and the outlook for feeding till Spring and others which are troubling the most of us just now. To-night just about six Jack Highland came in and wanted Dad. to take down the three bags of bluegrass seed. Huby told me the other day that he wanted it to-day but we didn't know whether he meant it or not so forgot it, so Dad. & Frank had to take it down to-night. I went to Simcoe to drill to-night and took Colin Ryersie with me but when I got there I found them practicing for another patriotic concert in the Armories and they weren't having any drill and wouldn't let Colin in at all so we didn't stay long and I got home before Dad. went to bed. Raw & Cold. Tuesday February 9th We were going after a load of wood this morning but Jack McBride came after Dad. to see a sick cow so I did up the chores and cut a little wood for Mrs McBride who was here washing. This after noon I went over to Jack Martin's thinking Prof. Graham would be there from the O.A.C. with his short course students as he told me he was coming down about this time and John Quanbury told us yesterday he was coming to-day but I found out he had come last night and been over here this morning so I missed them. After I got back Dad. & Tiddums drove down in the bobsleighs and brought Aunty & Aunty Alice over. it has been a nice day, sunny but pretty cold. Wednesday February 10th Dad. and I went back this morning and got a load of rails. We got all we could and nearly all there were but there are still a few under the snow. While we were at dinner Cars. Rankin came over to task me if I would take a load to Simcoe to-night. He said there were three or four fellows promised to go and an equal number of girls and that it would be worthwhile Dad. told me to tell him I wouldn't go so I did and then Dad said if i wanted to take Belle & Joe I could so I promised him I would. This after noon Dad. and I went up and got a load of gravel at Cantelon's and I had to hurry to get down town at the right time When I got there I found ten girls waiting and only one boy Charlie Nun. The others had disappeared and Cars. had gone up on the train. They all piled in and then I remembered that in my hurry I had come away without https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/a79166e7c5a887bbdeb0c7b1aa356921.pdf 68f405e3413e8e2cd1d1bfa493f0ffcf PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. my skates so they said for me to go around by home and get them which I did but it made us late and we didn't reach Simcoe till nearly nine o'clock and there Charlie Nun proved himself to be worth all the rest of the bunch put to-gether who promised to go and didn't for he paid for most of the girls' way in to the rink and also for my ticket Dick had gone up on the afternoon train so he took Dess over. The game was between the Simcoe O.H.A. Juniors and Waterford. Cars. played with Simcoe and their team proved to be far more than a match for the Waterford fellows and the score was 7-3 I think favor of Simcoe. It was a pretty poor game and pretty dirty on the Waterford side especially. We had a half an hour or so skating after the match and got well warmed up and left for home before twelve. I nearly knocked one of my teeth out and Mildred Henry's brains at the same time while we were skating We were playing tag and I was it and as she was skating towards me I made at her to tag her. She saw me coming and turned around as I thought to skate away, but instead tried to dodge me or some thing with the result of a great collision and the above mentioned consequences. Dick and Cars. came back with us and we got back about half past one or two. Lovely day & night but pretty cold. Thursday February 11th This morning Dad. hauled wood while I did up the chores and this after noon we hauled another load of gravel from Cantelon's. There was a bunch up there including John Wess & Tupper. Rus. Lampkins also came in but decided he couldn't get through to Lynn Valley with a load so didn't stay. This morning Art Munroe came over after Dad. as their (Ivey's) black mare was down and they couldn't get her up She was over in the back field by the woods and had an attach of the colic. She got up after a while but was pretty stubborn about it. It has been pretty cold and breezy to day. Friday February 12th Dad. hauled wood all day to-day, he got up four loads which was all there was back there. I did up the chores and worked around at odd jobs while he was gone and helped him to unload the loads of wood. The last load out but one Dad. took Enah and Tiddums down to Alfred's and called for them again when he had unloaded. He and I also went down to the mill and got a bag of buckwheat and a bag of shelled corn for the chickens. Frank went down town to-night and asked Huby if he would come over to-morrow and help him saw wood. Huby said he would. Very mild and Spring like to day. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/7b66c1b83cebc349bcff0e00dd5bdbe8.pdf 7b593abf7da9b58ee41cff8d14ae5930 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Saturday February 13th Huby and Lila came over this morning and have been here all day Huby & Frank cutting wood most of the time. This morning Dad. Lila and I went up and got another load of gravel. Yesterday's thaw made the roads pretty slippery and in some places the snow was nearly all gone, we had no trouble getting home with our load however, although Preston's hill was pretty bad in spots. As Frank wanted to make a trip to the Gravel pit he and Dad. went up for a load this after noon. They wanted to put it off way up at Sam's corner but when they crossed the ditch the bobs got stuck and they had to throw the load of where it was, unleach the team as Harry fell down and pull the sleighs out with the cham. Huby helped me put the netting on the chicken house windows this after noon and then Enah. Tiddums and I drove down town. Enah took down seven dozen eggs and got 28 cts for them. We saw Dick down town and while Enah was shopping he, Tiddums and I had a great drive around town which apparently delighted Tid. to the utmost. It rained this morning and hasn't frozen all day but the wind is much colder. Sunday February 14th I just watered the horses and fed the chickens this morning and then got ready and went down to Sunday school with Frank. Hazen started back a few weeks ago so I thought I would keep him company. I went around and called for him. He invited me over to dinner so I went after church. Hazen, Dave & Booze were keeping hatch to-day and Hazen did the cooking. We had a chicken which was mighty good. I was over there all the afternoon and didn't get home till after five. Just as I was coming over the bridge Dad overtook me with the team, sleigs and all the family, they had been out at the Shand's and had come around by town to get Aunty's and Aunty Alice's luggage as they are going to stay over here for awhile. To night We all listened to Aunty read "Little Lord Fauntleroy." Very mild and Spring like all day with quite a heavy shower of rain after dinner. Monday February 15th I happened to get up early this morning and while poking around heard a sheep blat. I lit the lantren and went out and saw the ewe which as been sick all week No 24 looked very much like lambing so I called Dad. and sure enough before long there was a lamb and before breakfast another and soon after a third but it was dead. Dad. has been running back and forward to the barn all day with first one and then the other to keep them warm and also to feed them as the ewe so far has hardly any milk for them, but to-night they look fairly comfortable https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/70ea2d3d9645221565e86fcb007e0b48.pdf 0f8516202ce5e14d7519585c0f0508f3 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. We built a pen over in the barn this after noon and shut the ewe and her lambs in it which separates them from the other sheep. Dad. helped me put the gate on the chicken yard and to-night I separated the three pens but haven't them sorted out yet. To-night Dad. & Enah went down to a concert by the Nanticoke Minstrel's. Frank went down to change a vest he got at Butler's. It has been mild to-day but cloudy. Tuesday February 16th This morning I went over first thing and got some roosters from Jack Martin. I got four to mate up with about fortytwo or three hens. I also got a little brandy from Mrs. Quanbury for the lambs as one of them was nearly all in this morning when Dad. went out but when I got home this one little fellow was dead. However the brandy revived the other one and by to-night was quite lively. This after noon I spent most of the time being coachman for the family. First I drove Aunty down town as she wanted to go to auxilliary Just as I got home Enah was ready to go down town to I drove her down. Then I nicely got back to the head of the lane when Mrs. McBride who has been here washing all day came out on her way home so I turned around and drove her home. I then was able to put Joe in for about an hour or so and then drove down and got Aunty & <s>Aunty</s> Enah and brought them home. To-night Dad. helped me get all the single comb hens out from the others and by themselfes and also to even up the other two pens a little better, so now I have about twenty hens and twenty two or three pullets. There may be a pullet or two in with the hens. It was colder to-day and cloudy and threatened to snow all day. I sat up till half past one reading "The Broad Highway." Wednesday February 17th I did chores most of the morning and nothing else much all day as I spent the time reading My "Broad Highway" I intended only to read at it odd minutes but it was too much for me and I put in nearly the whole day with it, after reading it, going back to feeding chickens and cleaning stables seems an unbearably tame way of living. This being Ash Wednesday Aunty & Aunty Alice went down to church this morning and Miss Harding came back with them to dinner She was here all the after noon and drove down to-night with Enah and <s>I</s> as we went to church this evening. Frank walked down to church but came back with us. The other lamb died to-day. About 9.30 to-night Tupper came after Dad to see a sick ewe. Sunny & thawing but raw. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/95df3d2350562df0149f73b3a9ab6917.pdf e83ab0aeac5ddfd21c679e18a9ed8080 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Thursday February 18th This morning I drove Aunty to Vittoria to catch the 11.40 train for Port Rowan as she went up for the day to see Aunt<s>y</s> Ida. I didn't come straight home but went around to see if I could come down the front road but I saw both the Dunkin's and they said I couldn't get through that way so I had to come back around by Vittoria. Mr. Dunkin told me that he hadn't had the sheep registered yet and got me to give him the numbers again. As I wasn't in a special hurry I drove down the road that goes past the mill but after getting along it quite a way had to turn back but I wasn't sorry I went as it is so pretty. I think I have been through before but it must have been a long time ago and in the summer, it is just a pretty in winter, as the little stream is running along just the same, and the snow, sunshine and evergreens all combine to give it a very cosy & comfortable appearance and the narrow little roadway bounded by the artistic old rail fences over which you occasionally catch a glimpse of a field keep you in mind of the fact that you are still within reach of civilization but at the same time fits in beautifully with the fairyland surroundings. That is certainly a lovely country up there if it isn't much good. I didn't get home till after the rest had had dinner and as Sid. McBride had been here to tell us our wire had come Dad. and I had to go down after in this after noon. Dick came home to tea to-night and afterwards he and I went down to the Orchestra's dance. We had a dandy time, there were not many boys there but lots of girls. I danced pretty nearly every dance and with pretty nearly every girl and by half past two wasn't any more than able to toddle home. Perce Brock was down with his troops and so with him and Murray combined we couldn't help but have dandy music, the rest of the Orchestra was there too of course. The old ewe who has lambed could not get up to-day and all the after noon has been stretched out flat and although she was chewing her cud this after noon to-night she is just about dead. It has been a beautiful day fairly cold breeze but very sunny Friday February 19th Dad. and I didn't do anything all morning but tend to sheep and lambs. The sick ewe died during the night. Dad thought of skinning her but when he saw that her skin was all mottled he decided not to touch her as he was afraid of blood poison and besides the wool came right off her I suppose from fever. He took the fleece of her by pulling it and it came as easily and left the skin https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/9333e53d21aada957b875718ff29f31d.pdf e25a9d4de1f1e4f439c59a3e946b82a8 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. as clean as a whistle. First thing this morning old ewe No 117 had three lambs, the first one not much bigger than a half grown kitten, the second one a little bigger but weak and the last one the biggest and huskiest. The first two were not only weak but didn't know enough to go and get their natural breakfast so Dad. has been carrying them back and forward to the house to feed them and keep them warm. About noon old Splitear had a pair of twins but they were bigger and much more sensible. This after noon we did chores principally and Dad. buried the dead ewe. Colin Ryersie came in for quite a visit To-night Frank went down to the train and Aunty came home with him Lovely sunny day Saturday February 20th We didn't do much this morning but chores and I put Queen in Ginger's stall and cleaned her up and monkeyed with her for quite awhile till when I was washing her stifle she kicked me on my sore knee which settled me till after dinner. Jim Waddle and the two little girls came in and were here for a long time staying till dinner time. Frank tore down some of the barbed wire fence along the road. This after noon I drove Enah and Tiddums down town Aunty went as far as Uncle Ward's with us. To-night we all stayed home and Frank and I had a bath. When Dick came home he stayed up till three oclock reading "The Money Moon" which Aunty Alice gave him Very mild and soft to-day. Sleighing nearly gone Sunday February 21st I went down to Sunday school again this morning with Aunty and Frank and also to church. Aunty and Aunty Alice went over to Mrs. Key's for dinner. This after noon Frank and I went for a ride, he took Belle with the little saddle and I was mounted on Joe. We had a dandy galop We went up the Gravel to the corner this side of the Half-Way-House crossed over to the Radical at the Brick School House and down the Radical through town and home. We were rather stiff to-night and Frank went to bed at eight o'clock but before I hit the strawpile we had some music. Softer and sunnier than ever to-day Sleighing no good at all Monday February 22nd Dad. didn't go to bed at all last night on account of the sheep. His ewe had one lamb about one oclock, it is very small and just as foolish as the others were about nursing we didn't pay much attention to it all day just holding https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/60f02cce0fc2b458dd37288341c6f1cc.pdf 86c0208afda7ecdb028906b9c33d4dae PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. the mother a couple of times for the lamb to suck but this evening when Dad. went to look at it it was nearly dead. He brought it in the house and has been tending to it and feeding it out of the bottle with brandy & milk all evening and although for awhile he and Aunty Alice thought they had a hopeless case but now it has revived a little I haven't done much all day but chores and cleaned out the far chicken pen I also gave Queen a little brushing off and cleaned out the boxstall it has been a very rainy after noon and I read the "Money Moon" for an hour or two. Jonas came over before tea and bought a setting of eggs It has been very soft and Springlike but cloudy with a little rain. Tuesday February 23rd It has rained nearly all day to-day so we didn't do anything much except chores and Dad. put in a lot of time tending to the sheep. His lamb died to-day so he is going to try to put the little pet lamb on his ewe although she hasn't much bag. This after noon Dad. & I drove Aunty & Aunty Alice down town in the bobsleighs although the roads were mostly mud. They are going to stay down till Sunday. We brought Blaikeys old iron pot back from Butlers where it has been ever since Blaikey gave it to us <s>since</s> when he had his sale three years ago. Mrs. McBride was here to wash to-day and hung the clothes in the woodshed. Wednesday February 24th This morning we did up the chores and I put the harness & bridle on Queen but didn't take her out. I also went over to Jack Martin's and got an egg crate to start saving eggs for him. Old Mr. Silverthorn was over to see what we would send to the men's banquet on Friday night and put us down for some cream. Dad. & I took a walk back to see what the wheat looked like before dinner. The piece next Ivey's looks fine and there is no water lying on it although Ivey's place is flooded in spite of his tile. The other piece doesn't look so well especially on the knoll where it seems to be killed out and there are several places where the water is lying on it. Charlie Quanbury brought Chris' hams over to be smoked this after noon and I went out to his farm with him. He was fixing up his cow stable as he wants to get moved out in a week. He is going to keep hatch. I am afraid it will be pretty lonely for him but he thinks he wont mind. Frank went down to church to-night. It has been cloudy & very mild all day. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/95b8302d3feb9373671360fff9ac3da1.pdf 045226a27b329248c9329329fa6ff6c1 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Thursday February 25th This morning we put the pork in the smoke house and Dad. started a fire in the old iron pot we got from Butler's He thought it would make a fine firebox as there is a big hole in the bottom of the side which he thought would do for a damper (which it certainly did). He went out after dinner to see it and the pot had melted a hole in the ice for the smoke house had been flooded and when the pot sunk the water ran in the hole and put the fire out. This after noon I started to tidy up the shop and Dad. and I cut a little wood. To-night Dad. & I walked down to see Aunty & Aunty Alice and Dad. got his hair cut. They are staying up at Cousin Loll's for a day or two & Cousin Loll & Willie have gone to Toronto to see Hugh. They thought it very queer that last night Cousin Loll dreamt all night about Hugh She thought he had come home and it was so real she woke up and got up, then went to sleep again and dreamt the same thing over again, so she thought surely she would get a letter to-day from him but was disappointed, but late this afternoon Cousin Willie came up and said Hugh had just telephoned him from Toronto as he was there on business but wouldn't have time to come to Dover so wanted them to go down there. Cousin Willie had planned to go down anyway to a board of trade meeting so Cousin Loll went with him this morning and they expect to be back to-morrow night. Aunty & Aunty Alice expect to leave for the West Monday night. Tom Abbot and Billy {Haron?} were in this after noon Tom's mare has flatulent colic which is the same as Tuple's horse died of the other day so poor Tom was pretty frightened and wanted Dad to go down but Dad. gave him some medicine instead. It has been much colder and very blustery with snow today. Friday February 26th Dad. and I cut some wood this morning besides doing up the chores. This afternoon we were preparing to go over and pay Tupper a visit when Tom Abbot came in to get Dad. to go down and see Maude so we all walked down there judging from appearances Maude didn't seem in bad health except that she was a little bloated, but she was active and attentive and didn't seem in any pain however Dad. left Tom some medicine and advice. It was after five when we got home. I went down to the Men's missionary hangout for supper. I bought a ticket from Dick for fifty cts the other day so thought I had better use it. The cadets waited on the table and as I happened https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/2b38b105e22509ca7532b9ca13f12910.pdf 9e32e6f34c34531778e3c90e9b4da0ea PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. think I was doing too badly when I could run up the G. scale two octaves and pretty nearly come down again and could also scrape off "Drink to me only" & "Sun of my Soul" so that you could tell what I was trying to play. Dick went down town this after noon after spending the first half of the day in bed according to custom and got home to-night about twelve It has been a sunny day but a cold raw wind. Monday March 1st The first thing on the programme this morning was the presentation of another pair of lambs by Greynose 118. I found them about half an hour after Dad. had looked in and found nothing. They were both dandy big fat strong ones and didn't need any nursing at all. When the sun got good and hot Dad. turned the old ewe and lambs in the shed where they were out of the wind. We did chores all morning and this after noon went down to say good-bye to Aunty & Aunty Alice as they left for the West to-night and are going to stay with Roy & Vernon to-night. I took 6 dozen eggs over to Jack Martin and Enah took five dozen down town. Jack said he wanted to send over a couple more roosters to put in the single comb pen. Mrs. McBride was here washing all day. To-night Dick and I went to Simcoe as Dick wanted to see a hockey match between Simcoe & Hamilton. Dad. assured us that the roads would be impassable as they said they were last Thursday but as Dick heard from several that they were good and as two or three had come down in automobiles and as it was a lovely full moon to-night we thought we would risk it, we were very glad we did for the roads were as smooth and hard as could be hardly any snow left on them except in one or two spots. It was a very good game between the Seniors & Hamilton and finished in two periods with a score of 4-2 in favor of Simcoe. I think the Hamilton fellows were a little the best team but Simcoe's goal-tender saved them. I went over to the Armories before the match and had about half an hour's drill. The third contingent fellows of which there are about thirty from the 39th are living at the Armories. They are going to have target practice down in the basement next Wednesday and cut out the drill one night a week. Sunny but cold to-day. Tuesday March 2nd I felt rather tough to-day as I had a sore throat and a cold I suppose due to my last night's exploit as Dick & I did considerable singing on the road home. First thing I went over to Martin's and got a couple of cockerels for the single comb https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/8b07ca2ae1a8d9561defb5f0dcd9a133.pdf e459e8ee78aeae10f10c47d99a11252f PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. to sit down at a table which was under the supervision of Ed. Lindsay who didn't seem to do anything but run around with a large pitcher of hot coffee, I think I could have got a much better tea at home for nothing only I wouldnt have had three different kinds of cake. After supper we had to sit for about three hours and listen to speeches from fellows from Simcoe and Toronto as well as our own local talent. They didn't do or say anything much but crack jokes and talk about the war and the Kaiser and the missionary movement. Frank came down after tea and waited till I went home Dick was at the supper but had some excuse about having to work so missed the speeches. Cold wind and blustery. Lovely night. Saturday 27th February We didn't do anything much this morning but chores and cut a little wood. Frank and I had a good boxing match in the shop, he's not bad with his fists at all. Winnie & Lila came over to dinner Winnie had a collection box collecting to buy surplices for the choir. I donated a very nice two inch nail which I happened to have in my pocket. Winnie didn't seem very appreciative. Tom came in after dinner to tell Dad. that Maude isn't well yet although she is getting her appetite back having eat four bran mashes and is ready for as many more Dad. said she was doing all right but gave Tom a ball to give her. The minute Tom came in Tiddums solicited a nickel from him and got it. Just after Tom left Tupper came in and was here most of the after noon just visiting. Frank went down to-night to help eat up what was left over from last night's banquet. He'll get his supper for ten cents and won't have to listen to any speeches. It has been freezing all day with cold wind but sunny. Sunday February 28th Frank and I went down to Sunday school & church and Enah came down to church as they had a hymn sang to the tune of "Tell Aunty Rhody the Grey Goose is dead." And so Harry Moon sent her a special invitation to be there Aunty was in church and she & Aunty Alice came over here to dinner. They went back before tea however as Aunty Alice has a bad cold and didn't want to be out after sundown Dad. went down to church to-night and around to see them They expect to leave for the West to-morrow night. They were able to get cheap tickets after all. This evening Enah & I played a few duets but the parlor was pretty cold so I spent the rest of the evening practicing on the fiddle. Last night was the first time I ever tried it so didn't https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/824711f085aae4ab1f0bb86e1c577cc5.pdf 048a0812b156559aacb89ce89f4619ab PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. pen I also took the little cockerel which has been running with them over but they said he was too small to be any good so I brought him back and shut him in the corn crib with the Old Plymouth Rock & Rhode Island Red to await execution. When Dad. went out the cow stable this morning he found a heifer calf belonging to Jim. so that has taken up a little extra time but it is a fine red calf & good & strong but a little finer than Mary, Dad. thinks Martha would be a good name for it. This after noon Enah went down to Auxiliary and I minded Tiddums who was wonderfully good but didn't seem to be able to satiate his ravenous appetite for apples and I didn't like to give him too many. Dad took the old Rhode Island Red hen down to Alfred's and traded her off for a rooster to kill. We hated to kill her as she is laying. It has been a sunny but very windy & raw day. Wednesday March 3rd I didn't do anything to-day but chores as I felt rather tough with a cold and there was a cold high wind all day Dad chopped the smoke house door open again and put a fire in. I got twenty five eggs to-day, they are picking up. To-night Enah and Frank went to church & choir practice and I went to a party at Pat's & Bessies. I went up to the bank first and went down with Dick & Hazen. There was a big crowd down there playing pedro, we had a mighty good time but didn't get home till about two o'clock so I suppose will feel the effects later. Dick <s>one</s> won the gentleman's first prize which was a book. Art. Lawdon got the booby I think he was one game lower than me. Thursday March 4th As I expected I felt tough to-day but more on account of my cold than anything. I did chores and pruned some of the peach trees this morning and slept most of the after noon Dad. went down to the mill and had quite a visit with old Ivey and made arrangements to get about forty bushels of seed oats and run his {face?} for them I guess he succeeded all right and will get them to-morrow. Nice sunny day. Friday March 5th We hooked up the team this morning and went down to the mill to get our seed oats. We got forty bushels and put them in Ed's big bin It took us nearly all morning to fix things to hold them We left some right in the bags. We hauled over a few forkfuls of the old thrashed bluegrass out of the shed to the other barn. This after noon I took Ivey's sacks back to him and did chores. Old Jonas paid us quite a visit https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/99ad5c195a154c5a96541e57e5d09c07.pdf b3d94cf10254e0078df6d5fdd7ce439b PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. last night. He has rented Hew Morgan's property up the radical roads about twenty two acres, house & barn some fruit and a grape vine for $75 a year. He thinks he will be able to make it growing vegetables. To-night Enah & I went down to Elva's to another pedro party. We got there early so I went back to town and came over with Dick & Harry {Wrey?}. We had another very enjoyable evening but didn't get home till two o'clock. Dick won a box of blacking this time for the booby prize with the inscription "If you can't shine at the head shine at the foot. There has been a rather raw wind all day and this after noon it began to snow it was still snowing when we came home but the wind had gone down and it had turned very soft. Saturday March 6th I havent done anything but chores all day and havent been very swift at them. I had a short nooze before dinner Tonight before six Frank & I went down and got the mail & some coal oil. Tony Bannister came over after dinner an he and Frank went back to see if there were any fish in the creek but there wasn't any water in it yet. Truman Walker was in at noon and borrowed the saddle as he was taking one of his mares to Simcoe to sell her for an artillery horse. His father is in Toronto having his eye treated and has been gone for several weeks Trum. says it will be a long time before he will be back It has been cloudy and snowing a little but very soft. There were quite a few cutters & sleighs out to-day but I guess it sleighing is pretty poor Sunday March 7th Frank was the only member of this family at church or Sunday school this morning and he stayed down at Huby's for dinner. My cold was so bad that I didn't do a pesky thing all day but sit around, practice on the fiddle write a letter to Quint. and read. Dad. did all the chores and this morning drove Enah and Tiddums down to the latter's Grandma's where they had dinner and <s>and</s> spent the afternoon Dad. brought them home at five o'clock. Dick got up about two o'clock and went down to see Dess for the rest of the day & a good part of the night. I went to bed right after tea. Snowed a little but mild. Monday March 8th I didn't get up till after noon to-day and have just sat around all the rest of the day. Dad. went down this morning to ask Sairy if she wanted his blind lamb to look after and this after noon Jonas came after it. They are getting all ready to https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/e60b797ec3bfb5c4b13e4218b3231fa2.pdf ed58d59c958fbd7e3056dde3e0798dc0 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. move up to their farm to-morrow. The chief item of intrest was Dick coming home to tea to-night to help us eat roast chicken, not only that but he stayed home all evening and went to bed quite early not before we had a grand musicale however with Dad. & Enah <s>and</s> the fiddle & guitar and Dick on the mouth organ and tin whistle Dick became so jubilant that he could not refrain from dancing very noisily around the kitchen and waking up Tiddums who came running out here in his bare feet and wouldn't go back to bed for about an hour. Dick had brought him home a tin drum full of animal shaped biscuits which he aparently enjoyed very mucch. It froze pretty hard last night but has been very sunny & soft today. Tuesday March 9th I got up for breakfast this morning but have been in the house all day. This morning Billy Hawn came after Dad. to go down and see John Watts mare but Dad. didnt have time so gave him some medicine. Then Alfred came up as the old black horse was sick again & Alfred wanted <s>them</s> her put out of her misery either kill or cure so Dad. went down but said She wasn't dangerously ill. I guess Alfred rather wishes She would die as she is 25 years old and as long as he has her he hasn't got room for another and yet when she is well she can do her share of work so he hates to kill her. This after noon Dad Enah & Tiddums drove down town and back then Dad. drove Mrs. McB home who has been here washing all day. Cecil MacPherson came over with Frank after school and borrowed one of Dad's canary cages the breeding cage as his mother is going to raise canarys. Very mild & sunny all day. Wednesday March 10th My cold was much better to-day and I have been outside most of the day. Dad. helped me bring the incubator up out of the cellar this morning and I cleaned it out and started the lamp. The door of the egg chamber is warped or rather swollen that it won't shut, we thought the spare room would be the best place to run the first hatch through this year as the cellar is so full of apples & vegetables that we were afraid the air would not be pure enough and it would take a long time to get it ready down there. John Wess came in to see Dad. this morning about one of his mares and Sat. Robinson was in this after noon for vetinary advice. This evening the assessor, Mr. Austin of two years ago was around and knocked off the five hundred dollars that Vair put on the assessment last year which pleased Dad. greatly https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/3fcfee3c09d54cda167a4cffef9737d2.pdf b3e54d4b2179341a2427447cda67798f PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. To-night Frank went down to the weekly Lenten service presumably to sit and watch Rosy. Sunny & mild all day. There are some very fishy stories going the rounds just now about Henry Hoffman being arrested in New York as a German Spy and having on him papers concerning Canadian Government buildings & forts which everyone should not know. Thursday March 11th I went over to Martin's this morning to ask Chris about the incubator, I was afraid the thermostat had gone wrong but he said it was all right. When I got back Dad. & I went down to Hammonds bush and got a waggon box full of sawdust to put on the ice. We didn't get back till after one I saw for the first time a very interesting looking character in the person of Ad. Frolic. I never heard of him till a little while ago but Dad. says he has been around here ever since he can remember, he & Jack Richardson were building a log hut down in the bush where Ad. intends to live in future. It doesn't look as if it would be a very comfortable habitation and is in great contrast to the mansion on the other side of the road where Oscar Howden has built up his old shack into a hip roofed structure of very prepossessing appearance or will be if Oscar ever takes time to paint it or clear up the rubbish around it but I suppose he wont have time for that kind of foolishness. Regarding the personal appearance of the above mentioned Mr. Frolic at a distance he looks very much like the gentleman universally known as Santa Claus as he <s>is about</s> wears his whiskers the same way and is about the same size & shape except that there is not such a large portion of the abdomen which shakes like and rhymes with jelly. On closer inspection however he would never be taken for old St. Nick as his face would I think have the opposite effect upon that part of humanity which the other so delights. It is of a rich reddish purple colour and all puffed and shiny and is used up nearly altogether to make up his nose which is bigger than any other two noses I ever saw. He was just going home to {dinner?} when we saw him and he had pulled on his old overcoat without bothering to pull the collar from where it had rolled under on his back. When I told Tom Abbott the other day that I didn't think I had ever seen him Tom. said he guessed I hadn't as I would be sure to remember if I ever had and I think I most certainly would. I spent the after noon washing out the incubator and getting it in shape to run but to-night the temperature hadn't gone up at all beyond 98°. Tonight Sam & Mrs. Law came over to spend the evening. It was rather cold https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/4c9bdadb4cce9911deea7728126ee208.pdf 899934ef24b2dd8d958e521bed044a86 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. in the parlor so we didn't have any music. They were here till about eleven o'clock. It has been sunny but rather raw to-day Friday March 12th I took the mate to the rooster that died over to Martin's this morning and brought two more back here I didn't want to bring just one and put him in with the other for fear they would fight. When I came back I pruned a couple of trees in the orchard. Dad. took a look at the wheat and reported it all right so far. This weather lately has been hard on it as the snow is all off it and it looks terribly brown. This afternoon I started to clear up some of the rubbish around the windmill. It has been sunny and mild but cold breeze. We got a letter from Aunty to-day saying they arrived safely in Fort Saskatchewan. Saturday March 13th This morning I took Chris' ham over to him as Dad. thought they were smoked enough. I wanted to ask him about the incubator, this morning when I went in the temperature had gone down to about sixty seven and the flame was aparently just the same. Chris said it might have been on account of the outside temperature and advised me to put the eggs in, so I did when I got home. I put in 136 eggs and let it go. It has got up to 103° to-night and I put a screen up to keep the cold air from the window off it. I just did odd jobs the rest of the morning and Dad. & Frank went out and opened up the potato pit and found them in good condition so they sacked them all up and hauled them in this after noon. The baby went out to the field with us in the waggon and I took him back as far as the gully while they were loading. When we got in I rode down town and got the mail. Winnie & Lila were over all the after noon & Frank went down with them to-night to play poker. Snowdrop presented us with a black & white heifer calf to-day. Sunny & mild but freezing nights. Sunday March 14th Frank and I went down to Sunday school and church this morning <s>and</s>. They had service in the Sunday school as the church is in a state of upheaval owing to the cleaning of its inside walls and ceiling. Dad. did chores most of the day and Dick slept till dinner time and then went down town. Colin Ryersie rode up this after noon on Lady and as I was thinking of going for a ride myself I took Joe and we had a great ride for a couple of hours or so. Joe was full of mischief and I didn't have to urge to go at all. Frank went down to church to-night. Dad. has been reading Happy Hawkins to us all evening. Beautiful day no wind & very mild just like Spring. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/a9d05ebb5ee256551d76ec2865e5e7fa.pdf e7e5caeb220ee9589cd1a3f2a461c502 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Monday March 15th I got up at five this morning and we got the chores done up fairly early. Dad. & I drove out to Jim Waddle's this fore noon as he had a steer out there with an absess on its jaw which he wanted Dad. to look at, it was nothing serious though, we poked around out there looking at the stock for about an hour and came home around by town and got the mail. Dad. also saw Old Walker and asked him if he could borrow fifty dollars to buy our seed with till we sell one of the two year old steers Old Walker said he could have as much as he liked for as long as he wanted it. This after noon I rode Joe down and got her shod so that took up most of the after noon. When I got back I went over to Jack Martin's with a doz. more eggs. Tonight I walked down and got my hair cut. Mrs McBride Nice day. Tuesday March 16th After we did chores this morning we put on a load of oat-sheaves and hauled them over to the horse stable, it took about an hour to chop the ice so that we could open the barn doors. This after noon we put on a load of hay which had been under the oat sheaves and hauled it over to the other barn for the cows we just left it on the waggon. Dad. then put the harness on old Dave and gave him a little exercise. Tiddums was out with us for a long time so long that he went in of his own accord. We got a letter from Aunty & Aunty Alice to-day. It has been sunny but a very cold wind to-day. Mrs. Charlie Martin started getting milk from us to-day. Wednesday March 17th We went down to the mill this morning as soon as we could and got some oats chopped and I got some short bran & corn for the chickens. Dad alao got 9 bushels of O.A.C. No 21 barley for seed It was $1.15 a bushel but was a lovely clean sample When we got back we cleaned out the box stall there was over a waggon load and Dad. hauled it out to where we had the potatoes in the old garden last year This after noon I took Dave out for a little exercise. We tried to get the chores done up as early as possible as Frank & Enah went down to a St. Patrick's Day tea at the Methodist Church and Winnie came over to tea to go to Simcoe with me as she wanted to pay Norah a visit. We had to go way up to the other end of the town to find the house. I went down to the Armories and we had target practice, it is the third one they have had. I made 12 out of 30 which was worse than most but not as bad as some. When I went back to the Cunninghams I found Norah & Winnie had gone to the picture show and I had https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/93ffca7b561831d8a46d24ad1b67f37b.pdf 0f7688f31a0d9d687a80896d9a819442 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. to wait quite awhile for them but Norah's younger sister Hildaguard was home so I didn't much mind the wait. Win & I didn't get home till quite awhile after twelve Dick and I had an invitation to a big dance down in the town hall to-night but neither of us went. Allan Law & one of the Powells down the lake shore got it up It has been a nice day but a rather raw wind. Thursday March 18th This morning we did chores and then treated the two youngest calves horns with acostic potash to kill them. Mary, Mully's calf, didn't have any horns so she escaped the ordeal, we haven't quite decided on a name for the other two calves but we thought that for Jim's calf coming next after Mary, that Martha would suit very well and for Snowdrop's blackie we thought "Just Gone along" might fit in, the only thing with that name is I am afraid that when she becomes of age and is eligible to be sworn at it will be rather a nuisance. This afternoon Dad. drove Enah & Tiddums down to the mill house to call on Mrs. Josef Ivey and he drove on down town and got a bushel of clover seed from Billy Laings. Charlie Nunn sent word over by him that he was having a party and wanted me to go down so I went. There were just a few there, the Henry girls and May Rankin & Mabel Almas and two or three boys but we had a good time and still got home soon after twelve. We didn't play cards or any such tame sport as that but we just cut up all the time peeled the rugs of the floor & danced and played a lot of games which we could run around at. It has been a nice day but rather a raw wind. Friday March 19th This afternoon morning Dad. Tiddums & I drove up to Billy Dixon's and got our seed corn we got all we think we will need for a dollar. Dad. stopped in on the way up & saw George Duncan about getting some rails George told him they were going to tear down a lot of fence around the big orchard & Carpenters bush and that we & Allan Law could start in to haul it right away so Dad. went down to see Alan when we got home and he said he could go tomorrow morning. It was a lovely morning and I think Tiddums enjoyed himself but couldn't keep awake to enjoy the latter half of the journey and when we came through town he was sound asleep on my knee Dick & Harry Ausley both wanted to wake him up, he did open his eyes but shut them again immediately. This after noon I took both Dave & Queen out for a little exercise. Queen https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/d9ee7cdab541c7a667a2a7ca4d3783fb.pdf 564591ffcfa0b44a7db60496046f6176 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. went fairly well but Dave took me unawares once and got away. We had quite a little trouble catch him and getting him quiet. Lila came over after school to-night to stay all night. It has been a lovely day. They say Art Ryersie was working on the land to-day his flats too. Saturday March 20th Dad & Frank got off about eight o'clock to haul rails from Duncan's Alan went up with his team at the same time, he had Frank McBride to help him. They got back just about noon with a good sized load. They came down through town and around by Mrs. Munroes instead of around the hill or up Preston's hill. They got off about two o'clock after another load, they didn't expect Alan to be there this after noon but he was there ahead of them. Dad. said the field was very bad pulling and he told Alan he intended to haul half a load out to the road at a time instead of pulling a full load through the soft field but Alan was so sure his horses could pull it and so he piled on all the rails he could and the consequence was he got bogged in the middle of the field and had to throw half load all off besides tramping the sod all up. They got home about five. I did chores and this morning pruned apple trees but the wind was too cold for that this after noon so I just puttered around. I went down to the mill and paid them $20.00 on the account and then took 1/2 dozen eggs over to Jack Martin. It was a lovely day this morning but a rather cold wind has been blowing since dinner. Sunday March 21st I didn't get the chores done in time to go to Sunday school but Frank went down and Enah & I drove down to church. They had the church all cleaned up in great shape but Mr. Johnson was sick so Cousin Willie ran the service and did twice as well as Mr. Johnson. This after noon I coaxed Dick into going for a ride he took Belle & I took Joe, we had a nice little ride but Dick says he got terribly sore. When we got back I rode down and asked Colin Ryersie if he wanted to go to Simcoe Wednesday night, riding, and he said if his horse wasn't working to hard he would. They have got some seed in the ground down along the creek and part of the side hill is sowed. Dick went down town when he got home. To night I practiced on the fiddle. Frank went for a ride on his bicycle this after noon. There has been a cold wind all day to day and to-night was spitting snow. I broke an egg in the incubator to-night and found a live chicken in it.'' https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/a01dd5b27b5e3745458b2587f4258ee1.pdf 43776b49ff0b5c16e4cc196edaad5dc3 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Monday March 22nd Dad. got off about half past eight this morning after rails and got with a pretty good sized load about noon he was there quite awhile before Alan so was all alone as I didn't go with him this morning but stayed home and did chores. I got everything done up so went up with him this afternoon. Alan was a little more careful to-day and this after noon hauled half his load out to the road. We both had on a big load to-night. Alan seemed greatly troubled over the fate of Jack Wardell who he was talking to on the road He hired out to Ged. McSloy for a year with the intentions of getting married to Bert Sindon's daughter but her parents wont let her get married so he threw up his job and was going home yesterday. Alan gave him some very good advice and told him to make a date with the girl to-night and scoot and get married but he thought he would go home and let the matter settle for awhile. To-night Frank and I tested the eggs we saved out forty one out of one hundred and thirty six but after cracking one of the ones we saved out and finding a chicken in it we put six back so that leaves a hundred and one still in the machine. It was inclined to want to snow this morning and to rain this after noon but didn't do either very vigorously and has not been very cold but a raw wind all day. Tuesday March 23rd Dad. & I got off pretty early this morning and got back with a good big load of rails by noon. This afternoon we went up and hauled what were left all except a few panels which were behind a big pile of rails.We only had half a load on this after noon. Alan didn't haul at all to-day but was in at noon for a few minutes, he has an awful cold and can hardly speak. Dad. told him last night that rum was the best thing on earth for a cold so he said he was going to try it. This after noon when we got home we unloaded our rails put the waggon in the shed and hauled the bobsleighs over into the barn as up till now they have been standing out in the lane. Mrs McBride was here washing to day. Sunny & mild but a raw wind. Wednesday March 27th This morning Dad, Tiddums and I drove around to John Wess' and Dad. made arrangements with him to come over the day after to-morrow with his engine and saw and cut up our rail pile as he promised to come over when we got enough rails to make it worthwhile last fall. He said he went over to the Shands the other day and cut up sixty cords of ash which were {illegible} tops and limbs from the logs they sold this winter. We drove up as far as Duncan's https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/a8379e046c744496cf52f3cf449b3a86.pdf d21e7b4f2febc2bb88716522a27884a0 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. orchard as Dad. wanted to pay George for the rails but he didn't see anything of him around outside he didn't go in as he was afraid he might see old Bill and not be able to get away from him for the rest of the day. This afternoon we didn't do anything much for an hour or so after dinner Dad. had a snooze and I read chunks of Charles O'Malley then we went out and started to clean out the calf pen but didn't finish the job before it was time to do chores. Colin Ryersie was up here about six o'clock on his black mare to go to Simcoe with me. I wasn't quite ready so we didn't get started till nearly half past six and although we didn't ride at all hard we got there about half past seven and as we were home much earlier we decided that riding was the ideal way to go. We had rifle practice again and I made five more points than I did last time. I hit the bull once. The first shot I had I blazed away at a hole in the wall instead of the target but I got another shot Pud. Smythe was there to-night. It has been a pretty cold wind all day and looked very much like rain this after noon and to-night but didn't. Lovely night Enah and Frank went down to church to-night. Thursday March 25th It rained most of the day to day so we couldn't do much outside Dad and I spent a large part of the morning trying to take a nut off a bolt in the oven damper of the old stove we got from Cousin Bessie but all out efforts were in vain for although we soaked it in coal oil and heated it and had all manner of instruments from a flat rasp to Dad's equine dental forceps we could not budge it so we left it, we put the sleighs away however over in the big barn. This after noon I sat around and read for quite awhile and about four o'clock drove down town to get some household supplies. There was a great {tril?} going on this after noon between Sam Jacques and Nichols the new hotel keeper over a bottle of whiskey which Sam got hold of a couple of weeks ago. I went up for a few minutes but the place was packed and it was rather late so I didn't stay long. Frank was up there and when I left said he guessed he wouldn't come home just yet but we were rather surprised and Dad. very much annoyed when he didn't turn up till about eight o'clock. He had stayed till the thing was over but he said they couldn't come to any decision. It was much colder to-night. Friday March 26th Frank didn't go to school this morning and he and Dad. went over in the waggon to help John Wess load his engine & saw and bring it over. They got back about eleven with the saw but https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/445f8ba8e4e1337f04f520a1c72ce27d.pdf bc9b18f66fa19ec4ab5b58045c0edab7 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. John Wess didn't come as it was so windy, he said it was a horrible job with a wind as the sawdust gets in the eyes. He said he would be over the first fine day. I did chores while they were gone and helped Enah entertain a visitor who was here in quest of old rags & rubbers and also to sell wonderful pails which were guaranteed forever against leaking, burning, melting, bruising, bursting & breaking and which Hugh McQueen could make for a quarter at the bargain prices of 45 cents & 25 cts. We gathered up some old rubbers and gave them to-gether with 10 cts for one of his small pails to induce him to proceed upon his journey to the Doy's next whether he said he was bound. Frank went to school this after noon & Dad. & I just did chores and sat around. It has been very cold all day and windy. To-night the wind has gone down but it is freezing hard. It snowed a little this morning. Saturday March 27th I got up early this morning and wrote to Aunty & Aunty Alice as I heard from them yesterday. After we did up the chores Dad. Frank. Tiddums & I amputated the tails of the six lambs. It should have been done before as the lambs were big and bled pretty freely, however I think to-night they are all right. Dad. & I finished cleaning out the calf pen before dinner and Frank cleaned out the old musty straw and hay out of the hay in the big barn. This after noon we hauled it and the thrashed bluegrass which was over the shed over to the other barn and Dad. is going to use it to bed the cows. We then put on a load of hay and hauled it over to the other barn for the cows. We didn't take it off the waggon. Tony Bannister was over here all the after noon. The German from Jack Martin's came over this after noon and got my eggs I had 10 1/2 doz. for him. Lila has been over since before dinner and went back after tea. Nobody has been down town to get the mail to-day but Lila brought us over three "Jack Canucks" which Dad seems to be enjoying. It froze very hard last night but has been sunny though cold wind. Sunday March 28th When we went out this morning we found a big, red heifer calf depending on the maternal instincts of Bobby for protection & sustenance. It is the first heifer she has ever had and is the sixth heifer to come this year or rather this season as some came before the New Year. Last year they were all steers but one. I didn't get chores done in time to go to Sunday school and instead of going to church I looked after Tiddums and induced Dad. to go. I don't know whether I will get the job again or not as I let him play out on the front lawn and incidentally https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/fac3c538b2d419838b5bbbaad4010378.pdf eea2a54c41158d32f4f9980775d2ce59 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. to fall into the ditch, he went to walk over the plank that lies accross the ditch and not looking where he was going stepped one foot off and fell k-spat in and got soaked. It didn't hurt him but he must have been frightened for I couldn't under any conditions persuade him to stop crying till he got ready and then when I had all his wet duds off and he was beginning to take a more optimistic view of the trials and tribulations of life when he happened to touch a wet spot on his dress. This incident aparently called back visions of the forgotten-for-the-present past for he burst forth again with renewed energy and wept profusely. However Dick was up and we soon got him into a more cheerful frame of mind and kept him there till the folks got home and assumed the responsibility for his conduct and disposition and as far as I was concerned were most welcome to it. This was not the only adventure of the morning in which a change of raiment due to the effects of aqua pura was concerned but time, space and my accursed bashful nature will permit me to give no more details. This after noon Colin & Floyd Ryersie came up on horseback and I joined them. We had a very enjoyable ride although I started out a little too vigorously considering the dinner I had just partaken of and consequently felt some qualms of consience of stomach. I was not in a position then to figure out which but upon reflection I have become convinced it was the latter troubled me most. We went down the lakeshore to Corbett's had a talk with Corby went through their lane to the plank down the plank to the {illegible} and from there home. This evening I intended to go to church but failing to get ready in time I went down after church and called on the Harry Moons, and it was after midnight when I "hit the hay" It has been cold and raw all day. Snowed a little tonight and freezing hard Monday March 29th This morning Dad's tooth was so bad that he went down and had it pulled. It was broken and in awful shape as it was all ulcerated. Bill Lemmons injected some of his dope into it to ease the pain but it didn't do any good and Dad. has been nearly sick with it all day. This after noon Enah went down to the dentist's and got some teeth filled Mrs McBride was over here washing this after noon Enah expected her this morning but she had been over at Preston's where they are all sick. I did chores and sat around all day. Frank and I managed them with Dad. assisting us only by instructions. This has been a fierce day very windy with snow, a regular blizzard and and raging this after noon. To-night it is freezing hard and the ground is white. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/46cee9eac798973547b13b58face66cb.pdf 2364df41089708476804448834aa6e19 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. {There is a wee sketch of a conifer tree at the top of this page} Tuesday March 30th Dad. fed the calves this morning but hasn't been out of the house since and feels very miserable. His head ached to-night. It took me all day just doing chores. I went over to Martins for a minute or two this after noon. To-night I spent an hour and a half leg banding the pullets with stove pipe wire. Cold & windy to-day, not so bad as yesterday. Wednesday March 31st Although Dad. has felt much better to-day he was not able to get out of the house at all, so I was busy all day with chores and Frank helped me when he came home, this after noon I rode Joe down to the Ryersie's to tell Colin I couldn't go to Simcoe to-night. This morning a man walked over here from town to see the old duelling pistols. He is a traveller but told Dad. that at his home is in St. Mary's and that he had over two hundred firearms besides swords, dirks and suchlike. He would have liked to have bought them but didn't like to say so. He said the sight of them was well worth the walk. Sid McBride was in to-night selling fertilizer & binder twine. Dad <s>offered</s> ordered 50 lbs of the latter. We heard on Monday from Roy they are coming up to-morrow for Easter. It hasn't neen nearly so cold to-day but cloudy. Thursday April 1st Dad. helped me milk this morning but his mouth was pretty sore and he wasn't going out again but John Wess came over with his engine to saw up the rail pile so Dad. had to be out all day. As Vernon & Rebecca were coming up on the eleven o'clock train I had to leave to go down and meet them, that made us short handed so I called in at the school house and sent Frank home He was very good about it and didn't seem to mind very much. Huby was down at the station and I got him to come over. So this after noon there was lots of help and they got through in lots of time. Vernon & Rebecca arrived safely. Dick Huby & Aunty Maude were down at the station. I did chores most of the after noon and to-night drove down to meet Roy. Miss Ethel Phipp's came up on the same train so we drove her home. Not at all windy but rather cold. Friday April 2nd When we got up this morning the ground was white as it had snowed a little in the night so as there was no wind I went out before breakfast and sowed about half the clover seed on not quite half the field of wheat which is on the old alsike stubble. I spilt a little of it by pulling https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/e31c8b29fe9af394687a0c6abd871f0f.pdf 7e2abc4df4e26122f2ad5315d92f864e PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. the feed lever back too far till it caught and it sowed too thickly anyway. This being Good Friday Dick had a holiday and Enah, Vernon & Frank went down to church Dad & Roy looked after the babies. I watched the incubator most of the day. The eggs are beginning to come out and Roy & Vernon are very much interested in them especially the latter, she sat in the room for about an hour watching the little fellows pick themselves out and drop overboard in to the nursery below. This after noon Dad. helped me get the brooder down from over the hog pen and put it in the empty chicken shed. Very nice day Saturday April 3rd I got up this morning and sowed the other half the wheat field and had quite a lot of seed left so Dad. thinks it isn't thick enoug and will have to be gone over again. I had the machine shut tighter and walked quite a lot faster. Roy & I spent most of the morning getting the brooder in shape and he fixed up Enah's dairy thermometer to put in the brooder. Dad. did chores most of the morning This after noon Dad. went down to Carl Coleman's to see a sick cow and then on down town to the dentist's as his tooth was still sore and Bill picked out some pieces of bone. We hooked up the team to the waggon and took the whole family down town, Roy, Frank & I went down to the beach and got a part of a load of sand for to put in front of the brooder to soak up the mud. Mr. Pickford was down there getting a load and we had quite a visit with him We came up around by town and got Enah, Vernon & the two babies on, we had to go down to Mrs. Skey's stepping block to let Vernon in as her skirts were too narrow to get in on Main St. Dad. walked home as he had to go in on his way back again to see Carl's cow. When we got home Roy & I put the sand in in front of the brooder. To-night Vernon & Roy went over to Mrs. Battersby's to tea and I drove Enah down to choir practice. I drove down after her about ten o'clock and met her coming home with Truman & Topsy Walker. It has been a very nice day. Vernon has been dyeing hard boild eggs for the kids to-night. Sunday April 4th Roy got up early and went down to early communion this morning so that he could keep Rebecca and let Vernon go down to the other service but Vernon stayed home and kept house so the whole bunch of us went down at eleven o'clock even Dad. & Dick. This after noon we moved the chicks to the brooder, there were just fifty eight and some of them were https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/edb5cccf9f19874fb29c2dcc17c7d950.pdf 158d39f48f67bea6ee240d056227af0f PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. crippled. The two Ryersie boys came up on horseback and got Frank and me to go with them Frank took Belle & I took Joe. We had a dandy ride and called in for Corby and got him to go with us. We went way down the lake shore to the town line from there to Mud Street and up it home. A couple of times we rode down on the beach and then made the horses climb the hill. It was nearly six o'clock when we got home. Roy went down to Huby's for tea and He Frank and Enah went to church. Enah had to play for Zeitha Barwell who sang a solo. Tiddums wouldn't stay with Vernon after Enah left and I came in and found him under the table just yelling for all his might but he soon cheered up when I took him out and showed him old Gladys and the horses. It has been a very nice mild day but raw breeze Monday April 5th This morning Frank and I took down three sacks of oats to the mill to be chopped and then went down and got a load of sand and unloaded it before dinner and went back down to the mill and got our grist. Dad. drove Vernon & Tiddums out to Tommy Jackson's as Vernon wanted to see Mrs. Jackson about getting some eggs. (Toby and Frank are going down to Huberts tonight so I said I would finish this up as it is behind it now being Wednesday night). He did not do much in the afternoon, worked at the brooder a little. It has been a raw day and threatened rain several times this afternoon. Roy went down town and Vernon and Rebecca went to Mrs Battersbys to play bridge. I drove Hattie down there for tea. We took the baby with us and he came home with me. Willard won the big fight. Tuesday April 6th We were all up early this morning and I drove Roy to the station. Mrs McBride came to do the washing, the boys and I put a load of hay over the horse stable, after dinner Toby and I took a little hay to the cow stable and then we hitched to the other wagon and took the girls and babies down town on our way we picked up Mrs Jack Martin and Miss Cope. We unloaded at the Post Office then Toby and I went to get a load of sand, brought it home hitched Joe to the buggy and started to see Vernon off, but it took us so long to get home with the sand on account of the roads that we missed the train https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/835995821ec25d8afb375d278202720c.pdf db86116dde0564171bea7f1da65ff414 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Frank had been fishing all the afternoon with his usual luck. Toby walked home and I brought Hattie and the baby. It has been a beautiful day, mild and bright. Wednesday April 7th As soon as all the morning chores were done I sowed oats in the little orchard, then I went over to Charlie Martins to telephone to Atkinson about pulling up the headstone for Alice they said they would put it up between 1 and 2 O'Clock so I got ready and Hattie gave us an early dinner and I started with Hattie and baby a little after 12, but they had the stone up and gone. Mrs Charlie Munro said they left about 10-30. Toby started Frank on the disk and he worked up the little orchard in good shape and then harrowed it. Toby and I went back to see how the land was over the gully and decided we would try and sow tomorrow. The boys as I said before have gone down to Huberts. Thursday April 8th Out of bed at five o'clock and on the hump ever since is a summary of to-days record. Dad. & I got back to the back field about half past eight and Dad. started to sow the oats broadcast right on the furrows and I followed with the disk. The ground except in one or two spots where it was a little wet was in beautiful shape to work as it is just as the frost left it without having had any big rains on it to pack it and it works up just like an ash heap. Some of the travellers on the side road thought Dad's method a queer one and didn't seem to approve of it but Dad. says they always used to do it out West & Charlie Batty was past and said they used to do it here with success. Dad. thought it was better to get the seed in & covered before a rain than to work the land all up and then run chanches of getting a big soaker on it. We took back six bags of oats with us this morning and Dad. sowed nearly all of it and although he couldn't tell exactly he wanted to sow {2?} bushels ot the acre. Dad. disked this after noon and finished he had sowed but couldn't go crossways very well on account of the piece in the centre which he didn't get plowed last fall Allan Law was harrowing for a couple of hours this morning https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/5b7297a39a0c2c8d5e0994d30c0f4c00.pdf f2d718214976eb64c65584abbdb4673f PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. on their side hill but he didn't come back this after noon. Huby & Lila came over this morning and this after noon they burned the grass off the back field next the woods It looks as if there would be good pasture there soon Last night when I came home from town I went to look at the brooder and found that the temperature had gone down to forty on account of the window being left out and this morning there were nine dead chickens in the brooder and four have died since. Chris. told me yesterday that lake sand would kill them so we got some yellow sand and covered up the lake sand which was in the pen. The white ewe had a pair of twins this morning but won't own one of them so has to be caught every now and then to give the lamb a chance to suck Lovely Spring day with a south westerly breeze and not freezing to-night. Mrs. Lorne Myers was in to-night and got Dad's hen canary which he was has been wanting to get rid of for quite awhile. Friday 9th April Dad. and I got back fairly early this morning and Dad sowed about four bushels more seed while I harrowed the hill I crossed it which necessitated marching up and down hill all morning I didn't mind it much but I guess it was pretty hard on the horses. This afternoon I disked what Dad sowed this morning and he harrowed with Joe & Ginger. We got all the seed pretty well covered when it began to rain and is still keeping it up. We took the little team back in the shape of a four horse team with them as the leaders but Joe was no good for a leader as she lagged. Lila came over this after noon and is staying all night. It has been fine and very mild all day and this is a warm rain which was needed for the wheat & hay badly. Saturday April 10th We didn't get started so early this morning as we didn't know whether it had rained enough to make things too wet or not, however we found it hadn't rained much so Dad. went back to finish plowing the little piece on top of the hill which was left over from last fall. He finished it about three o'clock in some spots it was very wet & sticky and other places the frost isn't out yet but it is pretty good. He intended to sow it as soon as he got done and work it in but when I went back at three o'clock the wind was so strong and it looked so rainy that we both came up and Dad. drove Enah & Tiddums down town to get the mail. I took some eggs over to Martin's this morning and Frank got the cyclone clover seeder from Vyse and when I came https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/bfa86df4ce96e4325eabc9496c69f61e.pdf c66fbe825d1e73b5cbba56af93ccb031 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. back I sowed the half of the wheat field that I sowed the thinnest over again. Chris. didn't seem to know what ailed my little chickens they are aparently as lively as can be one day and the next there will be two or three dead and two or three more getting ready to die. I have lost nearly half of them now and don't know what to do for them. Cloudy mild windy & showery. It thundered and rained heavily to-night. Sunday April 11th I didn't get ready in time to go to Sunday school with Frank this morning but Enah and I drove down to church. It was a beautiful mild sunny morning and Dad. intended to drive Enah over to the Tupper's this after noon but it began to rain so they couldn't go and we had a musical instead. It rained quite hard for awhile and it is colder & windy to-night. It is wonderful to see how much greener the grass & wheat have got during the night. Monday April 12th Dad. was ditching in the back field all morning and I drove down town to get some coal oil and I took a pair of guinea fowl down to Cousin Bessy. She told me to shut them up and Julien the {illegible} would show me where to put them, but she had so much difficulty in making Julien who doesn't speak English very well understand what she wanted that she told me to put them in a little coop which had a wired in yard to it. I let them both in there but while I was talking to her the cock bird got out of a patched up hole in the wire, he went over into Joe Jacques backyard and Jacques dog scared it up into an apple tree. Cousin Harry had appeared by this time and said he knew the yard wasn't tight and that they would watch the guinea cock and catch him to-night but Dick who came home for tea said they had caught him. This after noon we sat around till about three o'clock and then put on a jag of timothy hay and hauled it over for the cows. Dick was home for tea but had to go back, he said Huby was working over at Jack Martin's now but didn't know how long he would be there. It has been cloudy and raw all day with a drizzling rain most of the time. Tuesday April 13th Huby came over after breakfast this morning to get his smock and I went back over to Martin's with him and took an old sick rooster over whose comb was all black and that had been sitting around with no life in him for two or three days. Brirely & Chris said he had indigestion https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/fb9db988b6597b4b205b77b8f11d99d5.pdf 02678e48c8531b3edfcd7a7a0bffdb3d PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. so I left him over there. When I came back I started to rake up down under the old willow tree. Dad. & Enah worked at the stove and at last succeeded in getting the nut which caused us so much vexation the other day, out by cutting the head off with a cold chisel. This after noon Dad went back to look at John Wess' cow as John Wess came after him, he was over there quite awhile and then opened out some ditches in the field we have in. I continued to clean up down at the road and but to-night have it looking pretty nice I burned the grass all along the road so there will be some nice pasture there soon. Huby came over after six to-night and borrowed the alarm clock as their timepieces are all broken down there and he needs his watch. He was giving us a very amusing account of his duties He says the watering the chickens takes too much brain work going the rounds with a pail and a dipper filling the little drinking cups and rinsing them out and hooking the myriads of doors and gates all gets on his nerves. Dad. said than one of the England kids came in after school to-night to John Wess' with a great big bunch of hepaticas for Mrs. McBride we didn't think they were out yet. It has been a lovely day sunny & mild. They gave Bunnian a hearing down here to-day but will have to put the trial off till the Vigilant comes in with some witnesses. Wednesday April 14th Dad has been opening up ditches in the field out here where we intend to put the barley all morning, he says it is pretty wet. I cleaned out the roosters in the chicken pens this morning and raked up along the old fence bottom which divided the field from the yard in front of the big barn & horse stable. This after noon I went back to see what the new piece of plowing on top of the hill looked but it was pretty wet so I got some earth along the creek and brougt it up and planted tomato seed in it. Frank got home early, he has had a holiday all day as Mr. Smith is sick in bed with La Grippe. Frank, Billy Miller & Harv. Taylor were fishing up creek and on the pier all morning. Billy Barlow was in to-night for a short visit. Another lovely day. Tuesday April 15th Dad. was back ditching again this morning, he thinks the back field will be dry enough to go on to-morrow if it doesn't rain. I went down to Vyse's and borrowed his post auger and he gave me a ride home on his way down Mud Street to sell machinery and as he thought he was going to feel cold and had come away without his overcoat he borrowed mine. Dad. didn't seem to approve of being https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/71b2189294137f9ca130a3e6d7710a4b.pdf c0648df3c10ff79d25c3e5072324e59a PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. at all friendly to Vyse, but I have nothing in particular against the poor cuss and this backbiting sore head business gives me a pain anyway. Dad's always friendly enough when he happens to meet him and I don't see why he isn't other times or why if he hates him so much as he says he does, he doesn't tell him so. I spent the rest of the morning and most of the after noon boring the post holes and inserting posts there in to stretch a piece of chicken wire on to divide off another yard for the single combed hens. Dad. made a gate for the yard. Lila has been over all day as she & Frank are both home on account of Mr. Smith's illness. Winnie came over after four and stayed to tea but Lila had to go back and have her music lesson. Huby was over to dinner. Tonight Frank and I went down with Winnie and Huby, Aunty Maude, Lila. Frank and I spent the evening playing poker. Enah & Frank have been been house cleaning all day. It has been a nice sunny day & is a mild night but looks like rain. <s>Thursday</s> Friday April 16th When we got up this morning the sky was the color of lead and has been all day but except for one pretty heavy shower this morning has rained very little only a very light drizzle part of the time but still enough to keep us off the land and to keep Dad's spirits down. This morning he and Frank helped me put the wire on the posts in the chicken yard and put the gate on. This after noon Dad. helped Enah house clean and I just puttered around and raked some leaves and old grass out of the ditch at the foot of the lawn. Frank went fishing down at the East pier but said they weren't biting, he has about the poorest luck of any body I ever heard of I don't remember of his having caught a fish since he has been here. He says he is going to get up early some morning to try his luck and if it isn't any better he is going to quit. I had a practice on the fiddle to-night. I am making a little progress. Saturday April 17th Although we had visions of doing a little work this morning of some kind or other just to keep in trim but we wound up in doing nothing but receive callers the number of which was two. First Alfred came over with some cabbages for us and he was here a long time talking of every thing under the sun except the war which is getting rather played out as a topic of conversation amongst us farmers now that Spring work has commenced and the weather is of such vital importance to us. Alfred thinks it is going to be fine now for awhile I guess like Dad that the wish https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/114c5302bfeae3d875e0055fec26d5c0.pdf 8276440dc3a544afcecf41f103475447 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. is father to the thought. He hadn't been gone long when John Wess drove in and wanted Dad. to give his mare a ball so Dad did but she was the worst one he said he ever tackled not that she was very mean although she scraped about half the skin off the back of his hand and took a chunk out of the end of his finger, but her mouth was so narrow that he couldn't get the dose back far enough but at last after two unsuccessful attempts he managed to get one down her. This after noon we hauled a load of hay over to the horse stable and a jag over to the barn for the cows. Frank cleaned out the shop and now has it very tidy. Before tea we got the old stove we got from Cousin Bessy set up on its blocks but Dad has to cut a piece off the stove pike to make it fit the chimney It has been a lovely sunny day and is a nice clear night although the wind as gone around to the south an its pretty hard to say what it will do The new moon is nearly flat on its back and that is a positively certain sign that one of the two prophecies concerning it in that position will prove correct. Some say it is that way so the indians can thang their powder horns on it and stay in camp as it will rain or else when in that shape it will hold water and not spill any consequence being a dry "spell" Sunday April 18th I got up fairly early this morning and was able to get around in time for Sunday school with Frank. Hazen was there and volunteered to teach Mrs. Tuck's class. After Sunday school he & I went to inquire after Mr. Smith, he came to the door himself and said he was feeling better but that Harry would not let him go to school to-morrow He seemed very worried about missing so much school at this time of year, he said Mrs. Smith was very ill and that if Harry hadn't come up the other day she would have never got better but as he did she was better this morning. Instead of going to church we took a walk up the lake shore and got quite a few mayflowers in McCoy's & Dixon's woods then Hazen came over with me to dinner. This after noon we took another walk back to the gully and through Charlie McQueen's place and I went part way down town with Hazen. Colin Ryersie came up to go for a ride so Frank went with him. Dad & Enah went over to Tupper's the took Tiddums but he kicked up an awful row they said when they tried to take him in the house but was alright after they got in. It has been a lovely day but looks very much like rain. Monday April 19th We have been working on the land all day. This morning https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/4e2ad4f5fb584d569c4e0de993945146.pdf 69bf2289ca6938d59bed22b84f9cf675 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Dad. sowed the little piece of spring plowing on top of the hill and I worked it in. This after noon (Tobe has gone to sleep over this so I will take it) We worked two teams on the other part of the field over the gully I had Joe and Dave, Dave went first rate for his first hitching. Beautiful day warm and bright. Sunday April 20th I worked on the field alone this forenoon, finished disking. After dinner I took Harry and Dave and Tobe Belle and Joe and we cross harrowed and disked the field, finished about 5 O'Clock then Tobe came up with Joe and Dave and I put Harry and Belle on the drill and drilled until 6-30. Tobe and Frank were busy at odds and ends all forenoon. Another fine day but cooler. We got the good news to-day that {Wese?} and Alice were coming home. Wednesday April 21st Toby and Frank cleaned out the cellar this forenoon and I went <s>f</s>back and finished drilling and began harrowing. Young Porritt came way back then with one of Hugh McQueens hounds to have me sew it up. I told him I could not do it there but to leave it tied up in the barn and I would fix it up at noon, that and other chores made me so late that I thought I would not go to the back of the place but would begin on the corn stubble it works up all right. Frank went back to see if he could measure in some way the number of acres we have sowed he has not made his calculations yet. Hattie is tired to night she has been house-cleaning the clothes room and it is a big job. Frank has gone down town Toby to bed and I must go too. I nearly froze on the disk this after noon it was very cold a nasty North East wind all day but bright. Thursday April 22nd Dad. finished harrowing over the gully this morning and has been harrowing on the corn stubble the rest of the day he had Joe & Ginger all day. Frank disked for an hour or two this morning while I finished up with the chores and then I went out till noon but Frank has been disking all the after noon with the big team. The corn stubble will take a https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/cc17e7b4f25b8c8480b783ea48ddd744.pdf cd420e0432a304ded15ad62577c85c41 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. lot of work on this side as it is so soddy. I did chores all the after noon and went down to the mill to see if they had any barley for seed as Dad. thinks he will mix oats & barley to sow on the corn stubble. They only had the O.A.C. No 21 and it was $1.10 a bushel but I guess Dad. will get some. There were a couple of fellows down this morning from Simcoe Murdock was one of them and they want Dad. for a witness at a lawsuit that is coming off next Tuesday Murdock says that Hamilton & Yeager hired Lea to skin him on a horse deal. The horse is the big grey stallion with the crooked legs that was travelling down here last spring and as Dad. saw him they want him to say that he was unsound. Poor old Bluch has a pretty sore leg to-day and can only hop around on three legs. He & Snoop Law got into a scrap yesterday and aparently Snoop was the best dog for once in his life. It has been milder to-day with the wind in the south but very cloudy with a little rain. Friday April 23rd It rained hard enough during the night to prevent us from going on the land but will do a lot of good as it was hot & cloudy all morning and will make things grow Frank and I drove down to Billy Langs this morning to see if he had any barley cheaper than they had at the mill, but Jack was at school and poor Billy was sick <s>and</s> in bed. We went up to the house and after I chased around from the front to the back door three or four times to discover a fain hallo! which I was sure I heard in answer to my knock I discovered it was escaping from a partially raised window which evidently belonged to the room where Billy was in bed. His voice sounded unnaturally weak as he told me he hadn't any barley so Frank and I went on up and got six bushels at the mill. We found Dad. with the old white ewe half sheared when we got home and he & Frank finished her by noon while I did chores. This after noon Dad. helped me get my incubator down cellar again and then we mixed the oats & barley out on the barn floor. We put one bag of oats through the fanning mill so see if we could clean any of the straws out of it but we got more good oats out behind than we did dirt so we stopped. It is pretty clean anyway. Dad. & I then put the beans through and got most of the dirt out of them while Frank went down town. Dad. has felt very miserable all day Saturday April 24th We didn't do much but chores all morning and <s>Dad</s> I https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/a71f3ab1b957e1e21c9f1065bffe8ed3.pdf 711098feaa04d55eb72100df074d1131 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. cleaned out the bull's pen. Dad felt pretty miserable all morning but still worked around he & Frank went out to look at the field to see if it was dry and they thought it would do to go on after dinner, so Frank got out early and got a good half day in at it while Dad. sheared old Greynose. I helped him hold her and according to my nature when I am not in action, went fast asleep. I also went over to Jack Martin's to see what I could get fifty eggs for to set under the hens I got from Tupper and I was agreeably suprised when he told me he would trade evenly with me and that I could get them Monday. I thought it was pretty decent of him as he said they would be better eggs than mine and I could toe punch the chicks for cockrels. Dad. went out about five to relieve Frank who came in and went down to Huby's to tea as this was Winnie's birthday. I went down after tea as Huby was over to dinner and said we would have a game of poker but there were two or three girls there who didn't care to play poker so we played catechism instead. We got home early. It has been hot all day and is very hot to-night feels very much like rain. Sunday April 25th I got up at five o'clock this morning so managed to get to Sunday school and church with Frank. As Topsy has resigned Enah had to go down and play the organ Dad. drove her down and came back after her leaving Tiddums in Dick's charge. This after noon Charlie Dunkin & Frank Bond drove in and Dunkin brought us the registration papers for the ewes, at last we thought we were never going to get them, they were here most of the after noon but Dad & I wernt back over the wheat to the gully and Tiddums followed us. The wheat is pretty fair only spots which don't look very well. I drove Enah down to church again to-night but came back home. Frank has been down all the after noon so he will be at church. Colin Ryersie rode in after dinner but we thought it was too hot to go for a ride so he went down the lake shore alone to get Corby. It has been very hot all day but is a little cooler to-night. Looks rainy Monday April 26th Dad. & Frank got out good and early this morning <s>and</s> with both teams and I got out about eight to take Franks team as he had to go to school to-day. Mr. Smith being well enough to be on the job again. Sam Law came over to give us a day with his springtooth I had the disks and Sam & I got over to the middle of the field by noon & Dad. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/42ee485cea97a7fe2325274ec3d7af8a.pdf 3c68205e83e9f69adbc2aa4c292a2dbb PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. got it all harrowed. This afternoon Dad. took the drill out and got four rounds drilled when it commenced to rain a thunderstorm had come up very suddenly and there were two or three very close flashes of lightening. It seemed to be all around us, it rained very hard for a few minutes and Sam went home. Dad. brought the seed in and after it was over went out to bring in the drill. When he got out there he found it had soaked right in and has scarcely wet the ground so he went right on & harrowed and then came & got the seed and finished drilling, he worked till after dark and then didn't have enough seed to sow the headlands. He started with the drill set at two bushel of oats to the acre but he found it was going too fast all to-gether, as when it is set for two bushels of oats it is three of barley so he tightened it up a little but it was still going too fast so he finally got it sowing two bushels of barley which is the same as one of oats he sowed what seed there was left at this rate. I just did chores this after noon and went over to get my eggs from Jack Martin to-night I set them under five hens. Mrs McBride was here all day. Tuesday April 27th Dad. went out first thing and sowed the headlands of the corn stubble broadcast with oats out of the granary & harrowed them in, he then started harrowing on the barley ground I did up the chores and came out about half past nine to relieve him, as he wanted to leave for Simcoe at half past eleven to be at the court house at one. I harrowed all morning and got nearly all over it. It works up beautifully. Frank came home at noon and after he did up the noon chores he came out and disked while I just did chores around. Dad. took Enah & Tid with him and they didn't get back till about eight o'clock so Frank and I had to look after ourselves. We were rather disappointed to hear that after all they settled the {illegible} without any lawsuit, but Dad. had to wait up there all the after noon to find it out. He saw everybody he knew up there though and got the harness fixed. Bob. Davis went past to-day with an enormous black Percheron stallion with a white strip in his face he would weigh about twenty one hundred and twice the size of Bickler's. In to-day's and yesterday's papers there are long lists of Canadian casualties. They had their first serious engagement on Friday & Saturday at Langemark where they recaptured some lost guns & ground and prevented a wedge of Germans from surrounding and taking a body of French troops. The paper said their losses were heavy but they saved the day. Nice day https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/877d22eb14898258a32563d2955a3774.pdf bf7cc55d7f3c266123f1d80830f26f89 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Wednesday April 28th Dad. took the big team out first thing this morning and disked and as soon as I got the chores done I went out with the littlle team. Dad. took them and harrowed over the corn stubble and I disked on the barley ground till noon. This after noon Dad. took the big team and ran out the land furrows in the corn stubble it took him all the after noon and he didn't get any cross ditches run. We didn't work the little team as they had a pretty hard morning of it and we didn't want to put Ginger on a tongue anyway so I did chores all the afternoon. The cows broke out of the barnyard and I thought if I let them on the road they wouldn't go far as there is some lovely pasture but they weren't content to stay anywhere so after chasing around for about an hour I had to put them in. Win came over to tea to-night and Frank has just gone down with her. Bickler was down here to day with "Trachety". It has been sunny all day with cool breeze a little thunder shower early this morning Poor Ade Millman was married to-day. Thursday April 29th Dad. finished running out the ditches this morning while I did chores and then I took the big team and disked the rest of the barley ground while Dad. shovelled out the ditches in the barley & oats, he says he dug up quite a few wireworms. I just finished disking by noon and took the disks up. This after noon I harrowed with the little team and Dad followed me with the drill. He didn't get started till after four so it was dark before he finished but he got through all but a plot 20 yds square in the north east corner which we left to sow my O.A.C. No 72 oats on. Enah got an announcement of Earney Skey's wedding, he was married yesterday. Nice day but cool wind all day. Friday April 30th Dad. went out first thing this morning and sowed the little plot of O.A.C. No 72 oats and harrowed them in as he sowed them broadcast he said they were a little thin in the centre of the plot as he ran short of seed. When he came in, he Tiddums and I went down town in the waggon and got Aunty Alice's trunks which were at the station having been checked right through and took them up to Hubys My little chestnut tree from Glen Bros was there too. It cost me $1.00 duty & expenses. We got some cream jars over at the James' and some oats chopped at the mill Dad took a whole waggon load of bags up to the mill for old Ivey and we also got a bushel of clover seed at Billy Laings to sow on the barley and oats. It was raining a little when we got back https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/2fbda31c5b56898320da9a9311b776ec.pdf 41a201de8998cf55719457b4d07a91bb PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. and Tiddums was just about asleep. Dad. helped me set out my chestnut tree before dinner, we put in the same place where one of the little English walnuts had been and filled the hole up with nice black earth from the garden and back of the barn instead of the stiff clay of the lawn. This after noon old Mr. Evans came after Dad in a great state of alarm as he had let his cows out on the road and one of them came home very bloated. Dad. went over with him and found John Wess & Cam there looking at the cow but didn't seem to know what to do. Dad just tied a stick in her mouth and he said the never saw bloat go down so fast, before he left she was chewing her cud and old Evans was tickled to death. Dad. was over there the best part of the after noon and when he got back he put the dining room carpet down for Enah. I spent the after noon cleaning out the chicken houses. Harry Smith drove in to-night with the little Pecan tree I ordered from Brown Bros. through Mr. Morgan. It wasn't wrapped up at all and had a long tap root about twice as long as the top and very little fibrous roots I just heeled it in for to-night. Harry stood out in the rain for about half an hour dicussing the future prosperity of Dover in his comical and <s>characestistic</s> characteristic (or however you spell the dum word) way and telling us the difficulties he had in getting money on the lots he sold over Brant Hill, but he thought the war couldn't last for ever and hard times would be over some day and when the new railway "come in from Brantford" and they established a lake traffic and "drudged the mashes" all out up the creek, why he looked for a big boom. Old Ivey told us this morning that last nights paper had the news that Blight had been completely burned out and Dick said to-night that it was reported he had lost thirty thousand dollars as he had just put in seventeen thousand dollars worth of new machinery It has rained most of the day but it has been a nice gentle rain Saturday May 1st Dad. put in another whole day on the barley ground, this morning he rolled it and this afternoon harrowed it and ran out the ditches and started to clean some. Frank and I spent most of the forenoon trying to catch the old white ewe or her lamb to give the little fellow a suck but she was too cute for us and wouldn't get in a corner at last we got her around in the shed and managed to catch her and put her in the barn. Tiddums followed us all over the field saying he was having a good time, he could hardly walk part of the time for laughing at us and the ewe. We then https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/f7b9421f7ce0e9b25045a6c9299f4adc.pdf b13ae34d10fbdbaf0d34421592832677 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. {This is a repeat of the previous page} https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/1a9635c78b4954f7c83e650c6312811c.pdf 410db8860e9b0317fb344e7039b1cb18 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. went out with a rail & a chain and started to pull the posts along the old fence bottom which is between the barley field and the corner field. Frank took Dad's place on the roller and Dad. helped me pull posts, we got about half of them out by noon. This after noon I went over to Jack Martins with some eggs and borrowed their post auger, when I came back I dug a hole with it in the lane in front of the house and Frank helped me plant my Pecan tree in it. I have my grave doubts about it ever ammounting to anything although it had root enough. Frank went over to Preston's and sacked up four bushels of potatoes as we are out of them now and when Dad finished harrowing we took the team & waggon and went and got them they were forty five cents a bushel. I went in for a few minutes to see Arthur who has been laid up for about a month and he looks tough, he hasn't had energy enough to shave and with his beautiful beard is the image of the old man. Bluch followed us down there and while prowling around saw Mrs. Herb. Cook's tame rabbit and took after it. The rabbit was too fat to run so the consequence was he killed it. Darn him! I spent the whole evening practicing on the fiddle and piano. Dad. was up at five o'clock this morning and took a letter he had written to Aunty down to post then while he was separating the milk Jack Anderson came after him to tell him his grandfather's cow was choking on an apple Dad. was hopping mad at old Lige sending after him but he went down and fixed the cow and said he gave Lige an awful calling down and told him never to send for him again. Lila and Dorothy Anderson have been over here all the after noon. Today's paper has another long list of Canadian Casualties and the 48th Highlanders have lost heavily. Fred McDonald is missing and his picture is in the Globe, it says the missing are either prisoners or their bodies still lie in the no man's land between the two armies. It has been cooler to-day and cloudy but no rain. Sunday May 2nd I was up fairly early this morning but didn't get to Sunday school, Frank went and Enah and I drove down to church, we were late so I sat up behind the organ. It was communion sunday and after the sermon I thought I would go out till those of the choir who didn't stay <s>could</s> went out and I went down and was talking to Pud. Slocombe for awhile and when I got back to church I was too late to go in This afternoon Colin Ryersie came up and he Frank & I went for a ride. Colin's mare "Lady" & Belle had both been https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/3c7074e48e2f9fdc693954997d399c20.pdf 60a0a93cda85faa54b1edadd702db263 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. working all week so we didn't ride them hard, we went down the Lake Shore to Corbett's but Corby didn't go with us. When we got home Enah, Dad. & Tiddums had gone back to the gully for a walk. Cool & rather cloudy all day but no rain. Monday May 3rd Dad. cleaned at the ditches in the barley field most of the morning but didn't quite finish them. Enah, Tiddums & I went down town in the lumber waggon as Enah wanted to get some oilcloth for our bedroom and some other stuff. We got a post auger at James', he said it was the best kind he knew but it was just like Vyse's. When we got back Dad. and I gathered up the good posts that we pulled the other day from the fence bottom between the barley & corner fields and took them back to the gully to fix the cross fence. On our way back we gathered up the other posts that were pulled and what rubbish there was and brought it up to the house. This after noon Dad let the cattle back the lane and we went back with them to fix fence, we were back there most of the after noon and got soaking wet as we were out in the biggest part of a cold rain, but we put in four posts and got the fence fixed fairly well. The cattle as soon as they got out instead of gorging themselves on grass took a walk around every fence to see if there was any place where they could get out. Mary who Dad. let out of the barn for the first time this morning didn't know what grass was and was afraid of the mudhole in the lane so didn't go back with the others, but I think she will soon be acquainted with the outside world. Charlie Quanbury was in on his way home from his farm to-night, he said Steve Powell hadn't heard anything from or of Cecil since the big battle so they supposed he wasn't in it, the last letter they got from him he was in the hospital with pneumonia which he contracted after spending forty eigh hours in the trenches. I saw Herb. Cooke this morning and he informed me that in retaliation for the sudden death of his pet rabbit he was going to shoot Bluch the next time he came around his place I told him to go ahead and shoot him. Cloudy and a cold east wind to-day. It rained all the after noon and evening but will likely do good. Tuesday May 4th Dad. & I went back to the gully to finish fixing fence but while we were back there John Wess came along to ask Dad. about a cow that stood around and didn't eat but grunted. Dad. told him to give her a dose of salts but he said he did so we went back with him to see her. We had a look at her and then turned her out for a bite of https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/62b5314663c5f9a284ac8ed47aa1962f.pdf c278ceaa243f6d32fcc807f12e6a3e15 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. grass, had a look at his new bull which is a beauty but very small, got weighed on his new scales, I weighed 156 lbs and Dad. shrunk a few pounds since the other day when he was over so that he didn't weigh so much as John Wess. We then all had a drink of cider and a look at the sick horse and the young calves and went in to the house to see the new 25. calibre rifle that Cam brought home and the new telescope sight he brought for his father, he also brought him a little 22. and we had a few shots out of it at a target while Dad. was talking to Mrs. McBride and when he came out he wanted to know where the sick cow had got to so we had to go and look for her. John Wess and I had forgotten all about her but she was out behind the barn nipping a little grass but it was beginning to rain so we put her in. John Wess gave us about a peck of peas for seed in the garden and after having a look at the little pigs and the wheat we started for home, his wheat looks beautiful it is so even and clean. The piece that was sowed first was on a summer fallow and was up a little higher than that on the pea stubble which was in pretty late but was not so good a color. One part of the pea stubble field next the lane didn't get any manure on it and there is about four inces difference in the growth of it and the other part of the same field. He has a dandy catch of clover but clover is going to be thicker than we expected but the {illegible} is thicker still. It was nearly one o'clock when we got up and Enah and Eliza McBride were waiting dinner for us Mrs McBride is in Buffalo on a visit so Eliza<s>s</s> is on the job to-day. They said the two Quanbury boys had been over and had looked all over the farm and the whole length & breadth of the gully for us to get their pigs but couldn't find us of course. Just after dinner Mrs. Tom Cooper and old Mrs. Billy Anderson tramped over in the pouring rain to see Dad. about old Mehaley's little dog which got a crack over the back with a club the other day. As they were soaking wet there was nothing for it but for Dad. to hook up and take them home. It poured rain all the after noon so we didn't do much but sit around and get in Enah's & Eliza's road. I was pretty lucky this after noon though in steering clear of job for Eliza is just as bad as her mother to work. I drove her home after tea. It has been a cold rain but no thunder. Wednesday May 5th Dad and I took a walk over the barley ground or around it rather and around the barley & oats but there https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/3ca2aae71517fdbee0c05dcc8db4ead1.pdf 8df5c738103e3292469a6520754d3dcd PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. was very little water lying but the ditches were all full Dad. of course thinks we got altogether too much rain but we saw Tupper coming along the side road and he gave us a ride around to the house, he thinks we just got enough rain as it is really the first rain to ammount to anything all year. Tupper wanted some advice from Dad about a cow with a teat torn so that the milk came out of the side of it. He turned his cattle on the road the other day and they got up near Walker's lane and Trum set the dog on them and he took after the best cow Tupper had. Dad. told him to put a siphon in it and draw it up and wrap it with adhesive tape. I spent the rest of the day cutting the lawn and got it looking better although the old lawn mower doesn't work very well and leaves it all streaked. Dad. helped Enah paste up some wallpaper in the hall and this after noon went back to set a couple more fence posts. The war news is not very cheerful to-day. The Allies are advancing all right in Turkey but the Russians are being driven back by the Austro-German advance in Galicia and the Germans are bringing in a half a million fresh troops to the Western Front. I don't think we know much about it from these papers. There has been rain and sunshine by spells all day to-day. Milder Thursday May 6th Dad. Tiddums and I went down to the mill first thing this morning as I was right out of chicken feed. When we got back we went out and pulled the old posts that were in the old garden and the few that were left in the old fence bottom and hauled them back to the gully and strewed them along the road fence. Tiddums went with us but got pretty sleepy. We had to go up the road to turn around and Art Quanbury had left his waggon on the road with his horse food in it and Evans & Lampkins cows were all into it. Art. was plowing but I guess it would be too wet. This after noon Dad. & I went back and fixed more fence in this end of the gully, we got the crossfence and the north fence pretty well fixed. About five o'clock we went over to John Wess' to see his sick cow He had her out although she wasn't feeling right yet. She ate and chewed her cud but still grunted. We were there till nearly six visiting. We shouldn't have stayed so long as it made us too late to get down to the train and Aunty & Aunty Alice came home to-night. Frank went down to meet them and Dad. & I went down to Huby's later to see them. It has been nice and sunny to-day but a rather cold wind. The Quanbury's got their four pigs yesterday. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/687fce7aae54f2c973c2fd11da498ee9.pdf 49603258415e2218b36c047c41063591 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Friday May 7th It rained before we got up this morning and has been raining pretty much all day although there were a few patches of sunshine. This after noon there was a terrific downpour but it didn't last long. The ground is full of water now and of course Dad. thinks or says he does that we are ruined, but I wouldn't be a bit surprised if we lived through it all and maybe even through next winter without starving to death. I tested the eggs in the incubator this morning and they tested out about half I took out sixty four and left a lot of doubtful ones in. I didn't expect much of a hatch anyway as the eggs were old. I hard boiled all the ones I took out and am going to keep them for the little fellow. This after noon Dad. Enah and Tiddums went down town to see Aunty & Aunty Alice, they didn't get caught in the heavy rain but got some of it. I spent the day making hen's nests for setting hens and a coop for hens and chicks or rather repairing an old one which Williams left here. To-night I went down and got my hair cut and then down to Huby's to see Aunty and Aunty Alice. Everybody is talking now about the news in to-night's paper. The Germans have torpedoed the "Lusitania" and about fifteen hundred passengers were drowned. They gave warning to passengers in Washington before she sailed but everybody had such confidence in her great speed being such a protection to her that they didn't pay any attention to the warnings of the German embassy. Dad. thinks they were perfectly justified in sinking her as she was carrying a large consignment of ammunition and other contraband of war, but even then it doesn't seem to me to be any excuse for sinking so many women and babies. I think the Captain and the Cunard line were also very much to blame for allowing women passengers to go with such a cargo. There were about 150 babies on board and they all either drowned or died of exposure about six hundred people were saved. They were in the Irish Sea about ten miles out from the Irish coast and there were a lot of ships came out immediately she sank but it was so sudden and she sank in thirty minutes that there was no time to get ready for it. Aunty & Aunty Alice came home on the train with a little woman 21 years old with a four months old baby who was going from her home in Saskatoon to her father in Englan as he was all alone, his five sons being at the front and she was the only other child. She was to have sailed on the Lusitania. The porter on the train begged her not to go on that boat as she was doomed but she said she was not afraid. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/d49bbfe6e378fdb80d358094f9d05e38.pdf 51fa6279eb217c21ac589cd8651d610d PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Saturday May 8th Instead of fixing fence this morning as we intended Dad. & Frank worked all morning cleaning out the woodshed while I weeded out the rose bed and got it looking much better. This after noon Aunty & Aunty Alice came over and we all except Enah went back to the woods for awhile. They intended to go back down town after tea but it rained so hard they had to stay here all night. I got a letter from Ottawa to-day with a copy of the Canada Gazette enclosed with a law marked in it prohibiting the importation of chestnut trees from the States and saying that I would have to either export it back or destroy it. I was naturally pretty mad about it as I thought they should have never let it cross the line and not sent it up here and let me pay duty on it and get it all set out, however I wrote them a nice letter asking them to let me keep it if possible. It has been a lovely day but rained to-night. Sunday May 9th I didn't get ready in time this morning to get to Church or Sunday school so Dad. drove Enah down and went down again after her. I wrote to Quint instead of going to church. Aunty & Aunty Alice came over to dinner with Frank and Win also came over for the afternoon. After dinner we had a little music and then Dad. drove Aunty & Aunty Alice up to the cemetry. Soon after they left Mrs. Smythe & Pud drove in and were here all the after noon and to tea Pud. and I went to the back of the place and wandered around Enah, Mrs. Smythe, Frank & Win. went down to church while Dad. Pud & I stayed here to guard Tid in case he woke up Dicky Smith was in for a while after tea to get some information concerning the dehorning of a cow. Charlie Quanbury & Colin Ryersie were both in a different times this after noon on horseback. Nice day but cooler. Monday May 10th We fixed fence all day to-day but as we were working along the road we didn't get on so amazingly fast, but we got it pretty well fixed from Evan's line down to the gate into the big gully, we also fixed the gate which got all broken to pieces during the winter or on Hallowe'en, I forget which The two Quanbury boys were pulling posts on their side of the road and that was conducive to considerable mutual visiting and restarted progress. This after noon Art. Walker came along and told us all his experiences during his ten weeks stay in the General Hospital having his eye https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/a6974fc2364cff4d346f961383bb3550.pdf 01171c389a2d6f2b637461bb2e9faa5a PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. treated. As it was the longest period Art. ever spent away from home, there was much to tell. Then Tupper appeared on the scene with about half a dozen boards in his waggon & had evidently been down town all the after noon at the very least but we were up on the hill and couldnt hear him talk very well on account of the wind so he didn't stay long with us but went up and spent half an hour or so talking to the Quanbury boys. To-nights paper says that Fred McDonald is a prisoner in Germany and Aunty got a letter from Cousin Carrie which confirms the report. They heard through some lady in London whose son is sharing the same fate at Fred. Cousin Carrie said that if they had received the news ten days ago it would have been awful but after the suspence they have been in since he was reported missing it is a happy relief. George Duncan came over to-night on his motorcycle and said the rails which Dad spoke for are in their road now as they have to put their fence up so Dad. told him we would be up to-morrow after them, although we hated to stop our other work. Sunny and warm. Tuesday May 11th We got a good early start this morning and managed to get home two loads of rails before one o'clock. This after noon we only got one load as we were delayed considerably. Jack Davis came in before we left with King Chocolate. I think we will use him this year with Belle as we can't seem to get any colts from a heavy horse and we don't know of a thorobred stallion in the country. Sensation has gone to Montreal where he stands for $100. and I guess King Chocolate is the next best we can get. We were stopped again on the road by Wess Buchner who wanted to ask Dad. about his horse's shoulder. He, Jack McBride, Wm. Walker and another fellow are all riding the road machine to-day and seem to be having a very sociable & enjoyable time of it, they have changed the beats now and those fellows come right down to our corner, Dad. told them he wouldn't raise any kick if they scraped our lane for us and we were very much surprised to-night to find they had. Our next holdup was when we reached Duncan's as old Bill was in the lane clipping weeds when we went up and coming back. He would have been talking yet but happily they were hauling manure so we had to move on in a little while to get out of the men's way. We didn't get home till nearly six o'clock and there is still a load up there which https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/3407742f57dd6c51fc96fea0b09efe5c.pdf e66a9199dcbf06a79869e5c5e4888bd0 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. we will have to get in the morning. Mrs. McPherson & Mrs. Myers were in this morning each with her "youngest". Mrs. Myers brought back the hen canary she got the other day as it wouldn't mate with hers. Dad. thought that as he had given it to her she might have had the decency to keep it as we don't want the pesky thing. Aunty & Aunty Alice came over to-night to stay awhile. We saw in to-nights paper that Earl Dewar who was at the front with the 10th Battalion was dead. I think he must have died of some illness and not wounds as we saw a week or so ago that he was seriously ill. Very hot & sunny to-day Wednesday May 12th This morning we went back after our last load of rails. We were gone all morning as Dad. had to stop in at Wess Buchner's to lance his horses' shoulder. He had two of them each with an awful shoulder. He just ran the exploring needle into one and says it will have to be opened again. On our way out of Duncan's lane with our rails we ran across old Bill again. He was worrying to death because one of the manure spreaders wouldn't work. He says he worries all the time and can't help it. he is afraid everything will go wrong when he isn't at the head of things and every little mishap he sees drives him nearly crazy. George is in reality doing fine. We had a very early dinner and right after it Dad. drove Aunty & Aunty Alice up to the cemetry and I spent the after noon disking, harrowing and rolling the garden and disking & harrowing the strip in the plum orchard where we are going to put the raspberries. After they got back Dad. caught his ewe and sheared her and before tea Aunty Alice put in some onion sets or multipliers at the head of the garden. Aunty and Tim-boy worked all the after noon at the flower bed in front of the house.Very nice day not so hot as yesterday. Thursday May 13th Aunty Alice and I worked in the garden all morning and got in a row of squaw corn which she brought from the West three rows of peas which John Wess gave us five or six rows of Dad. Atkinson potatoes and Aunty Alice went over to the Quanbury's and got some cabbage and tomato plants and put them out We then ran out of seed but Enah had to go down town this after noon to give Miss Dyer some instructions about playing the organ in church and she got some more https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/4105e0dbf815430bd97e4e5312e5f95f.pdf 4cf72ad797109a6993357ac452571f88 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Dad. sowed clover seed on the barley & oats and alsike on the wheat this morning and this after noon ran a ditch up through the garden and helped me set out some raspberrys which I dug up out of the old garden. It was very hot this morning but got cloudy and cooler. Friday May 14th I helped Dad. stick up some wire this morning between the orchard & the plum orchard as there is fine pasture in the one while the oats in the plum orchard aren't big enough to turn on yet. I then helped Aunty Alice put in the rest of the garden we put in beets, carrots, beans and a lot of Golden Bantam corn which I planted with the planter and some radish, lettuce & pepper seed and some lettuce plants which came up from seed. This after noon Dad. & I worked at the gully fence again and got it pretty well fixed along the road. Aunty & Aunty Alice went over to Mrs. Battersby's to roll bandages for the Red Cross Mr. Quanbury gave Aunty Alice some more cabbage plants and lettuce plants as the old gobbler ate a half a dozen of the other cabbages. Miss Harding and Winnie were over to tea to-night. I got word yesterday that my little chestnut tree must go back to the States or perish here. Nice day. Saturday May 15th Frank had to go to school this morning for some special exam so Dad. & I spent the morning fixing the fence along the north side of the gully at least he did but I just sat around most of the time. It is a job that two have to be at part of the time but part of the time one is out of a job. This after noon Frank helped him and I dug up my little tree and took it down and expressed it back to Glen Bros. asking them to refund my money but I don't suppose they will, Aunty & Aunty Alice went down town too. We were in at Huby's for a little while He has been working all week at his garden and has it all in now. He says he is coming over to the farm on Monday There has been quite a cold wind all day and it froze last night but not enough to hurt anything here. Sunday May 16th Dad. woke up somewhere about four o'clock this morning and was reminded that he didn't turn the windmill out by hearing it going so he got up to do it, and on taking a look behind the old barn found Ginger with great big mouse colored colt as fine as a fiddle. As it was beginning to rain and was cold Dad. got me and we put https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/ba2209f90319149a1f5035db5860c71a.pdf ce877c3d8c894cfa82f869ad6b27382a PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. them in the box stall. Billy is a dandy horse colt as straight as a string two white feet and a spot in his forehead. Dad. thinks he will be black. Aunty, Frank and I drove down to Sunday school and church this morning but none of us ezxcept Dick who followed his usual course of action went anywhere else all day but spent the after noon reading and I had a little practice on my horn with Enah. It has rained a quiet drizzling rain nearly all day but has been cold. Monday May 17th Huby came over at seven this morning and he and Dad have worked all day up at the cemetry doing some work for Aunty Alice. They took a waggon load of rich earth up and a lot of sod. This after noon Aunty, Aunty Alice and Tid. went up with them and they were rather late getting home. I spent the day cutting the lawn and doing odd jobs, my chickens are all starting to hatch to-day and there seems to be quite a bunch of them. I wernt over to Jack Martin's a couple of times to see if I could get some chicken feed but just enough for to-night and the morning. Albert Buck was over to-night to see if he could sell Aunty Alice his house. Everyone seems to be deluded into thinking that she wants to buy although she has never had the slightest intention of it. Some even went so far as to say she had bought Maneers house on Main St. Enah and Aunty Alice went over to Mrs. Battersby's after tea and when they got back Enah and I had a little practice on the fiddle & piano. It has been cloudy and very raw and cold all day. Tuesday May 18th Dad & I took the chickens out of the machine this morning and stuck them under the old hens over the hog pen. They only had thirteen between the three of them and one hen didn't hatch any at all. About thirty came out of the incubator and they are still hatching. I put the eggs which weren't hatched from under the hens in the incubator. Dad. got started to plow the corn ground but Bob Miller & Whit Dixon came over to look at the steers and they were here about an hour. Dad. wouldn't sell either of his steers but Whit came over to where I was and asked me what I wanted for my steer. I thought likely he had been dickering with Dad or I wouldn't have sold him but Whit said the market was glutted so I let him go for seventy dollars and they get him when they want him. I guess I lost on him but if I https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/c881cfe22f32b3c784302b0ce0a3e097.pdf 321e171910b3f8da7d42a74a73e968da PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. can get my money for him right away it will be worth something. Huby dug up enough more raspberries out of the old garden to finish the line we started and another one. After we set them out after dinner, we went back and grubbed out some old trees which were along the old fence bottom at the north end of the <s>gully fence</s> wheat stubble and where Dad is plowing He is going to plow it up the fence bottom and put potatoes on it if we ever get around to it as Peter McArthur says. We didn't finish this job till it was time to come up and do chores. Aunty & Aunty Alice went up to the Smythe's to-day to stay for a day or two. It is still cold and raw. It froze last night and will again to-night. It is bad weather for all the crops. Wednesday May 19th Huby has been over all day and has been grubbing out dead trees in the plum orchard most of the day and got them all cleaned out. I did chores most of the morning and this after noon went over and got 559 lbs of mixed feed from Jack Martin for the chickens. I had to sack it up myself so was gone quite awhile. Chris told me to hook old Jack up to the democrat and bring it home which I did. Dad. quit plowing about five and we all went down to get Aunty Alice's freight which Dick told us came yesterday. Enah & the baby went down with us and stayed at Huby's till we came back from the train, we left the boxes at Huby's. I got a letter from Glen Bros. to-night saying that they could not accept the tree as it was not barred from entering the Dominion. They sent me a copy of a letter they received from the Government Botanist of B.C. saying there were only two varietys of chestnut trees barred. They also sent me a copy of a letter they wrote to Mr. {Gusson?} telling him he was wrong. To-night I rode out to the Smythe's to see how they were out there and found them all right It was after half past nine when I got there so I didn't stay long. Huby brought over two little <s>chest</s> butternut tree which he got on his way over and set them out. It has been cloudy & cold all day but is not going to freeze to night. It did again last night. Charlie Quanbury lost 600 tomato plants in a cold frame. Thursday May 20th Huby came over this morning and has been digging out old peach trees in the old garden all day, while Dad. plowed. Sam Law came over and borrowed the disks, roller & harrows to work up his garden and and his lane which he graded up. I did a lot of chores aided by Tid both after breakfast & after dinner. I have about sixty little chicks all to-gether under three hens, the incubator did better than I expected. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/450d43953eaa56b1d58c5286d11972f7.pdf 51b096a460715330198a378694007735 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. after I did chores I went out and helped Huby We got out all the old peach trees and all but a few of the old currant bushes We left a few for this summer's crop. We also burned the old haycocks which were out in the field. It began to rain about five o'clock and we had to come in. It has been a little warmer to day but a cold wind and cloudy. Friday May 21st It has rained off and on nearly all day clearing up late this after noon. Dad. plowed three rounds but got pretty wet. It would stop raining every time he got to this end of the field and look so clear that he would start off again when it would immediately start in again to rain, this kept up for three rounds but the fourth he quit anyway although in the dry but it was wet again before he got to the house We didn't do much all day but chores. This after noon we hooked up to the waggon and went down to the mill after some chop & flour. Tid. went with us. We saw John Wess who was telling us about his neighbor Smith who is Bill Oakes son-in-law and who just moved down on Wright's place this Spring. He is sick in bed with Typhoid fever and the other day John Wess had to go over and bury his horse which got over a barbed wire fence and cut itself so badly that it bled to death. It was a fine big three year old which he had been offered $275.00 for this Spring. About seven o clock Mrs. Smythe brought Aunty & Aunty Alice back. Frank spent the evening down town playing poker with Huby & Aunty Maude as Win & Lila were at the show. Milder since the rain. Saturday May 22nd Dad. got in a pretty good day plowing to day. Frank had to go to school this morning and I just did chores. This after noon he & I levelled up the water troughs. The one at this end had sagged so that when it filled the water ran out of the top instead of the overflow pipe but I think we got it fixed pretty well. When we got that done Frank, Lila & Dorothy Anderson went back to the woods and I started to hoe the patch where the currant bushes are. Enah went down town this after noon and I drove down after her about half past five. Aunty & Aunty Alice went down town this morning and Aunty stayed at Huby's to dinner. She & Winnie came over this after noon & Win. went down with me before tea. Mrs. Col. Smith & Mrs. Hobbes came over this after noon and Aunty Alice and Tiddums entertained them. It has been a fine day but rather windy and cool much milder that it was though. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/5445f6d9b0d2b1598b80fc86f692647b.pdf 9b1ad900daa43897b4fd5c756252666d PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Sunday May 23rd Aunty & Frank got <s>a pretty</s> down to Sunday School & church this morning and Dad. & Enah got a pretty good start for the Smythe's so that they were able to get to St. John's for church Mrs. Smythe invited them up there to dinner to see Louise as she came up from Toronto yesterday with the Evan's in their car to the Bowlby's but as they found they would see much more of Louise if they went to the Bowlby's to dinner so Mrs. Smythe was nice enough to let them go, they were there all the afternoon and Dad. got back in time to help me milk. They left Tiddums in Aunty's & Aunty Alice's care and he was very good and didn't cry a bit. At dinner he got a little egg on his dress and he looked up at Aunty and said "I usually wear a bib." This after noon Mr. Lawrie & Hubert came over for awhile they are here for over the 24th. Aunty Alice & I had a little concert this after noon. Frank went up to Walleys to look for Ginseng but didn't find any. Frank went down to church to-night. Nice sunny cool day. Monday May 24th Dad. plowed all day to-day, he helped me get the brooder out of the shed this morning and put it in the plum orchard and I was quite awhile cleaning it out and working around out there. I let the three old hens with their broods run loose to-day. I went over to Jack Martin's and got some chick food & scratch food. This after noon to celebrate the day Enah, Tiddums and I took a long and very pretty drive up around Vittoria & Port Ryersie, we took some pictures. Frank was down town all the after noon. Dover & <s>Simcoe</s> Nanticoke were playing baseball, but Dover got beaten by nine runs. Cars. Rankin accidently hit Art. Lawson in the eye with a bat and broke his glasses cutting his eye. Dick was down town all day too. Frank went with Winnie to the Moving Picture show to-night. Huby and Skinner Manning drove over to see Dad this after noon. It has been a lovely day. Sunny & warm Tuesday May 25th Dad. plowed till about five o'clock but had to stop as his shear was so badly worn so he disked till six I did up the chores and hoed every thing that was up in the garden I hoed a little more around the currant bushes it took me a good part of the day doing chores as the little chickens take up so much time. Aunty & Aunty Alice went down to have dinner with Mrs. Allen at the Norfolk House to-day and stayed down at Huby's to-night. Huby was over all day and got all the old rubbish out in the old garden https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/10ac5cdf07d7d84b06b3bcd86314f7ce.pdf 194210716c07d1ac3fa2d1081f42b646 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. burned and the old post holes filled up. Frank went down town to-night to get Aunty to help him with his lessons. Very warm all day and a lovely gentle rain to-night. Bred Belle to King Chocolate this morning. Wednesday May 26th I did chores nearly all morning and sorted out the barrel of apples down cellar. I also started the incubator going. Huby came over and after he finished cleaning up the old fence bottom beween the barley and the clover field which he started yesterday, we started to line up for the chicken fence which I want to put up along east of the raspberries in the plum orchard. We were at that all the after noon and got stakes set and enough old posts and rails which we will use for posts between the bigger posts. We got enough old boards off the road fence to put along the bottom. Dad. plowed all day but didn't quite finish. He was delayed at noon by Bickler's man coming in with Truchety and we bred Ginger. He quit about five and to-night he & Enah went out to the John Shand's, they didn't get back till about twelve. Aunty & Aunty Alice came over this after noon but Tid didn't wake up. Colin Ryersie went past this morning and said they had started plowing the big flats yesterday, they were going to start two or three weeks ago. Colin said "It is just eighteen years ago the day before yesterday that Paw and {Drake?} Watts were out before the crow flapped her wings in the morning and planted the big field by one o'clock, then went down to play football for the Queen's birthday sports in the after noon". That was the last time the flats were plowed and Huby says it is just about that long ago next October when the creek was the highest he ever saw it and was running full with corn shucks, pumpkins, rail fences and down around the swing bridge apple barrels where they had floated off the cars at the station. This may account for the long span of years that Art's big flats were left in sod, but the creek is about two feet lower now than it was in those days. It has been cloudy and a very cold north wind all day and it looks like frost to-night. Thursday May 27th Huby didn't come over to-day so I spent the most of the morning doing chores but got the two lines of raspberries hoed and some of the old manure out of the chicken yard put around them. Dad. finished plowing the corn ground and got nearly over it with the disks it will take a lot of work. This after noon I drove Enah & Tid. down town for some groceries just as we got back Mr & Mrs Johnson & George came in with their car and they took Aunty Aunty Alice Enah & Tid up to the cemetry. Lila https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/828fe31360f9c9f05700b0830b9e07ce.pdf 5ba4dc22324669075d1d571e89503714 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. came over with them. To-night Aunty Alice went over to Mrs. Battersby's to borrow a book and I went with her. I also took Mrs. Charlie Martin a setting of eggs for which she paid me forty cents. I see by to-day's "Norfolk Reformer" that Capt. Simpson left this morning for England to join the Army Service Corps, I wish I had been up to drill before he went. Dick said to-night that May Ivey who is at the Culp's with plural pneumonia is not expected to live through the night. It froze hard again last night and did a lot of damage I guess. Some of our tomato plants in the garden were nipped and some were not, has been sunny but a very cold wind all day from the north. Friday May 28th After I did up the chores this morning I went out and took the team and Dad. came up and took the old sow down to Porter's, he was down there to dinner and didn't get back till four o'clock. I rolled the corn ground and got started to harrow it. Huby was over all day and set the posts in the plum orchard for the fence along the raspberries Something has been wrong with Snowdrop all day and to-night Huby Dad. & Frank examined her but couldn't see much but a little spot on her jaw which Dad. didn't think would affect her much, she went around all day with her nose to the ground and didn't eat at all. He ran the probang down her throat but everything seemed clear. Frank and I went down to Huby's to-night and had a game of poker. They had a baseball game down town to-night between the married and single men. Frank took it in but I didn't get down in time The single men men beat 6-5. Much warmer to-day. Saturday May 29th I worked on the corn ground all day to-day. I finished harrowing it and got it disked over lengthwise. Dad & Frank sheared sheep all day, they got four done I think Dad. says he is getting quite expert at it. Lila and Dorothy Anderson were over all the after noon and I let them ride the horses in from the field to-night which they seemed to enjoy, they had been waiting around for about an hour for me to unhook. Snowdrop is aparently all right to-day, we don't know what could have been wrong with her unless there was something in her throat that Dad. loosened with the probang and didn't know it. Aunty Alice has been tending to the little chickens for me, a lot of them have their eyes swelled shut. I think they have caught cold. It has been sunny all day but there has been a cold east wind. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/d090d963625b1d257109536464505e6d.pdf 40371d2541c37a14a0b4b05e3852c890 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Sunday May 30th Aunty & Frank and I went to Sunday school and church. Enah came down to church and Dad. brought the baby down and went over with Enah to the James' for dinner and to spend the after noon, they took Tid. down to the lake for a little while and had an early tea down there. I saddled Joe and went for a ride after dinner. I went down to the Ryerse's but none of them went for a ride so I went out to the Shand's and got Charlie to go with me. His uncle John had the little sorel which he generally rides so he had to take Billy the big grey and the consequence was we couldn't go much off a walk. We went down to Marburg and up the third concession. I stopped in to see Sid. McBride but he wasn't home. I wanted to ask him about getting some more of his hog-meal. We also saw Hammond on his way home from Sunday school, we were talking to him for about an hour. He was telling us all his Guelph experiences, he would like to go to the war but his Dad. won't let him, the whole three of us would go if we got the chance, but Charlie is not well at all. I don't know what is wrong with him. Frank rode to Simcoe this after noon on his wheel, when I got home he was back after the cows. He was gone a very long time and upon investigation I found that a newly arrived calf was causing the delay, it belonged to Spot and Frank was bringing it up to the barn. It was a fine big red & white bull and had evidently been born quite early in the day. Dad. just got home as we got it up into the yard. Aunty and Aunty Alice went down to stay at Huby's for a week It has been a fine day but a cold east wind. Monday May 31st I disked crosswise on the corn ground all day but didn't get quite over it. Dad. sheared some more sheep, I think he only has two more to do now. Huby was over all day and put a post in at this end of the lane to put the gate latch on, he also fixed the fence at the end of the lane between the gatepost and the anchor post, he didn't feel very well to-day. To-night Frank and I went down to see another baseball match between the married and single men. The single beat 5-4. I fooled around town till about nine o'clock and then went down to Huby's for a little while. Frank was down there and Aunty was going over his lessons with him. They were all working late in the bank to-night as it is the end of the month. It has been quite hot all day to-day but the wind is still from the East. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/dcd4d5dc969feb5a650bade0b97b6c7f.pdf 50d35ece2f7abbc0db0cac811b4eccdd PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Tuesday June 1st This morning I finished disking the corn ground and got started to roll it At noon I drove Enah and Tiddums down to Mrs. Leslie Battersby's for dinner and brought Huby over, he said he felt well enough to work but didn't like to walk over, he sat in the house and shelled corn all the afternoon. I also got old Daddy's collar from Val. as Dad was going to hook Joe & him up but he sheared the last sheep instead, he sheared the other one this morning, he took the team till I got out after I had my dinner. I finished rolling and started to harrow crosswise, about five Dad. came out and relieved me and I drove Huby home. I drove him out to Charlie Tuple's first to get some archangel which is a weed that grows in a ditch out there and which Charlie claims to be a cure for Huby's ailment, he steeps it and makes a tea of it. We went around to see Bill to see if he could come and mark the corn ground for us to-morrow after noon he went down and asked his boss at the canning factory and said he could get off. He was telling us that they operated on his son-in-law over here who has just got over typhoid fever for apendicitus last night and Bill doesn't think he will live through it. May Ivey is still alive and I guess stands a chance of pulling through. Hot to-day. Wednesday June 2nd I drove Dick down to work this morning and went around to Billy Laing's to see if I could get any seed corn as Dad. is afraid to use what we have. Some of the cobs were mouldy when Huby shelled it and some Dad. planted in a flower pot only tested about 60%. Billy didn't have any and didn't know where there was any Aunty went up to Mrs. Battersby's with me and got some dahlia bulbs to send over here. When I got home Huby went over and telephoned to the Smythe's and they said they had a little so I hiked right out there but found it was just in the crib and didn't look as if it would be as good as what we have so I didn't get any. It began to pour rain just as I lef so I got pretty wet. This after noon after it stopped raining I cut part of the lawn. Huby spent the after noon building a fence two panels long from the pig pen to the orchard fence to make a small yard for the little pigs. Dad. rolled this morning but it was a little too wet this after noon so he hoed in the garden. I drove Huby down to-night and we saw Bill Oakes and told him not to come over till he thought the ground was fit to mark. Frank saw Billy Laings to-night and he said he could get us some corn in Simcoe. Cloudy and wet all day raining to-night. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/770ae9a0e3c1f20902deb626165f96fe.pdf 3eeaaef834ecd9fbadecc310cae67fe3 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Thursday June 3rd It rained hard during the night so that everything was flooded this morning but it was a good rain and as it has been pretty hot all day will do a lot of good. Dad. is beginning now to talk about a big crop of wheat this fall. This being the King's birthday Dick had a holiday. There wasn't any school but Frank went down to see and was down there all morning. I didn't do very much but cut a little lawn. Huby & Lila came over but it was too wet to do anything much so Huby went back home. Dad. opened up a few ditches. This after noon Frank and I drove to Simcoe to see if we could get any seed corn but we found that Simcoe has begun already to shut up Thursday after noons so we couldn't get in anywhere but Edmond's and they didnt have any, we got some rocksalt there. We went down to see what Brook's Mill was paying for wool and they said the same as it was quoted at in Toronto and in to-day's paper they have removed the embargo and unwashed fine which is ours has jumped from 18cts to 23 & 25cts. We saw all the Dover cadets up there they went up to take part in some contest but as near as I can make out they were the only company present so took the prizes. Frank McBride got four dollars and a medal for shooting. Friday June 4th This morning I finished rolling the corn ground and Dad. fixed fence in the gully as the cattle have been in on the oats the last two mornings. Frank saw Bill on his way to school this morning and Bill came over this after noon and marked the corn ground. It was in nice shape on top. Huby came over this after noon too and tore down fence along the road. After Bill started to mark crossways I started to plant instead of helping and Dad. helped him. It was a little too wet to plant but I got quite a lot done when Charlie Martin came over and wanted Dad. to go and look at his old mare's leg which Sam Law's mare had kicked and he was afraid had broken. She had been running at pasture in Sam's gully. Dad. went and Charlie took Huby with his shotgun over. Dad. said it was properly smashed, so Huby cut a shell and shot her. I had planted smart-nose corn from Charlie Dixon's as far as I went but when Frank came home he said Billy Laing's told him we could get some down at Jack Mason's so he and Dad. went down after tea and got about half a bushel. Aunty came over to dinner to-day and brought a piece of the blue lilly from home which we set out in the front bed. Nice day and very warm https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/38c065d990bf30a8c37f7956290ace72.pdf 149c07fa328b1546f6d57ab1cb390874 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Saturday June 5th Huby and I started in first thing to plant corn and have been at it all day. Dad. has suffered intense agony from a pain in his back which stabs him with terrible torture if he gives it the slightest twist, he doesn't know what caused it unless he hurt it a little yesterday after noon when he was helping Bill. He rolled down part of the barley and oats this morning and before noon drove out to Lorne Kniffens and took Aunty Lila & Tiddums with him to get some more seed corn as Kniffen stopped this morning and told him that Billy Laing said we were short and that he had about half a bushel left, we also got about a peck from Jack Martin this morning so that we got the biggest percentage of the field in with "Longfellow" instead of "Santrose" Dad. helped us plant this after noon till Frank finished rolling the barley & oats and then Frank helped us finish while Dad. did chores but we got it all in before six and think it ought to be a good crop. Aunty, Aunty Alice & Cousin Clare have been over all the after noon and Winnie was over to tea Aunty & Aunty Alice stayed all night. It has been very hot all day. Sunday June 6th Frank and Aunty went to Sunday school this morning and I went for a swim down at the Quanbury's. Mrs. Quanbury was very anxious to have me use their bathroom instead of the pond but I didn't and the water was fine. She gave us some asparagus and <s>lettuce</s> onions to bring home. Art has been sick and got pretty well behind with his work so Dad. told him last night that I would take the team and give him a day on Monday and he seemed very pleased. When I got home I got dressed up and Dick, Aunty Alice, Enah & I went down to church. This afternoon soon after dinner Jim Waddle and the two little girls came in and were here for quite awhile, before they left Uncle Ward & Bob. Ellis came in. Bob. didn't stay very long but went down to see Clarence Ferris but about five o'clock Mr. & Mrs. Harvey Shand came in and they & Uncle Ward stayed to tea. Frank and I did the milking and Mr. Shand drove Uncle Ward home before he & Mrs. Shand left. Dad's side has been better to-day but there is still quite a pain there when he twists it. It has been very hot to-day and feels like rain. Monday June 7th Dad's back felt worse again this morning but he helped me milk. It was nine o'clock however before I could get out with the team and started for Quanbury's https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/0d3ba24ddaa647174fa45058809af034.pdf f3ee89c5580fb66633e873d8494beee6 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. with the disks, Charlie was disking with their team and Art. was setting out tomato plants. We worked up a pen to put more tomatos on. We all went over to Charlie's place where Charlie cooked dinner, he said he didn't approve of cold lunches. After dinner we had a look around Charlie's ranch, he has corn planted on the flats and he marked it himself. It is so crooked the crows cant follow the rows to steal it. Art. hooked his team on to the waggon to drive back to his place but Charlie & I each rode one of my horses and had "some time" on the return trip. It began to rain about five o'clock so Art. who was equipped with a rubber coat drove my team home and their old team went home without driving, while Charlie & I took to the woods and walked home after the rain had dried up a little. It was hot all day but sultry. Tuesday June 8th I saddled Joe first thing this morning and rode over to John Wess' as he was going to telephone up and find out what wool was worth in Simcoe. I found it was only 20 cts which was what Henderson told Frank he was paying so when I got back Dad. & I weighed it all up and put it in a sheet and loaded it into the buggy but found it was too big a bundle to take in the buggy so we caught Belle & harnessed Joe & her and put the wool in the waggon. Old Ivey from the mill came in for awhile and talked He wanted to put his horse out to pasture for a couple of weeks but I don't know whether he will or not. By the time I got started down town it was getting near noon I didn't stop at the mill on the way down but went and got Huby to hold the team for me and when we got back Henderson had gone to dinner El. Ryerse was there so we put the wool in the warehouse and left it. I was going up to see about some locust fence posts which Dick Faulmsbe had but Huby saw Place and he said he had a car load of cedar posts on the way here so I thought we had better wait. When I got home Aunty & Aunty Alice had gone to the Harding's for dinner and Enah was due to go but Tid. wasn't awake yet so I had to hook Joe to the buggy and drive them down when he did wake up. On my way home I stopped in at the mill and got the money for the wool which was 97 lbs I got 20 cts. $19.40 When I got back I had my dinner and then Dad. & I went down to Mr. Flemming's and got a load of old shingles for Kindling as he has put a new roof on the west side of his barn and told us we could have what shingles we wanted to pick up. Dad. felt a little better to-day but not much It has been pretty hot to-day but a cool breeze https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/0214abe27901d4754f0bc84db50dec76.pdf e5da275ef92679fe34b12b1d725e2ef0 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Wednesday June 9th We didn't do anything much this morning but putter around and talk about going down town but Dad. was pretty lame so we didn't get around to it till after dinner. This after noon Dad. Aunty, Tid & I went down in the waggon and were down most of the after noon Aunty didn't come home with us but walked home to tea. Dad. went to the doctor and got an electric shock on his sore back and some medicine. I got a roll of poultry netting and Mr. James loaded up the waggon with boxes. We saw Bruce up the street a little farther and were talking to him for quite awhile. Dad. & Bruce held a sort of court of advice on Main St. as farmers from all over came flocking around with tales of woe concerning their livestock. Aunty didn't come home with us but walked over. Winnie & Rosa Jack came over to tea. Mrs. & Miss Woodson were in for a minute or two after tea before going to a bridge party at Mrs. Martin's. We had some music this evening but the girls went home early. Frank & I went down town with them. Nice day. Thursday June 10th This morning we hooked up the team and Dad & I went down to Flemming's to get another load of shingles. We took Tid. with us. Just as we got there we noticed that our colts were out of the gully and in the field so I struck right accross to put them back but I couldn't head them off alone and so they got out on the road and ran up the lane to the house. There with Enah's & Aunty Alice's help I managed to get them into the barnyard. I had to go back to the gully and fix up the place were they got out. I took the shotgun with me in case there were crows on the corn field but there weren't so I went on over to the woods but didn't see one. It was nearly noon when I got back but Dad. & Tid weren't home yet so I walked over to see if they were waiting for me but just as I got there they had left but I ran accross Vyse and he kept me in conversation for half an hour. Aunty & Aunty Alice went over to Mrs. Battersby's for dinner in honor of Mrs. Skey's birthday. This after noon Dad. & I took a strand of barbed wire and stretched it over the piece of fence where the colts broke out and fixed it a little better. It was in the middle of the new gully fence where we left a place for gates but only stretched a piece of wire by hand. I think old Dandy probably caught his foot in it. Dad. felt quite a bit better in his back to-day but felt a little sick. Nice day. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/228399b1fecdea62c4baa0a08b73b046.pdf d30e5f2b74fd260dd99242b63d9b9348 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Friday June 11th I don't remember just what we did this morning but this afternoon I drove Enah down town for provisions as we just got word last night that the Millman's are coming up to-morrow to stay over Sunday & take Aunty and Aunty Alice back with them. When we got back Dad. & I started to clean out the floor of the big barn where the sheep were all winter. Dad. hauled a couple of loads out to the old garden to plow under. While we were there old Ivey from the mill brought his horse over to turn in the pasture. Aunty went down to a Red Cross party at Mrs. Buck's this after noon. Aunty Alice got word to-night that Mr. Billings was dead. He died at the hospital in Montreal and Mrs. Billings left right away for the West so Aunty Alice won't see her as She hoped. She feels very badly about it. Another nice day. Saturday June 12th When Dad. got up this morning he found old Ivey's horse over in Thos. A's oats. Harry must have kicked him over during the night as they didn't seem very friendly. I spent nearly the whole day cutting the lawn but I got it all cut front and back and it looks pretty nice I also dug up the rhubarb bed but not the plants. Dad put in all the day cleaning the manure out of the barn and got it looking pretty slick. We put old Ivey's chariot and our buggy in there as we will put the Millman's car in the drive house Frank spudded thistles to-day in the barley. Dick came home to tea to-night to see the Millman's. They got here just before tea. Mr & Mrs Millman, Kathleen & Orm who acted as chaffeur. After tea Orm took us three boys, Kathleen & Enah to Simcoe also Winnie & Lila. It has been hot to-day but breezy. Frank and I went down to Huby's to sleep to-night. Sunday June 13th I came home as soon as I got up this morning but Frank stayed down to go to Sunday School and church. Aunty was the only one who went down from here. Orm. Dick and I went for a swim this morning as soon as they got up, the water wasn't bad at all. After dinner I took Joe out and jumped on her back and as Kathleen was so anxious for a ride Orm out her up behind me but we didn't go very far as it was too strenuous to hang on without a saddle so then I put the saddle on her and Orm took a short ride while Kathleen was putting on an old pair of overalls then she had a little ride. They both seemed to enjoy it. This after noon Orm took all but Aunty, Aunty Alice Frank and me https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/6cde8e9585b41e410a43ec28a595d105.pdf a8a17e04f135ad778084b0f0602cca08 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. down to Hammond's bush to see old Ad. Frolick's log cabin, he got some of them down at Huby's too. When they came back Orm. Frank, Kathleen, Tiddums & I went for a ride down town and up to see Globe Park. They thought it had changed a lot since they used to summer there. We took Aunty down to stay at Mrs Leslie Battersby's to tea. After tea we took Cousin Clare home as she had been down here all the after noon - got Aunty and went up to Cousin Loll's for awhile came home again, then Orm took Frank and me down to Huby's so the car had a busy day of it. Dick was down town all the after noon. It has been very hot all day. Monday June 14th Huby came over with Frank and me to breakfast after which Huby, Mr Millman, Orm and I left for Billington's armed with fishing tackle and arms ammunition and a spade as Paw was anxious to get some ground hogs and trout We didn't get up there much before noon and spent an hour or so hunting woodchuck. Mr. Millman killed one and shot at two others at once but they went down the hole. He also set Huby and Orm to work digging one out but that got too tiresome so we quit for dinner. The Billington Bros. were very pleased to see us and gave Huby & me a pressing invitation to come up again some Sunday for a fish. We fished most of the after noon <s>was had</s> but they weren't biting, we caught four fish alto-gether. Mr. Millman one and I caught three. Before we came home we had another groundhog hunt but didn't get any. It was after eight when we left but it didn't take long to get home. We went through Normandale and saw old Bowlry Oakes. Tonight Orm took the notion that he wanted to sleep in the barn so of course none of us would be stumped and the whole four of us gathered up all the robes and quilts we could find and made a very comfortable bed but we didn't get into it till midnight and Dick was telling stories when I went to sleep but I never woke up till daybreak. It was pretty warm all day but a cool breeze. Tuesday June 15th It rained during the night and has been rather wet all morning but cleared off and was a fine afternoon Mr. Millman wanted to start for home this morning but we thought the roads would be too wet for the car so I drove Dick down to the bank this morning and took Orm with me before he was up. When Orm & I got back we thought they had decided not to go to-day so we went down again and took Kathleen with us. I took Joe down and had https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/3e2cf607693ddd73c8bea3b0b91d858c.pdf 2c0971ac9755ab351736f97efacf6317 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. her shod so we didn't get back till noon but fooled around down town all morning. At dinner we were very disappointed to find that Mr. Millman was determined to go this after noon, we did our best to persuade him that the clay roads of Walpole would hold him up but it was no use. They didn't get started till two o'clock but I guess they got home safely, the place seems lonely with so many gone all at once. I don't know how the chickens will get along without Aunty Alice. A special train came up from Hamilton this after noon with about 15 members of the Board of Trade and a brass band, they were here for about an hour and the Dover fellows took them around town in their automobiles. They delivered a few speeches. R. L. Tobey from Hamilton made a speech from all accounts principally about Huby and said he wanted to see him, but Huby wasn't up town. Huby used to be in the store in Chatam when Tobey was errand boy Huby said they used to kick him all over and never had much use for him. Enah and I & Tid. drove down for a little while but were late, we met all the automobiles on the hill and had to turn around. We saw the cadets march down town. There was crowd enough for the first of July. I went to bed about the first thing after tea to-night. Wednesday June 16th Huby came over this morning and started going over the cornfield and planting the hills which the crows and blackbirds have taken. He saw a blackbird pulling some up but the crows don't come around when any one is near. I worked around the garden most of the day. This after noon Dad. & I cultivated it. We went over to Mrs. McBrides this morning and got five bushels of dandy potatoes some of which we will use for seed. Bickler's man was in this after noon and we had to breed Ginger again. Fine and warm to-day. Thursday June 17th Huby got over the rest of the cornfield to-day and we got a bushel or so of potatoes planted. Huby & I planted and Dad. plowed them in. We put them right on the sod in every third furrow. When Frank came home to-night he told us that Place's carload of posts had come. Sunny & hot. Friday June 18th Dad. went down first thing this morning and twenty five of the new cedar posts. He brought Huby over with him and they went right back to John Wesses line with them and burned the old stump that was in the line. Shand came in while https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/a97d4b830929cf47630b9b0902433c73.pdf bb43b6afdad8b676011b5ecc74b10414 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. they were gone and said the two cars of crushed rock had come and he wanted us to turn out this after noon and help haul it, so Dad. & I went down with the team and waggon I stayed down there at the car loading waggons all the after noon. There were nine or ten teams hauling all to-gether. Dad had a tight box so he hauled the fine stuff. They are putting it on the big hill on the side road out here by our place It has been sunny and sultry all day, looks like rain. Saturday June 19th I got up good and early this morning and Dad. & I went down to haul stone again. I spen the whole morning in one of the cars shovelling out the side that didn't dump. I finished it all but about a wheel barrow load by noon but it was heavy work. They hired Huby for the day and he & Tupper's man were in the other car. They finished hauling the stone by soon after dinner, but Dad. was all the after noon hauing the fine stuff. There wasn't nearly enough of it to cover the big stones so they had to use earth which I am afraid will not be nearly as good. I stayed down at Huby's to dinner. Enah and I printed pictures to-night. Frank took Gladys down to Porter's this morning and this afternoon caught old {Dadudy?} and cultivated corn. Rained a little last night. Hot to-day but windy. Sunday June 20th Frank went to church & Sunday school this morning but Dick and I went down to Quanburys for a swim, we both swam across to the stump and back. The water was elegant but the wind rather cold. This after noon Dad. Enah & Tid went for a drive out to Mt. Zion Church. Frank went for a ride on his wheel and Dick down town I wrote to Aunty Alice. Five or six of my littlest chickens disappeared yesterday and I suspected a cat and to-night Frank caught the white cat running under the shop with one so to-night Frank put her in a sack and took her down to the fish shanties to lose her. It has been sunny all day but there has been a cool breeze. Monday June 21st We were all ready to get at the roadwork again this morning when Harvey Shand came in and said that there was another car with some fine stuff on the road and he thought it would be better to wait for it than to cover the stones up with earth, so after breakfast. We took the little jag we had on the waggon from Saturday night and put it on the road. Enah and Tiddums went with us and picked some wild straw berries along the road. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/446ed4a541905762a490370d4b38bcca.pdf 46ed8cfa42b6a035379cf639fef1cb5c PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Huby came over and when we got back we planted some more potatoes. We have been at that all day and Dad. is plowing them in. Huby hoed corn while Dad. was plowing the empty furrows and I pulled the sour dock in the barley. We quit early to-night and Enah & I went down to the the picture show to see Mary Pickford in "Tess of the Storm Country". It was pretty good. Frank rode down on his wheel, his exams started to-day, he had History, Hygiene, Composition & Spelling, he thinks he did pretty well except in the spelling which he isn't sure about.There has been a strong East wind all day and it rained quite a spatter to-night. Tuesday June 22nd I went over to Martins with some more eggs this morning and Jack said he wouldn't be wanting any more. Huby didn't get over till late as he thought it would be too wet to do any thing but he and I put the boards along the ground on the posts he set in the plum orchard for a chicken run. Mr. Morgan came over and was here to dinner, he talked to Dad. all morning who was hoeing in the garden. He told me he would get me other walnut trees and a pecan for the ones that died. This after noon we didn't get out very early but I disked over the potato patch that was planted and we planted two or three more lines all tnat we will plant I think. Huby hoed some more corn and then went back to the woods to see if he could shoot a crow but was unsuccessful. He took a couple of sitting hens down to-night to set on some Plymouth Rock eggs he is going to get from Mrs. Flemming. The white cat came back from town last night some time and was purring around complacently this morning when we went out so to-night we caught her and put her in a bag with a lot of stones and I threw her over the dam bridge, so don't expect to see her back. I hated to do it and it may bring bad luck but I don't think it is very lucky to keep her here and feed her chickens. I went down to-night for awhile and got my hair cut. Sunny but cool breez all day. Wednesday June 23rd Dad. finished plowing the patch between the potatoes and the corn this morning and disked it up well. I went over to Jack Martins with the roosters and took some bags over to get chicken feed, he said he would fill them and I could get them in the morning. Huby came over and we rolled out the poultry netting along the posts and found it https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/f0841f640613b4960e607494a586b59c.pdf 6971dab217b16c4bf4492d39f106a448 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. till about eleven and then went down town and got some wire to finish the chicken fence. Dad. helped me put it up after dinner before he went out to cultivate. I planted some pop corn in the garden between the potatoes rows and then spudded thistles till chore time. Charlie Shand was in to tell us the stone had come for the road. Quite warm to-day but nice breeze. Huby set nine posts along J.W's line to-day. Saturday June 26th Dad. & I got down to the car about half past eight this morning and I stayed there until we got it all unloaded. Huby was there too. There was only half a car for us, the other half was a little coarser and was for Dave Lampkin's bridge but they had a little more than they wanted so we took two or three loads of it. We were really through at noon but Dad. & Tupper said they wouldn't mind coming back for the sake of having it done right so instead of going home to dinner I went out to the Shand's and saved a long walk. Dad. went home. This after noon we got some sandy loam along Tupper's fence and covered the rest of the stones on the Winding Hills. We didn't work very hard but got it all done by six o'clock. Frank cultivated corn all day and has big blisters on his feet. Huby came over at noon and set some more fence posts. It has been pretty hot and sunny all day. We need a good rain now. Sunday June 27th Frank went to Sunday School and church this morning but Dick and I went down to the Quanbury's for a swim. Dad. Enah and Tid drove up to the cemetry. This after noon Dick and I went down town and Frank went for a ride on his wheel and didn't get home till about eight o'clock. The Oddfellows marched this after noon and went up to the cemetry but they didn't have any band. I just hummed around the beach and park all the after noon It was very hot and sunny all day Monday June 28th th Frank has put in another good long day in the cornfield with old Dandy. It is beginning to look pretty nice. Huby has been setting fence posts all day and this after noon Dad. went back with him and slashed down a lot of young ash that were in the road. It is pretty hard digging back there now. This morning Dad. & I sharpened the mower knives and I got started culling on the corner field. It is so weedy Dad. wants to get it done before the frist of July as he doesn't want sojourners into Dover to see it. I got a pretty good start with it but was bothered considerably with the brass boxing at the end of the pitman rod heating and had to take it off two or three times. Chris Quanbury from Lynn Valley came down to https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/d9152aa51ec894c28a735a44241a6fbc.pdf 9b45606abad7a9b68a22b12fa714f69f PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. night with a crate of straw-berries for Enah at eight cents About nine o'clock Elva Said. Davis, May Parry & Bessie came over with Billy Boughner in his car to see if we knew where they could get some Brown Eyed Susan's to decorate Billy's car with on the First, but I guess it is a little early for them. I took Bluch back after the cows this morning and tied a plow shear to his rope and let him chase them hoping it would teach him not to be so savage. It holds him back a little but I don't know how it is goin to work. Very warm all day and feels a little like rain. Tuesday June 29th Frank and I went down town in the waggon this morning and got our hog meal at the station a bag of sugar for Enah to do up all her strawberries and I got some wheat screenings at the mill for the little chickens. When we got home I mowed & Frank cultivated corn till noon Dad. & Huby spent the morning at the fence and have it nearly ready to turn the cattle in the back field. This after noon I raked up what was cut yesterday while Dad. Huby and Frank cocked up. Then I cocked up while Frank went on and mowed. He kept on till it was too dark to see and then Dad. finished the field. The rest of us came in and had tea at six o'clock and then Dad. milked and Huby & I went right out again and cocked up till dark. There is only about one side of the field in windrow now and it is beginning to rain a little to-night. Pretty hot all day. Wednesday June 30th It rained part of the morning so there was nothing doing in the hayfield. I drove Dick down town this morning and got some turnip seed and some cabbage plants at the Quanbury's. Dad. & I set them out before dinner over in the old garden next the potatoes. We put out over a hundred. Huby came over after dinner and he and Dad. worked all the after noon at their fence but it isn't quite ready yet to put the wire on Frank cultivated corn with Belle all the after noon I went over to Charlie Quanburys and got his little seed drill to plant the turnips and when I got back went over to Mrs. McBride's and got another bushel of potatoes, then planted the turnip seed. The drill was certainly a great improvement on last years method. I planted nine rows the full length of the old garden in a little over an hour. Changing the lines took the most time as I didn't have a marker on. Sultry all the after noon but a nice breeze https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/82af03fe865d473b8b05c39115a69abd.pdf fa2b29a6eb45a35e6937ba52ce69e897 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. was seventeen paces too short so I went down town and got some more but got just seventeen feet instead of yards, so it still about ten yards short but Dad. & Huby put it up on the posts as far as it went this after noon and let the sheep & hens out into the oats. The sheep instead of going for the oats as we expected kept pecking right around the chicken coops and nibbling what suckers they could find around the trees. I went out and rolled the potato patch over a couple of times and then harrowed it. There has been a very cold north west wind to-day and it looks as if it might freeze to-night. Cold enough for overcoats. Thursday June 24th First thing this morning Frank and I went over in the waggon to Martin's to get my chicken feed. They hadn't it mixed up yet so we had to go over to Bush's barn to get some buckwheat and then wait for Chris to mix it so we were quite awhile but when we got back Dad. was out cultivating corn with Dandy and Frank went out and relieved him. Frank has been cultivating all day and has got all over the cornfield lengthwise and started over crosswise going twice in a row. After I got my chicken feed put away and some chores done I went out and spudded thistles in the barley till noon. I had some chores to do after dinner but got a couple more hours in this after noon in the barley Huby & Dad. have been back at John Wess' all day getting a line staked out for the fence. John Wess thought William's had crowded the last fence they put up a little and so they wanted to get it right and had to measure from the road. They found it about three feet shorter at one end than the other. To-night Dad. & Enah went down to a concert for the Patriotic Fund. Tiddums of course woke up and I had to tell him Jack & the Beanstak till we both went to sleep, we were both sound asleep in the big chair when they got home. It has been much milder to-day but there is still a cool breeze Fruday June 25th Dad. & Frank were figuring on getting in a good day in the cornfield to-day cultivating with Belle & Dandy but young Harv. Leany came & got Dandy just before seven. They were disappointed but Dad. took old Harry and got Ivey's cultivator and tried it. He got quite a lot done but I guess old Harry was very exasperating. Frank and Belle got on all right and kept at it steadily all day. They are going crosswise and twice in the cow. I spudded thistles https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/f769a48549923a1f6cacd52b647e8332.pdf 2451d6e2f099bc22c7a4ac0b77a01874 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Thursday July 1st Dad. and I went back first thing this morning and fixed the wire on the posts that Huby put in on John Wess' line and Dad. let the cattle into the back field. There is some lovely pasture in there and it is beginning to get short in the gully. Frank went down town to celebrate and has been down all day but came home at supper time to help Dad. do chores I went down after dinner, stayed at Huby's for tea and went up and sat around the park till half past ten. Enah and Tid went down this morning and stayed at the James' all day. Dad. drove after them to-night. It was a fine day for the celebration and there was a big crowd. It was sunny but not too hot or dusty. It looked very black this after noon but all blew over but they say there was an awful storm down east. Besides the usual list of foot races and tug of war, they had the cadets perform and representation of the "Queen Elizabeth" under Rear Admiral John Gordon bombard the forts at the Dardanelles Harry Moon was very much in evidence in this performance with a long tailed blue coat and flowing beard. He yelled himself hoarse through an instrument which served equally well for a megaphone, ear trumpet or funnel when he took a drink from a black bottle which was suspended in mid-air on a gallows which later in the day served to stretch the neck of an imitation Kaiser. Another item on the list of sports which I think was an original idea was a duck chase in the harbor. They let an old tame duck loose in the harbor and gave a prize for the one that caught it. There were a good many boys swimming after it but they couldn't catch it. They tried diving and coming up under it and cornering it but it was no use so at last they drove it up on land and let young Dickerson catch it. Huby was down there with the scow and Lila went in after the duck. Young {Brufy Cooker?} got a chill from being in the water too long but apart from that I didn't hear of any accidents and everyone had a good time. Friday July 2nd We thought the hay was a little to damp to work in this morning so Dad. hoed corn and I cut some of the lawn. Before dinner we greased the waggon and put the stakes for the slings on the rack, as it looked rainy and we thought it would be better to get a load in first and then rake up what was in swath. We got a small load in after dinner but it was very heavy and short. We put https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/85d120c8b99c59835b3cf2b17dc68252.pdf a5f5361ffa452572bef439c6d00635cd PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. it over the horse stable and the last lift came broadside of the stakes in some way and broke them both off. When we got the load off. We went out to rake but just as we got there it began to rain. It just rained enough to dampen the hay and make it unfit to rake so we came in and Dad. & Frank fixed the sling stakes. Frank cultivate corn all morning but young Harve Leany came after him before dinner so Frank helped us this after noon. I went down town to-night and fooled around for awhile It has been cloudy and not too hot to-day Saturday July 3rd It was too wet to go out first thing this morning into the hay, so I washed the buggy. Ed. Forest came over to have Dad. look at his horse's tail as she had hacked through the window during the night and he thought there was some glass in there. Dad probed around and succeeded in extracting three pieces of glas two of which were large pieces. About ten o'clock Dad. & I went out to put up the rest of the hay. It looked very black in the West but Dad. went a couple of rounds with the rake before it commenced but then we had to quit. We had a good steady shower and were glad to see it as every thing needs it. The oats are commencing to head out and are only about six inches high. Whit Dixon was over to ask us to put my big steer in Sunday night as they want him Monday. This after noon Dad. & I ground the extra mower knife. Frank rode Belle down town after the mail and was down most of the after noon, he said it was raining hard down there but it didn't rain much over here It cleared up about five and to-night I went down town to see Marj. I didn't get to bed till about twelve o'clcock Sunday July 4th Dick got up fairly early this morning and we all then went for a swim and then Dick went down town to go to Brantford with the Dyer's. Frank and I went down to church I drove Enah down. This after noon Marj. & I went for a drive, we had a very happy time, when I got home Mrs. Lawrie & Edith & B. Kains were here to tea. It has been a lovely day as near as I can remember. Monday July 5th It rained very hard last night so we couldn't do any thing with the hay this morning. Dad. & I cut thistles in the barley & oats till noon and after dinner Dad. started to rake hay but just as he did start a shower blew in https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/ce5e4213a646fcd0fdeaf8941b107382.pdf 4adb114b5d4bd6c37166bffa0717191f PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. for about two minutes and soaked things so he came in We just sat around the rest of the afternoon and every now and then a little shower would come up. It has been cold and a strong west wind all day. Whit. came over this morning and got the big steer of mine which we put in for him last night. Billy Barlow was in this after noon to try and buy the others but Dad. told him he had promised them to Bob. Another fellow was around buying cattle to-day. Billy said it was likely Lea from Simcoe. Old Joey brought a couple of fellows over in a car to look at his horse and later two other fellows drove in to look at him but none of them took him away Dad. was wishing they would because he leans over the fence and eats Ivey's oats and bends the fence all over. Mrs. McBride was here washing to-day. Enah and Frank painted the kitchen this after noon and every body is forgetting about it in spite of the smell and getting into it. Dad. was going down town to-night but he woke the baby up getting dressed and it took him about an hour to put him to sleep again so he stayed home, but Frank went down to Huby's to play poker. Tuesday July 6th Dad. thought it was too wet to work in the hay this morning so he and I hoed a patch of couch grass in the corn. Frank cultivated with old Dandy all day but Harve Leany came after him to-night. This after noon Dad. raked up the rest of the hay and he and I cocked up. It looked rainy after tea to-night so we went out after tea and got quite a lot more cocked before dark. Landon Ivey sent over after the rake when we were through with it and told Dad. he could have the upstairs part of the root house over there for Enah to paint the oil cloth in the kitchen. Vernon & Rebecca were to have come up this morning to stay at the Woodson's Nice day but windy. Wednesday July 7th We got in four loads of hay to-day, we would have got in another but the rain prevented us, but we hauled in out of the windrow and what is left out is in cock except a few windrows of couch grass. Frank bunched it up ahead of us and Dad. <s>loaded</s> pitched on & I loaded. We put it all in the horse stable but we are going to change the car to the barn for what is left. This being Dad's birthday, Win & Lila came over to see him this morning. Enah & Tid went down to see Vernon so we had a cold lunch but had dinner to-night when Dick came home and stayed home all evening. I drove down town town after tea and right back again to get my pants from Tip and some pictures. Windy & cool all day cool rain. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/67414012f6536c93ef4888f88fd6a8a5.pdf c8a9ce4fb45b146e6fb266021045af94 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Thursday July 8th It rained hard nearly all night so we couldn't do any thing in the hay. Dad. drove Dick down town and got his hair cut. Frank and I fooled around here and went over to Ivey's to measure the upstairs part of their root house to see if there was room to put the kitchen oil cloth down to paint it, we found there would be lots of room. When Dad. got home we took Joe and drove out to McPherson's with the beehive as Mrs. McPherson is going to give Frank another skip for the one which died. This after noon Dad. and I changed the car from the horse stable to the barn and Dad. tied a pulley up in the west end of the barn he had to do it with one hand and nearly fell once so we are afraid it wont hold when the strain comes on it. Frank spent the after noon making a super for his bee hive he made a dandy, he then worked half the night making a stick for the reel of the binder as one got broken. We took up the kitchen oilcloth this after noon and Dad. & I took it over to Ivey's root house. To-night I went down town & Marj. & I went to the show. Dick came home with me as I was driving. It has been sunny & windy all day Friday July 9th I cut the lawn this morning and worked around the garden Dad put some sleepers down in the hay in the big barn and put some rails a<s>c</s>cross them to keep the hay up off the ground This after noon we put rails across the two beams over where we ran some implements in so that the hay wouldnt come right to the floor. We then went out and brought in a load, but the rope that Dad. was afraid of broke and we were so long getting it fixed that we could only get the one load. Dad put another rope up but couldn't fix it very strongly as there wasn't enough hay in the bottom to shove the ladder up very high. To-night I rode down town and got the mail. Cousin Clare came over this morning and is going to stay all night. Nice day Saturday July 10th We hauled in hay all day but only got in five loads and left the last one on the floor. We would have finished the field but we were bothered a lot with the ropes breaking.Two lifts just got on the track when, with the first one the rope on pulley in the end of the barn broke and we couldnt uncatch the car from the gate so we had to trip the lift on the barn floor and pitch it into the east hay by hand. The next one that acted that way https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/2c4326cd161b5b5754e76fc4c464b72e.pdf 43beec4eb1f6836b84a4908d88af4d68 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. the pulley over the door gave<s>y</s> way splitting the rafter it was attached to and pulling the hook right out. We had to trip this lift too but lay a sling rope on the floor and managed to catch most of it so saved pitching by hand. We came to the conclusion that the track being so loose was what was causing the trouble so Dad. managed to tighten it a little at the risk of his life, however all our delays prevented us from cleaning up the field. Frank and Dad. brought the last load in and I rode down to Nanticoke and right back. Cousin Clare went home to-night. It has been hot all day and was a warm night. Sunday July 11th Frank and I went for a swim this morning Dick has a game knee so didn't get up to go, he doesn't know what is the matter with it but he is very lame. Frank went down to Sunday school from the pond and I came home and got ready to go to church. Enah & I were going to drive down but just as we were ready to start it began to rain and poured down from then till about four in the after noon After dinner Dick and I drove down town. We both came back to tea. We saw Huby and Bill Oakes down town they had been out to Old Ed. McQueen's funeral. Monday July 12th It was too wet to work in the hay to-day so I drove Dick down first thing and when I came back I set out a lot of asters and stocks. Dad. & Tiddums drove down to Law's <s>after the butter</s> to pay for the butter and Frank went over to Ivey's root house and gave the oil cloth another coat of paint. Dad. also made a short ladder to nail up in the east end of the big barn to tighten the nut on the rod as he has it screwed up as tight as it will go at the other end. This after noon I drove Enah down town, she wanted to see Cousin Loll as it was her birthday and as it was too wet to work I went around to take Marj. for a boat ride She, Essie & Joe Brown who is staying there were down at the lake swimming, so I went down there by the time they got dressed and Marj. was ready it was about four o'clock and looked very black in the north but we went down to Jakes and got a boat as he said he didn't think it would rain. We met Bird Smith and her husband Mr. Parker and Nell Smith and her lover in two canoe's at Coleman's point and they told us it was going to rain but we went up as far as the Willows below Joe Long's before we turned back and then it began to sprinkle so we got back to Jake's as fast as possible and just got inside https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/3fb3afb13633e69198493e963b303e4d.pdf a258d627b141c36391c1df2eb0114b4d PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. his place when it began to pour and then followed the heaviest rain we have had for a long time. In a few minutes the foot of Main St. was a lake and there were torrents running down each side. Bird was in at Jake's and her husband was over trying to get a white fish at the fish shanties. Nell's beau had to get off on the {fire?} train so they had gone home and had to come back down to the station in the bus. After the train went out it was impossible to get from the station to Jake's so we four had ice cream and peanuts watching poor Nell over in the door of the express shed, where she stood for about half an hour, then when the storm had abated a little she sent Al. Faulkner over with his car as he had been imprisoned in the station too and got us all in and took us home. Al. had to make three or four attempts to get up Main St. but he managed at last I waited at the Bagley's till about six and then it was pretty well cleared off I went around to the Jome's after Enah and the baby but found they were going to stay to tea so I stayed down too.The town was a pretty mess. All the cellars and low spots were flooded and they said there were boxes floating all over Anderson's store. Very nice day but poor hay weather. Tuesday July 13th I drove Dick down town this morning and as the roads were next to impassable I drove around to bring Mrs. McBride over but she had left before I got there and I didn't catch her till she was half way up this road. I didn't do any thing much all day but set out the rest of the stocks out under Dick's bedroom window. This after noon I drove Enah & Tid. down town for the mail and as Mrs. Charlie Martin is having a tobaccoshower for the soldiers to-morrow Enah had to get some of it. Dad. cut thistles in the plum orchard this morning and this after noon took a walk over the place. He says the oats in the barley & oats have come on wonderfully since the rains and that what last week looked like a field of straight barley now looks like a field of straight oats but the oats across the gully although the grains are filling well are very short & thin. Lila has been over all day and she & Frank have picked cherries and Frank put a shelf up in the shop this after noon. He went down town to-night with Lila. I had a little practice on the fiddle to-night It has been hot & sultry all day. This seems to have been the only place that got any rain yesterday. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/db35f27b20ff8ca603eb9f4f69b6ffdd.pdf 6c402090cdacfdae99dfb5a5ff628e32 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Wednesday July 14th As soon as the dew was off this morning Dad. started to cut the clover and bluegrass east of the orchard. It was high time it was cut as the bluegrass was a little too ripe. Frank and I went out and turned out few cocks there were in the corner field. They were all damp but not in such very bad shape. Tupper came along and talked for about an hour so we were out there the best part of the morning, when we got through I staked a few of the little poplars along the road and Frank went over to Ivey's to give the oilcloth another coat. This after noon I staked the rest of the poplars and Dad mowed till I quit about four o'clock, he got all the one field down and got several rounds cut on the field north of the orchard. It looks to be a nice quality and fairly heavy for this year. We then put of the load that was on the barn floor and got another in of what we turned out this morning It was still a little damp and so heavy, but we thought we had better get it in. There is still a load out there We left it on the barn floor. To-night I went to the picture show with Marj. Dick came home with me. It has been fine & hot all day. Looks rainy to-night. Thursday July 15th It began to drizzle here before breakfast this morning and kept it up most of the morning. It cleared off in the after noon but this evening there was a very heavy thunder storm. This morning I levelled off the hay in the big barn where it had just been left as the slings dropped it and Dad. cut the grass & weeds around the fences of the meadows he cut. Frank tidied up the shop and before noon we picked some cherries for Enah. This after noon Dad. finished cutting the field north of the orchard. Tiddums followed him out and rode around on his lap most of the after noon. Betty Jean & Rebecca all came over this after noon. Frank was in the "Reformer" to-day that he has passed Entrance and feels so elated over the fact that he actually wants to go back to school after the holidays. Dick walked home to-night and got covered with mud. Thursday July 22nd I have neglected writing in this for a week as I have either been away or too sleepy at night and not up in time in the morning and too busy all day. It was too wet of course to work in https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/6567cdaada5642ba2f7fba5b425323b7.pdf f2d5cba022abaa95b4cf23caf0f7cc24 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. the hay Friday so Frank and I hauled a load of broken tile and two loads of sand and put them in front of the cow stable door as there was an awful mud hole then Dad. cleaned the muck all out and we put the broken tile in on the solid ground and the sand on top of them, The cows didn't appreciate the improvement much and we had an awful time making them go over it. Saturday was a fine hay day - and I went down about eight to get Huby. He came over and cocked up all day. Dad. raked up both<s>e</s> fields which were down and we got the one all cocked up by noon. We all four cocked up till about four o'clock and then Dad. & I hauled in the one load which was left on the corner field. It was pretty dark so we hauled it in the old barn and will put it up over the granary. Huby & Frank cocked up till dark but we had a lot of trouble with the callte. We had to put Bluch after them to make them go in and he chased Snowdrop over the barnyard fence. She hit on her head and turned a beautiful summersault. We couldn't get John it at all so she didnt get milked to-night. I drove Huby & Lila home to-night and brought Enah back. Poor John R. Davis died very suddenly this evening, he had a sort of stroke over on the bowling green and died in a few hours. Sunday Dick, Frank and I went for a swim and Frank went from there to Sunday school, Dick and I came home but drove down to church with Enah. This after noon Marj. and I went for a drive and I stayed down at the Bagleys to tea. Marj. and I went to church but as we were about ten minutes late we didn't go in but went for a walk and then up to see Glad. Law to tell her about the visit we paid the Preston's this after noon. Monday was a fine day although it looked very rainy all day. Dad. Frank and I cocked up in the field north of the orchard till about ten o'clock and then Huby came over, he had been up to see Harry Ansley about getting the Customs House job in John R. Davis' place. Harry said they would do all they could for him and are going to get out a petition to be signed by all the conservative voters they can. Huby and Frank cocked up the rest of the hay and finished by to-night. Dad. & I hauled in and got in three loads After tea I went down and got Marj. and drove her to Simcoe to get C.P.R. tickets for herself and Mrs Bagley. She is going to the {illegible} & Mrs. Bagley out to Saskatchewan. We went to the show up there and got home a little after twelve. We had a lovely time. Dad. rode Belle out to Jim. Waddle's to get his influence in getting Huby the job but Jim said he had applied for it himself. Tuesday https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/bb8757ff50b33914238e9038ea89cff3.pdf 54f6c62a6ec93b97881519472a729840 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Huby came over first thing and mowed away or hoed in the garden. Dad. & I hauled in two loads this morning but as he & Huby went to John R's funeral this after noon we had to quit on time. Dad. went with the Masons. In the after noon Frank & I hauled in two loads, we cleaned up the field east of the orchard and got one load off the other field. When Dad. got home he & I got in another load. After tea I walked down town and got my hair cut. It rained a little. Haib died yesterday he has been sick about a month and was only twenty eight years old. The then Dyers kids (boys) were over here picking wild raspberries in the woods all day, they are thick back there Dad. & Frank got up at half past three this morning and went back and picked a lot. Wednesday I got up before five and got fixed up and went down to see Marj. off. She & Mrs. Bagley left for Toronto and from there up the lakes. It was too wet to haul all morning so Dad. & Frank cultivated the garden and the raspberries I didn't do much but hoe a little We put off the load that was on the barn floor before dinner and this after noon Dad. & I got in three more, we were going out after the fourth when it commenced to rain. It had been raining all around us all the after noon and we got a piece of it at night. It rained pretty hard for about an hour. I went back after the cows and got soaked. Aleta McBride was over all morning picking cherries. This morning Thursday, Dad. & Enah & Tid. have been out all morning canvassing the country for names to go on Huby's petition for the custom's office. Dad. got about a dozen nearly all the ones he saw were very anxious to sign it as they all think the job belongs to Huby A lot of them had signed Huby's in town. Mr. McPherson was the only one who didn't sign and he said he was very sorry but he had another man in view. The other man was aparently Wilson as they saw him on their way out and he told them that he had applied for the job but when he saw Huby's petition last night he put his name on it. Huby and Sandy Leitch were over after dinner in the latter's car and Huby had a paper three feet long filled with two columns of names. He had over 200 to-night. Frank mowed all morning the field north of the old garden he finished it soon after dinner. I cut the lawn this morning. Aleta McBride was over and picked the rest of the cherries. After dinner Dad. went out and turned out a lot more hay and about four we hauled in a load. Then we went out and cocked it all up again https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/4bb37ddeec760a0eb1da968abbb64025.pdf ecb4faafec22dcc6a6da0b1bd7668bec PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. as it looked very rainy. However it didn't rain here although we could see a terrific storm raging north of us. Dad. & Enah drove down town to-night and took Mrs. McBride's share of the cherries around to her. They went down to see Huby and he had just heard from Jack Herring saying poor old Quint was in the hospital. Huby was pretty anxious about him but I don't believe he is very bad. Lila is also laid up with biliousness Friday July 23rd We put off the load that we hauled on the barn floor last night and then Dad. took the team and raked up what Frank cut yesterday. Frank and I threw the tops of the cocks which didn't get turned yesterday and then came in and changed the car from the barn to the horse stable. Dad. came in before we were through but the time we got that done it was half past eleven - and not worthwhile going after a load, we got out fairly early after dinner and got three loads in leaving the last one on the barn floor, we quit early as Huby was over and wanted Dad. to go to Simcoe to-night with him, Barwell & Ansley to see Alex McCall about Huby's job. Frank and I did the chores. Dad. said that it looks pretty well for Huby as McCall wants him to have it and says in the face of the petition that Huby has over 250 names it would not be right to let it go anywhere else but of course he hasn't all the say and Jim Waddle has all the Conservative committe on his side outside of Dover, but they think there is a chance of him dropping out. It has been sunny and breezy to-day a good drying day. Saturday July 24th This being my birthday Dad. & Enah presented me with a tripod for my camera, Frank with a necktie and Dick with a box of Holeproof hosiery. Aunty sent me a shirt and Aunty Alice a dollar so I came off pretty hicky. We hauled hay all day, got the load and and a little over that was on the field north of the orchard and then hauled in off the bluegrass field which Frank cut on Thursday. We got it all in but about half a load. There were only about three loads on it, but it took a long time to haul as it was in windrow and Frank just bunched it up ahead of us It was in nice shape though as it didn't get wet at all. Dad. and Frank did up all the chores to-night as I felt rather sick. I haven't felt extra well all day but to-night I felt really rotten. It has been a nice day sunny and windy, looked a little hazy this after noon https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/5e1582f6016086b9b965e7be7da82b6e.pdf 8d97390e7a8c6d57799d74b63a503808 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Sunday July 25th I didn't feel up to much all day and Enah was right down sick so nobody went to church all day. Dick & Frank went for a swim before dinner. Huby was over for a little while this morning, he said he didn't feel very well either I don't know what is the matter with all of us but Enah and I felt better to-night. I drove Huby home. This after noon Dick went down town and Frank went back to the woods and discovered a black cherry tree with dandy big cherries on it right at the edge of the woods. He also reported that the wild raspberries were thick back there Sam Law came after Dad. to go and see a sick pig he had Dad. went and saw it, came back to get a syringe and when he got back the pig was dead. I wrote a letter to Aunty & Aunty Alice. Enah spent the after noon in bed. About four o'clock Rus. Ickey cam over and stayed to tea. We were of course highly entertained by his conversation. Fine day. Monday July 26th Frank and I spent the morning back in the woods picking raspberries and supplying breakfast to the one million hungry mosquitos which inhabit that portion of the ranch We got a nice lot of berries. Enah put down five quarts and we had some for dinner and tea. Dad. cut hay all morning. Just after dinner it began to rain and we had quite a long shower so couldn't do any thing more in the fields. I wrote a letter to Mr. Yussou about my chestnut tree and also one to Prof. Zavitz asking for another potato platform in place of the one I lost. When it stopped raining I put up a bit of two foot poultry netting across the bottom of the raspberry patch and shut the five young dudes in. Frank spent most of the after noon making a whipple tree for the cultivator out of a piece of hickory. He is making pretty good job of it. They got word from Quint to-day or rather of him, they are afraid of typhoid fever, his temperature goes up at night to over 103° and down in the morning, they are pretty anxious about him. Tuesday July 27th Dad. and I spent the whole morning hoeing potatoes out in the old garden but got on very slowly owing to the grass which has come up so thick with the potatoes since the rain. Frank finished cutting the old timothy sod and brought the mower up as everything is cut now. At noon Sam Law came over to see if Dad. would go down with our binder and cut his wheat and let him come up here, but Dad. told him he had better bring his team up and hook on the binder. Their binder won't work at all the knotter https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/dd47e3aa73987ad824b79752d24c4400.pdf 98dd723cfef53c5994fb9402449bf886 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. seems to be at fault. Krompart told them he would be down to day but Sam is anxious to get his wheat cut and thrashed before he goes out with the thrashing outfit which he expects to have to do about the end of the week. Dad. & Frank went over with Alan after dinner and they got things going with our binder when Krompart & the General Agent came along and they were there all the after noon, put a new knotter on but it didn't work any better At last they discovered that the tension sit screw had been turned up as tight as it would go and that was what was causing all the trouble. Then they took a link out of one of the chains on our binder which was too loose and which Dad. never could tighten, but it was four o'clock or after before Dad. got home. However Dad. went out and raked up what hay was down and got it all up in windrow by about half past seven. Frank and I did up all the chores. I went down town right after dinner to get some coal oil and the mail and some cucumber plants from Huby which I set out when I got home. I don't know whether they will live or not as they were pretty big to move, but I also fixed some hills in the garden to plant seed in. To night Frank and I went over to McPhersons and got the bees they have been in the hive over a week. Percy Millman was down at Hubys to dinner to-day, he came up to look for a cottage, he said that the rest were all coming up Friday in the car and Aunty was coming with them. Cloudy and warm all day. Wednesday July 28th We were going to haul in what Dad. raked up last night right out of windrow but just as we got the team hooked up to draw the load that was on the barn floor out and unload it, we decided that it looked so black it would pay to go and cock up as we could get more cocked up than we could loaded and it would be in fair shape while if left in windrow it would be an awful mess. We hadn't been out there an hour when it commenced to rain and rained pretty hard for the best part of the fore noon. After dinner Frank and I drove down town and got the mail, they heard from Quint down at Hubys, he has typhoid all right but it has been running for sixteen days and they think the worst is over with. I went around to Howey's saw mill and found they had lots of stuff to build a colony house if I can only scrape up money enough to buy it. When we got home Frank and Dad. went over to Law's to load the binder and bring it home but just nicely got there when it commenced to rain and poured for about two hours from four to six. I went out and separated the old hens from last years, I want to see if they are laying and if not I will kill them off. I went to bed early to-night as I have started getting up earlier. I have come to the conclusion that an hour to read & write in the morning is worth about two at night. I got up at four this morning and got quite a lot done beside getting a good early start for the day's work. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/f50e8728dbb6a229a66327976919ad8d.pdf af93035fc5ee0200d9b925a7513f5b46 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Thursday July 29th It was of course too wet to do any thing in the field this morning so Dad. & Frank went over to Law's and loaded the binder on the trucks and Alan hauled it home and borrowed the manure spreader. I went over to Martins to get a few more pointers on building an 8 x 10 colony house and when I got back Frank and I went down with the team and waggon and got all the lumber I wanted at Howey's. I was a little surprised to find the bill was only $15.10 as I thought it would be more, but I acting on Mr. Howey's advice I got Hemlock for the walls instead of pine as he said if painted there was no fear of it warping. Right after dinner Frank and I drove<s>d</s> down in the buggy to get the mail and some stuff we couldn't get this morning. Bob. Miller & Whit Dixon drove over right after dinner and Bob gave Dad. his price $140.00 for the two steers much to Whit's disgust who said it wasn't in them. The evidently had some altercation about the red & white one's disposition as Dad. was very anxious that he would act as quietly as mine did as Whit said he was a wild nervous brute. They want to take him in the morning so we put him in the cow stable to-night without much trouble. Herb Cook came over and took old Dandy, I suppose to work for awhile as his mare is lame. Zeitha Barwell came over to see if Enah could play for her at the concert to-morrow night but as we expect the Millman's Enah told her she couldn't. When we got home Dad. went and turned out some hay and Frank and I started in on the colony house. We did pretty well and apart from getting a rather warped scantling for front sill and putting the floor on up side down, we did pretty well for a first attempt. I was going down to Tom Abbotts to-night to see some half grown chickens he wants to sell but it got too dark Cloudy & sultry. Friday July 30th Frank and I got out as soon as possible this morning and worked on the colony house all morning. Whit came over after the steer and we had to help load him Dad's hopes for his good conduct were not realized by a long shot as he raised cain. We managed to get him loaded but Whit's horse waas frightened so we had to take him out and put old Harry in his place. Dad. went down with him and they were nearly all morning getting him tied up over at the slaughter house. I think Whit was rather pleased that he did cut up so that he could say "I told you so" to Dad. who said he that if the bottom of the rack was not so slippry he would have been all right. This after noon Dad & I https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/aa16b7a725238da4e467f7c02e7dc234.pdf b952bb77a6e77b80410d5fb55d9a5c88 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. went out and started to cock up the hay that Dad. turned out yesterday but scarcely got out to the field when we heard the wind and rain sweeping across the cornfield so we lit for the house. We just got there in time as the rain came down it torrents. We went in the shop and ground the binder knives till it was over, we then went out and worked a little more at the hen house and got quite a little bit more done. Allan Law and Frank McBride brought back the manure spreader. The Millman's hadn't arrived by six o'clock and we thought there was no chance of them getting here, but they did seven strong including Aunty. Their car was covered with mud and they said the roads had been awful but they had got a bit of rain. Nita and Billy came up with them this time. Percy with his wife, baby, maid & dog came up on the train this morning and is boarding down at Harry Moon's for a couple of weeks. After tea we all went down town again to see Percy and went down to Hubys to see Walter who came up on the train to-night. We four boys slept in the barn to-night. Saturday July 31st The ground was too wet to cut wheat this morning so Dad. & I worked nearly all day at the colony house and it is beginning to look quite respectable. Frank and Nita drove Dick down this morning and Kathleen & Orm spent most of the morning with us. They all went down in the car about eleven o'clock to bring Walter & Huby over to dinner but didn't get back till after one and Walter walked over and was here before them. He was here for only a short time after dinner as he had to go back to Toronto to-night. He is going to stay wth Ray till after Monday which is Civic Holiday in Toronto and then is going back to Regina. All the Millman's and Enah and the baby went down to the lake for a bathe which they all enjoyed very much except Tid. who {sadly?} cried Win was down there and they said she nearly got swamped She was out in the deep water and got a mouth full. Fortunately Percy noticed her as she couldn't call and was about all in. To-night we went down to the dance, we were just going to look on but Kathleen, Orm, Dick & I went in and I had about every dance. Enah, Nita & Billy watched from outside or rode around in the car. Dick & Orm saw girls home but I came home in the car with the rest and the other two with Alan Law. Frank was sound asleep in the hay when we got home so we joined him and sang ourselves to sleep. It has been cloudy & squawky all day rained to-night. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/33612e97890ce930724753ee35f7c3f5.pdf 41ac0837fcf31d6b403a7ed1ba21596c PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Sunday August 1st This morning Orm, Dick, Frank and I went for a swim before we had our breakfast and didn't get back until ten o'clock, we just lay around under the willow tree with the rest of the family till dinner time. After dinner we had a little music and then Billy, Kathleen, Orm, Dick Frank and I went down to the lake for a swim. The rest went to Port Ryersie and took Harry Ansley, he & Mr. Millman went up to interview H.P. Innes on Huby's behalf. They said they had a satisfactory consultation. Nita drove the car and Dad. went up with them. Dick and Orm separated from us when we got down town and Frank went to some nouk of his own to undress when we first got there, we couldn't get an empty bathing house, there was such a crowd in but at last one was vacant in the men's section and we all three used it Kathleen undressed first and then Billy and I. Orm came down after awhile with Mildred Henry and used it too but managed to get another one for Mildred. Percy & his wife were down there and we were in a long time as the water was fine. We went up to Huby's to tea where Mr. & Mrs. Millman, Nita and Enah joined us. Dick and Frank went to Dyer's and home respectively. We sat around down at Huby's most of the evening. Some of them went out to the Ansley's and Tibbits for awhile. it has been hot and sunny all day. Monday August 2nd Dad. started to cut the wheat this morning and worked till after dark to-night but got it all the one 8 acre field down. We didn't get it nearly all set up but if it doesn't rain we want to haul it right in. The Millman's all left this after noon. They went down to the lake this morning and didnt get back till about one when the were supposed to have started but they all got off soon after dinner. We went out after tea to-night to run the binder in the barn and were about an hour at it. It was half past ten when we got back to the house. It has been a fine day to-day but looks black. Tuesday August 3rd We were preparing for a good day hauling in to-day but first thing before breakfast a heavy shower came up and dashed our plans to pieces. I drove Dick down to the bank and got some roofing paper for the new chicken house. Dad. and I worked at the hen house the rest of the day <s>althou</s>. About five o clock we went out to look at the wheat and shocked a little of it up. I went after the cows at half past five and just as I got to the gully it began to rain and kept it up for two or three hours of heavy pelting. I sought https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/e8b65475f0119675377e56df69e0d50e.pdf b1a539fa79a7ca279ba89831db7d992e PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. shelter under some trees for awhile but soon found that I was getting very little and losing considerable time so I struck out into it. I couldn't see the cows so tramped all through the woods and back as far as John Wess' and then saw them all in behind a point of the hill on this side of the gully. By the time I got to the house I was soaked through and had to change all my clothes. Enah and Frank were down town so they got pretty wet too. Wednesday August 4th Dad. Frank and I went out this morning and started to set up the wheat. Dad. devised a new and under the circumstances improved method of putting up one sheaf at a time. We couldn't have done it if the sheaves hadn't been as heavy and big as they were, but by jabbing them down hard on the ground we managed to make them stand pretty well of course an occasional one would fall. It took longer than to shock but it certainly dried quicker. The heads would all separate with the jar and by noon the ones we set up first were perfectly dry in the heads but of course wet under the band. We didn't get through by noon so Dad. & I went out again but the wind kept getting stronger and the last ones I did I had to put up two at a time. We got it all up by to-night. Frank took Aunty down town this after noon. They heard from New Bedford to day and Quint's temperature is down nearly to normal. We saw by today's paper that yesterday's storm was far worse all around us than it was here. Toronto was the worst hit in Canada, trees and gardens being destroyed but in Erie there was a regular flood and twenty five people were killed, two thousand homeless and about three million dollars damage down. Thursday August 5th Morley Buck came over in his Ford this morning to get Dad. to go down and see their horse. When he came back we went out and shook out the hay again. What was in windrow was very wet and all except the pure bluegrass was spoiled but what had been shaken out was not in such bad shape. This after noon we worked at the hen house and got most of the roof on but it rained again towards evening. Friday August 6th We set up the wheat again this morning, there was quite a lot of it down and we had to put most of it two sheaves to-gether. This after noon Frank took Bluch over to Bob. Ross. He lost his old dog and wanted a new one and Tom said he was very good to his dogs so we thought as old Bluch was so https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/ab2c119754976fd97003cea6227fcedc.pdf a0770e82702b6b170e4035f134c2baf7 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. rough with the cattle and they were getting to be afraid he might hurt the baby who would persist in teasing him, that we thought we had better let him go. Frank said old Bob. was delighted to get him but Bluch coaxed to come home, however he will soon get used to it. I rode down town soon after dinner and got the mail. When I got back Dad. and I worked some more at the hen house. Very hot and rained again. Saturday August 7th This morning Aunty and I tied up the dahlias and worked a little at the flower beds. Then Dad. and I went and worked at the chicken house. Dad. made a door and I put in the dropping board. This after noon Dad. put a latch on the door and I cut the lawn. Frank pretty sick this after noon but he drove Aunty and Tid. down town. To-night he felt so miserable that I thought he would feel better sleeping alone so I went out and camped in the horse stable. Rained a little more. Sunday August 8th Dick and I went for our weekly swim this morning but Frank didn't feel like joining us. As soon as we got home Dick left with Joe & the buggy to take Dess. to Simcoe to spend the day with "Grandpa & Grandma" Mead. I started to get ready for church but just about time to leave an awful shower came up so I didn't go. Aunty had gone down to Sunday school and by after church it had cleared off so she came home to dinner. I was going down town this after noon to see if I could find the Millmans but it began to rain again and this time proved to be about the worst storm I ever saw, and it kept up for two or three hours, in the middle of it there was a hail storm with hail stones as big or bigger than marbles. When they rolled off the rooves they were inches thick and didn't all melt by to-night. There are huge lakes all around us and the ditch in front of the house is six feet wide and rushing about forty miles an hour. I don't know when we will be able to get on the ground to cut the rest of the crops. We didn't do any thing much this after noon but lie around. Dick got home about half past nine, he said it rained & hailed heavily in Simcoe but not as badly as it did here. He said some fields of Wess Buchner's and J.A. McBride were about two feet deep with water. He said he saw Vyse & Aiken's hauling in wheat this morning, they just got in one load before the rain. Monday August 9th When Quanbury's went past this morning they told Dad. that the hail storm yesterday had broken 10,000 panes of glass in Ivey's greenhouses. They had it far worse down town and up the gravel than we did, the stones were as big as walnuts down https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/c72b7e21cf4fe415c2b0db9145bfc410.pdf 575e3d063fef0607f415751220693020 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. town Alan Law said and they say it broke thirty panes of glass in Bill Duncan's house but down east at the Dog's Nest & on down they didn't get a hit nor they didn't get it at Shand's school house and very lightly at John Wess's. I drove Dick down town this morning and when I got back went out & helped Dad. & Frank set up the sheaves which were down. We got through about eleven and then went over to see the oats across the gully and wandered over to see John Wess's stuff. Blaikie was out turning shocks. It is in about the same shape as ours and beginning to show signs of sprouting. I took the camera with me and took a picture of our wheat field and of John Wess, Blaikie, Cam, Dad & Frank in the barn over there we didn't get back till about one. After dinner Dad. drove Enah & Tid down town and Aunty as far as Mrs. Battersby's Frank and I shelac'd the knots on the chicken house and worked at it full the after noon and got it all ready for the chickens. To-night Dad. Frank and I moved them over. We took two big boxes of them and had sixty one all to-gether. Alan Law was in to-night & says they want to thrash. It looks a little better to-day & clearer to-night. Tuesday August 10th Dad. <s>Frank</s> and I & Tid. drove Aunty down town this morning We were going around to get Kathleen and bring her over but we met her on the way, so I came back with her and when Dad. came home with Joe, Kathleen and I drove down to Tom Abbots to see his chickens he wants to sell, they are a nice looking lot if he doesn't want too much for them. Kathleen had to go back for dinner so I drove her down, she was greatly distressed because she got her nice clean middy blouse mud spattered. This after noon Dad. & Frank went over to Sam's to thrash. Frank said he would sooner go over there than go to the Sunday school picnic, so he did but I guess there wasn't much for him to do. Huby was over for a few minutes to get Aunty's suitcase which they forgot to take out of the buggy this morning but I was just going to drive Enah & the baby down to the picnic so I took it. After I took them down I came home and fixed a bed along the house under the kitchen windows. To-night Dad. & I did chores and Frank drove down after Enah & the baby Aunty came back with them because Landon Ivey brought over some raspberries and she wanted to do them up to-night. It looks fair to-night and has been all day Wednesday August 11th It was a very heavy dew last night so we couldn't start hauling in very early, but Dad. & I went out and turned out a few which we thought we could haul and they were in pretty fair shape except around the bands. Frank cleaned https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/a329742c729a3384557e1c6311aec04e.pdf d2dda340154bd3c22489b242da47c652 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. up the barn floor and harnessed the team. Art Quanbury came in to see if he and Charlie couldn't help us haul in so they did and we hauled in with both teams, the consequence is that we have the field nearly cleaned, it certainly gave us a great lift. We could only haul small jags as the ground was so soft but we got in {blank} of them and there are three or four out there yet. Frank turned out nearly all the sheaves in the field and then turned them in the mow for us when we unloaded. It has been pretty hot & sultry all day and looks rainy to-night. Thursday August 12th It rained hard again last night and this morning so we have not been able to do anything much all day. Dad. has felt sick with a headache and sour stomach all day. I think brought on principally by worry and discouragement at the wet weather, it is really beginning to look very serious. Up around Port Rowan they say they have turned their hogs into lots of the uncut fields. This morning I drove Dick down and went around and got Kathleen and brought her over, we went down around by Hubys and got some poppy roots, which I set out when I got home, we didn't do anything all morning but this after noon I drove Enah, Tid & Kathleen down and we went for a short swim in the lake and dressed up at the James'. Enah was going to stay down there to tea but the baby was too cranky so she had to bring him home. Her sister, Mrs. Johnson was coming to-night so Frank drove her down after tea and he went to some rail road meeting. I let my chickens out of the colony house to-day and about a dozen of them came back to the brooder to roost to-night. It has been hot and muggy all day cloudy to-night. Friday August 13th It was very black this morning and rained several times during the fore noon but cleared off nicely this after noon. Dad. has felt pretty miserable all day, he drove Dick down town this morning and this after noon set up the little bit of wheat that was left out. I put the wire over the colony house windows this morning and Frank and I spent the rest of the morning digging in the ditch in the timothy sod, we were just levelling it to get the proper fall before we started digging deep enough for the tile. After dinner we went down to Tom Abbot's and I got thirteen of his chickens, we then went down for the mail and took the baby with us. It was time to do chores when we got home. Saturday August 14th This morning Frank and I hooked Joe & Belle to the waggon and took the harrows down to Hallam's the new black- https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/1046e395e43bff64358e30c14ae07373.pdf 8e4971ccf49f83f858d8d60f0f03194d PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. smith to be sharpened, we took Dick down with us. We then went down to the station and got a barrel of freight which came for Aunty Alice and took it up to the house, there was a whole bunch of girls there with Win. and they wanted to go over to Martin's to see the chickens so piled in the waggon and came over with us Aunty and Lila came over to the farm with us. This after noon we were going to haul in the rest of the wheat but right after dinner Archie & Clark Langs, his daughter and Mrs. Jack Foster came in and paid us quite a visit so it was late by the time we got out. We got in four more jags but there are still two or three left. About half past six the four Millmans and Aunty Alice arrived, we didn't expect them quite so soon but they said the roads were fine and they made very good time. Billy & Orm wanted to go for a swim to-night so Frank and I went down with them. We went down and got Percy at the Moon's and also Kathleen but she didn't go in, we all undressed down below the park in the car except Billy who undressed & put on his bathing suit right in the car in front of the Moons house with Kathleen standing on the running board beseeching him to behave himself. After we had a swim Billy went in with Percy and the rest of us came over here Orm. wanted to go down to the dance so we got Enah and came right back. Enah went into the store to see Mrs. Johnson and from there around to the house where Percy picked her up and took Billy & her home about ten and then left the car down at the Moon's for Orm. I didn't go into the dance but Orm went in and Kathleen went in once or twice with him. Frank went off some where and came back in time to get a ride home We started off for home as I thought right after the dance was over, and after Kathleen and gone home, and picked Dick up at the Methodist Church when Orm. said he would like to take Mildred Henry for a drive, so we went around there and as Donald Ingram & Stan Sutton were there she said to come back in about ten minutes so we went up and got Dess. I thought he was just going for a short spin up the Gravel but the first thing I knew we were well on the road for Simcoe and so went in and Orm got some sandwichs at the chink's before we came home. It was half past two before we got home, we had a good time but it was a crazy thing to do, we all went to bed in the barn as Orm was afraid to go in the house for fear of waking some body up. It has been a nice day but rained a little to-night. They brought news in to-night that J.G. {illegible} was killed by the train in Hamilton. Sunday August 10th I woke up about five this morning by hearing Orm & Dick crawling out, they said they hadn't slept a wink all night on https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/e95d73cf949ee1335d072db728b7654d.pdf e3cc44b3cb7039eb0dc21415216cb6c4 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. account of mosquitos, they had taken off most of their clothes so they were bothered worse than I was. Orm got down and dressed and then went to bed again and stayed there till after ten while Dick sought rest in the automobile and then went and curled up in the house for awhile. Billy said he had lain over on one side of the bed most of the night expecting someone to come & sleep with him and he didn't get much of a rest either. We sat around most of the morning but after they routed Orm out we went down to the lake for a swim. I didn't go in but sat around. They got Kathleen, Percy & family and took them down too. Boxer, Percy's dog got into a little scrap with another dog came along and started it and Boxer got his eyelid a little torn. Anybody would have thought there had been a baby murdered but the fuss the kicked up Mrs. Millman came with a club swearing vengeance on the dog and the owners while Percy who came in from the lake at his wife's shouts said he was going to kill it. It was nearly <s>noon</s> dinner time when we got home and we found Archie Lang and Uncle Roebuck here to dinner. He said Queen was a dandy but he had one a little better. They say he has the rails on the fence all worn smooth where he sits and watches it eat. They left soon after dinner and the Millmans left about four. Orm went down town first and got Kathleen and her impedimenta which included a mud turtle & Boxer. Billy was very annoyed at the idea of Boxer accompanying them and said it was a wonder Percy didn't have cheek enough to send his baby. We got the chores done early and this <s>after noon</s> evening Dad. Enah and I drove down to church. Mr. Leigh prought and I went sound asleep. I think more from the fact that I had only had three hours the night before than any soothing effects of the sermon. We went over to the Jame's after church and didn't get home till about ten. Earl Brown and Walter Fletcher came in in Brown's Ford. after we got home and were out there a long time getting Dad's advice about Fletcher's horse It has been a lovely day sunny and a cool breeze. Monday August 16th This morning I cut the grass around the back of the house and Dad. opened up a few ditches around the hog yard. This after noon we hauled in the rest of the wheat, there were three more jags of it. It began to rain before we got through and rained quite a shower. When we got through Dad. went over to the Quanbury's and had a hot bath as they have given<s>t</s> him several invitations to make use of their bathroom. To-night he & Enah went down to a musical at the Hobbes for the Red Cross Bandage club. Aunty & Aunty Alice were here to watch Tid if he woke up and he did. It has been very hot all day https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/1d397ba3a221214a73c5596190173666.pdf c366a87e2257e4793b6e4ea78a941498 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Tuesday August 17th This morning Dad. Frank & I all dug a little more at the tile ditch out in the old timothy sod and this afternoon got started to cut the barley, but only got a few rounds cut as it was in awful shape, all tangled up and in some spots as Colin Ryerse says, the big wheel "drug." I spent a long time to-night catching young chickens which came back from the colony house to roost around the brooder, there are a couple of dozen which persist in coming back to the yard everyday and then don't go back. I had quite a time catching them as I had shut them out of the brooder and they were roosting on a sheep's back and when I went out the sheep got frightened and ran away up the orchard with the chickens. It hasn't rained all day and looks like fair weather for awhile. Wednesday August 18th It took us the whole day to finish cutting the barley and then we didn't get much of it shocked up. It was in such a tangled mess and thislley that we didn't take our hands to it but Frank and I shocked it up with forks what little we got done. Dad. cut my O.A.C. 72 Oats the last thing and we got 37 nice straight sheaves out of them some of them about four feet long. I didn't feel very well to-day. Aunty & Aunty Alice went to Pt Rowan to-night. Thursday August 19th We decided to haul the barley right in to-day instead leaving it for although some of it was pretty green in the butts it would be in a hopeless mess if it ever got rained on so we hauled in all day but didn't finish, it was very slow as there was so much loose stuff and we hauled good big loads, we only got in four loads. Walt. McCall came over this after noon and got Dad. to go over to see Jack Martin to see if he would go to Simcoe in Huby's interests but Jack wasn't home. Huby came over to night at half past twelve and wandered all over the house before he could wake any of us up and he wanted Dad. to go with Harry Ansley & Cousin Willie in the morning to Delhi and Waterford to see executive of the Conservative committee to whom the appointment of customs officer is left. This was Dover's Boughner Picnic but I guess they didn't have much of a crowd as all the farmers were too busy to attend and besides they had one in Simcoe last Saturday, there has evidently been a split in the house of Broughner over the decision of a suitable place to hold their annual reunion. Aunty & Aunty Alice were home from Port Rowan to-night, they were in Simcoe all the after noon and had Lila go up and meet them to give her a treat in Simcoe but as it was Thursday after noon all the stores and restaurants were closed and no-one on the streets. Fine day https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/4083e034aff97ae51ecda490cc85f03d.pdf 31e2f26ef95c6d3c537efe31b2feab8e PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Friday August 20th We had hoped to get a good early start this morning and get the barley all in by noon but Dad. had to be down town at eight o'clock so we didn't manage it. Frank drove him down and brought Aunty Alice back. He was supposed to be back by noon but he didn't get back till about six. Al. Faulkner took them, Cousin Willie & Harry Ansley went with him. They went to Waterford and Delhi to interview the fellows who are responsible for the Customs appointment, and Dad. thinks they had a pretty satisfactory time, he says Harry Ansley is certain of Huby's success but Dad. isn't so sure. They are supposed to decide to-morrow. Frank and I didn't get out till about nine o'clock and just got in two loads before dinner, we didn't know how we were going to manage to get the stuff mowed away at the back of the mow by the cow stal but Enah voulanteered her services and thanks to her timely assistance we got on fine. She helped us put off two loads by passing the sheaves from Frank to me. We got in another big load after dinner and so cleaned the field but left it on the barn floor. It was four o'clock when we got in. We thought we would have time to go and have a try at cutting the wheat, so we hooked on the waggon and I went out and loaded about half of my O.A.C. 72 Oats on it while Frank was oiling up and then we tackled the wheat. Frank drove and we got one round cut but about halfway around the twine got tangled in the twine box and it took us quite awhile to get it threaded and at the far end, the wheat was so heavy and a little down that it wouldnt elevate at all and Frank had to stop every few feet for me to rake it off the table so by the time we got back to where we started we thought we had better quit. I took the team and was hooking on the waggon while Frank was putting the canvass on the binder when old Wallace Brock who has been helping Vyse all day came over and said Vyse was stuck and wanted us to pull him out so I didn't put any more of my oats on but we went over. He had thrown most of his load off so Frank had no trouble in getting our team to lift it and when we got it out we helped him load it again and hauled it out on the road for him Dad. just got home at the same time we did. It has been fair but hot & sultry all day & looks rainy. Saturday August 21st It was raining when we got up this morning and has been at it pretty much ever since although the sun was out for a little while this morning. Dad. & I drove Dick down this morning and Dad. went down to see Huby for quite awhile. We didn't do much the rest of the day but sit around and I cleaned out the chicken house. Dad. & Frank drove down about five o'clock and got the mail, but Huby hadn't heard any thing yet. He and {Sam Fick?} have been working for the last few days building a retaining wall of plank in https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/58398ee926e8c404c892ca7e1a15cad1.pdf e06810b41a02755e6b76ca00e74aba2f PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. front of the Johnston's house. He was working at it all the after noon in the rain. Yesterday's paper reported the sinking of a White Star liner westward bound and several lives were lost. The U.S. is mighty hot over it but Wilson is waiting to find out for certain if they had no excuse, they say if she was convoyed they had if not it was an unjustifiable act. It begins to look doubtful if Wilson's patience will last much longer. Sunday August 22nd Huby walked over this morning about seven to bring the tidings of his success. The committee was unanamous in his favor all but one man and he voted for Huby when he saw how he stood, the two Waddle men were not there, so Huby's recomendation has gone into Parliament already and of course he is nearly certain notw of getting the appointment especially as Mr. Millman has things shaped at the Ottawa end of it. Of course Dick enlightened Dad. with the cold facts this morning when he was half asleep but Huby embellished them with all the details. The news I think saved Dad. from considerable worrying as it has been raining all night and every thing is flooded. I went back after the cows and had to wade up to my knees across the creek channels and parts of the flats are flooded. All the family but Aunty Alice & Tid went down to church this morning. Frank drove Huby and me to the sidewalk and then came back after Dad. & Enah Huby and I went to-gether. After church Dad. & I went up to the Ansley's as Dad. wanted to congratulate Harry and also express his gratitude for the time & labor he has spent on Huby's behalf. We waited there till Frank came with the buggy & called for us after he had driven Enah & Aunty over home. This after noon I started to read but was soon overpowered by sleep and wasted nearly all the after noon under the influence of that great enemy of my leisure & willpower, when I woke up it was time to do chores and Aunty had gone down to church. She & Aunty Alice stayed down all night. Dad. drove Aunty Alice and the baby up to the cemetry this after noon. Tid. took the poor old German Roller canary up in a matchbox and buried him this after noon, the poor old fellow has been sick for a long time and died the other night. Fine day. Monday August 23rd I went out this morning about five and caught some of the young chickens and took them out to the wheat stubble in the hope that they would stay there all day and then go to roost in the colony house but they are bound to come back here. This morning Frank and I went down to Howe and got a load of slabs as it was too wet to do any thing https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/caa6067b20b1ca98caf42a89ead96706.pdf bb2bd90df6e52465533fe7be21f5a1c4 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. else and this after noon we got another load. I cut some of the lawn after I got back. This morning Frank drove Dick down and brought Aunty back and Dad. & I brought in the rest of my O.A.C. 72 oats and stacked them around in the barn Aunty Alice walked over this after noon and to-night she, Enah, Frank & I played pedro and Aunty Alice told our fortunes by our hands. It is a pity we couldn't bank on the prophecies because the future certainly looks brilliant for most of us. Fine day but sultry. Tuesday August 24th I spent most of the morning digging and weighing up my two plots of Guelph potatoes, they were a very slim crop and weren't ripe but I thought they were going to rot anyway so I dug them. There was only enough for two or three good square meals on both plots, but the Davies Warrior outclassed the Eureka in every respect. They were larger and more of them and not so many rotten ones Fred. Johnson came over this morning and he and Frank went out with the guns this morning to shoot a hawk but didn't get him. Huby came over about noon to tell us he thought things were nearly settled as Porter the head office man in Simcoe had been down to see him and get his age and suchlike. I drove him down before dinner and got the paper. It began to rain soon after dinner and poured most of the after noon, it was one of the worst we have had and to-night there were some pretty close claps of thunder. Mrs. McBride was here all the after noon. To-night Aunty, Aunty Alice, Fred, Frank & I had a game of rum under Fred's instructions. We didn't do any thing all the after noon but sit around the house Wednesday August 25th Frank drove Dick down this morning and Aunty went down with them to stay for awhile as she wants to fix things up a little down there. Frank brought Mrs. Johnson over with him and she has been here spending the day with Enah. Billy Louis was in for quite awhile this morning to see Dad. about a sick cow or some thing and they were bewailing our common sad plight but Billy has got past his streak of profanity and come to the conclusion that there are other poor devils worse off than we are. Frank, Fred & I pulled the weeds out in the raspberry patch but didn't do much else all morning This after noon I drove Aunty Alice down town and she is going to stay down with Aunty. We met Lila on the way down and she informed us with great glee that Huby had just been sworn in and passed his medical examination or https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/fc2c429c8d11a2afdfc845f45e1f6bab.pdf ab0c1a394a9a1e7d3dca96df197ce2c8 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. whatever they call it and is to start work to-morrow morning. We saw Huby later down town. I put Joe in at Hallam's and had her shod and went down town and got hair cut and a new felt hat. We also heard that the mill was going to open up again to-morrow and the full staff is going to work full-time on Monday, the paper also had very cheerful reports from the Dardenelles which they hope to have forced in a few weeks, to cap all this good news, we heard to-night that Quint was going to be home on Friday having recoverd enough since he left the hospital to travel. It has been cloudy but a cold north wind all day and doesn't feel rainy Thursday August 26th This morning we all went down town, Enah & the baby went up and spent the day at the James' and Dad. Frank & I started to cut down the old bad locust tree in front of Hubys. We were afraid to cut it at the roots as it was so tall we were afraid it would fall on the telegraph wires so we sawed it through about half way up and Frank climbed up as high as he could and tied a rope to it so we had a good purchase. We didn't get it sawed enough before dinner so stayed at Hubys for dinner. After dinner we went up two or three times and sawed it through as far as we thought we dared before we pulled it down. We also had it notched on the side we wanted it to fall on but the wood was so tough that we had to saw it nearly through or else we would have broken<s>t</s> it off at the roots. Sandy came over as Dad. had borrowed a rope from him and he spent a very enjoyable after noon advising & assisting us and also telling us a long story about a tree he cut down up in Colbourne. At last when the top did come over it crashed right down through the little maple tree and broke about half of it. Dad. told Sandy he could have the broken limbs off the maple which brought forth several grunts of satisfaction & gratitude. When all this was accomplished I went up town and took my pants up to Tip to see if he could match them with any of his samples as I want to get a coat if possible but Tip wasn't there. I fooled around with Hazen for awhile and then came home. I overtook Dad. Frank Win. & her friend Kitty Lyons in the bugg<s>g</s>y heading for home talking to Huby. This has been his first day in office and he has been fairly busy. Win & Kitty got our tea for us and after tea Dad. drove down and got Enah & the baby, to-night. I printed a lot of pictures for Win, who with her friend stayed all night. They say poor old Ed. Turner (Dave's) is just about all in and they are going to bring him home to-morrow night to die. Quite cloudy and cold to-day but fair. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/f537f85387a2cf4d3a2631fc0e05836d.pdf ba2ca8a7bf0bee3ae55817918c4427be PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Friday August 27th We went out this morning and tried the binder again both on the wheat and the barley & oats, we got once around but had to quit as it dragged in several places. Sid. McBride went past and said down there around Marburg they were putting chains on their binder wheels to make them pull through the mud. This after noon we hauled out manure and got out six loads, we put it on the clover sod east of the orchard which we hope to get in with wheat. We couldn't go through the lane on account of the mudhole at the gate so Dad. had to haul out by the road and around the barley stubble. I cut lawn between loads but had to use the scythe as it has got so long the lawnmower wont work. Dick went to Hagersville this morning and met Quint. who came in on a through Michigan Central sleeper from Boston to Chicago. Dad. Aunty Alice & I walked down to-night to see him and Frank rode his wheel down. He looks fine only a little thin. Aunty Alice stayed down Cloudy & cool all day. Saturday August 28th We hauled manure all day to-day and got out and got out thirteen loads. I worked on the lawn all the time between loads To-night I walked down town and got my pants back from Tip he couldn't match them with any of his samples. I fooled around up town for awhile and then went down to Hubys for awhile. Huby seemed very provoked because Quint had killed his pet snake. Huby says he has always killed every snake he saw as he thought it was good luck but has he never had any good luck he quit killing them about a month ago and his affairs have been in a blossoming condition ever since, and he had this special snake with its tail cut off which used to live some where in the garden. It has been a little warmer to-day but cloudy and is drizzling to-night. Sunday August 29th Dad. & I went back at half past five this morning and got Pommers out of John Wess' back field where I found him last night, we had to take the wire down off two of the posts to let him through. About eight before we had breakfast Frank and I went over to Quanbury's for a swim. Mrs. Quanbury saw us going down to the pond and got John to call us back and invite us to indulge in the luxury of their bathroom, as it was a rather raw morning we did and it certainly was lovely but it took much longer and by the time Frank had had his bath breakfast was plum ready and we had to stay and partake of it with them the consequence was we didn't get home till about ten https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/479c2a8c4c5b172e92f0bd585007b8d2.pdf 241cd2cadc3bf6a6ab0241a8a1e13a0a PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. o'clock and it was too late to get ready for church & Dad. couldn't go either but took Enah down. Frank got dinner ready and Dad. drove down and brought Enah & Aunty Alice back from church.This after noon Colin Ryersie rode in but we didn't want to take either of the horses out as they are working so Colin, Frank & I went for a walk back as far as Charlie Quanbury's farm and as Charlie wasn't home we ate all the platable fruit there was on the place before we came home but didn't do very much damage any where in our travels. Dad. Enah & Tid were out at the Shand's when we got home, but Aunty & Aunty Alice were here. Frank and I did chores to-night and Dad. went to church with Aunty & Aunty Alice. It has been fair but cool to-day. Monday August 30th We at last got started to cut the barley & oats this morning the wheat ground was still too soft to get on with the binder, we didn't get much done as it was so close to the road, first old Ham. Butler came along and stopped and called us over to tell us that he had heard that by getting off the binder and walking it would go through the wet spots all right but also told us every thing else he knew about the weather and how he had never seen the ground so wet except once before and that was in the fall. Tupper came past about noon to get Art. Quanbury's gasolie<s>n</s> engine. They are going to put it on the binder back of the table and put a pulley on the packers shaft and let the engin run the binder and the horses just pull the weight of the binder, they hope by that means to go through the soft place all right. Mr. Flemming was over this morning to get one of us to go over and help him thrash this after noon. Sam moved down there from Iveys. I cut lawn till they left Iveys and then went down. Dad. kept on cutting but quit early as the horses were tired and helped Frank shock up for awhile, still fair with cold breeze. Tuesday August 31st I went over to Flemmings to thrash about seven this morning and we got through in a couple of hours he only thrashed out part of his wheat and four loads of oats which came of six acres he only got 96 bushels off the six acres, the hail pounded the whole field flat he said and thrashed out way more than half of them, when I got home Frank & Dad. were still shocking up and hadn't got started to cut yet but Dad. got the team out when I got there. I went over to Tupper's for awhile to see how the gasoline engine was working but they had taken it off as it ran things too fast and they thought it wasn't worth while monkeying around getting a larger pulley https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/71d4d58a75169cdf830e78f323ead2ae.pdf 0c15dccccff6e9e4c9afbae9623277a0 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. We didn't get through with the oats & barley till to-night and didn't have time to get started at the wheat. Old Joe Ivey, Charlie & Bruce Smith came along in the Ivey's car this after noon and old Ivey wanted to know if Dad. was like Woodrow Wilson and had some thing wrong with his eyes that he was cutting oats before he was wheat, he says Woodrow can't see that Germany is kicking the U.S. in the face. They quarrelled away for about half an hour. About four o'clock Dad. got so disgusted with the way things were going that he was mad enough to quit, the binder would drag in places and the green stuff wouldn't elevate so Frank volunteered to drive it. Dad. told him if he thought he could do it any better to go ahead but he knew he couldn't, however he did do it better I suppose because he is lighter so now he is established as binder driver and both he & Dad. are delighted with the change. Still fair & cool. Wednesday September 1st We got started getting the wheat as soon as it was dry enough this morning it took quite awhile to get around it as it is so thick and hard to elevate, but by cutting a narrow swath Frank managed fairly well, he had to cut through north of one of the water holes and he cut that piece of separately, and it took all day to cut it. It is slow work as he has to take such a narrow swath. Dad. & I shocked up, what bothered mostly was the wild buckwheat which has grown up fairly thickly in spots and it is twined around the wheat and pulls a lot of it off the table. We lost an hour or so at noon as one of the slats on the table canvas broke and poked a hole in the canvas so Dad. took it off and brought it up to the house and fixed it with a piece of hook iron and Aunty Alice patched it. Frank drove down and brought Mrs. Leigh & Herbert over to dinner Mr. Leigh walked over. Frank was showing Mr. Leigh the bees after dinner and one stung him (Frank) above the ear. Much warmer to-day but fair. Thursday September 2nd We finished cutting the wheat to-day, that is all we can cut with the binder, there is still some left around the water hole that we will have to get with the mower or scythe. It went better to-day as Dad. rigged a stick at the end of the table to catch & break the buckwheat stems. It would have been easily a forty or forty five bushel to the acre crop of beautiful wheat if we could have saved it but now it is all sprouted and an awful lot of it shells out on the ground. We ran out of binder twine so to-night Frank went down to Billy Langs and got some. He drove Aunty & Aunty Alice down to church and they going to stay down. Quint, Win & Hilda Leigh were over to dinner to-day. Mr. Smythe was down this morning and bought the one ram lamb that will register for ten dollars but didnt take him. Much warmer to-day. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/22ee1236354146980bd7a50b1e036dde.pdf b8866332031e30af3b632fa9f05e3bb4 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. {This a repeat of the previous page}. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/ff96bb248c6fee086768402fd3053721.pdf d88649789602ea99d470ec12c5c81645 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Friday September 3rd This morning Frank & Dad. went out and loaded the binder and took it over the gully, it took quite awhile and as they didn't go out very early on account of the dew they just got one round cut before noon. I guess it was a big job cutting it as they had to go around the side hills. I spent the morning taking the sod off a strip down along the fence extending from the south end of the rose bed to the ditch the same width as the rose bed and as soon as I get it fixed in shape I want to fill it in with roses from down home. This after noon it looked pretty rainy so Dad. thought we had better haul in what we could of the barley & oats, we had to pitch off the load of barley which was on the waggon and it took us quite awhile so we only got in two loads, we put them in the old barn on top of the barley & wheat, it was slow moving it away but to-morrow we hope to unload in the big barn with the slings. It has been very hot & sultry to-day Aunty was over to dinner. Saturday September 4th Dad. went out this morning and turned out nearly all the barley & oat shocks, while he was doing that Frank and I changed the car from the horse stable to the big barn and put the sling standards on the rack. When we got ready I took the team out and we put on a load but as we had to move the calf out of the barn to the orchard and spread out a pile of hay which was in the bay so it was twelve o'clock <s>so</s> before we unloaded but it only took us a very few minutes to take it off with he slings. This after noon we got five more loads and all there was on the field except a few shocks, we worked till about seven o'clock and it was dark before we got in. We got a letter & a telegram from Mr. Millman to-day one saying they would be up here to-night and the other saying they found they couldn't get away. It has been pretty hot to-day & looks rainy. Sunday September 5th Dad. & I got up & half past five this morning as the calves and young stock which were shut in the lane got through the bars at the end of the orchard and came around by the road in to the drive house, but they hadn't done any damage. Frank and I went for a swim before breakfast and got back in time to get ready for church Frank went down to Sunday school. Dad & Enah drove down to church & left Tid in Dick's care I walked down to Huby's and went up to church with Quint. This after noon Dick & I drove down town and I went around to see Marj. she has come back to teach in Miss Watt's place. To-night Dad. Aunty & I drove https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/c9f573991bbcb66c0e94495826ff9308.pdf b847c041103b02752232ef3d40c13180 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. down to church. It was Mr. Leigh's last Sunday so Dad. wanted to say good bye to him. It has been very cloudy and has rained several times during the day but not hard. Monday September 6th It was too wet to cut Dad. thought this morning so he drove Aunty, Aunty Alice & Tid. up to the cemetry. I cut lawn most of the morning but wasted a lot of time with Dick who as it was Labor day got a holiday. This after noon I got ready and went down about four o'clock to a picnic the Ever-ready club were having down the lake shore, we had a great time and nearly every body in town was down there. We had a lot of fun but it looked rainy so we got home early. Most of them went over to the pavillion to the last dance of the season but I went around home with Marj. for awhile and intended going to the dance but it was beginning to rain when I started for home and I was a little tired so I thought I wouldn't go and walked part way home with Charlie Quanbury and borrowed his umbraella as it was raining, but it didn't ammount to much. Tuesday September 7th Frank started back to school this morning in high spirits His passing Entrance must have created a high degree of intrest for study in him, because he didn't have to go back unless he wanted to. Lila McBride is assistant in the High School this year so likely she will make them toe the scratch. Dad. & I started to plow this morning Dad. plowed four or five rounds in the little gully in the clover sod next to the orchard & then I took it till noon, the north side of the hill is very hard & chunky and it is all most impossible for me to hold the plow in the ground but the south bank plows nicely. This after noon Frank didn't have to go back to school as we expected and so we went back over the gully and cut oats, we had to ride the table going around the side hill, we didn't get very many rounds cut as we broke the doubletrees when the big wheel dropped into a ditch on the side hill, they were Sam Law's too, we had broken a hook on one of ours & Dad. went over and took Sam's off his binder which was back in the field. Bert Munroe came over this morning and borrowed the disks for Sam. Mrs. Harding died last night. It has been fair & hot all day. Tuesday September 14th I have got so behind with this through neglecting to write that I cannot remember what we did day by day, but I know we got all the oats cut across the gully and left them as they dropped from the binder thinking they would dry out. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/f543c478f77962ab43824cf52d1ebf80.pdf 53e0e314d7afcf3c2c034adffed7b4ed PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. and Saturday we got in I think three loads of wheat and put it in the mow over the oats & barley, we got a little more plowing done but Saturday morning while Dad. was plowing old Harry walked through his harness breaking the strap which connects the tug with the harness. Dad. went down to Mrs. Harding's funeral on Thursday afternoon and I borrowed Joe Field's boat and went over to watch the steam shovel for a little while. Poor old Ed. Turner died on Wednesday. It rained a little shower on Friday night and rained hard on Sunday so Dad & I spent all day yesterday setting up the oats across the gully but didn't quite finish. The Millmans all came up again Friday night, but not here as they have taken a cottage for a month over Brant Hill. They were all down here Sunday night to tea. Nita came up with them but of course Orm. was the only one of the boys and he & Paw had to go back yesterday. Last night Marj. & her sister Dorrie & I went to the show which wasn't much good but it was the only time Dorrie could go as she & her father were here over Sunday and are going back to-day. I worked all day setting up oats across the gully and then didn't finish. It was slow work doing it alone and was very hot down around the side hill. Dad. plowed all day and finished the little side hill, it was very hard.To-night I went up the beach to a corn roast. There was a big bunch of girls up there but very few boys. I found Dorrie Clarke & her father had changed their plans and aren't going till to-morrow morning so she went with us. We had a good time eating sand & burned corn and weren't very late. Very hot all day & a nice breeze to-night. Wednesday September 15th I set up some more oats this morning and Dad. plowed. George Duncan came up after him to see a colt with a lame foot and he went up there right after dinner and took Enah & the baby with him. I shocked up till he got back and then we hauled in a load of wheat and found it in dandy shape. Colin Ryersie rode in to-night and after tea he, Frank & I went for a swim. I had a bad cold to-day so went right to bed as soon as I got home. It has been very hot all day Thursday September 16th Tid and I drove over to Tupper's this morning to get his man as he promised to lend him to us when we could use him most but he had gone over to help old Dave Lampkins haul in his oats but Tupper said he would send him over to-morrow. I have this all wrong as I haven't written it lately. It was Wednesday that John couldn't come and we hauled in our wheat alone. Thursday https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/cfb3c1cfb0737235d06091f40381d50d.pdf f29bba44436265ba0f871f3ae8074e64 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. (to-day) he did come and helped us in the mow hauling in oats I felt too sick to work after I had put on the first load after dinner so he went back and pitched on a load. I came in and had a rest and felt much better. Alan Law and Frank McBride came in after the roller while Dad. was back after the load. Enah & the baby went down town to see the flower show this after noon and stayed over at the Millman's cottage to tea. After tea Dad. drove down after them and I went down with him and went up to see the flower show. Charlie Quanbury & Fat Turner bought a dandy watermelon and invited me to help eat it. We went up to the Turner's & partook of it all by ourselves in the kitchen. I came home with Charlie about half past eleven. Aunty & Aunty Alice are staying down at the old house now and are awfully busy getting it cleaned up and ready for papering. Huby has got all moved and pretty well settled I guess up in Bill Slocomb's house next to Gus. Smith. Another pretty hot day. Friday September 17th Dad. & I went back after a load of oats first thing this morning and we rather expected John Robins back to help us as he said he would be but he didn't show up and when Dad. came down the hill with the load and went to back up for me to unlock the wheel the neck yoke snapped right in two so I ran over to Tupper's to borrow one and he said he had to keep John home to-day as he needed him, he kept talking to me so long that Dad. thought I wasn't coming we got that load off before dinner but didn't have time to get another. We got two loads in this after noon. To-night I went down town to see the Millman's. I stopped in to see Aunty & Aunty Alice and found Mrs. Millman in there waiting for Nita and Kathleen who were up town getting ice cream & the mail. Quint came in and after we had eaten the ice cream and visited for awhile Quint & I & Frank who had come down on his wheel went over to Brant Hill with the Millman's and visited for a long time. Not so hot. Saturday September 18th We all got up early this morning and got a good early start, we had to start our stack with the last load we hauled last night. We also hauled up a load of old hay last night and we used it for the bottom of the stack and to top it out with. There was a very dense fog till late on in the morning which made things almost as wet as a rain but we hauled in just the same and finished the oats to-night, we left the last load on the barn floor & kept https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/f72979317c02361d5b013d18400da9ca.pdf 9d4cc5453ae470b25db0d5f96b6d5c41 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. four loads in the stack, making altogether ten loads of oats off the back fields. John Wess came over and borrowed the manure spreader he has bought a new one but can't get it yet. Later in the day Lundon Ivey came over to borrow the drill. It has not been so hot to-day. Sunday September 19th It was too cold to go for a swim this morning but Frank went down to Sunday school and Dick & I went to church I drove Enah down and Dick walked. I got up fairly early this morning and washed & oiled the buggy. This after noon I took Marj. & Essie for a drive we had a dandy time and went up by Port Ryersie. The Millman's all came over here and got Enah & Frank to go for a swim. Ed. Moon was over here and they took him down town with them and told him that they were all going to stay over Brant Hill to tea, he met Mr. & Mrs. Bagley and told them that they were going to stay to tea so <s>she</s> Mrs. Bagley invited me to stay there and I did and as there wasn't any Methodist church we all went to ours. When I got home about eleven I found that they had changed their plans and had come back here to tea. It has been a very nice day, fair & cool {The following entry has been written by Toby's father}. Thursday September 30th There has been an unavoidable lapse in the chronical of events, so I wont try to put down the doings of each day. I began ploughing the piece of sod East of the orchard on Monday Sep 20th and it was very hard. The weather was hot and dry all week and the flys bother the horses terribly. Toby went to help Vyse thrash on Thursday 23rd and got very sick. Old Felix was over that day fixing the pump at the windmill. Toby could not hold his head up Friday and Saturday. Sunday was a very wet day up till noon I drove Hattie down to church in a down pour. We were all to have gone over to have dinner with the Millmans and they all got there but Alice, Toby and me. Ormond brought {name?} and Hattie and the baby home about 4-30, it was getting much colder then and it has been cooler ever since freezing pretty hard every night since. I finished ploughing on Monday and as it was too wet to work I took the table down home and Toby went with me and stayed with the girls until today. Kathleen and Nila were over to tea last night and Frank went home with them, Toby https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/3f320917b3744f1adc4cdbe042515284.pdf df58a8668675ef55663099ca0aec8a59 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. came home this morning and we got his plots of wheat sowed. Frank and I went down to Sam Law's and got eight bushels of wheat and I got nearly half of I sowed bought. I think this is a fair summing up of the doings of the last ten days. {Toby now resumes his diary} Friday October 1st Dad. finished drilling the four acres this morning and harrowed it I had to go over to Sam's and get about a peck more seed to finish the headland. This after noon Dad. Enah & the baby got all ready to go down to the Rural School Fair but the weather got so bad they changed their minds. Dad. gave Queen a good cleaning instead, he is getting her looking & acting petty nicely I got my membership tickets for the fair this morning and expect to go up and enter Queen to-morrow Dad. didn't get the ditches run out in the wheat field yet. It is a pretty small field to put in but I guess to try to put in more now would be foolish I haven't done any thing much all day It drizzled all morning and rained hard all the afternoon and is still raining. East wind. Frank came home from school but went right off again in the rain to go to the Millman's for tea and stay all night with Quint. Saturday October 2nd It was too wet to furrow out the field this morning so we just did chores. I spent quite awhile cleaning out the chicken house dropping boards as they haven't been cleaned for a week. I then dressed a couple of posts which I want to put in for a grapevine trellis. Dad. cut the burs around the pasture as we want to turn the sheep in, he also killed and cleaned a couple of old hens. Frank stayed down town all night over at the Millman's but came home before breakfast. Mr. & Mrs. Millman & Orm. came up in the car last night they didn't get here till after ten and Frank said the car was in awful shape. He went back after breakfast to see if Orm would mind taking the car up to Simcoe this after noon but they said it was too wet and muddy so Dad. & I drove up. We went in to see Yeager and he advised us not to show Queen as he said there was no chance of her taking the money as there were two more that he knew of that had been training all summer and could step as high as a tree and then as he said it wasn't going to do her any good in fact she would be far better running out. He says to hang on to everything we have in the shape of horses as they are going to be worth all kinds of money soon. He says they have drained the U.S. of horses and have held the Canadian ones in reserve. We took his advice and didn't enter Queen as https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/ad97abc093d082f8d1a2ed7d207f67dd.pdf bd2552cffa5e8221e03b84a545c3d7ed PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. we intended but went on into Simcoe and I got my watch fixed and the halter fixed. I drove Dad. down to Sam Law's corner when we got home and he went on down and opened Sam's pig which just lay down and died without any warning before dinner. Dad. says its lungs were full of froth and it has choked to death but from what cause he couldn't imagine. I went on down town while he was down there and got Enah & the baby who had walked down and brought them home. It has been cloudy & cool to-day. Sunday October 3rd Dick Enah & I drove down to church this morning and Frank rode his wheel down. The Millman's all went down to Aunty's & Aunty Alice's for dinner so they couldnt come over here. This after noon Marj. & I went for a drive. I got home about six o'clock and Mr. Millman was here waiting for Dad. to get through with the chores to go over to their place to tea. Orm. Paw & Quint were all back in the gully shooting crows so Dad. Enah, Frank & the baby all went over there but I had tea alone and walked down to church and spent the evening down town. Cool but Sunny. Monday October 4th This morning we didn't get up very early and I spent most of the morning putting patches of roofing paper on the chicken house roof. Dad. started to make a corn horse and as I was standing out there holding it for him I suddenly felt so sick and weak that I had to go in and lie down till noon Alfred came in to get one of us to go thrashing to-morrow morning he was here for about an hour and then Dad.went out and furrowed out the wheat ground and sowed the other plot of wheat for me and I raked it in and smothed the edges of the furrows he ploughed through the flats. I went down town to tea to-night and walked up with Aunty to a Sunday school meeting. It began to rain soon after tea and was such a bad night that I stayed down there all night. Quite warm all day. Tuesday October 5th I had breakfast down at Aunty's this morning but came home right after wards and got here about eight o'clock. Dad. & Frank were just leaving for Alfred's to go thrashing. I fed the chickens and found that the roof had leaked about as badly as ever so I went up and put some of the tar over the seams and I also put tar on the roof of the colony house which had never been done. Dad. & Frank got home about noon so Frank went to school but Dad. had a headache so didnt https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/8c142390a3f7946c4e4f1b85f1f5757b.pdf e4b1741403178fd8ca9ca70a8783e8bd PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. do much this after noon. I made a couple of legs for the corn horse out of rails and put them in I then took it out to the field and went over to Sam Law's and got our sickle and cut five shocks of the smutnose corn. I started in on it because it looked a little the ripest but I don't know that it really is, up at that far end of the field the grass is nearly as long as the corn so it was a nasty job. I intended to go down to a dance to-night which the girls are getting up for Helen Anderson who is just home for three weeks but I thought maybe I hadn't better so stayed home. Much cooler & cloudy. Wednesday October 6th I have spent the day cutting corn and finished cutting the row across the end and one the length of the field over forty shocks. I started about half past eight and quit before five so I think I could cut about fifty a day Dad. cleaned out his ditches this morning and went back and put up the {illegible} from the gully into the back pasture field and went on over to see John Wess for a minute or two. He was cutting his corn, he has about given up the idea of getting his <s>summer</s> fall pea stubble in with wheat. This after noon among othe things he husked a bushel of corn for the pigs Win came over to tea to-night Cool & cloudy all day looks rainy Thursday October 7th I cut corn all day and got another long row & nine shocks cut forty six cut to-day. I quit cutting at half past four and husked four shocks of the smutnose up at the far end of the field we thought it was more mature than the Longfellow but although the stalks seem drier the corn itself I don't think is Dad. took the plow back over the gully this morning and has been plowing all day around the big hill. The war is getting more mixed up than ever, the British & French the latter especially have made considerable advances lately on the western front and taken a lot of the Germans elegant trenches which they thought were impregnable and the German drive in Russia has about petered out, but it is now certain that Bulgaria has cast in her lot with the central powers and has begun an invasion of Serbia, and in Greece they are fearing civil war as the premier has resigned, he and the people want to keep their treaty with Serbia and lend help in case of Bulgaria's invasion but the King will not fight with his brother-in-law the Kaiser. Frank and I drove down to Ot. Collins to-night as he wanted to get some ball bearings for his bicycle, warmer to-day https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/2ee761f68f34b7af3be3c8e235def37b.pdf 62ad2a6a8ae6f13b2481fcbf29b76218 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Friday October 8th Dad. & I hauled manure all day to-day and got out twelve loads we want to get the yard cleaned up as soon as possible so that we can thrash when the machine comes down here again to thrash out Art. Ryersie. Between loads I got a couple of holes dug to set the posts for a grapevine trellis east of the house but I didn't feel very well after the first load or two so didn't do much. Mrs. Millman was over this after noon for a little while, she expected Paw. Orm, and a Mr. Brown some freind of Orm's up to-night. Aunty Alice was over to dinner and bought a couple of young cockrels from me I killed them to-night & Dad. plucked them but didn't clean them they weighed 8 1/2 lbs uncleaned and she gave me 18 cts a lb. which is the same price as at Coleman's. Colin Ryerse rode in for a little while too. Art & George have gone off to the Caledonia fair so Colin is taking things easy Mrs. Millman told us that Roy. Vernon & Rebecca landed in down at Aunty's for dinner, so to-night I took Enah down to choir practice and after making a few calls one of which was to get Roy's suitcases at the station I went down there and waited for Enah, all the Woodson family & Cousins Bessy & Harry Ansley were there Jean Marks came up with them this morning. There has been a cold wind all day and is cold to-night. Saturday October 9th Dad. got in a pretty good day's plowing to-day across the gully, this morning I sawed some wood oiled the buggy and did a few chores while Frank husked five shocks of corn and went down and got some flour. This afternoon I went nutting with Essie & Marj. We went way up the front road above Port Ryerse and got a few hickory nuts, a few chestnuts and quite a lot of wallnuts. The chestnuts are hardly ripe yet although some of the burrs are wide open. We would have got more on Farr's place but the trees were so close to the barns that we didn't dare make much noise clubbing and across the road on Smythe's place we thought we saw some of them coming after us so didn't take time to gather as many as we might have. However I think we all enjoyed ourselves and didn't get home till long after dark. Frank & I had to go down town again after tea as I forgot to call for some stuff @ Bagley & Miller's Frank went up the Radical Road with the Millman's and got a few chestnuts but their outing was spoiled by poor old Orm jumping over a fence and spraining his ankle. It was very painful and Nita had to drive the car home. To-night Dr. Jolley looked at it and said he had broken a bone & torn some ligaments, it is so swollen that he couldn't tell much about it. It has been rather cloudy & raw all day with occasional spits of rain. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/4304f7ecb0c24e44af338218f241985f.pdf dad20b10d56ecc721a007936bb319e6f PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Sunday October 10th We didn't get up till after seven this morning but Frank Enah and I managed to get down to church. This afternoon I sat around the house for awhile and then Dad. drove down to see Huby so I went down with him as far as Aunty's and stopped in there. Roy & Vernon had gone up to Huby's so Aunty Alice & I walked over Brant Hill to see the Millman's. Orm's foot wasn't paining so much but looked very bad and he couldn't bear it to the ground. Quint had borrowed a pair of crutches for him from Mrs. Lawson. About five they all went down town to say goodbye to the Ansley's & Tibbet's so I rode down as far as Aunty's with them and then home with Dad. to do chores. They all but Mrs. Millman came over in the car a little later and Mr. Millman, Mr. Brown, Quint, Frank & Nita all went back to the woods to shoot crows. When I got dressed Kathleen and I walked back over to the cottage stopping in for a minute at Aunty's and the rest all came over in the car soon after. We were all over there to tea and all evening. Nita brought us home about ten o'clock. They all intend to go back in the morning so we bid them good-bye. Sunny but cold wind all day. I didn't see anything much of Roy or Vernon to-day as they went over to the Woodson's to tea. Monday October 11th We have been hauling out manure all day but only got out about {19?} loads as we didn't get started till late and quit early. Roy, Vernon, Rebecca & Aunty were all over to dinner and Aunty asked Dad. Enah and Tid down there to tea so Enah and the baby went down with them and called on Mrs. Battersby on their way down. Dad. did chores and then walked down. Frank and I had our tea alone and then drove down leaving Joe down at the house for Dad and Enah to drive home and we went to the picture show as they had Charlie Chaplin on to-night. I went around and got Marj. It was laughable but absolutely nonsensical. It was eleven o'clock when we got out and we went around to see how Mr. Smith was as he had an attack of colic or something to-night, he was still pretty sick and they were sitting up with him so Essie went over to stay all night with Nellie. I stopped in for a few minutes on my way home to say goodbye to Roy & Vernon they are going back in the morning. It was after twelve when I got to bed. I guess they had a great reunion out at Shand's schoolhouse to-day of all the scholars that went to school out there to Mrs. Dolly Smith who taught there for seventeen years. Mrs McBride has been talking about it for weeks, she's one of them It has been a lovely fall day sunny and mild. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/86cfe8273798121a4cf47d3b6a0e6af5.pdf 75a25d9ce44b4cdc5b3b7f7473de67e8 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Tuesday October 12th We got on a little better to-day and got out 12 loads of manure. Dad. went down to Art. Ryerse's to see Sam Law as they are thrashing down there to see what his programme was He expected to be through at Art's to-night but said he didn't suppose anyone would want to thrash to-morrow or Thursday as the Simcoe show is on so he said if we could be ready he would pull in here Friday morning so Dad. said all right, we thought we could get enough manure out for the stack and we wont try to get the big barn ready to thrash out as we can do that when we thrash the clover seed. It has been a nice day but looks a little like rain. Wednesday October 13th We got out 9 loads to-day but quit soon after dinner as Alan & Bert came in with the thrashing outfit and we had to sped the rest of the day getting ready for them, we had to take the binder out of the other barn and put it in the wood shed. About five o'clock we went down to the fish shanty and got a load of soft coal for them We also took down the old kitchen cupboard a little stand and a rocking chair to Aunty. She was in Simcoe to meet Aunt Ida who came to-night and is going to stay a month with them and maybe longer. To-night Frank drove down town to get a load of groceries and I went down with him and went up to the Bagley's to print pictures, we didn't get as many done as we expected as Essie's weren't done yet and Marj. couldn't find a lot of hers, but we printed mine and they were pretty good. It rained most of the evening so I went down to Aunty's to sleep. It has been a very fine day. Thursday October 14th It was raining when I got up this morning and has been cloudy & wet all day. I had breakfast down town and got over here about eight o'clock, Enah was sick not having slept all night as She had a very lame back, but she said she felt better when she got up, Frank had intended going to Simcoe on his wheel to-day but changed his mind on account of the weather so I drove him & Dick down to school and the bank. I got some stuff at Bagley & Miller's and then went down to Aunty's to return some rain clothes I had borrowed and Aunty was just going up town so I drove her up, it was after ten when I got home. Sam Law had been over and told Dad. he could just as well thrash the other barn out as not so Dad. thought we had better and we have been busy all the after noon getting it cleaned up. Before tea I saddled Belle https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/2a723b1a6c210dcdb48a0f6fcf6b06e7.pdf b09bf8d803b74a25e21473eabbcff8c0 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. and rode down to Mr. Flemming's and out to Tupper's to get their help thrashing. Tupper wasn't home yet from the Fair so I left a note for him. It has been a bad day for the fair and their aeroplane which was to have been the chief feature didn't arrive. Word just came the other day that Gordon McCall who enlisted with the second contingent has died of wounds Friday October 15th We have been thrashing all day and got on faster than we expected. We got the old barn all thrashed out before four o'clock and got moved over to the other barn and got most of the wheat over there thrashed out. We got 268 bushels of wheat at the other barn 200 of which is very little sprouted and 68 bushels not badly, but the worst sprouted is in the big barn and is not running out nearly so fast, There were 156 bushels of barley 45 of barley and oats and 80 of oats out of the stack, all the grain was in excellent shape except the oats and they were soaking wet as the stack was drenched. If we had got all the grain we would have had a bumper turn out. Aunty Alice has been over all day helping Enah and is staying all night, she sorted out her books to-day and gave me a lot of them, the old ones, there is nothing I would rather have. Cool & cloudy. Saturday October 16th We finished thrashing about noon and according to the tally got 896 bushels of grain altogether, but as I wasn't out there much I don't know how much of each there was, there was only about seventy five or eight bushels of the sprouted wheat I think but a nice pile of barley & oats and quite a few oats which are pretty good though badly discolored. My O.A.C. 72 Oats turned out four bushels. Just as I got the chores done this morning I got such a sick feeling that I had to go and lie down for an hour or so, but felt allright the rest of the day. I drove Aunty Alice down town this morning to get some more meat for dinner and when we got back I cleaned up part of the old barn floor and spread the wet oats out over it. This after noon Dad. helped us sack up a grist before he went down to help Flemming thrash and Frank and I took it down to the mill, we then came back and took one of the big bookcases down home and a load of books, we got the mail and came around by Vyses and got our fanning mill, we then went back to the mill and got our chop. It was time to do chores when we got home. We were pretty well through when Dad. got home, he said he had had a hard day of it down at Flemming's as he was shorthanded. Cloudy all morning but lovely after noon https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/6f40300047af080404099a41594e2e33.pdf f448018d8b34ee0f06d2e069726736a3 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Sunday October 17th Frank rode his wheel down to Sunday school and church this morning and Dick, Enah and I drove down, it was Children's day in church so the service wasn't very long We sat in the back seat and were very amused all through proceeding's at the actions of a man across the isle who was aparently in a sleepy state of drunkenness He had a little girl with him who was just as lively as he was dull - and they made an interesting pair. When we got home we found Dad had the meat roasted as he had been pestered all morning with visitors. Val Leany came over and got old Dandy and took him home. Dick, Frank and I went out to the hickory nut tree and Dick climbed it and shook all the nuts he could off and Frank and I gathered up two basketfulls of shells and all. Frank spent the after noon picking up the rest and got a bag full of husks and all and a peach basket full of husked nuts. Marj. and I went for a drive down the Lake Shore and I came home at half past five and helped Frank do chores as Dad & Enah & the baby stayed down to tea at Aunty's they went down to see Aunt Ida When Frank and I had our tea we drove Joe down and left her for Dad. to drive home. I didn't go in down there but went on up town and met Aunty Alice & Dad. coming out of church and going up to Huby's so I went up with them for a little while Aunty Maude has to go to Brantford in the morning for an operation, none of us knew any thing about it till to-day. I left Dad. & Aunty Alice at the Bagley's Corner and although there was no one home there I soon found Essie & Marj. coming home from church so spent the remainder of the evening with them. It has been a lovely autumn day and a beautiful night. Monday October 18th Dad. has been down at Flemming's all day thrashing but they got through to-night. He said Mr. Flemming didn't thrash quite as much as we did. I did up the chores and then went back and plowed, I didn't get on very fast but still didn't do so badly going around the side hill. I got ten rounds ploughed all day about four o'clock the bolt came half way out of the drawchain and bent so I had to quit at noon. I thought it was going to rain so spent half an hour or so cleaning up the barn floor to run some stuff through the fanning mill but it didn't rain so I went back with the team instead. This is Frank's birthday. It has been dark and cloudy with little spits of rain all day and I went out and boxed up the cockrels in the colony house https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/7a82bec5378bd943bbaa8e171dcf8ffe.pdf c24691377ade9bdf421c398735ee5022 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Tuesday October 19th First thing this morning I took the team around and got the cockrels in the colony house which Frank and I caught last night and brought them up and shut them in the yard here at the house with the others. Dad. went over to Quanbury's last night to have a bath and they wanted to get us to give them a lift with the team on Charlie's wood shed which he is moving to make into a hog pen so we went out this morning and took the baby, we got the thing moved and back home by noon. John presented us with a heifer calf yesterday. This after noon Dad. plowed and I cut corn, we both got on pretty well. Mrs. McBride was here washing to-day and gave us a great account of the reunion at Shand's schoolhouse, she evidently enjoyed it. To-night Dad. & Enah drove out to the Shand's as it was old Mrs. Nixon's birthday. She had gone to bed but they saw her. Charlie they told them went to the hospital in Brantford a week ago for the rest cure. They also were invited out there on Thursday night to a kitchen shower for Marnie who is to be married next Wednesday. Tid. didnt wake up all evening. Colin Ryerse was in for awhile on horseback as it was a beautiful moon light night. Rather cloudy all day Wednesday October 20th Dad. has been plowing all day and I cut corn I didn't get started very early and quit about four but got quite a lot cut and finished the fourth row. Frank came right home from school and he and I got the fanning mill set and a few of the wet oats run through. To-night I went down town and took Marj. for a drive. It was a lovely moon light night but very foggy, however I enjoyed it very much and I think she did. Doc. Hicks was down to-day and said Aunty Maude was getting on as well as possible. She had to go to Brantford on Monday for an operation. Cloudy & Rainy looking all day. Thursday October 21st I have been cutting corn all day and just got another row cut. Dad plowed all day and is getting the side hill across the gully nearly cornered. Pud. Smythe was in this morning to get their lamb and paid me ten dollars. To-night Dad & Enah drove out to the kitchen shower they are having for Marine. Aunty was over here to dinner and she and Enah walked down town this after noon. It has been a beautiful sunny & mild day and is a lovely night. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/65bf883b09165b8e5db70eac788b961b.pdf 1303061564d0e034a2075c5bf8c4ba28 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Friday October 22nd Old Tid. woke up last night at twelve o'clock last night and when I woke up soon after he was howling like a savage. I managed to get him pacified but he refused to lie down again and sat bolt upright till two o'clock or after when they got home I managed to keep him in a cheerful mood but I was nearly frozen and asleep in my tracks. They had a grand time out at the Shand's, there were over fifty out there and the {John?} Shand's hadn't the slightest idea there was any thing up. This morning we didn't get up till late and Whit Dixon came after the steer they bought last summer before we had breakfast so we had to go back to the gully and bring them up We didnt' have much trouble loading him and he was much quieter than the last one was, but Whit thought it would be safer to take old Harry than his horse so Dad. had a little breakfast and went down with him I just did chores till they got back and then Dad & I went back and tried to catch Ginger to cut clover seed with Joe & her but she was full of mischief and we couldn't so we came up and trimmed up a couple of the ram lambs before dinner. After dinner we sharpened a mower knife and Dad. started to cut the clover seed with Belle & Harry. I started to cut corn but couldn't make much headway as the corn is light and dry now and it was very windy. Frank came home early and as he was stiff from his fall off his wheel yesterday he took the team and mowed till dark and Dad. & I came up and cleaned up the oats which were on the barn floor. Aunty Alice came over to tea to-night. Frank went down with her and is going to stay all night with Quint, they are going after nuts to-morrow with Bill Slocomb's horse & rig. Morley Buck drove Zeitha Barwell over to-night to say good bye to Enah she is going to Toronto in the morning. It has been sunny but a cold wind all day Saturday October 23rd We didn't get out very early again this morning and as Dad. discovered that the oats which we put in on top of the barley & oats was getting pretty hot so we ran it through the mill and spread them out on the floor That took nearly all the morning but I went out when we got through and cut four shocks of corn before noon and Dad. cleaned three old hens which we killed this morning. Henry Awde came over when we were at dinner and picked a couple of bags of Tolman Sweets for his wife https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/a9b2b724f7c38375ca531ff7a19a50bf.pdf 3933eb9303c7c8a3b2c85cb39e12b5a3 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. and as I had to go down right after dinner for some groceries & the mail I drove them down for him. I hurried back but it must have been after half past two when I got out to the corn field but by working till after sundown I managed to get the row cut through, it kept me busy as there must have been twenty five or six shocks. Dad. cut clover seed all the after noon and says it won't take long to finish, he caught a little rabbit out there and we brought it up to the house but it seemed so frightened that we let it go out on the lawn, we saw a black sqirrel go up the willow tree the other morning, they say they are thick this fall and grey too - as it has been close season for them for four or five years but I guess they are shooting lots of them now although the season isn't open except two weeks in November. Frank got home soon after tea he had his down at Auntys, he said the nuts were nearly all gone, he hiked back down town again as soon as he changed his clothes. It froze hard last night, beautiful day. Sunday October 24th Dad. Dick and I drove down to church this morning and after church Dad. drove Aunty Alice up to the cemetry All Huby's family were over to dinner, which was rather late. Quint, Dick, Frank and I went out and picked up a lot more hickory nuts before dinner. This after noon I drove Huby home and then took Marj. for a drive, she was keeping house all alone as Mr. & Mrs. Bagley had gone to Simcoe and Essie was out at Marburg, so we drove around by Marburg but didn't see her. I went down to church to-night and spent the evening up at the Bagley's. It froze very hard last night and has been sunny but cold all day. Monday October 25th Dad. plowed this morning as it was to wet to cut clover seed but he cut all the after noon but didn't quite finish I cut corn all day and got started on the eighth row Tom Abbot came in to-night and got a bag of wheat and a bag of barley & oats in part payment for the chickens I got from him, he is going to take it all in feed. I have to pluck a hen to-night for Aunty Alice. Frank is busy pasting weeds on a big piece of cardboard and Dad. is denouncing the Education Department for causing such a foolish waste of time. Milder to-night and looks like rain Tuesday October 26th I cut corn all morning and finished another row. This https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/99a7fe87a3cd7889b4a18cc011b862b9.pdf a9c8f593ed999be543fca1b2c46e0d99 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. afternoon I helped Dad. clean up some oats and barley and move the fanning mill and then I raked up clover seed till night. Dad. put Enah's shelves in the clothes room this morning and then finished cutting the clover seed This after noon he started to clean up the barn floor so we could haul in the clover seed. It was a big job as he had to carry most of the dirt out to the chicken yard or big yard and then dump the oats which were in the box on the floor with the other oats and fill the box with the barley & oats from the bin and then put the oats on the floor into the bin, so he didn't get nearly finished, he didn't feel very well and had Tid to help him. To-night I took Joe down town with the saddle on her and both Essie & Marj. got on her, neither of them could reach the stirrups so they couldn't ride far and I held Joe's head most of the time. I had the big saddle on so couldn't shorten the stirrups but I promised to bring her down again with the little saddle. I went down to Aunty's for awhile before I came home, they expected Aunty Maude to-night but she didn't come. Nice day, very windy Wednesday October 27th I cut corn all morning and got on fairly well, Dad. finished cleaning up the barn floor and this after noon we hauled in two loads of clover seed, out of the wind row, we left the last load on the barn floor. Charlie McBarty was in to-night and bought the biggest ram lamb for eight dollars. Enah and the baby were down town this after noon. We saw Mr. Robertson going out the side road this after noon so we supposed Maime Shand's wedding came off all right. Ray Hammond was to be married to-day too, to Miss Austin out on the town line. Enah said she saw another wedding party down town of which Miss Bloxom & Mr. Todd were the chief figures. Very cloudy & cool. Thursday October 28th I cut corn all morning and got about 24 shocks cut. Dad. chored around till the dew dried off about ten o'clock and then raked up the clover seed or part of it, he didn't quite finish by noon, he just raked one way of the field so that we didn't have so much turning. This after noon we hauled in a couple more loads, the first was rather a small one, and we left the last on the waggon. Dick came home about two o'clock and took Josie and went to Simcoe as Dess is up there visiting. Enah has been house cleaning the dining room all day. Alan Law told us that Pickford has bought their farm and they will have to get off, we were sorry to hear it. Cloudy mostly & windy https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/ce3a8587abfb30190d9b21b2b45d2f93.pdf a77713eca80353af95544b2da0bcc51f PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Friday October 29th We put off the load we hauled last night first thing this morning and then Dad. went out and raked up the rest of the field. I mowed away what was up there and then dug the rest of my rose border before he came in, we then went out and loaded till twelve but didn't have much of a load. After dinner we put it off and hauled two more. Frank got home early and helped us mow away the first and the second we left on the barn floor, we got all the stuff in that had any seed in it but there is still a load of couch grass out there To-night I put the little saddle on Joe and took her down to give the girls another lesson. Essie had to go to choir practice but Marj. rode down to Perry's and we got Marj. to go for a little ride, the little saddle was a great improvement. I went down to Aunty's for awhile before I came home. It has been windy & cloudy all day quite cold Saturday October 30th I cut corn all day but didn't get on extra well as it was so windy. Frank and Dad. took a grist to the mill this morning and also took the other bookcase and a lot of books & the old sofa down to Aunty's, and brought back a little sofa that Elva gave Enah. This after noon they put off the load of clover seed and went out and got the load of couch grass, it took a long time to put it on as it was so light and the wind was so strong, Dad. fixed Enahs shelves in the <s>pantry</s> clothes closet. To-night Frank and I went down town and he took a basket of hickory nuts down for the ones at Aunty's, he went to the picture show and I got my hair cut, there were a lot in town and a lot of kids out as they are celebrating to-night as Hallowe'en. It has been a nice day but cloudy & windy. Sunday October 31st I walked down to church this morning and Dad. Enah & the baby drove down they left the baby with Aunty Alice and then went there for dinner. I brought Joe home and we three boys had dinner alone. After dinner I drove Dick down town and got Marj. & Glad. Law who is up here for a week convalescing and we drove out to Renton I wanted to get the number of the ram we sold to Nixon & Berger last fall and we had a great time finding the place as I took the wrong turn at Wiggins school house, we did find it at last but they didn't know the number but said they would find it and send it to me It was late when we got back but I stayed at the Bagley's. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/3a51cb9cfd54fdb0c5f4f059666e61d9.pdf c8baec6de6c5d0ffb046ca9001793423 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. to tea and put Joe in at Faulkner's. Glad also stayed and we then didn't go to church like the family but stayed home and washed the dishes and played with Charlie the kitten. I came home early and brought Dick with me. Just as I was about ready to get into bed to-night I heard the screen door open and then the kitchen door very quietly and I watched it open quietly and stealthily for it seemed like a long time and I didnt know what on earth was coming when Frank stuck his head in, he had been out somewhere and I didn't know it. It was rather dark in the bedroom and I was sure he was in bed, so I was getting ready for a scrap. It has been a lovely day but cloudy. Monday November 1st I cut corn all day and have about twelve shocks more to cut to finish the field I thought I would have finished but there are two more rows of corn in the last row of shocks and it makes a big difference, Dad. ploughed all day and finished the piece he was at. Edmond England was in with a Court of Revision notice that some body had complained that my name was wrongly ommeted from the voter's list, but I guess I don't have to go down. Another nice day but windy & cloudy. Tuesday November 2nd We were up fairly early this morning and Dad. got a good morning in ploughing. Frank found one of the ram lambs dead this morning so we concluded he had got too many apples so Frank and I got the roll of wire from behind the barn where it had been around the stack and put it up where it was before from the orchard fence over to the chicken yard and shut the other two rams in the plum orchard I then went out and finished cutting the corn it was an awful job as the wind was very strong, and it took me nearly till noon, when I got up Frank and Felix Perkins had a "hickey" on the pump and were fixing it, the rods had come disconnected as the collars where the lengths join had worn out agains the pipe. Aunty Alice came over to dinner, she was going to pick apples but it was too cold & windy, but she picked up a lot of hikory nuts. Mrs. McBride was here too so we had an exceedingly interesting dinner party especially when Dad. & Felix got arguing about the new school. I set out some rose bushes Aunty sent over after dinner & Dad. lost all the after noon working with Felix. Frank stayed home too. I drove Felix home about four o'clock and got Joe shod at Joe Howells. Very cold cloudy & windy https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/b07e9647f3eaff8b5691e35b15492732.pdf 5d03e7e73f8739979ab2c8f51676a58f PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. {This is a repeat of page 133} https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/3a70bf7d5eb290f8419a6b12b3fbf182.pdf 6bd67554ad0c03320f30ced0421092c7 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. {This is a repeat of page 133} https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/79ed849fa272c9705e81997d49c06d08.pdf 6ead3d7e8eb173f1eeabd6bcae3f7695 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Wednesday November 3rd I drove Dick down this morning and went on up to Dunkin's to see if I could get a ram, but he said he didn't know of one in the country, but he has Lloyd-Jones first prize Simcoe ram with his ewes and said I could bring my five yearlings up if I liked so I thought I would. I got home about noon and Dad. had to go over and give Charlie Quanbury two or three hours thrashing so I plowed till he got back and then I husked a little corn. I got ready and went down to Aunty's to tea. To-night Marj. & I went down to the show. It has been cloudy, cold, windy & damp. Thursday November 4th It rained quite hard early this morning so I drove Dick down again and found out that I could get Coleman's stock waggon to take the yearling ewes up to Dunkins I thought it was going to be rainy so Dad. couldn't plow and I could take te big team, so I went down to Coleman's before dinner and got it and we got all the sheep in the barn tagged then and let them all out except the five yearlings and the lamb which will register. I got started right after dinner for Dunkin's with the six ewes It was slow going up and I didn't get there till about four o'clock, but I didn't have any accidents or adventures, and got home by six o'clock. It turned out to be a beautiful after noon and every body along the road was plowing so it seemed a shame to have the team and keep Dad. from plowing. Dad. helped Enah house clean Friday November 5th I buried the dead ram this morning and picked a few of the spies when Gordon {Doracot?} came over to get me to go thrashing over at Jack Martin's. I went over but we only thrashed the buckwheat and there were only 121 bushels of it as the hail had ruined it. The spring on the governor broke and also a pipe running down into the boiler and as the engine had to cool off to fix it we couldn't thrash any more to-day and after we all had dinner over at Jack's we went home. I picked more apples this after noon. Bill Bush was cutting weeds over in his gully this after noon and cut the leg off one off our guinea's which was sitting I caught it and killed it. Dad. plowed all day, but will have to with me to thrash to-morrow. Enah went down town and stayed to tea at Aunty Alice's as it was her birthday. I walked down to-night to wish her a happy birthday. It has been a nice day but cloudy & cold. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/76182452d8ce3113606729a57b84e37f.pdf 9b792142ab6ad43c3b88445d987d8a60 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Saturday November 6th Dad. and I went over this morning to thrash and put in a strenuous fore noon of it. I carried away and it kept me very busy as the wheat rolld out faster than the oats and there were 210 bushels Dad. had the dirtiest job as he was in the straw and they put some of it in the barn, there were over 400 bushels altogether, we didn't get through till after dinner. I didn't do much after I got home as I felt a little tough but I picked a few apples Dad. tried to plow on the barley stubble as he thought it wasn't worth while to go back over the gully but it was too hard so he had to quit. Aunty Alice came over this after noon and she & Frank picked up a lot of hickory nuts. Frank walked down wth her to-night and was down till about midnight. I had a bath instead. Pretty cold wind to-day. Sunday November 7th Frank went down to Sunday school this morning and Dad. Dick & I drove down to church. Aunty Maude was in church this morning, it was the first walk she has taken since she came home, so Dad. drove her home after church. Quint drove over to dinner with us. This afternoon I went down town and got Essie & we drove down to Nanticoke and got Marj. who has been down at the Banfield's since Friday night, we didn't stay down there long although they wanted us to stay to tea but Essie had to get back to play the organ so we came back I put Joe in the church shed and stayed with them to tea and then took Joe home while they went to church I just got home as Dad. was about ready to start down town after Enah so I went back and got her, she had been down with the baby to a duck dinner at Huby's, when we got home I walked down again and spent the evening at the Bagley's. Ed & Marion were over there this after noon. Lovely day but cold wind. Monday November 8th Dad. got in a good day to-day plowing. Frank didn't go to school this morning but rode down to Geo. Miller's to see about getting a new dividing wall for the separator as the old one won't stay up in the hauls, Mrs. Miller told him it would be better to get a new one. He came around by Tommy Jackson's to see about getting some honey for his bees but Tommy hadn't extracted yet so he will have to use sugar. I drove Dick. down to the bank and around to see if Neil Elliott would give me $100.00 for Mully but he said he wouldn't but would come to look at her. Tid. went down with me and I took a bag of Tolman Sweets down to Aunty Alice. When I got back I went out & https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/37c7758ec78f45980b41dc4ba948402b.pdf aad83a7a6e5d88dc9e5bc50e4779a036 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. burned the old hay we left out on the timothy sod. This after noon I picked apples and got pretty much all that were any good out there. Mrs McBride was here washing to day. Aunty came over to tea and to stay all night. Very much milder to-day but cloudy this after noon Tuesday November 9th Dad. got a good early start this morning but just nicely got hooked up when {Leo?} Horn got him to come up and look at his mare, so he was delayed for over an hour, the mare was up here in the stable, she was sweating terribly and seemed in awful pain so Dad. said he thought she had a touch of spasmodic colic he didn't have any thing to give her but she seemed to get better so he took her home. I spent the day cleaning up the garden and putting the vegetables & apples in the cellar. I also put off the load of couch grass which was on the waggon and Dad. took it over to the other barn at noon. This after noon I cleaned the barn floor and threw the oats out again out of the bin. To-night I took Joe down town again with the saddle on her and gave the girls another ride. Marj. is getting on fine but it was only the second time for Essie. I got home about half past ten. Very windy all day and freezing hard to-night. Wednesday November 10th Dad. got a good day in plowing to-day and only had one interruption when Will Philips came over to ask him about his sick cow. He got the east half finished and got quite a lot done on the west side. I hardly got anything done as I had so many visitors I got started twice to husk corn but I first old Felix came after some wheat that Dad. gave him for wages and then Neil Elliot came to look at Mully He said she was only worth $75. This afternoon I drove Enah and Tid down to the Jame's and then went over to the slaughter house to see Whit Dixon, he said if he were in my place he wouldn't sell Mully for less than $90.00 I was over there quite awhile and it was getting late when I got home and Huby had sent some historical man over here to look at the mound. I took him back to see it and he said he was sure it was a natural formation although a very peculiar one. He is here to see about putting up a little monument on the spot where a party of French explorers wintered about 200 years ago, he says they have located the spot where their hut stood from the rough map they drew and the description of the place and have found the place has never been disturbed. It is up Black Creek a little way in a little ravine about 200 feet in from the creek. Lovely day, sunny & not windy. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/97a598221b958d90f582f98e7ac702c4.pdf 6b998a004c33ad0bdaf4c6a717e88152 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Thursday November 11th It rained a little during the night so I thought it would be a little wet to husk corn so spent the morning working in front of the house I am going to take the sod all off in front of the dining room window where the rhubard bed was and put it down by the road where the grass doesn't grow, then I want to dig the other up and put some flowers in and train a grape vine across in front of it from the corner of the house to the plum orchard fence. Neil Elliot came in about ten o'clock and I went back with him to look at the steer and see Dad. about buying Dreadnaught, he said he would give $45 for him and Dad. said he'd take it. I asked him $125 for Mully & the steer but he said the steer was only worth forty and Mully seventy five, but he came up five dollars on Mully & then two & a half so I thought I wouldn't stick for two & a half and let them go, and to-night I wrote to two men who advertise dual purpose Shorthorns in the Farmer's Advocate. This after noon I went out to husk a little more corn but didn't get much done when it began to rain so I came in Mr. Waterbury the historical man was here, he wanted to know the way to get to Tommy Jackson's and I told him the shortest way was to go up the creek and he said as it was raining so he wouldnt go to-day, he wanted to see if Tommy would donate an old axe that old Stringer had of his to their museum, he brought over the book telling of the travels of the French exploring party and which was originally writen by one of two French priests who were with the party. It was written in French & English both and there was an old map which they had drawn of their voage, it was pretty crude but still wonderfully correct when they had only the shoreline to go by. It gave a great description of this country where they wintered and called it the "earthly paradise of Canada." There were also a couple of pictures in the book of Black Creek and the spot where their camp stood, it was al-to-gether a most interesting book but Frank has to take it back to Huby's office in the morning. I didn't do much this after noon but pain the names of my different plots of wheat on some stakes for labels. Enah started to read the history book to-night but we all went to sleep in spite of it being so interesting. Friday November 12th I spent all the morning working out in front and got nearly all the sod taken off and put down by the road. This after noon I went out and put the lable stakes in my wheat plots https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/9c150bb28b7a5dce0b74d88c7b12b550.pdf b40dc1a9d794184f706e4fbc9b67f203 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. and stretched the garden line around each of them and hoed around each one so that there would be more come up outside the line I then husked a little more corn. Dad. got in a good day plowing. It has been a beautiful day. Saturday November 13th We had to take our stock down to Neil Elliot to ship to day so I went back right after breakfast to bring up the steer, he seemed determined not to come up and I had to bring the whole bunch to get him. We left him in the yard with Mully while we tied the calf in the waggon box, we thought Mully would follow the calf and the steer go with her and Dad. lead the bull we got as far as the road when the calf got loose and while we were tying him up the steer got back in the lane and jumped into the field with the rest. After a lot of chasing we got him out as far as the road again, when Dreadnaught in some way twisted the snap on the stick out of his nose and got loose and he & the steer ran up into the wheat. Enah came out wielding a broom. However we got them in and at last got well started. They ran into Martin's but Art. Quanbury came down from there with us Dad. Frank & Art came right home when they were unloaded. Frank drove the lumber waggon with the calf in it down so they came around home by Aunty's and got Mis Buckwells sofa which they bought and brought it home. I went up town and got the honey and left it in the {illegible}. This after noon Frank and I took a grist to the mill and got a walnut table up at Mrs. McBrides we got Jack Martin's skids and took them over to the colony house which I want to move up as soon as possible Dad. & I then cleaned up some wheat to pay Sam Lees back and also some oats for Art Quanbury while Frank shot three guinea hens. Frank and I took the wheat back about dark. It has been a nice day but a cold wind. Sunday November 14th Frank rode his wheel down to church this morning and Dick, Enah & I drove down. Aunty Alice came over with us to dinner. This after noon Marj. & I went for a walk up the Radical Road and got full of burrs. I went down to Aunty's for tea and went up with Aunty & Aunt Ida to church Dick & I got home to-gether about half past ten. The Nixon's were here this after noon and left the number of the ram. Dad. had to go over to Frank Lemon's to see a horse and didn't get back till dark. Enah & the baby went down to the Jame's for tea and Elva https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/adca70d4d4df423910fb1fa6c6f3daf5.pdf ec917efafe16e71b7a8d66f0e6622422 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Said. Davis, May Perry & Gladys Fischer came over with her after church. It has been cloudy and cold all day. Monday November 15th Dad. got a good day in plowing to-day but didn't quite finish the oat stubble. I spent most of the morning tidying up the rubbish between the wood shed and the shop and cleaned the windows and swept down the cobwebs in the <s>cow</s> horse stable. This after noon I chopped down the rest of the cherry trees which were along the plum orchard fence and started to get a trench dug for my hedge. Holly Bush came in to-night to get a loaf of bread. He brought Enah over a sack of flour the other day to have her bake a loaf or two of bread a week. Very windy and cold all day. It snowed a little and is freezing hard to-night. Tuesday November 16th This morning as it was pretty cold I got Dad. to help me move the colony house It took quite awhile to get it on the skids but once it was loaded it slid along in fine shape. We put it in the yard where we set out the raspberries. Dad. went right back and plowed when we got it over and has plowed all after noon. He finished the oat stubble and got started to plow in the weeds. I separated the chickens put the pullets in where the cockrels were as that is to be their winter quarters, put the cockrels in where the old hens were and put the old hens in the colony house. I then ran the wagon out of the shed and started to pick up some apples off the ground in the orchard for cider. I picked all the after noon but didn't get the wagon box full. It was milder to-night but was snowing quite hard about dark. <s>Tuesday</s> Wednesday November 17th Quint came over with Dick last night to stay awhile so he Frank and I picked up a few more apples and took them up to Walker Waddle's for cider. Dad. drove down in the buggy and got two of the kegs from down at Aunty's for us to take up as he didn't want us to drive way down around that way. We didn't get back till after one o'clock. We didn't have quite enough apples we filled the two ten gallon kegs and put about thirty in the barrell, we came back by town and left a keg at Huby's and one at Aunty's. Dad. drove Aunty up to the cemetry this morning and had to go over to Tupper's to thrash this after noon. Aunty stayed here to dinner and I drove her back this after noon, when https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/d09d67b7b08f6b1350e719218512e58e.pdf 54ad67535ae6356a359bf97583ac45ee PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. I got back it was pretty late so I just took back Jack Martin's skids and Quanbury's chain and did chores. Quint and Frank husked a basketfull of corn and then set some traps back in the gully. There has been a cold wind to-day and it has been freezing in the shade all day. Thursday November 18th Dad. has been over at Tupper's all day thrashing. He says the stuff is in awful shape. It is full of thistles and weeds and is so tough they can hardly stick a fork in it. This morning I didn't do much but chores and clean up around the wood shed. Quint wanted to go for a ride so I put the little saddle on Joe and he took her down town and back. When he got back the saddle blanket was gone and he hadn't missed it. He said she nearly put him off once and just about got away from him. He and I walked back the road to look for the blanket and found it hanging on the sidewalk railing below Marshals place. After dinner Quint helped me stand all the rails up that were out in the pile in front of the shop and we got it slicked up nicely. Quint went down about three o'clock. I quit early to do chores and about half past five left for Woodhouse to a chicken pie social. I picked Marj up on the way and we had a hot time. When we got there the place was crowded and I couldn't get Joe in the sheds but got her in a sheltered spot. We had to get in line for supper and were nearly squashed flat, after about an hour's waiting we got in to the dining hall where we had a sumptuous repast of roast chicken and then had to wait another hour for the programme to commence, but we were lucky enough to get good seat so enjoyed ourselves, the entertainers were principally composed of Doverites, and all came up in a load Essie presided at the organ and the male quartette did most of the singing. Mrs. J.H. Butler also performed several times and Miss McGillvary from Simcoe <s>also</s> sang. Frank Reid was chairman and Mr. {Geoff?} and all the Methodist preachers in the country spoke, it was about twelve o'clock when we got out, and Joe didn't seem in a mood to travel very fast so it was after one when I got home. We came down the Radical as there was no other traffic on it. It has been a beautiful day and a very mild nigh. It started to rain a little about midnight and was raining quite hard when I got home. Friday November 19th I had to go over to Sam Law's to thrash this morning https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/ff6408fec72077dfcc45f23db2809dde.pdf d0fa1c790598a795f94ca5e6dba073e3 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. and Dad. went over to Tupper's to finish up. We only thrashed for about half an hour and then as there was such a headwind we quit. The straw was blowing everywhere and the roof was covered. Sam. said if it was his he wouldn't care but he didn't want to do anything mean as he was leaving. I stood around over there about an hour talking to Sam and Art Ryersie and listening to their discussion of various farming problems. Soon after I got home Enah and Tid. wanted to go down town so I drove them down, on my way back I picked up Jack Martin and he came over and had a look at the cockrels, he said there would be some he could take. I had my dinner all alone but Dad. came home before I finished. He had had his and they had finished over at Tupper's. This afternoon it rained quite a lot. Dad. & I got the cider barrel in the wood shed and about half past three I drove down after Enah and the baby who were then at Aunty's. It rained heavily last night and has been raining a lot to-day. Raw west wind. Saturday November 20th It was still very windy this morning and has been all day so I knew there was no use going over to Sam's to thrash. This morning after we did up the chores rather late I stripped the north wall of the old barn next Dreadnaughts stall {illegible} of straw as we want to get the calves in now. Dad. killed and dressed a couple of chickens. After dinner {name?} came after Landon Ivey's calf so we went back with him and brought them all up and the horses too. I did chores then and Dad. built a manger over against the granary wall for the calves. Just before dark I put the bridle on Queen and got on her back. The other horses were all there so she trotted around the straw stack with them a few times and then they all cantered out of the yard into the field. Just as we got out the gate, she began to rear a little and I wasn't looking for it so after a few of them I found myself on my back on the ground with my feet in the air. Queen got away with the bridle on her and got back with the rest but luckily they didn't go into the gully and I chased them back to the barn where Dad. got the bridle off her, she hadn't got the reins down either. To-night we put Ginger & Billy in the box stall. Dad. got his steer in too that he is going to kill for home consumption. Whit Dixon was over this morning and got our veal calf. Tupper came https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/92f55360258438bf7e4b7513144cabfe.pdf 3ff4fd74fbb3345ff33a3a957724ff41 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. over last night to kill our ram but when he felt him he said it would be foolish as there wasn't much more than a good meal on him, so Whit looked at him this morning and said if we fed him awhile, he might be worth killing, so Dad. has him tied up in the stable now. To-night Dad. has gone down to see the folks. Frank has a bad cold and sore throat. He went over to Tupper's this morning to set some traps for a skunk. Cloudy, windy and a little rain to-day. Sunday November 21st Frank's cold was too bad to go out of the house to-day so Dad. & I drove down to church alone. Aunty came back with Dad. and I stayed down there to dinner and tea. This after noon I went visiting and also to-night after church. There was quite a commotion down town this after noon when Perce Ryerse's house, his new one caught on fire. I went up but they got it under control before it did any damage beyond smoking the house all up. It seems the kid set fire to a pile of rubbish down cellar. I went to church to-night and saw Dick to speak to for the first time to-day. Huby and Lila wemt down to Aunty's to-night and killed all his spring chickens, there were eight of them most of them cockrels. I went down about ten o'clock and got the old hen I lent him last summer to hatch them out. I don't know what the neighbors thought as she let out a series of the most unearthly squaks I ever hard as far as Allan's corner and then she wasn't so bad unless I {jabed?} her. Dick caught up to me at Uncle Wards. When we got home I put the old hen up to Frank's ear and pinched her and old Frank didn't know what was coming off. I had her in a bag and the next thing she did was to get loose in the kitchen and of course caused a terrible commotion while I was catching her. Very windy and blizzardy to-day. Monday November 22nd This morning I went over to Sam Law's to thrash. It was still windy but a little more from the West so didn't blow right in the barn, we were there till about eleven o'clock. I was on the blower most of the time but the stack got too high to put all the straw on so we had to let it go to one side. We had dinner over there and I got back before they had dinner here. This after noon I did up the chores and then put the little saddle on Ginger. I got on her in the drive house but she was https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/cf12cd2898b5d3cdd8d7aa014d13bf79.pdf 7d246bb80a3fadc66ea897f67716b834 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. so nervous with the curb bit, saddle and being away from Billy that she wouldn't go out at last she got herself worked up into such a state that she started to back up, she backed up into a pile of rubbish and sat down. I got off her and took her outside and got on her, she still refused to go and went through the same performance again this time though when I went down I hit my head and my back and she came over pretty heavily on my leg. I tried her again without success so took her down to the road and then up to where Dad. was plowing in the barley stubble and he started her off and she came back all right. Frank who has been sick in the house all day wanted me to go out to Tupper's and look at some trap he set for some skunks so i put the big saddle on Joe and went out there. Dad. started to plow the barley stubble to-day as the creek was so high he didn't want to go back over the gully and he thought if it should freeze the stubble would freeze first. Enah went down town this after noon and Aunty Alice came back with her to tea. Dad. went down with her after tea. To-night all the Harvey Shand's but Willie came in. Charlie is going out West some time next week and came over to say good bye. Rather cold wind and cloudy to-day. Tuesday November 23rd This morning I did up the chores and put the big saddle on Ginger to give her another lesson, she behaved pretty well putting it on, but coming out of the door she gave a jump, caught the stirrup in the door and tore the strap right off at the saddle. I felt pretty sick about it and put her back in and went out and husked corn. I husked corn all the after noon and to-night I went down town and gave Marj. a carving lesson. It was raining when I <s>got</s> started for home but I got a ride out with Dick and Alan Law. Cloudy, but mild to-day. Wednesday November 24th We didn't get out very early this morning and I just did chores. This after noon I went to Simcoe and got the saddle mended and also a lot of other harness. I was up there for quite awhile and stopped in to see Louise at the Bowlby's for a few minutes on the way home so it was pretty late when I got home. Enah and the baby were waiting for me down town but I came home first. Dad. got in and drove me down and I stayed down at Aunty's all night as I want to leave for Caledonia in the morning. Dad. plowed on the barley stubble all day, he doesn't feel very well. Frank https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/dd1eb723f4c19077d932e9c4ded997c0.pdf cf5a2695aa9efbd5d631db49f1f69e82 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. is not very well either and has not been at school to-day. Aunty Alice & Dick left for Toronto to-night to see Billy Millman play, he is in Toronto all this week with Taversham in "The Hawk." Cloudy this morning but nice day. Thursday November 25th Aunty got up at six o'clock this morning and got my breakfast and I left for Caledonia. When I got there there was no sign of Douglas so the fellow at the station said I had better telephone him so I did and found that as I had said on my card I would D.V. be down Thursday morning he didn't quite understand and thought it meant to drive down, however he came right in after me in his Ford and we got out to his place about four miles out about ten o'clock, he showed me all through his cattle, he has over a hundred head and it was like going to a show, he has both Bates bred and Scotch bred Shorthorn's and some of the familys have been on the farm for sixty years. I wanted to get a cow with a record and giving milk now if I could but as he lets his calves suck all his cows so of course had no records and he advised me not to get a cow that has had a calf sucking her as he said they never let their milk down as well when milked by hand so I wound up by buying a two year old heifer from him which he said was from the best milking cow on the farm and of a good milking family, she was just bred yesterday and so I will have to run chances of having to breed her again to some bull around here. I gave $180.00 dollars for her $100 cash and my note for 12 mos @ 6% for the $80. He is to ship her up next Wednesday. I had dinner there and visited with Mr. Douglas for an hour or so after and then he took me down town where I waited for the 6.40 train for Dover. Mr. & Mrs. Brad. Bowlby were on the train coming up from Toronto. They had heard Billy Sunday give his temperance lecture. Mrs. Bowlby was terribly shocked and thought he was too wild all to-gether. I stopped in at Aunty's on my way home but had tea over here. It has been a beautiful day. Friday November 26th Dad. has plowed all day to-day and I did chores and set out my two grapevines or at least transplanted them. It took me the best part of the after noon as I took considerable pains about it and put some tile https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/b4f353ba932268b977a45c5bd8c0d63d.pdf e92a6f692ffd7fbbc8c14eb2995e7aaf PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. in the bottom at the base and mixed the earth up with mould from around the big barn and some wood ashes. Art. Quanbury & Ive Fields were around Jack Martin's fence fixing it and I was over talking to them for awhile. It has been another most beautiful Indian Summer day. Saturday November 27th Dad. left here at seven<s>l</s> o'clock this morning to get Huby and go down to Mr. {Faurey's?} funeral, he didn't get back till nearly ten, he got some lime down town and Frank whitewashed the cow stable. This after noon they got a grist ready for the mill and Frank took it down but it was too late to get it to-night. I did chores and went over to Martin's to find out how strong to make the solution of coal oil and carbolic acid for scaly leg. {Brilely?} said zenoleum would do as well as carbolic acid and and not to use more than a table spoon full in a cup of water so to-night Dad. and I went through them we got all the young pullets & cockrels done but not all the old yearling hens as they were so thick we couldn't tell which had been done and which hadn't. It has been a very disagreeable day. It rained this morning and has been cold and windy. Sunday November 28th Enah Frank and I went down to church this morning. Frank rode the wheel down and we drove. I was down town all the after noon and went up the beach for a walk and stayed down at Aunty's for tea. Dad. walked down and he Aunty and I went up to church to-night and I spent the evening up at the Bagley's. It has been a most beautiful and very mild day but it was a wild night when I started for home raining and a terrific wind so I went down and stayed all night at Aunty's. They had all gone to bed when I got there but I sneaked in and lit the light and then went up and told Aunty I was there, she was glad I came. Monday November 29th I had breakfast down at Aunty's this morning and got home about nine o'clock. I then went down to the mill and got the grist that Frank left there on Saturday. I took a bag of wheat down and Clarence said it ought to be worth about 90 cts but by today's paper Ottawa has comandeered a lot of Canadian wheat so whether that will affect prices here or not I don't know. This after noon I did https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/cf84814b2314ac754d97469a903ddee3.pdf a0b73ab2f3165a2fb1bb9fbd6fb247ba PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. up the chores and then husked a basket of corn. Dad. plowed all the after noon. To-night Frank & I went down to the A.Y.P.A. and had a fairly good time. I got my hair cut and went down on my way home to see Aunty Alice she came home to-night. Frank met her at the train. It has been a raw windy day and is freezing hard to-night. Tuesday November 30th This morning being cold and blustery Dad. decided to put the calves in, it took quite awhile to finish the preparations for their reception and still longer to get them in and tied however we did by about ten o'clock and we think they will soon settle down in contentment. It wasn't worthwhile for Dad. to go out and plow before dinner so we went down and got the coal stove that Mrs. James gave Enah, it is a dandy, we had to get some groceries and by the time we got home and got the stove unloaded it was about two o'clock. Dad. plowed after dinner but didn't quite finish the barley stubble he is going to plow the old fence bottom in with it. I did up the chores, cut some wood and went out and opened up a ditch in the plowed field. Mrs. McBride was here this morning, washing. Cold raw & windy. Wednesday December 1st Frank stayed home from school this morning and he and I did chores while Dad. finished plowing the barley stubble. Then the whole family went down in the lumber waggon and Dad. & I put on a load of chestnut coal for the new stove, it just come in. Frank got some stuff up town and then took the coal home while Dad. and I got my heifer which came in on the noon freight, she was like a mad bull she was so wild in spite of the blind old Douglas had put over her head, we couldn't do anything with her at the station so they shunted her over to the yard by the brickyard much against one of the men's will who was very much put out at wasting so much time and kept up a running stream of oaths, however with two long ropes one of which was Ed's and one which Dad. got over at the slaughter house we got her out in a short time without hurting her. Ed. helped us bring her over and came all the way over with us but wouldn't stay to dinner. Enah & the baby walked home. Dad. is highly delighted wth the heifer and she certainly does look nice in the stable with the others and she is getting quieted down. This after noon I helped Frank and Dad. get the stove in place and then https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/0b169a112ade53cb183d20ea6041bec4.pdf 601573af59191e27e96af3e1727cae3b PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. I went up to the Bowlby's after Louise. Frank went to school till recess and then met Dad. down town and they got another load of coal. Louise and I got back about six. Cold all day snowed all after noon & evening Dick didn't quit work for yesterday till 3.30 this morning and then walked home. It was the end of the year & month. Thursday December 2nd Dad. & I did chores most of the morning and fixed up a corner out in the old barn to put the bull calf as he is too mean to leave with the heifer calve we also unloaded the load of coal he got yesterday afternoon into a bin he fixed up in the wood shed. We two had dinner by ourselves as Enah, Louise & the baby all went down to Aunty's to dinner and to spend the afternoon. This afternoon Dad. & I hauled in a load of corn stalks most of which were unhusked and put them in the bay of the old barn. To-night Dad. read "Going Some" out loud it is a funny story by Rex Beach. It has been cold & raw all day anbd is freezing hard to-night. Friday December 3rd Dad. has plowed across the gully all day and says it plows better than it has<s>s</s> all fall, he was surprised that it did as when he went back he was afraid he couldn't make it go it froze so hard last night, he got quite a lot done although he didn't get back there very early. I went over to see Charlie Shand this morning as I told him I would before he left; he is going West next Tuesday He showed me all over and we were up in the silo. Louise went down to Aunty's to dinner and Aunty came back with her to tea. I just did chores this after noon. To-night I went down town with Aunty and went to the picture show with Marj., this being her birthday. On my way home I looked in at the Commercial hotel and saw Alan Law and Dick sitting there waiting for Alan to finish his cigar to go home so I joined them. George Henderson was with them sitting with his feet up on a table, his cap down over his eyes and a smile on his face which showed he was just awake enough to enjoy his comfortable state. Presently a man evidently a traveller came in from the back room and expressed his intention of "going to roost" where at George stretched himself out of his chair and over to the register and the traveller registerd and went to bed. This sort of aroused the party and when Alan had bought another cigar we left for home. Alan was drawn from the https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/24134baec17ec50a3adf3700d493288a.pdf d776460144344e3e97e6c177e9223b83 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. familiar channels of his conversation to-night by extolling the many virtues of a new nine dollar & a quarter corduroy coat with fur felt lining that his girl sent away and got for him for a Christmas present. When we got home the whole family was listening to Enah read "Going Some". Dad. had had his snooze on the sofa and had evidently brought down the house a few minutes before we came in by waking up with a wild burst of laughter caused by his dreaming of the story Enah was reading and exclaiming "I don't see how people can be so dam' funny", this being a quotation from the book He got up then so I occupied the sofa for the remainder of the evening, it then being close to midnight. Raw & cloudy, freezing to-night. Saturday December 4th Dad. has been plowing all day again to-day.This morning Frank did up most of the chores and I husked corn in the barn, he helped husk some too. This after noon he went back with Dad. to help him run out some cross furrows and I drove Louise back to the Bowlby's. I got home before tea. We have never let Alguitha out yet but she is beginning to show signs of getting tame but she won't let us take the halter off her head yet. They have according to the "Maple Leaf" got all the officers for the 133rd overseas regiment which they are going to try and recruit in Norfolk. A.C. Pratt the little shrimp is colonel an Murray Dillon one of the lieutenants neither one of them I suppose know any more about military matters than a young rabbit, but I suppose each is pulling down a nice fat salary from it. Murray is recruiting officer for these regions. Cold & cloudy to-day but not so windy. I guess Murry is only a provisional lieutenant and has to try his examinations yet. Sunday December 5th Enah and Frank were the only ones from here at church this morning. I drove Enah down but it was so late I didn't go in but waited down at Aunty's for them. Aunty Alice drove over with us to dinner. I spent the after noon down town and went for a walk up the beach. I had tea at Aunty's and Dad. came down with Aunty Alice to tea and he Aunty & I went to church. I spent the evening down town. Nice day but cloudy and cold. Monday December 6th I find I have only <s>ten</s> eleven pages left in this book so if I am going to get the rest of the year in I will https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/07d1b1eed907726db9302b2d88b6d43e.pdf 65f871291b37d14f04fad4722d0de843 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. have to considerably boil down the news. Dad. has plowed all day but says the frost is beginning to make it stiff. Mrs. McBride was here all day. I did chores and went over to Martin's to hurry them up after my cockrel's. Enah went down to church this after noon. The Bishop was here and confirmed Mrs. Jack & Mrs Chas Martin, Mrs Cope, Bill Dunbar, Joe Thompson & Alf Powell. Frank & I went down to A.Y.P.A. to-night. Hazen read us a story. Cold & Cloudy to-day & freezing hard to-night. Tuesday December 7th Dad. didn't plow to-day but we hauled two loads of corn stalks instead one in the morning and one this afternoon, besides doing up all the chores. Jack Martin & Chris came over this morning and took eleven of my cockrels and left a few more here to grow awhile, they were not as fat as they should have been and we discovered the cause was mites. To-night Dad. & I leg banded all the pullets. Much milder to-day. Wednesday December 8th I went down to the mill this morning and borrowed fifteen bags to haul out our wheat, we just did chores this morning and Dad. killed and cleaned three cockrels and I painted the roosts in the old part of the hen house with crude oil for mites. This after noon we cleaned up about 35 bushels of wheat but didn't have time to haul any. Quite mild to day but very cloudy and a little snow which melted. Thursday December 9th Frank stayed home to help us to day. Dad. hauled the load down we cleaned up yesterday and we cleaned two more and hauled them to-day. We hauled 16 bags each trip and they averaged a few pounds over 34 bushels so it weighs pretty well and scarcely any cleans out but there isn't going to be as much by about 40 bushels in the granary as there was from the machine. We could have got more done but we had to quit early for chores It has been cloudy with a very cold north wind all day. Friday December 10th Dad. hauled two more loads to-day, we cleaned up all the wheat in the granary and took the last half load out of the big bin. It is sprouted worse but it cleans up to just about as good a sample. Dad. said he didn't think they made any difference down at the mill. Cold, cloudy and windy again to-day. Dick says Cecil Powell got back from the front to-night, there was a big crowd to meet them https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/4084c48bfb453565f01f480ba16d2046.pdf 04e831508eec5a7a24e423d5e7640d1c PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Saturday December 11th We cleaned up all the wheat left over in the barn this morning which was about 13 1/2 bags. Dad. hauled it down before dinner and I think it brought the total up to a little over 199 bushels, he didn't settle with Ivey this morning as they were so busy. This after noon I went down town to get some groceries. Art Quanbury paid me 21 dollars for the three ewe lambs. Frank went back to the gully and found a hole with three skunks in it but didn't get one - it got him properly - phew! He has gone down town to-night. They are going to present Cecil Powell with a watch but I am reading "The Amateur Gentleman" so can't go down. It has been cold again to day but it has also been sunny. Sunday December 12th Frank and I were the only ones that went to church from here this morning. I drove down and brought Aunty and Elva back with me. Jim Waddle & the two little girls also were here to dinner, Dad wanted to have them as we had roast duck. Dick and I didn't get down town very early this after noon as we <s>both</s> each smoked a cigar first, and Marj. had gone for an automobile ride to Waterford. I stayed down to tea at Aunty's and Mrs Smythe and Pud. were there I went to church and Marj. & I went up to Glad. Law's for awhile afterwards. Nice day snow to-night. Monday December 13th The ground was covered with snow this morning so we thought it was time we were getting the sheep home from Dunkin's. Dad. went down to the mill and settled up with Ivey paid him ${?} and got $130.00 back. This after noon we borrowed B & M's cattle waggon and went up and got our sheep. We took old Harry & got back about six. To night Frank and I went down to A.Y.P.A. Colder and pretty cloudy. Tuesday December 14th I took B & M's waggon back this morning and took Art Quanbury his three lambs. I hurt my thumb down town slapping my hands to get them warm and havent done anything much all day. Uncle Ward came over this after noon to see Algitha and was here most of the after noon. We let her out for the first time to day got her in without much trouble but are afraid she is not in calf. Colder & blizzardy Wednesday December 15th I have done very little all day my thumb is stiff and a<s>w</s>kward I went down this morning and orderd some flooring at the Widespread for my chicken shed. Aunty Alice came back with me and stayed to dinner. Huby came over before tea and got Dad. to go down and cut up a pig for him. Dad. and Frank have gone down to-night. I sat up till 3 o'clock this morning to finish the "Amateur Gentleman" Nice day cold wind. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/d83a60d3aeec9e347500d3fae1eb738d.pdf 734ebcc454a8ecbafc2f67644c95459e PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Thursday December 16th We did chores all morning, my thumb was still stiff so I didnt do much. This after noon I took a grist to the mill and went on down to get my lumber but they hadn't it ready yet, I stopped in at Aunty's for a few minutes, and got my chop when I got home. To-night I went to the show with Marj. To-night Aunty Alice had a bridge party, Toby Smith and Miss Buckwell and I stopped in there on my way home and got some cake Very mild but cloudy. Booze Waddle was over saying his father would come to morrow to kill pigs Friday December 17th It began to rain about six this morning and has been a wet miserable day. I drove Dick down to the bank and saw Dave. he said he and Val Leany would be right over if we could work in the dry so we rigged up a place in the old barn, and so before two o'clock the four pigs were all dressed. We then had dinner but they wouldn't take anything for pay. Just {chore?} then. Saturday December 18th Frank and I went down with the team this morning and got my lumber for the chicken house floor. This after noon I unloaded it and we hauled the pigs (dead ones) over to the house and took one down to Sam's, it weighed 145 lbs by Alfred's scales. Dad. & Frank caught all the little ones and put them in the pen where the other four had been Dad. cleaned it all out this morning. Lila has been over all day. Cloudy and colder freezing. Sunday December 19th We got up late this morning and none of us but Frank went to church. I went down town this after noon and stayed at Aunty's to tea. Aunty and I went to church to-night, after church Marjorie and I walked down with her. I came home with Dick & Alan Law It has snowed hard most of the day but has not been cold. Monday December 20th This being Tid's birthday all the family celebrated at Aunty's but me. I drove them down in the bobsleigh but came back and had dinner with Mrs. McBride here. Dad. came back soon after dinner and helped me do the chores. To-night I drove Essie & Marj. down to Marburg Sunday school Christmas tree and we had a great time Wilson Porter drove Essie home. Frank went with the Ryerse's to the Lake Shore school concert, he walked It has been colder to day and our sleighing has frozen dry and blown off. Tuesday December 21st Besides doing chores I cleaned out chicken house and Dad. cut up a pig. Jack Martin paid me $20.93 for eggs & cockrels Dad. & I went to the Patriotic Rally to-night. Nice day. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/fbb5138fe0da8ce9ba73beaf6453b669.pdf a3cda73edf388bedb288d67691f22207 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Wednesday December 22nd We hooked up Joe & Queen to the bobsleighs this morning and drove down town with Aunty Alice's cream and beets Queen went fine considering it was the first time she has been hooked up to anything. Frank got home at noon and his Christmas holidays have begun. He and I husked some corn this morning and about five o'clock Dad. & I & the baby drove Joe & Ginger down to the cutter. Tonight I went down town and stayed down at Aunty Alice's all night. Aunty left for Toronto this morning to stay with Roy for Christmas week. Walter & Elsie are coming there tomorrow but sleighing not good. Snowed most of day. Thursday December 23rd I went down to the train this morning to wish Marjorie a Merry Christmas before she left for home. Essie was down to see her off Aunty Alice got up and had breakfast ready for me when I got back. I walked home in time to drive Dick down as it was raining hard. It has rained most of the day and the snow is nearly all gone. I husked corn and did chores most of the day Dad. has cut up pigs and has them all cut up and Enah has most of the lard rendered out. Frank has been making a knife drawer for Enah. Last night Frank went down to the Mud Street school show (Bertha England's) with the Ryerse's, they went in bobs this time. Friday December 24th I spent most of the morning cleaning out the chicken houses and tacking cotton in the windows. Tom Abbot came in and got a rooster. This afternoon Dad. went down town to get his hair cut and Frank and I to do some Christmas shopping. Dad. and I came home to-gether. The town seems to have quite a few soldiers home for Christmas. I saw Billy Loan in uniform didn't know he had enlisted. Frank is going to try and catch some pigeons for Hec. Henderson's shooting match to night. Very mild but cloudy all day. Christmas Day I drove Enah and Frank down to church in the cutter this morning with Joe and Ginger but as all the chores had to be done up this morning and one of us had to look after the baby so I came back home again. Dad. and I then dressed up and drove Joe down in the buggy to the James where the whole family of us partook of Christmas dinner we took the baby down with us, the McPherson family were all there too. We had a dandy time especially Frank who had a cigar after dinner and spent the remainder of the after noon in the Catholic church shed. We came home about four and then I drove Harry & Belle down and got Aunty Alice and Aunty Ida and https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/f857a98d0ea29f2b7ec6353363fddacf.pdf 59827e3e250400fab4cbb227e13cf326 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. all Huby's family except Aunty Maude who is at Uncle Wards look after Mrs. Scofield who got "took bad" the other day but is now better. We just had tea over here but had a Christmas tree for Tid. and Huby acted as Santa Claus. He nearly gave poor Aunt Ida a fit laughing at his actions and words, there was quite an array of dandy presents considering nobody was going to give any. I drove them all back in the sleigh quite early but had to leave Huby at the Sovereign's as Mrs. Scofield wouldn't mind them and he had to pretend he was the doctor, so Win & Lila stayed at Aunty Alices all night. It has been very soft and mild all day but is colder to-night. Sunday December 26th Dad. & Frank stayed home this morning and Enah and I walked down to church. The choir was out in its new "shrouds" as Whit Dixon called the surplices. This after noon Dad. & I walked over to Frank Crysler's to see his bull but weren't very stuck on him. To-night I went down to Aunty Alice's to tea and to church. Went up to Huby's after church and was there quite awhile as Win was there all alone. Lovely day bright and colder than yesterday. Monday December 27th Dad. and I went down to nomination this after noon but it was pretty slow reeve & counsillors went in by acclamation reeve is Gilbert and same old council except Nath. Butler who takes Gilbert's place. Frank and I went down to-night to our nomination and it was much more fun Billy Langs & Bill Coley nearly got into a scrap Vyse and old Walker are going to run again for reeve. Snowing to-night. Tuesday December 28th Dad. & I went over to John Wes's this morning to see his bull and stayed over there till one o'clock watching John Wess & Robert John Watson kill a pig. This after noon Dad. went up to see Ham Thompson's bull and Frank went skating. I did chores. To-night Dad. and I went down and stayed at Aunty Alice's. Nice day. Wednesday December 29th Dad. and I went down to Caledonia this morning to see Mr. Douglas. He came in for us in a cutter and we spent the whole day out there as it was a terrible day, a regular blizzard cold east wind and snow. While we were there two fellows Mr Brook & son drove down from Paris (24 miles) in the teeth of the gale, there were two other batches of visitors there relations of the Douglas' so there was a housefull, but we had a good look at the stock and a great visit with Douglas and Dad. was highly delighted with the cattle. Douglas drove us in after we had https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/203859135be077c52a289687680ba9a6.pdf d9fa6a519e77fc911db6e27973f18db6 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. tea in time to catch the train but we had to wait about an hour as the Hamilton train was held up at Caledonia by the storm, and the Dover train had to wait at Rymal to get through, we saw Win. and two of her friends at the station for a minute or two. Thursday December 30th We have put in all our spare tme to day putting the floor in the chicken shed and got all the joice in place and spliced and nearly a third of the floor laid. Frank was here to help us, no he wasn't either. I have got a little mixed up Dad. and I just got some of the joice in to-day Lovely day sunny and cold. Frank took the old sow down to Porter's. Friday December 31st To day after we did chores we worked at the hen house floor and Frank cut the boards for us and it was to-night when we quit that we had nearly a third of the floor down. Dad. drove Enah and the baby down to Aunty Alice's to tea. To night I went down to the dance the girls were having to raise funds for the Red Cross. I got there about nine but they hadn't started and there were not many there but they soon started to come and eventually there was a big crowd. At 11.30 I went over to the church with some more of them as they were having service and praying for victory. This has been a black year for the world. Very mild all day, raining Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary Collection Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Theobald "Toby" Barrett Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Courtesy of Archival and Special Collections, University of Guelph Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1911-1925 Language A language of the resource English Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 20th Century, Norfolk County, Woodhouse Township, Ontario Table Of Contents A list of subunits of the resource. Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary & Transcription, 1911 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary & Transcription, 1913 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary & Transcription, 1914 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1915 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1916 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1917 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary & Transcription, 1918 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1919 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1920-1921 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1921 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1925 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1925-1926 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1926-1927 Medium The material or physical carrier of the resource. Scanned Manuscript Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1915 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Theobald "Toby" Barrett Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Courtesy of Archival and Special Collections, University of Guelph Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1915 Language A language of the resource English Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 20th Century, Norfolk County, Woodhouse Township, Ontario Date Created Date of creation of the resource. January 1, 1915 Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary Collection Medium The material or physical carrier of the resource. Scanned Manuscript UG Transcription Progress Scripto transcription progress Done Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>{Blank Front Cover Inside page on the left}</p> <p>{Right side page}</p> <p>DIARY. 1915</p> <p>T.B.Barrett,</p> <p>Port Dover, Ontario.</p> <p>The Farm</p> <p>From January 1st 1915 to December 31st 1915.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Friday January 1st 1915</p> <p>When The New Year came in all of us who were dancing joined hands in a circle and sang "Should Auld Aquaintance be forgot", after which we had refreshments and danced for a couple of more hours. Ferdy didn't dance but was down there till the last and I suppose saw one of the girls home. He, Dick and I met at the bank and got home a little before three and turned in a half an hour later. After a few hours slumber I got up and did chores for the rest of the day. This evening I distressed Aunty Alice by sitting around and not going to bed and pleased Aunty by sitting up till nearly eleven o'clock and repeating the first canto of "The Lady of the Lake" off by heart. Charlie Teeple was in this morning and spoke as if Jim Waddle rather wanted to see Dad. so he and Enah drove out there this after noon. They want Dad. for one of the bearers. Dick and Ferdy stayed in bed till noon and spent the after noon and evening down town. Not cold all day turning very windy &amp; stormy to-night.</p> <p>Saturday January 2nd</p> <p>It snowed and blew all night and has kept it up all day to-day so all the roads &amp; tracks are drifted full but except for the wind it has not been very cold. I drove</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Aunty Alice and Dick down town this morning in the bob sleighs and came home by the mill and got some chop Aunty Alice had to go down to the dentist's and stayed down to dinner. This after noon Dad. &amp; I drove out to Mrs. Waddle's funeral, he was a bearer so I drove up to the cemetry to bring him home. We didn't know when we started but we had to go up to St. John's. Dad. &amp; I both got our feet pretty cold. We came home around by town and brought Aunty Alice home. She got five new fake teeth.</p> <p>Sunday January 3nd</p> <p>We were too late this morning for Aunty or Frank to get to Sunday school although it was Aunty's birthday but I drove Enah, Aunty &amp; Frank down to church in the bob sleighs and drove down again to bring them home. Winnie &amp; Lila came over to dinner. This after noon Frank, Lila &amp; I went back to the gully to try the tobaggan that Ferdy &amp; Frank made yesterday out of a cheese box. It worked fine and went over the drifts beautifully. I lay down on it once to go down and when I came to the bottom of the hill it stopped and I slid ahead and banged my head. Dick and Ferdy didn't get up till noon and after dinner went down town. It has been a beautifully bright day with not a breath of wind. Rather cold this morning but milder to-night.</p> <p>Monday January 4th</p> <p>Frank stayed home from school to-day to see the last of the hogs. It took us quite awhile to get the waggon box rigged to hold them but with plank and stakes managed to make a satisfactory rack. We had no trouble in loading them as the whole seven ran right in to root in the fresh oat straw which was in the bottom, but they were very troublesome to unload. Neil weighed them. Dad. hoped Ed. would be there but he was up town electioneering but I guess Neil gave him good weight. They just weighed 1250 lbs and as the price has gone up to $7.40 percent. Dad. got a little over $92.00 out of them. We came around by Huby's on our way home and got a load of shingles for kindling. We boys and Fa. stored them away down there in the woodshed when they shingled the house. Hammond was in this morning to urge Dad. to go out and vote for him this after noon and take old Jonas with him so he did drive out to Wiggin's. He took Enah and Tiddums as far as the Shand's and left them while he &amp; Jonas went on out to vote. Tom came back with the car while he was gone and said if he thought Dad. would vote for Hammond he'd quit hauling his cream. Frank and I did chores and unloaded the shingles. The two Miss Hardings came over this after noon but nobody was home as Aunty &amp; Aunty Alice went down to Huby's before dinner and are</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>not coming back before they go to Toronto. To-night I hooked up Joe and Belle to the bobsleighs and took a bunch to Simcoe to see the hockey match between Simcoe &amp; Welland. Dad. went down with me to see how the election went and learned to his satisfaction that Wm. Walker beat Vyse by 31 of a majority and Hammond beat Baughner by 240. The only town councillors that qualified were Wms. Laing &amp; Caley so they will have to have another nomination. They defeated Local Option in Simcoe on an even vote by a majority of fiftynine. I got Quint in down at the house and the rest of the load which Dick had invited were waiting at the Dyer's. They consisted of Dess &amp; Fraser Dyer, Rachel Henry and May Rankin. Dick and Ferdy. Cars. Rankin came home with us. They all went over to the rink right away but Quint and I went to the Armories and Quint went later to the rink. They had no lights again to-night so we had a short drill in the street. Thern I went over to the match. They had only been playing ten minutes when I got there and the score was one in favor of Simcoe. It was a good game and there were very few penalties handout but a lot of offsides but it wound up with a score of five to four in favor of Welland. The girls in our bunch had attracted two Simcoe fellows, Charlie Barker &amp; Sam Hasley and after the match we all went over to the Battersby House to get warm and cut up over there for half an hour or so except Ferdy and Cars. who went over to the quick lunch as they hadn't had any supper. It was a junior O.H.A. match to-night but Cars. didn't play. I guess he doesn't know whether he is on the team or not yet. He has had a room up there at the Melbourne ever since the season opened trying out for it. We had a lovely drive home. It was a little misty but frosty and bright moonlight. I dare say we left in our wake a good many suddenly awakened farmers. Joe and Belle made a very suitable team for although I didn't go at all furiously they slid along at a good steady trot without any urging. Faulkner passed us going up with a load of eighteen all men or boys. Herb Lowril took another cargo of the same kind up. We got home about one. It has been a very nice day sunny and mild.</p> <p>Tuesday January 5th</p> <p>Frank went back to school this morning and Ferdy who for the first time nearly since he has been here got up about ten o'clock and had breakfast and spent the rest of the day down town saying goodbye. He went down to Huby's about two o'clock to say goodbye down there and had his dinner. This after noon Dad. Enah Tiddums and I drove down in the bob sleighs to say goodbye to Aunty and Aunty Alice who went to-night to Toronto</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>to stay with Roy and Vernon for awhile. Dad. settled up with his creditors and bought me a new pair of shoes and overshoes at Andrew's without telling me. Andrew seemed very cheerful and didn't mention election. Dad. got a postcard to-night he is sure it was from Ed. with a little verse on it applying to Vyse</p> <p>It's a long way to the old farm / Good-bye Council Chamber</p> <p>It's a long way to go / Farewell Andrew dear</p> <p>It's a long way to the old farm / It's a long, long way to the old farm</p> <p>Where I have got to go / And my heart's not there.</p> <p>Misner was in this morning to have Dad. look at a horse and said Old Stringer had had his cutter out yesterday to get Ellis Ryersie to vote and had broken it, so Dad's conjectures were evidently right. Last night on his way home he saw somebody drive very carelessly around Geordie Long's corner at the top of the hill and up towards Vyse's where they went in. He heard the driver yell at Vyse and he thought the voice sounded like Old Stringer's. When Vyse came to the door Old Stringer asked him if he had won and Vyse answered very gruffly for him in the negative. It has been a beautiful day sunny &amp; mild.</p> <p>Wednesday January 6th</p> <p>Dick drove Ferdy to Simcoe this morning so that he could catch a 10.45 train at the Air Line station. I think they took Dess. Dyer up with them and Dick didn't get back till after twelve. We did nothing but chores to-day. Mrs. McBride was here washing all day. Frank went over to a Sunday school entertainment after school and stayed to tea. Enah was to have gone down but it was to bad a night. It has rained nearly all day and our January thaw has set in.</p> <p>Thursday January 7th</p> <p>This was Dick's birthday but we didn't celebrate it in any way and postponed it until Sunday. We did chores all morning and Dad. helped me clean the straw out of the chicken shed as the water ran in last night and flooded it. Allan Law came over and borrowed our bob sleighs to take their seed to Green in Simcoe as Fess isn't buying this year. This after noon Dad. and I drove down town and Dad. told Toty Smith he didn't want to qualify again for school trustee. Frank went over to John Wess' to-night canvassing for subscriptions to "The Farmer's Advocate" but didn't get any. He had a long and amusing conversation with old Mrs. Watson. There has been an awful wind all day and it has been freezing. According to the papers the Germans will soon be starving. The French are making great progress in upper Alsapce and the Russians are trimoving the Turks in great shake. The British took the capital of German East Africa the other day and the British and French are trying to force their way into the Dardanelles but the Turks have sunk a lot of old ships in the straits laden with stone and earth which for the present holds them.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Friday January 8th</p> <p>When Allan Law brought our waggon sleighs back this morning Dad. got him to go up to Duncan's and get us a load of the rails he bought from Duncan last Spring, he didn't like to sell a load as there is only about another load up there but as we can't get back over the plowing to get any wood he said he wouldn't see us stuck so I went up and helped him put on a load. We got back a little before noon. This after noon Dad. Enah and Tiddums drove down town and I went skating for a little while. The pond is a glace of ice all over except around the edge which is all water there being only about three places connecting the land with the ice but it is inclined to be rough. Sunny but cold with a little wind.</p> <p>Saturday January 9th</p> <p>Dad. drove Dick down this morning and went in to ask Hec' Henderson if Neil Elliott wanted to buy Charlotte as Dad. didn't tell him positively whether he would sell her or not the other day but just as he got home Neil and his man drove in and they not only bought Charlotte and her calf for fiftysix dollars but gave us seven for Joe Lamb and took him with them. Frank Dad. &amp; I went down right away with Charlotte. I drove ahead with the calf in the cutter and the others followed. We went up town and Dad. cashed his check and got his new suit at the tailor's. After dinner Dad. Enah and Tiddums drove down town and got Dick some birthday presents. Frank went back to the woods and cut down some more trees. I cleaned the straw out of the hen houses and put fresh in. Bob. Ellis was in before tea representing Tyler's tea Company of London and left a couple tins here. I don't think he would have if he had been anybody else. Poor old Bob. he looks rather seedy. He has been working down at Tom Fearge's all fall. Cloudy and mild.</p> <p>Sunday January 10th</p> <p>We were late this morning so Frank was the only one who went to church. Dad. and I got the chores pretty well done up and we had an early dinner and celebrated Dick's birthday. This after noon Dad. Enah. Tiddums and I went out to the Shand's and were out there all the after noon. Winnie &amp; Lila came over just as we were starting off and so had to go back Frank and Dick were skating on the pond all the after noon I think. Tonight I walked down to church. All Huby's family including Huby himself were in church and I went around afterward to see them, but Huby had gone around to see Jim Greenbury so I missed him. I wanted to say goodbye to Quint especially as Jack Herring has got him a job in one of his woollen cotton mills in New Bedford and Quint is leaving on Tuesday moring so if he takes the job and stays I won't seem him again maybe for a couple of years. Nice day to-day. Not very sunny but mild.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Monday, January 11th</p> <p>We were all up pretty early this morning as Toby had to leave for Guelph at 6-30. I drove him down and we got there in time, but he had very little time to get his ticket, the train was moving out when he came out of the station. I drove round by Huberts to get him but he was not ready so I had to go in and wait for him. Lila came over with us, she and Frank had a holiday as Mr Smith had gone to Toronto to attend Birdie's wedding. Frank and Hubert went back to the woods and worked there all day. I worked around the place. It began snowing about 3 O'Clock and I drove Hattie down to Mrs H. Cooks to get measured for her dress. Lila has gone down to get the mail and post a letter and just got back in time to go with us. Quintin came over in the evening to say goodbye, he leaves D.V. in the morning for New Bedford. He, Hubert and Lila went home before tea, after tea I fell asleep as usual. When Dick came home he asked me to call him at 6 he wanted to go down and see Quint off I gave the Windmill a good oiling. It has been a lovely day, very mild and did not storm much.</p> <p>Tuesday January 12th</p> <p>I jumped out of bed this morning owing to some crazy dream I suppose and thought it was 6-50, but when I struck a match and looked at the clock I found it was only 4-40 so I went back to bed and stayed there nearly an hour. I called Dick and Frank at 6 and they got up and went to see Quintin off. Hubert did not come over with them as he thought it looked like rain but said he would come if it cleared off. I let Frank stay home from school as they might work in the woods together but Hubert never showed up all day and old Frank worked alone. I cleaned out all the hen houses and hog pen, killed 6 roosters and Mrs McBride cleaned them. It has been colder today with a high N.E. wind but it has been thawing all day. Dick came home to tea tonight and had gone to a dance and will be tired out. It is terribly lonely and only two days gone. I am nearly asleep now.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Wednesday, January 13th</p> <p>We were not up so early this morning. Hubert did not get over till nearly noon. Frank and I fixed a fence for the steer we are trying to fatten and Hubert helped us move him, after dinner Hubert and Frank went back to the woods. I did up all the chores, it has been a lovely day, quite a strong wind.</p> <p>Thursday, January 14th</p> <p>Hubert and Frank worked all day in the bush and got a pretty good day in, I did considerable fixing up at difficult things cow stable and rocking chairs etc. Harry Ausley drove his new horse over just as I was busy with the evening chores and it made me late. Has been a lovely mild day, barely freezing in the shade.</p> <p>Friday, January 15th</p> <p>Hubert got over this morning about 9.30 and he and Frank went to the woods, after I did all the morning chores I went to the mill with Joe and the cutter and got 200$ chop $1.75 per {cent?}. The boys took their lunch to the woods with them so Hattie, Sunny Jim and I had a rather lonesome dinner. Hattie started for town about 3 O'Clock to mail a letter to Tobe and to get the mail. We did hope for a letter from Toby but none came. Hattie took the baby down in his carriage but brought him home in a grand red sleigh that his grand-dady made him it is a beauty. I went back to the woods and brought up a load but it is quite bare on the ploughed land we cant haul much till we get more snow. It has been a beautiful day more like Spring than mid-winter. I got 4 eggs today.</p> <p>Saturday, January 16th</p> <p>As soon as we had everything fed this morning Frank and I cut up the load of green wood I hauled yesterday. Hubert did not get over until after 11 O'Clock, he sawed up a lot of rails. Frank carried all the wood we cut into the woodshed, he and Hubert worked at it nearly all the afternoon, quit in time to husk some corn. I worked at the chores. It has been another lovely day. Frank and I had a bath tonight. Hattie had a long letter from Toby and we all knocked off work to hear it.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Sunday, January 17th</p> <p>It rained last night and was very dark this morning I thought our trip to the Shands was off, but it turned out a beautiful day and we all left in the bob-sleigh soon after 12, the sleighing was not too bad. We drove Joe and Belle. We did not have dinner till 2 O'Clock. Mr and Mrs Harvey Shand and Charlie were over, Flossie and Willie had to stay with Mrs Nixon. We had a very nice day and did not get started for home till 5 O'Clock. We all got home safely but had a little mix up putting the horses away, Frank was doing up Belle and I did Joe, and through some mistake Joe's line was left fastened to Belle's bridle with the result that as soon as the stable door was opened Joe jumbed in as she always does and would have taken poor Belle's head with her if the bridle and bit had not broken. Old Sunny Jim had the time of his life prowled all over the house and they just let him go, he was very good and a great nights sleep. The sleighing was almost completely gone when we came home. It has been just like a march day. Dick went to church this evening</p> <p>Monday, January 18th</p> <p>I was up early this morning and wrote Toby a short letter, Frank got up and helped me do some of the chores before he went to school. Mrs McBride came quite early for her, we did not expect her until tomorrow. Hubert did not get over till nearly noon, he told us that poor old T. L. Gillies dropped dead in his lumber yard about 10 O'Clock. I cleaned the straw out of one end of the chicken shed as it was pretty wet. Hubert husked corn all the afternoon. Frank went down with him this evening as he had forgotten the paper. They have all gone to bed now and I must go too. It snowed quite a lot this morning and several times through the day it was very wet almost rain, I think it is getting colder tonight. I got 10 eggs today.</p> <p>Tuesday, January 19th</p> <p>Hubert did not come over at all today, he had some insurance to look after. Frank went to school. I did up the chores and we had an early dinner</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>as soon after as possible I drove Hattie and baby down to Mrs Herb Cooks, left them there and went on down town and mailed a letter to the girls, came back got Hattie and baby and went out to the Waddles, Jim was in Simcoe so I did not see him. The sleighing is splendid not it snowed a lot last night and it was a wet heavy snow and stuck in spite of the wind. After tea Frank and I drove out to the H. Shands and did not get home till midnight. Colin was there and we had a great talk. It has been a fine day.</p> <p>Wednesday, January 20th</p> <p>Hubert got over about noon today. After dinner I drove him down to Art Ryerses, he wanted to see Art about the insurance on the new school, but he had gone to T. L. Gillies funeral. We then went a got a load of wood and were back at 3 O'Clock so I went after another load and Hubert stayed and sawed up rails. Dick came home for tea and we had it early and he started for Simcoe to see a Hockey game. Hubert stayed to tea and drove down with him. It is now after 10 O'Clock and he is not home yet. it has been a lovely day. I had a long letter from Toby and Frank and I wrote him tonight.</p> <p>Thursday, January 21st</p> <p>Nothing of importance was on today. I did not get up till nearly 7 O'Clock. I waited up for Dick last night and it was almost 2 O'Clock when he and I went to bed. Hubert was not over at all today. Frank went to school. I did the usual round of chores and got up two loads of wood. Hattie made dough-nuts and cookies beside all her ordinary work, she is stocking up against Toby's homecoming. We had letters from the girls today and I had a card from Quint today and am going to write him now. It has been much colder today and is freezing pretty hard tonight.</p> <p>Friday, January 22nd</p> <p>Owing to Toby's absence from home the diary has so far been kept by Daddy but as he is almost asleep tonight I am going to try a turn at it. This has been rather a blustery</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>day, the worst day we have had this year. Cold East wind and snow. Hubert did not come over today. Lila told Frank he was fixing the smoke house. Daddy had to do everything himself. He killed and dressed three roosters. The little steer that we have shut up to fatten has been "off her feed" for the last two days but Daddy thinks she is some better tonight. Frank came home from school via Mrs. Cook's and brought my dress also a couple of rolled oats from the mill. He said Mr. Cook told him that Col. Thompson is dead and was to be cremated. He died out in California. Frank went down to the "Movie" tonight to see "The Millionaire Cowboy." He invited me to go but the weather looked too disaggreeable disagreeable for me. We are expecting Toby tomorrow evening and will be very glad to have him home again</p> <p>Saturday January 25th</p> <p>I see the family have been very faithful in keeping account of events of the past two weeks but as soon as I got within forty miles of home their efforts ceased and as I didn't pull in till to-night I don't know exactly what happened to-day, but perhaps a summary of my history of the last fortnight would not be out of place just here. The first day I arrived in Guelph I found the place full of strangers like myself prepared to take some of the short courses at the O.A.C. I was lucky enough to get the last place in a boarding house within walking distance of the College. The last place turned out to be a cot several inches too short for me in a room already occupied by two fellows in a double bed. There were only three bedrooms and seven of us. I slept in the cot the first night but my knee was bad the next day so as one of the other fellows said I could sleep with him in a decent bed I decided to do so, but in order to accomplish this I had to displace another and sentence him to the cot. This could not be done peaceably so we had to use force. This disturbed the household and the old man appeared in his nightshirt to inform us that it would be expedient for me or more of us to hunt a new boarding house. However things went smoother after that and I have slept in a bed ever since and instead of us any of us departing another was introduced and another cot erected for his benefit a week before I left. They weren't a bad bunch of fellows all students at the College. Two of them Jim De Leplante and Copelan were regular students</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>and the other four {illegible}. Ben Tex &amp; Jack were taking the short three months dairy course and Coatsworth the last addition to the family was also a dairyman. One of then was from Toronto two from Buffalo one from Prince Edward Island one from England originally and Jack the fellow that got kicked out of bed was from a little town somewhere near St. Thomas. Tex who was my bedfellow proved to be the wildest and most entertaining of the bunch. His father lived in Chicago but owned a factory in Guelph. Tex wasn't bound much by home ties and said his father had threatened to disown him on one occasion for some of his rash actions. He had put in a lot of time in Texas and the West and would talk a blue streak about his numerous adventures. I would like to say whether they were all true or not. There was another very nice fellow up there by the name of Hamilton and he has had some experiences about as thrilling as Tex's and after hearing him recount them a fellow can just about bank on them being straight. He is altogether different from Tex a steady going well educated fellow and very interested in his studies. He has a great scheme about a chicken ranch and a market garden in his head, which if he doesn't make good on I don't think will be his fault. The life at the boarding house was very interesting and the life at the College was none the less so and much more educative. Our classes started at half past eight and every morning we had seed judging for an hour and a half. Prof. Javitz conducted all those classes but the last three which were devoted to the study of weed seeds and were taken by another fellow who name I don't remember. After the seed classs we went to the judging pavillion and put in the rest of the day. The first day we had sheep judging and an old breeder Mr. Harding did most of the talking but Prof. Day was the chief instructor. He was there for all the stock except the horses. The method they took every day was to give a discussion on whatever species of livestock we had before us then give the students a chance to place them in what they thought was the order meriting prizes and then for the proffessor or breeder to place them right and give reasons the students being permitted to ask all the questions they liked at any time. After the sheep we had swine with Mr. Bretham to talk on them then fat cattle and an old fellow named Mr. Gosling then Dairy Cattle with Mr. Bull of Brampton for Jersey's and Mr. Brenan for Holsteins and another for Holsteins. Last of all we had horses and Dr. Hugo Reid took Prof. Day's place. We had all the different types of horses. Some of the sheep cattle &amp; hogs they killed and brought the dressed carcasses into the ring to demonstrate the relations between the live and the</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>dressed. We used to get through as a rule soon after four and would have time to look around the farm or go for a swim in the gym or go over to the library as they had a fine one in connection with college. I went over to the poultry department and had a talk with Prof. Graham one night. He told me he was going to bring his class down here to see Jack Martin's chickens in a couple of weeks Two or three evenings they had a lecture or something on which was always interesting. I would have had lots of skating as they had a dandy rink at the College and two or three down town but my knee was bad nearly the whole time. However I did go and skate after a carnival they had and as I knew Hammond who is a second year man up there I got an introduction to several of the girls. I spent one evening with the Graeser's who are friends of Miss Scott and the Millman's so taking it all round I had a mighty good two weeks of it my knee being the only drawback.</p> <p>Sunday January 24th</p> <p>Frank was the only member of this family who went to church this morning and Dick was the sole representative to-night. I had a sore throat all day and felt pretty tough. Dad. spent the day doing chores and about five o'clock took Enah and Tiddums for a short drive. Frank spent the after noon in the woods. Cold but lovely day, sunny and bright.</p> <p>Monday Janaury 25th</p> <p>Frank stayed home from school to-day and he and Dad. did chores and cut wood all day. They got a big pile cut. I felt too rotten to go out of the house at all. Cold day but nice.</p> <p>Tuesday January 26th</p> <p>Frank stayed home again to-day and this morning he and Dad. took the little steer over to the slaughter house. Whit. killed it and dressed it to-day and they went over and got it in the bobsleigh to-night. Enah and Tiddums went down town with them and waited down town while they went over and got the meat. They took one quarter down to Huby and another to Mrs. McBride. He just dressed 352 lbs. Mrs. McBride was here washing all day. Cold &amp; bright.</p> <p>Wednesday January 27th</p> <p>Dad. cut up one of the quarters of beef this morning and this after noon he Enah &amp; Tiddums drove down to Law's to get one of them to haul ice to-morrow Sam was there and he said if Alan couldn't come he would</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Frank went to school to day but Huby came over and cleaned out the ice house. We had a long visit from Jonas to-night. Still cold and bright.</p> <p>Thursday January 28th</p> <p>Dad. and Huby have been busy to-day filling the ice house Alan came and hauled eight loads. it is nice ice now but the blocks are thick Huby came over just before dinner on Alan's second load. He voted first they are voting for councillors to-day. Dick came home for tea to have a feed of beef heart and he told us that Ed. headed the poles with Mat. Wilson second. Harry Smith just missed by one vote There were just the three running and only two were to be elected. I felt better to-day and took Tiddums out for a ride in his dandy new sleigh which his Granfather made him Weather about the same as yesterday.</p> <p>Friday January 29th</p> <p>I have been out a little more to-day and did a few chores and put the cotton on another of my window frames. Huby has been over all day packing sawdust around the ice. I guess we will have to get another load. Dad. took a load of ice down to Lea Marshall's this after noon as all the farmers are helping him fill his ice house. Frank went down to see a broom-ball match to-night which they are having between the East and West side of Main St. Very cold and windy to-day. Snow drifting.</p> <p>Saturday January 30th</p> <p>Alan Law came over this morning and borrowed our sleighs to haul ice for Bob. Miller but left his here so Dad. and I cleaned out the horse stable and boxstall which had been cleaned out for two weeks so altogether there were two good sleigh loads and Dad. hauled it out on the old garden. I also made a rack in the chicken house to hold the window frames when there are not in use. Huby came over about noon and he and Frank cut wood all the afternoon Dad. and I did chores. Lila came over with Huby. Dad. Enah and Tiddums drove down town about five o'clock They took down eight dozen eggs and got 32 cts a doz. Very cold last night and cold all day but very sunny and still.</p> <p>Sunday January 31st</p> <p>We were very late getting up this morning and except for Frank and Dick nobody has been off or on the farm all day Frank went to church &amp; sunday school this morning and Dick who didn't get up till after noon went down town about three o'clock. Dad. &amp; I did chores most of the morning and I</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>read this afternoon. To-night Dad. wrote letters and I drew Enah. went to sleep and Frank wrote a letter to Aunt Leena. It has been mild and cloudy all day snowed this morning turning to an icy rain.</p> <p>Monday February 1st</p> <p>It rained all night last night and this morning everything was flooded so I drove the boys down to school and the bank. It began to freeze before noon and the wind got up so by to-night there was a fierce storm raging with a cutting sleet and it was pretty cold. We didn't do anything but chores all day and not any more of them than was necessary. We sat around and read most of the after noon.</p> <p>Tuesday February 2nd</p> <p>This has been the worst storm we have had for quite awhile. It stormed all night and all to-day but to-night is quieter. No trains came in at all to-day and they took the engine of the freight to pull the Stratford train out Dave Turner got out a mile or so but came back. The snow is so solid it is just like sand drifts. I walked down town this morning and got my hair cut This after noon put cotton on another window frame for the chicken house. It was nearly full of snow this morning. Frank came home about three o'clock as there was hardly anyone at school and the room was so cold the snow which drifted in didn't melt all day. Mrs. McBride came over this morning I don't know whether she intended to wash or not but she didn't. The old bear didn't see his shadow to-day but its very doubtful if he stuck his nose outside his log all day, so I suppose we should have an early spring.</p> <p>Wednesday February 3rd</p> <p>Dad. and I spent most of the fore noon shovelling snow as everything was drifted full. Tupper and Mr. Evans broke the trail from the Winding Hills to the mill bridge. Tupper was in here to get a cure for ringworm he has a patch of it near his mouth. I don't think any trains went out to-day but the mail train got in about five o'clock to-night. Frank went down after tea to get the mail and see another broom ball match. Dick didn't come home at all last night. This has been a lovely day. Cold but very sunny and not much breeze. Frank has just come home and said it was the snowplow which came in instead of the mail train but the track is clear now.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Thursday February 4th</p> <p>Tims and I are alone tonight, the others are all down at the Cadets' concert and as they thought there would be a dance after it I suppose they will be late getting home so I think when I have written this I will go to bed. I have read a lot of the papers Miss Newell sent to Frank we have had no mail since Monday and I dont believe there has been a train in on the Hamilton road since the storm. We prepared for Mrs McBride today but she did not come. Toby and I got a couple of loads of wood up today, it was quite a job breaking the road there is a lot of snow now. It has been a very fine day pretty cold but bright.</p> <p>Friday February 5th</p> <p>We were late getting up this morning but managed to get the chores done up in time to haul up one load of wood. We took Tiddums back with us and he had a fine time. Coming home he showed signs of uneasiness I think owing to the fact that his feet were cold although he declared they were not but when Snoop and Bluch threatened to have a passage at arms he cheered up considerably.The dogs didn't fight however as Sam called Snoop home. Yesterday they had a little set to but old Bluch settled the dispute very quickly. Snoop is game but Bluch is too much for him. It was beginning to rain when we got in and when we got the load off Dad. went down to the mill and got a bags of flour, chop, &amp; rolled oats. By after dinner it was raining too hard to go back to the woods and it kept it up all the after noon and is still raining to-night. I put in the after noon making a door for the partition between the two pens in the chicken shed. Dad. did chores and took the pork out of the pickle and put the beef in. I was going up to Simcoe to-night with a load that Cars. Rankin got up to see a hockey match but as it was raining so hard I didn't go. I don't suppose the rest would as I don't think the ice would be any good let alone the unpleasantness of the trip. The train came in on the Hamilton track to-day for the first time since the blockade and we got out mail to-night after being without it for three or four days. This has been one of the worst storms we have had for a long time. They say the snowplow and two engines ran off the track down by the Creamery yesterday and smashed the snowplow all to pieces and injured one of the engineers quite severly. The last we heard of the Port Rowan train it was stuck in a snowbank a couple of miles south of Simcoe</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Saturday February 6th</p> <p>It rained all fore noon and turned later to snow it has been cold and raw all day. After chores I spent most of the day fixing around the chicken house and made a door for the opening at the east end of the shed. Dad. and Frank sawed wood all morning and right after dinner hooked up and went down after a load of shingles and pickets to make a {sheep rack?}. Huby had them in the woodshed down home. Win came back with them and stayed to tea. After they got home we separated the calves from the sheep and put the former over in the barn near Deadnought's stall. After tea Win, Frank and I went down to the Moving Picture show Win &amp; I got in at the first show but Frank and Lila who were a little later couldn't get in on account of the crowd but they got in at the second show and saw The "Million Dollar Mystery" which was the principal thing we went to see. The films didn't come till the late train so Win. &amp; I missed it. One of the ewes the old fat one looks very sick to-night. Her legs seem stiff and she is panting very hard and not eating, we don't know what ails her but she looks to be pretty sick I have got up fairly early in the morning to write this and although I have the fire lit. It is still so cold in here that I have put on my gloves and cap and pulled down the ear tabs in the hope of feeling comfortable</p> <p>Sunday February 7th</p> <p>Frank went down to church and Sunday school this morning and Dad. &amp; I did up the chores. Dick got up in time for dinner. We all got ready to drive down to see the wreck of the snowplow after dinner on the bobsleighs but just as we got ready a terrific snowstorm came up and in the midst of it Elva, Said. Davis &amp; May Perry came over and were here all the after noon and evening. Then we hooked up to the bobsleigh &amp; Dick Frank and I drove them down home. We had a mighty pleasant time but poor Dick didn't get down at all to see Dess and he was terribly afraid she would be mad. It has been a lovely day most of the time but for a snowstorm now and then. The sick ewe was a lot better to-day but something is wrong with her.</p> <p>Monday February 8th</p> <p>I got up fairly early this morning and got most of my chores done before breakfast. I didn't do much during the morning but make some buttons to hold the frames in the chicken house. We had dinner early and hooked up to the bobsleighs and all drove down to meet the one o'clock train as Aunty &amp; Aunty Alice came in on it from Brantford as they had gone over there from Toronto to see Miss Battersby.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>They went to Huby's and so we didn't see much of them to-day. When we got home Art Ryersie and Colin came in to settle up some accounts. They were here a long time and Art was expressing his opinion of the war, hard times, and the outlook for feeding till Spring and others which are troubling the most of us just now. To-night just about six Jack Highland came in and wanted Dad. to take down the three bags of bluegrass seed. Huby told me the other day that he wanted it to-day but we didn't know whether he meant it or not so forgot it, so Dad. &amp; Frank had to take it down to-night. I went to Simcoe to drill to-night and took Colin Ryersie with me but when I got there I found them practicing for another patriotic concert in the Armories and they weren't having any drill and wouldn't let Colin in at all so we didn't stay long and I got home before Dad. went to bed. Raw &amp; Cold.</p> <p>Tuesday February 9th</p> <p>We were going after a load of wood this morning but Jack McBride came after Dad. to see a sick cow so I did up the chores and cut a little wood for Mrs McBride who was here washing. This after noon I went over to Jack Martin's thinking Prof. Graham would be there from the O.A.C. with his short course students as he told me he was coming down about this time and John Quanbury told us yesterday he was coming to-day but I found out he had come last night and been over here this morning so I missed them. After I got back Dad. &amp; Tiddums drove down in the bobsleighs and brought Aunty &amp; Aunty Alice over. it has been a nice day, sunny but pretty cold.</p> <p>Wednesday February 10th</p> <p>Dad. and I went back this morning and got a load of rails. We got all we could and nearly all there were but there are still a few under the snow. While we were at dinner Cars. Rankin came over to task me if I would take a load to Simcoe to-night. He said there were three or four fellows promised to go and an equal number of girls and that it would be worthwhile Dad. told me to tell him I wouldn't go so I did and then Dad said if i wanted to take Belle &amp; Joe I could so I promised him I would. This after noon Dad. and I went up and got a load of gravel at Cantelon's and I had to hurry to get down town at the right time When I got there I found ten girls waiting and only one boy Charlie Nun. The others had disappeared and Cars. had gone up on the train. They all piled in and then I remembered that in my hurry I had come away without</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>my skates so they said for me to go around by home and get them which I did but it made us late and we didn't reach Simcoe till nearly nine o'clock and there Charlie Nun proved himself to be worth all the rest of the bunch put to-gether who promised to go and didn't for he paid for most of the girls' way in to the rink and also for my ticket Dick had gone up on the afternoon train so he took Dess over. The game was between the Simcoe O.H.A. Juniors and Waterford. Cars. played with Simcoe and their team proved to be far more than a match for the Waterford fellows and the score was 7-3 I think favor of Simcoe. It was a pretty poor game and pretty dirty on the Waterford side especially. We had a half an hour or so skating after the match and got well warmed up and left for home before twelve. I nearly knocked one of my teeth out and Mildred Henry's brains at the same time while we were skating We were playing tag and I was it and as she was skating towards me I made at her to tag her. She saw me coming and turned around as I thought to skate away, but instead tried to dodge me or some thing with the result of a great collision and the above mentioned consequences. Dick and Cars. came back with us and we got back about half past one or two. Lovely day &amp; night but pretty cold.</p> <p>Thursday February 11th</p> <p>This morning Dad. hauled wood while I did up the chores and this after noon we hauled another load of gravel from Cantelon's. There was a bunch up there including John Wess &amp; Tupper. Rus. Lampkins also came in but decided he couldn't get through to Lynn Valley with a load so didn't stay. This morning Art Munroe came over after Dad. as their (Ivey's) black mare was down and they couldn't get her up She was over in the back field by the woods and had an attach of the colic. She got up after a while but was pretty stubborn about it. It has been pretty cold and breezy to day.</p> <p>Friday February 12th</p> <p>Dad. hauled wood all day to-day, he got up four loads which was all there was back there. I did up the chores and worked around at odd jobs while he was gone and helped him to unload the loads of wood. The last load out but one Dad. took Enah and Tiddums down to Alfred's and called for them again when he had unloaded. He and I also went down to the mill and got a bag of buckwheat and a bag of shelled corn for the chickens. Frank went down town to-night and asked Huby if he would come over to-morrow and help him saw wood. Huby said he would. Very mild and Spring like to day.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Saturday February 13th</p> <p>Huby and Lila came over this morning and have been here all day Huby &amp; Frank cutting wood most of the time. This morning Dad. Lila and I went up and got another load of gravel. Yesterday's thaw made the roads pretty slippery and in some places the snow was nearly all gone, we had no trouble getting home with our load however, although Preston's hill was pretty bad in spots. As Frank wanted to make a trip to the Gravel pit he and Dad. went up for a load this after noon. They wanted to put it off way up at Sam's corner but when they crossed the ditch the bobs got stuck and they had to throw the load of where it was, unleach the team as Harry fell down and pull the sleighs out with the cham. Huby helped me put the netting on the chicken house windows this after noon and then Enah. Tiddums and I drove down town. Enah took down seven dozen eggs and got 28 cts for them. We saw Dick down town and while Enah was shopping he, Tiddums and I had a great drive around town which apparently delighted Tid. to the utmost. It rained this morning and hasn't frozen all day but the wind is much colder.</p> <p>Sunday February 14th</p> <p>I just watered the horses and fed the chickens this morning and then got ready and went down to Sunday school with Frank. Hazen started back a few weeks ago so I thought I would keep him company. I went around and called for him. He invited me over to dinner so I went after church. Hazen, Dave &amp; Booze were keeping hatch to-day and Hazen did the cooking. We had a chicken which was mighty good. I was over there all the afternoon and didn't get home till after five. Just as I was coming over the bridge Dad overtook me with the team, sleigs and all the family, they had been out at the Shand's and had come around by town to get Aunty's and Aunty Alice's luggage as they are going to stay over here for awhile. To night We all listened to Aunty read "Little Lord Fauntleroy." Very mild and Spring like all day with quite a heavy shower of rain after dinner.</p> <p>Monday February 15th</p> <p>I happened to get up early this morning and while poking around heard a sheep blat. I lit the lantren and went out and saw the ewe which as been sick all week No 24 looked very much like lambing so I called Dad. and sure enough before long there was a lamb and before breakfast another and soon after a third but it was dead. Dad. has been running back and forward to the barn all day with first one and then the other to keep them warm and also to feed them as the ewe so far has hardly any milk for them, but to-night they look fairly comfortable</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>We built a pen over in the barn this after noon and shut the ewe and her lambs in it which separates them from the other sheep. Dad. helped me put the gate on the chicken yard and to-night I separated the three pens but haven't them sorted out yet. To-night Dad. &amp; Enah went down to a concert by the Nanticoke Minstrel's. Frank went down to change a vest he got at Butler's. It has been mild to-day but cloudy.</p> <p>Tuesday February 16th</p> <p>This morning I went over first thing and got some roosters from Jack Martin. I got four to mate up with about fortytwo or three hens. I also got a little brandy from Mrs. Quanbury for the lambs as one of them was nearly all in this morning when Dad. went out but when I got home this one little fellow was dead. However the brandy revived the other one and by to-night was quite lively. This after noon I spent most of the time being coachman for the family. First I drove Aunty down town as she wanted to go to auxilliary Just as I got home Enah was ready to go down town to I drove her down. Then I nicely got back to the head of the lane when Mrs. McBride who has been here washing all day came out on her way home so I turned around and drove her home. I then was able to put Joe in for about an hour or so and then drove down and got Aunty &amp; Aunty Enah and brought them home. To-night Dad. helped me get all the single comb hens out from the others and by themselfes and also to even up the other two pens a little better, so now I have about twenty hens and twenty two or three pullets. There may be a pullet or two in with the hens. It was colder to-day and cloudy and threatened to snow all day. I sat up till half past one reading "The Broad Highway."</p> <p>Wednesday February 17th</p> <p>I did chores most of the morning and nothing else much all day as I spent the time reading My "Broad Highway" I intended only to read at it odd minutes but it was too much for me and I put in nearly the whole day with it, after reading it, going back to feeding chickens and cleaning stables seems an unbearably tame way of living. This being Ash Wednesday Aunty &amp; Aunty Alice went down to church this morning and Miss Harding came back with them to dinner She was here all the after noon and drove down to-night with Enah and I as we went to church this evening. Frank walked down to church but came back with us. The other lamb died to-day. About 9.30 to-night Tupper came after Dad to see a sick ewe. Sunny &amp; thawing but raw.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Thursday February 18th</p> <p>This morning I drove Aunty to Vittoria to catch the 11.40 train for Port Rowan as she went up for the day to see Aunty Ida. I didn't come straight home but went around to see if I could come down the front road but I saw both the Dunkin's and they said I couldn't get through that way so I had to come back around by Vittoria. Mr. Dunkin told me that he hadn't had the sheep registered yet and got me to give him the numbers again. As I wasn't in a special hurry I drove down the road that goes past the mill but after getting along it quite a way had to turn back but I wasn't sorry I went as it is so pretty. I think I have been through before but it must have been a long time ago and in the summer, it is just a pretty in winter, as the little stream is running along just the same, and the snow, sunshine and evergreens all combine to give it a very cosy &amp; comfortable appearance and the narrow little roadway bounded by the artistic old rail fences over which you occasionally catch a glimpse of a field keep you in mind of the fact that you are still within reach of civilization but at the same time fits in beautifully with the fairyland surroundings. That is certainly a lovely country up there if it isn't much good. I didn't get home till after the rest had had dinner and as Sid. McBride had been here to tell us our wire had come Dad. and I had to go down after in this after noon. Dick came home to tea to-night and afterwards he and I went down to the Orchestra's dance. We had a dandy time, there were not many boys there but lots of girls. I danced pretty nearly every dance and with pretty nearly every girl and by half past two wasn't any more than able to toddle home. Perce Brock was down with his troops and so with him and Murray combined we couldn't help but have dandy music, the rest of the Orchestra was there too of course. The old ewe who has lambed could not get up to-day and all the after noon has been stretched out flat and although she was chewing her cud this after noon to-night she is just about dead. It has been a beautiful day fairly cold breeze but very sunny</p> <p>Friday February 19th</p> <p>Dad. and I didn't do anything all morning but tend to sheep and lambs. The sick ewe died during the night. Dad thought of skinning her but when he saw that her skin was all mottled he decided not to touch her as he was afraid of blood poison and besides the wool came right off her I suppose from fever. He took the fleece of her by pulling it and it came as easily and left the skin</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>as clean as a whistle. First thing this morning old ewe No 117 had three lambs, the first one not much bigger than a half grown kitten, the second one a little bigger but weak and the last one the biggest and huskiest. The first two were not only weak but didn't know enough to go and get their natural breakfast so Dad. has been carrying them back and forward to the house to feed them and keep them warm. About noon old Splitear had a pair of twins but they were bigger and much more sensible. This after noon we did chores principally and Dad. buried the dead ewe. Colin Ryersie came in for quite a visit To-night Frank went down to the train and Aunty came home with him Lovely sunny day</p> <p>Saturday February 20th</p> <p>We didn't do much this morning but chores and I put Queen in Ginger's stall and cleaned her up and monkeyed with her for quite awhile till when I was washing her stifle she kicked me on my sore knee which settled me till after dinner. Jim Waddle and the two little girls came in and were here for a long time staying till dinner time. Frank tore down some of the barbed wire fence along the road. This after noon I drove Enah and Tiddums down town Aunty went as far as Uncle Ward's with us. To-night we all stayed home and Frank and I had a bath. When Dick came home he stayed up till three oclock reading "The Money Moon" which Aunty Alice gave him Very mild and soft to-day. Sleighing nearly gone</p> <p>Sunday February 21st</p> <p>I went down to Sunday school again this morning with Aunty and Frank and also to church. Aunty and Aunty Alice went over to Mrs. Key's for dinner. This after noon Frank and I went for a ride, he took Belle with the little saddle and I was mounted on Joe. We had a dandy galop We went up the Gravel to the corner this side of the Half-Way-House crossed over to the Radical at the Brick School House and down the Radical through town and home. We were rather stiff to-night and Frank went to bed at eight o'clock but before I hit the strawpile we had some music. Softer and sunnier than ever to-day Sleighing no good at all</p> <p>Monday February 22nd</p> <p>Dad. didn't go to bed at all last night on account of the sheep. His ewe had one lamb about one oclock, it is very small and just as foolish as the others were about nursing we didn't pay much attention to it all day just holding</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>the mother a couple of times for the lamb to suck but this evening when Dad. went to look at it it was nearly dead. He brought it in the house and has been tending to it and feeding it out of the bottle with brandy &amp; milk all evening and although for awhile he and Aunty Alice thought they had a hopeless case but now it has revived a little I haven't done much all day but chores and cleaned out the far chicken pen I also gave Queen a little brushing off and cleaned out the boxstall it has been a very rainy after noon and I read the "Money Moon" for an hour or two. Jonas came over before tea and bought a setting of eggs It has been very soft and Springlike but cloudy with a little rain.</p> <p>Tuesday February 23rd</p> <p>It has rained nearly all day to-day so we didn't do anything much except chores and Dad. put in a lot of time tending to the sheep. His lamb died to-day so he is going to try to put the little pet lamb on his ewe although she hasn't much bag. This after noon Dad. &amp; I drove Aunty &amp; Aunty Alice down town in the bobsleighs although the roads were mostly mud. They are going to stay down till Sunday. We brought Blaikeys old iron pot back from Butlers where it has been ever since Blaikey gave it to us since when he had his sale three years ago. Mrs. McBride was here to wash to-day and hung the clothes in the woodshed.</p> <p>Wednesday February 24th</p> <p>This morning we did up the chores and I put the harness &amp; bridle on Queen but didn't take her out. I also went over to Jack Martin's and got an egg crate to start saving eggs for him. Old Mr. Silverthorn was over to see what we would send to the men's banquet on Friday night and put us down for some cream. Dad. &amp; I took a walk back to see what the wheat looked like before dinner. The piece next Ivey's looks fine and there is no water lying on it although Ivey's place is flooded in spite of his tile. The other piece doesn't look so well especially on the knoll where it seems to be killed out and there are several places where the water is lying on it. Charlie Quanbury brought Chris' hams over to be smoked this after noon and I went out to his farm with him. He was fixing up his cow stable as he wants to get moved out in a week. He is going to keep hatch. I am afraid it will be pretty lonely for him but he thinks he wont mind. Frank went down to church to-night. It has been cloudy &amp; very mild all day.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Thursday February 25th</p> <p>This morning we put the pork in the smoke house and Dad. started a fire in the old iron pot we got from Butler's He thought it would make a fine firebox as there is a big hole in the bottom of the side which he thought would do for a damper (which it certainly did). He went out after dinner to see it and the pot had melted a hole in the ice for the smoke house had been flooded and when the pot sunk the water ran in the hole and put the fire out. This after noon I started to tidy up the shop and Dad. and I cut a little wood. To-night Dad. &amp; I walked down to see Aunty &amp; Aunty Alice and Dad. got his hair cut. They are staying up at Cousin Loll's for a day or two &amp; Cousin Loll &amp; Willie have gone to Toronto to see Hugh. They thought it very queer that last night Cousin Loll dreamt all night about Hugh She thought he had come home and it was so real she woke up and got up, then went to sleep again and dreamt the same thing over again, so she thought surely she would get a letter to-day from him but was disappointed, but late this afternoon Cousin Willie came up and said Hugh had just telephoned him from Toronto as he was there on business but wouldn't have time to come to Dover so wanted them to go down there. Cousin Willie had planned to go down anyway to a board of trade meeting so Cousin Loll went with him this morning and they expect to be back to-morrow night. Aunty &amp; Aunty Alice expect to leave for the West Monday night. Tom Abbot and Billy {Haron?} were in this after noon Tom's mare has flatulent colic which is the same as Tuple's horse died of the other day so poor Tom was pretty frightened and wanted Dad to go down but Dad. gave him some medicine instead. It has been much colder and very blustery with snow today.</p> <p>Friday February 26th</p> <p>Dad. and I cut some wood this morning besides doing up the chores. This afternoon we were preparing to go over and pay Tupper a visit when Tom Abbot came in to get Dad. to go down and see Maude so we all walked down there judging from appearances Maude didn't seem in bad health except that she was a little bloated, but she was active and attentive and didn't seem in any pain however Dad. left Tom some medicine and advice. It was after five when we got home. I went down to the Men's missionary hangout for supper. I bought a ticket from Dick for fifty cts the other day so thought I had better use it. The cadets waited on the table and as I happened</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>think I was doing too badly when I could run up the G. scale two octaves and pretty nearly come down again and could also scrape off "Drink to me only" &amp; "Sun of my Soul" so that you could tell what I was trying to play. Dick went down town this after noon after spending the first half of the day in bed according to custom and got home to-night about twelve It has been a sunny day but a cold raw wind.</p> <p>Monday March 1st</p> <p>The first thing on the programme this morning was the presentation of another pair of lambs by Greynose 118. I found them about half an hour after Dad. had looked in and found nothing. They were both dandy big fat strong ones and didn't need any nursing at all. When the sun got good and hot Dad. turned the old ewe and lambs in the shed where they were out of the wind. We did chores all morning and this after noon went down to say good-bye to Aunty &amp; Aunty Alice as they left for the West to-night and are going to stay with Roy &amp; Vernon to-night. I took 6 dozen eggs over to Jack Martin and Enah took five dozen down town. Jack said he wanted to send over a couple more roosters to put in the single comb pen. Mrs. McBride was here washing all day. To-night Dick and I went to Simcoe as Dick wanted to see a hockey match between Simcoe &amp; Hamilton. Dad. assured us that the roads would be impassable as they said they were last Thursday but as Dick heard from several that they were good and as two or three had come down in automobiles and as it was a lovely full moon to-night we thought we would risk it, we were very glad we did for the roads were as smooth and hard as could be hardly any snow left on them except in one or two spots. It was a very good game between the Seniors &amp; Hamilton and finished in two periods with a score of 4-2 in favor of Simcoe. I think the Hamilton fellows were a little the best team but Simcoe's goal-tender saved them. I went over to the Armories before the match and had about half an hour's drill. The third contingent fellows of which there are about thirty from the 39th are living at the Armories. They are going to have target practice down in the basement next Wednesday and cut out the drill one night a week. Sunny but cold to-day.</p> <p>Tuesday March 2nd</p> <p>I felt rather tough to-day as I had a sore throat and a cold I suppose due to my last night's exploit as Dick &amp; I did considerable singing on the road home. First thing I went over to Martin's and got a couple of cockerels for the single comb</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>to sit down at a table which was under the supervision of Ed. Lindsay who didn't seem to do anything but run around with a large pitcher of hot coffee, I think I could have got a much better tea at home for nothing only I wouldnt have had three different kinds of cake. After supper we had to sit for about three hours and listen to speeches from fellows from Simcoe and Toronto as well as our own local talent. They didn't do or say anything much but crack jokes and talk about the war and the Kaiser and the missionary movement. Frank came down after tea and waited till I went home Dick was at the supper but had some excuse about having to work so missed the speeches. Cold wind and blustery. Lovely night.</p> <p>Saturday 27th February</p> <p>We didn't do anything much this morning but chores and cut a little wood. Frank and I had a good boxing match in the shop, he's not bad with his fists at all. Winnie &amp; Lila came over to dinner Winnie had a collection box collecting to buy surplices for the choir. I donated a very nice two inch nail which I happened to have in my pocket. Winnie didn't seem very appreciative. Tom came in after dinner to tell Dad. that Maude isn't well yet although she is getting her appetite back having eat four bran mashes and is ready for as many more Dad. said she was doing all right but gave Tom a ball to give her. The minute Tom came in Tiddums solicited a nickel from him and got it. Just after Tom left Tupper came in and was here most of the after noon just visiting. Frank went down to-night to help eat up what was left over from last night's banquet. He'll get his supper for ten cents and won't have to listen to any speeches. It has been freezing all day with cold wind but sunny.</p> <p>Sunday February 28th</p> <p>Frank and I went down to Sunday school &amp; church and Enah came down to church as they had a hymn sang to the tune of "Tell Aunty Rhody the Grey Goose is dead." And so Harry Moon sent her a special invitation to be there Aunty was in church and she &amp; Aunty Alice came over here to dinner. They went back before tea however as Aunty Alice has a bad cold and didn't want to be out after sundown Dad. went down to church to-night and around to see them They expect to leave for the West to-morrow night. They were able to get cheap tickets after all. This evening Enah &amp; I played a few duets but the parlor was pretty cold so I spent the rest of the evening practicing on the fiddle. Last night was the first time I ever tried it so didn't</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>pen I also took the little cockerel which has been running with them over but they said he was too small to be any good so I brought him back and shut him in the corn crib with the Old Plymouth Rock &amp; Rhode Island Red to await execution. When Dad. went out the cow stable this morning he found a heifer calf belonging to Jim. so that has taken up a little extra time but it is a fine red calf &amp; good &amp; strong but a little finer than Mary, Dad. thinks Martha would be a good name for it. This after noon Enah went down to Auxiliary and I minded Tiddums who was wonderfully good but didn't seem to be able to satiate his ravenous appetite for apples and I didn't like to give him too many. Dad took the old Rhode Island Red hen down to Alfred's and traded her off for a rooster to kill. We hated to kill her as she is laying. It has been a sunny but very windy &amp; raw day.</p> <p>Wednesday March 3rd I didn't do anything to-day but chores as I felt rather tough with a cold and there was a cold high wind all day Dad chopped the smoke house door open again and put a fire in. I got twenty five eggs to-day, they are picking up. To-night Enah and Frank went to church &amp; choir practice and I went to a party at Pat's &amp; Bessies. I went up to the bank first and went down with Dick &amp; Hazen. There was a big crowd down there playing pedro, we had a mighty good time but didn't get home till about two o'clock so I suppose will feel the effects later. Dick one won the gentleman's first prize which was a book. Art. Lawdon got the booby I think he was one game lower than me.</p> <p>Thursday March 4th</p> <p>As I expected I felt tough to-day but more on account of my cold than anything. I did chores and pruned some of the peach trees this morning and slept most of the after noon Dad. went down to the mill and had quite a visit with old Ivey and made arrangements to get about forty bushels of seed oats and run his {face?} for them I guess he succeeded all right and will get them to-morrow. Nice sunny day.</p> <p>Friday March 5th</p> <p>We hooked up the team this morning and went down to the mill to get our seed oats. We got forty bushels and put them in Ed's big bin It took us nearly all morning to fix things to hold them We left some right in the bags. We hauled over a few forkfuls of the old thrashed bluegrass out of the shed to the other barn. This after noon I took Ivey's sacks back to him and did chores. Old Jonas paid us quite a visit</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>last night. He has rented Hew Morgan's property up the radical roads about twenty two acres, house &amp; barn some fruit and a grape vine for $75 a year. He thinks he will be able to make it growing vegetables. To-night Enah &amp; I went down to Elva's to another pedro party. We got there early so I went back to town and came over with Dick &amp; Harry {Wrey?}. We had another very enjoyable evening but didn't get home till two o'clock. Dick won a box of blacking this time for the booby prize with the inscription "If you can't shine at the head shine at the foot. There has been a rather raw wind all day and this after noon it began to snow it was still snowing when we came home but the wind had gone down and it had turned very soft.</p> <p>Saturday March 6th</p> <p>I havent done anything but chores all day and havent been very swift at them. I had a short nooze before dinner Tonight before six Frank &amp; I went down and got the mail &amp; some coal oil. Tony Bannister came over after dinner an he and Frank went back to see if there were any fish in the creek but there wasn't any water in it yet. Truman Walker was in at noon and borrowed the saddle as he was taking one of his mares to Simcoe to sell her for an artillery horse. His father is in Toronto having his eye treated and has been gone for several weeks Trum. says it will be a long time before he will be back It has been cloudy and snowing a little but very soft. There were quite a few cutters &amp; sleighs out to-day but I guess it sleighing is pretty poor</p> <p>Sunday March 7th</p> <p>Frank was the only member of this family at church or Sunday school this morning and he stayed down at Huby's for dinner. My cold was so bad that I didn't do a pesky thing all day but sit around, practice on the fiddle write a letter to Quint. and read. Dad. did all the chores and this morning drove Enah and Tiddums down to the latter's Grandma's where they had dinner and and spent the afternoon Dad. brought them home at five o'clock. Dick got up about two o'clock and went down to see Dess for the rest of the day &amp; a good part of the night. I went to bed right after tea. Snowed a little but mild.</p> <p>Monday March 8th</p> <p>I didn't get up till after noon to-day and have just sat around all the rest of the day. Dad. went down this morning to ask Sairy if she wanted his blind lamb to look after and this after noon Jonas came after it. They are getting all ready to</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>move up to their farm to-morrow. The chief item of intrest was Dick coming home to tea to-night to help us eat roast chicken, not only that but he stayed home all evening and went to bed quite early not before we had a grand musicale however with Dad. &amp; Enah and the fiddle &amp; guitar and Dick on the mouth organ and tin whistle Dick became so jubilant that he could not refrain from dancing very noisily around the kitchen and waking up Tiddums who came running out here in his bare feet and wouldn't go back to bed for about an hour. Dick had brought him home a tin drum full of animal shaped biscuits which he aparently enjoyed very mucch. It froze pretty hard last night but has been very sunny &amp; soft today.</p> <p>Tuesday March 9th</p> <p>I got up for breakfast this morning but have been in the house all day. This morning Billy Hawn came after Dad. to go down and see John Watts mare but Dad. didnt have time so gave him some medicine. Then Alfred came up as the old black horse was sick again &amp; Alfred wanted them her put out of her misery either kill or cure so Dad. went down but said She wasn't dangerously ill. I guess Alfred rather wishes She would die as she is 25 years old and as long as he has her he hasn't got room for another and yet when she is well she can do her share of work so he hates to kill her. This after noon Dad Enah &amp; Tiddums drove down town and back then Dad. drove Mrs. McB home who has been here washing all day. Cecil MacPherson came over with Frank after school and borrowed one of Dad's canary cages the breeding cage as his mother is going to raise canarys. Very mild &amp; sunny all day.</p> <p>Wednesday March 10th</p> <p>My cold was much better to-day and I have been outside most of the day. Dad. helped me bring the incubator up out of the cellar this morning and I cleaned it out and started the lamp. The door of the egg chamber is warped or rather swollen that it won't shut, we thought the spare room would be the best place to run the first hatch through this year as the cellar is so full of apples &amp; vegetables that we were afraid the air would not be pure enough and it would take a long time to get it ready down there. John Wess came in to see Dad. this morning about one of his mares and Sat. Robinson was in this after noon for vetinary advice. This evening the assessor, Mr. Austin of two years ago was around and knocked off the five hundred dollars that Vair put on the assessment last year which pleased Dad. greatly</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>To-night Frank went down to the weekly Lenten service presumably to sit and watch Rosy. Sunny &amp; mild all day. There are some very fishy stories going the rounds just now about Henry Hoffman being arrested in New York as a German Spy and having on him papers concerning Canadian Government buildings &amp; forts which everyone should not know.</p> <p>Thursday March 11th</p> <p>I went over to Martin's this morning to ask Chris about the incubator, I was afraid the thermostat had gone wrong but he said it was all right. When I got back Dad. &amp; I went down to Hammonds bush and got a waggon box full of sawdust to put on the ice. We didn't get back till after one I saw for the first time a very interesting looking character in the person of Ad. Frolic. I never heard of him till a little while ago but Dad. says he has been around here ever since he can remember, he &amp; Jack Richardson were building a log hut down in the bush where Ad. intends to live in future. It doesn't look as if it would be a very comfortable habitation and is in great contrast to the mansion on the other side of the road where Oscar Howden has built up his old shack into a hip roofed structure of very prepossessing appearance or will be if Oscar ever takes time to paint it or clear up the rubbish around it but I suppose he wont have time for that kind of foolishness. Regarding the personal appearance of the above mentioned Mr. Frolic at a distance he looks very much like the gentleman universally known as Santa Claus as he is about wears his whiskers the same way and is about the same size &amp; shape except that there is not such a large portion of the abdomen which shakes like and rhymes with jelly. On closer inspection however he would never be taken for old St. Nick as his face would I think have the opposite effect upon that part of humanity which the other so delights. It is of a rich reddish purple colour and all puffed and shiny and is used up nearly altogether to make up his nose which is bigger than any other two noses I ever saw. He was just going home to {dinner?} when we saw him and he had pulled on his old overcoat without bothering to pull the collar from where it had rolled under on his back. When I told Tom Abbott the other day that I didn't think I had ever seen him Tom. said he guessed I hadn't as I would be sure to remember if I ever had and I think I most certainly would. I spent the after noon washing out the incubator and getting it in shape to run but to-night the temperature hadn't gone up at all beyond 98°. Tonight Sam &amp; Mrs. Law came over to spend the evening. It was rather cold</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>in the parlor so we didn't have any music. They were here till about eleven o'clock. It has been sunny but rather raw to-day</p> <p>Friday March 12th</p> <p>I took the mate to the rooster that died over to Martin's this morning and brought two more back here I didn't want to bring just one and put him in with the other for fear they would fight. When I came back I pruned a couple of trees in the orchard. Dad. took a look at the wheat and reported it all right so far. This weather lately has been hard on it as the snow is all off it and it looks terribly brown. This afternoon I started to clear up some of the rubbish around the windmill. It has been sunny and mild but cold breeze. We got a letter from Aunty to-day saying they arrived safely in Fort Saskatchewan.</p> <p>Saturday March 13th</p> <p>This morning I took Chris' ham over to him as Dad. thought they were smoked enough. I wanted to ask him about the incubator, this morning when I went in the temperature had gone down to about sixty seven and the flame was aparently just the same. Chris said it might have been on account of the outside temperature and advised me to put the eggs in, so I did when I got home. I put in 136 eggs and let it go. It has got up to 103° to-night and I put a screen up to keep the cold air from the window off it. I just did odd jobs the rest of the morning and Dad. &amp; Frank went out and opened up the potato pit and found them in good condition so they sacked them all up and hauled them in this after noon. The baby went out to the field with us in the waggon and I took him back as far as the gully while they were loading. When we got in I rode down town and got the mail. Winnie &amp; Lila were over all the after noon &amp; Frank went down with them to-night to play poker. Snowdrop presented us with a black &amp; white heifer calf to-day. Sunny &amp; mild but freezing nights.</p> <p>Sunday March 14th</p> <p>Frank and I went down to Sunday school and church this morning and. They had service in the Sunday school as the church is in a state of upheaval owing to the cleaning of its inside walls and ceiling. Dad. did chores most of the day and Dick slept till dinner time and then went down town. Colin Ryersie rode up this after noon on Lady and as I was thinking of going for a ride myself I took Joe and we had a great ride for a couple of hours or so. Joe was full of mischief and I didn't have to urge to go at all. Frank went down to church to-night. Dad. has been reading Happy Hawkins to us all evening. Beautiful day no wind &amp; very mild just like Spring.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Monday March 15th</p> <p>I got up at five this morning and we got the chores done up fairly early. Dad. &amp; I drove out to Jim Waddle's this fore noon as he had a steer out there with an absess on its jaw which he wanted Dad. to look at, it was nothing serious though, we poked around out there looking at the stock for about an hour and came home around by town and got the mail. Dad. also saw Old Walker and asked him if he could borrow fifty dollars to buy our seed with till we sell one of the two year old steers Old Walker said he could have as much as he liked for as long as he wanted it. This after noon I rode Joe down and got her shod so that took up most of the after noon. When I got back I went over to Jack Martin's with a doz. more eggs. Tonight I walked down and got my hair cut. Mrs McBride Nice day.</p> <p>Tuesday March 16th</p> <p>After we did chores this morning we put on a load of oat-sheaves and hauled them over to the horse stable, it took about an hour to chop the ice so that we could open the barn doors. This after noon we put on a load of hay which had been under the oat sheaves and hauled it over to the other barn for the cows we just left it on the waggon. Dad. then put the harness on old Dave and gave him a little exercise. Tiddums was out with us for a long time so long that he went in of his own accord. We got a letter from Aunty &amp; Aunty Alice to-day. It has been sunny but a very cold wind to-day. Mrs. Charlie Martin started getting milk from us to-day.</p> <p>Wednesday March 17th</p> <p>We went down to the mill this morning as soon as we could and got some oats chopped and I got some short bran &amp; corn for the chickens. Dad alao got 9 bushels of O.A.C. No 21 barley for seed It was $1.15 a bushel but was a lovely clean sample When we got back we cleaned out the box stall there was over a waggon load and Dad. hauled it out to where we had the potatoes in the old garden last year This after noon I took Dave out for a little exercise. We tried to get the chores done up as early as possible as Frank &amp; Enah went down to a St. Patrick's Day tea at the Methodist Church and Winnie came over to tea to go to Simcoe with me as she wanted to pay Norah a visit. We had to go way up to the other end of the town to find the house. I went down to the Armories and we had target practice, it is the third one they have had. I made 12 out of 30 which was worse than most but not as bad as some. When I went back to the Cunninghams I found Norah &amp; Winnie had gone to the picture show and I had</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>to wait quite awhile for them but Norah's younger sister Hildaguard was home so I didn't much mind the wait. Win &amp; I didn't get home till quite awhile after twelve Dick and I had an invitation to a big dance down in the town hall to-night but neither of us went. Allan Law &amp; one of the Powells down the lake shore got it up It has been a nice day but a rather raw wind.</p> <p>Thursday March 18th</p> <p>This morning we did chores and then treated the two youngest calves horns with acostic potash to kill them. Mary, Mully's calf, didn't have any horns so she escaped the ordeal, we haven't quite decided on a name for the other two calves but we thought that for Jim's calf coming next after Mary, that Martha would suit very well and for Snowdrop's blackie we thought "Just Gone along" might fit in, the only thing with that name is I am afraid that when she becomes of age and is eligible to be sworn at it will be rather a nuisance. This afternoon Dad. drove Enah &amp; Tiddums down to the mill house to call on Mrs. Josef Ivey and he drove on down town and got a bushel of clover seed from Billy Laings. Charlie Nunn sent word over by him that he was having a party and wanted me to go down so I went. There were just a few there, the Henry girls and May Rankin &amp; Mabel Almas and two or three boys but we had a good time and still got home soon after twelve. We didn't play cards or any such tame sport as that but we just cut up all the time peeled the rugs of the floor &amp; danced and played a lot of games which we could run around at. It has been a nice day but rather a raw wind.</p> <p>Friday March 19th</p> <p>This afternoon morning Dad. Tiddums &amp; I drove up to Billy Dixon's and got our seed corn we got all we think we will need for a dollar. Dad. stopped in on the way up &amp; saw George Duncan about getting some rails George told him they were going to tear down a lot of fence around the big orchard &amp; Carpenters bush and that we &amp; Allan Law could start in to haul it right away so Dad. went down to see Alan when we got home and he said he could go tomorrow morning. It was a lovely morning and I think Tiddums enjoyed himself but couldn't keep awake to enjoy the latter half of the journey and when we came through town he was sound asleep on my knee Dick &amp; Harry Ausley both wanted to wake him up, he did open his eyes but shut them again immediately. This after noon I took both Dave &amp; Queen out for a little exercise. Queen</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>went fairly well but Dave took me unawares once and got away. We had quite a little trouble catch him and getting him quiet. Lila came over after school to-night to stay all night. It has been a lovely day. They say Art Ryersie was working on the land to-day his flats too.</p> <p>Saturday March 20th</p> <p>Dad &amp; Frank got off about eight o'clock to haul rails from Duncan's Alan went up with his team at the same time, he had Frank McBride to help him. They got back just about noon with a good sized load. They came down through town and around by Mrs. Munroes instead of around the hill or up Preston's hill. They got off about two o'clock after another load, they didn't expect Alan to be there this after noon but he was there ahead of them. Dad. said the field was very bad pulling and he told Alan he intended to haul half a load out to the road at a time instead of pulling a full load through the soft field but Alan was so sure his horses could pull it and so he piled on all the rails he could and the consequence was he got bogged in the middle of the field and had to throw half load all off besides tramping the sod all up. They got home about five. I did chores and this morning pruned apple trees but the wind was too cold for that this after noon so I just puttered around. I went down to the mill and paid them $20.00 on the account and then took 1/2 dozen eggs over to Jack Martin. It was a lovely day this morning but a rather cold wind has been blowing since dinner.</p> <p>Sunday March 21st</p> <p>I didn't get the chores done in time to go to Sunday school but Frank went down and Enah &amp; I drove down to church. They had the church all cleaned up in great shape but Mr. Johnson was sick so Cousin Willie ran the service and did twice as well as Mr. Johnson. This after noon I coaxed Dick into going for a ride he took Belle &amp; I took Joe, we had a nice little ride but Dick says he got terribly sore. When we got back I rode down and asked Colin Ryersie if he wanted to go to Simcoe Wednesday night, riding, and he said if his horse wasn't working to hard he would. They have got some seed in the ground down along the creek and part of the side hill is sowed. Dick went down town when he got home. To night I practiced on the fiddle. Frank went for a ride on his bicycle this after noon. There has been a cold wind all day to day and to-night was spitting snow. I broke an egg in the incubator to-night and found a live chicken in it.<i></i></p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Monday March 22nd</p> <p>Dad. got off about half past eight this morning after rails and got with a pretty good sized load about noon he was there quite awhile before Alan so was all alone as I didn't go with him this morning but stayed home and did chores. I got everything done up so went up with him this afternoon. Alan was a little more careful to-day and this after noon hauled half his load out to the road. We both had on a big load to-night. Alan seemed greatly troubled over the fate of Jack Wardell who he was talking to on the road He hired out to Ged. McSloy for a year with the intentions of getting married to Bert Sindon's daughter but her parents wont let her get married so he threw up his job and was going home yesterday. Alan gave him some very good advice and told him to make a date with the girl to-night and scoot and get married but he thought he would go home and let the matter settle for awhile. To-night Frank and I tested the eggs we saved out forty one out of one hundred and thirty six but after cracking one of the ones we saved out and finding a chicken in it we put six back so that leaves a hundred and one still in the machine. It was inclined to want to snow this morning and to rain this after noon but didn't do either very vigorously and has not been very cold but a raw wind all day.</p> <p>Tuesday March 23rd</p> <p>Dad. &amp; I got off pretty early this morning and got back with a good big load of rails by noon. This afternoon we went up and hauled what were left all except a few panels which were behind a big pile of rails.We only had half a load on this after noon. Alan didn't haul at all to-day but was in at noon for a few minutes, he has an awful cold and can hardly speak. Dad. told him last night that rum was the best thing on earth for a cold so he said he was going to try it. This after noon when we got home we unloaded our rails put the waggon in the shed and hauled the bobsleighs over into the barn as up till now they have been standing out in the lane. Mrs McBride was here washing to day. Sunny &amp; mild but a raw wind.</p> <p>Wednesday March 27th</p> <p>This morning Dad, Tiddums and I drove around to John Wess' and Dad. made arrangements with him to come over the day after to-morrow with his engine and saw and cut up our rail pile as he promised to come over when we got enough rails to make it worthwhile last fall. He said he went over to the Shands the other day and cut up sixty cords of ash which were {illegible} tops and limbs from the logs they sold this winter. We drove up as far as Duncan's</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>orchard as Dad. wanted to pay George for the rails but he didn't see anything of him around outside he didn't go in as he was afraid he might see old Bill and not be able to get away from him for the rest of the day. This afternoon we didn't do anything much for an hour or so after dinner Dad. had a snooze and I read chunks of Charles O'Malley then we went out and started to clean out the calf pen but didn't finish the job before it was time to do chores. Colin Ryersie was up here about six o'clock on his black mare to go to Simcoe with me. I wasn't quite ready so we didn't get started till nearly half past six and although we didn't ride at all hard we got there about half past seven and as we were home much earlier we decided that riding was the ideal way to go. We had rifle practice again and I made five more points than I did last time. I hit the bull once. The first shot I had I blazed away at a hole in the wall instead of the target but I got another shot Pud. Smythe was there to-night. It has been a pretty cold wind all day and looked very much like rain this after noon and to-night but didn't. Lovely night Enah and Frank went down to church to-night.</p> <p>Thursday March 25th</p> <p>It rained most of the day to day so we couldn't do much outside Dad and I spent a large part of the morning trying to take a nut off a bolt in the oven damper of the old stove we got from Cousin Bessie but all out efforts were in vain for although we soaked it in coal oil and heated it and had all manner of instruments from a flat rasp to Dad's equine dental forceps we could not budge it so we left it, we put the sleighs away however over in the big barn. This after noon I sat around and read for quite awhile and about four o'clock drove down town to get some household supplies. There was a great {tril?} going on this after noon between Sam Jacques and Nichols the new hotel keeper over a bottle of whiskey which Sam got hold of a couple of weeks ago. I went up for a few minutes but the place was packed and it was rather late so I didn't stay long. Frank was up there and when I left said he guessed he wouldn't come home just yet but we were rather surprised and Dad. very much annoyed when he didn't turn up till about eight o'clock. He had stayed till the thing was over but he said they couldn't come to any decision. It was much colder to-night.</p> <p>Friday March 26th</p> <p>Frank didn't go to school this morning and he and Dad. went over in the waggon to help John Wess load his engine &amp; saw and bring it over. They got back about eleven with the saw but</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>John Wess didn't come as it was so windy, he said it was a horrible job with a wind as the sawdust gets in the eyes. He said he would be over the first fine day. I did chores while they were gone and helped Enah entertain a visitor who was here in quest of old rags &amp; rubbers and also to sell wonderful pails which were guaranteed forever against leaking, burning, melting, bruising, bursting &amp; breaking and which Hugh McQueen could make for a quarter at the bargain prices of 45 cents &amp; 25 cts. We gathered up some old rubbers and gave them to-gether with 10 cts for one of his small pails to induce him to proceed upon his journey to the Doy's next whether he said he was bound. Frank went to school this after noon &amp; Dad. &amp; I just did chores and sat around. It has been very cold all day and windy. To-night the wind has gone down but it is freezing hard. It snowed a little this morning.</p> <p>Saturday March 27th</p> <p>I got up early this morning and wrote to Aunty &amp; Aunty Alice as I heard from them yesterday. After we did up the chores Dad. Frank. Tiddums &amp; I amputated the tails of the six lambs. It should have been done before as the lambs were big and bled pretty freely, however I think to-night they are all right. Dad. &amp; I finished cleaning out the calf pen before dinner and Frank cleaned out the old musty straw and hay out of the hay in the big barn. This after noon we hauled it and the thrashed bluegrass which was over the shed over to the other barn and Dad. is going to use it to bed the cows. We then put on a load of hay and hauled it over to the other barn for the cows. We didn't take it off the waggon. Tony Bannister was over here all the after noon. The German from Jack Martin's came over this after noon and got my eggs I had 10 1/2 doz. for him. Lila has been over since before dinner and went back after tea. Nobody has been down town to get the mail to-day but Lila brought us over three "Jack Canucks" which Dad seems to be enjoying. It froze very hard last night but has been sunny though cold wind.</p> <p>Sunday March 28th</p> <p>When we went out this morning we found a big, red heifer calf depending on the maternal instincts of Bobby for protection &amp; sustenance. It is the first heifer she has ever had and is the sixth heifer to come this year or rather this season as some came before the New Year. Last year they were all steers but one. I didn't get chores done in time to go to Sunday school and instead of going to church I looked after Tiddums and induced Dad. to go. I don't know whether I will get the job again or not as I let him play out on the front lawn and incidentally</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>to fall into the ditch, he went to walk over the plank that lies accross the ditch and not looking where he was going stepped one foot off and fell k-spat in and got soaked. It didn't hurt him but he must have been frightened for I couldn't under any conditions persuade him to stop crying till he got ready and then when I had all his wet duds off and he was beginning to take a more optimistic view of the trials and tribulations of life when he happened to touch a wet spot on his dress. This incident aparently called back visions of the forgotten-for-the-present past for he burst forth again with renewed energy and wept profusely. However Dick was up and we soon got him into a more cheerful frame of mind and kept him there till the folks got home and assumed the responsibility for his conduct and disposition and as far as I was concerned were most welcome to it. This was not the only adventure of the morning in which a change of raiment due to the effects of aqua pura was concerned but time, space and my accursed bashful nature will permit me to give no more details. This after noon Colin &amp; Floyd Ryersie came up on horseback and I joined them. We had a very enjoyable ride although I started out a little too vigorously considering the dinner I had just partaken of and consequently felt some qualms of consience of stomach. I was not in a position then to figure out which but upon reflection I have become convinced it was the latter troubled me most. We went down the lakeshore to Corbett's had a talk with Corby went through their lane to the plank down the plank to the {illegible} and from there home. This evening I intended to go to church but failing to get ready in time I went down after church and called on the Harry Moons, and it was after midnight when I "hit the hay" It has been cold and raw all day. Snowed a little tonight and freezing hard</p> <p>Monday March 29th</p> <p>This morning Dad's tooth was so bad that he went down and had it pulled. It was broken and in awful shape as it was all ulcerated. Bill Lemmons injected some of his dope into it to ease the pain but it didn't do any good and Dad. has been nearly sick with it all day. This after noon Enah went down to the dentist's and got some teeth filled Mrs McBride was over here washing this after noon Enah expected her this morning but she had been over at Preston's where they are all sick. I did chores and sat around all day. Frank and I managed them with Dad. assisting us only by instructions. This has been a fierce day very windy with snow, a regular blizzard and and raging this after noon. To-night it is freezing hard and the ground is white.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>{There is a wee sketch of a conifer tree at the top of this page}</p> <p>Tuesday March 30th</p> <p>Dad. fed the calves this morning but hasn't been out of the house since and feels very miserable. His head ached to-night. It took me all day just doing chores. I went over to Martins for a minute or two this after noon. To-night I spent an hour and a half leg banding the pullets with stove pipe wire. Cold &amp; windy to-day, not so bad as yesterday.</p> <p>Wednesday March 31st</p> <p>Although Dad. has felt much better to-day he was not able to get out of the house at all, so I was busy all day with chores and Frank helped me when he came home, this after noon I rode Joe down to the Ryersie's to tell Colin I couldn't go to Simcoe to-night. This morning a man walked over here from town to see the old duelling pistols. He is a traveller but told Dad. that at his home is in St. Mary's and that he had over two hundred firearms besides swords, dirks and suchlike. He would have liked to have bought them but didn't like to say so. He said the sight of them was well worth the walk. Sid McBride was in to-night selling fertilizer &amp; binder twine. Dad offered ordered 50 lbs of the latter. We heard on Monday from Roy they are coming up to-morrow for Easter. It hasn't neen nearly so cold to-day but cloudy.</p> <p>Thursday April 1st</p> <p>Dad. helped me milk this morning but his mouth was pretty sore and he wasn't going out again but John Wess came over with his engine to saw up the rail pile so Dad. had to be out all day. As Vernon &amp; Rebecca were coming up on the eleven o'clock train I had to leave to go down and meet them, that made us short handed so I called in at the school house and sent Frank home He was very good about it and didn't seem to mind very much. Huby was down at the station and I got him to come over. So this after noon there was lots of help and they got through in lots of time. Vernon &amp; Rebecca arrived safely. Dick Huby &amp; Aunty Maude were down at the station. I did chores most of the after noon and to-night drove down to meet Roy. Miss Ethel Phipp's came up on the same train so we drove her home. Not at all windy but rather cold.</p> <p>Friday April 2nd</p> <p>When we got up this morning the ground was white as it had snowed a little in the night so as there was no wind I went out before breakfast and sowed about half the clover seed on not quite half the field of wheat which is on the old alsike stubble. I spilt a little of it by pulling</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>the feed lever back too far till it caught and it sowed too thickly anyway. This being Good Friday Dick had a holiday and Enah, Vernon &amp; Frank went down to church Dad &amp; Roy looked after the babies. I watched the incubator most of the day. The eggs are beginning to come out and Roy &amp; Vernon are very much interested in them especially the latter, she sat in the room for about an hour watching the little fellows pick themselves out and drop overboard in to the nursery below. This after noon Dad. helped me get the brooder down from over the hog pen and put it in the empty chicken shed. Very nice day</p> <p>Saturday April 3rd</p> <p>I got up this morning and sowed the other half the wheat field and had quite a lot of seed left so Dad. thinks it isn't thick enoug and will have to be gone over again. I had the machine shut tighter and walked quite a lot faster. Roy &amp; I spent most of the morning getting the brooder in shape and he fixed up Enah's dairy thermometer to put in the brooder. Dad. did chores most of the morning This after noon Dad. went down to Carl Coleman's to see a sick cow and then on down town to the dentist's as his tooth was still sore and Bill picked out some pieces of bone. We hooked up the team to the waggon and took the whole family down town, Roy, Frank &amp; I went down to the beach and got a part of a load of sand for to put in front of the brooder to soak up the mud. Mr. Pickford was down there getting a load and we had quite a visit with him We came up around by town and got Enah, Vernon &amp; the two babies on, we had to go down to Mrs. Skey's stepping block to let Vernon in as her skirts were too narrow to get in on Main St. Dad. walked home as he had to go in on his way back again to see Carl's cow. When we got home Roy &amp; I put the sand in in front of the brooder. To-night Vernon &amp; Roy went over to Mrs. Battersby's to tea and I drove Enah down to choir practice. I drove down after her about ten o'clock and met her coming home with Truman &amp; Topsy Walker. It has been a very nice day. Vernon has been dyeing hard boild eggs for the kids to-night.</p> <p>Sunday April 4th</p> <p>Roy got up early and went down to early communion this morning so that he could keep Rebecca and let Vernon go down to the other service but Vernon stayed home and kept house so the whole bunch of us went down at eleven o'clock even Dad. &amp; Dick. This after noon we moved the chicks to the brooder, there were just fifty eight and some of them were</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>crippled. The two Ryersie boys came up on horseback and got Frank and me to go with them Frank took Belle &amp; I took Joe. We had a dandy ride and called in for Corby and got him to go with us. We went way down the lake shore to the town line from there to Mud Street and up it home. A couple of times we rode down on the beach and then made the horses climb the hill. It was nearly six o'clock when we got home. Roy went down to Huby's for tea and He Frank and Enah went to church. Enah had to play for Zeitha Barwell who sang a solo. Tiddums wouldn't stay with Vernon after Enah left and I came in and found him under the table just yelling for all his might but he soon cheered up when I took him out and showed him old Gladys and the horses. It has been a very nice mild day but raw breeze</p> <p>Monday April 5th</p> <p>This morning Frank and I took down three sacks of oats to the mill to be chopped and then went down and got a load of sand and unloaded it before dinner and went back down to the mill and got our grist. Dad. drove Vernon &amp; Tiddums out to Tommy Jackson's as Vernon wanted to see Mrs. Jackson about getting some eggs. (Toby and Frank are going down to Huberts tonight so I said I would finish this up as it is behind it now being Wednesday night). He did not do much in the afternoon, worked at the brooder a little. It has been a raw day and threatened rain several times this afternoon. Roy went down town and Vernon and Rebecca went to Mrs Battersbys to play bridge. I drove Hattie down there for tea. We took the baby with us and he came home with me. Willard won the big fight.</p> <p>Tuesday April 6th</p> <p>We were all up early this morning and I drove Roy to the station. Mrs McBride came to do the washing, the boys and I put a load of hay over the horse stable, after dinner Toby and I took a little hay to the cow stable and then we hitched to the other wagon and took the girls and babies down town on our way we picked up Mrs Jack Martin and Miss Cope. We unloaded at the Post Office then Toby and I went to get a load of sand, brought it home hitched Joe to the buggy and started to see Vernon off, but it took us so long to get home with the sand on account of the roads that we missed the train</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Frank had been fishing all the afternoon with his usual luck. Toby walked home and I brought Hattie and the baby. It has been a beautiful day, mild and bright.</p> <p>Wednesday April 7th</p> <p>As soon as all the morning chores were done I sowed oats in the little orchard, then I went over to Charlie Martins to telephone to Atkinson about pulling up the headstone for Alice they said they would put it up between 1 and 2 O'Clock so I got ready and Hattie gave us an early dinner and I started with Hattie and baby a little after 12, but they had the stone up and gone. Mrs Charlie Munro said they left about 10-30. Toby started Frank on the disk and he worked up the little orchard in good shape and then harrowed it. Toby and I went back to see how the land was over the gully and decided we would try and sow tomorrow. The boys as I said before have gone down to Huberts.</p> <p>Thursday April 8th</p> <p>Out of bed at five o'clock and on the hump ever since is a summary of to-days record. Dad. &amp; I got back to the back field about half past eight and Dad. started to sow the oats broadcast right on the furrows and I followed with the disk. The ground except in one or two spots where it was a little wet was in beautiful shape to work as it is just as the frost left it without having had any big rains on it to pack it and it works up just like an ash heap. Some of the travellers on the side road thought Dad's method a queer one and didn't seem to approve of it but Dad. says they always used to do it out West &amp; Charlie Batty was past and said they used to do it here with success. Dad. thought it was better to get the seed in &amp; covered before a rain than to work the land all up and then run chanches of getting a big soaker on it. We took back six bags of oats with us this morning and Dad. sowed nearly all of it and although he couldn't tell exactly he wanted to sow {2?} bushels ot the acre. Dad. disked this after noon and finished he had sowed but couldn't go crossways very well on account of the piece in the centre which he didn't get plowed last fall Allan Law was harrowing for a couple of hours this morning</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>on their side hill but he didn't come back this after noon. Huby &amp; Lila came over this morning and this after noon they burned the grass off the back field next the woods It looks as if there would be good pasture there soon Last night when I came home from town I went to look at the brooder and found that the temperature had gone down to forty on account of the window being left out and this morning there were nine dead chickens in the brooder and four have died since. Chris. told me yesterday that lake sand would kill them so we got some yellow sand and covered up the lake sand which was in the pen. The white ewe had a pair of twins this morning but won't own one of them so has to be caught every now and then to give the lamb a chance to suck Lovely Spring day with a south westerly breeze and not freezing to-night. Mrs. Lorne Myers was in to-night and got Dad's hen canary which he was has been wanting to get rid of for quite awhile.</p> <p>Friday 9th April</p> <p>Dad. and I got back fairly early this morning and Dad sowed about four bushels more seed while I harrowed the hill I crossed it which necessitated marching up and down hill all morning I didn't mind it much but I guess it was pretty hard on the horses. This afternoon I disked what Dad sowed this morning and he harrowed with Joe &amp; Ginger. We got all the seed pretty well covered when it began to rain and is still keeping it up. We took the little team back in the shape of a four horse team with them as the leaders but Joe was no good for a leader as she lagged. Lila came over this after noon and is staying all night. It has been fine and very mild all day and this is a warm rain which was needed for the wheat &amp; hay badly.</p> <p>Saturday April 10th</p> <p>We didn't get started so early this morning as we didn't know whether it had rained enough to make things too wet or not, however we found it hadn't rained much so Dad. went back to finish plowing the little piece on top of the hill which was left over from last fall. He finished it about three o'clock in some spots it was very wet &amp; sticky and other places the frost isn't out yet but it is pretty good. He intended to sow it as soon as he got done and work it in but when I went back at three o'clock the wind was so strong and it looked so rainy that we both came up and Dad. drove Enah &amp; Tiddums down town to get the mail. I took some eggs over to Martin's this morning and Frank got the cyclone clover seeder from Vyse and when I came</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>back I sowed the half of the wheat field that I sowed the thinnest over again. Chris. didn't seem to know what ailed my little chickens they are aparently as lively as can be one day and the next there will be two or three dead and two or three more getting ready to die. I have lost nearly half of them now and don't know what to do for them. Cloudy mild windy &amp; showery. It thundered and rained heavily to-night.</p> <p>Sunday April 11th</p> <p>I didn't get ready in time to go to Sunday school with Frank this morning but Enah and I drove down to church. It was a beautiful mild sunny morning and Dad. intended to drive Enah over to the Tupper's this after noon but it began to rain so they couldn't go and we had a musical instead. It rained quite hard for awhile and it is colder &amp; windy to-night. It is wonderful to see how much greener the grass &amp; wheat have got during the night.</p> <p>Monday April 12th</p> <p>Dad. was ditching in the back field all morning and I drove down town to get some coal oil and I took a pair of guinea fowl down to Cousin Bessy. She told me to shut them up and Julien the {illegible} would show me where to put them, but she had so much difficulty in making Julien who doesn't speak English very well understand what she wanted that she told me to put them in a little coop which had a wired in yard to it. I let them both in there but while I was talking to her the cock bird got out of a patched up hole in the wire, he went over into Joe Jacques backyard and Jacques dog scared it up into an apple tree. Cousin Harry had appeared by this time and said he knew the yard wasn't tight and that they would watch the guinea cock and catch him to-night but Dick who came home for tea said they had caught him. This after noon we sat around till about three o'clock and then put on a jag of timothy hay and hauled it over for the cows. Dick was home for tea but had to go back, he said Huby was working over at Jack Martin's now but didn't know how long he would be there. It has been cloudy and raw all day with a drizzling rain most of the time.</p> <p>Tuesday April 13th</p> <p>Huby came over after breakfast this morning to get his smock and I went back over to Martin's with him and took an old sick rooster over whose comb was all black and that had been sitting around with no life in him for two or three days. Brirely &amp; Chris said he had indigestion</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>so I left him over there. When I came back I started to rake up down under the old willow tree. Dad. &amp; Enah worked at the stove and at last succeeded in getting the nut which caused us so much vexation the other day, out by cutting the head off with a cold chisel. This after noon Dad went back to look at John Wess' cow as John Wess came after him, he was over there quite awhile and then opened out some ditches in the field we have in. I continued to clean up down at the road and but to-night have it looking pretty nice I burned the grass all along the road so there will be some nice pasture there soon. Huby came over after six to-night and borrowed the alarm clock as their timepieces are all broken down there and he needs his watch. He was giving us a very amusing account of his duties He says the watering the chickens takes too much brain work going the rounds with a pail and a dipper filling the little drinking cups and rinsing them out and hooking the myriads of doors and gates all gets on his nerves. Dad. said than one of the England kids came in after school to-night to John Wess' with a great big bunch of hepaticas for Mrs. McBride we didn't think they were out yet. It has been a lovely day sunny &amp; mild. They gave Bunnian a hearing down here to-day but will have to put the trial off till the Vigilant comes in with some witnesses.</p> <p>Wednesday April 14th</p> <p>Dad has been opening up ditches in the field out here where we intend to put the barley all morning, he says it is pretty wet. I cleaned out the roosters in the chicken pens this morning and raked up along the old fence bottom which divided the field from the yard in front of the big barn &amp; horse stable. This after noon I went back to see what the new piece of plowing on top of the hill looked but it was pretty wet so I got some earth along the creek and brougt it up and planted tomato seed in it. Frank got home early, he has had a holiday all day as Mr. Smith is sick in bed with La Grippe. Frank, Billy Miller &amp; Harv. Taylor were fishing up creek and on the pier all morning. Billy Barlow was in to-night for a short visit. Another lovely day.</p> <p>Tuesday April 15th</p> <p>Dad. was back ditching again this morning, he thinks the back field will be dry enough to go on to-morrow if it doesn't rain. I went down to Vyse's and borrowed his post auger and he gave me a ride home on his way down Mud Street to sell machinery and as he thought he was going to feel cold and had come away without his overcoat he borrowed mine. Dad. didn't seem to approve of being</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>at all friendly to Vyse, but I have nothing in particular against the poor cuss and this backbiting sore head business gives me a pain anyway. Dad's always friendly enough when he happens to meet him and I don't see why he isn't other times or why if he hates him so much as he says he does, he doesn't tell him so. I spent the rest of the morning and most of the after noon boring the post holes and inserting posts there in to stretch a piece of chicken wire on to divide off another yard for the single combed hens. Dad. made a gate for the yard. Lila has been over all day as she &amp; Frank are both home on account of Mr. Smith's illness. Winnie came over after four and stayed to tea but Lila had to go back and have her music lesson. Huby was over to dinner. Tonight Frank and I went down with Winnie and Huby, Aunty Maude, Lila. Frank and I spent the evening playing poker. Enah &amp; Frank have been been house cleaning all day. It has been a nice sunny day &amp; is a mild night but looks like rain.</p> <p>Thursday Friday April 16th</p> <p>When we got up this morning the sky was the color of lead and has been all day but except for one pretty heavy shower this morning has rained very little only a very light drizzle part of the time but still enough to keep us off the land and to keep Dad's spirits down. This morning he and Frank helped me put the wire on the posts in the chicken yard and put the gate on. This after noon Dad. helped Enah house clean and I just puttered around and raked some leaves and old grass out of the ditch at the foot of the lawn. Frank went fishing down at the East pier but said they weren't biting, he has about the poorest luck of any body I ever heard of I don't remember of his having caught a fish since he has been here. He says he is going to get up early some morning to try his luck and if it isn't any better he is going to quit. I had a practice on the fiddle to-night. I am making a little progress.</p> <p>Saturday April 17th</p> <p>Although we had visions of doing a little work this morning of some kind or other just to keep in trim but we wound up in doing nothing but receive callers the number of which was two. First Alfred came over with some cabbages for us and he was here a long time talking of every thing under the sun except the war which is getting rather played out as a topic of conversation amongst us farmers now that Spring work has commenced and the weather is of such vital importance to us. Alfred thinks it is going to be fine now for awhile I guess like Dad that the wish</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>is father to the thought. He hadn't been gone long when John Wess drove in and wanted Dad. to give his mare a ball so Dad did but she was the worst one he said he ever tackled not that she was very mean although she scraped about half the skin off the back of his hand and took a chunk out of the end of his finger, but her mouth was so narrow that he couldn't get the dose back far enough but at last after two unsuccessful attempts he managed to get one down her. This after noon we hauled a load of hay over to the horse stable and a jag over to the barn for the cows. Frank cleaned out the shop and now has it very tidy. Before tea we got the old stove we got from Cousin Bessy set up on its blocks but Dad has to cut a piece off the stove pike to make it fit the chimney It has been a lovely sunny day and is a nice clear night although the wind as gone around to the south an its pretty hard to say what it will do The new moon is nearly flat on its back and that is a positively certain sign that one of the two prophecies concerning it in that position will prove correct. Some say it is that way so the indians can thang their powder horns on it and stay in camp as it will rain or else when in that shape it will hold water and not spill any consequence being a dry "spell"</p> <p>Sunday April 18th</p> <p>I got up fairly early this morning and was able to get around in time for Sunday school with Frank. Hazen was there and volunteered to teach Mrs. Tuck's class. After Sunday school he &amp; I went to inquire after Mr. Smith, he came to the door himself and said he was feeling better but that Harry would not let him go to school to-morrow He seemed very worried about missing so much school at this time of year, he said Mrs. Smith was very ill and that if Harry hadn't come up the other day she would have never got better but as he did she was better this morning. Instead of going to church we took a walk up the lake shore and got quite a few mayflowers in McCoy's &amp; Dixon's woods then Hazen came over with me to dinner. This after noon we took another walk back to the gully and through Charlie McQueen's place and I went part way down town with Hazen. Colin Ryersie came up to go for a ride so Frank went with him. Dad &amp; Enah went over to Tupper's the took Tiddums but he kicked up an awful row they said when they tried to take him in the house but was alright after they got in. It has been a lovely day but looks very much like rain.</p> <p>Monday April 19th</p> <p>We have been working on the land all day. This morning</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Dad. sowed the little piece of spring plowing on top of the hill and I worked it in. This after noon (Tobe has gone to sleep over this so I will take it) We worked two teams on the other part of the field over the gully I had Joe and Dave, Dave went first rate for his first hitching. Beautiful day warm and bright.</p> <p>Sunday April 20th I worked on the field alone this forenoon, finished disking. After dinner I took Harry and Dave and Tobe Belle and Joe and we cross harrowed and disked the field, finished about 5 O'Clock then Tobe came up with Joe and Dave and I put Harry and Belle on the drill and drilled until 6-30. Tobe and Frank were busy at odds and ends all forenoon. Another fine day but cooler. We got the good news to-day that {Wese?} and Alice were coming home.</p> <p>Wednesday April 21st</p> <p>Toby and Frank cleaned out the cellar this forenoon and I went fback and finished drilling and began harrowing. Young Porritt came way back then with one of Hugh McQueens hounds to have me sew it up. I told him I could not do it there but to leave it tied up in the barn and I would fix it up at noon, that and other chores made me so late that I thought I would not go to the back of the place but would begin on the corn stubble it works up all right. Frank went back to see if he could measure in some way the number of acres we have sowed he has not made his calculations yet. Hattie is tired to night she has been house-cleaning the clothes room and it is a big job. Frank has gone down town Toby to bed and I must go too. I nearly froze on the disk this after noon it was very cold a nasty North East wind all day but bright.</p> <p>Thursday April 22nd</p> <p>Dad. finished harrowing over the gully this morning and has been harrowing on the corn stubble the rest of the day he had Joe &amp; Ginger all day. Frank disked for an hour or two this morning while I finished up with the chores and then I went out till noon but Frank has been disking all the after noon with the big team. The corn stubble will take a</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>lot of work on this side as it is so soddy. I did chores all the after noon and went down to the mill to see if they had any barley for seed as Dad. thinks he will mix oats &amp; barley to sow on the corn stubble. They only had the O.A.C. No 21 and it was $1.10 a bushel but I guess Dad. will get some. There were a couple of fellows down this morning from Simcoe Murdock was one of them and they want Dad. for a witness at a lawsuit that is coming off next Tuesday Murdock says that Hamilton &amp; Yeager hired Lea to skin him on a horse deal. The horse is the big grey stallion with the crooked legs that was travelling down here last spring and as Dad. saw him they want him to say that he was unsound. Poor old Bluch has a pretty sore leg to-day and can only hop around on three legs. He &amp; Snoop Law got into a scrap yesterday and aparently Snoop was the best dog for once in his life. It has been milder to-day with the wind in the south but very cloudy with a little rain.</p> <p>Friday April 23rd</p> <p>It rained hard enough during the night to prevent us from going on the land but will do a lot of good as it was hot &amp; cloudy all morning and will make things grow Frank and I drove down to Billy Langs this morning to see if he had any barley cheaper than they had at the mill, but Jack was at school and poor Billy was sick and in bed. We went up to the house and after I chased around from the front to the back door three or four times to discover a fain hallo! which I was sure I heard in answer to my knock I discovered it was escaping from a partially raised window which evidently belonged to the room where Billy was in bed. His voice sounded unnaturally weak as he told me he hadn't any barley so Frank and I went on up and got six bushels at the mill. We found Dad. with the old white ewe half sheared when we got home and he &amp; Frank finished her by noon while I did chores. This after noon Dad. helped me get my incubator down cellar again and then we mixed the oats &amp; barley out on the barn floor. We put one bag of oats through the fanning mill so see if we could clean any of the straws out of it but we got more good oats out behind than we did dirt so we stopped. It is pretty clean anyway. Dad. &amp; I then put the beans through and got most of the dirt out of them while Frank went down town. Dad. has felt very miserable all day</p> <p>Saturday April 24th</p> <p>We didn't do much but chores all morning and Dad I</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>cleaned out the bull's pen. Dad felt pretty miserable all morning but still worked around he &amp; Frank went out to look at the field to see if it was dry and they thought it would do to go on after dinner, so Frank got out early and got a good half day in at it while Dad. sheared old Greynose. I helped him hold her and according to my nature when I am not in action, went fast asleep. I also went over to Jack Martin's to see what I could get fifty eggs for to set under the hens I got from Tupper and I was agreeably suprised when he told me he would trade evenly with me and that I could get them Monday. I thought it was pretty decent of him as he said they would be better eggs than mine and I could toe punch the chicks for cockrels. Dad. went out about five to relieve Frank who came in and went down to Huby's to tea as this was Winnie's birthday. I went down after tea as Huby was over to dinner and said we would have a game of poker but there were two or three girls there who didn't care to play poker so we played catechism instead. We got home early. It has been hot all day and is very hot to-night feels very much like rain.</p> <p>Sunday April 25th</p> <p>I got up at five o'clock this morning so managed to get to Sunday school and church with Frank. As Topsy has resigned Enah had to go down and play the organ Dad. drove her down and came back after her leaving Tiddums in Dick's charge. This after noon Charlie Dunkin &amp; Frank Bond drove in and Dunkin brought us the registration papers for the ewes, at last we thought we were never going to get them, they were here most of the after noon but Dad &amp; I wernt back over the wheat to the gully and Tiddums followed us. The wheat is pretty fair only spots which don't look very well. I drove Enah down to church again to-night but came back home. Frank has been down all the after noon so he will be at church. Colin Ryersie rode in after dinner but we thought it was too hot to go for a ride so he went down the lake shore alone to get Corby. It has been very hot all day but is a little cooler to-night. Looks rainy</p> <p>Monday April 26th</p> <p>Dad. &amp; Frank got out good and early this morning and with both teams and I got out about eight to take Franks team as he had to go to school to-day. Mr. Smith being well enough to be on the job again. Sam Law came over to give us a day with his springtooth I had the disks and Sam &amp; I got over to the middle of the field by noon &amp; Dad.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>got it all harrowed. This afternoon Dad. took the drill out and got four rounds drilled when it commenced to rain a thunderstorm had come up very suddenly and there were two or three very close flashes of lightening. It seemed to be all around us, it rained very hard for a few minutes and Sam went home. Dad. brought the seed in and after it was over went out to bring in the drill. When he got out there he found it had soaked right in and has scarcely wet the ground so he went right on &amp; harrowed and then came &amp; got the seed and finished drilling, he worked till after dark and then didn't have enough seed to sow the headlands. He started with the drill set at two bushel of oats to the acre but he found it was going too fast all to-gether, as when it is set for two bushels of oats it is three of barley so he tightened it up a little but it was still going too fast so he finally got it sowing two bushels of barley which is the same as one of oats he sowed what seed there was left at this rate. I just did chores this after noon and went over to get my eggs from Jack Martin to-night I set them under five hens. Mrs McBride was here all day.</p> <p>Tuesday April 27th</p> <p>Dad. went out first thing and sowed the headlands of the corn stubble broadcast with oats out of the granary &amp; harrowed them in, he then started harrowing on the barley ground I did up the chores and came out about half past nine to relieve him, as he wanted to leave for Simcoe at half past eleven to be at the court house at one. I harrowed all morning and got nearly all over it. It works up beautifully. Frank came home at noon and after he did up the noon chores he came out and disked while I just did chores around. Dad. took Enah &amp; Tid with him and they didn't get back till about eight o'clock so Frank and I had to look after ourselves. We were rather disappointed to hear that after all they settled the {illegible} without any lawsuit, but Dad. had to wait up there all the after noon to find it out. He saw everybody he knew up there though and got the harness fixed. Bob. Davis went past to-day with an enormous black Percheron stallion with a white strip in his face he would weigh about twenty one hundred and twice the size of Bickler's. In to-day's and yesterday's papers there are long lists of Canadian casualties. They had their first serious engagement on Friday &amp; Saturday at Langemark where they recaptured some lost guns &amp; ground and prevented a wedge of Germans from surrounding and taking a body of French troops. The paper said their losses were heavy but they saved the day. Nice day</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Wednesday April 28th</p> <p>Dad. took the big team out first thing this morning and disked and as soon as I got the chores done I went out with the littlle team. Dad. took them and harrowed over the corn stubble and I disked on the barley ground till noon. This after noon Dad. took the big team and ran out the land furrows in the corn stubble it took him all the after noon and he didn't get any cross ditches run. We didn't work the little team as they had a pretty hard morning of it and we didn't want to put Ginger on a tongue anyway so I did chores all the afternoon. The cows broke out of the barnyard and I thought if I let them on the road they wouldn't go far as there is some lovely pasture but they weren't content to stay anywhere so after chasing around for about an hour I had to put them in. Win came over to tea to-night and Frank has just gone down with her. Bickler was down here to day with "Trachety". It has been sunny all day with cool breeze a little thunder shower early this morning Poor Ade Millman was married to-day.</p> <p>Thursday April 29th</p> <p>Dad. finished running out the ditches this morning while I did chores and then I took the big team and disked the rest of the barley ground while Dad. shovelled out the ditches in the barley &amp; oats, he says he dug up quite a few wireworms. I just finished disking by noon and took the disks up. This after noon I harrowed with the little team and Dad followed me with the drill. He didn't get started till after four so it was dark before he finished but he got through all but a plot 20 yds square in the north east corner which we left to sow my O.A.C. No 72 oats on. Enah got an announcement of Earney Skey's wedding, he was married yesterday. Nice day but cool wind all day.</p> <p>Friday April 30th</p> <p>Dad. went out first thing this morning and sowed the little plot of O.A.C. No 72 oats and harrowed them in as he sowed them broadcast he said they were a little thin in the centre of the plot as he ran short of seed. When he came in, he Tiddums and I went down town in the waggon and got Aunty Alice's trunks which were at the station having been checked right through and took them up to Hubys My little chestnut tree from Glen Bros was there too. It cost me $1.00 duty &amp; expenses. We got some cream jars over at the James' and some oats chopped at the mill Dad took a whole waggon load of bags up to the mill for old Ivey and we also got a bushel of clover seed at Billy Laings to sow on the barley and oats. It was raining a little when we got back</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>and Tiddums was just about asleep. Dad. helped me set out my chestnut tree before dinner, we put in the same place where one of the little English walnuts had been and filled the hole up with nice black earth from the garden and back of the barn instead of the stiff clay of the lawn. This after noon old Mr. Evans came after Dad in a great state of alarm as he had let his cows out on the road and one of them came home very bloated. Dad. went over with him and found John Wess &amp; Cam there looking at the cow but didn't seem to know what to do. Dad just tied a stick in her mouth and he said the never saw bloat go down so fast, before he left she was chewing her cud and old Evans was tickled to death. Dad. was over there the best part of the after noon and when he got back he put the dining room carpet down for Enah. I spent the after noon cleaning out the chicken houses. Harry Smith drove in to-night with the little Pecan tree I ordered from Brown Bros. through Mr. Morgan. It wasn't wrapped up at all and had a long tap root about twice as long as the top and very little fibrous roots I just heeled it in for to-night. Harry stood out in the rain for about half an hour dicussing the future prosperity of Dover in his comical and characestistic characteristic (or however you spell the dum word) way and telling us the difficulties he had in getting money on the lots he sold over Brant Hill, but he thought the war couldn't last for ever and hard times would be over some day and when the new railway "come in from Brantford" and they established a lake traffic and "drudged the mashes" all out up the creek, why he looked for a big boom. Old Ivey told us this morning that last nights paper had the news that Blight had been completely burned out and Dick said to-night that it was reported he had lost thirty thousand dollars as he had just put in seventeen thousand dollars worth of new machinery It has rained most of the day but it has been a nice gentle rain</p> <p>Saturday May 1st</p> <p>Dad. put in another whole day on the barley ground, this morning he rolled it and this afternoon harrowed it and ran out the ditches and started to clean some. Frank and I spent most of the forenoon trying to catch the old white ewe or her lamb to give the little fellow a suck but she was too cute for us and wouldn't get in a corner at last we got her around in the shed and managed to catch her and put her in the barn. Tiddums followed us all over the field saying he was having a good time, he could hardly walk part of the time for laughing at us and the ewe. We then</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>{This is a repeat of the previous page}</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>went out with a rail &amp; a chain and started to pull the posts along the old fence bottom which is between the barley field and the corner field. Frank took Dad's place on the roller and Dad. helped me pull posts, we got about half of them out by noon. This after noon I went over to Jack Martins with some eggs and borrowed their post auger, when I came back I dug a hole with it in the lane in front of the house and Frank helped me plant my Pecan tree in it. I have my grave doubts about it ever ammounting to anything although it had root enough. Frank went over to Preston's and sacked up four bushels of potatoes as we are out of them now and when Dad finished harrowing we took the team &amp; waggon and went and got them they were forty five cents a bushel. I went in for a few minutes to see Arthur who has been laid up for about a month and he looks tough, he hasn't had energy enough to shave and with his beautiful beard is the image of the old man. Bluch followed us down there and while prowling around saw Mrs. Herb. Cook's tame rabbit and took after it. The rabbit was too fat to run so the consequence was he killed it. Darn him! I spent the whole evening practicing on the fiddle and piano. Dad. was up at five o'clock this morning and took a letter he had written to Aunty down to post then while he was separating the milk Jack Anderson came after him to tell him his grandfather's cow was choking on an apple Dad. was hopping mad at old Lige sending after him but he went down and fixed the cow and said he gave Lige an awful calling down and told him never to send for him again. Lila and Dorothy Anderson have been over here all the after noon. Today's paper has another long list of Canadian Casualties and the 48th Highlanders have lost heavily. Fred McDonald is missing and his picture is in the Globe, it says the missing are either prisoners or their bodies still lie in the no man's land between the two armies. It has been cooler to-day and cloudy but no rain.</p> <p>Sunday May 2nd</p> <p>I was up fairly early this morning but didn't get to Sunday school, Frank went and Enah and I drove down to church, we were late so I sat up behind the organ. It was communion sunday and after the sermon I thought I would go out till those of the choir who didn't stay could went out and I went down and was talking to Pud. Slocombe for awhile and when I got back to church I was too late to go in This afternoon Colin Ryersie came up and he Frank &amp; I went for a ride. Colin's mare "Lady" &amp; Belle had both been</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>working all week so we didn't ride them hard, we went down the Lake Shore to Corbett's but Corby didn't go with us. When we got home Enah, Dad. &amp; Tiddums had gone back to the gully for a walk. Cool &amp; rather cloudy all day but no rain.</p> <p>Monday May 3rd</p> <p>Dad. cleaned at the ditches in the barley field most of the morning but didn't quite finish them. Enah, Tiddums &amp; I went down town in the lumber waggon as Enah wanted to get some oilcloth for our bedroom and some other stuff. We got a post auger at James', he said it was the best kind he knew but it was just like Vyse's. When we got back Dad. and I gathered up the good posts that we pulled the other day from the fence bottom between the barley &amp; corner fields and took them back to the gully to fix the cross fence. On our way back we gathered up the other posts that were pulled and what rubbish there was and brought it up to the house. This after noon Dad let the cattle back the lane and we went back with them to fix fence, we were back there most of the after noon and got soaking wet as we were out in the biggest part of a cold rain, but we put in four posts and got the fence fixed fairly well. The cattle as soon as they got out instead of gorging themselves on grass took a walk around every fence to see if there was any place where they could get out. Mary who Dad. let out of the barn for the first time this morning didn't know what grass was and was afraid of the mudhole in the lane so didn't go back with the others, but I think she will soon be acquainted with the outside world. Charlie Quanbury was in on his way home from his farm to-night, he said Steve Powell hadn't heard anything from or of Cecil since the big battle so they supposed he wasn't in it, the last letter they got from him he was in the hospital with pneumonia which he contracted after spending forty eigh hours in the trenches. I saw Herb. Cooke this morning and he informed me that in retaliation for the sudden death of his pet rabbit he was going to shoot Bluch the next time he came around his place I told him to go ahead and shoot him. Cloudy and a cold east wind to-day. It rained all the after noon and evening but will likely do good.</p> <p>Tuesday May 4th</p> <p>Dad. &amp; I went back to the gully to finish fixing fence but while we were back there John Wess came along to ask Dad. about a cow that stood around and didn't eat but grunted. Dad. told him to give her a dose of salts but he said he did so we went back with him to see her. We had a look at her and then turned her out for a bite of</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>grass, had a look at his new bull which is a beauty but very small, got weighed on his new scales, I weighed 156 lbs and Dad. shrunk a few pounds since the other day when he was over so that he didn't weigh so much as John Wess. We then all had a drink of cider and a look at the sick horse and the young calves and went in to the house to see the new 25. calibre rifle that Cam brought home and the new telescope sight he brought for his father, he also brought him a little 22. and we had a few shots out of it at a target while Dad. was talking to Mrs. McBride and when he came out he wanted to know where the sick cow had got to so we had to go and look for her. John Wess and I had forgotten all about her but she was out behind the barn nipping a little grass but it was beginning to rain so we put her in. John Wess gave us about a peck of peas for seed in the garden and after having a look at the little pigs and the wheat we started for home, his wheat looks beautiful it is so even and clean. The piece that was sowed first was on a summer fallow and was up a little higher than that on the pea stubble which was in pretty late but was not so good a color. One part of the pea stubble field next the lane didn't get any manure on it and there is about four inces difference in the growth of it and the other part of the same field. He has a dandy catch of clover but clover is going to be thicker than we expected but the {illegible} is thicker still. It was nearly one o'clock when we got up and Enah and Eliza McBride were waiting dinner for us Mrs McBride is in Buffalo on a visit so Elizas is on the job to-day. They said the two Quanbury boys had been over and had looked all over the farm and the whole length &amp; breadth of the gully for us to get their pigs but couldn't find us of course. Just after dinner Mrs. Tom Cooper and old Mrs. Billy Anderson tramped over in the pouring rain to see Dad. about old Mehaley's little dog which got a crack over the back with a club the other day. As they were soaking wet there was nothing for it but for Dad. to hook up and take them home. It poured rain all the after noon so we didn't do much but sit around and get in Enah's &amp; Eliza's road. I was pretty lucky this after noon though in steering clear of job for Eliza is just as bad as her mother to work. I drove her home after tea. It has been a cold rain but no thunder.</p> <p>Wednesday May 5th</p> <p>Dad and I took a walk over the barley ground or around it rather and around the barley &amp; oats but there</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>was very little water lying but the ditches were all full Dad. of course thinks we got altogether too much rain but we saw Tupper coming along the side road and he gave us a ride around to the house, he thinks we just got enough rain as it is really the first rain to ammount to anything all year. Tupper wanted some advice from Dad about a cow with a teat torn so that the milk came out of the side of it. He turned his cattle on the road the other day and they got up near Walker's lane and Trum set the dog on them and he took after the best cow Tupper had. Dad. told him to put a siphon in it and draw it up and wrap it with adhesive tape. I spent the rest of the day cutting the lawn and got it looking better although the old lawn mower doesn't work very well and leaves it all streaked. Dad. helped Enah paste up some wallpaper in the hall and this after noon went back to set a couple more fence posts. The war news is not very cheerful to-day. The Allies are advancing all right in Turkey but the Russians are being driven back by the Austro-German advance in Galicia and the Germans are bringing in a half a million fresh troops to the Western Front. I don't think we know much about it from these papers. There has been rain and sunshine by spells all day to-day. Milder</p> <p>Thursday May 6th</p> <p>Dad. Tiddums and I went down to the mill first thing this morning as I was right out of chicken feed. When we got back we went out and pulled the old posts that were in the old garden and the few that were left in the old fence bottom and hauled them back to the gully and strewed them along the road fence. Tiddums went with us but got pretty sleepy. We had to go up the road to turn around and Art Quanbury had left his waggon on the road with his horse food in it and Evans &amp; Lampkins cows were all into it. Art. was plowing but I guess it would be too wet. This after noon Dad. &amp; I went back and fixed more fence in this end of the gully, we got the crossfence and the north fence pretty well fixed. About five o'clock we went over to John Wess' to see his sick cow He had her out although she wasn't feeling right yet. She ate and chewed her cud but still grunted. We were there till nearly six visiting. We shouldn't have stayed so long as it made us too late to get down to the train and Aunty &amp; Aunty Alice came home to-night. Frank went down to meet them and Dad. &amp; I went down to Huby's later to see them. It has been nice and sunny to-day but a rather cold wind. The Quanbury's got their four pigs yesterday.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Friday May 7th</p> <p>It rained before we got up this morning and has been raining pretty much all day although there were a few patches of sunshine. This after noon there was a terrific downpour but it didn't last long. The ground is full of water now and of course Dad. thinks or says he does that we are ruined, but I wouldn't be a bit surprised if we lived through it all and maybe even through next winter without starving to death. I tested the eggs in the incubator this morning and they tested out about half I took out sixty four and left a lot of doubtful ones in. I didn't expect much of a hatch anyway as the eggs were old. I hard boiled all the ones I took out and am going to keep them for the little fellow. This after noon Dad. Enah and Tiddums went down town to see Aunty &amp; Aunty Alice, they didn't get caught in the heavy rain but got some of it. I spent the day making hen's nests for setting hens and a coop for hens and chicks or rather repairing an old one which Williams left here. To-night I went down and got my hair cut and then down to Huby's to see Aunty and Aunty Alice. Everybody is talking now about the news in to-night's paper. The Germans have torpedoed the "Lusitania" and about fifteen hundred passengers were drowned. They gave warning to passengers in Washington before she sailed but everybody had such confidence in her great speed being such a protection to her that they didn't pay any attention to the warnings of the German embassy. Dad. thinks they were perfectly justified in sinking her as she was carrying a large consignment of ammunition and other contraband of war, but even then it doesn't seem to me to be any excuse for sinking so many women and babies. I think the Captain and the Cunard line were also very much to blame for allowing women passengers to go with such a cargo. There were about 150 babies on board and they all either drowned or died of exposure about six hundred people were saved. They were in the Irish Sea about ten miles out from the Irish coast and there were a lot of ships came out immediately she sank but it was so sudden and she sank in thirty minutes that there was no time to get ready for it. Aunty &amp; Aunty Alice came home on the train with a little woman 21 years old with a four months old baby who was going from her home in Saskatoon to her father in Englan as he was all alone, his five sons being at the front and she was the only other child. She was to have sailed on the Lusitania. The porter on the train begged her not to go on that boat as she was doomed but she said she was not afraid.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Saturday May 8th</p> <p>Instead of fixing fence this morning as we intended Dad. &amp; Frank worked all morning cleaning out the woodshed while I weeded out the rose bed and got it looking much better. This after noon Aunty &amp; Aunty Alice came over and we all except Enah went back to the woods for awhile. They intended to go back down town after tea but it rained so hard they had to stay here all night. I got a letter from Ottawa to-day with a copy of the Canada Gazette enclosed with a law marked in it prohibiting the importation of chestnut trees from the States and saying that I would have to either export it back or destroy it. I was naturally pretty mad about it as I thought they should have never let it cross the line and not sent it up here and let me pay duty on it and get it all set out, however I wrote them a nice letter asking them to let me keep it if possible. It has been a lovely day but rained to-night.</p> <p>Sunday May 9th</p> <p>I didn't get ready in time this morning to get to Church or Sunday school so Dad. drove Enah down and went down again after her. I wrote to Quint instead of going to church. Aunty &amp; Aunty Alice came over to dinner with Frank and Win also came over for the afternoon. After dinner we had a little music and then Dad. drove Aunty &amp; Aunty Alice up to the cemetry. Soon after they left Mrs. Smythe &amp; Pud drove in and were here all the after noon and to tea Pud. and I went to the back of the place and wandered around Enah, Mrs. Smythe, Frank &amp; Win. went down to church while Dad. Pud &amp; I stayed here to guard Tid in case he woke up Dicky Smith was in for a while after tea to get some information concerning the dehorning of a cow. Charlie Quanbury &amp; Colin Ryersie were both in a different times this after noon on horseback. Nice day but cooler.</p> <p>Monday May 10th</p> <p>We fixed fence all day to-day but as we were working along the road we didn't get on so amazingly fast, but we got it pretty well fixed from Evan's line down to the gate into the big gully, we also fixed the gate which got all broken to pieces during the winter or on Hallowe'en, I forget which The two Quanbury boys were pulling posts on their side of the road and that was conducive to considerable mutual visiting and restarted progress. This after noon Art. Walker came along and told us all his experiences during his ten weeks stay in the General Hospital having his eye</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>treated. As it was the longest period Art. ever spent away from home, there was much to tell. Then Tupper appeared on the scene with about half a dozen boards in his waggon &amp; had evidently been down town all the after noon at the very least but we were up on the hill and couldnt hear him talk very well on account of the wind so he didn't stay long with us but went up and spent half an hour or so talking to the Quanbury boys. To-nights paper says that Fred McDonald is a prisoner in Germany and Aunty got a letter from Cousin Carrie which confirms the report. They heard through some lady in London whose son is sharing the same fate at Fred. Cousin Carrie said that if they had received the news ten days ago it would have been awful but after the suspence they have been in since he was reported missing it is a happy relief. George Duncan came over to-night on his motorcycle and said the rails which Dad spoke for are in their road now as they have to put their fence up so Dad. told him we would be up to-morrow after them, although we hated to stop our other work. Sunny and warm.</p> <p>Tuesday May 11th</p> <p>We got a good early start this morning and managed to get home two loads of rails before one o'clock. This after noon we only got one load as we were delayed considerably. Jack Davis came in before we left with King Chocolate. I think we will use him this year with Belle as we can't seem to get any colts from a heavy horse and we don't know of a thorobred stallion in the country. Sensation has gone to Montreal where he stands for $100. and I guess King Chocolate is the next best we can get. We were stopped again on the road by Wess Buchner who wanted to ask Dad. about his horse's shoulder. He, Jack McBride, Wm. Walker and another fellow are all riding the road machine to-day and seem to be having a very sociable &amp; enjoyable time of it, they have changed the beats now and those fellows come right down to our corner, Dad. told them he wouldn't raise any kick if they scraped our lane for us and we were very much surprised to-night to find they had. Our next holdup was when we reached Duncan's as old Bill was in the lane clipping weeds when we went up and coming back. He would have been talking yet but happily they were hauling manure so we had to move on in a little while to get out of the men's way. We didn't get home till nearly six o'clock and there is still a load up there which</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>we will have to get in the morning. Mrs. McPherson &amp; Mrs. Myers were in this morning each with her "youngest". Mrs. Myers brought back the hen canary she got the other day as it wouldn't mate with hers. Dad. thought that as he had given it to her she might have had the decency to keep it as we don't want the pesky thing. Aunty &amp; Aunty Alice came over to-night to stay awhile. We saw in to-nights paper that Earl Dewar who was at the front with the 10th Battalion was dead. I think he must have died of some illness and not wounds as we saw a week or so ago that he was seriously ill. Very hot &amp; sunny to-day</p> <p>Wednesday May 12th</p> <p>This morning we went back after our last load of rails. We were gone all morning as Dad. had to stop in at Wess Buchner's to lance his horses' shoulder. He had two of them each with an awful shoulder. He just ran the exploring needle into one and says it will have to be opened again. On our way out of Duncan's lane with our rails we ran across old Bill again. He was worrying to death because one of the manure spreaders wouldn't work. He says he worries all the time and can't help it. he is afraid everything will go wrong when he isn't at the head of things and every little mishap he sees drives him nearly crazy. George is in reality doing fine. We had a very early dinner and right after it Dad. drove Aunty &amp; Aunty Alice up to the cemetry and I spent the after noon disking, harrowing and rolling the garden and disking &amp; harrowing the strip in the plum orchard where we are going to put the raspberries. After they got back Dad. caught his ewe and sheared her and before tea Aunty Alice put in some onion sets or multipliers at the head of the garden. Aunty and Tim-boy worked all the after noon at the flower bed in front of the house.Very nice day not so hot as yesterday.</p> <p>Thursday May 13th</p> <p>Aunty Alice and I worked in the garden all morning and got in a row of squaw corn which she brought from the West three rows of peas which John Wess gave us five or six rows of Dad. Atkinson potatoes and Aunty Alice went over to the Quanbury's and got some cabbage and tomato plants and put them out We then ran out of seed but Enah had to go down town this after noon to give Miss Dyer some instructions about playing the organ in church and she got some more</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Dad. sowed clover seed on the barley &amp; oats and alsike on the wheat this morning and this after noon ran a ditch up through the garden and helped me set out some raspberrys which I dug up out of the old garden. It was very hot this morning but got cloudy and cooler.</p> <p>Friday May 14th</p> <p>I helped Dad. stick up some wire this morning between the orchard &amp; the plum orchard as there is fine pasture in the one while the oats in the plum orchard aren't big enough to turn on yet. I then helped Aunty Alice put in the rest of the garden we put in beets, carrots, beans and a lot of Golden Bantam corn which I planted with the planter and some radish, lettuce &amp; pepper seed and some lettuce plants which came up from seed. This after noon Dad. &amp; I worked at the gully fence again and got it pretty well fixed along the road. Aunty &amp; Aunty Alice went over to Mrs. Battersby's to roll bandages for the Red Cross Mr. Quanbury gave Aunty Alice some more cabbage plants and lettuce plants as the old gobbler ate a half a dozen of the other cabbages. Miss Harding and Winnie were over to tea to-night. I got word yesterday that my little chestnut tree must go back to the States or perish here. Nice day.</p> <p>Saturday May 15th</p> <p>Frank had to go to school this morning for some special exam so Dad. &amp; I spent the morning fixing the fence along the north side of the gully at least he did but I just sat around most of the time. It is a job that two have to be at part of the time but part of the time one is out of a job. This after noon Frank helped him and I dug up my little tree and took it down and expressed it back to Glen Bros. asking them to refund my money but I don't suppose they will, Aunty &amp; Aunty Alice went down town too. We were in at Huby's for a little while He has been working all week at his garden and has it all in now. He says he is coming over to the farm on Monday There has been quite a cold wind all day and it froze last night but not enough to hurt anything here.</p> <p>Sunday May 16th</p> <p>Dad. woke up somewhere about four o'clock this morning and was reminded that he didn't turn the windmill out by hearing it going so he got up to do it, and on taking a look behind the old barn found Ginger with great big mouse colored colt as fine as a fiddle. As it was beginning to rain and was cold Dad. got me and we put</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>them in the box stall. Billy is a dandy horse colt as straight as a string two white feet and a spot in his forehead. Dad. thinks he will be black. Aunty, Frank and I drove down to Sunday school and church this morning but none of us ezxcept Dick who followed his usual course of action went anywhere else all day but spent the after noon reading and I had a little practice on my horn with Enah. It has rained a quiet drizzling rain nearly all day but has been cold.</p> <p>Monday May 17th</p> <p>Huby came over at seven this morning and he and Dad have worked all day up at the cemetry doing some work for Aunty Alice. They took a waggon load of rich earth up and a lot of sod. This after noon Aunty, Aunty Alice and Tid. went up with them and they were rather late getting home. I spent the day cutting the lawn and doing odd jobs, my chickens are all starting to hatch to-day and there seems to be quite a bunch of them. I wernt over to Jack Martin's a couple of times to see if I could get some chicken feed but just enough for to-night and the morning. Albert Buck was over to-night to see if he could sell Aunty Alice his house. Everyone seems to be deluded into thinking that she wants to buy although she has never had the slightest intention of it. Some even went so far as to say she had bought Maneers house on Main St. Enah and Aunty Alice went over to Mrs. Battersby's after tea and when they got back Enah and I had a little practice on the fiddle &amp; piano. It has been cloudy and very raw and cold all day.</p> <p>Tuesday May 18th</p> <p>Dad &amp; I took the chickens out of the machine this morning and stuck them under the old hens over the hog pen. They only had thirteen between the three of them and one hen didn't hatch any at all. About thirty came out of the incubator and they are still hatching. I put the eggs which weren't hatched from under the hens in the incubator. Dad. got started to plow the corn ground but Bob Miller &amp; Whit Dixon came over to look at the steers and they were here about an hour. Dad. wouldn't sell either of his steers but Whit came over to where I was and asked me what I wanted for my steer. I thought likely he had been dickering with Dad or I wouldn't have sold him but Whit said the market was glutted so I let him go for seventy dollars and they get him when they want him. I guess I lost on him but if I</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>can get my money for him right away it will be worth something. Huby dug up enough more raspberries out of the old garden to finish the line we started and another one. After we set them out after dinner, we went back and grubbed out some old trees which were along the old fence bottom at the north end of the gully fence wheat stubble and where Dad is plowing He is going to plow it up the fence bottom and put potatoes on it if we ever get around to it as Peter McArthur says. We didn't finish this job till it was time to come up and do chores. Aunty &amp; Aunty Alice went up to the Smythe's to-day to stay for a day or two. It is still cold and raw. It froze last night and will again to-night. It is bad weather for all the crops.</p> <p>Wednesday May 19th</p> <p>Huby has been over all day and has been grubbing out dead trees in the plum orchard most of the day and got them all cleaned out. I did chores most of the morning and this after noon went over and got 559 lbs of mixed feed from Jack Martin for the chickens. I had to sack it up myself so was gone quite awhile. Chris told me to hook old Jack up to the democrat and bring it home which I did. Dad. quit plowing about five and we all went down to get Aunty Alice's freight which Dick told us came yesterday. Enah &amp; the baby went down with us and stayed at Huby's till we came back from the train, we left the boxes at Huby's. I got a letter from Glen Bros. to-night saying that they could not accept the tree as it was not barred from entering the Dominion. They sent me a copy of a letter they received from the Government Botanist of B.C. saying there were only two varietys of chestnut trees barred. They also sent me a copy of a letter they wrote to Mr. {Gusson?} telling him he was wrong. To-night I rode out to the Smythe's to see how they were out there and found them all right It was after half past nine when I got there so I didn't stay long. Huby brought over two little chest butternut tree which he got on his way over and set them out. It has been cloudy &amp; cold all day but is not going to freeze to night. It did again last night. Charlie Quanbury lost 600 tomato plants in a cold frame.</p> <p>Thursday May 20th</p> <p>Huby came over this morning and has been digging out old peach trees in the old garden all day, while Dad. plowed. Sam Law came over and borrowed the disks, roller &amp; harrows to work up his garden and and his lane which he graded up. I did a lot of chores aided by Tid both after breakfast &amp; after dinner. I have about sixty little chicks all to-gether under three hens, the incubator did better than I expected.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>after I did chores I went out and helped Huby We got out all the old peach trees and all but a few of the old currant bushes We left a few for this summer's crop. We also burned the old haycocks which were out in the field. It began to rain about five o'clock and we had to come in. It has been a little warmer to day but a cold wind and cloudy.</p> <p>Friday May 21st</p> <p>It has rained off and on nearly all day clearing up late this after noon. Dad. plowed three rounds but got pretty wet. It would stop raining every time he got to this end of the field and look so clear that he would start off again when it would immediately start in again to rain, this kept up for three rounds but the fourth he quit anyway although in the dry but it was wet again before he got to the house We didn't do much all day but chores. This after noon we hooked up to the waggon and went down to the mill after some chop &amp; flour. Tid. went with us. We saw John Wess who was telling us about his neighbor Smith who is Bill Oakes son-in-law and who just moved down on Wright's place this Spring. He is sick in bed with Typhoid fever and the other day John Wess had to go over and bury his horse which got over a barbed wire fence and cut itself so badly that it bled to death. It was a fine big three year old which he had been offered $275.00 for this Spring. About seven o clock Mrs. Smythe brought Aunty &amp; Aunty Alice back. Frank spent the evening down town playing poker with Huby &amp; Aunty Maude as Win &amp; Lila were at the show. Milder since the rain.</p> <p>Saturday May 22nd</p> <p>Dad. got in a pretty good day plowing to day. Frank had to go to school this morning and I just did chores. This after noon he &amp; I levelled up the water troughs. The one at this end had sagged so that when it filled the water ran out of the top instead of the overflow pipe but I think we got it fixed pretty well. When we got that done Frank, Lila &amp; Dorothy Anderson went back to the woods and I started to hoe the patch where the currant bushes are. Enah went down town this after noon and I drove down after her about half past five. Aunty &amp; Aunty Alice went down town this morning and Aunty stayed at Huby's to dinner. She &amp; Winnie came over this after noon &amp; Win. went down with me before tea. Mrs. Col. Smith &amp; Mrs. Hobbes came over this after noon and Aunty Alice and Tiddums entertained them. It has been a fine day but rather windy and cool much milder that it was though.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Sunday May 23rd</p> <p>Aunty &amp; Frank got a pretty down to Sunday School &amp; church this morning and Dad. &amp; Enah got a pretty good start for the Smythe's so that they were able to get to St. John's for church Mrs. Smythe invited them up there to dinner to see Louise as she came up from Toronto yesterday with the Evan's in their car to the Bowlby's but as they found they would see much more of Louise if they went to the Bowlby's to dinner so Mrs. Smythe was nice enough to let them go, they were there all the afternoon and Dad. got back in time to help me milk. They left Tiddums in Aunty's &amp; Aunty Alice's care and he was very good and didn't cry a bit. At dinner he got a little egg on his dress and he looked up at Aunty and said "I usually wear a bib." This after noon Mr. Lawrie &amp; Hubert came over for awhile they are here for over the 24th. Aunty Alice &amp; I had a little concert this after noon. Frank went up to Walleys to look for Ginseng but didn't find any. Frank went down to church to-night. Nice sunny cool day.</p> <p>Monday May 24th</p> <p>Dad. plowed all day to-day, he helped me get the brooder out of the shed this morning and put it in the plum orchard and I was quite awhile cleaning it out and working around out there. I let the three old hens with their broods run loose to-day. I went over to Jack Martin's and got some chick food &amp; scratch food. This after noon to celebrate the day Enah, Tiddums and I took a long and very pretty drive up around Vittoria &amp; Port Ryersie, we took some pictures. Frank was down town all the after noon. Dover &amp; Simcoe Nanticoke were playing baseball, but Dover got beaten by nine runs. Cars. Rankin accidently hit Art. Lawson in the eye with a bat and broke his glasses cutting his eye. Dick was down town all day too. Frank went with Winnie to the Moving Picture show to-night. Huby and Skinner Manning drove over to see Dad this after noon. It has been a lovely day. Sunny &amp; warm</p> <p>Tuesday May 25th</p> <p>Dad. plowed till about five o'clock but had to stop as his shear was so badly worn so he disked till six I did up the chores and hoed every thing that was up in the garden I hoed a little more around the currant bushes it took me a good part of the day doing chores as the little chickens take up so much time. Aunty &amp; Aunty Alice went down to have dinner with Mrs. Allen at the Norfolk House to-day and stayed down at Huby's to-night. Huby was over all day and got all the old rubbish out in the old garden</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>burned and the old post holes filled up. Frank went down town to-night to get Aunty to help him with his lessons. Very warm all day and a lovely gentle rain to-night. Bred Belle to King Chocolate this morning.</p> <p>Wednesday May 26th</p> <p>I did chores nearly all morning and sorted out the barrel of apples down cellar. I also started the incubator going. Huby came over and after he finished cleaning up the old fence bottom beween the barley and the clover field which he started yesterday, we started to line up for the chicken fence which I want to put up along east of the raspberries in the plum orchard. We were at that all the after noon and got stakes set and enough old posts and rails which we will use for posts between the bigger posts. We got enough old boards off the road fence to put along the bottom. Dad. plowed all day but didn't quite finish. He was delayed at noon by Bickler's man coming in with Truchety and we bred Ginger. He quit about five and to-night he &amp; Enah went out to the John Shand's, they didn't get back till about twelve. Aunty &amp; Aunty Alice came over this after noon but Tid didn't wake up. Colin Ryersie went past this morning and said they had started plowing the big flats yesterday, they were going to start two or three weeks ago. Colin said "It is just eighteen years ago the day before yesterday that Paw and {Drake?} Watts were out before the crow flapped her wings in the morning and planted the big field by one o'clock, then went down to play football for the Queen's birthday sports in the after noon". That was the last time the flats were plowed and Huby says it is just about that long ago next October when the creek was the highest he ever saw it and was running full with corn shucks, pumpkins, rail fences and down around the swing bridge apple barrels where they had floated off the cars at the station. This may account for the long span of years that Art's big flats were left in sod, but the creek is about two feet lower now than it was in those days. It has been cloudy and a very cold north wind all day and it looks like frost to-night.</p> <p>Thursday May 27th</p> <p>Huby didn't come over to-day so I spent the most of the morning doing chores but got the two lines of raspberries hoed and some of the old manure out of the chicken yard put around them. Dad. finished plowing the corn ground and got nearly over it with the disks it will take a lot of work. This after noon I drove Enah &amp; Tid. down town for some groceries just as we got back Mr &amp; Mrs Johnson &amp; George came in with their car and they took Aunty Aunty Alice Enah &amp; Tid up to the cemetry. Lila</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>came over with them. To-night Aunty Alice went over to Mrs. Battersby's to borrow a book and I went with her. I also took Mrs. Charlie Martin a setting of eggs for which she paid me forty cents. I see by to-day's "Norfolk Reformer" that Capt. Simpson left this morning for England to join the Army Service Corps, I wish I had been up to drill before he went. Dick said to-night that May Ivey who is at the Culp's with plural pneumonia is not expected to live through the night. It froze hard again last night and did a lot of damage I guess. Some of our tomato plants in the garden were nipped and some were not, has been sunny but a very cold wind all day from the north.</p> <p>Friday May 28th</p> <p>After I did up the chores this morning I went out and took the team and Dad. came up and took the old sow down to Porter's, he was down there to dinner and didn't get back till four o'clock. I rolled the corn ground and got started to harrow it. Huby was over all day and set the posts in the plum orchard for the fence along the raspberries Something has been wrong with Snowdrop all day and to-night Huby Dad. &amp; Frank examined her but couldn't see much but a little spot on her jaw which Dad. didn't think would affect her much, she went around all day with her nose to the ground and didn't eat at all. He ran the probang down her throat but everything seemed clear. Frank and I went down to Huby's to-night and had a game of poker. They had a baseball game down town to-night between the married and single men. Frank took it in but I didn't get down in time The single men men beat 6-5. Much warmer to-day.</p> <p>Saturday May 29th</p> <p>I worked on the corn ground all day to-day. I finished harrowing it and got it disked over lengthwise. Dad &amp; Frank sheared sheep all day, they got four done I think Dad. says he is getting quite expert at it. Lila and Dorothy Anderson were over all the after noon and I let them ride the horses in from the field to-night which they seemed to enjoy, they had been waiting around for about an hour for me to unhook. Snowdrop is aparently all right to-day, we don't know what could have been wrong with her unless there was something in her throat that Dad. loosened with the probang and didn't know it. Aunty Alice has been tending to the little chickens for me, a lot of them have their eyes swelled shut. I think they have caught cold. It has been sunny all day but there has been a cold east wind.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Sunday May 30th</p> <p>Aunty &amp; Frank and I went to Sunday school and church. Enah came down to church and Dad. brought the baby down and went over with Enah to the James' for dinner and to spend the after noon, they took Tid. down to the lake for a little while and had an early tea down there. I saddled Joe and went for a ride after dinner. I went down to the Ryerse's but none of them went for a ride so I went out to the Shand's and got Charlie to go with me. His uncle John had the little sorel which he generally rides so he had to take Billy the big grey and the consequence was we couldn't go much off a walk. We went down to Marburg and up the third concession. I stopped in to see Sid. McBride but he wasn't home. I wanted to ask him about getting some more of his hog-meal. We also saw Hammond on his way home from Sunday school, we were talking to him for about an hour. He was telling us all his Guelph experiences, he would like to go to the war but his Dad. won't let him, the whole three of us would go if we got the chance, but Charlie is not well at all. I don't know what is wrong with him. Frank rode to Simcoe this after noon on his wheel, when I got home he was back after the cows. He was gone a very long time and upon investigation I found that a newly arrived calf was causing the delay, it belonged to Spot and Frank was bringing it up to the barn. It was a fine big red &amp; white bull and had evidently been born quite early in the day. Dad. just got home as we got it up into the yard. Aunty and Aunty Alice went down to stay at Huby's for a week It has been a fine day but a cold east wind.</p> <p>Monday May 31st</p> <p>I disked crosswise on the corn ground all day but didn't get quite over it. Dad. sheared some more sheep, I think he only has two more to do now. Huby was over all day and put a post in at this end of the lane to put the gate latch on, he also fixed the fence at the end of the lane between the gatepost and the anchor post, he didn't feel very well to-day. To-night Frank and I went down to see another baseball match between the married and single men. The single beat 5-4. I fooled around town till about nine o'clock and then went down to Huby's for a little while. Frank was down there and Aunty was going over his lessons with him. They were all working late in the bank to-night as it is the end of the month. It has been quite hot all day to-day but the wind is still from the East.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Tuesday June 1st</p> <p>This morning I finished disking the corn ground and got started to roll it At noon I drove Enah and Tiddums down to Mrs. Leslie Battersby's for dinner and brought Huby over, he said he felt well enough to work but didn't like to walk over, he sat in the house and shelled corn all the afternoon. I also got old Daddy's collar from Val. as Dad was going to hook Joe &amp; him up but he sheared the last sheep instead, he sheared the other one this morning, he took the team till I got out after I had my dinner. I finished rolling and started to harrow crosswise, about five Dad. came out and relieved me and I drove Huby home. I drove him out to Charlie Tuple's first to get some archangel which is a weed that grows in a ditch out there and which Charlie claims to be a cure for Huby's ailment, he steeps it and makes a tea of it. We went around to see Bill to see if he could come and mark the corn ground for us to-morrow after noon he went down and asked his boss at the canning factory and said he could get off. He was telling us that they operated on his son-in-law over here who has just got over typhoid fever for apendicitus last night and Bill doesn't think he will live through it. May Ivey is still alive and I guess stands a chance of pulling through. Hot to-day.</p> <p>Wednesday June 2nd</p> <p>I drove Dick down to work this morning and went around to Billy Laing's to see if I could get any seed corn as Dad. is afraid to use what we have. Some of the cobs were mouldy when Huby shelled it and some Dad. planted in a flower pot only tested about 60%. Billy didn't have any and didn't know where there was any Aunty went up to Mrs. Battersby's with me and got some dahlia bulbs to send over here. When I got home Huby went over and telephoned to the Smythe's and they said they had a little so I hiked right out there but found it was just in the crib and didn't look as if it would be as good as what we have so I didn't get any. It began to pour rain just as I lef so I got pretty wet. This after noon after it stopped raining I cut part of the lawn. Huby spent the after noon building a fence two panels long from the pig pen to the orchard fence to make a small yard for the little pigs. Dad. rolled this morning but it was a little too wet this after noon so he hoed in the garden. I drove Huby down to-night and we saw Bill Oakes and told him not to come over till he thought the ground was fit to mark. Frank saw Billy Laings to-night and he said he could get us some corn in Simcoe. Cloudy and wet all day raining to-night.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Thursday June 3rd</p> <p>It rained hard during the night so that everything was flooded this morning but it was a good rain and as it has been pretty hot all day will do a lot of good. Dad. is beginning now to talk about a big crop of wheat this fall. This being the King's birthday Dick had a holiday. There wasn't any school but Frank went down to see and was down there all morning. I didn't do very much but cut a little lawn. Huby &amp; Lila came over but it was too wet to do anything much so Huby went back home. Dad. opened up a few ditches. This after noon Frank and I drove to Simcoe to see if we could get any seed corn but we found that Simcoe has begun already to shut up Thursday after noons so we couldn't get in anywhere but Edmond's and they didnt have any, we got some rocksalt there. We went down to see what Brook's Mill was paying for wool and they said the same as it was quoted at in Toronto and in to-day's paper they have removed the embargo and unwashed fine which is ours has jumped from 18cts to 23 &amp; 25cts. We saw all the Dover cadets up there they went up to take part in some contest but as near as I can make out they were the only company present so took the prizes. Frank McBride got four dollars and a medal for shooting.</p> <p>Friday June 4th</p> <p>This morning I finished rolling the corn ground and Dad. fixed fence in the gully as the cattle have been in on the oats the last two mornings. Frank saw Bill on his way to school this morning and Bill came over this after noon and marked the corn ground. It was in nice shape on top. Huby came over this after noon too and tore down fence along the road. After Bill started to mark crossways I started to plant instead of helping and Dad. helped him. It was a little too wet to plant but I got quite a lot done when Charlie Martin came over and wanted Dad. to go and look at his old mare's leg which Sam Law's mare had kicked and he was afraid had broken. She had been running at pasture in Sam's gully. Dad. went and Charlie took Huby with his shotgun over. Dad. said it was properly smashed, so Huby cut a shell and shot her. I had planted smart-nose corn from Charlie Dixon's as far as I went but when Frank came home he said Billy Laing's told him we could get some down at Jack Mason's so he and Dad. went down after tea and got about half a bushel. Aunty came over to dinner to-day and brought a piece of the blue lilly from home which we set out in the front bed. Nice day and very warm</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Saturday June 5th</p> <p>Huby and I started in first thing to plant corn and have been at it all day. Dad. has suffered intense agony from a pain in his back which stabs him with terrible torture if he gives it the slightest twist, he doesn't know what caused it unless he hurt it a little yesterday after noon when he was helping Bill. He rolled down part of the barley and oats this morning and before noon drove out to Lorne Kniffens and took Aunty Lila &amp; Tiddums with him to get some more seed corn as Kniffen stopped this morning and told him that Billy Laing said we were short and that he had about half a bushel left, we also got about a peck from Jack Martin this morning so that we got the biggest percentage of the field in with "Longfellow" instead of "Santrose" Dad. helped us plant this after noon till Frank finished rolling the barley &amp; oats and then Frank helped us finish while Dad. did chores but we got it all in before six and think it ought to be a good crop. Aunty, Aunty Alice &amp; Cousin Clare have been over all the after noon and Winnie was over to tea Aunty &amp; Aunty Alice stayed all night. It has been very hot all day.</p> <p>Sunday June 6th</p> <p>Frank and Aunty went to Sunday school this morning and I went for a swim down at the Quanbury's. Mrs. Quanbury was very anxious to have me use their bathroom instead of the pond but I didn't and the water was fine. She gave us some asparagus and lettuce onions to bring home. Art has been sick and got pretty well behind with his work so Dad. told him last night that I would take the team and give him a day on Monday and he seemed very pleased. When I got home I got dressed up and Dick, Aunty Alice, Enah &amp; I went down to church. This afternoon soon after dinner Jim Waddle and the two little girls came in and were here for quite awhile, before they left Uncle Ward &amp; Bob. Ellis came in. Bob. didn't stay very long but went down to see Clarence Ferris but about five o'clock Mr. &amp; Mrs. Harvey Shand came in and they &amp; Uncle Ward stayed to tea. Frank and I did the milking and Mr. Shand drove Uncle Ward home before he &amp; Mrs. Shand left. Dad's side has been better to-day but there is still quite a pain there when he twists it. It has been very hot to-day and feels like rain.</p> <p>Monday June 7th</p> <p>Dad's back felt worse again this morning but he helped me milk. It was nine o'clock however before I could get out with the team and started for Quanbury's</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>with the disks, Charlie was disking with their team and Art. was setting out tomato plants. We worked up a pen to put more tomatos on. We all went over to Charlie's place where Charlie cooked dinner, he said he didn't approve of cold lunches. After dinner we had a look around Charlie's ranch, he has corn planted on the flats and he marked it himself. It is so crooked the crows cant follow the rows to steal it. Art. hooked his team on to the waggon to drive back to his place but Charlie &amp; I each rode one of my horses and had "some time" on the return trip. It began to rain about five o'clock so Art. who was equipped with a rubber coat drove my team home and their old team went home without driving, while Charlie &amp; I took to the woods and walked home after the rain had dried up a little. It was hot all day but sultry.</p> <p>Tuesday June 8th</p> <p>I saddled Joe first thing this morning and rode over to John Wess' as he was going to telephone up and find out what wool was worth in Simcoe. I found it was only 20 cts which was what Henderson told Frank he was paying so when I got back Dad. &amp; I weighed it all up and put it in a sheet and loaded it into the buggy but found it was too big a bundle to take in the buggy so we caught Belle &amp; harnessed Joe &amp; her and put the wool in the waggon. Old Ivey from the mill came in for awhile and talked He wanted to put his horse out to pasture for a couple of weeks but I don't know whether he will or not. By the time I got started down town it was getting near noon I didn't stop at the mill on the way down but went and got Huby to hold the team for me and when we got back Henderson had gone to dinner El. Ryerse was there so we put the wool in the warehouse and left it. I was going up to see about some locust fence posts which Dick Faulmsbe had but Huby saw Place and he said he had a car load of cedar posts on the way here so I thought we had better wait. When I got home Aunty &amp; Aunty Alice had gone to the Harding's for dinner and Enah was due to go but Tid. wasn't awake yet so I had to hook Joe to the buggy and drive them down when he did wake up. On my way home I stopped in at the mill and got the money for the wool which was 97 lbs I got 20 cts. $19.40 When I got back I had my dinner and then Dad. &amp; I went down to Mr. Flemming's and got a load of old shingles for Kindling as he has put a new roof on the west side of his barn and told us we could have what shingles we wanted to pick up. Dad. felt a little better to-day but not much It has been pretty hot to-day but a cool breeze</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Wednesday June 9th</p> <p>We didn't do anything much this morning but putter around and talk about going down town but Dad. was pretty lame so we didn't get around to it till after dinner. This after noon Dad. Aunty, Tid &amp; I went down in the waggon and were down most of the after noon Aunty didn't come home with us but walked home to tea. Dad. went to the doctor and got an electric shock on his sore back and some medicine. I got a roll of poultry netting and Mr. James loaded up the waggon with boxes. We saw Bruce up the street a little farther and were talking to him for quite awhile. Dad. &amp; Bruce held a sort of court of advice on Main St. as farmers from all over came flocking around with tales of woe concerning their livestock. Aunty didn't come home with us but walked over. Winnie &amp; Rosa Jack came over to tea. Mrs. &amp; Miss Woodson were in for a minute or two after tea before going to a bridge party at Mrs. Martin's. We had some music this evening but the girls went home early. Frank &amp; I went down town with them. Nice day.</p> <p>Thursday June 10th</p> <p>This morning we hooked up the team and Dad &amp; I went down to Flemming's to get another load of shingles. We took Tid. with us. Just as we got there we noticed that our colts were out of the gully and in the field so I struck right accross to put them back but I couldn't head them off alone and so they got out on the road and ran up the lane to the house. There with Enah's &amp; Aunty Alice's help I managed to get them into the barnyard. I had to go back to the gully and fix up the place were they got out. I took the shotgun with me in case there were crows on the corn field but there weren't so I went on over to the woods but didn't see one. It was nearly noon when I got back but Dad. &amp; Tid weren't home yet so I walked over to see if they were waiting for me but just as I got there they had left but I ran accross Vyse and he kept me in conversation for half an hour. Aunty &amp; Aunty Alice went over to Mrs. Battersby's for dinner in honor of Mrs. Skey's birthday. This after noon Dad. &amp; I took a strand of barbed wire and stretched it over the piece of fence where the colts broke out and fixed it a little better. It was in the middle of the new gully fence where we left a place for gates but only stretched a piece of wire by hand. I think old Dandy probably caught his foot in it. Dad. felt quite a bit better in his back to-day but felt a little sick. Nice day.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Friday June 11th</p> <p>I don't remember just what we did this morning but this afternoon I drove Enah down town for provisions as we just got word last night that the Millman's are coming up to-morrow to stay over Sunday &amp; take Aunty and Aunty Alice back with them. When we got back Dad. &amp; I started to clean out the floor of the big barn where the sheep were all winter. Dad. hauled a couple of loads out to the old garden to plow under. While we were there old Ivey from the mill brought his horse over to turn in the pasture. Aunty went down to a Red Cross party at Mrs. Buck's this after noon. Aunty Alice got word to-night that Mr. Billings was dead. He died at the hospital in Montreal and Mrs. Billings left right away for the West so Aunty Alice won't see her as She hoped. She feels very badly about it. Another nice day.</p> <p>Saturday June 12th</p> <p>When Dad. got up this morning he found old Ivey's horse over in Thos. A's oats. Harry must have kicked him over during the night as they didn't seem very friendly. I spent nearly the whole day cutting the lawn but I got it all cut front and back and it looks pretty nice I also dug up the rhubarb bed but not the plants. Dad put in all the day cleaning the manure out of the barn and got it looking pretty slick. We put old Ivey's chariot and our buggy in there as we will put the Millman's car in the drive house Frank spudded thistles to-day in the barley. Dick came home to tea to-night to see the Millman's. They got here just before tea. Mr &amp; Mrs Millman, Kathleen &amp; Orm who acted as chaffeur. After tea Orm took us three boys, Kathleen &amp; Enah to Simcoe also Winnie &amp; Lila. It has been hot to-day but breezy. Frank and I went down to Huby's to sleep to-night.</p> <p>Sunday June 13th</p> <p>I came home as soon as I got up this morning but Frank stayed down to go to Sunday School and church. Aunty was the only one who went down from here. Orm. Dick and I went for a swim this morning as soon as they got up, the water wasn't bad at all. After dinner I took Joe out and jumped on her back and as Kathleen was so anxious for a ride Orm out her up behind me but we didn't go very far as it was too strenuous to hang on without a saddle so then I put the saddle on her and Orm took a short ride while Kathleen was putting on an old pair of overalls then she had a little ride. They both seemed to enjoy it. This after noon Orm took all but Aunty, Aunty Alice Frank and me</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>down to Hammond's bush to see old Ad. Frolick's log cabin, he got some of them down at Huby's too. When they came back Orm. Frank, Kathleen, Tiddums &amp; I went for a ride down town and up to see Globe Park. They thought it had changed a lot since they used to summer there. We took Aunty down to stay at Mrs Leslie Battersby's to tea. After tea we took Cousin Clare home as she had been down here all the after noon - got Aunty and went up to Cousin Loll's for awhile came home again, then Orm took Frank and me down to Huby's so the car had a busy day of it. Dick was down town all the after noon. It has been very hot all day.</p> <p>Monday June 14th</p> <p>Huby came over with Frank and me to breakfast after which Huby, Mr Millman, Orm and I left for Billington's armed with fishing tackle and arms ammunition and a spade as Paw was anxious to get some ground hogs and trout We didn't get up there much before noon and spent an hour or so hunting woodchuck. Mr. Millman killed one and shot at two others at once but they went down the hole. He also set Huby and Orm to work digging one out but that got too tiresome so we quit for dinner. The Billington Bros. were very pleased to see us and gave Huby &amp; me a pressing invitation to come up again some Sunday for a fish. We fished most of the after noon was had but they weren't biting, we caught four fish alto-gether. Mr. Millman one and I caught three. Before we came home we had another groundhog hunt but didn't get any. It was after eight when we left but it didn't take long to get home. We went through Normandale and saw old Bowlry Oakes. Tonight Orm took the notion that he wanted to sleep in the barn so of course none of us would be stumped and the whole four of us gathered up all the robes and quilts we could find and made a very comfortable bed but we didn't get into it till midnight and Dick was telling stories when I went to sleep but I never woke up till daybreak. It was pretty warm all day but a cool breeze.</p> <p>Tuesday June 15th</p> <p>It rained during the night and has been rather wet all morning but cleared off and was a fine afternoon Mr. Millman wanted to start for home this morning but we thought the roads would be too wet for the car so I drove Dick down to the bank this morning and took Orm with me before he was up. When Orm &amp; I got back we thought they had decided not to go to-day so we went down again and took Kathleen with us. I took Joe down and had</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>her shod so we didn't get back till noon but fooled around down town all morning. At dinner we were very disappointed to find that Mr. Millman was determined to go this after noon, we did our best to persuade him that the clay roads of Walpole would hold him up but it was no use. They didn't get started till two o'clock but I guess they got home safely, the place seems lonely with so many gone all at once. I don't know how the chickens will get along without Aunty Alice. A special train came up from Hamilton this after noon with about 15 members of the Board of Trade and a brass band, they were here for about an hour and the Dover fellows took them around town in their automobiles. They delivered a few speeches. R. L. Tobey from Hamilton made a speech from all accounts principally about Huby and said he wanted to see him, but Huby wasn't up town. Huby used to be in the store in Chatam when Tobey was errand boy Huby said they used to kick him all over and never had much use for him. Enah and I &amp; Tid. drove down for a little while but were late, we met all the automobiles on the hill and had to turn around. We saw the cadets march down town. There was crowd enough for the first of July. I went to bed about the first thing after tea to-night.</p> <p>Wednesday June 16th</p> <p>Huby came over this morning and started going over the cornfield and planting the hills which the crows and blackbirds have taken. He saw a blackbird pulling some up but the crows don't come around when any one is near. I worked around the garden most of the day. This after noon Dad. &amp; I cultivated it. We went over to Mrs. McBrides this morning and got five bushels of dandy potatoes some of which we will use for seed. Bickler's man was in this after noon and we had to breed Ginger again. Fine and warm to-day.</p> <p>Thursday June 17th</p> <p>Huby got over the rest of the cornfield to-day and we got a bushel or so of potatoes planted. Huby &amp; I planted and Dad. plowed them in. We put them right on the sod in every third furrow. When Frank came home to-night he told us that Place's carload of posts had come. Sunny &amp; hot.</p> <p>Friday June 18th</p> <p>Dad. went down first thing this morning and twenty five of the new cedar posts. He brought Huby over with him and they went right back to John Wesses line with them and burned the old stump that was in the line. Shand came in while</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>they were gone and said the two cars of crushed rock had come and he wanted us to turn out this after noon and help haul it, so Dad. &amp; I went down with the team and waggon I stayed down there at the car loading waggons all the after noon. There were nine or ten teams hauling all to-gether. Dad had a tight box so he hauled the fine stuff. They are putting it on the big hill on the side road out here by our place It has been sunny and sultry all day, looks like rain.</p> <p>Saturday June 19th</p> <p>I got up good and early this morning and Dad. &amp; I went down to haul stone again. I spen the whole morning in one of the cars shovelling out the side that didn't dump. I finished it all but about a wheel barrow load by noon but it was heavy work. They hired Huby for the day and he &amp; Tupper's man were in the other car. They finished hauling the stone by soon after dinner, but Dad. was all the after noon hauing the fine stuff. There wasn't nearly enough of it to cover the big stones so they had to use earth which I am afraid will not be nearly as good. I stayed down at Huby's to dinner. Enah and I printed pictures to-night. Frank took Gladys down to Porter's this morning and this afternoon caught old {Dadudy?} and cultivated corn. Rained a little last night. Hot to-day but windy.</p> <p>Sunday June 20th</p> <p>Frank went to church &amp; Sunday school this morning but Dick and I went down to Quanburys for a swim, we both swam across to the stump and back. The water was elegant but the wind rather cold. This after noon Dad. Enah &amp; Tid went for a drive out to Mt. Zion Church. Frank went for a ride on his wheel and Dick down town I wrote to Aunty Alice. Five or six of my littlest chickens disappeared yesterday and I suspected a cat and to-night Frank caught the white cat running under the shop with one so to-night Frank put her in a sack and took her down to the fish shanties to lose her. It has been sunny all day but there has been a cool breeze.</p> <p>Monday June 21st</p> <p>We were all ready to get at the roadwork again this morning when Harvey Shand came in and said that there was another car with some fine stuff on the road and he thought it would be better to wait for it than to cover the stones up with earth, so after breakfast. We took the little jag we had on the waggon from Saturday night and put it on the road. Enah and Tiddums went with us and picked some wild straw berries along the road.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Huby came over and when we got back we planted some more potatoes. We have been at that all day and Dad. is plowing them in. Huby hoed corn while Dad. was plowing the empty furrows and I pulled the sour dock in the barley. We quit early to-night and Enah &amp; I went down to the the picture show to see Mary Pickford in "Tess of the Storm Country". It was pretty good. Frank rode down on his wheel, his exams started to-day, he had History, Hygiene, Composition &amp; Spelling, he thinks he did pretty well except in the spelling which he isn't sure about.There has been a strong East wind all day and it rained quite a spatter to-night.</p> <p>Tuesday June 22nd</p> <p>I went over to Martins with some more eggs this morning and Jack said he wouldn't be wanting any more. Huby didn't get over till late as he thought it would be too wet to do any thing but he and I put the boards along the ground on the posts he set in the plum orchard for a chicken run. Mr. Morgan came over and was here to dinner, he talked to Dad. all morning who was hoeing in the garden. He told me he would get me other walnut trees and a pecan for the ones that died. This after noon we didn't get out very early but I disked over the potato patch that was planted and we planted two or three more lines all tnat we will plant I think. Huby hoed some more corn and then went back to the woods to see if he could shoot a crow but was unsuccessful. He took a couple of sitting hens down to-night to set on some Plymouth Rock eggs he is going to get from Mrs. Flemming. The white cat came back from town last night some time and was purring around complacently this morning when we went out so to-night we caught her and put her in a bag with a lot of stones and I threw her over the dam bridge, so don't expect to see her back. I hated to do it and it may bring bad luck but I don't think it is very lucky to keep her here and feed her chickens. I went down to-night for awhile and got my hair cut. Sunny but cool breez all day.</p> <p>Wednesday June 23rd</p> <p>Dad. finished plowing the patch between the potatoes and the corn this morning and disked it up well. I went over to Jack Martins with the roosters and took some bags over to get chicken feed, he said he would fill them and I could get them in the morning. Huby came over and we rolled out the poultry netting along the posts and found it</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>till about eleven and then went down town and got some wire to finish the chicken fence. Dad. helped me put it up after dinner before he went out to cultivate. I planted some pop corn in the garden between the potatoes rows and then spudded thistles till chore time. Charlie Shand was in to tell us the stone had come for the road. Quite warm to-day but nice breeze. Huby set nine posts along J.W's line to-day.</p> <p>Saturday June 26th</p> <p>Dad. &amp; I got down to the car about half past eight this morning and I stayed there until we got it all unloaded. Huby was there too. There was only half a car for us, the other half was a little coarser and was for Dave Lampkin's bridge but they had a little more than they wanted so we took two or three loads of it. We were really through at noon but Dad. &amp; Tupper said they wouldn't mind coming back for the sake of having it done right so instead of going home to dinner I went out to the Shand's and saved a long walk. Dad. went home. This after noon we got some sandy loam along Tupper's fence and covered the rest of the stones on the Winding Hills. We didn't work very hard but got it all done by six o'clock. Frank cultivated corn all day and has big blisters on his feet. Huby came over at noon and set some more fence posts. It has been pretty hot and sunny all day. We need a good rain now.</p> <p>Sunday June 27th</p> <p>Frank went to Sunday School and church this morning but Dick and I went down to the Quanbury's for a swim. Dad. Enah and Tid drove up to the cemetry. This after noon Dick and I went down town and Frank went for a ride on his wheel and didn't get home till about eight o'clock. The Oddfellows marched this after noon and went up to the cemetry but they didn't have any band. I just hummed around the beach and park all the after noon It was very hot and sunny all day</p> <p>Monday June 28th th</p> <p>Frank has put in another good long day in the cornfield with old Dandy. It is beginning to look pretty nice. Huby has been setting fence posts all day and this after noon Dad. went back with him and slashed down a lot of young ash that were in the road. It is pretty hard digging back there now. This morning Dad. &amp; I sharpened the mower knives and I got started culling on the corner field. It is so weedy Dad. wants to get it done before the frist of July as he doesn't want sojourners into Dover to see it. I got a pretty good start with it but was bothered considerably with the brass boxing at the end of the pitman rod heating and had to take it off two or three times. Chris Quanbury from Lynn Valley came down to</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>night with a crate of straw-berries for Enah at eight cents About nine o'clock Elva Said. Davis, May Parry &amp; Bessie came over with Billy Boughner in his car to see if we knew where they could get some Brown Eyed Susan's to decorate Billy's car with on the First, but I guess it is a little early for them. I took Bluch back after the cows this morning and tied a plow shear to his rope and let him chase them hoping it would teach him not to be so savage. It holds him back a little but I don't know how it is goin to work. Very warm all day and feels a little like rain.</p> <p>Tuesday June 29th</p> <p>Frank and I went down town in the waggon this morning and got our hog meal at the station a bag of sugar for Enah to do up all her strawberries and I got some wheat screenings at the mill for the little chickens. When we got home I mowed &amp; Frank cultivated corn till noon Dad. &amp; Huby spent the morning at the fence and have it nearly ready to turn the cattle in the back field. This after noon I raked up what was cut yesterday while Dad. Huby and Frank cocked up. Then I cocked up while Frank went on and mowed. He kept on till it was too dark to see and then Dad. finished the field. The rest of us came in and had tea at six o'clock and then Dad. milked and Huby &amp; I went right out again and cocked up till dark. There is only about one side of the field in windrow now and it is beginning to rain a little to-night. Pretty hot all day.</p> <p>Wednesday June 30th</p> <p>It rained part of the morning so there was nothing doing in the hayfield. I drove Dick down town this morning and got some turnip seed and some cabbage plants at the Quanbury's. Dad. &amp; I set them out before dinner over in the old garden next the potatoes. We put out over a hundred. Huby came over after dinner and he and Dad. worked all the after noon at their fence but it isn't quite ready yet to put the wire on Frank cultivated corn with Belle all the after noon I went over to Charlie Quanburys and got his little seed drill to plant the turnips and when I got back went over to Mrs. McBride's and got another bushel of potatoes, then planted the turnip seed. The drill was certainly a great improvement on last years method. I planted nine rows the full length of the old garden in a little over an hour. Changing the lines took the most time as I didn't have a marker on. Sultry all the after noon but a nice breeze</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>was seventeen paces too short so I went down town and got some more but got just seventeen feet instead of yards, so it still about ten yards short but Dad. &amp; Huby put it up on the posts as far as it went this after noon and let the sheep &amp; hens out into the oats. The sheep instead of going for the oats as we expected kept pecking right around the chicken coops and nibbling what suckers they could find around the trees. I went out and rolled the potato patch over a couple of times and then harrowed it. There has been a very cold north west wind to-day and it looks as if it might freeze to-night. Cold enough for overcoats.</p> <p>Thursday June 24th</p> <p>First thing this morning Frank and I went over in the waggon to Martin's to get my chicken feed. They hadn't it mixed up yet so we had to go over to Bush's barn to get some buckwheat and then wait for Chris to mix it so we were quite awhile but when we got back Dad. was out cultivating corn with Dandy and Frank went out and relieved him. Frank has been cultivating all day and has got all over the cornfield lengthwise and started over crosswise going twice in a row. After I got my chicken feed put away and some chores done I went out and spudded thistles in the barley till noon. I had some chores to do after dinner but got a couple more hours in this after noon in the barley Huby &amp; Dad. have been back at John Wess' all day getting a line staked out for the fence. John Wess thought William's had crowded the last fence they put up a little and so they wanted to get it right and had to measure from the road. They found it about three feet shorter at one end than the other. To-night Dad. &amp; Enah went down to a concert for the Patriotic Fund. Tiddums of course woke up and I had to tell him Jack &amp; the Beanstak till we both went to sleep, we were both sound asleep in the big chair when they got home. It has been much milder to-day but there is still a cool breeze</p> <p>Fruday June 25th</p> <p>Dad. &amp; Frank were figuring on getting in a good day in the cornfield to-day cultivating with Belle &amp; Dandy but young Harv. Leany came &amp; got Dandy just before seven. They were disappointed but Dad. took old Harry and got Ivey's cultivator and tried it. He got quite a lot done but I guess old Harry was very exasperating. Frank and Belle got on all right and kept at it steadily all day. They are going crosswise and twice in the cow. I spudded thistles</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Thursday July 1st</p> <p>Dad. and I went back first thing this morning and fixed the wire on the posts that Huby put in on John Wess' line and Dad. let the cattle into the back field. There is some lovely pasture in there and it is beginning to get short in the gully. Frank went down town to celebrate and has been down all day but came home at supper time to help Dad. do chores I went down after dinner, stayed at Huby's for tea and went up and sat around the park till half past ten. Enah and Tid went down this morning and stayed at the James' all day. Dad. drove after them to-night. It was a fine day for the celebration and there was a big crowd. It was sunny but not too hot or dusty. It looked very black this after noon but all blew over but they say there was an awful storm down east. Besides the usual list of foot races and tug of war, they had the cadets perform and representation of the "Queen Elizabeth" under Rear Admiral John Gordon bombard the forts at the Dardanelles Harry Moon was very much in evidence in this performance with a long tailed blue coat and flowing beard. He yelled himself hoarse through an instrument which served equally well for a megaphone, ear trumpet or funnel when he took a drink from a black bottle which was suspended in mid-air on a gallows which later in the day served to stretch the neck of an imitation Kaiser. Another item on the list of sports which I think was an original idea was a duck chase in the harbor. They let an old tame duck loose in the harbor and gave a prize for the one that caught it. There were a good many boys swimming after it but they couldn't catch it. They tried diving and coming up under it and cornering it but it was no use so at last they drove it up on land and let young Dickerson catch it. Huby was down there with the scow and Lila went in after the duck. Young {Brufy Cooker?} got a chill from being in the water too long but apart from that I didn't hear of any accidents and everyone had a good time.</p> <p>Friday July 2nd</p> <p>We thought the hay was a little to damp to work in this morning so Dad. hoed corn and I cut some of the lawn. Before dinner we greased the waggon and put the stakes for the slings on the rack, as it looked rainy and we thought it would be better to get a load in first and then rake up what was in swath. We got a small load in after dinner but it was very heavy and short. We put</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>it over the horse stable and the last lift came broadside of the stakes in some way and broke them both off. When we got the load off. We went out to rake but just as we got there it began to rain. It just rained enough to dampen the hay and make it unfit to rake so we came in and Dad. &amp; Frank fixed the sling stakes. Frank cultivate corn all morning but young Harve Leany came after him before dinner so Frank helped us this after noon. I went down town to-night and fooled around for awhile It has been cloudy and not too hot to-day</p> <p>Saturday July 3rd</p> <p>It was too wet to go out first thing this morning into the hay, so I washed the buggy. Ed. Forest came over to have Dad. look at his horse's tail as she had hacked through the window during the night and he thought there was some glass in there. Dad probed around and succeeded in extracting three pieces of glas two of which were large pieces. About ten o'clock Dad. &amp; I went out to put up the rest of the hay. It looked very black in the West but Dad. went a couple of rounds with the rake before it commenced but then we had to quit. We had a good steady shower and were glad to see it as every thing needs it. The oats are commencing to head out and are only about six inches high. Whit Dixon was over to ask us to put my big steer in Sunday night as they want him Monday. This after noon Dad. &amp; I ground the extra mower knife. Frank rode Belle down town after the mail and was down most of the after noon, he said it was raining hard down there but it didn't rain much over here It cleared up about five and to-night I went down town to see Marj. I didn't get to bed till about twelve o'clcock</p> <p>Sunday July 4th</p> <p>Dick got up fairly early this morning and we all then went for a swim and then Dick went down town to go to Brantford with the Dyer's. Frank and I went down to church I drove Enah down. This after noon Marj. &amp; I went for a drive, we had a very happy time, when I got home Mrs. Lawrie &amp; Edith &amp; B. Kains were here to tea. It has been a lovely day as near as I can remember.</p> <p>Monday July 5th</p> <p>It rained very hard last night so we couldn't do any thing with the hay this morning. Dad. &amp; I cut thistles in the barley &amp; oats till noon and after dinner Dad. started to rake hay but just as he did start a shower blew in</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>for about two minutes and soaked things so he came in We just sat around the rest of the afternoon and every now and then a little shower would come up. It has been cold and a strong west wind all day. Whit. came over this morning and got the big steer of mine which we put in for him last night. Billy Barlow was in this after noon to try and buy the others but Dad. told him he had promised them to Bob. Another fellow was around buying cattle to-day. Billy said it was likely Lea from Simcoe. Old Joey brought a couple of fellows over in a car to look at his horse and later two other fellows drove in to look at him but none of them took him away Dad. was wishing they would because he leans over the fence and eats Ivey's oats and bends the fence all over. Mrs. McBride was here washing to-day. Enah and Frank painted the kitchen this after noon and every body is forgetting about it in spite of the smell and getting into it. Dad. was going down town to-night but he woke the baby up getting dressed and it took him about an hour to put him to sleep again so he stayed home, but Frank went down to Huby's to play poker.</p> <p>Tuesday July 6th</p> <p>Dad. thought it was too wet to work in the hay this morning so he and I hoed a patch of couch grass in the corn. Frank cultivated with old Dandy all day but Harve Leany came after him to-night. This after noon Dad. raked up the rest of the hay and he and I cocked up. It looked rainy after tea to-night so we went out after tea and got quite a lot more cocked before dark. Landon Ivey sent over after the rake when we were through with it and told Dad. he could have the upstairs part of the root house over there for Enah to paint the oil cloth in the kitchen. Vernon &amp; Rebecca were to have come up this morning to stay at the Woodson's Nice day but windy.</p> <p>Wednesday July 7th</p> <p>We got in four loads of hay to-day, we would have got in another but the rain prevented us, but we hauled in out of the windrow and what is left out is in cock except a few windrows of couch grass. Frank bunched it up ahead of us and Dad. loaded pitched on &amp; I loaded. We put it all in the horse stable but we are going to change the car to the barn for what is left. This being Dad's birthday, Win &amp; Lila came over to see him this morning. Enah &amp; Tid went down to see Vernon so we had a cold lunch but had dinner to-night when Dick came home and stayed home all evening. I drove down town town after tea and right back again to get my pants from Tip and some pictures. Windy &amp; cool all day cool rain.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Thursday July 8th</p> <p>It rained hard nearly all night so we couldn't do any thing in the hay. Dad. drove Dick down town and got his hair cut. Frank and I fooled around here and went over to Ivey's to measure the upstairs part of their root house to see if there was room to put the kitchen oil cloth down to paint it, we found there would be lots of room. When Dad. got home we took Joe and drove out to McPherson's with the beehive as Mrs. McPherson is going to give Frank another skip for the one which died. This after noon Dad. and I changed the car from the horse stable to the barn and Dad. tied a pulley up in the west end of the barn he had to do it with one hand and nearly fell once so we are afraid it wont hold when the strain comes on it. Frank spent the after noon making a super for his bee hive he made a dandy, he then worked half the night making a stick for the reel of the binder as one got broken. We took up the kitchen oilcloth this after noon and Dad. &amp; I took it over to Ivey's root house. To-night I went down town &amp; Marj. &amp; I went to the show. Dick came home with me as I was driving. It has been sunny &amp; windy all day</p> <p>Friday July 9th</p> <p>I cut the lawn this morning and worked around the garden Dad put some sleepers down in the hay in the big barn and put some rails accross them to keep the hay up off the ground This after noon we put rails across the two beams over where we ran some implements in so that the hay wouldnt come right to the floor. We then went out and brought in a load, but the rope that Dad. was afraid of broke and we were so long getting it fixed that we could only get the one load. Dad put another rope up but couldn't fix it very strongly as there wasn't enough hay in the bottom to shove the ladder up very high. To-night I rode down town and got the mail. Cousin Clare came over this morning and is going to stay all night. Nice day</p> <p>Saturday July 10th</p> <p>We hauled in hay all day but only got in five loads and left the last one on the floor. We would have finished the field but we were bothered a lot with the ropes breaking.Two lifts just got on the track when, with the first one the rope on pulley in the end of the barn broke and we couldnt uncatch the car from the gate so we had to trip the lift on the barn floor and pitch it into the east hay by hand. The next one that acted that way</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>the pulley over the door gavey way splitting the rafter it was attached to and pulling the hook right out. We had to trip this lift too but lay a sling rope on the floor and managed to catch most of it so saved pitching by hand. We came to the conclusion that the track being so loose was what was causing the trouble so Dad. managed to tighten it a little at the risk of his life, however all our delays prevented us from cleaning up the field. Frank and Dad. brought the last load in and I rode down to Nanticoke and right back. Cousin Clare went home to-night. It has been hot all day and was a warm night.</p> <p>Sunday July 11th</p> <p>Frank and I went for a swim this morning Dick has a game knee so didn't get up to go, he doesn't know what is the matter with it but he is very lame. Frank went down to Sunday school from the pond and I came home and got ready to go to church. Enah &amp; I were going to drive down but just as we were ready to start it began to rain and poured down from then till about four in the after noon After dinner Dick and I drove down town. We both came back to tea. We saw Huby and Bill Oakes down town they had been out to Old Ed. McQueen's funeral.</p> <p>Monday July 12th</p> <p>It was too wet to work in the hay to-day so I drove Dick down first thing and when I came back I set out a lot of asters and stocks. Dad. &amp; Tiddums drove down to Law's after the butter to pay for the butter and Frank went over to Ivey's root house and gave the oil cloth another coat of paint. Dad. also made a short ladder to nail up in the east end of the big barn to tighten the nut on the rod as he has it screwed up as tight as it will go at the other end. This after noon I drove Enah down town, she wanted to see Cousin Loll as it was her birthday and as it was too wet to work I went around to take Marj. for a boat ride She, Essie &amp; Joe Brown who is staying there were down at the lake swimming, so I went down there by the time they got dressed and Marj. was ready it was about four o'clock and looked very black in the north but we went down to Jakes and got a boat as he said he didn't think it would rain. We met Bird Smith and her husband Mr. Parker and Nell Smith and her lover in two canoe's at Coleman's point and they told us it was going to rain but we went up as far as the Willows below Joe Long's before we turned back and then it began to sprinkle so we got back to Jake's as fast as possible and just got inside</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>his place when it began to pour and then followed the heaviest rain we have had for a long time. In a few minutes the foot of Main St. was a lake and there were torrents running down each side. Bird was in at Jake's and her husband was over trying to get a white fish at the fish shanties. Nell's beau had to get off on the {fire?} train so they had gone home and had to come back down to the station in the bus. After the train went out it was impossible to get from the station to Jake's so we four had ice cream and peanuts watching poor Nell over in the door of the express shed, where she stood for about half an hour, then when the storm had abated a little she sent Al. Faulkner over with his car as he had been imprisoned in the station too and got us all in and took us home. Al. had to make three or four attempts to get up Main St. but he managed at last I waited at the Bagley's till about six and then it was pretty well cleared off I went around to the Jome's after Enah and the baby but found they were going to stay to tea so I stayed down too.The town was a pretty mess. All the cellars and low spots were flooded and they said there were boxes floating all over Anderson's store. Very nice day but poor hay weather.</p> <p>Tuesday July 13th</p> <p>I drove Dick down town this morning and as the roads were next to impassable I drove around to bring Mrs. McBride over but she had left before I got there and I didn't catch her till she was half way up this road. I didn't do any thing much all day but set out the rest of the stocks out under Dick's bedroom window. This after noon I drove Enah &amp; Tid. down town for the mail and as Mrs. Charlie Martin is having a tobaccoshower for the soldiers to-morrow Enah had to get some of it. Dad. cut thistles in the plum orchard this morning and this after noon took a walk over the place. He says the oats in the barley &amp; oats have come on wonderfully since the rains and that what last week looked like a field of straight barley now looks like a field of straight oats but the oats across the gully although the grains are filling well are very short &amp; thin. Lila has been over all day and she &amp; Frank have picked cherries and Frank put a shelf up in the shop this after noon. He went down town to-night with Lila. I had a little practice on the fiddle to-night It has been hot &amp; sultry all day. This seems to have been the only place that got any rain yesterday.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Wednesday July 14th</p> <p>As soon as the dew was off this morning Dad. started to cut the clover and bluegrass east of the orchard. It was high time it was cut as the bluegrass was a little too ripe. Frank and I went out and turned out few cocks there were in the corner field. They were all damp but not in such very bad shape. Tupper came along and talked for about an hour so we were out there the best part of the morning, when we got through I staked a few of the little poplars along the road and Frank went over to Ivey's to give the oilcloth another coat. This after noon I staked the rest of the poplars and Dad mowed till I quit about four o'clock, he got all the one field down and got several rounds cut on the field north of the orchard. It looks to be a nice quality and fairly heavy for this year. We then put of the load that was on the barn floor and got another in of what we turned out this morning It was still a little damp and so heavy, but we thought we had better get it in. There is still a load out there We left it on the barn floor. To-night I went to the picture show with Marj. Dick came home with me. It has been fine &amp; hot all day. Looks rainy to-night.</p> <p>Thursday July 15th</p> <p>It began to drizzle here before breakfast this morning and kept it up most of the morning. It cleared off in the after noon but this evening there was a very heavy thunder storm. This morning I levelled off the hay in the big barn where it had just been left as the slings dropped it and Dad. cut the grass &amp; weeds around the fences of the meadows he cut. Frank tidied up the shop and before noon we picked some cherries for Enah. This after noon Dad. finished cutting the field north of the orchard. Tiddums followed him out and rode around on his lap most of the after noon. Betty Jean &amp; Rebecca all came over this after noon. Frank was in the "Reformer" to-day that he has passed Entrance and feels so elated over the fact that he actually wants to go back to school after the holidays. Dick walked home to-night and got covered with mud.</p> <p>Thursday July 22nd</p> <p>I have neglected writing in this for a week as I have either been away or too sleepy at night and not up in time in the morning and too busy all day. It was too wet of course to work in</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>the hay Friday so Frank and I hauled a load of broken tile and two loads of sand and put them in front of the cow stable door as there was an awful mud hole then Dad. cleaned the muck all out and we put the broken tile in on the solid ground and the sand on top of them, The cows didn't appreciate the improvement much and we had an awful time making them go over it. Saturday was a fine hay day - and I went down about eight to get Huby. He came over and cocked up all day. Dad. raked up bothe fields which were down and we got the one all cocked up by noon. We all four cocked up till about four o'clock and then Dad. &amp; I hauled in the one load which was left on the corner field. It was pretty dark so we hauled it in the old barn and will put it up over the granary. Huby &amp; Frank cocked up till dark but we had a lot of trouble with the callte. We had to put Bluch after them to make them go in and he chased Snowdrop over the barnyard fence. She hit on her head and turned a beautiful summersault. We couldn't get John it at all so she didnt get milked to-night. I drove Huby &amp; Lila home to-night and brought Enah back. Poor John R. Davis died very suddenly this evening, he had a sort of stroke over on the bowling green and died in a few hours. Sunday Dick, Frank and I went for a swim and Frank went from there to Sunday school, Dick and I came home but drove down to church with Enah. This after noon Marj. and I went for a drive and I stayed down at the Bagleys to tea. Marj. and I went to church but as we were about ten minutes late we didn't go in but went for a walk and then up to see Glad. Law to tell her about the visit we paid the Preston's this after noon. Monday was a fine day although it looked very rainy all day. Dad. Frank and I cocked up in the field north of the orchard till about ten o'clock and then Huby came over, he had been up to see Harry Ansley about getting the Customs House job in John R. Davis' place. Harry said they would do all they could for him and are going to get out a petition to be signed by all the conservative voters they can. Huby and Frank cocked up the rest of the hay and finished by to-night. Dad. &amp; I hauled in and got in three loads After tea I went down and got Marj. and drove her to Simcoe to get C.P.R. tickets for herself and Mrs Bagley. She is going to the {illegible} &amp; Mrs. Bagley out to Saskatchewan. We went to the show up there and got home a little after twelve. We had a lovely time. Dad. rode Belle out to Jim. Waddle's to get his influence in getting Huby the job but Jim said he had applied for it himself. Tuesday</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Huby came over first thing and mowed away or hoed in the garden. Dad. &amp; I hauled in two loads this morning but as he &amp; Huby went to John R's funeral this after noon we had to quit on time. Dad. went with the Masons. In the after noon Frank &amp; I hauled in two loads, we cleaned up the field east of the orchard and got one load off the other field. When Dad. got home he &amp; I got in another load. After tea I walked down town and got my hair cut. It rained a little. Haib died yesterday he has been sick about a month and was only twenty eight years old. The then Dyers kids (boys) were over here picking wild raspberries in the woods all day, they are thick back there Dad. &amp; Frank got up at half past three this morning and went back and picked a lot. Wednesday I got up before five and got fixed up and went down to see Marj. off. She &amp; Mrs. Bagley left for Toronto and from there up the lakes. It was too wet to haul all morning so Dad. &amp; Frank cultivated the garden and the raspberries I didn't do much but hoe a little We put off the load that was on the barn floor before dinner and this after noon Dad. &amp; I got in three more, we were going out after the fourth when it commenced to rain. It had been raining all around us all the after noon and we got a piece of it at night. It rained pretty hard for about an hour. I went back after the cows and got soaked. Aleta McBride was over all morning picking cherries. This morning Thursday, Dad. &amp; Enah &amp; Tid. have been out all morning canvassing the country for names to go on Huby's petition for the custom's office. Dad. got about a dozen nearly all the ones he saw were very anxious to sign it as they all think the job belongs to Huby A lot of them had signed Huby's in town. Mr. McPherson was the only one who didn't sign and he said he was very sorry but he had another man in view. The other man was aparently Wilson as they saw him on their way out and he told them that he had applied for the job but when he saw Huby's petition last night he put his name on it. Huby and Sandy Leitch were over after dinner in the latter's car and Huby had a paper three feet long filled with two columns of names. He had over 200 to-night. Frank mowed all morning the field north of the old garden he finished it soon after dinner. I cut the lawn this morning. Aleta McBride was over and picked the rest of the cherries. After dinner Dad. went out and turned out a lot more hay and about four we hauled in a load. Then we went out and cocked it all up again</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>as it looked very rainy. However it didn't rain here although we could see a terrific storm raging north of us. Dad. &amp; Enah drove down town to-night and took Mrs. McBride's share of the cherries around to her. They went down to see Huby and he had just heard from Jack Herring saying poor old Quint was in the hospital. Huby was pretty anxious about him but I don't believe he is very bad. Lila is also laid up with biliousness</p> <p>Friday July 23rd</p> <p>We put off the load that we hauled on the barn floor last night and then Dad. took the team and raked up what Frank cut yesterday. Frank and I threw the tops of the cocks which didn't get turned yesterday and then came in and changed the car from the barn to the horse stable. Dad. came in before we were through but the time we got that done it was half past eleven - and not worthwhile going after a load, we got out fairly early after dinner and got three loads in leaving the last one on the barn floor, we quit early as Huby was over and wanted Dad. to go to Simcoe to-night with him, Barwell &amp; Ansley to see Alex McCall about Huby's job. Frank and I did the chores. Dad. said that it looks pretty well for Huby as McCall wants him to have it and says in the face of the petition that Huby has over 250 names it would not be right to let it go anywhere else but of course he hasn't all the say and Jim Waddle has all the Conservative committe on his side outside of Dover, but they think there is a chance of him dropping out. It has been sunny and breezy to-day a good drying day.</p> <p>Saturday July 24th</p> <p>This being my birthday Dad. &amp; Enah presented me with a tripod for my camera, Frank with a necktie and Dick with a box of Holeproof hosiery. Aunty sent me a shirt and Aunty Alice a dollar so I came off pretty hicky. We hauled hay all day, got the load and and a little over that was on the field north of the orchard and then hauled in off the bluegrass field which Frank cut on Thursday. We got it all in but about half a load. There were only about three loads on it, but it took a long time to haul as it was in windrow and Frank just bunched it up ahead of us It was in nice shape though as it didn't get wet at all. Dad. and Frank did up all the chores to-night as I felt rather sick. I haven't felt extra well all day but to-night I felt really rotten. It has been a nice day sunny and windy, looked a little hazy this after noon</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Sunday July 25th</p> <p>I didn't feel up to much all day and Enah was right down sick so nobody went to church all day. Dick &amp; Frank went for a swim before dinner. Huby was over for a little while this morning, he said he didn't feel very well either I don't know what is the matter with all of us but Enah and I felt better to-night. I drove Huby home. This after noon Dick went down town and Frank went back to the woods and discovered a black cherry tree with dandy big cherries on it right at the edge of the woods. He also reported that the wild raspberries were thick back there Sam Law came after Dad. to go and see a sick pig he had Dad. went and saw it, came back to get a syringe and when he got back the pig was dead. I wrote a letter to Aunty &amp; Aunty Alice. Enah spent the after noon in bed. About four o'clock Rus. Ickey cam over and stayed to tea. We were of course highly entertained by his conversation. Fine day.</p> <p>Monday July 26th</p> <p>Frank and I spent the morning back in the woods picking raspberries and supplying breakfast to the one million hungry mosquitos which inhabit that portion of the ranch We got a nice lot of berries. Enah put down five quarts and we had some for dinner and tea. Dad. cut hay all morning. Just after dinner it began to rain and we had quite a long shower so couldn't do any thing more in the fields. I wrote a letter to Mr. Yussou about my chestnut tree and also one to Prof. Zavitz asking for another potato platform in place of the one I lost. When it stopped raining I put up a bit of two foot poultry netting across the bottom of the raspberry patch and shut the five young dudes in. Frank spent most of the after noon making a whipple tree for the cultivator out of a piece of hickory. He is making pretty good job of it. They got word from Quint to-day or rather of him, they are afraid of typhoid fever, his temperature goes up at night to over 103° and down in the morning, they are pretty anxious about him.</p> <p>Tuesday July 27th</p> <p>Dad. and I spent the whole morning hoeing potatoes out in the old garden but got on very slowly owing to the grass which has come up so thick with the potatoes since the rain. Frank finished cutting the old timothy sod and brought the mower up as everything is cut now. At noon Sam Law came over to see if Dad. would go down with our binder and cut his wheat and let him come up here, but Dad. told him he had better bring his team up and hook on the binder. Their binder won't work at all the knotter</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>seems to be at fault. Krompart told them he would be down to day but Sam is anxious to get his wheat cut and thrashed before he goes out with the thrashing outfit which he expects to have to do about the end of the week. Dad. &amp; Frank went over with Alan after dinner and they got things going with our binder when Krompart &amp; the General Agent came along and they were there all the after noon, put a new knotter on but it didn't work any better At last they discovered that the tension sit screw had been turned up as tight as it would go and that was what was causing all the trouble. Then they took a link out of one of the chains on our binder which was too loose and which Dad. never could tighten, but it was four o'clock or after before Dad. got home. However Dad. went out and raked up what hay was down and got it all up in windrow by about half past seven. Frank and I did up all the chores. I went down town right after dinner to get some coal oil and the mail and some cucumber plants from Huby which I set out when I got home. I don't know whether they will live or not as they were pretty big to move, but I also fixed some hills in the garden to plant seed in. To night Frank and I went over to McPhersons and got the bees they have been in the hive over a week. Percy Millman was down at Hubys to dinner to-day, he came up to look for a cottage, he said that the rest were all coming up Friday in the car and Aunty was coming with them. Cloudy and warm all day.</p> <p>Wednesday July 28th</p> <p>We were going to haul in what Dad. raked up last night right out of windrow but just as we got the team hooked up to draw the load that was on the barn floor out and unload it, we decided that it looked so black it would pay to go and cock up as we could get more cocked up than we could loaded and it would be in fair shape while if left in windrow it would be an awful mess. We hadn't been out there an hour when it commenced to rain and rained pretty hard for the best part of the fore noon. After dinner Frank and I drove down town and got the mail, they heard from Quint down at Hubys, he has typhoid all right but it has been running for sixteen days and they think the worst is over with. I went around to Howey's saw mill and found they had lots of stuff to build a colony house if I can only scrape up money enough to buy it. When we got home Frank and Dad. went over to Law's to load the binder and bring it home but just nicely got there when it commenced to rain and poured for about two hours from four to six. I went out and separated the old hens from last years, I want to see if they are laying and if not I will kill them off. I went to bed early to-night as I have started getting up earlier. I have come to the conclusion that an hour to read &amp; write in the morning is worth about two at night. I got up at four this morning and got quite a lot done beside getting a good early start for the day's work.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Thursday July 29th</p> <p>It was of course too wet to do any thing in the field this morning so Dad. &amp; Frank went over to Law's and loaded the binder on the trucks and Alan hauled it home and borrowed the manure spreader. I went over to Martins to get a few more pointers on building an 8 x 10 colony house and when I got back Frank and I went down with the team and waggon and got all the lumber I wanted at Howey's. I was a little surprised to find the bill was only $15.10 as I thought it would be more, but I acting on Mr. Howey's advice I got Hemlock for the walls instead of pine as he said if painted there was no fear of it warping. Right after dinner Frank and I droved down in the buggy to get the mail and some stuff we couldn't get this morning. Bob. Miller &amp; Whit Dixon drove over right after dinner and Bob gave Dad. his price $140.00 for the two steers much to Whit's disgust who said it wasn't in them. The evidently had some altercation about the red &amp; white one's disposition as Dad. was very anxious that he would act as quietly as mine did as Whit said he was a wild nervous brute. They want to take him in the morning so we put him in the cow stable to-night without much trouble. Herb Cook came over and took old Dandy, I suppose to work for awhile as his mare is lame. Zeitha Barwell came over to see if Enah could play for her at the concert to-morrow night but as we expect the Millman's Enah told her she couldn't. When we got home Dad. went and turned out some hay and Frank and I started in on the colony house. We did pretty well and apart from getting a rather warped scantling for front sill and putting the floor on up side down, we did pretty well for a first attempt. I was going down to Tom Abbotts to-night to see some half grown chickens he wants to sell but it got too dark Cloudy &amp; sultry.</p> <p>Friday July 30th</p> <p>Frank and I got out as soon as possible this morning and worked on the colony house all morning. Whit came over after the steer and we had to help load him Dad's hopes for his good conduct were not realized by a long shot as he raised cain. We managed to get him loaded but Whit's horse waas frightened so we had to take him out and put old Harry in his place. Dad. went down with him and they were nearly all morning getting him tied up over at the slaughter house. I think Whit was rather pleased that he did cut up so that he could say "I told you so" to Dad. who said he that if the bottom of the rack was not so slippry he would have been all right. This after noon Dad &amp; I</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>went out and started to cock up the hay that Dad. turned out yesterday but scarcely got out to the field when we heard the wind and rain sweeping across the cornfield so we lit for the house. We just got there in time as the rain came down it torrents. We went in the shop and ground the binder knives till it was over, we then went out and worked a little more at the hen house and got quite a little bit more done. Allan Law and Frank McBride brought back the manure spreader. The Millman's hadn't arrived by six o'clock and we thought there was no chance of them getting here, but they did seven strong including Aunty. Their car was covered with mud and they said the roads had been awful but they had got a bit of rain. Nita and Billy came up with them this time. Percy with his wife, baby, maid &amp; dog came up on the train this morning and is boarding down at Harry Moon's for a couple of weeks. After tea we all went down town again to see Percy and went down to Hubys to see Walter who came up on the train to-night. We four boys slept in the barn to-night.</p> <p>Saturday July 31st</p> <p>The ground was too wet to cut wheat this morning so Dad. &amp; I worked nearly all day at the colony house and it is beginning to look quite respectable. Frank and Nita drove Dick down this morning and Kathleen &amp; Orm spent most of the morning with us. They all went down in the car about eleven o'clock to bring Walter &amp; Huby over to dinner but didn't get back till after one and Walter walked over and was here before them. He was here for only a short time after dinner as he had to go back to Toronto to-night. He is going to stay wth Ray till after Monday which is Civic Holiday in Toronto and then is going back to Regina. All the Millman's and Enah and the baby went down to the lake for a bathe which they all enjoyed very much except Tid. who {sadly?} cried Win was down there and they said she nearly got swamped She was out in the deep water and got a mouth full. Fortunately Percy noticed her as she couldn't call and was about all in. To-night we went down to the dance, we were just going to look on but Kathleen, Orm, Dick &amp; I went in and I had about every dance. Enah, Nita &amp; Billy watched from outside or rode around in the car. Dick &amp; Orm saw girls home but I came home in the car with the rest and the other two with Alan Law. Frank was sound asleep in the hay when we got home so we joined him and sang ourselves to sleep. It has been cloudy &amp; squawky all day rained to-night.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Sunday August 1st</p> <p>This morning Orm, Dick, Frank and I went for a swim before we had our breakfast and didn't get back until ten o'clock, we just lay around under the willow tree with the rest of the family till dinner time. After dinner we had a little music and then Billy, Kathleen, Orm, Dick Frank and I went down to the lake for a swim. The rest went to Port Ryersie and took Harry Ansley, he &amp; Mr. Millman went up to interview H.P. Innes on Huby's behalf. They said they had a satisfactory consultation. Nita drove the car and Dad. went up with them. Dick and Orm separated from us when we got down town and Frank went to some nouk of his own to undress when we first got there, we couldn't get an empty bathing house, there was such a crowd in but at last one was vacant in the men's section and we all three used it Kathleen undressed first and then Billy and I. Orm came down after awhile with Mildred Henry and used it too but managed to get another one for Mildred. Percy &amp; his wife were down there and we were in a long time as the water was fine. We went up to Huby's to tea where Mr. &amp; Mrs. Millman, Nita and Enah joined us. Dick and Frank went to Dyer's and home respectively. We sat around down at Huby's most of the evening. Some of them went out to the Ansley's and Tibbits for awhile. it has been hot and sunny all day.</p> <p>Monday August 2nd</p> <p>Dad. started to cut the wheat this morning and worked till after dark to-night but got it all the one 8 acre field down. We didn't get it nearly all set up but if it doesn't rain we want to haul it right in. The Millman's all left this after noon. They went down to the lake this morning and didnt get back till about one when the were supposed to have started but they all got off soon after dinner. We went out after tea to-night to run the binder in the barn and were about an hour at it. It was half past ten when we got back to the house. It has been a fine day to-day but looks black.</p> <p>Tuesday August 3rd</p> <p>We were preparing for a good day hauling in to-day but first thing before breakfast a heavy shower came up and dashed our plans to pieces. I drove Dick down to the bank and got some roofing paper for the new chicken house. Dad. and I worked at the hen house the rest of the day althou. About five o clock we went out to look at the wheat and shocked a little of it up. I went after the cows at half past five and just as I got to the gully it began to rain and kept it up for two or three hours of heavy pelting. I sought</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>shelter under some trees for awhile but soon found that I was getting very little and losing considerable time so I struck out into it. I couldn't see the cows so tramped all through the woods and back as far as John Wess' and then saw them all in behind a point of the hill on this side of the gully. By the time I got to the house I was soaked through and had to change all my clothes. Enah and Frank were down town so they got pretty wet too.</p> <p>Wednesday August 4th</p> <p>Dad. Frank and I went out this morning and started to set up the wheat. Dad. devised a new and under the circumstances improved method of putting up one sheaf at a time. We couldn't have done it if the sheaves hadn't been as heavy and big as they were, but by jabbing them down hard on the ground we managed to make them stand pretty well of course an occasional one would fall. It took longer than to shock but it certainly dried quicker. The heads would all separate with the jar and by noon the ones we set up first were perfectly dry in the heads but of course wet under the band. We didn't get through by noon so Dad. &amp; I went out again but the wind kept getting stronger and the last ones I did I had to put up two at a time. We got it all up by to-night. Frank took Aunty down town this after noon. They heard from New Bedford to day and Quint's temperature is down nearly to normal. We saw by today's paper that yesterday's storm was far worse all around us than it was here. Toronto was the worst hit in Canada, trees and gardens being destroyed but in Erie there was a regular flood and twenty five people were killed, two thousand homeless and about three million dollars damage down.</p> <p>Thursday August 5th</p> <p>Morley Buck came over in his Ford this morning to get Dad. to go down and see their horse. When he came back we went out and shook out the hay again. What was in windrow was very wet and all except the pure bluegrass was spoiled but what had been shaken out was not in such bad shape. This after noon we worked at the hen house and got most of the roof on but it rained again towards evening.</p> <p>Friday August 6th</p> <p>We set up the wheat again this morning, there was quite a lot of it down and we had to put most of it two sheaves to-gether. This after noon Frank took Bluch over to Bob. Ross. He lost his old dog and wanted a new one and Tom said he was very good to his dogs so we thought as old Bluch was so</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>rough with the cattle and they were getting to be afraid he might hurt the baby who would persist in teasing him, that we thought we had better let him go. Frank said old Bob. was delighted to get him but Bluch coaxed to come home, however he will soon get used to it. I rode down town soon after dinner and got the mail. When I got back Dad. and I worked some more at the hen house. Very hot and rained again.</p> <p>Saturday August 7th</p> <p>This morning Aunty and I tied up the dahlias and worked a little at the flower beds. Then Dad. and I went and worked at the chicken house. Dad. made a door and I put in the dropping board. This after noon Dad. put a latch on the door and I cut the lawn. Frank pretty sick this after noon but he drove Aunty and Tid. down town. To-night he felt so miserable that I thought he would feel better sleeping alone so I went out and camped in the horse stable. Rained a little more.</p> <p>Sunday August 8th</p> <p>Dick and I went for our weekly swim this morning but Frank didn't feel like joining us. As soon as we got home Dick left with Joe &amp; the buggy to take Dess. to Simcoe to spend the day with "Grandpa &amp; Grandma" Mead. I started to get ready for church but just about time to leave an awful shower came up so I didn't go. Aunty had gone down to Sunday school and by after church it had cleared off so she came home to dinner. I was going down town this after noon to see if I could find the Millmans but it began to rain again and this time proved to be about the worst storm I ever saw, and it kept up for two or three hours, in the middle of it there was a hail storm with hail stones as big or bigger than marbles. When they rolled off the rooves they were inches thick and didn't all melt by to-night. There are huge lakes all around us and the ditch in front of the house is six feet wide and rushing about forty miles an hour. I don't know when we will be able to get on the ground to cut the rest of the crops. We didn't do any thing much this after noon but lie around. Dick got home about half past nine, he said it rained &amp; hailed heavily in Simcoe but not as badly as it did here. He said some fields of Wess Buchner's and J.A. McBride were about two feet deep with water. He said he saw Vyse &amp; Aiken's hauling in wheat this morning, they just got in one load before the rain.</p> <p>Monday August 9th</p> <p>When Quanbury's went past this morning they told Dad. that the hail storm yesterday had broken 10,000 panes of glass in Ivey's greenhouses. They had it far worse down town and up the gravel than we did, the stones were as big as walnuts down</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>town Alan Law said and they say it broke thirty panes of glass in Bill Duncan's house but down east at the Dog's Nest &amp; on down they didn't get a hit nor they didn't get it at Shand's school house and very lightly at John Wess's. I drove Dick down town this morning and when I got back went out &amp; helped Dad. &amp; Frank set up the sheaves which were down. We got through about eleven and then went over to see the oats across the gully and wandered over to see John Wess's stuff. Blaikie was out turning shocks. It is in about the same shape as ours and beginning to show signs of sprouting. I took the camera with me and took a picture of our wheat field and of John Wess, Blaikie, Cam, Dad &amp; Frank in the barn over there we didn't get back till about one. After dinner Dad. drove Enah &amp; Tid down town and Aunty as far as Mrs. Battersby's Frank and I shelac'd the knots on the chicken house and worked at it full the after noon and got it all ready for the chickens. To-night Dad. Frank and I moved them over. We took two big boxes of them and had sixty one all to-gether. Alan Law was in to-night &amp; says they want to thrash. It looks a little better to-day &amp; clearer to-night.</p> <p>Tuesday August 10th</p> <p>Dad. Frank and I &amp; Tid. drove Aunty down town this morning We were going around to get Kathleen and bring her over but we met her on the way, so I came back with her and when Dad. came home with Joe, Kathleen and I drove down to Tom Abbots to see his chickens he wants to sell, they are a nice looking lot if he doesn't want too much for them. Kathleen had to go back for dinner so I drove her down, she was greatly distressed because she got her nice clean middy blouse mud spattered. This after noon Dad. &amp; Frank went over to Sam's to thrash. Frank said he would sooner go over there than go to the Sunday school picnic, so he did but I guess there wasn't much for him to do. Huby was over for a few minutes to get Aunty's suitcase which they forgot to take out of the buggy this morning but I was just going to drive Enah &amp; the baby down to the picnic so I took it. After I took them down I came home and fixed a bed along the house under the kitchen windows. To-night Dad. &amp; I did chores and Frank drove down after Enah &amp; the baby Aunty came back with them because Landon Ivey brought over some raspberries and she wanted to do them up to-night. It looks fair to-night and has been all day</p> <p>Wednesday August 11th</p> <p>It was a very heavy dew last night so we couldn't start hauling in very early, but Dad. &amp; I went out and turned out a few which we thought we could haul and they were in pretty fair shape except around the bands. Frank cleaned</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>up the barn floor and harnessed the team. Art Quanbury came in to see if he and Charlie couldn't help us haul in so they did and we hauled in with both teams, the consequence is that we have the field nearly cleaned, it certainly gave us a great lift. We could only haul small jags as the ground was so soft but we got in {blank} of them and there are three or four out there yet. Frank turned out nearly all the sheaves in the field and then turned them in the mow for us when we unloaded. It has been pretty hot &amp; sultry all day and looks rainy to-night.</p> <p>Thursday August 12th</p> <p>It rained hard again last night and this morning so we have not been able to do anything much all day. Dad. has felt sick with a headache and sour stomach all day. I think brought on principally by worry and discouragement at the wet weather, it is really beginning to look very serious. Up around Port Rowan they say they have turned their hogs into lots of the uncut fields. This morning I drove Dick down and went around and got Kathleen and brought her over, we went down around by Hubys and got some poppy roots, which I set out when I got home, we didn't do anything all morning but this after noon I drove Enah, Tid &amp; Kathleen down and we went for a short swim in the lake and dressed up at the James'. Enah was going to stay down there to tea but the baby was too cranky so she had to bring him home. Her sister, Mrs. Johnson was coming to-night so Frank drove her down after tea and he went to some rail road meeting. I let my chickens out of the colony house to-day and about a dozen of them came back to the brooder to roost to-night. It has been hot and muggy all day cloudy to-night.</p> <p>Friday August 13th</p> <p>It was very black this morning and rained several times during the fore noon but cleared off nicely this after noon. Dad. has felt pretty miserable all day, he drove Dick down town this morning and this after noon set up the little bit of wheat that was left out. I put the wire over the colony house windows this morning and Frank and I spent the rest of the morning digging in the ditch in the timothy sod, we were just levelling it to get the proper fall before we started digging deep enough for the tile. After dinner we went down to Tom Abbot's and I got thirteen of his chickens, we then went down for the mail and took the baby with us. It was time to do chores when we got home.</p> <p>Saturday August 14th</p> <p>This morning Frank and I hooked Joe &amp; Belle to the waggon and took the harrows down to Hallam's the new black-</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>smith to be sharpened, we took Dick down with us. We then went down to the station and got a barrel of freight which came for Aunty Alice and took it up to the house, there was a whole bunch of girls there with Win. and they wanted to go over to Martin's to see the chickens so piled in the waggon and came over with us Aunty and Lila came over to the farm with us. This after noon we were going to haul in the rest of the wheat but right after dinner Archie &amp; Clark Langs, his daughter and Mrs. Jack Foster came in and paid us quite a visit so it was late by the time we got out. We got in four more jags but there are still two or three left. About half past six the four Millmans and Aunty Alice arrived, we didn't expect them quite so soon but they said the roads were fine and they made very good time. Billy &amp; Orm wanted to go for a swim to-night so Frank and I went down with them. We went down and got Percy at the Moon's and also Kathleen but she didn't go in, we all undressed down below the park in the car except Billy who undressed &amp; put on his bathing suit right in the car in front of the Moons house with Kathleen standing on the running board beseeching him to behave himself. After we had a swim Billy went in with Percy and the rest of us came over here Orm. wanted to go down to the dance so we got Enah and came right back. Enah went into the store to see Mrs. Johnson and from there around to the house where Percy picked her up and took Billy &amp; her home about ten and then left the car down at the Moon's for Orm. I didn't go into the dance but Orm went in and Kathleen went in once or twice with him. Frank went off some where and came back in time to get a ride home We started off for home as I thought right after the dance was over, and after Kathleen and gone home, and picked Dick up at the Methodist Church when Orm. said he would like to take Mildred Henry for a drive, so we went around there and as Donald Ingram &amp; Stan Sutton were there she said to come back in about ten minutes so we went up and got Dess. I thought he was just going for a short spin up the Gravel but the first thing I knew we were well on the road for Simcoe and so went in and Orm got some sandwichs at the chink's before we came home. It was half past two before we got home, we had a good time but it was a crazy thing to do, we all went to bed in the barn as Orm was afraid to go in the house for fear of waking some body up. It has been a nice day but rained a little to-night. They brought news in to-night that J.G. {illegible} was killed by the train in Hamilton.</p> <p>Sunday August 10th</p> <p>I woke up about five this morning by hearing Orm &amp; Dick crawling out, they said they hadn't slept a wink all night on</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>account of mosquitos, they had taken off most of their clothes so they were bothered worse than I was. Orm got down and dressed and then went to bed again and stayed there till after ten while Dick sought rest in the automobile and then went and curled up in the house for awhile. Billy said he had lain over on one side of the bed most of the night expecting someone to come &amp; sleep with him and he didn't get much of a rest either. We sat around most of the morning but after they routed Orm out we went down to the lake for a swim. I didn't go in but sat around. They got Kathleen, Percy &amp; family and took them down too. Boxer, Percy's dog got into a little scrap with another dog came along and started it and Boxer got his eyelid a little torn. Anybody would have thought there had been a baby murdered but the fuss the kicked up Mrs. Millman came with a club swearing vengeance on the dog and the owners while Percy who came in from the lake at his wife's shouts said he was going to kill it. It was nearly noon dinner time when we got home and we found Archie Lang and Uncle Roebuck here to dinner. He said Queen was a dandy but he had one a little better. They say he has the rails on the fence all worn smooth where he sits and watches it eat. They left soon after dinner and the Millmans left about four. Orm went down town first and got Kathleen and her impedimenta which included a mud turtle &amp; Boxer. Billy was very annoyed at the idea of Boxer accompanying them and said it was a wonder Percy didn't have cheek enough to send his baby. We got the chores done early and this after noon evening Dad. Enah and I drove down to church. Mr. Leigh prought and I went sound asleep. I think more from the fact that I had only had three hours the night before than any soothing effects of the sermon. We went over to the Jame's after church and didn't get home till about ten. Earl Brown and Walter Fletcher came in in Brown's Ford. after we got home and were out there a long time getting Dad's advice about Fletcher's horse It has been a lovely day sunny and a cool breeze.</p> <p>Monday August 16th</p> <p>This morning I cut the grass around the back of the house and Dad. opened up a few ditches around the hog yard. This after noon we hauled in the rest of the wheat, there were three more jags of it. It began to rain before we got through and rained quite a shower. When we got through Dad. went over to the Quanbury's and had a hot bath as they have givent him several invitations to make use of their bathroom. To-night he &amp; Enah went down to a musical at the Hobbes for the Red Cross Bandage club. Aunty &amp; Aunty Alice were here to watch Tid if he woke up and he did. It has been very hot all day</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Tuesday August 17th</p> <p>This morning Dad. Frank &amp; I all dug a little more at the tile ditch out in the old timothy sod and this afternoon got started to cut the barley, but only got a few rounds cut as it was in awful shape, all tangled up and in some spots as Colin Ryerse says, the big wheel "drug." I spent a long time to-night catching young chickens which came back from the colony house to roost around the brooder, there are a couple of dozen which persist in coming back to the yard everyday and then don't go back. I had quite a time catching them as I had shut them out of the brooder and they were roosting on a sheep's back and when I went out the sheep got frightened and ran away up the orchard with the chickens. It hasn't rained all day and looks like fair weather for awhile.</p> <p>Wednesday August 18th</p> <p>It took us the whole day to finish cutting the barley and then we didn't get much of it shocked up. It was in such a tangled mess and thislley that we didn't take our hands to it but Frank and I shocked it up with forks what little we got done. Dad. cut my O.A.C. 72 Oats the last thing and we got 37 nice straight sheaves out of them some of them about four feet long. I didn't feel very well to-day. Aunty &amp; Aunty Alice went to Pt Rowan to-night.</p> <p>Thursday August 19th</p> <p>We decided to haul the barley right in to-day instead leaving it for although some of it was pretty green in the butts it would be in a hopeless mess if it ever got rained on so we hauled in all day but didn't finish, it was very slow as there was so much loose stuff and we hauled good big loads, we only got in four loads. Walt. McCall came over this after noon and got Dad. to go over to see Jack Martin to see if he would go to Simcoe in Huby's interests but Jack wasn't home. Huby came over to night at half past twelve and wandered all over the house before he could wake any of us up and he wanted Dad. to go with Harry Ansley &amp; Cousin Willie in the morning to Delhi and Waterford to see executive of the Conservative committee to whom the appointment of customs officer is left. This was Dover's Boughner Picnic but I guess they didn't have much of a crowd as all the farmers were too busy to attend and besides they had one in Simcoe last Saturday, there has evidently been a split in the house of Broughner over the decision of a suitable place to hold their annual reunion. Aunty &amp; Aunty Alice were home from Port Rowan to-night, they were in Simcoe all the after noon and had Lila go up and meet them to give her a treat in Simcoe but as it was Thursday after noon all the stores and restaurants were closed and no-one on the streets. Fine day</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Friday August 20th</p> <p>We had hoped to get a good early start this morning and get the barley all in by noon but Dad. had to be down town at eight o'clock so we didn't manage it. Frank drove him down and brought Aunty Alice back. He was supposed to be back by noon but he didn't get back till about six. Al. Faulkner took them, Cousin Willie &amp; Harry Ansley went with him. They went to Waterford and Delhi to interview the fellows who are responsible for the Customs appointment, and Dad. thinks they had a pretty satisfactory time, he says Harry Ansley is certain of Huby's success but Dad. isn't so sure. They are supposed to decide to-morrow. Frank and I didn't get out till about nine o'clock and just got in two loads before dinner, we didn't know how we were going to manage to get the stuff mowed away at the back of the mow by the cow stal but Enah voulanteered her services and thanks to her timely assistance we got on fine. She helped us put off two loads by passing the sheaves from Frank to me. We got in another big load after dinner and so cleaned the field but left it on the barn floor. It was four o'clock when we got in. We thought we would have time to go and have a try at cutting the wheat, so we hooked on the waggon and I went out and loaded about half of my O.A.C. 72 Oats on it while Frank was oiling up and then we tackled the wheat. Frank drove and we got one round cut but about halfway around the twine got tangled in the twine box and it took us quite awhile to get it threaded and at the far end, the wheat was so heavy and a little down that it wouldnt elevate at all and Frank had to stop every few feet for me to rake it off the table so by the time we got back to where we started we thought we had better quit. I took the team and was hooking on the waggon while Frank was putting the canvass on the binder when old Wallace Brock who has been helping Vyse all day came over and said Vyse was stuck and wanted us to pull him out so I didn't put any more of my oats on but we went over. He had thrown most of his load off so Frank had no trouble in getting our team to lift it and when we got it out we helped him load it again and hauled it out on the road for him Dad. just got home at the same time we did. It has been fair but hot &amp; sultry all day &amp; looks rainy.</p> <p>Saturday August 21st</p> <p>It was raining when we got up this morning and has been at it pretty much ever since although the sun was out for a little while this morning. Dad. &amp; I drove Dick down this morning and Dad. went down to see Huby for quite awhile. We didn't do much the rest of the day but sit around and I cleaned out the chicken house. Dad. &amp; Frank drove down about five o'clock and got the mail, but Huby hadn't heard any thing yet. He and {Sam Fick?} have been working for the last few days building a retaining wall of plank in</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>front of the Johnston's house. He was working at it all the after noon in the rain. Yesterday's paper reported the sinking of a White Star liner westward bound and several lives were lost. The U.S. is mighty hot over it but Wilson is waiting to find out for certain if they had no excuse, they say if she was convoyed they had if not it was an unjustifiable act. It begins to look doubtful if Wilson's patience will last much longer.</p> <p>Sunday August 22nd</p> <p>Huby walked over this morning about seven to bring the tidings of his success. The committee was unanamous in his favor all but one man and he voted for Huby when he saw how he stood, the two Waddle men were not there, so Huby's recomendation has gone into Parliament already and of course he is nearly certain notw of getting the appointment especially as Mr. Millman has things shaped at the Ottawa end of it. Of course Dick enlightened Dad. with the cold facts this morning when he was half asleep but Huby embellished them with all the details. The news I think saved Dad. from considerable worrying as it has been raining all night and every thing is flooded. I went back after the cows and had to wade up to my knees across the creek channels and parts of the flats are flooded. All the family but Aunty Alice &amp; Tid went down to church this morning. Frank drove Huby and me to the sidewalk and then came back after Dad. &amp; Enah Huby and I went to-gether. After church Dad. &amp; I went up to the Ansley's as Dad. wanted to congratulate Harry and also express his gratitude for the time &amp; labor he has spent on Huby's behalf. We waited there till Frank came with the buggy &amp; called for us after he had driven Enah &amp; Aunty over home. This after noon I started to read but was soon overpowered by sleep and wasted nearly all the after noon under the influence of that great enemy of my leisure &amp; willpower, when I woke up it was time to do chores and Aunty had gone down to church. She &amp; Aunty Alice stayed down all night. Dad. drove Aunty Alice and the baby up to the cemetry this after noon. Tid. took the poor old German Roller canary up in a matchbox and buried him this after noon, the poor old fellow has been sick for a long time and died the other night. Fine day.</p> <p>Monday August 23rd</p> <p>I went out this morning about five and caught some of the young chickens and took them out to the wheat stubble in the hope that they would stay there all day and then go to roost in the colony house but they are bound to come back here. This morning Frank and I went down to Howe and got a load of slabs as it was too wet to do any thing</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>else and this after noon we got another load. I cut some of the lawn after I got back. This morning Frank drove Dick down and brought Aunty back and Dad. &amp; I brought in the rest of my O.A.C. 72 oats and stacked them around in the barn Aunty Alice walked over this after noon and to-night she, Enah, Frank &amp; I played pedro and Aunty Alice told our fortunes by our hands. It is a pity we couldn't bank on the prophecies because the future certainly looks brilliant for most of us. Fine day but sultry.</p> <p>Tuesday August 24th</p> <p>I spent most of the morning digging and weighing up my two plots of Guelph potatoes, they were a very slim crop and weren't ripe but I thought they were going to rot anyway so I dug them. There was only enough for two or three good square meals on both plots, but the Davies Warrior outclassed the Eureka in every respect. They were larger and more of them and not so many rotten ones Fred. Johnson came over this morning and he and Frank went out with the guns this morning to shoot a hawk but didn't get him. Huby came over about noon to tell us he thought things were nearly settled as Porter the head office man in Simcoe had been down to see him and get his age and suchlike. I drove him down before dinner and got the paper. It began to rain soon after dinner and poured most of the after noon, it was one of the worst we have had and to-night there were some pretty close claps of thunder. Mrs. McBride was here all the after noon. To-night Aunty, Aunty Alice, Fred, Frank &amp; I had a game of rum under Fred's instructions. We didn't do any thing all the after noon but sit around the house</p> <p>Wednesday August 25th</p> <p>Frank drove Dick down this morning and Aunty went down with them to stay for awhile as she wants to fix things up a little down there. Frank brought Mrs. Johnson over with him and she has been here spending the day with Enah. Billy Louis was in for quite awhile this morning to see Dad. about a sick cow or some thing and they were bewailing our common sad plight but Billy has got past his streak of profanity and come to the conclusion that there are other poor devils worse off than we are. Frank, Fred &amp; I pulled the weeds out in the raspberry patch but didn't do much else all morning This after noon I drove Aunty Alice down town and she is going to stay down with Aunty. We met Lila on the way down and she informed us with great glee that Huby had just been sworn in and passed his medical examination or</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>whatever they call it and is to start work to-morrow morning. We saw Huby later down town. I put Joe in at Hallam's and had her shod and went down town and got hair cut and a new felt hat. We also heard that the mill was going to open up again to-morrow and the full staff is going to work full-time on Monday, the paper also had very cheerful reports from the Dardenelles which they hope to have forced in a few weeks, to cap all this good news, we heard to-night that Quint was going to be home on Friday having recoverd enough since he left the hospital to travel. It has been cloudy but a cold north wind all day and doesn't feel rainy</p> <p>Thursday August 26th</p> <p>This morning we all went down town, Enah &amp; the baby went up and spent the day at the James' and Dad. Frank &amp; I started to cut down the old bad locust tree in front of Hubys. We were afraid to cut it at the roots as it was so tall we were afraid it would fall on the telegraph wires so we sawed it through about half way up and Frank climbed up as high as he could and tied a rope to it so we had a good purchase. We didn't get it sawed enough before dinner so stayed at Hubys for dinner. After dinner we went up two or three times and sawed it through as far as we thought we dared before we pulled it down. We also had it notched on the side we wanted it to fall on but the wood was so tough that we had to saw it nearly through or else we would have brokent it off at the roots. Sandy came over as Dad. had borrowed a rope from him and he spent a very enjoyable after noon advising &amp; assisting us and also telling us a long story about a tree he cut down up in Colbourne. At last when the top did come over it crashed right down through the little maple tree and broke about half of it. Dad. told Sandy he could have the broken limbs off the maple which brought forth several grunts of satisfaction &amp; gratitude. When all this was accomplished I went up town and took my pants up to Tip to see if he could match them with any of his samples as I want to get a coat if possible but Tip wasn't there. I fooled around with Hazen for awhile and then came home. I overtook Dad. Frank Win. &amp; her friend Kitty Lyons in the bugggy heading for home talking to Huby. This has been his first day in office and he has been fairly busy. Win &amp; Kitty got our tea for us and after tea Dad. drove down and got Enah &amp; the baby, to-night. I printed a lot of pictures for Win, who with her friend stayed all night. They say poor old Ed. Turner (Dave's) is just about all in and they are going to bring him home to-morrow night to die. Quite cloudy and cold to-day but fair.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Friday August 27th</p> <p>We went out this morning and tried the binder again both on the wheat and the barley &amp; oats, we got once around but had to quit as it dragged in several places. Sid. McBride went past and said down there around Marburg they were putting chains on their binder wheels to make them pull through the mud. This after noon we hauled out manure and got out six loads, we put it on the clover sod east of the orchard which we hope to get in with wheat. We couldn't go through the lane on account of the mudhole at the gate so Dad. had to haul out by the road and around the barley stubble. I cut lawn between loads but had to use the scythe as it has got so long the lawnmower wont work. Dick went to Hagersville this morning and met Quint. who came in on a through Michigan Central sleeper from Boston to Chicago. Dad. Aunty Alice &amp; I walked down to-night to see him and Frank rode his wheel down. He looks fine only a little thin. Aunty Alice stayed down Cloudy &amp; cool all day.</p> <p>Saturday August 28th</p> <p>We hauled manure all day to-day and got out and got out thirteen loads. I worked on the lawn all the time between loads To-night I walked down town and got my pants back from Tip he couldn't match them with any of his samples. I fooled around up town for awhile and then went down to Hubys for awhile. Huby seemed very provoked because Quint had killed his pet snake. Huby says he has always killed every snake he saw as he thought it was good luck but has he never had any good luck he quit killing them about a month ago and his affairs have been in a blossoming condition ever since, and he had this special snake with its tail cut off which used to live some where in the garden. It has been a little warmer to-day but cloudy and is drizzling to-night.</p> <p>Sunday August 29th</p> <p>Dad. &amp; I went back at half past five this morning and got Pommers out of John Wess' back field where I found him last night, we had to take the wire down off two of the posts to let him through. About eight before we had breakfast Frank and I went over to Quanbury's for a swim. Mrs. Quanbury saw us going down to the pond and got John to call us back and invite us to indulge in the luxury of their bathroom, as it was a rather raw morning we did and it certainly was lovely but it took much longer and by the time Frank had had his bath breakfast was plum ready and we had to stay and partake of it with them the consequence was we didn't get home till about ten</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>o'clock and it was too late to get ready for church &amp; Dad. couldn't go either but took Enah down. Frank got dinner ready and Dad. drove down and brought Enah &amp; Aunty Alice back from church.This after noon Colin Ryersie rode in but we didn't want to take either of the horses out as they are working so Colin, Frank &amp; I went for a walk back as far as Charlie Quanbury's farm and as Charlie wasn't home we ate all the platable fruit there was on the place before we came home but didn't do very much damage any where in our travels. Dad. Enah &amp; Tid were out at the Shand's when we got home, but Aunty &amp; Aunty Alice were here. Frank and I did chores to-night and Dad. went to church with Aunty &amp; Aunty Alice. It has been fair but cool to-day.</p> <p>Monday August 30th</p> <p>We at last got started to cut the barley &amp; oats this morning the wheat ground was still too soft to get on with the binder, we didn't get much done as it was so close to the road, first old Ham. Butler came along and stopped and called us over to tell us that he had heard that by getting off the binder and walking it would go through the wet spots all right but also told us every thing else he knew about the weather and how he had never seen the ground so wet except once before and that was in the fall. Tupper came past about noon to get Art. Quanbury's gasolien engine. They are going to put it on the binder back of the table and put a pulley on the packers shaft and let the engin run the binder and the horses just pull the weight of the binder, they hope by that means to go through the soft place all right. Mr. Flemming was over this morning to get one of us to go over and help him thrash this after noon. Sam moved down there from Iveys. I cut lawn till they left Iveys and then went down. Dad. kept on cutting but quit early as the horses were tired and helped Frank shock up for awhile, still fair with cold breeze.</p> <p>Tuesday August 31st</p> <p>I went over to Flemmings to thrash about seven this morning and we got through in a couple of hours he only thrashed out part of his wheat and four loads of oats which came of six acres he only got 96 bushels off the six acres, the hail pounded the whole field flat he said and thrashed out way more than half of them, when I got home Frank &amp; Dad. were still shocking up and hadn't got started to cut yet but Dad. got the team out when I got there. I went over to Tupper's for awhile to see how the gasoline engine was working but they had taken it off as it ran things too fast and they thought it wasn't worth while monkeying around getting a larger pulley</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>We didn't get through with the oats &amp; barley till to-night and didn't have time to get started at the wheat. Old Joe Ivey, Charlie &amp; Bruce Smith came along in the Ivey's car this after noon and old Ivey wanted to know if Dad. was like Woodrow Wilson and had some thing wrong with his eyes that he was cutting oats before he was wheat, he says Woodrow can't see that Germany is kicking the U.S. in the face. They quarrelled away for about half an hour. About four o'clock Dad. got so disgusted with the way things were going that he was mad enough to quit, the binder would drag in places and the green stuff wouldn't elevate so Frank volunteered to drive it. Dad. told him if he thought he could do it any better to go ahead but he knew he couldn't, however he did do it better I suppose because he is lighter so now he is established as binder driver and both he &amp; Dad. are delighted with the change. Still fair &amp; cool.</p> <p>Wednesday September 1st</p> <p>We got started getting the wheat as soon as it was dry enough this morning it took quite awhile to get around it as it is so thick and hard to elevate, but by cutting a narrow swath Frank managed fairly well, he had to cut through north of one of the water holes and he cut that piece of separately, and it took all day to cut it. It is slow work as he has to take such a narrow swath. Dad. &amp; I shocked up, what bothered mostly was the wild buckwheat which has grown up fairly thickly in spots and it is twined around the wheat and pulls a lot of it off the table. We lost an hour or so at noon as one of the slats on the table canvas broke and poked a hole in the canvas so Dad. took it off and brought it up to the house and fixed it with a piece of hook iron and Aunty Alice patched it. Frank drove down and brought Mrs. Leigh &amp; Herbert over to dinner Mr. Leigh walked over. Frank was showing Mr. Leigh the bees after dinner and one stung him (Frank) above the ear. Much warmer to-day but fair.</p> <p>Thursday September 2nd</p> <p>We finished cutting the wheat to-day, that is all we can cut with the binder, there is still some left around the water hole that we will have to get with the mower or scythe. It went better to-day as Dad. rigged a stick at the end of the table to catch &amp; break the buckwheat stems. It would have been easily a forty or forty five bushel to the acre crop of beautiful wheat if we could have saved it but now it is all sprouted and an awful lot of it shells out on the ground. We ran out of binder twine so to-night Frank went down to Billy Langs and got some. He drove Aunty &amp; Aunty Alice down to church and they going to stay down. Quint, Win &amp; Hilda Leigh were over to dinner to-day. Mr. Smythe was down this morning and bought the one ram lamb that will register for ten dollars but didnt take him. Much warmer to-day.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>{This a repeat of the previous page}.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Friday September 3rd</p> <p>This morning Frank &amp; Dad. went out and loaded the binder and took it over the gully, it took quite awhile and as they didn't go out very early on account of the dew they just got one round cut before noon. I guess it was a big job cutting it as they had to go around the side hills. I spent the morning taking the sod off a strip down along the fence extending from the south end of the rose bed to the ditch the same width as the rose bed and as soon as I get it fixed in shape I want to fill it in with roses from down home. This after noon it looked pretty rainy so Dad. thought we had better haul in what we could of the barley &amp; oats, we had to pitch off the load of barley which was on the waggon and it took us quite awhile so we only got in two loads, we put them in the old barn on top of the barley &amp; wheat, it was slow moving it away but to-morrow we hope to unload in the big barn with the slings. It has been very hot &amp; sultry to-day Aunty was over to dinner.</p> <p>Saturday September 4th</p> <p>Dad. went out this morning and turned out nearly all the barley &amp; oat shocks, while he was doing that Frank and I changed the car from the horse stable to the big barn and put the sling standards on the rack. When we got ready I took the team out and we put on a load but as we had to move the calf out of the barn to the orchard and spread out a pile of hay which was in the bay so it was twelve o'clock so before we unloaded but it only took us a very few minutes to take it off with he slings. This after noon we got five more loads and all there was on the field except a few shocks, we worked till about seven o'clock and it was dark before we got in. We got a letter &amp; a telegram from Mr. Millman to-day one saying they would be up here to-night and the other saying they found they couldn't get away. It has been pretty hot to-day &amp; looks rainy.</p> <p>Sunday September 5th</p> <p>Dad. &amp; I got up &amp; half past five this morning as the calves and young stock which were shut in the lane got through the bars at the end of the orchard and came around by the road in to the drive house, but they hadn't done any damage. Frank and I went for a swim before breakfast and got back in time to get ready for church Frank went down to Sunday school. Dad &amp; Enah drove down to church &amp; left Tid in Dick's care I walked down to Huby's and went up to church with Quint. This after noon Dick &amp; I drove down town and I went around to see Marj. she has come back to teach in Miss Watt's place. To-night Dad. Aunty &amp; I drove</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>down to church. It was Mr. Leigh's last Sunday so Dad. wanted to say good bye to him. It has been very cloudy and has rained several times during the day but not hard.</p> <p>Monday September 6th</p> <p>It was too wet to cut Dad. thought this morning so he drove Aunty, Aunty Alice &amp; Tid. up to the cemetry. I cut lawn most of the morning but wasted a lot of time with Dick who as it was Labor day got a holiday. This after noon I got ready and went down about four o'clock to a picnic the Ever-ready club were having down the lake shore, we had a great time and nearly every body in town was down there. We had a lot of fun but it looked rainy so we got home early. Most of them went over to the pavillion to the last dance of the season but I went around home with Marj. for awhile and intended going to the dance but it was beginning to rain when I started for home and I was a little tired so I thought I wouldn't go and walked part way home with Charlie Quanbury and borrowed his umbraella as it was raining, but it didn't ammount to much.</p> <p>Tuesday September 7th</p> <p>Frank started back to school this morning in high spirits His passing Entrance must have created a high degree of intrest for study in him, because he didn't have to go back unless he wanted to. Lila McBride is assistant in the High School this year so likely she will make them toe the scratch. Dad. &amp; I started to plow this morning Dad. plowed four or five rounds in the little gully in the clover sod next to the orchard &amp; then I took it till noon, the north side of the hill is very hard &amp; chunky and it is all most impossible for me to hold the plow in the ground but the south bank plows nicely. This after noon Frank didn't have to go back to school as we expected and so we went back over the gully and cut oats, we had to ride the table going around the side hill, we didn't get very many rounds cut as we broke the doubletrees when the big wheel dropped into a ditch on the side hill, they were Sam Law's too, we had broken a hook on one of ours &amp; Dad. went over and took Sam's off his binder which was back in the field. Bert Munroe came over this morning and borrowed the disks for Sam. Mrs. Harding died last night. It has been fair &amp; hot all day.</p> <p>Tuesday September 14th</p> <p>I have got so behind with this through neglecting to write that I cannot remember what we did day by day, but I know we got all the oats cut across the gully and left them as they dropped from the binder thinking they would dry out.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>and Saturday we got in I think three loads of wheat and put it in the mow over the oats &amp; barley, we got a little more plowing done but Saturday morning while Dad. was plowing old Harry walked through his harness breaking the strap which connects the tug with the harness. Dad. went down to Mrs. Harding's funeral on Thursday afternoon and I borrowed Joe Field's boat and went over to watch the steam shovel for a little while. Poor old Ed. Turner died on Wednesday. It rained a little shower on Friday night and rained hard on Sunday so Dad &amp; I spent all day yesterday setting up the oats across the gully but didn't quite finish. The Millmans all came up again Friday night, but not here as they have taken a cottage for a month over Brant Hill. They were all down here Sunday night to tea. Nita came up with them but of course Orm. was the only one of the boys and he &amp; Paw had to go back yesterday. Last night Marj. &amp; her sister Dorrie &amp; I went to the show which wasn't much good but it was the only time Dorrie could go as she &amp; her father were here over Sunday and are going back to-day. I worked all day setting up oats across the gully and then didn't finish. It was slow work doing it alone and was very hot down around the side hill. Dad. plowed all day and finished the little side hill, it was very hard.To-night I went up the beach to a corn roast. There was a big bunch of girls up there but very few boys. I found Dorrie Clarke &amp; her father had changed their plans and aren't going till to-morrow morning so she went with us. We had a good time eating sand &amp; burned corn and weren't very late. Very hot all day &amp; a nice breeze to-night.</p> <p>Wednesday September 15th</p> <p>I set up some more oats this morning and Dad. plowed. George Duncan came up after him to see a colt with a lame foot and he went up there right after dinner and took Enah &amp; the baby with him. I shocked up till he got back and then we hauled in a load of wheat and found it in dandy shape. Colin Ryersie rode in to-night and after tea he, Frank &amp; I went for a swim. I had a bad cold to-day so went right to bed as soon as I got home. It has been very hot all day</p> <p>Thursday September 16th</p> <p>Tid and I drove over to Tupper's this morning to get his man as he promised to lend him to us when we could use him most but he had gone over to help old Dave Lampkins haul in his oats but Tupper said he would send him over to-morrow. I have this all wrong as I haven't written it lately. It was Wednesday that John couldn't come and we hauled in our wheat alone. Thursday</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>(to-day) he did come and helped us in the mow hauling in oats I felt too sick to work after I had put on the first load after dinner so he went back and pitched on a load. I came in and had a rest and felt much better. Alan Law and Frank McBride came in after the roller while Dad. was back after the load. Enah &amp; the baby went down town to see the flower show this after noon and stayed over at the Millman's cottage to tea. After tea Dad. drove down after them and I went down with him and went up to see the flower show. Charlie Quanbury &amp; Fat Turner bought a dandy watermelon and invited me to help eat it. We went up to the Turner's &amp; partook of it all by ourselves in the kitchen. I came home with Charlie about half past eleven. Aunty &amp; Aunty Alice are staying down at the old house now and are awfully busy getting it cleaned up and ready for papering. Huby has got all moved and pretty well settled I guess up in Bill Slocomb's house next to Gus. Smith. Another pretty hot day.</p> <p>Friday September 17th</p> <p>Dad. &amp; I went back after a load of oats first thing this morning and we rather expected John Robins back to help us as he said he would be but he didn't show up and when Dad. came down the hill with the load and went to back up for me to unlock the wheel the neck yoke snapped right in two so I ran over to Tupper's to borrow one and he said he had to keep John home to-day as he needed him, he kept talking to me so long that Dad. thought I wasn't coming we got that load off before dinner but didn't have time to get another. We got two loads in this after noon. To-night I went down town to see the Millman's. I stopped in to see Aunty &amp; Aunty Alice and found Mrs. Millman in there waiting for Nita and Kathleen who were up town getting ice cream &amp; the mail. Quint came in and after we had eaten the ice cream and visited for awhile Quint &amp; I &amp; Frank who had come down on his wheel went over to Brant Hill with the Millman's and visited for a long time. Not so hot.</p> <p>Saturday September 18th</p> <p>We all got up early this morning and got a good early start, we had to start our stack with the last load we hauled last night. We also hauled up a load of old hay last night and we used it for the bottom of the stack and to top it out with. There was a very dense fog till late on in the morning which made things almost as wet as a rain but we hauled in just the same and finished the oats to-night, we left the last load on the barn floor &amp; kept</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>four loads in the stack, making altogether ten loads of oats off the back fields. John Wess came over and borrowed the manure spreader he has bought a new one but can't get it yet. Later in the day Lundon Ivey came over to borrow the drill. It has not been so hot to-day.</p> <p>Sunday September 19th</p> <p>It was too cold to go for a swim this morning but Frank went down to Sunday school and Dick &amp; I went to church I drove Enah down and Dick walked. I got up fairly early this morning and washed &amp; oiled the buggy. This after noon I took Marj. &amp; Essie for a drive we had a dandy time and went up by Port Ryersie. The Millman's all came over here and got Enah &amp; Frank to go for a swim. Ed. Moon was over here and they took him down town with them and told him that they were all going to stay over Brant Hill to tea, he met Mr. &amp; Mrs. Bagley and told them that they were going to stay to tea so she Mrs. Bagley invited me to stay there and I did and as there wasn't any Methodist church we all went to ours. When I got home about eleven I found that they had changed their plans and had come back here to tea. It has been a very nice day, fair &amp; cool</p> <p>{The following entry has been written by Toby's father}.</p> <p>Thursday September 30th</p> <p>There has been an unavoidable lapse in the chronical of events, so I wont try to put down the doings of each day. I began ploughing the piece of sod East of the orchard on Monday Sep 20th and it was very hard. The weather was hot and dry all week and the flys bother the horses terribly. Toby went to help Vyse thrash on Thursday 23rd and got very sick. Old Felix was over that day fixing the pump at the windmill. Toby could not hold his head up Friday and Saturday. Sunday was a very wet day up till noon I drove Hattie down to church in a down pour. We were all to have gone over to have dinner with the Millmans and they all got there but Alice, Toby and me. Ormond brought {name?} and Hattie and the baby home about 4-30, it was getting much colder then and it has been cooler ever since freezing pretty hard every night since. I finished ploughing on Monday and as it was too wet to work I took the table down home and Toby went with me and stayed with the girls until today. Kathleen and Nila were over to tea last night and Frank went home with them, Toby</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>came home this morning and we got his plots of wheat sowed. Frank and I went down to Sam Law's and got eight bushels of wheat and I got nearly half of I sowed bought. I think this is a fair summing up of the doings of the last ten days.</p> <p>{Toby now resumes his diary}</p> <p>Friday October 1st</p> <p>Dad. finished drilling the four acres this morning and harrowed it I had to go over to Sam's and get about a peck more seed to finish the headland. This after noon Dad. Enah &amp; the baby got all ready to go down to the Rural School Fair but the weather got so bad they changed their minds. Dad. gave Queen a good cleaning instead, he is getting her looking &amp; acting petty nicely I got my membership tickets for the fair this morning and expect to go up and enter Queen to-morrow Dad. didn't get the ditches run out in the wheat field yet. It is a pretty small field to put in but I guess to try to put in more now would be foolish I haven't done any thing much all day It drizzled all morning and rained hard all the afternoon and is still raining. East wind. Frank came home from school but went right off again in the rain to go to the Millman's for tea and stay all night with Quint.</p> <p>Saturday October 2nd</p> <p>It was too wet to furrow out the field this morning so we just did chores. I spent quite awhile cleaning out the chicken house dropping boards as they haven't been cleaned for a week. I then dressed a couple of posts which I want to put in for a grapevine trellis. Dad. cut the burs around the pasture as we want to turn the sheep in, he also killed and cleaned a couple of old hens. Frank stayed down town all night over at the Millman's but came home before breakfast. Mr. &amp; Mrs. Millman &amp; Orm. came up in the car last night they didn't get here till after ten and Frank said the car was in awful shape. He went back after breakfast to see if Orm would mind taking the car up to Simcoe this after noon but they said it was too wet and muddy so Dad. &amp; I drove up. We went in to see Yeager and he advised us not to show Queen as he said there was no chance of her taking the money as there were two more that he knew of that had been training all summer and could step as high as a tree and then as he said it wasn't going to do her any good in fact she would be far better running out. He says to hang on to everything we have in the shape of horses as they are going to be worth all kinds of money soon. He says they have drained the U.S. of horses and have held the Canadian ones in reserve. We took his advice and didn't enter Queen as</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>we intended but went on into Simcoe and I got my watch fixed and the halter fixed. I drove Dad. down to Sam Law's corner when we got home and he went on down and opened Sam's pig which just lay down and died without any warning before dinner. Dad. says its lungs were full of froth and it has choked to death but from what cause he couldn't imagine. I went on down town while he was down there and got Enah &amp; the baby who had walked down and brought them home. It has been cloudy &amp; cool to-day.</p> <p>Sunday October 3rd</p> <p>Dick Enah &amp; I drove down to church this morning and Frank rode his wheel down. The Millman's all went down to Aunty's &amp; Aunty Alice's for dinner so they couldnt come over here. This after noon Marj. &amp; I went for a drive. I got home about six o'clock and Mr. Millman was here waiting for Dad. to get through with the chores to go over to their place to tea. Orm. Paw &amp; Quint were all back in the gully shooting crows so Dad. Enah, Frank &amp; the baby all went over there but I had tea alone and walked down to church and spent the evening down town. Cool but Sunny.</p> <p>Monday October 4th</p> <p>This morning we didn't get up very early and I spent most of the morning putting patches of roofing paper on the chicken house roof. Dad. started to make a corn horse and as I was standing out there holding it for him I suddenly felt so sick and weak that I had to go in and lie down till noon Alfred came in to get one of us to go thrashing to-morrow morning he was here for about an hour and then Dad.went out and furrowed out the wheat ground and sowed the other plot of wheat for me and I raked it in and smothed the edges of the furrows he ploughed through the flats. I went down town to tea to-night and walked up with Aunty to a Sunday school meeting. It began to rain soon after tea and was such a bad night that I stayed down there all night. Quite warm all day.</p> <p>Tuesday October 5th</p> <p>I had breakfast down at Aunty's this morning but came home right after wards and got here about eight o'clock. Dad. &amp; Frank were just leaving for Alfred's to go thrashing. I fed the chickens and found that the roof had leaked about as badly as ever so I went up and put some of the tar over the seams and I also put tar on the roof of the colony house which had never been done. Dad. &amp; Frank got home about noon so Frank went to school but Dad. had a headache so didnt</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>do much this after noon. I made a couple of legs for the corn horse out of rails and put them in I then took it out to the field and went over to Sam Law's and got our sickle and cut five shocks of the smutnose corn. I started in on it because it looked a little the ripest but I don't know that it really is, up at that far end of the field the grass is nearly as long as the corn so it was a nasty job. I intended to go down to a dance to-night which the girls are getting up for Helen Anderson who is just home for three weeks but I thought maybe I hadn't better so stayed home. Much cooler &amp; cloudy.</p> <p>Wednesday October 6th</p> <p>I have spent the day cutting corn and finished cutting the row across the end and one the length of the field over forty shocks. I started about half past eight and quit before five so I think I could cut about fifty a day Dad. cleaned out his ditches this morning and went back and put up the {illegible} from the gully into the back pasture field and went on over to see John Wess for a minute or two. He was cutting his corn, he has about given up the idea of getting his summer fall pea stubble in with wheat. This after noon among othe things he husked a bushel of corn for the pigs Win came over to tea to-night Cool &amp; cloudy all day looks rainy</p> <p>Thursday October 7th</p> <p>I cut corn all day and got another long row &amp; nine shocks cut forty six cut to-day. I quit cutting at half past four and husked four shocks of the smutnose up at the far end of the field we thought it was more mature than the Longfellow but although the stalks seem drier the corn itself I don't think is Dad. took the plow back over the gully this morning and has been plowing all day around the big hill. The war is getting more mixed up than ever, the British &amp; French the latter especially have made considerable advances lately on the western front and taken a lot of the Germans elegant trenches which they thought were impregnable and the German drive in Russia has about petered out, but it is now certain that Bulgaria has cast in her lot with the central powers and has begun an invasion of Serbia, and in Greece they are fearing civil war as the premier has resigned, he and the people want to keep their treaty with Serbia and lend help in case of Bulgaria's invasion but the King will not fight with his brother-in-law the Kaiser. Frank and I drove down to Ot. Collins to-night as he wanted to get some ball bearings for his bicycle, warmer to-day</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Friday October 8th</p> <p>Dad. &amp; I hauled manure all day to-day and got out twelve loads we want to get the yard cleaned up as soon as possible so that we can thrash when the machine comes down here again to thrash out Art. Ryersie. Between loads I got a couple of holes dug to set the posts for a grapevine trellis east of the house but I didn't feel very well after the first load or two so didn't do much. Mrs. Millman was over this after noon for a little while, she expected Paw. Orm, and a Mr. Brown some freind of Orm's up to-night. Aunty Alice was over to dinner and bought a couple of young cockrels from me I killed them to-night &amp; Dad. plucked them but didn't clean them they weighed 8 1/2 lbs uncleaned and she gave me 18 cts a lb. which is the same price as at Coleman's. Colin Ryerse rode in for a little while too. Art &amp; George have gone off to the Caledonia fair so Colin is taking things easy Mrs. Millman told us that Roy. Vernon &amp; Rebecca landed in down at Aunty's for dinner, so to-night I took Enah down to choir practice and after making a few calls one of which was to get Roy's suitcases at the station I went down there and waited for Enah, all the Woodson family &amp; Cousins Bessy &amp; Harry Ansley were there Jean Marks came up with them this morning. There has been a cold wind all day and is cold to-night.</p> <p>Saturday October 9th</p> <p>Dad. got in a pretty good day's plowing to-day across the gully, this morning I sawed some wood oiled the buggy and did a few chores while Frank husked five shocks of corn and went down and got some flour. This afternoon I went nutting with Essie &amp; Marj. We went way up the front road above Port Ryerse and got a few hickory nuts, a few chestnuts and quite a lot of wallnuts. The chestnuts are hardly ripe yet although some of the burrs are wide open. We would have got more on Farr's place but the trees were so close to the barns that we didn't dare make much noise clubbing and across the road on Smythe's place we thought we saw some of them coming after us so didn't take time to gather as many as we might have. However I think we all enjoyed ourselves and didn't get home till long after dark. Frank &amp; I had to go down town again after tea as I forgot to call for some stuff @ Bagley &amp; Miller's Frank went up the Radical Road with the Millman's and got a few chestnuts but their outing was spoiled by poor old Orm jumping over a fence and spraining his ankle. It was very painful and Nita had to drive the car home. To-night Dr. Jolley looked at it and said he had broken a bone &amp; torn some ligaments, it is so swollen that he couldn't tell much about it. It has been rather cloudy &amp; raw all day with occasional spits of rain.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Sunday October 10th</p> <p>We didn't get up till after seven this morning but Frank Enah and I managed to get down to church. This afternoon I sat around the house for awhile and then Dad. drove down to see Huby so I went down with him as far as Aunty's and stopped in there. Roy &amp; Vernon had gone up to Huby's so Aunty Alice &amp; I walked over Brant Hill to see the Millman's. Orm's foot wasn't paining so much but looked very bad and he couldn't bear it to the ground. Quint had borrowed a pair of crutches for him from Mrs. Lawson. About five they all went down town to say goodbye to the Ansley's &amp; Tibbet's so I rode down as far as Aunty's with them and then home with Dad. to do chores. They all but Mrs. Millman came over in the car a little later and Mr. Millman, Mr. Brown, Quint, Frank &amp; Nita all went back to the woods to shoot crows. When I got dressed Kathleen and I walked back over to the cottage stopping in for a minute at Aunty's and the rest all came over in the car soon after. We were all over there to tea and all evening. Nita brought us home about ten o'clock. They all intend to go back in the morning so we bid them good-bye. Sunny but cold wind all day. I didn't see anything much of Roy or Vernon to-day as they went over to the Woodson's to tea.</p> <p>Monday October 11th</p> <p>We have been hauling out manure all day but only got out about {19?} loads as we didn't get started till late and quit early. Roy, Vernon, Rebecca &amp; Aunty were all over to dinner and Aunty asked Dad. Enah and Tid down there to tea so Enah and the baby went down with them and called on Mrs. Battersby on their way down. Dad. did chores and then walked down. Frank and I had our tea alone and then drove down leaving Joe down at the house for Dad and Enah to drive home and we went to the picture show as they had Charlie Chaplin on to-night. I went around and got Marj. It was laughable but absolutely nonsensical. It was eleven o'clock when we got out and we went around to see how Mr. Smith was as he had an attack of colic or something to-night, he was still pretty sick and they were sitting up with him so Essie went over to stay all night with Nellie. I stopped in for a few minutes on my way home to say goodbye to Roy &amp; Vernon they are going back in the morning. It was after twelve when I got to bed. I guess they had a great reunion out at Shand's schoolhouse to-day of all the scholars that went to school out there to Mrs. Dolly Smith who taught there for seventeen years. Mrs McBride has been talking about it for weeks, she's one of them It has been a lovely fall day sunny and mild.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Tuesday October 12th</p> <p>We got on a little better to-day and got out 12 loads of manure. Dad. went down to Art. Ryerse's to see Sam Law as they are thrashing down there to see what his programme was He expected to be through at Art's to-night but said he didn't suppose anyone would want to thrash to-morrow or Thursday as the Simcoe show is on so he said if we could be ready he would pull in here Friday morning so Dad. said all right, we thought we could get enough manure out for the stack and we wont try to get the big barn ready to thrash out as we can do that when we thrash the clover seed. It has been a nice day but looks a little like rain.</p> <p>Wednesday October 13th</p> <p>We got out 9 loads to-day but quit soon after dinner as Alan &amp; Bert came in with the thrashing outfit and we had to sped the rest of the day getting ready for them, we had to take the binder out of the other barn and put it in the wood shed. About five o'clock we went down to the fish shanty and got a load of soft coal for them We also took down the old kitchen cupboard a little stand and a rocking chair to Aunty. She was in Simcoe to meet Aunt Ida who came to-night and is going to stay a month with them and maybe longer. To-night Frank drove down town to get a load of groceries and I went down with him and went up to the Bagley's to print pictures, we didn't get as many done as we expected as Essie's weren't done yet and Marj. couldn't find a lot of hers, but we printed mine and they were pretty good. It rained most of the evening so I went down to Aunty's to sleep. It has been a very fine day.</p> <p>Thursday October 14th</p> <p>It was raining when I got up this morning and has been cloudy &amp; wet all day. I had breakfast down town and got over here about eight o'clock, Enah was sick not having slept all night as She had a very lame back, but she said she felt better when she got up, Frank had intended going to Simcoe on his wheel to-day but changed his mind on account of the weather so I drove him &amp; Dick down to school and the bank. I got some stuff at Bagley &amp; Miller's and then went down to Aunty's to return some rain clothes I had borrowed and Aunty was just going up town so I drove her up, it was after ten when I got home. Sam Law had been over and told Dad. he could just as well thrash the other barn out as not so Dad. thought we had better and we have been busy all the after noon getting it cleaned up. Before tea I saddled Belle</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>and rode down to Mr. Flemming's and out to Tupper's to get their help thrashing. Tupper wasn't home yet from the Fair so I left a note for him. It has been a bad day for the fair and their aeroplane which was to have been the chief feature didn't arrive. Word just came the other day that Gordon McCall who enlisted with the second contingent has died of wounds</p> <p>Friday October 15th</p> <p>We have been thrashing all day and got on faster than we expected. We got the old barn all thrashed out before four o'clock and got moved over to the other barn and got most of the wheat over there thrashed out. We got 268 bushels of wheat at the other barn 200 of which is very little sprouted and 68 bushels not badly, but the worst sprouted is in the big barn and is not running out nearly so fast, There were 156 bushels of barley 45 of barley and oats and 80 of oats out of the stack, all the grain was in excellent shape except the oats and they were soaking wet as the stack was drenched. If we had got all the grain we would have had a bumper turn out. Aunty Alice has been over all day helping Enah and is staying all night, she sorted out her books to-day and gave me a lot of them, the old ones, there is nothing I would rather have. Cool &amp; cloudy.</p> <p>Saturday October 16th</p> <p>We finished thrashing about noon and according to the tally got 896 bushels of grain altogether, but as I wasn't out there much I don't know how much of each there was, there was only about seventy five or eight bushels of the sprouted wheat I think but a nice pile of barley &amp; oats and quite a few oats which are pretty good though badly discolored. My O.A.C. 72 Oats turned out four bushels. Just as I got the chores done this morning I got such a sick feeling that I had to go and lie down for an hour or so, but felt allright the rest of the day. I drove Aunty Alice down town this morning to get some more meat for dinner and when we got back I cleaned up part of the old barn floor and spread the wet oats out over it. This after noon Dad. helped us sack up a grist before he went down to help Flemming thrash and Frank and I took it down to the mill, we then came back and took one of the big bookcases down home and a load of books, we got the mail and came around by Vyses and got our fanning mill, we then went back to the mill and got our chop. It was time to do chores when we got home. We were pretty well through when Dad. got home, he said he had had a hard day of it down at Flemming's as he was shorthanded. Cloudy all morning but lovely after noon</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Sunday October 17th</p> <p>Frank rode his wheel down to Sunday school and church this morning and Dick, Enah and I drove down, it was Children's day in church so the service wasn't very long We sat in the back seat and were very amused all through proceeding's at the actions of a man across the isle who was aparently in a sleepy state of drunkenness He had a little girl with him who was just as lively as he was dull - and they made an interesting pair. When we got home we found Dad had the meat roasted as he had been pestered all morning with visitors. Val Leany came over and got old Dandy and took him home. Dick, Frank and I went out to the hickory nut tree and Dick climbed it and shook all the nuts he could off and Frank and I gathered up two basketfulls of shells and all. Frank spent the after noon picking up the rest and got a bag full of husks and all and a peach basket full of husked nuts. Marj. and I went for a drive down the Lake Shore and I came home at half past five and helped Frank do chores as Dad &amp; Enah &amp; the baby stayed down to tea at Aunty's they went down to see Aunt Ida When Frank and I had our tea we drove Joe down and left her for Dad. to drive home. I didn't go in down there but went on up town and met Aunty Alice &amp; Dad. coming out of church and going up to Huby's so I went up with them for a little while Aunty Maude has to go to Brantford in the morning for an operation, none of us knew any thing about it till to-day. I left Dad. &amp; Aunty Alice at the Bagley's Corner and although there was no one home there I soon found Essie &amp; Marj. coming home from church so spent the remainder of the evening with them. It has been a lovely autumn day and a beautiful night.</p> <p>Monday October 18th</p> <p>Dad. has been down at Flemming's all day thrashing but they got through to-night. He said Mr. Flemming didn't thrash quite as much as we did. I did up the chores and then went back and plowed, I didn't get on very fast but still didn't do so badly going around the side hill. I got ten rounds ploughed all day about four o'clock the bolt came half way out of the drawchain and bent so I had to quit at noon. I thought it was going to rain so spent half an hour or so cleaning up the barn floor to run some stuff through the fanning mill but it didn't rain so I went back with the team instead. This is Frank's birthday. It has been dark and cloudy with little spits of rain all day and I went out and boxed up the cockrels in the colony house</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Tuesday October 19th</p> <p>First thing this morning I took the team around and got the cockrels in the colony house which Frank and I caught last night and brought them up and shut them in the yard here at the house with the others. Dad. went over to Quanbury's last night to have a bath and they wanted to get us to give them a lift with the team on Charlie's wood shed which he is moving to make into a hog pen so we went out this morning and took the baby, we got the thing moved and back home by noon. John presented us with a heifer calf yesterday. This after noon Dad. plowed and I cut corn, we both got on pretty well. Mrs. McBride was here washing to-day and gave us a great account of the reunion at Shand's schoolhouse, she evidently enjoyed it. To-night Dad. &amp; Enah drove out to the Shand's as it was old Mrs. Nixon's birthday. She had gone to bed but they saw her. Charlie they told them went to the hospital in Brantford a week ago for the rest cure. They also were invited out there on Thursday night to a kitchen shower for Marnie who is to be married next Wednesday. Tid. didnt wake up all evening. Colin Ryerse was in for awhile on horseback as it was a beautiful moon light night. Rather cloudy all day</p> <p>Wednesday October 20th</p> <p>Dad. has been plowing all day and I cut corn I didn't get started very early and quit about four but got quite a lot cut and finished the fourth row. Frank came right home from school and he and I got the fanning mill set and a few of the wet oats run through. To-night I went down town and took Marj. for a drive. It was a lovely moon light night but very foggy, however I enjoyed it very much and I think she did. Doc. Hicks was down to-day and said Aunty Maude was getting on as well as possible. She had to go to Brantford on Monday for an operation. Cloudy &amp; Rainy looking all day.</p> <p>Thursday October 21st</p> <p>I have been cutting corn all day and just got another row cut. Dad plowed all day and is getting the side hill across the gully nearly cornered. Pud. Smythe was in this morning to get their lamb and paid me ten dollars. To-night Dad &amp; Enah drove out to the kitchen shower they are having for Marine. Aunty was over here to dinner and she and Enah walked down town this after noon. It has been a beautiful sunny &amp; mild day and is a lovely night.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Friday October 22nd</p> <p>Old Tid. woke up last night at twelve o'clock last night and when I woke up soon after he was howling like a savage. I managed to get him pacified but he refused to lie down again and sat bolt upright till two o'clock or after when they got home I managed to keep him in a cheerful mood but I was nearly frozen and asleep in my tracks. They had a grand time out at the Shand's, there were over fifty out there and the {John?} Shand's hadn't the slightest idea there was any thing up. This morning we didn't get up till late and Whit Dixon came after the steer they bought last summer before we had breakfast so we had to go back to the gully and bring them up We didnt' have much trouble loading him and he was much quieter than the last one was, but Whit thought it would be safer to take old Harry than his horse so Dad. had a little breakfast and went down with him I just did chores till they got back and then Dad &amp; I went back and tried to catch Ginger to cut clover seed with Joe &amp; her but she was full of mischief and we couldn't so we came up and trimmed up a couple of the ram lambs before dinner. After dinner we sharpened a mower knife and Dad. started to cut the clover seed with Belle &amp; Harry. I started to cut corn but couldn't make much headway as the corn is light and dry now and it was very windy. Frank came home early and as he was stiff from his fall off his wheel yesterday he took the team and mowed till dark and Dad. &amp; I came up and cleaned up the oats which were on the barn floor. Aunty Alice came over to tea to-night. Frank went down with her and is going to stay all night with Quint, they are going after nuts to-morrow with Bill Slocomb's horse &amp; rig. Morley Buck drove Zeitha Barwell over to-night to say good bye to Enah she is going to Toronto in the morning. It has been sunny but a cold wind all day</p> <p>Saturday October 23rd</p> <p>We didn't get out very early again this morning and as Dad. discovered that the oats which we put in on top of the barley &amp; oats was getting pretty hot so we ran it through the mill and spread them out on the floor That took nearly all the morning but I went out when we got through and cut four shocks of corn before noon and Dad. cleaned three old hens which we killed this morning. Henry Awde came over when we were at dinner and picked a couple of bags of Tolman Sweets for his wife</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>and as I had to go down right after dinner for some groceries &amp; the mail I drove them down for him. I hurried back but it must have been after half past two when I got out to the corn field but by working till after sundown I managed to get the row cut through, it kept me busy as there must have been twenty five or six shocks. Dad. cut clover seed all the after noon and says it won't take long to finish, he caught a little rabbit out there and we brought it up to the house but it seemed so frightened that we let it go out on the lawn, we saw a black sqirrel go up the willow tree the other morning, they say they are thick this fall and grey too - as it has been close season for them for four or five years but I guess they are shooting lots of them now although the season isn't open except two weeks in November. Frank got home soon after tea he had his down at Auntys, he said the nuts were nearly all gone, he hiked back down town again as soon as he changed his clothes. It froze hard last night, beautiful day.</p> <p>Sunday October 24th</p> <p>Dad. Dick and I drove down to church this morning and after church Dad. drove Aunty Alice up to the cemetry All Huby's family were over to dinner, which was rather late. Quint, Dick, Frank and I went out and picked up a lot more hickory nuts before dinner. This after noon I drove Huby home and then took Marj. for a drive, she was keeping house all alone as Mr. &amp; Mrs. Bagley had gone to Simcoe and Essie was out at Marburg, so we drove around by Marburg but didn't see her. I went down to church to-night and spent the evening up at the Bagley's. It froze very hard last night and has been sunny but cold all day.</p> <p>Monday October 25th</p> <p>Dad. plowed this morning as it was to wet to cut clover seed but he cut all the after noon but didn't quite finish I cut corn all day and got started on the eighth row Tom Abbot came in to-night and got a bag of wheat and a bag of barley &amp; oats in part payment for the chickens I got from him, he is going to take it all in feed. I have to pluck a hen to-night for Aunty Alice. Frank is busy pasting weeds on a big piece of cardboard and Dad. is denouncing the Education Department for causing such a foolish waste of time. Milder to-night and looks like rain</p> <p>Tuesday October 26th</p> <p>I cut corn all morning and finished another row. This</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>afternoon I helped Dad. clean up some oats and barley and move the fanning mill and then I raked up clover seed till night. Dad. put Enah's shelves in the clothes room this morning and then finished cutting the clover seed This after noon he started to clean up the barn floor so we could haul in the clover seed. It was a big job as he had to carry most of the dirt out to the chicken yard or big yard and then dump the oats which were in the box on the floor with the other oats and fill the box with the barley &amp; oats from the bin and then put the oats on the floor into the bin, so he didn't get nearly finished, he didn't feel very well and had Tid to help him. To-night I took Joe down town with the saddle on her and both Essie &amp; Marj. got on her, neither of them could reach the stirrups so they couldn't ride far and I held Joe's head most of the time. I had the big saddle on so couldn't shorten the stirrups but I promised to bring her down again with the little saddle. I went down to Aunty's for awhile before I came home, they expected Aunty Maude to-night but she didn't come. Nice day, very windy</p> <p>Wednesday October 27th</p> <p>I cut corn all morning and got on fairly well, Dad. finished cleaning up the barn floor and this after noon we hauled in two loads of clover seed, out of the wind row, we left the last load on the barn floor. Charlie McBarty was in to-night and bought the biggest ram lamb for eight dollars. Enah and the baby were down town this after noon. We saw Mr. Robertson going out the side road this after noon so we supposed Maime Shand's wedding came off all right. Ray Hammond was to be married to-day too, to Miss Austin out on the town line. Enah said she saw another wedding party down town of which Miss Bloxom &amp; Mr. Todd were the chief figures. Very cloudy &amp; cool.</p> <p>Thursday October 28th</p> <p>I cut corn all morning and got about 24 shocks cut. Dad. chored around till the dew dried off about ten o'clock and then raked up the clover seed or part of it, he didn't quite finish by noon, he just raked one way of the field so that we didn't have so much turning. This after noon we hauled in a couple more loads, the first was rather a small one, and we left the last on the waggon. Dick came home about two o'clock and took Josie and went to Simcoe as Dess is up there visiting. Enah has been house cleaning the dining room all day. Alan Law told us that Pickford has bought their farm and they will have to get off, we were sorry to hear it. Cloudy mostly &amp; windy</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Friday October 29th</p> <p>We put off the load we hauled last night first thing this morning and then Dad. went out and raked up the rest of the field. I mowed away what was up there and then dug the rest of my rose border before he came in, we then went out and loaded till twelve but didn't have much of a load. After dinner we put it off and hauled two more. Frank got home early and helped us mow away the first and the second we left on the barn floor, we got all the stuff in that had any seed in it but there is still a load of couch grass out there To-night I put the little saddle on Joe and took her down to give the girls another lesson. Essie had to go to choir practice but Marj. rode down to Perry's and we got Marj. to go for a little ride, the little saddle was a great improvement. I went down to Aunty's for awhile before I came home. It has been windy &amp; cloudy all day quite cold</p> <p>Saturday October 30th</p> <p>I cut corn all day but didn't get on extra well as it was so windy. Frank and Dad. took a grist to the mill this morning and also took the other bookcase and a lot of books &amp; the old sofa down to Aunty's, and brought back a little sofa that Elva gave Enah. This after noon they put off the load of clover seed and went out and got the load of couch grass, it took a long time to put it on as it was so light and the wind was so strong, Dad. fixed Enahs shelves in the pantry clothes closet. To-night Frank and I went down town and he took a basket of hickory nuts down for the ones at Aunty's, he went to the picture show and I got my hair cut, there were a lot in town and a lot of kids out as they are celebrating to-night as Hallowe'en. It has been a nice day but cloudy &amp; windy.</p> <p>Sunday October 31st</p> <p>I walked down to church this morning and Dad. Enah &amp; the baby drove down they left the baby with Aunty Alice and then went there for dinner. I brought Joe home and we three boys had dinner alone. After dinner I drove Dick down town and got Marj. &amp; Glad. Law who is up here for a week convalescing and we drove out to Renton I wanted to get the number of the ram we sold to Nixon &amp; Berger last fall and we had a great time finding the place as I took the wrong turn at Wiggins school house, we did find it at last but they didn't know the number but said they would find it and send it to me It was late when we got back but I stayed at the Bagley's.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>to tea and put Joe in at Faulkner's. Glad also stayed and we then didn't go to church like the family but stayed home and washed the dishes and played with Charlie the kitten. I came home early and brought Dick with me. Just as I was about ready to get into bed to-night I heard the screen door open and then the kitchen door very quietly and I watched it open quietly and stealthily for it seemed like a long time and I didnt know what on earth was coming when Frank stuck his head in, he had been out somewhere and I didn't know it. It was rather dark in the bedroom and I was sure he was in bed, so I was getting ready for a scrap. It has been a lovely day but cloudy.</p> <p>Monday November 1st</p> <p>I cut corn all day and have about twelve shocks more to cut to finish the field I thought I would have finished but there are two more rows of corn in the last row of shocks and it makes a big difference, Dad. ploughed all day and finished the piece he was at. Edmond England was in with a Court of Revision notice that some body had complained that my name was wrongly ommeted from the voter's list, but I guess I don't have to go down. Another nice day but windy &amp; cloudy.</p> <p>Tuesday November 2nd</p> <p>We were up fairly early this morning and Dad. got a good morning in ploughing. Frank found one of the ram lambs dead this morning so we concluded he had got too many apples so Frank and I got the roll of wire from behind the barn where it had been around the stack and put it up where it was before from the orchard fence over to the chicken yard and shut the other two rams in the plum orchard I then went out and finished cutting the corn it was an awful job as the wind was very strong, and it took me nearly till noon, when I got up Frank and Felix Perkins had a "hickey" on the pump and were fixing it, the rods had come disconnected as the collars where the lengths join had worn out agains the pipe. Aunty Alice came over to dinner, she was going to pick apples but it was too cold &amp; windy, but she picked up a lot of hikory nuts. Mrs. McBride was here too so we had an exceedingly interesting dinner party especially when Dad. &amp; Felix got arguing about the new school. I set out some rose bushes Aunty sent over after dinner &amp; Dad. lost all the after noon working with Felix. Frank stayed home too. I drove Felix home about four o'clock and got Joe shod at Joe Howells. Very cold cloudy &amp; windy</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>{This is a repeat of page 133}</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>{This is a repeat of page 133}</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Wednesday November 3rd</p> <p>I drove Dick down this morning and went on up to Dunkin's to see if I could get a ram, but he said he didn't know of one in the country, but he has Lloyd-Jones first prize Simcoe ram with his ewes and said I could bring my five yearlings up if I liked so I thought I would. I got home about noon and Dad. had to go over and give Charlie Quanbury two or three hours thrashing so I plowed till he got back and then I husked a little corn. I got ready and went down to Aunty's to tea. To-night Marj. &amp; I went down to the show. It has been cloudy, cold, windy &amp; damp.</p> <p>Thursday November 4th</p> <p>It rained quite hard early this morning so I drove Dick down again and found out that I could get Coleman's stock waggon to take the yearling ewes up to Dunkins I thought it was going to be rainy so Dad. couldn't plow and I could take te big team, so I went down to Coleman's before dinner and got it and we got all the sheep in the barn tagged then and let them all out except the five yearlings and the lamb which will register. I got started right after dinner for Dunkin's with the six ewes It was slow going up and I didn't get there till about four o'clock, but I didn't have any accidents or adventures, and got home by six o'clock. It turned out to be a beautiful after noon and every body along the road was plowing so it seemed a shame to have the team and keep Dad. from plowing. Dad. helped Enah house clean</p> <p>Friday November 5th</p> <p>I buried the dead ram this morning and picked a few of the spies when Gordon {Doracot?} came over to get me to go thrashing over at Jack Martin's. I went over but we only thrashed the buckwheat and there were only 121 bushels of it as the hail had ruined it. The spring on the governor broke and also a pipe running down into the boiler and as the engine had to cool off to fix it we couldn't thrash any more to-day and after we all had dinner over at Jack's we went home. I picked more apples this after noon. Bill Bush was cutting weeds over in his gully this after noon and cut the leg off one off our guinea's which was sitting I caught it and killed it. Dad. plowed all day, but will have to with me to thrash to-morrow. Enah went down town and stayed to tea at Aunty Alice's as it was her birthday. I walked down to-night to wish her a happy birthday. It has been a nice day but cloudy &amp; cold.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Saturday November 6th</p> <p>Dad. and I went over this morning to thrash and put in a strenuous fore noon of it. I carried away and it kept me very busy as the wheat rolld out faster than the oats and there were 210 bushels Dad. had the dirtiest job as he was in the straw and they put some of it in the barn, there were over 400 bushels altogether, we didn't get through till after dinner. I didn't do much after I got home as I felt a little tough but I picked a few apples Dad. tried to plow on the barley stubble as he thought it wasn't worth while to go back over the gully but it was too hard so he had to quit. Aunty Alice came over this after noon and she &amp; Frank picked up a lot of hickory nuts. Frank walked down wth her to-night and was down till about midnight. I had a bath instead. Pretty cold wind to-day.</p> <p>Sunday November 7th</p> <p>Frank went down to Sunday school this morning and Dad. Dick &amp; I drove down to church. Aunty Maude was in church this morning, it was the first walk she has taken since she came home, so Dad. drove her home after church. Quint drove over to dinner with us. This afternoon I went down town and got Essie &amp; we drove down to Nanticoke and got Marj. who has been down at the Banfield's since Friday night, we didn't stay down there long although they wanted us to stay to tea but Essie had to get back to play the organ so we came back I put Joe in the church shed and stayed with them to tea and then took Joe home while they went to church I just got home as Dad. was about ready to start down town after Enah so I went back and got her, she had been down with the baby to a duck dinner at Huby's, when we got home I walked down again and spent the evening at the Bagley's. Ed &amp; Marion were over there this after noon. Lovely day but cold wind.</p> <p>Monday November 8th</p> <p>Dad. got in a good day to-day plowing. Frank didn't go to school this morning but rode down to Geo. Miller's to see about getting a new dividing wall for the separator as the old one won't stay up in the hauls, Mrs. Miller told him it would be better to get a new one. He came around by Tommy Jackson's to see about getting some honey for his bees but Tommy hadn't extracted yet so he will have to use sugar. I drove Dick. down to the bank and around to see if Neil Elliott would give me $100.00 for Mully but he said he wouldn't but would come to look at her. Tid. went down with me and I took a bag of Tolman Sweets down to Aunty Alice. When I got back I went out &amp;</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>burned the old hay we left out on the timothy sod. This after noon I picked apples and got pretty much all that were any good out there. Mrs McBride was here washing to day. Aunty came over to tea and to stay all night. Very much milder to-day but cloudy this after noon</p> <p>Tuesday November 9th</p> <p>Dad. got a good early start this morning but just nicely got hooked up when {Leo?} Horn got him to come up and look at his mare, so he was delayed for over an hour, the mare was up here in the stable, she was sweating terribly and seemed in awful pain so Dad. said he thought she had a touch of spasmodic colic he didn't have any thing to give her but she seemed to get better so he took her home. I spent the day cleaning up the garden and putting the vegetables &amp; apples in the cellar. I also put off the load of couch grass which was on the waggon and Dad. took it over to the other barn at noon. This after noon I cleaned the barn floor and threw the oats out again out of the bin. To-night I took Joe down town again with the saddle on her and gave the girls another ride. Marj. is getting on fine but it was only the second time for Essie. I got home about half past ten. Very windy all day and freezing hard to-night.</p> <p>Wednesday November 10th</p> <p>Dad. got a good day in plowing to-day and only had one interruption when Will Philips came over to ask him about his sick cow. He got the east half finished and got quite a lot done on the west side. I hardly got anything done as I had so many visitors I got started twice to husk corn but I first old Felix came after some wheat that Dad. gave him for wages and then Neil Elliot came to look at Mully He said she was only worth $75. This afternoon I drove Enah and Tid down to the Jame's and then went over to the slaughter house to see Whit Dixon, he said if he were in my place he wouldn't sell Mully for less than $90.00 I was over there quite awhile and it was getting late when I got home and Huby had sent some historical man over here to look at the mound. I took him back to see it and he said he was sure it was a natural formation although a very peculiar one. He is here to see about putting up a little monument on the spot where a party of French explorers wintered about 200 years ago, he says they have located the spot where their hut stood from the rough map they drew and the description of the place and have found the place has never been disturbed. It is up Black Creek a little way in a little ravine about 200 feet in from the creek. Lovely day, sunny &amp; not windy.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Thursday November 11th</p> <p>It rained a little during the night so I thought it would be a little wet to husk corn so spent the morning working in front of the house I am going to take the sod all off in front of the dining room window where the rhubard bed was and put it down by the road where the grass doesn't grow, then I want to dig the other up and put some flowers in and train a grape vine across in front of it from the corner of the house to the plum orchard fence. Neil Elliot came in about ten o'clock and I went back with him to look at the steer and see Dad. about buying Dreadnaught, he said he would give $45 for him and Dad. said he'd take it. I asked him $125 for Mully &amp; the steer but he said the steer was only worth forty and Mully seventy five, but he came up five dollars on Mully &amp; then two &amp; a half so I thought I wouldn't stick for two &amp; a half and let them go, and to-night I wrote to two men who advertise dual purpose Shorthorns in the Farmer's Advocate. This after noon I went out to husk a little more corn but didn't get much done when it began to rain so I came in Mr. Waterbury the historical man was here, he wanted to know the way to get to Tommy Jackson's and I told him the shortest way was to go up the creek and he said as it was raining so he wouldnt go to-day, he wanted to see if Tommy would donate an old axe that old Stringer had of his to their museum, he brought over the book telling of the travels of the French exploring party and which was originally writen by one of two French priests who were with the party. It was written in French &amp; English both and there was an old map which they had drawn of their voage, it was pretty crude but still wonderfully correct when they had only the shoreline to go by. It gave a great description of this country where they wintered and called it the "earthly paradise of Canada." There were also a couple of pictures in the book of Black Creek and the spot where their camp stood, it was al-to-gether a most interesting book but Frank has to take it back to Huby's office in the morning. I didn't do much this after noon but pain the names of my different plots of wheat on some stakes for labels. Enah started to read the history book to-night but we all went to sleep in spite of it being so interesting.</p> <p>Friday November 12th</p> <p>I spent all the morning working out in front and got nearly all the sod taken off and put down by the road. This after noon I went out and put the lable stakes in my wheat plots</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>and stretched the garden line around each of them and hoed around each one so that there would be more come up outside the line I then husked a little more corn. Dad. got in a good day plowing. It has been a beautiful day.</p> <p>Saturday November 13th</p> <p>We had to take our stock down to Neil Elliot to ship to day so I went back right after breakfast to bring up the steer, he seemed determined not to come up and I had to bring the whole bunch to get him. We left him in the yard with Mully while we tied the calf in the waggon box, we thought Mully would follow the calf and the steer go with her and Dad. lead the bull we got as far as the road when the calf got loose and while we were tying him up the steer got back in the lane and jumped into the field with the rest. After a lot of chasing we got him out as far as the road again, when Dreadnaught in some way twisted the snap on the stick out of his nose and got loose and he &amp; the steer ran up into the wheat. Enah came out wielding a broom. However we got them in and at last got well started. They ran into Martin's but Art. Quanbury came down from there with us Dad. Frank &amp; Art came right home when they were unloaded. Frank drove the lumber waggon with the calf in it down so they came around home by Aunty's and got Mis Buckwells sofa which they bought and brought it home. I went up town and got the honey and left it in the {illegible}. This after noon Frank and I took a grist to the mill and got a walnut table up at Mrs. McBrides we got Jack Martin's skids and took them over to the colony house which I want to move up as soon as possible Dad. &amp; I then cleaned up some wheat to pay Sam Lees back and also some oats for Art Quanbury while Frank shot three guinea hens. Frank and I took the wheat back about dark. It has been a nice day but a cold wind.</p> <p>Sunday November 14th</p> <p>Frank rode his wheel down to church this morning and Dick, Enah &amp; I drove down. Aunty Alice came over with us to dinner. This after noon Marj. &amp; I went for a walk up the Radical Road and got full of burrs. I went down to Aunty's for tea and went up with Aunty &amp; Aunt Ida to church Dick &amp; I got home to-gether about half past ten. The Nixon's were here this after noon and left the number of the ram. Dad. had to go over to Frank Lemon's to see a horse and didn't get back till dark. Enah &amp; the baby went down to the Jame's for tea and Elva</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Said. Davis, May Perry &amp; Gladys Fischer came over with her after church. It has been cloudy and cold all day.</p> <p>Monday November 15th</p> <p>Dad. got a good day in plowing to-day but didn't quite finish the oat stubble. I spent most of the morning tidying up the rubbish between the wood shed and the shop and cleaned the windows and swept down the cobwebs in the cow horse stable. This after noon I chopped down the rest of the cherry trees which were along the plum orchard fence and started to get a trench dug for my hedge. Holly Bush came in to-night to get a loaf of bread. He brought Enah over a sack of flour the other day to have her bake a loaf or two of bread a week. Very windy and cold all day. It snowed a little and is freezing hard to-night.</p> <p>Tuesday November 16th</p> <p>This morning as it was pretty cold I got Dad. to help me move the colony house It took quite awhile to get it on the skids but once it was loaded it slid along in fine shape. We put it in the yard where we set out the raspberries. Dad. went right back and plowed when we got it over and has plowed all after noon. He finished the oat stubble and got started to plow in the weeds. I separated the chickens put the pullets in where the cockrels were as that is to be their winter quarters, put the cockrels in where the old hens were and put the old hens in the colony house. I then ran the wagon out of the shed and started to pick up some apples off the ground in the orchard for cider. I picked all the after noon but didn't get the wagon box full. It was milder to-night but was snowing quite hard about dark.</p> <p>Tuesday Wednesday November 17th</p> <p>Quint came over with Dick last night to stay awhile so he Frank and I picked up a few more apples and took them up to Walker Waddle's for cider. Dad. drove down in the buggy and got two of the kegs from down at Aunty's for us to take up as he didn't want us to drive way down around that way. We didn't get back till after one o'clock. We didn't have quite enough apples we filled the two ten gallon kegs and put about thirty in the barrell, we came back by town and left a keg at Huby's and one at Aunty's. Dad. drove Aunty up to the cemetry this morning and had to go over to Tupper's to thrash this after noon. Aunty stayed here to dinner and I drove her back this after noon, when</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>I got back it was pretty late so I just took back Jack Martin's skids and Quanbury's chain and did chores. Quint and Frank husked a basketfull of corn and then set some traps back in the gully. There has been a cold wind to-day and it has been freezing in the shade all day.</p> <p>Thursday November 18th</p> <p>Dad. has been over at Tupper's all day thrashing. He says the stuff is in awful shape. It is full of thistles and weeds and is so tough they can hardly stick a fork in it. This morning I didn't do much but chores and clean up around the wood shed. Quint wanted to go for a ride so I put the little saddle on Joe and he took her down town and back. When he got back the saddle blanket was gone and he hadn't missed it. He said she nearly put him off once and just about got away from him. He and I walked back the road to look for the blanket and found it hanging on the sidewalk railing below Marshals place. After dinner Quint helped me stand all the rails up that were out in the pile in front of the shop and we got it slicked up nicely. Quint went down about three o'clock. I quit early to do chores and about half past five left for Woodhouse to a chicken pie social. I picked Marj up on the way and we had a hot time. When we got there the place was crowded and I couldn't get Joe in the sheds but got her in a sheltered spot. We had to get in line for supper and were nearly squashed flat, after about an hour's waiting we got in to the dining hall where we had a sumptuous repast of roast chicken and then had to wait another hour for the programme to commence, but we were lucky enough to get good seat so enjoyed ourselves, the entertainers were principally composed of Doverites, and all came up in a load Essie presided at the organ and the male quartette did most of the singing. Mrs. J.H. Butler also performed several times and Miss McGillvary from Simcoe also sang. Frank Reid was chairman and Mr. {Geoff?} and all the Methodist preachers in the country spoke, it was about twelve o'clock when we got out, and Joe didn't seem in a mood to travel very fast so it was after one when I got home. We came down the Radical as there was no other traffic on it. It has been a beautiful day and a very mild nigh. It started to rain a little about midnight and was raining quite hard when I got home.</p> <p>Friday November 19th</p> <p>I had to go over to Sam Law's to thrash this morning</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>and Dad. went over to Tupper's to finish up. We only thrashed for about half an hour and then as there was such a headwind we quit. The straw was blowing everywhere and the roof was covered. Sam. said if it was his he wouldn't care but he didn't want to do anything mean as he was leaving. I stood around over there about an hour talking to Sam and Art Ryersie and listening to their discussion of various farming problems. Soon after I got home Enah and Tid. wanted to go down town so I drove them down, on my way back I picked up Jack Martin and he came over and had a look at the cockrels, he said there would be some he could take. I had my dinner all alone but Dad. came home before I finished. He had had his and they had finished over at Tupper's. This afternoon it rained quite a lot. Dad. &amp; I got the cider barrel in the wood shed and about half past three I drove down after Enah and the baby who were then at Aunty's. It rained heavily last night and has been raining a lot to-day. Raw west wind.</p> <p>Saturday November 20th</p> <p>It was still very windy this morning and has been all day so I knew there was no use going over to Sam's to thrash. This morning after we did up the chores rather late I stripped the north wall of the old barn next Dreadnaughts stall {illegible} of straw as we want to get the calves in now. Dad. killed and dressed a couple of chickens. After dinner {name?} came after Landon Ivey's calf so we went back with him and brought them all up and the horses too. I did chores then and Dad. built a manger over against the granary wall for the calves. Just before dark I put the bridle on Queen and got on her back. The other horses were all there so she trotted around the straw stack with them a few times and then they all cantered out of the yard into the field. Just as we got out the gate, she began to rear a little and I wasn't looking for it so after a few of them I found myself on my back on the ground with my feet in the air. Queen got away with the bridle on her and got back with the rest but luckily they didn't go into the gully and I chased them back to the barn where Dad. got the bridle off her, she hadn't got the reins down either. To-night we put Ginger &amp; Billy in the box stall. Dad. got his steer in too that he is going to kill for home consumption. Whit Dixon was over this morning and got our veal calf. Tupper came</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>over last night to kill our ram but when he felt him he said it would be foolish as there wasn't much more than a good meal on him, so Whit looked at him this morning and said if we fed him awhile, he might be worth killing, so Dad. has him tied up in the stable now. To-night Dad. has gone down to see the folks. Frank has a bad cold and sore throat. He went over to Tupper's this morning to set some traps for a skunk. Cloudy, windy and a little rain to-day.</p> <p>Sunday November 21st</p> <p>Frank's cold was too bad to go out of the house to-day so Dad. &amp; I drove down to church alone. Aunty came back with Dad. and I stayed down there to dinner and tea. This after noon I went visiting and also to-night after church. There was quite a commotion down town this after noon when Perce Ryerse's house, his new one caught on fire. I went up but they got it under control before it did any damage beyond smoking the house all up. It seems the kid set fire to a pile of rubbish down cellar. I went to church to-night and saw Dick to speak to for the first time to-day. Huby and Lila wemt down to Aunty's to-night and killed all his spring chickens, there were eight of them most of them cockrels. I went down about ten o'clock and got the old hen I lent him last summer to hatch them out. I don't know what the neighbors thought as she let out a series of the most unearthly squaks I ever hard as far as Allan's corner and then she wasn't so bad unless I {jabed?} her. Dick caught up to me at Uncle Wards. When we got home I put the old hen up to Frank's ear and pinched her and old Frank didn't know what was coming off. I had her in a bag and the next thing she did was to get loose in the kitchen and of course caused a terrible commotion while I was catching her. Very windy and blizzardy to-day.</p> <p>Monday November 22nd</p> <p>This morning I went over to Sam Law's to thrash. It was still windy but a little more from the West so didn't blow right in the barn, we were there till about eleven o'clock. I was on the blower most of the time but the stack got too high to put all the straw on so we had to let it go to one side. We had dinner over there and I got back before they had dinner here. This after noon I did up the chores and then put the little saddle on Ginger. I got on her in the drive house but she was</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>so nervous with the curb bit, saddle and being away from Billy that she wouldn't go out at last she got herself worked up into such a state that she started to back up, she backed up into a pile of rubbish and sat down. I got off her and took her outside and got on her, she still refused to go and went through the same performance again this time though when I went down I hit my head and my back and she came over pretty heavily on my leg. I tried her again without success so took her down to the road and then up to where Dad. was plowing in the barley stubble and he started her off and she came back all right. Frank who has been sick in the house all day wanted me to go out to Tupper's and look at some trap he set for some skunks so i put the big saddle on Joe and went out there. Dad. started to plow the barley stubble to-day as the creek was so high he didn't want to go back over the gully and he thought if it should freeze the stubble would freeze first. Enah went down town this after noon and Aunty Alice came back with her to tea. Dad. went down with her after tea. To-night all the Harvey Shand's but Willie came in. Charlie is going out West some time next week and came over to say good bye. Rather cold wind and cloudy to-day.</p> <p>Tuesday November 23rd</p> <p>This morning I did up the chores and put the big saddle on Ginger to give her another lesson, she behaved pretty well putting it on, but coming out of the door she gave a jump, caught the stirrup in the door and tore the strap right off at the saddle. I felt pretty sick about it and put her back in and went out and husked corn. I husked corn all the after noon and to-night I went down town and gave Marj. a carving lesson. It was raining when I got started for home but I got a ride out with Dick and Alan Law. Cloudy, but mild to-day.</p> <p>Wednesday November 24th</p> <p>We didn't get out very early this morning and I just did chores. This after noon I went to Simcoe and got the saddle mended and also a lot of other harness. I was up there for quite awhile and stopped in to see Louise at the Bowlby's for a few minutes on the way home so it was pretty late when I got home. Enah and the baby were waiting for me down town but I came home first. Dad. got in and drove me down and I stayed down at Aunty's all night as I want to leave for Caledonia in the morning. Dad. plowed on the barley stubble all day, he doesn't feel very well. Frank</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>is not very well either and has not been at school to-day. Aunty Alice &amp; Dick left for Toronto to-night to see Billy Millman play, he is in Toronto all this week with Taversham in "The Hawk." Cloudy this morning but nice day.</p> <p>Thursday November 25th</p> <p>Aunty got up at six o'clock this morning and got my breakfast and I left for Caledonia. When I got there there was no sign of Douglas so the fellow at the station said I had better telephone him so I did and found that as I had said on my card I would D.V. be down Thursday morning he didn't quite understand and thought it meant to drive down, however he came right in after me in his Ford and we got out to his place about four miles out about ten o'clock, he showed me all through his cattle, he has over a hundred head and it was like going to a show, he has both Bates bred and Scotch bred Shorthorn's and some of the familys have been on the farm for sixty years. I wanted to get a cow with a record and giving milk now if I could but as he lets his calves suck all his cows so of course had no records and he advised me not to get a cow that has had a calf sucking her as he said they never let their milk down as well when milked by hand so I wound up by buying a two year old heifer from him which he said was from the best milking cow on the farm and of a good milking family, she was just bred yesterday and so I will have to run chances of having to breed her again to some bull around here. I gave $180.00 dollars for her $100 cash and my note for 12 mos @ 6% for the $80. He is to ship her up next Wednesday. I had dinner there and visited with Mr. Douglas for an hour or so after and then he took me down town where I waited for the 6.40 train for Dover. Mr. &amp; Mrs. Brad. Bowlby were on the train coming up from Toronto. They had heard Billy Sunday give his temperance lecture. Mrs. Bowlby was terribly shocked and thought he was too wild all to-gether. I stopped in at Aunty's on my way home but had tea over here. It has been a beautiful day.</p> <p>Friday November 26th</p> <p>Dad. has plowed all day to-day and I did chores and set out my two grapevines or at least transplanted them. It took me the best part of the after noon as I took considerable pains about it and put some tile</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>in the bottom at the base and mixed the earth up with mould from around the big barn and some wood ashes. Art. Quanbury &amp; Ive Fields were around Jack Martin's fence fixing it and I was over talking to them for awhile. It has been another most beautiful Indian Summer day.</p> <p>Saturday November 27th</p> <p>Dad. left here at sevenl o'clock this morning to get Huby and go down to Mr. {Faurey's?} funeral, he didn't get back till nearly ten, he got some lime down town and Frank whitewashed the cow stable. This after noon they got a grist ready for the mill and Frank took it down but it was too late to get it to-night. I did chores and went over to Martin's to find out how strong to make the solution of coal oil and carbolic acid for scaly leg. {Brilely?} said zenoleum would do as well as carbolic acid and and not to use more than a table spoon full in a cup of water so to-night Dad. and I went through them we got all the young pullets &amp; cockrels done but not all the old yearling hens as they were so thick we couldn't tell which had been done and which hadn't. It has been a very disagreeable day. It rained this morning and has been cold and windy.</p> <p>Sunday November 28th</p> <p>Enah Frank and I went down to church this morning. Frank rode the wheel down and we drove. I was down town all the after noon and went up the beach for a walk and stayed down at Aunty's for tea. Dad. walked down and he Aunty and I went up to church to-night and I spent the evening up at the Bagley's. It has been a most beautiful and very mild day but it was a wild night when I started for home raining and a terrific wind so I went down and stayed all night at Aunty's. They had all gone to bed when I got there but I sneaked in and lit the light and then went up and told Aunty I was there, she was glad I came.</p> <p>Monday November 29th</p> <p>I had breakfast down at Aunty's this morning and got home about nine o'clock. I then went down to the mill and got the grist that Frank left there on Saturday. I took a bag of wheat down and Clarence said it ought to be worth about 90 cts but by today's paper Ottawa has comandeered a lot of Canadian wheat so whether that will affect prices here or not I don't know. This after noon I did</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>up the chores and then husked a basket of corn. Dad. plowed all the after noon. To-night Frank &amp; I went down to the A.Y.P.A. and had a fairly good time. I got my hair cut and went down on my way home to see Aunty Alice she came home to-night. Frank met her at the train. It has been a raw windy day and is freezing hard to-night.</p> <p>Tuesday November 30th</p> <p>This morning being cold and blustery Dad. decided to put the calves in, it took quite awhile to finish the preparations for their reception and still longer to get them in and tied however we did by about ten o'clock and we think they will soon settle down in contentment. It wasn't worthwhile for Dad. to go out and plow before dinner so we went down and got the coal stove that Mrs. James gave Enah, it is a dandy, we had to get some groceries and by the time we got home and got the stove unloaded it was about two o'clock. Dad. plowed after dinner but didn't quite finish the barley stubble he is going to plow the old fence bottom in with it. I did up the chores, cut some wood and went out and opened up a ditch in the plowed field. Mrs. McBride was here this morning, washing. Cold raw &amp; windy.</p> <p>Wednesday December 1st</p> <p>Frank stayed home from school this morning and he and I did chores while Dad. finished plowing the barley stubble. Then the whole family went down in the lumber waggon and Dad. &amp; I put on a load of chestnut coal for the new stove, it just come in. Frank got some stuff up town and then took the coal home while Dad. and I got my heifer which came in on the noon freight, she was like a mad bull she was so wild in spite of the blind old Douglas had put over her head, we couldn't do anything with her at the station so they shunted her over to the yard by the brickyard much against one of the men's will who was very much put out at wasting so much time and kept up a running stream of oaths, however with two long ropes one of which was Ed's and one which Dad. got over at the slaughter house we got her out in a short time without hurting her. Ed. helped us bring her over and came all the way over with us but wouldn't stay to dinner. Enah &amp; the baby walked home. Dad. is highly delighted wth the heifer and she certainly does look nice in the stable with the others and she is getting quieted down. This after noon I helped Frank and Dad. get the stove in place and then</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>I went up to the Bowlby's after Louise. Frank went to school till recess and then met Dad. down town and they got another load of coal. Louise and I got back about six. Cold all day snowed all after noon &amp; evening Dick didn't quit work for yesterday till 3.30 this morning and then walked home. It was the end of the year &amp; month.</p> <p>Thursday December 2nd</p> <p>Dad. &amp; I did chores most of the morning and fixed up a corner out in the old barn to put the bull calf as he is too mean to leave with the heifer calve we also unloaded the load of coal he got yesterday afternoon into a bin he fixed up in the wood shed. We two had dinner by ourselves as Enah, Louise &amp; the baby all went down to Aunty's to dinner and to spend the afternoon. This afternoon Dad. &amp; I hauled in a load of corn stalks most of which were unhusked and put them in the bay of the old barn. To-night Dad. read "Going Some" out loud it is a funny story by Rex Beach. It has been cold &amp; raw all day anbd is freezing hard to-night.</p> <p>Friday December 3rd</p> <p>Dad. has plowed across the gully all day and says it plows better than it hass all fall, he was surprised that it did as when he went back he was afraid he couldn't make it go it froze so hard last night, he got quite a lot done although he didn't get back there very early. I went over to see Charlie Shand this morning as I told him I would before he left; he is going West next Tuesday He showed me all over and we were up in the silo. Louise went down to Aunty's to dinner and Aunty came back with her to tea. I just did chores this after noon. To-night I went down town with Aunty and went to the picture show with Marj., this being her birthday. On my way home I looked in at the Commercial hotel and saw Alan Law and Dick sitting there waiting for Alan to finish his cigar to go home so I joined them. George Henderson was with them sitting with his feet up on a table, his cap down over his eyes and a smile on his face which showed he was just awake enough to enjoy his comfortable state. Presently a man evidently a traveller came in from the back room and expressed his intention of "going to roost" where at George stretched himself out of his chair and over to the register and the traveller registerd and went to bed. This sort of aroused the party and when Alan had bought another cigar we left for home. Alan was drawn from the</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>familiar channels of his conversation to-night by extolling the many virtues of a new nine dollar &amp; a quarter corduroy coat with fur felt lining that his girl sent away and got for him for a Christmas present. When we got home the whole family was listening to Enah read "Going Some". Dad. had had his snooze on the sofa and had evidently brought down the house a few minutes before we came in by waking up with a wild burst of laughter caused by his dreaming of the story Enah was reading and exclaiming "I don't see how people can be so dam' funny", this being a quotation from the book He got up then so I occupied the sofa for the remainder of the evening, it then being close to midnight. Raw &amp; cloudy, freezing to-night.</p> <p>Saturday December 4th</p> <p>Dad. has been plowing all day again to-day.This morning Frank did up most of the chores and I husked corn in the barn, he helped husk some too. This after noon he went back with Dad. to help him run out some cross furrows and I drove Louise back to the Bowlby's. I got home before tea. We have never let Alguitha out yet but she is beginning to show signs of getting tame but she won't let us take the halter off her head yet. They have according to the "Maple Leaf" got all the officers for the 133rd overseas regiment which they are going to try and recruit in Norfolk. A.C. Pratt the little shrimp is colonel an Murray Dillon one of the lieutenants neither one of them I suppose know any more about military matters than a young rabbit, but I suppose each is pulling down a nice fat salary from it. Murray is recruiting officer for these regions. Cold &amp; cloudy to-day but not so windy. I guess Murry is only a provisional lieutenant and has to try his examinations yet.</p> <p>Sunday December 5th</p> <p>Enah and Frank were the only ones from here at church this morning. I drove Enah down but it was so late I didn't go in but waited down at Aunty's for them. Aunty Alice drove over with us to dinner. I spent the after noon down town and went for a walk up the beach. I had tea at Aunty's and Dad. came down with Aunty Alice to tea and he Aunty &amp; I went to church. I spent the evening down town. Nice day but cloudy and cold.</p> <p>Monday December 6th</p> <p>I find I have only ten eleven pages left in this book so if I am going to get the rest of the year in I will</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>have to considerably boil down the news. Dad. has plowed all day but says the frost is beginning to make it stiff. Mrs. McBride was here all day. I did chores and went over to Martin's to hurry them up after my cockrel's. Enah went down to church this after noon. The Bishop was here and confirmed Mrs. Jack &amp; Mrs Chas Martin, Mrs Cope, Bill Dunbar, Joe Thompson &amp; Alf Powell. Frank &amp; I went down to A.Y.P.A. to-night. Hazen read us a story. Cold &amp; Cloudy to-day &amp; freezing hard to-night.</p> <p>Tuesday December 7th</p> <p>Dad. didn't plow to-day but we hauled two loads of corn stalks instead one in the morning and one this afternoon, besides doing up all the chores. Jack Martin &amp; Chris came over this morning and took eleven of my cockrels and left a few more here to grow awhile, they were not as fat as they should have been and we discovered the cause was mites. To-night Dad. &amp; I leg banded all the pullets. Much milder to-day.</p> <p>Wednesday December 8th</p> <p>I went down to the mill this morning and borrowed fifteen bags to haul out our wheat, we just did chores this morning and Dad. killed and cleaned three cockrels and I painted the roosts in the old part of the hen house with crude oil for mites. This after noon we cleaned up about 35 bushels of wheat but didn't have time to haul any. Quite mild to day but very cloudy and a little snow which melted.</p> <p>Thursday December 9th</p> <p>Frank stayed home to help us to day. Dad. hauled the load down we cleaned up yesterday and we cleaned two more and hauled them to-day. We hauled 16 bags each trip and they averaged a few pounds over 34 bushels so it weighs pretty well and scarcely any cleans out but there isn't going to be as much by about 40 bushels in the granary as there was from the machine. We could have got more done but we had to quit early for chores It has been cloudy with a very cold north wind all day.</p> <p>Friday December 10th</p> <p>Dad. hauled two more loads to-day, we cleaned up all the wheat in the granary and took the last half load out of the big bin. It is sprouted worse but it cleans up to just about as good a sample. Dad. said he didn't think they made any difference down at the mill. Cold, cloudy and windy again to-day. Dick says Cecil Powell got back from the front to-night, there was a big crowd to meet them</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Saturday December 11th</p> <p>We cleaned up all the wheat left over in the barn this morning which was about 13 1/2 bags. Dad. hauled it down before dinner and I think it brought the total up to a little over 199 bushels, he didn't settle with Ivey this morning as they were so busy. This after noon I went down town to get some groceries. Art Quanbury paid me 21 dollars for the three ewe lambs. Frank went back to the gully and found a hole with three skunks in it but didn't get one - it got him properly - phew! He has gone down town to-night. They are going to present Cecil Powell with a watch but I am reading "The Amateur Gentleman" so can't go down. It has been cold again to day but it has also been sunny.</p> <p>Sunday December 12th</p> <p>Frank and I were the only ones that went to church from here this morning. I drove down and brought Aunty and Elva back with me. Jim Waddle &amp; the two little girls also were here to dinner, Dad wanted to have them as we had roast duck. Dick and I didn't get down town very early this after noon as we both each smoked a cigar first, and Marj. had gone for an automobile ride to Waterford. I stayed down to tea at Aunty's and Mrs Smythe and Pud. were there I went to church and Marj. &amp; I went up to Glad. Law's for awhile afterwards. Nice day snow to-night.</p> <p>Monday December 13th</p> <p>The ground was covered with snow this morning so we thought it was time we were getting the sheep home from Dunkin's. Dad. went down to the mill and settled up with Ivey paid him ${?} and got $130.00 back. This after noon we borrowed B &amp; M's cattle waggon and went up and got our sheep. We took old Harry &amp; got back about six. To night Frank and I went down to A.Y.P.A. Colder and pretty cloudy.</p> <p>Tuesday December 14th</p> <p>I took B &amp; M's waggon back this morning and took Art Quanbury his three lambs. I hurt my thumb down town slapping my hands to get them warm and havent done anything much all day. Uncle Ward came over this after noon to see Algitha and was here most of the after noon. We let her out for the first time to day got her in without much trouble but are afraid she is not in calf. Colder &amp; blizzardy</p> <p>Wednesday December 15th</p> <p>I have done very little all day my thumb is stiff and awkward I went down this morning and orderd some flooring at the Widespread for my chicken shed. Aunty Alice came back with me and stayed to dinner. Huby came over before tea and got Dad. to go down and cut up a pig for him. Dad. and Frank have gone down to-night. I sat up till 3 o'clock this morning to finish the "Amateur Gentleman" Nice day cold wind.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Thursday December 16th</p> <p>We did chores all morning, my thumb was still stiff so I didnt do much. This after noon I took a grist to the mill and went on down to get my lumber but they hadn't it ready yet, I stopped in at Aunty's for a few minutes, and got my chop when I got home. To-night I went to the show with Marj. To-night Aunty Alice had a bridge party, Toby Smith and Miss Buckwell and I stopped in there on my way home and got some cake Very mild but cloudy. Booze Waddle was over saying his father would come to morrow to kill pigs</p> <p>Friday December 17th</p> <p>It began to rain about six this morning and has been a wet miserable day. I drove Dick down to the bank and saw Dave. he said he and Val Leany would be right over if we could work in the dry so we rigged up a place in the old barn, and so before two o'clock the four pigs were all dressed. We then had dinner but they wouldn't take anything for pay. Just {chore?} then.</p> <p>Saturday December 18th</p> <p>Frank and I went down with the team this morning and got my lumber for the chicken house floor. This after noon I unloaded it and we hauled the pigs (dead ones) over to the house and took one down to Sam's, it weighed 145 lbs by Alfred's scales. Dad. &amp; Frank caught all the little ones and put them in the pen where the other four had been Dad. cleaned it all out this morning. Lila has been over all day. Cloudy and colder freezing.</p> <p>Sunday December 19th</p> <p>We got up late this morning and none of us but Frank went to church. I went down town this after noon and stayed at Aunty's to tea. Aunty and I went to church to-night, after church Marjorie and I walked down with her. I came home with Dick &amp; Alan Law It has snowed hard most of the day but has not been cold.</p> <p>Monday December 20th</p> <p>This being Tid's birthday all the family celebrated at Aunty's but me. I drove them down in the bobsleigh but came back and had dinner with Mrs. McBride here. Dad. came back soon after dinner and helped me do the chores. To-night I drove Essie &amp; Marj. down to Marburg Sunday school Christmas tree and we had a great time Wilson Porter drove Essie home. Frank went with the Ryerse's to the Lake Shore school concert, he walked It has been colder to day and our sleighing has frozen dry and blown off.</p> <p>Tuesday December 21st</p> <p>Besides doing chores I cleaned out chicken house and Dad. cut up a pig. Jack Martin paid me $20.93 for eggs &amp; cockrels Dad. &amp; I went to the Patriotic Rally to-night. Nice day.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Wednesday December 22nd</p> <p>We hooked up Joe &amp; Queen to the bobsleighs this morning and drove down town with Aunty Alice's cream and beets Queen went fine considering it was the first time she has been hooked up to anything. Frank got home at noon and his Christmas holidays have begun. He and I husked some corn this morning and about five o'clock Dad. &amp; I &amp; the baby drove Joe &amp; Ginger down to the cutter. Tonight I went down town and stayed down at Aunty Alice's all night. Aunty left for Toronto this morning to stay with Roy for Christmas week. Walter &amp; Elsie are coming there tomorrow but sleighing not good. Snowed most of day.</p> <p>Thursday December 23rd</p> <p>I went down to the train this morning to wish Marjorie a Merry Christmas before she left for home. Essie was down to see her off Aunty Alice got up and had breakfast ready for me when I got back. I walked home in time to drive Dick down as it was raining hard. It has rained most of the day and the snow is nearly all gone. I husked corn and did chores most of the day Dad. has cut up pigs and has them all cut up and Enah has most of the lard rendered out. Frank has been making a knife drawer for Enah. Last night Frank went down to the Mud Street school show (Bertha England's) with the Ryerse's, they went in bobs this time.</p> <p>Friday December 24th</p> <p>I spent most of the morning cleaning out the chicken houses and tacking cotton in the windows. Tom Abbot came in and got a rooster. This afternoon Dad. went down town to get his hair cut and Frank and I to do some Christmas shopping. Dad. and I came home to-gether. The town seems to have quite a few soldiers home for Christmas. I saw Billy Loan in uniform didn't know he had enlisted. Frank is going to try and catch some pigeons for Hec. Henderson's shooting match to night. Very mild but cloudy all day.</p> <p>Christmas Day</p> <p>I drove Enah and Frank down to church in the cutter this morning with Joe and Ginger but as all the chores had to be done up this morning and one of us had to look after the baby so I came back home again. Dad. and I then dressed up and drove Joe down in the buggy to the James where the whole family of us partook of Christmas dinner we took the baby down with us, the McPherson family were all there too. We had a dandy time especially Frank who had a cigar after dinner and spent the remainder of the after noon in the Catholic church shed. We came home about four and then I drove Harry &amp; Belle down and got Aunty Alice and Aunty Ida and</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>all Huby's family except Aunty Maude who is at Uncle Wards look after Mrs. Scofield who got "took bad" the other day but is now better. We just had tea over here but had a Christmas tree for Tid. and Huby acted as Santa Claus. He nearly gave poor Aunt Ida a fit laughing at his actions and words, there was quite an array of dandy presents considering nobody was going to give any. I drove them all back in the sleigh quite early but had to leave Huby at the Sovereign's as Mrs. Scofield wouldn't mind them and he had to pretend he was the doctor, so Win &amp; Lila stayed at Aunty Alices all night. It has been very soft and mild all day but is colder to-night.</p> <p>Sunday December 26th</p> <p>Dad. &amp; Frank stayed home this morning and Enah and I walked down to church. The choir was out in its new "shrouds" as Whit Dixon called the surplices. This after noon Dad. &amp; I walked over to Frank Crysler's to see his bull but weren't very stuck on him. To-night I went down to Aunty Alice's to tea and to church. Went up to Huby's after church and was there quite awhile as Win was there all alone. Lovely day bright and colder than yesterday.</p> <p>Monday December 27th</p> <p>Dad. and I went down to nomination this after noon but it was pretty slow reeve &amp; counsillors went in by acclamation reeve is Gilbert and same old council except Nath. Butler who takes Gilbert's place. Frank and I went down to-night to our nomination and it was much more fun Billy Langs &amp; Bill Coley nearly got into a scrap Vyse and old Walker are going to run again for reeve. Snowing to-night.</p> <p>Tuesday December 28th</p> <p>Dad. &amp; I went over to John Wes's this morning to see his bull and stayed over there till one o'clock watching John Wess &amp; Robert John Watson kill a pig. This after noon Dad. went up to see Ham Thompson's bull and Frank went skating. I did chores. To-night Dad. and I went down and stayed at Aunty Alice's. Nice day.</p> <p>Wednesday December 29th</p> <p>Dad. and I went down to Caledonia this morning to see Mr. Douglas. He came in for us in a cutter and we spent the whole day out there as it was a terrible day, a regular blizzard cold east wind and snow. While we were there two fellows Mr Brook &amp; son drove down from Paris (24 miles) in the teeth of the gale, there were two other batches of visitors there relations of the Douglas' so there was a housefull, but we had a good look at the stock and a great visit with Douglas and Dad. was highly delighted with the cattle. Douglas drove us in after we had</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>tea in time to catch the train but we had to wait about an hour as the Hamilton train was held up at Caledonia by the storm, and the Dover train had to wait at Rymal to get through, we saw Win. and two of her friends at the station for a minute or two.</p> <p>Thursday December 30th</p> <p>We have put in all our spare tme to day putting the floor in the chicken shed and got all the joice in place and spliced and nearly a third of the floor laid. Frank was here to help us, no he wasn't either. I have got a little mixed up Dad. and I just got some of the joice in to-day Lovely day sunny and cold. Frank took the old sow down to Porter's.</p> <p>Friday December 31st</p> <p>To day after we did chores we worked at the hen house floor and Frank cut the boards for us and it was to-night when we quit that we had nearly a third of the floor down. Dad. drove Enah and the baby down to Aunty Alice's to tea. To night I went down to the dance the girls were having to raise funds for the Red Cross. I got there about nine but they hadn't started and there were not many there but they soon started to come and eventually there was a big crowd. At 11.30 I went over to the church with some more of them as they were having service and praying for victory. This has been a black year for the world. Very mild all day, raining</p> </div> transcribed https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/5ee2e4232a0655e6563fe2d46b022868.pdf 3167a37deda29d5b7c45841969a7b926 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. {Blank Front Cover Inside page on the left} {Right side page} DIARY.1916 T.B.Barrett. Port Dover, Ontario. The Farm From January 1st 1916 to September 29th 1916 https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/40784bbbf1c90f60411148c305eaf65f.pdf c89fe169a53d22ac517a8781a59802ff PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Saturday January 1st 1916 They tolled the church bell three times and rang it to herald the New Year and after spending about another quarter of an hour in church we went over to the dance Dad. & Enah were in church and they came over to the dance This being Leap Year all boys caught asking a girl to dance were supposed to be fined a quarter but I don't think many spotted up. They had a square dance which Mr Cope and Enah took part in Mr Cope aparently enjoyed him self immensely We danced till nearly three o clock and every body agreed that it was the best dance this year so far. Enah and I spent the remainder of the night at Aunty Alices but Dad. & Frank who we discovered had been up {several faded words} dance went home. Aunty Alice sat up as the baby was asleep and she thought he might wake up. Aunty Alice didn't call me till nearly ten o clock and I wasnt very anxious to get up then. It was raining hard so after I had breakfast I sat around and read till noon. We just sat down to dinner when Dad. drove down after Enah so I went up with him and got the mail, and then walked home. We just did chores this after noon except Frank who cut a lot more of the chicken house flooring. It has rained nearly all day. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/39d64ac3853006fdabd3d9af40fb6496.pdf b045295c0f484e7fae299e6ab474686c PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Sunday January 2nd It poured rain during the night and has been very soft and mild all day but is colder to-night I arose fairly early this morning and got ready in time to go to church Enah and I walked down and were late. After church Aunty Alice and Aunt Ida were going up to Huby's for dinner as they had goose and as Aunty Maude had told Aunty Alice to bring Dad. up too should he happen to be in church and as he didn't happen to be in church and as I was in no mood to walk home in the slush to dinner and right back I thought it would be all right for me to go to Huby"s so I did and had a very enjoyable dinner. Uncle Ward was the only other guest. I spent the afternoon down at the Bagley's and had tea there. We all went to our various churches. Monday January 3rd I did chores most of the morning and husked a little corn Dad. and the baby went down to meet Aunty who came up on the morning train to vote. Dad. was very anxious to have her vote because Vyse was running again against old Walker. They saw Ed. up town and he said to vote for Walker Moon & Wilson so she did. Walker got in by a majority of 8 Ed. headed the polls for councillors then came Harry Smith, R.M. Taylor and Mat. Wilson and the bylaw which was to give a fixed rate of assessment to the canning factory who in return are going to put up another big building carried so Aunty didn't lose a vote. Dad. stayed down to dinner, while he was gone and while I was husking corn out in the barn, the fattening steer got lose and got out behind the calves and into the alley in front of the cows I heard a commotion but didn't pay much attention but when I went to go in I found the black calf had either been frightened or hooked into the manger He was on his side with his nigh fore & hind feet sticking over the edge but he was wedged in so tightly that I couldn't lift him so had to tear the whole manger out, and he felt pretty wobbly when he did get loose. This after noon Dad. and I went out to try and set up some of the down shocks of corn but they were frozen in to hard. The mice are eating it badly and we cant haul it in till we thrash out our clover seed. Mr. Flemming was over to get a hand to help him thrash to-morrow but I dont think the machine is there yet. It was A.Y.P.A. social evening to-night. Mrs Clare Deal Miss Marshall and I were put on the committee to run it but except for meeting Mrs Deal on the bridge last night on my way https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/9b8ebb59a470ef894a03309278bbe9aa.pdf 0d9d473ac5c3631421cea31954c9d391 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. home and telling her that what she had done couldn't have been improved on I haven't done a thing. However it came off all right only there were very few there Enah went down to tea at the James and she said Elva played a duet said Davis sang Aunty Maude gave us a little talk and we had refreshments. Frank and I went down to see Aunty on our way down as this is her birthday. Sunny, a little blizzardy but misty. Tuesday January 4th Dad. had to go over to Flemming's to thrash alsike this morning, they thrashed all day and got seven bags from eleven loads so it didn't turn out so well as the rest has this year. Dad. says Lloyd Crysler told them John Wess got eleven bushels to the acre. I was over for a few minutes this after noon and it looked terribly dusty {illegible} Dad. was nearly all in when he came home. Mr. Flemming never has enough men either. I didn't do much but chores to-day, and sorted out my chickens a little to-night. I got three more pullet's eggs to day. Much milder, south wind Wednesday January 5th It rained hard during the night and has poured rain most of the day but to-night it is freezing and the wind getting around to the north. Dad. and I did chores most of the morning and this after noon we got some more of the floor laid in the chicken shed. Thursday January 6th This morning Dad. and I got a little more floor laid in the chicken shed. Aunty Alice came over while we were working at it and stayed to dinner and walked back soon after via Mrs. Battersby's to see Miss Phipps who has been sick Dad. and I went down with the waggon to get a load of soft coal for the thrashers who may be here to-morrow. Alan was in to-night and said they would get moved down here to-morrow night maybe in time to thrash a little. To-night I went skating. Frank went down with me and spent the evening up at Huby's, he didn't get home till about twelve o'clock I was late enough as Essie & Marj. were down skating. I called for them but they had gone with Mr. Woodyer so I went up home with them and Marj. made some cocoa and we fed and sat around for about an hour, so it was pretty late. Dick was just getting ready for bed and said he had the grip. There is an awful lot of it in town. Much colder & freezing hard. Skating grand. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/062c779ceb4aabaf27d1df71fc0a225b.pdf df46de1e9e2c0e0b4529036cbc8b3a06 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Friday January 7th This was Dick's birthday, but as he has every thing he wants with in the limits of an ordinary man's fortune, we couldn't think of any thing to get him, but he happened to mention at breakfast that he broke his hockey stick yesterday so I got one for Frank and me to give him. Right after breakfast I went down to get Joe shod and took her up to Hallam's but as Bobbie McMullin seemed to be running things up there I made an excuse to see Hallam who was down at George Gambles and took Joe down to Joe Howell's, it was after twelve when I got home. This after noon we laid a little more of the chicken house floor. Frank stayed home and helped us. About four o'clock Sam & Alan came in with the clover mill & engine but it wasn't worthwhile thrashing any. To-night I went skating again Enah went down to choir practice with me. I went up to the Bagley's and Essie & Woodyer were just leaving but Marj. hadn't got back from a treat they were giving the Sunday school kids so I started off to get her but met her half way as Enah had told her there was skating on. We had a fine time as the ice is great but Essie had to leave at eight o'clock to go to choir practice. I could have had a ride home with Dick and Alan but thought I had better go down to Aunty's and see if Enah was there but she had just left before I got there. Dick & Frank both feel rather tough to-night. Nice day pretty frosty. Saturday January 8th We thrashed the clover this morning and finished it by a little after twelve and before dinner. We got over five bags of stuff from the six loads but it was more than half I think plantain seed. If we can ever get it separated though we will have enough red seed for our own use. Mr. Flemming and Tupper were the only ones extra we had. Aunty came over and helped Enah. This after noon Dad. and I went up to Ham Thompson's to see a sick cow, we were up there quite awhile looking at all the stock some of which is pretty nice. I drove down and got the mail when we got home. To-night I went skating again as it was a beautiful night and the ice was fine. There was a good bunch down there and we had a good time. I had a bath after I got home. Dick came home early and has not felt very well all day, his eyes are sore Frank has been in all day too with the grip. Still pretty cold and frosty. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/3c95f48c46c21505b49f30488b5bccd1.pdf 42f6026be17a3bb8fe02ea9ae6eaddf5 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Sunday January 9th Enah and I walked down to church this morning and I have been down all day I had dinner and tea at Aunty's Miss Phipps was there to dinner. I spent the after noon & evening up at the Bagley's, before tea I got Cousin Loll & Cousin Phoebe to go over to the Ansley's with me as they had the key to the house and get a Wandering Jew plant which Cousin Bessy left there to freeze unless Aunty took pity on in so I took it down to her. The Ansley's all left for Toronto yesterday. They expect Joe Syer's battery to be moved to France next month. Aunty Alice and I went to church to-night. We thought Dad. would have been down but I found out that he had had to go up to Bill Duncan's to see a sick horse. Dick and Frank have both been in the house all day to-day so Dick must be pretty bad. There were quite a few skating this after noon but I didn't go. It is getting milder to-night. Monday January 10th It rained during the night and has rained a lot during the day but is colder to-night. I went over to Quanbury's to see Charlie this morning, he is better and sitting up but has had a bad time with his throat.On my way home I stopped in and got a setting of eggs from Jack Martin as one of the old red hens has been sitting for quite awhile and Dad. was very anxious to put some eggs under I thought it would be too early to have them come out. Dad & I didn't do much but chores this after noon Aunty came over before tea to stay all night as Dad. Enah and I went down to A.Y.P.A. and the boys have been in the house all day. Dick was bound he was going to work yesterday but when this morning came he wasn't at all anxious to go Glad. Law and Marj. Clarke had a Dicken's evening at A.Y.P.A. to-night and Dad. & Enah sang "What are the Wild Waves Saying" Cousin Willie, Jack Martin and Aunty Maude also took part but there were very few there. Dad. had to be chairman. Tuesday January 11th It was frozen up this morning so after we got the chores done Dad. and I got in a load of corn and another one this after noon, we took two rows at a time so got quite a strip of land cleared, there are about two loads left out there yet, we put it up where the clover seed was cut left the last load on the waggon, we couldn't get it in before on account https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/97451f4a86303d6805782abc25f761ff.pdf ee554ce8f95fca5166ae431015cb5f78 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. of the clover seed taking up the room. To-night I went skating the ice was in beautiful shape. Dad has felt sick all day. Wednesday January 12th Dad. has been in bed all day and feels properly sick I guess he has the grip like all the rest of them althoug he hasn't a cold. It has kept me busy all day just doing the chores. Frank has felt a lot better but not well enough to be out. Dick still {feels his?} eyes pretty sore. Nicholson & Hazen came over to see him this evening. They told him not to try to come to work. Hazen told me last night they were getting along fine Mr. {Name?} has sold about fifteen dollars worth of chickens and only spends about ten minutes a day in the bank. It has rained most of the day but is colder to-night. Tuesday January 13th Dad. has been sitting up to-day but doesn't feel much better I think. Frank has been well enough to-day to help me do some of the chores but we didn't get anything else done. Mrs. Dyer came over to see Dick to-day He doesn't feel much better. It has been cold and stormy to-day Friday January 14th I saw they had steam up over at Sam's this morning and about nine o'clock Alan came in to see if one of us could go over. I was just going in to breakfast but he said he had to go down town so I didn't need to hurry, I went over and hung around for half an hour and we got started about half past ten, but as there were only two loads of alsike we got through before noon, it turned out pretty well as they got three bushels. I was the only extra hand there. Bert and I pitched out of the mow and Sam & Alan did the rest. I had dinner over there but when I got home found Frank had all the chores done so this after noon he and I took a small grist to the mill, small because we could only find about half a dozen empty bags. Tonight I went skating there was a little snow on the ice but it was pretty good. Dess & {Name?} Dyer came over to see Dick to-night so Frank had to see them home and didn't get back till long after I did. Dick has felt a great deal worse to-day about the sickest he has yet although his eyes are better. Dad. says he feels better to-night but he is pretty weak. It has been a nice day but pretty cold. This was Aunt Ida's birthday and I called in to wish her a happy one. Aunty & Aunty Alice were both at church but I saw them on my way home https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/fa4a6d74a0a831651bf12c641ee15ba3.pdf 917cf67dc1731403f3d2c5a3bffcfd2f PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Saturday January 15th Frank and I have put in a busy day besides doing the chores we got in two loads of corn, we only took two rows in the two loads but in some places it was badly frozen in so we didn't have time to take full rows. Dad. has felt very miserable to day and has not been out of bed at all his eyes ache {illegible}. Aunty has been over all the after noon and I walked home with her after tea and got the mail. Dick is a little better. Very blustery day especially this after noon. Strong wind with snow and very cold. Sunday January 16th Frank went to church this morning and I did chores I got them pretty well done up before dinner and this after noon Dick and I went down town Dick wasn't much better but vowed he was coming down and stayed down all night. Essie, Marj. and I paid a visit to the Prestons this after noon every female member of that family are sick in bed and Arthur and Mr. P. are keeping house. I came home about half past five and did chores and went down again after tea I was too late for church so I went up to Huby's for about an hour. Aunty Maude was sick with neuraligia and had gone to bed & I met Essie & Marj. on their way from Methodist Church and went with them over to the Smith's, Harry & Fred were both home for Sunday. Mrs. Smith looked very badly. I came home fairly early. Elva & Mr. James were over here this after noon and Huby was here when I got home before tea but didn't stay to tea. Aunty Alice was over to dinner and part of the after noon. Very cold nor'west wind all day. Blizzardy Monday January 17th Frank went to school to-day but came home early this after noon he said they had to let a lot of them out as the school house was so cold. I haven't tried to do a thing but chores as it has been so cold. Dad. has felt better and was out at the barn for a little while to-day. To-night I went down to A.Y.P.A. but as there was no body there to conduct the meeting it adjourned and Marj. Glad. Law & I went to the picture show where we enjoyed ourselves much better. I looked in at Henry Buoy's pool room on my way home attracted by what sounded on the street like quite a racket but which proved to be only Al. Faulkner talking. I found Frank up there https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/073bf87971174277ad22aa6b0beba2a4.pdf c4ece5492307524f474482d1a57f8038 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. watching a game between Bunyian and Fred Tuck. Bunyian was pretty well jagged and was shooting with the butt end of his cue. Frank and I stopped in at Aunty's on our way home and found Dick there for the night, he looks pretty rotten yet but says he feels all right. I tried on a couple of shirts which Aunty Alice made for Dad. but which were too small and which just about fit me so I inherited them. They're dandys too. I sat up till three o'clock after I got home and finished reading "Mr. {illegible} of {illegible}" It was pretty good but I thing I caught a bad cold over it. This I think has been the coldest day yet this winter frosty as well as windy. Tuesday January 18th Frank has been at school all day. I have just done chores and not tried to anything else, in fact the chores took up most of my time. Dad. went down town this morning and stayed at Aunty's to dinner and most of the after noon, he doesn't feel any worse for it what he suffers most from now is a peculiar, very disagreeable, undescribable and he says most rotten taste and sometimes smell that he gets on some of his food and most of all when he tries to smoke, he is longing for a smoke and hasn't had one for four days, he has filled and lit three different pipes but each one has the same taste and he just takes one draw then puts the pipe away with an exceedingly marked expression of utter disgust. Enah has caught the sore eye trouble in one eye and I have a peacherine of a cold in my head. Tid's eyes are both sore. It has been still cold & blizzardy all day but not so frosty as yesterday and I think is getting milder to-night. Wednesday January 19th It has been milder and sunny to-day and much milder to-night, but we haven't done anything but the chores.The little steer was off his feed this morning and I noticed he was badly bloated so Dad. has had a stick in his mouth most of the day to take the bloat down but it isn't all out to-night though better. Mr. Morgan was over here all the after noon and Dad. ordered six cherry trees from him and he is going to replace the two walnuts that died. To-night I went down to see if there was any skating but there was no one down. The ice is beautifully smooth where the wind has swept https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/a5f9278e16ded303ef398bf44a3bfc68.pdf 34cf1f9e9c6210367edeb3220e9e64b3 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. it clear but there is too much snow to make skating. I took my skates up to the garage and left them to be sharpened and then went down to Aunty's for a little while. Aunty was just going to bed and was not {doing?} at all well all day. Dick was down there looking tough and hasn't been out of the house all day but says he feels better, over here Dad. & Enah both have very sore eyes and Enah feels pretty sick besides I think. Frank went down to-night with me and went up to Huby's. Thursday January 20th It has drizzled rain all day and every thing as slippery as grease or partly inundated, we have just done chores I cleaned out the chicken dropping boards this morning and this after noon I husked a little corn while Dad. cut some shelves to put up in the clothes room, Frank and I did up the night chores and Dad. went down to Aunty's for tea, he wanted to see how Aunty & Dick were, he hasn't seen Dick since Sunday. Frank saw him up town to-day at noon. To night I went down town and stumbled on the opening meeting of the "Never-ready Club" which consists of Marj. Glad. Law & Essie. They were all knitting or crocheting so I joined and just talked to them and held some yarn for Marj. to wind into balls. I got home about twelve after waiting for nearly two hours in at Hec's for Alan Law. <u>Wednesday</u> Friday January 21st Enah has at last got the grip she has felt very miserable all day and not been able to sit up or eat at all. The baby has a bad cough. This morning I got the chores pretty well done up and this after noon Dad. and I got some more of the chicken shed floor down, it wont take very much longer to finish it. To-night I walked down to Aunty Alice's with a couple of dozen eggs. Aunty feels better and Dick was up working. I stopped in at Quanbury's on my way home and gave Mr. Quanbury a dollar to join the Horticultural Society. Charlie & Art. were out at the farm for a load of straw. Very mild all day just like Spring, no colder to-night Saturday January 22nd Dad. has been in the house all day nearly again to-day with a headache. Enah was in bed all morning but felt better and was able to be up this afternoon while the poor baby is about half dead with the croup. He barks just https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/e8d67fb096eee0cf31c92f1953c86be4.pdf 60b2b2bacff46391136797eff0ea0a7a PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. a little dog when he coughs and looks like the mischief and I guess feels as bad as he looks although he has been very good. Frank and I laid floor in the chicken house this morning and used up all the lumber we had, so this after noon we did up all the chores and drove down town in the waggon and got 20 {illegible} more, which we laid to-night after tea, we worked out there till nearly nine o'clock and only have it to finish up with a six inch board which has to be notched to fit the studding. Frank has developed a case of pink eye this after noon and has gone to bed to-night not being able to see out of his left eye. Dick came home to-night the first time since last Sunday. Very soft & mild. An April day. Sunday January 23rd Owing to the condition of the familys health this morning I had to most of the chores. Frank helped me clean out the cow stables after breakfast but he can't do much on account of his eye, he feels all right other ways and went back to the gully and set a rat trap this morning. Dad's head doesn't ache to-day and Enah says she feels a little better but the poor baby looks awful although his cough doesn't sound as bad. This after noon I went down town and also to-night. I came home at tea time to do chores, but Dad. & Frank had them all done. Aunty Alice has the doctor down to see Aunty this after noon, he says it is the regular grip she has It froze last night and has been colder to day but feels very like Spring. Monday January 24th Frank went to school this morning sore eyes and all. Dad. and I did up the necessary chores and then went out and got in the rest of the corn, there were three rows but we brought it all in one load and got it in about noon, this after noon Will Philips was in for quite awhile to ask Dad about a sick horse and then {Name?} McPherson came in to get us all to sign a petition to the Government to put through a total Prohibition Bill or submit it to the people, we all signed it. I would rather have waited to hear some more argument on the subject but as it stands it looks right enough to me. We then {cacked?} up a grist which I took down to the mill. To-night Frank and I went skating, the ice was great in spots but there were a lot of rough spots to skate into Dad has been out all day but feels too weak to work hard. Enah and Tid show very slight signs of improvement while Frank reports that Aunty though still in bed is a little better. Very mild all day & to-night. Spring. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/142eb7e56a907e9d610f3e54daaafa78.pdf f818743343133dd59c593a2504197550 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Tuesday January 25th This morning I went down to the mill and got the grist that I left there last night. I took the washing up to Mrs. McBride's as she was over this morning to say she could not come over to wash as Sam had to go out to Pow's and couldn't mind the kids, she gave me a whole pile of old cabbages which have been frozen two or three times for the chickens, soon after I got back Charlie Quanbury came over to get Dad. to look at old Corbett who Dad says is pretty sick, they drenched him the other night and Dad. thinks got some oil on his lungs. He didn't get back till noon as Jack Martin called him in there to show him a rooster with the chicken pox. I cleaned out the stables while he was gone.This after noon we were going to {polish?} the floor in the chicken house but just as we got the noon chores done Uncle Ward came over and visited all the after noon. About half past four we had to take Elgithe up to Ham Thompson's bull. She was very wild at first and we had a sling rope tied on to the end of her halter rope before we got out of the lane. I had caught my foot in the loop of the rope and had to let go and drop to get loose She dragged me a few feet before I got loose and then ran right down along the fence running into it and catchin in it every now and again, when she got to the corner she turned in Ivey's gate and ran for our line where we managed to head her off and catch her. Dad. took her on up and I went behind after she got a little cooled down she went as gentle as a lamb. To-night Frank and I went skating or at least down town to go skating but as there was no body on the pond we came to the conclusion that it was too soft so went down to see Aunty for awhile she is much better and came home. It has been very mild & muddy all day, looks very much like rain. Wednesday January 26th Dad and I have put in all our time to-day besides doing chores in putting down the last strip in the chicken house floor it only took one six inch board but Dad. had to cut it at each stud to make it fit right as the spaces between floor & wall were uneven between some of the streds, so it took a long time. Sam Law came in this morning to settle up accounts, we owe him six or seven dollars yet for thrashing. Alex Jamieson was in this afternoon to get some veterinary advice. To-night Dad. walked down https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/63173c9c5e1521ebe6bfdd09eb6d394f.pdf 26ef13be4863a106673b7c4bd6173904 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. to see Aunty. Frank and I spent most of the evening catching pigeons. Hugh McQueen is buying them this time for a shooting match and paying thirty cents a pair for them. It has been too mild to day to wear a coat, but looks rainy. Thursday January 27th About the first thing this morning I went over to Mrs. McBride's and got the clothes. Aleta was there and Mrs. McBride away, they have all gone back to live with Sam and he has made all kinds of promises about acting like a good husband and father and they say he signed the total prohibition petition. Alan Law says it is all her fault anyway. He said this Christmas she asked him to go down to Jane's for dinner but Sam wanted to have their own Christmas at home and accordingly went down and bought a goose and presents for all the family when Christmas came he went home and as Alan says "No damned Susan there" so poor Sam had to eat alone, when she did come she "throwed" the presents and spoke very desparagingly of them. "Why" Alan says "How would you like it if you were a married man to go home there at night and have to get your own supper and have no woman to sit down and talk to and go to bed alone and have her come prowling in about midnight and then never get up in the morning to get your breakfast and the house all upset, its enough to make any man discouraged." He said " I've lived beside them a long time and know them both and there isn't a better man living than Sam McBride." "Yes" I said "I guess he's all right when he's sober" "Why" Alan said "I never found him out of the way when he was drunk, and if she was half the woman that he is a man there would be no drinking go on in that house." However they are a united family at present we'll see how long it will last. When I got home from there I took a chicken down to Aunty Alice and just got home by noon. Joe was feeling very much like what might be expected since she has done nothing whatever the last couple of weeks but stand in and eat oats and hay too of course, but the roads were so bad she couldn't do much, they say the frost is all out in some places, Alan says that Fred Rose down the Plank was digging post holes to-day. This after noon Dad. and I carried four big bundles of straw over to the the chicken's new floored scratchin shed. I think it is going to be a great improvement. To-night I https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/4c1b4718f4b6c43454ed9d89af6f01be.pdf 36d944dc7e020c0c13a615da38f6658e PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. went down to the Red Cross supper in the Town Hall I was to have called for Aunty Alice at six o'clock but I was late so she had gone so I went alone but had my tea with Dick & Dess. There were some dandy cakes there but as usual in such cases my stomach became incapacitated long before my appetite was satiated. I went home with Marj. & Essie and later we went to the picture show, we had to use brute force to get Essie past the Methodist Church as there was a prayer meeting going on and she was supposed to be there to play and we literally dragged her away from it. It's a war prayer meeting and as I tell her the Germans are praying as hard as we are and I suppose there are lots of them just as good in God's sight as there are of us so in all probability God will wind it up in his own way in spite of all of us. I really think about like Aunty Alice that praying and fighting don't go very well to-gether that if we trust so much in our own strength we oughtn't to expect much help from Heaven or if we do want Divine help we should throw down our arms and pray for it, but of course that is out of the question as we are too human for that. I got a ride home with Dick & Alan. I don't know what has struck me to-night to write so much diary but it is half past twelve now so I am going to bed. Dad. has just been out for a while to smoke he got so hot in bed he couldn't go to sleep. This is really the most remarkable weather for January I ever heard of. It has rained a good part of to day and to-night was too mild to wear an overcoat. It is hard to believe that it is midwinter. Friday January 28th Dad. and I put off the load of corn which was on the waggon this morning and also nailed on the boards which block up the space over the south doors of the old barn We didn't do much this after noon but chores, we took the nests out of the rooster's pen and put them up in the pullets end of the scratching shed, the pile of straw we put in there has kept them busy most of the day, we also swept out the brooder and put it in the colony house. Tonight Dad. & Frank have gone down town Dick expects Ferdy to-night for a few days and as the roads are too bad to drive down Dad. took the lantern and is going to wait at Aunty's for them, they have to call on Dess & maybe take in the show before they come over. Colder to-day freezng to-night https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/b030aabb92007cb5841a683d4a9cc327.pdf bbad5dd83134816cc2995438a21ca412 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Saturday January 29th Ferdy arrived safely last night and aparently in good condition as whe Enah inquired after his health he expressed the fact "that he didn't have no kick coming." We haven't seen any thing of him since soon after breakfast as he has spent the day in town. Frank was down town most of the morning getting his teeth filled. I did a few chores but spent most of the day making a hopper in the chicken house and putting in a {illegible} and another couple of {illegible}. This evening I filled the two hoppers with a whole bag of rolled oats and also put in grit and dried meat scrap. Dad and Frank went down town and got a load of coal. To-night Frank has gone down again to get a link of stove pipe for the little {illegible} coal stove, it has to be made a {illegible} and {illegible} narrow {illegible} to put on the stove and be {illegible} six inch pipe. Dunn has sent over two {illegible} {Illegible} but none are big enough although Dad. took an exact impression of the hob on a piece of cardboard and sent it down but Dunn said he should have sent down the shape made of wire so he did this after noon. It froze fairly hard last night but except for a cold and raw east wind it has not been very wintry to-day. It is raining & freezing as it comes to-night. Sunday January 30th We all got up late this morning and none of us got ready in time to go to church. This after noon Dick, Ferdie & I walked down and I spent the afternoon and evening up at the Bagley's. I had tea at Aunty's and went to church with Aunty Alice. It has been a horrible day raining most of the time, to-night it was pouring rain and very dark when I went down to Aunty's after my overshoes so I stayed all night. Aunty feels quite a lot better to-day. Monday January 31st I got up fairly early this morning but it was still raining when I was ready to start for home so I thought I would wait and see if Dad. drove the boys down in which case I knew he would call for me. I finished reading "The Road Mender" by Michael Fairless which I started down there last fall when I was sick and have read part of since whenever I had time, then Aunty Alice and I had a game of chess I had nearly forgotten the game but she reminded me as we went along and we had quite a game. Neither one of us won because about ten o'clock we came to the conclusion that Dad. wasn't down https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/ab9df3f3a645188f211e2318bccabb1d.pdf 6fedfdb7a262429bc2d0fc79be489fb3 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. and that we shouldn't be wasting any more time in the middle of the morning, so we quit without either being checked. By the time I got home and got my clothes changed it was nearly noon. This after noon we didn't do much but chores and husk a little corn. Ferdie went down town. Frank and I went down to A.Y.P.A to-night but they didn't do anything down there much but adjourn. Mr. Johnson was not there as he was called away very suddenly this morning to Muskoka to the supposed death-bed of his uncle. Glad Law brought the minute book as Marj. has the grip. I went in with Glad. after the meeting to see her. She looks the picture of health and says she feels alright as long as she is sitting down but she got so sick and dizzy in school this morning that she had to let the kids all out and go home before recess. I went down to Aunty's on my way home Aunty Alice had gone up to Cousin Loll's to play bridge. Frank came in while I was there and we came home to-gether. The marble season has commenced already I suppose on account of the open weather. Frank has been playing all evening and has about thirty he had none when he went down I borrowed some from him and we played odd & even all the way home and I had the same old luck that I used to have when Egg. Thompson & I used to play all day in school, started with about a dozen and only had about five or six when we got home. Dick and Ferdie where here when we got home, they got a ride with Alan. It has been very mild all day but is colder to-night. Tuesday February 1st It froze a little last night but not much after I cleaned out the stables I took some manure around to put on the front beds and the frost was all out in the sod. I took another strip off by the rhubarb bed that I started last fall. Dad. cut a piece off the stack. This after noon Aunty Alice came over and we didn't do much. Alan came in towards dark with ten bushels of potatoes he got from {Name?] Waddle at $1.00 and we were going to take four bushels and he was to leave five of theirs in our cellar as they have no place to keep them and he took one bag home to use. To-night Frank and I went out to catch some more pigeons for Hugh McQueen's match but could only catch two. Ferdie has been down town all the after noon in fact went before dinner. Poor old Tige has been sick all day. I don't know what is the matter with her, she doesn't seem to want to move. I guess she has the grip. It has been colder this after noon and is freezing hard to-night with strong N.W wind. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/d3ba459ef571d836ee64e9cdbfcc2c37.pdf cd20e8a8a88bb6d63f0929a336b6a1dd PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Wednesday February 2nd After breakfast this morning Dad. got started reading Happy Hawkins aloud so we didn't get out very early and didn't do any thing but chores. Enah went down town before dinner as Aunty Alice told her yesterday that her father was quite ill, she was down all the after noon, so Dad. Ferdie & I had dinner alone. This after noon we did chores and Dad. trimmed Queen's & Gingers hooves, he had a few chores to do around the house too. I went over to Jack Martin's to get a couple of roosters to mate up with my hens but they were too busy shipping birds to get them for me to-night. I went down to Quanburys with {illegible} nursery stock I {rest of sentence illegible} To-night Frank and I went down town. Frank took some eggs down to the store and his two pigeons which we caught last night. I went around to see Marj. she feels pretty wobbly yet but looks well (if looks were all that were concerned I wish she was {illegible} all the time allthough her every day looks are ok its been colder and cloudy to day Bear saw his shadow Thursday February 3rd This morning I went over to Martin's to get four roosters to mate my hens. I was over there quite a while and was just starting off with a couple intending to come back after the other two when Dad. came in he had helped Enah bring the baby through the field so he helped me take the four home. Enah spent the day down town again as her father is still very ill although a little better to-night. Ferdy went down with her and has been down town all day. The old hen hatched out four of the thirteen eggs I got from Jack but one of them got chilled to-day and died. Dad. brought her and the other three into the kitchen this after noon. I haven't done any thing but chores and read this after noon It has been cold and rather stormy so Dad went down to Aunty's about four o'clock to bring the baby home but Enah had taken him up to the Jame's and Dad. didn't go up there after him. Mrs. Hodge died to-day and the old man is just about all in. Bruce Dell was over before tea to get Dad. to go down and look at thier old cow which is bloated. Dad. gave Bruce a great raking over but has gone down to-night. I trimmed the tag locks off the hens to-night with the sheep shears. I got a fac-simile of the letter Dick got (the other day) from Pratt yesterday telling me it was my duty to join the 133rd Norfolk Battalion. Holly Bush got one but Holly says he won't answer the requirements as he https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/c42a1ec69884b274fb50f7bb20dc5f10.pdf 9fc11bca78ee752c145bb07853eb4de9 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. over the age limit (45 years) and under the minimum heighth which is 5 ft 2 but I am sure there are fellows down there shorter than Holly and he says he is only 5 ft 1 in. I think they are taking almost any body who will join. Old Bill George and two of his sons have enlisted. Old Bill will make a pretty figure in uniform. If they aim high enough he will make a good mark but they could shoot a good sized shell between his knees and him standing at attention. Hammy Innes joined yesterday too. Hammy joined on a bet. Hargreaves one of the boys in khaki bet Hammy he could spot him 25 playing pool and beat him. Hammy took him up. Hargreaves said if he did would he enlist and Hammy said he would so when he lost he kept his word. I thought he would some day anyway, he has been the butt of a good deal of sarcasm as there were a great many "patriotic" busy bodies who couldn't understand what their was to keep him home. They will have to turn all their attention to Cliff Lees now but I don't think it will affect him much. He is off to-day seeing L.G. Morgan & the Penman's Company for the pond or something or other. I think the lawsuit was to come off to day. If he beats them I guess he is smarter than most people took him for but he can't be any crookeder Friday February 4th We haven't done much all day but chores. Enah went over to the Martin's this morning and telephoned down to find out how her father was and found he had had a good night and was better. This after noon I got my duds picked out for the hard time ball and Enah cleaned them up. I got a long tailed coat of Dad's out in the wood shed and a light coloured vest and wore one of my new blue and white shirts that Aunty Alice made me with a little plaid bow tie after that I just sat around and listened to Dad. read Happy Hawkins. Enah, Dad. & the baby went down to Aunty's for tea so Frank and I had ours alone, Ferdy having gone down early in the afternoon to stay at the Dyer's or Henry's to tea and taken a suitcase full of clothes for himself and Dick. Frank and I went down as soon as I got togged up. I went into Aunty's for a minute or two and then went up to see how Marj. was, she has been at school the last two days and was waiting for Glad Law to go down and watch the dance for a little while I went down with them they all laughed heartily at my costume but when we got there we found very few dressed out of the ordinary https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/a0e5ec9926f20183992400bc560ca6af.pdf 1a5d4e9c76d4979d59b8b6bcb5ef3d04 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Hazen was the best he had the doggonedest outfit on I ever saw great big coloured patches sewed all over his clothes and an old bit of side line for a belt with an alarm clock hanging to it for a watch it would go off every time there was a lull in the dancing The girls went home early and didn't dance at all. I went up with them and went in to show my self to Essie who had been at choir practice. She didn't say much and appeared shocked, it's part of her Methodist tomfoolery to think dancing, wicked, though I don't suppose she could tell why to save her neck. There wasn't such a big crowd there but we certainly had a good time Dad. & Enah didn't get there till quite late. Enah had a tray there which she had carved and which she raffled off. Sam Morris drew the lucky ticket, we got home before three o'clock. Enah staying down at Aunty's where Tid was. It has got milder this after noon and was snowing when we came home Saturday February 5th I did a few chores to-day but spent most of the time just sitting around and going to sleep. I wrote to Quint this after noon and read a good deal of the newspaper as it is full of the accounts of the awful fire at Ottawa which destroyed the Parliament Buildings, they don't know yet whether the fire was caused by accident or whether it was the work of Germans but they have arrested one man on suspicion. It was an awful fire as seven people lost their lives two of them women and one a member and it destroyed what they say was the most beautiful public building in <s>Canada</s> North America. It has snowed most of the day and is very much milder. Enah walked home with the baby this morning Dad. killed and dressed three chickens but none of us have done much. Frank husked corn & copied notes. Sunday February 6th Frank, Enah and I went to church this morning and were quite late, Frank and I especially, I stayed down at Aunty's to dinner and spent most of the afternoon at the Bagley's I came back to Aunty's for tea and went to church this evening with Aunty Alice, she went around after church with the Tibbits and I went home with Marj. & Glad Law. We had a new preacher as Mr. Johnson is still up in Muskoka with his sick uncle, this man was a Mr. Low from Stratford and https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/7eba90814bbaeab75f3665e658da3cda.pdf d690d2ac4546390870af0d98d6b594ab PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. seemed like a very nice man as well as a fairly good preacher. I went in to Aunty's on my way home to say good-bye to Ferdy as he is leaving in the morning and is going to stay there all night so as he will be handy to the train. It has been quite mild to-day and has snowed considerably. Monday February 7th This has been a regular winter day cold, some snow and very windy. We didn't do any thing but chores and Dad. put cotton on the last frame for the chicken house. This after noon I went down and got a tooth filled and stayed at Aunty Alice's to tea. Arthur Anderson walked over this morning to get Dad. to give him an order for some binder twine but Dad. didn't and afterwards he changed his mind so I gave them an order for fifty lbs this after noon. Mr. & Mrs. Johnson, some people Aunty Alice knew in Fort Saskatchewan came in to-night and I went with her to the station to meet them. She spoke to to drive them up and he did but Mrs. {Name?} came in from {illegible} out of the hospital so he took her home first and had to drive very slowly and then as he was so close, went up to Davie's with Ida so by the time we got down to the house we might far better have walked. I went right back up with Al. and went around to call at the Moon's to say good bye to Miss Misner (Minnie) who is leaving in the morning to go with the Queen's University Kingston Corps to be a military nurse at Cairo, Egypt. She & Mrs. Moon were just leaving when I got there to go to the Sunday school were the A.Y.P.A. and Willing Workers were entertaining the soldiers and sent Miss Misener an invitation so I went with them. Mrs. Skey & Mrs. Col. Smith were there representing the I.O.D.E. and presented Miss Misener with an adress & a purse. The orchestra was there and Cousin Willie was chairman, after quite a programe in which the soldiers "did their bit" we had refreshments and it was quite late when Frank and I got home. Tuesday February 8th Dad and I took our steer down to Bagley & Miller's slaughter house where Whit Dixon is going to kill him for us We stopped in at Aunty's on our way back. Mr. & Mrs. Johnson wanted to come over this after noon and see Jack Martin's chickens and as Mrs. Johnson is a little lame they wanted me to come down after dinner and drive https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/e8e5c861e8ea8fba437e6ba91271dbb1.pdf 777c4ee350407d1bdc14824caf78d469 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. her over so I did and Mr. Johnson & Aunty Alice walked over. Dad. came over and met us there and after we had seen pretty well all the plant he & Mr. Johnson drove over to the farm. I walked over and Aunty Alice & Mrs. Johnson called on Mrs. Martin and walked home. About half past four Dad. Enah & Mr. Johnston & the baby went down to Aunty {illegible} Frank and I did chores and had our tea alone. The Johnsons are going in the morning. Mrs. McBride has been here {washing?} all day. I am {illegible} there are hot times going on between the Martin's & Quanbury's, the latter accused the former of listening to their telephone talk and old Mrs.Martin and Mrs. Charlie went over and called the Quanbury's down and John says Charlie called the boys all kind of names Jack is away but he isn't mixed up in it any way. It has not been so cold to-day and has snowed all the afternoon. Wednesday February 9th We did chores this morning and I put cotton on the window in the old hen's pen and blocked it up with boards where the glass had come out. Dad. had another fall after dinner and hurt his elbow quite badly. About four o'clock we hooked the big team to the waggon and went down to get our beef, we went right over to the slaughter house but Whit wasn't there so I had to walk back up town to get him and he drove me back. He had the beef killed and halved so it didn't take long to get him, we weighed one side and figured the whole carcass at 376 lbs, hindquarter 100 lbs and front 88 lbs, we got home about five thirty and I carried the meat down cellar Dad. isn't able to lift much after his fall. It has been mild but raw & cloudy to-day a little more snow but not enough for sleighing. Thursday February 10th This morning after doing chores I tacked cotton over the other window in the old hen's pen. I took the two frames out to put glass in where it had come out but didn't have any panes to fit it so just put the cotton in. Dad. gave Jim a dose of salts she hasn't been just right since he was sick. This after noon he and I went down and got a load of coal, we took the waggon although there are a lot of sleighs out but we didn't think we could have a load over the road from here to the corner and around the hill Alan Law was in and got a couple of sacks of oats which https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/6a2189cbcb29f1e9a68378732358de3b.pdf adb37565c76e6c97bafbcdfa45b54349 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. we owed him, they haven't a place yet but are thinking of taking Charlie McQueen's if they can ever get Charlie to make any agreement. To-night I went down town and just sat around and talked to Marj. all evening, she and Essie have each knitted a Red Cross sock so I tried them both on. Cloudy and raw wind all day. Clear and frosty to-night. Friday February 11th We didn't do much but chores this morning and unloaded our load of coal. This after noon I copied out a long letter I wrote to Lt. Col. Pratt in answer to the one I got on the recruiting subject. I sat up till two o'clock last night to write it About four o'clock Dad. hooked up Joe & Ginger to the cutter and took Enah & the baby down to Aunty's for tea, after tea Dad. Frank and I walked down as Aunty Alice's party that she has been talking about for the last month in honor of Dick's birthday All the family where there but noone else except Marj. & Dess. We had a great time Huby keeping us laughing most of the time and the baby enjoying himself but not very bad. I showed Huby the letter I wrote to Pratt and he advised me not to send it. Dick and I got a ride home with Alan Law but had to wait till after twelve in at Hec's for him to start. Rather stormy but not very cold. Saturday February 12th Did chores all morning and Dad. drove down and brought Enah & the baby home as they stayed down at Aunty's all night. This after noon we hooked Joe & Queen up to the cutter and went down town. Queen went fine, she balked a little when we first started out at a snow drift and broke her martingale. Jim isn't any better to-day Dad. gave her another dose of salts but she won't eat or drink a thing. It has been very blustery to-day but not very cold. Sunday February 13th Frank and I went to church this morning and Frank went down to Sunday school. This after noon I took Joe & Ginger with the cutter and took Marj. & Glad. Law for a drive it was pretty cold up the gravel so we didn't go far. I brought the team home and then went down to Aunty Alice's to tea, there was no church in our church to-night. Cousin Willie conducted the service this morning. Mr. Johnson is still in Muskoka. Art. Quanbury told me this afternoon that they had telephoned over from the Jame's to get Enah to go down first thing in the morning so I went up to inquire into things to-night and found Mrs. James was in bed with a swelled neck and Elva wanted Enah to go down in the morning so she could go to work. I then went around and https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/132c312dcdda3fe2553d1429a5db804d.pdf 4b439d96a646dfc269a1f4dd18b1e236 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. helped Marj make valentines for her kids. It has been sunny to day but a very cold wind it is freezing hard to-night but a lovely night, moonlight and still. Monday February 14th Dad. took Enah down to the Jame's this morning and Dick & Frank went at the same time. Enah took the baby with her When Dad. got back we took a hindquarter of the beef down to Aunty Alice & Dad. cut it up partly for her. It was nearly noon when we got back. I went to sleep in the chair after dinner and didn't wake up till about two o'clock. Then Dad. and I went out and sacked up the wheat which was over in the big barn and hauled it over to the old barn we had to make two trips with it as we only had two bags but we filled the fifty bushel bin nearly, there was more here than we thought there was. To-night I went down to see "What {happened?} to Jones" which was put on by a bunch of Waterford amateurs and it was good and very comical. I was surprised to see Frank come in and sit down ahead of us with a nice looking little girl who Marj. told me was her cousin Olive Ward. He stayed down at Aunty's all night to get measured for a shirt. Enah and the baby also stayed down at the James. Poor Dad. had a very sad accident to-day as he killed his little canary, it flew out of its cage when he was giving it water as it often does and lit on the other cage which is suspended from the ceiling by a wire, he went to lift the cage up and instead of it coming off the wire the wire came off the ceiling and flopped over and broke the little fellow's back. It was a dandy singer and a great pet of Dad's. It is the last one, he has certainly had bad luck with them. Last night was the coldest night by a long way we have had this winter, the lowest reported temperature that I heard was 18° below zero and it has been very nipper all day but it is not so cold to-night. Tuesday February 15th Alan Law came in about half past nine this morning with his blue grass seed to take to sell so we threw on our (clover seed?) and he & I lit out for Simcoe. Frank & Aunty had just come over. We stopped in at Lynn Valley and Alan asked the fellow there what he would give him for his seed and the fellow told him just four dollars. Alan knew he had 210 lbs of it and Green had offered him 2 cts a lb the other night on a sample so Alan thought he might as well take it on to Simcoe, then it turned out that Green backed out and https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/93596c42e7d5abf31b474f268b580049.pdf 24d3b6840c85183339fa4ddb3f75f4f1 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. wouldn't give him more than 1 1/2 cts a lb. making the excuse that he couldn't see the other night and didn't know there was so much wild flax in it, but Alan says he promised him the 2 cts for it. He then began to wish he had left it at Lynn Valley so he went and telephoned the fellow and found he was still willing to pay four dollars so on our way home we left it, although we hated to as of course the fellow rubbed it in about not talking a man's word. They were about all the after noon cleaning my seed, they put it through about three times and out of the five bags & a half of stuff I took up I got one bag of clean seed but they got it pretty clean and charged me $1.25 for cleaning it. We didn't know what to do with all the dirt they cleaned out most of it plantain which looked like onion seed, but we loaded it on and when we got to Lynn Valley the fellow there told us to take in through to the back of the mill and dump it through a hole in the floor into the creek where he says he throws tons of it every year so we did saving one bag to fool Dad. with. We got done just about six after a very enjoyable outing. Frank stayed home all day and he & Dad. got all the oats over in the big barn sacked up and half of them hauled over to the old barn. Aunty was over all day and just before we got back Dad. drove her down and brought Enah and the baby back. Frank told me that Val. Leany had quite a patch of ice cleared to cut ice and there were a few skating on it when he went down so to-night I went down, there wasn't a soul there but I went accross the pond there and thought it was pretty good so went up and got Marj. it took a lot of coaxing to get her to come alone but she did and we had a dandy skate for about an hour. We saw a couple on snow shoes go up the pond and we judged from their voices it was George Henderson & Nell Hussey. When we got back to the Bagleys we found Nell. Smith & Bill Marchington, he is supposed to be sick so came up here to recover. Raw wind but much milder. Wednesday February 16th This morning we did chores and hauled the oats which Frank and Dad. sacked up yesterday over to the old barn. This afternoon we bagged up about twelve bags of barley and oats and I took them down to be chopped, that grist took nearly all the pile. About six I took Dad. Enah & the baby down town. Tid. stayed down at the house and Dad. & Enah went to https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/9d9181d473e76be4601b6d0290a425b6.pdf 1bf8c044d33e5c05843a9b77eb00dad9 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. the Methodist tea meeting. Frank and I had our tea alone. Frank has been in the house all day with a cold. It has been milder to-day and to-night there was a sort of sleet storm. Thursday February 17th First thing this morning I drove down in the bobsleighs after Enah and the baby as they stayed down all night. I took 3 1/2 doz. eggs down to Bagley & Miller's and got 27 cts for them. When I got back I went down to the mill and got the grist I took down last night. This after noon Dad. & I cleaned out all the chicken houses but not the scratching pens, that took us nearly all the after noon and haven't been able to clean off the dropping boards during the frozen weather and the floors were sadly in need of fresh sraw. Frank went to school to-day. It has been a beautiful spring day very soft and mild but misty and colder to-night. Friday February 18th This morning Dad. & I hauled the oats that he and Frank sacked up on Tuesday over to the old barn and took what few that were there cleaned up over to the horse stable. This after noon we sacked up what was left of the barley & oats but there wasn't much more than ten or twelve bushels. To-night Marj. and I went to the picture show but it wasn't much good. It has been pretty mild all day but blustery and cold to-night. Saturday February 19th Colin Ryerse came up before we had breakfast this morning to get Dad. to go down and tend to a cow which calved yesterday morning so he went down soon after breakfast. Frank and I did a few chores and then hauled the hay rack from the old barn over to the big one to put on a load of hay for the horse stable as we are just out there. We didn't get much on before dinner as I wanted to take it from the back of the mow and it was a long way to carry it. Then Charlie Quanbury came in with Dad's injecting pump which he had for Corbett and he delayed us quite awhile visiting and before he left Colin Ryerse brought Dad. back and he hung around and talked till about noon and then I took the car off the track over in the barn as Dad. thought we had better take it down while there was lots of hay under it This after noon Dad. & I soon put a load on and Frank loaded it and we got it hauled over and pitched off by soon after four. Bill Marchington came over and invited me to go with them to Simcoe to skate, he saw Dad. first and asked if Tobias https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/144914925bcf6b7350853fa5633a8b56.pdf a2c8cf6aa7d2919cfd45e917adff72d0 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. was in, so Dad. took him for a recruiting officer as that is the way Pratt's letters have been addressed to me. However when I identified him Dad. showed him the sheep & horses and was friendly enough. Bill had hired a team and two seater sleigh from Faulkner and six of us went up, Nellie, Essie & Marj. Bill, Roy Dell & myself. I was appointed driver and so was in the front seat with Bill & Nellie. The nigh mare, Maud (which I think is the same mare Al. got from Walt McCall and which is widely known to be a devil) got started to go in a canter as soon as we started out and before we got to the head of Main St. my arm was just about all in trying in vain to bring her down to a trot. Once we got on the Gravel she lengthened out into a full run and there seemed to be no way of holding her. I stood up and see-sawed and at last Bill took them till I got my gloves off to get a better grip but he couldn't hold them at all and then we each took a line, all this time poor Nellie was getting more frightened, this method of driving of canter had its disadvantages and Maude got into the ditch and nearly upset us once and Bill had to get over in the middle to rest his arm so I was sitting on the arm of the seat and came within an ace of falling out, however when we got up about to Barwell's place we struck some loose ground and then Maude came down to a walk perforce and used all her energy to draw and from Bill Robert's corner to the halfway house we went at a stately walk, as I didn't want to get them sarted again till we turned the corner anyway and the girls were very well satisfied with the gait. Nellie was very nervous and Essie was inclined to be although she was in the back seat but I don't think Marj. cared a cent. They went at a delightful trot all the way into Simcoe and we certainly had a very enjoyable time at the rink, the band was there and the ice in lovely shape, afterwards we all went into Leas and had oyster soup, Bill standing treat for everything Roy didn't come home with us as he being in the 133rd Batt. band is practised in Simcoe and has to be on hand in the morning for church parade I suppose. The team acted fine coming home and we had a fine drive back. We started off with the three girls in the back seat but when we got down on the Dover Gravel Bill got me to stop and he changed places with Marj. and he and Esse nearly froze poor Nellie with their actions, Essie pretended to resist strongly but she enjoyed herself just the same Nellie didn't like it so well. I took the team to the barn after letting them all out at the Bagley's corner and I was about half dead when I got home about one o'clock. Dick came in half an hour later. It has been cold all day but milder to-night. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/6f1ac21e8f5b37c35ce3ddd4b67a64da.pdf 89333dea3fb8142a5668540bf2843894 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Sunday February 20th Frank went down to Sunday school and Enah and I went to church. Dad. drove Enah down but I walked. The soldiers were all in our church this morning and behaved themselves very well right from Bunyan & Hammy down to Bill George. Hammond went to sleep during the sermon but didn't cause any disturbance and woke up in time to lead the boys out. Aunty came over here to dinner with Enah and Frank but I had dinner at Aunty Alices I spent the after noon at the Bagley's and also the evening. Nellie & Bill were there to tea so I stayed too. Marj. & I went to church and the rest all went to Methodist church but we all met again afterwards and had some music. Mr. Bagley went to the recruiting meeting in the town hall. They say Kelly (Redmond Kinsular) has enlisted with the Haldimand batt. and old Rickford went down to Toronto to enlist but couldnt qualify I went in to see Aunty for a few minutes on my way home, it has been very mild all day but is colder to-night. Monday February 21st It froze hard last night and has been pretty cold all day. We didn't do much but chores all day. Just before dinner Dad & I went back across the gully to see if we could get the plow and bring it up but it was stuck to fast with the frost so we took the doubletrees and chain off of it and brought them up. This after noon I drove Enah down to the dentists' and she walked home. To-night I went down and saw Harry Moon about taking the orchestra up Vittoria to play at a dance they are having on Wednesday night. I am afraid I won't be able to take them unless the roads improve for sleighing, but I am to let him know on Wednesday morning I went over to make arrangements with Marj. to go to the carnival in Simcoe to-morrow night but she wasn't home and I couldn't find her. Essie went up this after noon to the Russian concert. Dad. and Enah drove down to-night to go to a party at Aunty Alices and I went down there and drove Joe home. I then crawled into bed beside the baby's cot and went to sleep he woke up as usual but I took him in beside me and just let him cry for awhile and he soon went to sleep. Tuesday February 22nd We did chores and husked a little corn this morning and this after noon cleaned out the ice house, at least Dad. did I helped him till about three o'clock and then went in and got https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/6a8b8366c10ae49f03a05e082ae1208a.pdf 7dcf22e020d05a2af632e0758453c162 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. my clothes picked out for the carnival and got fixed up. I got an old evening dress coat and a vest that Dad. wore at the Jacobite show and Aunty Alice and Enah fixed some lace around the throat of it. Miss Phipps and Aunty Alice came over this after noon. Miss Phipps didn't stay long and wanted Dad to read a poem on Saturday night as they are giving the soldiers another feed it being the anniversary of Paardeburg. Aunty Alice stayed to tea and later Miss Harding came <s>down</s> over and she stayed too I drove then both down when I went about six. I called for Marj. and found her all decked out in a suit covered with pennants of different towns and looked fine. We had a fine time, Essie went up yesterday and stayed all day to-day at the Hogg's so we stopped there on our way up but they weren't going in costume so we went on, we were surprised and rather disappointed at the very small crowd. There weren't more than a couple of dozen in costume I don't believe. However we had a good skate Essie Miss Hoag, Mr & Mrs Murray Hamilton and some Bob. Hunter a soldier and a cousin of Miss Hoag's came on after the judging was done and we were there till about ten o'clock, we then went down to the Hoags and had something to eat and drink altogether having a very nice time I think. Essie came home with us and we got in soon after one. We had to take the buggy as it has been very soft and sunny all day and the snow melted. Wednesday February 23rd Dad. and I went down first thing this morning and got a load of ice, there was a big crowd of teams around the platform and we had to wait quite awhile to get loaded. It snowed about an inch last night so we took the sleighs but the hill was about bare so I went over to the mill and told Harry Moon I wouldn't be able to take them up to night but when we got to the top of the hill with our load, we found they got up quite well so I went back and told Harry I would take them, he said they would much rather go in the sleighs than the automobile if it was possible. It was about noon when we got the load off. This after noon Dad. hauled two more loads and I did up the stables and chinked the ice we had in. To-night I took Harry & Joe and got down to Harry Moon's about seven or a little after. Besides the five members of the orchestra, there were five girls waiting to go. Winnie, Frances Slocombe, {Frances?} Dyer and the two Fisher girls. We got to Vittoria in about an hour, the roads were far better than I expected and we jogged along all the https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/a8f979a0d7a156072b12612226180953.pdf 39119e64c0e07ad554c5628657a547f6 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. way at a pretty good rate, old Harry got pretty well warmed up but I got them in a stable at the hotel so I guess it didn't hurt him any. We had a fine time up there in the old hall. I had about the best time I ever had and every one else said the same. Carl Coleman and Pat brought another load up and there were several others from Dover up. Mr & Mrs. Rev Johnson were there and Mr Johnson had a high time. We stopped dancing soon after three but it was quite awhile before we got started for home. The return ride was a delightful one as the moon was well up and the air clear and frosty. By the time I got home, the team put away and into bed it was about five o'clock. The orchestra paid me two dollars for taking them and it cost me one dollar and sixty cents. Harry said I neen't have paid the dollar to dance as their driver alwas got in free but the proceeds were for patriotic purposes and I had such a whale of a time I didn't begrudge it. The hotel fellows soaked me fifty cents for putting the team in and ten cents for checking the robes. The soldiers all went to a dance in Port Ryerse to-night, they went in three loads and one load upset and the team got away according to reports coming home Hammy Innes was driving and it was the same team that took us to Simcoe last Saturday night. Very soft but cloudy all day. Thursday February 24th I didn't get up till half past nine this morning and have just being doing chores and chinking ice all day. Dad. didn't haul a load this morning but hauled a couple this after noon. The sleighing on the hill was completely gone so he had to haul in the waggon, nothing of importance happened to day it has been mild but there is quite a snowstorm to night. Friday February 25th It snowed hard about all night so there was plenty of it this morning to make dandy sleighing. Dad took the boys down in the bob sleighs and intended to bring a load of ice back with him but the engine down there was broked down again so he couldnt get any, he went down to the house and shoveled all their paths for them I did chores and chinked the last load of ice we put in last night. Dad. thought one of us ought to attend the annual meeting of the patron's of the Black Creek Creamery in the town hall this after noon so said he would haul a load of ice and I could go although I wasn't very keen on it. The secretary and auditors made their reports which were satisfactory and Lea Marshall hit them up for a raise. He gave a statement https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/b8f5eb60c4a7a90c8a35165c14c66ca0.pdf d7959b0269a8cf6d192d1bede67b4d10 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. of his expenses and receipts at the request of George Hammond and explained that the factory was getting into a very bad state of repair while help was going to be scarcer an consequently much dearer next year so that he found he could not make butter for three cents a lb as he has been<s>g</s> doing and asked for a raise of half a cent. After hearing this explanation and also that Lea had been offered good big wages to go and make butter for other fellows no one demurred in giving the three and a half cents so it was resolved to give it to him. There was another speaker there from Guelph or some place Mr Hearns I think his name was and I think represented the Dairyman's Association and he gave us a nice address on the care of cream and the production of it, I'd heard it or read it all before more than once but still it was interesting. After the meeting I went upstairs to see the soldiers' clubroom, it was very nicely furnished and decorated and looked very comfortable, most of the boys were out on their march but Hammond and three others were playing cards up there and another one over in the corner running a phonograph I then went up and got my hair cut and went over to the Post Office to see when May Perry would be ready to go to the dance to-night, she promised to go but when I went over backed out and said she was too tired so I didn't urge her very much but I heard afterwards that she went to Simcoe to-night with Elva so if that's the case I'm through with her. I stopped in at Aunty's on my way home and Mr. & Mrs. {Name?} Bowlby and Eva were just leaving. Just as I got home Dad. was coming out in the cutter to go down and bring Aunty over to stay all night with the baby, so I went down instead. To-night Dad. Enah and I went to the country dance in the town hall, it was got up by George Crosbie, Charlie Long and Sid. McBride and there was certainly a crowd there I didn't get there till about eleven as I went over to see Marj. for a little while, but as it didn't break up till about half past four I was in lots of time to have some fun. I didn't dance anything much but square dances but it was mostly square dances and I didn't miss many. There was such a crowd that they could hardly dance a round dance. There were a few townspeople there including Toty Smith, the R.M Taylor's, the Si. Butlers, the Carl Coleman's, Mrs {Name?}, Mrs. Sinclair and a few others and every body from the country. Kelly was there all dolled up in his uniform, he is still teaching school but starts to drill on the first of March. Dad. and Enah didnt stay as long as they might have but I was there as long as any and the town clock https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/88a991a0b8e4d7cae1d755b3fee2cfe2.pdf 2ad1f4a2469787f5fc5f8832356a4967 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. struck five just as I was ploughing through the snow under the hickory nut tree over here in Martin's field and I didn't waste very much time in getting to bed. It has been a nice day Saturday February 26th I didn't get up till half past ten this morning as nobody woke me. I did wake up up when Frank got up at seven and thought of getting up then, but before I could get the proposition properly turned over in my mind, I had got myself comfortably turned over in bed and knew no more till ten thirty. Frank and Dad did chores and when I got out Frank and I chinked the load of ice Dad got yesterday and packed in sawdust while Dad. went down and got another load before dinner. This after noon Dad. took a load of ice down to the cheese factory as all the farmers are hauling one load for Lea Marshall. Frank and I did chores and Alan Law brought us over a load of ice. He said he wasn't going to be done out of hauling one load for us as it might be his last one if they move away. He was half way up the hill on his way home when he saw Dad. drive into the ice platform so he came back and offered to take a load over on his way home. Dad. didn't get home till late and was about frozen he brought a load of coal back with him, he said he had to break a track all the way down and it filled up as fast as he made it. Frank drove Enah down town this after noon to a supper and entertainment the ladies of the I.O.D.E. gave to the soldiers and cadets. I stayed in the house in case Tid. woke up and started to write this but went to sleep, however the baby didn't wake up till Dad. got home, we had tea with out Enah and about half past nine I drove down to Aunty Alices and got her. Cousin Clare came up up to-night from Hamilton very unexpectedly to stay for a week. The two latest recruits to sign up with the 133rd are to say the least a variety, they being Jonas Green and Ed. Moon. Neither have been examined yet so I don't think there is any chance of Jonas being accepted as he is terribly ruptured and it seems to be uncertain whether Ed is going in the ranks or is going to train for an officer. The war news for the week has not been very cheering. The big German offensive has become a terrific and desperate drive concentrated on the French line around Verdun. The French are falling back closer to the Verdun forts and will no doubt do every thing in their power to hold it as if it falls the road will be open for Paris, and those who should know say that if the Huns enter Paris, London will be in a very grave predicament. Very blizzardy day and snowing hard to-night. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/7fd98a628492d36765ecb690f68e5de4.pdf e1879cfd19ac81b0dbc951e1d0bdaf29 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Sunday February 27th None of us went to church or Sunday school this morning as we didn't get up in time. I didn't do anything much all morning but got shaved and this after noon Dad. drove Dick and me down town. He had to drive through the lane a couple of times to break a track as it was filled right up. I took a couple of dozen eggs that were no good for Jack to Aunty Alice and two dozen and a half of Jack's eggs to Mr. Hobbes, he has been beggng and coaxing Dick to bring him some for the last week so I took them down and charged him a dollar for them and told him I couldn't possibly let him have any more, he gave me the dollar and thanked me very much for what I took. I spent the after noon with Marj. and had tea at Aunty's. I went alone to church to-night and they had a very slim crowd. Marj. was there and we went up and got Essie at the Methodist church and all went down to the town hall to hear Father {Nagel?} give<s>ing</s> a recruiting speech and he proved to be an exceptionally good speaker, he gave very strong reasons for those who could to enlist but didnt speak in a bullying or tantalizing style as most of them do. Mr. Johnson was chairman and Hammond gave a short appeal but both of them seemed very poor after hearing the priest. Poor old Lloyd I think was nervous and used fierce English, none of their eloquence brought forth any recruits there but for all I know some may have been hit as there was a good crowd there. Woodyer came home with Essie and we sat around for about an hour reading Burns and some gems of American humorists. I went into Hec's on my way home to see if I could get a ride home with Alan but he had ridden down as the roads were so bad, so I had to walk, I thought I was going to have a bad <s>tooth</s>earache to-night as my left ear felt as if it was full of water but it didn't ammount to anything. Very blizzardy and rough all the afternoon although sunny. Clear and cold to-night. Monday February 28th I haven't done any thing all day but chores and sit around the house. I have felt rather lazy I suppose on account of my cold. Dad. drove Frank to school this morning. Dick didn't come home last night and he felt a little anxious about him as he said positively yesterday he would be home, however he changed his mind when the time came and stayed all night at the bank. This after noon Dad. stowed the load of ice Alan brought on Saturday and about five o'clock he and I unloaded https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/c8880499b20d88cb350431eaf37978c6.pdf a59debd37cb000e22ef22c36b8b8355b PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. the load of coal, a little after six Alan came in and borrowed our sleigh to go to Simcoe to-night with a load and left his here. This after noon we saw what we think was Faulkner's roan mare going by here on the run hitched to a cutter with nobody in it. Presently Colin Ryerse came after it bareback on his black mare and soon after came back driving the roan and leading the black. I went down to interview him, he said a couple of girls had upset coming up their hill which was full and the horse had got away, he caught it down at the mill bridge where it had stopped. The dashboard of the cutter was broken and it was full of snow. It has been a fine day fairly sunny and cold. Tuesday February 29th This morning Dad. went over to Quanbury's to arrange to have their party for us on Wednesday postponed till next week, while he was over there Ham. Thompson came after him to go and tend to a cow which had aborted. Ham is having bad luck with his stock this year as a mare aborted the other day too. He went over and got Dad. and he was up there most of the fore noon. This after noon he stowed and chinked the ice and did chores I have been in the house all day as my cold has been pretty bad, my ear ached last night and my throat was pretty sore. This morning I pasted pictures in my snap shot album and slept most of the after noon. Bright and cold, quite a snow storm this after noon. Wednesday March 1st I have not been out of the house to day but have felt a lot better, Frank stayed home to help Dad. Floyd Crysler came after him first thing this morning to go and see a sick calf and old Billy Lewis followed him over there and took him on out to his place to tend to a cow that had aborted. It is beginning to look a little like contagious abortion as Fred Misner had a case too. Dad. says it is rich to hear old Billy curse Pratt, as young Billy has been the recipient of letters like mine from him and they evidently take more stock in them. Young Billy has been down in Hamilton working in a munitions factory but is home again now. This after noon Dad and Frank got another load of hay over to the old barn and enough ice to fill the ice house and then went down and borrowed Charlie Quanbury's flat rack as they expect to go to Port Rowan in the morning to get a load of Aunt Ida's furniture https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/10f883c3387594702bda0f238278c831.pdf a5180cbacd451b4a8a07c990a3cabf57 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Mrs. Tupper made a call on Enah this after noon. Mr. Henderson was over this after noon to see if he could buy a couple of pullets but I didn't want to sell any. He also wanted a setting of eggs later on. The two girls who upset on Ryerse's hill on Monday were {Name?} Turner and the nurse who is there. Lovely winter day. Cold and sunny. Thursday March 2nd Dad. and Frank got started for Port Rowan about nine o'clock this morning, and I have managed to get all the chores done up all right. I didn't feel very badly but a little weak and didn't try to do any more than the chores. I came in the house about two o'clock and started to read but went to sleep and slept till half past four, but I was all through in time to have tea about seven o clock which is as late as we often have it under normal conditions. I didn't go down town to-night but went to bed fairly early. Lovely day, sunny and fairly cold. <s>Fridnes</s> Friday March 3rd I have felt quite a lot better to-day but didn't do anything but chores, there wasn't much else I could do alone except chink the last load of ice and I didn't want to get into the ice house with my cold. This morning I took nine dozen eggs over to Jack Martin and this after noon when I got through I came in and shaved. Dad. & Frank didn't get home till about five o'clock, they had a lot of furniture on {illegible} Aunt Ida sent over here and they left most of their load down at Aunty's. Dad. says there is more stuff up there including a walnut bureau and wash stand that Aunt Ida said we could have and he is going to make a special trip for them. To-night Dad. went down to Aunty's and put a lot of the furniture to-gether that he had to take apart to bring down Frank went down to a social that the High School pupils had in the school house, Lloyd Ryerse called for him, it is evidently going to be a grand affair as Frank has been talking about it for a week. Lloyd said the trustees not only gave their consent that they should hold it in the school house, but had gas lights put in for them, he said all the trustees were invited and I asked both of them if the the public school teachers were invited and the both said none of them but Mr. Smith were, so I went down to see Marj. as I haven't been down since last Sunday, but she had gone to the social with Miss McQueen, so I was there about half an hour talking to https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/4aa2c4e6fca36d388b0272fb13e63795.pdf 28b042990c40989031cf898959e33503 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Mrs. Bagley and then went down to Aunty's and waited there till Dad. was ready to come home and came with him. Mrs. Willie Steele died to-night. Walt just went to Brantford the other day and got a job in a mill up there, he has been with this mill since he was thirteen years old. Poor old Bill Duncan died very suddenly on Wednesday. Dad. and Frank met his funeral on the Gravel to-day. Dick says there is trouble brewing between Lt. Col. Pratt and the other officers of the 133rd Batt. It seems Walt. McCall wasn't supposed to assume the duties of liutennant till they went to camp in the Spring but he and Pratt got into a poker game in which Walt skinned Pratt for about $200.00 and Pratt ordered him into his uniform and on duty so now Walt is going around with a petition to have Pratt deposed, so I don't know how it will come out. Cold and not so sunny but a nice day Saturday March 4th Frank and Dad. chinked the ice and put in the sawdust this morning but I don't think they got it all covered. This after noon they went down town to get a load of slabs but couldn't get any. Hawey is going to let them know when they can get them, some time next week. I just puttered around all day this morning I put a cage up in the old hen's pen so that I could shut one of the roosters up every other day as one is boss. This after noon I fixed a rigging out in the cow stable to facilitate the weighing of the milk in the hopes of getting Dad into the habit of it. To-night we printed a lot of the old pictures, when I was pasting them in my album the other day I found that I had given away all the best ones so I sorted out my films and picked out about twenty five and printed them to-night. There seemed to be something wrong with the developer as as it took about a minute or more for them each to develop, afterwards we noticed a lot of crystals in the bottom of the developer bottle that didnt mixup with the rest of the liquid. Pretty cold all day but nice. Sunday March 5th Frank went down to Sunday school and church this morning and I would have gone to church but Dad. was going to Aunty's for dinner and said he would go to church if I did up the chores, so I did but he didn't get off in time for church but went to Aunty's for dinner, this https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/9d01f59c9758633cecf5f0eb1cce87d7.pdf f83cb2275087ce5002a2c8a5ff0c1b39 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. after noon he went up to say good bye to Tiny as she is going to Toronto tomorrow night and sails for England on Saturday, he saw Harry Ansley and he took him up to the stable to show him a mare he bought in Toronto Dad. says he brought seven home. The mare is a Clyde about eight years old, has been working, is bred to a Percheron and due to foal the 2nd. of May, he wants Dad. to bring her over her and keep her till its time to wean the colt on any terms he likes, Dad didn't tell him he would but I said he might as well, as we can't lose much and might get quite a lot of use out of her this summer. Dad. also made a dicker with Al. Faulkner for a pair of geese for Frank, Al. has a pair he wanted to put out some place and said if Frank would take them he could have half the increase, so Dad. knowing Frank has been trying to get some geese thought that a pretty good proposition so Dad. did quite a stake of business if he didn't get to church. Dick and I drove down soon after dinner and Marj. and I went <s>with</s> for a a cutter ride and had a nice time although the roads were pretty drifted in spots, and a cold west wind but sunny and nice when the wind was in our back. To-night I walked down to church and after church Marj. and I went to hear Miss Templeton Armstrong from Port Rowan speak at the recruiting meeting. I didn't think much of her speech and much less of her looks, her hair was cut off short and she took her hat off to speak. Dad. says Uncle Massey used to call her the he-she and it certainly suited her. Frank came down to hear her and I went down to Aunty's on my way home and Frank was there so we came home to-gether. Monday March 6th I drove the boys down town this morning and took Frank around to Faulkner's to get his geese, he had quite a time finding him but did at last and I brought the geese home while he went on to school where he would be very late. When I got home I hooked Joe to the cutter and drove Enah down to see if Mrs. McBride would come over to-night and look after Tid if we all went to the concert. Mrs. McBride was at the Stamps, she could come and said she would while Enah was there and in seeing her mother for a few minutes I put Joe in the Methodist church shed and went over to see Harry Ansley about the Clydesdale mare. Tiny let me in and I talked to her for a quite awhile before I asked for her father and then I found he wasn't in so I went down to the fish shanties https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/a8f3ffc856cddc34dc597c4bd7079241.pdf 2c34639d6087fd35b28a64fbf2784b38 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. and all over town but couldn't find him so got Joe and started for Enah when I saw him with Huby, he went up with me and showed me the mare and told me we could either buy her now for $120.00 which is the price he paid for her or we could bring her over and let her raise her colt and sell her in the fall and share the profits so I told him we would get her soon, I got Enah down at Aunty's and we got home about noon. Tupper came after Dad. right after dinner to see a cow so I did up the chores and about five o clock drove down and got Mrs. McBride. To-night Dad. Enah and I drove down to the concert given by Zeitha Barwell, Miss Prest and Miss Martin and it was certainly worth hearing rather high toned an classical maybe for most of us but enjoyable nevertheless. It has been a very stormy and disagreeable day Strong east wind and a blinding snow storm this morning afterwards turning to rain and freezing. It was still raining when we got home but had got much milder and the ice was dropping off the trees and making a great row. We saw several vivid flashes of lightening while the concert was in progress and Mrs. McBride said that they heard thunder plainly over here. She stayed all night but hadnt gone to bed when we got home. Tuesday March 7th We did chores up this morning and about eleven I went over to shovell out a track at the top of the hill at the cut on the side road, as Charlie Butler told me yesterday that it ought to be done, and it was too windy and drifting to do it yesterday but when I got over there this morning it was all done. Dad. husked a little corn while I was there. This after noon I cleaned out the dropping boards in the chicken house as they have not been cleaned out for quite awhile on account of the frost. Al. Faulkner came over this after noon and brought over another goose for Frank. To-night, Frank and I drove down town in the bobsleighs to take a load of schoolkids down to Dave Ward's, Olive Ward asked Frank if he could get me to take them down and said Marj. was going too but when we got there they said that they had seen Marj. a little while before going to the doctor's about her neck and couldn't go, so as I didn't know what could be the matter with her, I was a little anxious to know and as I wasn't very keen on going with the kids anyway I excused myself and went up and spent the evening with Marj. she wasn't in a very serious condition but had a stiff neck. Frank took charge of trhe load and got back between three https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/6bdc5a70dd2c1a4ea63e96b41d8033c4.pdf 5f60abe89f2446af3a05a5bb0441257b PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. and four o'clock, he said they had a great time down there dancing till twelve o'clock but not later as it was then Lent. The sleighing was poor but they had no accidents I heard to-night that Jack Martin has bought Vyse out. Sunny, but windy to-day quite a snow storm to night about midnight, but Frank and his pals missed it. Wednesday March 9th This morning Dad. and I drove down town and took the baby and we got Joe shod in at Bert Greenbury's who has started up in Butler's old stand. Aunty and Aunty Alice were at church as this is Ash Wednesday, but weren't long and Dad. stayed there with the baby till they got back. I took the buggy {illegible} down and we looked at the arms of Harry Ansley's buggy which is out in the barn down there, it looks as if it had been painted twice but is in pretty good shape, I got Joe out of the shop at noon and Dad. and I went up town found Harry Ansley at the post office and took him up with us and got his mare and brought her over. We left the baby down there to dinner. This after noon we did chores and about four o'clock drove down after the baby He wasn't at all anxious to come home. Frank was down at Aunty's and he and I went up and <s>got the</s> posted a letter of Enah's. Frank got a sheet to night showing a system of keeping Farm accounts as arranged by a Mr. Stark District Representative for Peel Co. we saw an account of it in an old number of the Farmer's Advocate so Frank wrote to him the other day. It seems like a very simple yet efficient system and only single entry. I spent the evening pasting snapshots in my album. Sunny but quite cold all day and very blizzardy to-night. Thursday March 10th Frank stayed home from school to-day to help us move some hay from the big barn, we did chores this morning and got a pretty good sized load over to the horse stable before dinner, and this after noon got another over to the old barn for the cattle, we had to get the chores done early to-night as we all went over to Quanbury's to tea at six oclock we had a great tea, but Dad. had to leave right after to attend a meeting to arrange for a reunion of all Mr. Smith's old pupils on the first of July. Enah, Frank the baby and I stayed till about half past nine and then Art drove us home as it was a fierce night. Billy {Falcon?} was in to https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/5491281332846feaba4a38c5acd4c4b1.pdf ddcc2139f7ea916a25040d0f7f18b887 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. see Dad this morning about a sick cow and Norman Holden came to get a dose for George's horse. To-night Charlie Butler tracked him over to Quanbury's to see about a sick cow, there is an awful lot of trouble among the cattle this year for some reason or other. This after noon Frank and I took Martin's sleighs back and got our own with Quanbury's rack on it as we had intended going to Port Rowan to-morrow but to-night it is the worst blizzard of the season, and a lot of snow fallen, so the drifts will be too bad to go through to-morrow and get back the same day as we want to. Dick walked home to-night and so did Dad. Dick said the drifts were as high as his waist down by Chris Quanbury's. Cold wind but sunny all day. Friday March 11th It was very evident this morning that we could not go to Port Rowan to-day so Frank went to school, he was going to stay home and do chores if we went. I spent most of the morning shovelling out paths through the drifts and cleaning out the stable. Dad. walked down town after he got the morning chores done and stayed at Aunty's for dinner, he shovelled all their snow for them. He wanted to find out more particulars about the financial state of the church. Jack Martin told him last night that they were about five hundred dollars in debt and that several members of the congregation had said they would not help to clear it unless there was a change made {illegible}. Dad. told Jack he didn't see how he could do much and didn't feel in duty bound to any way as he has kept up his share in the collection envelope. This after noon I cleaned out the incubator and got it in place ready to start down cellar. To-night I went down to see Marj. but found she had gone to Nanticoke to stay till Sunday night. I wasn't very surprised because I knew she had been intending to go these last two Friday nights. I went up to Huby's for most of the evening Aunty Maude and Lila were the only ones home, they didn't know where Huby was and Win was over the hill she came in before I left. They got cards from Quint yesterday saying he had left the mill and was now in New York and to expect him home soon. They are all very sorry he has left the mill especially now that Jack is not https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/721ca1b6016c75275fe57963a6846b6f.pdf a5d481c52aaceb0b0870f35017a89d6f PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. at home. They can't think of any reason unless he has just got mad at some body. We thought {illegible} was coming home to enlist and Huby hopes that is the reason, he hinted at it in one of his cards. To-days war news is a little better. The French have checked the German advance in places and and made an advance themselves in one place but I think it is just about nip & tuck yet. Every one seems to think that this battle is going to be the turning point of the war for the victors. Nice day. Saturday March 11th Dad. and Frank shovelled out the lane this morning and I went over to Jack Martin's and got them to put my incubator thermometer in one of their machines to test it. Then I went down to the Quanbury's and got a bag of white carrots as Dad. wants to see if he can tempt Jim into eating one, but she just took a few bites and then wouldn't look at it. This after noon we hooked Queen and Harry up and went down town and got some oil and turpentine for Jim and also the mail. To-night I was out in the chicken house putting crude oil on the old hens legs for scaly leg when Colin Ryerse came past and called my attintion to a big fire in the west, we thought it looked about at Tom Myers or Wess Baughner's so started up to it, when we got to the mill it looked as if it was at Colin McNellige's so we started up the track, we soon could see it was still farther on but as it looked straight ahead on the track and we knew it wasn't over the top of the big hill we thought it must be some where in Doan's Hollow, but when we got there it looked just as far away as ever but we thought since we had tramped that far we would find out where the fire was if we had to go to Simcoe, so we did and reached our journey's end at Lynn Valley where we found Edmond's old mill burned to the ground, the walls had all fallen but there was a big blaze yet and quite a crowd around it. It seems they think it caught from overheated machinery as they had been working late chopping alfalfa meal, they had a carload of bluegrass all ready to ship so it was a big loss for Edmonds and they say the fellow that ran it, Graham, lost every thing he had. They say it wasnt discovered till the flames burst through the roof and when Graham pushed open the door down stairs the flames shot out in his face so it must have gone up like tinder. It made an awful blaze and could be https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/c3d8a420b435b6bf4b5659f2f99a91df.pdf ef4e694bf8b5a77608e67d12ca8ff5ec PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. seen for miles, as far as Nanticoke, and it was in the hollow too, three Dover kids drove in with one of Faulkner's horses after we got there and were about frozen, they had driven all over the country trying to get to it and couldn't locate it from the roads, we hung around for half an hour and as we didn't see any chance of a ride back we hit the track again. Colin was invited to stay all night with his cousins but he didn't know what his folks would think so came back with us, we got home just about twelve and as it was a little after eight when we left home we didn't make bad time, we went up in about an hour and a half. They were up when we got home and Dick informed us that the fire was at Sutton's mill in Simcoe, but we enlightened them on that point. It has been sunny and soft all day but a raw wind. Clear, frosty and moon light to-night lovely for walking. Sunday March12th Frank went down to Sunday school this morning and Dad Enah and the baby went down to church, this was the first trip for the baby to church since he was christened and was just an experiment. I was sure they wouldn't be able to keep him quiet for ten minutes but Dad. said he couldn't have been better, the soldiers were in church and Mr. Herbert preached, he has enlisted as a chaplin and is going to speak at the recruiting meeting to-night. Aunty Alice came over to dinner with them and was here all the after noon. I didn't go down town this after noon, but Dick did and Frank went down to Ryerse's to see the ferret that Colin bought at Bill George's sale. We had an early tea and Frank drove Aunty Alice and me down and I went to church. I spent the evening up at the Bagley's. Marj's cousins the Doughty's brought her home before tea and they had all just got home from church when I got there. I stopped in at Aunty's on my way home and got three pieces of cake and Uncle Hal's big coon skin coat as we intend to go to Port Rowan in the morning. I wore it home over my other one and nearly cooked as it was a very warm night. It has been getting milder all day and was raining for awhile to-night. Monday March 13th We all got up fairly early this morning and Dad and I got started soon after seven for Port Rowan https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/ca54587b2d6edff91ac889b7cad2d8ef.pdf d5b6bdde6df7ba408bac4ad85cab7d9c PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. with Harry and Joe. It froze a little during the night and there was a slight North west wind but the roads were grand, we couldn't have chosen a better day to go, the sun was hot and coming home the snow was pretty well off the roads in places, so we took longer to get back but went up in about three hours, we got our load on before noon and had our dinner over at Mr. Pete Backhouses Clara was sick in bed, we got a dandy great big walnut bureau and a heavy walnut washstand besides a smaller washstand also walnut but with two big holes cut in the top of it for basins, the first too Aunty Ida gave to Dad and also a bedstead supposed to be walnut. The bureau is the best of the lot hard built and built as solid as a house and walnut right through except the back, the only trouble is everything is varnished. We unloaded it after tea Art & Charlie Quanbury came in for awhile, they had been out to the farm with a load of manure. Frank went down to a travelling show that struck town called "The man from Canada". I went to bed fairly early as I was inclined to be tired. Tuesday March 14th Glen Ryerse came this morning about half past ten, we had begun to think he wasn't coming but he did and got the old shed all jacked up and in place by about four o'clock, it wasn't nearly the job to get the ends of the rafters on the purlin plate that we thought it would be when we raised the front posts Glen just pryed the ends of the rafters up and as the front raised the rafters slid in on the plate. The middle rafters didnt meet on the plate but Glen said if we raised the middle of the shed till they did meet there would be a hump in the shed roof the same as is in the barn roof and would look bad, the hump in the barn roof being caused by the corner posts rotting and settling. Frank stayed home from school and we could have got along without any extra help but I had told Art Quanbury to come over after dinner so he came, he had to tell Jack that Glen was going out to his own place to get off as he was very busy <s>Jack</s> Chris being sick. Art and I nailed pockets on the two rafters over the purlin plate so that they can't spread again so easily. Glen got through about four https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/a2a39ddb5fa0513632a2d9ce483f2b0f.pdf ca61ed8f6a1c2182d97490f29d1fee75 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. and just charged two dollars. Cloudy & cold east wind. Wednesday March 15th This has been a very rough day high cold east wind and snow I drove the boys down this morning and went down and shovelled Aunty's snow, they were just getting up when I got there so I had some breakfast with them as I was cold. I didn't do much the rest of the day but sat around and read or sleep. I put a new wick in the incubator lamp and lit it but I wont put the eggs in till it gets going all right. Dad & Enah have been working most of the day and all evening at getting the names out of Mr. Smith's old registers that Huby sent over, they were at it last evening too. To-night I went down to see Marj. The wind had gone down and it was a lovely moonlight night but cold. Thursday March 16th This morning we took a load of Aunt Ida's stuff that we brought from Port Rowan down with us, down to her, and it was noon when we left there as we were late getting started, we stopped in at Quanbury's on our way home and took their rack off and put on our own waggon box which has been there since the first trip to Port Rowan. Just as we got through dinner who should come along but Mr. Blaikie so he was here all the after noon and part of the evening but wouldnt stay all night, he came up to Alfred's on Tuesday, he was more than loaded with conversation and entertained us with his experiences in the peach country. We just did chores and visited with him all day although we should have gone to the mill. Blaikie wants us to take some of his boxes down to the train to-morrow as he is going to take some to Hamilton He is tired of the city and knocking around and says he is going to have a little place of his own before next winter. Frank went down town to tea to-night at Aunty's. Dad. was to have gone and gone to a meeting of the Mr. Smith reunion committee but as Blaikie was here and he didn't have the names all out he didn't go. Quint was to have come home to-night but didn't arrive. Aunty Alice intends to go to Toronto on Saturday to stay with Roy for a week. Vernon has been up in Brantford with Miss. Very sunny but raw wind. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/48d1ce1b588d85b62111a1cc67f8c94b.pdf ede9f981c98486de288540e22da50439 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Friday March 17th {Wee sketch of 2 shamrocks} It froze hard last night and has been very cold and raw all day though sunny. They say it was down to zero last night. We didn't do much this morning. I killed a chicken and Dad. plucked it for Aunty Alice to take to Roy if she goes to-morrow. I took four dozen eggs over to Jack Martin's. This after noon Dad. and I sacked up six bags of barley and oats and took them down to the mill and then went on down town and got a load of coal. We got back about four and I helped Dad. unload it and then got ready and went down to the St. Patrick's tea they had in the Methodist church, it was a dandy tea but the church was very cold so when we had tea I went home with Marj and waited for about an hour till the entertainment commenced and then we went back to the church. Marj. and Essie both took their knitting, but Essie had to accompany most of the performances. The church was cold as they can't get any gas the last few days but it didn't last long. I stayed down at Aunty Alice's to-night to help her get off in the morning. I wasn't very late going down but she and Aunt Ida had gone to bed but Aunty was sitting up. Saturday March 18th I went to the station this morning with Aunty Alice and she got off safely, we got nearly to the station when she remembered a box of eggs she was going to take to Roy so I had to hike back after them but I got them in time. I went right home and saw a poor little robin on the hill, it is the first one I have heard of this year and it looked about frozen, as it went down to ten below zero last night. Ever since that night on my way home I had been hatching a plot to go to Simcoe to skate to-night as the girls told me Bill Marchington was up and I thought it would be a g ood chance to get even on him for his trip, so I told Dad. and he suggested that I drive Dick down and then make arrangements for my load. I went to the Bagley's first and as Essie and Marj. seemed to favor the idea I was naturally very disappointed when I went over to the Smith's and Nellie told me that Bill had to go home to-night, and she wouldn't go if he didn't, he wasn't up yet. As I had got so far I thought I had better keep on with the load so Marj. suggested I ask May & Johnnie and three more boys. May & Johnnie jumped at the chance to go but I had an awful time finding any boys who were game https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/b38af6d177ca9ff49288550ecae22733.pdf be389f8342719c764ec748f4f07ccd36 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. I thought I could get Clark in the bank easily but he said he had been out every night so far this week & didn't want to go, and Dick didn't and Hazen didn't. I got Dick to telephone Woodyer and he said he'd go and then I got Milton Cruise and let it go at that. I got a hundred of sugar and came home. I didn't do much this after noon Charlie Quanbury came over and said old Jonas had telephoned Jack Martin last night to have Dad. go up there and see Nellie & the colt, they are both down and he doesn't know what to do. Dad did intend to get some hay over, but thought he had better go up and see Jonas and then some thing happened that we didn't get started in time and it wound up with Dad. & Frank going down town in the bobsleighs with Harry & the new mare and getting the mail and hauling enough hay over on the waggon box for tonight. Norman Holden came over about five o'clock to get a boll for his horse. Frank & I got started a little late for Simcoe but didn't have to wait at all in town as the load was all ready at the Bagley's when we got there. It wasn't a very nice night going up as it was snowing but wasn't a bit cold. We got up about half past eight and had an hour and a half's good skating as the ice was in good shape and then had a little supper before we came home, we got home about half past twelve and they said they had a good time. Frank drove up and I drove home. Frank stayed down town all night at Aunty's as she promised Aunty Alice she would have one of us stay every night. Dick was at the bank when we drove past and came home with me. There was a mince pie on the table and some cocoa that Enah had fixed so I had a cup of cocoa and some pie and Dick half the pie. Sunday March 19th I would have gone to Sunday school this morning but didn't feel very well after breakfast and sat around till I was almost too late to get ready for church, however I did get ready. John Wess & Lloyd Crysler came in for a few minutes John Wess wants Dad. to go over and have a look at Mildred who has lymphangites again. They left in time for Dad. to drive Enah & me down, Dad. took the baby with us and they came back home. I stayed down at Aunty's to dinner and all the after noon and evening at the Bagley's. Mr. & Mrs. Bagley were out in Townsend visiting and hadn't got back at ten o'clock when I left. Essie & Marj. made https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/775d6355fb069ed3fe61245cbf0807fb.pdf dd293112459b504c41a8d8d920b5ccfc PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. some candy this after noon to send to a friend of Essie's George Hunter who is in the trenches, that took a good part of the after noon as we had to crack nuts for it, but we went for a short walk. I stayed to tea and we all went to church or churches. Mr. Tarney brought in ours and was going to speak at the recruiting meeting afterwards we didn't go but went home and washed dishes instead. Quint came home yesterday noon he had been in Buffalo and Detroit; no-one seems to know why he left the mill unless it is that he just got tired of it. He and Huby went to Simcoe this after noon to see Alex McCall and interview him on the subject of enlisting. I guess Quint will enlist all right as Huby is very anxious to have him. Dad. was going up to old Jona's this after noon but Jim Waddle came over and he didn't get. He went over to John Wess' about five o'clock. Dick stayed with Aunty to-night. Monday March 20th Dad. went up to Jona's first thing this morning and left Frank and me to do chores, we hooked up old Harry & Nellie to the bobsleighs and cleaned out the box stall into the sleighs and hauled it out to the old garden we had about two loads in it and the stable and it took us till noon. When Dad. got home he said Jonas was going to lose Nellie and the colt he was sure as they were in awful shape, they were both down and Nellie had batted herself all to pieces trying to get up, nothing wrong with them but starvation, right after dinner Blaikie came along with his brother-in-law, Jim Andrews from Tyrell, he has been out there the last few days & thought it was too cold to monkey with his stuff but to-day they had the bobsleighs and he loaded it all on them and took it out there where he will sort it and leave it till he wants it. He had a good big sleigh load but it wasn't very heavy. Dad. & Frank and I had quite an argument about Blaikie's two chests, he had a big red one in behind the chimney with rope handle on it and a little green one that he had his tools in and which has allways been open and stood in front of the window and near the head of the stairs. He told us it was the chest his father had brought from Scotland in 1830 and they both say he said it was the other one. By the time tney got their load on and got started it was after three o'clock so we just had time to put on about https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/f7ab98b644f95ffff5223fda925df436.pdf 3ce045d3413b72324ee321a712c49a45 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. half a load of hay and haul it to the horse stable and a little jag for the cows. To-night Dad. went down to the Mr. Smith's reunion committee meeting and Frank was down and stayed all night at Aunty's. Dick came home to-night but will have to start sleeping at the bank now as Hazen is to leave for Ottawa to-morrow night. It has been much milder to-day. Tuesday March 21st Art Quanbury came after Dad. this morning first thing to go and help him and Glen get their Art's barn jacked up ready to move and Dad. has been over there all day and says they are not through yet. Tupper helped them this after noon. It's the old barn in the lane on Tupper's place and Art bought it and is going to have Glen move it over on to his place. Frank came home instead of going to school and he and I have hauled three loads of wood from Carpenter's to-day besides doing chores. Dad. spoke to Carpenter yesterday about getting this wood. It is mostly body wood cut two years ago and piled up near the house. It is 16 inches long and $1.75 a cord when we haul it. We had the big new mare who answers pretty well to Nellie and Harry and she goes fine, steps right along the road without urging and is as quiet and gentle as a kitten but we have almost come to the conclusion juging from her looks and to-day and yesterday from her actions that she is not in foal, but she may be. Frank set some rat traps up in the pig pen last night and this morning Dad. found poor old Tits {illegible} in two of them by a front leg and her tail, we don't know whether her leg is broken or not. Enah took the baby in his sleigh down town this after noon and got the mail. Sam Law was in and got a bag of potatoes, he thinks now they will go down on John Watt's place. Aleta McBride was over here all day working. Very soft and cloudy all day & to-night. Wednesday March 22nd We were rather surprised this morning after yesterday's nice day to find it winter again this morning, but it was snowing and blowing and pretty cold. Art. didn't call for Dad. and we didn't haul any wood. We just did chores and Frank and Dad took down our bed and put up the walnut one instead which we got in Port Rowan. I took some more https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/24e63f90d1971969478c350166ad1031.pdf aee1eb5dbc1bf76153e490e7d85849bf PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. eggs over to Jack Martin's and asked Chris what was wrong with the incubator that I couldn't get it heating up and what made the flame go down Chris couldn't think of any thing but poor ventilation or poor oil and suggested that I clean the lamp out well and put fresh oil in, this I did when I got home and boiled the burner and put in fresh wick. This after noon Dad and Frank built a pen over in the barn for the ewes to lamb in and I put the saddle on Ginger and went down and got the mail, she went fine too. To-night Lloyd Ryerse brought over a note for me from Miss Walker inviting me down there to spend the evening so I went down early and went to church and then called for Essie & Marj. Nellie Smith went up with us, we had a very pleasant evening playing Pit and indulging in other forms of Methodist sport. Will {Currie?} was the only other one there and the three Walker girls. I stayd down at Aunty's to-night and it was about one o'clock when I got in. It had cleared off to night and was moonlight but very frosty. Thursday March 23rd Dick came down to Aunty's for breakfast this morning and she gave him his lunch. Hazen left on Tuesday for Ottawa where Nicholson is and so Dick has to sleep at the bank now. I came home right after breakfast but Dad. had gone with Art Quanbury. Frank and I went up after another load of wood, we are going to pile it home now and then measure it so as we can pile the box up with as much as it will hold and wont have to figure on each individual load. We got home in time to do most of the chores before dinner and got an early start after dinner, however we hauled all that was up there in one big load, there was a pile of apple wood freshly cut at one end, but we left it and and just took the two year old beech, it took us longer to get this load on as the bottom layer was frozen in and had to be knocked out with an axe, we didn't unload the load when we got home but piled a lot of what we had hauled. Enah and the baby went down town before we got back and were down all the after noon. Dad. got home about six and said they had got through or at least he had, he told Art. that we couldnt put a team on to help draw the building as we didn't have one that could draw, but he can get lots. Raw wind but sunny https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/f0414a0a03147a7bef6ba9e0bec9474e.pdf 9c9ee8ba404c13a0deebb8e39b383ab9 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Friday March 24th Frank got started this morning about nine o'clock to the Street Fair in Simcoe, it is the second one they have had, he took up the young gobbler and a turkey hen, he didn't get back till after five to-night. He sold the turkeys but could only sell them by the pound and just got $5.45 for them but it was the best he could do, he said there was quite a little bit of stock there but none of it went very high; he said there weren't many buyers. Dad. and I just did chores and piled some more of the wood. This after noon Dad. cleaned out the hog pen, the little pigs root the boards in the floor of their upstairs sleeping apartmens up and drop through into Glady's pen and then she goes for them This morning Harry Ansley and {Name?} Brock came over with a couple of horses which Harry wanted to hook up, one was a little mare so stiff she could hardly go he hooked them up to the bobsleighs and drove around the block with them. Alan Law came after Dad. just before dinner to get him to look at old Ned. who Alan said was {illegible} to death but Dad. said he couldn't see any thing the matter with him. Mrs. James and & Mrs. McCarter drove Dave Waddle's horse over here this after noon. I set my incubator to-day it seems to be going all right now. To-night I went down and got my hair cut and went up to see Marj. Glen Ryerse was telling Dad. yesterday that Tommy Jackson had sold his farm to Frank Ryerse. Sunny & mild to-day. Saturday March 25th This morning Dad. & Frank went down and cut down the trunk of the old locust tree and logged it up. I did chores and about noon took Harry & Nellie and went down after them and the wood. This after noon Frank and I went over to Vyse's sale and were there all the after noon. There was a good crowd and things went pretty well. I was going to look at the harness but it sold for $35. which is about ten dollars more than he paid for it about ten years ago, the cows went about as reasonably as any thing and they each had a calf last night. Jack Martin bought the red & white one for $82 and I think it was Geordie Boughner paid $90 for the black and white one. George Crosbie paid $152 for the old mare and young Powell gave $104 for the four year old filly which was all she was worth. Eliner Atkinson got Stan. the five year old for $70. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/ae1e3b0ccec2b16ecb2c06b1a0844025.pdf 8b79ea4cc0bd7fde4717d27c64ab59e5 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. He is the one Vyse was advertising in the Simcoe Reformer last year as a Sensation but they took care not to mention his breeding to-day as there were too many there that know he is out of the little Postmaster horse that Stan William's used to have. Tupper was there and we came home with him. To-night Dad. & I drove down to see Aunty Alice who came home to-night. Enah and the baby were down there so Dad. drove them home. The baby was invited to an "At Home" at John Harris Buck's this after noon. Quint was down there and I stood at Alan's corner for about an hour talking to him. He has signed up <s>and is going on duty</s> first has to go to Toronto for a day or so before <s>before</s> he goes on duty. Very soft, snow has gone off a lot. Sunday March 26th I got around in time to go to Sunday school with Frank this morning and so of course went to church. Quint & Dick were both in church and they came over to dinner I waited for them and we three came down town about three o'clock. Quint and I took a walk up Main St. and met Marj. & Glad Law so I went around to the house with Marj for a little while and then came home to tea. I had to come home to tend to my incubator, it doesn't seem to be running so evenly this time for some reason or other. I don't know what is the matter unless it is the oil. I went down town again after tea but wasn't in time for church. Marj. Glad Law & I went to the recruiting meeting after church. Dr. Jacques spoke and spoke well. I saw Sam Ja ques in uniform to-night This has been the first Spring day we have had and the snow is nearly all gone off the roads looks rainy to-night. Monday March 27th Spent most of the morning cleaning out the stable and the chicken house. I didn't work very fast nor do very much all day, I think owing to the fact that I have been suffering from a mild attack of Spring fever. This after noon I took a meander through Ivey's place and around the orchard on Frank Odd's place. When I got home I went down town and got some coal oil. Dad. piled the rest of the wood and threw some of the sawdust into the ice house. To-night we set three hens. Quint left for Toronto to-night, he has to go through an operation for rupture before he https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/f76e2bfa87020fbcfe444d253bf8c292.pdf 44be248f163fbc7be58a1f39cbeb6bc8 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. can be enlisted. He never said any thing about it to any one of the family, he told me on Saturday but told me not to say any thing about it so when Art Quanbury told Dad. to-night that Quint had told Charlie about it he was very surprised. Every thing is flooded to-day a very great deal of snow has gone off and it has rained two or three times, the roads all fierce for either sleighs or wheels. Tuesday March 28th It rained most of the morning so we didn't do much but just the chores and just before dinner we husked a little corn, we sat around for quite awhile after dinner while Dad. was reading from James Whitcomb Riley. I drove Enah down to the annual meeting of the Women's Auxillary about three o'clock and had to turn around and go after her again almost as soon as I got home, the roads are so bad, Joe couldn't go off a walk. Dad. & I took the top of the buggy and it makes it look queer but it was in bad shape. The first lamb of the season arrived last night some time and was all right out there this morning, he is a ram and belongs to 117 I think. Very mild but not sunny snow going fast. Wednesday March 29th This has been a real Spring day. Sunny and very mild, too mild to wear a coat or sweater and mud & water every where you look, the snow is nearly all gone except where there are drifts. After I did chores I spent most of the morning wheeling my compost heap down south of the well where it is low. This after noon Dad and I husked some corn. Dad. also put the saddle on Queen and I rode<s>r</s> her down the road a little way, just to give her a little exercise and to get her used to the bridle, she didn't do so badly at all. Frank Crysler was in for awhile to ask Dad. about a bad winded horse and Dad. told him he would go over to-morrow. To-night Frank & I walked down town and Marj. & I went to the soldier's concert. The hall was packed full and Jim Much and two McDonald girls had our seats and couldn't be induced to move. I stood there about five minutes trying to make {Sublimy?} Brock who was usher get me my proper seats and had a stream of humanity from the centre isle to the door blocked but as I saw they wouldnt move with out my creating conspicuous and unseemly disturbance https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/74c1be15b919e04ae078a03851825db5.pdf ce8795c1cad0830c338bb8cdba41ff37 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. we took their seats at the other end of the row. The concert wasn't bad at all. It was mostly of a vaudeville minstrel show nature, which neither Marj. nor I are particularly fond of but still it was good for its class and fairly decent. Lieutennant Doughty & Sh<s>a</s>rgeant Hawking were blacked up and did a good share of the entertaining. Jock Watt danced a Highland Reel accompanied by some other fellow and the music for them was furnished by Waddel with a Harmonica or what ever they call those things they pull in and out like bellows. Jock was dressed in kilts and looked very "cute" especially in some of the twirly whirl parts of his dance. In those actions it might have been deemed an improvement by a few folks if he had had a pair of some sort of pants on but I think it held the attention of the public better as it was as they didn't want to miss seeing everything The most remarkable performer of the evening was Pte. Glover, the Strong man, who I believe comes from Port Rowan and is a private in the 133rd. He would have done very well for a performance at Shea's and when one considers that he comes from so near home and it isn't his regular business, he was to say the least a surprise. First of all he took a quarter inch iron rod about eighteen inches long and took it in his teeth with a handkerchief around it and then pulled down on each end with each hand till it was bent to nearly a right angle, he then took similar rods and smote them on the muscles of his extended forearm till they burst at a slight angle. He next drove a five or an eight inch spike into a saw bench and got half a dozen of the boys to hold the bench while he wrapped a handkerchief around the head of it and took it in his front teeth and bent it back wards & fore wards till he broke it off, all these things he would throw into the audience to prove that they were genuine. He took Sid Stass and put him in a chair lifted him up and held Sid, chair, and all with his teeth by the back rung of the chair, the best part of that was to see poor Sid. turn pale green. He was so scared his knees shook and he certainly looked pleased to get safely down to land. His teeth and jaws weren't the only strong parts with him as he did all kinds of other stunts, such as lying down on his back and <s>raising</s> rising to his feet https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/6c79622c10fc54c589971ff9eb5c0613.pdf e7b683ae939d30c34be07cedf977e32d PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. with Billy Boughner standing in the palms of his hands and then getting down again and lying with his head on one chair and his feet on another and making his abdomen rigid enough for as many of the soldiers as there was room for from his head to his feet to stand on him. The last item on the programme and the one that proved about the most interesting was a recruiting rally. Mrs. Lamb a returned nurse gave us a good account of her experiences at the front and then made a very stirring appeal for more men using some extremely foolish arguments in favor of them leaving things here to go to a financial smash up and enlist to save Canada from the ravages of the Huns. Of course it sounds all right, but it would sound much better if they would mix up reason with sentiment. Major Innes from Simcoe then spoke and said he was going to ask Mrs. Lamb to get them twenty five men to-night, so she started by telling them she would knit a pair of socks for every man who enlisted to-night and said "Now who'll come up here." In a very short time there were about fifteen men on the stage but a strange feature of it was that with the exception of George Holden and {illegible} Paton fellow, no one seemed to know any of them so it looked as if there had been a little trouble taken beforehand to prepare the act. The soldiers went all through the hall trying to induce us, "safety first, home guard civilians." One fellow asked me if I wouldn't don a uniform and I told him I wanted to be sure there would be some fighting before I enlisted, as that is what they all say now that these fellows will never get over there before peace is made. Dick & Dess were up in the gallery and Frank said some drunken bum of a soldier was up there launching a terrible volley of abuse on poor old Dick, calling him a coward and saying he couldn't go because his girl wouldn't let him. Dick of course couldn't do any thing up there but I guess he felt like doing him up. Dick and I would both have gone two or three months ago and were eager to if Dad. had just said the word, but as he was so dead against it and as we were by no means a drag on the country and in fact were just a little <s>in</s> doubtful<s>l</s> whether we weren't doing as much good at home as in the trenches, we didn't feel it our duty to go, and now, when things are beginning to look as if the German's strength was failing and the end of the war in sight, the idea of weakening Canada's already sickly financial condition by enlisting and bum around for https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/b056f3a949693c9e09ce0a0a5d4d829a.pdf 9f5bee42f3e9ca9cd284cae5fee8c14b PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. about ten months and never get a poke at the Germans does not appeal to me in the least. If on the other hand the Kaiser should get a new lease of life by smashing the Verdun forts and breaking his way through to and entering Paris, then I will enlist right away, because I believe that in that case the British Empire will be nearer destruction than she has been for many years and it will be high time for every British subject to drop personal welfare and forget National finances and fight or help fight for all that is in them to save Britain from Germany and the devil. However I don't think Willie will ever see the inside of Paris with his army at his back because they have been hammering at Verdun now for over a month I believe and have had about 100,000 men slaughtered and are still on the outside looking in and Verdun is a long way from Paris and there are several fortified nuts to crack between the two. Thursday March 30th We hitched Queen and Joe up this morning and went out to Frank Crysler's. Queen went fine most of the way but got a little frightened going down the hill out here on the side road and nearly put us in the ditch, the roads were fierce and the frost is nearly out in places. Frank Crysler's mare was certainly in awful shape, she makes a terrible noise when she breathes hard and he let her out in the yard and chased her so that she would breathe hard just to show Dad. and it was awful the distress she showed and Dad. said she bled at the nose. Frank Crysler said Burt. told him that he thought there was a growth at the end of the windpipe, but Dad. looked at it with the speculum but he couldn't see any growth, what he thinks is the matter is caused by an incision they made in the windpipe last fall to put in a tracheaotmy tube when she had distemper healing and the edges of the cut turning in and blocking up the windpipe This after noon Dad. went out and opened up a ditch out of the barley stubble and I did chores. Vail the assesor was in this morning and raised the assessment about $100. Dad is pretty sore about it, but Vail said it was Hammond's fault, he was on the committe for putting a value on the land and he had charge of this part of Woodhouse and he valued all these farms at forty https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/86203950c7ea8b1f1beb536073cd9648.pdf c32256dfa7076efbee1c45a4ccf06bbc PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. dollars an acre. Dad. doesn't want to say that John Wess isn't assessed big enough but his land is certainly worth more to the acre than ours is as it is all cleared {illegible} hills. Vail made it thirty seven dollars an acre I think. It has been another lovely Spring day, with lots of mud but sunny. Friday March 30th This <s>after noon</s> morning after I got the chores done I started to paint my colony house. I got one end and most of the back done before dinner. Aunty Alice was over for a little while and to dinner. This after noon Dad. and I went down to John Watts sale we got a ride down and back with Charlie Quanbury, the roads were awful we all had to walk up Monteith's hill and Charlie had the team and little light democrat. There wasn't such an awful crowd there and things didn't go especially high. It was a nice day but the sale was over by about four o'clock. Johnny Loan has sold out and enlisted and Erny Hinds of Nanticoke has sold out and every body supposes he has enlisted. Young Lee Boughner has enlisted and left his Dad with two farms on his hands and no man. Lee said he couldn't stand it any longer he couldn't go to town without them getting after him. To-night I went down to see Marj. for a little while. Another beautiful Spring day. Saturday April 1st It has rained off and on all day and we haven't done much but chores. I went over to Jack Martin's and got an inside hover that he wasnt using. He thought it would work better than my outside brooder. I was over there quite awhile poking around. Charlie Quanbury is quitting to-day and Jack's new man came, he is gping to live in Brirely's house and Brirely is going to move into Vyse's house. While I was gone Dad. & Frank sacked up some barley and Frank and I took it down to the mill this afternoon, we went up to Bert Thompson's and got an incubator of Art Quanbury's which Bert had but wasn't using and while Art said I might use. It is an Essex 70 egg machine. Huby and Lila came over just as we were taking the team off and they stayed till it was time to do the night chores. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/b6989f7efc5d24504ed44098c03eff2c.pdf faa6bb61c7484d20fc732d2c4e97ec07 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Huby said that Larry Skey had telephone up to say that Quint had gone through his operation all right and was doing fine, the doctors said he was one of the finest specimens they had operated on for some time, and they do a lot of them. There are two fellows from Simcoe right next to Quint going through the same thing, the Government pays all their expenses. To-night Sid Marsh came after Dad. to go and see a mare of Carpenter's which foaled this after noon, but something had gone wrong with her and she died while Dad. was up there. Rainy & raw. Sunday April 2nd I got ready to go to Sunday school this morning but found I was late so didn't go but went down to church We all went to church even the baby and he was very good. Aunty came back with us and Dick was here when we got home. He slept too late to get to church. It was the first time we had seen him since last Sunday. He and I went down town again soon after dinner. Marj., Glad Law and I went for a walk around the hill. I came home to tea and went down again afterwards but didn't go to church. They didn't have any recruiting meeting to-night. Marj. & I went up with Glad Law to her place for a little while. I went down to Aunty's for a little while and came home early. Aunty expects to go to London to-morrow to attend the annual meeting of the W.A. Mr. Carson the canning factory manager died this morning he was only sick about a week. They had high jinks down town last night old Bill Caley got on a tear and wanted to lick every body in town and they had to put him in the lockup after he had smashed Bobby Leany's window Mrs. Caley told them to run him in and Jimmy helped, it took four or five of them to handle him. When I went out this morning I found another buck lamb belonging to Dad's yearling ewe. Very nice day. Monday April 3rd Old Splitear presented us with a pair of twins this morning. She is the first ewe to have twin lambs We spent a good part of the morning choring around I painted some more of the colony house this <s>afternoon</s> morning and finished it this afternoon. I didn't use all the paint so I put the rest on the https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/923f46582a7052082a9c1921bf16eaf3.pdf f31b3e83fdfbb2b8129643241b758159 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. end of the old chicken house, but didn't have quite enough to do it all so it didn't improve the look of it much. Enah went down town this after noon and Dad. stayed in with the baby all the after noon. To-night Frank and I tested rthe eggs and took out 68 unhatchables, most of them were clear. It has been very mild and sunny all day. Tuesday April 4th We spent most of the morning tending to lambs. When I went out this morning there was old Greynose and a yearling with the tag our of her ear on the barn floor each with a pair of twin lambs and later on in the morning another yearling lambed out in the field, she had twins too, we pruned two or three trees in the orchard this after noon. Wyatt Waddle and some other fellow were in this after noon trying to sell Dad a cultivator but they didn't manage to do it. I took 8 doz. eggs over to Martin's this morning. Alex James was in this morning to ask Dad. about a sick cow. Aleta McBride was here washing most of the day. Very mild and no wind, sunny & nice. Wednesday April 5th Did chores and pruned a little more in the orchard to-day. Dad. has just been tending to sheep and doing chores most of the day, he went down to the mill on foot and got a bag of bran. Lorne Jackson was in before dinner to get him to file his old mare's teeth. Sam Law came in this after noon and invited us all down there to-night. He said a few friends were coming out and they wanted to have all the neighbours, they will be moving down to John Watt's in a few days. Dad. was quite alarmed about old Splitear to day, soon after he gave her some oats and bran both this morning and to-night, she got down and rolled and kicked and was aparently in pain, but neither spasm lasted so very long. Mild but not so sunny to-day. To-night we all went down to Law's and had a great time dancing, there wasn't any crowd there, just about enough for two sets and give every one a chance to rest Cliff {Name?} was the fiddler and {Tat?} Robinson who got up the dance did most of the calling off, though Alan did some Alan and Sam both danced all evening in their shirt sleeves. Dad. and Enah brought the baby home soon after mid-night and Frank didn't stay till the end https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/5f824805e9f94b5686a9b1f68b380426.pdf 107e17ea7e960d64fc5ce20dff7ff125 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. but I did which wasn't very late abut three or half past, there were three or four other babies or very small children there and they all stayed till the last but all went to sleep. The bed was full of them after midnight. {Pete?} Furlong's baby which isn't a year old was there and never said a word all night. Alan had a graphaphone there which I think belonged to Ethel Leany. Every body had a good time. Thursday April 6th I didn't get up very early this morning and just did chores all morning. I went to sleep again after dinner on the sofa and was awakened by Dick and Dess coming in. They were here for about an hour and we went out and saw the sheep, they couldnt stay to tea as Dess had to go to work at six o'clock. While I was asleep another pair of lambs arrived from the wooly faced yearling I think No. 2. Dad spends most of his time with them. Bobbie presented us with a fine big red heifer calf to-night. It is the second heifer she has had, last year's being the first. It snowed this morning and has been cloudy windy and much colder all day. Friday April 7th The old white ewe had one ewe lamb this morning we were afraid at first she wasn't going to own it and then that she was sick as she seemed very stupid and wouldn't eat, but our fears on both points are by to-night aparently groundless. We watched her with more suspicious eyes anyway because she was the one that wouldn't own the little ram lamb last year, but last year she had three, and one died and she did own one. Besides doing chores and husking a couple of shocks of corn Dad. and I havent done anything but monkey with the sheep Dad. especially, I did work a little out in front this morning but this after noon we caught the lamb which has its eyelids turned under and Dad. put a stitch in each ey lid and each cheek and pulled them out and down and tied them there, according to instructions in an American sheep magazine which I got the other day as a sample copy. We had to do this to two and he put two stitches in one eyelid. It keeps the lids out all right but the look horrible and we had a hard time doing it as it hurt them to pierce the eyelid which was also tough. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/8cdaa0eac09193f70d9e2fa438e46026.pdf da7ae120dfe727b401719c471137eb4c PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. We were afraid we were too late with one little fellow as his eyeball looks to have burst. To-night we all went down town. I went to Tips and got some samples for a new suit and then went up to see Marj. Dad. Enah and the baby went down to see Aunty Alice and to see Mrs. Johnson Enah's sister who just arrived from London where she has been attending the W.A. annual meeting. I think Frank was going to Huby's. I went down to Aunty's on my way home but the house was in darkness and I found the same conditions prevailing here when I arrived and see no sign of any one being home. It is now about eleven o'clock and still no one home and I'm going to bed. I am afraid they will ruin that child's health both physically and morally by permitting to be down town so late at night. Froze hard last night and has been cool all day but nice and sunny Cold east wind to-night. Saturday April 8th This morning Frank drove Enah and the baby down town in the waggon and they have been at the Jame's all day and walked home before dark. Enah brought back a bag of potatoes which Mrs. James sent to me and some turnips and parsnips she sent over. Dad. and I husked some corn while he was gone. This after noon Dad. cleaned out the hog pen and Frank and I worked in the shop. Frank at hanging an axe handle as he broke one the other day and I at making a frame to put cotton on for the front of the colony house. To-night I took some samples I got last night back to Tip Varey and ordered a suit. I then went down to Aunty Alice's and saw Aunty who just got home to-night from London. Aunty Maude and the two girls were down there. Raw cold day, Snowed all after noon and to-night. Sunday April 9th I didn't get to Sunday School this morning but Frank Enah and I went to church. I stayed down to Aunty's for dinner and spent the after noon with Marj. and Glad. Law but came home to tea and didn't go down again to night. Art. Quanbury came over to get Dad. to go and look at {Birson?} Ivey's horse which he had in his stable over here, before we went to church this morning and he was over again this https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/3890a0121bd7ab687194af9756bfb462.pdf 538f066112754f1c3ee7226fcd118fa9 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. this after noon and again to-night. It got down some time during the night and got its neck twisted and jammed up in one corner of the stall and now it can't get up or straighten its neck. Dad. says it doesn"t matter about it not getting up but he is afraid its neck twisted beyond recovery and it was one of a new team he had just bought in Brantford. Lila was over here most of the afternoon and to tea and Mr. James and Mrs. Johnson were over this after noon. Dick was over to dinner but of course I didn't see him. The little yearling ewe that has been out of sorts all winter had a pair of nice lambs to-day, but doesn't seem to have much milk for them. It has been rather cold & raw though fairly sunny I took my eggs out of the incubator this morning to cool them and went to feed the chickens, forgot them and left them out an hour and a half, but I don't think it will hurt. Monday April 10th Lorne Jackson came after Dad. at a quarter to four this morning to go over and see Frank Crysler's mare which was suffering from an attack of acute indigestion owing to her eating corn cobs which had been shovelled out with the cleanings from the hog pen. Dad. had to send Lorne down after some medicine and didn't go till he got back. He walked out but got there the same time as Lorne who was on horseback. Tommy Jackson was over there and had been doctoring her for which he apologised to Dad. but Dad. said he had done all right for he likes old Tommy and realizes that he knows a lot more that the majority of these self taught quack-doctors, but Tommy had been handicapped he went to look through his medicine chest but found that his ether which he wanted had eaten the cork out of the bottle and evaporated, so he gave the horse some laudnum. Dad. told him if they had administered a little whiskey, it would have been a good thing Tommy said they had had some whiskey, but as he and Frank who had been sitting up all night had suffered considerably from the cold, they consumed most of it themselves so it naturally didn't have a very stimulating effect on the horse. Dad. was over there to breakfast and got back here about nine. When I went https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/f61147b7973d781aab539f82bd7d058f.pdf cc465f8813048cee2fa54e517533b5b0 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. out this morning Ben Ivey was prowling around looking for Dad. He and Art Quanbury had been up all night with his horse and he was very anxious to try and sling him up on his feet as he said he had been thrashing around all night and he was afraid he would knock his feet all to pieces or get his head under the hay and smother so the consequence was that except for doing a few chores here Dad. and I have been over there all day and Dad. is just about all in to-night. Art Quanbury Dad. and I went down to Aunty's before dinner to see if we could find Dad's. old set of slings but we couldn't any where. Art. & I went down to the Customs office to ask Huby but he didn't know where they were so they had to rig one up with a couple of little single trees and an old piece of carpet. We went back after dinner to help lift and Landon & Morg. Williams came over from the greenhouse. They were a long time getting things ready and when we did get him up the beam they had the pulleys fastened too was not high enough so we had to let him down and they made it higher, then we hauled him up again but it was just as Dad. expected he couldn't use his legs when we did get him up and just pawed around so we had to let him down and all we could do for him was to turn him over. Dad. feels sure that the injury in his neck is causing all the trouble, and says there is a possibility of it recovering with him lying down as he eats and drinks alright, but if the spinal column is hurt much there is little hope for him. It was about five o'clock when we got home so we just did up the chores. Nice day, rather raw Tuesday April 11th This morning we cut the tails of six of the biggest lambs Dad. cut the first one off with a jack knife but it didn't work very well so we did the rest with a butcher knife hammer and block the same as last year and it worked fine, they all lived through it all right although the first one seemed very sore for quite awhile but I think it was owing more to some of the turpentine he put on getting on to more tender parts than it was intended than to the cut itself. I walked Belle up and down the road for a while this moring at least I rode her, just to make her take a little https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/1a492c481dfaa20b68ec0f24747c8f53.pdf 2811ade3bcbe9d846a1c3dd278b525c0 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. more exercise, as she is beginning to show signs of foaling soon, her time is up on the 25th of this month. When I put her in I started to rake up the annual crop of sticks and leaves under the old willow tree but only got it about half done before dinner and after dinner it was pouring rain and rained all the after noon we just did chores. Art Quanbury came over for most of the after noon, his last ewe had a pair of twins last night but he can't make one of them suck so he came over and borrowed our sucking bottle to give it a feed and sent it back with Frank. It thundered a little this after noon. Wednesday April 12th We havent done any thing much to-day I took Belle put for another little ride for exercise. Aunty Alice was over to dinner but didn't stay long after. The last ewe No. 67 lambed to-day, we watched her all morning as she seemed to be straining and Dad examined her but couldn't find any thing, but when we went out after dinner we found a dead lamb with her, it had come in a wrong position and was dead when it came, it was a fine big one too. About an hour later she had another dandy big ram lamb and it was all right and she seems to be all right to and has an enormous bag. To-night I went down to church, there were about a dozen or so there but there were no lights when we first got there I went up to see Marj. afterwards. I found her marking exam papers and suffering with an awfully sore throat. When I started for home it was pouring rain so I camped all night at Aunty's. It has been a very nice day. Thursday April 13th I just did chores after I got home this morning till dinner this after noon I took Belle out again, I saw Art. Quanbury he told me that Charlie and Ben Ivey had driven to Brantford yesterday morning to buy another horse and had not got home yet. He said he went up last night and turned Syd. (the one that's down) over and went up again this morning and found him dead. The little Ivey kid told me last night that his Daddy named his horses after the places he used to travel in Sydney & Halifax. I planted some old flower seeds in a box this after noon and put them in the kitchen window. I don't know that they https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/833763846fec8d24a1a0b9da58848714.pdf 5564bc20d76be550a9c5727c498ba8f2 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. will grow as I think they are two or three years old. I also raked some more up under the old willow outside the fence, I finished inside yesterday. To-night I went down to a party of the Every-ready Club girls at Bessie Paterson's. We played Five-Hundred which I had never played before and which I didn't know any thing about so consequently didn't win one game. Colin Ryerse and I cut for booby prize and I got in a little tin watch and chain which proved a great source of amusement for the baby. Bill Davis & Johnnie I think got first prizes. We also had a hat trimming contest. Each boy had to trim a hat I did one for Hazel Silverthorne by just tying a couple of ribbons around it. I was quite tickled with the job I made. Sam Schram got first prize at that and George Henderson the booby. Marj. was there and said her sore throat was "all better". We all had a nice time and got away about half past one. It was pouring rain again to-night so I went down to Aunty's and stayed. They had half expected me as the bed was all ready to crawl into. It has been quite hot to-day and the fields are beginning to look quite green. Friday April 14th Aunty came over with me this morning and has stayed all day at least she went back about half past four. It has been cloudy, cold, windy and wet all day and we have just done a few chores, husk a little corn, keep our eyes on the incubator and sit around all day. Ham Thompson was in for a little while this morning to see the sheep. He has just invested in five Shropshires. He bought them at the Street Fair in Simcoe. They are supposed to be registered but he hasn't got the pedigree's and he says they have no tags in their ears. The chicks have been hatching all day but I am not looking for much of a hatch maybe twenty five or thirty. Saturday April 15th This morning Dad helped me take the chicks out of the incubator we took out twenty five but had to kill three which were crippled. I knocked their heads on a post and threw them over in the orchard, it was rather sickening but had to be done and I was sure I killed them but this after noon Dad. heard some cheeping and went out and found two of them had come to. I suppose I had only stunned https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/3291ebe3e346ff2cc955ec4a23e63a39.pdf c443152edfb2f0a0e21867de53033571 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. them. We put them under two of the setting hens and put the eggs which were under the hens in the incubator. They are due to hatch on Monday. This after noon Frank and I drove the team down town and got some groceries, we went up to Mrs. Leslie Battersby's and got a lot of plants for Aunty which Mrs. Battersby is giving her as she can't take them all to Brantford with her. I got a lot of stuff out of the garden down at Aunty's and brought it over. I got some tulip and daffodil bulbs some lily of the vallet roots, some clematis and Virginia creeper and a little syringa tree all of which I put out when I got home and didn't help do any chores. It took me till dark and the ground was really too wet. Lila was over all the after noon and got some may flowers back in the woods. Frank went down with her to-night. Dad. had to go down to Mr. Flemming's after tea as Chris Quanbury came after him. Flemming's mare had a colt when Dad. got there and it was all right so he didn't stay long. Old Dave Lampkins was in to-night, his new horse that he got at Watt's sale had some sort of fit and he wanted to ask Dad. about it. Tom. Abbot told Dad. he had them before, but they didn't tell poor old Davie that. Lovely day, sunny & mild Sunday April 16th Frank went down to Sunday School and Enah and I went down to church we took the baby down and left him with Aunty in the back of the church, and we three boys sat up in the front seat with Aunty Alice and Enah went in the choir. The baby was very good as usual. Dick came over here to dinner but I stayed down at Aunty's. I wernt up to the Bagley's after dinner to see Marj. I got up opposite Kev. Henderson's barn when it began to pour rain. I hiked across the road in there till the heaviest was over and then I got out and up as far as Alfy Dell's barn when it started again so I ran in the lane, over the manure heap and over a couple of bars which were nailed across the open door and waited there till it subsided alittle and sallied forth again, this time getting past the Methodist Church shed before it began to pelt so I just ran for all I was worth to the Bagley's veranda but got rather wet however Mrs. Bagley mopped me off with a duster and I didn't suffer much. After sitting around an hour or so Marj. and I went up and called for Glad Law and went for a walk up to the head of Main St. I went into Bert Thompson's and got the thermometer that belongs to Art Quanbury's incubator. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/6adfb2653c6394678ec53abe1136f533.pdf 5f4e13fa44f3bf8eba1e3f819ed2c6bd PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. I came home to tea and didn't go down again. Aunty & Aunty Alice want me to go down there and give them a whole day in the garden to-morrow if it doesn't rain. This was a lovely Spring morning and warm but wet this after noon. Monday April 17th It rained hard during the night and was cold dark & windy this morning so I didn't go down to work in the garden, it has been a very nasty day, hasn't rained much but has looked like it and been cold and windy. Charlie Martin came over this morning and was here for an hour or so visiting, he had three hams he wanted smoked but we took the meat out of our smoke house two or three days ago. Enah and the baby went down town to dinner and were down most of the afternoon. Bill Phillips came after Dad. Soon after dinner to go down and tend to Alfy Dell's cow which calved yesterday, so Dad. went down and charged them two dollars; he and Frank got home to-gether a little before six. I didn't do much but put the cotton on the colony house frames and husk a little corn. Bruce Dell came over after Dad. again to-night, the cow is worse and Dad. has gone down with him Tuesday April 18th Dad. went down town again this morning to see the Dell's cow and was down most of the morning, he said she was better. I did chores most of the morning and just before dinner Dad. put the saddle on Queen and I rode her down nearly to the corner, she didn't do so very badly. Dad said she looked fine. We spent most of the after noon trimming her up, Dad. cut the long hair off her legs & fetlocks with the scissors and singed most of it off under her jaw. About half past four when Frank got home we undertook to drive the eight pigs from the hog pen over to the bay on the old barn where Dad. thinks they will do better, we got five of them in with out much trouble but three we had an awful time with and had to just tire them out and the last one we had to tire out and catch but we had Tige to help us with her and the others we did alone, it nearly killed us. Dad. is anxious to get them finished for fear the price drops they were up to $10.75 per cent yesterday. Frank has gone on a hunting, trapping and fishing expedition with the Ryersies to-night Mrs McBride was here all day washing. It has been sunny but a very high wind all day. Mud has dried up a lot. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/25f3f150c51ecd4194352384027f160b.pdf 579e1af7314c2d2e2de6e141468a9584 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Wednesday April 19th This morning Dad. and I put the association ear tags in the old ewes and the two year olds' ears. Dad put the holes in their ears with the harness punch, we also marked all the lambs, their ears are too small to put tags in and we hate to punch the edges of them all up so we painted Roman numerals on their sides with lamp {black?} and oil, and then marked it down in a book which lambs belong to which ewes. This after noon we took the tails off eight more lambs, they are all done now except the two little ones. We then did chores and Dad. started to make a trough to feed the lambs. This <s>after noon</s> To-night Enah and I went down town, we weren't in time to go to church, but Enah was in time for choir practice. I went in to Tip's to see if my suit had come and he said he had got word from the firm that the stuff I ordered hadn't come yet from the mill and they didn't expect it for at least three weeks, so I told him to tell them to wait till the three weeks were up and then to make it up out of another choice if the first wasn't there as I didn't want to wait. I told him I would be down in the morning, I then went up to see Marj. She expects to go to London on Friday to spend her Easter holidays. I went down to Aunty's and called for Enah, Aunty Alice got home to-night from Ingersol, where she was spending a couple of days visiting Miss Parke, Uncle Hals sister. It has been a nice day but rainy to-night. Thursday April 20th Mr. Fleming came after Dad. this morning to go and see his colt, which Dad. is afraid has joint ill, which is almost impossible to cure. When he went down there I went down to Tip's and picked out another sample, the only one I liked much that wasn't on his list of "sold outs". I took a lot down to show Aunty and Cousin Clare, and they thought it would be nice too, so I stayed there to dinner and took them back after dinner, got the mail and came home. Dad. was here all alone as Enah and the baby had gone down to her mother's. Old Gladys made her nest this morning. Dad. put a lot of straw for her in the pen where the young pigs were but she carried it all out and put it in her own pen so has <s>far</s> too much, when Dad. went out https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/fd1c54f69dde934fd2c9a8ed0af52dcb.pdf 1717c866850924f4cf1a228df7b1b5de PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. about twelve she was still making her nest and when he went out about an hour later she was covered with pigs and more coming, she had thirteen altogether but killed one to-night by lying on it, but she is very careful, and good to them. Soon after dinner or at least dinner time because Dad. hadn't bothered eating any dinner, Al. Faulkner came after him to go down and doctor Jimmy Leany's horse. He hated to go but did and got a dollar out of it, he has started charging folks in town as lately they have come after him from all directions. I spent most of the after noon cleaning out and heating up my two incubators. The little one was up to 103° before I went to bed to-night. About six o'clock we had one of the worst old thunder storms we have had since last summer. Frank Dad. & I were all besieged in different barns and couldn't get out till it was over. It seemed to come from the north and went right over us towards the lake There were a couple of cracks I though would hit the barn. Enah and the baby got home about eight and the baby seemed quite sick. Dad. and I greased the little chicken's heads to-night. It has been very warm all day Friday April 21st (Good Friday) I promised Aunty and Aunty Alice I would give them a day in the garden to-day but as it was so wet I didn't hurry down and put the eggs in the two incubators first, I put in 198. 135 in the big one and 63 in the other. I got a ride down as far as Fleming's with Sam Law who came in after a bag of his potatoes. I went in to tell Mr Fleming of an ant toxin for navel ill which Dad read of last night and which Dad. said he could telephone to Burt or Duncomb in Waterford for if he wanted to. When I got down to Aunty's they were just starting for church. Aunty Alice was terribly distressed that she wouldn't be there to work with me but I cleaned up a lot of old rubbish and boards that were in the road of where they want to have Val. Leany plan. This after noon they both got out and worked and I dug up a couple of patches and Aunty Alice put in some potatoes and multiplier onions. It started to rain about five o'clock so we had to stop I stayed to tea and came home about dark. Dick was down to dinner & tea, he has had a holiday <s>this after noon</s> to-day of course. I guess Dad. just did chores over here to-day. Frank was off hunting with the Ryerse's https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/ab650fb95a46b3065583aa0938520529.pdf 7039da99ed1ba380b9e4bc63663322dc PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Snowdrop had a big, black, bull calf, and Gladys killed anothe piglet. Ed. was over this after noon telling his adventures in the 133rd. He is Quartermaster Sergeant now. Nice day but rather cloudy and wet. Saturday April 22nd This morning we just did chores and Dad. had a bath and went down to Aunty's for dinner, he wanted to get his hair cut for Easter. He was gone all the after noon I cleaned out the horse stable and Frank started to house clean the shop, then we fooled around awhile and at last put the saddle on Queen and he got on and rode her down the road a little way. When Dad. came home he found he had missed bringing the paper so after we got the horses fed, <s>Frank</s> I put the saddle on Ginger and rode down to Aunty's and got it. Tonight Frank and I set two hens on thirty eggs. Fram Walker was in to-night to get a boll and to borrow the speculum for a lymphatic horse Sunday April 23rd This being Easter we all went to church Dad. took the baby who was pretty good but having Huby sit right across the isle didn't improve his behaviour any. Dick came over to dinner. This after noon Frank and I went over to John Wess' and Frank set some traps up in McQueens & Robert John's gully. We got home just in time to let Enah go to church. Dad. had to go down this after noon to see Dell's cow again, she isn't doing right. Charlie Quanbury came over twice since six o'clock to get Dad. to go and look at his colt. Dad. went back with him the last time and just got there in time to see it die, he is going back in the morning to hold a post mortem, it was the one he got in Brantford for fifty eight dollars. Lovely morning but cloudy & rainy later. Monday April 24th Dad. & Frank went over to Quanbury's this morning soon after breakfast Dad. to dissect the dead horse and Frank to skin it as Charlie told him he could have the hide if he would skin it. Dad. had to go down town to see Dell's cow, and so didn't finish his job before dinner and stayed at the Quanbury's to dinner, neither he nor Frank got home till nearly four o'clock, but he found out what was the matter with the colt. He had distemper last winter and https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/3ad0144ce4c749c0f819a47fc278d8ea.pdf 0b04b7fa350c12f5d271cb5b81c8583f PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. the absess did not form & break under the jaw as it should have done, and it seems when this does not happen, an absess is liable to form any place in the body, so in this case they found it in the bowells which had all grown to-gether around the growth which Dad said was as big as his head, so nothing could have saved him anyway I just did chores to-day and this after noon cleaned out the separator, we started separating again to-night. We got the chores done up fairly early and I went down to Aunty's to tea, to-night Aunty and I went to the picture show to see "Mistress Nell" with Mary Pickford. It was pretty good the play being in the time of Charles III. Harry Battersby and Dave Waddle were over this morning for a little while. Nice day but cloudy to-night. Tuesday April 25th Dad had to go down town again this morning to see Dell's cow and Frank went down to ship his horse hide to Hallam. Bob. Miller showed him how to fix it and ship it. I did chores all morning and this after noon husked a little corn. Art. Quanbury was over all the after noon and watched Dad. shear the two rams which he did in about four hours. The little fellow was very poor and alive with ticks. I rode down town to get the paper tonight. It has drizzled all the after noon and things are getting in awful shape. Wednesday April 26th Allan Law came up this morning with old Ned. the big bay, he was all humped up and the musles in his hip trembled. They had him hitched up coming up to Pickford's after their stove but when they got to Art Ryerse's they had to unhook and put one of Art's in. Alan said on Friday he gave his foot a bad cut when they were moving the big new engine for the factory from the car one of the skids ran up on ihs heel and cut a piece out and they haven't had him out of the stable since till to-day, but Dad didn't think that would affect him the way he was affected and didn't know what was the matter. This after noon Dad. caught old Splitear and sheared her they were all too wet from yesterday's rain to shear this morning, when he was about half done Alan came after him, he said old Ned had given up going down Art Ryerse's hill and Alan had managed to get him to the top of Monteith's but no https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/f55153548e7feff4fc86befd7c93e81c.pdf f5d0fe2a1b8d224987bbcd2d5eb7b05c PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. farther, so when Dad. finished the sheep he went down with him and didn't get back till after seven, they said they had got Ned home but he didn't understand the case He said he was down when he first got there but got up by himself afterwards. He read it up at tea time and came to the conclusion it was asoturia although it didn't show the regular symptoms, but after tea he walked down again to give it a boll, it must have been after midnight quite a bit when he got home I havent done much but chores all day cleared up a little around the back door. We moved the three hens and little chickens from the colony house outdoors to-day. Lila was over all day, she Quint and Win got back from Toronto last night. She and Frank went back to the gully this afternoon and Frank went down with her to-night. It has been much warmer to-day but didn't rain. Thursday April 27th Dad. went down to Sam's again right after breakfast and didn't get back till about two o'clock, he had dinner down there, he thought Ned was better. When he came home he and Frank sheared another sheep. I spent the day doing chores and clearing up Aunty came over this after noon and stayed to tea. I walked down with her after tea and went up to get my hair cut and went up to see Quint. I waited there till after ten and then found him down in Henry Biroy's pool room. I had quite a visit with him and didn't get home till about twelve o'clock. It has been fairly sunny to day and a strong east wind. Friday April 28th I haven't worked very hard to day as I had a sort of pain most of the time, this morning I made a sort of little desk and put it up in the cow stable to put our milk record book on. This after noon I took some eggs over to Jack Martin's, they seemed very busy over there shipping eggs. When I got back I cut a little strip of lawn but the old lawn mower is just about out of commission. Sam Law came up this morning and said old Ned was doing alright. Frank took a small grist to the mill this morning and got it this after noon. He went down the mill hill but it was so bad that he went around by town to get his stuff. He and Dad. burned some grass on the road this after noon. He got an express order https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/60531dfab0d7a226737d71a3098a05a8.pdf 525de277df99a4747b25296e38b22bf4 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. from John Hallam today for $5.15 for the horse hide he shipped them and they had deducted 35 cts for freight. He thought that was good as he wasn't looking for much more than three Dad. was very surprised this morning when he went out to find a newly born lamb belonging to the little yearling which we were sure wasn't in lamb. The lamb was in the pen and she was outside, he was afraid at first he was going to have trouble making her own it but she did alright. Enah and the baby were down town most of the day. Enah said Aunty Alice had expected [Darycote?} to come and work in the garden but he didn't so she was out digging herself, so Dad. told Frank to tell them to-night (he went down to cash his order) that I would go down tomorrow if all was well and help them We saw in yesterday's casuality list <s>yesterday</s> that Kieth Aylen of Ft. Saskatchewan was killed in action.There seems to be quite a mess over in poor old Ireland. They captured Sir Roger Casement the other day who was leading a ship laden with arms and ammunition unto Ireland for rebels and they also sunk the ship which was a disguised German one, and since there have been serious riots of the Sinn Fein party in Dublin but the Nationalists are helping the loyal troops quell it so they think the rioting is just being carried on by a bunch of fanatics, however the whole of Ireland is under martial law. Sir Roger they think was a little out of his head anyway and they say he had done before now some great things for the British. He is sure now they say of the gallows but hopes they will hang him with a silken cord as he thinks common rope would be too degrading to man of his position. It has been a lovely day foggy this morning but sunny after. Saturday April 29th As soon as Frank went out after breakfast this morning he noticed Belle was not right, so called Dad. After watching her for a few minutes Dad decided some thing was wrong so made an examination and found a colt coming with Its head bent back. He had quite a time straitening it but managed to get it away but it was dead. Dad. said the first strainter had probably broken its neck. Frank and I were just ready to go down town and as Belle seemed all right we left and it was not till I got home at night that I knew that another dead colt had come in exactly the same position only on its back, they were a beautiful pair of mare colts one a bay with black mane and black points and the other a sorel with sorel mane and white points and each https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/0f7bc29528e94cb87e9dfd99552a9998.pdf 94ac9448cdfd23b83f73566baa1ecd0a PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. and each with a white strip in its face.Dad says he had done nothing else but grieve all day, not that in itself it is such a loss but they were such a pair of beauties and no reason in the world why they shouldn't have lived if they had come straight. I went down with Frank and helped him put on a load of wood which was about half of the cord that Dad bought from Cousin Phoebe. I then went down and gave Aunty Alice another day in the garden, they couldn't get a man to come so had started to dig it themselves. Frank got anothe load after dinner but got it alone. It was nice beech and maple wood and she gave him a lot of old boards too. Huby went to Simcoe this after noon and heard about our twin colts up there before I did. I got home about dark and set out some little daisys, violets and a pansy plant that Aunt Nancy gave me. Lovely sunny day and quite hot. Sunday April 30th I was the only member from this house at church this morning. Frank & Enah having decided to go to-night instead. Dad. and the baby were about to get ready to go down when Ham Thompson came in and Dad. had to go up there with him, to take a colt away from his mare, it was dead. Ham has had about the roughest streak of luck with his stock this year that a man could have. He has one or two calves but four of his cows aborted and now both his colts are gone, He has no young chickens either. I stayed down at Aunty's to dinner and Aunty Alice came over here, we didn't have any sermon this morning Mr. Johnson feels pretty badly over the news which came last week that his youngest brother was killed at the front. Quint and Bill Oakes went to Normandale early this morning so I didn't think Quint would be over to dinner but I saw him this after noon and he said they had got back earlier than they expected so was over to dinner, he said the trout didn't bite very well. This after noon Marj. Glad Law and I went up to Dixon's woods and got a few mayflowers. Tonight Enah and Frank went down to church and Dad. and I were rather late getting through with the chores. The Oddfellows were at our church to-night. George Duncan was in for quite awhile to see Dad. about a cow which has something wrong with it. I tested out my eggs to-night. I only took 48 out of the big machine but 38 out of the little one. I put all that were left into the big one. Nice day quite hot. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/f1d7188c8b2d34d66507fc366599712e.pdf a52f2d3416d133ae8d5dc33cbbf66a5e PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Monday May 1st Frank took a walk over the back field yesterday after noon and reported that the side hill was fit to go on but the top was pretty wet, so this morning he took Harry and Nellie with the disks back and has been working back there all day. Dad. went back with him to get him started, he got the side hill all gone over and of course couldn't turn on it so had to go across the top but threw the disks out, however it scratched it up a little and will help it to dry. It will take a lot of work yet as the rain has packed it so hard and the grass is pretty well started. While Dad. was back there I buried the twins in the garden up by the windmill. Tom Abbot saw them this morning and said he would give five dollars if they had lived. Sam Law came in while I was at it with some of Dad's instruments he had left down there and said old Ned. was just about all right again. When Dad. came up he sheared a sheep before dinner and two after dinner, he thinks he is getting on to it now. The last one he did I thought he did in a little less than an hour. This after noon I cut most of the lawn I didn't make much of a job of it with the old lawn mower but managed to get it haggled a little.Alex Jamieson came in to see Dad. about a cow he has "that ain't doin right." He told me that "Wilful waste makes woeful want" and that I ought to let the grass grow for hay or turn the old mare in on it. It has been a nice day but looks rainy to-night. Tuesday May 2nd It rained hard enough during the night to put a stop for the present to agricultural operations, but has been a nice sunny day with rather a cold wind. Mr. Fleming came after Dad. this morning his colt is not so well again and Dad. is afraid he will lost it yet. It was a lot better. Tupper was in too for awhile to ask Dad. about his colt which is leaking a little at the navel. Just before dinner we put all the unsheared sheep in the barn and cut the tails off the two little ones there is just one more lamb now to dock, the one belonging to the little yearling ewe. Dad. sheared two more this after noon but had heartburn pretty badly I spent most of the after noon digging the corner bed I made by the rhubarb bed outside the clothes room window. Frank husked corn and went down and got the mail. He went down again to-night with a message to Mrs. Dell about her cow. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/e36ced2cf25163d8aecd5368efd5b8f4.pdf 0087d4272b4a69c39591dbe949f961be PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Wednesday May 3rd It started to rain sometime during the night and <s>has</s> kept it up all morning most of the time quite heavily so that underfoot conditions are in about as bad a state as they everwere. It cleared up after dinner but was cold all the after noon but was a very nice night. This morning I spent most of the morning in the house grinding bread crumbs for the chickens and writing in this. Dad. helped me get the little chickens into the colony house this morning as we were afraid the wet would be bad for them. Two of them did die with the sore eye trouble that they had last year. This after noon Frank and I did chores and husked a little corn. Frank spent all the morning packing his muskrat skins and after dinner he took them down and shipped them to Hallam and got the mail. Dad. sheared one sheep this morning and two more this afternoon, he has just one more to shear. I went down town to-night. Tom Abbot and other soothsayers and astronomers were predicting cold weather as the new moon was exceptionaly far North and slap on its back. Thursday May 4th Dad. sheared the last sheep this morning and as soon as he got through we packed the wool up and Frank and I took it down. We stopped at the Quanbury's to get a shovel as I wanted to get a little sand to throw in the chicken yard and Charlie gave us Art's three fleeces. Art himself was down {bathing?} Vyse's horse. Henderson gave us 30 cts. a lb for it, which was the highest payed in yesterday's paper, and to-day it has dropped a cent or two, but the mail hadn't come in when we sold it. We had eight six lbs and got $25.80. Art had 18 lbs and got $5.40. By the time we got our sand and a few more things up town we didn't get home till about one o'clock. This after noon we all cleaned up oats. Aunty was over for a few minutes after tea and brought me a new pair of working pants and three tea-roses which Aunty Alice bought from Ivey's. I set them out before she left. It has been a nice day but windy. Friday May 5th This morning Dad. Frank and I went around the gully fence or at least this end and got it so we think it will hold the cattle, Dad. wants to turn them out on Monday. Dad. and I came up a little before https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/cb88331c6c668a94f56009d7dc1dd791.pdf 8bbb12e900839ae285c40cd1954e2a69 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. noon, but Frank stayed back there to set some traps for a coon he thought he saw tracks of the other day, he isn't sure whether it is a coon or a ground hog. This afternoon he went back and worked all after noon on the side hill, while Dad and I cleaned up more oats. Enah went down to choir practice to-night. Lovely day. Saturday May 6th Dad. got started down pretty early and worked all day in the garden down home fixing the paths all up the way they used to be. He had to cut the sod right off so it was a tedious job, but I went down to-night and they are all just tickled to death at the change in the looks of things He took the baby down with him. Frank worked all day on the land and says he got on fairly well. I worked around the garden all day and did chores. At noon while we were at dinner we head a cow bawl and on looking out saw they had knocked down the lane gate and were all back the lane. We tried to head them off but couldn't so let them go. Jim went back too although Dad wanted to put her in the orchard insted of back there as he was afraid she would not be able to navigate the hills but she managed pretty well Nice day rained a few times {illegible} I went down to-night and got my new suit. Sunday May 7th We all went down to church this morning. Dad. and the baby sat up in the front seat and the baby surpassed all past records for good behaviour. After church I walked down to the Customs office with Huby. and he was explaining the great ammount of complicated work he had to do and saying how much he liked it. He is just as interested down there as he used to be over here digging post holes or shovelling manure, he thinks his office is dandy with the view he gets from both windows of the lake and the marsh right outside full of all kinds of birds and he has every thing inside just as neat and slick as a button. We monkeyed around down there so long that I was afraid Aunty would have started dinner without me so I went up to dinner with Huby. Ada. was up there but Quint had come over here. This after noon Marj. and I started to walk around the hill but it was such a beautiful day and so hot that I with a little coaxing persuaded her to come out here till I hooked Joe up and we went for a drive. Dad. had just got through cleaning his probang and his hands were all dirty so he hooked up for us. The old https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/533f47505b7da0dbc473bc65a6d98412.pdf 2bb0365eb59f1268cf490ee924d59b1c PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. buggy was all mud and looked terribly shabby with the top off but Marj. said she didn't mind so we had a nice drive as the roads are fine now except on the hills. I got home soon after five. Enah went down to church to-night as they wanted her to play for some fellow to sing a solo, he came down from Brantford with Meesa Dyer. Frank was off all the after noon on his wheel. We let the sheep all out in the lane for a little while to-night. Beautiful day. Monday May 8th We were all up fairly early this morning and Frank got his team all harnessed to get out on the land right after breakfast but about breakfast time and old soaker of a thunderstorm rolled in and everlastingly soused things. It got so dark we had to light the lamp and there were two or three claps of thunder that made our teeth rattle. The storm itself didn't last long but of course we couldnt think of doing anything on the land although it has been sunny and a very high west wind which dried things up a lot. We chored around all day, carried the apples & vegetables all up out of the cellar put the rest of the sawdust back in the ice house and packed it in docked a couple of the calves horns and this morning. Dad. and Frank took up a board in the woodshed floor to see if they could discover the source of a very disagreeable odour which has been pervading that part of the house lately. They found it all right, it turned out to be the cat that died last fall. I got the old lawnmower going to-night so that it makes quite a respectable looking job by setting the blade up against the knives Tuesday May 9th This morning Dad. and I drove Belle up to Yeager's and bred her to King Chocolate again. There was some New Yorker there looking for saddle horses and Yeager was asking Dad. about Ginger so before we left they said they would be down to see her this after noon. We got home soon after twelve and right after dinner Frank went down and got the mail and then took the big team back to disk he had looked at it this morning and thought it was fit. Dad. & I did chores and cleaned up the horses. About three o'clock Rus. Lampkins came in to borrow the pump and sink he left here a year or so ago to put up, so Dad. told him to take it as he didn't know when we would get a chance to put it in. He was here quite awhile and bought a setting of eggs from me but didn't pay for them. He was just leaving https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/409696e8cb19dd4bf86fda0e93fe1ebd.pdf ea4bd49d7e05fba5df08eb035d29e392 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. when Murray Hamilton came in with his car with Yeager Jack Davis and the New York saddle horse man, so then the horse show began, we brought out both Ginger and Queen, Yeager seemed to be trying to convince all the company that Ginger was in foal and she did look a little queer, Dad. just noticed it to-day but we knew by her actions she couldn't be so we attributed Yeager's talk to the whiskey that he was carrying but he told Dad. aside a little later that he knew she wasn't in foal he was just trying to make the fellow think he was working for him he asked me what I wanted for Queen and I said two hundred he laughed at me but later he told us to let Ginger go for what the fellow would pay and he would see that he bought Queen too after she has been handled a little more "but" he said "Remember the price of her is three hundred not two". so whether he meant all he said or not I don't know as he was pretty full. After I rode Ginger down the lane once or twice, Dad. sold her for one hundred and twenty five dollars and the fellow shelled out the hard cash and said he wanted her at Yeager's before six. As it was then nearly five we had to hurry but we left right away and were up to Charlie Bawlby's when they overtook us in the car, they had probably come around by town to get some more booze. We were there by six but both Joe and Ginger were about all in. We drove Joe to the buggy and led Ginger. The fellow seemed rather surprised that we made such good time. We left Ginger at Yeager's stable but he was going to ship her to New York to-night. Dad. hated to leave her but he told the man he was glad she was not going to the army. He said she would never see the army as he wants her in his riding school and if she doesn't stay there she will go to some rich man's stable for a lady's saddle horse. He said he would be back in a couple of weeks or so after Queen. We got home about seven and I dressed up right away and Marj. and I went to the picture show. It has been fair all day but a cold north wind. It was starting to sprinkle to-night when I got home. Wednesday May 10th It aparently rained all night and certainly rained most of the day, not very heavily except for a few showers but a lot of water fell. To-night it looked and felt like a big thunder storm but a very high wind got up and dispersed the clouds. We did chores and cleaned grain all day https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/9b415ea833bc6553ad1e518051e61943.pdf a1f9fc1fb21d82d7cf902e35be198dce PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. We got all the oats cleaned and quite a lot of the barley. Charlie Butler was in tihs after noon for a minute or two, his mare Dad. thinks has an attack of lymphangitis. To-night I walked down to see if Marj. would like to go to Simcoe on Friday night to see the "Battle Cry of Peace" at the show. I guess she would have liked to go but thought she hadn't better. I stopped in for a few minutes to see Aunty & Aunty Alice. Thursday May 11th Dad. took a load of manure down this morning to Aunty Alice for the garden and Frank and I set out the two English walnuts and two of the cherry trees which we got from Mr. Morgan. This afternoon he went back and disked and Dad took Joe & Belle back and harrowed for awhile. I set out the other four cherry trees and just did chores. Very high strong west wind. Friday May 12th Mr. Carpenter came after Dad. this morning while we were milking to go and see his mare which was foaling, so Dad. had to go up there before breakfast, he went out and harrowed as soon as he got back and this after noon they took the drill back and six bags of barley & oats which we mixed on the barn floor at noon. He got it all sowed but didn't get over quite all the ground they had worked up. I just did chores. I took 45 chicks out of the incubator and put them under three hens but two died. Lila stayed here all night nice day. Saturday May 13th Frank has been back working on the land all day and Dad. was back this morning and finished drilling all that was in fit shape. I worked around here put the three hens with the chickens in the colony house and took five more out of the incubator but two of them were weak. I also cut some more of the lawn. This after noon Dad. and I hooked Joe & Queen to the waggon and went down town and took some furniture of Aunty's down to her as she had room for it now that Cousin Clare has moved into her new house. Just as we got opposite the "Titanic." Queen jumped at a rut in the road and piece broke of the end of the tongue causing the iron to bend and let the tongue down. Dad. tied it up with a strap which lasted https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/cde7fb8ac0aa597f2240251731d01338.pdf 3d470a3814f50bd3a39c15153f6d342f PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. till we got our furniture unloaded and got around to the blacksmith shop where Bert Greenbury took the iron off and I took the tongue over to the planing mill and got George Nunn to <s>put</s> splice a new end on it then Greenbury put the iron back on. I had some cream for Elva and when I got to the shop Dad asked me what I did with it and I suddenly remembered I had left it on the bank by the "Titanic". I went back for it <s>but</s> and it was all right. We went on up town and got the mail and Enah's wallpaper but didn't have time to do anything more than chores when we got home. Queen behaved very nicely. To-night Frank went down with Lila. Beautiful day. I took four dozen eggs over to Martin's. Sunday May 14th Guy Tuple came after Dad. this morning about nine o'clock to go and see a sick colt. He had his car so Dad. got back just in time to hitch Joe up for Enah & <s>I</s> me to go to church. Frank had gone, so Dad. and Tid went back to the gully to let the fence down to let the cattle in the other end of the pasture field but it began to rain so came back. It was raining quite hard when we got to church and kept it up all the after noon. We got rather went coming home. Dick walked over with Frank to dinner. I didn't go down town this after noon but went down to church again to-night, and went for a short walk with Marj. afterwards, but went down early to see Aunty & Aunty Alice. Monday May 15th Frank went down first thing this morning and borrowed Mr. Fleming's hog rack and we loaded up our hogs, we were only going to take four which were in pretty good shape but they were such a nuisance to separate that we loaded them all in the waggon and then Dad. threw the two smallest ones out but that still left two medium sized ones but they took them down. Dad. wasn't very well satisfied with what the brought, he never is and thought Neil didn't give them all there was in them. The six of them at $10.75 per cwt came to $92.98. As soon as they left I hooked up Joe and went down to get my teeth filled as I thought there were some holes in them. Bill couldn't get at them for quite awhile https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/c8b72cc2109df8454dcad7d18cf31a7a.pdf 61f9213ddf517035d1ddf38f14f8ae78 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. so by the time he got through it was about noon, he filled two. Right after dinner we mixed up a sheep dip of zenoleum in a tub and dipped all the lambs. We got them all covered but it was rather an unsatisfactory job as the tub gave them such a chance to kick and splatter. When we got through with that Frank & I went down in the waggon and got some sand & plaster for Dad. to do some patching and four cement tile to put accross the lane at the big mudhole as the cows got into awful shape wallowing through it every day. To-night Frank and I did chores and Dad. Enah & the baby went down to Aunty Alice's to tea and after wards to the picture show to see Cinderella. Aunty, Aunty Alice and Aunt Ida all went to. They said it was good but a lot different from the old story. Dad. said the baby wasn't nearly so interested as he expected. About half a dozen or more fellows spoke to Dad. this morning about getting some of the little pigs and Ham Thompson told me he would take the whole litter. Morley Buck was over right after dinner to borrow Dad's wig for the masquerade dance to-night that the I.O.D.E. are giving. Old Monteith was in too and brought a couple of bushels of potatoes which Dad. bought and got four bushels of seed barley. Wet to-day feels like more rain. Tuesday May 16th Trinder came in this morning with some trees that I ordered from the Horticultural Society and as part of them were for Aunty I took them down and helped them put them in. They hurried me off to get my own in but Uncle Ward called me in there to show me some peach trees and he talked for about an hour. Then I had to stop in to pay John Quanbury so by the time I got home it was getting late. I got my crimson rambler rose bush set out before dinner but it began to rain before I was through and it rained steadily all the after noon so we didn't do much. Dad. was working in the house anyway doing some patching for Enah on the walls. Frank also helped them in there. It cleared up about tea time and to-night Frank and I went down to see Mary Pickford in Cinderella. We went up to Huby's after wards for a little while. We saw Lewis Woodson yesterday, he is here getting things ready for the rest. Wednesday May 17th This has been a most horrible day, cold, windy, cloudy and a cold rain about every half hour. Mrs. McBride was here all day papering in the dining room and the two bedrooms off it and Dad. has been helping her https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/283e0604607115753e5026fbfb2d7986.pdf a4f643a33c964c97ebe09d52b10ca7c9 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. all day, she was here till eleven o'clock to-night and I had to drive her home or at least to the top of the hill where she cuts through Preston's orchard as the mill hill is about impassable I suppose. They got the dining room just about finished. I helped for awhile this after noon painting the wood work Frank and I set out the rest of the nursery stock we got yesterday. He got a Bartlett pear tree and I got a mulberry which I put in the chicken yard and a hydrangea. Art and Charlie Quanbury brought a young cow and a heifer over this after noon which they are going to pasture for the milk we can get from the cow which I guess won't be much. Ham Thompson was also in. Thursday May 18th Enah is the only one that is getting any work done these days, the rest of us don't seem to feel like it Dad. and I went back and fixed up the gully fence a little this morning and this after noon I drove down and got some groceries and paint for Enah. She is make the other part of the house look pretty nifty. I went down to see Aunty and Aunty Alice while I was down town and found Mrs. Jackson there from Port Rowan to see Aunt Ida. Dad. helped Enah this after noon I think, Frank has been gathering up old rags & junk for the rag man most of the after noon. Cloudy & cold Friday May 19th Dad. and Frank got started at grading the lane this morning and have been at it all day. They plowed as close to the fence on each side as they could and four or five furrows over and intend throwing the two outside furrows from each side into the middle so as to leave a ditch at each side and high in the center I just worked around here and planted some flower seeds. This after noon I took the wheel barrow and went over to Ivey's and Ben gave me a whole of flower roots of different kinds I didn't know the names of half of them but there were some larkspur chasta daisy's and a Dorothy Perkins rose bush. Dad. helped Enah paper this after noon for awhile. To night he had to go down to a meeting of the Mr. Smith's reunion so I went down with him to get my hair cut but the shop was closed. Enah paperd till twelve o'clock. Another heavy rain to-night. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/45329d97d3c243d9977addc6e108baaf.pdf 7d3acf705d92b1efc8c16c65f259614f PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Saturday May 20th Dad. and Enah paperd nearly all morning and I think are just about through. Frank and I went out about ten o'clock to work at the lane and have been there all day, Dad. helping us this after noon I threw the sods from the side into the middle on the east side right back and they followed cleaning out the loose earth and culling the east edge of the ditch on a hebel so the cattle wouldn't tramp up and break it. We are only working north of the waterhole as they couldnt plow through that with the team. After we did chores to night and before tea we ran the buggy down the lawn to the ditch and washed it. After tea Frank and I went down town and I got my hair cut. Sunny & nice. But breezy. Sunday May 21st Frank and I went to church this morning. After church we picked Quint up and then Aunty Alice and they both came over to dinner, on the bridge we overtook Dess and Dick also on their way to the farm. Enah was rather surprised at the dinner party although she expected Aunty Alice, Dick thought I would be staying down to dinner when he asked Dess, however we got on all right. This after noon I went for a drive with Marjorie. We went out to England's first as Glad Law had gone out there with Bertha for dinner but they had gone off for a drive so we went on by ourselves. Dick, Dess, Frank & Quint all went back to the woods and Dad. took Queen out with just the surcingle on her, he said she went fine. Beautiful day. Monday May 22nd It began to rain before seven this morning and has kept it up steadily all day. About eleven it seemed to let up a little so Dad. and I took Daisy May up to Ham Thompson's, we were up there quite awhile as we had to have a look at all the stock some of which looks fine and so by leaving about twelve we got into an old soaker of a shower so got properly soused. We spent the after noon in the house. Dad. helped Enah put down carpets and Frank cleaned up over the woodshed. I sorted out all the Farmers' Advocate's. There were about seven years of them and we got them all sorted and tied in bundles and packed in a tea box. Frank has seventeen ducks out and has to feed them every two hours. He expects a lot more soon https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/d73a4a073449af2ede93e3631e6a9e31.pdf 8206eb6149bcfea45c408340f88effa6 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Tuesday May 23rd I didn't do anything much this morning but a few chores and go back to the gully to see if the cattle were all right as some of them didn't come up last night. I got a ride up with Jim Ryerse, he said they had twelve acres in but there were lots that had none. I saw the old turkey that hatched out on Sunday, she had lived through the storm and still had her six little ones and an egg that she left in the nest and which Art Quanbury gave me to put under a hen, hatched. This after noon I took 34 chicks out of the little incubator and cut some of the lawn. Frank and Enah went down town this morning in the waggon and got a lot of stuff. Frank went down to the mill this after noon and got different kinds of feed for his ducks. Dad. helped Enah put down the dining room. To-night I went down to see David Harum with Marj. at the picture show, it was pretty good. Very hot and sultry to-day feels like more rain. Wednesday May 24th Frank left about 9 o'clock this morning on his wheel for Port Ryerse to spend the holiday and left me in charge of his seventeen ducks which should be fed every two hours. He got back in the middle of the afternoon and hadn't been at Port Ryerse but went on up to Vittoria and saw Dr. McKinnes about some golden seal. He advised him not to get it till fall. Lila came over with him and he went back with her after tea. I spent most of the morning tending to chickens and trying to cut the lawn. I got all cut on the other side of the ditch but when I got into the tough thick grass near the house I couldn't make a go of it with the old lawn mower so came in and went to sleep for awhile. Then Dad. put Charlie Martins saddle on Queen and I rode her a little way down the road. She went a lot better but I couldn't get very used to the little saddle and the stirrups were too {illegible} for me and hurt my bad knee a little. I nearly went over her head once but didnt get quite that far. Aunty came over at noon and stayed most of the after noon. All day long there have been buggy and democrat loads of fishermen going both east to the creek and west to the pond or lake and I suppose that like other years Black Creek will be lined with them as it has a been a beautiful day to lie around in the shade https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/ef25ab5ffda7c662947fd88959efc25f.pdf 78e576c69485cc41a98eb01b3890b9b9 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. by the creek whether the fish bite or not. It has been swelteringly hot and yet a nice cool breeze. To-day is the proper day to plant corn around here but I doubt if there will be a grain dropped unless it is in some garden, there are dozen's who haven't a grain of any thing in the ground. Tom Abbot says he heard that Charlie Kinsular who has about four acres in is the only man between the Dog's Nest and the town line who has a seed in and their fields are all regular meadows and we're looking for more rain still. Thursday May 25th Dad. went back to see what the land looked like this morning and came back with the report that it was too wet to touch to-day, and a great big string of rock bass which were part of yesterday's catch. He had been over at John Wess's and said Cam. was cleaning a whole tub-full He, Dr. Bill, and Lloyd Crysler, were down at the creek all day and he said he thought they caught more fish than any one else on the creek and of course as usual it was lined from one end to the other. John Wess drove him and the lunch down as he can't walk very well on account of the veins in his legs, and had then come back and he & old Bill Wilkinson had put in the day target shooting. While Dad. was gone I worked a little trying to get some of the old cherry tree roots out of where I want to plant my hedge and when he came back we hooked Queen and Joe to the waggon and went up to McCoy's as Maria sent word down by her nephew the other night that Mike the old horse wasn't well and wanted Dad. to come up. There was aparently nothing the matter with Mike but the fellow gave him a bag of oats & hay for pay. Queen went fine. We hooked her up again this after noon with Joe and drove down to Ott. Collins with the lawn mower. We came back by the plank as this road was awful. (I have went to sleep.) Wyatt Waddle and Mr. Harris of the Massey. Harris firm were down for awhile to try and sell Dad. a corn cultivator but he didn't bite. He said Mr. Harris was the decentest agent he had seen for a long time as he didn't coax at all. Lovely day. Friday May 26th This morning Dad. and Frank did some ditching in the back field and Frank took his bee hive back to the woods to see if a stray swarm would take possession https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/8f2c72b25d562891d0731a6a3e71257b.pdf c5abaaf8d049781358a9df84c21d18a0 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. of it. This after noon Frank took the team back and worked all the after noon but says it isn't any to dry yet. John Wess made a start to-day too, Art. Quanbury came over this after noon and he and Dad. put the picture moulding up in the dining room I helped them for a little while but I measured one piece 23 inches instead of 32 (the yardstick was upside down) and then went to sleep so I went out and continued the work I was at this morning viz. grubbing out the cherry tree roots an digging the strip for my hedge. I got it all dug down to the ditch by to-night. Very hot to-day. Saturday May 27th It rained first thing this morning so nothing more could be done on the land. I don't remember what we did this morning but I don't reckon it was anything very exciting. Come to think, I believe I read and cleaned off Queen and Joe, and Dad. did chores and cleaned out the cellar. Frank went back to the gully and fastened his bee hive up in a tree. This after noon I had quite a snooze out in the hay and about four o'clock Dad. & Frank went down town in the waggon to look at the refrigerator Emery is making and I went down to the corner with them to get some of the little spruce trees that are thick down on the side hill in Dicky Steven's orchard. I was about an hour hunting for Frank Awde as Dad. said I had better get his permission to take them and at last found him over at Jack Martin's, he told me to take all I wanted as they were a nuisance, so I went back and got quite an armful pulled before Dad. & Frank got back with the waggon and they took them home for me. I got a few of them set out to-night before dark and heeled the rest of them in. I got them planted down to about the brow of the hill and from there down to the ditch it is heavy clay and I will have to get some other earth to put in. Aunty sent me over a root of the blue lilly but I didn't get it set out to-night. It got very black this after noon and looked like a proper souser of a thunder storm but it didn't ammount to much sort of a drizzle all the after noon Sunday May 28th This morning after we did most of the chores and I set out the lilly and before we had breakfast Frank and I went for a swim down below Quanbury's. The water was pretty https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/19c398ea56d765477833de9d7723ae23.pdf 3c08908be586187d408d028fa9ec1101 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. cold and I only had about one duck when I stepped on something pretty sharp and got a chunk out of the bottom of my foot, so had to quit. Just as we were getting ready for church Billy Miller came after Dad. to go over to the slaughter house to see a sick pig so Enah and I went to church and Frank stayed home and minded Tid and got dinner. I went up to Huby's for dinner and this after noon Quint and I went down to Harry Ansley's with some merells he got, and Huby told him to take them down to Harry. Lewis Woodson was there so we three went for a walk down to the dock. The lake was a little choppy so Quint took a notion to get a canoe and see if he could ride it, so we went down to Juke's with him, and he jumped into one the same as he would a boat and the consequence was it turned half way over, filled with water and put Quint in the creek, but he didnt get wet much above the tops of his puttees, and he went on out. He said to-night he went up the beach as far as {Wed lake's.?} Lewis then went back up town and I went home and stopped in at Aunty's on my way. I helped Dad. milk so was too late for church to-night but went down and went for a little walk afterwards with Glad. & Marj. Sunny and sultry to-day. Monday May 29th Frank got a good start this morning and has been disking all day. Dad. did a little ditching in the lane this morning and to Joe & Belle and harrowed this after noon. I spent the day getting my hedge in. I had to dig a trench and fill it in partly with dried rotted manure and partly with soil from the top of the garden and this after noon I set out the rest of the little trees. I just had enough to go to the ditch. It was about half past four then and a big thunder storm was rolling up and Enah had all the stuff from the clothes room out on the line so I gathered them in and just got them in when it began to rain and it everlastingly poured for a few minutes. Dad. & Frank came up in the middle of it both soaked to the skin, Frank was so wet he couldn't get any wetter so went back and brought the cows up. Marie Ryerse and Maudie Pickford sought shelter under the willow tree so Enah called them in and Tid had a great time with them for awhile. Enah put him to bed this after noon but he heard me outside so got up and talked to me out the window for a long time and then came out so while he was eating his tea to-night he went sound asleep with his head about in his plate. Tom Abbott said Ott. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/852cb38ff81a6b0704dc03d30e5a4c74.pdf 3b6dc8db63a35960aa0a47b689ce1619 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. fixed the lawn mower all right and he was going to bring it back with him when he brought the can but he forgot. Frank went down town to night and got the mail. The rag man that interviewed Frank the other day came again and gave me 55 cents for all the stuff Frank had gathered up and borrowed my lead pencil which he has got, he gave a haf a cent back in cash for rags or a cent in trade he was very anxious to trade but the straight pails he had were worth 35 & 40 cts and Enah said she could get them for 15 down town. Nice enough day till it rained pretty hot. Tuesday May 30th It rained hard again during the night and every thing has been too wet outside to do any thing. Frank and Dad. went down this morning to get some sand but there was a nice ridge of gravel washed up so they got a load of it and took it up to Aunty's to put on the walk and after dinner went down and got another load, so didn't get any sand to put in the mud hole at all. Dad. nearly broke his neck this morning. He was up over the woodshed and when he started to come down his foot slipped on the top step and he fell from there to the landing or rather slid and hurt his back and then instead of stopping at the landing he peeled head first off it and lit square on his head between a couple of stoves. He felt as he said like Pete {illegible} "Considerately shook up" all day. I didn't do any thing much all day except prowl around in the mud. This morning I made a mitre box which I believe is fairly true. After dinner I went back to the gully to see if the bars and gate were still shut as in their hurried exit yesterday Dad. & Frank hadn't taken much pains but they were all right. The oats and barley back there are well up now and look fine as there is no grass in them at all it seems. I brought the cows up with me and it was early but we got through early and Frank and I both went to the picture show to see Margeurite Clark in "The Crucible". It wasn't a bad show Marjorie Clarke & Glad Law went with me. It rained again a little shower about four o'clock but has cleared off. Cold to-night. Wednesday May 31st First thing this morning that Dad noticed was that Elgeitha wanted to take another trip to the bull. We were https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/c0aaa95d3ab6ec22af54edcca1f64961.pdf 4caced122b6c7cc3d899d933b66db111 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. terribly disappointed as we thought she was safe in calf not having showed any signs for three months and she was so regular before. The only cause we could think of was abortion and Dad. was sure it wasn't that as we have been here nearly every night since we turned out, however he and I made a pretty thorough search of the gully this morning but couldn't find any signs of it. Dad. stood her in and was so undecided what to do with her between wondering if she had aborted and if Ham's bull was any good or if we should take her to John Wess' that we didn't do any thing with her and this evening when he let her out she made right straight for the gully all alone and was aparently all over her excitement. Aunty Alice came over a little before dinner and stayed till a little after. Harry Ansley and Billy Dixon were also in to look at Nellie but Billy didn't buy her, she wasn't what he wanted he said at all. I didn't do much this after noon but sit around, although I did haul enough rotted manure to mulch the hedge. Frank spent the after noon patching the wood shed roof. I guess he intends going over the whole house as it all needs it. Dad. didn't feel very well. Some fellow (a {...man?}, I think) with a couple of little kids came in to see if we had any rhubarb to sell and as we didn't he would like to get a setting hen or two so I sold him one for 75 cts. I spent the evening making a new milk record book for June. Thursday June 1st Tom brought the lawn mower back from Ott. Collin's this morning, so I have put in nearly the whole day working on the lawn. I started cut the longest of the grass with the scythe and didn't get it all done but this after noon I got all the shortest including all the other side of the ditch cut with the lawn mower, it looks nice and was no trouble to cut at all. Ott. seems to have made a good job. Frank spent most of the day patching the roof. About nine o'clock this morning Dad. took Aunty up to the cemetry, they took the baby too. When he got back from there he took the team and waggon and went down to the Widespread and got the new refrigerator. They had just finished it and as it smelled strongly of the alcohol in the shelack we had to leave it open and not use it to-day. It is a nice looking one and I think plenty big enough for us. This after noon Dad. was ditching in the back field he says it is very wet yet, but John Wess was out and calculated to sow a little to-night just to be able to say he had some in. "Very hot and sultry https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/6e2b2abd093c4cbbfe260e4637b7f547.pdf 545396955cd386c582a6b62e7168bde0 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Friday June 2nd After the big rain on Sunday people seem to have been of the opinion that the weather had "took up" using Mr. Fleming's expression, I don't know why unless it was because it turned cold after it and the wind changed around but it does that lately without a minutes notice any way, then there was a new moon and a good many thought that would fix it, but yesterday after noon public opinion veered round again and the general belief was that we were about to have another little "spell of weather", and this morning's sultry air and cloudy sunrise and the lake's growling convinced us all of the fail. Despite all these omens we got up pretty early and Frank went back about half past seven. Dad. intended to take his team back after Frank got started but the sky soon began to darken and the rumbling and growling in the west began to get nearer so we didn't go I mowed the rest of the hay on the front lawn with the scythe but that didn't take long. About half past nine it began to rain and I had just time to get into the shop when it came down in sheets. The awful flashes of lightening seemed so close that thunder almost cracked while it was there. This storm lasted for ten or fifteen minutes then it settled down to a sensible rain and soon stopped altogether. Frank came up with the team during this interval, he had been under a beech tree in the woods and was aparently dry. It soon began again however and I went into the house to put a new cloth on my foot and it developed into a worse storm than the first one, not only in rain, thunder & lightening but hail which seemed worse than the storm of last fall which did so much damage. It battered against the south kitchen window<s>s</s> like bullets and I was sure they would break it but they didn't. They weren't like ordinary hailstones being quite flat and the edges jagged. It didn't last so very long but the rain kept up most of the morning. Frank went down town after the mail after dinner and had a great time getting accross the ditch the water was so high. We didn't do anything much this after noon but I monkeyd around in the shop with the old moulding planes. Old Monteith was past this after noon and told Dad. he had never seen the water in the creek so high it was the wind more than the rain that caused it. Art's flats where he had his oats were completely inundated Dad. went down to a Mr. Smith's Reunion meeting to-night and as the walking was so bad stayed down all night at Aunty's. Enah spent the after noon house cleaning the front bedroom. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/eb443f54139f0dc4d6d7e6104783e0b4.pdf 18a867b440ea8be38180122a4b00328f PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Saturday June 3rd Dad. got home about six or before this morning just as I was starting to milk and about ten o'clock, he, Enah & the baby started for Simcoe with Joe & the buggy to <s>Simcoe</s> see the circus which was to be there to-day. Frank went soon after on his wheel. They told me they would be sure to be back by the middle of the after noon I didn't do much till dinner time but chores. Mrs. Jack was in for a few minutes to see Enah about noon. She is here for a few days and is staying just now at the Pickford's. Frank was down to see her last night. She only stayed a few minutes. After I had partaken of my solitary lunch I sat around and read for awhile, then went out and cleaned Queen and then started to rake up the hay on the lawn, while I was at that Aunty Alice came over thinking I would be getting tired of my own company and brought me the mail. There was rather bad news in the paper as a British fleet was engaged in the Skagerrack on Wednesday & Wednesday night by the entire German High Seas fleet and received quite a mauling. That seriousness lay in the great loss of men and ships they sustained as the Germans didn't gain any particular advantage and were fighting with the odds greatly in their favor. As soon as the main British fleet the Globe says hurriedly steamed to the scene of the action the German's left off pounding the overmatched ships they had engaged and scuttled back to port. The British loss was three Dreadnoughts three cruisers and eight destroyers while the Germans admit the loss of one battleship and two cruisers but it is believed there was more on both sides. They don"t know how many men were lost but if none were saved from the sinking ships there would be about six thousand. The greatest loss outside of the men was that of the battleship "Queen Mary" which was about the last word in battleship construction both in speed and the mounting of big guns She was a sister ship to the "Queen Elizabeth." Aunty Alice didn't stay long as she thought they would soon be back. I worked a while longer at the lawn and got some of it cut but I didn't start very early to do chores as I expected them back any minute. However it was after six when I got the cows up and in and no sign of them and I was just about through milking when they came in quite a bit after seven. They said the performance didn't start till so late, but they had a good day, the circus was a small one and they didn't have many animals but they had them very well trained. Frank rode in soon https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/3f896a83a4965f1114f35d4811ef5fc6.pdf e4e34c25f95fec1eeb453bfaebf1055e PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. after they came in. He had come down from Simcoe with Bill Barwell and had had tea at the Barwells. He & the rest of the family hadn't seen each other all day as Frank had been taking in all the side shows and had dinner on the fairground where the circus was while Dad & Enah had fallen in with Jim Waddle & his sisters and had gone to Miss Waddle's for dinner. It has been cloudy and rather cool but fine, it looked rainy for awhile. Sunday June 4th Frank, Enah, and I went to church this morning while Dad. & the baby stayed home and got dinner Aunty came over to dinner, Dick didn't come as he & Dess. <s>walked</s> went to Simcoe last night to stay all night at "Grandpa Meads" and were going to walk back this after noon. Frank stayed down at Aunty's to dinner and went this after noon to Vittoria with Aunty Alice & Aunt Ida in Mr. Johnson's car. After Aunty went back about four o'clock Dad. & I drove out to the Shand's as Harvey Shand was past here yesterday and said they had a colt leaking at the navel which they would like Dad. to look at and I thought I ought to go and see Charlie who just got home from the West a couple of weeks ago. They don't seem to think he is much better. It began to rain before we got home but we didn't get wet. It rained quite a lot all the evening. To-night Frank and I tested the eggs in the little incubator. We only took twelve out of sixty seven. Monday June 5th I spent most of the day raking up and cutting the front lawn and got all the part I had to mow with the scythe cut by to-night. Enah & Tid were down town all day as she wanted to get some teeth fixed but Bill wasn't there. Dad. helped her take the baby over in the sidewalk and saw Brirely over there who gave him a full account of his row with Vyse. Brirely has moved into Vyse's house and he says it was in awful shape, then one day Helen came over after something and got on Brirely's garden, he asked her not to run over it and she got saucy so he ordered her off and told her not to come back so that is what started it. He saw Vyse later up at the Quanbury's and Vyse spoke to him about it and in the course of their conversation told Brirely that if he felt better he would mop the sidewalk with him where upon Brirely invited him out to do it but Vyse declined the https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/4c9cdae6929572568b6b0df5ac4d8e99.pdf 9ba436cbbca72fd844b9eddbff35e7a3 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. invitation and stayed on the other side of Quanbury's fence. While Dad. was over there Frank started down to Porter's with old Gladys who has been out since Saturday. He rode Joe down and drove Gladys; she knows the way pretty well anyway. He didn't get back till long after two and Dad. and I thought he was having dinner down there but he hadn't. Brirely came over after some little ducks Frank sold him. He took ten, six for himself and four for Gordon Dovecote, they were just hatched the other day so he borrowed the hen too, he gave ten cents apiece for them. Dad. spent the after noon putting up barricades behind the little cherry trees in the lane so as old Harry couldn't reach over the pasture field fence and nip the tops off them, Frank I think fixed his bicycle. About five o'clock, Mr. & Mrs Tupper & Clara drove in and brought Enah & Tid home. Nice day, but cool. Tuesday June 6th We spent quite a time this morning fixing Queen up Dad. powdered her cut and trimmed her hoofs a little besides giving her a general grooming. About ten o'clock he and I went back the lane to see if we could let some water off so that we could work at it. This after noon Enah went down to a reception at Mrs. Woodson's to meet Miss Glass, Carol's sister-in-law so Dad. had to stay in to watch the baby and I went out and dug around and tied a lot of the little poplars along the road, the mice have girdled & killed quite a lot of them. Martin's men were on the corner field disking & harrowing the oats in that had been sowed broad-cast. It looked to be pretty wet and seems rather foolish. Frank finished patching the roof this morning and has made a good job of it. This after noon he went down and got the mail and said there was a report came in after the mail that Kitchener & his staff were drowned, they were on their way to Russia when their ship struck a mine or was torpedoed. The Canadians have had stiff fighting too. Fine day. Wednesday June 7th It began to rain sometime in the night and with an east wind so we have had a steady downpour all day. Allan Law came in while we were at breakfast to have Dad. look at the sorel horse's mouth as he thought he wasn't doing right and he was here till about eleven. During the morning Mrs. McBride https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/bf6b87d4c6fa296524ccb1cedfa1c36c.pdf 00cbf0ed091ad1bce3cbddf0139e5b2a PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. waded in although they didn't look for her on account of the weather but she & Enah have been cleaning the parlor all day. Frank went out at eleven o'clock to feed his ducks this morning and found all but four of them in a heap out side the box dead, one wasn't quite dead but it soon died. He put the four live ones over in the barn as he thinks it was the rain killed them but they were all well at seven when he fed them before. We haven't done any thing but sit around all day I read "The Lay of the last Minstrel" This after noon Frank drove Mrs. McBride down town and got the paper which confirms the report of Kitchener's death. Mrs. McBride said that she was in Simcoe last night and and about eleven o'clock Bob Mead ran in and said the last report was that he was saved but the morning's paper had been issued since then. Kitchener was on his way to Petersgrad when the cruiser Hampshire which was carrying him & his staff struck a mine or was torpedoed off the Orkneys and they think no one has been saved. Sir Wm. Robertson it is thought will take his place in the War office. About five o'clock to-night Frank noticed a lot of our cattle down at Ben Ivey's corner at the end of the road so he and I went down to get them, they were all in Martins field. Ben Ivey told Frank that they had come up throug his place. There were only five of the cows and the three steers so I went back Ivey's lane to see if I could find the rest of them. I heard a young crow squawk back there in one of his pine trees and saw a little bedraggled looking fellow sitting on a limb so I threw two or three sticks at him and he at last flew down and lit in a mud-puddle where I easily caught him, so I brought him up in side my coat and put him in Dad's bird cage. I looked all through the gully for the cattle but as they had gone up or Dad. had brought them up I couldn't find them. I waded through the creek up to my knees more than once. Dad. said he had yelled at me when I was going down Ivey's lane but I hadn't seen him. It didn't matter much as I was soaked then. Thursday June 8th Charlie Quanbury was in here for quite awhile this morning and he traded collars as the one he had on Art's horse was too big for him. Frank & I took Daisy May up to Ham. Thompson's again and got back about twelve. Dad. beat https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/bc7fbcc9fa2241f08d2d51c113ab4a07.pdf eadb0487c9b3d0014276243cdbc5b29d PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. the parlor carpet while we were gone. This after noon Frank and I rode out to Tupper's with Charlie Quanbury who was going to help Tupper dip sheep, we fooled around there for awhile and helped him weigh a veal calf and then went over to John Wess' to see if he would make up a cement post mould like his. He was hewing a cedar stick for a brace. We were over there a long time poking around. He said he had more work to do now than he would ever get done but if we couldn't get any one else to make us one he would so we told him we would find out down at the Widespread and he said he would lend us his for a pattern. We didn't get home till after six. Dad. had spent the afternoon putting down the parlor carpet. I learned the last of the second canto of "The Lady of the Lake" to-day. I started it on the 25th April so didn't take so long as I did learning the first canto two years ago I tried a little different scheme of writing it out which works better. It has been fair all day but a big thunder storm went around us to-night. Friday June 9th Frank left soon after breakfast this morning to go down and clean out Aunty's eave-troughs for her, he said he would be back right after dinner but he didn't get back till after six, he said it was a worse job than he thought. I spent the biggest part of the day raking up and cutting the lawn, but got it all gone over in front of the house. The actual time I took cutting it wasn't very long but it took along time to rake up the debris on the other side of the ditch left by the hail storm, then I was a long time getting the lawn mower set right. I think Dad. ditched around the barnyard most of the day but had to keep his eye on the baby this after noon after he woke up as Enah went down to Bill's to get her teeth fixed. He intended to go down to-night to a meeting of the W.H. Smith reunion committee but about five o'clock Ashbaw the castrator from Caledonia came in and as Dad. couldn't go with him to-night asked him to stay here all night and he would go to Mr. Fleming's & Ham. Thompson's with him in the morning as they are the only two around here who have entire colts except our Billy, so he agreed to the proposition and accordingly put his horse in, then it started to rain and turned out such a nasty night that Dad. stayed home and entertained Mr. Ashbaw by listening to his adventures in his many fields of occupation, which though numerous are all of about the same standard and as one would expect a https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/87e00a83c151a2b764538d2a39dc1876.pdf e251e49be62d685b77861e98bdf48670 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. man of his tastes would naturally devote his time to, as the work he is at now is what he enjoys above all things and his other vocations ranged from tending bars to travelling {illegible} and in the early spring grafting fruit trees which is about the most elevated sort of industry he indulges in. Dad. had to sit up till eleven o'clock with out his usual evening snooze and then suggest bed himself. It has been cloudy by spells. Bob. Davis was in this morning with Jaeger & Hamilton's big Percheron and tried Nellie and said he would be back next week as Harry Ansley told him to {breed her?} Saturday June 10th Dad. and Ashbaw left right after breakfast this morning for Mr. Fleming's and Ham Thompson's and Frank and I were to have gone back and brought our colts up but it began to rain and rained quite hard for awhile but we went back when it let up and didn't have much trouble in getting them up and Billy in the stable, a little while before they got back, and old Ashbaw fixed him up before dinner. This after noon we sat around for an hour or two till he left He invited Dad. & Enah & the baby to come down to see him Caledonia Fair, he said he would give them a bed three meals a day and treat them as mean as he knew how. He showed us how to graft trees as he is a professional grafter and told us what we never knew before and what has probably been the reason of our non-success that care must be taken to have the lowest bud on the scion just set level with the top of the branch. He also gave us a receipt for making grafting wax which was different and he says better than the old one, it was 4 lbs resin, 1 lb beeswax & 1 pint raw oil, melt & pour into cold water. After he left I don't think we did any thing very startling. It has been partly fair and partly rainy to-day. Frank went down to the mill and down town with the team and waggon this after noon, it rained while he was gone. Sunday June 11th Frank and I went down to church this morning and Dick and Aunty Alice came over with us to dinner This after noon we sat around till I thought it was too late to go out to Tommy Jackson's as Frank and I intended so he went alone down to the Ryerse's and they went over to Tommy's with him and looked over his museum as they call it. Frank https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/c9b88e0061cd89f7f5c55e3fa26bc280.pdf d260890e268e75d12647cce000c8b4f2 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. says he has sold over seven hundred dollars worth of stuff and a stranger wouldn't know there was any thing gone. They say he has all the buildings on the place including the house filled with old odds and ends which he has picked up at auction sales. Aunty Alice stayed till about half past four and then Enah and the baby who were going to have tea at the James<s>'</s>s' and then go to church went down with her. Dick went down earlier. Art Quanbury came over just before they left to get Dad. to go down to Mr. Fleming's to see old Prince the big {Sensation?} as they were afraid his leg was broken. Dad. got back about half past six and said his leg had been broken off right below the stifle and they had to send for Dave Waddle to shoot him. He said Mr. Fleming felt very badly but was going to skin him. I got the cows up and helped Dad. milk and about eight o'clock went down town. I happened to meet Marj. & Glad Law on their way home from Lola McBride's and was with them for awhile and then went in to see Harry Moon for a little while. Mrs. Moon was in bed with grip. I then went down to Auntys and got some tea, they persisted in feeding me and got home soon after eleven. Cloudy morning but nice day Monday June 12th This morning Dad. & the baby and I drove Joe & Queen up to Barwell's and took his two pigs up. Barwell showed Dad. all his crops which Dad. says look fine, this year has just suited his sand farm. We didn't get home till after <s>dinner</s> noon and went around by town. Dick got us the paper and gave Dad. & me our invitations to Mr. Smiths reunion. Miss McQueen had brought them into the bank. We stopped in<s>to</s> at the Quanbury's and borrowed their step ladder and paste board as they are going to paper the ceiling of the kitchen & bedroom to-morrow. This after noon I drove Enah down town as she had to get her teeth fixed and I left Joe & Quanbury's and had her shod, he soaked us $1.50 for putting on new shoes. I went up and got my hair cut while I was waiting and fooled around up town most of the after noon I waited till half past four at Aunty Alice's for Enah and then went home alone. She got home before six Dad. and Frank spent the after noon clearing everything out of the kitchen. It rained a little to-night but was a nice day. Zeitha Barwell invited me up there to tea to-morrow night to give her a riding lesson. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/78136dedd82b39c735c59acb0b20e9fc.pdf 82e6fbb5c74dbef9c29a18f921e05834 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Tuesday June 13th This morning I went down to Aunty's and took Tid with me to help work in the garden and incidentally to remove him from the impending operations to be carried on here as Mrs. McBride arrived just as we left and they have beend papering the kitchen ceiling all day and generally house-cleaning and they thought his presence would not be required. I spent the day digging the cellar banks and got them pretty well dug the houseside of the drain, but not the woodshed side, however they were well pleased they said with what I did and it certainly did make quite an improvement. I came home about four o'clock and did chores but didn't get through in time to get up to the Barwells for tea but left soon after to give Zeitha a riding lesson she got on fine. She had been reading up on it in the encyclopedia and tried to put the theory to practice and didn't lose her head or lose control of Joe so had a few good canters up and down the road. I didn't stay late. Winnie was over here to tea and Frank went down with her after tea and I guess they went to the picture show. Dad. says Ham Thompson was in to-night feeling pretty blue as another cow aborted just gone a few months and is afraid it is contagious abortion. Fine, hot & sultry. Wednesday June 14th Frank went over at seven this morning to help Jack Martin's gang set out strawberry plants and was there all day. Dad drove Enah down to the dentists' this morning and she was down all day too. Minnie Quanbury came over at noon to say Enah had telephoned over that she wouldn't be home. She got four teeth filled and one out so feels rather sore in the mouth. Dad. and I have not done any thing to speak of A few chores and I slept and read. Dad. of course had to watch the baby. He has been reading up on contagious abortion, and feels very worried for if Ham's bull is infected we have brought it into this herd by breeding Daisy May & Elgitha to him and we have to wait now anyway before we can find out as the only way to tell seems to be to see if other cows abort, so we won't dare breed Elgitha when she comes around again. Dad. had a letter from Douglas and he thought she must have aborted and said he would breed her at once but Tupper who has had experience of it says not to breed them till after the time they would have had their calf if they had not aborted. But any way we daren't breed her to another bull till we know for sure about Ham's or the thing will get spread all over. Very hot & sultry. Thundery. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/339a9fbef1a083de0763b9b22ffcf931.pdf 96c6cff53ecbc2ae0df421a210fa526f PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Thursday June 15th This morning Dad. & I did up the chores and then started to put a barbed wire on the top of the fence along the lane comin in from the road, we merely started there as we want to if we can stretch one all along every fence where the horses run as they will reach over and bend the top of the woven wire down. We got quite a long strand of wire from the fence down the road and tried to stretch it with the claw hammer but that didn't work well so I went over to John Wess' to borrow his wire stretchers. He was down fixing the well when I got there and when he came up it was beginning to rain and looked like a bad storm coming up. It was then just about noon so I stayed to dinner and there was a heavy rain for a while at noon After dinner Lloyd Crysler came over and wanted me to go fishing so we took a walk down to Frank Ryerse's where we found Wilbur and Lorne Jackson. We stopped in for {From?} Walker on our way down as Wilbur said he promised to go the next rainy day, but {From?} said he had to take his wife to town so Lloyd told him he would never ask him again. We got Lorne's nets but as Wilbur didnt want to get in the creek with the drag net we just used the gil net and strung it accross the creek and then I rowed Wilbur & Lorne up the creek a way and they whippet it down but we didn't get a fish Tige got in it once she and Lloyd's dog swam across about forty times. We fooled around for a little while before we came home and it was long after five when I came through John Wess' place to our gully Dad. came back after the cows he thought some thing must have happened to me he said but couldn't have done any thing on account of the wet and he had a very bad head-ache. Aunty was over to dinner and he drove her home this after noon, she is going to Brantford in the morning to pay a little visit to Miss & Mrs. Battersby. Frank didn't get a whole day in to-day on account of the rain but he only lost an hour or two I think they were still planting strawberries. He is having a great time over there with Joe Green. <s>Thursday</s> Friday June 16th Friday We chored around a little this morning and I got most of the lawn cut I was out there after dinner when a buggy came in and I was very surprised & pleased to see it was Ham. Thompson with Mr. Douglas of Caledonia. He had come up to Ham's to look at his bulls and then come over here. He was here till after four so we had a long visit with him. The https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/16a85adfeeb01647afaa1328b4f11de9.pdf db51845d4d5be597f293085fd0e616e0 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. conversation dwelt mostly on contagious abortion as although Douglas has never had it, he seems to know pretty well about it. He says the only way to do if it gets in the herd is to live it down which takes in all about five years. He, unlike Tupper, says to breed the cows after they abort as soon as possible as they never abort more than twice and sometimes only once, but they can still carry the germ even if their own calves come all right and give it to others so that it could be stamped or worn out rather out of a herd of old cows in about three years but it would not be safe to breed any heifers for two more years. He said he was sure Ham didn't have it and he said he would certainly breed Elgitha the next time as if it was contagious she had it this time and if it wasn't we were only wasting time. To-night Dad. and I went down town, he went to a Mr. Smith's reunion committee meeting and I just took a little stroll around to see Marj. for a few minutes as she was all alone. I then went down to Aunty Alice's and stayed all night as Aunty went to Brantford this morning and she didn't like to be alone with Aunt Ida all night. It has been a nice day to-day. Frank put in another day. Saturday June 17th I got up in time to get home and help Dad. milk this morning. Frank went over to Jack Martin's and Dad. & I put the lambs all in and put the ear tags in their ears, we didn't have quite enough so didn't mark the two little ones nos. x. Douglas thought yesterday they were a "ripping" fine bunch of lambs, picked out two or three "right good ones" and said there wasn't a bad lamb in the bunch. We were nearly all morning at that job and this after noon we hooked up Joe & Queen to the waggon and drove down town to get some stuff, we just got back in time to do chores. Old Rollings stopped us down town and told Dad. he wanted to get a horse and hadn't seen any thing that suited him so well since he came to town as Queen, but it nearly flabergasted the old boy when Dad. told him the price was three hundred. To-night Frank went down town and I took a walk down to Odd's point and had a half a notion to go for a swim but didn't. Nice day but thundering. Sunday June 18th Frank and I went down to church this morning. Dick came over to dinner but went down soon after. This after noon I wrote and read till I went to sleep and about four o'clock started to do chores. Dad. drove Uncle Ward out to Colin Mc https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/fd34a57eb749b4aa0409921acdba24c7.pdf 5adb2d194e7ec01ecce0b891c83060e2 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Neiledge's as he fell the other day and paralyzed the nerve in his arm that is Colin did and Dad. thought Uncle Ward would like to go out and see him. He said he enjoyed the drive but the McNeiledge's were not at home. Frank spent the after noon back in the gully with the Ryerse's spearing frogs, he took them down to-night and sold them to Henry Buoy for ten cents a dozen. I got down in time for church to-night and had a little visit with Marj. Aunty Alice sent an<s>d</s> invitation to her by me to come down to a tea party to-morrow night but she said she couldn't come as there was another one on at Mrs. McQueen's and she had to go. Aunty Alice told me this morning that Mrs. John Watts was dead but she didn't die till to-night, but old Mrs. Watson Robert John's mother died yesterday. Rained this morning. Cool & Cloudy to-day. Monday June 19th Dad. went over to John Wess' right after breakfast and took him over a bag of oats & barley in return for a bag of oats we got some time ago. John Wess told him was hoping he wouldn't bring them for awhile as he was afraid now that he would feed them up. The object of Dad's visit was to warn him not to breed any cows that had been to Ham Thompson's bull and to be very careful what cows he did breed. Dad. is afraid yet of contagious abortion. I don't think I did any thing much while he was gone. Frank took the team out and disked up the sand knoll by {Name?} and said he got the top of the grass pretty well cut up but it didn't affect the roots any. I weeded a little in the rose border Dad. got home just before a big rain started which lasted all noon hour. Frank went back to the gully this after noon Dad. helped Enah paper the pantry ceiling. I read "The Gentle Shephard till four o'clock when I started to do chores. Jonas came in and peddled some fish. To-night Frank and I went down to Aunty Alice's party. She was rather distressed and the majority of boys over the girls. Zeitha & Miss Tinny couldn't come but Mis Herring was there and Elva, Ada & Dess. and besides us four boys there was Lewis Woodson, George Clark & Douglas Skey but we had a good time Quint <s>for</s> whom the party was for especially seemed to enjoy himself in Miss Herrings company. Aunty got home from Brantford to-day. Tuesday June 20th Gordon {Darecote?} came over this morning to get Dad. to go over and see Jack Martin's horse, so Dad. went over https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/17eb2ee956d04e7725646ae85f185972.pdf 5ab465f9442cad4d9f5969e73b9a6ec2 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. and Frank and I followed soon after. It was the bay pacer that Charlie bought from Beswitherock and evidently sold to Jack and Dad. & Anderson who was down from Simcoe agreed that he had tetanus, so Anderson gave him an injection of antitetnantic {antitetantic?} serum and left instructions for Dad. to give them every six hours. Dad. says he is sure the horse is too far gone to be helped and anyway there was no curative properties claimed for that stuff it being merely a preventative, however he has gone over three times and that is all he has to. This after noon Frank and I put through the few bushels of wheat in Ed's big bin which we were saving for chicken feed. Bruce Smith was in for quite awhile this after noon for a visit. Enah has been down all the after noon at the dentists' and felt pretty rotten over it to-night. It has been a nice day to-day. Wednesday June 21st It started to rain about six o'clock this morning and rained till about nine or ten o'clock. It wasn't a bad day after that sunny and cool. Dad. spent most of the morning over at Martin's the horse was so bad this morning that Joe Field's shot it. I didn't do anything much but help Enah tear the cover off the armchair as she wants to put a new one on. This after noon I read & slept most of the after noon but did go out and put the wheat back in the bun which Frank and I cleaned up yesterday. Just before tea Frank and I took Elgitha up to Ham Thompson's. Frank was down town this after noon. Thursday June 22nd This morning Dad. left for Charlie Dunkin's to see if he couldn't hurry him up to get the old ram registered and also to pay him the service fee of his ram. I would have gone but Dad. thought as Uncle Ward enjoyed his drive so much on Sunday he would ask him and I thought he would enjoy it more with Dad. than wth me so I persuade him to go. They left about ten o'clock and didn't get back till about five and I guess both of them had a great day of it. Dunkin wasn't home when they got there so they stayed to dinner. Uncle Ward knew him well, used to go to party's with him, and I suppose he had a great talk. Dad. says his crops and the crops of his near neighbors look immense but that is the only place they do. The rain has been just what they want up there. They saw Frank Marr on their way home and he told them that https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/297d8ea595bf140198386dcadc51619f.pdf 8062397d4c1007cdf157189ac58754b4 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Dr. Harrison of Selkirk says that it is recorded in his father's diary of one hundred years ago that we had just such a spring as this and that it rained all summer and nothing was saved of either hay or grain, all stock starving to death in consequence the following winter, so that sounds hopeful. Frank has been over at Jack Martin's all day picking strawberries, he made $1.01. I did chores, weeded out the rest of the rose border, sprinkled the roses with tobacco water which Aunty Alice fixed for me by steeping some of Frank's old homegrown leaves and put in the rest of the day doing nothing. Aunty Alice and Winnie were both over to dinner and Win stayed most of the after noon but Aunty Alice of course couldn't. Nice day. Friday June 23rd Frank disked up the sand knoll by the old well again this morning and after dinner Dad ran out eleven furrows and Frank and I planted potatoes. Then Dad. covered them and Frank harrowed them in. Dad. also made a start at plowing the old garden back of the shop. It was very waxy. He hauled out manure out of the two boxstalls and put on the west side of it. I cut the lawn to-day. To-night Dad. went down to a reunion meeting and Frank and I went down to the stump but didn't have much of a swim as the water was cold. Dad. stayed in town all night. It was fair all day but rained a little to-night. Saturday June 24th Frank has been picking strawberries over at Martin's all day and made another dollar. This morning Dad cut some of the long grass down by the ditch and in the lane and I puttered around. Alex Jamieson came in after dinner and was here most of the after noon. It was time to do chores when he left. Uncle Ward had to go down to Art. Ryerse's to collect for the reunion some time before next meeting and Dad. told him he would drive him down this after noon but he couldn't, it rained once or twice any way and looked very cloudy so not likley Uncle Ward. would expect him. To-night Dad. Enah and the baby drove down town and Dad. drove Aunty Alice up to the cemetry. As soon as they were gone Frank & I decided to go over to Tommy Jackson's to tell him Frank would take a couple of skips of bees. Frank thought they https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/62fd2f7943947e02b5f7514cac37f857.pdf dea7832c45d25fd3214760e589f714ce PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. were pretty cheap on Tommy's terms. He offered him two skips of bees in Langstroth hives with frames and foundation comb for seven dollars and he can get them and pay for them any time he likes. It was about dusk when we got over there and Tommy was just getting started to milk, he milked two cows and then showed us around the apairy and it was pitch dark before we left but he had started in on the other cow and had the lantern out with him. Frank and I had quite a time extricating ourselves from Frank Ryerse's gully's in the dark and then got our legs soaking wet on the grass on our way home. Dad. & Enah were home and Dad. was getting ready to worry about our absence as we forgot to leave any word. Sunday June 25th The whole family went down to church this morning as Mr. Rennaud preached. He is here for a short visit, he used to be the rector here 41 years ago and gave a very emotional reminescent sermon. Dad. Enah & the baby stayed down at Aunty's to dinner and Quint and Dick came over here with us. They went off right after dinner to see the Oddfellows march and Frank left soon after to go for a ride on his wheel with Harve Taylor. I waited till Joe had time to eat her noon feed then took her down for Dad. & Enah to drive home. I sat down at Aunty Alice's for about an hour and then started to walk home but got a ride over as far as Martin's with Charlie in his car. I helped Dad. milk then went down to church and then went around with Marjorie to the house. This was his most holy of holy the right reverent Mr. J. Culp's last Sunday in the Methodist church and I guess he gave them a long wind-up sermon anyway. I had a very pleasant visit and left before any of the Bagley family appeared on the scene. I wouldn't have left so soon but poor Marj. seemed to be rather uneasy for fear they would catch me there although she said she didn't care. I went down to Aunty's for a few minutes and found Douglas Skey there. I supposed he had walked down with Mrs. Baker, Mr. Rennaud's daughter, who is staying with Aunty Alice & Aunty. It has been fine and hot to-day, regular Oddfellows day. Monday June 26th Frank went over to pick strawberries and to-day made $1.21. I left about nine to take Uncle Ward on his https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/18598ddddfe681f6fa19b5186ae32c61.pdf 784da3859fd808341b9601bab8a40f61 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. collecting circuit. I met Bob. just going into Woodson's and couldn't resist the temptation of driving her down town so Uncle Ward and I were a little late getting started, and then the shoulder strapring pulled out of the breast collar which caused a little more delay. We just called at Alfred's, Art's and Allan Law's, Uncle Ward hinted at getting a donation from Alfred for his daughters' but Alfred didn't bite, but they probably will. We only saw Mrs. Art. Ryerse as Art was way back and the kids all have the measles, she said she would tell Art. to call in some night and pay Uncle Ward. Alan Law was hauling gravel but Mrs. Law said he would drop in too. I gave him five dollars for Dad. and we three boys. We came up the Plank Road from the Dog's Nest and didn't get home till after one o'clock. This after noon Dad plowed some more of the garden but didn't quite finish as it is very tough and old Nellie started out a little balky after her holiday. I didn't do much but cut a few weeds and take some more eggs over to Jack Martin. After tea I rode Queen down to the corner and back, she hasn't been out lately and felt frolick. Mrs. McBride was here to-day and informed us that old Robert John was married, his mother died three or four days before. Fine & hot but looks rainy. Tuesday June 27th I spent most of my time to-day cutting weeds I finished cutting the dock in the raspberry patch first and then went back to cut thistles in the oats and barley. I didn't get on very fast as it is hard to tell where to go on the side hill Pickford and I think Clair Jackson were hauling Pickford's hay and their dog an Airdale pup started chasing Art. Quanbury's sheep. I didn't know it was Pickford's till I went up the road to tell Art and heard him call it off Art was working on his buckwheat ground and Tupper who had ploughed about four rounds as he said this morning was talking to old Evans who was disking right opposite. Tupper said he was very thirsty so we went down to Art's new well that he dug with the post auger but couldn't find anything but an old paint pail to dip the water with However that fitted in the well alright and we got enough to slake our thirsts, it was good cold water too. Dad. finished plowing the garden this morning and disked and rolled it. Frank went down to Porter's again with Gladys. He ploughed in the old garden this after noon. Enah was down town for tea. Frank and I had to take Daisy May up to Ham Thompson's to-night. Mrs. W.H. Smith died at five o'clock this morning. It has been a hot summer day. It really looks as if the weather had "took up" https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/c050456d621c7f08e2b9d216e3b53d8e.pdf 15b5bf40e0c2d7852b7069e871a75e0c PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Wednesday June 28th Frank has been picking strawberries all day again and made $1.35, this has been his best day yet. Dad. plowed in the old garden all morning, he and the baby and he finished it and disked it this after noon. I raked up the grass he cut along the ditch this morning and went out and spread a few piles of manure which were in his road for plowing. This after noon I went down town to get some stuff. Huby saw me and wanted me to go up and look at Bill Slocomb's buggy, he wants fifty dollars for it. It looks like a good one. I went down to Aunty's to cut a ham in two for them and Aunty Alice was at a bridge up at Miss Buckwell's. This has been another beautiful day. Thursday June 29th I went over to Art Quanbury's this morning and got our post auger and Dad and I put in a post at the gap between the two fields across the gully and put up the bar and let the cattle into the west field, we then went along Ivey's line in the gully but couldn't do much to it John was over in Ivey's having walked under the fence along the creek bottom. We had dinner on time and got ready and both of us went down at half past one to Mrs. Smith's funeral. We went up to the cemetry and there was a big crowd there. We went from there over to Barwell's and got Zeitha and brought her down, she and I were to have gone for a ride to-night but Enah asked some more over to have some music so we postponed our ride. We saw Mrs. Bagley & Marj. up at the cemetry and they said Essie couldn't come over to-night as it was choir practice but Marj. would only she didn't like to come alone, so Dad. told her if she saw Winnie coming over to come with her and if not to wait till I called for her, so as Winnie came over to tea I went right after tea to get Marj. I picked her up at Silverthorne's, she had come over to pay her Dad's lodge dues. We drove down town to see if we could get Elva but she had too bad a cold to come. We had a very nice evening being entertained by Zeith's & Enah's music on one hand and the baby catching moths on the other; he stayed up till midnight and except for evincing a few cannibalistic passions early in the evening when he bit poor Marj; he was very good and well-behaved. Dad. gave him a heart to heart talk on the occasion of his one offence and I don't think Marj. suffered any permanent injury. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/5bc5dcc08ba0d4a92d7f9fd762b36e5e.pdf b0678ea12bce7453bd67551e5c614703 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. I was to have taken the bunch home in the lumber waggon but <s>hi</s> Frank who has worked all day in the old garden left the neck yoke & doubletrees out there I couldn't and as it was raining, it didn't promise to be very pleasant walking, however it didn't rain hard so the four boys, Dick, Quint, Douglas Skey & George Clark walked down and I drove Dess & Marj down in the buggy Zeitha & Winnie stayed all night. There was an accident in town to-night. It seems Earl Long was going home and being very drunk was yelling at the top of his voice and frightened Barwell's horse which was tethered in Barny McMinny's yard and it ran over the engine bridge with the train after it, it got past that safely but when it got down to the station the chain that was on it caught and threw it so that it broke its leg, and Dave Waddle shot it. It has been fine and hot to-day but rather cloudy, Friday June 30th ) New moon is straight up and down so that the Indian can't hang his powder horn on it. Aunty Alice says it is a dry moon but Dad. scoffs at the idea. Soon after breakfast this morning we saddled Joe & Belle and Zeith and I started off for our ride. We went down to the mill and out to Edmond Englands corner then up to Chris Quanbury's corner down the side road to the Gravel and then to Barwell's, and I led Belle home. We had a nice ride but not a good one as Joe wouldn't travel up abreast of Belle and Belle was inclined to be a little mean, however Zeitha said she enjoyed herself. I didn't get home till nearly noon. This after noon I planted eighteen rows of turnips with Art Quanbury's seed drill which he brought over this morning. Dad. sowed clover seed on the garden and harrowed it well. Frank spent the day picking strawberries but didn't have such a good day to-day. To-night I went down town to see Roy & Vernon. Roy came to-night and Vernon last night. It has been sunny and hot to-day. Saturday July 1st This has been a great day, the weather couldn't have been better, hot and fine just the kind to make people enjoy the lake, and Dover certainly celebrated, although I saw very little of it. Dad. and Enah & the baby went down this morning and stayed to dinner and Dad. had a great time visiting all the old boys and girls who came to Mr. Smith's reunion. Frank and I https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/eceac406af7e7510cb28172db37323cb.pdf 906e607c6805b9d32cde910ffc132249 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. didn't go down till noon, I started to cut the lawn but the mower broke so went out and helped Frank put in his school garden and I also sowed my Experimental Union plots of cabbage, kale & rape, and didn't get through till half past twelve, then we came in and got dressed up and intended to go for a swim at the stump but before we left we heard the school bell ringing so hurried down thinking we would be late, they didn't begin for quite awhile however and then all there was to it was a lot of speeches and we were up there till about four o'clock. I think every one got pretty tired of it. Jack Martin was chairman and made the presentation Mr. Smith didn't say much himself as he was in no mood for it but got Mr. Robertson to read a little that he had written for the occasion. After it was over Ray and I went right straight down to the house and I stayed there to tea. Dad. came down a little later, he had seen a good many old school pals and so had Ray. I saw Hubert Long and Egg Thompson and Fat Turner Col. A.C. Pratt got himself very much disliked by forbidding Mr. Smith's old boys in the 133rd coming down this after noon. He acted in a very small, sore headed way about it, and all Dover as well as a good part of Simcoe are pretty hot about it, he just did it for pure spite. Ed. Moon was down, he said he got leave by being on duty this morning at the picture show which the 133rd rented for the day to show the Willard Moran boxing contest but he said it wouldn't have made any difference he would have come just the same whether he got leave or not. Ray went over the hill to the Woodson's to get Vernon & Rebecca and I went for a swim in the creek, the water was fine. After tea I went up town and saw Fat. Turner and went over to the park with him to watch the fireworks, and I had a little visit with Marj. Her father is here and she is going home with him on Monday. Dad. and Frank who went home to do chores came down again after tea and I found the family up in the park and went home with them at a rather late hour. Sunday July 2nd Dad. Enah, the baby and I drove down to church this morning Frank didn't go. We were going to start early as Enah was going to practice with Zeitha who was to have sung a solo, but it began to rain so we had to wait till it was over, and we weren't there anymore https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/a39a2278c2740201834b5b20ea0d6c7f.pdf f10d8fe27ff007609a10646d0193bae7 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. than just on time, but it didn't matter as Zeitha was not there anyway. Just as we got into church an old soaker of a storm broke over us and it hailed till I thought it would break the church windows. It stormed pretty much all through church but was clear enough when we came out. Dick didn't come over to dinner and this after noon this family spent in peaceful slumber. We got the chores done early and Dad. drove Enah down to church they took the baby but he and Dad. stayed down at Auntys. Enah said she was the only girls voice in the choir and poor Harry Moon was so disheartened as he had expected a lot for to-day that he resigned from the leadership. They didn't see Roy or Vernon they being over at the Woodson's. Frank spent the evening getting his accounts system into working order and taking an inventory of the stock & implements. Monday July 3rd Frank went over to pick strawberries again this morning and has been over there all day. We started to plow the barley stubble again for buckwheat. Dad. struck out once but found it would tramp the long grass at the north end so started plowing right around the field, after one round I took it and plowed till noon, and he cut grass at the lane gate at the head of the orchard to get into that field with the mower. The grass was very thick and long there. After dinner the Quanbury boys and Glen Ryerse came in and wanted me to help them, they are moving Art's barn or at least trying to. We were there all the after noon and just got it turned around. They just hooked a cable on one corner of it and wound it up on a "capsule" as they call it but their chain broke two or three times and things went pretty slowly. It has been fine and hot to-day. By to-days paper the big drive on the Western front has begun. I didn't have time to read it but they have taken eleven villages and a lot of prisoners. The British & French are both at it. Tuesday July 4th The boys came after me again as soon as I had my breakfast and I have been over there all day, they came home to dinner. We had a pretty slow day of it first one thing would break and then another and all on account of it pulling too hard. Glen had the big rollers and saddles under her and we have come to the conclusion they are not much https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/457f4448ba763b4fe7f3655d1ab03a8d.pdf a21c63b274b9719350c5cf1f7f689d4c PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. account unless maybe every thing is smooth and hard underneath. First we had a small new one under the hind corner and after breaking the chain two or three times trying to budge it, we decided it was too small and wasn't greased enough so we jacked it up and put an old big one under that was split and wired to-gether we moved a foot or two with it and then it broke, so we had to jack her up again and grease the small one and put it under and after pulling all the after noon and breaking chain & upsetting the capstan two or three times, we took it out and put under three or {four?} small rollers and no saddle. Mr. Evans was over helping us this afternoon, and so about five o'clock she started to go and from then till we quit we moved as far as we could without setting the capstan again so the boys went home in great spirits full of praisr for the small rollers. I nearly tore the clothes off me on their wire and nails and also hit my sore knee a lot with the end of the cable so I didn't feel so happy. Frank plowed all day and Dad. had to go up to George Duncan's this morning to look at a cow. Tupper. who was in Simcoe all day came over about five and killed the yearling buck. Fine & hot a shower at noon. Wednesday July 5th I have been out at the Quanbury's all day again and to-day we made a little better progress. We moved the barn more than the length of itself this forenoon but twisted the underpinning of Glen's capstan reel so at noon they went down and borrowed Kolbe's capstan and things went beautifuly we moved about seventy five paces. Over here they got a little more plowing done but nothing cut. Aunty, Vernon & Rebecca were over to dinner and to spend the after noon, Cousin Clare was over too. Frank and I had to take Daisy May up to Ham Thompson's again he was in bed when we got there but got up. Another beautiful day. Thursday July 6th The boys wouldn't have called for me this morning if we hadn't hailed them but I didn't want to see them stuck and we certainly needed all the men we have although Glen brought two with him but Evans didn't come back to-day. Glen had old Isaac Bush and Od. Frolic both venerable and hoaryheaded. Isaac is rheumatic and slightly palsied and told us he would much rather be doing what he was yesterday than https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/3a87ace37d0ecef221ebef0ecd21883b.pdf 4435388bf787bfa82081a9d10380019a PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. what he was to-day. We found by interrogation that yesterday's occupation consisted in riding from the Falls up here in Jim's car, as he hadn't been there since he was eleven years old, we didn't doubt his words in the least. He took my job of minding the capstan and once when they were unwinding it he got a bat in the leg with the lever that knocked him over. Old Od. is the same whom Dad. & I saw a year ago last winter down in Hammond's bush with Jack Richardson building a log hut for himself in which he still lives. That day his face was about completely covered with whiskers while now he is clean shaven down to the rim of his jaw and he has left border of grizzled hair right around, I suppose it is hard shaving around the corner. His hair is long and curls closely under an old reddish brown straw hat. His cheeks are just like a well smoked ham but his neck and nose are a lovely purple, his nose, hands & feet are enormous. I had a pretty good chance to study him to-day and he is an interesting looking old duck, he just kept plodding from one end of the barn to the other carrying plank and chewing to-bacco with his front teeth I guess he hasn't got any back ones. He didn't seem disposed to talk and didn't say half a dozen sentences all day not even when Glen would get mad and curse him into a heap, which he did occasionaly, it seemed rather hard lines to hear old fellows like Od. and old Bush just everlastingly damned up and down, but Glen doesn't care and shows respect to no-one, but he is good natured about it all and we take his blasphemous abuse as a matter of course. He was always alright with me and I found that even there a little blarney in small doses helped wonderfully to keep in Glen's good graces and also to get out of a lot of strenuous labor, which was my place or Charlies's to perform. I didn't feel any qualms of consience in laying my tasks on Charlie's shoulder's, because he really believes likes to work and I don't. We got on well with the barn to-day and to-night had it safely over the gully, I was to quit when we got that far but Glen coaxed me to come back to-morrow so I said I would. Dad. got a little more plowed to-day and Frank got started to cut the corner field. He & I had to go up to Ham Thompson's again to-night woth Quanbury's heifer. Nice Day https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/75853b4b94c4dc216f220088e0e56069.pdf bdf34f43da5e61f568b34afec2839f8f PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Friday July 7th Art. & Charlie didn't call for me this morning and I didn't see them go past so I walked out as I promised Glen I would go back. We were at it all day and just about six to-night got it into its place so we are through with it. It will take a little longer to level and block it up. Old Isaac & Od. were on the job to-day and Od. was almost as silent as yesterday but to-wards evening I managed to get him talking (because I was curious to see what he would say and how he would say it.) by remarking on the size of his wrists and then he started to tell me of the weights in logs that he had carried and before we quit had told me several interesting stories of the early days and the scythe & cradle, when men were plentiful and every one of them strong, and each vied with the other in feats of strength and powers of endurance. Dad. plowed a little more to-day and Frank finished cutting the corner field. This was Dad's birthday and Dick and Winnie were over to tea, we were late getting through chores. Frank got some raked up and Dad. got a load cocked up. Hot & fine Saturday July 8th I got out first thing this morning and started to cock up and Dad. & Frank came out very soon after and we put on a load of what Dad. cocked yesterday and hauled it to the horse stable where we pitched it off by hand and packed it around the well so that the sling loads hitting it wouldn't loosen like they did last year. When we got it off we went and cocked up till noon. This after noon Frank brought the team out to rake but only went a couple of rounds and then as it looked so rainy in the north stopped and helped us cock up. It was looking very angry and a continual low roar of thunder, we saw one storm go to the north but another one came up and it caught us when we had just about one more windrow to cock. It rained pretty hard for half an hour or so but not hard enought to hurt anything and would do good. I went to sleep for awhile and then shaved. Whit Dixon came over before tea to look at the steers but said they weren't ready for a <s>year</s> month yet. To-night Frank and I went down town and went for a swim in the creek and I got my hair cut. Walter & Roy came up to-night and we saw them for a little while. We got home soon after twelve. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/e59bec83f61b920a63186fb3412f9bcb.pdf 0c3e7f20dd2ca40563d2a7d2487e25d5 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Sunday July 9th Just as Dad. was getting ready for church this morning Alan Law came after him amd he had to go down there to administer unto a sick calf which died later in the day. I drove Enah and the baby down to church and as the baby didn't want to sit alone in church without some of the family, I had to sit with him in the front seat and hold him on my knee most of the time but he was very good. Enah. stayed down to dinner at Aunty's and Dad. came down after he got home from the Law's. Frank and I had dinner alone. About three o'clock I went down to Aunty's and left Frank asleep on the sofa. Huby was there and he Dad. Walter, Roy and I walked up to his place via the Dominion Hotel and Dave Waddle's in search of Dave but didn't find him, after inspecting Huby's garden and Bill Slocomb's buggy which Dad. thinks has been run considerably, we took a walk down to the Customs House stopping in to see Mr. Smith for a few minutes on our way down. While we were down there Dave Waddle came along with Geo. {Faulmsbe?} and Jack Davis. We went back to the house all of us but Huby. and I stayed there to tea. Dad. went home to do chores. Enah went up to her mother's to tea but left Tid. down at Aunty's and he and Rebecca had a good time chasing the cat. Jean Marks was there to tea and all of us but Aunty, Aunt Ida and the two kids went to church. Enah has played to-day as Elva jammed her finger in the safe door. Roy donned a surplice and sang in the choir at both services to-day. After church I walked home with Jean and was over there for a little while and then came back down to Aunty's to say goodbye to Roy who goes back in the morning. Dad. was there with Joe and I drove home with them soon after. It has been fine with a nice breeze to-day. Monday July 10th Frank raked the rest of the corner field this morning and Dad. & I have been cocking up all day but didn't finish it. After dinner while Frank was down after the mail Dad. and I finished grinding the mower knife which Dad. & Frank started on Saturday so we were late getting out. Frank started cutting the barley & oat stubble along the side road. Walter & Aunty were over to-night after tea. Fine & hot. Walter is to go back to Regina to-morrow night. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/53364a206a54e86a4371bd41983b7822.pdf 9bb7c3c04b68e0869638c5d96a7f120f PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Tuesday July 11th It took Dad. and me till noon to cock up the rest of the corner field and Frank finished cutting the other field by noon, he left the south west corner of it for alsike along with the wheat stubble next to it. He went down and got the mail after dinner and I got a letter from Lloyd Jones inquiring about the lambs Douglas had told him we had some nice ones. I wrote him to-night. We got one load in after dinner but spent all the rest of the after noon getting the car on the track and the ropes & pulleys in place ready for business, we just got our load off about six. Mrs. McBride was here to-day. It has been a fine hay day. Wednesday July 12th We got three loads in this morning but didn't put the last one off. We got out pretty early but Lloyd Crysler delayed us a little, he was in telling Dad. about a lame cow he had. Dad. said he would go over and see it if Lloyd would call for him at 4.30 but he didn't come. We have been getting out earlier lately as we all get up at five o'clock and Enah has breakfast ready before seven. It also makes a great difference havin the three of us in the field when we are hauling in. Frank loads and Dad. and I pitch on to-gether, we get on much faster and it is not nearly such hard work as when there is only one. This after noon Frank raked up the long field of clover along the side road which he cut yesterday and Dad. and I cocked up all the after noon. To-night Frank and I went for a swim in the pond just this side of the bridge at the bottom of Marshall's hill. Carl Coleman and a bunch from up town go in there every night, they have a spring-board rigged up so that they dive right into the deep hole where the man & horse were drowned years ago It has been sunny but pretty breezy this after noon. Thursday July 13th We all three cocked up this morning and just finished the field at noon, and just as it began to rain, it rained two light showers one just at noon and one after dinner when we were unloading the load that was in the barn, we didn't go out for an hour or two as we thought it would be too wet to haul. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/ac0da0ba24baf5415b7710bdae12eae3.pdf 02a26c5dcbcd1e482aa08d38c86aac1e PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. but Dad. took Queen out and bathed her leg, the last one she hurt it seems to be in rather bad shape and badly swollen. About three o'clock we went out and found the hay was perfectly dry so got in two loads. While we were putting off the first load Enah and the baby who had been down town to dinner came home and Elva with them, soon after them Vernon Jean & Betty came over and the whole four of them came out with us for the last load and seemed to have a dandy time in the hay and riding on the load. They stayed to tea and the Southerners had to leave right after to go to the bridge club but Elva stayed and I drove her down about ten o'clock. It has been hot to-day when it wasn't raining. Friday July 14th We got on fine this morning getting out early and getting four loads before dinner, but this after noon we had miserable luck with one load, the sling rope getting lost once, and an old one with a wire in it coming apart once and then the car sticking in the track like it did last year, we have come to the conclusion that that is caused by the horses going too slow and not givin the lift enough of a jerk into the car. They made two lifts of that from the barn floor and then didn't get it all. We got in three loads though, the last one I pitched to Frank alone as Lloyd Crysler came after Dad. to go and see his cow. We didn't get in with it till after six and didn't put it off. There is just one load left in the corner field. Hot. Saturday July 15th For some reason we didn't get on as fast to-day and only got in two loads this morning but had to change the car from one end of the barn to the other as the east bay is full enough to bother with till it settles a little. We got in three loads this after noon so that finished the corner field and took four loads out of the field along the side road, there is still quite a lot in there yet. Lloyd Jones came in for a little while this after noon, he motored down from Burford and bought the big lamb for $12.00, he wants him shipped the week after next. Frank and I went for a swim to-night. Very hot day. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/a787477b084cd052719d8c6d4f73e29d.pdf 5cd83b8ec93b0ddd3aaf8b9123266a31 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Sunday July 16th We all went to church this morning but Frank and he went back to the woods and went to sleep. Roy was in church he came up yesterday to Brantford and down to Simcoe on the L.E.&N. and Cars. Rankin went up there and got him in his car, and I took him back this after noon at five so he can get to Toronto to-night and be on time at the office in the morning. I had intended asking Geo. Clark to go to Vittoria with me to see the Dunkin girls but hadn't made any arrangements and they were in church so when I told them they asked me to come up next Sunday. After we got into church I was very surprised to see old Quint. come in, I had an idea once they got to Camp Borden they wouldn't be back again until they left for overseas anyway but Quint said that about five thousand left the camp last night three hundred of which belonged to the 133rd and came down on a special, they will get passes if they apply every weekend and he said Pratt who has been acting a little better up there made arrangements with General Login to have them paid every two weeks so they can come home. He said the camp was a horrible place and the boys all hate it, it is all just like a bonfire bottom, and almost unbearably dusty while the heat is fierce, an awful lot of them have been knocked out temporally by it, but they have good water and cool nights. Roy and I left about four but didn't go very fast so just caught the car and had no time to spare. I came around by Vittoria to see if I could hurry Charlie Dunkin up a little getting the old ram registered and it was dark when I got home. I picked a couple of fellows up on the road who were walking from Pt Ryerse to Dover. Mr. Johnson came over in his car to get Enah to go down and play the organ and he brought her back. it has been pretty hot and dusty to-day. Monday July 17th We finished hauling the field on the side road to-day. We thought we only had about three or four loads out but there were five and a half and it took us all day. We left the last half load on the barn floor and Frank hooked to the waggon and went down and got a load of boxes at Mr. James that he has been saving for us. Hot and looks a little like rain. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/975f9246bf4baff161b37536fc5b0f1f.pdf ae89c532bbf5d039739ed71c30f8ef49 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Thursday july 18th Frank started to cut the field next the gully and west of the lane this morning and the mower has been going all day in there but it is not quite down yet. Dad. & I ran the cultivator through the potatoes and turnips this morning, we used Belle. The ground was quite moist where we stirred it up but the bugs are at the potatoes badly. This after noon I hoed about half the turnips and Dad. cut while Frank hoed his garden and then Frank went back on the mower and Dad. hoed a few potatoes. Ben Ivey got the rake this after noon to rake up in his back field. He is beginning to howl for rain Things are getting very dry. It has been hot to day. Wednesday July 19th Frank finished cutting the field this morning but it took him longer than we expected and he didn't get through till about eleven. Dad. went over to Ivey's and got Ben to bring back the rake and when Frank got through cutting he hooked on to it and raked up what he cut first. I didn't do any thing much till then and then Dad. and I started to cock up. Frank raked for an hour or so after dinner but as it began to look a little like rain and the hay that was cut late yesterday was getting tough, he stopped and helped us cock up till it was time to do chores, we didn't quite finish. Ben came over again and got the rake as he had a little to rake up in his back field. To-night as we were milking Zeitha Barwell came in on horse back, she had Norman Holden's horse and saddle. She stayed awhile and then I rode Belle home with her. It has been another hot sultry day. Thursday July 20th We all three got out and cocked up for an hour or two this morning and then when Ben brought the rake back, Frank raked up the rest of the field that was in swathe and finished about noon, we cocked up all day and went out after tea and worked till after dark but had to leave a little more than a load uncocked it is a heavy crop and dandy hay mostly clover but a lot of alsike. When we came in for tea we found a note saying Enah & Tid had gone for a motor ride with Elva & Billy Baugner who is home on furlough to help on the farm. They didn't get back till we had our tea. Aunty https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/46b12160dead9e2cb52b8066c1d3cf2f.pdf 19238b434729c496a2741e1cd152ef3f PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Alice came over to-night with a fine mess of peas from her own garden and Frank and I walked down with her. Vernon joined us at the Woodson's so Frank and I just went as far as the bridge and then went for a swim. Looked more rainy to-day but very hot. Friday July 21st We hauled in six loads to-day. The first two we hauled out of windrow and the next was the poorest hay we could find in the field and we put them in the barn, then the first load after dinner we changed the car over to the horse stable and put three loads in there, changing the car took us a little while and probably kept us from getting in another load, but we hope to nearly if not quite finish it to-morrow. Dad. and Frank went down town to-night. Dad. got a notice of a Mr. Smith committee meeting and went down but didn't get to it, got his hair cut instead. They heard that Mr. Gus. Smith was killed on the T.H.&B tracks near Hamilton. {Toby's father now writes the diary} Saturday July 22nd We beat all records to-day, hauled in 8 loads unloaded 7 in the horse stable and left one on the waggon in the barn, Roy and Vernon came over in the evening Just as Hattie, baby and I were about to start for town, so we did not go but Tobe and Frank went for a swim. Hot and dry. Sunday July 23rd Frank was not feeling well all day today as he took medicine that he got from Dr Cook last night. Hattie, Tobe, Timboy and I all went to church. Dick and Quint came back with Tobe for dinner here, the rest of us went to the James. In the afternoomn Tobe got Charlie Martins buggy and took Clark up to Vittoria and they had a great time, Billy Boughner brought me home and about 3 O'Clock and took Elva, Hattie and Mrs James and baby for a ride in his car, he brought Hattie and old Tim home about 5 and hattie made some sandwiches and w ehad a little tea out on the lawn. Very hot all day. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/2cebfe9dc28f66cdd49b0478521d5a99.pdf 9695d7b1697cbcf460186b6e86c70cba PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. {24th and 25th July and beginning of 26th July entries are missing - Toby is now writing the diary} up, although Dad. went out after tea and worked till Dark <s>and</s> I tested my eggs to-night and only took out seven out of the sixty three. Lila was over all the after noon and Frank went down with her to-night. Still hot. Thursday July 27th Frank raked up the alsike this morning. We were late getting around as we were delayed by one of the ram lambs we found him when we went out frothing at the mouth and bloated. Dad. shoved a long tube down his throat and that took the bloat down. When I did get out this morning I cut three of my four plots of wheat with the sickle, it took me till noon as it was mostly grass and I didn't want to get any thing but the wheat if I could help Dad. helped me cut the fourth plot after dinner, we got a fair sized sheaf of each plot. We got the binder out this morning and Frank got one round cut on the wheat field before dinner, after dinner he & Dad. finished the field and got the binder back in the barn before tea. I had to back and put Snowdrop and John out of Pickfords side hill field, they went through the culvert and we got the wheat all shocked up. To-night Frank borrowed Jack Martin's democrat and he and I took little Joe and went over to Tommy Jackson's after the bees but it was such a hot night they were hanging out on every hive so he told us we would have to wait till it was cooler. Friday July 28th We hauled hay to-day but didn't get very much done. We finished hauling off the field next the gully and west of the lane and got two and a half loads off it. We also hauled two loads off the field east of the lane. We put one load in the horse stable but that filled it up and we put the rest in the barn, it took some time to change the car. This after noon Neff. the District Representative came in to look at Frank's garden and said it was pretty good for being put in so late. Saturday July 29th Frank took the mower out this morning and started cutting the weeds on the old corn stubble https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/8987329a241a3be5ddbbc34ba5f7ab05.pdf 28205f3d5565a2e5e79c586c075d1a7a PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. he was at it all day and finished up to-night. I didn't do any thing much this morning but drove Enah and Tid. down to the L.E.&N. tracks where they embarked with the rest of the family for Scotland to attend the silver wedding anniversary of Cousin Harry & Lizzy Langs. Dad. walked down to Aunty's a little before with some cream and came up to the car wth Aunty she being the only representative from that household. All of Huby's family went but Winnie, and Cousin Clare represented the Langs portion of the family in Dover. They came back on the five o'clock car all except Huby who had to go back after his hat and who brought Clark Langs and Marion his daughter down with him on the nine o'clock car. They had a great time and a very hot day and I guess there was an army of folks there. I spent the after noon cocking hay north of the orchard but didn't finish. Roy came down to-night with the bunch from Brantford. I went down to the dance to-night. I intended going to the picture show first but ran into the Miss Dunkin's and they wanted to go to the dance right away so I went with them, we picked Clark up over there and had a hot time of it. I hardly missed a dance but it nearly killed me, the lake flies were bad too. Frank and Enah went down to the show. Another very hot day. Sunday July 30th I wwent down early this morning to see if Roy wanted to go for a swim and found him in the pond at the foot of the hill by the bridge with Vernon and Rebecca, they had an extra bathing suit so I went in with them, Aunty took Rebecca home after she had a dip, she evidently enjoyed herself immensely. I went up to Auntys with them and got dressed and then tried to go to sleep but didn't have much luck. I didn't go to church but just lay around I did get some sleep. Enah drove Joe down and I tied her up outside the house and Dick drove her home. I stayed down there and we had dinner about two o'clock and then I went up to the Park as the Miss Dunkin's said they would be there with a lunch I found them alright but Clark had missed them and gone in bathing but he found us later on https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/d49c6bac9d01411b981076c0a43a0521.pdf b098cd7950e6c6e79c7805ebea0e32b6 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. and the four of us had tea together of home made bread sandwiches and cake which the girls brought with them, after tea Miss Dunkin and I went to church and then up the creek, we didn't get back to the park till after dark quite a lot and poor Hazel was nearly wild thinking she had lost her sister, but after their happy meeting Clark and I escorted them to Faulkner's stable and saw them safely started for home. Very hot. Monday July 31st Last night was the first night it was too hot for me to sleep, and I have felt lazy to-day in consequence. Frank was pretty miserable this morning, he was very sick yesterday owing to some treatment he is undergoing at the hands of Dr. Cook. Dad. and I put off a load of hay that was on the waggon and then got in a load of wheat and put it off in the old barn. This after noon Dad. and Enah went over to the Martin's to the funeral of Dr. McGlaughlin, he died of heart failure or apoplexy or heat prostration last Friday while he was visiting up at his uncle's above Waterford. Dad. was one of the bearers. This after noon I went to sleep till Dad came home and then we got another load of hay in. Frank ran errands with Joe all morning and this after noon took the big team down to the mill and got some chop and when he came home went out and disked the old garden where it wasn't planted, he tried I think to rouse me up to some sort of action but I wouldn't rouse, to-night he and Enah planted some cucumber seed out in the old garden. Hot this morning but much cooler to-night. Tuesday August 1st We hauled hay to-day I don't remember how many loads we got in but we didn't break any records nor finish the field. To-night Frank and I went out to Tommy Jackson's and got the two hives of bees. We didn't get to bed till three o'cock and had a time getting them. I got stung a couple of times and Tommy about a dozen. It has been cooler to-day and quite cold to-night. Wednesday August 2nd (New Moon) Aunty Alice says a dry one Dad says nothing in it.) We finished hauling in hay off that field this morning, there wasn't much out there but Dad. put most of it on alone and I stayed in the barn to mow https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/20fc19a503f47559eec0fa5b94f60788.pdf d72e03ee0c2fed65027585ff9e7dbc5c PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. away as the barn is getting so full. We changed the car to the other end of the barn and filled it up so that the barn is now as full as we can fill it without wasting a lot of time. The last half load we put off after dinner. Alan Law drove in to inform us they were going to thrash to-morrow and wanted some help. When he left Frank went out and started to cut the timothy field, and Dad. and I hauled in the rest of the wheat. There were only about three jags. Aunty Alice came over to dinner and Frank went down with her after tea. I went to bed before nine. Still cooler but very dry. Thursday August 3rd Frank has cut hay all day but didn't get out very early this morning. He finished cutting the timothy and then cut the grass & weeds on the fall plowing between the wheat stubble and where Dad. replowed. He mowed over a bumblebees nest and one stung him over the eye and it swelled up so that he couldn't see out of it. This morning we waited around to see if they started thrashing over at Law's but as they showed no signs I went down town and bought a new lawn-mower with the money I got for the purpose on my birthday. Dad. sharpened the mower knives and tried to barricade the sheep out of Ivey's. Jack Martin borrowed our rack to haul in wheat. When I came home Dad & I spudded some of the buckhorn around on the lawn. This after noon we went over and helped thrash Law's wheat. Dad. filled bags and I pitched on in the field with Eph. Innes. Sam had his two teams there and his own and Pickford's rack and had Colin & Lloyd Ryerse driving teams and {Lat?} Robinson was there with his team and rack. We finished up about five o'clock and he only got 78 bushels off the 8 acres. It looked and felt very like rain this morning but didn't. The forest fires are again raging up in Northern Ontario or were a day or two ago. Two or three villages have been wiped out and about four hundred people killed. Friday August 4th This morning I raked up the timothy as Frank's eye being tight shut he couldn't see properly and said he couldn't see straight. He fixed his wheel and then helped Dad. bunch up the alsike https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/58f1f11f41a74cef8df8de3d49111a72.pdf 1c1ebe070ec3172247aeec26db0baaa2 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Enah spent most of the day picking blackcurrants out in the old garden. Frank went down town after dinner and got the mail which contained an invitation for me to a party at Mrs. Hobbes this evening. This after noon we greased the waggon and got in one load of alsike and put it off over the granary in the old barn. To-night I went down to Mrs. Hobbes and tried to play five hundred with Miss Prest, Miss {Keenan?} & Lewis Woodson. Ida, Miss Cowdry, Miss Bain & Miss Buckwell and Geo. Clark were playing bridge. Douglas Skey came in about eleven o'clock and young Robinson a brother of Ellies came in about midnight. Bessie Lawrie was also there. We weren't very late. Hot and dry but breezy. Saturday August 5th It just rained enough this morning to keep us from getting out at the alsike for an hour or so. Dad. and I went out and blocked up some more holes under the fence where the sheep get through on to Ben Ivey's. We then started to thrash some of my wheat out as they wanted the report to-day if possible. Dad. thought it would be too tough to flail out so we did it with our hands It was an awful job It took us till noon to rub out and clean one sheaf the Banatka. I don't think we got as much seed back as we sowed but it was nice quality. This after noon we hauled in two loads of alsike but it bulks up so it hardly makes a hole in the field. To-night I went down to Aunty's and went for a swim in the creek and then up to the dance and had quite a time. Quint was there and was very anxious to go to Vittoria to-morrow to see the Miss Robinson's that are there from B.C. so he drove up with the Dunkin girls and I don't know whether he stayed there all night or not. I think he intended to. I rode up with them pretty nearly to Peter Bougner's and then walked home getting here about two o'clock or soon after. Hot. Sunday August 6th We didn't get up till late this morning but Enah and I got ready in time to drive down to church. Dick came over to dinner and we had some great ice cream that Enah & Frank made with https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/81189101cbf4120dc3aaf44951eb2e0c.pdf e57f7bdb16eb91e99a7f0670056f7d4b PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Quanbury's freezer. This after noon Dad. and I were to have gone out to Tommy Jackson's but Dad. felt sick and it was so hot we didn't go. I did some chores and then went to sleep, and didn't go anywhere but to bed to-night. I took 17 chicks out of the incubator to-day only 11 black ones and had to kill one of them It was a very poor hatch I think I must have put too much water in the machine. Frank went out on his wheel to view rhe ruins of Lige. Farr's big barn this after noon It was burned to the ground night before last. Very hot. Life scarcely worth living this weather. Monday August 7th We didn't get on very well to-day just got in two loads of alsike and pitched off three, but Dad. felt very miserable all day and this after noon he didn't come out to help us put on the load but helped put it off. The wind was also pretty strong which made it hard pitching. We have the mow so full now that we are not going to try to put any more in. We will have to stack the rest of the hay & alsike unless we put a little in the old shed at the other barn. Much cooler to-day. Tuesday August 8th I woke up about three o'clock this morning and was so hot I couldn't get anything like comfortable. I heard it thundering and it seemed to be raining a little so as I heard Frank who was sleeping on a cot out on the lawn stirring around I got up and helped him move it to the hall. There was a little breeze coming from the West so I put the sheepskin down in front of the hall door and lay down there. I flounced around till I got pretty well off the mat on to the floor oilcloth which though cool was not very springy or soft and finally went to sleep with a faint breeze fanning me and a sort of drizzle coming in the screen door. Before morning I got so cooled off that I went back to bed and later even covered myself up. Dad. tried four different beds and then didn't get very comfortable so we spent a rather restless night. Dad. has felt a little better to-day but Frank has been completely knocked out and been in the house all day. The little rain we had although it didn't ammount to any more than a dew stopped us from hauling for a while so Dad. and I thrashed and cleaned https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/fa8b3e26b23d063e5b79b9aeb8bd8c6e.pdf 617ea5480421ff08d93d9d00413ba038 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. the rest of my wheat. We cleaned up the old barn floor and spread the binder canvas down and Dad. thrashed it with a flail. It didn't take nearly so long and we were surprised at how clean we got it. We got the last one done after dinner and I filled up the report. I found the Imperial Amber was the best, Banatka next but with soft straw American Banner next and our own Common mixed poorest as far as yield in lbs. went but it wasn't a good test as the flats never did well and I am going to try it again; our wheat had quite a little ball smut in it but we didn't see any in what came from Guelph, it was all treated. It was getting on to three o'clock when we got through and we both felt like a holiday as Frank couldn't help us so we went out to Tommy Jackson's. We found Tommy running around with a broken single tree as some one had bought his waggon and double trees and he had to fix a new outfit up before he could haul in any more hay or oats. He was rigging up a waggon out of the {illegible} of an old seperator but stopped to show us his stuff and he certainly has a pile of it a lot of it just implements which he intends to fix over in the remaining years of his life some ime, but every thing he has made or fixed has been done properly, he is a crack workman and aparently knows the secrets of all crafts. When we came to the harness Dad. found he was just too late to get a dandy set of double harness, which Tommy said had taken four sides of leather to make it and was all handmade. It was old but not a strap broken on it and far better now than our harness was when we got it but Lige. Farr had bought it yesterday for eighteen dollars. Dad. was bewailing his hard luck in this and Tommy told him he had a set of single harness in the house which couldn't be beaten anywhere. It also was all handmade but not so old but Tommy said he didn't want to lose more than about eight dollars on it as he had only used it once or twice and he figured it had cost him about sixty dollars. Dad. at first wasn't going to look at it as he said he couldn't afford to pay forty five dollars, Tommy's price but Tommy brought it down from upstairs, and when Dad. saw it and thought that with care it would last https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/9680d7c61a29de05a2519966bbb4c685.pdf 1bc09eff512cc97e106f93044490ac95 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. a lifetime, while an ordinary one will only be good for about ten years, he at last promised Tommy his price, Tommy said he could have it for six months without intrest and at five percent after that as long as he liked. It was a beauty Tommy had selected all the leather himself and said it was the best oak-tanned leather that could be had, he had also cut out the patterns Every ring and buckle on it is stamped solid nickel so it is a beauty or will be when it is cleaned up. Dad. told me afterwards he would give it to me for a 21st birthday present, so now with Queen and it I will be pretty nicely hooked up and I am going to take the old buggy to Simcoe as soon as I get a chance to have it fixed. We didn't get away from there till six o'clock so were late getting through with the chores. Cooler to-day. Wednesday August 9th We were all morning nearly this morning getting a load of hay but Dad. discovered Jim prostrated down in the gully very bloated and so punctured her, he said he let out a lot of gas and just saved old Jim's life. {Toby's father takes up the diary} for a little while at least. Tobe fell asleep at this stage so I will try and write this up to date. I no sooner finished with Jim than I discovered John going through the fence into the oats so I had to go and get her out and fix the fence, we hauled hay the rest of the day. Pretty hot and dry. Thursday 10th I forgot to enter in yesterday's diary that we went back at night and got Franks bees down out of the tree and brought them up, we took Jim a pail of water and some hay. Today we hauled hay and had to stack it and gathering it out of the windrow is a low. Whit Dixon came along in the forenoon and delayed us some time buying the steers he bought my two for $135.00 and Tobys for $52.50 or 7 cts per lb if he comes to more than that. It looks like rain tonight. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/b203afef6200f731d57abda8bcaf2743.pdf ee26e2102bf9f9175b414755c34c3078 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Friday August 11th We did intend cutting oats this morning but it looked so much like rain that we hauled hay and fixed our stack up it did sprinkle a few drops. After dinner we went at the oats Frank and I went back with the binder and Toby went back the lane to take Jim a drink he found poor old Jim past wanting water she was dead so we turned out early and as soon as Frank got up with the team he went over and got Ben Iveys stoneboat and after tea Toby went over to the old garden to dig her grave and Frank and I went back and got her after taking the hide off her and and putting her in and filling up the grave it was 12.30. It was a very cool night and I had a horrible toothache. {Toby resumes the diary} Saturday August 12th We got back at the oats this morning about nine o'clock, and Frank finished cutting at one I shocked up but had to go back to the house once to turn the windmill out. Dad went around with Frank most of the time but helped me shock up for awhile and after they got the binder loaded and Frank got started. It was about two o'clock when we left the field and after three when we had dinner. Dad then got dressed up and went down to Bill Lemon's to get his tooth fixed up but he found Bill just about loaded. He was up in the office and Sam {Fick?} was trying to get him to eat something. He could just mumble to Dad. that he couldn't fix his tooth to-day as he was "sh shick", so Dad. had to come home still suffering. Frank house cleaned the shop this after noon and I went to sleep. To-night Frank and I went down to Aunty's and had a swim in the creek, and Frank went up to get any mail tnat happened to be there. I was going up town but it began to rain so I stayed at Aunty's all night. Frank rode home on his wheel. It was a nice rain and lasted pretty well all through the night. Aunty Alice was up trying to telephone Vernon to find out how Roy was he has been suffering from indigestion, but couldn't get much satisfaction as the lines weren't working right and she had to talk to Vernon through the operator but found out Roy was better. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/c305ca83bbd7da9dca62a5c052b3ce9d.pdf 449d3fc4eaeebb4cf4ce9d180305886a PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Sunday August 13th I walked home this morning right after breakfast, but Dad. had most of the chores done, I just fed the chickens. Frank and I walked back down again to church, after which Aunty and Aunty Alice came over with me to dinner. Aunt Iday went to Port Rowan the night before last for a short visit with Miss Wood and it gives Aunty and Aunty Alice a chance to both get out at once. Frank came over with Dick and they picked Cousin Clair came up and she came over too. Mr. James was over this after noon. I hung around here till about four o'clock and then went down town. I bummed around with Pud. Slocomb till six o'clock and then went up to Huby's to tea. I saw the Miss Dunkin's this after noon and they said they were going to church to-night so Pud and I went too and for a walk afterwards We had quite a lot of fun but Mrs. Dunkin was down too so we couldn't stay long. The girls came down this morning with Mr. Johnson in his car and {then he?} drove down to take them home to-night. Dad's tooth was so bad this after noon that he went down to Dr. Smith's to-night and got him to pull it. It has been much cooler to-day. Monday August 14th Frank and I went to Simcoe this morning as the oats were a little too wet to haul from Saturday's rain. We got started about ten o'clock to take the old buggy up to Joe Coates to get fixed up and Frank wanted to go to Brook's to look at their suits. We met Win. down at the corner coming over to the farm so took her along with us to Simcoe. We went pretty slowly on account of the old buggy being in such a critical condition and it was getting on to noon when we arrived in town. We went first to {Name?} tannery with old Jim's hide but only got six dollars for it. We then went up to Coates and just caught him before he left in his car for Brantford. He told us he would put new rims on, set the tires, fix the top and paint it for a little under $20.00, so we were very pleased as we thought it would come higher than that without the painting which is eight dollars, but when we got home Dad. said he thought it would need new tires so I wrote to tell him. We then went down town to do our shopping but discovered it was Simcoe's civic holiday and every thing was closed up, however we got some thing to eat in at Lea's and some hay for Joesie at Burt's. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/a278c57d2533f35fc6ca540121813431.pdf d411cd32bd2b39848f8157883e8a267d PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. We then went over to the L.E.& N. station as Frank and Win had to come down on the car. They missed the one o'clock car but for some reason or other another went down at half past one so they took it. I brought the little saddle up in the buggy so rode Joe home. I didn't come very fast, but got home before Frank, who had been down town some place. When he got home, he Dad. & the baby went out with the waggon and cleaned up the rubbish around the old garden and the fence bottom between the corner field and the one north of it while I cut some of the thistles in the pasture field. This morning Dad, Enah and the baby went back to the woods and picked berries and Dad. shocked up some of the down oats. Nice day, cooler. Tuesday August 15th We hauled two or three loads of oats to-day and upset the first load on the side hill. It was a very neat upset waggon and all went and put the half load of oats we had on in a nice heap but didn't break a thing. Wednesday August 16th We finished hauling our oats out to-day. We hadn't much of a harvest, the oats and barley were good though what we had I think there were only five loads altogether and they together with the wheat just come up to the second {beam?} in the old barn. I am not writing this account very fully as it is over a week ago now since I wrote last. Frank took the mower back and finished cutting the weeds over {there?} on the fall plowing. Thursday August 17th Dad. had to go over this morning and help Pickford thrash and was over there all day but they didn't do much all morning something was broken. Frank and I & the baby went down town in the waggon and got a load of sawdust for Queen's boxstall some provisions a cedar post to put the mail box on and the mail box. We spent all the after noon dressing the post and putting up the mail box but made a good job of it. The only trouble was they had the name stencilled the name on the box with just one r. which made Dad. furious. I got a cwt of stuff from Charlie Ivey to-day to crate fatten some chickens I have to make a crate https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/6c0518c75fa8645d350256e081b84c25.pdf 4c6e96c9f1f5aa7e1f98a1bead118ab0 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. {Toby's father takes up the diary} Friday August 18th Frank and I went to Pickfords to help him finish his Alsike, he was in a terrible state with his cracked ribs. We finished about 10-30, he had a little more than 6 bags. I came home as soon as we were done and Frank went to the creek for a swim. Hot and dry still, in the afternoon we hauled hay and put it up over the shed. Saturday August 19th {Bow------?} are having their picnic in Simcoe today. We hauled hay in the forenoon and had a small load to haul after dinner then Frank and I burned weeds on the old corn ground. We put up two bees next to Tobe and he got 3 stings and has a lovely eye, he and Frank went down town in the evening. It has been very hot and no sign of rain. Sunday August 20th Toby and Frank went to church the rest of us stayed home. Dick came over before the others he did not go to church. {Name?} and Alice came to dinner and in the afternoon Elva and Byron came over. The boys all went of after dinner. Grl Hausker brought Elva over and Dick went back with him. Toby took Quint to Vittoria {Toby resumes the diary} in Charlie Martin's buggy. It was late when we got started and arrived at the Dunkin's just a little before six but we told them last night we wouldn't be up early. We had tea then went for a walk down to the mill and sang songs. When we came back we lay out on the lawn till about one o'clock and then Quint and I came home and Quint slept and I dozed most of the way home. Monday August 21st Frank and I went down in the waggon and got a load of slabs as well as some other things. It took us all morning. Dad. shined up the nickelon my new https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/226d2d824fba4a5dc99725dc862d1342.pdf 447d40fdb6c261cb0fe6b21d9c151da3 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. harness. This afternoon Frank and Dad. burned the weeds on the old corn stubble and I worked some more at my chicken fattening crate. Huby came over and got Dad. to go down to tea with him and cut the tails of his two field spaniel pups which he got from some fellow in St. Thomas. We did up the chores and then Frank and I went down town. I stayed down at Aunty's all night so as to get started at seven thirty our picnic in the morning Terribly hot & oppressive. Tuesday August 22nd I got down to the dock at half past seven this morning and we waited around till nearly eight for some one else to come as {Name?} said Miss McInnes telephoned him that there were two to go from here at last Pud. Slocomb came along, Frances had brought him an invitation from the church concert last night. We picked the main picnic about twenty up at Port Ryerse and went from there over to the East End Lighthouse. I don't know how long it took us or at what time any of our proceedings took place but we had our dinner as soon as we got there and after that Cook the lightouse keeper showed us all around we went to the top of the lighthouse and saw the revolving light which is a wonderful bit of work especially the lens or prisms which throw the light so far. He also blew the foghorn for us and explained the wind velocity register. We all went to his house and signed our names. On our way back we stopped at the Anderson property and went in there for a few minutes. There was quite a sea on coming home and some of the elder ladies felt a little sick but we managed to get to Port Ryerse without any great trouble. The two Dunkin girls were very anxious to come down to Dover with Pud and me, go to the show and let Pud take us back to Vittoria but their mother objected and as she was sick they didn't like to do it. We got home about eight and had a dandy day. It was very hot here they say. Wednesday August 23rd Dad. and I finished building my fattening crate this morning Dad. nearly finished it yesterday. Old Felix came over to fix the suckers in the pump as it hasn't been working properly lately and Frank https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/a7b1b235082ef86abca7c9c05b3b7748.pdf c63489914aa19eb8b86ad81c6b47b299 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. told him on Sunday he had better come and have a look at it. He was here till after twelve so had dinner. He put new suckers in but I don't know that it works much better. It throws a better stream but has to be primed. This after noon we went back and burned the weeds that Frank had cut on the piece which wasn't plowed but the fire would run on the fall plowing it was to thin. John Wess was plowing in his back field and said it was pretty hard. Cooler to-day. Thursday August 24th Dad. and Frank took two teams back this morning Frank to mow the weeds in the back field and Dad to rake them up on the fall plowing. I went back to open the gate for Dad. as he had the little team on the rake and couldn't leave them. When I got up behind the barn on my way back I heard a car honk and saw someone in the lane so when I got up I found it was Miss Herring and her cousin Miss Bain in a car belonging to a Mr. Harvey who brought them over. They had come to invite me to a picnic this after noon at Fisher's Glen and said they had been here ever so long but couldn't find anyone about the place. I told them I would be delighted to go at half past one so I had to hustle around to get ready, but got down alright in time. They were going in Harry Smith's launch and were just debating whether there would be too much sea or not as there was quite a breeze from the south west. However after every one arrived we all piled in and got out about as far as the breakwater and found there was quite a sea a couple of waves splashed up against the bow window and drenched all the ones in the bow of the boat and several of the ladies and they say Col. Smith were very frightened so we turned back. Harry could have taken us he said but thought under the circumstances it was the best thing to do. When we got back to dock there was quite a time deciding what to do next. Col. Smith, Jack Martin & Mr. Hobbes wanted to go up creek for the rest of the picnic but Lewis, Miss Herring and the rest who got it up wanted to get cars and go to Port Ryerse. Mr. Harvey offered to take two loads in his car and went and got it Lewis & Miss Herring went up to get Faulkner's but although the car was there they couldn't find Al. In the meantime Col. Smith had made arrangements with Harry Ansley for one of his flat bottomed pound net boats and a couple of the fishermen had gone over and got it and fixed it up https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/1ddf3ab69398ae66a50a6c769af0d652.pdf 66a6c423b00be987cebf8ae1b7bbd31f PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. with clean new fish boxes for seats so when Mr. Harvey arrived with his car and the others of the Port Ryerse faction they thought every thing was now settled for their wishes to be carried out and so it would have been but Col. Smith kicked and said those that wanted to could go but he was going up creek so to avoid any further trouble Mr. Harvey took his car back and we all went up creek. Dad. Brook and another fisherman took us up and called for us again at seven. They left us at the far end of the straight water at Will Smith's place and we had a dandy time. Two or three of us fished before tea but had no luck except Louise Herring who caught a mudcat and threw it back. Col. Smith and Jack Martin built a fire in an old stump and cooked a dandy supper fried eggs and bacon and hot coffee. We all ate enough to kill us. After tea we played Nuts <s>and</s> in May and had a lot of fun. I got yanked all over the place Lewis Woodson was champion he pulled them all but Jack Martin. He pulled Col. Smith over and so did Jack which made the Col. very mad. Mr. Hobbes had a headache but took several pictures of us and one of Miss Cope or her leg while she was lying down behind a log to dry out after her sousing with the waves. At supper the Col. said "Well I got soaked in that launch but I daren't tell you where" and Miss Cope said " Oh I know where, I got it in the same place." On<s>t</s> the way back the batteries played out and the engineer had to get out and tow us. It was pretty hard work and slow till Lewis got out and helped him row. When we got to town we all but Miss Prest and the Cowdry's went to the picture show and saw Granstork. Lewis and I went home with Miss Bain & Miss Herring and I got home about a quarter past twelve. Tom brought me up the creamcan full of buttermilk to-day and I started feeding fifteen cockerels. Friday August 25th Frank finished mowing the field of weeds this morning and this after noon cut the little side hill across the ditch from the oat stubble. Dad. disked witht the big team till Frank finished mowing and then Frank went on and disked and Dad. brought the little team up through the gully and Frank brought the mower up with him at six. Dad. cut weeds with the scythe after he came up and went back at six to help Frank out of the gates https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/7995bbbd0b092cbeeeb94afe44777129.pdf 966865d4d7bd7d620af3891ccb53ef75 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. with the mower. I just chored around and tried to pull buckhorn out of the lawn this afternoon and did a little raking. This morning the baby and I went down to Aunty's and cut her corn that has all the ears picked off it and made one shock of it. We stayed there to dinner. It hasn't been quite so hot to-day. Saturday August 26th Frank has been disking all day on the oat stubble. They came to the conclusion that the fall plowing was too hard in spots. Dad. mowed the pig weed which comes up thick in the garden and a very even crop they were and also cut the weeds in the plum orchard. I raked up a little on the lawn and when he got through with the team I hooked to the waggon and went back and borrowed John Wess' cement anchor post mould and am going to try at put a few up next week while Dad. & Frank are working on the land or drawing out manure. This after noon Dad. and I dug one hole. We did it with John's spud and spoon and made it five feet deep but it took a long time. To-night Enah's brother and his whole family came in in a car. Mr. & Mrs James & Steward stayed here all night but Jean, Adelena and Fred Johnson who was with them stayed down town at the James. Cooler and cloudy to-day. Sunday August 27th All hands went to church this morning. We all went down in Mr. Jame's car although it was quite a squeeze and Dad. was scared half to death. After church he went up to cut the tail of another pup Huby got from the same litter as his first two. I stayed down at Aunty's for dinner and the rest all went over in the car and also Winnie and Miss McAlpine a friend of hers from Caledonia. Jean and Adelena went over too but Mrs. James stayed down at the old James and Mr. James brought the car back and stayed there to dinner. Dick wasn't in church but walked over and was <s>t</s>here when the bunch arrived. They said he didn't get down town till about four o'clock this after noon, then they all went down except Dad. who had to keep his eye on the sleeping baby When I got home long after six Dad. was just getting out to do chores as the baby had just wakend up and he daren't leave him before. The others didn't come home till about ten o'clock I guess and Dad. the baby https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/5f2ad37508ddbcdabe6f052ab08cbf20.pdf 047b531a7aa7e06bb528b3c85831a3bf PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. and I had our tea alone. Jean and Adelena came back with them to-night. I had a very nice after noon Went over to the Herring's cottage and found that Miss Bain, Miss Whitney, Lewis Woodson & Douglas Skey had walked to Port Ryerse for a picnic and Louise had gone part way with them but was coming back so I went down and met her just a little way up with the little Cook girl. We came back and went down town to call on Ada. She wasn't home when we first went up but we sat down and she appeared presently so we spent the rest of the after noon there. I stopped in at Aunty Alice's on my way home and got some corn. I also rat across Uncle Ward on my way home and he showed me his different potato patches which are as clean as a whistle but nothing on them. We didn't make any arrangements for a hay load party this after noon as Louise has hay fever and says she wont be able to go but insists upon us having it. Cooler to-day we had quite a shower this morning. Monday August 28th ( <s>)</s> "Another dry moon" says Aunty Alice though still scoffed at by Dad.) The automobile party left here about eight or a little after they didn't get away quite as soon as they had hoped and had to go down town I suppose to pick up Fred. We were late getting out and Dad. and I went out to our anchor posts again while Frank cleaned some perch he got from Mrs. Quanbury. We spent most of the morning getting the stakes lined up to suit us as we were in a sort of a quandry what to line to or sight from, but at last we started to sink the holes and trust to luck at having them straight. Charlie Ivey and Bob. Leitch were out on the road fixing the hole in the road over the culvert. This after noon Frank and I took Joe and Belle down town on the waggon to get some cement and a couple of 7/8 inch rods for reinforcement to the anchor posts. They were nine feet long and cost us 85 cts apiece the cement was $1.55 a bbl {barrel}, so we figured the posts would come pretty high when we got them built. When we got home we went over to Art. Quanbury's and got his flat rack to mix our cement on. Dad. started out after dinner to plow but had to change the shear on his plow and spent most of the after noon getting the old shear off so didn't get back till about four o'clock or half past. He got a few rounds plowed but says it is very hard but not the least bit bumpy. Quite cold this morning & night. Cool all day. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/43fa05b9305960cb4d63dadff13c49d2.pdf a7aeec708a8c675e4139b158411cbfdb PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Tuesday August 29th Dad. has been plowing all day. Frank and I put up one anchor post. We didn't get started till about nine o'clock and didn't know what sized batches of grout to mix up so it took us till after one to get the thing finished. We didn't like to leave till we had dinner for fear the two batches wouldn't knit together. We used nearly a bag and a half of cement which Dad. thought was too much but he asked John Wess and he said that was about what he used. Dad. came out at noon and helped us finish. Art. Quanbury stopped on his way to and from the farm to make a few suggestions. He thought the reinforcing was too expensive and thought that pipe posts which could be got for 26 cts apiece and were 7 ft long would do as well but John Wess didn't think they could be much account at that price. Dad. saw him this after noon. Art. also thought that stubs in the ground for braces instead of full length posts would be just as good but John Wess says not for him. He says if it is not wired from the top of the brace posts it is bound to give a little at the bottom when the ground is soft and an inch give at the bottom gives enough at the top to let the fence go slack, so I guess if we want to be sure of things we hadn't better try to cut down expence. This after noon Frank and I put down or nearly did two more holes. We didn't get started till late as we were doing chores. Cooler. Wednesday August 30th We ran the binder out of the barn this morning and Dad. helped us try to get all the sheep in the barn to separate the rams from the rest of the flock but they didn't want to go in the barn so we left them till noon and Dad. went back and plowed and Frank and I went out and took the mould off our anchor post and spent a good part of the morning admiring it. It certainly looks fine but we won't be able to stretch the wire to it for a year yet and I know I will be scared stiff then for fear it will break. Lewis Woodson came over while we were at it and invited me down to Supper to-night. Aunty, Aunty Alice and Cousin Clare all came over to dinner. Frank and I spent the remainder of the forenoon gathering the https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/6be672ddeb27bd83de9ceca7d1dea812.pdf 3368acb78d82f8e0f019dfd41df40a8a PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. burs out of the orchard so that the sheep wouldn't get them in their wool. After dinner we managed to get the sheep in the barn and separated the rams and put them over in the orchard. We had all the "women folks" out helping us and then had quite a time of it. Dad. didn't get started back till about three but plowed till six. After he went back Frank and I put up a gate at the end of the orchard in to the lane so that the sheep could run on the wheat stubble and old {meadow?} but not get under the bars. Frank then went down town to get a plow shear sharpened and I cut the weeds in the front lane and some thistles in the sheep pasture I quit a five and got ready and went down to the Woodson's for tea. Louise Herring and Amy Bain were there so I had a very pleasant time. We had a game of croquet before tea and afterwards all went down to the picture show and then around with the girls to the cottage where we had watermelon and cake and joked around till twelve o'clock. Cooler to-day and quite cold to-night. Thursday August 31st Ben Ivey was over last night to get Dad. to<s>o</s> look at a lame sow, and said he wanted to get some help for the next two weeks to get his work all finished and then he is going back on the road for the winter, so Frank went over this morning to pick tomatoes for him. Dad. went over to see his sow and says she seems to have sprained both of her front fetlocks. Ben knew it was some thing like that as she did it going down the hill at the gully. One of our ram lambs got back with the ewes out of the orchard and I put him back but I couldn't find out where he escaped. Dad. went back and plowed till noon and I deepened one of our anchor post holes enough to build the post although I didn't put it down the full five feet. It took me long enoug to put it down six inches more. I also got sand enough measured out to make a batch of grout to fill the hole to ground level. This after noon Frank had to go back to Ben's for awhile so Dad. helped me put up another post and it took us all the after noon. Tommy Jackson and Lorne came along and talked for an hour. Tommy said we were very foolish to pay such a price for our centre rods that we could get angle posts just as good and strong for thirty cents. He also told https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/67a80caf30ba8c9e34d7d174ac7978ca.pdf 0d65ad59fd196537524109f9e1bed22a PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. us to be sure to keep the post well watered. Frank got through at Ben's early as Ben went to Brantford and so Frank borrowed his rack and went down and got eight more bags of cement. He and I went out after tea and loosened the nuts on the mould as John Wess said it would warp if we didn't. Cold nights & hot day. Friday September 1st Frank worked at Ben's all day raking (with our rake) and hauling & stacking clover seed. Dad. plowed this forenoon and I went out and took the moulds off our post and deepened the other hole for the brace post. This after noon Dad and I put it in. We made it tall like John Wess said but Dad. and I had a hot argument about it. He was bound that with a stub in the ground and a wire from the top of it to the bottom of the anchor post and a brace from the top of the anchor post to the top of the stub or the same point as the wire went that the anchor post would give more at the top than at the bottom if the stick gave at all in soft ground {Toby has sketched a drawing of his description} and I was bound that it couldn't, if it came at all it had to come at the bottom as at the top because if the top gave an inch the brace would free the stub an inch at the point where the wire bore on it and that would free the wire an inch over at the stub and unless it stretched which I don't think it does it would pull it an inch at the anchor post and as it is fastened to the bottom of the anchor post it would have to come an inch with it and yet the top couldn't come more than an inch on account of the brace. It looked plain enough to me but Dad. had got some idea in his head that as a thing always moves faster at the top than at the bottom the anchor post would have to cant if it moved at all and I couldn't convince him any other way. We argued most of the dinner away and all the time we each knew we couldn't convince the other and that if we did the other wouldn't admit it so we finally quit. I went down town to-night to see Helen Dunkin who with her mother is keeping house at the Rectory while Mr. & Mrs Johnson is away on his holidays. It rained a little shower and wet things up a little so I stayed at Aunty's all night. Saturday September 2nd Frank worked at Ben's all day and Dad. plowed but didn't quite finish as he didn't get out till about three https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/3e5a8abf21f46d83047ef3170aefbff8.pdf 7fb4df900fa24fbb99c62fb999444812 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. {This is a repeat of the previous page}. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/2d859e3ba073a4890ee3a721085707da.pdf 71c3244eaf3d1a0e67f62370371e7fec PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. o'clock after dinner. I didn't get home this morning till about eight or after and by the time I got my clothes changed and some chores done it was getting pretty late to start anything. I went out and wet down the three anchor posts and then decided to get Dad. to help me carry out a gate to measure the proper distance between the next post we are going to build and the first one we built, so I didn't start another post hole but went back to where Dad. was plowing and on over to where John Wess was hauling out manure with his new Massey-Harris low down manure spreader, he says he likes it to load much better than the high ones but I don't believe it spreads as well as it has an endless apron and no tailboard to hold the manure up to the beater. I started the argument with him about the brace posts and he explained it satisfactorly by saying the wire would stretch, which I didn't know and of course it is easily seen that there is not nearly the strain on the wire when<s>t</s> it is fastened to the long brace post on at the top as when it is fastened to the stub because as Dad. said the natural tendency for the brace post would {Toby has sketched a drawing of his description} be to move faster at the top than at the bottom but it can't with out taking the bottom of the anchor post with it. This after noon Dad. and I took the gate out and meausred between the posts and as we were putting it back Whit Dixon came in and talked for quite awhile. He told us that Bagley & Miller had their store advertised for sale in the "Globe". When he went Dad went back to plow and I did a few chores then caught three of Jack Martin's roosters and took them home. The fourth one was out in the field somewhere so I didn't take him. From there I went down to the mill to ask Charlie Ivey the address of Silverwoods Lmtd. to ship my crate fattened chickens to. When I got back from there I caught the little ram lamb which had got with the ewes and took him up with the others after first practising a little trimming on him I didn't improve his appearance much this time but maybe another operation will. I went down town to-night and got my hair cut. Nice day but almost frosty to-night. Sunday September 3rd We all went to church this morning, Loudon & Jack Ivey came over just before church in their car to have Dad. look at Jack's dog again which has distemper and which Dad. doesn't think will recover. They took Dad. Enah & Tid down in the car. Sam Law was in too just before they left to see if https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/d10b0bc95bcc208e96625037c8224840.pdf fa2381d0baeb6f227e00b0711eeb4da0 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. we wanted to thrash this week but Dad. didn't think we could get ready. Frank and I walked down to church. Cousin Willie officiated as Mr. Johnson is away on his holidays. Every body expressed great delight at the service and I didn't go to sleep during ther sermon. Zeitha Barwell was there for the first time this summer I think and sang a solo. She and I made arrangements for a ride to-night. The Dunkin girls were there and wanted me to go over there this after noon I wasn't very anxious to but said I would go for a while. Aunty and Aunty Alice came over to dinner and Dick was here when we got home, he slept too late to get to church and was disappointed as he wanted to hear Zeitha sing. He and I went down to-gether after dinner and I fooled around with the Dunkins for an hour or more and got home about five. I wanted to get up to Barwell's about six but Winnie and her two friends from Caledonia Miss McAlpine & Miss Lyons were here to tea so that delayed us a little and by the time we got the milking done, our horses saddled and up there it was seven o'clock Frank rode Joe up as Zeitha hasn't a horse of her own now to ride and I thought it would be awkward leading Joe. Frank waited there with Bill till we came back. It was after dark but there was a week old moon and it was cool so we had a great ride down the Radical as far as the town limit and then back up to the brick schoolhouse and accross to the Gravel and down to the Barwell's. We went rather slowly so it was pretty late when Frank and I got home. He and Bill had been back to the Cadet Camp on Fred. Duan's place Frank had been up there this after noon. Nice cool day. Monday September 4th - Labor Day. Dad. and Enah both felt rather tough to-day for some reason or other. They had colds and sore throats, the baby wasn't very well either. This morning Dad. and I went along the east side of the lane and tried to fix the fence at the bottom so that the rams couldn't get under. I then took the other rooster of to Jack Martins and went in to borrow Charlie's buggy for Dad. Charlie was knocked out too. To-day was the first anniversary of the Shand's school reunion of Mrs. Dolly Smith's pupils and all the people in the section got an invitation. Dad. and Enah were going but didn't know what time it was till Meritt Walker came in <s>and</s> on his way out to get Dad's advice about a horse with an colic and said they were to meet out there at eleven o'clock, and have https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/bc63ee4c9f344ab4a47b9b5d26ea014b.pdf 999023d759d135a75a2ada1927b798f2 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. dinner at twelve. It was too late then for them to go to dinner but Dad. thought they would go out after noon so I took Joe over and got Charlie's buggy but by the time they got there it was nearly over - and all they could do was to say Hello! to everybody, but they went on out to the Shands for tea and all evening so had a good time I guess. Frank spent the morning digging at another post hole and this after noon he filled up the hole in the stable floor back of Joe with cement while I pulled the burrs along the lane fence and wet down the anchor posts. We then stretched barbed wire along the top of the fence on the west side of the front lane between the drivehouse and the road where old Harry. bent the fence over leaning over it. After we did chores and had tea Frank hiked for bed as he has to work for Ben to-morrow but I waited till the rest came home. Tuesday September 5th I got up at five this morning but as Dad. didn't feel very well I got the cows and milked. Frank had to work over at Ben's to-day picking and sorting tomatoes. Dad. didn't feel much like working but did chores and oiled up the manure spreader but we didn't get out with it before dinner. I took Charlie Martin's buggy back with out hooking up to it and then came back and harnessed the team and went down to the mill to get a couple of bags of hay feed. This after noon I started a compost heap between loads and we got out six loads of manure on the corner field. Lila was over after school and got a lot of Frank's old school books. Hot to-day and looks very like rain. Flys very bad. Wednesday September 6th We didn't get started hauling manure till about ten o'clock this morning on account of chores and getting a late start, so we only got out ten loads all day. Dad. didn't feel very well either. Frank was over at Ben's all day. Ben<s>t</s> took a load of tomatoes to Hagersville this morning and got 35 cts a basket for them on the market. There are about 3 baskets in a bushel. Frank was all alone over there this morning. I went on with my compost heap and did odd jobs between loads. Art. Quanbury was in at noon to borrow the post auger to make some anchor post holes he wants to put in some cement posts He brought it back to-night and said the ground was too hard. Hot. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/5ea43b87c7146aed3325d77cd3cda585.pdf 6d86c6c94203904597a7cd625683a67c PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Thursday September 7th We got a fairly good start this morning but only got out thirteen loads all day. I just chored around between loads. Tom Abbot was late coming for the cream this morning, he said he had been up at Charlie McQueens. He says it is a happy bunch Charlie has just got back from the {Fair?} and they have more whiskey than they have water. Charlie is full as a goose and Bruce is full they're all full, but the womans and Tom says if he'd stayed any longer he'd have been full. Frank has been over at Ben's all day. About six o'clock we had a great old rain next thing to a cloud burst we all got soaked to the skin, but were glad to see it. I went down town to-night and went up to see Marj. she and Glad. Law got back safely. I then went up to Huby's to see Quint all the soldiers came home to-night on a six day leave Quint and I went down to look at the dance The London Harpers were down but their train was late and there was a very small crowd I suppose owing to the wet night and the lateness of the season This was the last dance We didn't go in but saw Joe Thompson and Helen Dunkin outside and talked to them for quite awhile and then all four of us went up to the Rectory where Helen is all alone and were there till nearly one. It began to rain again about midnight and was raining when we left. I stayed all night at Aunty's. Friday September 8th I came home by the mill this morning as I left my umbrella up at Huby's last night and borrowed one from Helen Dunkin so returned hers and got ours and came home around the other way as it is just about as short from Huby's. I haven't done a tap all day. Aunty and Aunty Alice were over to dinner and all the after noon I had a nasty pain so just lay around on the sofa. Dad. went back with the big team and disked on the fall plowing and said it worked fine except for the grass. I went back about five o'clock and got the cows Zeitha came down to-night for a ride but I couldn't go with her but Frank went and they had a great time. It was a beautiful cool moonlight night. Zeitha stayed here all night. Frank worked all day for Ben. Cloudy and cool all day. Saturday September 9th Dad. has been disking all day but didn't quite get over https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/e3936e6c326eb59c95876225583774ae.pdf df61f3fffd24535a28fc733df1b5df1c PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. the piece. Ben Ivey was over with one of his horses this morning which has a very bad case of Fistulas Withers Dad. opened it for him but says he is afraid the horse is ruined I took Joe and Belle over and borrowed Ben's little orchard disks and worked up a piece on the north end of last years barley stubble which was plowed last fall and again this spring and which we never got our buckwheat in on for my experimental plots. I got from the Experimental Union this fall seed of winter Emmer and Winter Barley It worked up nicely but will need harrowing and rolling to smash the lumps. The roller is out of commission and I was going to take the harrows out this after noon but couldn't find our doubletrees except the ones on the waggon and I didn't have a clevise that would fit them so I finished disking it crosswise and left it. Frank worked all day for Ben and got fifteen dollars from him to-night Ben paid him two dollars a day Enah and the baby went down town this after noon Zeitha walked home before dinner. Flossie Shand was in this morning and invited Dad. and Enah to go with them in their car to visit Maimie to-morrow. Warmish Sunday September 10th The Shands came in the car this morning for Dad. Enah & Tid in time to get to St. John's church, then they had dinner and spent the afternoon at the Baker's and got back here to tea. Frank and I went down to church and Frank rode home on his wheel to do the noon chores and then came back to Aunty's for dinner Dick wasn't at church but got down to <s>church</s> dinner. Morton Brown the piano-tuner took the services both morning and evening. This after noon I went over to the Herring's to inquire after Louise as Lewis Woodson told me this morning that she had been in bed with her hayfever. She was up this after noon, however, and I was there all the after noon, Ada came over and we all three walked down town. Louise gave me a pressing invitation to stay to tea but as I didn't know that Dad. would be home I told her I had to come back to do chores but promised to be back after tea. I did go over but was rather late as I met Marj. & Glad Law coming out of church and walked down to the pier with them. When I got to the Herring's, Lewis & Louise had gone home with Ada, but they came back before I left, and I was there for about an hour. Mrs. Woodson invited me in on my way home to have a piece of cake and I was there for another half hour. Huby and Quint went to the Point yesterday with the Iveys and were to have been back this after noon. Cool and breezy. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/9ab681ac6966beceb582542d5106c88b.pdf 4193f89bc0460350ce847471f9ee8d1a PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Monday September 11th Sam. Law went past this morning and asked Dad. if he would be ready to have them pull in here this after noon after they thrashed Ben Ivey out but Dad said 'No.' However on thinking it over he thought it would be better to thrash before seeding so as to have some feed and so I went down with the big team and waggon and got a load of slabs while Dad. cleaned out the barn and got all ready for them. I was down about all morning but got a good load. Enah went down with me and got some vegetables and some dandy tomatoes over at her mother's and I brought them home on the load. This after noon Dad. went over to Ben's to see Sam but John Wess had spoken to him over at Charlie's so he has to go there next but will be here to-morrow, probably by after noon as they just moved to John Wess to-night and didn't thrash any. I didn't do anything much this after noon. My cold made me feel rotten and I went in the house and went to sleep. Dad. continued to prepare. Tuesday September 12th I walked down town right after breakfast and got some meat for the thrashers and spoke to Chris for a man from Martins and also told Aunty & Aunty Alice. They came over about noon. Quint was over for a few minutes this morning in civilian clothes. He has to go back to Camp Borden this after noon. He says he is pretty sure they will get another leave before they go overseas and some of them think they won't go over this winter but stay in Simcoe again. The thrashing outfit pulled in and got all set up before dinner and we got thrashed out early in the after noon Frank Odd. and Pickford were the only two extra men we asked for but old Tom came up and said Sam had sent him to pay us for helping him at Pickford's. Ben let Frank off for the after noon. I felt pretty rotten but pitched on the feeder. We only got 115 bushels of oats & barley and about 25 bushels of wheat. The grain is small but nice The wheat I think has a little midge in it. I didn't do anything after we finished. Tonight Dad. and I went over to Quanbury's and each had a good hot bath in their bath tub. Looked like rain but didn't come. Wednesday September 13th I had to take Joe down and have her shoes set this morning before I went to Simcoe for the buggy https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/94fe222c6b3ef59cd9d055f157cda329.pdf f75a99d450b6bc22fa61ae8a5d1a3ef8 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. so I rode her down. When I got there I found she had lost one front shoe so Bert Greenbury had to put a new one on. Bob Law and Albert Newcombe were in the shop and there was great interest evinced all around in a story Greenbury had told about young Fred Misner out here on Clark Mathews place giving Val. Leany a trimming last night. It seems they were up at McBains where Val. was hauling some lumber for McPherson & Nunn and made some uncomplimentary remarks about Farmers whereat Misner indulged in some repartee that Val. said he had never taken from anyone. Fred. then remarked that he would have to take it this time but Val. thought differently and got off his waggon, came back and made a "pass" at Misner, but Misner "wasn't there" but was there presently with a clip on the jaw for Val. which sent him to his knees, Val got up and clenched but Fred got away and hit him again, and then again this time flooring him, then George Nunn stopped the scrap. Nobody seems to know much about Misner but he must be a pretty good man to handle Val. I waited over at Aunty's till Joe was done. I rode up town to post a letter before I went home and met Louise Herring and her mother so said good-bye to them as they are to leave to-night. This after noon I rode to Simcoe but didn't get started till after two. When I got just above the half-way-house I found Joe had lost the new shoe Bert put on this morning so I had to go pretty slowly the rest of the way up and all the way home. I got the buggy and it looks fine and has a dandy set of wheels on it. I stopped to get the evener for the spreader at Anderson's and some rock salt at Edmond's and it was after eight when I got home. I found I had left Joe's halter in Simcoe. Dad. has disked all the after noon. Frank is getting to be king over at Ben's. Ben has to leave to-morrow night for Brantford, and then Frank will have to run the ranch and boss Mrs. Bush who is picking tomatoes. Thursday September 14th Dad. disked all day and has the field pretty well cut up but there are still a lot of grass and weed roots in it. I drove down this morning to get Joe's shoe put on and took the baby with me and left him at Aunty's while I went on up town to get some things and see if my chicken crate came to ship my live cockrels to London but it hadn't I saw Huby for a while and it was just about noon when we got home. They heard from Aunt Hattie and she expects https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/f4d108cd8e49113c410c7b0332ef28ba.pdf afb251041cec500a65beef0067ae87d9 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. to arrive here to-morrow night. This after noon I just chored around and got all the loose straw around the stack packed in the barn. Helen and Mrs. Dunkin were over to call on Enah to-night. It sprinkled rain this afternoon and evening but didn't ammount to much Friday September 15th Dad. disked all morning but had to use Harry & Belle as old Nellie is quite lame. I did chores and then took a walk over to ask Mr. Fleming if we might have his diamond tooth harrows to us on that piece across the gully to rake the grass roots out. He was plowing in his back field next Art Ryerse's and I walked down along the creek & up through the woods. He said he wouldn't be using them before Monday, so that we might as well take them. I went over and talked to Art. till about noon. He was plowing too and Lloyd was disking. They got through seeding about a week ago but when they found this plowed so nicely, they thought they would put in a little more. This after noon I did up the chores then took Nellie & Joe down and got Mr. Flemming's harrows and took them back to Dad. He was just through disking so hooked on to them but they wouldn't work at all as the grass just bundled up thick under them, so he went up and got the horse rake and tried to rake the grass up with it but it wouldn't work either so he is going over tomorrow and borrow Martin's spring tooth cultivator. I took Ben Ivey's disks home and then put the team in. Frank had to go to Jarvis to-day with a load of tomatoes, and had a great day of it. He and I went down town to-night and saw Aunt Hattie. All of Huby's family were down there. I was up for a little while to see Marj. Quite cold & cloudy. Saturday September 16th I had to take Elgitha up to Ham Thompson's again this morning and that took most of the morning as I was up there quite awhile and had an awful time getting her up there alone. She got away from me just at his gate and if it hadn't been for a little kid heading her off I don't know how I would have caught her. This after noon I did chores and took Mr. Flemming's harrows back with Joe and Nellie. Dad. Spring toothed all day and has it pretty well ripped up. He is going to try the rake again now that the grass is loose. Frank and I went down town to-night I killed two of my crate fattened cockrels this morning and took https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/323e26693ff08d6940599071d5b72541.pdf 93d72bb0f194939570ca0b08aaaac224 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. one down to Aunty Alice to test it. Prohibition came into effect at seven o'clock to-night and we thought there might be some fun up town but I hung around till about twelve o'clock and although there were quite a few drunks around, most of them had gone home and things were very quiet. The baby was pretty sick last night and has not felt very lively all day. Very cold wind but cloudy & milder to-night. Sunday September 17th Enah, Frank and I drove down to church this morning and Dad. looked after Tid. Ben Ivey was over for quite awhile getting instructions as to the treatment of his horse which has a bad case of fistulas withers. He is just home for over Sunday and is still keeping Frank to run the farm Aunty Alice felt pretty sick to-day with her cold so none of them came over to dinner, but Dad. went down this after noon and had tea with them. I did chores and started to read this after noon but went to sleep. Frank and Lloyd Ryerse spent the after noon back in the gully and Frank and I did up the night chores. I went down to-night and caught Marj. & Glad Law coming out of church, there had been a Sunday school meeting after a service I saw Lewis Woodson on my way home and said good-bye. He is going back in the morning. Cold and cloudy all day rained a little this morning. Feels like fall. Monday September 18th I took Joe and Belle this morning and got Ben Iveys dray and went down to Burn Ball's after our ten bushels of seed wheat He had it all cleaned so I wasn't long getting it and got back just about noon. I came around by town and got my chicken crate at the station. Right after dinner Dad. helped me weigh up my cockrels from the fattening crate and put them in the shipping crate I had 82 lbs as near as I could make it with the old spring scales and 12 birds. I took them right down so they would go off on the 2.45 train. On my way up town Bob. and Johnnie hailed me for a ride so I took them up home and as Dad. had four bags of barley and oats bagged up so we took them down to the mill and waited for them to be chopped and went all through the mill. They came back to the gate with me and then walked on around the block to town. It is Civic Holiday in town so they were not working. Dick went to Toronto on Saturday and was coming back to-night or in the morning. When I got home I took the harrows out to my plots but forgot the doubletrees so couldn't work at it but took the horses in and started to do chores. Dad. fixed the roller this morning and rolled my plots and the fresh plowing this after noon. Frank worked all day with his tomatoes. He had three women working over there and got 119 baskets but didn't get his {number?} basket. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/88c078c8df04e16979cb67251c11493c.pdf 48b340b02ce6533e9ab4d196a7980733 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. order sorted in time to get it off to Brantford to-night. He didn't get home to tea till long after dark and then had to back after tea and also down town. Arthur Preston came over with him in a terrible state of agitation over one of his cows which was acting queerly. Dad. went back with him and said the cow was pretty sick. Cold all day but sunny and nice. Tuesday September 19th I disked this morning on the fresh plowing with Joe and Belle and Dad. brought the rake back again and raked over all the fall plowing with the big team. He got a lot of the grass in windrows but it is of course full of earth. This after noon I tried to burn it and it burned all right when the earth was shaken out but that took a long time and I only got a very little done at this end of the field. It will take too long to go over the whole field that way so I don't know just what we will do. Dad. finished disking the plowing with Harry and Nellie and then plowed a few rounds, he only has one more load and the headlands to plow. Enah and the baby went down town this morning to see Aunt Hattie and stayed to dinner. Some one brought my braking cart to-day but no one saw them. Froze last night pretty hard and has been cold all day but a little milder to-night. Wednesday September 20th Dad. finished plowing this morning while I shook out a few more windrows of grass. This after noon Dad. shook them out and although he got on faster than I did, didn't get many done. I rolled down all the grass plowing and then started to disk it. We just worked to one team Harry & Nellie to-day. Alan Law was in to-night and borrowed a couple of bushels of oats. The frost the night before last froze Ben's tomato plants and the buckwheat. John Wess and old Walker are cutting theirs to-day. It has been sunny and warm to-day but windy. Thursday September 21st I have disked all day to day and consequently feel a little sore in spots as some of the ground is pretty hard and chunky and is inclined to jolt a fellow. I finished disking the fresh plowing lengthwise and started crosswise of the whole field. Dad. shook out and burned some more grass roots this morning but had to go to Mr. Fleming's to thrash this after noon, he got home about five as a boxing on the engine melted and they had to quit. Aunty, Aunty Alice, Aunt Hattie and Cousin Clare were all over to dinner and Aunty and Aunt Hattie stayed to tea and Frank drove them home to-night. Aunty Alice's cold is still pretty bad. Cloudy and showery all day but not enough to wet much. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/3975c49c6f8be87a5a29fbe72a2e5911.pdf 7db1878e57d8dda523fba919e7f2febd PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Friday September 22nd I have disked all day but am not over the field yet. This morning Dad. blocked up the line fence between Ben Ivey and us so that the sheep couldn't get through, they have been getting very wayward lately and running all over Ben's place. He would have come back but Whit came after a steer and they had an awful time getting him I guess. They took mine. By this after noon they had the engine fixed so Dad. had to go down and finish helping Mr. Fleming. The machine moved over to Jack Martin's but they didn't thrash any there. It began to rain about six and we had quite a heavy shower for awhile and then a quieter one for an hour or two. I went down town after tea and went up to the Bagley's for a little while. Louise came up to-night to stay at Aunty's for awhile. I went down there and as it was raining when I was ready to come home so I stayed and slept on the sofa all night. Alan Law was telling Dad. Val Leany's version of his fight with Misner. According to him it was Misner who was doing the most talking and exasperated Val. till he slapped him. Then they clenched and Misner downed him but it wasn't long till Val. was on top and he choked Misner till he "hollered" enough and said he was sorry and he wouldn't have said so much if he hadn't been drinking. So which is the correct yarn is hard to say, but I believe I would sooner take Val's word than Misner's. Saturday September 23rd Dad. went over to Martin's this morning but found they weren't going to thrash as Sam thought the stacks would be too wet, so Dad. came home and shook out more of the grass roots he got them nearly all done. I disked all day and finished the field to-night. Dad. brought the other team back this after noon and harrowed the fresh plowed part and started to roll it. I got a check from Silverwoods to day for my 12 cockrels for $12.24 I was well satisfied as I thought the price would have dropped but I got 18 cts a lb. Cold and cloudy. Sunday September 24th I drove Enah down to church this morning, but Dad. Frank & the baby didn't go down. Frank was over with Ben Ivey all morning. Dick was in church and he came home with us and was here all the after noon but had to go down before dark to feed Mr. Hobbe's chickens as he is away on his holidays now. Dess is in Simcoe so Dick is having a respite from his ardent attention to her. He and I prowled around the farm a little but it was cold and looked rainy so we spent most of the after noon in the house. Enah had to play to-day as Elva's away so I drove her down again to-night. I went up with Marj. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/afe3a423d9bd1f5a5e688f2fc4cf7c30.pdf 78422cc58804f331a56a153579ade732 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. for a little while and picked Enah up at the Rectory as Mr. Johnson had coaxed her to go down there instead of down home as she intended and Harry Moon told me where to find her. It was raining when we came out of church and rained quite a shower. Monday September 25th Dad. went over to Martin's to thrash this morning and was over there till some time this after noon. They thrashed 800 and some odd bushels. The wheat on his own place went {18?} bushels to the acre but Dad. said it was very dirty with couch grass I went back and rolled and it took me nearly all day to roll the piece but I didn't get a very early start either morning or noon. John Wess came over and borrowed the rolling coulter to try on his plow but I went over this after noon and he said he couldnt work it on his plow. He says it is pretty hard for him to keep from swearing it is just like plowing through loose blocks of ice the way the clods slide around. Mr. Johnson was over here for a few minutes after dinner to bring Enah a book which she dropped last night getting in the buggy in front of his gate. She and the baby went down town this after noon. When I got through rolling I went down to Sam Laws and got his disk drill. Sunny and warmer to-day Tuesday September 26th We got our seed on the waggon this morning and all ready to start out to drill it in when it began to rain and so we had to back the waggon and drill in to the shed. We then went over to the barn and threw the hay off that was on the rack and ran the rack out of the barn, cleaned up the floor and started to clean up our own seed as what I got from Burn Ball will only sow part of the field. It cleared up soon after we got started. A little before noon I went over to Martin's to borrow some bags to sack it up as we didn't want to bother putting it in the bin and then taking it out again when we emptied our own bags. They didn't have any bags over there so I got two or three over at Ben. Ivey's and we sacked up the grain we had cleaned but it was noon then so we didn't clean up any more. We went back right after dinner with the seed and drill and Dad. drilled in all of Burn's wheat. The disk drill worked fine cut through everything and covered well. We had it set at 2 bushels to the acre so I guess have about five acres in I didn't stay back all the time but did a few chores and went back about four and waited till six and then helped Dad. out with the drill as it looked like rain. He and I cleaned up some more seed after tea to-night. Milder & cloudy. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/bcfb643696adb98815ffcf0203362bd3.pdf 14fdd680c7b20ba67c18d549ec9853b1 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Wednesday September 27th We had to clean up a little more grain this morning and by the time we got it sacked up, loaded and back there with the drill it was about ten o'clock. I helped Dad. get started and then came up and drove Enah and Tid down town, Aunty was having a little picnic over Brant Hill and they went to it. I took Enah up town first to get some things and then drove her over there. Aunt Ida came back last night and she, Louise, Aunt Hattie & Aunty all went over. Louis is going to Simcoe tomorrow as she heard from Annie Bowlby and she got an unexpected call to go back to the war-zone to nurse. This after noon I did chores and finished making enough stakes for my plots, about four o'clock Mr. Johnson brought Enah and the baby home so saved me a trip down after them. Dad. finished drilling the field by to-night and used nearly all the seed he had, so we think there must be a big 12 acres back there. Cloudy & warm Whit Dixon came in to-night and wanted the black steer shut up to-morrow Thursday September 28th I had to go over to Pickford's to thrash first thing this morning but he only had about three loads of oats so it only took about an hour I think he got a little over fifty bushels. Whit came after the steer just as I left and Dad. was just going back with the team when I got back. I took Joe and Belle and went back and brought the roller up and Dad. came up behind me with the waggon and trailing the disks. The head of the bolt in the roller broke again coming uphill but didn't cause any accident. Dad. took the disks out to my plots and disked them up and harrowed them before dinner. It rained a little just at noon. After dinner I went out with my stakes garden line and tape measure and Dad. helped me stake out the plots we had quite a time getting them all square but they are not too bad. Dad. sowed them all broadcast and disked them in. We sowed four plots of wheat my three from Guelph and one of Burn Ball's and one plot of barley and one of {illegible} both winter varietys. Dad. got them all furrowed out before six. Enah and the baby went down this after noon to a tea party at Aunty's and as it looked like rain about six I drove after them. It was raining hard by the time I got there and although they were all ready to stay to tea I thought we had better get home and it was a good thing we did as it turned out to be a two or three hour soaker. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/d9fecff7ca7c4dac1f4b632bd2bc468c.pdf 84267d989b4220b42067d65ee91e9caa PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Friday September 29th It was too wet for Dad. to furrow out his field this morning so he did a few chores and I went down town with the waggon and got some shingles also the money for my steer from Bagley and Miller. I was down till noon as I had to do a lot of chasing around after the shingles. They had none at the Widespread and Hawey was working way up on St. George St. on Haymaker's new house and I had to go up there and get him. I got eight bunches for $7.50 I want to shingle the old part of the chicken house. This after noon Dad. went back and furrowed out the field and finished it and I cleaned out the ditches in my plots. Art. Quanbury borrowed our hay rack this morning to haul a load of furniture from Simcoe for Jack Martin's new man Cawley. He brought it back to-night. Frank brought us over ten bushels of potatoes from Billy Laing's who has just brought a carload in at $1.25 a bushel. Tonight I drove Enah down to choir practice. We took Miss Mathews down to the top of the hill but there she discovered she had lost her handbag so went back after it I got my hair cut and then went over to the drug store where I found Dick and Joe with Bob. & Johnny I sat there till half past ten and had a lot of fun, got Enah at Aunty's. Very cold and windy all day. {Blank page} https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/c9db667e8b2126e63be93d6290c25d9f.pdf 05fbed85572217f6d955012d410a2984 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. {Blank page} Saturday September 30th 1916 This morning I took Sam's drill back home. I didn't get started very early and was talking to Alan for awhile so didn't get home till noon. This after noon we all went down to see the new fish boat launched "The City of Dover". She didn't go in very well as one of the skids had more of a slant to it than the other so the stern end went in first and the other end bound but they got her in eventually without any injury, they then had to fill her with water to get her under the bridge. I went up town and got a tooth filled and Dad. got his hair cut, he drove Enah and the baby home and I got a ride home with Flossie Shand. It has been sunny and nice to-day but cold wind. Sunday October 1st I wernt to church this morning Dad. drove Enah down but didn't go himself but took Joe & Belle around to Auntys and got Harry Ansley's double carriage out of the barn and brought all the family from down there over in it to dinner. This after noon they all went for a drive except Aunty Alice and Aunt https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/f3722c24e7f5aa33646ca4a91e90f46d.pdf 11b836c1af7624795337e999be8984d2 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Ida. Dick Frank and I went over to Charlie McQueen's chestnut trees to see if they were getting ripe as we had quite a hard frost last night but the burrs were tight and the nuts very green but they were big ones and a lot on the tree. We came up to the house for awhile and then Dick and I went down town. We went up to the L.E.& N. tracks and ran into a bunch of girls. Dick took a couple of pictures of us all and I made a date with Bob & Johnnie to go after chestnuts next Sunday after noon and then went down to Aunty's for tea I think Dick must have had tea with Mildred Henry as he was with her when I left him and didn't show up down at the house. Aunty Alice and I went to church to-night and then Marj. and I went over to see Miss McQueen and we all decided to go after chestnuts a week from next Saturday. I went down to Aunty's for awhile before I came home. Aunt Hattie is staying over here to-night. Lovely fall day but cold wind Monday October 2nd I went down town this morning to get a load of slabs but found that there were only a few left at the planing mill and they wanted them so I couldn't get any I came around by the mill and got some chop I had taken a grist on my way down. This after noon I raked up the lawn Aunty came over about four and I drove her and Aunt Hattie down. When I got back Enah had a chicken all plucked for Aunty Alice which I had figured on plucking and taking down after tea so I went right back with it. Dad. has been cleaning out ditches all day but isn't through yet. John Wess was over to tell us he would want his post moulds if it stayed dry in a day or two, and Alan Law was in to-night to say they were going to thrash to-morrow and gave us a bid. Lovely day. Tuesday October 3rd Dad. drove down to Sam's to thrash this morning and got back about four o'clock, he said the oats were pretty good. I finished digging the hole for the anchor post that Frank started quite awhile ago and got every thing ready but didn't start to mix the cement till Dad. came which was pretty late, however we put in a post but had to work at it till seven o'clock https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/35ae2c912798d254a6cb7d4d3d67c7b9.pdf df11ca1cf9aea7226bc711eb5d3a1345 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. We hurried at it and I am afraid got it a little out of line Enah went down to the deanery meeting this afternoon and had to stay to the choir festival or what ever it is to-night, she told me not to come after her but Dad. thought he had better so I went down, it was about nine o'clock when we got through tea so it was pretty late when I got down town and as I expected couldn't find Enah. I went down home for a while and when I got back we figured that I missed Enah as she was coming through Martin's field and Jack walked over with her. Frosty nights & hot days now. No wind. Wednesday October 4th We were very late getting out this morning and Dad. and I didn't quite get another hole dug by noon We finished after dinner and got another post up by six. We had quite a few visitors to-day which delayed us a little. Harvey Shand was past and said they expected a car of crushed stone in by Monday and wanted us to help unload it for the road. We havent done any road work yet this year. Another lovely day hot and no wind. Thursday October 5th Dad. and I spent most of the morning lining up the corner post at the crossroads but by noon we had a stake in that suited us. We just nicely got started to dig the two holes this after noon (we were going to put down the brace posthole the same time as the anchor post as we can put down two as fast as one, one digs while the other spuds) when Jack Highland came along and wanted us to take our bluegrass seed down to the car, so about three o'clock we went up and took our three bags and stopped and got six bags of Mr. Fleming's as he wasn't home, we got three dollars for our seed. We didn't have time to do any thing when we got home as we had to quit early to get down to Aunty Alice's for tea. We had a great time down there. Quint was there for tea but Joe Thompson called for him right afterwards to go to Vittoria I suppose to see the Dunkin's. Quint is home on what we suppose to be his last leave. The whole battalion is off. They have had a bad split in the 133rd. They have had a quarrel with Pratt and wanted him to resign but he wouldn't so Majors' Jackson, Burch and & Lieuts Hammond, Donovon & Capt. Slater did resign. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/83338b0005f4a580a1f0d3b76a53f20a.pdf 1366f75624221d7c3c6335df996e9395 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Friday October 6th Just as we were going out to work this morning (late) Ham Thompson came along to look at the ram lambs so I went back with him. He was here till nearly noon just visiting but I managed to sell him the old ram for fifteen dollars. Dad. went out and finished digging the corner post hole. Just before dinner we took the team and waggon out and moved our platform up to the corner. Right after dinner I took the team over to Ben Ivey's and borrowed his stone boat and we got the pickle barrel (in which we discovered a highly scented piece of corn beef) up out of the cellar filled it with water and hauled it to the crossroads corner on the stone boat. We then had to cut an inch gas pipe and a quarter inch rod which looks as if it had been a hoop for a vat and all of which we got down at Aunty's from under the barn yesterday for reinforcement. All of this took time and so it was quite late in the after noon when we got started to build our post and also quite late in the evening when we finished it and much later by the time we got the chores done and had tea. Dad. and the baby went back after the cows but it was dark and they were in the woods or some place and he couldn't find them so let them go. Enah went down town this after noon and stayed down to tea so she could go to choir practice to-night. I drove down after her about nine thirty and found her at Aunty's. We drove home around by<s>t</s> the post and I loosened the nuts on the mould. Nice day. Saturday October 7th Niel Elliot came in this morning and gave Dad. $45.00 for Spotty and I had to take her down to the car right after breakfast. Dad. asked him sixty but the cattle market has become glutted the last few days. I was down there till nearly eleven and then had to take Elgitha up to Ham. Thompson's. We had an awful time with her and I didn't get back till one o'clock. Dad. dug the hole for the brace post this morning and this after noon we put the post in and got it done by six o'clock. It has been a very nice day Sunday October 8th We all went to church this morning as it was https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/80d8083bdb472181032e81b7e0c50469.pdf f98841b139ff103b036f94733ad2efe0 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Thanksgiving Sunday. I was late as I went out and took the moulds of the post first. Roy and Vernon came up yesterday and so they and all the Aunty household were here to dinner. I left right after dinner and Dick and I drove down town. Bob & Johnnie were waiting for me at the drugstore and we hiked straight for Vittoria or the road south after chestnuts. The first tree we struck had no nuts and the burrs weren't open but we at last got one on Smythe's place that was loaded with wide open burrs and we stayed there till we got told to move on by the family (I suppose) who were just getting home. We moved across the road to the tree back of Farrar's barn which was just as well loaded. We stayed there till it was time to start for home and as we stopped at the Vittoria mill to get a drink and take some pictures it was late when we got home with a pumpkin and Johnnie's hat full of shelled chestnuts as spoils of war. I went down to Aunty's to see Quint as he is going in the morning at seven o'clock and I only saw him for about a minute the other night but he hadn't got back from Vittoria where he has spent most of this furlough at the Dunkin's, in away I'm just as glad I didn't see him when it was his own fault if this is his last leave. It has been hot to-day. Monday October 9th I took John Wess' moulds back first thing this morning and didn't get much else done as we all went down to Aunty Alices to dinner, except Frank who worked with Ben all day. After dinner Dad. Roy and I cleaned out one of the stalls in the barn down there so that George Mitchell can put his horse in and then Dad. trimmed the walks and Roy fixed the barn steps I stood around and watched him and lent a had occasionally Dad. and Enah went home to tea but I stayed and after tea went down to the station and met the first train, and was rewarded by meeting Marj. and walking home with her. Mr. Bagley was there to meet her but as I showed up he went to the picture show where our friend Essie was playing in Topsy's place. I was at the Bagleys for a short while and then went back down home but Roy & Vernon were up at Cousin Loll's so I didn't wait to say good-bye to them. They had intended going after nuts this after noon but it rained this morning and was cloudy and raw all the after noon so didn't go. Tuesday October 10th We were very late getting around this morning and https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/e689925720b4bec744817124a8f0a877.pdf dd7c3d87b04614dfb0922d79e79a8a72 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. were more delayed by Mr. Horn of Marburg who came to look at the rams. He liked them but thought they were a little "steep" in price so went off to Vittoria to look for some. He came back about four and said he hadn't found any one at home at Smythe's so after a lot of sizing up of the flock decided to take one of the $12.00 ones. Dad. shovelled out some more of his ditches this forenoon and I went out with the team and brought our barrell home from the cement posts and also took Ben's stoneboat home. This after noon Dad. and Enah went down to the Rural School Fair and I picked up what burrs I could find in the plum orchard and started to cut the lawn but didn't get much done at it. Froze hard last night has been cool all day. Wednesday October 11th Dad. has put in most of the day cleaning out ditches and finished to-night. I started to clean out the chicken house but didn't finish Louise came over to dinner and this afternoon she and the baby & I drove out to Shand's to see if the stone had come yet and came home by Marburg. Dad. & Enah drove Louise down to-night and went up to see how Aunty Maude came through her operation it was successful. Thursday October 12th We did chores this morning and I finished cleaning out and putting straw in the chicken house. This afternoon Dad. and I cut down the dead elm in the gully and sawed it up into logs that can be hauled up. When we came up we sawed up some wood. It has been a nice day but looks rainy. Friday October 13th We got up long before daylight this morning and although it was pouring rain Dad. and I went to the Caledonia Fair. It rained most of the day poured part of the time but was not cold. Although the show was a failure in one way as there was no crowd nor any races, there was a great show of cattle & sheep and the absence of people made it easier to watch the judging. We hung around the sheep most of the day and bought a yearling ram for $140.00 from Shield's of Canfield. He took second prize over a $150.00 imported ram of Young's and the first prize ram was Lloyd Jones and a half-brother to Shield's. Mr. Douglas was there and introduced me to a Mr. McEwen from Brantford who says he is coming down to buy our ram lambs, so we had a satisfactory day of it https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/6f01abfe8dc3729050fe61094f97ad03.pdf 698f05a766d1400ec3ff9bd5c06108b7 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Saturday October 14th We just did chores this morning and oiled the buggy and this after noon I got down town by soon after one and got Miss McQueen and Marjorie and went to Vittoria after chestnuts, we went up to Farrar's to try the woods that Helen Dunkin told me the big nuts were in. The woods are ac<s>c</s>ross the road from the house and in front of them but two or three fields back, and there is a lane in to them. We drove Joe in the lane and tied her behind a clump of trees out of the wind and sight of the house. We trailed all through the woods which was nearly all chestnut trees but never found a nut but coming out we struck a little tree along the fence that was loaded and the burrs open. I climbed it and shook them all off and they picked up enough to satisfy them of big nuts very big ones. We then went up to Charlie Dunkin but he wasn't home, we tried a couple of other trees but didn't draw much in the way of nuts. I also took a couple of pictures and so did Marj. I didn't get home till nearly eight. Colder to-day. Sunday October 15th I went to church this morning but none of the rest did. Dad. Enah and the baby went out to Tupper's for dinner. Frank had to do Ben's chores but came down town for dinner. We three boys went to Aunty's for dinner I was in the drugstore all the after noon listening to Dr. Jolley expound his religion which is interesting though heterodoxy. At four o'clock when Bob. was relieved at the telephone by Golly Bob. Johnnie. Said. Davis, Pansy Fischer, Arlof McCarter & I walked around the hill and I went to Aunty's for tea. Aunty & I went to church to-night and afterwards I went home with Marj. who to my delight and surprise consented to go to the picture show on Tuesday with We had a new preacher to-day a Mr. Wright from Huron College. He wasn't bad till he got excited and then he went wild. To-night he was very much wrought up over some of Pastor Russel's literature which had been circulated about town during the after noon. It has been a lovely day Monday October 16th I took the crosscut saw over to Uncle Ward to sharpen and went on down and got him a file to do it. I then went back and cut the corn down at Aunty's and stayed there to dinner This after noon Dad. and I cut up some of the elm logs which he hauled up from the gully Saturday after noon, Enah went down town this after noon to get some thing's for Frank's birthday. Mild & cloudy https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/9fe4cc3557732b9e88c174f3e46972b6.pdf eb32bb193e5d7704927f9c94d8e8fe93 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Tuesday October 17th It was too windy to do much this morning Dad. split wood and I painted the labels for my plots and put them in. The wind picked up Art's dray that we had out at the corner to mix the cement on for the anchor posts and blew it right out on the road, broke the cement post of below the ground and smashed Arts dray considerably. We went back and wired up the gully gate on the road. This after noon we had to haul stone for the road. We only got two loads hauled as we had to go down to Sam Law's and get his gravel box so were late getting to the car. Marj. & I went to the picture show to-night. It has been much colder to-day and freezing hard to-night. Wednesday October 18th I was down at the car at half past seven this morning a half an hour before any of the teams came and got quite a lot of the stone shovelled out of the car. I worked in the car steadily till I got the one half all cleaned out but before I finished, they had dumped the other half and Willie Shand helped me clean it out. I went down to Aunty's to dinner and this after noon quit for a couple of hours to go up town with Bob Ross and then home with him to sell him a $12.00 ram. I then went out and worked till six on the road with the rest of them covering the stone with earth, they put it on the side road at the bottom of our big hill. This was Frank's 18th birthday he went to Simcoe Fair this after noon. Cold. They say Hammy Innes has deserted and about 30 more of the 133rd. Thursday October 19th We were all up early this morning awakened by whistles & the fire bell but as it was raining hard and the fire didn't look very big none of us went down. Frank heard that it was one of the tugs either the "Two Friends" or the "Gambler" one was sunk and the other burned last night. It rained steadily all day not so hard towards evening as in the forenoon. We altered our plans a little about going to the Simcoe Fair and I cut strips of tar paper to put around the little trees to protect them from the mice and then after noon pasted pictures in my album. Tom was in for a long time this morning out of the rain but had to go out while it was pouring but Dad. covered him up with waterproofs. Friday October 20th I started to clean out the rest of the chicken house this morning but it rained all the after noon so we just sat around and read. Dad. went down this morning and took a nail out of his big colt's foot and Tupper brought old Pete in this after noon to have him lance an absess on his shoulder. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/61093cd2cb303e6a08f35764517feadb.pdf 7fe363474257ac576245fb2cccc3740c PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Saturday October 21st Dad. had to go up to Miss McCoy's this morning to tend to a cow. I drove him up and then went down town and got some stuff and called for him again. He did odd jobs this after noon and I continued to clean up the chicken house. Aunty was over to tea and she and Frank went down to-night. High wind last night. Cloudy & cold wind to-day Sunday October 22nd Enah and I drove down to church this morning. Dick was over to dinner. He and I went down to the 3 o'clock car to see Hazen off and then I went down and fooled around the {dook?} with Wodyer all the after noon. Dad. went down to tea and church to-night. I did chores and then went down in time to meet church coming out, went for a short walk & came home with Dad. Raw. Monday October 23rd Mr. McEwen came down this morning and bought the bunch of lambs & the old one, he gave $100.00 for the 8. I drove him down to the radial at 11 o'clock and then went up and told Ham I had sold his ram but he didn't care if he can use ours. This after noon I drove up to Dunkin's to hurry him up with the pedigree's but I don't know whether it was much use. To-night Frank and I went down town to see about getting a car to ship our sheep in. Dad did odd jobs and started shingling the hen house. Young Ham came and got his ram and paid for him. Lovely day but cool. Tuesday October 24th I went down to the station agan this morning and found if we took the rams down to-morrow night, they would go out the next morning and not stay all night at Norwich, Dad. took Sam's waggon home and I shingled and this after noon helped Dad. move the binder over from the big barn and Dad. cleaned the barn all up. Art Quanbury wants us to thrash in the morning. Cloudy but much milder Wednesday October 25th Dad. was over at Art's thrashing this morning for an hour or two and then came back and cleaned up around the big barn. I shingled and this after noon we took the eight rams down and loaded them. McEwen came down from Brantford as he thought he wasn't going to get the old ram in time but it was all right. Clair Jackson died this morning. Cold, rained all the afternoon Thursday October 26th I was down town most of the morning on messages and this after https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/19f38d936288eb7cab78c06f9d950e6e.pdf 6fd558360d9ebf414af6b3d68bbc34c6 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. noon, I didn't do any thing but lie around my cold was so bad. Dad trimmed the ewes all up this morning and we put the ewe lambs in the orchard. Tommy Jackson was in and wants me to be pal bearer at Clair's funeral to-morrow. Enah went down town to wish Lila a happy birthday and got there just in time to meet Aunty Maude who came home with Ada on the five o'clock car. She also heard that 133rd leave for overseas tomorrow Aunty got a letter from Quint. Cold, cloudy and windy all day. Friday October 27th I didnt do any thing much this morning as it rained. This after noon we Dad. and I went down to Clair Jackson's funeral. When we came home we got the Shields ram which came on the eleven o'clock train. Aunty Alice was here to tea and Frank went down with her after tea and got his cobbling outfit from Eaton's. Nice afternoon Saturday October 28th Dad. and I spent the whole day cutting down the dead locust tree in front of Aunty's. It was a ticklish job and we were afraid of it going on the house but we managed to get it down without doing more than break a rafter in the wood-shed. It was a lovely day. Dad. & I caught chickens most of the night. Sunday October 29th We all went to church this morning but Dad. & the baby. I drove Aunty Alice up to the cemetry before church. Aunty was over to dinner. Marj. and I went for a long drive this after noon. Dad. went down to church to-night. I went down after church and paid a visit to the Moon's with Marj. Lovely day. Monday October 30th I forget what we did day by day since Monday as this is Friday and I have not written since. Frank is home from Ben Ivey's and Mr. Clark is doing things over there. Frank has been plowing most of the time and between him and Dad. they have kept the plow going pretty steadily, and if all is well will finish the wheat stubble this week. Frank planted his $5.00 worth of Golden Seal back in the woods on Monday and Dad. Mr. Fleming & I worked on the road and finished Monday after noon. That night I went down to help Marj. and her colleagues decorate the Sunday school and on Tuesday night, Enah Frank and I went down to the Hallowe'en tea and had a great time. Dick and Dess were over Thursday night. This (Friday) morning Dad. went down to see the doctor about his throat. It is so sore he can hardly eat, sleep or speak. I have been getting my chickens ready for winter most of the week. It has been lovely weather most of the time. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/9deb4c767eca016d30315751ec73f0fa.pdf 4ef31c81063424bcc7bdd94b1e5c6c14 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Saturday November 11th Frank and I hooked Joe & Queen to the waggon and went down and got his duck crate. When we got back we took Queen off and put Belle on and took the plow out to Evan's as he wanted it to fit the slide on that he made for us, he also sharpened a coulter. It was the old plow Dad. plowed all day with the other. Ham Thompson came over with his five ewes this after noon, and put them in with our {back?}. Cold wind but nice day. Sunday November 12th Frank and I went down to Sunday school & church but none of the rest came down. Dick was over to dinner. I drove him down town this afternoon and then took Enah down to Uncle Ward's to see Aunty Maude. To-night I spent church hour with Marj. as I knew she had a bad cold and would be home and that the family would be at church. She wouldn't let me stay after eight so I sat in the bank with Clark for a couple of hours and called in to see Aunty on my way home. Cloudy and a raw cold wind all day. Monday November 13th Dad. plowed all day. I raked the lawn this morning. This after noon Frank and I took his ducks down to ship to Silverwoods also took the geese back to Al. Faulkner's all but one, Frank's share, and got some more of the locust wood at Auntys. Dad. went down to see Aunty to-night. Cold all day. Quite a snow storm this afternoon & to-night. Tuesday November 14th The ground being covered with snow to-day Dad. didn't plow but we all moved the straw stack in so that we could let the cows in the yard. Cold, raw, cloudy, snowed a little. Wednesday November 15th Frank and I got our butter milk this morning and this after noon went down and got some chicken feed at the mill and went on down town. Dad. just did chores. I took my horn down to Harry Moon to-night to fix. It has been freezing all day in the shade & cold enough for mid winter Thursday November 16th We just did chores to-day. Enah went down to her mother's this after noon and the baby and I drove after her during a heavy snow storm. Art Quanbury got his heifer this morning. It has been milder to-day, but snowed all night. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/7f558df4e17a833c8adf8a3d99896499.pdf da0a66b63b5623fb3fbb16c86ccc6c54 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Friday November 17th We killed the squealing pig this morning. Just did chores this after noon. Bill Donald was in to ask Dad. & Enah to perform at the opening concert of the new Shand's School-house. I went down town to-night to attend the meeting of the club that Clark told me but found that they couldn't get gas so called it off. I called on Cousin Clare, Marj. Mrs. Moon (Harry was in bed) and Aunty. I got my horn. Nice day but cold to-night. Saturday November 18th Frank and I went down with the sleighs and got the rest of the locust tree at Aunty's. This after noon Frank went down and did some odd jobs for Aunty and went down again to-night. I washed the name of the mail box and painted it (the box) fresh with aluminum enamel. Alex Jennison was after a ram. Softer to-day. Sunday November 19th Frank & I went to Sunday school & church. Enah drove down to church. Dick's cold too bad to come over. Dad. went down to see him. I went down town to-night saw Marj. for a little while Essie was at church and then went up to Huby's. Thawed all day snow nearly gone Monday November 20th Dad. plowed all day. Frank was down at Aunty's most of the day doing odd jobs. I did chores this morning and this after noon painted the name on one side of the mail box. Enah drove down town this after noon. The yearling hens have started laying. Aunty Alice came home to-night. Much milder Tuesday November 21st Dad. and the baby were down at Aunty's all morning banking up the house I finished painting the mail box. Dad. plowed this after noon & Frank & I fixed the barnyard fence. Frank Enah & I went down to hear Mr. Fielding's lecture on Malay in the Sunday school to-night. Mild but freezing hard to-night. Wednesday November 22nd Frank and I went down to the factory this morning for the butter milk. This after noon he and Dad. moved some of the hay stack into the barn, and I cleaned up around the wood shed. Jack Martin came over and picked out six cockrels. Enah went down town to tea & choir practice and I went down after her. Much milder to-day. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/43800dbbbf9857192fae0dbde76bc325.pdf 8aa53ef897bfbc3a3233268a3457c424 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Thursday November 23rd It rained nearly all day. Ham & Bert Thompson came over this morning and bought all the thin roosters at 12 1/2 cts. Frank and I took them down after dinner I got $9.38 for them. I stopped in at Jack Martin's on my way home and he paid me $18.07 for eggs & cockrels. We picked three chickens in the shop this morning Harry Smith from the Lake Shore was in for about an hour to ask Dad about a sick cow. Friday November 24th Frank & I went down town in the waggon this morning. I banked some money and sent Douglas a checkqe for my note. $84.80. Just did chores this after noon. Dad. cleaned ditches this morning and plowed this after noon Went down to the first meeting of the club to-night in Mrs. Belle's cottage. There was quite a crowd there both boys & girls and we had a big time dancing & picking up a row. High cold wind. Freezing Saturday November 25th Dad. banked up the house this morning and I dug up the border where the hedge was and protected the three tea roses Aunty was over to tea. Frank and I moved the bees in the colony house to-night. Frank went down town with Aunty & Dad. & I tested the pullets to-night. Freezing all day very cold night. Sunday November 26th Frank and I went to Sunday school and church and I went up to Huby's for dinner and telephoned to Charlie Dunkin for the number of his Beattie ram. Came home soon after dinner and did chores. Dad. went down to tea & church. I went down to church and sat around the bank for awhile before I came home. Very windy but milder. Monday November 27th I spent most of the morning getting the sheep records ready and this after noon took them down and got a postal note for the fees and sent them off. Frank & Dad. took up the barbed wire off the old fence along the road. To-night Enah Frank & I went down to see "The Prince & the Pauper" at the picture show It was very good. Very mild, not freezing to-night. Tuesday November 28th Rained all day but not hard. Frank & I threw of the load of hay this morning Dad. packed his pork. This after noon he dug ditches and I cleared up the headland along the gully fence near the east of the fence. Enah went down town and got an old root of a tooth pulled out that has been bothering her. Read "The Lost World" by Conan Doyle till near mid-night https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/ead180e7d157a885c378b17443c857b5.pdf 36dec6651917576e2e3c7220fb651e08 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Wednesday November 29th Frank and I went to the factory for butter milk this morning & took Joe & Queen Dad. finished plowing the field. This after noon Frank & I went to the mill for some chicken feed, and then he & Dad took Elgitha up to Ham's again. He has a new bull. It has been a nasty rainy day & raining to-night. Thursday November 30th Dad & Frank plowed in the plum orchard to-day but not at the same time, Dad. dug some more ditches. This after noon he went to Mrs. Fawcett's funeral. I did chores & dug the sod off the border in front of the hedge border. To-night I went down town to get my hair cut but Corny was closed up it being Thursday. Cloudy & raw. Friday <s>November</s> December 1st Frank finished plowing the plum orchard and he & Dad. got started on the field back of the old barn. I worked around in front of the house most of the day. To--night I went down to the club. Fine day & windy. Saturday December 2nd We got out early this morning and got a good day in plowing. I put manure on the roses & beds in front of the house and this after noon helped Frank shingle on the cow stable roof while Dad. plowed. Lovely day, mild. Sunday December 3rd Frank and I went down to Sunday school & church. Enah Dad. & the baby stayed down at Aunty's to dinner. I drove down after dinner and Dad. took Aunty Alice up to the cemetry. I sat around the bank all the after noon & went down to Aunty's for tea Aunty, Aunty Alice & I went to church to-night. Monday December 4th Dad. & Frank plowed all day between them, Frank and I cleaned some more ditches and shingled some more of the cow stable roof. It was a cloudy, drizzly day. Got word to-day that they want the Beattie ram's certificate at Ottawa. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/eee02d132142d8e0fd8c472100601709.pdf fac0da86b2ff3847b4adeddb04bc084e PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Wednesday December 6th Went down alone after butter milk this morning Had to go slow as Joe lost a shoe yesterday. Didn't do much this after noon Went down to tea at the Barwell's to-night and Zeitha & I went over our parts in the cantata and then went down to a rehearsal in the Sunday school. Dad plowed all day to-day & yesterday. Cold wind but sunny. Thursday December 7th Dad. plowed all day. Enah and I went down town this morning and I got Joe's shoes set. Frank and I went down to a practice to-night in the Sunday school and then I went over to church after first going up to see letters from Quint & Roy Dell at Huby's I didn't get to bed till two o'clock as I was fooling around with Joe & the Dunkin girls. Friday December 8th Dad. got in a good day plowing to-day and is now finished all but the head-lands. Frank and I measured the field this morning & found it had about {6?} acres in it. This after noon I took the baby down to Aunty's to stay all night and then got Marj. and Uncle Ward and brought them over to tea and we all went out to the opening of Shand's new school house and had a high time. Dick couldn't get over. It has been a lovely day but cloudy at times and rained to-night. Saturday December 9th Dad. and I had to go out and help move Harvey Shand's piano home from the school house but it was snowing early so we didn't go out very early and then had to wait till Harvey Shand got back from town but we helped the trustees clean up. We didn't get home till the middle of the after noon. Fozen up tight to-night very blustery. Sunday December 10th I went to Sunday school this morning and to church both times. Dick was over all the after noon as Dess is in Brantford. I went over to a Sunday school meeting to-night and then up to Miss Martin's and then up to the ba<u>nk</u>. Freezing hard to-night but nice day Monday December 11th Did chores this morning. This after noon got some stuff at the mill. Ham Thompson got his sheep and showed me how to bleed & dry pick a chicken. Dad. went down and rustled some money to pay taxes. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/831f1dcb2f5df00a727f9d80ae12b215.pdf 587c80a598a1b3a9492462bd489c76a2 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Tuesday December 12th Dad & I killed and picked the 9 cockrels left in the crate this morning and Frank took the pinfeathers out of them. I got some of them stuck in the brain alright but some I didn't. I went over to Quanbury's at noon and got them to telephone to Simcoe to see what prices were like but they weren't extra so I decided to ship them to Silverwood's. I spent most of the after noon cleaning the feet & heads & shaping them and had to go down to post a letter. Aunty Alice came over with me to tea. I went down after to a practice. Snowed a little to-day. Wednesday December 13th Frank and I packed up the chickens and shipped them to Silverwoods this morning. This after noon we went down to the factory and got the buttermilk. I went down to tea at Aunty Alice's to-night Marj. Win. Clark & Dick were there. Got the first pullets egg to-day. Snowed enough to make sleighing. Thursday December 14th Put a fire in the shop & Frank & I started to oil the new harness this morning Dad. & I went down this after noon and he put Aunty's cellar windows in. Frank kept on oiling harness but didn't finish Got a letter from Ottawa, they wanted more money for records. Went to practice to-night. December 31st Sunday. As I have neglected to write this for ovwer two weeks I will just summarize the principal happenings. I will begin with the weather as we have had more of it than any thing else and it has been different from any we have had at this time of the year since we came over here being one continual "spell" of cold weather since the 9th except for one day when it rained and took off a lot of snow. The rest of the time it has hardly been above freezing once although never I think has it been quite down to zero. The sleighing has been fine but the skating except for the last few days since the rain has been poor on account of the snow on the ice. We have been busy all the time but just at chores and small jobs I got my returns from Silverwood's promptly and got 20 cts a lb. for the chickens $8.40 for the 9. We have been looking for our sheep records very anxiously all this time and Dad wrote them at Ottawa a rather sharp letter on Monday and Thursday they came Friday Dad. got a very courteous reply to his letter saying they had been very busy. Friday Frank https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/36c01dc8d3efbfd75316fab296659981.pdf a384893f0604eb22317d75f9664ef8f2 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. and I took them up to McEwen, had dinner there and went on in to Brantford got some fire brick for the kitchen range at Buck's factory, saw Miss Batersby for a few minutes and got him on the 5 car. McEwen paid me $25.00. We sold four of our turkeys to people in town for 35 cts a lb. dressed One we had for Christmas dinner at Aunty's where all the family except Aunty Maude who stayed at Aunt Lucy's gathered Christmas night and they had a tree. It was a lovely day. Our concert came off and was voted a success by all both financially and otherwise. They took in over $50.00 from 20 & 10 ct tickets. We are having an awful time trying to get chestnut coal. There is none in the country and some trouble with the railway congestion of freight at the lines prevent any from coming in. We borrowed a little from Quanbury's and Frank and I managed to get a box of big furnace coal the other day, but Dad. has to crack it up with the hammer and then it isn't as good. The war is still progressing. Germany has made peace proposals but with such an arrogant air and offering no suitable terms so they have been ignored by all the Allies Most people look for peace next year. We all got Quint's picture for Christmas. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary Collection Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Theobald "Toby" Barrett Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Courtesy of Archival and Special Collections, University of Guelph Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1911-1925 Language A language of the resource English Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 20th Century, Norfolk County, Woodhouse Township, Ontario Table Of Contents A list of subunits of the resource. Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary & Transcription, 1911 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary & Transcription, 1913 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary & Transcription, 1914 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1915 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1916 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1917 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary & Transcription, 1918 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1919 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1920-1921 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1921 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1925 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1925-1926 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1926-1927 Medium The material or physical carrier of the resource. Scanned Manuscript Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1916 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Theobald "Toby" Barrett Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Courtesy of Archival and Special Collections, University of Guelph Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1916 Language A language of the resource English Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 20th Century, Norfolk County, Woodhouse Township, Ontario Date Created Date of creation of the resource. January 1, 1916 Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary Collection Medium The material or physical carrier of the resource. Scanned Manuscript UG Transcription Progress Scripto transcription progress Done Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>{Blank Front Cover Inside page on the left}</p> <p>{Right side page}</p> <p>DIARY.1916</p> <p>T.B.Barrett.</p> <p>Port Dover, Ontario.</p> <p>The Farm</p> <p>From January 1st 1916 to September 29th 1916</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Saturday January 1st 1916</p> <p>They tolled the church bell three times and rang it to herald the New Year and after spending about another quarter of an hour in church we went over to the dance Dad. &amp; Enah were in church and they came over to the dance This being Leap Year all boys caught asking a girl to dance were supposed to be fined a quarter but I don't think many spotted up. They had a square dance which Mr Cope and Enah took part in Mr Cope aparently enjoyed him self immensely We danced till nearly three o clock and every body agreed that it was the best dance this year so far. Enah and I spent the remainder of the night at Aunty Alices but Dad. &amp; Frank who we discovered had been up {several faded words} dance went home. Aunty Alice sat up as the baby was asleep and she thought he might wake up. Aunty Alice didn't call me till nearly ten o clock and I wasnt very anxious to get up then. It was raining hard so after I had breakfast I sat around and read till noon. We just sat down to dinner when Dad. drove down after Enah so I went up with him and got the mail, and then walked home. We just did chores this after noon except Frank who cut a lot more of the chicken house flooring. It has rained nearly all day.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Sunday January 2nd</p> <p>It poured rain during the night and has been very soft and mild all day but is colder to-night I arose fairly early this morning and got ready in time to go to church Enah and I walked down and were late. After church Aunty Alice and Aunt Ida were going up to Huby's for dinner as they had goose and as Aunty Maude had told Aunty Alice to bring Dad. up too should he happen to be in church and as he didn't happen to be in church and as I was in no mood to walk home in the slush to dinner and right back I thought it would be all right for me to go to Huby"s so I did and had a very enjoyable dinner. Uncle Ward was the only other guest. I spent the afternoon down at the Bagley's and had tea there. We all went to our various churches.</p> <p>Monday January 3rd</p> <p>I did chores most of the morning and husked a little corn Dad. and the baby went down to meet Aunty who came up on the morning train to vote. Dad. was very anxious to have her vote because Vyse was running again against old Walker. They saw Ed. up town and he said to vote for Walker Moon &amp; Wilson so she did. Walker got in by a majority of 8 Ed. headed the polls for councillors then came Harry Smith, R.M. Taylor and Mat. Wilson and the bylaw which was to give a fixed rate of assessment to the canning factory who in return are going to put up another big building carried so Aunty didn't lose a vote. Dad. stayed down to dinner, while he was gone and while I was husking corn out in the barn, the fattening steer got lose and got out behind the calves and into the alley in front of the cows I heard a commotion but didn't pay much attention but when I went to go in I found the black calf had either been frightened or hooked into the manger He was on his side with his nigh fore &amp; hind feet sticking over the edge but he was wedged in so tightly that I couldn't lift him so had to tear the whole manger out, and he felt pretty wobbly when he did get loose. This after noon Dad. and I went out to try and set up some of the down shocks of corn but they were frozen in to hard. The mice are eating it badly and we cant haul it in till we thrash out our clover seed. Mr. Flemming was over to get a hand to help him thrash to-morrow but I dont think the machine is there yet. It was A.Y.P.A. social evening to-night. Mrs Clare Deal Miss Marshall and I were put on the committee to run it but except for meeting Mrs Deal on the bridge last night on my way</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>home and telling her that what she had done couldn't have been improved on I haven't done a thing. However it came off all right only there were very few there Enah went down to tea at the James and she said Elva played a duet said Davis sang Aunty Maude gave us a little talk and we had refreshments. Frank and I went down to see Aunty on our way down as this is her birthday. Sunny, a little blizzardy but misty.</p> <p>Tuesday January 4th</p> <p>Dad. had to go over to Flemming's to thrash alsike this morning, they thrashed all day and got seven bags from eleven loads so it didn't turn out so well as the rest has this year. Dad. says Lloyd Crysler told them John Wess got eleven bushels to the acre. I was over for a few minutes this after noon and it looked terribly dusty {illegible} Dad. was nearly all in when he came home. Mr. Flemming never has enough men either. I didn't do much but chores to-day, and sorted out my chickens a little to-night. I got three more pullet's eggs to day. Much milder, south wind</p> <p>Wednesday January 5th</p> <p>It rained hard during the night and has poured rain most of the day but to-night it is freezing and the wind getting around to the north. Dad. and I did chores most of the morning and this after noon we got some more of the floor laid in the chicken shed.</p> <p>Thursday January 6th</p> <p>This morning Dad. and I got a little more floor laid in the chicken shed. Aunty Alice came over while we were working at it and stayed to dinner and walked back soon after via Mrs. Battersby's to see Miss Phipps who has been sick Dad. and I went down with the waggon to get a load of soft coal for the thrashers who may be here to-morrow. Alan was in to-night and said they would get moved down here to-morrow night maybe in time to thrash a little. To-night I went skating. Frank went down with me and spent the evening up at Huby's, he didn't get home till about twelve o'clock I was late enough as Essie &amp; Marj. were down skating. I called for them but they had gone with Mr. Woodyer so I went up home with them and Marj. made some cocoa and we fed and sat around for about an hour, so it was pretty late. Dick was just getting ready for bed and said he had the grip. There is an awful lot of it in town. Much colder &amp; freezing hard. Skating grand.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Friday January 7th</p> <p>This was Dick's birthday, but as he has every thing he wants with in the limits of an ordinary man's fortune, we couldn't think of any thing to get him, but he happened to mention at breakfast that he broke his hockey stick yesterday so I got one for Frank and me to give him. Right after breakfast I went down to get Joe shod and took her up to Hallam's but as Bobbie McMullin seemed to be running things up there I made an excuse to see Hallam who was down at George Gambles and took Joe down to Joe Howell's, it was after twelve when I got home. This after noon we laid a little more of the chicken house floor. Frank stayed home and helped us. About four o'clock Sam &amp; Alan came in with the clover mill &amp; engine but it wasn't worthwhile thrashing any. To-night I went skating again Enah went down to choir practice with me. I went up to the Bagley's and Essie &amp; Woodyer were just leaving but Marj. hadn't got back from a treat they were giving the Sunday school kids so I started off to get her but met her half way as Enah had told her there was skating on. We had a fine time as the ice is great but Essie had to leave at eight o'clock to go to choir practice. I could have had a ride home with Dick and Alan but thought I had better go down to Aunty's and see if Enah was there but she had just left before I got there. Dick &amp; Frank both feel rather tough to-night. Nice day pretty frosty.</p> <p>Saturday January 8th</p> <p>We thrashed the clover this morning and finished it by a little after twelve and before dinner. We got over five bags of stuff from the six loads but it was more than half I think plantain seed. If we can ever get it separated though we will have enough red seed for our own use. Mr. Flemming and Tupper were the only ones extra we had. Aunty came over and helped Enah. This after noon Dad. and I went up to Ham Thompson's to see a sick cow, we were up there quite awhile looking at all the stock some of which is pretty nice. I drove down and got the mail when we got home. To-night I went skating again as it was a beautiful night and the ice was fine. There was a good bunch down there and we had a good time. I had a bath after I got home. Dick came home early and has not felt very well all day, his eyes are sore Frank has been in all day too with the grip. Still pretty cold and frosty.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Sunday January 9th</p> <p>Enah and I walked down to church this morning and I have been down all day I had dinner and tea at Aunty's Miss Phipps was there to dinner. I spent the after noon &amp; evening up at the Bagley's, before tea I got Cousin Loll &amp; Cousin Phoebe to go over to the Ansley's with me as they had the key to the house and get a Wandering Jew plant which Cousin Bessy left there to freeze unless Aunty took pity on in so I took it down to her. The Ansley's all left for Toronto yesterday. They expect Joe Syer's battery to be moved to France next month. Aunty Alice and I went to church to-night. We thought Dad. would have been down but I found out that he had had to go up to Bill Duncan's to see a sick horse. Dick and Frank have both been in the house all day to-day so Dick must be pretty bad. There were quite a few skating this after noon but I didn't go. It is getting milder to-night.</p> <p>Monday January 10th</p> <p>It rained during the night and has rained a lot during the day but is colder to-night. I went over to Quanbury's to see Charlie this morning, he is better and sitting up but has had a bad time with his throat.On my way home I stopped in and got a setting of eggs from Jack Martin as one of the old red hens has been sitting for quite awhile and Dad. was very anxious to put some eggs under I thought it would be too early to have them come out. Dad &amp; I didn't do much but chores this after noon Aunty came over before tea to stay all night as Dad. Enah and I went down to A.Y.P.A. and the boys have been in the house all day. Dick was bound he was going to work yesterday but when this morning came he wasn't at all anxious to go Glad. Law and Marj. Clarke had a Dicken's evening at A.Y.P.A. to-night and Dad. &amp; Enah sang "What are the Wild Waves Saying" Cousin Willie, Jack Martin and Aunty Maude also took part but there were very few there. Dad. had to be chairman.</p> <p>Tuesday January 11th</p> <p>It was frozen up this morning so after we got the chores done Dad. and I got in a load of corn and another one this after noon, we took two rows at a time so got quite a strip of land cleared, there are about two loads left out there yet, we put it up where the clover seed was cut left the last load on the waggon, we couldn't get it in before on account</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>of the clover seed taking up the room. To-night I went skating the ice was in beautiful shape. Dad has felt sick all day.</p> <p>Wednesday January 12th</p> <p>Dad. has been in bed all day and feels properly sick I guess he has the grip like all the rest of them althoug he hasn't a cold. It has kept me busy all day just doing the chores. Frank has felt a lot better but not well enough to be out. Dick still {feels his?} eyes pretty sore. Nicholson &amp; Hazen came over to see him this evening. They told him not to try to come to work. Hazen told me last night they were getting along fine Mr. {Name?} has sold about fifteen dollars worth of chickens and only spends about ten minutes a day in the bank. It has rained most of the day but is colder to-night.</p> <p>Tuesday January 13th</p> <p>Dad. has been sitting up to-day but doesn't feel much better I think. Frank has been well enough to-day to help me do some of the chores but we didn't get anything else done. Mrs. Dyer came over to see Dick to-day He doesn't feel much better. It has been cold and stormy to-day</p> <p>Friday January 14th</p> <p>I saw they had steam up over at Sam's this morning and about nine o'clock Alan came in to see if one of us could go over. I was just going in to breakfast but he said he had to go down town so I didn't need to hurry, I went over and hung around for half an hour and we got started about half past ten, but as there were only two loads of alsike we got through before noon, it turned out pretty well as they got three bushels. I was the only extra hand there. Bert and I pitched out of the mow and Sam &amp; Alan did the rest. I had dinner over there but when I got home found Frank had all the chores done so this after noon he and I took a small grist to the mill, small because we could only find about half a dozen empty bags. Tonight I went skating there was a little snow on the ice but it was pretty good. Dess &amp; {Name?} Dyer came over to see Dick to-night so Frank had to see them home and didn't get back till long after I did. Dick has felt a great deal worse to-day about the sickest he has yet although his eyes are better. Dad. says he feels better to-night but he is pretty weak. It has been a nice day but pretty cold. This was Aunt Ida's birthday and I called in to wish her a happy one. Aunty &amp; Aunty Alice were both at church but I saw them on my way home</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Saturday January 15th</p> <p>Frank and I have put in a busy day besides doing the chores we got in two loads of corn, we only took two rows in the two loads but in some places it was badly frozen in so we didn't have time to take full rows. Dad. has felt very miserable to day and has not been out of bed at all his eyes ache {illegible}. Aunty has been over all the after noon and I walked home with her after tea and got the mail. Dick is a little better. Very blustery day especially this after noon. Strong wind with snow and very cold.</p> <p>Sunday January 16th</p> <p>Frank went to church this morning and I did chores I got them pretty well done up before dinner and this after noon Dick and I went down town Dick wasn't much better but vowed he was coming down and stayed down all night. Essie, Marj. and I paid a visit to the Prestons this after noon every female member of that family are sick in bed and Arthur and Mr. P. are keeping house. I came home about half past five and did chores and went down again after tea I was too late for church so I went up to Huby's for about an hour. Aunty Maude was sick with neuraligia and had gone to bed &amp; I met Essie &amp; Marj. on their way from Methodist Church and went with them over to the Smith's, Harry &amp; Fred were both home for Sunday. Mrs. Smith looked very badly. I came home fairly early. Elva &amp; Mr. James were over here this after noon and Huby was here when I got home before tea but didn't stay to tea. Aunty Alice was over to dinner and part of the after noon. Very cold nor'west wind all day. Blizzardy</p> <p>Monday January 17th</p> <p>Frank went to school to-day but came home early this after noon he said they had to let a lot of them out as the school house was so cold. I haven't tried to do a thing but chores as it has been so cold. Dad. has felt better and was out at the barn for a little while to-day. To-night I went down to A.Y.P.A. but as there was no body there to conduct the meeting it adjourned and Marj. Glad. Law &amp; I went to the picture show where we enjoyed ourselves much better. I looked in at Henry Buoy's pool room on my way home attracted by what sounded on the street like quite a racket but which proved to be only Al. Faulkner talking. I found Frank up there</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>watching a game between Bunyian and Fred Tuck. Bunyian was pretty well jagged and was shooting with the butt end of his cue. Frank and I stopped in at Aunty's on our way home and found Dick there for the night, he looks pretty rotten yet but says he feels all right. I tried on a couple of shirts which Aunty Alice made for Dad. but which were too small and which just about fit me so I inherited them. They're dandys too. I sat up till three o'clock after I got home and finished reading "Mr. {illegible} of {illegible}" It was pretty good but I thing I caught a bad cold over it. This I think has been the coldest day yet this winter frosty as well as windy.</p> <p>Tuesday January 18th</p> <p>Frank has been at school all day. I have just done chores and not tried to anything else, in fact the chores took up most of my time. Dad. went down town this morning and stayed at Aunty's to dinner and most of the after noon, he doesn't feel any worse for it what he suffers most from now is a peculiar, very disagreeable, undescribable and he says most rotten taste and sometimes smell that he gets on some of his food and most of all when he tries to smoke, he is longing for a smoke and hasn't had one for four days, he has filled and lit three different pipes but each one has the same taste and he just takes one draw then puts the pipe away with an exceedingly marked expression of utter disgust. Enah has caught the sore eye trouble in one eye and I have a peacherine of a cold in my head. Tid's eyes are both sore. It has been still cold &amp; blizzardy all day but not so frosty as yesterday and I think is getting milder to-night.</p> <p>Wednesday January 19th</p> <p>It has been milder and sunny to-day and much milder to-night, but we haven't done anything but the chores.The little steer was off his feed this morning and I noticed he was badly bloated so Dad. has had a stick in his mouth most of the day to take the bloat down but it isn't all out to-night though better. Mr. Morgan was over here all the after noon and Dad. ordered six cherry trees from him and he is going to replace the two walnuts that died. To-night I went down to see if there was any skating but there was no one down. The ice is beautifully smooth where the wind has swept</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>it clear but there is too much snow to make skating. I took my skates up to the garage and left them to be sharpened and then went down to Aunty's for a little while. Aunty was just going to bed and was not {doing?} at all well all day. Dick was down there looking tough and hasn't been out of the house all day but says he feels better, over here Dad. &amp; Enah both have very sore eyes and Enah feels pretty sick besides I think. Frank went down to-night with me and went up to Huby's.</p> <p>Thursday January 20th</p> <p>It has drizzled rain all day and every thing as slippery as grease or partly inundated, we have just done chores I cleaned out the chicken dropping boards this morning and this after noon I husked a little corn while Dad. cut some shelves to put up in the clothes room, Frank and I did up the night chores and Dad. went down to Aunty's for tea, he wanted to see how Aunty &amp; Dick were, he hasn't seen Dick since Sunday. Frank saw him up town to-day at noon. To night I went down town and stumbled on the opening meeting of the "Never-ready Club" which consists of Marj. Glad. Law &amp; Essie. They were all knitting or crocheting so I joined and just talked to them and held some yarn for Marj. to wind into balls. I got home about twelve after waiting for nearly two hours in at Hec's for Alan Law.</p> <p>Wednesday Friday January 21st</p> <p>Enah has at last got the grip she has felt very miserable all day and not been able to sit up or eat at all. The baby has a bad cough. This morning I got the chores pretty well done up and this after noon Dad. and I got some more of the chicken shed floor down, it wont take very much longer to finish it. To-night I walked down to Aunty Alice's with a couple of dozen eggs. Aunty feels better and Dick was up working. I stopped in at Quanbury's on my way home and gave Mr. Quanbury a dollar to join the Horticultural Society. Charlie &amp; Art. were out at the farm for a load of straw. Very mild all day just like Spring, no colder to-night</p> <p>Saturday January 22nd</p> <p>Dad. has been in the house all day nearly again to-day with a headache. Enah was in bed all morning but felt better and was able to be up this afternoon while the poor baby is about half dead with the croup. He barks just</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>a little dog when he coughs and looks like the mischief and I guess feels as bad as he looks although he has been very good. Frank and I laid floor in the chicken house this morning and used up all the lumber we had, so this after noon we did up all the chores and drove down town in the waggon and got 20 {illegible} more, which we laid to-night after tea, we worked out there till nearly nine o'clock and only have it to finish up with a six inch board which has to be notched to fit the studding. Frank has developed a case of pink eye this after noon and has gone to bed to-night not being able to see out of his left eye. Dick came home to-night the first time since last Sunday. Very soft &amp; mild. An April day.</p> <p>Sunday January 23rd</p> <p>Owing to the condition of the familys health this morning I had to most of the chores. Frank helped me clean out the cow stables after breakfast but he can't do much on account of his eye, he feels all right other ways and went back to the gully and set a rat trap this morning. Dad's head doesn't ache to-day and Enah says she feels a little better but the poor baby looks awful although his cough doesn't sound as bad. This after noon I went down town and also to-night. I came home at tea time to do chores, but Dad. &amp; Frank had them all done. Aunty Alice has the doctor down to see Aunty this after noon, he says it is the regular grip she has It froze last night and has been colder to day but feels very like Spring.</p> <p>Monday January 24th</p> <p>Frank went to school this morning sore eyes and all. Dad. and I did up the necessary chores and then went out and got in the rest of the corn, there were three rows but we brought it all in one load and got it in about noon, this after noon Will Philips was in for quite awhile to ask Dad about a sick horse and then {Name?} McPherson came in to get us all to sign a petition to the Government to put through a total Prohibition Bill or submit it to the people, we all signed it. I would rather have waited to hear some more argument on the subject but as it stands it looks right enough to me. We then {cacked?} up a grist which I took down to the mill. To-night Frank and I went skating, the ice was great in spots but there were a lot of rough spots to skate into Dad has been out all day but feels too weak to work hard. Enah and Tid show very slight signs of improvement while Frank reports that Aunty though still in bed is a little better. Very mild all day &amp; to-night. Spring.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Tuesday January 25th</p> <p>This morning I went down to the mill and got the grist that I left there last night. I took the washing up to Mrs. McBride's as she was over this morning to say she could not come over to wash as Sam had to go out to Pow's and couldn't mind the kids, she gave me a whole pile of old cabbages which have been frozen two or three times for the chickens, soon after I got back Charlie Quanbury came over to get Dad. to look at old Corbett who Dad says is pretty sick, they drenched him the other night and Dad. thinks got some oil on his lungs. He didn't get back till noon as Jack Martin called him in there to show him a rooster with the chicken pox. I cleaned out the stables while he was gone.This after noon we were going to {polish?} the floor in the chicken house but just as we got the noon chores done Uncle Ward came over and visited all the after noon. About half past four we had to take Elgithe up to Ham Thompson's bull. She was very wild at first and we had a sling rope tied on to the end of her halter rope before we got out of the lane. I had caught my foot in the loop of the rope and had to let go and drop to get loose She dragged me a few feet before I got loose and then ran right down along the fence running into it and catchin in it every now and again, when she got to the corner she turned in Ivey's gate and ran for our line where we managed to head her off and catch her. Dad. took her on up and I went behind after she got a little cooled down she went as gentle as a lamb. To-night Frank and I went skating or at least down town to go skating but as there was no body on the pond we came to the conclusion that it was too soft so went down to see Aunty for awhile she is much better and came home. It has been very mild &amp; muddy all day, looks very much like rain.</p> <p>Wednesday January 26th</p> <p>Dad and I have put in all our time to-day besides doing chores in putting down the last strip in the chicken house floor it only took one six inch board but Dad. had to cut it at each stud to make it fit right as the spaces between floor &amp; wall were uneven between some of the streds, so it took a long time. Sam Law came in this morning to settle up accounts, we owe him six or seven dollars yet for thrashing. Alex Jamieson was in this afternoon to get some veterinary advice. To-night Dad. walked down</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>to see Aunty. Frank and I spent most of the evening catching pigeons. Hugh McQueen is buying them this time for a shooting match and paying thirty cents a pair for them. It has been too mild to day to wear a coat, but looks rainy.</p> <p>Thursday January 27th</p> <p>About the first thing this morning I went over to Mrs. McBride's and got the clothes. Aleta was there and Mrs. McBride away, they have all gone back to live with Sam and he has made all kinds of promises about acting like a good husband and father and they say he signed the total prohibition petition. Alan Law says it is all her fault anyway. He said this Christmas she asked him to go down to Jane's for dinner but Sam wanted to have their own Christmas at home and accordingly went down and bought a goose and presents for all the family when Christmas came he went home and as Alan says "No damned Susan there" so poor Sam had to eat alone, when she did come she "throwed" the presents and spoke very desparagingly of them. "Why" Alan says "How would you like it if you were a married man to go home there at night and have to get your own supper and have no woman to sit down and talk to and go to bed alone and have her come prowling in about midnight and then never get up in the morning to get your breakfast and the house all upset, its enough to make any man discouraged." He said " I've lived beside them a long time and know them both and there isn't a better man living than Sam McBride." "Yes" I said "I guess he's all right when he's sober" "Why" Alan said "I never found him out of the way when he was drunk, and if she was half the woman that he is a man there would be no drinking go on in that house." However they are a united family at present we'll see how long it will last. When I got home from there I took a chicken down to Aunty Alice and just got home by noon. Joe was feeling very much like what might be expected since she has done nothing whatever the last couple of weeks but stand in and eat oats and hay too of course, but the roads were so bad she couldn't do much, they say the frost is all out in some places, Alan says that Fred Rose down the Plank was digging post holes to-day. This after noon Dad. and I carried four big bundles of straw over to the the chicken's new floored scratchin shed. I think it is going to be a great improvement. To-night I</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>went down to the Red Cross supper in the Town Hall I was to have called for Aunty Alice at six o'clock but I was late so she had gone so I went alone but had my tea with Dick &amp; Dess. There were some dandy cakes there but as usual in such cases my stomach became incapacitated long before my appetite was satiated. I went home with Marj. &amp; Essie and later we went to the picture show, we had to use brute force to get Essie past the Methodist Church as there was a prayer meeting going on and she was supposed to be there to play and we literally dragged her away from it. It's a war prayer meeting and as I tell her the Germans are praying as hard as we are and I suppose there are lots of them just as good in God's sight as there are of us so in all probability God will wind it up in his own way in spite of all of us. I really think about like Aunty Alice that praying and fighting don't go very well to-gether that if we trust so much in our own strength we oughtn't to expect much help from Heaven or if we do want Divine help we should throw down our arms and pray for it, but of course that is out of the question as we are too human for that. I got a ride home with Dick &amp; Alan. I don't know what has struck me to-night to write so much diary but it is half past twelve now so I am going to bed. Dad. has just been out for a while to smoke he got so hot in bed he couldn't go to sleep. This is really the most remarkable weather for January I ever heard of. It has rained a good part of to day and to-night was too mild to wear an overcoat. It is hard to believe that it is midwinter.</p> <p>Friday January 28th</p> <p>Dad. and I put off the load of corn which was on the waggon this morning and also nailed on the boards which block up the space over the south doors of the old barn We didn't do much this after noon but chores, we took the nests out of the rooster's pen and put them up in the pullets end of the scratching shed, the pile of straw we put in there has kept them busy most of the day, we also swept out the brooder and put it in the colony house. Tonight Dad. &amp; Frank have gone down town Dick expects Ferdy to-night for a few days and as the roads are too bad to drive down Dad. took the lantern and is going to wait at Aunty's for them, they have to call on Dess &amp; maybe take in the show before they come over. Colder to-day freezng to-night</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Saturday January 29th</p> <p>Ferdy arrived safely last night and aparently in good condition as whe Enah inquired after his health he expressed the fact "that he didn't have no kick coming." We haven't seen any thing of him since soon after breakfast as he has spent the day in town. Frank was down town most of the morning getting his teeth filled. I did a few chores but spent most of the day making a hopper in the chicken house and putting in a {illegible} and another couple of {illegible}. This evening I filled the two hoppers with a whole bag of rolled oats and also put in grit and dried meat scrap. Dad and Frank went down town and got a load of coal. To-night Frank has gone down again to get a link of stove pipe for the little {illegible} coal stove, it has to be made a {illegible} and {illegible} narrow {illegible} to put on the stove and be {illegible} six inch pipe. Dunn has sent over two {illegible} {Illegible} but none are big enough although Dad. took an exact impression of the hob on a piece of cardboard and sent it down but Dunn said he should have sent down the shape made of wire so he did this after noon. It froze fairly hard last night but except for a cold and raw east wind it has not been very wintry to-day. It is raining &amp; freezing as it comes to-night.</p> <p>Sunday January 30th</p> <p>We all got up late this morning and none of us got ready in time to go to church. This after noon Dick, Ferdie &amp; I walked down and I spent the afternoon and evening up at the Bagley's. I had tea at Aunty's and went to church with Aunty Alice. It has been a horrible day raining most of the time, to-night it was pouring rain and very dark when I went down to Aunty's after my overshoes so I stayed all night. Aunty feels quite a lot better to-day.</p> <p>Monday January 31st</p> <p>I got up fairly early this morning but it was still raining when I was ready to start for home so I thought I would wait and see if Dad. drove the boys down in which case I knew he would call for me. I finished reading "The Road Mender" by Michael Fairless which I started down there last fall when I was sick and have read part of since whenever I had time, then Aunty Alice and I had a game of chess I had nearly forgotten the game but she reminded me as we went along and we had quite a game. Neither one of us won because about ten o'clock we came to the conclusion that Dad. wasn't down</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>and that we shouldn't be wasting any more time in the middle of the morning, so we quit without either being checked. By the time I got home and got my clothes changed it was nearly noon. This after noon we didn't do much but chores and husk a little corn. Ferdie went down town. Frank and I went down to A.Y.P.A to-night but they didn't do anything down there much but adjourn. Mr. Johnson was not there as he was called away very suddenly this morning to Muskoka to the supposed death-bed of his uncle. Glad Law brought the minute book as Marj. has the grip. I went in with Glad. after the meeting to see her. She looks the picture of health and says she feels alright as long as she is sitting down but she got so sick and dizzy in school this morning that she had to let the kids all out and go home before recess. I went down to Aunty's on my way home Aunty Alice had gone up to Cousin Loll's to play bridge. Frank came in while I was there and we came home to-gether. The marble season has commenced already I suppose on account of the open weather. Frank has been playing all evening and has about thirty he had none when he went down I borrowed some from him and we played odd &amp; even all the way home and I had the same old luck that I used to have when Egg. Thompson &amp; I used to play all day in school, started with about a dozen and only had about five or six when we got home. Dick and Ferdie where here when we got home, they got a ride with Alan. It has been very mild all day but is colder to-night.</p> <p>Tuesday February 1st</p> <p>It froze a little last night but not much after I cleaned out the stables I took some manure around to put on the front beds and the frost was all out in the sod. I took another strip off by the rhubarb bed that I started last fall. Dad. cut a piece off the stack. This after noon Aunty Alice came over and we didn't do much. Alan came in towards dark with ten bushels of potatoes he got from {Name?] Waddle at $1.00 and we were going to take four bushels and he was to leave five of theirs in our cellar as they have no place to keep them and he took one bag home to use. To-night Frank and I went out to catch some more pigeons for Hugh McQueen's match but could only catch two. Ferdie has been down town all the after noon in fact went before dinner. Poor old Tige has been sick all day. I don't know what is the matter with her, she doesn't seem to want to move. I guess she has the grip. It has been colder this after noon and is freezing hard to-night with strong N.W wind.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Wednesday February 2nd</p> <p>After breakfast this morning Dad. got started reading Happy Hawkins aloud so we didn't get out very early and didn't do any thing but chores. Enah went down town before dinner as Aunty Alice told her yesterday that her father was quite ill, she was down all the after noon, so Dad. Ferdie &amp; I had dinner alone. This after noon we did chores and Dad. trimmed Queen's &amp; Gingers hooves, he had a few chores to do around the house too. I went over to Jack Martin's to get a couple of roosters to mate up with my hens but they were too busy shipping birds to get them for me to-night. I went down to Quanburys with {illegible} nursery stock I {rest of sentence illegible} To-night Frank and I went down town. Frank took some eggs down to the store and his two pigeons which we caught last night. I went around to see Marj. she feels pretty wobbly yet but looks well (if looks were all that were concerned I wish she was {illegible} all the time allthough her every day looks are ok its been colder and cloudy to day Bear saw his shadow</p> <p>Thursday February 3rd</p> <p>This morning I went over to Martin's to get four roosters to mate my hens. I was over there quite a while and was just starting off with a couple intending to come back after the other two when Dad. came in he had helped Enah bring the baby through the field so he helped me take the four home. Enah spent the day down town again as her father is still very ill although a little better to-night. Ferdy went down with her and has been down town all day. The old hen hatched out four of the thirteen eggs I got from Jack but one of them got chilled to-day and died. Dad. brought her and the other three into the kitchen this after noon. I haven't done any thing but chores and read this after noon It has been cold and rather stormy so Dad went down to Aunty's about four o'clock to bring the baby home but Enah had taken him up to the Jame's and Dad. didn't go up there after him. Mrs. Hodge died to-day and the old man is just about all in. Bruce Dell was over before tea to get Dad. to go down and look at thier old cow which is bloated. Dad. gave Bruce a great raking over but has gone down to-night. I trimmed the tag locks off the hens to-night with the sheep shears. I got a fac-simile of the letter Dick got (the other day) from Pratt yesterday telling me it was my duty to join the 133rd Norfolk Battalion. Holly Bush got one but Holly says he won't answer the requirements as he</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>over the age limit (45 years) and under the minimum heighth which is 5 ft 2 but I am sure there are fellows down there shorter than Holly and he says he is only 5 ft 1 in. I think they are taking almost any body who will join. Old Bill George and two of his sons have enlisted. Old Bill will make a pretty figure in uniform. If they aim high enough he will make a good mark but they could shoot a good sized shell between his knees and him standing at attention. Hammy Innes joined yesterday too. Hammy joined on a bet. Hargreaves one of the boys in khaki bet Hammy he could spot him 25 playing pool and beat him. Hammy took him up. Hargreaves said if he did would he enlist and Hammy said he would so when he lost he kept his word. I thought he would some day anyway, he has been the butt of a good deal of sarcasm as there were a great many "patriotic" busy bodies who couldn't understand what their was to keep him home. They will have to turn all their attention to Cliff Lees now but I don't think it will affect him much. He is off to-day seeing L.G. Morgan &amp; the Penman's Company for the pond or something or other. I think the lawsuit was to come off to day. If he beats them I guess he is smarter than most people took him for but he can't be any crookeder</p> <p>Friday February 4th</p> <p>We haven't done much all day but chores. Enah went over to the Martin's this morning and telephoned down to find out how her father was and found he had had a good night and was better. This after noon I got my duds picked out for the hard time ball and Enah cleaned them up. I got a long tailed coat of Dad's out in the wood shed and a light coloured vest and wore one of my new blue and white shirts that Aunty Alice made me with a little plaid bow tie after that I just sat around and listened to Dad. read Happy Hawkins. Enah, Dad. &amp; the baby went down to Aunty's for tea so Frank and I had ours alone, Ferdy having gone down early in the afternoon to stay at the Dyer's or Henry's to tea and taken a suitcase full of clothes for himself and Dick. Frank and I went down as soon as I got togged up. I went into Aunty's for a minute or two and then went up to see how Marj. was, she has been at school the last two days and was waiting for Glad Law to go down and watch the dance for a little while I went down with them they all laughed heartily at my costume but when we got there we found very few dressed out of the ordinary</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Hazen was the best he had the doggonedest outfit on I ever saw great big coloured patches sewed all over his clothes and an old bit of side line for a belt with an alarm clock hanging to it for a watch it would go off every time there was a lull in the dancing The girls went home early and didn't dance at all. I went up with them and went in to show my self to Essie who had been at choir practice. She didn't say much and appeared shocked, it's part of her Methodist tomfoolery to think dancing, wicked, though I don't suppose she could tell why to save her neck. There wasn't such a big crowd there but we certainly had a good time Dad. &amp; Enah didn't get there till quite late. Enah had a tray there which she had carved and which she raffled off. Sam Morris drew the lucky ticket, we got home before three o'clock. Enah staying down at Aunty's where Tid was. It has got milder this after noon and was snowing when we came home</p> <p>Saturday February 5th</p> <p>I did a few chores to-day but spent most of the time just sitting around and going to sleep. I wrote to Quint this after noon and read a good deal of the newspaper as it is full of the accounts of the awful fire at Ottawa which destroyed the Parliament Buildings, they don't know yet whether the fire was caused by accident or whether it was the work of Germans but they have arrested one man on suspicion. It was an awful fire as seven people lost their lives two of them women and one a member and it destroyed what they say was the most beautiful public building in Canada North America. It has snowed most of the day and is very much milder. Enah walked home with the baby this morning Dad. killed and dressed three chickens but none of us have done much. Frank husked corn &amp; copied notes.</p> <p>Sunday February 6th</p> <p>Frank, Enah and I went to church this morning and were quite late, Frank and I especially, I stayed down at Aunty's to dinner and spent most of the afternoon at the Bagley's I came back to Aunty's for tea and went to church this evening with Aunty Alice, she went around after church with the Tibbits and I went home with Marj. &amp; Glad Law. We had a new preacher as Mr. Johnson is still up in Muskoka with his sick uncle, this man was a Mr. Low from Stratford and</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>seemed like a very nice man as well as a fairly good preacher. I went in to Aunty's on my way home to say good-bye to Ferdy as he is leaving in the morning and is going to stay there all night so as he will be handy to the train. It has been quite mild to-day and has snowed considerably.</p> <p>Monday February 7th</p> <p>This has been a regular winter day cold, some snow and very windy. We didn't do any thing but chores and Dad. put cotton on the last frame for the chicken house. This after noon I went down and got a tooth filled and stayed at Aunty Alice's to tea. Arthur Anderson walked over this morning to get Dad. to give him an order for some binder twine but Dad. didn't and afterwards he changed his mind so I gave them an order for fifty lbs this after noon. Mr. &amp; Mrs. Johnson, some people Aunty Alice knew in Fort Saskatchewan came in to-night and I went with her to the station to meet them. She spoke to to drive them up and he did but Mrs. {Name?} came in from {illegible} out of the hospital so he took her home first and had to drive very slowly and then as he was so close, went up to Davie's with Ida so by the time we got down to the house we might far better have walked. I went right back up with Al. and went around to call at the Moon's to say good bye to Miss Misner (Minnie) who is leaving in the morning to go with the Queen's University Kingston Corps to be a military nurse at Cairo, Egypt. She &amp; Mrs. Moon were just leaving when I got there to go to the Sunday school were the A.Y.P.A. and Willing Workers were entertaining the soldiers and sent Miss Misener an invitation so I went with them. Mrs. Skey &amp; Mrs. Col. Smith were there representing the I.O.D.E. and presented Miss Misener with an adress &amp; a purse. The orchestra was there and Cousin Willie was chairman, after quite a programe in which the soldiers "did their bit" we had refreshments and it was quite late when Frank and I got home.</p> <p>Tuesday February 8th</p> <p>Dad and I took our steer down to Bagley &amp; Miller's slaughter house where Whit Dixon is going to kill him for us We stopped in at Aunty's on our way back. Mr. &amp; Mrs. Johnson wanted to come over this after noon and see Jack Martin's chickens and as Mrs. Johnson is a little lame they wanted me to come down after dinner and drive</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>her over so I did and Mr. Johnson &amp; Aunty Alice walked over. Dad. came over and met us there and after we had seen pretty well all the plant he &amp; Mr. Johnson drove over to the farm. I walked over and Aunty Alice &amp; Mrs. Johnson called on Mrs. Martin and walked home. About half past four Dad. Enah &amp; Mr. Johnston &amp; the baby went down to Aunty {illegible} Frank and I did chores and had our tea alone. The Johnsons are going in the morning. Mrs. McBride has been here {washing?} all day. I am {illegible} there are hot times going on between the Martin's &amp; Quanbury's, the latter accused the former of listening to their telephone talk and old Mrs.Martin and Mrs. Charlie went over and called the Quanbury's down and John says Charlie called the boys all kind of names Jack is away but he isn't mixed up in it any way. It has not been so cold to-day and has snowed all the afternoon.</p> <p>Wednesday February 9th</p> <p>We did chores this morning and I put cotton on the window in the old hen's pen and blocked it up with boards where the glass had come out. Dad. had another fall after dinner and hurt his elbow quite badly. About four o'clock we hooked the big team to the waggon and went down to get our beef, we went right over to the slaughter house but Whit wasn't there so I had to walk back up town to get him and he drove me back. He had the beef killed and halved so it didn't take long to get him, we weighed one side and figured the whole carcass at 376 lbs, hindquarter 100 lbs and front 88 lbs, we got home about five thirty and I carried the meat down cellar Dad. isn't able to lift much after his fall. It has been mild but raw &amp; cloudy to-day a little more snow but not enough for sleighing.</p> <p>Thursday February 10th</p> <p>This morning after doing chores I tacked cotton over the other window in the old hen's pen. I took the two frames out to put glass in where it had come out but didn't have any panes to fit it so just put the cotton in. Dad. gave Jim a dose of salts she hasn't been just right since he was sick. This after noon he and I went down and got a load of coal, we took the waggon although there are a lot of sleighs out but we didn't think we could have a load over the road from here to the corner and around the hill Alan Law was in and got a couple of sacks of oats which</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>we owed him, they haven't a place yet but are thinking of taking Charlie McQueen's if they can ever get Charlie to make any agreement. To-night I went down town and just sat around and talked to Marj. all evening, she and Essie have each knitted a Red Cross sock so I tried them both on. Cloudy and raw wind all day. Clear and frosty to-night.</p> <p>Friday February 11th</p> <p>We didn't do much but chores this morning and unloaded our load of coal. This after noon I copied out a long letter I wrote to Lt. Col. Pratt in answer to the one I got on the recruiting subject. I sat up till two o'clock last night to write it About four o'clock Dad. hooked up Joe &amp; Ginger to the cutter and took Enah &amp; the baby down to Aunty's for tea, after tea Dad. Frank and I walked down as Aunty Alice's party that she has been talking about for the last month in honor of Dick's birthday All the family where there but noone else except Marj. &amp; Dess. We had a great time Huby keeping us laughing most of the time and the baby enjoying himself but not very bad. I showed Huby the letter I wrote to Pratt and he advised me not to send it. Dick and I got a ride home with Alan Law but had to wait till after twelve in at Hec's for him to start. Rather stormy but not very cold.</p> <p>Saturday February 12th</p> <p>Did chores all morning and Dad. drove down and brought Enah &amp; the baby home as they stayed down at Aunty's all night. This after noon we hooked Joe &amp; Queen up to the cutter and went down town. Queen went fine, she balked a little when we first started out at a snow drift and broke her martingale. Jim isn't any better to-day Dad. gave her another dose of salts but she won't eat or drink a thing. It has been very blustery to-day but not very cold.</p> <p>Sunday February 13th</p> <p>Frank and I went to church this morning and Frank went down to Sunday school. This after noon I took Joe &amp; Ginger with the cutter and took Marj. &amp; Glad. Law for a drive it was pretty cold up the gravel so we didn't go far. I brought the team home and then went down to Aunty Alice's to tea, there was no church in our church to-night. Cousin Willie conducted the service this morning. Mr. Johnson is still in Muskoka. Art. Quanbury told me this afternoon that they had telephoned over from the Jame's to get Enah to go down first thing in the morning so I went up to inquire into things to-night and found Mrs. James was in bed with a swelled neck and Elva wanted Enah to go down in the morning so she could go to work. I then went around and</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>helped Marj make valentines for her kids. It has been sunny to day but a very cold wind it is freezing hard to-night but a lovely night, moonlight and still.</p> <p>Monday February 14th</p> <p>Dad. took Enah down to the Jame's this morning and Dick &amp; Frank went at the same time. Enah took the baby with her When Dad. got back we took a hindquarter of the beef down to Aunty Alice &amp; Dad. cut it up partly for her. It was nearly noon when we got back. I went to sleep in the chair after dinner and didn't wake up till about two o'clock. Then Dad. and I went out and sacked up the wheat which was over in the big barn and hauled it over to the old barn we had to make two trips with it as we only had two bags but we filled the fifty bushel bin nearly, there was more here than we thought there was. To-night I went down to see "What {happened?} to Jones" which was put on by a bunch of Waterford amateurs and it was good and very comical. I was surprised to see Frank come in and sit down ahead of us with a nice looking little girl who Marj. told me was her cousin Olive Ward. He stayed down at Aunty's all night to get measured for a shirt. Enah and the baby also stayed down at the James. Poor Dad. had a very sad accident to-day as he killed his little canary, it flew out of its cage when he was giving it water as it often does and lit on the other cage which is suspended from the ceiling by a wire, he went to lift the cage up and instead of it coming off the wire the wire came off the ceiling and flopped over and broke the little fellow's back. It was a dandy singer and a great pet of Dad's. It is the last one, he has certainly had bad luck with them. Last night was the coldest night by a long way we have had this winter, the lowest reported temperature that I heard was 18° below zero and it has been very nipper all day but it is not so cold to-night.</p> <p>Tuesday February 15th</p> <p>Alan Law came in about half past nine this morning with his blue grass seed to take to sell so we threw on our (clover seed?) and he &amp; I lit out for Simcoe. Frank &amp; Aunty had just come over. We stopped in at Lynn Valley and Alan asked the fellow there what he would give him for his seed and the fellow told him just four dollars. Alan knew he had 210 lbs of it and Green had offered him 2 cts a lb the other night on a sample so Alan thought he might as well take it on to Simcoe, then it turned out that Green backed out and</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>wouldn't give him more than 1 1/2 cts a lb. making the excuse that he couldn't see the other night and didn't know there was so much wild flax in it, but Alan says he promised him the 2 cts for it. He then began to wish he had left it at Lynn Valley so he went and telephoned the fellow and found he was still willing to pay four dollars so on our way home we left it, although we hated to as of course the fellow rubbed it in about not talking a man's word. They were about all the after noon cleaning my seed, they put it through about three times and out of the five bags &amp; a half of stuff I took up I got one bag of clean seed but they got it pretty clean and charged me $1.25 for cleaning it. We didn't know what to do with all the dirt they cleaned out most of it plantain which looked like onion seed, but we loaded it on and when we got to Lynn Valley the fellow there told us to take in through to the back of the mill and dump it through a hole in the floor into the creek where he says he throws tons of it every year so we did saving one bag to fool Dad. with. We got done just about six after a very enjoyable outing. Frank stayed home all day and he &amp; Dad. got all the oats over in the big barn sacked up and half of them hauled over to the old barn. Aunty was over all day and just before we got back Dad. drove her down and brought Enah and the baby back. Frank told me that Val. Leany had quite a patch of ice cleared to cut ice and there were a few skating on it when he went down so to-night I went down, there wasn't a soul there but I went accross the pond there and thought it was pretty good so went up and got Marj. it took a lot of coaxing to get her to come alone but she did and we had a dandy skate for about an hour. We saw a couple on snow shoes go up the pond and we judged from their voices it was George Henderson &amp; Nell Hussey. When we got back to the Bagleys we found Nell. Smith &amp; Bill Marchington, he is supposed to be sick so came up here to recover. Raw wind but much milder.</p> <p>Wednesday February 16th</p> <p>This morning we did chores and hauled the oats which Frank and Dad. sacked up yesterday over to the old barn. This afternoon we bagged up about twelve bags of barley and oats and I took them down to be chopped, that grist took nearly all the pile. About six I took Dad. Enah &amp; the baby down town. Tid. stayed down at the house and Dad. &amp; Enah went to</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>the Methodist tea meeting. Frank and I had our tea alone. Frank has been in the house all day with a cold. It has been milder to-day and to-night there was a sort of sleet storm.</p> <p>Thursday February 17th</p> <p>First thing this morning I drove down in the bobsleighs after Enah and the baby as they stayed down all night. I took 3 1/2 doz. eggs down to Bagley &amp; Miller's and got 27 cts for them. When I got back I went down to the mill and got the grist I took down last night. This after noon Dad. &amp; I cleaned out all the chicken houses but not the scratching pens, that took us nearly all the after noon and haven't been able to clean off the dropping boards during the frozen weather and the floors were sadly in need of fresh sraw. Frank went to school to-day. It has been a beautiful spring day very soft and mild but misty and colder to-night.</p> <p>Friday February 18th</p> <p>This morning Dad. &amp; I hauled the oats that he and Frank sacked up on Tuesday over to the old barn and took what few that were there cleaned up over to the horse stable. This after noon we sacked up what was left of the barley &amp; oats but there wasn't much more than ten or twelve bushels. To-night Marj. and I went to the picture show but it wasn't much good. It has been pretty mild all day but blustery and cold to-night.</p> <p>Saturday February 19th</p> <p>Colin Ryerse came up before we had breakfast this morning to get Dad. to go down and tend to a cow which calved yesterday morning so he went down soon after breakfast. Frank and I did a few chores and then hauled the hay rack from the old barn over to the big one to put on a load of hay for the horse stable as we are just out there. We didn't get much on before dinner as I wanted to take it from the back of the mow and it was a long way to carry it. Then Charlie Quanbury came in with Dad's injecting pump which he had for Corbett and he delayed us quite awhile visiting and before he left Colin Ryerse brought Dad. back and he hung around and talked till about noon and then I took the car off the track over in the barn as Dad. thought we had better take it down while there was lots of hay under it This after noon Dad. &amp; I soon put a load on and Frank loaded it and we got it hauled over and pitched off by soon after four. Bill Marchington came over and invited me to go with them to Simcoe to skate, he saw Dad. first and asked if Tobias</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>was in, so Dad. took him for a recruiting officer as that is the way Pratt's letters have been addressed to me. However when I identified him Dad. showed him the sheep &amp; horses and was friendly enough. Bill had hired a team and two seater sleigh from Faulkner and six of us went up, Nellie, Essie &amp; Marj. Bill, Roy Dell &amp; myself. I was appointed driver and so was in the front seat with Bill &amp; Nellie. The nigh mare, Maud (which I think is the same mare Al. got from Walt McCall and which is widely known to be a devil) got started to go in a canter as soon as we started out and before we got to the head of Main St. my arm was just about all in trying in vain to bring her down to a trot. Once we got on the Gravel she lengthened out into a full run and there seemed to be no way of holding her. I stood up and see-sawed and at last Bill took them till I got my gloves off to get a better grip but he couldn't hold them at all and then we each took a line, all this time poor Nellie was getting more frightened, this method of driving of canter had its disadvantages and Maude got into the ditch and nearly upset us once and Bill had to get over in the middle to rest his arm so I was sitting on the arm of the seat and came within an ace of falling out, however when we got up about to Barwell's place we struck some loose ground and then Maude came down to a walk perforce and used all her energy to draw and from Bill Robert's corner to the halfway house we went at a stately walk, as I didn't want to get them sarted again till we turned the corner anyway and the girls were very well satisfied with the gait. Nellie was very nervous and Essie was inclined to be although she was in the back seat but I don't think Marj. cared a cent. They went at a delightful trot all the way into Simcoe and we certainly had a very enjoyable time at the rink, the band was there and the ice in lovely shape, afterwards we all went into Leas and had oyster soup, Bill standing treat for everything Roy didn't come home with us as he being in the 133rd Batt. band is practised in Simcoe and has to be on hand in the morning for church parade I suppose. The team acted fine coming home and we had a fine drive back. We started off with the three girls in the back seat but when we got down on the Dover Gravel Bill got me to stop and he changed places with Marj. and he and Esse nearly froze poor Nellie with their actions, Essie pretended to resist strongly but she enjoyed herself just the same Nellie didn't like it so well. I took the team to the barn after letting them all out at the Bagley's corner and I was about half dead when I got home about one o'clock. Dick came in half an hour later. It has been cold all day but milder to-night.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Sunday February 20th</p> <p>Frank went down to Sunday school and Enah and I went to church. Dad. drove Enah down but I walked. The soldiers were all in our church this morning and behaved themselves very well right from Bunyan &amp; Hammy down to Bill George. Hammond went to sleep during the sermon but didn't cause any disturbance and woke up in time to lead the boys out. Aunty came over here to dinner with Enah and Frank but I had dinner at Aunty Alices I spent the after noon at the Bagley's and also the evening. Nellie &amp; Bill were there to tea so I stayed too. Marj. &amp; I went to church and the rest all went to Methodist church but we all met again afterwards and had some music. Mr. Bagley went to the recruiting meeting in the town hall. They say Kelly (Redmond Kinsular) has enlisted with the Haldimand batt. and old Rickford went down to Toronto to enlist but couldnt qualify I went in to see Aunty for a few minutes on my way home, it has been very mild all day but is colder to-night.</p> <p>Monday February 21st</p> <p>It froze hard last night and has been pretty cold all day. We didn't do much but chores all day. Just before dinner Dad &amp; I went back across the gully to see if we could get the plow and bring it up but it was stuck to fast with the frost so we took the doubletrees and chain off of it and brought them up. This after noon I drove Enah down to the dentists' and she walked home. To-night I went down and saw Harry Moon about taking the orchestra up Vittoria to play at a dance they are having on Wednesday night. I am afraid I won't be able to take them unless the roads improve for sleighing, but I am to let him know on Wednesday morning I went over to make arrangements with Marj. to go to the carnival in Simcoe to-morrow night but she wasn't home and I couldn't find her. Essie went up this after noon to the Russian concert. Dad. and Enah drove down to-night to go to a party at Aunty Alices and I went down there and drove Joe home. I then crawled into bed beside the baby's cot and went to sleep he woke up as usual but I took him in beside me and just let him cry for awhile and he soon went to sleep.</p> <p>Tuesday February 22nd</p> <p>We did chores and husked a little corn this morning and this after noon cleaned out the ice house, at least Dad. did I helped him till about three o'clock and then went in and got</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>my clothes picked out for the carnival and got fixed up. I got an old evening dress coat and a vest that Dad. wore at the Jacobite show and Aunty Alice and Enah fixed some lace around the throat of it. Miss Phipps and Aunty Alice came over this after noon. Miss Phipps didn't stay long and wanted Dad to read a poem on Saturday night as they are giving the soldiers another feed it being the anniversary of Paardeburg.</p> <p>Aunty Alice stayed to tea and later Miss Harding came down over and she stayed too I drove then both down when I went about six. I called for Marj. and found her all decked out in a suit covered with pennants of different towns and looked fine. We had a fine time, Essie went up yesterday and stayed all day to-day at the Hogg's so we stopped there on our way up but they weren't going in costume so we went on, we were surprised and rather disappointed at the very small crowd. There weren't more than a couple of dozen in costume I don't believe. However we had a good skate Essie Miss Hoag, Mr &amp; Mrs Murray Hamilton and some Bob. Hunter a soldier and a cousin of Miss Hoag's came on after the judging was done and we were there till about ten o'clock, we then went down to the Hoags and had something to eat and drink altogether having a very nice time I think. Essie came home with us and we got in soon after one. We had to take the buggy as it has been very soft and sunny all day and the snow melted.</p> <p>Wednesday February 23rd</p> <p>Dad. and I went down first thing this morning and got a load of ice, there was a big crowd of teams around the platform and we had to wait quite awhile to get loaded. It snowed about an inch last night so we took the sleighs but the hill was about bare so I went over to the mill and told Harry Moon I wouldn't be able to take them up to night but when we got to the top of the hill with our load, we found they got up quite well so I went back and told Harry I would take them, he said they would much rather go in the sleighs than the automobile if it was possible. It was about noon when we got the load off. This after noon Dad. hauled two more loads and I did up the stables and chinked the ice we had in. To-night I took Harry &amp; Joe and got down to Harry Moon's about seven or a little after. Besides the five members of the orchestra, there were five girls waiting to go. Winnie, Frances Slocombe, {Frances?} Dyer and the two Fisher girls. We got to Vittoria in about an hour, the roads were far better than I expected and we jogged along all the</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>way at a pretty good rate, old Harry got pretty well warmed up but I got them in a stable at the hotel so I guess it didn't hurt him any. We had a fine time up there in the old hall. I had about the best time I ever had and every one else said the same. Carl Coleman and Pat brought another load up and there were several others from Dover up. Mr &amp; Mrs. Rev Johnson were there and Mr Johnson had a high time. We stopped dancing soon after three but it was quite awhile before we got started for home. The return ride was a delightful one as the moon was well up and the air clear and frosty. By the time I got home, the team put away and into bed it was about five o'clock. The orchestra paid me two dollars for taking them and it cost me one dollar and sixty cents. Harry said I neen't have paid the dollar to dance as their driver alwas got in free but the proceeds were for patriotic purposes and I had such a whale of a time I didn't begrudge it. The hotel fellows soaked me fifty cents for putting the team in and ten cents for checking the robes. The soldiers all went to a dance in Port Ryerse to-night, they went in three loads and one load upset and the team got away according to reports coming home Hammy Innes was driving and it was the same team that took us to Simcoe last Saturday night. Very soft but cloudy all day.</p> <p>Thursday February 24th</p> <p>I didn't get up till half past nine this morning and have just being doing chores and chinking ice all day. Dad. didn't haul a load this morning but hauled a couple this after noon. The sleighing on the hill was completely gone so he had to haul in the waggon, nothing of importance happened to day it has been mild but there is quite a snowstorm to night.</p> <p>Friday February 25th</p> <p>It snowed hard about all night so there was plenty of it this morning to make dandy sleighing. Dad took the boys down in the bob sleighs and intended to bring a load of ice back with him but the engine down there was broked down again so he couldnt get any, he went down to the house and shoveled all their paths for them I did chores and chinked the last load of ice we put in last night. Dad. thought one of us ought to attend the annual meeting of the patron's of the Black Creek Creamery in the town hall this after noon so said he would haul a load of ice and I could go although I wasn't very keen on it. The secretary and auditors made their reports which were satisfactory and Lea Marshall hit them up for a raise. He gave a statement</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>of his expenses and receipts at the request of George Hammond and explained that the factory was getting into a very bad state of repair while help was going to be scarcer an consequently much dearer next year so that he found he could not make butter for three cents a lb as he has beeng doing and asked for a raise of half a cent. After hearing this explanation and also that Lea had been offered good big wages to go and make butter for other fellows no one demurred in giving the three and a half cents so it was resolved to give it to him. There was another speaker there from Guelph or some place Mr Hearns I think his name was and I think represented the Dairyman's Association and he gave us a nice address on the care of cream and the production of it, I'd heard it or read it all before more than once but still it was interesting. After the meeting I went upstairs to see the soldiers' clubroom, it was very nicely furnished and decorated and looked very comfortable, most of the boys were out on their march but Hammond and three others were playing cards up there and another one over in the corner running a phonograph I then went up and got my hair cut and went over to the Post Office to see when May Perry would be ready to go to the dance to-night, she promised to go but when I went over backed out and said she was too tired so I didn't urge her very much but I heard afterwards that she went to Simcoe to-night with Elva so if that's the case I'm through with her. I stopped in at Aunty's on my way home and Mr. &amp; Mrs. {Name?} Bowlby and Eva were just leaving. Just as I got home Dad. was coming out in the cutter to go down and bring Aunty over to stay all night with the baby, so I went down instead. To-night Dad. Enah and I went to the country dance in the town hall, it was got up by George Crosbie, Charlie Long and Sid. McBride and there was certainly a crowd there I didn't get there till about eleven as I went over to see Marj. for a little while, but as it didn't break up till about half past four I was in lots of time to have some fun. I didn't dance anything much but square dances but it was mostly square dances and I didn't miss many. There was such a crowd that they could hardly dance a round dance. There were a few townspeople there including Toty Smith, the R.M Taylor's, the Si. Butlers, the Carl Coleman's, Mrs {Name?}, Mrs. Sinclair and a few others and every body from the country. Kelly was there all dolled up in his uniform, he is still teaching school but starts to drill on the first of March. Dad. and Enah didnt stay as long as they might have but I was there as long as any and the town clock</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>struck five just as I was ploughing through the snow under the hickory nut tree over here in Martin's field and I didn't waste very much time in getting to bed. It has been a nice day</p> <p>Saturday February 26th</p> <p>I didn't get up till half past ten this morning as nobody woke me. I did wake up up when Frank got up at seven and thought of getting up then, but before I could get the proposition properly turned over in my mind, I had got myself comfortably turned over in bed and knew no more till ten thirty. Frank and Dad did chores and when I got out Frank and I chinked the load of ice Dad got yesterday and packed in sawdust while Dad. went down and got another load before dinner. This after noon Dad. took a load of ice down to the cheese factory as all the farmers are hauling one load for Lea Marshall. Frank and I did chores and Alan Law brought us over a load of ice. He said he wasn't going to be done out of hauling one load for us as it might be his last one if they move away. He was half way up the hill on his way home when he saw Dad. drive into the ice platform so he came back and offered to take a load over on his way home. Dad. didn't get home till late and was about frozen he brought a load of coal back with him, he said he had to break a track all the way down and it filled up as fast as he made it. Frank drove Enah down town this after noon to a supper and entertainment the ladies of the I.O.D.E. gave to the soldiers and cadets. I stayed in the house in case Tid. woke up and started to write this but went to sleep, however the baby didn't wake up till Dad. got home, we had tea with out Enah and about half past nine I drove down to Aunty Alices and got her. Cousin Clare came up up to-night from Hamilton very unexpectedly to stay for a week. The two latest recruits to sign up with the 133rd are to say the least a variety, they being Jonas Green and Ed. Moon. Neither have been examined yet so I don't think there is any chance of Jonas being accepted as he is terribly ruptured and it seems to be uncertain whether Ed is going in the ranks or is going to train for an officer. The war news for the week has not been very cheering. The big German offensive has become a terrific and desperate drive concentrated on the French line around Verdun. The French are falling back closer to the Verdun forts and will no doubt do every thing in their power to hold it as if it falls the road will be open for Paris, and those who should know say that if the Huns enter Paris, London will be in a very grave predicament. Very blizzardy day and snowing hard to-night.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Sunday February 27th</p> <p>None of us went to church or Sunday school this morning as we didn't get up in time. I didn't do anything much all morning but got shaved and this after noon Dad. drove Dick and me down town. He had to drive through the lane a couple of times to break a track as it was filled right up. I took a couple of dozen eggs that were no good for Jack to Aunty Alice and two dozen and a half of Jack's eggs to Mr. Hobbes, he has been beggng and coaxing Dick to bring him some for the last week so I took them down and charged him a dollar for them and told him I couldn't possibly let him have any more, he gave me the dollar and thanked me very much for what I took. I spent the after noon with Marj. and had tea at Aunty's. I went alone to church to-night and they had a very slim crowd. Marj. was there and we went up and got Essie at the Methodist church and all went down to the town hall to hear Father {Nagel?} giveing a recruiting speech and he proved to be an exceptionally good speaker, he gave very strong reasons for those who could to enlist but didnt speak in a bullying or tantalizing style as most of them do. Mr. Johnson was chairman and Hammond gave a short appeal but both of them seemed very poor after hearing the priest. Poor old Lloyd I think was nervous and used fierce English, none of their eloquence brought forth any recruits there but for all I know some may have been hit as there was a good crowd there. Woodyer came home with Essie and we sat around for about an hour reading Burns and some gems of American humorists. I went into Hec's on my way home to see if I could get a ride home with Alan but he had ridden down as the roads were so bad, so I had to walk, I thought I was going to have a bad toothearache to-night as my left ear felt as if it was full of water but it didn't ammount to anything. Very blizzardy and rough all the afternoon although sunny. Clear and cold to-night.</p> <p>Monday February 28th</p> <p>I haven't done any thing all day but chores and sit around the house. I have felt rather lazy I suppose on account of my cold. Dad. drove Frank to school this morning. Dick didn't come home last night and he felt a little anxious about him as he said positively yesterday he would be home, however he changed his mind when the time came and stayed all night at the bank. This after noon Dad. stowed the load of ice Alan brought on Saturday and about five o'clock he and I unloaded</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>the load of coal, a little after six Alan came in and borrowed our sleigh to go to Simcoe to-night with a load and left his here. This after noon we saw what we think was Faulkner's roan mare going by here on the run hitched to a cutter with nobody in it. Presently Colin Ryerse came after it bareback on his black mare and soon after came back driving the roan and leading the black. I went down to interview him, he said a couple of girls had upset coming up their hill which was full and the horse had got away, he caught it down at the mill bridge where it had stopped. The dashboard of the cutter was broken and it was full of snow. It has been a fine day fairly sunny and cold.</p> <p>Tuesday February 29th</p> <p>This morning Dad. went over to Quanbury's to arrange to have their party for us on Wednesday postponed till next week, while he was over there Ham. Thompson came after him to go and tend to a cow which had aborted. Ham is having bad luck with his stock this year as a mare aborted the other day too. He went over and got Dad. and he was up there most of the fore noon. This after noon he stowed and chinked the ice and did chores I have been in the house all day as my cold has been pretty bad, my ear ached last night and my throat was pretty sore. This morning I pasted pictures in my snap shot album and slept most of the after noon. Bright and cold, quite a snow storm this after noon.</p> <p>Wednesday March 1st</p> <p>I have not been out of the house to day but have felt a lot better, Frank stayed home to help Dad. Floyd Crysler came after him first thing this morning to go and see a sick calf and old Billy Lewis followed him over there and took him on out to his place to tend to a cow that had aborted. It is beginning to look a little like contagious abortion as Fred Misner had a case too. Dad. says it is rich to hear old Billy curse Pratt, as young Billy has been the recipient of letters like mine from him and they evidently take more stock in them. Young Billy has been down in Hamilton working in a munitions factory but is home again now. This after noon Dad and Frank got another load of hay over to the old barn and enough ice to fill the ice house and then went down and borrowed Charlie Quanbury's flat rack as they expect to go to Port Rowan in the morning to get a load of Aunt Ida's furniture</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Mrs. Tupper made a call on Enah this after noon. Mr. Henderson was over this after noon to see if he could buy a couple of pullets but I didn't want to sell any. He also wanted a setting of eggs later on. The two girls who upset on Ryerse's hill on Monday were {Name?} Turner and the nurse who is there. Lovely winter day. Cold and sunny.</p> <p>Thursday March 2nd</p> <p>Dad. and Frank got started for Port Rowan about nine o'clock this morning, and I have managed to get all the chores done up all right. I didn't feel very badly but a little weak and didn't try to do any more than the chores. I came in the house about two o'clock and started to read but went to sleep and slept till half past four, but I was all through in time to have tea about seven o clock which is as late as we often have it under normal conditions. I didn't go down town to-night but went to bed fairly early. Lovely day, sunny and fairly cold.</p> <p>Fridnes Friday March 3rd</p> <p>I have felt quite a lot better to-day but didn't do anything but chores, there wasn't much else I could do alone except chink the last load of ice and I didn't want to get into the ice house with my cold. This morning I took nine dozen eggs over to Jack Martin and this after noon when I got through I came in and shaved. Dad. &amp; Frank didn't get home till about five o'clock, they had a lot of furniture on {illegible} Aunt Ida sent over here and they left most of their load down at Aunty's. Dad. says there is more stuff up there including a walnut bureau and wash stand that Aunt Ida said we could have and he is going to make a special trip for them. To-night Dad. went down to Aunty's and put a lot of the furniture to-gether that he had to take apart to bring down Frank went down to a social that the High School pupils had in the school house, Lloyd Ryerse called for him, it is evidently going to be a grand affair as Frank has been talking about it for a week. Lloyd said the trustees not only gave their consent that they should hold it in the school house, but had gas lights put in for them, he said all the trustees were invited and I asked both of them if the the public school teachers were invited and the both said none of them but Mr. Smith were, so I went down to see Marj. as I haven't been down since last Sunday, but she had gone to the social with Miss McQueen, so I was there about half an hour talking to</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Mrs. Bagley and then went down to Aunty's and waited there till Dad. was ready to come home and came with him. Mrs. Willie Steele died to-night. Walt just went to Brantford the other day and got a job in a mill up there, he has been with this mill since he was thirteen years old. Poor old Bill Duncan died very suddenly on Wednesday. Dad. and Frank met his funeral on the Gravel to-day. Dick says there is trouble brewing between Lt. Col. Pratt and the other officers of the 133rd Batt. It seems Walt. McCall wasn't supposed to assume the duties of liutennant till they went to camp in the Spring but he and Pratt got into a poker game in which Walt skinned Pratt for about $200.00 and Pratt ordered him into his uniform and on duty so now Walt is going around with a petition to have Pratt deposed, so I don't know how it will come out. Cold and not so sunny but a nice day</p> <p>Saturday March 4th</p> <p>Frank and Dad. chinked the ice and put in the sawdust this morning but I don't think they got it all covered. This after noon they went down town to get a load of slabs but couldn't get any. Hawey is going to let them know when they can get them, some time next week. I just puttered around all day this morning I put a cage up in the old hen's pen so that I could shut one of the roosters up every other day as one is boss. This after noon I fixed a rigging out in the cow stable to facilitate the weighing of the milk in the hopes of getting Dad into the habit of it. To-night we printed a lot of the old pictures, when I was pasting them in my album the other day I found that I had given away all the best ones so I sorted out my films and picked out about twenty five and printed them to-night. There seemed to be something wrong with the developer as as it took about a minute or more for them each to develop, afterwards we noticed a lot of crystals in the bottom of the developer bottle that didnt mixup with the rest of the liquid. Pretty cold all day but nice.</p> <p>Sunday March 5th</p> <p>Frank went down to Sunday school and church this morning and I would have gone to church but Dad. was going to Aunty's for dinner and said he would go to church if I did up the chores, so I did but he didn't get off in time for church but went to Aunty's for dinner, this</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>after noon he went up to say good bye to Tiny as she is going to Toronto tomorrow night and sails for England on Saturday, he saw Harry Ansley and he took him up to the stable to show him a mare he bought in Toronto Dad. says he brought seven home. The mare is a Clyde about eight years old, has been working, is bred to a Percheron and due to foal the 2nd. of May, he wants Dad. to bring her over her and keep her till its time to wean the colt on any terms he likes, Dad didn't tell him he would but I said he might as well, as we can't lose much and might get quite a lot of use out of her this summer. Dad. also made a dicker with Al. Faulkner for a pair of geese for Frank, Al. has a pair he wanted to put out some place and said if Frank would take them he could have half the increase, so Dad. knowing Frank has been trying to get some geese thought that a pretty good proposition so Dad. did quite a stake of business if he didn't get to church. Dick and I drove down soon after dinner and Marj. and I went with for a a cutter ride and had a nice time although the roads were pretty drifted in spots, and a cold west wind but sunny and nice when the wind was in our back. To-night I walked down to church and after church Marj. and I went to hear Miss Templeton Armstrong from Port Rowan speak at the recruiting meeting. I didn't think much of her speech and much less of her looks, her hair was cut off short and she took her hat off to speak. Dad. says Uncle Massey used to call her the he-she and it certainly suited her. Frank came down to hear her and I went down to Aunty's on my way home and Frank was there so we came home to-gether.</p> <p>Monday March 6th</p> <p>I drove the boys down town this morning and took Frank around to Faulkner's to get his geese, he had quite a time finding him but did at last and I brought the geese home while he went on to school where he would be very late. When I got home I hooked Joe to the cutter and drove Enah down to see if Mrs. McBride would come over to-night and look after Tid if we all went to the concert. Mrs. McBride was at the Stamps, she could come and said she would while Enah was there and in seeing her mother for a few minutes I put Joe in the Methodist church shed and went over to see Harry Ansley about the Clydesdale mare. Tiny let me in and I talked to her for a quite awhile before I asked for her father and then I found he wasn't in so I went down to the fish shanties</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>and all over town but couldn't find him so got Joe and started for Enah when I saw him with Huby, he went up with me and showed me the mare and told me we could either buy her now for $120.00 which is the price he paid for her or we could bring her over and let her raise her colt and sell her in the fall and share the profits so I told him we would get her soon, I got Enah down at Aunty's and we got home about noon. Tupper came after Dad. right after dinner to see a cow so I did up the chores and about five o clock drove down and got Mrs. McBride. To-night Dad. Enah and I drove down to the concert given by Zeitha Barwell, Miss Prest and Miss Martin and it was certainly worth hearing rather high toned an classical maybe for most of us but enjoyable nevertheless. It has been a very stormy and disagreeable day Strong east wind and a blinding snow storm this morning afterwards turning to rain and freezing. It was still raining when we got home but had got much milder and the ice was dropping off the trees and making a great row. We saw several vivid flashes of lightening while the concert was in progress and Mrs. McBride said that they heard thunder plainly over here. She stayed all night but hadnt gone to bed when we got home.</p> <p>Tuesday March 7th</p> <p>We did chores up this morning and about eleven I went over to shovell out a track at the top of the hill at the cut on the side road, as Charlie Butler told me yesterday that it ought to be done, and it was too windy and drifting to do it yesterday but when I got over there this morning it was all done. Dad. husked a little corn while I was there. This after noon I cleaned out the dropping boards in the chicken house as they have not been cleaned out for quite awhile on account of the frost. Al. Faulkner came over this after noon and brought over another goose for Frank. To-night, Frank and I drove down town in the bobsleighs to take a load of schoolkids down to Dave Ward's, Olive Ward asked Frank if he could get me to take them down and said Marj. was going too but when we got there they said that they had seen Marj. a little while before going to the doctor's about her neck and couldn't go, so as I didn't know what could be the matter with her, I was a little anxious to know and as I wasn't very keen on going with the kids anyway I excused myself and went up and spent the evening with Marj. she wasn't in a very serious condition but had a stiff neck. Frank took charge of trhe load and got back between three</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>and four o'clock, he said they had a great time down there dancing till twelve o'clock but not later as it was then Lent. The sleighing was poor but they had no accidents I heard to-night that Jack Martin has bought Vyse out. Sunny, but windy to-day quite a snow storm to night about midnight, but Frank and his pals missed it.</p> <p>Wednesday March 9th</p> <p>This morning Dad. and I drove down town and took the baby and we got Joe shod in at Bert Greenbury's who has started up in Butler's old stand. Aunty and Aunty Alice were at church as this is Ash Wednesday, but weren't long and Dad. stayed there with the baby till they got back. I took the buggy {illegible} down and we looked at the arms of Harry Ansley's buggy which is out in the barn down there, it looks as if it had been painted twice but is in pretty good shape, I got Joe out of the shop at noon and Dad. and I went up town found Harry Ansley at the post office and took him up with us and got his mare and brought her over. We left the baby down there to dinner. This after noon we did chores and about four o'clock drove down after the baby He wasn't at all anxious to come home. Frank was down at Aunty's and he and I went up and got the posted a letter of Enah's. Frank got a sheet to night showing a system of keeping Farm accounts as arranged by a Mr. Stark District Representative for Peel Co. we saw an account of it in an old number of the Farmer's Advocate so Frank wrote to him the other day. It seems like a very simple yet efficient system and only single entry. I spent the evening pasting snapshots in my album. Sunny but quite cold all day and very blizzardy to-night.</p> <p>Thursday March 10th</p> <p>Frank stayed home from school to-day to help us move some hay from the big barn, we did chores this morning and got a pretty good sized load over to the horse stable before dinner, and this after noon got another over to the old barn for the cattle, we had to get the chores done early to-night as we all went over to Quanbury's to tea at six oclock we had a great tea, but Dad. had to leave right after to attend a meeting to arrange for a reunion of all Mr. Smith's old pupils on the first of July. Enah, Frank the baby and I stayed till about half past nine and then Art drove us home as it was a fierce night. Billy {Falcon?} was in to</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>see Dad this morning about a sick cow and Norman Holden came to get a dose for George's horse. To-night Charlie Butler tracked him over to Quanbury's to see about a sick cow, there is an awful lot of trouble among the cattle this year for some reason or other. This after noon Frank and I took Martin's sleighs back and got our own with Quanbury's rack on it as we had intended going to Port Rowan to-morrow but to-night it is the worst blizzard of the season, and a lot of snow fallen, so the drifts will be too bad to go through to-morrow and get back the same day as we want to. Dick walked home to-night and so did Dad. Dick said the drifts were as high as his waist down by Chris Quanbury's. Cold wind but sunny all day.</p> <p>Friday March 11th</p> <p>It was very evident this morning that we could not go to Port Rowan to-day so Frank went to school, he was going to stay home and do chores if we went. I spent most of the morning shovelling out paths through the drifts and cleaning out the stable. Dad. walked down town after he got the morning chores done and stayed at Aunty's for dinner, he shovelled all their snow for them. He wanted to find out more particulars about the financial state of the church. Jack Martin told him last night that they were about five hundred dollars in debt and that several members of the congregation had said they would not help to clear it unless there was a change made {illegible}. Dad. told Jack he didn't see how he could do much and didn't feel in duty bound to any way as he has kept up his share in the collection envelope. This after noon I cleaned out the incubator and got it in place ready to start down cellar. To-night I went down to see Marj. but found she had gone to Nanticoke to stay till Sunday night. I wasn't very surprised because I knew she had been intending to go these last two Friday nights. I went up to Huby's for most of the evening Aunty Maude and Lila were the only ones home, they didn't know where Huby was and Win was over the hill she came in before I left. They got cards from Quint yesterday saying he had left the mill and was now in New York and to expect him home soon. They are all very sorry he has left the mill especially now that Jack is not</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>at home. They can't think of any reason unless he has just got mad at some body. We thought {illegible} was coming home to enlist and Huby hopes that is the reason, he hinted at it in one of his cards. To-days war news is a little better. The French have checked the German advance in places and and made an advance themselves in one place but I think it is just about nip &amp; tuck yet. Every one seems to think that this battle is going to be the turning point of the war for the victors. Nice day.</p> <p>Saturday March 11th</p> <p>Dad. and Frank shovelled out the lane this morning and I went over to Jack Martin's and got them to put my incubator thermometer in one of their machines to test it. Then I went down to the Quanbury's and got a bag of white carrots as Dad. wants to see if he can tempt Jim into eating one, but she just took a few bites and then wouldn't look at it. This after noon we hooked Queen and Harry up and went down town and got some oil and turpentine for Jim and also the mail. To-night I was out in the chicken house putting crude oil on the old hens legs for scaly leg when Colin Ryerse came past and called my attintion to a big fire in the west, we thought it looked about at Tom Myers or Wess Baughner's so started up to it, when we got to the mill it looked as if it was at Colin McNellige's so we started up the track, we soon could see it was still farther on but as it looked straight ahead on the track and we knew it wasn't over the top of the big hill we thought it must be some where in Doan's Hollow, but when we got there it looked just as far away as ever but we thought since we had tramped that far we would find out where the fire was if we had to go to Simcoe, so we did and reached our journey's end at Lynn Valley where we found Edmond's old mill burned to the ground, the walls had all fallen but there was a big blaze yet and quite a crowd around it. It seems they think it caught from overheated machinery as they had been working late chopping alfalfa meal, they had a carload of bluegrass all ready to ship so it was a big loss for Edmonds and they say the fellow that ran it, Graham, lost every thing he had. They say it wasnt discovered till the flames burst through the roof and when Graham pushed open the door down stairs the flames shot out in his face so it must have gone up like tinder. It made an awful blaze and could be</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>seen for miles, as far as Nanticoke, and it was in the hollow too, three Dover kids drove in with one of Faulkner's horses after we got there and were about frozen, they had driven all over the country trying to get to it and couldn't locate it from the roads, we hung around for half an hour and as we didn't see any chance of a ride back we hit the track again. Colin was invited to stay all night with his cousins but he didn't know what his folks would think so came back with us, we got home just about twelve and as it was a little after eight when we left home we didn't make bad time, we went up in about an hour and a half. They were up when we got home and Dick informed us that the fire was at Sutton's mill in Simcoe, but we enlightened them on that point. It has been sunny and soft all day but a raw wind. Clear, frosty and moon light to-night lovely for walking.</p> <p>Sunday March12th</p> <p>Frank went down to Sunday school this morning and Dad Enah and the baby went down to church, this was the first trip for the baby to church since he was christened and was just an experiment. I was sure they wouldn't be able to keep him quiet for ten minutes but Dad. said he couldn't have been better, the soldiers were in church and Mr. Herbert preached, he has enlisted as a chaplin and is going to speak at the recruiting meeting to-night. Aunty Alice came over to dinner with them and was here all the after noon. I didn't go down town this after noon, but Dick did and Frank went down to Ryerse's to see the ferret that Colin bought at Bill George's sale. We had an early tea and Frank drove Aunty Alice and me down and I went to church. I spent the evening up at the Bagley's. Marj's cousins the Doughty's brought her home before tea and they had all just got home from church when I got there. I stopped in at Aunty's on my way home and got three pieces of cake and Uncle Hal's big coon skin coat as we intend to go to Port Rowan in the morning. I wore it home over my other one and nearly cooked as it was a very warm night. It has been getting milder all day and was raining for awhile to-night.</p> <p>Monday March 13th</p> <p>We all got up fairly early this morning and Dad and I got started soon after seven for Port Rowan</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>with Harry and Joe. It froze a little during the night and there was a slight North west wind but the roads were grand, we couldn't have chosen a better day to go, the sun was hot and coming home the snow was pretty well off the roads in places, so we took longer to get back but went up in about three hours, we got our load on before noon and had our dinner over at Mr. Pete Backhouses Clara was sick in bed, we got a dandy great big walnut bureau and a heavy walnut washstand besides a smaller washstand also walnut but with two big holes cut in the top of it for basins, the first too Aunty Ida gave to Dad and also a bedstead supposed to be walnut. The bureau is the best of the lot hard built and built as solid as a house and walnut right through except the back, the only trouble is everything is varnished. We unloaded it after tea Art &amp; Charlie Quanbury came in for awhile, they had been out to the farm with a load of manure. Frank went down to a travelling show that struck town called "The man from Canada". I went to bed fairly early as I was inclined to be tired.</p> <p>Tuesday March 14th</p> <p>Glen Ryerse came this morning about half past ten, we had begun to think he wasn't coming but he did and got the old shed all jacked up and in place by about four o'clock, it wasn't nearly the job to get the ends of the rafters on the purlin plate that we thought it would be when we raised the front posts Glen just pryed the ends of the rafters up and as the front raised the rafters slid in on the plate. The middle rafters didnt meet on the plate but Glen said if we raised the middle of the shed till they did meet there would be a hump in the shed roof the same as is in the barn roof and would look bad, the hump in the barn roof being caused by the corner posts rotting and settling. Frank stayed home from school and we could have got along without any extra help but I had told Art Quanbury to come over after dinner so he came, he had to tell Jack that Glen was going out to his own place to get off as he was very busy Jack Chris being sick. Art and I nailed pockets on the two rafters over the purlin plate so that they can't spread again so easily. Glen got through about four</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>and just charged two dollars. Cloudy &amp; cold east wind.</p> <p>Wednesday March 15th</p> <p>This has been a very rough day high cold east wind and snow I drove the boys down this morning and went down and shovelled Aunty's snow, they were just getting up when I got there so I had some breakfast with them as I was cold. I didn't do much the rest of the day but sat around and read or sleep. I put a new wick in the incubator lamp and lit it but I wont put the eggs in till it gets going all right. Dad &amp; Enah have been working most of the day and all evening at getting the names out of Mr. Smith's old registers that Huby sent over, they were at it last evening too. To-night I went down to see Marj. The wind had gone down and it was a lovely moonlight night but cold.</p> <p>Thursday March 16th</p> <p>This morning we took a load of Aunt Ida's stuff that we brought from Port Rowan down with us, down to her, and it was noon when we left there as we were late getting started, we stopped in at Quanbury's on our way home and took their rack off and put on our own waggon box which has been there since the first trip to Port Rowan. Just as we got through dinner who should come along but Mr. Blaikie so he was here all the after noon and part of the evening but wouldnt stay all night, he came up to Alfred's on Tuesday, he was more than loaded with conversation and entertained us with his experiences in the peach country. We just did chores and visited with him all day although we should have gone to the mill. Blaikie wants us to take some of his boxes down to the train to-morrow as he is going to take some to Hamilton He is tired of the city and knocking around and says he is going to have a little place of his own before next winter. Frank went down town to tea to-night at Aunty's. Dad. was to have gone and gone to a meeting of the Mr. Smith reunion committee but as Blaikie was here and he didn't have the names all out he didn't go. Quint was to have come home to-night but didn't arrive. Aunty Alice intends to go to Toronto on Saturday to stay with Roy for a week. Vernon has been up in Brantford with Miss. Very sunny but raw wind.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Friday March 17th {Wee sketch of 2 shamrocks}</p> <p>It froze hard last night and has been very cold and raw all day though sunny. They say it was down to zero last night. We didn't do much this morning. I killed a chicken and Dad. plucked it for Aunty Alice to take to Roy if she goes to-morrow. I took four dozen eggs over to Jack Martin's. This after noon Dad. and I sacked up six bags of barley and oats and took them down to the mill and then went on down town and got a load of coal. We got back about four and I helped Dad. unload it and then got ready and went down to the St. Patrick's tea they had in the Methodist church, it was a dandy tea but the church was very cold so when we had tea I went home with Marj and waited for about an hour till the entertainment commenced and then we went back to the church. Marj. and Essie both took their knitting, but Essie had to accompany most of the performances. The church was cold as they can't get any gas the last few days but it didn't last long. I stayed down at Aunty Alice's to-night to help her get off in the morning. I wasn't very late going down but she and Aunt Ida had gone to bed but Aunty was sitting up.</p> <p>Saturday March 18th</p> <p>I went to the station this morning with Aunty Alice and she got off safely, we got nearly to the station when she remembered a box of eggs she was going to take to Roy so I had to hike back after them but I got them in time. I went right home and saw a poor little robin on the hill, it is the first one I have heard of this year and it looked about frozen, as it went down to ten below zero last night. Ever since that night on my way home I had been hatching a plot to go to Simcoe to skate to-night as the girls told me Bill Marchington was up and I thought it would be a g ood chance to get even on him for his trip, so I told Dad. and he suggested that I drive Dick down and then make arrangements for my load. I went to the Bagley's first and as Essie and Marj. seemed to favor the idea I was naturally very disappointed when I went over to the Smith's and Nellie told me that Bill had to go home to-night, and she wouldn't go if he didn't, he wasn't up yet. As I had got so far I thought I had better keep on with the load so Marj. suggested I ask May &amp; Johnnie and three more boys. May &amp; Johnnie jumped at the chance to go but I had an awful time finding any boys who were game</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>I thought I could get Clark in the bank easily but he said he had been out every night so far this week &amp; didn't want to go, and Dick didn't and Hazen didn't. I got Dick to telephone Woodyer and he said he'd go and then I got Milton Cruise and let it go at that. I got a hundred of sugar and came home. I didn't do much this after noon Charlie Quanbury came over and said old Jonas had telephoned Jack Martin last night to have Dad. go up there and see Nellie &amp; the colt, they are both down and he doesn't know what to do. Dad did intend to get some hay over, but thought he had better go up and see Jonas and then some thing happened that we didn't get started in time and it wound up with Dad. &amp; Frank going down town in the bobsleighs with Harry &amp; the new mare and getting the mail and hauling enough hay over on the waggon box for tonight. Norman Holden came over about five o'clock to get a boll for his horse. Frank &amp; I got started a little late for Simcoe but didn't have to wait at all in town as the load was all ready at the Bagley's when we got there. It wasn't a very nice night going up as it was snowing but wasn't a bit cold. We got up about half past eight and had an hour and a half's good skating as the ice was in good shape and then had a little supper before we came home, we got home about half past twelve and they said they had a good time. Frank drove up and I drove home. Frank stayed down town all night at Aunty's as she promised Aunty Alice she would have one of us stay every night. Dick was at the bank when we drove past and came home with me. There was a mince pie on the table and some cocoa that Enah had fixed so I had a cup of cocoa and some pie and Dick half the pie.</p> <p>Sunday March 19th</p> <p>I would have gone to Sunday school this morning but didn't feel very well after breakfast and sat around till I was almost too late to get ready for church, however I did get ready. John Wess &amp; Lloyd Crysler came in for a few minutes John Wess wants Dad. to go over and have a look at Mildred who has lymphangites again. They left in time for Dad. to drive Enah &amp; me down, Dad. took the baby with us and they came back home. I stayed down at Aunty's to dinner and all the after noon and evening at the Bagley's. Mr. &amp; Mrs. Bagley were out in Townsend visiting and hadn't got back at ten o'clock when I left. Essie &amp; Marj. made</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>some candy this after noon to send to a friend of Essie's George Hunter who is in the trenches, that took a good part of the after noon as we had to crack nuts for it, but we went for a short walk. I stayed to tea and we all went to church or churches. Mr. Tarney brought in ours and was going to speak at the recruiting meeting afterwards we didn't go but went home and washed dishes instead. Quint came home yesterday noon he had been in Buffalo and Detroit; no-one seems to know why he left the mill unless it is that he just got tired of it. He and Huby went to Simcoe this after noon to see Alex McCall and interview him on the subject of enlisting. I guess Quint will enlist all right as Huby is very anxious to have him. Dad. was going up to old Jona's this after noon but Jim Waddle came over and he didn't get. He went over to John Wess' about five o'clock. Dick stayed with Aunty to-night.</p> <p>Monday March 20th</p> <p>Dad. went up to Jona's first thing this morning and left Frank and me to do chores, we hooked up old Harry &amp; Nellie to the bobsleighs and cleaned out the box stall into the sleighs and hauled it out to the old garden we had about two loads in it and the stable and it took us till noon. When Dad. got home he said Jonas was going to lose Nellie and the colt he was sure as they were in awful shape, they were both down and Nellie had batted herself all to pieces trying to get up, nothing wrong with them but starvation, right after dinner Blaikie came along with his brother-in-law, Jim Andrews from Tyrell, he has been out there the last few days &amp; thought it was too cold to monkey with his stuff but to-day they had the bobsleighs and he loaded it all on them and took it out there where he will sort it and leave it till he wants it. He had a good big sleigh load but it wasn't very heavy. Dad. &amp; Frank and I had quite an argument about Blaikie's two chests, he had a big red one in behind the chimney with rope handle on it and a little green one that he had his tools in and which has allways been open and stood in front of the window and near the head of the stairs. He told us it was the chest his father had brought from Scotland in 1830 and they both say he said it was the other one. By the time tney got their load on and got started it was after three o'clock so we just had time to put on about</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>half a load of hay and haul it to the horse stable and a little jag for the cows. To-night Dad. went down to the Mr. Smith's reunion committee meeting and Frank was down and stayed all night at Aunty's. Dick came home to-night but will have to start sleeping at the bank now as Hazen is to leave for Ottawa to-morrow night. It has been much milder to-day.</p> <p>Tuesday March 21st</p> <p>Art Quanbury came after Dad. this morning first thing to go and help him and Glen get their Art's barn jacked up ready to move and Dad. has been over there all day and says they are not through yet. Tupper helped them this after noon. It's the old barn in the lane on Tupper's place and Art bought it and is going to have Glen move it over on to his place. Frank came home instead of going to school and he and I have hauled three loads of wood from Carpenter's to-day besides doing chores. Dad. spoke to Carpenter yesterday about getting this wood. It is mostly body wood cut two years ago and piled up near the house. It is 16 inches long and $1.75 a cord when we haul it. We had the big new mare who answers pretty well to Nellie and Harry and she goes fine, steps right along the road without urging and is as quiet and gentle as a kitten but we have almost come to the conclusion juging from her looks and to-day and yesterday from her actions that she is not in foal, but she may be. Frank set some rat traps up in the pig pen last night and this morning Dad. found poor old Tits {illegible} in two of them by a front leg and her tail, we don't know whether her leg is broken or not. Enah took the baby in his sleigh down town this after noon and got the mail. Sam Law was in and got a bag of potatoes, he thinks now they will go down on John Watt's place. Aleta McBride was over here all day working. Very soft and cloudy all day &amp; to-night.</p> <p>Wednesday March 22nd</p> <p>We were rather surprised this morning after yesterday's nice day to find it winter again this morning, but it was snowing and blowing and pretty cold. Art. didn't call for Dad. and we didn't haul any wood. We just did chores and Frank and Dad took down our bed and put up the walnut one instead which we got in Port Rowan. I took some more</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>eggs over to Jack Martin's and asked Chris what was wrong with the incubator that I couldn't get it heating up and what made the flame go down Chris couldn't think of any thing but poor ventilation or poor oil and suggested that I clean the lamp out well and put fresh oil in, this I did when I got home and boiled the burner and put in fresh wick. This after noon Dad and Frank built a pen over in the barn for the ewes to lamb in and I put the saddle on Ginger and went down and got the mail, she went fine too. To-night Lloyd Ryerse brought over a note for me from Miss Walker inviting me down there to spend the evening so I went down early and went to church and then called for Essie &amp; Marj. Nellie Smith went up with us, we had a very pleasant evening playing Pit and indulging in other forms of Methodist sport. Will {Currie?} was the only other one there and the three Walker girls. I stayd down at Aunty's to-night and it was about one o'clock when I got in. It had cleared off to night and was moonlight but very frosty.</p> <p>Thursday March 23rd</p> <p>Dick came down to Aunty's for breakfast this morning and she gave him his lunch. Hazen left on Tuesday for Ottawa where Nicholson is and so Dick has to sleep at the bank now. I came home right after breakfast but Dad. had gone with Art Quanbury. Frank and I went up after another load of wood, we are going to pile it home now and then measure it so as we can pile the box up with as much as it will hold and wont have to figure on each individual load. We got home in time to do most of the chores before dinner and got an early start after dinner, however we hauled all that was up there in one big load, there was a pile of apple wood freshly cut at one end, but we left it and and just took the two year old beech, it took us longer to get this load on as the bottom layer was frozen in and had to be knocked out with an axe, we didn't unload the load when we got home but piled a lot of what we had hauled. Enah and the baby went down town before we got back and were down all the after noon. Dad. got home about six and said they had got through or at least he had, he told Art. that we couldnt put a team on to help draw the building as we didn't have one that could draw, but he can get lots. Raw wind but sunny</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Friday March 24th</p> <p>Frank got started this morning about nine o'clock to the Street Fair in Simcoe, it is the second one they have had, he took up the young gobbler and a turkey hen, he didn't get back till after five to-night. He sold the turkeys but could only sell them by the pound and just got $5.45 for them but it was the best he could do, he said there was quite a little bit of stock there but none of it went very high; he said there weren't many buyers. Dad. and I just did chores and piled some more of the wood. This after noon Dad. cleaned out the hog pen, the little pigs root the boards in the floor of their upstairs sleeping apartmens up and drop through into Glady's pen and then she goes for them This morning Harry Ansley and {Name?} Brock came over with a couple of horses which Harry wanted to hook up, one was a little mare so stiff she could hardly go he hooked them up to the bobsleighs and drove around the block with them. Alan Law came after Dad. just before dinner to get him to look at old Ned. who Alan said was {illegible} to death but Dad. said he couldn't see any thing the matter with him. Mrs. James and &amp; Mrs. McCarter drove Dave Waddle's horse over here this after noon. I set my incubator to-day it seems to be going all right now. To-night I went down and got my hair cut and went up to see Marj. Glen Ryerse was telling Dad. yesterday that Tommy Jackson had sold his farm to Frank Ryerse. Sunny &amp; mild to-day.</p> <p>Saturday March 25th</p> <p>This morning Dad. &amp; Frank went down and cut down the trunk of the old locust tree and logged it up. I did chores and about noon took Harry &amp; Nellie and went down after them and the wood. This after noon Frank and I went over to Vyse's sale and were there all the after noon. There was a good crowd and things went pretty well. I was going to look at the harness but it sold for $35. which is about ten dollars more than he paid for it about ten years ago, the cows went about as reasonably as any thing and they each had a calf last night. Jack Martin bought the red &amp; white one for $82 and I think it was Geordie Boughner paid $90 for the black and white one. George Crosbie paid $152 for the old mare and young Powell gave $104 for the four year old filly which was all she was worth. Eliner Atkinson got Stan. the five year old for $70.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>He is the one Vyse was advertising in the Simcoe Reformer last year as a Sensation but they took care not to mention his breeding to-day as there were too many there that know he is out of the little Postmaster horse that Stan William's used to have. Tupper was there and we came home with him. To-night Dad. &amp; I drove down to see Aunty Alice who came home to-night. Enah and the baby were down there so Dad. drove them home. The baby was invited to an "At Home" at John Harris Buck's this after noon. Quint was down there and I stood at Alan's corner for about an hour talking to him. He has signed up and is going on duty first has to go to Toronto for a day or so before before he goes on duty. Very soft, snow has gone off a lot.</p> <p>Sunday March 26th</p> <p>I got around in time to go to Sunday school with Frank this morning and so of course went to church. Quint &amp; Dick were both in church and they came over to dinner I waited for them and we three came down town about three o'clock. Quint and I took a walk up Main St. and met Marj. &amp; Glad Law so I went around to the house with Marj for a little while and then came home to tea. I had to come home to tend to my incubator, it doesn't seem to be running so evenly this time for some reason or other. I don't know what is the matter unless it is the oil. I went down town again after tea but wasn't in time for church. Marj. Glad Law &amp; I went to the recruiting meeting after church. Dr. Jacques spoke and spoke well. I saw Sam Ja ques in uniform to-night This has been the first Spring day we have had and the snow is nearly all gone off the roads looks rainy to-night.</p> <p>Monday March 27th</p> <p>Spent most of the morning cleaning out the stable and the chicken house. I didn't work very fast nor do very much all day, I think owing to the fact that I have been suffering from a mild attack of Spring fever. This after noon I took a meander through Ivey's place and around the orchard on Frank Odd's place. When I got home I went down town and got some coal oil. Dad. piled the rest of the wood and threw some of the sawdust into the ice house. To-night we set three hens. Quint left for Toronto to-night, he has to go through an operation for rupture before he</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>can be enlisted. He never said any thing about it to any one of the family, he told me on Saturday but told me not to say any thing about it so when Art Quanbury told Dad. to-night that Quint had told Charlie about it he was very surprised. Every thing is flooded to-day a very great deal of snow has gone off and it has rained two or three times, the roads all fierce for either sleighs or wheels.</p> <p>Tuesday March 28th</p> <p>It rained most of the morning so we didn't do much but just the chores and just before dinner we husked a little corn, we sat around for quite awhile after dinner while Dad. was reading from James Whitcomb Riley. I drove Enah down to the annual meeting of the Women's Auxillary about three o'clock and had to turn around and go after her again almost as soon as I got home, the roads are so bad, Joe couldn't go off a walk. Dad. &amp; I took the top of the buggy and it makes it look queer but it was in bad shape. The first lamb of the season arrived last night some time and was all right out there this morning, he is a ram and belongs to 117 I think. Very mild but not sunny snow going fast.</p> <p>Wednesday March 29th</p> <p>This has been a real Spring day. Sunny and very mild, too mild to wear a coat or sweater and mud &amp; water every where you look, the snow is nearly all gone except where there are drifts. After I did chores I spent most of the morning wheeling my compost heap down south of the well where it is low. This after noon Dad and I husked some corn. Dad. also put the saddle on Queen and I roder her down the road a little way, just to give her a little exercise and to get her used to the bridle, she didn't do so badly at all. Frank Crysler was in for awhile to ask Dad. about a bad winded horse and Dad. told him he would go over to-morrow. To-night Frank &amp; I walked down town and Marj. &amp; I went to the soldier's concert. The hall was packed full and Jim Much and two McDonald girls had our seats and couldn't be induced to move. I stood there about five minutes trying to make {Sublimy?} Brock who was usher get me my proper seats and had a stream of humanity from the centre isle to the door blocked but as I saw they wouldnt move with out my creating conspicuous and unseemly disturbance</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>we took their seats at the other end of the row. The concert wasn't bad at all. It was mostly of a vaudeville minstrel show nature, which neither Marj. nor I are particularly fond of but still it was good for its class and fairly decent. Lieutennant Doughty &amp; Shargeant Hawking were blacked up and did a good share of the entertaining. Jock Watt danced a Highland Reel accompanied by some other fellow and the music for them was furnished by Waddel with a Harmonica or what ever they call those things they pull in and out like bellows. Jock was dressed in kilts and looked very "cute" especially in some of the twirly whirl parts of his dance. In those actions it might have been deemed an improvement by a few folks if he had had a pair of some sort of pants on but I think it held the attention of the public better as it was as they didn't want to miss seeing everything The most remarkable performer of the evening was Pte. Glover, the Strong man, who I believe comes from Port Rowan and is a private in the 133rd. He would have done very well for a performance at Shea's and when one considers that he comes from so near home and it isn't his regular business, he was to say the least a surprise. First of all he took a quarter inch iron rod about eighteen inches long and took it in his teeth with a handkerchief around it and then pulled down on each end with each hand till it was bent to nearly a right angle, he then took similar rods and smote them on the muscles of his extended forearm till they burst at a slight angle. He next drove a five or an eight inch spike into a saw bench and got half a dozen of the boys to hold the bench while he wrapped a handkerchief around the head of it and took it in his front teeth and bent it back wards &amp; fore wards till he broke it off, all these things he would throw into the audience to prove that they were genuine. He took Sid Stass and put him in a chair lifted him up and held Sid, chair, and all with his teeth by the back rung of the chair, the best part of that was to see poor Sid. turn pale green. He was so scared his knees shook and he certainly looked pleased to get safely down to land. His teeth and jaws weren't the only strong parts with him as he did all kinds of other stunts, such as lying down on his back and raising rising to his feet</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>with Billy Boughner standing in the palms of his hands and then getting down again and lying with his head on one chair and his feet on another and making his abdomen rigid enough for as many of the soldiers as there was room for from his head to his feet to stand on him. The last item on the programme and the one that proved about the most interesting was a recruiting rally. Mrs. Lamb a returned nurse gave us a good account of her experiences at the front and then made a very stirring appeal for more men using some extremely foolish arguments in favor of them leaving things here to go to a financial smash up and enlist to save Canada from the ravages of the Huns. Of course it sounds all right, but it would sound much better if they would mix up reason with sentiment. Major Innes from Simcoe then spoke and said he was going to ask Mrs. Lamb to get them twenty five men to-night, so she started by telling them she would knit a pair of socks for every man who enlisted to-night and said "Now who'll come up here." In a very short time there were about fifteen men on the stage but a strange feature of it was that with the exception of George Holden and {illegible} Paton fellow, no one seemed to know any of them so it looked as if there had been a little trouble taken beforehand to prepare the act. The soldiers went all through the hall trying to induce us, "safety first, home guard civilians." One fellow asked me if I wouldn't don a uniform and I told him I wanted to be sure there would be some fighting before I enlisted, as that is what they all say now that these fellows will never get over there before peace is made. Dick &amp; Dess were up in the gallery and Frank said some drunken bum of a soldier was up there launching a terrible volley of abuse on poor old Dick, calling him a coward and saying he couldn't go because his girl wouldn't let him. Dick of course couldn't do any thing up there but I guess he felt like doing him up. Dick and I would both have gone two or three months ago and were eager to if Dad. had just said the word, but as he was so dead against it and as we were by no means a drag on the country and in fact were just a little in doubtfull whether we weren't doing as much good at home as in the trenches, we didn't feel it our duty to go, and now, when things are beginning to look as if the German's strength was failing and the end of the war in sight, the idea of weakening Canada's already sickly financial condition by enlisting and bum around for</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>about ten months and never get a poke at the Germans does not appeal to me in the least. If on the other hand the Kaiser should get a new lease of life by smashing the Verdun forts and breaking his way through to and entering Paris, then I will enlist right away, because I believe that in that case the British Empire will be nearer destruction than she has been for many years and it will be high time for every British subject to drop personal welfare and forget National finances and fight or help fight for all that is in them to save Britain from Germany and the devil. However I don't think Willie will ever see the inside of Paris with his army at his back because they have been hammering at Verdun now for over a month I believe and have had about 100,000 men slaughtered and are still on the outside looking in and Verdun is a long way from Paris and there are several fortified nuts to crack between the two.</p> <p>Thursday March 30th</p> <p>We hitched Queen and Joe up this morning and went out to Frank Crysler's. Queen went fine most of the way but got a little frightened going down the hill out here on the side road and nearly put us in the ditch, the roads were fierce and the frost is nearly out in places. Frank Crysler's mare was certainly in awful shape, she makes a terrible noise when she breathes hard and he let her out in the yard and chased her so that she would breathe hard just to show Dad. and it was awful the distress she showed and Dad. said she bled at the nose. Frank Crysler said Burt. told him that he thought there was a growth at the end of the windpipe, but Dad. looked at it with the speculum but he couldn't see any growth, what he thinks is the matter is caused by an incision they made in the windpipe last fall to put in a tracheaotmy tube when she had distemper healing and the edges of the cut turning in and blocking up the windpipe This after noon Dad. went out and opened up a ditch out of the barley stubble and I did chores. Vail the assesor was in this morning and raised the assessment about $100. Dad is pretty sore about it, but Vail said it was Hammond's fault, he was on the committe for putting a value on the land and he had charge of this part of Woodhouse and he valued all these farms at forty</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>dollars an acre. Dad. doesn't want to say that John Wess isn't assessed big enough but his land is certainly worth more to the acre than ours is as it is all cleared {illegible} hills. Vail made it thirty seven dollars an acre I think. It has been another lovely Spring day, with lots of mud but sunny.</p> <p>Friday March 30th</p> <p>This after noon morning after I got the chores done I started to paint my colony house. I got one end and most of the back done before dinner. Aunty Alice was over for a little while and to dinner. This after noon Dad. and I went down to John Watts sale we got a ride down and back with Charlie Quanbury, the roads were awful we all had to walk up Monteith's hill and Charlie had the team and little light democrat. There wasn't such an awful crowd there and things didn't go especially high. It was a nice day but the sale was over by about four o'clock. Johnny Loan has sold out and enlisted and Erny Hinds of Nanticoke has sold out and every body supposes he has enlisted. Young Lee Boughner has enlisted and left his Dad with two farms on his hands and no man. Lee said he couldn't stand it any longer he couldn't go to town without them getting after him. To-night I went down to see Marj. for a little while. Another beautiful Spring day.</p> <p>Saturday April 1st</p> <p>It has rained off and on all day and we haven't done much but chores. I went over to Jack Martin's and got an inside hover that he wasnt using. He thought it would work better than my outside brooder. I was over there quite awhile poking around. Charlie Quanbury is quitting to-day and Jack's new man came, he is gping to live in Brirely's house and Brirely is going to move into Vyse's house. While I was gone Dad. &amp; Frank sacked up some barley and Frank and I took it down to the mill this afternoon, we went up to Bert Thompson's and got an incubator of Art Quanbury's which Bert had but wasn't using and while Art said I might use. It is an Essex 70 egg machine. Huby and Lila came over just as we were taking the team off and they stayed till it was time to do the night chores.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Huby said that Larry Skey had telephone up to say that Quint had gone through his operation all right and was doing fine, the doctors said he was one of the finest specimens they had operated on for some time, and they do a lot of them. There are two fellows from Simcoe right next to Quint going through the same thing, the Government pays all their expenses. To-night Sid Marsh came after Dad. to go and see a mare of Carpenter's which foaled this after noon, but something had gone wrong with her and she died while Dad. was up there. Rainy &amp; raw.</p> <p>Sunday April 2nd</p> <p>I got ready to go to Sunday school this morning but found I was late so didn't go but went down to church We all went to church even the baby and he was very good. Aunty came back with us and Dick was here when we got home. He slept too late to get to church. It was the first time we had seen him since last Sunday. He and I went down town again soon after dinner. Marj., Glad Law and I went for a walk around the hill. I came home to tea and went down again afterwards but didn't go to church. They didn't have any recruiting meeting to-night. Marj. &amp; I went up with Glad Law to her place for a little while. I went down to Aunty's for a little while and came home early. Aunty expects to go to London to-morrow to attend the annual meeting of the W.A. Mr. Carson the canning factory manager died this morning he was only sick about a week. They had high jinks down town last night old Bill Caley got on a tear and wanted to lick every body in town and they had to put him in the lockup after he had smashed Bobby Leany's window Mrs. Caley told them to run him in and Jimmy helped, it took four or five of them to handle him. When I went out this morning I found another buck lamb belonging to Dad's yearling ewe. Very nice day.</p> <p>Monday April 3rd</p> <p>Old Splitear presented us with a pair of twins this morning. She is the first ewe to have twin lambs We spent a good part of the morning choring around I painted some more of the colony house this afternoon morning and finished it this afternoon. I didn't use all the paint so I put the rest on the</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>end of the old chicken house, but didn't have quite enough to do it all so it didn't improve the look of it much. Enah went down town this after noon and Dad. stayed in with the baby all the after noon. To-night Frank and I tested rthe eggs and took out 68 unhatchables, most of them were clear. It has been very mild and sunny all day.</p> <p>Tuesday April 4th</p> <p>We spent most of the morning tending to lambs. When I went out this morning there was old Greynose and a yearling with the tag our of her ear on the barn floor each with a pair of twin lambs and later on in the morning another yearling lambed out in the field, she had twins too, we pruned two or three trees in the orchard this after noon. Wyatt Waddle and some other fellow were in this after noon trying to sell Dad a cultivator but they didn't manage to do it. I took 8 doz. eggs over to Martin's this morning. Alex James was in this morning to ask Dad. about a sick cow. Aleta McBride was here washing most of the day. Very mild and no wind, sunny &amp; nice.</p> <p>Wednesday April 5th</p> <p>Did chores and pruned a little more in the orchard to-day. Dad. has just been tending to sheep and doing chores most of the day, he went down to the mill on foot and got a bag of bran. Lorne Jackson was in before dinner to get him to file his old mare's teeth. Sam Law came in this after noon and invited us all down there to-night. He said a few friends were coming out and they wanted to have all the neighbours, they will be moving down to John Watt's in a few days. Dad. was quite alarmed about old Splitear to day, soon after he gave her some oats and bran both this morning and to-night, she got down and rolled and kicked and was aparently in pain, but neither spasm lasted so very long. Mild but not so sunny to-day. To-night we all went down to Law's and had a great time dancing, there wasn't any crowd there, just about enough for two sets and give every one a chance to rest Cliff {Name?} was the fiddler and {Tat?} Robinson who got up the dance did most of the calling off, though Alan did some Alan and Sam both danced all evening in their shirt sleeves. Dad. and Enah brought the baby home soon after mid-night and Frank didn't stay till the end</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>but I did which wasn't very late abut three or half past, there were three or four other babies or very small children there and they all stayed till the last but all went to sleep. The bed was full of them after midnight. {Pete?} Furlong's baby which isn't a year old was there and never said a word all night. Alan had a graphaphone there which I think belonged to Ethel Leany. Every body had a good time.</p> <p>Thursday April 6th</p> <p>I didn't get up very early this morning and just did chores all morning. I went to sleep again after dinner on the sofa and was awakened by Dick and Dess coming in. They were here for about an hour and we went out and saw the sheep, they couldnt stay to tea as Dess had to go to work at six o'clock. While I was asleep another pair of lambs arrived from the wooly faced yearling I think No. 2. Dad spends most of his time with them. Bobbie presented us with a fine big red heifer calf to-night. It is the second heifer she has had, last year's being the first. It snowed this morning and has been cloudy windy and much colder all day.</p> <p>Friday April 7th</p> <p>The old white ewe had one ewe lamb this morning we were afraid at first she wasn't going to own it and then that she was sick as she seemed very stupid and wouldn't eat, but our fears on both points are by to-night aparently groundless. We watched her with more suspicious eyes anyway because she was the one that wouldn't own the little ram lamb last year, but last year she had three, and one died and she did own one. Besides doing chores and husking a couple of shocks of corn Dad. and I havent done anything but monkey with the sheep Dad. especially, I did work a little out in front this morning but this after noon we caught the lamb which has its eyelids turned under and Dad. put a stitch in each ey lid and each cheek and pulled them out and down and tied them there, according to instructions in an American sheep magazine which I got the other day as a sample copy. We had to do this to two and he put two stitches in one eyelid. It keeps the lids out all right but the look horrible and we had a hard time doing it as it hurt them to pierce the eyelid which was also tough.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>We were afraid we were too late with one little fellow as his eyeball looks to have burst. To-night we all went down town. I went to Tips and got some samples for a new suit and then went up to see Marj. Dad. Enah and the baby went down to see Aunty Alice and to see Mrs. Johnson Enah's sister who just arrived from London where she has been attending the W.A. annual meeting. I think Frank was going to Huby's. I went down to Aunty's on my way home but the house was in darkness and I found the same conditions prevailing here when I arrived and see no sign of any one being home. It is now about eleven o'clock and still no one home and I'm going to bed. I am afraid they will ruin that child's health both physically and morally by permitting to be down town so late at night. Froze hard last night and has been cool all day but nice and sunny Cold east wind to-night.</p> <p>Saturday April 8th</p> <p>This morning Frank drove Enah and the baby down town in the waggon and they have been at the Jame's all day and walked home before dark. Enah brought back a bag of potatoes which Mrs. James sent to me and some turnips and parsnips she sent over. Dad. and I husked some corn while he was gone. This after noon Dad. cleaned out the hog pen and Frank and I worked in the shop. Frank at hanging an axe handle as he broke one the other day and I at making a frame to put cotton on for the front of the colony house. To-night I took some samples I got last night back to Tip Varey and ordered a suit. I then went down to Aunty Alice's and saw Aunty who just got home to-night from London. Aunty Maude and the two girls were down there. Raw cold day, Snowed all after noon and to-night.</p> <p>Sunday April 9th</p> <p>I didn't get to Sunday School this morning but Frank Enah and I went to church. I stayed down to Aunty's for dinner and spent the after noon with Marj. and Glad. Law but came home to tea and didn't go down again to night. Art. Quanbury came over to get Dad. to go and look at {Birson?} Ivey's horse which he had in his stable over here, before we went to church this morning and he was over again this</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>this after noon and again to-night. It got down some time during the night and got its neck twisted and jammed up in one corner of the stall and now it can't get up or straighten its neck. Dad. says it doesn"t matter about it not getting up but he is afraid its neck twisted beyond recovery and it was one of a new team he had just bought in Brantford. Lila was over here most of the afternoon and to tea and Mr. James and Mrs. Johnson were over this after noon. Dick was over to dinner but of course I didn't see him. The little yearling ewe that has been out of sorts all winter had a pair of nice lambs to-day, but doesn't seem to have much milk for them. It has been rather cold &amp; raw though fairly sunny I took my eggs out of the incubator this morning to cool them and went to feed the chickens, forgot them and left them out an hour and a half, but I don't think it will hurt.</p> <p>Monday April 10th</p> <p>Lorne Jackson came after Dad. at a quarter to four this morning to go over and see Frank Crysler's mare which was suffering from an attack of acute indigestion owing to her eating corn cobs which had been shovelled out with the cleanings from the hog pen. Dad. had to send Lorne down after some medicine and didn't go till he got back. He walked out but got there the same time as Lorne who was on horseback. Tommy Jackson was over there and had been doctoring her for which he apologised to Dad. but Dad. said he had done all right for he likes old Tommy and realizes that he knows a lot more that the majority of these self taught quack-doctors, but Tommy had been handicapped he went to look through his medicine chest but found that his ether which he wanted had eaten the cork out of the bottle and evaporated, so he gave the horse some laudnum. Dad. told him if they had administered a little whiskey, it would have been a good thing Tommy said they had had some whiskey, but as he and Frank who had been sitting up all night had suffered considerably from the cold, they consumed most of it themselves so it naturally didn't have a very stimulating effect on the horse. Dad. was over there to breakfast and got back here about nine. When I went</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>out this morning Ben Ivey was prowling around looking for Dad. He and Art Quanbury had been up all night with his horse and he was very anxious to try and sling him up on his feet as he said he had been thrashing around all night and he was afraid he would knock his feet all to pieces or get his head under the hay and smother so the consequence was that except for doing a few chores here Dad. and I have been over there all day and Dad. is just about all in to-night. Art Quanbury Dad. and I went down to Aunty's before dinner to see if we could find Dad's. old set of slings but we couldn't any where. Art. &amp; I went down to the Customs office to ask Huby but he didn't know where they were so they had to rig one up with a couple of little single trees and an old piece of carpet. We went back after dinner to help lift and Landon &amp; Morg. Williams came over from the greenhouse. They were a long time getting things ready and when we did get him up the beam they had the pulleys fastened too was not high enough so we had to let him down and they made it higher, then we hauled him up again but it was just as Dad. expected he couldn't use his legs when we did get him up and just pawed around so we had to let him down and all we could do for him was to turn him over. Dad. feels sure that the injury in his neck is causing all the trouble, and says there is a possibility of it recovering with him lying down as he eats and drinks alright, but if the spinal column is hurt much there is little hope for him. It was about five o'clock when we got home so we just did up the chores. Nice day, rather raw</p> <p>Tuesday April 11th</p> <p>This morning we cut the tails of six of the biggest lambs Dad. cut the first one off with a jack knife but it didn't work very well so we did the rest with a butcher knife hammer and block the same as last year and it worked fine, they all lived through it all right although the first one seemed very sore for quite awhile but I think it was owing more to some of the turpentine he put on getting on to more tender parts than it was intended than to the cut itself. I walked Belle up and down the road for a while this moring at least I rode her, just to make her take a little</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>more exercise, as she is beginning to show signs of foaling soon, her time is up on the 25th of this month. When I put her in I started to rake up the annual crop of sticks and leaves under the old willow tree but only got it about half done before dinner and after dinner it was pouring rain and rained all the after noon we just did chores. Art Quanbury came over for most of the after noon, his last ewe had a pair of twins last night but he can't make one of them suck so he came over and borrowed our sucking bottle to give it a feed and sent it back with Frank. It thundered a little this after noon.</p> <p>Wednesday April 12th</p> <p>We havent done any thing much to-day I took Belle put for another little ride for exercise. Aunty Alice was over to dinner but didn't stay long after. The last ewe No. 67 lambed to-day, we watched her all morning as she seemed to be straining and Dad examined her but couldn't find any thing, but when we went out after dinner we found a dead lamb with her, it had come in a wrong position and was dead when it came, it was a fine big one too. About an hour later she had another dandy big ram lamb and it was all right and she seems to be all right to and has an enormous bag. To-night I went down to church, there were about a dozen or so there but there were no lights when we first got there I went up to see Marj. afterwards. I found her marking exam papers and suffering with an awfully sore throat. When I started for home it was pouring rain so I camped all night at Aunty's. It has been a very nice day.</p> <p>Thursday April 13th</p> <p>I just did chores after I got home this morning till dinner this after noon I took Belle out again, I saw Art. Quanbury he told me that Charlie and Ben Ivey had driven to Brantford yesterday morning to buy another horse and had not got home yet. He said he went up last night and turned Syd. (the one that's down) over and went up again this morning and found him dead. The little Ivey kid told me last night that his Daddy named his horses after the places he used to travel in Sydney &amp; Halifax. I planted some old flower seeds in a box this after noon and put them in the kitchen window. I don't know that they</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>will grow as I think they are two or three years old. I also raked some more up under the old willow outside the fence, I finished inside yesterday. To-night I went down to a party of the Every-ready Club girls at Bessie Paterson's. We played Five-Hundred which I had never played before and which I didn't know any thing about so consequently didn't win one game. Colin Ryerse and I cut for booby prize and I got in a little tin watch and chain which proved a great source of amusement for the baby. Bill Davis &amp; Johnnie I think got first prizes. We also had a hat trimming contest. Each boy had to trim a hat I did one for Hazel Silverthorne by just tying a couple of ribbons around it. I was quite tickled with the job I made. Sam Schram got first prize at that and George Henderson the booby. Marj. was there and said her sore throat was "all better". We all had a nice time and got away about half past one. It was pouring rain again to-night so I went down to Aunty's and stayed. They had half expected me as the bed was all ready to crawl into. It has been quite hot to-day and the fields are beginning to look quite green.</p> <p>Friday April 14th</p> <p>Aunty came over with me this morning and has stayed all day at least she went back about half past four. It has been cloudy, cold, windy and wet all day and we have just done a few chores, husk a little corn, keep our eyes on the incubator and sit around all day. Ham Thompson was in for a little while this morning to see the sheep. He has just invested in five Shropshires. He bought them at the Street Fair in Simcoe. They are supposed to be registered but he hasn't got the pedigree's and he says they have no tags in their ears. The chicks have been hatching all day but I am not looking for much of a hatch maybe twenty five or thirty.</p> <p>Saturday April 15th</p> <p>This morning Dad helped me take the chicks out of the incubator we took out twenty five but had to kill three which were crippled. I knocked their heads on a post and threw them over in the orchard, it was rather sickening but had to be done and I was sure I killed them but this after noon Dad. heard some cheeping and went out and found two of them had come to. I suppose I had only stunned</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>them. We put them under two of the setting hens and put the eggs which were under the hens in the incubator. They are due to hatch on Monday. This after noon Frank and I drove the team down town and got some groceries, we went up to Mrs. Leslie Battersby's and got a lot of plants for Aunty which Mrs. Battersby is giving her as she can't take them all to Brantford with her. I got a lot of stuff out of the garden down at Aunty's and brought it over. I got some tulip and daffodil bulbs some lily of the vallet roots, some clematis and Virginia creeper and a little syringa tree all of which I put out when I got home and didn't help do any chores. It took me till dark and the ground was really too wet. Lila was over all the after noon and got some may flowers back in the woods. Frank went down with her to-night. Dad. had to go down to Mr. Flemming's after tea as Chris Quanbury came after him. Flemming's mare had a colt when Dad. got there and it was all right so he didn't stay long. Old Dave Lampkins was in to-night, his new horse that he got at Watt's sale had some sort of fit and he wanted to ask Dad. about it. Tom. Abbot told Dad. he had them before, but they didn't tell poor old Davie that. Lovely day, sunny &amp; mild</p> <p>Sunday April 16th</p> <p>Frank went down to Sunday School and Enah and I went down to church we took the baby down and left him with Aunty in the back of the church, and we three boys sat up in the front seat with Aunty Alice and Enah went in the choir. The baby was very good as usual. Dick came over here to dinner but I stayed down at Aunty's. I wernt up to the Bagley's after dinner to see Marj. I got up opposite Kev. Henderson's barn when it began to pour rain. I hiked across the road in there till the heaviest was over and then I got out and up as far as Alfy Dell's barn when it started again so I ran in the lane, over the manure heap and over a couple of bars which were nailed across the open door and waited there till it subsided alittle and sallied forth again, this time getting past the Methodist Church shed before it began to pelt so I just ran for all I was worth to the Bagley's veranda but got rather wet however Mrs. Bagley mopped me off with a duster and I didn't suffer much. After sitting around an hour or so Marj. and I went up and called for Glad Law and went for a walk up to the head of Main St. I went into Bert Thompson's and got the thermometer that belongs to Art Quanbury's incubator.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>I came home to tea and didn't go down again. Aunty &amp; Aunty Alice want me to go down there and give them a whole day in the garden to-morrow if it doesn't rain. This was a lovely Spring morning and warm but wet this after noon.</p> <p>Monday April 17th</p> <p>It rained hard during the night and was cold dark &amp; windy this morning so I didn't go down to work in the garden, it has been a very nasty day, hasn't rained much but has looked like it and been cold and windy. Charlie Martin came over this morning and was here for an hour or so visiting, he had three hams he wanted smoked but we took the meat out of our smoke house two or three days ago. Enah and the baby went down town to dinner and were down most of the afternoon. Bill Phillips came after Dad. Soon after dinner to go down and tend to Alfy Dell's cow which calved yesterday, so Dad. went down and charged them two dollars; he and Frank got home to-gether a little before six. I didn't do much but put the cotton on the colony house frames and husk a little corn. Bruce Dell came over after Dad. again to-night, the cow is worse and Dad. has gone down with him</p> <p>Tuesday April 18th</p> <p>Dad. went down town again this morning to see the Dell's cow and was down most of the morning, he said she was better. I did chores most of the morning and just before dinner Dad. put the saddle on Queen and I rode her down nearly to the corner, she didn't do so very badly. Dad said she looked fine. We spent most of the after noon trimming her up, Dad. cut the long hair off her legs &amp; fetlocks with the scissors and singed most of it off under her jaw. About half past four when Frank got home we undertook to drive the eight pigs from the hog pen over to the bay on the old barn where Dad. thinks they will do better, we got five of them in with out much trouble but three we had an awful time with and had to just tire them out and the last one we had to tire out and catch but we had Tige to help us with her and the others we did alone, it nearly killed us. Dad. is anxious to get them finished for fear the price drops they were up to $10.75 per cent yesterday. Frank has gone on a hunting, trapping and fishing expedition with the Ryersies to-night Mrs McBride was here all day washing. It has been sunny but a very high wind all day. Mud has dried up a lot.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Wednesday April 19th</p> <p>This morning Dad. and I put the association ear tags in the old ewes and the two year olds' ears. Dad put the holes in their ears with the harness punch, we also marked all the lambs, their ears are too small to put tags in and we hate to punch the edges of them all up so we painted Roman numerals on their sides with lamp {black?} and oil, and then marked it down in a book which lambs belong to which ewes. This after noon we took the tails off eight more lambs, they are all done now except the two little ones. We then did chores and Dad. started to make a trough to feed the lambs. This after noon To-night Enah and I went down town, we weren't in time to go to church, but Enah was in time for choir practice. I went in to Tip's to see if my suit had come and he said he had got word from the firm that the stuff I ordered hadn't come yet from the mill and they didn't expect it for at least three weeks, so I told him to tell them to wait till the three weeks were up and then to make it up out of another choice if the first wasn't there as I didn't want to wait. I told him I would be down in the morning, I then went up to see Marj. She expects to go to London on Friday to spend her Easter holidays. I went down to Aunty's and called for Enah, Aunty Alice got home to-night from Ingersol, where she was spending a couple of days visiting Miss Parke, Uncle Hals sister. It has been a nice day but rainy to-night.</p> <p>Thursday April 20th</p> <p>Mr. Fleming came after Dad. this morning to go and see his colt, which Dad. is afraid has joint ill, which is almost impossible to cure. When he went down there I went down to Tip's and picked out another sample, the only one I liked much that wasn't on his list of "sold outs". I took a lot down to show Aunty and Cousin Clare, and they thought it would be nice too, so I stayed there to dinner and took them back after dinner, got the mail and came home. Dad. was here all alone as Enah and the baby had gone down to her mother's. Old Gladys made her nest this morning. Dad. put a lot of straw for her in the pen where the young pigs were but she carried it all out and put it in her own pen so has far too much, when Dad. went out</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>about twelve she was still making her nest and when he went out about an hour later she was covered with pigs and more coming, she had thirteen altogether but killed one to-night by lying on it, but she is very careful, and good to them. Soon after dinner or at least dinner time because Dad. hadn't bothered eating any dinner, Al. Faulkner came after him to go down and doctor Jimmy Leany's horse. He hated to go but did and got a dollar out of it, he has started charging folks in town as lately they have come after him from all directions. I spent most of the after noon cleaning out and heating up my two incubators. The little one was up to 103° before I went to bed to-night. About six o'clock we had one of the worst old thunder storms we have had since last summer. Frank Dad. &amp; I were all besieged in different barns and couldn't get out till it was over. It seemed to come from the north and went right over us towards the lake There were a couple of cracks I though would hit the barn. Enah and the baby got home about eight and the baby seemed quite sick. Dad. and I greased the little chicken's heads to-night. It has been very warm all day</p> <p>Friday April 21st (Good Friday)</p> <p>I promised Aunty and Aunty Alice I would give them a day in the garden to-day but as it was so wet I didn't hurry down and put the eggs in the two incubators first, I put in 198. 135 in the big one and 63 in the other. I got a ride down as far as Fleming's with Sam Law who came in after a bag of his potatoes. I went in to tell Mr Fleming of an ant toxin for navel ill which Dad read of last night and which Dad. said he could telephone to Burt or Duncomb in Waterford for if he wanted to. When I got down to Aunty's they were just starting for church. Aunty Alice was terribly distressed that she wouldn't be there to work with me but I cleaned up a lot of old rubbish and boards that were in the road of where they want to have Val. Leany plan. This after noon they both got out and worked and I dug up a couple of patches and Aunty Alice put in some potatoes and multiplier onions. It started to rain about five o'clock so we had to stop I stayed to tea and came home about dark. Dick was down to dinner &amp; tea, he has had a holiday this after noon to-day of course. I guess Dad. just did chores over here to-day. Frank was off hunting with the Ryerse's</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Snowdrop had a big, black, bull calf, and Gladys killed anothe piglet. Ed. was over this after noon telling his adventures in the 133rd. He is Quartermaster Sergeant now. Nice day but rather cloudy and wet.</p> <p>Saturday April 22nd</p> <p>This morning we just did chores and Dad. had a bath and went down to Aunty's for dinner, he wanted to get his hair cut for Easter. He was gone all the after noon I cleaned out the horse stable and Frank started to house clean the shop, then we fooled around awhile and at last put the saddle on Queen and he got on and rode her down the road a little way. When Dad. came home he found he had missed bringing the paper so after we got the horses fed, Frank I put the saddle on Ginger and rode down to Aunty's and got it. Tonight Frank and I set two hens on thirty eggs. Fram Walker was in to-night to get a boll and to borrow the speculum for a lymphatic horse</p> <p>Sunday April 23rd</p> <p>This being Easter we all went to church Dad. took the baby who was pretty good but having Huby sit right across the isle didn't improve his behaviour any. Dick came over to dinner. This after noon Frank and I went over to John Wess' and Frank set some traps up in McQueens &amp; Robert John's gully. We got home just in time to let Enah go to church. Dad. had to go down this after noon to see Dell's cow again, she isn't doing right. Charlie Quanbury came over twice since six o'clock to get Dad. to go and look at his colt. Dad. went back with him the last time and just got there in time to see it die, he is going back in the morning to hold a post mortem, it was the one he got in Brantford for fifty eight dollars. Lovely morning but cloudy &amp; rainy later.</p> <p>Monday April 24th</p> <p>Dad. &amp; Frank went over to Quanbury's this morning soon after breakfast Dad. to dissect the dead horse and Frank to skin it as Charlie told him he could have the hide if he would skin it. Dad. had to go down town to see Dell's cow, and so didn't finish his job before dinner and stayed at the Quanbury's to dinner, neither he nor Frank got home till nearly four o'clock, but he found out what was the matter with the colt. He had distemper last winter and</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>the absess did not form &amp; break under the jaw as it should have done, and it seems when this does not happen, an absess is liable to form any place in the body, so in this case they found it in the bowells which had all grown to-gether around the growth which Dad said was as big as his head, so nothing could have saved him anyway I just did chores to-day and this after noon cleaned out the separator, we started separating again to-night. We got the chores done up fairly early and I went down to Aunty's to tea, to-night Aunty and I went to the picture show to see "Mistress Nell" with Mary Pickford. It was pretty good the play being in the time of Charles III. Harry Battersby and Dave Waddle were over this morning for a little while. Nice day but cloudy to-night.</p> <p>Tuesday April 25th</p> <p>Dad had to go down town again this morning to see Dell's cow and Frank went down to ship his horse hide to Hallam. Bob. Miller showed him how to fix it and ship it. I did chores all morning and this after noon husked a little corn. Art. Quanbury was over all the after noon and watched Dad. shear the two rams which he did in about four hours. The little fellow was very poor and alive with ticks. I rode down town to get the paper tonight. It has drizzled all the after noon and things are getting in awful shape.</p> <p>Wednesday April 26th</p> <p>Allan Law came up this morning with old Ned. the big bay, he was all humped up and the musles in his hip trembled. They had him hitched up coming up to Pickford's after their stove but when they got to Art Ryerse's they had to unhook and put one of Art's in. Alan said on Friday he gave his foot a bad cut when they were moving the big new engine for the factory from the car one of the skids ran up on ihs heel and cut a piece out and they haven't had him out of the stable since till to-day, but Dad didn't think that would affect him the way he was affected and didn't know what was the matter. This after noon Dad. caught old Splitear and sheared her they were all too wet from yesterday's rain to shear this morning, when he was about half done Alan came after him, he said old Ned had given up going down Art Ryerse's hill and Alan had managed to get him to the top of Monteith's but no</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>farther, so when Dad. finished the sheep he went down with him and didn't get back till after seven, they said they had got Ned home but he didn't understand the case He said he was down when he first got there but got up by himself afterwards. He read it up at tea time and came to the conclusion it was asoturia although it didn't show the regular symptoms, but after tea he walked down again to give it a boll, it must have been after midnight quite a bit when he got home I havent done much but chores all day cleared up a little around the back door. We moved the three hens and little chickens from the colony house outdoors to-day. Lila was over all day, she Quint and Win got back from Toronto last night. She and Frank went back to the gully this afternoon and Frank went down with her to-night. It has been much warmer to-day but didn't rain.</p> <p>Thursday April 27th</p> <p>Dad. went down to Sam's again right after breakfast and didn't get back till about two o'clock, he had dinner down there, he thought Ned was better. When he came home he and Frank sheared another sheep. I spent the day doing chores and clearing up Aunty came over this after noon and stayed to tea. I walked down with her after tea and went up to get my hair cut and went up to see Quint. I waited there till after ten and then found him down in Henry Biroy's pool room. I had quite a visit with him and didn't get home till about twelve o'clock. It has been fairly sunny to day and a strong east wind.</p> <p>Friday April 28th</p> <p>I haven't worked very hard to day as I had a sort of pain most of the time, this morning I made a sort of little desk and put it up in the cow stable to put our milk record book on. This after noon I took some eggs over to Jack Martin's, they seemed very busy over there shipping eggs. When I got back I cut a little strip of lawn but the old lawn mower is just about out of commission. Sam Law came up this morning and said old Ned was doing alright. Frank took a small grist to the mill this morning and got it this after noon. He went down the mill hill but it was so bad that he went around by town to get his stuff. He and Dad. burned some grass on the road this after noon. He got an express order</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>from John Hallam today for $5.15 for the horse hide he shipped them and they had deducted 35 cts for freight. He thought that was good as he wasn't looking for much more than three Dad. was very surprised this morning when he went out to find a newly born lamb belonging to the little yearling which we were sure wasn't in lamb. The lamb was in the pen and she was outside, he was afraid at first he was going to have trouble making her own it but she did alright. Enah and the baby were down town most of the day. Enah said Aunty Alice had expected [Darycote?} to come and work in the garden but he didn't so she was out digging herself, so Dad. told Frank to tell them to-night (he went down to cash his order) that I would go down tomorrow if all was well and help them We saw in yesterday's casuality list yesterday that Kieth Aylen of Ft. Saskatchewan was killed in action.There seems to be quite a mess over in poor old Ireland. They captured Sir Roger Casement the other day who was leading a ship laden with arms and ammunition unto Ireland for rebels and they also sunk the ship which was a disguised German one, and since there have been serious riots of the Sinn Fein party in Dublin but the Nationalists are helping the loyal troops quell it so they think the rioting is just being carried on by a bunch of fanatics, however the whole of Ireland is under martial law. Sir Roger they think was a little out of his head anyway and they say he had done before now some great things for the British. He is sure now they say of the gallows but hopes they will hang him with a silken cord as he thinks common rope would be too degrading to man of his position. It has been a lovely day foggy this morning but sunny after.</p> <p>Saturday April 29th</p> <p>As soon as Frank went out after breakfast this morning he noticed Belle was not right, so called Dad. After watching her for a few minutes Dad decided some thing was wrong so made an examination and found a colt coming with Its head bent back. He had quite a time straitening it but managed to get it away but it was dead. Dad. said the first strainter had probably broken its neck. Frank and I were just ready to go down town and as Belle seemed all right we left and it was not till I got home at night that I knew that another dead colt had come in exactly the same position only on its back, they were a beautiful pair of mare colts one a bay with black mane and black points and the other a sorel with sorel mane and white points and each</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>and each with a white strip in its face.Dad says he had done nothing else but grieve all day, not that in itself it is such a loss but they were such a pair of beauties and no reason in the world why they shouldn't have lived if they had come straight. I went down with Frank and helped him put on a load of wood which was about half of the cord that Dad bought from Cousin Phoebe. I then went down and gave Aunty Alice another day in the garden, they couldn't get a man to come so had started to dig it themselves. Frank got anothe load after dinner but got it alone. It was nice beech and maple wood and she gave him a lot of old boards too. Huby went to Simcoe this after noon and heard about our twin colts up there before I did. I got home about dark and set out some little daisys, violets and a pansy plant that Aunt Nancy gave me. Lovely sunny day and quite hot.</p> <p>Sunday April 30th</p> <p>I was the only member from this house at church this morning. Frank &amp; Enah having decided to go to-night instead. Dad. and the baby were about to get ready to go down when Ham Thompson came in and Dad. had to go up there with him, to take a colt away from his mare, it was dead. Ham has had about the roughest streak of luck with his stock this year that a man could have. He has one or two calves but four of his cows aborted and now both his colts are gone, He has no young chickens either. I stayed down at Aunty's to dinner and Aunty Alice came over here, we didn't have any sermon this morning Mr. Johnson feels pretty badly over the news which came last week that his youngest brother was killed at the front. Quint and Bill Oakes went to Normandale early this morning so I didn't think Quint would be over to dinner but I saw him this after noon and he said they had got back earlier than they expected so was over to dinner, he said the trout didn't bite very well. This after noon Marj. Glad Law and I went up to Dixon's woods and got a few mayflowers. Tonight Enah and Frank went down to church and Dad. and I were rather late getting through with the chores. The Oddfellows were at our church to-night. George Duncan was in for quite awhile to see Dad. about a cow which has something wrong with it. I tested out my eggs to-night. I only took 48 out of the big machine but 38 out of the little one. I put all that were left into the big one. Nice day quite hot.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Monday May 1st</p> <p>Frank took a walk over the back field yesterday after noon and reported that the side hill was fit to go on but the top was pretty wet, so this morning he took Harry and Nellie with the disks back and has been working back there all day. Dad. went back with him to get him started, he got the side hill all gone over and of course couldn't turn on it so had to go across the top but threw the disks out, however it scratched it up a little and will help it to dry. It will take a lot of work yet as the rain has packed it so hard and the grass is pretty well started. While Dad. was back there I buried the twins in the garden up by the windmill. Tom Abbot saw them this morning and said he would give five dollars if they had lived. Sam Law came in while I was at it with some of Dad's instruments he had left down there and said old Ned. was just about all right again. When Dad. came up he sheared a sheep before dinner and two after dinner, he thinks he is getting on to it now. The last one he did I thought he did in a little less than an hour. This after noon I cut most of the lawn I didn't make much of a job of it with the old lawn mower but managed to get it haggled a little.Alex Jamieson came in to see Dad. about a cow he has "that ain't doin right." He told me that "Wilful waste makes woeful want" and that I ought to let the grass grow for hay or turn the old mare in on it. It has been a nice day but looks rainy to-night.</p> <p>Tuesday May 2nd</p> <p>It rained hard enough during the night to put a stop for the present to agricultural operations, but has been a nice sunny day with rather a cold wind. Mr. Fleming came after Dad. this morning his colt is not so well again and Dad. is afraid he will lost it yet. It was a lot better. Tupper was in too for awhile to ask Dad. about his colt which is leaking a little at the navel. Just before dinner we put all the unsheared sheep in the barn and cut the tails off the two little ones there is just one more lamb now to dock, the one belonging to the little yearling ewe. Dad. sheared two more this after noon but had heartburn pretty badly I spent most of the after noon digging the corner bed I made by the rhubarb bed outside the clothes room window. Frank husked corn and went down and got the mail. He went down again to-night with a message to Mrs. Dell about her cow.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Wednesday May 3rd</p> <p>It started to rain sometime during the night and has kept it up all morning most of the time quite heavily so that underfoot conditions are in about as bad a state as they everwere. It cleared up after dinner but was cold all the after noon but was a very nice night. This morning I spent most of the morning in the house grinding bread crumbs for the chickens and writing in this. Dad. helped me get the little chickens into the colony house this morning as we were afraid the wet would be bad for them. Two of them did die with the sore eye trouble that they had last year. This after noon Frank and I did chores and husked a little corn. Frank spent all the morning packing his muskrat skins and after dinner he took them down and shipped them to Hallam and got the mail. Dad. sheared one sheep this morning and two more this afternoon, he has just one more to shear. I went down town to-night. Tom Abbot and other soothsayers and astronomers were predicting cold weather as the new moon was exceptionaly far North and slap on its back.</p> <p>Thursday May 4th</p> <p>Dad. sheared the last sheep this morning and as soon as he got through we packed the wool up and Frank and I took it down. We stopped at the Quanbury's to get a shovel as I wanted to get a little sand to throw in the chicken yard and Charlie gave us Art's three fleeces. Art himself was down {bathing?} Vyse's horse. Henderson gave us 30 cts. a lb for it, which was the highest payed in yesterday's paper, and to-day it has dropped a cent or two, but the mail hadn't come in when we sold it. We had eight six lbs and got $25.80. Art had 18 lbs and got $5.40. By the time we got our sand and a few more things up town we didn't get home till about one o'clock. This after noon we all cleaned up oats. Aunty was over for a few minutes after tea and brought me a new pair of working pants and three tea-roses which Aunty Alice bought from Ivey's. I set them out before she left. It has been a nice day but windy.</p> <p>Friday May 5th</p> <p>This morning Dad. Frank and I went around the gully fence or at least this end and got it so we think it will hold the cattle, Dad. wants to turn them out on Monday. Dad. and I came up a little before</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>noon, but Frank stayed back there to set some traps for a coon he thought he saw tracks of the other day, he isn't sure whether it is a coon or a ground hog. This afternoon he went back and worked all after noon on the side hill, while Dad and I cleaned up more oats. Enah went down to choir practice to-night. Lovely day.</p> <p>Saturday May 6th</p> <p>Dad. got started down pretty early and worked all day in the garden down home fixing the paths all up the way they used to be. He had to cut the sod right off so it was a tedious job, but I went down to-night and they are all just tickled to death at the change in the looks of things He took the baby down with him. Frank worked all day on the land and says he got on fairly well. I worked around the garden all day and did chores. At noon while we were at dinner we head a cow bawl and on looking out saw they had knocked down the lane gate and were all back the lane. We tried to head them off but couldn't so let them go. Jim went back too although Dad wanted to put her in the orchard insted of back there as he was afraid she would not be able to navigate the hills but she managed pretty well Nice day rained a few times {illegible} I went down to-night and got my new suit.</p> <p>Sunday May 7th</p> <p>We all went down to church this morning. Dad. and the baby sat up in the front seat and the baby surpassed all past records for good behaviour. After church I walked down to the Customs office with Huby. and he was explaining the great ammount of complicated work he had to do and saying how much he liked it. He is just as interested down there as he used to be over here digging post holes or shovelling manure, he thinks his office is dandy with the view he gets from both windows of the lake and the marsh right outside full of all kinds of birds and he has every thing inside just as neat and slick as a button. We monkeyed around down there so long that I was afraid Aunty would have started dinner without me so I went up to dinner with Huby. Ada. was up there but Quint had come over here. This after noon Marj. and I started to walk around the hill but it was such a beautiful day and so hot that I with a little coaxing persuaded her to come out here till I hooked Joe up and we went for a drive. Dad. had just got through cleaning his probang and his hands were all dirty so he hooked up for us. The old</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>buggy was all mud and looked terribly shabby with the top off but Marj. said she didn't mind so we had a nice drive as the roads are fine now except on the hills. I got home soon after five. Enah went down to church to-night as they wanted her to play for some fellow to sing a solo, he came down from Brantford with Meesa Dyer. Frank was off all the after noon on his wheel. We let the sheep all out in the lane for a little while to-night. Beautiful day.</p> <p>Monday May 8th</p> <p>We were all up fairly early this morning and Frank got his team all harnessed to get out on the land right after breakfast but about breakfast time and old soaker of a thunderstorm rolled in and everlastingly soused things. It got so dark we had to light the lamp and there were two or three claps of thunder that made our teeth rattle. The storm itself didn't last long but of course we couldnt think of doing anything on the land although it has been sunny and a very high west wind which dried things up a lot. We chored around all day, carried the apples &amp; vegetables all up out of the cellar put the rest of the sawdust back in the ice house and packed it in docked a couple of the calves horns and this morning. Dad. and Frank took up a board in the woodshed floor to see if they could discover the source of a very disagreeable odour which has been pervading that part of the house lately. They found it all right, it turned out to be the cat that died last fall. I got the old lawnmower going to-night so that it makes quite a respectable looking job by setting the blade up against the knives</p> <p>Tuesday May 9th</p> <p>This morning Dad. and I drove Belle up to Yeager's and bred her to King Chocolate again. There was some New Yorker there looking for saddle horses and Yeager was asking Dad. about Ginger so before we left they said they would be down to see her this after noon. We got home soon after twelve and right after dinner Frank went down and got the mail and then took the big team back to disk he had looked at it this morning and thought it was fit. Dad. &amp; I did chores and cleaned up the horses. About three o'clock Rus. Lampkins came in to borrow the pump and sink he left here a year or so ago to put up, so Dad. told him to take it as he didn't know when we would get a chance to put it in. He was here quite awhile and bought a setting of eggs from me but didn't pay for them. He was just leaving</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>when Murray Hamilton came in with his car with Yeager Jack Davis and the New York saddle horse man, so then the horse show began, we brought out both Ginger and Queen, Yeager seemed to be trying to convince all the company that Ginger was in foal and she did look a little queer, Dad. just noticed it to-day but we knew by her actions she couldn't be so we attributed Yeager's talk to the whiskey that he was carrying but he told Dad. aside a little later that he knew she wasn't in foal he was just trying to make the fellow think he was working for him he asked me what I wanted for Queen and I said two hundred he laughed at me but later he told us to let Ginger go for what the fellow would pay and he would see that he bought Queen too after she has been handled a little more "but" he said "Remember the price of her is three hundred not two". so whether he meant all he said or not I don't know as he was pretty full. After I rode Ginger down the lane once or twice, Dad. sold her for one hundred and twenty five dollars and the fellow shelled out the hard cash and said he wanted her at Yeager's before six. As it was then nearly five we had to hurry but we left right away and were up to Charlie Bawlby's when they overtook us in the car, they had probably come around by town to get some more booze. We were there by six but both Joe and Ginger were about all in. We drove Joe to the buggy and led Ginger. The fellow seemed rather surprised that we made such good time. We left Ginger at Yeager's stable but he was going to ship her to New York to-night. Dad. hated to leave her but he told the man he was glad she was not going to the army. He said she would never see the army as he wants her in his riding school and if she doesn't stay there she will go to some rich man's stable for a lady's saddle horse. He said he would be back in a couple of weeks or so after Queen. We got home about seven and I dressed up right away and Marj. and I went to the picture show. It has been fair all day but a cold north wind. It was starting to sprinkle to-night when I got home.</p> <p>Wednesday May 10th</p> <p>It aparently rained all night and certainly rained most of the day, not very heavily except for a few showers but a lot of water fell. To-night it looked and felt like a big thunder storm but a very high wind got up and dispersed the clouds. We did chores and cleaned grain all day</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>We got all the oats cleaned and quite a lot of the barley. Charlie Butler was in tihs after noon for a minute or two, his mare Dad. thinks has an attack of lymphangitis. To-night I walked down to see if Marj. would like to go to Simcoe on Friday night to see the "Battle Cry of Peace" at the show. I guess she would have liked to go but thought she hadn't better. I stopped in for a few minutes to see Aunty &amp; Aunty Alice.</p> <p>Thursday May 11th</p> <p>Dad. took a load of manure down this morning to Aunty Alice for the garden and Frank and I set out the two English walnuts and two of the cherry trees which we got from Mr. Morgan. This afternoon he went back and disked and Dad took Joe &amp; Belle back and harrowed for awhile. I set out the other four cherry trees and just did chores. Very high strong west wind.</p> <p>Friday May 12th</p> <p>Mr. Carpenter came after Dad. this morning while we were milking to go and see his mare which was foaling, so Dad. had to go up there before breakfast, he went out and harrowed as soon as he got back and this after noon they took the drill back and six bags of barley &amp; oats which we mixed on the barn floor at noon. He got it all sowed but didn't get over quite all the ground they had worked up. I just did chores. I took 45 chicks out of the incubator and put them under three hens but two died. Lila stayed here all night nice day.</p> <p>Saturday May 13th</p> <p>Frank has been back working on the land all day and Dad. was back this morning and finished drilling all that was in fit shape. I worked around here put the three hens with the chickens in the colony house and took five more out of the incubator but two of them were weak. I also cut some more of the lawn. This after noon Dad. and I hooked Joe &amp; Queen to the waggon and went down town and took some furniture of Aunty's down to her as she had room for it now that Cousin Clare has moved into her new house. Just as we got opposite the "Titanic." Queen jumped at a rut in the road and piece broke of the end of the tongue causing the iron to bend and let the tongue down. Dad. tied it up with a strap which lasted</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>till we got our furniture unloaded and got around to the blacksmith shop where Bert Greenbury took the iron off and I took the tongue over to the planing mill and got George Nunn to put splice a new end on it then Greenbury put the iron back on. I had some cream for Elva and when I got to the shop Dad asked me what I did with it and I suddenly remembered I had left it on the bank by the "Titanic". I went back for it but and it was all right. We went on up town and got the mail and Enah's wallpaper but didn't have time to do anything more than chores when we got home. Queen behaved very nicely. To-night Frank went down with Lila. Beautiful day. I took four dozen eggs over to Martin's.</p> <p>Sunday May 14th</p> <p>Guy Tuple came after Dad. this morning about nine o'clock to go and see a sick colt. He had his car so Dad. got back just in time to hitch Joe up for Enah &amp; I me to go to church. Frank had gone, so Dad. and Tid went back to the gully to let the fence down to let the cattle in the other end of the pasture field but it began to rain so came back. It was raining quite hard when we got to church and kept it up all the after noon. We got rather went coming home. Dick walked over with Frank to dinner. I didn't go down town this after noon but went down to church again to-night, and went for a short walk with Marj. afterwards, but went down early to see Aunty &amp; Aunty Alice.</p> <p>Monday May 15th</p> <p>Frank went down first thing this morning and borrowed Mr. Fleming's hog rack and we loaded up our hogs, we were only going to take four which were in pretty good shape but they were such a nuisance to separate that we loaded them all in the waggon and then Dad. threw the two smallest ones out but that still left two medium sized ones but they took them down. Dad. wasn't very well satisfied with what the brought, he never is and thought Neil didn't give them all there was in them. The six of them at $10.75 per cwt came to $92.98. As soon as they left I hooked up Joe and went down to get my teeth filled as I thought there were some holes in them. Bill couldn't get at them for quite awhile</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>so by the time he got through it was about noon, he filled two. Right after dinner we mixed up a sheep dip of zenoleum in a tub and dipped all the lambs. We got them all covered but it was rather an unsatisfactory job as the tub gave them such a chance to kick and splatter. When we got through with that Frank &amp; I went down in the waggon and got some sand &amp; plaster for Dad. to do some patching and four cement tile to put accross the lane at the big mudhole as the cows got into awful shape wallowing through it every day. To-night Frank and I did chores and Dad. Enah &amp; the baby went down to Aunty Alice's to tea and after wards to the picture show to see Cinderella. Aunty, Aunty Alice and Aunt Ida all went to. They said it was good but a lot different from the old story. Dad. said the baby wasn't nearly so interested as he expected. About half a dozen or more fellows spoke to Dad. this morning about getting some of the little pigs and Ham Thompson told me he would take the whole litter. Morley Buck was over right after dinner to borrow Dad's wig for the masquerade dance to-night that the I.O.D.E. are giving. Old Monteith was in too and brought a couple of bushels of potatoes which Dad. bought and got four bushels of seed barley. Wet to-day feels like more rain.</p> <p>Tuesday May 16th</p> <p>Trinder came in this morning with some trees that I ordered from the Horticultural Society and as part of them were for Aunty I took them down and helped them put them in. They hurried me off to get my own in but Uncle Ward called me in there to show me some peach trees and he talked for about an hour. Then I had to stop in to pay John Quanbury so by the time I got home it was getting late. I got my crimson rambler rose bush set out before dinner but it began to rain before I was through and it rained steadily all the after noon so we didn't do much. Dad. was working in the house anyway doing some patching for Enah on the walls. Frank also helped them in there. It cleared up about tea time and to-night Frank and I went down to see Mary Pickford in Cinderella. We went up to Huby's after wards for a little while. We saw Lewis Woodson yesterday, he is here getting things ready for the rest.</p> <p>Wednesday May 17th</p> <p>This has been a most horrible day, cold, windy, cloudy and a cold rain about every half hour. Mrs. McBride was here all day papering in the dining room and the two bedrooms off it and Dad. has been helping her</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>all day, she was here till eleven o'clock to-night and I had to drive her home or at least to the top of the hill where she cuts through Preston's orchard as the mill hill is about impassable I suppose. They got the dining room just about finished. I helped for awhile this after noon painting the wood work Frank and I set out the rest of the nursery stock we got yesterday. He got a Bartlett pear tree and I got a mulberry which I put in the chicken yard and a hydrangea. Art and Charlie Quanbury brought a young cow and a heifer over this after noon which they are going to pasture for the milk we can get from the cow which I guess won't be much. Ham Thompson was also in.</p> <p>Thursday May 18th</p> <p>Enah is the only one that is getting any work done these days, the rest of us don't seem to feel like it Dad. and I went back and fixed up the gully fence a little this morning and this after noon I drove down and got some groceries and paint for Enah. She is make the other part of the house look pretty nifty. I went down to see Aunty and Aunty Alice while I was down town and found Mrs. Jackson there from Port Rowan to see Aunt Ida. Dad. helped Enah this after noon I think, Frank has been gathering up old rags &amp; junk for the rag man most of the after noon. Cloudy &amp; cold</p> <p>Friday May 19th</p> <p>Dad. and Frank got started at grading the lane this morning and have been at it all day. They plowed as close to the fence on each side as they could and four or five furrows over and intend throwing the two outside furrows from each side into the middle so as to leave a ditch at each side and high in the center I just worked around here and planted some flower seeds. This after noon I took the wheel barrow and went over to Ivey's and Ben gave me a whole of flower roots of different kinds I didn't know the names of half of them but there were some larkspur chasta daisy's and a Dorothy Perkins rose bush. Dad. helped Enah paper this after noon for awhile. To night he had to go down to a meeting of the Mr. Smith's reunion so I went down with him to get my hair cut but the shop was closed. Enah paperd till twelve o'clock. Another heavy rain to-night.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Saturday May 20th</p> <p>Dad. and Enah paperd nearly all morning and I think are just about through. Frank and I went out about ten o'clock to work at the lane and have been there all day, Dad. helping us this after noon I threw the sods from the side into the middle on the east side right back and they followed cleaning out the loose earth and culling the east edge of the ditch on a hebel so the cattle wouldn't tramp up and break it. We are only working north of the waterhole as they couldnt plow through that with the team. After we did chores to night and before tea we ran the buggy down the lawn to the ditch and washed it. After tea Frank and I went down town and I got my hair cut. Sunny &amp; nice. But breezy.</p> <p>Sunday May 21st</p> <p>Frank and I went to church this morning. After church we picked Quint up and then Aunty Alice and they both came over to dinner, on the bridge we overtook Dess and Dick also on their way to the farm. Enah was rather surprised at the dinner party although she expected Aunty Alice, Dick thought I would be staying down to dinner when he asked Dess, however we got on all right. This after noon I went for a drive with Marjorie. We went out to England's first as Glad Law had gone out there with Bertha for dinner but they had gone off for a drive so we went on by ourselves. Dick, Dess, Frank &amp; Quint all went back to the woods and Dad. took Queen out with just the surcingle on her, he said she went fine. Beautiful day.</p> <p>Monday May 22nd</p> <p>It began to rain before seven this morning and has kept it up steadily all day. About eleven it seemed to let up a little so Dad. and I took Daisy May up to Ham Thompson's, we were up there quite awhile as we had to have a look at all the stock some of which looks fine and so by leaving about twelve we got into an old soaker of a shower so got properly soused. We spent the after noon in the house. Dad. helped Enah put down carpets and Frank cleaned up over the woodshed. I sorted out all the Farmers' Advocate's. There were about seven years of them and we got them all sorted and tied in bundles and packed in a tea box. Frank has seventeen ducks out and has to feed them every two hours. He expects a lot more soon</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Tuesday May 23rd</p> <p>I didn't do anything much this morning but a few chores and go back to the gully to see if the cattle were all right as some of them didn't come up last night. I got a ride up with Jim Ryerse, he said they had twelve acres in but there were lots that had none. I saw the old turkey that hatched out on Sunday, she had lived through the storm and still had her six little ones and an egg that she left in the nest and which Art Quanbury gave me to put under a hen, hatched. This after noon I took 34 chicks out of the little incubator and cut some of the lawn. Frank and Enah went down town this morning in the waggon and got a lot of stuff. Frank went down to the mill this after noon and got different kinds of feed for his ducks. Dad. helped Enah put down the dining room. To-night I went down to see David Harum with Marj. at the picture show, it was pretty good. Very hot and sultry to-day feels like more rain.</p> <p>Wednesday May 24th</p> <p>Frank left about 9 o'clock this morning on his wheel for Port Ryerse to spend the holiday and left me in charge of his seventeen ducks which should be fed every two hours. He got back in the middle of the afternoon and hadn't been at Port Ryerse but went on up to Vittoria and saw Dr. McKinnes about some golden seal. He advised him not to get it till fall. Lila came over with him and he went back with her after tea. I spent most of the morning tending to chickens and trying to cut the lawn. I got all cut on the other side of the ditch but when I got into the tough thick grass near the house I couldn't make a go of it with the old lawn mower so came in and went to sleep for awhile. Then Dad. put Charlie Martins saddle on Queen and I rode her a little way down the road. She went a lot better but I couldn't get very used to the little saddle and the stirrups were too {illegible} for me and hurt my bad knee a little. I nearly went over her head once but didnt get quite that far. Aunty came over at noon and stayed most of the after noon. All day long there have been buggy and democrat loads of fishermen going both east to the creek and west to the pond or lake and I suppose that like other years Black Creek will be lined with them as it has a been a beautiful day to lie around in the shade</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>by the creek whether the fish bite or not. It has been swelteringly hot and yet a nice cool breeze. To-day is the proper day to plant corn around here but I doubt if there will be a grain dropped unless it is in some garden, there are dozen's who haven't a grain of any thing in the ground. Tom Abbot says he heard that Charlie Kinsular who has about four acres in is the only man between the Dog's Nest and the town line who has a seed in and their fields are all regular meadows and we're looking for more rain still.</p> <p>Thursday May 25th</p> <p>Dad. went back to see what the land looked like this morning and came back with the report that it was too wet to touch to-day, and a great big string of rock bass which were part of yesterday's catch. He had been over at John Wess's and said Cam. was cleaning a whole tub-full He, Dr. Bill, and Lloyd Crysler, were down at the creek all day and he said he thought they caught more fish than any one else on the creek and of course as usual it was lined from one end to the other. John Wess drove him and the lunch down as he can't walk very well on account of the veins in his legs, and had then come back and he &amp; old Bill Wilkinson had put in the day target shooting. While Dad. was gone I worked a little trying to get some of the old cherry tree roots out of where I want to plant my hedge and when he came back we hooked Queen and Joe to the waggon and went up to McCoy's as Maria sent word down by her nephew the other night that Mike the old horse wasn't well and wanted Dad. to come up. There was aparently nothing the matter with Mike but the fellow gave him a bag of oats &amp; hay for pay. Queen went fine. We hooked her up again this after noon with Joe and drove down to Ott. Collins with the lawn mower. We came back by the plank as this road was awful. (I have went to sleep.) Wyatt Waddle and Mr. Harris of the Massey. Harris firm were down for awhile to try and sell Dad. a corn cultivator but he didn't bite. He said Mr. Harris was the decentest agent he had seen for a long time as he didn't coax at all. Lovely day.</p> <p>Friday May 26th</p> <p>This morning Dad. and Frank did some ditching in the back field and Frank took his bee hive back to the woods to see if a stray swarm would take possession</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>of it. This after noon Frank took the team back and worked all the after noon but says it isn't any to dry yet. John Wess made a start to-day too, Art. Quanbury came over this after noon and he and Dad. put the picture moulding up in the dining room I helped them for a little while but I measured one piece 23 inches instead of 32 (the yardstick was upside down) and then went to sleep so I went out and continued the work I was at this morning viz. grubbing out the cherry tree roots an digging the strip for my hedge. I got it all dug down to the ditch by to-night. Very hot to-day.</p> <p>Saturday May 27th</p> <p>It rained first thing this morning so nothing more could be done on the land. I don't remember what we did this morning but I don't reckon it was anything very exciting. Come to think, I believe I read and cleaned off Queen and Joe, and Dad. did chores and cleaned out the cellar. Frank went back to the gully and fastened his bee hive up in a tree. This after noon I had quite a snooze out in the hay and about four o'clock Dad. &amp; Frank went down town in the waggon to look at the refrigerator Emery is making and I went down to the corner with them to get some of the little spruce trees that are thick down on the side hill in Dicky Steven's orchard. I was about an hour hunting for Frank Awde as Dad. said I had better get his permission to take them and at last found him over at Jack Martin's, he told me to take all I wanted as they were a nuisance, so I went back and got quite an armful pulled before Dad. &amp; Frank got back with the waggon and they took them home for me. I got a few of them set out to-night before dark and heeled the rest of them in. I got them planted down to about the brow of the hill and from there down to the ditch it is heavy clay and I will have to get some other earth to put in. Aunty sent me over a root of the blue lilly but I didn't get it set out to-night. It got very black this after noon and looked like a proper souser of a thunder storm but it didn't ammount to much sort of a drizzle all the after noon</p> <p>Sunday May 28th</p> <p>This morning after we did most of the chores and I set out the lilly and before we had breakfast Frank and I went for a swim down below Quanbury's. The water was pretty</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>cold and I only had about one duck when I stepped on something pretty sharp and got a chunk out of the bottom of my foot, so had to quit. Just as we were getting ready for church Billy Miller came after Dad. to go over to the slaughter house to see a sick pig so Enah and I went to church and Frank stayed home and minded Tid and got dinner. I went up to Huby's for dinner and this after noon Quint and I went down to Harry Ansley's with some merells he got, and Huby told him to take them down to Harry. Lewis Woodson was there so we three went for a walk down to the dock. The lake was a little choppy so Quint took a notion to get a canoe and see if he could ride it, so we went down to Juke's with him, and he jumped into one the same as he would a boat and the consequence was it turned half way over, filled with water and put Quint in the creek, but he didnt get wet much above the tops of his puttees, and he went on out. He said to-night he went up the beach as far as {Wed lake's.?} Lewis then went back up town and I went home and stopped in at Aunty's on my way. I helped Dad. milk so was too late for church to-night but went down and went for a little walk afterwards with Glad. &amp; Marj. Sunny and sultry to-day.</p> <p>Monday May 29th</p> <p>Frank got a good start this morning and has been disking all day. Dad. did a little ditching in the lane this morning and to Joe &amp; Belle and harrowed this after noon. I spent the day getting my hedge in. I had to dig a trench and fill it in partly with dried rotted manure and partly with soil from the top of the garden and this after noon I set out the rest of the little trees. I just had enough to go to the ditch. It was about half past four then and a big thunder storm was rolling up and Enah had all the stuff from the clothes room out on the line so I gathered them in and just got them in when it began to rain and it everlastingly poured for a few minutes. Dad. &amp; Frank came up in the middle of it both soaked to the skin, Frank was so wet he couldn't get any wetter so went back and brought the cows up. Marie Ryerse and Maudie Pickford sought shelter under the willow tree so Enah called them in and Tid had a great time with them for awhile. Enah put him to bed this after noon but he heard me outside so got up and talked to me out the window for a long time and then came out so while he was eating his tea to-night he went sound asleep with his head about in his plate. Tom Abbott said Ott.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>fixed the lawn mower all right and he was going to bring it back with him when he brought the can but he forgot. Frank went down town to night and got the mail. The rag man that interviewed Frank the other day came again and gave me 55 cents for all the stuff Frank had gathered up and borrowed my lead pencil which he has got, he gave a haf a cent back in cash for rags or a cent in trade he was very anxious to trade but the straight pails he had were worth 35 &amp; 40 cts and Enah said she could get them for 15 down town. Nice enough day till it rained pretty hot.</p> <p>Tuesday May 30th</p> <p>It rained hard again during the night and every thing has been too wet outside to do any thing. Frank and Dad. went down this morning to get some sand but there was a nice ridge of gravel washed up so they got a load of it and took it up to Aunty's to put on the walk and after dinner went down and got another load, so didn't get any sand to put in the mud hole at all. Dad. nearly broke his neck this morning. He was up over the woodshed and when he started to come down his foot slipped on the top step and he fell from there to the landing or rather slid and hurt his back and then instead of stopping at the landing he peeled head first off it and lit square on his head between a couple of stoves. He felt as he said like Pete {illegible} "Considerately shook up" all day. I didn't do any thing much all day except prowl around in the mud. This morning I made a mitre box which I believe is fairly true. After dinner I went back to the gully to see if the bars and gate were still shut as in their hurried exit yesterday Dad. &amp; Frank hadn't taken much pains but they were all right. The oats and barley back there are well up now and look fine as there is no grass in them at all it seems. I brought the cows up with me and it was early but we got through early and Frank and I both went to the picture show to see Margeurite Clark in "The Crucible". It wasn't a bad show Marjorie Clarke &amp; Glad Law went with me. It rained again a little shower about four o'clock but has cleared off. Cold to-night.</p> <p>Wednesday May 31st</p> <p>First thing this morning that Dad noticed was that Elgeitha wanted to take another trip to the bull. We were</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>terribly disappointed as we thought she was safe in calf not having showed any signs for three months and she was so regular before. The only cause we could think of was abortion and Dad. was sure it wasn't that as we have been here nearly every night since we turned out, however he and I made a pretty thorough search of the gully this morning but couldn't find any signs of it. Dad. stood her in and was so undecided what to do with her between wondering if she had aborted and if Ham's bull was any good or if we should take her to John Wess' that we didn't do any thing with her and this evening when he let her out she made right straight for the gully all alone and was aparently all over her excitement. Aunty Alice came over a little before dinner and stayed till a little after. Harry Ansley and Billy Dixon were also in to look at Nellie but Billy didn't buy her, she wasn't what he wanted he said at all. I didn't do much this after noon but sit around, although I did haul enough rotted manure to mulch the hedge. Frank spent the after noon patching the wood shed roof. I guess he intends going over the whole house as it all needs it. Dad. didn't feel very well. Some fellow (a {...man?}, I think) with a couple of little kids came in to see if we had any rhubarb to sell and as we didn't he would like to get a setting hen or two so I sold him one for 75 cts. I spent the evening making a new milk record book for June.</p> <p>Thursday June 1st</p> <p>Tom brought the lawn mower back from Ott. Collin's this morning, so I have put in nearly the whole day working on the lawn. I started cut the longest of the grass with the scythe and didn't get it all done but this after noon I got all the shortest including all the other side of the ditch cut with the lawn mower, it looks nice and was no trouble to cut at all. Ott. seems to have made a good job. Frank spent most of the day patching the roof. About nine o'clock this morning Dad. took Aunty up to the cemetry, they took the baby too. When he got back from there he took the team and waggon and went down to the Widespread and got the new refrigerator. They had just finished it and as it smelled strongly of the alcohol in the shelack we had to leave it open and not use it to-day. It is a nice looking one and I think plenty big enough for us. This after noon Dad. was ditching in the back field he says it is very wet yet, but John Wess was out and calculated to sow a little to-night just to be able to say he had some in. "Very hot and sultry</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Friday June 2nd</p> <p>After the big rain on Sunday people seem to have been of the opinion that the weather had "took up" using Mr. Fleming's expression, I don't know why unless it was because it turned cold after it and the wind changed around but it does that lately without a minutes notice any way, then there was a new moon and a good many thought that would fix it, but yesterday after noon public opinion veered round again and the general belief was that we were about to have another little "spell of weather", and this morning's sultry air and cloudy sunrise and the lake's growling convinced us all of the fail. Despite all these omens we got up pretty early and Frank went back about half past seven. Dad. intended to take his team back after Frank got started but the sky soon began to darken and the rumbling and growling in the west began to get nearer so we didn't go I mowed the rest of the hay on the front lawn with the scythe but that didn't take long. About half past nine it began to rain and I had just time to get into the shop when it came down in sheets. The awful flashes of lightening seemed so close that thunder almost cracked while it was there. This storm lasted for ten or fifteen minutes then it settled down to a sensible rain and soon stopped altogether. Frank came up with the team during this interval, he had been under a beech tree in the woods and was aparently dry. It soon began again however and I went into the house to put a new cloth on my foot and it developed into a worse storm than the first one, not only in rain, thunder &amp; lightening but hail which seemed worse than the storm of last fall which did so much damage. It battered against the south kitchen windows like bullets and I was sure they would break it but they didn't. They weren't like ordinary hailstones being quite flat and the edges jagged. It didn't last so very long but the rain kept up most of the morning. Frank went down town after the mail after dinner and had a great time getting accross the ditch the water was so high. We didn't do anything much this after noon but I monkeyd around in the shop with the old moulding planes. Old Monteith was past this after noon and told Dad. he had never seen the water in the creek so high it was the wind more than the rain that caused it. Art's flats where he had his oats were completely inundated Dad. went down to a Mr. Smith's Reunion meeting to-night and as the walking was so bad stayed down all night at Aunty's. Enah spent the after noon house cleaning the front bedroom.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Saturday June 3rd</p> <p>Dad. got home about six or before this morning just as I was starting to milk and about ten o'clock, he, Enah &amp; the baby started for Simcoe with Joe &amp; the buggy to Simcoe see the circus which was to be there to-day. Frank went soon after on his wheel. They told me they would be sure to be back by the middle of the after noon I didn't do much till dinner time but chores. Mrs. Jack was in for a few minutes to see Enah about noon. She is here for a few days and is staying just now at the Pickford's. Frank was down to see her last night. She only stayed a few minutes. After I had partaken of my solitary lunch I sat around and read for awhile, then went out and cleaned Queen and then started to rake up the hay on the lawn, while I was at that Aunty Alice came over thinking I would be getting tired of my own company and brought me the mail. There was rather bad news in the paper as a British fleet was engaged in the Skagerrack on Wednesday &amp; Wednesday night by the entire German High Seas fleet and received quite a mauling. That seriousness lay in the great loss of men and ships they sustained as the Germans didn't gain any particular advantage and were fighting with the odds greatly in their favor. As soon as the main British fleet the Globe says hurriedly steamed to the scene of the action the German's left off pounding the overmatched ships they had engaged and scuttled back to port. The British loss was three Dreadnoughts three cruisers and eight destroyers while the Germans admit the loss of one battleship and two cruisers but it is believed there was more on both sides. They don"t know how many men were lost but if none were saved from the sinking ships there would be about six thousand. The greatest loss outside of the men was that of the battleship "Queen Mary" which was about the last word in battleship construction both in speed and the mounting of big guns She was a sister ship to the "Queen Elizabeth." Aunty Alice didn't stay long as she thought they would soon be back. I worked a while longer at the lawn and got some of it cut but I didn't start very early to do chores as I expected them back any minute. However it was after six when I got the cows up and in and no sign of them and I was just about through milking when they came in quite a bit after seven. They said the performance didn't start till so late, but they had a good day, the circus was a small one and they didn't have many animals but they had them very well trained. Frank rode in soon</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>after they came in. He had come down from Simcoe with Bill Barwell and had had tea at the Barwells. He &amp; the rest of the family hadn't seen each other all day as Frank had been taking in all the side shows and had dinner on the fairground where the circus was while Dad &amp; Enah had fallen in with Jim Waddle &amp; his sisters and had gone to Miss Waddle's for dinner. It has been cloudy and rather cool but fine, it looked rainy for awhile.</p> <p>Sunday June 4th</p> <p>Frank, Enah, and I went to church this morning while Dad. &amp; the baby stayed home and got dinner Aunty came over to dinner, Dick didn't come as he &amp; Dess. walked went to Simcoe last night to stay all night at "Grandpa Meads" and were going to walk back this after noon. Frank stayed down at Aunty's to dinner and went this after noon to Vittoria with Aunty Alice &amp; Aunt Ida in Mr. Johnson's car. After Aunty went back about four o'clock Dad. &amp; I drove out to the Shand's as Harvey Shand was past here yesterday and said they had a colt leaking at the navel which they would like Dad. to look at and I thought I ought to go and see Charlie who just got home from the West a couple of weeks ago. They don't seem to think he is much better. It began to rain before we got home but we didn't get wet. It rained quite a lot all the evening. To-night Frank and I tested the eggs in the little incubator. We only took twelve out of sixty seven.</p> <p>Monday June 5th</p> <p>I spent most of the day raking up and cutting the front lawn and got all the part I had to mow with the scythe cut by to-night. Enah &amp; Tid were down town all day as she wanted to get some teeth fixed but Bill wasn't there. Dad. helped her take the baby over in the sidewalk and saw Brirely over there who gave him a full account of his row with Vyse. Brirely has moved into Vyse's house and he says it was in awful shape, then one day Helen came over after something and got on Brirely's garden, he asked her not to run over it and she got saucy so he ordered her off and told her not to come back so that is what started it. He saw Vyse later up at the Quanbury's and Vyse spoke to him about it and in the course of their conversation told Brirely that if he felt better he would mop the sidewalk with him where upon Brirely invited him out to do it but Vyse declined the</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>invitation and stayed on the other side of Quanbury's fence. While Dad. was over there Frank started down to Porter's with old Gladys who has been out since Saturday. He rode Joe down and drove Gladys; she knows the way pretty well anyway. He didn't get back till long after two and Dad. and I thought he was having dinner down there but he hadn't. Brirely came over after some little ducks Frank sold him. He took ten, six for himself and four for Gordon Dovecote, they were just hatched the other day so he borrowed the hen too, he gave ten cents apiece for them. Dad. spent the after noon putting up barricades behind the little cherry trees in the lane so as old Harry couldn't reach over the pasture field fence and nip the tops off them, Frank I think fixed his bicycle. About five o'clock, Mr. &amp; Mrs Tupper &amp; Clara drove in and brought Enah &amp; Tid home. Nice day, but cool.</p> <p>Tuesday June 6th</p> <p>We spent quite a time this morning fixing Queen up Dad. powdered her cut and trimmed her hoofs a little besides giving her a general grooming. About ten o'clock he and I went back the lane to see if we could let some water off so that we could work at it. This after noon Enah went down to a reception at Mrs. Woodson's to meet Miss Glass, Carol's sister-in-law so Dad. had to stay in to watch the baby and I went out and dug around and tied a lot of the little poplars along the road, the mice have girdled &amp; killed quite a lot of them. Martin's men were on the corner field disking &amp; harrowing the oats in that had been sowed broad-cast. It looked to be pretty wet and seems rather foolish. Frank finished patching the roof this morning and has made a good job of it. This after noon he went down and got the mail and said there was a report came in after the mail that Kitchener &amp; his staff were drowned, they were on their way to Russia when their ship struck a mine or was torpedoed. The Canadians have had stiff fighting too. Fine day.</p> <p>Wednesday June 7th</p> <p>It began to rain sometime in the night and with an east wind so we have had a steady downpour all day. Allan Law came in while we were at breakfast to have Dad. look at the sorel horse's mouth as he thought he wasn't doing right and he was here till about eleven. During the morning Mrs. McBride</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>waded in although they didn't look for her on account of the weather but she &amp; Enah have been cleaning the parlor all day. Frank went out at eleven o'clock to feed his ducks this morning and found all but four of them in a heap out side the box dead, one wasn't quite dead but it soon died. He put the four live ones over in the barn as he thinks it was the rain killed them but they were all well at seven when he fed them before. We haven't done any thing but sit around all day I read "The Lay of the last Minstrel" This after noon Frank drove Mrs. McBride down town and got the paper which confirms the report of Kitchener's death. Mrs. McBride said that she was in Simcoe last night and and about eleven o'clock Bob Mead ran in and said the last report was that he was saved but the morning's paper had been issued since then. Kitchener was on his way to Petersgrad when the cruiser Hampshire which was carrying him &amp; his staff struck a mine or was torpedoed off the Orkneys and they think no one has been saved. Sir Wm. Robertson it is thought will take his place in the War office. About five o'clock to-night Frank noticed a lot of our cattle down at Ben Ivey's corner at the end of the road so he and I went down to get them, they were all in Martins field. Ben Ivey told Frank that they had come up throug his place. There were only five of the cows and the three steers so I went back Ivey's lane to see if I could find the rest of them. I heard a young crow squawk back there in one of his pine trees and saw a little bedraggled looking fellow sitting on a limb so I threw two or three sticks at him and he at last flew down and lit in a mud-puddle where I easily caught him, so I brought him up in side my coat and put him in Dad's bird cage. I looked all through the gully for the cattle but as they had gone up or Dad. had brought them up I couldn't find them. I waded through the creek up to my knees more than once. Dad. said he had yelled at me when I was going down Ivey's lane but I hadn't seen him. It didn't matter much as I was soaked then.</p> <p>Thursday June 8th</p> <p>Charlie Quanbury was in here for quite awhile this morning and he traded collars as the one he had on Art's horse was too big for him. Frank &amp; I took Daisy May up to Ham. Thompson's again and got back about twelve. Dad. beat</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>the parlor carpet while we were gone. This after noon Frank and I rode out to Tupper's with Charlie Quanbury who was going to help Tupper dip sheep, we fooled around there for awhile and helped him weigh a veal calf and then went over to John Wess' to see if he would make up a cement post mould like his. He was hewing a cedar stick for a brace. We were over there a long time poking around. He said he had more work to do now than he would ever get done but if we couldn't get any one else to make us one he would so we told him we would find out down at the Widespread and he said he would lend us his for a pattern. We didn't get home till after six. Dad. had spent the afternoon putting down the parlor carpet. I learned the last of the second canto of "The Lady of the Lake" to-day. I started it on the 25th April so didn't take so long as I did learning the first canto two years ago I tried a little different scheme of writing it out which works better. It has been fair all day but a big thunder storm went around us to-night.</p> <p>Friday June 9th</p> <p>Frank left soon after breakfast this morning to go down and clean out Aunty's eave-troughs for her, he said he would be back right after dinner but he didn't get back till after six, he said it was a worse job than he thought. I spent the biggest part of the day raking up and cutting the lawn, but got it all gone over in front of the house. The actual time I took cutting it wasn't very long but it took along time to rake up the debris on the other side of the ditch left by the hail storm, then I was a long time getting the lawn mower set right. I think Dad. ditched around the barnyard most of the day but had to keep his eye on the baby this after noon after he woke up as Enah went down to Bill's to get her teeth fixed. He intended to go down to-night to a meeting of the W.H. Smith reunion committee but about five o'clock Ashbaw the castrator from Caledonia came in and as Dad. couldn't go with him to-night asked him to stay here all night and he would go to Mr. Fleming's &amp; Ham. Thompson's with him in the morning as they are the only two around here who have entire colts except our Billy, so he agreed to the proposition and accordingly put his horse in, then it started to rain and turned out such a nasty night that Dad. stayed home and entertained Mr. Ashbaw by listening to his adventures in his many fields of occupation, which though numerous are all of about the same standard and as one would expect a</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>man of his tastes would naturally devote his time to, as the work he is at now is what he enjoys above all things and his other vocations ranged from tending bars to travelling {illegible} and in the early spring grafting fruit trees which is about the most elevated sort of industry he indulges in. Dad. had to sit up till eleven o'clock with out his usual evening snooze and then suggest bed himself. It has been cloudy by spells. Bob. Davis was in this morning with Jaeger &amp; Hamilton's big Percheron and tried Nellie and said he would be back next week as Harry Ansley told him to {breed her?}</p> <p>Saturday June 10th</p> <p>Dad. and Ashbaw left right after breakfast this morning for Mr. Fleming's and Ham Thompson's and Frank and I were to have gone back and brought our colts up but it began to rain and rained quite hard for awhile but we went back when it let up and didn't have much trouble in getting them up and Billy in the stable, a little while before they got back, and old Ashbaw fixed him up before dinner. This after noon we sat around for an hour or two till he left He invited Dad. &amp; Enah &amp; the baby to come down to see him Caledonia Fair, he said he would give them a bed three meals a day and treat them as mean as he knew how. He showed us how to graft trees as he is a professional grafter and told us what we never knew before and what has probably been the reason of our non-success that care must be taken to have the lowest bud on the scion just set level with the top of the branch. He also gave us a receipt for making grafting wax which was different and he says better than the old one, it was 4 lbs resin, 1 lb beeswax &amp; 1 pint raw oil, melt &amp; pour into cold water. After he left I don't think we did any thing very startling. It has been partly fair and partly rainy to-day. Frank went down to the mill and down town with the team and waggon this after noon, it rained while he was gone.</p> <p>Sunday June 11th</p> <p>Frank and I went down to church this morning and Dick and Aunty Alice came over with us to dinner This after noon we sat around till I thought it was too late to go out to Tommy Jackson's as Frank and I intended so he went alone down to the Ryerse's and they went over to Tommy's with him and looked over his museum as they call it. Frank</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>says he has sold over seven hundred dollars worth of stuff and a stranger wouldn't know there was any thing gone. They say he has all the buildings on the place including the house filled with old odds and ends which he has picked up at auction sales. Aunty Alice stayed till about half past four and then Enah and the baby who were going to have tea at the James's' and then go to church went down with her. Dick went down earlier. Art Quanbury came over just before they left to get Dad. to go down to Mr. Fleming's to see old Prince the big {Sensation?} as they were afraid his leg was broken. Dad. got back about half past six and said his leg had been broken off right below the stifle and they had to send for Dave Waddle to shoot him. He said Mr. Fleming felt very badly but was going to skin him. I got the cows up and helped Dad. milk and about eight o'clock went down town. I happened to meet Marj. &amp; Glad Law on their way home from Lola McBride's and was with them for awhile and then went in to see Harry Moon for a little while. Mrs. Moon was in bed with grip. I then went down to Auntys and got some tea, they persisted in feeding me and got home soon after eleven. Cloudy morning but nice day</p> <p>Monday June 12th</p> <p>This morning Dad. &amp; the baby and I drove Joe &amp; Queen up to Barwell's and took his two pigs up. Barwell showed Dad. all his crops which Dad. says look fine, this year has just suited his sand farm. We didn't get home till after dinner noon and went around by town. Dick got us the paper and gave Dad. &amp; me our invitations to Mr. Smiths reunion. Miss McQueen had brought them into the bank. We stopped into at the Quanbury's and borrowed their step ladder and paste board as they are going to paper the ceiling of the kitchen &amp; bedroom to-morrow. This after noon I drove Enah down town as she had to get her teeth fixed and I left Joe &amp; Quanbury's and had her shod, he soaked us $1.50 for putting on new shoes. I went up and got my hair cut while I was waiting and fooled around up town most of the after noon I waited till half past four at Aunty Alice's for Enah and then went home alone. She got home before six Dad. and Frank spent the after noon clearing everything out of the kitchen. It rained a little to-night but was a nice day. Zeitha Barwell invited me up there to tea to-morrow night to give her a riding lesson.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Tuesday June 13th</p> <p>This morning I went down to Aunty's and took Tid with me to help work in the garden and incidentally to remove him from the impending operations to be carried on here as Mrs. McBride arrived just as we left and they have beend papering the kitchen ceiling all day and generally house-cleaning and they thought his presence would not be required. I spent the day digging the cellar banks and got them pretty well dug the houseside of the drain, but not the woodshed side, however they were well pleased they said with what I did and it certainly did make quite an improvement. I came home about four o'clock and did chores but didn't get through in time to get up to the Barwells for tea but left soon after to give Zeitha a riding lesson she got on fine. She had been reading up on it in the encyclopedia and tried to put the theory to practice and didn't lose her head or lose control of Joe so had a few good canters up and down the road. I didn't stay late. Winnie was over here to tea and Frank went down with her after tea and I guess they went to the picture show. Dad. says Ham Thompson was in to-night feeling pretty blue as another cow aborted just gone a few months and is afraid it is contagious abortion. Fine, hot &amp; sultry.</p> <p>Wednesday June 14th</p> <p>Frank went over at seven this morning to help Jack Martin's gang set out strawberry plants and was there all day. Dad drove Enah down to the dentists' this morning and she was down all day too. Minnie Quanbury came over at noon to say Enah had telephoned over that she wouldn't be home. She got four teeth filled and one out so feels rather sore in the mouth. Dad. and I have not done any thing to speak of A few chores and I slept and read. Dad. of course had to watch the baby. He has been reading up on contagious abortion, and feels very worried for if Ham's bull is infected we have brought it into this herd by breeding Daisy May &amp; Elgitha to him and we have to wait now anyway before we can find out as the only way to tell seems to be to see if other cows abort, so we won't dare breed Elgitha when she comes around again. Dad. had a letter from Douglas and he thought she must have aborted and said he would breed her at once but Tupper who has had experience of it says not to breed them till after the time they would have had their calf if they had not aborted. But any way we daren't breed her to another bull till we know for sure about Ham's or the thing will get spread all over. Very hot &amp; sultry. Thundery.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Thursday June 15th</p> <p>This morning Dad. &amp; I did up the chores and then started to put a barbed wire on the top of the fence along the lane comin in from the road, we merely started there as we want to if we can stretch one all along every fence where the horses run as they will reach over and bend the top of the woven wire down. We got quite a long strand of wire from the fence down the road and tried to stretch it with the claw hammer but that didn't work well so I went over to John Wess' to borrow his wire stretchers. He was down fixing the well when I got there and when he came up it was beginning to rain and looked like a bad storm coming up. It was then just about noon so I stayed to dinner and there was a heavy rain for a while at noon After dinner Lloyd Crysler came over and wanted me to go fishing so we took a walk down to Frank Ryerse's where we found Wilbur and Lorne Jackson. We stopped in for {From?} Walker on our way down as Wilbur said he promised to go the next rainy day, but {From?} said he had to take his wife to town so Lloyd told him he would never ask him again. We got Lorne's nets but as Wilbur didnt want to get in the creek with the drag net we just used the gil net and strung it accross the creek and then I rowed Wilbur &amp; Lorne up the creek a way and they whippet it down but we didn't get a fish Tige got in it once she and Lloyd's dog swam across about forty times. We fooled around for a little while before we came home and it was long after five when I came through John Wess' place to our gully Dad. came back after the cows he thought some thing must have happened to me he said but couldn't have done any thing on account of the wet and he had a very bad head-ache. Aunty was over to dinner and he drove her home this after noon, she is going to Brantford in the morning to pay a little visit to Miss &amp; Mrs. Battersby. Frank didn't get a whole day in to-day on account of the rain but he only lost an hour or two I think they were still planting strawberries. He is having a great time over there with Joe Green.</p> <p>Thursday Friday June 16th Friday</p> <p>We chored around a little this morning and I got most of the lawn cut I was out there after dinner when a buggy came in and I was very surprised &amp; pleased to see it was Ham. Thompson with Mr. Douglas of Caledonia. He had come up to Ham's to look at his bulls and then come over here. He was here till after four so we had a long visit with him. The</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>conversation dwelt mostly on contagious abortion as although Douglas has never had it, he seems to know pretty well about it. He says the only way to do if it gets in the herd is to live it down which takes in all about five years. He, unlike Tupper, says to breed the cows after they abort as soon as possible as they never abort more than twice and sometimes only once, but they can still carry the germ even if their own calves come all right and give it to others so that it could be stamped or worn out rather out of a herd of old cows in about three years but it would not be safe to breed any heifers for two more years. He said he was sure Ham didn't have it and he said he would certainly breed Elgitha the next time as if it was contagious she had it this time and if it wasn't we were only wasting time. To-night Dad. and I went down town, he went to a Mr. Smith's reunion committee meeting and I just took a little stroll around to see Marj. for a few minutes as she was all alone. I then went down to Aunty Alice's and stayed all night as Aunty went to Brantford this morning and she didn't like to be alone with Aunt Ida all night. It has been a nice day to-day. Frank put in another day.</p> <p>Saturday June 17th</p> <p>I got up in time to get home and help Dad. milk this morning. Frank went over to Jack Martin's and Dad. &amp; I put the lambs all in and put the ear tags in their ears, we didn't have quite enough so didn't mark the two little ones nos. x. Douglas thought yesterday they were a "ripping" fine bunch of lambs, picked out two or three "right good ones" and said there wasn't a bad lamb in the bunch. We were nearly all morning at that job and this after noon we hooked up Joe &amp; Queen to the waggon and drove down town to get some stuff, we just got back in time to do chores. Old Rollings stopped us down town and told Dad. he wanted to get a horse and hadn't seen any thing that suited him so well since he came to town as Queen, but it nearly flabergasted the old boy when Dad. told him the price was three hundred. To-night Frank went down town and I took a walk down to Odd's point and had a half a notion to go for a swim but didn't. Nice day but thundering.</p> <p>Sunday June 18th</p> <p>Frank and I went down to church this morning. Dick came over to dinner but went down soon after. This after noon I wrote and read till I went to sleep and about four o'clock started to do chores. Dad. drove Uncle Ward out to Colin Mc</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Neiledge's as he fell the other day and paralyzed the nerve in his arm that is Colin did and Dad. thought Uncle Ward would like to go out and see him. He said he enjoyed the drive but the McNeiledge's were not at home. Frank spent the after noon back in the gully with the Ryerse's spearing frogs, he took them down to-night and sold them to Henry Buoy for ten cents a dozen. I got down in time for church to-night and had a little visit with Marj. Aunty Alice sent and invitation to her by me to come down to a tea party to-morrow night but she said she couldn't come as there was another one on at Mrs. McQueen's and she had to go. Aunty Alice told me this morning that Mrs. John Watts was dead but she didn't die till to-night, but old Mrs. Watson Robert John's mother died yesterday. Rained this morning. Cool &amp; Cloudy to-day.</p> <p>Monday June 19th</p> <p>Dad. went over to John Wess' right after breakfast and took him over a bag of oats &amp; barley in return for a bag of oats we got some time ago. John Wess told him was hoping he wouldn't bring them for awhile as he was afraid now that he would feed them up. The object of Dad's visit was to warn him not to breed any cows that had been to Ham Thompson's bull and to be very careful what cows he did breed. Dad. is afraid yet of contagious abortion. I don't think I did any thing much while he was gone. Frank took the team out and disked up the sand knoll by {Name?} and said he got the top of the grass pretty well cut up but it didn't affect the roots any. I weeded a little in the rose border Dad. got home just before a big rain started which lasted all noon hour. Frank went back to the gully this after noon Dad. helped Enah paper the pantry ceiling. I read "The Gentle Shephard till four o'clock when I started to do chores. Jonas came in and peddled some fish. To-night Frank and I went down to Aunty Alice's party. She was rather distressed and the majority of boys over the girls. Zeitha &amp; Miss Tinny couldn't come but Mis Herring was there and Elva, Ada &amp; Dess. and besides us four boys there was Lewis Woodson, George Clark &amp; Douglas Skey but we had a good time Quint for whom the party was for especially seemed to enjoy himself in Miss Herrings company. Aunty got home from Brantford to-day.</p> <p>Tuesday June 20th</p> <p>Gordon {Darecote?} came over this morning to get Dad. to go over and see Jack Martin's horse, so Dad. went over</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>and Frank and I followed soon after. It was the bay pacer that Charlie bought from Beswitherock and evidently sold to Jack and Dad. &amp; Anderson who was down from Simcoe agreed that he had tetanus, so Anderson gave him an injection of antitetnantic {antitetantic?} serum and left instructions for Dad. to give them every six hours. Dad. says he is sure the horse is too far gone to be helped and anyway there was no curative properties claimed for that stuff it being merely a preventative, however he has gone over three times and that is all he has to. This after noon Frank and I put through the few bushels of wheat in Ed's big bin which we were saving for chicken feed. Bruce Smith was in for quite awhile this after noon for a visit. Enah has been down all the after noon at the dentists' and felt pretty rotten over it to-night. It has been a nice day to-day.</p> <p>Wednesday June 21st</p> <p>It started to rain about six o'clock this morning and rained till about nine or ten o'clock. It wasn't a bad day after that sunny and cool. Dad. spent most of the morning over at Martin's the horse was so bad this morning that Joe Field's shot it. I didn't do anything much but help Enah tear the cover off the armchair as she wants to put a new one on. This after noon I read &amp; slept most of the after noon but did go out and put the wheat back in the bun which Frank and I cleaned up yesterday. Just before tea Frank and I took Elgitha up to Ham Thompson's. Frank was down town this after noon.</p> <p>Thursday June 22nd</p> <p>This morning Dad. left for Charlie Dunkin's to see if he couldn't hurry him up to get the old ram registered and also to pay him the service fee of his ram. I would have gone but Dad. thought as Uncle Ward enjoyed his drive so much on Sunday he would ask him and I thought he would enjoy it more with Dad. than wth me so I persuade him to go. They left about ten o'clock and didn't get back till about five and I guess both of them had a great day of it. Dunkin wasn't home when they got there so they stayed to dinner. Uncle Ward knew him well, used to go to party's with him, and I suppose he had a great talk. Dad. says his crops and the crops of his near neighbors look immense but that is the only place they do. The rain has been just what they want up there. They saw Frank Marr on their way home and he told them that</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Dr. Harrison of Selkirk says that it is recorded in his father's diary of one hundred years ago that we had just such a spring as this and that it rained all summer and nothing was saved of either hay or grain, all stock starving to death in consequence the following winter, so that sounds hopeful. Frank has been over at Jack Martin's all day picking strawberries, he made $1.01. I did chores, weeded out the rest of the rose border, sprinkled the roses with tobacco water which Aunty Alice fixed for me by steeping some of Frank's old homegrown leaves and put in the rest of the day doing nothing. Aunty Alice and Winnie were both over to dinner and Win stayed most of the after noon but Aunty Alice of course couldn't. Nice day.</p> <p>Friday June 23rd</p> <p>Frank disked up the sand knoll by the old well again this morning and after dinner Dad ran out eleven furrows and Frank and I planted potatoes. Then Dad. covered them and Frank harrowed them in. Dad. also made a start at plowing the old garden back of the shop. It was very waxy. He hauled out manure out of the two boxstalls and put on the west side of it. I cut the lawn to-day. To-night Dad. went down to a reunion meeting and Frank and I went down to the stump but didn't have much of a swim as the water was cold. Dad. stayed in town all night. It was fair all day but rained a little to-night.</p> <p>Saturday June 24th</p> <p>Frank has been picking strawberries over at Martin's all day and made another dollar. This morning Dad cut some of the long grass down by the ditch and in the lane and I puttered around. Alex Jamieson came in after dinner and was here most of the after noon. It was time to do chores when he left. Uncle Ward had to go down to Art. Ryerse's to collect for the reunion some time before next meeting and Dad. told him he would drive him down this after noon but he couldn't, it rained once or twice any way and looked very cloudy so not likley Uncle Ward. would expect him. To-night Dad. Enah and the baby drove down town and Dad. drove Aunty Alice up to the cemetry. As soon as they were gone Frank &amp; I decided to go over to Tommy Jackson's to tell him Frank would take a couple of skips of bees. Frank thought they</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>were pretty cheap on Tommy's terms. He offered him two skips of bees in Langstroth hives with frames and foundation comb for seven dollars and he can get them and pay for them any time he likes. It was about dusk when we got over there and Tommy was just getting started to milk, he milked two cows and then showed us around the apairy and it was pitch dark before we left but he had started in on the other cow and had the lantern out with him. Frank and I had quite a time extricating ourselves from Frank Ryerse's gully's in the dark and then got our legs soaking wet on the grass on our way home. Dad. &amp; Enah were home and Dad. was getting ready to worry about our absence as we forgot to leave any word.</p> <p>Sunday June 25th</p> <p>The whole family went down to church this morning as Mr. Rennaud preached. He is here for a short visit, he used to be the rector here 41 years ago and gave a very emotional reminescent sermon. Dad. Enah &amp; the baby stayed down at Aunty's to dinner and Quint and Dick came over here with us. They went off right after dinner to see the Oddfellows march and Frank left soon after to go for a ride on his wheel with Harve Taylor. I waited till Joe had time to eat her noon feed then took her down for Dad. &amp; Enah to drive home. I sat down at Aunty Alice's for about an hour and then started to walk home but got a ride over as far as Martin's with Charlie in his car. I helped Dad. milk then went down to church and then went around with Marjorie to the house. This was his most holy of holy the right reverent Mr. J. Culp's last Sunday in the Methodist church and I guess he gave them a long wind-up sermon anyway. I had a very pleasant visit and left before any of the Bagley family appeared on the scene. I wouldn't have left so soon but poor Marj. seemed to be rather uneasy for fear they would catch me there although she said she didn't care. I went down to Aunty's for a few minutes and found Douglas Skey there. I supposed he had walked down with Mrs. Baker, Mr. Rennaud's daughter, who is staying with Aunty Alice &amp; Aunty. It has been fine and hot to-day, regular Oddfellows day.</p> <p>Monday June 26th</p> <p>Frank went over to pick strawberries and to-day made $1.21. I left about nine to take Uncle Ward on his</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>collecting circuit. I met Bob. just going into Woodson's and couldn't resist the temptation of driving her down town so Uncle Ward and I were a little late getting started, and then the shoulder strapring pulled out of the breast collar which caused a little more delay. We just called at Alfred's, Art's and Allan Law's, Uncle Ward hinted at getting a donation from Alfred for his daughters' but Alfred didn't bite, but they probably will. We only saw Mrs. Art. Ryerse as Art was way back and the kids all have the measles, she said she would tell Art. to call in some night and pay Uncle Ward. Alan Law was hauling gravel but Mrs. Law said he would drop in too. I gave him five dollars for Dad. and we three boys. We came up the Plank Road from the Dog's Nest and didn't get home till after one o'clock. This after noon Dad plowed some more of the garden but didn't quite finish as it is very tough and old Nellie started out a little balky after her holiday. I didn't do much but cut a few weeds and take some more eggs over to Jack Martin. After tea I rode Queen down to the corner and back, she hasn't been out lately and felt frolick. Mrs. McBride was here to-day and informed us that old Robert John was married, his mother died three or four days before. Fine &amp; hot but looks rainy.</p> <p>Tuesday June 27th</p> <p>I spent most of my time to-day cutting weeds I finished cutting the dock in the raspberry patch first and then went back to cut thistles in the oats and barley. I didn't get on very fast as it is hard to tell where to go on the side hill Pickford and I think Clair Jackson were hauling Pickford's hay and their dog an Airdale pup started chasing Art. Quanbury's sheep. I didn't know it was Pickford's till I went up the road to tell Art and heard him call it off Art was working on his buckwheat ground and Tupper who had ploughed about four rounds as he said this morning was talking to old Evans who was disking right opposite. Tupper said he was very thirsty so we went down to Art's new well that he dug with the post auger but couldn't find anything but an old paint pail to dip the water with However that fitted in the well alright and we got enough to slake our thirsts, it was good cold water too. Dad. finished plowing the garden this morning and disked and rolled it. Frank went down to Porter's again with Gladys. He ploughed in the old garden this after noon. Enah was down town for tea. Frank and I had to take Daisy May up to Ham Thompson's to-night. Mrs. W.H. Smith died at five o'clock this morning. It has been a hot summer day. It really looks as if the weather had "took up"</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Wednesday June 28th</p> <p>Frank has been picking strawberries all day again and made $1.35, this has been his best day yet. Dad. plowed in the old garden all morning, he and the baby and he finished it and disked it this after noon. I raked up the grass he cut along the ditch this morning and went out and spread a few piles of manure which were in his road for plowing. This after noon I went down town to get some stuff. Huby saw me and wanted me to go up and look at Bill Slocomb's buggy, he wants fifty dollars for it. It looks like a good one. I went down to Aunty's to cut a ham in two for them and Aunty Alice was at a bridge up at Miss Buckwell's. This has been another beautiful day.</p> <p>Thursday June 29th</p> <p>I went over to Art Quanbury's this morning and got our post auger and Dad and I put in a post at the gap between the two fields across the gully and put up the bar and let the cattle into the west field, we then went along Ivey's line in the gully but couldn't do much to it John was over in Ivey's having walked under the fence along the creek bottom. We had dinner on time and got ready and both of us went down at half past one to Mrs. Smith's funeral. We went up to the cemetry and there was a big crowd there. We went from there over to Barwell's and got Zeitha and brought her down, she and I were to have gone for a ride to-night but Enah asked some more over to have some music so we postponed our ride. We saw Mrs. Bagley &amp; Marj. up at the cemetry and they said Essie couldn't come over to-night as it was choir practice but Marj. would only she didn't like to come alone, so Dad. told her if she saw Winnie coming over to come with her and if not to wait till I called for her, so as Winnie came over to tea I went right after tea to get Marj. I picked her up at Silverthorne's, she had come over to pay her Dad's lodge dues. We drove down town to see if we could get Elva but she had too bad a cold to come. We had a very nice evening being entertained by Zeith's &amp; Enah's music on one hand and the baby catching moths on the other; he stayed up till midnight and except for evincing a few cannibalistic passions early in the evening when he bit poor Marj; he was very good and well-behaved. Dad. gave him a heart to heart talk on the occasion of his one offence and I don't think Marj. suffered any permanent injury.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>I was to have taken the bunch home in the lumber waggon but hi Frank who has worked all day in the old garden left the neck yoke &amp; doubletrees out there I couldn't and as it was raining, it didn't promise to be very pleasant walking, however it didn't rain hard so the four boys, Dick, Quint, Douglas Skey &amp; George Clark walked down and I drove Dess &amp; Marj down in the buggy Zeitha &amp; Winnie stayed all night. There was an accident in town to-night. It seems Earl Long was going home and being very drunk was yelling at the top of his voice and frightened Barwell's horse which was tethered in Barny McMinny's yard and it ran over the engine bridge with the train after it, it got past that safely but when it got down to the station the chain that was on it caught and threw it so that it broke its leg, and Dave Waddle shot it. It has been fine and hot to-day but rather cloudy,</p> <p>Friday June 30th ) New moon is straight up and down so that the Indian can't hang his powder horn on it. Aunty Alice says it is a dry moon but Dad. scoffs at the idea.</p> <p>Soon after breakfast this morning we saddled Joe &amp; Belle and Zeith and I started off for our ride. We went down to the mill and out to Edmond Englands corner then up to Chris Quanbury's corner down the side road to the Gravel and then to Barwell's, and I led Belle home. We had a nice ride but not a good one as Joe wouldn't travel up abreast of Belle and Belle was inclined to be a little mean, however Zeitha said she enjoyed herself. I didn't get home till nearly noon. This after noon I planted eighteen rows of turnips with Art Quanbury's seed drill which he brought over this morning. Dad. sowed clover seed on the garden and harrowed it well. Frank spent the day picking strawberries but didn't have such a good day to-day. To-night I went down town to see Roy &amp; Vernon. Roy came to-night and Vernon last night. It has been sunny and hot to-day.</p> <p>Saturday July 1st</p> <p>This has been a great day, the weather couldn't have been better, hot and fine just the kind to make people enjoy the lake, and Dover certainly celebrated, although I saw very little of it. Dad. and Enah &amp; the baby went down this morning and stayed to dinner and Dad. had a great time visiting all the old boys and girls who came to Mr. Smith's reunion. Frank and I</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>didn't go down till noon, I started to cut the lawn but the mower broke so went out and helped Frank put in his school garden and I also sowed my Experimental Union plots of cabbage, kale &amp; rape, and didn't get through till half past twelve, then we came in and got dressed up and intended to go for a swim at the stump but before we left we heard the school bell ringing so hurried down thinking we would be late, they didn't begin for quite awhile however and then all there was to it was a lot of speeches and we were up there till about four o'clock. I think every one got pretty tired of it. Jack Martin was chairman and made the presentation Mr. Smith didn't say much himself as he was in no mood for it but got Mr. Robertson to read a little that he had written for the occasion. After it was over Ray and I went right straight down to the house and I stayed there to tea. Dad. came down a little later, he had seen a good many old school pals and so had Ray. I saw Hubert Long and Egg Thompson and Fat Turner Col. A.C. Pratt got himself very much disliked by forbidding Mr. Smith's old boys in the 133rd coming down this after noon. He acted in a very small, sore headed way about it, and all Dover as well as a good part of Simcoe are pretty hot about it, he just did it for pure spite. Ed. Moon was down, he said he got leave by being on duty this morning at the picture show which the 133rd rented for the day to show the Willard Moran boxing contest but he said it wouldn't have made any difference he would have come just the same whether he got leave or not. Ray went over the hill to the Woodson's to get Vernon &amp; Rebecca and I went for a swim in the creek, the water was fine. After tea I went up town and saw Fat. Turner and went over to the park with him to watch the fireworks, and I had a little visit with Marj. Her father is here and she is going home with him on Monday. Dad. and Frank who went home to do chores came down again after tea and I found the family up in the park and went home with them at a rather late hour.</p> <p>Sunday July 2nd</p> <p>Dad. Enah, the baby and I drove down to church this morning Frank didn't go. We were going to start early as Enah was going to practice with Zeitha who was to have sung a solo, but it began to rain so we had to wait till it was over, and we weren't there anymore</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>than just on time, but it didn't matter as Zeitha was not there anyway. Just as we got into church an old soaker of a storm broke over us and it hailed till I thought it would break the church windows. It stormed pretty much all through church but was clear enough when we came out. Dick didn't come over to dinner and this after noon this family spent in peaceful slumber. We got the chores done early and Dad. drove Enah down to church they took the baby but he and Dad. stayed down at Auntys. Enah said she was the only girls voice in the choir and poor Harry Moon was so disheartened as he had expected a lot for to-day that he resigned from the leadership. They didn't see Roy or Vernon they being over at the Woodson's. Frank spent the evening getting his accounts system into working order and taking an inventory of the stock &amp; implements.</p> <p>Monday July 3rd</p> <p>Frank went over to pick strawberries again this morning and has been over there all day. We started to plow the barley stubble again for buckwheat. Dad. struck out once but found it would tramp the long grass at the north end so started plowing right around the field, after one round I took it and plowed till noon, and he cut grass at the lane gate at the head of the orchard to get into that field with the mower. The grass was very thick and long there. After dinner the Quanbury boys and Glen Ryerse came in and wanted me to help them, they are moving Art's barn or at least trying to. We were there all the after noon and just got it turned around. They just hooked a cable on one corner of it and wound it up on a "capsule" as they call it but their chain broke two or three times and things went pretty slowly. It has been fine and hot to-day. By to-days paper the big drive on the Western front has begun. I didn't have time to read it but they have taken eleven villages and a lot of prisoners. The British &amp; French are both at it.</p> <p>Tuesday July 4th</p> <p>The boys came after me again as soon as I had my breakfast and I have been over there all day, they came home to dinner. We had a pretty slow day of it first one thing would break and then another and all on account of it pulling too hard. Glen had the big rollers and saddles under her and we have come to the conclusion they are not much</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>account unless maybe every thing is smooth and hard underneath. First we had a small new one under the hind corner and after breaking the chain two or three times trying to budge it, we decided it was too small and wasn't greased enough so we jacked it up and put an old big one under that was split and wired to-gether we moved a foot or two with it and then it broke, so we had to jack her up again and grease the small one and put it under and after pulling all the after noon and breaking chain &amp; upsetting the capstan two or three times, we took it out and put under three or {four?} small rollers and no saddle. Mr. Evans was over helping us this afternoon, and so about five o'clock she started to go and from then till we quit we moved as far as we could without setting the capstan again so the boys went home in great spirits full of praisr for the small rollers. I nearly tore the clothes off me on their wire and nails and also hit my sore knee a lot with the end of the cable so I didn't feel so happy. Frank plowed all day and Dad. had to go up to George Duncan's this morning to look at a cow. Tupper. who was in Simcoe all day came over about five and killed the yearling buck. Fine &amp; hot a shower at noon.</p> <p>Wednesday July 5th</p> <p>I have been out at the Quanbury's all day again and to-day we made a little better progress. We moved the barn more than the length of itself this forenoon but twisted the underpinning of Glen's capstan reel so at noon they went down and borrowed Kolbe's capstan and things went beautifuly we moved about seventy five paces. Over here they got a little more plowing done but nothing cut. Aunty, Vernon &amp; Rebecca were over to dinner and to spend the after noon, Cousin Clare was over too. Frank and I had to take Daisy May up to Ham Thompson's again he was in bed when we got there but got up. Another beautiful day.</p> <p>Thursday July 6th</p> <p>The boys wouldn't have called for me this morning if we hadn't hailed them but I didn't want to see them stuck and we certainly needed all the men we have although Glen brought two with him but Evans didn't come back to-day. Glen had old Isaac Bush and Od. Frolic both venerable and hoaryheaded. Isaac is rheumatic and slightly palsied and told us he would much rather be doing what he was yesterday than</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>what he was to-day. We found by interrogation that yesterday's occupation consisted in riding from the Falls up here in Jim's car, as he hadn't been there since he was eleven years old, we didn't doubt his words in the least. He took my job of minding the capstan and once when they were unwinding it he got a bat in the leg with the lever that knocked him over. Old Od. is the same whom Dad. &amp; I saw a year ago last winter down in Hammond's bush with Jack Richardson building a log hut for himself in which he still lives. That day his face was about completely covered with whiskers while now he is clean shaven down to the rim of his jaw and he has left border of grizzled hair right around, I suppose it is hard shaving around the corner. His hair is long and curls closely under an old reddish brown straw hat. His cheeks are just like a well smoked ham but his neck and nose are a lovely purple, his nose, hands &amp; feet are enormous. I had a pretty good chance to study him to-day and he is an interesting looking old duck, he just kept plodding from one end of the barn to the other carrying plank and chewing to-bacco with his front teeth I guess he hasn't got any back ones. He didn't seem disposed to talk and didn't say half a dozen sentences all day not even when Glen would get mad and curse him into a heap, which he did occasionaly, it seemed rather hard lines to hear old fellows like Od. and old Bush just everlastingly damned up and down, but Glen doesn't care and shows respect to no-one, but he is good natured about it all and we take his blasphemous abuse as a matter of course. He was always alright with me and I found that even there a little blarney in small doses helped wonderfully to keep in Glen's good graces and also to get out of a lot of strenuous labor, which was my place or Charlies's to perform. I didn't feel any qualms of consience in laying my tasks on Charlie's shoulder's, because he really believes likes to work and I don't. We got on well with the barn to-day and to-night had it safely over the gully, I was to quit when we got that far but Glen coaxed me to come back to-morrow so I said I would. Dad. got a little more plowed to-day and Frank got started to cut the corner field. He &amp; I had to go up to Ham Thompson's again to-night woth Quanbury's heifer. Nice Day</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Friday July 7th</p> <p>Art. &amp; Charlie didn't call for me this morning and I didn't see them go past so I walked out as I promised Glen I would go back. We were at it all day and just about six to-night got it into its place so we are through with it. It will take a little longer to level and block it up. Old Isaac &amp; Od. were on the job to-day and Od. was almost as silent as yesterday but to-wards evening I managed to get him talking (because I was curious to see what he would say and how he would say it.) by remarking on the size of his wrists and then he started to tell me of the weights in logs that he had carried and before we quit had told me several interesting stories of the early days and the scythe &amp; cradle, when men were plentiful and every one of them strong, and each vied with the other in feats of strength and powers of endurance. Dad. plowed a little more to-day and Frank finished cutting the corner field. This was Dad's birthday and Dick and Winnie were over to tea, we were late getting through chores. Frank got some raked up and Dad. got a load cocked up. Hot &amp; fine</p> <p>Saturday July 8th</p> <p>I got out first thing this morning and started to cock up and Dad. &amp; Frank came out very soon after and we put on a load of what Dad. cocked yesterday and hauled it to the horse stable where we pitched it off by hand and packed it around the well so that the sling loads hitting it wouldn't loosen like they did last year. When we got it off we went and cocked up till noon. This after noon Frank brought the team out to rake but only went a couple of rounds and then as it looked so rainy in the north stopped and helped us cock up. It was looking very angry and a continual low roar of thunder, we saw one storm go to the north but another one came up and it caught us when we had just about one more windrow to cock. It rained pretty hard for half an hour or so but not hard enought to hurt anything and would do good. I went to sleep for awhile and then shaved. Whit Dixon came over before tea to look at the steers but said they weren't ready for a year month yet. To-night Frank and I went down town and went for a swim in the creek and I got my hair cut. Walter &amp; Roy came up to-night and we saw them for a little while. We got home soon after twelve.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Sunday July 9th</p> <p>Just as Dad. was getting ready for church this morning Alan Law came after him amd he had to go down there to administer unto a sick calf which died later in the day. I drove Enah and the baby down to church and as the baby didn't want to sit alone in church without some of the family, I had to sit with him in the front seat and hold him on my knee most of the time but he was very good. Enah. stayed down to dinner at Aunty's and Dad. came down after he got home from the Law's. Frank and I had dinner alone. About three o'clock I went down to Aunty's and left Frank asleep on the sofa. Huby was there and he Dad. Walter, Roy and I walked up to his place via the Dominion Hotel and Dave Waddle's in search of Dave but didn't find him, after inspecting Huby's garden and Bill Slocomb's buggy which Dad. thinks has been run considerably, we took a walk down to the Customs House stopping in to see Mr. Smith for a few minutes on our way down. While we were down there Dave Waddle came along with Geo. {Faulmsbe?} and Jack Davis. We went back to the house all of us but Huby. and I stayed there to tea. Dad. went home to do chores. Enah went up to her mother's to tea but left Tid. down at Aunty's and he and Rebecca had a good time chasing the cat. Jean Marks was there to tea and all of us but Aunty, Aunt Ida and the two kids went to church. Enah has played to-day as Elva jammed her finger in the safe door. Roy donned a surplice and sang in the choir at both services to-day. After church I walked home with Jean and was over there for a little while and then came back down to Aunty's to say goodbye to Roy who goes back in the morning. Dad. was there with Joe and I drove home with them soon after. It has been fine with a nice breeze to-day.</p> <p>Monday July 10th</p> <p>Frank raked the rest of the corner field this morning and Dad. &amp; I have been cocking up all day but didn't finish it. After dinner while Frank was down after the mail Dad. and I finished grinding the mower knife which Dad. &amp; Frank started on Saturday so we were late getting out. Frank started cutting the barley &amp; oat stubble along the side road. Walter &amp; Aunty were over to-night after tea. Fine &amp; hot. Walter is to go back to Regina to-morrow night.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Tuesday July 11th</p> <p>It took Dad. and me till noon to cock up the rest of the corner field and Frank finished cutting the other field by noon, he left the south west corner of it for alsike along with the wheat stubble next to it. He went down and got the mail after dinner and I got a letter from Lloyd Jones inquiring about the lambs Douglas had told him we had some nice ones. I wrote him to-night. We got one load in after dinner but spent all the rest of the after noon getting the car on the track and the ropes &amp; pulleys in place ready for business, we just got our load off about six. Mrs. McBride was here to-day. It has been a fine hay day.</p> <p>Wednesday July 12th</p> <p>We got three loads in this morning but didn't put the last one off. We got out pretty early but Lloyd Crysler delayed us a little, he was in telling Dad. about a lame cow he had. Dad. said he would go over and see it if Lloyd would call for him at 4.30 but he didn't come. We have been getting out earlier lately as we all get up at five o'clock and Enah has breakfast ready before seven. It also makes a great difference havin the three of us in the field when we are hauling in. Frank loads and Dad. and I pitch on to-gether, we get on much faster and it is not nearly such hard work as when there is only one. This after noon Frank raked up the long field of clover along the side road which he cut yesterday and Dad. and I cocked up all the after noon. To-night Frank and I went for a swim in the pond just this side of the bridge at the bottom of Marshall's hill. Carl Coleman and a bunch from up town go in there every night, they have a spring-board rigged up so that they dive right into the deep hole where the man &amp; horse were drowned years ago It has been sunny but pretty breezy this after noon.</p> <p>Thursday July 13th</p> <p>We all three cocked up this morning and just finished the field at noon, and just as it began to rain, it rained two light showers one just at noon and one after dinner when we were unloading the load that was in the barn, we didn't go out for an hour or two as we thought it would be too wet to haul.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>but Dad. took Queen out and bathed her leg, the last one she hurt it seems to be in rather bad shape and badly swollen. About three o'clock we went out and found the hay was perfectly dry so got in two loads. While we were putting off the first load Enah and the baby who had been down town to dinner came home and Elva with them, soon after them Vernon Jean &amp; Betty came over and the whole four of them came out with us for the last load and seemed to have a dandy time in the hay and riding on the load. They stayed to tea and the Southerners had to leave right after to go to the bridge club but Elva stayed and I drove her down about ten o'clock. It has been hot to-day when it wasn't raining.</p> <p>Friday July 14th</p> <p>We got on fine this morning getting out early and getting four loads before dinner, but this after noon we had miserable luck with one load, the sling rope getting lost once, and an old one with a wire in it coming apart once and then the car sticking in the track like it did last year, we have come to the conclusion that that is caused by the horses going too slow and not givin the lift enough of a jerk into the car. They made two lifts of that from the barn floor and then didn't get it all. We got in three loads though, the last one I pitched to Frank alone as Lloyd Crysler came after Dad. to go and see his cow. We didn't get in with it till after six and didn't put it off. There is just one load left in the corner field. Hot.</p> <p>Saturday July 15th</p> <p>For some reason we didn't get on as fast to-day and only got in two loads this morning but had to change the car from one end of the barn to the other as the east bay is full enough to bother with till it settles a little. We got in three loads this after noon so that finished the corner field and took four loads out of the field along the side road, there is still quite a lot in there yet. Lloyd Jones came in for a little while this after noon, he motored down from Burford and bought the big lamb for $12.00, he wants him shipped the week after next. Frank and I went for a swim to-night. Very hot day.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Sunday July 16th</p> <p>We all went to church this morning but Frank and he went back to the woods and went to sleep. Roy was in church he came up yesterday to Brantford and down to Simcoe on the L.E.&amp;N. and Cars. Rankin went up there and got him in his car, and I took him back this after noon at five so he can get to Toronto to-night and be on time at the office in the morning. I had intended asking Geo. Clark to go to Vittoria with me to see the Dunkin girls but hadn't made any arrangements and they were in church so when I told them they asked me to come up next Sunday. After we got into church I was very surprised to see old Quint. come in, I had an idea once they got to Camp Borden they wouldn't be back again until they left for overseas anyway but Quint said that about five thousand left the camp last night three hundred of which belonged to the 133rd and came down on a special, they will get passes if they apply every weekend and he said Pratt who has been acting a little better up there made arrangements with General Login to have them paid every two weeks so they can come home. He said the camp was a horrible place and the boys all hate it, it is all just like a bonfire bottom, and almost unbearably dusty while the heat is fierce, an awful lot of them have been knocked out temporally by it, but they have good water and cool nights. Roy and I left about four but didn't go very fast so just caught the car and had no time to spare. I came around by Vittoria to see if I could hurry Charlie Dunkin up a little getting the old ram registered and it was dark when I got home. I picked a couple of fellows up on the road who were walking from Pt Ryerse to Dover. Mr. Johnson came over in his car to get Enah to go down and play the organ and he brought her back. it has been pretty hot and dusty to-day.</p> <p>Monday July 17th</p> <p>We finished hauling the field on the side road to-day. We thought we only had about three or four loads out but there were five and a half and it took us all day. We left the last half load on the barn floor and Frank hooked to the waggon and went down and got a load of boxes at Mr. James that he has been saving for us. Hot and looks a little like rain.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Thursday july 18th</p> <p>Frank started to cut the field next the gully and west of the lane this morning and the mower has been going all day in there but it is not quite down yet. Dad. &amp; I ran the cultivator through the potatoes and turnips this morning, we used Belle. The ground was quite moist where we stirred it up but the bugs are at the potatoes badly. This after noon I hoed about half the turnips and Dad. cut while Frank hoed his garden and then Frank went back on the mower and Dad. hoed a few potatoes. Ben Ivey got the rake this after noon to rake up in his back field. He is beginning to howl for rain Things are getting very dry. It has been hot to day.</p> <p>Wednesday July 19th</p> <p>Frank finished cutting the field this morning but it took him longer than we expected and he didn't get through till about eleven. Dad. went over to Ivey's and got Ben to bring back the rake and when Frank got through cutting he hooked on to it and raked up what he cut first. I didn't do any thing much till then and then Dad. and I started to cock up. Frank raked for an hour or so after dinner but as it began to look a little like rain and the hay that was cut late yesterday was getting tough, he stopped and helped us cock up till it was time to do chores, we didn't quite finish. Ben came over again and got the rake as he had a little to rake up in his back field. To-night as we were milking Zeitha Barwell came in on horse back, she had Norman Holden's horse and saddle. She stayed awhile and then I rode Belle home with her. It has been another hot sultry day.</p> <p>Thursday July 20th</p> <p>We all three got out and cocked up for an hour or two this morning and then when Ben brought the rake back, Frank raked up the rest of the field that was in swathe and finished about noon, we cocked up all day and went out after tea and worked till after dark but had to leave a little more than a load uncocked it is a heavy crop and dandy hay mostly clover but a lot of alsike. When we came in for tea we found a note saying Enah &amp; Tid had gone for a motor ride with Elva &amp; Billy Baugner who is home on furlough to help on the farm. They didn't get back till we had our tea. Aunty</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Alice came over to-night with a fine mess of peas from her own garden and Frank and I walked down with her. Vernon joined us at the Woodson's so Frank and I just went as far as the bridge and then went for a swim. Looked more rainy to-day but very hot.</p> <p>Friday July 21st</p> <p>We hauled in six loads to-day. The first two we hauled out of windrow and the next was the poorest hay we could find in the field and we put them in the barn, then the first load after dinner we changed the car over to the horse stable and put three loads in there, changing the car took us a little while and probably kept us from getting in another load, but we hope to nearly if not quite finish it to-morrow. Dad. and Frank went down town to-night. Dad. got a notice of a Mr. Smith committee meeting and went down but didn't get to it, got his hair cut instead. They heard that Mr. Gus. Smith was killed on the T.H.&amp;B tracks near Hamilton.</p> <p>{Toby's father now writes the diary} Saturday July 22nd</p> <p>We beat all records to-day, hauled in 8 loads unloaded 7 in the horse stable and left one on the waggon in the barn, Roy and Vernon came over in the evening Just as Hattie, baby and I were about to start for town, so we did not go but Tobe and Frank went for a swim. Hot and dry.</p> <p>Sunday July 23rd</p> <p>Frank was not feeling well all day today as he took medicine that he got from Dr Cook last night. Hattie, Tobe, Timboy and I all went to church. Dick and Quint came back with Tobe for dinner here, the rest of us went to the James. In the afternoomn Tobe got Charlie Martins buggy and took Clark up to Vittoria and they had a great time, Billy Boughner brought me home and about 3 O'Clock and took Elva, Hattie and Mrs James and baby for a ride in his car, he brought Hattie and old Tim home about 5 and hattie made some sandwiches and w ehad a little tea out on the lawn. Very hot all day.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>{24th and 25th July and beginning of 26th July entries are missing - Toby is now writing the diary}</p> <p>up, although Dad. went out after tea and worked till Dark and I tested my eggs to-night and only took out seven out of the sixty three. Lila was over all the after noon and Frank went down with her to-night. Still hot.</p> <p>Thursday July 27th</p> <p>Frank raked up the alsike this morning. We were late getting around as we were delayed by one of the ram lambs we found him when we went out frothing at the mouth and bloated. Dad. shoved a long tube down his throat and that took the bloat down. When I did get out this morning I cut three of my four plots of wheat with the sickle, it took me till noon as it was mostly grass and I didn't want to get any thing but the wheat if I could help Dad. helped me cut the fourth plot after dinner, we got a fair sized sheaf of each plot. We got the binder out this morning and Frank got one round cut on the wheat field before dinner, after dinner he &amp; Dad. finished the field and got the binder back in the barn before tea. I had to back and put Snowdrop and John out of Pickfords side hill field, they went through the culvert and we got the wheat all shocked up. To-night Frank borrowed Jack Martin's democrat and he and I took little Joe and went over to Tommy Jackson's after the bees but it was such a hot night they were hanging out on every hive so he told us we would have to wait till it was cooler.</p> <p>Friday July 28th</p> <p>We hauled hay to-day but didn't get very much done. We finished hauling off the field next the gully and west of the lane and got two and a half loads off it. We also hauled two loads off the field east of the lane. We put one load in the horse stable but that filled it up and we put the rest in the barn, it took some time to change the car. This after noon Neff. the District Representative came in to look at Frank's garden and said it was pretty good for being put in so late.</p> <p>Saturday July 29th</p> <p>Frank took the mower out this morning and started cutting the weeds on the old corn stubble</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>he was at it all day and finished up to-night. I didn't do any thing much this morning but drove Enah and Tid. down to the L.E.&amp;N. tracks where they embarked with the rest of the family for Scotland to attend the silver wedding anniversary of Cousin Harry &amp; Lizzy Langs. Dad. walked down to Aunty's a little before with some cream and came up to the car wth Aunty she being the only representative from that household. All of Huby's family went but Winnie, and Cousin Clare represented the Langs portion of the family in Dover. They came back on the five o'clock car all except Huby who had to go back after his hat and who brought Clark Langs and Marion his daughter down with him on the nine o'clock car. They had a great time and a very hot day and I guess there was an army of folks there. I spent the after noon cocking hay north of the orchard but didn't finish. Roy came down to-night with the bunch from Brantford. I went down to the dance to-night. I intended going to the picture show first but ran into the Miss Dunkin's and they wanted to go to the dance right away so I went with them, we picked Clark up over there and had a hot time of it. I hardly missed a dance but it nearly killed me, the lake flies were bad too. Frank and Enah went down to the show. Another very hot day.</p> <p>Sunday July 30th</p> <p>I wwent down early this morning to see if Roy wanted to go for a swim and found him in the pond at the foot of the hill by the bridge with Vernon and Rebecca, they had an extra bathing suit so I went in with them, Aunty took Rebecca home after she had a dip, she evidently enjoyed herself immensely. I went up to Auntys with them and got dressed and then tried to go to sleep but didn't have much luck. I didn't go to church but just lay around I did get some sleep. Enah drove Joe down and I tied her up outside the house and Dick drove her home. I stayed down there and we had dinner about two o'clock and then I went up to the Park as the Miss Dunkin's said they would be there with a lunch I found them alright but Clark had missed them and gone in bathing but he found us later on</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>and the four of us had tea together of home made bread sandwiches and cake which the girls brought with them, after tea Miss Dunkin and I went to church and then up the creek, we didn't get back to the park till after dark quite a lot and poor Hazel was nearly wild thinking she had lost her sister, but after their happy meeting Clark and I escorted them to Faulkner's stable and saw them safely started for home. Very hot.</p> <p>Monday July 31st</p> <p>Last night was the first night it was too hot for me to sleep, and I have felt lazy to-day in consequence. Frank was pretty miserable this morning, he was very sick yesterday owing to some treatment he is undergoing at the hands of Dr. Cook. Dad. and I put off a load of hay that was on the waggon and then got in a load of wheat and put it off in the old barn. This after noon Dad. and Enah went over to the Martin's to the funeral of Dr. McGlaughlin, he died of heart failure or apoplexy or heat prostration last Friday while he was visiting up at his uncle's above Waterford. Dad. was one of the bearers. This after noon I went to sleep till Dad came home and then we got another load of hay in. Frank ran errands with Joe all morning and this after noon took the big team down to the mill and got some chop and when he came home went out and disked the old garden where it wasn't planted, he tried I think to rouse me up to some sort of action but I wouldn't rouse, to-night he and Enah planted some cucumber seed out in the old garden. Hot this morning but much cooler to-night.</p> <p>Tuesday August 1st</p> <p>We hauled hay to-day I don't remember how many loads we got in but we didn't break any records nor finish the field. To-night Frank and I went out to Tommy Jackson's and got the two hives of bees. We didn't get to bed till three o'cock and had a time getting them. I got stung a couple of times and Tommy about a dozen. It has been cooler to-day and quite cold to-night.</p> <p>Wednesday August 2nd (New Moon) Aunty Alice says a dry one Dad says nothing in it.)</p> <p>We finished hauling in hay off that field this morning, there wasn't much out there but Dad. put most of it on alone and I stayed in the barn to mow</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>away as the barn is getting so full. We changed the car to the other end of the barn and filled it up so that the barn is now as full as we can fill it without wasting a lot of time. The last half load we put off after dinner. Alan Law drove in to inform us they were going to thrash to-morrow and wanted some help. When he left Frank went out and started to cut the timothy field, and Dad. and I hauled in the rest of the wheat. There were only about three jags. Aunty Alice came over to dinner and Frank went down with her after tea. I went to bed before nine. Still cooler but very dry.</p> <p>Thursday August 3rd</p> <p>Frank has cut hay all day but didn't get out very early this morning. He finished cutting the timothy and then cut the grass &amp; weeds on the fall plowing between the wheat stubble and where Dad. replowed. He mowed over a bumblebees nest and one stung him over the eye and it swelled up so that he couldn't see out of it. This morning we waited around to see if they started thrashing over at Law's but as they showed no signs I went down town and bought a new lawn-mower with the money I got for the purpose on my birthday. Dad. sharpened the mower knives and tried to barricade the sheep out of Ivey's. Jack Martin borrowed our rack to haul in wheat. When I came home Dad &amp; I spudded some of the buckhorn around on the lawn. This after noon we went over and helped thrash Law's wheat. Dad. filled bags and I pitched on in the field with Eph. Innes. Sam had his two teams there and his own and Pickford's rack and had Colin &amp; Lloyd Ryerse driving teams and {Lat?} Robinson was there with his team and rack. We finished up about five o'clock and he only got 78 bushels off the 8 acres. It looked and felt very like rain this morning but didn't. The forest fires are again raging up in Northern Ontario or were a day or two ago. Two or three villages have been wiped out and about four hundred people killed.</p> <p>Friday August 4th</p> <p>This morning I raked up the timothy as Frank's eye being tight shut he couldn't see properly and said he couldn't see straight. He fixed his wheel and then helped Dad. bunch up the alsike</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Enah spent most of the day picking blackcurrants out in the old garden. Frank went down town after dinner and got the mail which contained an invitation for me to a party at Mrs. Hobbes this evening. This after noon we greased the waggon and got in one load of alsike and put it off over the granary in the old barn. To-night I went down to Mrs. Hobbes and tried to play five hundred with Miss Prest, Miss {Keenan?} &amp; Lewis Woodson. Ida, Miss Cowdry, Miss Bain &amp; Miss Buckwell and Geo. Clark were playing bridge. Douglas Skey came in about eleven o'clock and young Robinson a brother of Ellies came in about midnight. Bessie Lawrie was also there. We weren't very late. Hot and dry but breezy.</p> <p>Saturday August 5th</p> <p>It just rained enough this morning to keep us from getting out at the alsike for an hour or so. Dad. and I went out and blocked up some more holes under the fence where the sheep get through on to Ben Ivey's. We then started to thrash some of my wheat out as they wanted the report to-day if possible. Dad. thought it would be too tough to flail out so we did it with our hands It was an awful job It took us till noon to rub out and clean one sheaf the Banatka. I don't think we got as much seed back as we sowed but it was nice quality. This after noon we hauled in two loads of alsike but it bulks up so it hardly makes a hole in the field. To-night I went down to Aunty's and went for a swim in the creek and then up to the dance and had quite a time. Quint was there and was very anxious to go to Vittoria to-morrow to see the Miss Robinson's that are there from B.C. so he drove up with the Dunkin girls and I don't know whether he stayed there all night or not. I think he intended to. I rode up with them pretty nearly to Peter Bougner's and then walked home getting here about two o'clock or soon after. Hot.</p> <p>Sunday August 6th</p> <p>We didn't get up till late this morning but Enah and I got ready in time to drive down to church. Dick came over to dinner and we had some great ice cream that Enah &amp; Frank made with</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Quanbury's freezer. This after noon Dad. and I were to have gone out to Tommy Jackson's but Dad. felt sick and it was so hot we didn't go. I did some chores and then went to sleep, and didn't go anywhere but to bed to-night. I took 17 chicks out of the incubator to-day only 11 black ones and had to kill one of them It was a very poor hatch I think I must have put too much water in the machine. Frank went out on his wheel to view rhe ruins of Lige. Farr's big barn this after noon It was burned to the ground night before last. Very hot. Life scarcely worth living this weather.</p> <p>Monday August 7th</p> <p>We didn't get on very well to-day just got in two loads of alsike and pitched off three, but Dad. felt very miserable all day and this after noon he didn't come out to help us put on the load but helped put it off. The wind was also pretty strong which made it hard pitching. We have the mow so full now that we are not going to try to put any more in. We will have to stack the rest of the hay &amp; alsike unless we put a little in the old shed at the other barn. Much cooler to-day.</p> <p>Tuesday August 8th</p> <p>I woke up about three o'clock this morning and was so hot I couldn't get anything like comfortable. I heard it thundering and it seemed to be raining a little so as I heard Frank who was sleeping on a cot out on the lawn stirring around I got up and helped him move it to the hall. There was a little breeze coming from the West so I put the sheepskin down in front of the hall door and lay down there. I flounced around till I got pretty well off the mat on to the floor oilcloth which though cool was not very springy or soft and finally went to sleep with a faint breeze fanning me and a sort of drizzle coming in the screen door. Before morning I got so cooled off that I went back to bed and later even covered myself up. Dad. tried four different beds and then didn't get very comfortable so we spent a rather restless night. Dad. has felt a little better to-day but Frank has been completely knocked out and been in the house all day. The little rain we had although it didn't ammount to any more than a dew stopped us from hauling for a while so Dad. and I thrashed and cleaned</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>the rest of my wheat. We cleaned up the old barn floor and spread the binder canvas down and Dad. thrashed it with a flail. It didn't take nearly so long and we were surprised at how clean we got it. We got the last one done after dinner and I filled up the report. I found the Imperial Amber was the best, Banatka next but with soft straw American Banner next and our own Common mixed poorest as far as yield in lbs. went but it wasn't a good test as the flats never did well and I am going to try it again; our wheat had quite a little ball smut in it but we didn't see any in what came from Guelph, it was all treated.</p> <p>It was getting on to three o'clock when we got through and we both felt like a holiday as Frank couldn't help us so we went out to Tommy Jackson's. We found Tommy running around with a broken single tree as some one had bought his waggon and double trees and he had to fix a new outfit up before he could haul in any more hay or oats. He was rigging up a waggon out of the {illegible} of an old seperator but stopped to show us his stuff and he certainly has a pile of it a lot of it just implements which he intends to fix over in the remaining years of his life some ime, but every thing he has made or fixed has been done properly, he is a crack workman and aparently knows the secrets of all crafts. When we came to the harness Dad. found he was just too late to get a dandy set of double harness, which Tommy said had taken four sides of leather to make it and was all handmade. It was old but not a strap broken on it and far better now than our harness was when we got it but Lige. Farr had bought it yesterday for eighteen dollars. Dad. was bewailing his hard luck in this and Tommy told him he had a set of single harness in the house which couldn't be beaten anywhere. It also was all handmade but not so old but Tommy said he didn't want to lose more than about eight dollars on it as he had only used it once or twice and he figured it had cost him about sixty dollars. Dad. at first wasn't going to look at it as he said he couldn't afford to pay forty five dollars, Tommy's price but Tommy brought it down from upstairs, and when Dad. saw it and thought that with care it would last</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>a lifetime, while an ordinary one will only be good for about ten years, he at last promised Tommy his price, Tommy said he could have it for six months without intrest and at five percent after that as long as he liked. It was a beauty Tommy had selected all the leather himself and said it was the best oak-tanned leather that could be had, he had also cut out the patterns Every ring and buckle on it is stamped solid nickel so it is a beauty or will be when it is cleaned up. Dad. told me afterwards he would give it to me for a 21st birthday present, so now with Queen and it I will be pretty nicely hooked up and I am going to take the old buggy to Simcoe as soon as I get a chance to have it fixed. We didn't get away from there till six o'clock so were late getting through with the chores. Cooler to-day.</p> <p>Wednesday August 9th</p> <p>We were all morning nearly this morning getting a load of hay but Dad. discovered Jim prostrated down in the gully very bloated and so punctured her, he said he let out a lot of gas and just saved old Jim's life. {Toby's father takes up the diary} for a little while at least. Tobe fell asleep at this stage so I will try and write this up to date. I no sooner finished with Jim than I discovered John going through the fence into the oats so I had to go and get her out and fix the fence, we hauled hay the rest of the day. Pretty hot and dry.</p> <p>Thursday 10th I forgot to enter in yesterday's diary that we went back at night and got Franks bees down out of the tree and brought them up, we took Jim a pail of water and some hay. Today we hauled hay and had to stack it and gathering it out of the windrow is a low. Whit Dixon came along in the forenoon and delayed us some time buying the steers he bought my two for $135.00 and Tobys for $52.50 or 7 cts per lb if he comes to more than that. It looks like rain tonight.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Friday August 11th</p> <p>We did intend cutting oats this morning but it looked so much like rain that we hauled hay and fixed our stack up it did sprinkle a few drops. After dinner we went at the oats Frank and I went back with the binder and Toby went back the lane to take Jim a drink he found poor old Jim past wanting water she was dead so we turned out early and as soon as Frank got up with the team he went over and got Ben Iveys stoneboat and after tea Toby went over to the old garden to dig her grave and Frank and I went back and got her after taking the hide off her and and putting her in and filling up the grave it was 12.30. It was a very cool night and I had a horrible toothache.</p> <p>{Toby resumes the diary}</p> <p>Saturday August 12th</p> <p>We got back at the oats this morning about nine o'clock, and Frank finished cutting at one I shocked up but had to go back to the house once to turn the windmill out. Dad went around with Frank most of the time but helped me shock up for awhile and after they got the binder loaded and Frank got started. It was about two o'clock when we left the field and after three when we had dinner. Dad then got dressed up and went down to Bill Lemon's to get his tooth fixed up but he found Bill just about loaded. He was up in the office and Sam {Fick?} was trying to get him to eat something. He could just mumble to Dad. that he couldn't fix his tooth to-day as he was "sh shick", so Dad. had to come home still suffering. Frank house cleaned the shop this after noon and I went to sleep. To-night Frank and I went down to Aunty's and had a swim in the creek, and Frank went up to get any mail tnat happened to be there. I was going up town but it began to rain so I stayed at Aunty's all night. Frank rode home on his wheel. It was a nice rain and lasted pretty well all through the night. Aunty Alice was up trying to telephone Vernon to find out how Roy was he has been suffering from indigestion, but couldn't get much satisfaction as the lines weren't working right and she had to talk to Vernon through the operator but found out Roy was better.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Sunday August 13th</p> <p>I walked home this morning right after breakfast, but Dad. had most of the chores done, I just fed the chickens. Frank and I walked back down again to church, after which Aunty and Aunty Alice came over with me to dinner. Aunt Iday went to Port Rowan the night before last for a short visit with Miss Wood and it gives Aunty and Aunty Alice a chance to both get out at once. Frank came over with Dick and they picked Cousin Clair came up and she came over too. Mr. James was over this after noon. I hung around here till about four o'clock and then went down town. I bummed around with Pud. Slocomb till six o'clock and then went up to Huby's to tea. I saw the Miss Dunkin's this after noon and they said they were going to church to-night so Pud and I went too and for a walk afterwards We had quite a lot of fun but Mrs. Dunkin was down too so we couldn't stay long. The girls came down this morning with Mr. Johnson in his car and {then he?} drove down to take them home to-night. Dad's tooth was so bad this after noon that he went down to Dr. Smith's to-night and got him to pull it. It has been much cooler to-day.</p> <p>Monday August 14th</p> <p>Frank and I went to Simcoe this morning as the oats were a little too wet to haul from Saturday's rain. We got started about ten o'clock to take the old buggy up to Joe Coates to get fixed up and Frank wanted to go to Brook's to look at their suits. We met Win. down at the corner coming over to the farm so took her along with us to Simcoe. We went pretty slowly on account of the old buggy being in such a critical condition and it was getting on to noon when we arrived in town. We went first to {Name?} tannery with old Jim's hide but only got six dollars for it. We then went up to Coates and just caught him before he left in his car for Brantford. He told us he would put new rims on, set the tires, fix the top and paint it for a little under $20.00, so we were very pleased as we thought it would come higher than that without the painting which is eight dollars, but when we got home Dad. said he thought it would need new tires so I wrote to tell him. We then went down town to do our shopping but discovered it was Simcoe's civic holiday and every thing was closed up, however we got some thing to eat in at Lea's and some hay for Joesie at Burt's.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>We then went over to the L.E.&amp; N. station as Frank and Win had to come down on the car. They missed the one o'clock car but for some reason or other another went down at half past one so they took it. I brought the little saddle up in the buggy so rode Joe home. I didn't come very fast, but got home before Frank, who had been down town some place. When he got home, he Dad. &amp; the baby went out with the waggon and cleaned up the rubbish around the old garden and the fence bottom between the corner field and the one north of it while I cut some of the thistles in the pasture field. This morning Dad, Enah and the baby went back to the woods and picked berries and Dad. shocked up some of the down oats. Nice day, cooler.</p> <p>Tuesday August 15th</p> <p>We hauled two or three loads of oats to-day and upset the first load on the side hill. It was a very neat upset waggon and all went and put the half load of oats we had on in a nice heap but didn't break a thing.</p> <p>Wednesday August 16th</p> <p>We finished hauling our oats out to-day. We hadn't much of a harvest, the oats and barley were good though what we had I think there were only five loads altogether and they together with the wheat just come up to the second {beam?} in the old barn. I am not writing this account very fully as it is over a week ago now since I wrote last. Frank took the mower back and finished cutting the weeds over {there?} on the fall plowing.</p> <p>Thursday August 17th</p> <p>Dad. had to go over this morning and help Pickford thrash and was over there all day but they didn't do much all morning something was broken. Frank and I &amp; the baby went down town in the waggon and got a load of sawdust for Queen's boxstall some provisions a cedar post to put the mail box on and the mail box. We spent all the after noon dressing the post and putting up the mail box but made a good job of it. The only trouble was they had the name stencilled the name on the box with just one r. which made Dad. furious. I got a cwt of stuff from Charlie Ivey to-day to crate fatten some chickens I have to make a crate</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>{Toby's father takes up the diary}</p> <p>Friday August 18th</p> <p>Frank and I went to Pickfords to help him finish his Alsike, he was in a terrible state with his cracked ribs. We finished about 10-30, he had a little more than 6 bags. I came home as soon as we were done and Frank went to the creek for a swim. Hot and dry still, in the afternoon we hauled hay and put it up over the shed.</p> <p>Saturday August 19th</p> <p>{Bow------?} are having their picnic in Simcoe today. We hauled hay in the forenoon and had a small load to haul after dinner then Frank and I burned weeds on the old corn ground. We put up two bees next to Tobe and he got 3 stings and has a lovely eye, he and Frank went down town in the evening. It has been very hot and no sign of rain.</p> <p>Sunday August 20th</p> <p>Toby and Frank went to church the rest of us stayed home. Dick came over before the others he did not go to church. {Name?} and Alice came to dinner and in the afternoon Elva and Byron came over. The boys all went of after dinner. Grl Hausker brought Elva over and Dick went back with him. Toby took Quint to Vittoria {Toby resumes the diary} in Charlie Martin's buggy. It was late when we got started and arrived at the Dunkin's just a little before six but we told them last night we wouldn't be up early. We had tea then went for a walk down to the mill and sang songs. When we came back we lay out on the lawn till about one o'clock and then Quint and I came home and Quint slept and I dozed most of the way home.</p> <p>Monday August 21st</p> <p>Frank and I went down in the waggon and got a load of slabs as well as some other things. It took us all morning. Dad. shined up the nickelon my new</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>harness. This afternoon Frank and Dad. burned the weeds on the old corn stubble and I worked some more at my chicken fattening crate. Huby came over and got Dad. to go down to tea with him and cut the tails of his two field spaniel pups which he got from some fellow in St. Thomas. We did up the chores and then Frank and I went down town. I stayed down at Aunty's all night so as to get started at seven thirty our picnic in the morning Terribly hot &amp; oppressive.</p> <p>Tuesday August 22nd</p> <p>I got down to the dock at half past seven this morning and we waited around till nearly eight for some one else to come as {Name?} said Miss McInnes telephoned him that there were two to go from here at last Pud. Slocomb came along, Frances had brought him an invitation from the church concert last night. We picked the main picnic about twenty up at Port Ryerse and went from there over to the East End Lighthouse. I don't know how long it took us or at what time any of our proceedings took place but we had our dinner as soon as we got there and after that Cook the lightouse keeper showed us all around we went to the top of the lighthouse and saw the revolving light which is a wonderful bit of work especially the lens or prisms which throw the light so far. He also blew the foghorn for us and explained the wind velocity register. We all went to his house and signed our names. On our way back we stopped at the Anderson property and went in there for a few minutes. There was quite a sea on coming home and some of the elder ladies felt a little sick but we managed to get to Port Ryerse without any great trouble. The two Dunkin girls were very anxious to come down to Dover with Pud and me, go to the show and let Pud take us back to Vittoria but their mother objected and as she was sick they didn't like to do it. We got home about eight and had a dandy day. It was very hot here they say.</p> <p>Wednesday August 23rd</p> <p>Dad. and I finished building my fattening crate this morning Dad. nearly finished it yesterday. Old Felix came over to fix the suckers in the pump as it hasn't been working properly lately and Frank</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>told him on Sunday he had better come and have a look at it. He was here till after twelve so had dinner. He put new suckers in but I don't know that it works much better. It throws a better stream but has to be primed. This after noon we went back and burned the weeds that Frank had cut on the piece which wasn't plowed but the fire would run on the fall plowing it was to thin. John Wess was plowing in his back field and said it was pretty hard. Cooler to-day.</p> <p>Thursday August 24th</p> <p>Dad. and Frank took two teams back this morning Frank to mow the weeds in the back field and Dad to rake them up on the fall plowing. I went back to open the gate for Dad. as he had the little team on the rake and couldn't leave them. When I got up behind the barn on my way back I heard a car honk and saw someone in the lane so when I got up I found it was Miss Herring and her cousin Miss Bain in a car belonging to a Mr. Harvey who brought them over. They had come to invite me to a picnic this after noon at Fisher's Glen and said they had been here ever so long but couldn't find anyone about the place. I told them I would be delighted to go at half past one so I had to hustle around to get ready, but got down alright in time. They were going in Harry Smith's launch and were just debating whether there would be too much sea or not as there was quite a breeze from the south west. However after every one arrived we all piled in and got out about as far as the breakwater and found there was quite a sea a couple of waves splashed up against the bow window and drenched all the ones in the bow of the boat and several of the ladies and they say Col. Smith were very frightened so we turned back. Harry could have taken us he said but thought under the circumstances it was the best thing to do. When we got back to dock there was quite a time deciding what to do next. Col. Smith, Jack Martin &amp; Mr. Hobbes wanted to go up creek for the rest of the picnic but Lewis, Miss Herring and the rest who got it up wanted to get cars and go to Port Ryerse. Mr. Harvey offered to take two loads in his car and went and got it Lewis &amp; Miss Herring went up to get Faulkner's but although the car was there they couldn't find Al. In the meantime Col. Smith had made arrangements with Harry Ansley for one of his flat bottomed pound net boats and a couple of the fishermen had gone over and got it and fixed it up</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>with clean new fish boxes for seats so when Mr. Harvey arrived with his car and the others of the Port Ryerse faction they thought every thing was now settled for their wishes to be carried out and so it would have been but Col. Smith kicked and said those that wanted to could go but he was going up creek so to avoid any further trouble Mr. Harvey took his car back and we all went up creek. Dad. Brook and another fisherman took us up and called for us again at seven. They left us at the far end of the straight water at Will Smith's place and we had a dandy time. Two or three of us fished before tea but had no luck except Louise Herring who caught a mudcat and threw it back. Col. Smith and Jack Martin built a fire in an old stump and cooked a dandy supper fried eggs and bacon and hot coffee. We all ate enough to kill us. After tea we played Nuts and in May and had a lot of fun. I got yanked all over the place Lewis Woodson was champion he pulled them all but Jack Martin. He pulled Col. Smith over and so did Jack which made the Col. very mad. Mr. Hobbes had a headache but took several pictures of us and one of Miss Cope or her leg while she was lying down behind a log to dry out after her sousing with the waves. At supper the Col. said "Well I got soaked in that launch but I daren't tell you where" and Miss Cope said " Oh I know where, I got it in the same place." Ont the way back the batteries played out and the engineer had to get out and tow us. It was pretty hard work and slow till Lewis got out and helped him row. When we got to town we all but Miss Prest and the Cowdry's went to the picture show and saw Granstork. Lewis and I went home with Miss Bain &amp; Miss Herring and I got home about a quarter past twelve. Tom brought me up the creamcan full of buttermilk to-day and I started feeding fifteen cockerels.</p> <p>Friday August 25th</p> <p>Frank finished mowing the field of weeds this morning and this after noon cut the little side hill across the ditch from the oat stubble. Dad. disked witht the big team till Frank finished mowing and then Frank went on and disked and Dad. brought the little team up through the gully and Frank brought the mower up with him at six. Dad. cut weeds with the scythe after he came up and went back at six to help Frank out of the gates</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>with the mower. I just chored around and tried to pull buckhorn out of the lawn this afternoon and did a little raking. This morning the baby and I went down to Aunty's and cut her corn that has all the ears picked off it and made one shock of it. We stayed there to dinner. It hasn't been quite so hot to-day.</p> <p>Saturday August 26th</p> <p>Frank has been disking all day on the oat stubble. They came to the conclusion that the fall plowing was too hard in spots. Dad. mowed the pig weed which comes up thick in the garden and a very even crop they were and also cut the weeds in the plum orchard. I raked up a little on the lawn and when he got through with the team I hooked to the waggon and went back and borrowed John Wess' cement anchor post mould and am going to try at put a few up next week while Dad. &amp; Frank are working on the land or drawing out manure. This after noon Dad. and I dug one hole. We did it with John's spud and spoon and made it five feet deep but it took a long time. To-night Enah's brother and his whole family came in in a car. Mr. &amp; Mrs James &amp; Steward stayed here all night but Jean, Adelena and Fred Johnson who was with them stayed down town at the James. Cooler and cloudy to-day.</p> <p>Sunday August 27th</p> <p>All hands went to church this morning. We all went down in Mr. Jame's car although it was quite a squeeze and Dad. was scared half to death. After church he went up to cut the tail of another pup Huby got from the same litter as his first two. I stayed down at Aunty's for dinner and the rest all went over in the car and also Winnie and Miss McAlpine a friend of hers from Caledonia. Jean and Adelena went over too but Mrs. James stayed down at the old James and Mr. James brought the car back and stayed there to dinner. Dick wasn't in church but walked over and was there when the bunch arrived. They said he didn't get down town till about four o'clock this after noon, then they all went down except Dad. who had to keep his eye on the sleeping baby When I got home long after six Dad. was just getting out to do chores as the baby had just wakend up and he daren't leave him before. The others didn't come home till about ten o'clock I guess and Dad. the baby</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>and I had our tea alone. Jean and Adelena came back with them to-night. I had a very nice after noon Went over to the Herring's cottage and found that Miss Bain, Miss Whitney, Lewis Woodson &amp; Douglas Skey had walked to Port Ryerse for a picnic and Louise had gone part way with them but was coming back so I went down and met her just a little way up with the little Cook girl. We came back and went down town to call on Ada. She wasn't home when we first went up but we sat down and she appeared presently so we spent the rest of the after noon there. I stopped in at Aunty Alice's on my way home and got some corn. I also rat across Uncle Ward on my way home and he showed me his different potato patches which are as clean as a whistle but nothing on them. We didn't make any arrangements for a hay load party this after noon as Louise has hay fever and says she wont be able to go but insists upon us having it. Cooler to-day we had quite a shower this morning.</p> <p>Monday August 28th ( ) "Another dry moon" says Aunty Alice though still scoffed at by Dad.)</p> <p>The automobile party left here about eight or a little after they didn't get away quite as soon as they had hoped and had to go down town I suppose to pick up Fred. We were late getting out and Dad. and I went out to our anchor posts again while Frank cleaned some perch he got from Mrs. Quanbury. We spent most of the morning getting the stakes lined up to suit us as we were in a sort of a quandry what to line to or sight from, but at last we started to sink the holes and trust to luck at having them straight. Charlie Ivey and Bob. Leitch were out on the road fixing the hole in the road over the culvert. This after noon Frank and I took Joe and Belle down town on the waggon to get some cement and a couple of 7/8 inch rods for reinforcement to the anchor posts. They were nine feet long and cost us 85 cts apiece the cement was $1.55 a bbl {barrel}, so we figured the posts would come pretty high when we got them built. When we got home we went over to Art. Quanbury's and got his flat rack to mix our cement on. Dad. started out after dinner to plow but had to change the shear on his plow and spent most of the after noon getting the old shear off so didn't get back till about four o'clock or half past. He got a few rounds plowed but says it is very hard but not the least bit bumpy. Quite cold this morning &amp; night. Cool all day.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Tuesday August 29th</p> <p>Dad. has been plowing all day. Frank and I put up one anchor post. We didn't get started till about nine o'clock and didn't know what sized batches of grout to mix up so it took us till after one to get the thing finished. We didn't like to leave till we had dinner for fear the two batches wouldn't knit together. We used nearly a bag and a half of cement which Dad. thought was too much but he asked John Wess and he said that was about what he used. Dad. came out at noon and helped us finish. Art. Quanbury stopped on his way to and from the farm to make a few suggestions. He thought the reinforcing was too expensive and thought that pipe posts which could be got for 26 cts apiece and were 7 ft long would do as well but John Wess didn't think they could be much account at that price. Dad. saw him this after noon. Art. also thought that stubs in the ground for braces instead of full length posts would be just as good but John Wess says not for him. He says if it is not wired from the top of the brace posts it is bound to give a little at the bottom when the ground is soft and an inch give at the bottom gives enough at the top to let the fence go slack, so I guess if we want to be sure of things we hadn't better try to cut down expence. This after noon Frank and I put down or nearly did two more holes. We didn't get started till late as we were doing chores. Cooler.</p> <p>Wednesday August 30th</p> <p>We ran the binder out of the barn this morning and Dad. helped us try to get all the sheep in the barn to separate the rams from the rest of the flock but they didn't want to go in the barn so we left them till noon and Dad. went back and plowed and Frank and I went out and took the mould off our anchor post and spent a good part of the morning admiring it. It certainly looks fine but we won't be able to stretch the wire to it for a year yet and I know I will be scared stiff then for fear it will break. Lewis Woodson came over while we were at it and invited me down to Supper to-night. Aunty, Aunty Alice and Cousin Clare all came over to dinner. Frank and I spent the remainder of the forenoon gathering the</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>burs out of the orchard so that the sheep wouldn't get them in their wool. After dinner we managed to get the sheep in the barn and separated the rams and put them over in the orchard. We had all the "women folks" out helping us and then had quite a time of it. Dad. didn't get started back till about three but plowed till six. After he went back Frank and I put up a gate at the end of the orchard in to the lane so that the sheep could run on the wheat stubble and old {meadow?} but not get under the bars. Frank then went down town to get a plow shear sharpened and I cut the weeds in the front lane and some thistles in the sheep pasture I quit a five and got ready and went down to the Woodson's for tea. Louise Herring and Amy Bain were there so I had a very pleasant time. We had a game of croquet before tea and afterwards all went down to the picture show and then around with the girls to the cottage where we had watermelon and cake and joked around till twelve o'clock. Cooler to-day and quite cold to-night.</p> <p>Thursday August 31st</p> <p>Ben Ivey was over last night to get Dad. too look at a lame sow, and said he wanted to get some help for the next two weeks to get his work all finished and then he is going back on the road for the winter, so Frank went over this morning to pick tomatoes for him. Dad. went over to see his sow and says she seems to have sprained both of her front fetlocks. Ben knew it was some thing like that as she did it going down the hill at the gully. One of our ram lambs got back with the ewes out of the orchard and I put him back but I couldn't find out where he escaped. Dad. went back and plowed till noon and I deepened one of our anchor post holes enough to build the post although I didn't put it down the full five feet. It took me long enoug to put it down six inches more. I also got sand enough measured out to make a batch of grout to fill the hole to ground level. This after noon Frank had to go back to Ben's for awhile so Dad. helped me put up another post and it took us all the after noon. Tommy Jackson and Lorne came along and talked for an hour. Tommy said we were very foolish to pay such a price for our centre rods that we could get angle posts just as good and strong for thirty cents. He also told</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>us to be sure to keep the post well watered. Frank got through at Ben's early as Ben went to Brantford and so Frank borrowed his rack and went down and got eight more bags of cement. He and I went out after tea and loosened the nuts on the mould as John Wess said it would warp if we didn't. Cold nights &amp; hot day.</p> <p>Friday September 1st</p> <p>Frank worked at Ben's all day raking (with our rake) and hauling &amp; stacking clover seed. Dad. plowed this forenoon and I went out and took the moulds off our post and deepened the other hole for the brace post. This after noon Dad and I put it in. We made it tall like John Wess said but Dad. and I had a hot argument about it. He was bound that with a stub in the ground and a wire from the top of it to the bottom of the anchor post and a brace from the top of the anchor post to the top of the stub or the same point as the wire went that the anchor post would give more at the top than at the bottom if the stick gave at all in soft ground {Toby has sketched a drawing of his description} and I was bound that it couldn't, if it came at all it had to come at the bottom as at the top because if the top gave an inch the brace would free the stub an inch at the point where the wire bore on it and that would free the wire an inch over at the stub and unless it stretched which I don't think it does it would pull it an inch at the anchor post and as it is fastened to the bottom of the anchor post it would have to come an inch with it and yet the top couldn't come more than an inch on account of the brace. It looked plain enough to me but Dad. had got some idea in his head that as a thing always moves faster at the top than at the bottom the anchor post would have to cant if it moved at all and I couldn't convince him any other way. We argued most of the dinner away and all the time we each knew we couldn't convince the other and that if we did the other wouldn't admit it so we finally quit. I went down town to-night to see Helen Dunkin who with her mother is keeping house at the Rectory while Mr. &amp; Mrs Johnson is away on his holidays. It rained a little shower and wet things up a little so I stayed at Aunty's all night.</p> <p>Saturday September 2nd</p> <p>Frank worked at Ben's all day and Dad. plowed but didn't quite finish as he didn't get out till about three</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>{This is a repeat of the previous page}.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>o'clock after dinner. I didn't get home this morning till about eight or after and by the time I got my clothes changed and some chores done it was getting pretty late to start anything. I went out and wet down the three anchor posts and then decided to get Dad. to help me carry out a gate to measure the proper distance between the next post we are going to build and the first one we built, so I didn't start another post hole but went back to where Dad. was plowing and on over to where John Wess was hauling out manure with his new Massey-Harris low down manure spreader, he says he likes it to load much better than the high ones but I don't believe it spreads as well as it has an endless apron and no tailboard to hold the manure up to the beater. I started the argument with him about the brace posts and he explained it satisfactorly by saying the wire would stretch, which I didn't know and of course it is easily seen that there is not nearly the strain on the wire whent it is fastened to the long brace post on at the top as when it is fastened to the stub because as Dad. said the natural tendency for the brace post would {Toby has sketched a drawing of his description} be to move faster at the top than at the bottom but it can't with out taking the bottom of the anchor post with it. This after noon</p> <p>Dad. and I took the gate out and meausred between the posts and as we were putting it back Whit Dixon came in and talked for quite awhile. He told us that Bagley &amp; Miller had their store advertised for sale in the "Globe". When he went Dad went back to plow and I did a few chores then caught three of Jack Martin's roosters and took them home. The fourth one was out in the field somewhere so I didn't take him. From there I went down to the mill to ask Charlie Ivey the address of Silverwoods Lmtd. to ship my crate fattened chickens to. When I got back from there I caught the little ram lamb which had got with the ewes and took him up with the others after first practising a little trimming on him I didn't improve his appearance much this time but maybe another operation will. I went down town to-night and got my hair cut. Nice day but almost frosty to-night.</p> <p>Sunday September 3rd</p> <p>We all went to church this morning, Loudon &amp; Jack Ivey came over just before church in their car to have Dad. look at Jack's dog again which has distemper and which Dad. doesn't think will recover. They took Dad. Enah &amp; Tid down in the car. Sam Law was in too just before they left to see if</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>we wanted to thrash this week but Dad. didn't think we could get ready. Frank and I walked down to church. Cousin Willie officiated as Mr. Johnson is away on his holidays. Every body expressed great delight at the service and I didn't go to sleep during ther sermon. Zeitha Barwell was there for the first time this summer I think and sang a solo. She and I made arrangements for a ride to-night. The Dunkin girls were there and wanted me to go over there this after noon I wasn't very anxious to but said I would go for a while. Aunty and Aunty Alice came over to dinner and Dick was here when we got home, he slept too late to get to church and was disappointed as he wanted to hear Zeitha sing. He and I went down to-gether after dinner and I fooled around with the Dunkins for an hour or more and got home about five. I wanted to get up to Barwell's about six but Winnie and her two friends from Caledonia Miss McAlpine &amp; Miss Lyons were here to tea so that delayed us a little and by the time we got the milking done, our horses saddled and up there it was seven o'clock Frank rode Joe up as Zeitha hasn't a horse of her own now to ride and I thought it would be awkward leading Joe. Frank waited there with Bill till we came back. It was after dark but there was a week old moon and it was cool so we had a great ride down the Radical as far as the town limit and then back up to the brick schoolhouse and accross to the Gravel and down to the Barwell's. We went rather slowly so it was pretty late when Frank and I got home. He and Bill had been back to the Cadet Camp on Fred. Duan's place Frank had been up there this after noon. Nice cool day.</p> <p>Monday September 4th - Labor Day.</p> <p>Dad. and Enah both felt rather tough to-day for some reason or other. They had colds and sore throats, the baby wasn't very well either. This morning Dad. and I went along the east side of the lane and tried to fix the fence at the bottom so that the rams couldn't get under. I then took the other rooster of to Jack Martins and went in to borrow Charlie's buggy for Dad. Charlie was knocked out too. To-day was the first anniversary of the Shand's school reunion of Mrs. Dolly Smith's pupils and all the people in the section got an invitation. Dad. and Enah were going but didn't know what time it was till Meritt Walker came in and on his way out to get Dad's advice about a horse with an colic and said they were to meet out there at eleven o'clock, and have</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>dinner at twelve. It was too late then for them to go to dinner but Dad. thought they would go out after noon so I took Joe over and got Charlie's buggy but by the time they got there it was nearly over - and all they could do was to say Hello! to everybody, but they went on out to the Shands for tea and all evening so had a good time I guess. Frank spent the morning digging at another post hole and this after noon he filled up the hole in the stable floor back of Joe with cement while I pulled the burrs along the lane fence and wet down the anchor posts. We then stretched barbed wire along the top of the fence on the west side of the front lane between the drivehouse and the road where old Harry. bent the fence over leaning over it. After we did chores and had tea Frank hiked for bed as he has to work for Ben to-morrow but I waited till the rest came home.</p> <p>Tuesday September 5th</p> <p>I got up at five this morning but as Dad. didn't feel very well I got the cows and milked. Frank had to work over at Ben's to-day picking and sorting tomatoes. Dad. didn't feel much like working but did chores and oiled up the manure spreader but we didn't get out with it before dinner. I took Charlie Martin's buggy back with out hooking up to it and then came back and harnessed the team and went down to the mill to get a couple of bags of hay feed. This after noon I started a compost heap between loads and we got out six loads of manure on the corner field. Lila was over after school and got a lot of Frank's old school books. Hot to-day and looks very like rain. Flys very bad.</p> <p>Wednesday September 6th</p> <p>We didn't get started hauling manure till about ten o'clock this morning on account of chores and getting a late start, so we only got out ten loads all day. Dad. didn't feel very well either. Frank was over at Ben's all day. Bent took a load of tomatoes to Hagersville this morning and got 35 cts a basket for them on the market. There are about 3 baskets in a bushel. Frank was all alone over there this morning. I went on with my compost heap and did odd jobs between loads. Art. Quanbury was in at noon to borrow the post auger to make some anchor post holes he wants to put in some cement posts He brought it back to-night and said the ground was too hard. Hot.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Thursday September 7th</p> <p>We got a fairly good start this morning but only got out thirteen loads all day. I just chored around between loads. Tom Abbot was late coming for the cream this morning, he said he had been up at Charlie McQueens. He says it is a happy bunch Charlie has just got back from the {Fair?} and they have more whiskey than they have water. Charlie is full as a goose and Bruce is full they're all full, but the womans and Tom says if he'd stayed any longer he'd have been full. Frank has been over at Ben's all day. About six o'clock we had a great old rain next thing to a cloud burst we all got soaked to the skin, but were glad to see it. I went down town to-night and went up to see Marj. she and Glad. Law got back safely. I then went up to Huby's to see Quint all the soldiers came home to-night on a six day leave Quint and I went down to look at the dance The London Harpers were down but their train was late and there was a very small crowd I suppose owing to the wet night and the lateness of the season This was the last dance We didn't go in but saw Joe Thompson and Helen Dunkin outside and talked to them for quite awhile and then all four of us went up to the Rectory where Helen is all alone and were there till nearly one. It began to rain again about midnight and was raining when we left. I stayed all night at Aunty's.</p> <p>Friday September 8th</p> <p>I came home by the mill this morning as I left my umbrella up at Huby's last night and borrowed one from Helen Dunkin so returned hers and got ours and came home around the other way as it is just about as short from Huby's. I haven't done a tap all day. Aunty and Aunty Alice were over to dinner and all the after noon I had a nasty pain so just lay around on the sofa. Dad. went back with the big team and disked on the fall plowing and said it worked fine except for the grass. I went back about five o'clock and got the cows Zeitha came down to-night for a ride but I couldn't go with her but Frank went and they had a great time. It was a beautiful cool moonlight night. Zeitha stayed here all night. Frank worked all day for Ben. Cloudy and cool all day.</p> <p>Saturday September 9th</p> <p>Dad. has been disking all day but didn't quite get over</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>the piece. Ben Ivey was over with one of his horses this morning which has a very bad case of Fistulas Withers Dad. opened it for him but says he is afraid the horse is ruined I took Joe and Belle over and borrowed Ben's little orchard disks and worked up a piece on the north end of last years barley stubble which was plowed last fall and again this spring and which we never got our buckwheat in on for my experimental plots. I got from the Experimental Union this fall seed of winter Emmer and Winter Barley It worked up nicely but will need harrowing and rolling to smash the lumps. The roller is out of commission and I was going to take the harrows out this after noon but couldn't find our doubletrees except the ones on the waggon and I didn't have a clevise that would fit them so I finished disking it crosswise and left it. Frank worked all day for Ben and got fifteen dollars from him to-night Ben paid him two dollars a day Enah and the baby went down town this after noon Zeitha walked home before dinner. Flossie Shand was in this morning and invited Dad. and Enah to go with them in their car to visit Maimie to-morrow. Warmish</p> <p>Sunday September 10th</p> <p>The Shands came in the car this morning for Dad. Enah &amp; Tid in time to get to St. John's church, then they had dinner and spent the afternoon at the Baker's and got back here to tea. Frank and I went down to church and Frank rode home on his wheel to do the noon chores and then came back to Aunty's for dinner Dick wasn't at church but got down to church dinner. Morton Brown the piano-tuner took the services both morning and evening. This after noon I went over to the Herring's to inquire after Louise as Lewis Woodson told me this morning that she had been in bed with her hayfever. She was up this after noon, however, and I was there all the after noon, Ada came over and we all three walked down town. Louise gave me a pressing invitation to stay to tea but as I didn't know that Dad. would be home I told her I had to come back to do chores but promised to be back after tea. I did go over but was rather late as I met Marj. &amp; Glad Law coming out of church and walked down to the pier with them. When I got to the Herring's, Lewis &amp; Louise had gone home with Ada, but they came back before I left, and I was there for about an hour. Mrs. Woodson invited me in on my way home to have a piece of cake and I was there for another half hour. Huby and Quint went to the Point yesterday with the Iveys and were to have been back this after noon. Cool and breezy.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Monday September 11th</p> <p>Sam. Law went past this morning and asked Dad. if he would be ready to have them pull in here this after noon after they thrashed Ben Ivey out but Dad said 'No.' However on thinking it over he thought it would be better to thrash before seeding so as to have some feed and so I went down with the big team and waggon and got a load of slabs while Dad. cleaned out the barn and got all ready for them. I was down about all morning but got a good load. Enah went down with me and got some vegetables and some dandy tomatoes over at her mother's and I brought them home on the load. This after noon Dad. went over to Ben's to see Sam but John Wess had spoken to him over at Charlie's so he has to go there next but will be here to-morrow, probably by after noon as they just moved to John Wess to-night and didn't thrash any. I didn't do anything much this after noon. My cold made me feel rotten and I went in the house and went to sleep. Dad. continued to prepare.</p> <p>Tuesday September 12th</p> <p>I walked down town right after breakfast and got some meat for the thrashers and spoke to Chris for a man from Martins and also told Aunty &amp; Aunty Alice. They came over about noon. Quint was over for a few minutes this morning in civilian clothes. He has to go back to Camp Borden this after noon. He says he is pretty sure they will get another leave before they go overseas and some of them think they won't go over this winter but stay in Simcoe again. The thrashing outfit pulled in and got all set up before dinner and we got thrashed out early in the after noon Frank Odd. and Pickford were the only two extra men we asked for but old Tom came up and said Sam had sent him to pay us for helping him at Pickford's. Ben let Frank off for the after noon. I felt pretty rotten but pitched on the feeder. We only got 115 bushels of oats &amp; barley and about 25 bushels of wheat. The grain is small but nice The wheat I think has a little midge in it. I didn't do anything after we finished. Tonight Dad. and I went over to Quanbury's and each had a good hot bath in their bath tub. Looked like rain but didn't come.</p> <p>Wednesday September 13th</p> <p>I had to take Joe down and have her shoes set this morning before I went to Simcoe for the buggy</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>so I rode her down. When I got there I found she had lost one front shoe so Bert Greenbury had to put a new one on. Bob Law and Albert Newcombe were in the shop and there was great interest evinced all around in a story Greenbury had told about young Fred Misner out here on Clark Mathews place giving Val. Leany a trimming last night. It seems they were up at McBains where Val. was hauling some lumber for McPherson &amp; Nunn and made some uncomplimentary remarks about Farmers whereat Misner indulged in some repartee that Val. said he had never taken from anyone. Fred. then remarked that he would have to take it this time but Val. thought differently and got off his waggon, came back and made a "pass" at Misner, but Misner "wasn't there" but was there presently with a clip on the jaw for Val. which sent him to his knees, Val got up and clenched but Fred got away and hit him again, and then again this time flooring him, then George Nunn stopped the scrap. Nobody seems to know much about Misner but he must be a pretty good man to handle Val. I waited over at Aunty's till Joe was done. I rode up town to post a letter before I went home and met Louise Herring and her mother so said good-bye to them as they are to leave to-night. This after noon I rode to Simcoe but didn't get started till after two. When I got just above the half-way-house I found Joe had lost the new shoe Bert put on this morning so I had to go pretty slowly the rest of the way up and all the way home. I got the buggy and it looks fine and has a dandy set of wheels on it. I stopped to get the evener for the spreader at Anderson's and some rock salt at Edmond's and it was after eight when I got home. I found I had left Joe's halter in Simcoe. Dad. has disked all the after noon. Frank is getting to be king over at Ben's. Ben has to leave to-morrow night for Brantford, and then Frank will have to run the ranch and boss Mrs. Bush who is picking tomatoes.</p> <p>Thursday September 14th</p> <p>Dad. disked all day and has the field pretty well cut up but there are still a lot of grass and weed roots in it. I drove down this morning to get Joe's shoe put on and took the baby with me and left him at Aunty's while I went on up town to get some things and see if my chicken crate came to ship my live cockrels to London but it hadn't I saw Huby for a while and it was just about noon when we got home. They heard from Aunt Hattie and she expects</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>to arrive here to-morrow night. This after noon I just chored around and got all the loose straw around the stack packed in the barn. Helen and Mrs. Dunkin were over to call on Enah to-night. It sprinkled rain this afternoon and evening but didn't ammount to much</p> <p>Friday September 15th</p> <p>Dad. disked all morning but had to use Harry &amp; Belle as old Nellie is quite lame. I did chores and then took a walk over to ask Mr. Fleming if we might have his diamond tooth harrows to us on that piece across the gully to rake the grass roots out. He was plowing in his back field next Art Ryerse's and I walked down along the creek &amp; up through the woods. He said he wouldn't be using them before Monday, so that we might as well take them. I went over and talked to Art. till about noon. He was plowing too and Lloyd was disking. They got through seeding about a week ago but when they found this plowed so nicely, they thought they would put in a little more. This after noon I did up the chores then took Nellie &amp; Joe down and got Mr. Flemming's harrows and took them back to Dad. He was just through disking so hooked on to them but they wouldn't work at all as the grass just bundled up thick under them, so he went up and got the horse rake and tried to rake the grass up with it but it wouldn't work either so he is going over tomorrow and borrow Martin's spring tooth cultivator. I took Ben Ivey's disks home and then put the team in. Frank had to go to Jarvis to-day with a load of tomatoes, and had a great day of it. He and I went down town to-night and saw Aunt Hattie. All of Huby's family were down there. I was up for a little while to see Marj. Quite cold &amp; cloudy.</p> <p>Saturday September 16th</p> <p>I had to take Elgitha up to Ham Thompson's again this morning and that took most of the morning as I was up there quite awhile and had an awful time getting her up there alone. She got away from me just at his gate and if it hadn't been for a little kid heading her off I don't know how I would have caught her. This after noon I did chores and took Mr. Flemming's harrows back with Joe and Nellie. Dad. Spring toothed all day and has it pretty well ripped up. He is going to try the rake again now that the grass is loose. Frank and I went down town to-night I killed two of my crate fattened cockrels this morning and took</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>one down to Aunty Alice to test it. Prohibition came into effect at seven o'clock to-night and we thought there might be some fun up town but I hung around till about twelve o'clock and although there were quite a few drunks around, most of them had gone home and things were very quiet. The baby was pretty sick last night and has not felt very lively all day. Very cold wind but cloudy &amp; milder to-night.</p> <p>Sunday September 17th</p> <p>Enah, Frank and I drove down to church this morning and Dad. looked after Tid. Ben Ivey was over for quite awhile getting instructions as to the treatment of his horse which has a bad case of fistulas withers. He is just home for over Sunday and is still keeping Frank to run the farm Aunty Alice felt pretty sick to-day with her cold so none of them came over to dinner, but Dad. went down this after noon and had tea with them. I did chores and started to read this after noon but went to sleep. Frank and Lloyd Ryerse spent the after noon back in the gully and Frank and I did up the night chores. I went down to-night and caught Marj. &amp; Glad Law coming out of church, there had been a Sunday school meeting after a service I saw Lewis Woodson on my way home and said good-bye. He is going back in the morning. Cold and cloudy all day rained a little this morning. Feels like fall.</p> <p>Monday September 18th</p> <p>I took Joe and Belle this morning and got Ben Iveys dray and went down to Burn Ball's after our ten bushels of seed wheat He had it all cleaned so I wasn't long getting it and got back just about noon. I came around by town and got my chicken crate at the station. Right after dinner Dad. helped me weigh up my cockrels from the fattening crate and put them in the shipping crate I had 82 lbs as near as I could make it with the old spring scales and 12 birds. I took them right down so they would go off on the 2.45 train. On my way up town Bob. and Johnnie hailed me for a ride so I took them up home and as Dad. had four bags of barley and oats bagged up so we took them down to the mill and waited for them to be chopped and went all through the mill. They came back to the gate with me and then walked on around the block to town. It is Civic Holiday in town so they were not working. Dick went to Toronto on Saturday and was coming back to-night or in the morning. When I got home I took the harrows out to my plots but forgot the doubletrees so couldn't work at it but took the horses in and started to do chores. Dad. fixed the roller this morning and rolled my plots and the fresh plowing this after noon. Frank worked all day with his tomatoes. He had three women working over there and got 119 baskets but didn't get his {number?} basket.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>order sorted in time to get it off to Brantford to-night. He didn't get home to tea till long after dark and then had to back after tea and also down town. Arthur Preston came over with him in a terrible state of agitation over one of his cows which was acting queerly. Dad. went back with him and said the cow was pretty sick. Cold all day but sunny and nice.</p> <p>Tuesday September 19th</p> <p>I disked this morning on the fresh plowing with Joe and Belle and Dad. brought the rake back again and raked over all the fall plowing with the big team. He got a lot of the grass in windrows but it is of course full of earth. This after noon I tried to burn it and it burned all right when the earth was shaken out but that took a long time and I only got a very little done at this end of the field. It will take too long to go over the whole field that way so I don't know just what we will do. Dad. finished disking the plowing with Harry and Nellie and then plowed a few rounds, he only has one more load and the headlands to plow. Enah and the baby went down town this morning to see Aunt Hattie and stayed to dinner. Some one brought my braking cart to-day but no one saw them. Froze last night pretty hard and has been cold all day but a little milder to-night.</p> <p>Wednesday September 20th</p> <p>Dad. finished plowing this morning while I shook out a few more windrows of grass. This after noon Dad. shook them out and although he got on faster than I did, didn't get many done. I rolled down all the grass plowing and then started to disk it. We just worked to one team Harry &amp; Nellie to-day. Alan Law was in to-night and borrowed a couple of bushels of oats. The frost the night before last froze Ben's tomato plants and the buckwheat. John Wess and old Walker are cutting theirs to-day. It has been sunny and warm to-day but windy.</p> <p>Thursday September 21st</p> <p>I have disked all day to day and consequently feel a little sore in spots as some of the ground is pretty hard and chunky and is inclined to jolt a fellow. I finished disking the fresh plowing lengthwise and started crosswise of the whole field. Dad. shook out and burned some more grass roots this morning but had to go to Mr. Fleming's to thrash this after noon, he got home about five as a boxing on the engine melted and they had to quit. Aunty, Aunty Alice, Aunt Hattie and Cousin Clare were all over to dinner and Aunty and Aunt Hattie stayed to tea and Frank drove them home to-night. Aunty Alice's cold is still pretty bad. Cloudy and showery all day but not enough to wet much.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Friday September 22nd</p> <p>I have disked all day but am not over the field yet. This morning Dad. blocked up the line fence between Ben Ivey and us so that the sheep couldn't get through, they have been getting very wayward lately and running all over Ben's place. He would have come back but Whit came after a steer and they had an awful time getting him I guess. They took mine. By this after noon they had the engine fixed so Dad. had to go down and finish helping Mr. Fleming. The machine moved over to Jack Martin's but they didn't thrash any there. It began to rain about six and we had quite a heavy shower for awhile and then a quieter one for an hour or two. I went down town after tea and went up to the Bagley's for a little while. Louise came up to-night to stay at Aunty's for awhile. I went down there and as it was raining when I was ready to come home so I stayed and slept on the sofa all night. Alan Law was telling Dad. Val Leany's version of his fight with Misner. According to him it was Misner who was doing the most talking and exasperated Val. till he slapped him. Then they clenched and Misner downed him but it wasn't long till Val. was on top and he choked Misner till he "hollered" enough and said he was sorry and he wouldn't have said so much if he hadn't been drinking. So which is the correct yarn is hard to say, but I believe I would sooner take Val's word than Misner's.</p> <p>Saturday September 23rd</p> <p>Dad. went over to Martin's this morning but found they weren't going to thrash as Sam thought the stacks would be too wet, so Dad. came home and shook out more of the grass roots he got them nearly all done. I disked all day and finished the field to-night. Dad. brought the other team back this after noon and harrowed the fresh plowed part and started to roll it. I got a check from Silverwoods to day for my 12 cockrels for $12.24 I was well satisfied as I thought the price would have dropped but I got 18 cts a lb. Cold and cloudy.</p> <p>Sunday September 24th</p> <p>I drove Enah down to church this morning, but Dad. Frank &amp; the baby didn't go down. Frank was over with Ben Ivey all morning. Dick was in church and he came home with us and was here all the after noon but had to go down before dark to feed Mr. Hobbe's chickens as he is away on his holidays now. Dess is in Simcoe so Dick is having a respite from his ardent attention to her. He and I prowled around the farm a little but it was cold and looked rainy so we spent most of the after noon in the house. Enah had to play to-day as Elva's away so I drove her down again to-night. I went up with Marj.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>for a little while and picked Enah up at the Rectory as Mr. Johnson had coaxed her to go down there instead of down home as she intended and Harry Moon told me where to find her. It was raining when we came out of church and rained quite a shower.</p> <p>Monday September 25th</p> <p>Dad. went over to Martin's to thrash this morning and was over there till some time this after noon. They thrashed 800 and some odd bushels. The wheat on his own place went {18?} bushels to the acre but Dad. said it was very dirty with couch grass I went back and rolled and it took me nearly all day to roll the piece but I didn't get a very early start either morning or noon. John Wess came over and borrowed the rolling coulter to try on his plow but I went over this after noon and he said he couldnt work it on his plow. He says it is pretty hard for him to keep from swearing it is just like plowing through loose blocks of ice the way the clods slide around. Mr. Johnson was over here for a few minutes after dinner to bring Enah a book which she dropped last night getting in the buggy in front of his gate. She and the baby went down town this after noon. When I got through rolling I went down to Sam Laws and got his disk drill. Sunny and warmer to-day</p> <p>Tuesday September 26th</p> <p>We got our seed on the waggon this morning and all ready to start out to drill it in when it began to rain and so we had to back the waggon and drill in to the shed. We then went over to the barn and threw the hay off that was on the rack and ran the rack out of the barn, cleaned up the floor and started to clean up our own seed as what I got from Burn Ball will only sow part of the field. It cleared up soon after we got started. A little before noon I went over to Martin's to borrow some bags to sack it up as we didn't want to bother putting it in the bin and then taking it out again when we emptied our own bags. They didn't have any bags over there so I got two or three over at Ben. Ivey's and we sacked up the grain we had cleaned but it was noon then so we didn't clean up any more. We went back right after dinner with the seed and drill and Dad. drilled in all of Burn's wheat. The disk drill worked fine cut through everything and covered well. We had it set at 2 bushels to the acre so I guess have about five acres in I didn't stay back all the time but did a few chores and went back about four and waited till six and then helped Dad. out with the drill as it looked like rain. He and I cleaned up some more seed after tea to-night. Milder &amp; cloudy.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Wednesday September 27th</p> <p>We had to clean up a little more grain this morning and by the time we got it sacked up, loaded and back there with the drill it was about ten o'clock. I helped Dad. get started and then came up and drove Enah and Tid down town, Aunty was having a little picnic over Brant Hill and they went to it. I took Enah up town first to get some things and then drove her over there. Aunt Ida came back last night and she, Louise, Aunt Hattie &amp; Aunty all went over. Louis is going to Simcoe tomorrow as she heard from Annie Bowlby and she got an unexpected call to go back to the war-zone to nurse. This after noon I did chores and finished making enough stakes for my plots, about four o'clock Mr. Johnson brought Enah and the baby home so saved me a trip down after them. Dad. finished drilling the field by to-night and used nearly all the seed he had, so we think there must be a big 12 acres back there. Cloudy &amp; warm Whit Dixon came in to-night and wanted the black steer shut up to-morrow</p> <p>Thursday September 28th</p> <p>I had to go over to Pickford's to thrash first thing this morning but he only had about three loads of oats so it only took about an hour I think he got a little over fifty bushels. Whit came after the steer just as I left and Dad. was just going back with the team when I got back. I took Joe and Belle and went back and brought the roller up and Dad. came up behind me with the waggon and trailing the disks. The head of the bolt in the roller broke again coming uphill but didn't cause any accident. Dad. took the disks out to my plots and disked them up and harrowed them before dinner. It rained a little just at noon. After dinner I went out with my stakes garden line and tape measure and Dad. helped me stake out the plots we had quite a time getting them all square but they are not too bad. Dad. sowed them all broadcast and disked them in. We sowed four plots of wheat my three from Guelph and one of Burn Ball's and one plot of barley and one of {illegible} both winter varietys. Dad. got them all furrowed out before six. Enah and the baby went down this after noon to a tea party at Aunty's and as it looked like rain about six I drove after them. It was raining hard by the time I got there and although they were all ready to stay to tea I thought we had better get home and it was a good thing we did as it turned out to be a two or three hour soaker.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Friday September 29th</p> <p>It was too wet for Dad. to furrow out his field this morning so he did a few chores and I went down town with the waggon and got some shingles also the money for my steer from Bagley and Miller. I was down till noon as I had to do a lot of chasing around after the shingles. They had none at the Widespread and Hawey was working way up on St. George St. on Haymaker's new house and I had to go up there and get him. I got eight bunches for $7.50 I want to shingle the old part of the chicken house. This after noon Dad. went back and furrowed out the field and finished it and I cleaned out the ditches in my plots. Art. Quanbury borrowed our hay rack this morning to haul a load of furniture from Simcoe for Jack Martin's new man Cawley. He brought it back to-night. Frank brought us over ten bushels of potatoes from Billy Laing's who has just brought a carload in at $1.25 a bushel. Tonight I drove Enah down to choir practice. We took Miss Mathews down to the top of the hill but there she discovered she had lost her handbag so went back after it I got my hair cut and then went over to the drug store where I found Dick and Joe with Bob. &amp; Johnny I sat there till half past ten and had a lot of fun, got Enah at Aunty's. Very cold and windy all day.</p> <p>{Blank page}</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>{Blank page}</p> <p>Saturday September 30th 1916</p> <p>This morning I took Sam's drill back home. I didn't get started very early and was talking to Alan for awhile so didn't get home till noon. This after noon we all went down to see the new fish boat launched "The City of Dover". She didn't go in very well as one of the skids had more of a slant to it than the other so the stern end went in first and the other end bound but they got her in eventually without any injury, they then had to fill her with water to get her under the bridge. I went up town and got a tooth filled and Dad. got his hair cut, he drove Enah and the baby home and I got a ride home with Flossie Shand. It has been sunny and nice to-day but cold wind.</p> <p>Sunday October 1st</p> <p>I wernt to church this morning Dad. drove Enah down but didn't go himself but took Joe &amp; Belle around to Auntys and got Harry Ansley's double carriage out of the barn and brought all the family from down there over in it to dinner. This after noon they all went for a drive except Aunty Alice and Aunt</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Ida. Dick Frank and I went over to Charlie McQueen's chestnut trees to see if they were getting ripe as we had quite a hard frost last night but the burrs were tight and the nuts very green but they were big ones and a lot on the tree. We came up to the house for awhile and then Dick and I went down town. We went up to the L.E.&amp; N. tracks and ran into a bunch of girls. Dick took a couple of pictures of us all and I made a date with Bob &amp; Johnnie to go after chestnuts next Sunday after noon and then went down to Aunty's for tea I think Dick must have had tea with Mildred Henry as he was with her when I left him and didn't show up down at the house. Aunty Alice and I went to church to-night and then Marj. and I went over to see Miss McQueen and we all decided to go after chestnuts a week from next Saturday. I went down to Aunty's for awhile before I came home. Aunt Hattie is staying over here to-night. Lovely fall day but cold wind</p> <p>Monday October 2nd</p> <p>I went down town this morning to get a load of slabs but found that there were only a few left at the planing mill and they wanted them so I couldn't get any I came around by the mill and got some chop I had taken a grist on my way down. This after noon I raked up the lawn Aunty came over about four and I drove her and Aunt Hattie down. When I got back Enah had a chicken all plucked for Aunty Alice which I had figured on plucking and taking down after tea so I went right back with it. Dad. has been cleaning out ditches all day but isn't through yet. John Wess was over to tell us he would want his post moulds if it stayed dry in a day or two, and Alan Law was in to-night to say they were going to thrash to-morrow and gave us a bid. Lovely day.</p> <p>Tuesday October 3rd</p> <p>Dad. drove down to Sam's to thrash this morning and got back about four o'clock, he said the oats were pretty good. I finished digging the hole for the anchor post that Frank started quite awhile ago and got every thing ready but didn't start to mix the cement till Dad. came which was pretty late, however we put in a post but had to work at it till seven o'clock</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>We hurried at it and I am afraid got it a little out of line Enah went down to the deanery meeting this afternoon and had to stay to the choir festival or what ever it is to-night, she told me not to come after her but Dad. thought he had better so I went down, it was about nine o'clock when we got through tea so it was pretty late when I got down town and as I expected couldn't find Enah. I went down home for a while and when I got back we figured that I missed Enah as she was coming through Martin's field and Jack walked over with her. Frosty nights &amp; hot days now. No wind.</p> <p>Wednesday October 4th</p> <p>We were very late getting out this morning and Dad. and I didn't quite get another hole dug by noon We finished after dinner and got another post up by six. We had quite a few visitors to-day which delayed us a little. Harvey Shand was past and said they expected a car of crushed stone in by Monday and wanted us to help unload it for the road. We havent done any road work yet this year. Another lovely day hot and no wind.</p> <p>Thursday October 5th</p> <p>Dad. and I spent most of the morning lining up the corner post at the crossroads but by noon we had a stake in that suited us. We just nicely got started to dig the two holes this after noon (we were going to put down the brace posthole the same time as the anchor post as we can put down two as fast as one, one digs while the other spuds) when Jack Highland came along and wanted us to take our bluegrass seed down to the car, so about three o'clock we went up and took our three bags and stopped and got six bags of Mr. Fleming's as he wasn't home, we got three dollars for our seed. We didn't have time to do any thing when we got home as we had to quit early to get down to Aunty Alice's for tea. We had a great time down there. Quint was there for tea but Joe Thompson called for him right afterwards to go to Vittoria I suppose to see the Dunkin's. Quint is home on what we suppose to be his last leave. The whole battalion is off. They have had a bad split in the 133rd. They have had a quarrel with Pratt and wanted him to resign but he wouldn't so Majors' Jackson, Burch and &amp; Lieuts Hammond, Donovon &amp; Capt. Slater did resign.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Friday October 6th</p> <p>Just as we were going out to work this morning (late) Ham Thompson came along to look at the ram lambs so I went back with him. He was here till nearly noon just visiting but I managed to sell him the old ram for fifteen dollars. Dad. went out and finished digging the corner post hole. Just before dinner we took the team and waggon out and moved our platform up to the corner. Right after dinner I took the team over to Ben Ivey's and borrowed his stone boat and we got the pickle barrel (in which we discovered a highly scented piece of corn beef) up out of the cellar filled it with water and hauled it to the crossroads corner on the stone boat. We then had to cut an inch gas pipe and a quarter inch rod which looks as if it had been a hoop for a vat and all of which we got down at Aunty's from under the barn yesterday for reinforcement. All of this took time and so it was quite late in the after noon when we got started to build our post and also quite late in the evening when we finished it and much later by the time we got the chores done and had tea. Dad. and the baby went back after the cows but it was dark and they were in the woods or some place and he couldn't find them so let them go. Enah went down town this after noon and stayed down to tea so she could go to choir practice to-night. I drove down after her about nine thirty and found her at Aunty's. We drove home around byt the post and I loosened the nuts on the mould. Nice day.</p> <p>Saturday October 7th</p> <p>Niel Elliot came in this morning and gave Dad. $45.00 for Spotty and I had to take her down to the car right after breakfast. Dad. asked him sixty but the cattle market has become glutted the last few days. I was down there till nearly eleven and then had to take Elgitha up to Ham. Thompson's. We had an awful time with her and I didn't get back till one o'clock. Dad. dug the hole for the brace post this morning and this after noon we put the post in and got it done by six o'clock. It has been a very nice day</p> <p>Sunday October 8th</p> <p>We all went to church this morning as it was</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Thanksgiving Sunday. I was late as I went out and took the moulds of the post first. Roy and Vernon came up yesterday and so they and all the Aunty household were here to dinner. I left right after dinner and Dick and I drove down town. Bob &amp; Johnnie were waiting for me at the drugstore and we hiked straight for Vittoria or the road south after chestnuts. The first tree we struck had no nuts and the burrs weren't open but we at last got one on Smythe's place that was loaded with wide open burrs and we stayed there till we got told to move on by the family (I suppose) who were just getting home. We moved across the road to the tree back of Farrar's barn which was just as well loaded. We stayed there till it was time to start for home and as we stopped at the Vittoria mill to get a drink and take some pictures it was late when we got home with a pumpkin and Johnnie's hat full of shelled chestnuts as spoils of war. I went down to Aunty's to see Quint as he is going in the morning at seven o'clock and I only saw him for about a minute the other night but he hadn't got back from Vittoria where he has spent most of this furlough at the Dunkin's, in away I'm just as glad I didn't see him when it was his own fault if this is his last leave. It has been hot to-day.</p> <p>Monday October 9th</p> <p>I took John Wess' moulds back first thing this morning and didn't get much else done as we all went down to Aunty Alices to dinner, except Frank who worked with Ben all day. After dinner Dad. Roy and I cleaned out one of the stalls in the barn down there so that George Mitchell can put his horse in and then Dad. trimmed the walks and Roy fixed the barn steps I stood around and watched him and lent a had occasionally Dad. and Enah went home to tea but I stayed and after tea went down to the station and met the first train, and was rewarded by meeting Marj. and walking home with her. Mr. Bagley was there to meet her but as I showed up he went to the picture show where our friend Essie was playing in Topsy's place. I was at the Bagleys for a short while and then went back down home but Roy &amp; Vernon were up at Cousin Loll's so I didn't wait to say good-bye to them. They had intended going after nuts this after noon but it rained this morning and was cloudy and raw all the after noon so didn't go.</p> <p>Tuesday October 10th</p> <p>We were very late getting around this morning and</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>were more delayed by Mr. Horn of Marburg who came to look at the rams. He liked them but thought they were a little "steep" in price so went off to Vittoria to look for some. He came back about four and said he hadn't found any one at home at Smythe's so after a lot of sizing up of the flock decided to take one of the $12.00 ones. Dad. shovelled out some more of his ditches this forenoon and I went out with the team and brought our barrell home from the cement posts and also took Ben's stoneboat home. This after noon Dad. and Enah went down to the Rural School Fair and I picked up what burrs I could find in the plum orchard and started to cut the lawn but didn't get much done at it. Froze hard last night has been cool all day.</p> <p>Wednesday October 11th</p> <p>Dad. has put in most of the day cleaning out ditches and finished to-night. I started to clean out the chicken house but didn't finish Louise came over to dinner and this afternoon she and the baby &amp; I drove out to Shand's to see if the stone had come yet and came home by Marburg. Dad. &amp; Enah drove Louise down to-night and went up to see how Aunty Maude came through her operation it was successful.</p> <p>Thursday October 12th</p> <p>We did chores this morning and I finished cleaning out and putting straw in the chicken house. This afternoon Dad. and I cut down the dead elm in the gully and sawed it up into logs that can be hauled up. When we came up we sawed up some wood. It has been a nice day but looks rainy.</p> <p>Friday October 13th</p> <p>We got up long before daylight this morning and although it was pouring rain Dad. and I went to the Caledonia Fair. It rained most of the day poured part of the time but was not cold. Although the show was a failure in one way as there was no crowd nor any races, there was a great show of cattle &amp; sheep and the absence of people made it easier to watch the judging. We hung around the sheep most of the day and bought a yearling ram for $140.00 from Shield's of Canfield. He took second prize over a $150.00 imported ram of Young's and the first prize ram was Lloyd Jones and a half-brother to Shield's. Mr. Douglas was there and introduced me to a Mr. McEwen from Brantford who says he is coming down to buy our ram lambs, so we had a satisfactory day of it</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Saturday October 14th</p> <p>We just did chores this morning and oiled the buggy and this after noon I got down town by soon after one and got Miss McQueen and Marjorie and went to Vittoria after chestnuts, we went up to Farrar's to try the woods that Helen Dunkin told me the big nuts were in. The woods are accross the road from the house and in front of them but two or three fields back, and there is a lane in to them. We drove Joe in the lane and tied her behind a clump of trees out of the wind and sight of the house. We trailed all through the woods which was nearly all chestnut trees but never found a nut but coming out we struck a little tree along the fence that was loaded and the burrs open. I climbed it and shook them all off and they picked up enough to satisfy them of big nuts very big ones. We then went up to Charlie Dunkin but he wasn't home, we tried a couple of other trees but didn't draw much in the way of nuts. I also took a couple of pictures and so did Marj. I didn't get home till nearly eight. Colder to-day.</p> <p>Sunday October 15th</p> <p>I went to church this morning but none of the rest did. Dad. Enah and the baby went out to Tupper's for dinner. Frank had to do Ben's chores but came down town for dinner. We three boys went to Aunty's for dinner I was in the drugstore all the after noon listening to Dr. Jolley expound his religion which is interesting though heterodoxy. At four o'clock when Bob. was relieved at the telephone by Golly Bob. Johnnie. Said. Davis, Pansy Fischer, Arlof McCarter &amp; I walked around the hill and I went to Aunty's for tea. Aunty &amp; I went to church to-night and afterwards I went home with Marj. who to my delight and surprise consented to go to the picture show on Tuesday with We had a new preacher to-day a Mr. Wright from Huron College. He wasn't bad till he got excited and then he went wild. To-night he was very much wrought up over some of Pastor Russel's literature which had been circulated about town during the after noon. It has been a lovely day</p> <p>Monday October 16th</p> <p>I took the crosscut saw over to Uncle Ward to sharpen and went on down and got him a file to do it. I then went back and cut the corn down at Aunty's and stayed there to dinner This after noon Dad. and I cut up some of the elm logs which he hauled up from the gully Saturday after noon, Enah went down town this after noon to get some thing's for Frank's birthday. Mild &amp; cloudy</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Tuesday October 17th</p> <p>It was too windy to do much this morning Dad. split wood and I painted the labels for my plots and put them in. The wind picked up Art's dray that we had out at the corner to mix the cement on for the anchor posts and blew it right out on the road, broke the cement post of below the ground and smashed Arts dray considerably. We went back and wired up the gully gate on the road. This after noon we had to haul stone for the road. We only got two loads hauled as we had to go down to Sam Law's and get his gravel box so were late getting to the car. Marj. &amp; I went to the picture show to-night. It has been much colder to-day and freezing hard to-night.</p> <p>Wednesday October 18th</p> <p>I was down at the car at half past seven this morning a half an hour before any of the teams came and got quite a lot of the stone shovelled out of the car. I worked in the car steadily till I got the one half all cleaned out but before I finished, they had dumped the other half and Willie Shand helped me clean it out. I went down to Aunty's to dinner and this after noon quit for a couple of hours to go up town with Bob Ross and then home with him to sell him a $12.00 ram. I then went out and worked till six on the road with the rest of them covering the stone with earth, they put it on the side road at the bottom of our big hill. This was Frank's 18th birthday he went to Simcoe Fair this after noon. Cold. They say Hammy Innes has deserted and about 30 more of the 133rd.</p> <p>Thursday October 19th</p> <p>We were all up early this morning awakened by whistles &amp; the fire bell but as it was raining hard and the fire didn't look very big none of us went down. Frank heard that it was one of the tugs either the "Two Friends" or the "Gambler" one was sunk and the other burned last night. It rained steadily all day not so hard towards evening as in the forenoon. We altered our plans a little about going to the Simcoe Fair and I cut strips of tar paper to put around the little trees to protect them from the mice and then after noon pasted pictures in my album. Tom was in for a long time this morning out of the rain but had to go out while it was pouring but Dad. covered him up with waterproofs.</p> <p>Friday October 20th</p> <p>I started to clean out the rest of the chicken house this morning but it rained all the after noon so we just sat around and read. Dad. went down this morning and took a nail out of his big colt's foot and Tupper brought old Pete in this after noon to have him lance an absess on his shoulder.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Saturday October 21st</p> <p>Dad. had to go up to Miss McCoy's this morning to tend to a cow. I drove him up and then went down town and got some stuff and called for him again. He did odd jobs this after noon and I continued to clean up the chicken house. Aunty was over to tea and she and Frank went down to-night. High wind last night. Cloudy &amp; cold wind to-day</p> <p>Sunday October 22nd</p> <p>Enah and I drove down to church this morning. Dick was over to dinner. He and I went down to the 3 o'clock car to see Hazen off and then I went down and fooled around the {dook?} with Wodyer all the after noon. Dad. went down to tea and church to-night. I did chores and then went down in time to meet church coming out, went for a short walk &amp; came home with Dad. Raw.</p> <p>Monday October 23rd</p> <p>Mr. McEwen came down this morning and bought the bunch of lambs &amp; the old one, he gave $100.00 for the 8. I drove him down to the radial at 11 o'clock and then went up and told Ham I had sold his ram but he didn't care if he can use ours. This after noon I drove up to Dunkin's to hurry him up with the pedigree's but I don't know whether it was much use. To-night Frank and I went down town to see about getting a car to ship our sheep in. Dad did odd jobs and started shingling the hen house. Young Ham came and got his ram and paid for him. Lovely day but cool.</p> <p>Tuesday October 24th</p> <p>I went down to the station agan this morning and found if we took the rams down to-morrow night, they would go out the next morning and not stay all night at Norwich, Dad. took Sam's waggon home and I shingled and this after noon helped Dad. move the binder over from the big barn and Dad. cleaned the barn all up. Art Quanbury wants us to thrash in the morning. Cloudy but much milder</p> <p>Wednesday October 25th</p> <p>Dad. was over at Art's thrashing this morning for an hour or two and then came back and cleaned up around the big barn. I shingled and this after noon we took the eight rams down and loaded them. McEwen came down from Brantford as he thought he wasn't going to get the old ram in time but it was all right. Clair Jackson died this morning. Cold, rained all the afternoon</p> <p>Thursday October 26th</p> <p>I was down town most of the morning on messages and this after</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>noon, I didn't do any thing but lie around my cold was so bad. Dad trimmed the ewes all up this morning and we put the ewe lambs in the orchard. Tommy Jackson was in and wants me to be pal bearer at Clair's funeral to-morrow. Enah went down town to wish Lila a happy birthday and got there just in time to meet Aunty Maude who came home with Ada on the five o'clock car. She also heard that 133rd leave for overseas tomorrow Aunty got a letter from Quint. Cold, cloudy and windy all day.</p> <p>Friday October 27th</p> <p>I didnt do any thing much this morning as it rained. This after noon we Dad. and I went down to Clair Jackson's funeral. When we came home we got the Shields ram which came on the eleven o'clock train. Aunty Alice was here to tea and Frank went down with her after tea and got his cobbling outfit from Eaton's. Nice afternoon</p> <p>Saturday October 28th</p> <p>Dad. and I spent the whole day cutting down the dead locust tree in front of Aunty's. It was a ticklish job and we were afraid of it going on the house but we managed to get it down without doing more than break a rafter in the wood-shed. It was a lovely day. Dad. &amp; I caught chickens most of the night.</p> <p>Sunday October 29th</p> <p>We all went to church this morning but Dad. &amp; the baby. I drove Aunty Alice up to the cemetry before church. Aunty was over to dinner. Marj. and I went for a long drive this after noon. Dad. went down to church to-night. I went down after church and paid a visit to the Moon's with Marj. Lovely day.</p> <p>Monday October 30th</p> <p>I forget what we did day by day since Monday as this is Friday and I have not written since. Frank is home from Ben Ivey's and Mr. Clark is doing things over there. Frank has been plowing most of the time and between him and Dad. they have kept the plow going pretty steadily, and if all is well will finish the wheat stubble this week. Frank planted his $5.00 worth of Golden Seal back in the woods on Monday and Dad. Mr. Fleming &amp; I worked on the road and finished Monday after noon. That night I went down to help Marj. and her colleagues decorate the Sunday school and on Tuesday night, Enah Frank and I went down to the Hallowe'en tea and had a great time. Dick and Dess were over Thursday night. This (Friday) morning Dad. went down to see the doctor about his throat. It is so sore he can hardly eat, sleep or speak. I have been getting my chickens ready for winter most of the week. It has been lovely weather most of the time.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Saturday November 11th</p> <p>Frank and I hooked Joe &amp; Queen to the waggon and went down and got his duck crate. When we got back we took Queen off and put Belle on and took the plow out to Evan's as he wanted it to fit the slide on that he made for us, he also sharpened a coulter. It was the old plow Dad. plowed all day with the other. Ham Thompson came over with his five ewes this after noon, and put them in with our {back?}. Cold wind but nice day.</p> <p>Sunday November 12th</p> <p>Frank and I went down to Sunday school &amp; church but none of the rest came down. Dick was over to dinner. I drove him down town this afternoon and then took Enah down to Uncle Ward's to see Aunty Maude. To-night I spent church hour with Marj. as I knew she had a bad cold and would be home and that the family would be at church. She wouldn't let me stay after eight so I sat in the bank with Clark for a couple of hours and called in to see Aunty on my way home. Cloudy and a raw cold wind all day.</p> <p>Monday November 13th</p> <p>Dad. plowed all day. I raked the lawn this morning. This after noon Frank and I took his ducks down to ship to Silverwoods also took the geese back to Al. Faulkner's all but one, Frank's share, and got some more of the locust wood at Auntys. Dad. went down to see Aunty to-night. Cold all day. Quite a snow storm this afternoon &amp; to-night.</p> <p>Tuesday November 14th</p> <p>The ground being covered with snow to-day Dad. didn't plow but we all moved the straw stack in so that we could let the cows in the yard. Cold, raw, cloudy, snowed a little.</p> <p>Wednesday November 15th</p> <p>Frank and I got our butter milk this morning and this after noon went down and got some chicken feed at the mill and went on down town. Dad. just did chores. I took my horn down to Harry Moon to-night to fix. It has been freezing all day in the shade &amp; cold enough for mid winter</p> <p>Thursday November 16th</p> <p>We just did chores to-day. Enah went down to her mother's this after noon and the baby and I drove after her during a heavy snow storm. Art Quanbury got his heifer this morning. It has been milder to-day, but snowed all night.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Friday November 17th</p> <p>We killed the squealing pig this morning. Just did chores this after noon. Bill Donald was in to ask Dad. &amp; Enah to perform at the opening concert of the new Shand's School-house. I went down town to-night to attend the meeting of the club that Clark told me but found that they couldn't get gas so called it off. I called on Cousin Clare, Marj. Mrs. Moon (Harry was in bed) and Aunty. I got my horn. Nice day but cold to-night.</p> <p>Saturday November 18th</p> <p>Frank and I went down with the sleighs and got the rest of the locust tree at Aunty's. This after noon Frank went down and did some odd jobs for Aunty and went down again to-night. I washed the name of the mail box and painted it (the box) fresh with aluminum enamel. Alex Jennison was after a ram. Softer to-day.</p> <p>Sunday November 19th</p> <p>Frank &amp; I went to Sunday school &amp; church. Enah drove down to church. Dick's cold too bad to come over. Dad. went down to see him. I went down town to-night saw Marj. for a little while Essie was at church and then went up to Huby's. Thawed all day snow nearly gone</p> <p>Monday November 20th</p> <p>Dad. plowed all day. Frank was down at Aunty's most of the day doing odd jobs. I did chores this morning and this after noon painted the name on one side of the mail box. Enah drove down town this after noon. The yearling hens have started laying. Aunty Alice came home to-night. Much milder</p> <p>Tuesday November 21st</p> <p>Dad. and the baby were down at Aunty's all morning banking up the house I finished painting the mail box. Dad. plowed this after noon &amp; Frank &amp; I fixed the barnyard fence. Frank Enah &amp; I went down to hear Mr. Fielding's lecture on Malay in the Sunday school to-night. Mild but freezing hard to-night.</p> <p>Wednesday November 22nd</p> <p>Frank and I went down to the factory this morning for the butter milk. This after noon he and Dad. moved some of the hay stack into the barn, and I cleaned up around the wood shed. Jack Martin came over and picked out six cockrels. Enah went down town to tea &amp; choir practice and I went down after her. Much milder to-day.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Thursday November 23rd</p> <p>It rained nearly all day. Ham &amp; Bert Thompson came over this morning and bought all the thin roosters at 12 1/2 cts. Frank and I took them down after dinner I got $9.38 for them. I stopped in at Jack Martin's on my way home and he paid me $18.07 for eggs &amp; cockrels. We picked three chickens in the shop this morning Harry Smith from the Lake Shore was in for about an hour to ask Dad about a sick cow.</p> <p>Friday November 24th</p> <p>Frank &amp; I went down town in the waggon this morning. I banked some money and sent Douglas a checkqe for my note. $84.80. Just did chores this after noon. Dad. cleaned ditches this morning and plowed this after noon Went down to the first meeting of the club to-night in Mrs. Belle's cottage. There was quite a crowd there both boys &amp; girls and we had a big time dancing &amp; picking up a row. High cold wind. Freezing</p> <p>Saturday November 25th</p> <p>Dad. banked up the house this morning and I dug up the border where the hedge was and protected the three tea roses Aunty was over to tea. Frank and I moved the bees in the colony house to-night. Frank went down town with Aunty &amp; Dad. &amp; I tested the pullets to-night. Freezing all day very cold night.</p> <p>Sunday November 26th</p> <p>Frank and I went to Sunday school and church and I went up to Huby's for dinner and telephoned to Charlie Dunkin for the number of his Beattie ram. Came home soon after dinner and did chores. Dad. went down to tea &amp; church. I went down to church and sat around the bank for awhile before I came home. Very windy but milder.</p> <p>Monday November 27th</p> <p>I spent most of the morning getting the sheep records ready and this after noon took them down and got a postal note for the fees and sent them off. Frank &amp; Dad. took up the barbed wire off the old fence along the road. To-night Enah Frank &amp; I went down to see "The Prince &amp; the Pauper" at the picture show It was very good. Very mild, not freezing to-night.</p> <p>Tuesday November 28th</p> <p>Rained all day but not hard. Frank &amp; I threw of the load of hay this morning Dad. packed his pork. This after noon he dug ditches and I cleared up the headland along the gully fence near the east of the fence. Enah went down town and got an old root of a tooth pulled out that has been bothering her. Read "The Lost World" by Conan Doyle till near mid-night</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Wednesday November 29th</p> <p>Frank and I went to the factory for butter milk this morning &amp; took Joe &amp; Queen Dad. finished plowing the field. This after noon Frank &amp; I went to the mill for some chicken feed, and then he &amp; Dad took Elgitha up to Ham's again. He has a new bull. It has been a nasty rainy day &amp; raining to-night.</p> <p>Thursday November 30th</p> <p>Dad &amp; Frank plowed in the plum orchard to-day but not at the same time, Dad. dug some more ditches. This after noon he went to Mrs. Fawcett's funeral. I did chores &amp; dug the sod off the border in front of the hedge border. To-night I went down town to get my hair cut but Corny was closed up it being Thursday. Cloudy &amp; raw.</p> <p>Friday November December 1st</p> <p>Frank finished plowing the plum orchard and he &amp; Dad. got started on the field back of the old barn. I worked around in front of the house most of the day. To--night I went down to the club. Fine day &amp; windy.</p> <p>Saturday December 2nd</p> <p>We got out early this morning and got a good day in plowing. I put manure on the roses &amp; beds in front of the house and this after noon helped Frank shingle on the cow stable roof while Dad. plowed. Lovely day, mild.</p> <p>Sunday December 3rd</p> <p>Frank and I went down to Sunday school &amp; church. Enah Dad. &amp; the baby stayed down at Aunty's to dinner. I drove down after dinner and Dad. took Aunty Alice up to the cemetry. I sat around the bank all the after noon &amp; went down to Aunty's for tea Aunty, Aunty Alice &amp; I went to church to-night.</p> <p>Monday December 4th</p> <p>Dad. &amp; Frank plowed all day between them, Frank and I cleaned some more ditches and shingled some more of the cow stable roof. It was a cloudy, drizzly day. Got word to-day that they want the Beattie ram's certificate at Ottawa.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Wednesday December 6th</p> <p>Went down alone after butter milk this morning Had to go slow as Joe lost a shoe yesterday. Didn't do much this after noon Went down to tea at the Barwell's to-night and Zeitha &amp; I went over our parts in the cantata and then went down to a rehearsal in the Sunday school. Dad plowed all day to-day &amp; yesterday. Cold wind but sunny.</p> <p>Thursday December 7th</p> <p>Dad. plowed all day. Enah and I went down town this morning and I got Joe's shoes set. Frank and I went down to a practice to-night in the Sunday school and then I went over to church after first going up to see letters from Quint &amp; Roy Dell at Huby's I didn't get to bed till two o'clock as I was fooling around with Joe &amp; the Dunkin girls.</p> <p>Friday December 8th</p> <p>Dad. got in a good day plowing to-day and is now finished all but the head-lands. Frank and I measured the field this morning &amp; found it had about {6?} acres in it. This after noon I took the baby down to Aunty's to stay all night and then got Marj. and Uncle Ward and brought them over to tea and we all went out to the opening of Shand's new school house and had a high time. Dick couldn't get over. It has been a lovely day but cloudy at times and rained to-night.</p> <p>Saturday December 9th</p> <p>Dad. and I had to go out and help move Harvey Shand's piano home from the school house but it was snowing early so we didn't go out very early and then had to wait till Harvey Shand got back from town but we helped the trustees clean up. We didn't get home till the middle of the after noon. Fozen up tight to-night very blustery.</p> <p>Sunday December 10th</p> <p>I went to Sunday school this morning and to church both times. Dick was over all the after noon as Dess is in Brantford. I went over to a Sunday school meeting to-night and then up to Miss Martin's and then up to the bank. Freezing hard to-night but nice day</p> <p>Monday December 11th</p> <p>Did chores this morning. This after noon got some stuff at the mill. Ham Thompson got his sheep and showed me how to bleed &amp; dry pick a chicken. Dad. went down and rustled some money to pay taxes.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Tuesday December 12th</p> <p>Dad &amp; I killed and picked the 9 cockrels left in the crate this morning and Frank took the pinfeathers out of them. I got some of them stuck in the brain alright but some I didn't. I went over to Quanbury's at noon and got them to telephone to Simcoe to see what prices were like but they weren't extra so I decided to ship them to Silverwood's. I spent most of the after noon cleaning the feet &amp; heads &amp; shaping them and had to go down to post a letter. Aunty Alice came over with me to tea. I went down after to a practice. Snowed a little to-day.</p> <p>Wednesday December 13th</p> <p>Frank and I packed up the chickens and shipped them to Silverwoods this morning. This after noon we went down to the factory and got the buttermilk. I went down to tea at Aunty Alice's to-night Marj. Win. Clark &amp; Dick were there. Got the first pullets egg to-day. Snowed enough to make sleighing.</p> <p>Thursday December 14th</p> <p>Put a fire in the shop &amp; Frank &amp; I started to oil the new harness this morning Dad. &amp; I went down this after noon and he put Aunty's cellar windows in. Frank kept on oiling harness but didn't finish Got a letter from Ottawa, they wanted more money for records. Went to practice to-night.</p> <p>December 31st Sunday.</p> <p>As I have neglected to write this for ovwer two weeks I will just summarize the principal happenings. I will begin with the weather as we have had more of it than any thing else and it has been different from any we have had at this time of the year since we came over here being one continual "spell" of cold weather since the 9th except for one day when it rained and took off a lot of snow. The rest of the time it has hardly been above freezing once although never I think has it been quite down to zero. The sleighing has been fine but the skating except for the last few days since the rain has been poor on account of the snow on the ice. We have been busy all the time but just at chores and small jobs I got my returns from Silverwood's promptly and got 20 cts a lb. for the chickens $8.40 for the 9. We have been looking for our sheep records very anxiously all this time and Dad wrote them at Ottawa a rather sharp letter on Monday and Thursday they came Friday Dad. got a very courteous reply to his letter saying they had been very busy. Friday Frank</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>and I took them up to McEwen, had dinner there and went on in to Brantford got some fire brick for the kitchen range at Buck's factory, saw Miss Batersby for a few minutes and got him on the 5 car. McEwen paid me $25.00. We sold four of our turkeys to people in town for 35 cts a lb. dressed One we had for Christmas dinner at Aunty's where all the family except Aunty Maude who stayed at Aunt Lucy's gathered Christmas night and they had a tree. It was a lovely day. Our concert came off and was voted a success by all both financially and otherwise. They took in over $50.00 from 20 &amp; 10 ct tickets. We are having an awful time trying to get chestnut coal. There is none in the country and some trouble with the railway congestion of freight at the lines prevent any from coming in. We borrowed a little from Quanbury's and Frank and I managed to get a box of big furnace coal the other day, but Dad. has to crack it up with the hammer and then it isn't as good. The war is still progressing. Germany has made peace proposals but with such an arrogant air and offering no suitable terms so they have been ignored by all the Allies Most people look for peace next year. We all got Quint's picture for Christmas.</p> </div> transcribed https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/e24bb5a9ccb28eb734a106a783df5844.pdf f5f6446cdbfe46278720af3311cf612f PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. {Inside front cover - blank} https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/72810acae10fa190c822fe03a6f2ec1f.pdf 74f7cb35bc39caaf834ff38e36af0c4a PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. {Blank page} https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/975d7901555d32cbe215868f932ef649.pdf d099b99838e4e410a32129aec7fec867 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Tuesday January 2nd Just did chores this morning and Frank and Dad cleaned out the hog pen and I cleaned out the first pen in the chicken house. Enah went down town this after noon and we didn’t do any thing much outside. Mr. & Mrs. Harvey Shand came in for a few minutes to ask me about shipping some live chickens to Silverwoods. To night Frank and I went down town to get our hair cut but as there was skating on the pond Frank went there and I went down to the station on a chance of seeing Marj. and she came home. I went up with her for a few minutes and when I got down town the barber shops were closed. I found Joe up in the pool room and made further arrangements concerning the dance Thursday night but it is so much milder to-night I am afraid the sleighing will be spoiled, in which case we won’t go. He & I both went home with Bob. and then I went down to Aunty’s they were all up at the Hardings' but left a note saying they would be back at ten so I sat down and went to sleep till they came home. There is a report around that Herb. Brooks, Sam George and Charlie Cawley were all killed the same day and before they had been in the trenches {illegible} but most people think it is false as there has been no word officialy. Wednesday January 3rd We tied Bobbie up again this morning and Dad filed down his {this sentence is incomplete} https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/1040f3977b62ef47f2fa6be624acef94.pdf 9f4e83a15a2f8781ed9c2ff47273b62d PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. so to-night I went down to go although I know I was getting a cold but I saw Joe and he said the dance had been cancelled on account of the roads so I went down to Aunty's for a few minutes and then started to go to the club but changed my mind and went in to see Zeitha, she and I had a game of chess which she beat and I got home a little before twelve feeling rotten with a cold. Very mild & soft. Winnie was over all the after noon and Frank went down with her and went skating Friday January 5th I felt pretty bad with my cold to-day and didn't get up till about nine o'clock and didn't do any thing in particular all day but as it rained nearly all day there wasn't much to do any way. It cleared up to-night and I went down to see Marj. for a little while Mrs Moon and Mrs. Misner were there. Mrs. Moon had a letter from Laura reading it aloud. She is at Malta now. I came back to Auntys and stayed all night. Miss Harding is staying there for a few days now Saturday January 6 I didn't get up till late this morning and had breakfast at Aunty's Dick and I went down and tried the creek after breakfast and it seemed pretty fair. I stopped in at Jack Martin's to see about getting some roosters and he said he would get some ready for Dad. & Frank to get as I expect to go to Guelph on Monday. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/1e3cb790ada3e99e1e734bd13f09b654.pdf 7671cdbb8153fb12c4141a2a87a293d2 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. {This is a repeat of the previous page.} https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/29a69dbda7d497d30515f91716b0b0ac.pdf 814cea384e1befbd45b0f678e7e53ede PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. {Toby's father picks up the diary writing} Monday, January 8th I was up at 4-45 this morning, and the others were up soon after to give Toby an early start for Guelph. Frank walked down with him and when he came home he told us that Tobe missed his car and went down to Aunties it was most provoking, however, I went down at noon to go to the station with {illegible?} and she told me that Tobe had gone on the 9 O'Clock car. Frank and I cut a little wood, (oak limbs) in the morning in the after noon we did little but chores. {Vie?} and Arthur were over this afternoon. Frank has gone skating tonight. Lovely day but windy. Tuesday, January 9th Frank and I put the partition in the old barn nothing of importance happened. Tom came for the cream. Frank has gone down to get his hair cut tonight. It has been mild and cloudy all day rained and snowed a little this morning https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/6637e0b7656bd880f9ba6003007257ab.pdf b1cf97762fbcd51def52286ce4609c80 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Friday, January 12th Frank and I hoped to get the last of the old trees down home cut to-day but did not manage it. It was so late when we got all the chores done we thought we would have an early dinner and go immediately after, but Art Quanbury came after me to look at his heifer then when we got down town we could not get a ladder. While we were there John H. McBride came to see me and we came home with him. Just as we had finished tea Guy Tuple came for me. This has been the coldest day so far this Winter 20° below, not so cold tonight. We had a fine letter from Tobe to day and the card we should have received on Tuesday. Frank feels miserable tonight lower back. Saturday, January 13th Frank is about all in. He did go over to Bens and fed the chickens but he feels pretty tough. I was doing chores most of the day. Hubert come over this afternoon with old Nig. We put him to sleep Hubert stayed to tea and he and the baby had https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/4f10db879050e77d5ff39d4cce3baae4.pdf 2067d40ff786a4093a047c4af52eaf45 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Monday, January 15, When I went out in the kitchen this morning I saw that the poor plants had caught it. They were frozen stiff. I went out as soon as I had the fires going well and fed everything. Frank said he thought he felt a little better and would get up as soon as it got a little warm. He has been better today walked over as far as Jack Martins to get the roosters but Jack did not have them ready and said to come at 3 O'Clock, so I went over and got a couple. It is not so cold tonight but cold enough. Tuesday, January 16th Nothing much to report today. Frank felt much better and did quite a lot of the chores. I went down home this morning for a few minutes. Mrs. Quanbury was over this after noon and Lloyd Ryerse was here this evening. It has been cold all day and is cold tonight. They are cutting ice we will have to get our ice house ready. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/8ae9fc4f33109a284c8e75e10fb4d0dc.pdf f4fd25c7a7c3e90f7acd249366b72b0a PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. was too bad to attempt to go down to the Reids the crazy things were expecting to go. Frank has gone down town tonight to tell them we cant get out of our lane. Dick came over about 5 O'Clock he expects to go to New York on Saturday he only stayed a little while as he wanted to get the snow {shovel} for Auntie before dark. {Toby's stepmother picks up the diary writing} Heard from Toby today He is having a good time altho' kept pretty busy. Friday, January 19th We got up a little earlier this morning as Frank wanted to go after the buttermilk. He got started about 12.30 and went by way of town to see if the coal was in and it was not so went on to the factory. He had not been gone long when Tom came with the buttermilk so Frank had his trip for nothing. If he had only known, he could have taken a load of ice to Lea Marshal as they were drawing that day but Tom had forgotten to tell us. Very cold. Saturday, Jan. 20th. I started Friday's diary for today as we did not get up any earlier yesterday but did today so Frank got off this morning at 9:30 instead of yesterday. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/f6f737388c33b1eb23ee420db56b9f44.pdf 0e57a327c39853f89ef4cf8b6d180be8 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. this morning and Dad, Tim and I went to church. There was no fire on account of the shortage of gas so Mr. Johnson, very wisely, omitted the sermon so we got home fairly early. Dad and Frank spent most of the afternoon doing chores. Dad went down town about 4.30 to shovel the snow for Aunty Alice so stayed for tea and I guess went to church. Cold and stormy all day. Mrs. Nells died yesterday {Toby's father picks up the diary writing} Monday, January 22nd I did not get up very early this morning as I did not sleep very well last night it blew so terribly that I could not sleep it rained very hard for a little while too then turned colder and put a crust of ice all over the snow. As soon as we had things fed Frank and I went down home in the sleighs, stopped at Jack Martins and got a crate to send some eggs in to Roy I cleaned the paths for the girls and then we came home as we could not get any ice as no one was there this forenoon it was too stormy I went down to the mail box as soon as Roy came and the first thing I saw was that Will Macdonald was https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/108a5de591e902c1e71d8d1784834695.pdf 7678cd69b9d8e26596e6e44c1d3ea7ba PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. and a bag of shorts, then down after Hattie. and baby. Charlie Butler was in to ask me about a horse that had been kicked and I gave him the certificate for his ram and his ear label. It has been a beautiful day. Thawing in the sun. Thursday, January 25th Frank and I were going to kill the crate fed chickens today. We did kill 4 but it has been a very rough day a regular blizzard, so we got very little done but the chores. The wind has died down and it is cold tonight. Friday, January 26th Frank and I cleaned out the box stalls this forenoon, hauling the manure out on the old garden. Harry Ansley was over to see if we would take his cow and calf for a month while he is away. It has been a cold day with a high west wind, tonight is clear, calm, and cold. Frank has gone down to the dance in the hall. Tim's cold is pretty bad. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/13a6ea0111eed845486a8340b1d42037.pdf 7c66a4479a88114c90c223d85cc4fabb PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. gave Loll a pair, sold one to cousin Clare a pair to Rev J.H. Johnson and the remaining 5 to Henderson. I gave the cows and calves a good oiling, after dinner Frank and I covered the ice with sawdust. It has been a very disagreeable day drizzling rain nearly all day and spoiling the sleighing. Tuesday, January 30th Did not get much done today but chores Hattie washed and baked bread, she and Frank went down town to see the Simcoe dramatic club perform. Tim and I kept house and went to bed early. It has been a beautiful day. Heard from Tobe. Wednesday, January 31st I drove down before breakfast, took Alice to the station and went around by Pickfords on my way home as Auntie told me he was very miserable. I asked Mrs Pickford if she would like me to take the doctor out and she seemed grateful for my offer https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/b7a6827e739dac3af854721217c40053.pdf 57e26f0f0d237e5cca845a57dec2b3be PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Friday, February 2nd Frank took a couple of sacks of grain to the mill this morning to have it chopped but did not wait for it, after dinner I went down to see how poor old Dave is, they seem to have very little hope for his recovery. I think this has been the coldest day yet there has been and is such a wind. I went in to Clares for a few minutes the gas was very poor and there was quite a skimming of ice in the tank in her cellar and the water pipes were freezing. Saturday, February 3rd When I got up this morning I found things in the pantry frozen up tight. I was afraid they would be suffering down home so I walked down at noon but they were comfortable. Frank went down this after noon. The wind still blows a gale and it is colder than get out. We have been able to keep pretty comfortable in spite of weather except at breakfast this morning it was outrageous cold. 28 eggs today. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/49cb9db139c0aca9ba1f65495cdd0f91.pdf e272d4e6ef97b446c819ca6dd12efa52 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. {Toby's stepmother takes up the diary writing} Thursday February. 8th Tobe did not arise very early this morning as he was very tired. He did not do much but rest <s>all</s> until about four o'clock. He then drove down town. It snowed pretty much all day but was not cold. Harry and Frank drove down after tea and brought Aunts Ida, Nese, and Alice over also {Mard?} Sovereign. The Shand family with Miss Grey arrived later and we spent the evening in music. Mr. Shand brought his violin and Charlie his mouth organ and an "Octo-something" I forget what he called it but it made sweet music all the same. It was about 1.30 a.m. when they left. Friday February 9th It was late when we got up this morning as none of us got to bed until after three o clock, so we did not have breakfast until 10 oclock. The boys went up to Mr. Cantelon’s and got a load of gravel then we had lunch. They have both gone down town to a dance in the town hall. It has been very cold all day today. Marjorie Clarke has the measles. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/c2ae134ee29531c17698c4c25a86a4e0.pdf d2db0efa18641cfcc65cdd14b31cc1d1 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. {Toby takes up the diary writing} business from A. to Z. Mr. Marcellus, his assistant was a younger man I think a graduate of the College and also very good natured with a pleasant manner. Between them they made the course very interesting for us with their lectures and general discussions. The lectures lasted from about 9 to 4 and before and after them we had to tend to incubators feed {pens?} of laying hens and bunches of fattening cockrels. Our incubators, all hatched about the same about {0° 9 %?} and they told us we had set a record for Short Course students for hatching At the end of the course we all had to kill and pluck our fattened birds. There were several evening lectures at the College and various subjects pertaining to Agriculture and I attended most of them. Other evenings I spent in different ways going to the show once, skating twice, often spending the time at the boarding house singing with my room mate Charlie Gray while Edna the landlady's daughter played for us. The last week I was up there I visited several of the sons-in law of the family and one night went to a country dance in a sleigh load composed of the church club of which Edna was a member The people were all very kindhearted and it did me good to be amongst them. I went from Guelph to Toronto when the course was over and went down with Hunter & Fred {Presant?}. I saw Fred again in Toronto and spent the best part of a day with him but https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/9d4452918b8a805a7e870ab0999b8e7d.pdf 4068addb7929e4107aac49819d25446b PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. season, and I told him I would see if I could get any one up here to handle him, as I would like very much to see one brought into this district. Aunty Alice and I got home on Wednesday night, after having a tedious journey and a long wait in Jarvis and I was very glad to get home. Frank and Dick met us at the station and Enah was down town and we drove home but upset in the lane, no one was hurt but Joe was frightened and broke the harness a little. The sky in the north-west was all aglow when we got in as that night the big Lithographing works in Simcoe burned down with a quarter of a million dollar loss Enah has written this up for the last few days since I got back as I have not got into the way of it yet, as she said we went to the old country dance in the town hall last night but I went first to see Marj. who has the measles - and then over to club. That was really enough for me as I have not been to bed before midnight for a week but I went on over to the dance and kept on my feet till about four o'clock then I sat down and began to feel sleepy so I came home and got to bed by five. Frank stayed till they wound up and got home about an hour later, consequently neither of us got up very early, however we managed to get another load of gravel hauled from Cantelon's and I took ten doz. eggs over to Jack Martin and he paid me 48. cts a dozen for them, three cts. over the market price. I went to bed early to-night. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/98e3f4aea2da0adb32c15fc8e12cc348.pdf a0b8dcf18bee946b33616c6df63c38e1 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. till after three, the train was so late. When we did get out Frank & I went down and got some groceries and 20 bags of cement which we didn't pay for, but we thought we would soon need it if we got making posts and {Clare?} Deal said the next lot they got in would be dearer and he didn't know how soon they would be getting any more. About 18° below zero last night and very cold all day. Tuesday February 13th Right after breakfast this morning Dad. Frank and I went over to Ben Ivey's and got a pretty good big load of rails. After dinner Frank and I went up and got another load of gravel. There were four other teams up there but we managed to get a load in a new place after one of the teams pulled out. it is getting almost to dangerous up there to take chances as the bank is undermined all around and is liable to fall in any time. We were working Harry & Nellie all day so to-night Frank took Joe & Belle to take a load to Jarvis to a dance. It was a sort of rotten night but he promised to take them. It is not so cold to-day but raw & blustery Wednesday February 14th Frank got home a little after six this morning and just changed his clothes and went to work without a wink of sleep, but was pretty drowsy at teatime and went right to bed after tea https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/4b94d0030ea0d7e9766d1942edf82434.pdf 5e68fc4fb931de5436b64b4fa0ae0036 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. she would get him to call up the Quanbury's to-night. I was there quite awhile talking to Charlie who is home again in bed with the quinzy. They also got playing the new Victrola for me. Winnie was over to tea and she and Frank have just gone down town Frank is going to Club if there is any. Pommers got caught in the wire fence this morning and cut his hind leg pretty badly and is very sore on it. Another lovely day but not enough wind to {power?} Friday Februrary 16th We took another load of manure down to Aunty's this after-noon. We didn't get it loaded till noon. Frank's throat was sore so he didn't stay out long. Aunty and Aunty Alice rode over as far as Mrs. Battersby's with us they were going to see Miss Phipps. I went down there to tea to-night and after tea went up town to see Marj. and then up to Huby's didn't get home till quite late very nasty blustery morning with a lot of snow but quite a nice mild after noon and night. Saturday February 17th Les Dunkin telephoned the Quanbury's that if I wanted to buy seed corn I would have to get it either yesterday morning or this morning. I went up this morning. I got two bushels of https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/6bb7e5a634f0abf861bc5c9f4c2de43f.pdf 88484ae6a080b1cf726a2b035353f568 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. and Frank had quite a bad cold. Aunty and Dick came over to dinner. While we were at dinner John Wess came over to get Dad to look at one of his mares, Mildred I think as she had taken a chill so Dad. and Frank went over with him and were gone most of the after noon. Elva, Said. Davis, Pansy Fischer and Mr. Bloodsworth all came over this after noon. While they were here Aunty and I went down town. I stayed down there for tea. Aunty Maude and Lila came in on their way home from Aunt Lucy's and they stayed to tea. None of us went to church. I went up to see Marj. but found that she had gone up to Miss Martin's for tea so I went up there and came home with her. Fram. Walker drove Aunty and me over this morning and informed us that they had a baby boy, his wife being at Mrs. Lawson's. They are very much grieved down home at the loss of their big black cat. He has been missing for two days and Jim. Mummery told Aunty this morning there was a cat down by the engine bridge, ran over. So I went down before tea to-night and identified him it was Tom all right. He had been cut right in two. He always was terrified of the train. On my way back there were a lot of kids sleigh riding down the hill in front of Ed's barn and accross the creek and one of them lent me his sleigh and I had a ride down the first one I've had down that hill for a long time. Beautiful day but colder to-night https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/c1da9e84d0fe785c5be1bcf0e85fdbad.pdf aa495e7a6cd1acbe37d1da2e795a5d4a PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Wednesday February 21st It is still to icy to take a team out so we have done nothing but chores all day and sit around the house a good part of the time. Lila came over this morning and was over most of the day as there is no school, they can't get any coal. Tom. was in this morning and took the butter milk can he also went up to the mill for us and got some chop and chicken feed. Will Wright was in this morning to see Dad. about a cow and came back after him to-night about six and Dad. went up with him. I cleaned the separator out this morning and we started separating the milk to-night as we get enough to make it worth while now that John's calf is gone. Enah and I went down to church to-night, it being Ash Wednesday After church I went with Marj. down to Bessie Patterson's and was there for the rest of the evening. Enah stayed to choir practice and then went down to Aunty's to wait for me. Sunny, freezing in shade. Thursday February 22nd Haven't done any thing much all day but choies and I cleaned out the chicken dropping boards this after noon. Took 8 doz. eggs over to Jack this morning. Alan Law and Tom brought the butter milk up and Alex Jameison was in for a long visit at noon. I sent in a list of sheep owners around here to the Live Stock Branch. Sunny and milder to-day. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/3dd823c3bb900989ab8a605814bc1e10.pdf edf8c2e81e906f3ddae578eeed3e312f PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Saturday February 24th I went out this morning and pruned the Northern Spy tree but as the wind kept getting stronger I didn't tackle another tree as it wasn't warm enough out there although sunny I then started to help Dad. clean out the pen in the sheep barn where John and her calf were. While we were at it Frank who had gone down town after some groceries came back with Aunty Alice so we didn't do much else while she was here but she went back soon after dinner. Frank got a three cornered file down town and has been sharpening all the saws and making a pretty good job of it too. Enah expected Zeitha over this afternoon to practice a song she is going to sing in Church to-morrow but she didn't come. She expects to go to the other side next week. Nice day but cloudy this after noon and much colder to-night Sunday February 25th Frank and I were too late getting up to get to Sunday school this morning but we went to church. We all intended to go as we thought Zeitha was going to sing but Dad. and the baby were too late. Enah got in about 11.30. Dad. Enah and the baby stayed down at Aunty's for dinner. {Dick?} also stayed there. Frank and I came home to do chores and had dinner alone. Frank went skating this after noon https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/6b886930cb223f71f099df958640d3f3.pdf be4727f4846503524dfa6986ec4c2f46 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. thinks it is high time Dick got a raise, as Dick himself is getting dissatisfied and would like to move some where else. Mr. Hobbes spoke as if he couldn't get along with out him and wouldn't hear of him being moved but said the financial condition of the bank was such that he couldn't expect more wages just now. He praised Dick up highly and said he had never had a bad report, but he doesn't seem to believe in telling Dick this. He, Dad, also got his hair cut and got home before me. I was talking to Ham. Thompson abput joining the Norfolk Fruitgrowers Association and he said if one of us came up and helped him spray he would lend us his spray outfitt. Zeitha was just leaving here when I got home so I said good bye to her. She is going on Wednesday to Philadelphia or near there. To-night I went down again and took Marj. to the picture show to se Mary {Pickford?} Tuesday February 27th I didn't do much this morning but wash out the incubators and get the lamps cleaned up. Dad. & Frank finished cleaning out the pen in the barn where John & her calf were. This after noon Dad. did up the chores while Frank and I got on a load of hay out of Preston's barn for Bob Ivey. Frank borrowed Art Quanbury's team to haul https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/17e02ac912d5e3837b083064677362ae.pdf 0dc953a485f6ae44e553ac2d020dd133 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. went up to Cousin Clare's to tea. To-night Aunty and I went to church where Aunty Alice Joined. Enah was also down and stayed to choir practice and I met her at Aunty's. Huby and Aunty Maude were down there. A very nice sunny day but sharp. Thursday March 1st I spent most of the morning getting the incubators in shape to start. I lit the lamps in both of them. Dad. went down to Aunty's for dinner as Aunty left to-night for Toronto. She is going down for a couple of weeks to celebrate Rebecca's birthday. I didn't do much this after noon but went down and prowled around in Dicky Steven's orchard for awhile. To-night we all went over to the Quanbury's as they have been inviting us for quite awhile to come over and hear their new Victrola. Just as we were coming out the lane we heard voices down the road and waited to see who it was. It turned out to be Dick & Dess who had been out for a walk and were coming to the farm but they came over with us to the Quanbury's but Dick had to leave before us as he promised Aunty Alice to stay down there to-night. It has been a very nice sunny day but with a raw wind. Friday March 2nd We haven't done much but chores to-day. Frank and I https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/71f27b75cbf3edc34822657a1e102c71.pdf 97a0c150b078711c57d38abb66d7f96d PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. some provisions. I killed and picked a young cockrel that was out there for dinner. Tonight Frank has gone down to stay all night with Aunty Alice. Nice sunny day. Sunday March 4th I didn't get chores done in time to get down to Sunday school but drove Enah down to church. Aunty Maude was in church and asked me to drive her over to Aunt Lucy's so I did and then came back and drove Aunt Ida over here while Frank & Aunty Alice walked over. Dick was over to dinner too. About four I drove Aunt Ida back down town and Aunty Alice walked. She said she would rather walk than drive. She stopped in at Uncle Wards on her way down and Aunty Maude came down with her. I let Aunty <s>Maude</s> Ida out at Allan's corner and took Aunty Maude in and drove her home. I drove in the buggy the roads are mostly pretty bare but icy in spots which made it hard for Josie as her shoes are smooth. I walked down to tea and went to church alone to-night. After chuch I went for a very short walk with Marjorie and then went up to see Cousin Loll. I called in at Aunty Alice's on my way home. Winnie was going to stay there all night. It has been getting much colder all day to-day and is snowing quite hard to-night with a strong north east wind. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/32a90699d752a97112a56672dd7c9594.pdf 328d59b3c3bf629542e7a112cbe0b6ca PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. {This is a repeat of the previous page} https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/c384d37da591377a11bbacda8f55b121.pdf 4e0ae2b788d52303fbc93e1929ef6dfa PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Tuesday March 6th We started to chop open the big barn doors going into the barnyard this morning so that we could get in with the sleigh to haul out the manure that was in Johns pen but when we got the doors opened we were interupted by Tommy Jackson who brought over his mare, the same one that Lorne had over last year, to have her teeth filed down. She was a very mean brute to handle and took all {illegible} of us She struck Dad. once in the head with her head and hurt his nose quite badly. Tommy thought our flock of sheep was improving in type. This after noon we loaded on the manure and Frank and I took it down to Aunty Alice's. When we got back Dad. & Frank put what little there was left in the pen on the sleigh and Dad. and I took it out to the old garden. We also hauled the hay for the horse stable and cows over with the Sleighs. Froze hard last night but sunny & mild to-day. Wednesday March 7th We cleaned out the sheep barn to-day. The first load we took down to Aunty Alice and the rest we put on the old garden. I think there were five loads altogether. We found the floor in very bad shape under it. In two or three places it went right through. Enah went down town https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/10e337c33b92e4499397054b3282b1b8.pdf 087b6188a54c12164b5f66073273eed7 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Friday March 9th Dad's tooth ached badly last night so after we got the chores done this morning he went down to have it out, so I went down with him in the cutter and took Mr. Hobbes his three old hens. I went down to Aunty Alice's and waited there for Dad. He didn't come for about two hours and I had my dinner down there, he had to wait but got his tooth pulled. It is sore to-night more from the stuff Bill injected than anything. Lila came over with us as there is no High school this after noon Mr. Barron having gone away. This after noon Frank and I went down to the mill and as they had some {corn?} in I got four bags of it. To-night Frank has gone down to Club. Enah and "Aunt Annie" went over to Mrs. Battersby this after noon. Ada. told Dad. this morning that Alan tells in his last letter home that he saw fifteen dead children, killed from eating poisoned candies which were dropped from a German Zeppelin flying over one of the small French towns behind the trenches. I don't know whether that convinced Dad. that the Germans are any thing short of savages compared with the Allies in their tactics or not, as he always refuses to believe any such stories {unless?} hear of them through other sources. It has been fairly sunny to-day but a cold raw wind all day. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/38bc5271d216db4de642db2aeff57f70.pdf 8a3e36190be51f0a002038e9596320f4 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. but we went to a recruiting meeting in the town hall after church. One returned soldier spoke and a chaplain and although there was nothing wrong with what they said, I think a good many people are getting sick of recruiting meetings as it seems as if the Government was wasting valuable time and money on them with very small results while if men are so urgently needed it would only take the scratch of a pen to enforce the Militia Act, and they would have all the men in the country to do as they needed with. Very mild and muddy. Monday March 12th Frank went over this morning to see Taylor and ask him about his bees. I tested out my eggs and only took 35 out of the big machine and 23 out of the other. The big one had 135 in it and the little one 63 so I thought that was pretty good. This after noon Dad. and Frank fixed up a pen for the lambing ewes in the barn. I didn't do anything in particular. Enah, "Aunt Annie" and the baby went calling To-night I went down to see Marj. for a little while and then down to Aunty Alice's where I ran into a small bridge party and incidentally a feast of cake and sandwiches. Cousin Clare. was going https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/14c07c28ab7ade90da50b328808078bd.pdf fa7d61f1164e55ad4a265bbb0ea52507 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Wednesday March 14th It snowed, rained and froze during the night and has been a miserable rainy fore noon, and although it did not rain after dinner. It has been dull and very windy with the wind off the lake. We just did chores this morning but this after noon Frank and I went down town with Harry and Belle and the waggon and I got some lumber to make a couple of chicken coops to put old hens with chickens in. To-night Enah and I went down to church and I walked up with Marj. and Miss Martin afterwards. Thursday March 15th I have spent most of the day working on one of my hen coops but did not finish, Dad. and the baby went down to Aunty Alice's to dinner so Frank and I did up the cow stables this afternoon. Enah went down to see Mr. and Mrs Alfred Ryerse this after noon. Windy and cloudy all day. Friday March 16th After I did chores this morning I worked at my chicken coop. Dad. lit a fire in the smoke house. Tom came in walking, and said he had been sick all week and that the butter milk can was still at the factory, so https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/6053a048fb8ac48a4c6923af8fff75dc.pdf ce1b9a8feaea78a551e88b269e6d6c0c PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Sunday March 18th I got ready to go to Sunday school this morning but as I saw I would be late I didn't go down but Enah and I walked down to church. Frank went down too but didn't go to Sunday school Dick came over with us to dinner but Aunty had a stiff neck so didn't come. I went down with Dick about four o'clock and went to Aunty's for tea. Cliff Lees was there all the after noon and they were all tired out listening to him. Aunty and I went to church to-night and after church Marj. and I walked up to Miss Martins. She lent me her "Mr. Britling see it through" which Aunty Alice has been going to get for me to read. Cloudy windy and raw. Monday March 19th Dad. and the baby went down to-day to help Aunty Alice clean up the garden. They were down there all day. Besides doing a few chores I took 10 doz. eggs over to Jack and worked a little more at my chicken coop. Frank had to go over to help Billy Mills put on and off a load of hay which Ben Ivey bought from Jack Martin. Ben sold all his own. Great war news to-day British and French have advanced on an 80 mile front to a distance in some places of 10 and 12 miles. I think though the Germans retired with out much fighting, but Bapaume is taken, and it must be a sign of the Germans weakening https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/150e9d67991ead7e637be022e3715323.pdf 5087ce3f50c16f066afc9371c8ab5463 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. to look at the wheat. It is very brown but it is not heavy and seems to be alive still. To-night Enah, Frank and I drove down to church and Frank went to the show afterwards. It has been a lovely day. We still have the sow that Colin Ryerse brought in here last night. It went past here in the after noon with a couple of fellows who were driving some stock down the road and we thought it belonged to them but Colin said it went into their place and the fellows didn't bother with it and as they were afraid it might hurt the sheep Colin chased it back up here, thinking may be it was old Gladys. She is a nice looking white sow & in good shape Thursday March 22nd This morning we did chores and I started to build another chicken coop. Frank is making a bird house to attract some blue martins to build as they are supposed to eat up house flys. We also took some pictures this morning one of the ram and one of Elgitha. This after noon Frank and Dad. went down home to cut the last of the locust trees in front of the house but I don't think they had much luck. I worked on my chicken coops and painted the one. Old Bill Roberts came in and claimed the lost sow. He said he would be after her to-morrow. It has been a beautiful, mild spring day. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/62e243b259cfb3f35be208ed011ba681.pdf a22190625507d0d5cb6c369896055913 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. and then Frank and I took Harry and Belle and went down and got some more. Frank got his flats which Emery cut out for him for making bee hive supers. This after noon we took the little chickens out of the incubator and put them up in the loft under the four hens, two of which acted as if they would be very good mothers and two were cross but we covered the latter up with horse blankets and are hoping they will be all right in the morning. We only got 60 chicks out of the incubator which was pretty poor but the hens only hatched four. We put the unhatched eggs from the hens in the incubator. After we got them tended to I took a walk down to Dicky Stevens orchard. Young Awde and Ferris were fishing on the point and had three little horned ace and the ice isn't out of the pond at all below Goosey. It has been a bright sunny day a little windy. Sunday March 25th On account of having the little chickens to tend to this morning I didn't get down to Sunday school but Drove Enah down to church. We took Belle as Joe had her eye all swelled up this morning. Frank went down to Sunday school and Dick and Aunty Alice were over to dinner. Dick went down town soon after dinner and Frank went with him Aunty Alice went down about four o'clock and https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/69652d3cf49d51407bad2c008a855f3b.pdf 99fddc05e1d42dae78040ad6e83488b8 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. we put the bobsleighs away in the barn. I took six more chickens out of the incubator and as two more were dead this morning I think that makes sixty eight I have now They are all under three hens. I cleaned out the machine and set it again right away with 140 eggs. Old Bill Roberts came at last to-day noon after his sow. She seemed perfectly willing to follow him home behind the buggy This after noon Dad. and Frank fixed a fence accross the yard this side of the plum orchard so that he could put his two bee hives out with out the old ram bothering them. They were all flying to-day. We put them out to-night. I worked on my chicken coop. Beautiful day, fairly hot. Lila was over after school to say that a man would be down home to-morrow noon to cut the telegraph wires so that they could fell the locust tree across the track, so they will have to go down. Tuesday March 27th The weather turned up side down during the night and has been cloudy, rainy, snowy, windy, muddy and rottenly raw all day. Dad. Frank and the baby went down in the waggon this morning in the midst of one of the heaviest showers to lay low the last of the locusts down home, and in spite of the weather, the man was there to cut the wires and https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/0ec28d4906288ee3757717aaf49aaf3f.pdf 18a03e06d859af93b2f6fb7ada9319d4 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Wednesday March 28th Frank went down early this morning to take a file to Uncle Ward to point up the crosscut saw, they left it there yesterday but Uncle Ward told me last night he had no file. Dad. and I took Frank's heifer up to Ham. Thompson's Ham wasn't home but we had a look at all the stock being showed around by old {Name?}. He entertained us by accounts of his experiences on big estates where stock was kept in the Old Country, but owing to his dialect I don't know which part of England it belonged to, we could only understand about half of it. It was getting near noon when we got home but Dad. went right down to help Frank saw up the locust tree. They were down all the after noon and when Dad. came home he had an awful headache but it was better after tea. I just did chores this after noon. There was no service to-night as Mr. Johnson thinks he is getting the measles. Tim has been busy all day making Jennie Millers out of plasticene and shooting them with his pop gun. Cloudy with raw wind all day. Thursday March 29th The Ben Ivey family is in the throes of moving, Ben having bought (so rumour <s>they</s> says) Cliff McBain's house over on https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/f8476402596922b6f06ae56fee7c6ebe.pdf dccb9865d71f33fac1b57a6d18a66ba0 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. and Sam. Butler's barn. Art Quanbury came through just before tea and said it had blown his barn about five feet back and racked it considerably, while his little 8 x 12 shack was turned completely over on its roof. To-day it has been sunny but raw and windy. Friday March 30th Frank has been helping Ben all day again and to-night I guess has him pretty well moved. Art Quanbury came in this morning before we had breakfast to see if he could get one of us to help him straighten his barn out so I told him I would go as soon as I could but as the first pair of lambs arrived this morning, and we had to trim the wool around the ewe's (Lop Ear's) bag it was pretty late when I got to Art's. However Tupper, {Trum?} Walker and John Quanbury were there and there wasn't much for me to do any way. I stood around and visited with them till noon and by that time they had the posts all jacked about plumb so we didn't have to go back this after noon I guess Art isn't going to try to move it back where it was This after noon Dad. and I took the black heifer up to Ham. Thompson's. Ham wasn't home. Winnie was over to tea and after tea Dad. and I walked down with her. Dad. {took?} https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/249bfefc35f314635da5407a265ecaaf.pdf 657947b39cd0bbab5dc92b0a949f2431 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. moved up to the farm but broke the doubletrees on the skid before we got it into place. Frank joined us about four o'clock and we got his pump up and broke the pipe off at the {sucker?} while we were at it. Charle Quanbury came home this morning Another lamb arrived late to-night No 4 ewe. Very mild to-night. Sunday <s>March</s> April 1st Frank and I went down to Sunday school this morning but as Mr. Johnson has the measles there was no church so Marjorie and I went for a walk up the beach.It was a lovely morning cloudy and foggy after the rain but very mild and spring like. Aunty and Frank went to the Presbyterian church. As Aunty was coming over to dinner I went down to the house and waited for her till church was out. It began to rain before she came and has kept it up steadily all the after noon and evening, but Aunty came over and went down just before tea. I went to sleep on the sofa for most of the after noon and read all evening. Enah was reading "Sudden Jim" out loud at the same time, so I got it and "Mr. Britling" a little mixed up. Another pair of lambs arrived about tea time to-night. One of the three year old ewes that has lost her tag. It has since transpired that she was No. 5. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/61a304e93ba25e81d6a390e2ca1742de.pdf 7cb64853f588f7b582c7aad834777585 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. well. She only had one. This after noon Dad. went down to Cooper's and I cleaned out the bay in the east end of the sheep barn while Frank fixed a place where we could let the ewes with the oldest lambs into it. Alan Law came in with the cream slip but didn't bring the cans back. As soon as Dad. got back I went down town to get my hair cut but as I didn't get down till nearly six I didn't go up town but had tea at Aunty's and went up right after tea, then I went up to see Marj. Dad. came down after tea to put their carpet down for them down home as they have started house cleaning. I took three more chicks out of the little machine to-day and set it again, one of the chicks died. Pickford was over this morning he wants Dad to go down and look at a lame horse he has down there. Mr. Duncan was also in this after noon and wants him to go up there to see a lame horse. It has been a very nice day and the mud is drying up fast. Wednesday April 4th Dad drove Enah and the baby down town this morning and went from there up to Duncan's. He got back about one o'clock and Enah and Tid were down all day. Frank and I pruned apple trees this morning. Dad. got a letter from Douglas to-day saying they were going to ship the heifer to-day, so Frank went right down after dinner to see if she came on the morning freight. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/a3c2a9ac22a38836fe0bb6528a8a1c7c.pdf 171b4673910f5be388ca276135ef3e04 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Thursday April 5th Dad. and I went down as soon as we got up this morning to get the heifer. We picked Frank up at Aunty Alice's, he had been at the dance all night but had his clothes changed They were up down there had had toast and coffee ready for us Dad. had some but I didn't feel very well so didn't partake. We got the heifer with out help or trouble and she came home like a lamb. We didn't put her in the cow stable as it is so boggy at the door but tied her in the bay. It began to rain soon after we got home and has kept it up all day steadily, Gus. came over to renew the insurance application and Frank and I thought as we couldn't do any thing else we would go fishing as Frank has been at me for the last two weeks to go. We put on old clothes and went down to Pickford's to borrow his net. He went with us and we went all the way down to Art. Ryerse's and fished up to the culvert. They held the net and I "rallied" as Pickford calls it, but we never got a bite. We saw one. We got home about noon and changed all our clothes and I had all the fishing I wanted I felt rotten as my old rubbers leaked so and I had to wade through the creek occasionally and the water was sickeningly cold. This after noon we went to sleep after reading the paper and I slept all the after noon. I spent the evening drawing. It was snowing to-night. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/d371fdeff295b873f308570d395f6d32.pdf eeb34180169435084f17edf99ab5bcd7 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. and added his testimony to Dad's advice on the favorability of turning out foundered pigs. Ham had a look at all the stock and was showing us his predigrees for his sheep and asking about them. It was about noon when he left. This after noon I started to rake up the rubbish under the old willow tree. Dad. and Frank did chores. Frank walked down to the mill and got a little chop and went down early to tea at Aunty Alices. It froze hard last night and although sunny it has been a cold windy day. Sunday April 8th Frank and I got an early start and went down to Sunday school and then to church. It being Easter Sunday there was a pretty good-sized congregation and we were rather late getting out, Dad. came down as far as Aunty's with the baby I guess he was too late to come to church and he waited there and went home with Enah, Dick went over with Frank but I stayed down town to dinner. After dinner Aubrey and I had a game of chess and then after Frank had come down again, Gladys, Aubrey, Frank and I went for a walk up the beach. Frank and I came home to tea but went down afterwards. Enah went down to church but we were too late. I went for. a walk with Marj. after church and went down to Aunty's for awhile before I came home with Enah and Frank https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/3370800551b72270d43e0b61badf80b0.pdf 0d24436c7c434f7173ab48c5c2b7e822 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Tuesday April 10th I didnt get up till after seven this morning, and didn't do much all morning. Aunty was here for breakfast but went down right after. Uncle Ward walked over and was here for a good part of the morning, he wanted to know what time Colin McNeillige's sale started this after noon. Aubrey Billings came over to dinner and this after noon he, Frank and I walked over to the sale and were there all the after noon, we didn't get anything I bid on the heavy set of harness but Jack King got it for 31 dollars. I got a ride home with Sam Law and the boys walked down the track. Frank went down town to-night but the rest of us went to bed early. It froze harder than ever last night but has not been quite so cold to-day but the wind was very raw. The paper to-day says the Canadians and British captured the Vimy ridge and gathered in about 6000 prisoners in a big offensive where they advanced two or three miles on a front of twelve miles. Wednesday April 11th This morning we moved all the little chickens out into the run this side of the plum orchard and it has been a lovely day for them Sunny and very mild. Dad. Enah and the baby all went down to Aunty's https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/307726d98bcc414cddd79d0443dc86e3.pdf 98a5fd99228114e7386a330faa3dc8b2 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. I went down to a party of Win's in Ada's ballroom. I was pretty late getting there and felt tired and sleepy when I left home, but got rather braced up down there. We had to say good bye to the Billing's to-night as they are going to-morrow morning, we were all very sorry to see them go. It looked very rainy early this morning but cleared off into a beautiful mild fore noon but this after noon it clouded up again and the wind veered to the north and got very cold and is freezing to-night. Friday April 13th Dad. got up early this morning and went down to see the Billings off. He had breakfast down there. We were rather late getting the chores done up but when we did we ear marked all the lambs and put the association number in the ears of last year's lambs. We were just going to mark the little lambs the way we did last year with lampblack and oil on their sides but Frank had been readin in Kleinheintz's book that they couldn't be too young to have the ear tags put in so we thought we would try it. It saves going over them twice and the lampblack and oil makes bad spots in the fleece but we hated to do it to the little fellows. We did the last five after dinner. About four o'clock https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/71b9832236ed7a9f84353cbed1b5f1df.pdf da9c0a6464294479f7eed733dfb11690 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. P.S. Mathew's came over this after noon and got Harry Ansley's cow and Mr. Bagley was over this morning and got a setting hen. a complete surprise. They caught Mr. Shand out in the barn cleaning up seed, he hadn't heard the first few rigs come in and he told Dad. that he had no idea there was going to be a funeral there to-day, that if they had given him any idea of it, he would have tried to have the corpse ready. Flossie said she had an awful time yesterday keeping enough stuff in the house for the occasion as they were supposed to have been all moved down town to-day. There were about sixty people there and they had a very nice time. Dad. had to make an after dinner speech and to play a game of six handed pedro but otherwise spoke as if he enjoyed himself. Frank and I did up the cow stables when we got through reading the paper which wasn't very early and then Frank went over to ask Ben Ivey about some rails, he said he would be right back but stayed to help Ben load his hog pen on to his dray. I went up to Ham Thompsons to ask him about getting spray material as I had a card to day from the Norfolk Fruit Grower's Ass'n saying their warehouse in Simcoe would only be open on certain days. Ham wasnt home having gone down to Bruce Ball's sale. Frank went down town to-night. The wind got around a little more to the west to-day but it has been cloudy and raw and is snowing quite hard to-night. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/1c478e9396a716ee5d8089dc016e9457.pdf cf4294c059477057e577f742ec252778 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. sowing clover seed on the wheat and got over the twelve acres. The wheat certainly looks sick but it is still alive. In a few places it was heaved and a few small patches killed out. Frank took Alfred's spear back to him this morning and went by way of the creek. He went up along Robert John's creek and came back along Charlie McQueens and got three or four more pike and some suckers so he presented Alfred with some of them. This after noon he made a cold frame for Enah to put her cabbage plants in, we will use the storm windows for the top. After I did up the cow stables I walked up to Ham Thompson's again. He said I would need a barrel of Lime Sulphur but that I should have ordered it beforehand so I got Art Quanbury to telephone up to-night to see if I could get it. Art. Pickford, Tupper and Jack Martin were all on the land to-day. Jack's men were drillng this after noon on the side hills. Frank thinks we can start to-morrow. Wind still in the north but milder. Tuesday April 17th Frank got out at seven with the team this morning and has been disking all day on the west half of the field east of the orchard. Dad. relieved him this after noon while he came in and looked through https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/e6ad07d75ae92bc8a7f18572c63f7752.pdf 6e11f1a0ca1031417da4e9ff1748919d PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. price it is. He got 12 1/2 cts for them, but I don't know what they weighed. This after noon I cleaned out the colony house and did a little clearing up around it. I want to put the last batch of chicks in it. Wind in south much milder. Wednesday April 18th Frank has worked on the land all day. He cross disking all morning and part of the after noon and then harrowed. About five Dad. took the drill out with Belle & Joe and drilled in all that was worked up. He sowed my three bushels of O.A.C. 72 oats on this side of the field and only sowed about two bushels of the others as he sowed mine thinly He sowed clover seed with the oats. This morning he and I treated 8 bushels of oats with formalin for smut, we spread it on the barn floor and sprinkled the grain. We also gave the sick lamb another dose of oil and some more injections but it was no good. She died this after noon. We also put three of the hens with chicks in the colony house. Huby was over for a few minutes this after noon. Very sunny and warm all day with a light thunder shower to-night which ought to do the wheat a lot of good if it doesn't get cold after it. Bill {George?} went past to-night just as the storm was coming up and as he said he could see "a bit at all" I lent him the lantern. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/014fba1d2939623db5366c9bce2e323a.pdf 00f5291d665010a40a6b0dadc4327a03 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Friday April 20th it rained another little shower this morning so we have done nothing on the land to-day. Frank went down to Aunty's again this morning and helped them down there in the garden nearly all day, he got home about four. Dad. and I did chores and Dad. finished the cold frame and this after noon he and Enah planted it out with tomato and cabbage plants. I spent most of the day raking up the lawn and looking after the little chickens. I went down town early this after noon to have Dr. Lemmon look at my tooth, the one he filled last has been aching a little the last few days, but he said there was nothing wrong with it unless I had caught a little cold in it. I had tea at Aunty's, Aunty Alice is tired out but delighted at the progress of her work in the garden. Tonight Marj. and I went to the picture show which was pretty poor, I thought. Tom brought back the lantern that Bill {Tearque?} borrowed the other night all shined up and a new globe in it. I guess it was never so clean before.Lila came over this after noon while I was down town to get a job for the summer and in that way earn her certificate at school. It is a rather poor idea I think but they are all going to try it and she of course was very excited with the expectation but I was very sorry to hear when I got home that Dad. had dashed cold water on her hopes and wouldn't give her https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/5b5aa639f591e52c723b6988cf5281be.pdf e065d459b3899a2c154789a014e21473 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Dad. cultivated with the Spring-tooth and the big team on the other half of the field east of the orchard this after noon Cloudy and a coolvbreeze to-day with a little drizzle this after noon. Sunday April 22nd I didn't get up this morning till half past seven although I thought I was getting up at half past six so I coudn't get things done in time to get down to Sunday school. Frank went down and I drove Enah down to church. Aunty came over with us after church and Cousin Clare walked over to dinner Dick was over too. Soon after dinner I drove Dick down town and then took Marj. and Miss Acheson (Kaufman's milliner) for a drive We went down the Lake Shore and up Mud Street. The rest of the family all went back to the gully and got some wild flowers except Frank who went down to the Ryerse's. It was six o'clock before I got home so by the time I got chores done it was too late to go to church but I went down after church and Marj. and I went up to Miss Martin's and got my lettuce seed. We also stopped it at Miss McQueen's for a few minutes. I called in at Aunty's on my way home and gave Aunty Alice a pinch of my lettuce seed. It has been a beautiful day although a little windy. They have had the town flag up to-day to commemorate the second anniversary of St. Julien. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/bd8167cc9e07588817f8f0e962c0d898.pdf 3525aad711f5b71a979119eec3f7ce59 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Wednesday April 25th Dad. and Frank worked both teams all day and Dad. finished drilling the field this morning. They got it harrowed over after the drill and the ditches run out Frank got nearly all over the six acre field west of the old garden with the disks and Dad. got it partly harrowed. I took twenty one chicks out of the little incubator this morning and put them under one of the old hens that was brooding part<s>s</s> of the last batch and gave her bunch to the other three hens. I didn't have a fresh setting hen but that worked all right. I set both incubators again with 220 eggs. I did chores and painted my second chicken coop as it was to windy to do much else. Very windy and cloudy with an intermittent drizzle all after noon. Thunder to-night Thursday April 26th It has been too wet to work on the land to-day, there was a heavy thunder storm last night and it has been drizzling every now and then to-day. This morning Frank and I went down in the waggon and got fifty tile for the ditch. I have been digging to drain the border on the east side of the lawn where I want to set out a hedge. I put https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/a4854fb769fc3279e07bb9d3bdde9234.pdf af80b60fa2b6eb382534d470f0e89352 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Friday April 27th Frank has been disking all day cross ways on the six acre field this side of the old garden and got nearly all over it. Dad. spent the morning working at the mud hole in the lane and got it pretty well filled up for the present He just used the wheelbarrow this morning and got all the earth he wanted right in the lane. I cleaned up some more of the lawn and burned the two big heaps of rubbish down on the road that were the accumulation of two years from down under the willow tree. This after noon I did chores and Dad. and I treated four more bags of oats, there is just one bag left untreated as we may not need to sow it and if it is treated we wouldn't want to feed it. I let the three hens loose that were in the colony house this after noon and chased all the chicks out doors but I am afraid it was too cold for them as I found two or three dead ones. I suppose they had got lost from the others. To-night I went down town to see Marj. She had just been down at Dr. Cooks and Mrs. Cook had told her that poor little Orin England was killed to-day out at Shand's school house when the old wall of the old school house fell on him. They were tearing it down and he was playing inside when it fell, they had left it to-day with just the two walls standing. I got my hair cut before I came home. Fine but a cold northwest wind. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/a854c5a21df838e740d9d77e8390a9c7.pdf 06bc4312e19a4de8b73ffc50512c8f12 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. over the report he had been able to make of the Easter vestry meeting which revealed an extraordinary improvement in the churches finances that he could not refrain from reading his report from the pulpit (I had been figuring on reading it during the sermon and for that reason had resisted the temptation to do so during the first lesson) and enlarging on every item. Aunty was very grieved that the subject should have been delivered from the pulpit as a sermon with a Biblical text as a title and so was I especially after the first half hour of it, for it seemed as if he couldn't come to a full stop. He commended the congregation for their loyalty to the church and their liberality in paying up. He held up John Walkers name as one worthy of the greatest honor and his generosity beyond words when he gave two nights proceeds at the picture show to the coffers of the church. Mrs. Jesse Thompson, we were led to believe, was a saint (I suppose in disguise) and I expect to see her next Sunday with a made-to-order halo from Eaton's, because she was the organizer and is the leader of that noble band of maidens the "Willing Workers" which provided the "caskets" for the choir. Dr. Cook and Mr. Hobbes deserved our deepest gratitude for the manner in which they had conducted themselves as wardens. Poor Mr. Hobbes hung his head in https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/cd55d27b6f2eb6b0afc8895a891b8f4a.pdf f900f6ee092f6f68a7bc3103605b005a PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Miss McQueen. It was drizzling when I started home so I went down and spent the night at Aunty's. Monday April 30th I got home this morning just as the family were at breakfast. Frank disked on the pea ground all morning and said it worked fine. Dad. trimmed up all the ewes and I spent the morning with him although I didn't do much to help. We also docked the two last lambs. This after noon Dad. and Frank went out to England's to Orin's funeral and Dad. took Enah and the baby down town and called for them on his way home. Enah wanted to practice a duet with Mr. Johnson. I sowed a few lbs of clover seed on the oats at the road end of the field as Dad. didn't have quite enough seed to go over it all when he drilled it. I also sowed about four lbs of rape seed on the plum orchard and I think I got it on a little too thick. Alan Law brought back the manure spreader. I gave Tom Abbot a setting of eggs to-night It is the only way I can pay him for hauling the butter milk. Art. Quanbury was in to-night to ask about his new lamb. Milder but cloudy Tuesday <s>April</s> May 1st Frank drove Dad. down to catch the nine o'clock car for Simcoe https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/f4ffa7691dcb09ec17c0176c8528648b.pdf 0743c79beacb6f9ead0c24109e786bf4 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. {This is a repeat of the previous page} https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/5afe738b2b689a1320e90b8dfc900945.pdf 245c803b5bfcb71d5da833517587e8db PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Bluffs for shelter. They made Dover harbor some time this after noon. They had been telephoning from here all day but couldn't get any trace of them. I suppose they went around the Point before day light and the Lifesaving crew didn't see them. Frank and I didn't get home till noon as we stopped in at Aunty's for awhile. This after noon we didn't do any thing but chores and sit around. Frank fixed or tried to fix his wheel. To-night I went down to see Marj. it being one of Essie's nights at the show and as it was nasty walking stayed down at Aunty's all night. Wednesday May 2nd I got up this morning before Aunty & Aunty Alice not knowing that they weren't up and sat around for about half an hour reading Beltane the Smith which I borrowed from Marj. last night. On<s>t</s> my way home I stopped in at the Quanburys and found Art. had fixed the post mould up yesterday afternoon and as he and Charlie were just ready to go up to Ben's to plow. (They are putting in stuff on shares) Charlie took the post mould home for me and gave me a ride with it. Bob Davis was in for a few minutes this morning, and said he hadn't sold his house so couldn't handle the Throughbred but if he was able to he would like to take him. Frank and I went over to John Wes's this morning to get a few final instructions https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/59578272c64512324a83ae8b8bc08100.pdf 3bf9904638b04a10a77e7095f30b2f0d PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. came back he made some more staples and straightened out a rod or two for the posts. Right after dinner Frank and I spread the manure on the old garden and Dad. came out and tried to plow it but he couldn't with the plow he had so he came up and tried to plow the headland of the pea ground along Ivey's fence but he couldn't work it either so he didn't get any plowed. Jim Bannister came in on his way home from his mail route to have Dad. look at his horse which had gone staggery this side of Art. Walker's and he had had to leave him at Bill Donald's and get Bill to drive him along the rest of the route. Fra k and I made another post this after noon. Sunny to-day but windy and cold. Friday May 4th Dad. plowed the headlands on the pea ground this morning Frank covered the garden back of the shop with manure out of the box stalls in the stable and I hammered out some more reinforcements and raked some of the earth into the trench where I dug the ditch. This after noon I harrowed the six acres north of the orchard where Dad sowed the oats last Saturday and which we never got harrowed again. It worked very nicely this after noon and I think most of the oats are covered now that the drill didn't cover. Frank finished disking the https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/daba830afb763583d97da46f3a1af464.pdf f2b2e184735dad4221f8f7c09c3e3a24 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. stayed down there to tea but went for a walk before tea down to the lake and up to Huby's. I found Huby planting potatoes. Cousin Clare was at Aunty's to tea. Aunty and I went to church to-night. After church Marj. and I walked up with Miss Martin. George Duncan came after Dad. this after noon to go and take a calf from a heifer but he got back before six. I don't know where Frank went to but I suppose back in the gully. It has not been much milder to-day and cloudy with an occasional drizzle. Monday May 7th Frank went down to Aunty's right after breakfast and has been down all day helping in the garden. He didn't get home till quite awhile after dark. Dad. has been ditching most of the day in the different fields. I spent the morning filling in the border bed along the chicken run fence with compost and earth. This after noon I levelled off the heap of clay in the drive house and made another fence post in there and mixed the cement on the floor of Billy's box stall. That took me about all the after noon. To-night I put the saddle on Queen and took her around the block. She went fine. Frank was telling us that Dave Low got a letter from Billy to-day from the hospital where he says he will have to be for three months. He said that he and young https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/efd3fa143d8beb84574bbe1cac2412a1.pdf e1a81ed334f6e0ed8b4907a68c1f18f5 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. and ploughed a couple of furrows to plant potatoes. It is such a rich piece of ground that he thought it would be a great place for the Irish Cobblers he got from Art Quanbury. He also started to plow the garden back of the shop where we want to put mangels. He got it about half plowed. The manure on it makes it hard as he has to stop every round and rake it into the furrow, it is pretty wet too. I took Queen for another ride to-night. I started to go down the mill hill but she was afraid to go through the bad mud hole so I didn't make her but rode her down to Aunty's and back. We painted pictures to-night. It has been a nice day but looks rainy. Froze last night. Wednesday May 9th Frank and I among a few chores got another cement post made this morning and Dad. finished plowing the garden. This after noon Frank disked on the pea ground till about four o'clock and then the rain drove him in. I got the cutter out and started to clean it and Dad. went back to see Charlie Quanbury who was working back in Ben Ivey's orchard to see if he could borrow Ben's little disks and put Belle and Queen on them. Charlie told him to hook on to Ben's springtooth so we harnessed the team but Alan Law came in to have Dad. look at old Ned's mouth and before we recovered from his attack Bob. Law https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/ffd3ff85e7432836d61415ac190e989c.pdf 20ef89ee9351f70231a831a68cad0780 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Friday May 11th Dad. harrowed and rolled the garden back of the shop this morning and this after noon went over my acre of alfalfa plot with the springtooth but he and Frank have worked the rest of the day on the pea ground and think it will be fit to drill to-morrow if all's well. Aunty and Aunty Alice came over about eleven o'clock and stayed to dinner and tea. Aunty Alice brought us over a pound of mangle seed half a pound each of red and yellow variety's so this after noon I went over and borrowed Quanburys seed drill and Aunty Alice and I sowed them all on the garden back of the shop we just had enough seed to go over it except for two rows of potatoes next the orchard fence which I planted this morning. They were Irish Cobblers. Aunty and Aunty Alice brought Frank and me each a dandy pair of gloves. Win. came over to tea to-night, she won a two dollar prize on her composition on "The High school boy & the labor shortage" that wasn't just the title but it was the subject. To-night Enah and Aunty and Aunty Alice went over to Mrs. Battersby's on their way home and Win and I went straight down town. I went in to see Marj. and as she had just got some trailing Arbutus from home we took a bunch of it down to Aunty. Billy Laings came into the Bagley's before we left with some chicken feed and we had to entertain him till Mrs. Bagley came home and relieved us. Billy was in a very {illegible} https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/e62997e01218f790e6920dd3244bebc5.pdf 8985383f56f6a565fbe87bd4cc742343 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Sunday May 13th Frank and I didn't get ready in<s>t</s> time to get to Sunday school this morning but we went down to church. Frank had to see Ben Ivey and as he was working over here we went around this way. Aunty came over with us for dinner. This after noon Dad. Dick and the baby went down to the gully. Frank went down to the Ryerse's and Enah, Aunty and I started down to look through the {Dicky?} Stevens orchard but we met Jim Waddle on the way out to the farm so Enah went back with him but Aunty and I went on and went all over the place. Jim Waddle and the girls were still here when we got back and when Aunty and I left for town. I went down with Aunty for tea and went to church with Aunty and Aunty Alice. Much warmer but breezy. Monday May 14th I was just getting ready to go to Ham's after the sprayer this morning when he and his man brought it down He said his trees were out too for now for the second spray so as he was coming down town any way he brought it down to us. We got the orchard and all the plum & cherry trees sprayed by about five o'clock this after noon. We used nearly two tanks of spray but didn't put the second on nearly as thick as the first. To-night my two year old heifer https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/bc1d5826331b424d021772aa41fa15c3.pdf 0c642fc90625803248f2595b859503cc PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. think it will last now. Before it broke every time after it had been in about a month. Karl Coleman came in while we were at it and helped us. He wanted to ask Dad. about a bloated lamb. I went over this morning and got some bone meal at Jack Martin's and Quanbury's seed drill to sow my alfalfa. After I got it Cawley and Chris both told me that Jack wanted to use it this after noon to sow mangels but he hadn't said anything to Quanbury's about it. Frank gave the acre a final harrowing and rolled it while I was gone and I started in to sow it before dinner. It took me till about five o'clock to get it done I got the three pounds on the acre but had to open the drill up to a larger hole for the last nine rows and I am a little afraid it didn't sow evenly. Dad. finished plowing the garden to-day and worked it up and ran out the ditches in the last drilled oat field and the pea ground. Frank and Enah started to sow the garden this after noon. I set out some dahlia and gladiolus to-night. Much warmer and very smoky. It looks like rain. Thursday May 17th Dad. and I took the four old hens which we put eightysix chicks out of the incubator under last night and put them in three coops in this end of the old hen house and in the other new coop outdoors. As soon as we got that done I went https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/45c2397f1d94a4ad7f089c88505ef88b.pdf d7c906c3551dd268e7b2a1566d3033d4 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. down town and Marj. and I went up to the Radial to meet Mrs. Bagley who has been at some missionary conference in St Cathrines for a week. Poor old Dr. Jolly died this morning. He had a stroke the night before last and got delirious and while trying to induce Mrs. Bell to let him go downstairs he fainted or had another stroke and fell backwards all the way downstairs. Saturday May 19th Frank went over to Evans this morning with the plow shear to have it sharpened and Dad. plowed while he was gone. When he came back he plowed and Dad. and I stretched the wire along the posts we put in yesterday. We just had John Wess little wire stretchers and had to pull to each post as we went along so didn't get it very tight. While we were at it a fellow came in and introduced himself as Mr. Ferguson and said he had our application for a drainage survey and had come to do it. So we went out with him before dinner. This after noon he and I did the job. We staked out the runways first and then he took the levels. He will send us a blueprint when he gets back to the O.A.C. The holes at the north end of the field will drain easily into the gully but we couldn't drain the ones this way without making an eight or ten feet https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/5d02572e8a455d3a0b8721a28f3b0160.pdf 052eb53e0a357426fdd5459fa5af441c PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Monday May 21st I was up at five o'clock this morning for a change but didn't get much done. About nine o'clock I drove Mr. Ferguson up to young Bobbie Leith's which was his next job and when I got home went over to Mrs. Battersbys and got some rhubarb and some flag roots, which I set out this after noon. I didn't do much but putter around this after noon one job being to get the hop poles put up. Dad. set out about a hundred cabbage plants this after noon and nearly froze as there was a cold rain. Frank set thirty three duck eggs in the little incubator to-day. I read "Beltane the Smith" till about one o'clock to-night. It has been cold with an east wind all day and steady rain all the after noon & to-night. Tuesday May 22nd Old Mr. Miller came after Dad. to-day before breakfast as his cow was sick so Dad. went up after breakfast. Just as he was going out of the lane George Duncan met him as he had a mare in trouble so Dad. was gone till noon. Frank and I made a cement post. Frank Ryerse was in to tell us the Government traction plow was at his place and to ask us if we wanted any plowing done but we are afraid our ground is too wet. This after noon we moved the three cement posts we had made out of the drive house and Frank and Dad. cut up some apple https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/290fbe102bcebafab7f6cd232838bc35.pdf af7dbb7adda9b2a01a11d183d034bb3c PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. town I ran across Harry Moon trying to put in a block of the pavement over his tile drain so I helped him till dark, then I met Bab. going up to Ben Ivey's with a telephone message so went up with her and then went down to Aunty's for awhile. It has been a miserable day. Cold, cloudy and drizzly also windy Thursday May 24th {Sketch of a Union Jack flag} It has been a rotten day. Cold windy and drizzling rain most of the time. We puttered around all morning. Frank started to clean out the shop and I took some eggs over to Jack Martin and he paid me Dad. has been digging ditches all day and feels about as blue as a sick fish over the weather. Right after dinner Frank and I made another cement post and then I went down to Miss Martin's to get my hollyhocks, she gave a baket full of stuff, besides hollyhocks were asters, snapdragons, nicotina and a few seedling dahlias. I set most of them out when I got home I stopped in at Aunty's for a few minutes on my way home. Although there were a few fishers went down the road to-day according to the annual custom, they were very few and the old creek was not bristling with fish poles from Art. Ryerse's to Coleman's point as it would have been if it had been a sunny day as it generally is. Hollie's ad. in the "Maple Leaf" is changed again. It is now "Wanted - Boys under 81 to make themselves generally useless about the fish house" https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/a45c41c69675f5490b87a7341b9f3c16.pdf 9a4ba95108ac34b8ca7249a69670a5ce PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. out to the plum orchard. Dad. then drove Enah and the baby down town and got back about six while Frank and I planted a few onion sets and a few potatoes in the old garden besides making afew observations on the actions of an old bee who appeared to be blind in one eye and to weak to fly and on a pair of humming birds out in the current bushes in the old garden. Frank went down town after tea. Winnie and Olive Ward were over this after noon to tell me that Mrs. Smythe had invited Aunty <s>herself</s> Winnie and me out there to dinner to-morrow but I said I couldn't go so maybe Frank will go instead. It has been sunny and warm all day but rained a little to-night. Sunday May 27th Frank and I went down for Sunday school this morning but as it was after ten when we got to Main St. we went down to the lake instead and circled around in time for church Dad. Enah and the baby came down to church. Dad. expected to hear Mr. Browne preach but Mr. Johnson announced that he would preach to-night. It was raining when we got out of church so Frank Aunty and Win didn't go to the Smythe's as they had intended (They were going up on the radial) but Frank and Win stayed down at Aunty's to dinner. Dick was over here when we got home. Dad had to go out to Charlie Teiple's to see a colt this after noon and https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/6857e0fb6c19ed232682886d57b8eafc.pdf 38f7e2b496fadf5650356c71e6e8dbdc PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Tuesday May 29th We started on the rest of the sheep this morning alone and the first one seemed too wet to shear. Dad let them all out for a few minutes last night and the first thing they did was to go across the ditch and it was too swollen for the planks to go over it so consequently a good many of them got in. However we caught a drier one and I had it nearly sheared when Art. came. I didn't make a very good job of it as I didn't have the knives tight enough. About eleven o'clock I went down town to get some coal oil and on up to the mill for flour and chicken feed. The hill down here at Preston's where they have put the big stones is so bad I had to go both ways by town and was so delayed that I didn't get home till after one. Billy Mills stopped me to ask about Ben Ivey's line fences as Jack is going to turn cattle back there in Ben's gully. Cawley stopped me to ask about the same thing Uncle Ward nailed me and I had to go down to Aunty's. Aunty Alice is going to Toronto in the morning. Art. left at eleven o'clock and we finished the sheep at four o'clock this after noon. I sheared the last one, so we all are pretty fair at the job now. Counting the tags we had 195 lbs of wool taking the aggregate of the individual fleece weighs according to the spring scales. To-night I went down to Aunty Alice's with some eggs and cream for Roy. Raining this morning but cleared off with fine day, warmer. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/e3f0f5e90e9362f1a760a3d31f294be3.pdf 8ae9bc54bb80cb3e8f0192b6f47b66f9 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. business and how Ansley through mismanagement was losing thousands of dollars, for Frank contended that it was just as easy to make money as it was to lose it. He also informed us that Ansley was the best man to work for that ever lived. To-night I went down to church and went up to Huby's for awhile. I telephoned Ham Thompson from there to see if the car for the wool was at the L.E. & N. siding and he said it was but that he hadn't been able to get Neff all day to find out for sure if we should ship to-morrow. Edmond England wants to ship with us but hasn't sheared yet and he thought it wouldn't matter for a day or two. I came home around by the L.E. & N. station but the agent had left so I didn't find out any more. It has been hot and sultry Looks very rainy Thursday May 31st Frank went down this morning to tell Art. Ryerse that the car was there to ship the wool and while he was gone Dad. and I sewed up the wool sack and put the tags on it. Young Jack Maxwell came over to get Dad. to go over to <s>John</s> Robert John's to look after a cow. He said he had been working over there all Spring and that poor old Robert John is just about dead. Art. & Lloyd came back with Frank with their wool and scales and they weighed our wool and took it down to the car. Frank and I https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/f05c7471148063bc3803113d9c176428.pdf 83262e9357c7bebafe825ff2b306e189 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. did not break under the jaw. Dad. calls it bastard strangles. We stayed long enough for him to have a good look at Queen as the object of our trip was partly to try to sell her. We went from there on down to Jimmy Horn's and took them the pedigree for the ram they got last fall. We were there about an hour as Dad. wanted to have a talk to the old man. While we were gone Frank went down to Art. Ryerse's and paid him for the freight on the wool as Art lent us the money yesterday. He also made a bee hive out of a nail keg to put up in the gully to see if he can catch another swarm and he put the supers on his two hives up here and got stung once. This after noon we made another post but didn't get much else done Dad. did some plastering in the kitchen Enah is house cleaning. To-night I went down town to see Marj. for a little while. Roy came to-night on the seven o'clock car from Simcoe, he was up there on business and will stay here till Sunday night any way. Aunty Alice with Vernon and Rebecca came up on the early Grand Trunk train and got here soon after Roy. Warm & breezy. Saturday June 2nd Dad. and the baby drove down town this morning and were down all day. Dad. has been promising Aunty to go down for a long time to fix up her bay window bed and trim the walk https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/326c9ec42c842666d3706e96fcfda173.pdf 7559d9c675ffc2e164560ee7848c820d PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Dick and Dess came over to see the little pigs. Not long after that Dad. Enah and the baby drove home and Aunty and Roy came over to tea Rebecca having come with Dad. Dick and Dess didn't stay long. To-night I went down town but none of us went to church to-night. I went up to Miss. Martin's where I found Marj. & Mr. & Mrs. McQueen. They had been in Grimsby all day and had come back on the seven o'clock car. They had intended going down with Jack Walker but it was such a nasty morning Jack didn't go so they went by radial and had a fine after noon. They went down principally to see peach blossoms but they weren't out yet and the cherry & apples were gone but they had a good time. I stopped in at Auntys for an hour or so on my way home. Rainy & very windy this morning but lovely by evening. Monday June 4th After I did chores this morning I planted out some gladioli and some mignonette & Hollyhock seed. Aunty gave me the seeds and the hollyhocks were grown at Mt. Vernon and supposed to be some thing extra. Bert Thompson came over with a yearling heifer which he turned out here to pasture. I put in the rest of the day spudding thistles in the oats. Frank was down town getting Joe shod this morning and when he came back he cultivated mangels with the "Buko" as Aunty Alice calls the https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/88b3b565ee32d1861b6e89e625576603.pdf 5e683ac978fc3ef6396d7ac66b5dad7f PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. much higher. Frank and I made a cement post this morning and Dad. did some more work at the culvert in the lane before the rain. This after noon Dad. and Frank fixed up the wire fence around the barnyard and put a barbed wire on the top of it and through the middle of it. I spent the after noon hunting up data in my diarys where with to make a herd record. About five I went back to the gully after the cows but I only got the three we milk and the calves. Daisy May was up having had a red bull calf this morning. They took Jack Martin's young stock back to Ben Ivey's gully this after noon and as they were right down with our cattle along the lane fence Dad. was afraid our cattle would break through our old barbed wire so I went back again to get the rest of them. I had an old rubber coat on but I got soaked as I was back in part of the heavy storm. Thursday June 7th Frank, Enah, the baby and I went down town this morning in the waggon this morning, we took our lumber for the harness cupboard doors back down to Emery to change it for stuff that would not waste but Emery told Frank that for making doors with matched lumber it didn't matter about short pieces being put in without any thing to nail to as long as they weren't https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/b71e1ae5f68c3febaa4c4de5eb026c98.pdf ba14073b9dc6712f6eae321fd09560dc PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Saturday June 9th Frank and I went down to Aunty's as soon as we could get started this morning and got the grass that old Reed cut out in front on the road and we cut a lot more and brought it home in the waggon box for the horses. It was after eleven when we got home so I started to cut the lawn and finished it after dinner Frank helped Dad. (who has been working at the mudhole in the lane all day) till I got through with the lawn and then he and I went back and stretched a barbed wire along John Wess' line from the wheat to within a panel and a half of the little block of woods. We then came up and went over to the stump for a swim. It was the first of the season for us and I found the water pretty cold, so didn't stay in long. Dad. had a bad headache and felt sick just before tea to-night. Frank went down town to-night. It has been a very hot and sultry day. Sunday June 10th Frank and I started out for Sunday school but Frank saw Ben Ivey and wanted to see him so by the time he left there we were too late. We picked Dick up at the bank and we all three went to church and got nicely settled in the back seat when Aunty Alice came in and made us go up to the front. After church Mrs. Johnson invited me over there to dinner with Marj. and some young Omstead who is a Hamilton https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/0552c230af1e6c94f4d1c1ec0ae934c7.pdf 70922bee8933a3232cad2b24c627ff9d PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Alice and came back after dinner. Enah and the baby went down with him and he left them at Mrs. Woodson's on his way back as she arrived here Saturday. I spudded thistles in the peas this morning, there are not many of them but they are in one or two patches through the field. Dad. ditched and went back to see if Ivey's line fence in the gully was alright. He went out and gathered up the coils of barbed wire along the road and as Tom was just coming back with the cream can while he was out there he brought them up for him. Dad. and I had our lunch alone and after in we went back with a couple of coils of barbed wire and finished stretching it on John Wess' line, we also put in a post along the fence between the wheat and pasture field Dad. turned the cattle in on that field this morning. It was about half past four when we got back to the house but as Frank was home and had things ready he and I made another post. Ham Thompson was in to-night to get some lime sulphur and told me he wanted to spray to-morrow. Fine and hot to-day. Tuesday June 12th I went up to Ham's about half past seven this morning and was up there till the middle of the after noon and we got all over the orchard both sides The wind wasn't very strong but we didn't make https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/3867081ae244f76c095711dc801dfbcd.pdf 542f3c62a7e29df2b377347a24bff44d PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Wednesday June 13th We sprayed what we could of the orchard this morning and as it was rather late when we got every thing ready we didn't finish till nearly noon. The wind was a little too strong to go all around the tree but we got most of the blossoms I think but if it changes in a day or two we will go over them again. This after noon Dad. had to go up to George Duncan's raising and he got back in as I was finishing milking. Frank and I spent most of the after noon fixing Jack Martin's and Ben Ivey's fence along the road so that the lambs couldn't get in. We fixed their's instead of our own so that the lambs can pasture on the road. We drove in a lot of stakes and stapled the bottom wire of the fence to the stakes and also banked sod up in several places so that the little fellows can't push under. When we got through we went through the mangels with Belle and the cultivator and also took it out to the old garden but there wasn't much stuff up enough out there to do anything. Jonas was in to-night and got a setting of eggs. Very hot day. Thunder storm to-night. Thursday June 14th Frank and I cut a bushel of seed potatoes this morning https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/76444e09608d2f436d45ac39322de401.pdf c48e7597a0f81c3c3d7cc50a092f7533 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. didn't try to come up it but went home around by town and it was after twelve when we got home. We didn't do much else this after noon but set out 100 tomato plants which took just about all there were in the cold frame. I went down town to-night and after going up to see Marj. for a little while I went down to Aunty's where there was a little party going on in honor of Mr. & Mrs. Gordon who are here at Mrs. Skey's. It has been cold again to-day and cloudy this after noon. Looks rainy Saturday June 16th Frank has been over at Ben's all day helping him get his tomato plants out. He has had two or three men from the greenhouse and Bob. Leitch's team in the fore noon but didn't get them quite all out He had to work the land up as he went along. I drove Enah down town to get some provisions, right after breakfast and when we got back I went through the mangels with the Buko. up close to the row's. I got them all done by noon. This after noon I cut all the lawn and took some eggs over to Jack Dad. spent the day hoeing his potatoes and working in his garden back of the old barn. George Clark and Booze were over with Barwell's dog this after noon he got run over yesterday and is in pretty bad shape but Dad. told him he might pull through. Frank went down town to-night. It has been another cold day but a little more sun. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/206266d6405caf8d2c51e2d323706940.pdf e0ca53bf882e4b10eaf97f6d614b471d PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. and although the storms all went over or around us we got just enough of them to drive us in but not to wet much We were entertained for about half an hour right after breakfast by Jack Robinson who came in to get a long tooth of his mare's filed down. He was giving us glowing accounts of the time he had in Saskatchewan last summer on "the boy's" ranch. When he left we all went out to the old garden to work at least all the rest but me and I started in to Bako the alfalfa but the rain drove us in and we didn't do much else but putter around before dinner. This after noon we tried it again but with the same results however we did get quite a little bit done. After tea Dad. and I hooked Queen up to the cart and I drove her down town and around the block, she went fine. While we were hooking her up she backed up and one wheel of the cart took the corner off our last cement post. It wasn't a very good one anyway and it was the thirteenth post made Tuesday June 19th I have been "Bukoing" alfalfa all day but am only about half way over the plot. The ground is pretty hard and the alfalfa very small so it is quite a job. Frank and Dad. finished hoeing the potatoes this morning and this after noon cultivated every thing they could with Belle. Frank half soled a pair of his boots before tea. It has been sunny and hot all day and a thunder storm to-night but not much rain https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/5cc4b2cd145df25160b9f4d3a10d1d98.pdf dde496f91c7214da18ff7bdb6b72d374 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. This after noon we started to haul manure on the corn ground but owing to delays only got out three loads. Frank did the driving and had Belle for third horse and as she hasn't been doing any thing lately was balky and caused a lot of trouble. Then Billy Mills was in for a long time. He brought our disks back and borrowed our corn marker. I didn't help Dad. and Frank much but hoed in my alfalfa most of the after noon. To-night Dad. & Enah went down to a party at Aunty Alice's and Frank and I watched Tid. They were very late getting started as they had to wait till he went to sleep and as he had slept all the after noon he was in no hurry about it. Frank went in and lay on the bed beside him and I read all I could find in the "Globe" on the conscription debate and then went to sleep in the chair. Sunny but cool breeze. Thursday June 21st Dad. and Frank have hauled manure all day and I have hoed alfalfa. The ground is very hard in spots which makes it a slow and tedious job but the hoe does much better work now that the Buko, in fact the latter wouldn't work at all in some of the hard spots. We let the sheep in for about an hour to-day at noon on the oats in the plum orchard. One of the old turkey hens has reappeared and has been wandering about the yard here for the last two days. We don't know https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/f613ff00a0e28a5acd3c2176b1f81c9c.pdf b86ae02bfe625789bcae92f3e304aa74 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Saturday June 23rd Dad. and Frank hauled manure this morning but didn't get so many out as they were cleaning out the box stall. The last load they put around the tomato plants in the old garden. I cut lawn till about eleven and then went and helped them get the hay out of the lane that Frank cut the other day. Just before dinner it commenced to rain and kept it up pretty much all the after noon. It was a nice gentle rain and will do a lot of good as the ground was getting pretty well baked after the heavy rains of a week ago. Frank and I made another post this after noon but didn't do much else and Dad. chored around. Frank and I went down town to-night and I got my hair cut. I took some eggs over to Jack. Sunday June 24th By the time Frank and I got chores done and got through monkeying around among other things looking at the marten's nests in the bird house, (there are three of them) it was too late to go to Sunday school but we went down to church. Dick and Aunty came over to dinner. Dick and Frank went down soon after dinner and Dad. drove Aunty down about four. Enah and I had a piano and horn concert and I went down to Aunty's to tea. Aunty Alice and I went to church to-night. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/b0e8f9ec158981073fedfc0f62ba448e.pdf 1094832c3e825783196dc207f9cf0577 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. and then it was most decidely wet as we had a very heavy thunder storm and it was rainy and sunny by turns all day. Frank and I didn't know whether to go down and get a load of slabs an run chances of getting wet or whether to stay home and make a post so we wound up by doing neither. Charlie Shand was in to tell us they were going to do road work next week, he had to go on over to Martin's, Quanbury's and Fleming's so I rode around with him and asked Jack Martin if I could ship my eggs with his and he said I could. I went down town to-night and had some strawberries at Miss Martin's. Wednesday June 27th Frank and I hauled two loads of slabs to-day one this morning and one this after noon, they were really only half loads as Hawey was charging two dollars a load and we thought we couldn't haul a big enough load for a whole one. When we came back this after noon we made another post. Kathleen Millman and her two friends Eva Williams or {Tow?} and Miss Kirtland were over this morning, they are here for a week staying at the Moon's. Dad. was up at Ham. Thompson's all morning with Daisy May looking at Hams. crops and stock. Dad. says he thinks he has a good crop of peas but they are not a patch on our Market. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/c3f5ee24cbf5ecf3052f2579e38667db.pdf b0fb22a4e876d12be64ebea32d3e69bd PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Friday June 29th I woke up about four this morning and heard the water running in on the kitchen floor like the water out of a spout so got up and put a pan under it and banged my eye on the door while I was at it. About six Dad. came and called Frank to go after the cows, he had been back to the end of the lane but the gully was flooded so he didn't go down. Frank put on part of a bathing suit and got them he had to wade in water up to his waist. It must have been a terrific rain but it cleared up early and has been windy and sunny all day and by to-night is pretty well dried off. Dad. Enah and the baby went down town this morning and have been gone all day. Dad was going up to see Mrs. Miller to see if he could sell John, Old Miller was down to-night but didn't say what he thought about her. Frank and I made a post this morning and this after noon after spudding the thistles in the oats on the knoll by the old well, we went back to look at the ginseng and Golden Seal. The old ginseng root was dead but Frank located three seedlings. His Golden Seal looks fine. The wheat is just coming in head and looks pretty tough some of it is no good at all, but the hay has picked up quite a lot. I went down to tea at Aunty's to-night and went down to the station to help Marj. meet Glad Law, but she didn't come. We saw the three girls down there https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/63002af8ee59952a74465a5a7f096f3f.pdf cc10a6f3a397bdcb5feb6125e75346e1 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Sunday July 1st It rained very hard again during the night and has been raining pretty much all day but cleared up enough for us all to get to church. As this is Canada's fiftieth birthday Mr. Johnson had a sermon or at least a compilation of historical facts and statistical figures supposed to be suitable to the occasion but as some of them were incorrect and the rest uninteresting no one seemed to appreciate it as being the proper celebration of the jubilee Dominion day. Dad. Enah and Tim. stayed down at Aunty's to dinner and Frank, Dick and I had dinner alone. Frank and Dick drove down right after dinner but I stayed home all the after noon. Dad. drove home about five and about six Ade. brought Enah, Frank and the baby home in the car. Ade stayed here to tea and took Frank & me back down town in the car. The road was in pretty bad shape for it. I went for a little walk with Marj. & Glad Law and then went down to Auntys and talked to Mr. & Mrs. Millman till bedtime. Nita. and Gwen. Canfield came in for a few minutes but except for passing them on the pier I didn't see any of the rest of the bunch. Dick came down before I left for a few minutes & Frank was with the crowd all the evening & didn't get home till after twelve. Warm after the rain but clearer to-night. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/6050c485d9adb06ebd3a02aac5e2d5b5.pdf 9cbbae02b0dea8c637c8d296eb8cda90 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. hardly any live ticks. We caught the old ram and Dad while examining him found some puss on his bag and after working it awhile got about a 1/2 cup full of matter out of it. We are afraid he may not be any good another year. When we got through with the sheep we hooked Queen up and Frank and I drove her around the block I went down to the "sheep pasture" for awhile to-night. Fine day. Old Mr. & Mrs. Miller were in to-night to look at John. Mrs. Miller would have bought her but the old man wanted to come down again and try milking her. Tupper was in for a few minutes, he has Fred Misner's cattle shut up in his stable, they have been running on the road lately and getting into everyone's crops, they were in our oats to-day. Tupper took them to pound the other day up to Jim. Waddle's but Jim said he was never sworn in poundkeeper so wouldn't accept them Tuesday July 3rd We three and the team have been doing road work all day to-day. They are on the side road between the top of the hill and our corner cleaning and scraping the ditches and piling it in the centre of the road. They expect the road machine to finish the job. It is making an awful mess of the road at present but will probably be good for it in the end. I went down town to-night and went up to see Huby. Fine and cool. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/d37c24f09b75f7de52b0ab1196739dda.pdf 27acd0f800bbd1116414b46c6bb0d3d1 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. manure on in with corn and the rest of the piece with buckwheat. We won't expect any corn off it of course but will get some good fodder if all's well. Dad. and I took John up to the Miller's this morning and then Dad. took Enah down town and I thinned a few mangles before dinner. This after noon Dad. and I cultivated the mangels and potatoes and hoed some more. Dick and Dess came over about five and were here all the evening. It has been fine, sunny & not too hot. Friday July 6th Frank has been plowing all day and Dad. and I have been hoeing potatoes. Aunty and Aunty Alice came over to-night for a little while with all tney could carry of the where with all to celebrate Dad's birthday to-morrow Dad. drove them home. Lila was over for a few minutes, the results of the H.S. exams were in the "Maple Leaf" to-day and her name headed the list and she took honors. Still fine and not hot. Saturday July 7th I went down to the mill first thing this morning and got a supply of chicken feed. I was staggered when Ross Smith told me my account down there was over $130. after all that I have paid them was taken off. When I got home I took a couple https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/27cdc811ce2610d13cf8c39e94086442.pdf c2593724b808af0ab54f3a988da4b88f PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. I went to sleep on the sofa soon after tea and some time before midnight was sufficiently aroused by<s>t</s> a clap of thunder to stagger off to bed being aware at the time of a stream of water coming through the kitchen ceiling into a pan that had been put under it early in the evening. About two o'clock my dreams were again broken by hearing Dad. & Enah bailing out the kitchen. Dad. informed me that the storm was terrible and with that comforting knowledge I continued to slumber peacefully till about seven, when I got up donned a bathing suit and went after the cows. There was not as much water in the gully as I expected although it had been high but had run off. Frank got home just as I got out. We did up the chores and Frank and I went down to church Dad. drove us to the sidewalk. Dad and Enah & Tid drove down to Aunty Alice's for dinner, we went down there after church intending to take Joe home but as they didn't get down till just dinner time we stayed and went home after dinner and did up the chores. We were to have been down again at five but by the time we got thing's done it was six when we got down and Dad. Enah & Tim were having tea down there They went home as soon as they had tea and Frank and I had ours then went to church with Aunty & Aunty Alice. After church I went up to see Marj. I didn't know she was https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/2ceac8b2fa3d1544d5bd17ce5a8026ba.pdf 1b88a4aa0aa553ab2cd934dbeb42436c PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Tuesday July 10th Frank and I went down town this morning with Joe and Belle in the waggon I took the three crates of old hens over to Jack and got $32.86 for them not a dollar apiece. We went on down town as Frank had to take his bank book to the Post Office to be fixed up. Granddaddy sent it to him Monday and he found he had thirty dollars in the Post Office savings bank that he didn't know any thing about. Granddaddy had opened the account long ago and the other day had intended to draw it out and invest it in a war bond for Frank but found Frank had to draw it himself so sent the book to him and asked him to buy a war bond, so I guess he will. We got some grass when we got home that Dad. had cut. He told us some young Andrews from Renton had been in while we were gone to ask about a ram lamb. This after noon Dad. & Enah drove out to Trinder's to get a case of strawberries but they didn't get them. I went over to Jack's and settled up with him he gave me a check for $37.93 Then Frank and I made another post. To-night I went down to see Marj. Glad. Law and the two Walker girls were there. Marj. has been having an awful time with her throat but it is better to-night. Essie informed me the relapse was due to the talking she did Sunday night while I was there, but Marj. said it was from being out on Sunday. I went https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/12678e96b5a0321a0014d02528dc6bb8.pdf 1c3e66842267c3367dd84e32bdfffa14 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Thursday July 12th I hung around for about an hour this morning waiting for Enah to get ready to go down town then I drove her with the baby down and they have been down all day. I came home with some two inch nails to finish making the lamb creep. The town appeared to be full of Orangemen this morning and they were to say the least a "seedy" looking crowd. They didn't "walk" till this after noon but they were all bedecked with their gorgeous orange & blue collars and badges which did not accord well with the rest of their apparel which was in most cases faded, baggy and soiled. They all looked to be of the same tribe from the old men who shambled around the streets in bunches and looked as if they were regretting the days when the 12th of July was celebrated in a wet Ontario to the young bucks, who in the first flush of their pride in their membership of the Orange Lodge betrayed by their appearance that their idea of legitimate happiness was to prance around the streets on a gala day arrayed in their Sunday clothes and to smoke cigars or eat ice cream cones & popcorn with their best girls. Of course there were mothers & children intersperced through the crowd all no doubt imbued with the same spirit of patriotism and religion which inspired their fathers, husbands and elder brothers. Right after dinner https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/ebe79f2e6a64e572df3b7461aa71cee3.pdf 18962e7fcac1099d2b73e9ac5b2930e8 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. her. Lila was over for a few minutes but didn't stay long. To-night Frank and I walked down town. I met Marj. up town and she and I went down to Mrs. Perry's to say good-bye to her but she wasn't home so we went down to Aunty's. Aunty & Aunt Ida were over Brant Hill but Aunty Alice was home. Marj. says her throat is much better and intends to leave for Toronto in the morning Friday July 13th Frank went over to pick strawberries this morning but about ten o'clock Enah saw his bees swarming so I went over to tell him, he said first he would let them go till noon and then try to find the queen and kill<s>e</s> her so that they would all go back to the hive but when I got home they had settled in two clusters and Dad. was very much afraid they would leave so I went back again to get Frank. Dad. thought he had better hive them as the season is late and they ought to do well from now on. However he hadn't any thing ready and at noon the Quanbury's came in after a piece of ice and Art told him to hive both bunches separately as there would be a queen in each, it was what he called a swarm and an afterswarm. He hadn't enough frames for both hives so he took some out of the super of the old hive. When he got things ready he put one of my chicken house cotton-frames down under the cluster and the hive on it and then cut the branch off that they were clustered https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/c2b4837e66a20f06f2330c47d66d4888.pdf abe322f68e688c7ab96c298bb6eda933 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. dinner. Dad. was out digging ditches around his potatoes to drain the water off and Frank had put a handle in the round point shovel. This after noon Frank went down town to get some supplies for his beehives, he came back about four and got dressed up and went down again <s>till</s> tea tea and was down all evening He wanted to get down before the Post Office closed so that he could get his check for the savings account and buy a $25.00 war bond. Dad. and I sat around reading for quite awhile after dinner and then took Joe and Belle & the waggon and went and got the grass that Dad. cut in the corner field the other day. When we came in I finished cutting the lawn. To-night Dad. Enah & the baby drove down town to get some supplies. Sunny & hot after noon Sunday July 15th Frank and I walked down to church this morning and Aunty & Dick came back with us to dinner. Lloyd Ryerse came in driving right after dinner and he and Frank drove out to the England's. Dick rode with them as far as the corner but was back in about five minutes in the Millman's car with Ade, Kathleen, Paddy, Skinny and {Gwen?} Canfield. The four of them came up from Toronto last night without sending any word and went to the dance. Ade evidently left early and went down to Aunty's intending to get lodging there for the night but they had gone to bed so he slept https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/1e196711daffedcb6cc90de6f817191c.pdf e6d77a7dad437e128534037de7f775ef PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. in the latters car. They brought Boy over, stone dead and wanted Dad. to see if he could tell what killed him. Huby said he was with him down at Hobbe's boat about a quarter after seven and that was the last he saw him till about a quarter to eight where he found him dead, so he must have died quickly and there was no sign of struggle nor he was not stretched out with his head back like they are when they get strychine neither was there any indication of a blow or that he had been shot; so Dad. couldn't tell what he had got. Huby brought an old sandwich over which he found near him but Dad. didn't think that had anything to do with it. It is too bad as Huby just had him nicely trained and said he wouldn't take a hundred dollars for him. We did all we could in Simcoe (but couldn't get any rock salt nor queen excluders) and got back about two o'clock. We didn't do much after we had our dinner but I blocked up all the holes I could find in the old chicken yard and this after noon & to-night caught about two dozen of the biggest cockrels and shut them in there. Dad. says Hec. Henderson was over to-day as one of the committee they have in town to help the farmers out and urge them to grow more wheat next year Dad. told him we could get on all right and would put in (number obscured} acres of wheat if the weather would let us. Fine but looked rainy {word obscured} https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/5d8d32c275dc6567d2c4fb870ad6cba9.pdf deeef7c877b3b9b3d85a33deb5109412 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Wednesday July 18th Frank and I made the other door for the harness cupboard this morning but didn't get them put on. I then hooked up Belle and Queen to the waggon and Frank and I went down to the mill and got a bag of mixed chop to crate fatten chickens. We went out and got the waggon box full of grass when we got home. We got Ben Ivey's cultivator as we went past and this after noon Dad and I cultivated the mangels except the far edge where it was too wet and we also went through the potatoes in the old garden. We took Ben's cultivator as it is a straight toothed one and goes throw the earth with out throwing it at all as ours does. When we got through with that Frank and I hoed potatoes till six and Dad. paris-greened a lot of them. To-night Dad and Enah went down town to get some provisions and Lloyd Ryerse came up to see Frank so I went with them back to Ben's cherry orchard where we tested a good many of the trees but didn't find any real sweet cherries but a good many real sour ones. When we got back I picked out most of the biggest cockrels I could find and put 14 in the fattening crate. Fine & clear to-day. Thursday July 19th Frank has been plowing all day on the side hill next the woods. Dad. w<s>h</s>ent the first round with him and then came https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/db219e7b99fe2dd26b5d76e448df9eba.pdf 531c33caafb5900db90b5ca4e0da0bc4 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Saturday July 21st Dad. plowed all morning and Frank and I hoed and cultivated potatoes. Right after dinner Dad. went back to the gully to bring up Maple Hill Nellie as he noticed this morning that she was going to calve soon. He had hardly got back there when Whit Dixon came over after the steer, so I went back to get him and Dad. and I brought all the cattle up and left Maple Hill Nellie all alone as she was to far gone to move. We got the steer loaded with out much trouble and then went back to Nellie she had moved from up in the curve in the bottom of the hills opposite the mound to way down in the lower half of the gully and calved while we were back there with her. Dad. helped a little. It was a dandy big red and white heifer. We left it back there all night as Nellie is very nervous. Frank raked up the hay this after noon and then came up here to put some more frames in his beehives. Dad. and I when we got through admiring the calf cocked hay till six and then we all three <s>came</s> went after tea and finished cocking just as it got too dark to see. Frank and I went down town to-night and I got my hair cut and about eleven o'clock went down to the swimming hole at the dam with, Carl Coleman, {Kindree?}, Clare Deal, Woodyer and Frank and had a good swim. The I.O.D.E. had a masquerade dance in the pavilion to-night Frank went over to watch it for awhile. Fine and hot all day. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/e2e79a30cb83a4e1697bd96a27555dab.pdf 2c7a218be0d5dd6c6342d7b6d66de408 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. operate with them in taking off the pea crop. Charlie {put?} his team on our mower and mowed the piece east of the ditch while the other four of us followed the mower and kept the swath out of his way and bunched it. He got that piece down about nine o'clock and then we loaded up both our rack and theirs and Charlie & Frank took them down We hooked up Joe & Belle to the mower when they left and I started to cut the other side of the ditch while Dad. and Art. kept it out of my road. I didn't finish till after dinner, Frank and Charlie took all that was left down in two more loads but Charlie had about two tons on, he put all he could on to draw out of the field and then finished the load with what he could draw in a couple of waggon loads. When they went down with the two last loads Dad. Art. and I hooked to the waggon and went out and started to cut Charlie's. I cut till about five when the boys came back with the waggons but Charlie said they were filling up down at the factory so they couldn't haul any down to-night. We put the big team on the mower and Dad. went home with the little team and the waggon. The rest of us stayed till nearly half past six but as there was about an hour's cutting yet, we quit and Frank Art and I went home. Charlie stayed to monkey with his bees https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/67bae3e89aae1d4cf364fff123160383.pdf c2f16df979f441788da554fd198ea934 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Wednesday July 25th Dad. plowed all morning and I finished cutting the five-acre field east of the lane and went about two rounds on the ten-acre corner field. Frank turned out the cocks in the five acre field as they were pretty wet in the bottom. He then hoed till noon. This after noon the Quanbury's brought our rack back and took their own and Dad. and I hauled in a couple of small loads with Joe & Belle and put them off with the hay fork in the big barn. We couldn't haul big loads as it was too soft in front of the barn doors. Frank cut with the big team in the corner field but was bothered a lot with the mower. He will have to go to Simcoe and get a new boxing for the pitman rod as the old one has cut out so there is too much play. Art. & Charlie were in to-night to tell us Art's peas will be ready to cut to-morrow. Hot but breezy Thursday July 26th We put in a great night last night trying vainly to sleep. I didn't undress completely but just flopped on the bed and when Frank came home from town he woke me up. Dad was running around trying to get cool and I was about melted so went and lay on the front step for awhile. Frank tried the hammok and Dad. the sofa in the hall. They eventually did go to sleep but https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/94f22470caf9c44a3a4754f4454c9eb2.pdf 388c58e36bd4bc285e0ac8834e7b567a PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. chased his bees till they lit on the willow in Pickford's gully and then he came back and got his outfit and went out on his bicycle and hived them. To-night I went down to see Mr. Browne and it was twelve o'clock when I got home. Hot but nice breeze Friday July 27th Frank went to Simcoe this morning by the seven o'clock car and got a new boxing for the mower and came back at nine. Dad. and I were out at Art's all morning and we got the east side hill off. We took it in two loads by hauling small jags off the hills with the little rack and piling them on the big rack which was at the top of the west hill on the level and then evening up the loads afterwards. It was nearly one when we got home so we left the big rack in front of our lane till after dinner and Frank took it down to the factory. When he got back he cut a few more rounds with the mower which worked better but the first round the new boxing got very hot. Frank thinks the knives need sharpening. Dad. and I cocked up all the after noon and got all that was raked cocked up. Cooler to-day. Big rain out north yesterday Saturday July 28th Frank and I sharpened the mower knives this morning https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/a0178150fb7d7d5eac22614c1bba4a2f.pdf 9066e88ca564f7f2290be88b68ebb367 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. We all lay around all the after noon out on the lawn and let out tongues {lap?} out as it was terribly hot in spite of the fact that there was a good breeze. About five o'clock Aunty, Walter, Elsie and Dick started to walk down town as they wanted to stop in at Mrs. Battersby's and Mrs. Woodson's on their way. We had tea as soon as they left and did chores. Enah put the baby to sleep and she and Dad drove down to church, Frank and I stayed home & slept. Monday July 30th Frank mowed in the corner field all morning and for an hour or two after dinner but his knives got so dull he had to stop so he went down town and got a carborundum stone as well as some other things and came back and sharpened up his knives and raked up all that was fit He went out after tea as it was moon light and finished cutting. Dad. cultivated his potatoes in the old garden and put paris green on them. He had to go back after dinner to finish the job. I cut lawn most of the morning. It was an awful job as it has got too long and it was suffocatingly hot I nearly got bushed two or three times, however I got all over it but in some places it looks more as if it had been chewed off by a horse with only two teeth than as if it https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/000889f1937341be3900b2c04315bdf0.pdf d14ff0edc6638ac9e50c8d4aad0d62e5 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. this after noon, as we expect to haul peas again to-morrow {Name?} was over to-night and says they are so rushed down there he would like us to just haul half of them to-morrow and the others the next day. Dad. and I mowed away a lot of the hay this morning while Frank was raking and Dad. dug some post holes along by his potatoes as we want to let the sheep in on the pea stubble as soon as we get the peas off so will have to fence in the potatoes. To-night Dad. and I drove Queen down town and she went fine, we passed and were passed by automobiles at which she never looked, we drove up to Huby's and down to Aunty's and Dad settled up with Mr. Bagley. Wednesday August 1st Charlie and Art came over this morning and we cut half of the Market Garden Peas and Charlie and Frank each took a load down about eleven o'clock we won't take the rest down till to-morrow morning. Before dinner Dad. and I got the wire over from the orchard to put up along the potatoes. This after noon we hauled three loads of hay off the corner field. To-night Dad Enah and Tim drove out to the Shands. Frank went down town to get some cow spray and I went to bed, being very tired. Hot but breezy. Another big British & French drive has begun in Flanders. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/947cc8caa77ee64b7c0c4ef69c96acae.pdf b42ed1c0ebc35697d928d4a4e3f82d74 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Friday August 3rd Dad. and I hauled in all day but only got in five loads there is still half a load in the field. We didn't get out till rather late this morning as we had to bolt a piece on to the front ladder of the rack which is cracked. Frank cut till about four o'clock and then raked up what he cut this morning. He is cutting in the 8 acre feild between Ivey's line and the lane and just south of the gully. Quite cool all day nice to work Saturday August 4th Things have gone rather slowly to-day. We started put off the load that was on the barn floor this morning but the third lift one of the strands in the big rope cut right out and we had to quit. It is cutting on the spring in the car. Tom Cawley came over to borrow the binder as Jack's isn't working right and it was getting pretty late in the morning when he left. Dad. and I then went out and cocked up most of what Frank raked last night. After dinner we went out and Dad. got Art Quanbury to come over and see if he could fix our car for us so that it wouldn't cut and Art cut the end off the spring, we didn't want to put it up in the barn again as we want the next lot of hay to go in the horse stable. We pitched the last lift that was on the waggon off by hand and Frank and I went https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/2f45c7aa537f2679d03a02dd1a679e89.pdf c582105bab8a476c9ec120e7de684257 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. {Pencil sketch of a woodland scene} Drawn from Nature. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/6f65cdb83623b70f73329f0da0f9e60c.pdf c9877b6db52cfb518b2cca8c6ff2a58f PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Monday August 6th We all went out and cocked up this morning and finished the field by about eleven, we then came up and put the car up in the horse stable mow and Frank put a roller out of the old lawn mower on the outside of the barn just below the hole that the big rope goes out to keep it from scrubbing on the ends of the boards. This after noon we hauled in four loads but left the last one standing at the end of the horse stable. To-night Frank and I took Queen around the block past John Wess's. Rained a very small shower last night and looked rainy this morning, but cleared. Tuesday August 7th We just got in three loads of hay this morning as the mow is getting full now and it takes time to get up to mow it. This after noon we got a load and a half of good hay and put it in the horse stable but the last load we got composed mostly of couch grass, so we hauled it in to the barn and left it to put in the bottom of the bay and {over?} rails to put the wheat on. We got through early and Dad and I took Queen around the block, we took the {obscured word} with us. It has been cloudy and cool all day and this after noon there was too much wind to load hay https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/7478e9b4b15be7a91d6dc8b1cc24c1a9.pdf bf12675b7aaa32388636cf4e185738ea PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. after noon. Dad. cut my four wheat plots and the barley this after noon with Alfred's cradle, the emmer plot is not ripe yet. He bound them and shocked them up to I guess the barley was to short and thin to bind. I cut hay with Frank most of the after noon Cool and cloudy all day looked very much like rain. Thursday August 9th Frank and I cut with two teams all day and got all the grass cut between the oats and the plowing along the side road and I took Jack's mower home. Dad. gathered up my barley to-day and hoed in the old garden besides doing some other chores. Lila was over this after noon. Quite cool all day, tried to rain a little {obscured word} after dinner. It is two or three days since I wrote this so I forget. Frank started to rake the hay he cut first right after dinner but the rain stopped him so he only got about two rounds cut and then helped me mow till we finished the piece. Dad. cocked up all the after noon. Friday August 10th Aunty came over before seven this morning with Mr. {name obscured} and was here all morning but walked back with the baby about three o'clock. I raked hay all morning and https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/8163465dcd677abe0884b0f910025443.pdf 557e061a814ab9831bb7e8bf4108cbb6 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. stop to look for the cause of the pounding in the {obscured word} which Cawley said he noticed the last after noon {he?} used it. They couldn't find it so Dad. went all the way up to John Wes's barn to ask him about it and he said he thought they would find it was the spring that holds the trip that was broken as his did the same last week. Sure enough that was the trouble so they {took?} the spring out of John's binder and it went alright but it kept them from getting any cut to speak of all morning. It went pretty well all the after noon and the only reason Frank didn't get more cut was owing to lack of speed on old Nellie's part. Sunny and warm to-day Saturday August 11th I took Joe down to Joe Howel's first thing this morning and had her shod but as he couldn't go at her for an hour or so it was about eleven o'clock when I got home. I spent most of the time down at Aunty's. I took Joe & Nellie as soon as I got home and went out and started to rake up the rest of the hay. Frank had Harry & Belle all day on the binder and finished cutting the wheat about seven o'clock. I raked hay all the after noon and finished the field about six. Dad. cocked up till about five https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/df4b71c5238300f8e674d5f94b8acead.pdf ad8b4116dca22e2982f45dfe31474d71 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. got down to the house Mr. & Mrs. Passmore were there. Frank came in just after they left and drove home with me. Fine & warm Monday August 13th We all three got out pretty early and started to cock the hay. It was very dark and about ten o'clock started to rain. It didn't rain hard and we worked for another hour but then had to stop as it was getting too {obscured word} Frank and Dad. mowed away the hay in the horse stable and then took Mary away before dinner while I pained letters on my chicken box. Frank and Dad. went back at the hay soon after dinner and worked all the after noon but didn't quite finish. I slew my twelve milk fed chickens and Enah picked the pin feathers out of them. I tried to stick {obscured word} in the brain but don't believe I hit the right spot with any of them so I hit them all a clip in the head with a club and that seemed to work just about as well, some of them tore pretty badly so I suppose I will be docked on that. We worked quite late to-night getting them all trimmed and put on the shaping board to cool. Dick was over to tea, he just got notice to-day to report in Winnipeg as soon as possible so is leaving here on Thursday. We hope it will be a good thing for him but hate to see him go https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/6a0431e8845d61516dab2f1fc33964d3.pdf 5e29b64477b5a29df22c8f55206fdc93 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. getting so full. Frank went down to Sam's right after dinner and was down there all the after noon. Dad. & I got in two more jags and put them in the horse stable and Enah came out and told me when to trip. We threw one good big load and left it on the barn floor. To-night we all went down to Aunty's to see<s>d</s> Dick this being his last night here. Huby was there, raising cain and {making?}the baby wild. Win has gone into the bank to try it This was her first day. Frank and I rode down with Martin in his new car. Cloudy this morning but hot this {obscured word} Thursday August 16th Frank went over and borrowed Jack Martin's waggon this morning so that we could haul wheat with {obscured word} teams as it is so far back to go with one waggon. Dad. & I pitched of the load of hay by hand into the east end {obscured word} We thought we could do it quicker than changing the {obscured word}Enah and the baby went back with us and Enah picked berries while we were loading up. It was rather late when we got started so we just made one trip this morning and {we} couldn't take very big loads as the sheaves are pretty {obscured word} in the butts yet. Frank had the old team and Jack's {obscured word} wheeled waggon and when Dad. {illegible} the wheel before https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/0004a7a00ec5208c0ce4edd64953da5b.pdf 5139eb1ce494bb15be4e131714c2b558 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. We had to put very small ones on Pickford's waggon as the front axle was cracked and it is an old ramshackle affair anyway. Frank had to be very careful going downhill as there was a rivet in the bolster stake that caught under the rim of the front wheel. It was late when we got through and there are still three or four loads back there. Aunty was over this after noon for a few minutes with a card from Dick saying he had reached Roy's safely. Quite cold wind but fair to-day Saturday August 18th We pitched off the two loads of wheat that were on the barn floor first thing and Frank took Pickford's waggon home and Dad. and I hauled in with the big team and our own waggon. We thought there would only be two loads and that it would only take till about noon to get it but instead there were three big loads and seven shocks which we had to make another trip after all it was seven o'clock before we got them unloaded. Frank spent the day fixing the reel rods on the binder and mowing away the hay in the horse stable as we think we can get another load in there. Enah and Tid. were down town all the after noon and got home just as Dad. was about to start after them at dark. Not so cold to-day. Sunny https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/8a7bd0ce335630be7fbe7ece15507c4e.pdf 4771b289e60d120cd8f9b5001f4f62cb PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Tuesday August 21st Frank cut oats all day and finished the last of them to-night soon after six. Dad. and I hauled a small load of hay and put it in the horse stable and then got a good sized load and hauled it in on the barn floor and changed the car from the horse stable to the barn. We started to put the load off after dinner but the latch in the gate at the peak of the barn wasn't properly caught and and when the first lift went up it came down and bent so that I had to go up and take the whole gate down and let Dad. straighten it before we could go on. It took most of the after noon and we only got in one more load Frank didn't have quite enough of our own binder twine to finish so Dad. went over to borrow some from Billy Mills but he was just out and said Cawley had gone to the barn to hook up and go down and get some, so Dad. chased after Cawley but he had gone so I went over to Pickford's and was lucky enough to get a ball, his last one. Enah and the baby were down town this after noon. Aunty got a telegram from Dick yesterday saying he had been shipped on out to Cadillac Sask. {Saskatchewan}. We sent away the application for the lamb's registration to-day. Cool breezy & cloudy. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/b872ba9528f2035d803fc26562f1f8b6.pdf 4371813baf0d3b0c5fee3bd194790bd9 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. but cooled off and there was more breeze this after noon I didn't do much this morning but clean out the colony house and trim and train up my Dorothy Perkins rose which is growing so fast I can't keep up with it. It nearly covers the east end of the house now. Dad. and Frank shocked up a few oats but got soaked and as the ground was dry under the sheaves they left them This after noon being the day set for Boughner Picnic Dad. the baby and I drove down town and Frank walked down after he had looked through his bees and found there was no honey. Dad. had promised Tid. to take him fishing and he had been making all sorts of plans and building on it, but when they got down to Aunty's, Dad. suggested they go down and see "The City of Dover" come in, so we went down to the dock. Aunty and Frank came too and Dad. Frank and the baby went in to the fish shanty where they saw a big snapping turtle so that seemed to take the place of going fishing. Frank and I got a canoe and went for an hour's paddle up creek and didn't upset as we rather expected as neither of us knew much about it, Frank never having been in one before. Dad. & the baby went home but Frank and I stayed down at Auntys for tea and all the evening. We spent most of the time looking at copys of Fa's old letters and trying to find Cadillac on the map https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/79fdfc60406da6fb49b6b3d34962220a.pdf 6c914a8d16f3f0e74f6a2c32fd981c1e PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. the temperature and it was very strong and from the west I worked with a coat on all day and was not too warm. This morning we shocked up the rest of the oats which were still pretty wet except where the wind & sun had hit them. It was nearly eleven when we got through with them but we put off the load of hay that was on the barn floor and got a load in before dinner which was about one o'clock. This after noon we finished hauling the hay in three pretty good sized loads. The baby came out and rode in on the last load, the promise of which has kept him out of the field for the past week or two. Frank went down town to-night Sunday August 26th Enah and I drove down to church this morning and Frank walked down. Aunty Alice came over with us to dinner. She walked back soon after dinner and Dad. Enah and the baby went for a drive down the lake shore and wound up at Aunty's where they stayed to tea. I read, slept and wrote to Dick this after noon and Frank fixed his wheel and visited with Lloyd Ryerse most of the after noon and then went back to Ben Ivey's gully prospecting for butter nuts and sent the cows up. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/fc75412a9250f574e5bcc9ea7e2462a6.pdf 2f93493f2ed1d0c5db62ddf231c2e45f PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. barn roof and make a couple of hog troughs. We wanted to get slabs but he couldn't let us have any. When we got home I went down to the mill and got some rolled oats for the sheep. This after noon Dad. and I put the doors on the harness cupboard but couldn't finish as we found we only had enough screws for three hinges instead of four. Frank put wire in his bee hive frames. About five o'clock Dad. went down to the mill and paid Charlie Ivey part of his account as Neil Elliott was in yesterday morning and gave him a check for Bobbie but said not to bring her down for two weeks. Enah and I printed pictures to-night Wednesday August 29th It rained most of the morning and I didn't do any thing much but read and try to trim a couple of the ram lambs Enah's friend Mr. Hall walked over in the pouring rain this morning and stayed to dinner. It cleared up about {obscured word} and Pickford came over to see if we would help him thrash this after noon as Sam couldn't do any thing with Al Boughner's alsike stack and said he would thresh Pickford out this after noon, however they didn't get moved down till about five o'clock so didn't thresh any to-day but Pickford was up to-night to see if two of us would go down in https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/61e458c352ff960d09dafbec9ad0a827.pdf 5260a5eec760e1bd0c8c91f9264063d5 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Friday August 31st Dad. plowed all day over on the side hill by the woods and got quite a bit turned over. After I did chores I unloaded the waggon load of wood that he brought up yesterday and then went up and set up the oats that had been laid down Some of them were very wet but none sprouted to speak of. When I got through I started to flail out my winter barley and finished cleaning it up after dinner. About three o'clock I hooked Joe & Belle to the disk and started on the pea ground. I think it will work up nicely. I quit early and Enah and I went down at seven o'clock and had a ride on the "City of Dover" as she ran out to-night instead of Tuesday night when it rained. It was a lovely night to-night and we had a very nice ride Lila and Dess were with us. Dad. was about half the night doing chores as Mr. & Mrs. Smythe came over to see the stock They have just got word within the last day or two that young Ernest Quanbury Chris's second son has been killed in action. It is just about a year ago now that Henry his brother died of his wounds. The Canadians are in heavy action these days around the coal pits of Lens and they are steadily pushing the German's out of the city. Conscription is now on the Canadian statute books having been passed by the Senate yesterday or to-day. Sunny & breezy & cool https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/cc7ef111f49399632562bf859b365418.pdf 7585211ae8c7830ab2d43fa5438a3a10 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. I went down to Aunty's just at noon and stayed to dinner and after dinner pruned a few of the old branches out of the barbery bush for Aunty. I got home about three o'clock and got most of the lawn cut over here. Lila was over here to dinner. Dad. plowed all the after noon and Frank made a couple of hog troughs. Dad. plowed up a nest of rabbits this after noon. He killed two of them with the plow but brought two live ones home. They are only a few days old and I am afraid they won't live. Sunny but cool. Sunday September 9th Enah and I drove down to church this morning and Aunty came back with us to dinner. Frank spent the morning in trying out some new kind of solder he got at the exhibition which is applied like sealing wax and Dad. did chores and shocked up the twelve oat shocks. Aunty says he shocked more than the oats. I started to read after dinner but went to sleep almost immediately and slumbered peacefully till Aunty was ready to go down town and then I went down there to tea and to church with Aunty & Aunty Alice. After church I went home with Marj. who has changed her place of abode from the Bagley's to Miss Kerny's. I wrote Dick a short note when I got home. Frank and Enah walked down to church to-night. Fine, cloudy & cool. Feels like frost to-night Monday September 10th Frank and I took Bobbie down to the car this morning. Frank led her and I drove in the buggy. Neil wasn't around but we left Bobbie in the pen, one pig was the only other occupant of the pen. We went around by the station and got a poultry crate which Frank got from Silverwood's to ship his ducks in. We saw Huby and he said there was a heavy white frost down at the station but no sign of it at his place. When we got home Frank sorted out the ducks he wanted to keep and let them loose and I raked up the lawn. After dinner I took Belle & Queen and went back and disked on the back field where Dad. had been plowing all morning and Dad. finished plowing the field and started in to harrow it. It is going to work up fine. Mrs. Tupper came past this after noon and said Clem. wanted one of us to go and help thrash this after noon, as it was then about four o'clock and the machine wasn't there yet, we didn't think they would do much but I told her to go up and get Frank, so she did and Frank was over there helping Tupper till after tea. The machine just got there at dark. He wants two of us to help him to-morrow. According to today's paper the Russians are cutting up rusty again Korniloff is leading a revolt against Kerensky at the Provisional Government and marching with his troops away from the battle front. Cold wind all day & to-night. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/c6681e9fbf13dc8c3f041ea303034538.pdf 1af178c50b6ea76cf560d213ca2c9b26 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Thursday September 6th Dad. plowed all day to-day and got on well. This morning Frank & I hooked Queen up and drove down town to get his suitcase which he checked the other day and which didn't come and when we got back we drove down to Bruce's to get a set of double harness which Bruce told Dad. about a couple of months ago and which he said he wanted ten dollars for, we found Mr. Smith down there but Bruce had gone up to Hammond's to get some seed wheat. Mr. Smith gave us the harness however and it looks like a very strong one, there were no collars and only one crupper and one bridle check but the back bands and traces look<s>e</s> especially strong. Queen went fine but the roads were bad as it rained hard during the night and we didn't get back till about half past one. It was pretty well on in the after noon when we got through dinner and chores but I took Joe & Belle and disked on the pea stubble and by six got all over it. Frank patched at the barn roof which he started at yesterday. Aunty Alice came over to tea and I walked down with her to-night. Poor Art Quanbury is having a very bad attack of his old trouble this week he was taken sick Monday and Charlie said to-night he was no better. Fine and cool. Friday September 7th I disked with Queen and Belle all day on the pea stubble and got pretty well over it lengthways of the field I was going crossways before. Frank plowed all day and Dad. was down town all day working in the garden down home. Enah went down town this after noon but missed Dad. and he had to go back after her but met her before he got very far. It began to drizzle rain about four o'clock and was raining quite hard by six. We quit early. I was about frozen when I got in and spent the evening reading "Saturday Nights" which Enah brought home all except Frank who was figuring out how much more it cost to farm with horses instead of tractors. He & Dad. are in a cronic state of argument on the subject. Saturday September 8th It rained hard last night and Dad. thought it was too wet to work on the land this morning. We puttered around and did odd jobs among which were the lancing of an absess on the fat ewe's jaw and the filing of old Nellie's teeth. About eleven I shaved and went down town to to have Bill look at my tooth which has been bothering me a lot the last couple of days. He said there was nothing wrong with it that he could see but that I might have caught cold in it. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/d11912e57654711fc69d9ee1eb907802.pdf 22ec682ba51de486ba8cdf9991f3b3e5 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. as before I got all the chores done and they take quite awhile to do alone. Ham Thompson came in to look at the stock and just as he left old Mrs. Davidson, Julien the Pole and some fair damsel unknown to me came over with a little two year old Percheron filly which they said Dad. had told Aunty they could turn out here to pasture so I put her in the stable till we could put her with our colts. After I did have my lunch and was in the house reading Mrs. Lawrie and Edith came over but when the found Enah wasn't home they didn't come in Dad. and the baby walked home about five and left Enah down town to have tea with Aunt Ida as Aunty and Aunt Alice drove up to St. John's with Harvey Skey and his mother to a memorial service for the two Quanbury boys. I helped do up the chores and drove down town about eight o'clock I went for a walk with Marj. Glad. & Miss Law from Ingersol who is a cousin of Glad's. Then I went down and drove Enah home. Monday September 3rd <u>Labor Day</u> Dad. plowed all day but as he thought it would be too wet after last nights heavy rain to disk I weeded out mangels all morning and disked this after noon with Belle and Queen. Enah went down town this after noon. Fine day Tuesday September 4th I disked this morning on the pea stubble with Belle and Queen and quit about half past eleven and went up to Ham. Thompson's. Dad. plowed all morning and at noon had to go over to Joe Long's to see a horse of George Thompson's that had been cut on barbed wire. It was rather late when we got started after dinner but we went out and turned out the shocks of oats that were left in the field east of the orchard and then hauled in a load but didn't quite clear the field. Enah helped us put off the load that was on the barn floor and we left the one we hauled unloaded. We got through fairly early, and I went down after tea and met Frank. His train was just on time so we got home quite early. He had a great time at the Fair and can think of nothing else but a rein drive tractor which he saw down there. Fine & cool Wednesday September 5th We hauled in oats to-day and got them all in but twelve shocks. They didn't bulk up much I think there were only four loads on the six acre field. Frank and I went out after the last load about seven o'clock and it was eight when we got in, pitch dark and raining quite hard. Dad. came to meet us with the lantern. He milked while we were out. Cool. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/48fdcc1c58a6504d2c030f21f69e3ffa.pdf de5afc5b7ded044696504646b1fb01db PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Friday August 31st Dad. plowed all day over on the side hill by the woods and got quite a bit turned over. After I did chores I unloaded the waggon load of wood that he brought up yesterday and then went up and set up the oats that had been laid down Some of them were very wet but none sprouted to speak of. When I got through I started to flail out my winter barley and finished cleaning it up after dinner. About three o'clock I hooked Joe & Belle to the disk and started on the pea ground. I think it will work up nicely. I quit early and Enah and I went down at seven o'clock and had a ride on the "City of Dover" as she ran out to-night instead of Tuesday night when it rained. It was a lovely night to-night and we had a very nice ride Lila and Dess were with us. Dad. was about half the night doing chores as Mr. & Mrs. Smythe came over to see the stock They have just got word within the last day or two that young Ernest Quanbury Chris's second son has been killed in action. It is just about a year ago now that Henry his brother died of his wounds. The Canadians are in heavy action these days around the coal pits of Lens and they are steadily pushing the German's out of the city. Conscription is now on the Canadian statute books having been passed by the Senate yesterday or to-day. Sunny & breezy & cool. Saturday September 1st Dad. plowed all morning and I did chores and flailed out my emmer and sent off the report of it and the alfalfa experiment. This after noon I went down to Tom's and got the can of buttermilk, he had brought it as far as his place but his waggon broke down and he couldn't bring it any farther. Dad. turned out a few oat shocks while I was gone and when I got back we hauled in a good load, they might have been drier but weren't bad, we left the load on the barn floor. To-night I went down town and met Marj. & Glad. Law, they came up to-night. Bright, breezy and cool. Sunday September 2nd It began to rain early this morning and rained hard till church time and then cleared up and was sunny and hot this after noon but cold to-night. We all drove down to church this morning as Enah had to play. There were very few there and Dad. and I had to take up the collection. There was some blind man there and Mr. Browne got me to pilot him up to the communion rail. I went home to dinner to do chores and Dad. Enah and the baby stayed down at Aunty's. I didn't get in till nearly half past three to get my lunch. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/2401b98da5ab22b16e082e9f923e89e5.pdf 9c17bd272c830dfe1e4a75e87b766e9f PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. down town to-night. Frank and I walked. Frank, Enah and the baby went up to the Sunday school but Dad. visited with Aunty Alice and Aunt Ida. Aunty was up at the Johnsons tending George who has the whooping cough while his father and mother were at the Sunday school. I went up to Andrew Innes's and got a pair of rubber boots and then took a little chicken up to Cousin Loll and by the time I had visited with her for half an hour it was too late to go to the {illegible}. Thursday November 1st I spent most of the morning doing chores and getting things ready for to-night as I expected to be up at Ham's this after noon with Frank helping him fill his silo. Dad. plowed all day. We went up right after dinner but Ham said it was too wet and didn't expect us up. It snowed quite a lot during the night and as his corn was all down in sheaf it would have been nasty handling. We came home and hooked Joe & Belle to the waggon and went down to Art Ryerse's where we borrowed their root pulper. Lloyd told Frank the other day we could have it for all winter as they have no roots this year. To-night I went down town and after coming over to Silverthorne's with Marj. went to the show. Friday November 2nd Dad. and Frank were in the back field all day plowing and shovelling out ditches. I did all the chores up this morning. Aunty came over at noon and this after noon I went back down town with her and got my bank order from Waller's cashed and got some groceries. My arm has been pretty sore today and I gave it a long soaking again to-night. It has broken out in little blisters around the original spot and is quite badly swollen. To-night Chris Quanbury came over and got twenty pullets for which he paid me $0.50 apiece and four smaller pullets and a cockrel which I got $1.00 apiece for. I have decided to sell off the whole bunch except maybe ten or a dozen and pay Charlie Ivey (or try to) last winter's feed bill with what I receive for them as if I keep them and buy feed again this winter as I would have to I would be farther in the hole than ever even if they laid exceedingly well. Frank and I helped Chris take the bunch down to his place on wheelbarrows. Sunny and snow nearly gone but freezing in shade. Saturday November 3rd My arm was very sore again this morning so I https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/1c2f2a647f3c1e97edf7a83175bf9efd.pdf e5528343d0c8c4c75d378eb66c1cff71 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. dinner we sacked up nine bags of oats and Frank took them to the mill and got part of them chopped and part rolled. While he was gone Dad. and I cleaned out the stables which were not cleaned yesterday. The mud makes it an awful job. When he got back they hauled up the wood they cut from the oak and we took all the mangels that were up and in piles into the drive house where they can dry off and not be in such danger of freezing. Dad. went back early to-night after the cows and found the four turkey's which disappeared from their roosting place in the gully three or four weeks ago. He of course brought them up and they roosted to-night in the orchard. Enah had a queer visitor just before tea to-night. A young fellow who seemed too cold, sleepy or stupid to carry on much conversation came and asked for some thing to eat and sat for half an hour hovering over the stove. While there she managed to find out from him that he had tramped from Dunnville and was on his way to Simcoe to be examined. He dozed most of the time he was in here but between yawns he told Enah that he had been picking fruit most of the summer and that he didn't like the cold and wanted to go to Florida to pick oranges, but if he was fit for Military Service, would not be able to cross the line, hence his desire to be examined. He left here in time to catch the seven o'clock car and offered to pay for his supper. It has been cloudy, muddy and raw with spitting snow storms. Wednesday October 31st This has been a most miserable day. Raw and cloudy with quite a heavy snowfall which by to-night has covered every thing. It froze the ground quite hard last night so is very muddy. Dad. plowed all morning and I cleared up the shingles back of the woodshed and put the best of them in the woodshed. Frank chopped up the blocks they cut off the oak yesterday. Ham Thompson came down with his ten ewes to put with our ram and borrowed our waggon and rack to haul corn in to-morrow and he wants Frank and me to go up to-morrow after noon to help him fill his Silo. This after noon I just did up the chores and then walked back to where Frank was plowing and found Dad. over talking to John Wess. I went over there for a few minutes and then we came up early so that we could go down to the Hallowe'en party in the Sunday school. Just about tea time Bert Thompson came over and got his heifer. We all went https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/1f6d126c6f7aeaa33d96d7a92e00ee81.pdf 8235ab3ff94e73ad5aa961f073af414c PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Saturday October 27th Dad. and Frank were back over the gully all morning & most of the after noon one plowing and the other cleaning out ditches. I spent most of the morning fixing the fence around the old well as the sheep have taken to wandering around it and we were afraid one of them might get in. I did chores most of the after noon. It was a beautiful morning but it began to rain soon after dinner and it rained steadily but not hard till after tea and then it poured nearly all night. Dad. and Frank got soaked. Lila was over for awhile this morning. Sunday October 28th Frank went down to Sunday school this morning and I went down a little later but was too late to go to Sunday school so went up to the bank and woke Clark up and got him to go to church. Aunty walked over with us to dinner and we found Charlie & Flossie Shand here. They had started to church but they have the road past Penman's barricaded so were too late and came in here. This after noon I took Marj. for a drive up around by Lynn Valley. I went down town again to-night and went over to the Moore's. {Larry?} Skey preached in our church to-night but I was too late to go. Clark told me this morning that he has been moved to Ottawa and is leaving to-morrow so I went up to-night for a minute to say goodbye to him. Cool & cloudy to-day. Mild night. Monday October 29th It has rained nearly all day steadily, it began last night and is still at it to-night. I spent the day killing my crate fattened chickens and it took me just about all day. Enah picked the pin feathers out for me. I made a pretty good job of them, I stuck nearly all of them in the brain and tore them very little. Dad. did chores and read to the baby most of the day. This after noon Frank went over to Mrs. Robert John Watson's sale and got soaked to the hide. Tuesday October 30th I took my box of crate fed chickens down this morning and expressed them to Waller's. I didn't do much more this morning after I got home as it was nearly noon. Dad. and Frank cut blocks off the old oak all morning. After https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/ce5fef5f6da4a3364c4fde05ec622f0d.pdf 1fcb48d443bbe020bdb2cf0db9242513 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Wednesday October 24th It has rained steadily all day and all evening. I haven't done any thing to speak of but my arm has been a lot better I didn't soak it to-day but bathed it well a couple of times. Dad. and Frank put a great fix on the back of the stove with a piece of tin and some stove cement. It doesn't smoke now and the water in the reservoir warms up quickly. I pasted a few snapshots in my new album this after noon and also shaved and went down to Aunty's to tea. Marj. was there too so we had a very nice evening. They had a letter from Quint down there saying that straw mattresses & blankets had been issued so that he thinks he will be in England all winter. Thursday October 25th I came home as soon as I had breakfast this morning. I did a few chores this morning and then drove down town and got some groceries and went up around by Ham Thompson's to ask him about forming a Farmer's Club for co-operative marketing and buying. This after noon I cleaned out the colony house. Dad. did chores all morning and plowed this after noon. Mr. Flemming came in this morning to get one of us to help him thrash this after noon so Frank went down. Winnie came over to tea to-night and I walked down town with her and stopped in for awhile at Aunty's on my way home. I had a letter from Dick to-day saying he had registered at the Post Office for service. We don't just understand how he came to do it as he said before that he had sent his medical sheet to the Head Office where they would apply for exemption for him. It was cloudy and raw this morning but sunny this after noon & clear to-night. Friday October 26th Dad. and Frank went up on the nine o'clock car this morning to the Principal Plowing match at Oak Park Farm near Paris, they were up all day coming home at five but all the prizes had been awarded yesterday so Dad. didn't see what he most wanted to, the plowmen with their teams. The tractors were working to-day so Frank was satisfied but from what they say their work didn't show up very well beside the horses'. I went down to Flemming's and thrashed all morning and for half an hour after dinner and have been doing chores all after noon. My arm doesn't feel any the worse. I caught 38 chickens to-night in the outside little coop and put them in the colony house. Nice day. Rainy night. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/ac8bdd1cf5b132e1c9f78f16d3a9db4f.pdf 2322616fd97f5120d930c432f97d6cb4 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. streaks running up towards my elbow. He told me to go home and soak it for an hour in hot water and then put some lotion on it which he gave me, so I started for home but met Dad. Enah & the baby driving to church and Dad. told me to go to Aunty's and he came right down after leaving Enah at church and he got the water hot there on the gas much quicker than we could have at home. I soaked it for a good hour and it took the pain out a lot. I stayed there to dinner and tea. This after noon I went up to see Marj. but she had gone up to the Davises for dinner so I missed her. I knocked around with Charlie Quanbury all the after noon and to-night went to church with Aunty and then over with Marj. It was nearly twelve when I got home but I had to light a fire and soak my arm again as the Dr. told Aunty after church that I had better if the red streaks were still up the arm. Dad. & Enah both came out in their night apparel & hung around till I got through. Fine day but raw. Monday October 22nd I haven't done any thing in the way of work all day. I soaked my arm for an hour or more this morning and for a little while this after noon. This after noon I went down town and sent in my claim for exemption and then went down to show my arm to Dr. Cook. He said it was coming all right and opened it up more puting his probe down to the bone. I then went up and had my hair cut. Dad. plowed all day and Frank did chores Enah went down to Aunty's to tea and went up to Simcoe with the Hobbes to sing with the massed choirs of the deanery at the Deanery Meeting. Jack Martin brought her home. Tuesday October 23rd I haven't done much again to-day. I soaked my arm again this morning and this after noon drove down town to get some coal oil and came around by the mill and got a bag of bran. It rained all day so Dad. and Frank couldn't do much outside but Frank fixed the new trough in the pig pen and arranged the swinging door over it so that it would work easily and save him climbing over it every time he feeds the pigs. I stopped in at Aunty Alice's on my way down and she had just had a back tooth out. Dad. spent most of the day doing chores and ditching and this after noon he went over with me and took Jim Rosses chickens over to Jack Martin's and he shipped them for us https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/0a878bc82a317b270c2390324f1834a4.pdf 94e94ada0cd4c010aaece1c1c3ba25cf PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Thursday October 18th I have planted ginseng all day and to-night counted the seeds I had left and just have 565 so I will soon be through the job. If the seeds all grow and the plants live and the Chinese keep on wanting ginseng roots I should make some money in six or seven years provided some one doesn't steal them. Frank and Dad. got started plowing to-day in the back field by the bush. Dad. ran out the ditches and struck out a couple of times and Frank threw out the sods and this after noon plowed. This was Frank's birthday. Rained a little. Friday October 19th It rained steadily all morning and has been raw cloudy and windy all the after noon. I spent the morning writing in this and to Douglas. Dad. read to the baby and Frank went back to the gully and caught a rabbit in one of his muskrat traps. He skinned it but found so many dubious looking spots on it that he decided to use it for bait instead of eating it. This after noon I went back and planted 328 more seeds and will plant the 239 I have left up here some place in a box. Dad. went over to Jack Martin's this after noon to see if he could get a box to ship 6 pullets to Jim Ross. Saturday October 20th I drove down town this morning to get some groceries and to see if McEwen came down on the nine car, but he didn't show up all day. Frank and I picked apples the rest of the day and Dad. plowed. We got just two trees stripped clean but they were the heaviest laden with fruit I think. Frank went down town to-night and heard that young Henry I forget his first name was killed the other day when he fell of some engine at the gas well where he was working. Charlie Quanbury was in to borrow the straw knife this morning. He was up to be examined yesterday and was classed A.2. which is very queer as he has a very bad throat but he went to Simcoe and said they marked him A2 before they had him half examined. Joe Thompson & George Clark are both A2 but Charlie Ferris was thrown out. Froze last night raw & windy all day. Sunday October 21st Frank went down to Sunday school this morning but I had to spend so much time bathing my arm that I didn't get down. I walked down in time for church but went around to see Dr. Cook first to show him my arm as it was badly swollen this morning and red https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/820b1f8b9f74fa4e54786a0ee6da8099.pdf 86d6249d67d07edd25166f85b290056e PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Tuesday October 16th I have been planting ginseng all day again to day and am just nicely started. I had no idea it would be such a long job and I am very thankful that I only bought half a pound of seed instead of a pound as I at first intended and as the doctor wanted me to. I am planting every seed separately and about three or four inches apart in rows six or eight inches apart and as there are supposed to be four thousand of them in half a pound I can't expect to do it in no time. Dad. and Frank felled the big oak just at noon. It was a big job as its diameter was nearly equal to the length of the saw It will make a lot of fire wood but it was time it was cut as the heart of the trunk and the limbs was all punk, and it had got past being very pretty. Enah was down town all day and the baby was at Aunty's Enah was up helping at the banquet which the Board of Trade gave to a large deputation of businessmen representing all the towns and cities within reach of the L.E.& N. and {G.H.& P.?} railways. They had a very successful day and everybody spread themselves to entertain them and they donated $100.00 to be divided equally between the Red Cross & the I.O.D.E. McEwen sent our ram to-day and the Dominion Express Co. brought it right over to the farm. Enah and the baby stayed down to tea and Dad. & Frank & I drove<s>d</s> down afterwards to go to the Jubilee Singers concert in the town hall. I hadn't intended going but Dad. wanted me to go down and telephone McEwen and tell him the ram came and ask him when he would be down to look at the ram's lambs so I did and found out he couldn't be down before Saturday. I stayed and talked to Bab. for awhile and then went down to the show, just as I got to the town hall corner Tip Varey came out and gave me a ticket, he said he was just looking for some one to give it to. The hall was packed. Nice day. Wednesday October 17th I have been planting ginseng all day. Dad. and Frank spent most of the morning cutting a block off the old oak and splitting it up. This after noon they trimmed up the ewes and would have started plowing but it rained so they didn't. Dave. Ward was in to look at the lambs to-day & Gid. McHoy & Everett were in yesterday but of course we can't sell them till McEwen sees them. I went down to-night to see Marj. The grass was wet but thanks to the new rubbers which Aunty Alice gave me I didn't get wet. It froze hard last night. Nice morning but wet this after noon. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/57b2e50a63a3aa5053a831f56d1b9ea8.pdf 20b16e2352ecd1caa2a5f56e49f0b5b3 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. south west wind and when Dad. got home at three o'clock he found one of Mrs. Jim. Low's apple trees blown down across Aunty's lane so he had to chop it up before he could get out with Joe & the buggy. They had a letter from Dick to-day and he said that Head Office had told him to be examined and send his papers to Winnipeg for them to apply for exemption for him. He was marked A2 which is the highest he could get without military training, but he thinks he will be exempted. He hadn't intended applying for himself. Saturday October 13th After I got home and got my clothes changed this morning Dad. & I picked up the apples in the orchard which yesterdays high wind blew down, while Frank went to the mill with some oats to chop. This after noon Dad. and I pulled a few rows of mangels while Frank went back after the chop and when He got back He and Dad. went over to Tupper's and got some mow {illegible} I pulled another row or two of mangels but Dad. thought I had better not pull many as we would not be able to cover them all to-night. I went back to the woods for a little while. Edmond England was in to-night to have Dad look at his horse which was lame. Fair to-day but rather cold. Sunday October 14th Enah Frank and I drove down to church this morning and I walked home with Aunty Alice who came over here to dinner. This after noon Aunty and I drove up to Vittoria and I got a half pound of ginseng seeds from Dr. McInnes for which I paid him five dollars. We got home about half past six and came around by Port Ryerse. To-night I went down town and met Marj. & Glad. coming out of church, we went up to the Law's for awhile. Young Ivan who enlisted about a couple of months ago is home on his last leave and expects to leave Hamilton for Halifax on Wednesday. It was raining quite hard when I started home so I stayed all night at Aunty's. Frank was down also as he is going to help them pack up a box of stuff for Walter in the morning. Monday October 15th Aunty got up early this morning and called me so that I got home before Dad. was up, as it was still wet I put on Roy's rubber boots and some old clothes but it turned out a nice day. I have been back in the woods all day planting ginseng seed. Dad. and Frank started to cut down the old oak at the south east corner of the lawn. It was dying anyway https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/3bdcf6b72ceac38258499dbe14849472.pdf fcae0d0df37da31e1f72639ef2ceebed PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. apply for exemption from military service. I went right over to the Armouries from the car to get an early place in the line but we had to wait about an hour before the doctors began examining. When they did start they told us to be ready for them so as not to keep them waiting and accordingly we all stripped to a most distressing state of complete nakedness and lined up ready to go through the test. There were about twenty five of us when they started and more kept coming. Some of the boys were cold and put their coats on while they waited, when they came to me I first got on a set of scales and one doctor weighed and measured me in different ways & also tested my eyes, another fellow listened at my heart and lungs and asked me if I had ever had any trouble with my feet or legs so I told him about my knee. He pinched it and said it was a bog spavin and I had better blister it, he then sent me over to a third doctor and he said the same thing, that I had better fire it. I said I didn't think much of firing spavins but he told me he had a little mare once which sprung a couple of {jacks?} and he took them off where upon another doctor began inquiring of him as to the whereabouts of some "little sorrel". Eventually he let me go saying I would have to be put in Class E as my knee couldn't be depended on. I said I hated to be put down so low and he said he could put me in C which is for service in Canada but that E was where I should be so I said that if any trouble arose in Canada I would go anyway and so he said "That's the way to talk". It makes me feel rather down in the mouth to think I am physically unfit but I suppose oughtn't to as they said I was in good shape every other way. I believe I have been half hoping all along that there might be a chance of me becoming a soldier yet but now I know that there is nothing left but "The cool sequestered vale of life" for me and of course in a way it is a satisfaction to know just where I am and what I have to plan for. I was just too late when I got to the L.E.& N. station to catch the four o'clock car so I prowled around town till six and came down with Dr. Cook who had come as far as Brantford from Toronto in his Ford but had got so cold & wet that he left the car in a garage and took the radial. Aunty Alice was waiting for me at the station and said I was to stay there all night as it was such a rotten night. There was a strong https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/6e9c1ca538c9fd7f736de7a19bb62034.pdf d9c493ba211c8e084886a8d7276e94df PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. about all of Class A being called out before any were exempted. I also went around to Moore's studio while I was up there. We went back to the Fair Grounds about half past three and watched a couple of horse races and then went over to the sheep pen where we found Dad. waiting for us. He had intended going back on the car but thought he was too late so we loaded the sheep up and he and Frank drove home, and I started out to walk although I believe If I had gone a little earlier I could have caught the car as it was late, however I got a ride from just out of Simcoe nearly to the Half-Way-House with some old {Oaks?} and then I walked to about Duncan's orchard when Johnnie Walker picked me up. I got home about half past six and Dad. and Frank about an hour later. Cloudy & Raw. Thursday October 11th I went down this morning to dig Aunty Alice's potatoes for her but didn't quite finish the job. Dad. & Enah came down to Mrs. Dillon's funeral and Dad. had to be bearer. Frank came down a little later with Ben's rack and he and I went up and got a load of old shingles from Cousin Willie's barn. Enah's sister Mrs. Johnson came over to tea and to stay all night. Lovely day, rain to-night. Friday October 12th Dad. and I had planned to go up to McEwen's by the seven car this morning and from there to the Caledonia Fair via Brantford but when Dad. got up at five it was pouring rain and had been all night so we decided not to go to the Fair and as it rained steadily but not hard all day we were glad we did. We thought however we had better go to McEwen's, as he had four yearling rams which he said he might sell any day and we have come to the conclusion that we can't depend on our old fellow. We drove down and left Joe in the barn and took the nine o'clock car intending to get back home at one o'clock but when we got up there we got talking to McEwen and looking at the sheep and the car went back before we knew it so we had to wait there till two and have dinner there. We spoke for one of his yearling rams which he wants sixty five dollars for, but we thought he was a dandy except for some little stubs of horns and a rather big ear but he is big and low down. We left McEwen's at two o'clock and Dad. took the car home but I thought since I was so near I would go on into Brantford and be examined as I have to be anyway some time within the next month, before I https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/d7237d6017ce088bd8f6fc12c3ddfa4c.pdf 45607643de6b3aef8a8d718d2961a6fe PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. take all the prizes. The Shepherd invited Frank to sleep in his boxcar to-night so I guess he will. I just did up the horses when I got home and Dad. and I had tea alone and were just ready to start after Enah & the baby when they came along. Enah had come down on the seven o'clock car. Miss Morgan & Mrs. Brent were on the car and they told her that Mrs. Dillon died this morning in the Brantford hospital while undergoing an operation. I walked down town and went up to see Marj. for awhile and stayed all night at Aunty's. Nice day but raw. Wednesday October 10th I got of on the seven o'clock car this morning for Simcoe and found Frank prowling around the sheep pen at the Fair Grounds waiting for some place to open up so that he could get breakfast. Neither of us got very far away from the sheep till they were judged about ten o'clock. I tried to give them a little fixing up first but didn't make much difference in their looks. Lloyd-Jones man was trimming at his all the time and so were some fellows with Oxfords. Lloyd-Jones was the only other exhibitor of Shrops. Old Billy Beattie was the judge and we were most agreeably surprised when he gave us three second prizes and two third. Lloyd-Jones got all the firsts but still we thought we did very well considering it was the first time we ever showed. Our little loose fleeced ram lamb took second prize from one of Lloyd-Jones, but he didn't bring out one of his ram lambs. Our ewe lamb didn't get a prize and neither did one of the yearling ewes on account of some dark wool on her head, all the others got something. After they were judged Frank and I took in a little of the Fair and also a little dinner which we took standing up. About two o'clock we went down town as I wanted to find out if I could be examined for Military Service in Simcoe, but no board has been appointed yet. The only man I could find (after going to the Armouries and the Court House) who kenw any thing about it was George McKie and he is on <s>one of</s> the exemption tribunal for the North Riding. He told me I would probably be exempted on account of being a farmer, as he thought the only farmers who would be taken were those who have started farming within the last two months and those on farms which are overmanned. From what he said I think Charlie Quanbury must have been mistaken https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/c3790745e0b37143572231dc1bba4c2e.pdf d556c1eb51da028dd9733a4318441cd7 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. froze hard last night, so I went out and finished plowing the headland at the north end of the field while Dad. went over and doctored up the cow. I brought the team up when I finished plowing but didn't get any more done at the sheep before noon. This after noon Dad. worked on the land and Frank and I continued to trim sheep. I trimmed our loose fleeced ram lamb and made a wonderful difference in his looks but I am afraid his fleece is too poor. Cool. Wednesday October 3rd It has rained steadily all day and we were very glad to have it as the land is very hard and dry and lots of the wheat we sowed last week has not sprouted yet. Frank and I spent the whole day nearly with the sheep washing their necks & briskets where the oil was on the wool. Dad. fixed a pen over in the barn for the pure bred calf. This was the day of old Monteith's sale but we thought they would postpone it on account of the weather but we saw several buggies go past on the way home from it and Tom. told us to-morrow morning (I havent written this for some time) that there was a good crowd and the cattle in fact every thing sold very well. Thursday October 4th Frank and I washed up a few more sheep this morning and this after noon he and I fixed the wire across the gap going from the wheat field behind the barn into the hay stubble. Dad. cleaned out some of the ditches in the wheat. About four o'clock I took Joe down town and had her shoe put on as she broke one some way. I called for Aunty at Mrs. Battersby's on my way home and she came over here to tea. After tea it began to rain and was a nasty night so Dad. drove Aunty & me down as far as Mr. Fleming's and we walked the rest of the way. I went over to Miss McQueen's with Marj. and stayed all night at Aunty's. Cloudy & raw all day Friday October 5th Dad. worked on the wheat ground this after noon and thinks it will be ready to sow to morrow. He took down the stove pipe off the kitchen stove this morning and cleaned it out When I got home this morning Frank and I picked the King's and got about two bushels and then Frank went to the mill and got some of our oats rolled. This after noon we trimmed sheep and to-night I caught about 45 nice pullet<s>t</s>s and shut them up in winter quarters. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/1184b285a9c342e3196196d4d91ed42b.pdf 34a4b3792b95e7f874675bdde831d674 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Saturday October 6th Dad. worked on the wheat ground all day and got it drilled this after noon, there is just about three acres of it Frank and I cleaned up seed for him this morning and were at that nearly all the fore noon. This after noon Marj. and I went to Vittoria after chestnuts but didn't get any as they were not ripe yet and do not seem to be very well filled anyway. We went up to Dunkin's and he filled out an application blank for me to get the yearling ewe registered. He showed me his stock while Marj. was in getting warm. I stayed to tea at the Moore's and didn't get home till long after nine. Roy & Rebecca came up to-day on the three o'clock car to stay over Monday it being Thanksgiving day. It has been cloudy with a raw north wind all day. Sunday October 7th I was the only one from this house to go to church this morning and I drove down and brought Rebecca home with me while Roy & Aunty walked over Aunty Alice didn't feel like coming. This after noon I went down to the Moore's and had tea at Aunty's. Aunty and I went to church to-night and I went up afterward's to see Huby. Frank walked down to church and he & I went home to-gether. Jack Martin started teaching Sunday school again. Monday October 8th Dad. went out first thing this morning to run some furrows in the wheat and then he, Enah and the baby went down to Aunty's for dinner and to spend the after noon. Frank and I spent most of the day putting what we considered the finishing touches on our sheep. Still pretty raw but rather sunny. Tuesday October 9th The Quanbury boys brought their waggon in this morning and left it for us to take the sheep to Simcoe and they took our old one with them. Just as they left Jack Highland drove in and left the sacks for the bluegrass and we bagged it up and Frank and I took it down this morning to the car. We took the baby with us and left him at Aunty's for the after noon as Enah went to the Simcoe Fair with the James'. Frank and I didn't get started for Simcoe till about half past two as we had to load the sheep after dinner and as we had to walk all the way it was nearly five when we got there. I left Frank and the sheep up there and left the Fair Grounds at a quarter past five and was home here at half past six. I had Joe & Belle. Lloyd Jones shepherd had quite a flock of Southdowns and Shrops up there and as they were trimmed up to the queen's taste and in good shape I suppose they will https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/e8cd3ca19ada6ee3ef8cfb3c9532e598.pdf 81e91dfd0d26306ae8ae9be19abe2f20 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Sunday September 30th Enah and I drove down to church this morning and Frank walked down. Enah stayed down to dinner and to-night to tea as she had to go to Vittoria with the choir and to play in church to-night. The held Harvest thanksgiving services both here & in Vittoria to-day. Mr. Millman came up the other night and Ade. Orm. & Kathleen all came up in the car this morning to take Paw & Mrs. Millman home. This after noon Frank and I went down town. Kathleen and I went up to call on the Harry Moon's. Harry was lying on the sofa but the doctor told him he would have to stay in the house another week. His boils are pretty well healed but they have his lung straped in so that he can't breathe through it. Ade & Orm walked over here to the farm to see Dad. and Paw took all the rest for a ride in the car. I came home to tea but Frank stayed down Just before we had tea All the Millman's but Mrs. came over here in the car. I rode down with them about eight and after waiting for about <s>enough</s> half an hour for Mr. Farney to get through talking went up to Miss Martin's with Marj. and her. I called in at Aunty's on my way home but they had taken Enah and Frank home. It has been cloudy raw and windy all day and feels like frost to-night. Monday October 1st Dad. sowed my experimental plots of wheat this morning and I disked them in. We then hooked on the plow but before we got out all the Millman's came over to say good-bye to us and were here for half an hour or so. Dad. then went out to try plowing the rest of the strip along the side road that Frank started in the spring for corn. He plowed all the after noon and said it was very hard but could be plowed. This after noon Frank and I went down town and sold five baskets of tomatoes and got a load of shingles off Cousin Willie's barn roof. Windy & rather cool but sunny Tuesday October 2nd We got the ewes all over in the barn this morning and picked out seven that we thought were worthy of a place in the Simcoe show ring, two aged ewes three shearlings and two ewe lambs, we separated them and put the rest back in the orchard. Dad then went out to finish plowing and Frank and I started to trim the show sheep. Jack Martin's man came over to get Dad. to go and look at one of Jack's Jerseys which had got bloated up on the frozen clover as it https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/23e584acc2dbdd61192e03ef04aab3f5.pdf 9fe15c5dae3901886ccddcb89c557630 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. to meet Aunty & Mrs. Millman who came up from Toronto to-night. Dad. and I met them at the station. We saw the Quanbury boys on our way home out experimenting with Charlie's tractor which he has concocted out his gasoline engine and an old mower and scrap iron. It seemed to be running all right on the road. Fine and dry. Wednesday September 26th I spent most of the day cleaning out the chicken house and getting it ready to put in the pullets. Frank picked and sorted tomatoes and this after noon harrowed on the wheat ground after Dad. who was disking. He disked on the pea stubble all day. The Quanbury boys were over this after noon to clean up a load of oats. To-night Mr. & Mrs. Colin McNellige & Miss Shand were over to spend the evening. Fine day, the ground is very dry. Thursday September 27th Frank and I have been over at Jack Martin's thrashing wheat all day and are not half through yet. The stacks are tough and the separator was stopped a good part of the time. The tough sheaves were very hard on the cylinder teeth. Dad. worked on the pea stubble all day and got started to drill about five o'clock. Frank and I came home to tea as we thought he would want to drill late but he stopped at six thinking we would stay to tea. I went to the picture show to-night with Marj. Nice day. Elgitha calved back in the gully to-night and the calf died. Friday September 28th We have been thrashing all day to-day again and are still at it. It went slower to day than yesterday. We only thrashed 90 bushels this morning. We moved down to Cawley's barn to-day but the stacks down there seem to be in just as bad shape. Dad. finished drilling the field to-day and Frank went over to help him drill the grassy piece west of the ditch. Lea Marshall came after him - Dad - this afternoon to go down to Bruce Smith's to see a colt he has down there. Enah and the baby went down with them in the car. Cloudy all day, rained a little last night. Saturday September 29th We finished thrashing at Jack's about four o'clock to-day The oats and barley came through a little faster but the spring wheat was in bad shape. In the three days we thrashed 976 bushels of stuff. Dad. ran out the furrows in the wheat field to-day and did a few other chores. Looks rainy to-day. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/3c90861dfd06ffa28486e0439ce04264.pdf c3e14fe26a01ed84fe1a0144df4671b7 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. At last I came to the conclusion that the thing must be decided in some way so I resolved to let the results of the battle of Verdeen which was then at its height be the judge. If the Germans broke through to Paris I would enlist. If the French were strong enough to hold them back I would stay home. Dad. said this was a fair proposition, as the Germans are still outside the defence of Verdeen I am still on the farm. Whether I did right or not I don't know, it is for those higher up in authority to judge but I do know that I have done what I thought was the best and have not suffered any uneasiness since I eliminated sentiment from the case. Now that conscription is coming in force all responsibility is lifted and if they tell me I am to stay on the farm it will be a satisfaction to know I have done right but if they tell me I must go to the front I will do it without any shame for having stayed away so long. I must say I do not feel the same eager desire to go that I once did and will not be sorry if I am exempted but at the same time want to go if I am really needed. The boys at the front have got to be reinforced no matter what else happens and we haven't the time to haggle over technicalities in our constitution to deside whether or not we have the right to enforce conscription. It may be bordering on Prussianism but we must have the men and as a last resort I think are justified in adopting some of the German methods in order to cope with them. All this is a little outside my usual diary writing but these are unusual times and in future years when time has harrowed over and smoothed our memories I want to remember how keenly we feel all these things now. Tuesday September 25th In some way or other I have missed one day altogether and wote under the heading of Monday all the doings of to-day so I will now write Monday's record under today's heading. Dad. and I finished hauling out manure this morning. We cleaned the shed and covered the field. Enah and Frank went out to the Shand's to take Flossie some tomatoes and then went down town. This after noon Dad. disked. I flailed out some of my wheat and Frank rode down to John Watt's to see if he could get some second cut clover that he is just putting up and then he and I went after it. We just got a little to feed the ram lambs and traded a bag of oats for it. To-night I went down town and got my hair cut and Dad. Enah & the baby and I went to Aunty Alices https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/0323790eca40622753f22cffafe0474a.pdf 621e80b4fc80eda3745cc17a9330f371 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. and stoops to the barbarous position of a beligerent she is leaving nothing undone in the way of preparation for military efficiency. It is very inspiring to hear the Yankees talk of how they are "wielding the sword of liberty and democracy to annihilate a war-mad tyrant whose atrocious deeds of barbarism have shocked their refined natures and provoked their holy wrath It is a little hard for me to understand just why the sword of liberty and democracy was allowed to hang rusting over in Uncle Sam's chim<s>b</s>ney corner for two years and a half before his refined nature was shocked or his holy wrath provoked, because to the rest of the world the deeds committed by the war mad-tyrant early in the war such as the violation of Belgian neutrality and the wholesale murder of non-combatants, American women and children included, were just as atrocious as the destruction of U.S. shipping, however Uncle Sam is into the scrap now and every one is glad of it because if he never fires a shot off he can be very useful to the Allies in other ways, not the least of which will be the rounding up of the hordes of German spies within his borders. It is rather out of place for me to be looking critically at the motives for other country's actions when our own government in all its branches seems to be so rotten with party politics. An election is in sight and both parties seem far more interested in it now than the outcome of the war. The Grits spend all their time hunting up mud to throw at the Government and the Tories are exerting all their energies making plots by which they can remain in power. Parliament had prorogued and Borden has gone fishing but they did pass the Military Service Act by which it looks as if conscription would soon be enforced. That to my mind was the proper thing to do, for the voluntary system is certainly dead even if the Government did kill it and it was inefficent any way. It was based too much on sentiment and not reason. I have found out from my own experience that in a case like this sentiment is no use. Before a year ago last spring I was so tossed by the crossing winds of sentiment on the sea of indecision as to my course of action that I came nearly being wrecked on the rocks of lunacy. The lightship of duty was only a spot light which added confusion to the scene for it would first throw its lustre on the military troopship with the recruiting officers calling for more soldiers and then on the harbor of Home with Dad's pleadings and the athorities calling for greater production. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/2d0d6517b9018e7856220d4912852f62.pdf 83c9dbf7ba68207a0b11cd462ca18e9b PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. down to the last notch; so although it is very dry it chewed it up considerably, Dad. spent most of the day flailing out my three varietys of wheat; and I helped him clean it. The Imperial Amber was the nicest and best sample with the Banatka next best. Frank did odd jobs and went down town. Sunny, no wind, no clouds and quite hot. Froze last night. Now that we are well started on the fourth year of the war, it is just as hard to say when it will end as ever. All the talk of Germany's degeneration and being at the end of her resources in men, money and food is beginning to be looked on as foolish gossip especially since the U.S. Ambassador has come home and told the public that Germany's total losses in men is only about 3 million out of the 12 she called out with 400 thousand coming of military age every year, and that there was no chance of starving her out as the non-combatant population is making the home country as well as the conquered territory produce more than ever before. On the other had there seems to be no fear of her being victorious for the Allies with their unlimited resources are becoming stronger every day. They are on the offensive on nearly every front and are able to hold most of the gains they make in their various drives, not only that but if there is <s>only</s> any truth whatever in the reports we get the Allies seem to be able through the efficiency of their artillery and aerial scouts to make important advances with the minimum of loss among their own men but at the same time inflict heavy losses on the enemy both in the first drive and in the repeated counter-attacks which invariably follow an Allied drive. Then too, the Germans although not demoralized do not seem to be able to put the same force into their offensives as they did in the early days of the war. A recent example of this was in Russia where conditions are bordering on civil war most of the time. The Germans were within reach of Riga and the Russian troops instead of offering resistance marched away from that part of the battle line in revolt under Korniloff against their own Government under Kerensky. If that had happened two years ago the Germans would have been in Petrograd now, but in some way Kerensky checked the revolt and the Russians went back to the front and the Germans are not yet in possession of Riga and it doesn't look as if they would be. It seems that by next year Germany must give up all hopes of victory, for now that the U.S. has come down off her lofty seat of super-civilization where she was "too proud to fight" as Wilson said https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/4651dbb0cb614eab787ad62de1df06a6.pdf 0443d35c9c1e29e24ed231344254f7d7 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. and did a few odd jobs and I disked on the pea stubble all morning. I would have gone thrashing instead of Dad. but I had promised to go up creek with Marj. this after noon and Dad. said as it was such a nice day I had better not postpone it so he went instead. They got through soon after dinner. I quit a little before noon so got down town fairly early but we had to go and hunt Jake Eyers up to get a boat as he was up digging potatoes and Marj. had to stop to express a basket of plums home which she picked at Miss McQueen's this morning, so it was about half past two when we left. We went up as far as we could row and had a dandy time getting back about half past five. I took a couple of pictures of Marj. It wasn't at all hot in fact some times when the sun went under a cloud or the breeze caught us it was rather chilly. I stayed to tea and all night at Aunty's Alice's. I was up town for a half an hour or so after tea and saw Brierly. Mrs. Barwell, Cousin Clair and Cousin Loll were down at Aunty Alice's for a rubber of bridge. Cold east wind this morning but sunny and warmer later. Sunday September 23rd I went home this morning right after breakfast and changed my clothes and then Dad. & Tid drove me down again to church. Dad. had to go over to Kolbes pig pens in the marsh to see a sick pig. He says the place over there is a fright. Ducks and chickens are so dirty they can't grow and the ducks won't go into the creek. The pigs with their mothers have had nothing to eat but fish and are not growing a bit. When I got home from church Frank informed me that all the rest of the family had gone to Caledonia with Ham Thompson to see Douglas. After dinner Frank went back to the gully and got some butter nuts, and I sat around and read and wrote in this. Mr. & Mrs. John Shand came to call but didn't stay when they found the folks away and Winnie was over for a little while, she wanted an impression of the crest to put on a signet ring. Frank and I did up all the chores and Frank went down to church I went down a little later and got home about eleven. Dad. Enah and Tid. got home about eight after having had a fine time down at Douglas's. I saw Hugh Bannister this morning for a few minutes, he has just got back from France having been on an American transport taking supplies to the U.S. troops. He has been pretty much all over the world since he left here 2 1/2 years ago. Lovely day. Monday September 24th I disked all day on the wheat ground to day and had the disks https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/48bd49f6d53f19a0fc29504e2cd316b9.pdf 1c8d3db1ffd18c1cd8f2026c64be9bfe PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. manure all day but only got out eleven loads. It was an unlucky day from the start. The trouble began before. Dad. left when Frank started out with the first load some thing, we think it was the end of the whipple-tree caught one of the rods at the side of the spreader and bent it so that it threw the section of gear that lifts the tailboard up against the other gear and we had to take it out and straighten it. Then when he got out in the field with the load he offended Belle in some unknown way and she balked and after losing considerable time with her we had to take her off and put Joe in her place. This was before Dad. left but he didn't have time to monkey with her. This after noon Paton came in with a mare that he said had swallowed an apple and was choking and I had to lose another half hour with him. I never saw Dad. treat a choking animal so didn't know just what to do but I ramed the probang down her neck as far as I could and that seemed to ease her. He left her here till Dad. got home when she appeared to be all right. About this time Frank began to feel squeamish in his stomach and although he was able to haul out a few more loads he didn't feel much like pitching on so didn't. He must have had too much of his own cooking I guess for although he helped me do up all the chores he was quite sick this evening and again during the night. Dad. got home about five but didn't "peel off" his good clothes as I had a card from Enah to-day saying she would be home to-night so Dad. went down to meet her. It was after dark when I got everything done and I had to do some tall foraging to find sustenance enough in the house to keep the breath of life within me. I was very thankful Frank was sick and couldn't eat for our store of provisions had dwindled down to scant rashion for<s>e</s> one, however by rumaging around in the stale bread crock where I found two or three crusts that were not mouldy and cleaning up some left over apple sauce and nibbling a slice or two of old cheese I managed to collect enough nourishment to maintain existence till Enah got home when I was able to supplement my supper with some sandwichs from Enah's lunch box. They had tea down at Aunty Alice's. Dad. and Enah both report that nearly all the corn they saw in their travels a few miles north of here is ruined by frost. Saturday September 22nd Dad. went down to Sam's to thresh this morning and Art Quanbury drove down with him. Frank felt pretty sick but poked around https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/e44eb633f3909e27dc48a8fd735b0a01.pdf eecc88d9cd5bbf509e58e3eb5a7d51da PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. the couker, one of the ten looked very small an thin after he was plucked so I gave him to Aunty Alice and she said he was all right. Dad. and I were up till eleven o'clock picking out pin feathers while Frank write a letter to Enah Wednesday September 19th I packed up my nine chickens first thing this morning and took them down to the Dominion Express office and shipped them to Waller's, Toronto. I never shipped there before but he proved all right as I got my returns on Friday and he gave me 26 cts per lb which was a cent more than he quoted. They were a nicer looking lot than the ones I sent to Barron as I had stuck most of them in the brain, had torn them very little and only broke a couple of wings. I had larger sheets of parchment paper to wrap them in too and so made a much neater looking package. I stayed down long enough for Joe Howell to put a shoe on Josie. Dad. and Frank were hauling manure from the cow stable shed when I got back but they had cleaned up a lot of seed wheat for Mr. Flemming This after noon we hooked Joe and Queen to the disks and I went over the part of the pea stubble which Dad. has manured. I guess it was the first time we have ever had five of our own horses working at the same time. I quit early and went down to tea at Aunty Alice's and afterwards went to the picture show with Marj. and saw "Snow white" which was acted truer to the old story than any of them I have ever seen. I stayed all night with Aunty Alice. Another fine day. Thursday September 20th I cut the lawns down at Aunty Alice's before I came home this morning and Dad. and Frank were out at the manure. I saw Uncle Ward on my way home and he told me he was going to walk over here to find out whether or not Dad. could act as bearer at Mrs. Boughner's funeral to-morrow, she having died yesterday, so when I got home and told Dad. he despatched Frank on his wheel to find out the details and to save Uncle Ward the walk. We hauled out manure all day. Aunty Alice came over this after noon and did up the house chores and boiled us some potatoes and made a pudding. Friday September 21st Dad. and I helped us put on a couple of loads this morning and then had to go as he had to go down town this morning and get his hair cut and stayed at Aunty Alice's to dinner then went from there to the funeral. Frank and I hauled https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/5c68390b006c5db03605f1d9f9a55784.pdf 9f14ae0ea5a1fad32495eb1ef7ac780d PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. of bachelor existance. Frank went down town to-night and stayed all night at Aunty Alice's. Lovely day. Sunday September 16th Dad. and I did did up the chores and partook of a cold and lonely breakfast after which I went down to church. Dad was home alone at dinner time and I don't believe he ate any as Frank and I stayed down at Aunty Alice's to dinner and had a good one. We came home right after and I hooked up Queen and took Marj. for a drive up into civilized borders of Charlotteville where we nearly got lost. Frank went down to Sam Law's and found that we could look for them to pull in here early to-morrow after noon. Dad. after entertaining Jim Waddle for an hour or so drove with him down town and stayed to tea at Aunty Alice's. Frank and I did chores after which I ate one hard biscuit and went down town and went up to Miss Martin's with Marj. after church and Frank went to bed. Fine and sunny day. Quite hot. Fly's bad. Monday September 17th Dad.and I hauled out what little manure we could this morning from around the old stack bottom, we got out I think nine loads. Frank cleaned up the barn and granarie's and just before noon went down and got Aunty Alice to come over and do things up in the house and prepare the supper for the threshers, they arrived about two o'clock and threshed all the oats out that were over the granary, there is my load of O.A.C. 72 to thresh yet. We got about 330 bushels which was not what we expected at harvest time but equal to any that has been threshed around here To-night I drove Aunty Alice down as far as the bridge. She simply would not allow me to drive her any farther for poor Joe might be frightened. Another fine day. Tuesday September 18th We threshed till noon and then finished with fifty bushels from my load of O.A.C. 72 and about 117 bushels of nice wheat from the 12 acres, to-gether with a pile of bluegrass which Jack Highland has since bought for 16 dollars. I went down about ten and got Aunty Alice who had to do some tall surrying to have dinner in time but she managed alright. After dinner Alfred Ryerse came up with his bags to get nine bushels of our Plymouth wheat for seed so he Dad. and Frank cleaned it up to-gether with our own seed and I spent the after noon killing my crate fattened chickens. I killed ten leaving the one with https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/2cf7e69356439443b055e3750f9b35e4.pdf 4b49947ed31f367b05df3205c896f2af PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. We had to take it over to Clarence Welsh's to weigh it and left it in the field on our way home it was about two o'clock when we got to the house. Dad. went back with the big team and started drilling right after dinner and when I had my dinner I took Joe and Belle back and started harrowing but changed team's with Dad. later and he finished drilling the field about dark while I brought the old team up as old Nellie was so tired she could hardly walk. Fine day Friday September 14th Dad. took Belle & Queen back this morning and harrowed over the field that he drilled yesterday and I disked on the pea stubble with the big team. Frank had to go down town Enah's brother and all his family and Fred Johnson came down in their car from Courtright yesterday and came over here this morning. Jean & Adelina stayed here to dinner. This after noon Frank and I had to go over to Ben Ivey's to help thrash Quanbury's oat stack and were over there all the after noon having tea at the Quanbury's. Dad. ran out the furrows in the wheat this after noon. Enah is getting ready to-night to go to Courtright with her brother to-morrow, they were in again to-night for a while. Tid says he doesn't want to go away but he got resigned to his fate before they left. Another fine day. Saturday September 15th The principal event of to-day was the departure of Enah and the baby for Courtright with the James'. The baby seemed quite happy in the excitement of going in the car but it wouldn't have taken much coaxing to keep him home, however it has since transpired that he was quite contented and happy during his sojourn and the constant opportunity of ac<s>c</s>ess to new and wonderful sights and things of interest such as the big boats on the river and the magic performances of machinery in his uncle's tin-shop, afforded, - warded off any attacks of homesickness which under other circumstances he might have suffered from. I didn't do any thing much all day but wash the buggy and go down town with Frank to get a ton of soft coal for which we paid the exhorbitant price of ten dollars. Dad. finished cleaning out the ditches over in the back wheat field and he and Frank hauled up the planks and sleepers of Ivey's bridge which last spring's {illegible} deposited in our gully. The planks we want to have handy to support the thrashing engine on the barn floor and they will be ready for Ivey's any time they take the trouble to come and get them but the sleepers which were cedar railroad ties, they sawed and split up for use during our coming week https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/dbe36b3d254e88cc561129ec01ef95dd.pdf 41039f3f4e46cfd3431473105ba08fc4 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Tuesday September 11th Charlie and Art Quanbury drove in this morning on their way out to Tupper's so I rode out with them. This is the first day Art. has been out of bed since he was taken sick a week or more ago, so I think he is plum crazy but maybe not. Frank rode down town on his wheel to tell Aunty Alice that we would likely not be able to attend her theatre party to-night if we had to thrash late and he rode on out to Tupper's on his wheel. I went over to Charlie's place with the boys and helped them put on a load of wheat out of Charlie's barn as they wanted to thrash a load for seed. They thrashed it first and then started at Tupper's out of the field. He hadn't a sheaf in the barn. I hauled in with Tupper's team and waggon all day, and we worked till after six. The wheat was in awful shape but the oats weren't so bad. He got 416 bushels alto-gether and 44 of them were wheat. Fairly cool but sunny all day. Wednesday September 12th Dad. and I worked both teams on the land this morning and Frank patched at the stable roof. Aunty came over at noon to tell us she was going to Toronto in the morning to help Vernon christen the baby. Bill. Philips came in just after dinner to get Dad. to go up and see Miss McCoy's cow and while Dad. was gone Bill helped Frank and me put off the load of oats that was on the rack and get the twelve shocks out in the field and the wheat of my plots. Dad. got back just as we got in and said he had told Miss McCoy to send to Simcoe for Bert or Anderson. It is now over a week since I have made an entry in this book so that the records for the week following this will be brief and their accuracy and completeness may suffer somewhat from the effacing effect that time has on my memory. To-night I went down town and spent an enjoyable evening at "Uncle" Hughie Moore's, where I have since learned that I revised Miss Kerney's former impression of my character as she had formed the opinion that I was a "solemn appearin' boy". I spent the night at Aunty's to help her get to the station in the morning. Thursday September 13th Aunty got off this morning and had Mrs. Gordon for company all the way to Toronto. I went to the station with her and carried her suitcases, she took one full of vegetables to Roy & Vernon. When I got home I hunted up some bags and Frank and I took Joe and Belle on the waggon out to Bob. Ross's and got 17 bus {bushels} of seed wheat. Bob. was hauling in oats but Frank {illegible} his hay but on a load and he and I cleaned up the wheat. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/7da035dbe026cea38a57de1c2697fc18.pdf 4ba15e123f27cfda2d7d6bc5120ff973 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. {This is a repeat of Index page 110} https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/69bb26f166f191c3a28c63f197258602.pdf bd84cf80c142af4d244dd3345988adfb PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. soaked it for an hour or more. The original spot seems to be healing nicely but the numerous breakings out around it are getting very sore. Dad. and Frank dug potatoes all morning and I went out for about an hour before noon to help them. Two of Ham Thompsons kids were down this morning to say that Ham was going to fill his silo this <s>morning</s> after noon so Frank and I went up after dinner. We were up there till after dark and then had tea up there but didn't finish the job as the corn was so wet it kept plugging up the blower so that they had to take the curved pipe and the distributor off. I worked in the field for an hour or so loading {stacks?} but my arm got so sore I had to come up and trade jobs with Tige McBride who was tramping in the silo. Old Mr. Miller was in there too. I didn't mind that job at all. On our way home Frank & I stopped in at the mill and got a bag of crate fattening mixture for another bunch of cockrels which I shut up last night but Tom had been here and said he couldn't get me any buttermilk. Dad. and I went out to-night and caught all the pullets we could find as Chris told Dad. to-day that he would be over Monday to take all that were any good for Jack and that he would give me 25 cts per lb for them. Fine day. Sunday November 4th All the household but me went to church this morning and as I had to soak my arm again I didn't get down till half past eleven and then went down to the doctor's. He dressed it again and gave me a hyperdemic for some reason or other and told me the new breakings out were infections from the original sore. It was very painful this after noon but principally around the spot where he inserted the needle. I went down to Aunty's for dinner and stayed there all day and all night I went up to see Marj. this after noon but she was up at the Bagley's as old Mrs. Hall just died and they wanted her to be at the door. Marj. was home after tea so I spent the evening with her. A goodly portion of the Bawlby family came down to Aunty's this after noon for an hour or so. Aunty Alice was over here to dinner and Enah came down town with her this after noon and took the five o'clock car for Simcoe to sing with a few others in the Dover choir at Trinity church where the Bishop of {illegible} was preaching. There was no service in our church to-night on account of his being in Simcoe and Aunty, Aunty Alice and Winnie went up on the seven car to hear him https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/d11722dd90b28db092d6d158a5558fcf.pdf 5d052d92e445cf8c7ccd4844009843db PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Monday November 5th I had breakfast at Aunty's this morning and came home right after, but in accordance with the doctor's advice and the feeling of my arm have done no manual labor all day. I soaked my arm for an hour this morning and again to-night and Enah wrapped it up the way Dr. Cook did. This after noon I rode down to the mill with Tom. and paid Charlie Ivey 57 dollars on the account but was surprised to find that there is still over 73 dollars to pay. Chris came over this morning and picked out all the pullets and old hens that were any good and Jack paid me 17 dollars for them 18 pullets & 3 old hens. The government tractor a "Bull" is plowing over at Ben Ivey's to-day but is doing awful work. Frank plowed all morning and he and Dad. have been digging potatoes this after noon. They got them all in that they have dug to-night and were very agreeably surprised at the quantity as well as quality and size of the potatoes, very few were damaged with the frost. There are still four rows to be dug. To-night Dad. and Enah went down to Aunty's to celebrate Aunty Alice's birthday. Huby and Aunty Maude were there as well as the John Shand's. Froze hard. Lovely day. Tuesday November 6th I soaked my arm again this morning and then went down town to show it to the doctor. He didn't lance the sore's this time as I expected but sterilized each one of them by poking a wire with cotton balling soaked with full strength carbolic acid into the heads of them and working it around. It made me squirm somewhat as the carbolic burned. I stayed at Aunty's to dinner and left on the one o'clock car for Simcoe. I went up and collected our prize money, eight dollars, and took Frank's and my own shoes to be half soled. I then went over to the Court House to what was supposed to be a meeting of Unionists to select a Union Candidate for the Union Government but I found it composed pretty largely of good or at least dyed-in-the-wool tories with a sprinkling of Grits. About all they did and under the circumstances I guess it was the best they could do was to pass a resolution authorizing the executive of the Conservite party in Norfolk to select twelve men representing different parts of the county, to meet twelve men selected in the same way by the Liberal's and between them they are to arrange a convention of delegates representing each party equally and they are to select a Union candidate https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/4ebda82ad625b0e387fe4f4eed247dbe.pdf 69331b819e2edc0825ba83965fe581c1 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. All the party men wanted to pick out their man to-day or at least not accept H.P. Innes's resignation and got to the Grits and tell them to pick out their man or else consent to the Torie's man but the fellows who wanted to be square opposed that proposition as what they are afraid of is that we will have two Union candidates one Grit and one Tory opposing each other and then a Laurier Liberal will work in as a farmer's man or some thing else and win the election, which of course would not be what Norfolk wants as Laurier still stands by his referendum scheme and his first act should he be elected would be to stop the working of the Military Service Act. John Wess was over this morning to ask Dad. & Frank to help him thrash to-morrow as there is another machine on the back road and he can't get hands. Dad. & Frank finished harvesting the potato crop to-day and pulled a few more mangels. Lovely day. Wednesday November 7th I have done nothing in the shape of work all day. Dad. & Frank went over to John Wesses to help him thrash this morning and Frank has been over all day but Dad. came home right after dinner. He didn't feel very well for awhile after he got back but feels all right to-night. He did chores and pulled a couple of more rows of mangels. I went down town this after noon and showed the doctor my arm which he said was doing well. I stayed to tea and spent the evening at Aunty's. Dad. came down after tea with a basket of the biggest of our potatoes (and there are some huge ones) for Aunty Alice to take down to show Roy on Saturday. He also brought down their milk as we are letting them have milk now three times a week. There was considerable excitement created to-day but the appearance of an aeroplane, the first one I think ever seen in this neighbourhood. Dad. told us about him first at noon as they had seen him over at John Wesses flying quite low. Then I saw him again this after noon but a long way off flying north east evidently for Toronto. It seems the aviator was a French-Canadian from Camp Borden and had got lost in a fog up around Lake Simcoe coming down here instead of Toronto & mistaking Lake Erie for Ontario. He almost landed in the school yard at noon or near noon and they let all the kids out to see him. He couldn't land https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/8edd3349f5ccfa13f8b5e5fc94522fb6.pdf 067bea7452662c3753c36ef0af49e7c8 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. in such a small space, however and went up to Holloway's place this side of Lynn Valley where he lit and went into Simcoe for gasoline They said he knew very little about his engine. A good proportion of the town saw him and heard him as he flew right down over the pond. It has been freezing hard the last few nights but the days have been mild and sunny, to-day especially nice. Thursday November 8th Although my arm has felt a good deal better to-day I have done nothing whatever to use it. Frank went back to John Wesses and thrashed till noon when they finished and he plowed all the after noon. Dad. did chores and sawed up some wood this morning and this after noon pulled up some more mangels besides doing chores. I helped Dad. saw up one limb of the old oak with one hand this morning and then went a walk back to the woods. I went to sleep before noon and was too lazy to get up to eat. This after noon I drove Enah & Tid down town and came home by the mill where I got a 40 lb. bag of oatmeal. To-night I went down town to see Marj. It has been a beautiful day and not freezing as hard to-night. Friday November 9th Frank went out with the Quanbury boy's early this morning and was out there till noon helping them thrash at Charlie's place. The job only lasted a couple of hours but I guess they didnt get started on time. Dad. plowed all morning and I didn't do any thing much but kill a couple of old hens for Enah and a cockrel for Aunty Alice to take to Roy to-morrow. This after noon Dad. and Frank got up the rest of the mangels except a few small ones and put them all in the drive house. I helped them a little, pulling. Pickford came in to ask Dad. to go over in the morning to operate on a couple of calves. He had been in Brantford to-day with Mrs. Pickford who has something wrong with her eye and has to go up every so often from now on to a specialist. Pickford was telling us that he has it figured out that it is going to cost him nearly fifty dollars, which fact I am afraid is causing him considerable distress. Art & John Quanbury came in with a load of oats to clean up and told Dad. that Jim Bannister had brought word at noon that Harry Ansley had had a stroke and was very low. Aunty came over just as they left and confirmed the news of https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/d0b8615ba125dec640627bf1cdadbac7.pdf 4d2c5cb0a025aaede3040d14f6f9c658 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. dangerous condition but said he had not had a stroke but sort of convulsions and they think the trouble <s>was</s> is from his spine. The latest news to-night is that he is resting quietly having had theree convulsions, the first one before noon and lasting nearly an hour, the other two being lighter. I went down town to-night with Aunty Alice's milk and Roy's chicken and stayed all night so that I could help Aunty Alice get to the train in the morning. The war news to-day is bad, another revolution is taking place in Petrograd. Kerensky has fled to regions unknown and the revolutionists are demanding a separate peace with Germany. Prospects on the Italian battle front are not <s>showing</s> brightening yet either. The Italian army is still retreating from the immense hordes of Astro-Germans who have crossed the Tagliamento river and claim the capture of 250'000 prisoners and 2300 guns. The Italians claim that Cadorna's main army retreated unmolested and taking up defensive positions along the Piave river where strong British & French reinforcements are now massing and where it is hoped a decided stand will be taken as Venice is only fifteen miles behind this line and it is feared a further advance by the enemy would be liable to cause panic among the people who are already shaken but who are cheered by the presence of British & French aid in great strength from the Western front. If the fighting spirit of the Italians is still strong it is thought by some that an allied victory here is possible, and would mean disaster for the Central Powers who it is believed made this big drive partly in the hopes of demanding peace. The British forces under General Allenby are making headway against the Turks in Palestine having taken Gaza and closing in on Jerusalem. The Canadians are also doing fine work in France. Saturday November 10th I went up to the Tibbets as soon as I had breakfast this morning and Cousin Willie told me that they had had no call during the night so thought Harry Ansley was about the same. It was just about seven when I got back but as Aunty Alice was already we went down to the station and when she got in the car I came back. I came home almost as soon as the train went out. Frank plowed all morning and helped Dad. saw off and up another https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/ffa4646580614b0f7ce80b717fc5fcd1.pdf 35314fa6d80d0862f679e0fea7a14377 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. oak limb. This after noon Frank went to Simcoe to get the shoes I left up there to be fixed and to see Rus Lampkins about the windmill as some thing has gone wrong with it, I don't know just what. Dad. didn't get back to plow as there were so many chores to do and he helped me sort some of the potatoes. Frank came down to the five car and went down town again to-night. Another beautiful day. Sunday November 11th Enah and I drove down to church this morning leaving Dad. Frank and the baby to get dinner. Frank I think spent the morning fixing the windmill following the instructions he got from Rus Lampkins yesterday. Aunty & Aunt Ida came over here to dinner I went down town right after dinner and Marj. and I went for a walk. She has a bad cold so didn't go to church at all to-day, she had an awful time with her cold yesterday but feels better to-day. I stayed up there to tea and for the evening. Rus. Skey was over here to tea and Dad. has been giving me very amusing accounts of his future dreams of leaving the bank which he has always detested and finishing his medical course coming to Dover and fixing up the old home putting in the remainder of his life (he figures he would have at least fifteen years for it) in scientific research practising on the Turkey Point decendants, gratis. He was also reviewing with Dad. the pugilistic incidents of their school days dwelling with special pride and joy upon the day he licked Bev. Powell. It has been a beautiful day, very warm & not freezing to-night. Monday November 12th Dad. & Frank both went back this morning one to plow and one to ditch. I had to go over and chase the sheep out of Jack Martin's field as they have discovered the way over and are determined to go. About nine o'clock there was a great commotion caused by the blowing of the factory, Canning factory and other whistles We thought there must be a fire so I hurried down as far as Uncle Ward's but every thing was quiet and undisturbed by then down town. There was a flag up on the factory and Uncle Ward had no idea what had caused the row. Aunty Lucy suggested news of victory while we thought possibly the completion of the dam (which is not yet completed) was responsible but later in the day we found out that at nine o' https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/3d10a19d1ed9879402e4de098d5a3900.pdf 1a64b3387c9f179c1a1a065a9a098686 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. clock this morning the books are open for subscriptions to the new "Victory Loan" and all sorts of means are being resorted to to bring it to the attention of the public, this being one of them. I stayed talking to Uncle Ward till I nearly froze and when I came home found Frank sorting potatoes so helped him till noon. This after noon I intended going down to the doctor's again but Dad. wanted me to write to Dick so by the time I got that done it was pretty late and Enah said I might as well wait till after tea and then take Aunty's milk down so I did. I also took a basket of apples over to Marj. as she told me yesterday she had hardly tasted one all fall, she wasn't home to-night having taken Miss Kelly to the picture show. I went around to the doctors and got another bottle of dope and he burned out a couple more spots I stayed down all night at Aunty's. Dad. plowed this after noon and Frank pulled some more turnips. Raw East wind to-day & cloudy but clear to-night. Tuesday November 13th I came home about eight this morning and helped Frank bag up some oats to take down to be chopped. We took Belle and Queen and as they haven't been out for about a month were feeling pretty gay. Queen especially. It was about eleven when we started and they told us down there that we could get the grist in half an hour so we drove down town and got my box from Waller's and a bag of salts getting back about noon. Dad. plowed all morning. This after noon Frank went <s>down</s> back and plowed and Dad. and I spent most of the <s>morning</s> after noon cutting a block off the butt of the old oak. I went over to Ben's for a little while just before dark to see the tractor. It is plowing deeper than it did at first but has to make very wide {illegible} and leaves the ground very uneven. Cart. Bawlby was finishing up after it and had a big job as the pesky thing doesn't pretend to go straight. Cart. didn't think Ben was going to gain much in time or money by using it and then as he says it is only half plowed. Frank went down town to-night for a little while, there was a meeting in the town hall to-night to put the terms of the Victory Loan before the public. Froze hard last night but has been a nice day. Wednesday November 14th Enah, Tim and I went down town this morning and stayed at Aunty's to dinner. I went up again to the doctors and he punctured three more spots one a great big one like a blister and my hand is pretty sore to-night. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/c0fa163cf42fb4a468003396f5cc07b0.pdf 6576e3d56f781b65f234c9874bf4c5ff PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. I got some carbolic acid to heal any spots that come myself from now on. I went up and got Aunty's mail right after dinner <s>but</s> and then came home but didn't do any work all the after noon. Enah and the baby stayed down till after dark. Dad. & Frank plowed and did chores all day and finished the back field to-night. They had a couple of rag-men for dinner to-day who presented them with a tin pail in payment. Word came on Saturday that poor old Skelly Long had been killed in action and to-day Enah heard that Fred George had got a bullet through the head. Thursday November 15th My arm has been pretty painful all day and I have been in the house nearly all day. Frank and Dad. spent the morning running out ditches in the fifty acre sod field east of the lane and Dad. just got started to plow it this after noon when Alan Law came to get him to cut the lump off old Ben's stifle. He was down there till nearly dark but they couldn't operate on Ben and will have to throw him. McEwen came in on the one o'clock car to look at the ram lambs but he said they were too small for him and advised us to keep four of them over, he bought the two best ones for twenty dollars apiece and we have to ship them to-morrow. Dad. took Aunty's milk down to her to-night. Cloudy, rainy & raw all day. Friday November 16th Dad. and Frank crated up the two ram lambs this morning and Frank and I took them down to the station and Dad. went out and plowed. When we got back I went over to John Wesse's to see how he was, he was plowing but his breath was pretty short. I then went over to Tupper's and bought a heifer from him. Frank said he would go in on the speculation with me. She is rather small but in good shape and due to calve in April. Tupper said he would take my note for 11 mos. at 5% and he taxed me sixty five dollars for her. I stayed there to dinner and went down to Frank Ryerse's with him after dinner. Sam had just pulled in there to thrash. I got a couple of boxes of Chamberlain salve from Mrs. Ryerse and then came over to Law's with Alan and he drove me home. He took Dad. back with him and they threw old Ben but didn't operate as Dad. said it would be a painful operation and they were not sure it would cure him so they thought as he was so old it wasn't worth it. Aunty and Aunt ida were over here to dinner and walked over and back. I went down to Aunty's for tea and went to the picture-show with Marj. but it was a miserable show. My arm is still pretty bad. I put Chamberlain salve on it this after noon. Fair day. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/d6ea6fe387916fef4528174e6513d7db.pdf 355a076d9378b3002a16860cb6f49f68 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Saturday November 17th I didn't get home very early this morning as I went up town first and got some long envelopes to send McEwen's pedigrees up in. Just as I climbed Martin's fence Dad. was starting out with Harry & Belle, he had been out and plowed eight rounds in an hour with Harry and Queen and was now going to shake the keen edge off Belle. This after noon he plowed with Belle & Queen to-gether and they did fine. Frank worked Harry & Nellie. I fixed up McEwen's pedigrees and made out a promisary note for $25 for him and also made application for the pedigree of the yearlin ewe that is not registered yet. When Jim came at noon with the mail I ordered a postal note from him to pay for the pedigree and was fool enough not to think what I was doing and gave him McEwen's address instead of the "Live Stock Records at Ottawa so had to hike down to the post office and tell Cousin Willie to fix it when Jim came in. When I got home I walked out to Wilbur Ryerse's where Sam & Alan are thrashing and told Alan that he was welcome to old Dave if he wanted to come and get him to plow with in place of old Ben. so he said he would come up and get him. He says he would buy a new horse if he was sure of not being called up for service but he thinks he will be when {illegible} is called. Lovely day. Sunday November 18th None of us went to church this morning, I would have gone but took so long to fix my arm. I went down to see Marj. this after noon and stayed at Aunty's for tea then went to church alone this evening. Aunty didn't go to church to-night as she didn't like to leave Aunt Ida alone. Marj. and I went over to the McQueen's after church. They were rather upset over at the Moore's this after noon by the news of the death of Mat. Hudson down the lake shore Miss Herny informerd uncle Hughie one day last week that there would be a death in the family as she heard the death bell ringing in her ears. Huby & Mr. Lawrie were over here this after noon. Cloudy and raw all day. Rained a little, milder to-night. Bill Law arrived home from the war last night with just one leg. Monday November 19th I got home about half past nine this morning and found Dad. and Frank cutting more off the old oak. I got my old clothes on and about eleven walked out to the Shand's and had dinner with Willie & Winnie and then walked down to the cheese factory & paid Lea Marshall $7.40 for a year's buttermilk. Dad. and Frank were over helping Art Quanbury thrash this after noon till about five. Enah and the baby were down town all day. Charlie Shand doesn't know yet whether he will get exemption or not. Cloudy & raw but fine. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/46695df6d0c432df095fc735efcb7c61.pdf cbe39dd18d5e5e2f6bd29c3848ce6383 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Tuesday November 20th I didn't do any thing all morning but sit around and read "Saturday Nights". This after noon I went down and got my hair cut. Enah went down as far as Uncle Ward's to find out the particulars of Mrs. Schofield's funeral, she having died suddenly yesterday. Dad. and Frank plowed with both teams to-day but took quite awhile doing chores. The nominations for the federal elections were yesterday and it looks as if there was going to be quite a fight. In Norfolk, however, Innes withdrew at the last minute so that leaves Charlton, Liberal Unionist against Wallace, Laurier man. Cloudy & damp. Charlie Quanbury got word to-day that his claim for exemption has been refused. Wednesday November 21st Dad. and Frank plowed this morning and Frank this after noon but Dad. had to act as bearer at Mrs. Scoffield's funeral if he had been home they would have finished the oat stubble I sat around the house all day as I have a new boil on my knee which makes it pretty sore. Bruce was around this after noon soliciting subscriptions to the Victory Loan but we were unable to invest. I went down town to-night to see Marj. and stayed at Aunty's all night. Cloudy & raw. Thursday November 22nd I went down to get a fish for Aunty before I came home this morning and got home about ten. Dad. and Frank were cutting a block off the oak tree, they didn't plow any to-day as it rained or drizzled all the time. It turned colder towards night & snowed. I sat around the house all day as my knee was very sore and swollen, the spot on it seems just like the ones on my arm. Charlie and Art Quanbury were cleaning up wheat most of the day with our mill. Charlie's throat is in bad shape, he announces his intention of starting revolution. He's peeved. Friday November 23rd I have sat around the house and read "The Illiad" and "Titus Andronicus" all day to-day. It was frozen too hard to plow and has been very cold and windy all day. There is a half covering of snow on everything. Dad. & the baby went down to Aunty's this morning to bank up the house and stayed down to dinner. Frank got the apples down cellar this morning. This after noon they did chores. Enah walked down town this after noon to get some provisions. War news lately might be worse. British made a big drive the other day and took about 9000 prisoners. It was a complete surprise as no artillery were used to open the way. The tanks went first and broke the barbed wire. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/70b2b0259fd5575bc9c5a3341e765716.pdf d23339598261a085df5cef90e0cbd990 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Saturday November 24th It froze very hard last night and has not thawed at all to-day. The wind was from the north all day and it has been cold enough for mid-winter although sunny. I sat around the house most of the day although my knee was very much better. Dad. and Frank spent the day getting wood amd doing chores. Alfred was in this after noon for quite awhile and paid Dad. the balance on the seed wheat. Frank went down town to-night. Sunday November 25th Enah, Dad, Tid. and I walked to church this morning but found a notice on the door saying there would be no service owing to the lack of gas, so I went to the Catholick church and the others went to the Presbyterian. I came home to dinner and Frank and I had it alone as the rest stayed down at Aunty's. I went back down town right after dinner and spent the after noon with Marj. had tea at Aunty's and went up to Miss Martin's with Marj. after tea but found she had gone to a service they held in the Sunday school with Cousin Willie presiding as Mr. Johnson is in Stratford. Aunty & Aunt Ida went to service to-night and said cousin Willie gave a very nice address. I went down there early and stayed all night. Froze hard again last night. Monday November 26th I spent most of the day killing and fixing up my 12 crate fattened cockrels. I am afraid they will niot bring as much as I have had very little milk for them and have not looked after them as I should have. It is still frozen up tight so FDad and Frank have been doing chores all day and this after noon they put the mangels down the cellar. They have been in the drive house but were not frozen. Enah was over at the Quanbury's this after noon and said there was quite a crowd skating on the pond. Tom. was in this morning and said John Watt's little shack burned down last night and people were lblaming him for it as old Jim McQueen was going to move into it to-day. It has been sunny but frosty to-day. Tuesday November 27th Frank and I went down with my chickens this morning which I shipped to Waller's and got the cellar window which has been at Mr. Jame's all fall owing to our forgetfulness. When we got home we went over to Tupper's and got our heifer getting back about noon. I had a bad cold anyway and the morning's operations knocked me out. I huddled over the stove all after noon, didn't want any tea and went to bed about seven o'clock. Dad. went down to-night and got leave from Clayton Ansley to do as he liked with old Nellie & the heifer. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/32421e2a258208d37473aca90e20d26c.pdf f0451faac42b0184b2d9cb8bc6ccef5d PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Wednesday November 28th Dad. and Frank got some more wood from the old oak this morning and this after noon started to clean up the wheat. Lloyd Ryerse came up with his ferret this after noon and after helping awhile to clean up wheat he and Frank went after rabbits but didn't see any. Dad. went over to John Wess's to see how he was to-day. He feels pretty well as long as he keeps still but can't do any work. {Com.?} is home now. This after noon I wnt down town stayed at Aunty's to tea went up to see Marj.and stayed at Aunty's all night. Milder but still frozen up. Thursday November 29th I have been down at Aunty's all day. I went down to the station this morning to meet Aunty Alice who came home on the eleven o'clock train. This after noon I went up after Aunty's mail and then made three trips up to Col. Smith's after "Saturday Evening Posts" and "Country Gentleman's". He had a big pile of them and didn't want to destroy them so said we could have them. I left them at Aunty Alice's till we can get them in the buggy. Dad. and Frank finished cleaning up the wheat to-day. It held out pretty well with the machine. Dad. went down to see Aunty Alice to-night. Much softer. Freezing to-night. Friday November 30th Dad. and Frank hauled the wheat down to the mill this morning in two loads I went down with them on the second load. Dad. was well pleased with the way the wheat turned out. He didn't expect it would more than pay the bill at the mill but there were about 57 1/2 bushels and Charlie gave him $2.09 for it so there was about $44.00 coming to him after the account was paid. This after noon Dad. and the baby drove down to take Aunty Alice up to the cemetry but it rained so hard they didn't go. Frank went down to the mill again this after noon to get some feed. They took down some oats this morning and got part of them chopped and traded part off for shorts & feed flour. Rained most of the day. Saturday <s>November</s> December 1st Frank and I drove Belle and Queen to Simcoe this morning after the bbl. {barrel} of coal oil which Dad. ordered a week or so ago. We borrowed Mr. Flemming's democrat. Dad. only ordered 25 gallons but we had to take a 45 gal. bbl as there were no others. However it is two or three cents cheaper than we can get it here and is supposed to be better. Dad. Enah and the baby went down town this morning and did some shopping and Dad. drove Aunty Alice up to the cemetry. I didn't do any thing https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/eb62e422a32128d0be7b83fbbc018d24.pdf 2c4732f17deaa0e89cf710a64ac65d6b PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. in particular this after noon, and Dad. & Frank just did chores. I gave my arm a good soaking before tea to-night. It is pretty sore again but there is only one big spot left to break on it. It seems to take a very long time to come to a head. Cold wind with snow all day. Freezing hard again to-night. Sunday December 2nd I was the only one of this family who went to church this morning and I was very late as we were late getting up. I came home to dinner but went down town right after and this after noon walked round the hill with Marj. after which we paid Miss McQueen a short visit. I had tea at Aunty's and to-night we went to church to hear the Bishop and see the confirmation ceremony. The church was packed and we had to get a few more seats from the Sunday school. There were about 22 candidates for confirmation, five of them coming from Vittoria. I stayed at Aunty's all night. Nice day but freezing. Monday December 3rd I hung around down at Aunty's this morning till about ten o'clock expecting Dad. down to go and see Niel Elliott about buying Harry Ansley's heifer, but as he didnt come Aunty & Aunty Alice thought I had better go down and see Niel myself so I did. He was down at the coal office weighing hogs and asked me to take his horse up town to Hec's barn so I did and while I was gone Dad. came and went down also to see Niel and so I am afraid may have given him the impression that we had some thing here we were anxious to sell. Dad. went on up town and got his hair cut so I came home. This after noon I went down again to get an order from Waller's cashed and stayed to tea at Aunty's Mrs. Jackson from Port Rowan landed in there to stay all night having come in on the five o'clock car, and she made herself very entertaining by her enlivening conversation which during tea time consisted chiefly <s>with</s> of accounts of the Port Rowan Christian Scientists and their doings. it is quite evident that they hold a very low place in her estimation. After tea I went up to hear Charlton, Rowell and a Mr. Starr president of the Toronto Conservative Association speak on behalf of the Union Government. I have heard from several sources that Rowell was a very forceful speaker but I couldn't see anything much in what he said and I think if any one changed their views on the situation <s>last</s> to-night, their conversion would be credited to Mr. Starr, who I thought was good. Cloudy & cold. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/2ceb2e9d131e411babc0feeec5e0ea69.pdf ba5485a7bfe01bd20ed21129a5516477 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Tuesday December 4th I haven't done any thing in particular to-day, just sat around and read and husked a few hickory nuts. Dad. and Frank did chores and this after noon Frank went over to help Charlie Quanbury thrash seed. They didn't get started very early so didn't finish to-night. To-night Frank went down to a Red Cross dance in the town hall Dad. got the storm windows down and put some of them on. Raw. Wednesday December 5th Frank went out to help Charlie thrash first thing this morning and Dad. after he had done up the chores went over to help Pickford saw wood as he has Ot. Collins engine & saw there to-day. Dad. only stayed a few minutes as Frank got there soon after he did having finished thrashing at Charlie's. He stayed there the rest of the day and Dad. did chores. I didn't do much but my arm is I think "on the mend" as the big lump that has been so bad has at last broken and there are no signs of any more bad ones coming. I went down to tea at Aunty's to-night and afterwards up to see Marj. Frank & Enah came down after tea to attend one a Political meeting held by Wallace (Laurier man. or at least independant opposition) and the other choir practice. Roy came in on the seven o'clock car to stay for the night, going to Brantford in the morning. Thursday December 6th Frank has been over at Pickford's thrashing all day. Dad. went down right after breakfast to see Roy but just saw him for a minute. He found out that there was a car of coal in and that he could get some if he went down, so he came right home, harnessed the old team and got a ton. It began to look as if there wasn't going to be any for us this winter as very little came in and people who have had orders for a long time were served first, but now they expect there will be plenty in a week or so. Andrew Innes went over to Buffalo on behalf of the town and arranged for Kolbe to get it. I read most of the after noon but helped Dad. unload the coal and just as we got through Ham. Thompson came over after his ewes so it was nearly dark when we got them loaded. Enah went over to the McPherson's this after noon to teach Cecil a song for a Methodist concert. Dock Abbot got home from the front last night and there is great rejoicing down at Tom's Alan says he looks fine except for the deep cut in his face on account of which he is home and will have to go back for more treatment at the hospital, but all the grim yarns that were going around a few months ago about him being dumb and blind were false although for awhile he was in danger of losing one eye. Cloudy cold & raw. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/35aa878e7ebba0aa0c34fbcadfbc6325.pdf 2734a732a69fbb1dd44501fa30c699c9 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Friday December 7th Frank thrashed all morning at Pickford's and got home soon after dinner. Dad. did chores this morning and went down to the mill in the buggy after some feed flour. Aunty Alice walked over to dinner. This after noon Dad. and Frank went out to Bob. Ross's sale and didn't get back till dark. They left before it was over and didn't buy anything everything went high. Tid and I walked down as far as Mr. Battersby's with Aunty Alice and then went for a walk through the "Sheep Pasture". Freezing all day but sunny and nice. Saturday December 8th We took the four head of cattle which Dad. sold to Niel Elliottt on Monday down this morning with out any trouble. There was the <s>three</s> two year old heifer and the two black yearlings and Harry Ansley's black heifer which Dad. could only get $25.00 for. He got $165.00 for our three which he figured as $80.00 for the two year old $45.00 for the yearling steer and $40.00 for the yearling heifer. He and Frank went up town to get the money and pay up various debts and I waited for them at Aunty's They didn't get down there will about noon so I didn't go home with them but waited for dinner and went up town and got Aunty's mail this after noon. I came right home then but didn't do much this after noon but a few chores, my arm is very much better and I think I can work with it now as there is no sign of any more spots and the old ones are all healing Dad. got the colts up this after noon as there is a terrific blizzard raging. It was bad this morning but is much worse this after noon and every thing is full of snow. Enah was to have collected for the Navy this after noon but couldn't go out. Yesterday's and today's papers are full of the news of the awful explosion in Halifax caused by a munition ship blowing up. Nearly the whole city is wrecked and there are at least 2000 people killed, some put it at 3000 while about every second person in the city is injured. To make things worse to-day's papers say there is a fierce blizzard raging down there. Sunday December 9th It was very cold and windy this morning and the snow was drifting badly, it kept increasing till this after noon there was one of the worst snow storms and most blinding blizzards I every saw, at this time of year anyway. I was still at it to-night but I think had stopped snowing but was freezing very hard. I was the only one left the farm to-day. Dad. and Frank spent the day doing chores and making the animals https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/11acce868165f46eaf32dfc58a937917.pdf fe6eaf7c2073cc5e6ef10adf98f419b6 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. as comfortable as possible. I went down first thing this morning and shovelled Aunty's snow for them and had breakfast down there. By the time I got home and got dressed up it was too late to go to church but I went right down after dinner and took Aunty's & Elva's cream down. I went around to see Marj. but couldn't find her as she had gone down to Patterson's for dinner and from there over to Mrs. Perry's. I stayed to tea at Aunty's and went up after tea when I found Marj. home. I didn't go to church but I think they had service in the Sunday school. Monday December 10th I shovelled all the snow and opened the rain barrels down at Aunty's this morning and got home about ten o'clock Frank and I spent the rest of the morning putting the poles we got from Tupper ac<s>c</s>ross the bent in the old barn and covering them with straw to make a warm pen for the ram lambs and the young calves when they come. This after noon Frank went down to fix Aunty's cellar windows and Enah went out collecting for the Navy. I read most of the after noon but helped do chores and dug a snow house in a snow drift for the baby It has been very cold and windy all day and the snow was drifting badly but it did not snow any more Tuesday December 11th Frank and I spent most of the morning digging out the lane, there never was more snow in it since we have been over here. Tom came up this morning with butter and Dad drove up as far as Duncan's with him to see a lame horse which Annie told him about yesterday. Dad. and I just did chores this after noon and I read the papers, the mail trains didn't get through yesterday so we had both papers to-day. The most important news is that Jerusalem has surrendered to the British. Frank went down town this after noon and took the crosscut saw down to Uncle Wards and learned how to sharpen it. Enah made butter to-day. I spent the evening drawing a picture of a {puppy?} from the cover of "The Country Gentleman". Sunny & cold. Wednesday December 12th Young Gamble from the Lower Hotel came over this morning to get Dad. to go down and look at their cow which had milk fever so he did after a good deal "cussin". Frank & I did chores till he got back and then we got the bob-sleigh out of the barn and went down to Coleman's after a hog crate. It was after noon when we got back. Right after dinner we loaded old Gladys in the hog crate https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/baa95cd05f44f8ab822afca3f0bab589.pdf 5ef9231dc142256600cb2037110fb2da PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. and took her to the slaughter house where Karl killed her for us. Frank stayed there the rest of the after noon to watch him. I took the hog crate back down town and then came home with the team. Dad. Enah & the baby drove down town in the cutter soon after I got back and brought Marj. back with them to tea. She was here all evening and I drove her home about half past ten. Nice winter day. Thursday December 13th Frank and I with the baby drove down to the slaughter house first thing this morning and got the remains of poor old Gladys and Dad. spent the rest of the morning cutting her up. Frank and I then went down town and around by the mill where we got a couple of bags of feed. It snowed hard all the after noon and we didn't do any thing much. Arthur Preston was over for quite a visit and told us that he had got a circular saying that there would be a meeting to-night to make more arrangement for Neff's Short Course this winter so Frank and I went down and Neff gave us each a route to canvass to create a little enthusiam over the course. Much milder to-night. Friday December 14th We have just done chores to-day and this after noon Dad. Tid and I drove Queen down town for exercise. Frank and I went down to a Union Government meeting to-night which was pretty good but late. Proff Law of Knox College & Frank Ried were the speakers. Cold and clear to-day, very frosty to-night. Saturday December 15th Did chores most of the day. Frank and I drove Queen down town this after noon and went down to Aunty's to tea to-night & spent the evening. Very cold. Sunday December 16th I went down alone to church this morning and just sat around the house all the after noon till it was time to do chores. Went down to-night and spent the evening with Marj. Monday December 17th Dad. and I drove out to Wiggin's this morning and Dad. voted for me as he said he wouldn't vote at all himself but as I was entitled to a vote but through neglect was not on the list he would mark the ballot the way I wanted it which was of course for Charlton & Union Government. Dad's finger is very painful and he can't do a thing with it. To-night Frank and I went down to hear the returns. Union Government is safe. Charlton got bigger majority than Wallace did https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/50eef980325018f01a5b6cdba93f8a53.pdf 5e8bdb782bb355e45de978b4859ee9f4 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Monday December 31st When two weeks ago I discovered that I had only three pages left in this book I decided to wait till now and make a summary of the principal events of the old year's last couple of weeks instead of making three line entries for each day. About a month ago I started to condense my entries to an average of half a page a day and if there had been as I counted on three hundred pages, I would have been alright but it was not till I got this near the end that I found it fell short. Frank and I have had the chores to do ever since I wrote last as Dad's finger is still very sore. For four nights it was so painful that he couldn't sleep a wink and on the 19th he went down to Dr. Cook who was out of town so he went over to the old Dr. Toole who has just come to town and he diagnosed it as a felon and lanced it. Since then he has not suffered such awful pain with it, but it has been very sore and has been discharging a little every day till yesterday. My arm is aparently alright again and except for a toothache which I had for a couple of days before Christmas the rest of us have been able to work & in fine shape. All our snow and good sleighing went off with a thaw we had about the 20th but it froze up right away again and the last week it has been very cold one night going down to 14° below zero. Before the sleighing went Frank and I got around on our two routes canvassing for the Short Course. I went down the third concession from our side road to the town line and back on the fourth and Frank had up the Gravel and Radical roads part way and in to the farms on the lake front. The day <s>I</s> we went on my beat it was a beautiful sunny day and the sleighing fine, we did up the morning chores before we left, stayed at Bruce's to dinner and got back in time to do the night chores. Dad. let the colts out and put the cows in at noon.We got one or two to promise they would come but the majority of them were too busy but said they would like to come in when they could. We went on Frank's beat the next fore noon and met with about the same success. That afternoon I drove Dad. Enah Aunty & the baby out to Mrs. Jim. Waddle's reception, in the bobsleighs. It was not such a nice day and the sleighing was going fast. Christmas day we all went down to church in the morning which was not the usual Christmas service The church was undecorated and the choir & congregation were small. Harry Moon seems to have dropped out https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/158885c7dc7c31af377f44f045f34aeb.pdf 6bff20d51673bab4ec1882cd294c5810 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. of church life since Mr. Johnson made his election remarks in the pulpit the day before election. Christmas night we had a great dinner & tree over here, fifteen of us partaking of it, all from Aunty's, all from Huby's and all from the James. The roads were bare and icy and our horses unshod or smooth shod so that Dad. had to get Faulkner to bring over the ones who couldnt walk over and young Geordie came after them very early so that the evening was too short. Aunty Alice not being content with receipting my note to her on my birthday last summer gave me the cash to pay Douglas's note which comes due on the sixth. Frank and I haven't got very much work other than chores done lately so we have not been getting up before seven or half past but we did get over one load of hay over to the old barn for the cows and got the bent in the west end of the barn covered over with rails and straw and a fairly warm pen made in there for Frank's heifer which is due to calve in a day or two. We went skating two nights last week down on the creek with the Ryerse's and England's and to-night Enah and I printed pictures. I was just undressing when the Old Year left. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary Collection Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Theobald "Toby" Barrett Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Courtesy of Archival and Special Collections, University of Guelph Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1911-1925 Language A language of the resource English Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 20th Century, Norfolk County, Woodhouse Township, Ontario Table Of Contents A list of subunits of the resource. Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary & Transcription, 1911 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary & Transcription, 1913 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary & Transcription, 1914 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1915 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1916 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1917 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary & Transcription, 1918 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1919 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1920-1921 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1921 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1925 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1925-1926 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1926-1927 Medium The material or physical carrier of the resource. Scanned Manuscript Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1917 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Theobald "Toby" Barrett Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Courtesy of Archival and Special Collections, University of Guelph Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1917 Language A language of the resource English Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 20th Century, Norfolk County, Woodhouse Township, Ontario Date Created Date of creation of the resource. January 2, 1917 Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary Collection Medium The material or physical carrier of the resource. Scanned Manuscript UG Transcription Progress Scripto transcription progress In Progress Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>{Inside front cover - blank}</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>{Blank page}</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Tuesday January 2nd</p> <p>Just did chores this morning and Frank and Dad cleaned out the hog pen and I cleaned out the first pen in the chicken house. Enah went down town this after noon and we didn’t do any thing much outside. Mr. &amp; Mrs. Harvey Shand came in for a few minutes to ask me about shipping some live chickens to Silverwoods. To night Frank and I went down town to get our hair cut but as there was skating on the pond Frank went there and I went down to the station on a chance of seeing Marj. and she came home. I went up with her for a few minutes and when I got down town the barber shops were closed. I found Joe up in the pool room and made further arrangements concerning the dance Thursday night but it is so much milder to-night I am afraid the sleighing will be spoiled, in which case we won’t go. He &amp; I both went home with Bob. and then I went down to Aunty’s they were all up at the Hardings' but left a note saying they would be back at ten so I sat down and went to sleep till they came home. There is a report around that Herb. Brooks, Sam George and Charlie Cawley were all killed the same day and before they had been in the trenches {illegible} but most people think it is false as there has been no word officialy.</p> <p>Wednesday January 3rd</p> <p>We tied Bobbie up again this morning and Dad filed down his {this sentence is incomplete}</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>so to-night I went down to go although I know I was getting a cold but I saw Joe and he said the dance had been cancelled on account of the roads so I went down to Aunty's for a few minutes and then started to go to the club but changed my mind and went in to see Zeitha, she and I had a game of chess which she beat and I got home a little before twelve feeling rotten with a cold. Very mild &amp; soft. Winnie was over all the after noon and Frank went down with her and went skating</p> <p>Friday January 5th</p> <p>I felt pretty bad with my cold to-day and didn't get up till about nine o'clock and didn't do any thing in particular all day but as it rained nearly all day there wasn't much to do any way. It cleared up to-night and I went down to see Marj. for a little while Mrs Moon and Mrs. Misner were there. Mrs. Moon had a letter from Laura reading it aloud. She is at Malta now. I came back to Auntys and stayed all night. Miss Harding is staying there for a few days now</p> <p>Saturday January 6</p> <p>I didn't get up till late this morning and had breakfast at Aunty's Dick and I went down and tried the creek after breakfast and it seemed pretty fair. I stopped in at Jack Martin's to see about getting some roosters and he said he would get some ready for Dad. &amp; Frank to get as I expect to go to Guelph on Monday.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>{This is a repeat of the previous page.}</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>{Toby's father picks up the diary writing}</p> <p>Monday, January 8th</p> <p>I was up at 4-45 this morning, and the others were up soon after to give Toby an early start for Guelph. Frank walked down with him and when he came home he told us that Tobe missed his car and went down to Aunties it was most provoking, however, I went down at noon to go to the station with {illegible?} and she told me that Tobe had gone on the 9 O'Clock car. Frank and I cut a little wood, (oak limbs) in the morning in the after noon we did little but chores. {Vie?} and Arthur were over this afternoon. Frank has gone skating tonight. Lovely day but windy.</p> <p>Tuesday, January 9th</p> <p>Frank and I put the partition in the old barn nothing of importance happened. Tom came for the cream. Frank has gone down to get his hair cut tonight. It has been mild and cloudy all day rained and snowed a little this morning</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Friday, January 12th</p> <p><br />Frank and I hoped to get the last of the old trees down home cut to-day but did not manage it. It was so late when we got all the chores done we thought we would have an early dinner and go immediately after, but Art Quanbury came after me to look at his heifer then when we got down town we could not get a ladder. While we were there John H. McBride came to see me and we came home with him. Just as we had finished tea Guy Tuple came for me. This has been the coldest day so far this Winter 20° below, not so cold tonight. We had a fine letter from Tobe to day and the card we should have received on Tuesday. Frank feels miserable tonight lower back.</p> <p>Saturday, January 13th</p> <p>Frank is about all in. He did go over to Bens and fed the chickens but he feels pretty tough. I was doing chores most of the day. Hubert come over this afternoon with old Nig. We put him to sleep Hubert stayed to tea and he and the baby had</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Monday, January 15,</p> <p>When I went out in the kitchen this morning I saw that the poor plants had caught it. They were frozen stiff. I went out as soon as I had the fires going well and fed everything. Frank said he thought he felt a little better and would get up as soon as it got a little warm. He has been better today walked over as far as Jack Martins to get the roosters but Jack did not have them ready and said to come at 3 O'Clock, so I went over and got a couple. It is not so cold tonight but cold enough.</p> <p>Tuesday, January 16th</p> <p>Nothing much to report today. Frank felt much better and did quite a lot of the chores. I went down home this morning for a few minutes. Mrs. Quanbury was over this after noon and Lloyd Ryerse was here this evening. It has been cold all day and is cold tonight. They are cutting ice we will have to get our ice house ready.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>was too bad to attempt to go down to the Reids the crazy things were expecting to go. Frank has gone down town tonight to tell them we cant get out of our lane. Dick came over about 5 O'Clock he expects to go to New York on Saturday he only stayed a little while as he wanted to get the snow {shovel} for Auntie before dark. {Toby's stepmother picks up the diary writing} Heard from Toby today He is having a good time altho' kept pretty busy.</p> <p>Friday, January 19th</p> <p>We got up a little earlier this morning as Frank wanted to go after the buttermilk. He got started about 12.30 and went by way of town to see if the coal was in and it was not so went on to the factory. He had not been gone long when Tom came with the buttermilk so Frank had his trip for nothing. If he had only known, he could have taken a load of ice to Lea Marshal as they were drawing that day but Tom had forgotten to tell us. Very cold.</p> <p>Saturday, Jan. 20th.</p> <p>I started Friday's diary for today as we did not get up any earlier yesterday but did today so Frank got off this morning at 9:30 instead of yesterday.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>this morning and Dad, Tim and I went to church. There was no fire on account of the shortage of gas so Mr. Johnson, very wisely, omitted the sermon so we got home fairly early. Dad and Frank spent most of the afternoon doing chores. Dad went down town about 4.30 to shovel the snow for Aunty Alice so stayed for tea and I guess went to church. Cold and stormy all day. Mrs. Nells died yesterday</p> <p>{Toby's father picks up the diary writing}</p> <p>Monday, January 22nd</p> <p>I did not get up very early this morning as I did not sleep very well last night it blew so terribly that I could not sleep it rained very hard for a little while too then turned colder and put a crust of ice all over the snow. As soon as we had things fed Frank and I went down home in the sleighs, stopped at Jack Martins and got a crate to send some eggs in to Roy I cleaned the paths for the girls and then we came home as we could not get any ice as no one was there this forenoon it was too stormy I went down to the mail box as soon as Roy came and the first thing I saw was that Will Macdonald was</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>and a bag of shorts, then down after Hattie. and baby. Charlie Butler was in to ask me about a horse that had been kicked and I gave him the certificate for his ram and his ear label. It has been a beautiful day. Thawing in the sun.</p> <p>Thursday, January 25th</p> <p>Frank and I were going to kill the crate fed chickens today. We did kill 4 but it has been a very rough day a regular blizzard, so we got very little done but the chores. The wind has died down and it is cold tonight.</p> <p>Friday, January 26th</p> <p>Frank and I cleaned out the box stalls this forenoon, hauling the manure out on the old garden. Harry Ansley was over to see if we would take his cow and calf for a month while he is away. It has been a cold day with a high west wind, tonight is clear, calm, and cold. Frank has gone down to the dance in the hall. Tim's cold is pretty bad.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>gave Loll a pair, sold one to cousin Clare a pair to Rev J.H. Johnson and the remaining 5 to Henderson. I gave the cows and calves a good oiling, after dinner Frank and I covered the ice with sawdust. It has been a very disagreeable day drizzling rain nearly all day and spoiling the sleighing.</p> <p>Tuesday, January 30th</p> <p>Did not get much done today but chores Hattie washed and baked bread, she and Frank went down town to see the Simcoe dramatic club perform. Tim and I kept house and went to bed early. It has been a beautiful day. Heard from Tobe.</p> <p>Wednesday, January 31st</p> <p>I drove down before breakfast, took Alice to the station and went around by Pickfords on my way home as Auntie told me he was very miserable. I asked Mrs Pickford if she would like me to take the doctor out and she seemed grateful for my offer</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Friday, February 2nd</p> <p>Frank took a couple of sacks of grain to the mill this morning to have it chopped but did not wait for it, after dinner I went down to see how poor old Dave is, they seem to have very little hope for his recovery. I think this has been the coldest day yet there has been and is such a wind. I went in to Clares for a few minutes the gas was very poor and there was quite a skimming of ice in the tank in her cellar and the water pipes were freezing.</p> <p>Saturday, February 3rd</p> <p>When I got up this morning I found things in the pantry frozen up tight. I was afraid they would be suffering down home so I walked down at noon but they were comfortable. Frank went down this after noon. The wind still blows a gale and it is colder than get out. We have been able to keep pretty comfortable in spite of weather except at breakfast this morning it was outrageous cold. 28 eggs today.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>{Toby's stepmother takes up the diary writing}</p> <p>Thursday February. 8th</p> <p>Tobe did not arise very early this morning as he was very tired. He did not do much but rest all until about four o'clock. He then drove down town. It snowed pretty much all day but was not cold. Harry and Frank drove down after tea and brought Aunts Ida, Nese, and Alice over also {Mard?} Sovereign. The Shand family with Miss Grey arrived later and we spent the evening in music. Mr. Shand brought his violin and Charlie his mouth organ and an "Octo-something" I forget what he called it but it made sweet music all the same. It was about 1.30 a.m. when they left.</p> <p>Friday February 9th</p> <p>It was late when we got up this morning as none of us got to bed until after three o clock, so we did not have breakfast until 10 oclock. The boys went up to Mr. Cantelon’s and got a load of gravel then we had lunch. They have both gone down town to a dance in the town hall. It has been very cold all day today. Marjorie Clarke has the measles.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>{Toby takes up the diary writing}</p> <p>business from A. to Z. Mr. Marcellus, his assistant was a younger man I think a graduate of the College and also very good natured with a pleasant manner. Between them they made the course very interesting for us with their lectures and general discussions. The lectures lasted from about 9 to 4 and before and after them we had to tend to incubators feed {pens?} of laying hens and bunches of fattening cockrels. Our incubators, all hatched about the same about {0° 9 %?} and they told us we had set a record for Short Course students for hatching At the end of the course we all had to kill and pluck our fattened birds. There were several evening lectures at the College and various subjects pertaining to Agriculture and I attended most of them. Other evenings I spent in different ways going to the show once, skating twice, often spending the time at the boarding house singing with my room mate Charlie Gray while Edna the landlady's daughter played for us. The last week I was up there I visited several of the sons-in law of the family and one night went to a country dance in a sleigh load composed of the church club of which Edna was a member The people were all very kindhearted and it did me good to be amongst them. I went from Guelph to Toronto when the course was over and went down with Hunter &amp; Fred {Presant?}. I saw Fred again in Toronto and spent the best part of a day with him but</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>season, and I told him I would see if I could get any one up here to handle him, as I would like very much to see one brought into this district. Aunty Alice and I got home on Wednesday night, after having a tedious journey and a long wait in Jarvis and I was very glad to get home. Frank and Dick met us at the station and Enah was down town and we drove home but upset in the lane, no one was hurt but Joe was frightened and broke the harness a little. The sky in the north-west was all aglow when we got in as that night the big Lithographing works in Simcoe burned down with a quarter of a million dollar loss Enah has written this up for the last few days since I got back as I have not got into the way of it yet, as she said we went to the old country dance in the town hall last night but I went first to see Marj. who has the measles - and then over to club. That was really enough for me as I have not been to bed before midnight for a week but I went on over to the dance and kept on my feet till about four o'clock then I sat down and began to feel sleepy so I came home and got to bed by five. Frank stayed till they wound up and got home about an hour later, consequently neither of us got up very early, however we managed to get another load of gravel hauled from Cantelon's and I took ten doz. eggs over to Jack Martin and he paid me 48. cts a dozen for them, three cts. over the market price. I went to bed early to-night.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>till after three, the train was so late. When we did get out Frank &amp; I went down and got some groceries and 20 bags of cement which we didn't pay for, but we thought we would soon need it if we got making posts and {Clare?} Deal said the next lot they got in would be dearer and he didn't know how soon they would be getting any more. About 18° below zero last night and very cold all day.</p> <p>Tuesday February 13th</p> <p>Right after breakfast this morning Dad. Frank and I went over to Ben Ivey's and got a pretty good big load of rails. After dinner Frank and I went up and got another load of gravel. There were four other teams up there but we managed to get a load in a new place after one of the teams pulled out. it is getting almost to dangerous up there to take chances as the bank is undermined all around and is liable to fall in any time. We were working Harry &amp; Nellie all day so to-night Frank took Joe &amp; Belle to take a load to Jarvis to a dance. It was a sort of rotten night but he promised to take them. It is not so cold to-day but raw &amp; blustery</p> <p>Wednesday February 14th</p> <p>Frank got home a little after six this morning and just changed his clothes and went to work without a wink of sleep, but was pretty drowsy at teatime and went right to bed after tea</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>she would get him to call up the Quanbury's to-night. I was there quite awhile talking to Charlie who is home again in bed with the quinzy. They also got playing the new Victrola for me. Winnie was over to tea and she and Frank have just gone down town Frank is going to Club if there is any. Pommers got caught in the wire fence this morning and cut his hind leg pretty badly and is very sore on it. Another lovely day but not enough wind to {power?}</p> <p>Friday Februrary 16th</p> <p>We took another load of manure down to Aunty's this after-noon. We didn't get it loaded till noon. Frank's throat was sore so he didn't stay out long. Aunty and Aunty Alice rode over as far as Mrs. Battersby's with us they were going to see Miss Phipps. I went down there to tea to-night and after tea went up town to see Marj. and then up to Huby's didn't get home till quite late very nasty blustery morning with a lot of snow but quite a nice mild after noon and night.</p> <p>Saturday February 17th</p> <p>Les Dunkin telephoned the Quanbury's that if I wanted to buy seed corn I would have to get it either yesterday morning or this morning. I went up this morning. I got two bushels of</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>and Frank had quite a bad cold. Aunty and Dick came over to dinner. While we were at dinner John Wess came over to get Dad to look at one of his mares, Mildred I think as she had taken a chill so Dad. and Frank went over with him and were gone most of the after noon. Elva, Said. Davis, Pansy Fischer and Mr. Bloodsworth all came over this after noon. While they were here Aunty and I went down town. I stayed down there for tea. Aunty Maude and Lila came in on their way home from Aunt Lucy's and they stayed to tea. None of us went to church. I went up to see Marj. but found that she had gone up to Miss Martin's for tea so I went up there and came home with her. Fram. Walker drove Aunty and me over this morning and informed us that they had a baby boy, his wife being at Mrs. Lawson's. They are very much grieved down home at the loss of their big black cat. He has been missing for two days and Jim. Mummery told Aunty this morning there was a cat down by the engine bridge, ran over. So I went down before tea to-night and identified him it was Tom all right. He had been cut right in two. He always was terrified of the train. On my way back there were a lot of kids sleigh riding down the hill in front of Ed's barn and accross the creek and one of them lent me his sleigh and I had a ride down the first one I've had down that hill for a long time. Beautiful day but colder to-night</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Wednesday February 21st</p> <p>It is still to icy to take a team out so we have done nothing but chores all day and sit around the house a good part of the time. Lila came over this morning and was over most of the day as there is no school, they can't get any coal. Tom. was in this morning and took the butter milk can he also went up to the mill for us and got some chop and chicken feed. Will Wright was in this morning to see Dad. about a cow and came back after him to-night about six and Dad. went up with him. I cleaned the separator out this morning and we started separating the milk to-night as we get enough to make it worth while now that John's calf is gone. Enah and I went down to church to-night, it being Ash Wednesday After church I went with Marj. down to Bessie Patterson's and was there for the rest of the evening. Enah stayed to choir practice and then went down to Aunty's to wait for me. Sunny, freezing in shade.</p> <p>Thursday February 22nd</p> <p><br />Haven't done any thing much all day but choies and I cleaned out the chicken dropping boards this after noon. Took 8 doz. eggs over to Jack this morning. Alan Law and Tom brought the butter milk up and Alex Jameison was in for a long visit at noon. I sent in a list of sheep owners around here to the Live Stock Branch. Sunny and milder to-day.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Saturday February 24th</p> <p>I went out this morning and pruned the Northern Spy tree but as the wind kept getting stronger I didn't tackle another tree as it wasn't warm enough out there although sunny I then started to help Dad. clean out the pen in the sheep barn where John and her calf were. While we were at it Frank who had gone down town after some groceries came back with Aunty Alice so we didn't do much else while she was here but she went back soon after dinner. Frank got a three cornered file down town and has been sharpening all the saws and making a pretty good job of it too. Enah expected Zeitha over this afternoon to practice a song she is going to sing in Church to-morrow but she didn't come. She expects to go to the other side next week. Nice day but cloudy this after noon and much colder to-night</p> <p>Sunday February 25th</p> <p>Frank and I were too late getting up to get to Sunday school this morning but we went to church. We all intended to go as we thought Zeitha was going to sing but Dad. and the baby were too late. Enah got in about 11.30. Dad. Enah and the baby stayed down at Aunty's for dinner. {Dick?} also stayed there. Frank and I came home to do chores and had dinner alone. Frank went skating this after noon</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>thinks it is high time Dick got a raise, as Dick himself is getting dissatisfied and would like to move some where else. Mr. Hobbes spoke as if he couldn't get along with out him and wouldn't hear of him being moved but said the financial condition of the bank was such that he couldn't expect more wages just now. He praised Dick up highly and said he had never had a bad report, but he doesn't seem to believe in telling Dick this. He, Dad, also got his hair cut and got home before me. I was talking to Ham. Thompson abput joining the Norfolk Fruitgrowers Association and he said if one of us came up and helped him spray he would lend us his spray outfitt. Zeitha was just leaving here when I got home so I said good bye to her. She is going on Wednesday to Philadelphia or near there. To-night I went down again and took Marj. to the picture show to se Mary {Pickford?}</p> <p>Tuesday February 27th</p> <p>I didn't do much this morning but wash out the incubators and get the lamps cleaned up. Dad. &amp; Frank finished cleaning out the pen in the barn where John &amp; her calf were. This after noon Dad. did up the chores while Frank and I got on a load of hay out of Preston's barn for Bob Ivey. Frank borrowed Art Quanbury's team to haul</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>went up to Cousin Clare's to tea. To-night Aunty and I went to church where Aunty Alice Joined. Enah was also down and stayed to choir practice and I met her at Aunty's. Huby and Aunty Maude were down there. A very nice sunny day but sharp.</p> <p>Thursday March 1st</p> <p>I spent most of the morning getting the incubators in shape to start. I lit the lamps in both of them. Dad. went down to Aunty's for dinner as Aunty left to-night for Toronto. She is going down for a couple of weeks to celebrate Rebecca's birthday. I didn't do much this after noon but went down and prowled around in Dicky Steven's orchard for awhile. To-night we all went over to the Quanbury's as they have been inviting us for quite awhile to come over and hear their new Victrola. Just as we were coming out the lane we heard voices down the road and waited to see who it was. It turned out to be Dick &amp; Dess who had been out for a walk and were coming to the farm but they came over with us to the Quanbury's but Dick had to leave before us as he promised Aunty Alice to stay down there to-night. It has been a very nice sunny day but with a raw wind.</p> <p>Friday March 2nd</p> <p>We haven't done much but chores to-day. Frank and I</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>some provisions. I killed and picked a young cockrel that was out there for dinner. Tonight Frank has gone down to stay all night with Aunty Alice. Nice sunny day.</p> <p>Sunday March 4th</p> <p>I didn't get chores done in time to get down to Sunday school but drove Enah down to church. Aunty Maude was in church and asked me to drive her over to Aunt Lucy's so I did and then came back and drove Aunt Ida over here while Frank &amp; Aunty Alice walked over. Dick was over to dinner too. About four I drove Aunt Ida back down town and Aunty Alice walked. She said she would rather walk than drive. She stopped in at Uncle Wards on her way down and Aunty Maude came down with her. I let Aunty Maude Ida out at Allan's corner and took Aunty Maude in and drove her home. I drove in the buggy the roads are mostly pretty bare but icy in spots which made it hard for Josie as her shoes are smooth. I walked down to tea and went to church alone to-night. After chuch I went for a very short walk with Marjorie and then went up to see Cousin Loll. I called in at Aunty Alice's on my way home. Winnie was going to stay there all night. It has been getting much colder all day to-day and is snowing quite hard to-night with a strong north east wind.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>{This is a repeat of the previous page}</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Tuesday March 6th</p> <p>We started to chop open the big barn doors going into the barnyard this morning so that we could get in with the sleigh to haul out the manure that was in Johns pen but when we got the doors opened we were interupted by Tommy Jackson who brought over his mare, the same one that Lorne had over last year, to have her teeth filed down. She was a very mean brute to handle and took all {illegible} of us She struck Dad. once in the head with her head and hurt his nose quite badly. Tommy thought our flock of sheep was improving in type. This after noon we loaded on the manure and Frank and I took it down to Aunty Alice's. When we got back Dad. &amp; Frank put what little there was left in the pen on the sleigh and Dad. and I took it out to the old garden. We also hauled the hay for the horse stable and cows over with the Sleighs. Froze hard last night but sunny &amp; mild to-day.</p> <p>Wednesday March 7th</p> <p>We cleaned out the sheep barn to-day. The first load we took down to Aunty Alice and the rest we put on the old garden. I think there were five loads altogether. We found the floor in very bad shape under it. In two or three places it went right through. Enah went down town</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Friday March 9th</p> <p>Dad's tooth ached badly last night so after we got the chores done this morning he went down to have it out, so I went down with him in the cutter and took Mr. Hobbes his three old hens. I went down to Aunty Alice's and waited there for Dad. He didn't come for about two hours and I had my dinner down there, he had to wait but got his tooth pulled. It is sore to-night more from the stuff Bill injected than anything. Lila came over with us as there is no High school this after noon Mr. Barron having gone away. This after noon Frank and I went down to the mill and as they had some {corn?} in I got four bags of it. To-night Frank has gone down to Club. Enah and "Aunt Annie" went over to Mrs. Battersby this after noon. Ada. told Dad. this morning that Alan tells in his last letter home that he saw fifteen dead children, killed from eating poisoned candies which were dropped from a German Zeppelin flying over one of the small French towns behind the trenches. I don't know whether that convinced Dad. that the Germans are any thing short of savages compared with the Allies in their tactics or not, as he always refuses to believe any such stories {unless?} hear of them through other sources. It has been fairly sunny to-day but a cold raw wind all day.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>but we went to a recruiting meeting in the town hall after church. One returned soldier spoke and a chaplain and although there was nothing wrong with what they said, I think a good many people are getting sick of recruiting meetings as it seems as if the Government was wasting valuable time and money on them with very small results while if men are so urgently needed it would only take the scratch of a pen to enforce the Militia Act, and they would have all the men in the country to do as they needed with. Very mild and muddy.</p> <p>Monday March 12th</p> <p>Frank went over this morning to see Taylor and ask him about his bees. I tested out my eggs and only took 35 out of the big machine and 23 out of the other. The big one had 135 in it and the little one 63 so I thought that was pretty good. This after noon Dad. and Frank fixed up a pen for the lambing ewes in the barn. I didn't do anything in particular. Enah, "Aunt Annie" and the baby went calling To-night I went down to see Marj. for a little while and then down to Aunty Alice's where I ran into a small bridge party and incidentally a feast of cake and sandwiches. Cousin Clare. was going</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Wednesday March 14th</p> <p>It snowed, rained and froze during the night and has been a miserable rainy fore noon, and although it did not rain after dinner. It has been dull and very windy with the wind off the lake. We just did chores this morning but this after noon Frank and I went down town with Harry and Belle and the waggon and I got some lumber to make a couple of chicken coops to put old hens with chickens in. To-night Enah and I went down to church and I walked up with Marj. and Miss Martin afterwards.</p> <p>Thursday March 15th</p> <p>I have spent most of the day working on one of my hen coops but did not finish, Dad. and the baby went down to Aunty Alice's to dinner so Frank and I did up the cow stables this afternoon. Enah went down to see Mr. and Mrs Alfred Ryerse this after noon. Windy and cloudy all day.</p> <p>Friday March 16th</p> <p>After I did chores this morning I worked at my chicken coop. Dad. lit a fire in the smoke house. Tom came in walking, and said he had been sick all week and that the butter milk can was still at the factory, so</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Sunday March 18th</p> <p>I got ready to go to Sunday school this morning but as I saw I would be late I didn't go down but Enah and I walked down to church. Frank went down too but didn't go to Sunday school Dick came over with us to dinner but Aunty had a stiff neck so didn't come. I went down with Dick about four o'clock and went to Aunty's for tea. Cliff Lees was there all the after noon and they were all tired out listening to him. Aunty and I went to church to-night and after church Marj. and I walked up to Miss Martins. She lent me her "Mr. Britling see it through" which Aunty Alice has been going to get for me to read. Cloudy windy and raw.</p> <p>Monday March 19th</p> <p>Dad. and the baby went down to-day to help Aunty Alice clean up the garden. They were down there all day. Besides doing a few chores I took 10 doz. eggs over to Jack and worked a little more at my chicken coop. Frank had to go over to help Billy Mills put on and off a load of hay which Ben Ivey bought from Jack Martin. Ben sold all his own. Great war news to-day British and French have advanced on an 80 mile front to a distance in some places of 10 and 12 miles. I think though the Germans retired with out much fighting, but Bapaume is taken, and it must be a sign of the Germans weakening</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>to look at the wheat. It is very brown but it is not heavy and seems to be alive still. To-night Enah, Frank and I drove down to church and Frank went to the show afterwards. It has been a lovely day. We still have the sow that Colin Ryerse brought in here last night. It went past here in the after noon with a couple of fellows who were driving some stock down the road and we thought it belonged to them but Colin said it went into their place and the fellows didn't bother with it and as they were afraid it might hurt the sheep Colin chased it back up here, thinking may be it was old Gladys. She is a nice looking white sow &amp; in good shape</p> <p>Thursday March 22nd</p> <p>This morning we did chores and I started to build another chicken coop. Frank is making a bird house to attract some blue martins to build as they are supposed to eat up house flys. We also took some pictures this morning one of the ram and one of Elgitha. This after noon Frank and Dad. went down home to cut the last of the locust trees in front of the house but I don't think they had much luck. I worked on my chicken coops and painted the one. Old Bill Roberts came in and claimed the lost sow. He said he would be after her to-morrow. It has been a beautiful, mild spring day.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>and then Frank and I took Harry and Belle and went down and got some more. Frank got his flats which Emery cut out for him for making bee hive supers. This after noon we took the little chickens out of the incubator and put them up in the loft under the four hens, two of which acted as if they would be very good mothers and two were cross but we covered the latter up with horse blankets and are hoping they will be all right in the morning. We only got 60 chicks out of the incubator which was pretty poor but the hens only hatched four. We put the unhatched eggs from the hens in the incubator. After we got them tended to I took a walk down to Dicky Stevens orchard. Young Awde and Ferris were fishing on the point and had three little horned ace and the ice isn't out of the pond at all below Goosey. It has been a bright sunny day a little windy.</p> <p>Sunday March 25th</p> <p>On account of having the little chickens to tend to this morning I didn't get down to Sunday school but Drove Enah down to church. We took Belle as Joe had her eye all swelled up this morning. Frank went down to Sunday school and Dick and Aunty Alice were over to dinner. Dick went down town soon after dinner and Frank went with him Aunty Alice went down about four o'clock and</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>we put the bobsleighs away in the barn. I took six more chickens out of the incubator and as two more were dead this morning I think that makes sixty eight I have now They are all under three hens. I cleaned out the machine and set it again right away with 140 eggs. Old Bill Roberts came at last to-day noon after his sow. She seemed perfectly willing to follow him home behind the buggy This after noon Dad. and Frank fixed a fence accross the yard this side of the plum orchard so that he could put his two bee hives out with out the old ram bothering them. They were all flying to-day. We put them out to-night. I worked on my chicken coop. Beautiful day, fairly hot. Lila was over after school to say that a man would be down home to-morrow noon to cut the telegraph wires so that they could fell the locust tree across the track, so they will have to go down.</p> <p>Tuesday March 27th</p> <p>The weather turned up side down during the night and has been cloudy, rainy, snowy, windy, muddy and rottenly raw all day. Dad. Frank and the baby went down in the waggon this morning in the midst of one of the heaviest showers to lay low the last of the locusts down home, and in spite of the weather, the man was there to cut the wires and</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Wednesday March 28th</p> <p>Frank went down early this morning to take a file to Uncle Ward to point up the crosscut saw, they left it there yesterday but Uncle Ward told me last night he had no file. Dad. and I took Frank's heifer up to Ham. Thompson's Ham wasn't home but we had a look at all the stock being showed around by old {Name?}. He entertained us by accounts of his experiences on big estates where stock was kept in the Old Country, but owing to his dialect I don't know which part of England it belonged to, we could only understand about half of it. It was getting near noon when we got home but Dad. went right down to help Frank saw up the locust tree. They were down all the after noon and when Dad. came home he had an awful headache but it was better after tea. I just did chores this after noon. There was no service to-night as Mr. Johnson thinks he is getting the measles. Tim has been busy all day making Jennie Millers out of plasticene and shooting them with his pop gun. Cloudy with raw wind all day.</p> <p>Thursday March 29th</p> <p>The Ben Ivey family is in the throes of moving, Ben having bought (so rumour they says) Cliff McBain's house over on</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>and Sam. Butler's barn. Art Quanbury came through just before tea and said it had blown his barn about five feet back and racked it considerably, while his little 8 x 12 shack was turned completely over on its roof. To-day it has been sunny but raw and windy.</p> <p>Friday March 30th</p> <p>Frank has been helping Ben all day again and to-night I guess has him pretty well moved. Art Quanbury came in this morning before we had breakfast to see if he could get one of us to help him straighten his barn out so I told him I would go as soon as I could but as the first pair of lambs arrived this morning, and we had to trim the wool around the ewe's (Lop Ear's) bag it was pretty late when I got to Art's. However Tupper, {Trum?} Walker and John Quanbury were there and there wasn't much for me to do any way. I stood around and visited with them till noon and by that time they had the posts all jacked about plumb so we didn't have to go back this after noon I guess Art isn't going to try to move it back where it was This after noon Dad. and I took the black heifer up to Ham. Thompson's. Ham wasn't home. Winnie was over to tea and after tea Dad. and I walked down with her. Dad. {took?}</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>moved up to the farm but broke the doubletrees on the skid before we got it into place. Frank joined us about four o'clock and we got his pump up and broke the pipe off at the {sucker?} while we were at it. Charle Quanbury came home this morning Another lamb arrived late to-night No 4 ewe. Very mild to-night.</p> <p>Sunday March April 1st</p> <p>Frank and I went down to Sunday school this morning but as Mr. Johnson has the measles there was no church so Marjorie and I went for a walk up the beach.It was a lovely morning cloudy and foggy after the rain but very mild and spring like. Aunty and Frank went to the Presbyterian church. As Aunty was coming over to dinner I went down to the house and waited for her till church was out. It began to rain before she came and has kept it up steadily all the after noon and evening, but Aunty came over and went down just before tea. I went to sleep on the sofa for most of the after noon and read all evening. Enah was reading "Sudden Jim" out loud at the same time, so I got it and "Mr. Britling" a little mixed up. Another pair of lambs arrived about tea time to-night. One of the three year old ewes that has lost her tag. It has since transpired that she was No. 5.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>well. She only had one. This after noon Dad. went down to Cooper's and I cleaned out the bay in the east end of the sheep barn while Frank fixed a place where we could let the ewes with the oldest lambs into it. Alan Law came in with the cream slip but didn't bring the cans back. As soon as Dad. got back I went down town to get my hair cut but as I didn't get down till nearly six I didn't go up town but had tea at Aunty's and went up right after tea, then I went up to see Marj. Dad. came down after tea to put their carpet down for them down home as they have started house cleaning. I took three more chicks out of the little machine to-day and set it again, one of the chicks died. Pickford was over this morning he wants Dad to go down and look at a lame horse he has down there. Mr. Duncan was also in this after noon and wants him to go up there to see a lame horse. It has been a very nice day and the mud is drying up fast.</p> <p>Wednesday April 4th</p> <p>Dad drove Enah and the baby down town this morning and went from there up to Duncan's. He got back about one o'clock and Enah and Tid were down all day. Frank and I pruned apple trees this morning. Dad. got a letter from Douglas to-day saying they were going to ship the heifer to-day, so Frank went right down after dinner to see if she came on the morning freight.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Thursday April 5th</p> <p>Dad. and I went down as soon as we got up this morning to get the heifer. We picked Frank up at Aunty Alice's, he had been at the dance all night but had his clothes changed They were up down there had had toast and coffee ready for us Dad. had some but I didn't feel very well so didn't partake. We got the heifer with out help or trouble and she came home like a lamb. We didn't put her in the cow stable as it is so boggy at the door but tied her in the bay. It began to rain soon after we got home and has kept it up all day steadily, Gus. came over to renew the insurance application and Frank and I thought as we couldn't do any thing else we would go fishing as Frank has been at me for the last two weeks to go. We put on old clothes and went down to Pickford's to borrow his net. He went with us and we went all the way down to Art. Ryerse's and fished up to the culvert. They held the net and I "rallied" as Pickford calls it, but we never got a bite. We saw one. We got home about noon and changed all our clothes and I had all the fishing I wanted I felt rotten as my old rubbers leaked so and I had to wade through the creek occasionally and the water was sickeningly cold. This after noon we went to sleep after reading the paper and I slept all the after noon. I spent the evening drawing. It was snowing to-night.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>and added his testimony to Dad's advice on the favorability of turning out foundered pigs. Ham had a look at all the stock and was showing us his predigrees for his sheep and asking about them. It was about noon when he left. This after noon I started to rake up the rubbish under the old willow tree. Dad. and Frank did chores. Frank walked down to the mill and got a little chop and went down early to tea at Aunty Alices. It froze hard last night and although sunny it has been a cold windy day.</p> <p>Sunday April 8th</p> <p>Frank and I got an early start and went down to Sunday school and then to church. It being Easter Sunday there was a pretty good-sized congregation and we were rather late getting out, Dad. came down as far as Aunty's with the baby I guess he was too late to come to church and he waited there and went home with Enah, Dick went over with Frank but I stayed down town to dinner. After dinner Aubrey and I had a game of chess and then after Frank had come down again, Gladys, Aubrey, Frank and I went for a walk up the beach. Frank and I came home to tea but went down afterwards. Enah went down to church but we were too late. I went for. a walk with Marj. after church and went down to Aunty's for awhile before I came home with Enah and Frank</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Tuesday April 10th</p> <p>I didnt get up till after seven this morning, and didn't do much all morning. Aunty was here for breakfast but went down right after. Uncle Ward walked over and was here for a good part of the morning, he wanted to know what time Colin McNeillige's sale started this after noon. Aubrey Billings came over to dinner and this after noon he, Frank and I walked over to the sale and were there all the after noon, we didn't get anything I bid on the heavy set of harness but Jack King got it for 31 dollars. I got a ride home with Sam Law and the boys walked down the track. Frank went down town to-night but the rest of us went to bed early. It froze harder than ever last night but has not been quite so cold to-day but the wind was very raw. The paper to-day says the Canadians and British captured the Vimy ridge and gathered in about 6000 prisoners in a big offensive where they advanced two or three miles on a front of twelve miles.</p> <p>Wednesday April 11th</p> <p>This morning we moved all the little chickens out into the run this side of the plum orchard and it has been a lovely day for them Sunny and very mild. Dad. Enah and the baby all went down to Aunty's</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>I went down to a party of Win's in Ada's ballroom. I was pretty late getting there and felt tired and sleepy when I left home, but got rather braced up down there. We had to say good bye to the Billing's to-night as they are going to-morrow morning, we were all very sorry to see them go. It looked very rainy early this morning but cleared off into a beautiful mild fore noon but this after noon it clouded up again and the wind veered to the north and got very cold and is freezing to-night.</p> <p>Friday April 13th</p> <p>Dad. got up early this morning and went down to see the Billings off. He had breakfast down there. We were rather late getting the chores done up but when we did we ear marked all the lambs and put the association number in the ears of last year's lambs. We were just going to mark the little lambs the way we did last year with lampblack and oil on their sides but Frank had been readin in Kleinheintz's book that they couldn't be too young to have the ear tags put in so we thought we would try it. It saves going over them twice and the lampblack and oil makes bad spots in the fleece but we hated to do it to the little fellows. We did the last five after dinner. About four o'clock</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>P.S. Mathew's came over this after noon and got Harry Ansley's cow and Mr. Bagley was over this morning and got a setting hen.</p> <p>a complete surprise. They caught Mr. Shand out in the barn cleaning up seed, he hadn't heard the first few rigs come in and he told Dad. that he had no idea there was going to be a funeral there to-day, that if they had given him any idea of it, he would have tried to have the corpse ready. Flossie said she had an awful time yesterday keeping enough stuff in the house for the occasion as they were supposed to have been all moved down town to-day. There were about sixty people there and they had a very nice time. Dad. had to make an after dinner speech and to play a game of six handed pedro but otherwise spoke as if he enjoyed himself. Frank and I did up the cow stables when we got through reading the paper which wasn't very early and then Frank went over to ask Ben Ivey about some rails, he said he would be right back but stayed to help Ben load his hog pen on to his dray. I went up to Ham Thompsons to ask him about getting spray material as I had a card to day from the Norfolk Fruit Grower's Ass'n saying their warehouse in Simcoe would only be open on certain days. Ham wasnt home having gone down to Bruce Ball's sale. Frank went down town to-night. The wind got around a little more to the west to-day but it has been cloudy and raw and is snowing quite hard to-night.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>sowing clover seed on the wheat and got over the twelve acres. The wheat certainly looks sick but it is still alive. In a few places it was heaved and a few small patches killed out. Frank took Alfred's spear back to him this morning and went by way of the creek. He went up along Robert John's creek and came back along Charlie McQueens and got three or four more pike and some suckers so he presented Alfred with some of them. This after noon he made a cold frame for Enah to put her cabbage plants in, we will use the storm windows for the top. After I did up the cow stables I walked up to Ham Thompson's again. He said I would need a barrel of Lime Sulphur but that I should have ordered it beforehand so I got Art Quanbury to telephone up to-night to see if I could get it. Art. Pickford, Tupper and Jack Martin were all on the land to-day. Jack's men were drillng this after noon on the side hills. Frank thinks we can start to-morrow. Wind still in the north but milder.</p> <p>Tuesday April 17th</p> <p>Frank got out at seven with the team this morning and has been disking all day on the west half of the field east of the orchard. Dad. relieved him this after noon while he came in and looked through</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>price it is. He got 12 1/2 cts for them, but I don't know what they weighed. This after noon I cleaned out the colony house and did a little clearing up around it. I want to put the last batch of chicks in it. Wind in south much milder.</p> <p>Wednesday April 18th</p> <p>Frank has worked on the land all day. He cross disking all morning and part of the after noon and then harrowed. About five Dad. took the drill out with Belle &amp; Joe and drilled in all that was worked up. He sowed my three bushels of O.A.C. 72 oats on this side of the field and only sowed about two bushels of the others as he sowed mine thinly He sowed clover seed with the oats. This morning he and I treated 8 bushels of oats with formalin for smut, we spread it on the barn floor and sprinkled the grain. We also gave the sick lamb another dose of oil and some more injections but it was no good. She died this after noon. We also put three of the hens with chicks in the colony house. Huby was over for a few minutes this after noon. Very sunny and warm all day with a light thunder shower to-night which ought to do the wheat a lot of good if it doesn't get cold after it. Bill {George?} went past to-night just as the storm was coming up and as he said he could see "a bit at all" I lent him the lantern.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Friday April 20th</p> <p>it rained another little shower this morning so we have done nothing on the land to-day. Frank went down to Aunty's again this morning and helped them down there in the garden nearly all day, he got home about four. Dad. and I did chores and Dad. finished the cold frame and this after noon he and Enah planted it out with tomato and cabbage plants. I spent most of the day raking up the lawn and looking after the little chickens. I went down town early this after noon to have Dr. Lemmon look at my tooth, the one he filled last has been aching a little the last few days, but he said there was nothing wrong with it unless I had caught a little cold in it. I had tea at Aunty's, Aunty Alice is tired out but delighted at the progress of her work in the garden. Tonight Marj. and I went to the picture show which was pretty poor, I thought. Tom brought back the lantern that Bill {Tearque?} borrowed the other night all shined up and a new globe in it. I guess it was never so clean before.Lila came over this after noon while I was down town to get a job for the summer and in that way earn her certificate at school. It is a rather poor idea I think but they are all going to try it and she of course was very excited with the expectation but I was very sorry to hear when I got home that Dad. had dashed cold water on her hopes and wouldn't give her</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Dad. cultivated with the Spring-tooth and the big team on the other half of the field east of the orchard this after noon Cloudy and a coolvbreeze to-day with a little drizzle this after noon.</p> <p>Sunday April 22nd</p> <p>I didn't get up this morning till half past seven although I thought I was getting up at half past six so I coudn't get things done in time to get down to Sunday school. Frank went down and I drove Enah down to church. Aunty came over with us after church and Cousin Clare walked over to dinner Dick was over too. Soon after dinner I drove Dick down town and then took Marj. and Miss Acheson (Kaufman's milliner) for a drive We went down the Lake Shore and up Mud Street. The rest of the family all went back to the gully and got some wild flowers except Frank who went down to the Ryerse's. It was six o'clock before I got home so by the time I got chores done it was too late to go to church but I went down after church and Marj. and I went up to Miss Martin's and got my lettuce seed. We also stopped it at Miss McQueen's for a few minutes. I called in at Aunty's on my way home and gave Aunty Alice a pinch of my lettuce seed. It has been a beautiful day although a little windy. They have had the town flag up to-day to commemorate the second anniversary of St. Julien.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Wednesday April 25th</p> <p>Dad. and Frank worked both teams all day and Dad. finished drilling the field this morning. They got it harrowed over after the drill and the ditches run out Frank got nearly all over the six acre field west of the old garden with the disks and Dad. got it partly harrowed. I took twenty one chicks out of the little incubator this morning and put them under one of the old hens that was brooding parts of the last batch and gave her bunch to the other three hens. I didn't have a fresh setting hen but that worked all right. I set both incubators again with 220 eggs. I did chores and painted my second chicken coop as it was to windy to do much else. Very windy and cloudy with an intermittent drizzle all after noon. Thunder to-night</p> <p>Thursday April 26th</p> <p>It has been too wet to work on the land to-day, there was a heavy thunder storm last night and it has been drizzling every now and then to-day. This morning Frank and I went down in the waggon and got fifty tile for the ditch. I have been digging to drain the border on the east side of the lawn where I want to set out a hedge. I put</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Friday April 27th</p> <p>Frank has been disking all day cross ways on the six acre field this side of the old garden and got nearly all over it. Dad. spent the morning working at the mud hole in the lane and got it pretty well filled up for the present He just used the wheelbarrow this morning and got all the earth he wanted right in the lane. I cleaned up some more of the lawn and burned the two big heaps of rubbish down on the road that were the accumulation of two years from down under the willow tree. This after noon I did chores and Dad. and I treated four more bags of oats, there is just one bag left untreated as we may not need to sow it and if it is treated we wouldn't want to feed it. I let the three hens loose that were in the colony house this after noon and chased all the chicks out doors but I am afraid it was too cold for them as I found two or three dead ones. I suppose they had got lost from the others. To-night I went down town to see Marj. She had just been down at Dr. Cooks and Mrs. Cook had told her that poor little Orin England was killed to-day out at Shand's school house when the old wall of the old school house fell on him. They were tearing it down and he was playing inside when it fell, they had left it to-day with just the two walls standing. I got my hair cut before I came home. Fine but a cold northwest wind.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>over the report he had been able to make of the Easter vestry meeting which revealed an extraordinary improvement in the churches finances that he could not refrain from reading his report from the pulpit (I had been figuring on reading it during the sermon and for that reason had resisted the temptation to do so during the first lesson) and enlarging on every item. Aunty was very grieved that the subject should have been delivered from the pulpit as a sermon with a Biblical text as a title and so was I especially after the first half hour of it, for it seemed as if he couldn't come to a full stop. He commended the congregation for their loyalty to the church and their liberality in paying up. He held up John Walkers name as one worthy of the greatest honor and his generosity beyond words when he gave two nights proceeds at the picture show to the coffers of the church. Mrs. Jesse Thompson, we were led to believe, was a saint (I suppose in disguise) and I expect to see her next Sunday with a made-to-order halo from Eaton's, because she was the organizer and is the leader of that noble band of maidens the "Willing Workers" which provided the "caskets" for the choir. Dr. Cook and Mr. Hobbes deserved our deepest gratitude for the manner in which they had conducted themselves as wardens. Poor Mr. Hobbes hung his head in</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Miss McQueen. It was drizzling when I started home so I went down and spent the night at Aunty's.</p> <p>Monday April 30th</p> <p>I got home this morning just as the family were at breakfast. Frank disked on the pea ground all morning and said it worked fine. Dad. trimmed up all the ewes and I spent the morning with him although I didn't do much to help. We also docked the two last lambs. This after noon Dad. and Frank went out to England's to Orin's funeral and Dad. took Enah and the baby down town and called for them on his way home. Enah wanted to practice a duet with Mr. Johnson. I sowed a few lbs of clover seed on the oats at the road end of the field as Dad. didn't have quite enough seed to go over it all when he drilled it. I also sowed about four lbs of rape seed on the plum orchard and I think I got it on a little too thick. Alan Law brought back the manure spreader. I gave Tom Abbot a setting of eggs to-night It is the only way I can pay him for hauling the butter milk. Art. Quanbury was in to-night to ask about his new lamb. Milder but cloudy</p> <p>Tuesday April May 1st</p> <p>Frank drove Dad. down to catch the nine o'clock car for Simcoe</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>{This is a repeat of the previous page}</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Bluffs for shelter. They made Dover harbor some time this after noon. They had been telephoning from here all day but couldn't get any trace of them. I suppose they went around the Point before day light and the Lifesaving crew didn't see them. Frank and I didn't get home till noon as we stopped in at Aunty's for awhile. This after noon we didn't do any thing but chores and sit around. Frank fixed or tried to fix his wheel. To-night I went down to see Marj. it being one of Essie's nights at the show and as it was nasty walking stayed down at Aunty's all night.</p> <p>Wednesday May 2nd</p> <p>I got up this morning before Aunty &amp; Aunty Alice not knowing that they weren't up and sat around for about half an hour reading Beltane the Smith which I borrowed from Marj. last night. Ont my way home I stopped in at the Quanburys and found Art. had fixed the post mould up yesterday afternoon and as he and Charlie were just ready to go up to Ben's to plow. (They are putting in stuff on shares) Charlie took the post mould home for me and gave me a ride with it. Bob Davis was in for a few minutes this morning, and said he hadn't sold his house so couldn't handle the Throughbred but if he was able to he would like to take him. Frank and I went over to John Wes's this morning to get a few final instructions</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>came back he made some more staples and straightened out a rod or two for the posts. Right after dinner Frank and I spread the manure on the old garden and Dad. came out and tried to plow it but he couldn't with the plow he had so he came up and tried to plow the headland of the pea ground along Ivey's fence but he couldn't work it either so he didn't get any plowed. Jim Bannister came in on his way home from his mail route to have Dad. look at his horse which had gone staggery this side of Art. Walker's and he had had to leave him at Bill Donald's and get Bill to drive him along the rest of the route. Fra k and I made another post this after noon. Sunny to-day but windy and cold.</p> <p>Friday May 4th</p> <p>Dad. plowed the headlands on the pea ground this morning Frank covered the garden back of the shop with manure out of the box stalls in the stable and I hammered out some more reinforcements and raked some of the earth into the trench where I dug the ditch. This after noon I harrowed the six acres north of the orchard where Dad sowed the oats last Saturday and which we never got harrowed again. It worked very nicely this after noon and I think most of the oats are covered now that the drill didn't cover. Frank finished disking the</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>stayed down there to tea but went for a walk before tea down to the lake and up to Huby's. I found Huby planting potatoes. Cousin Clare was at Aunty's to tea. Aunty and I went to church to-night. After church Marj. and I walked up with Miss Martin. George Duncan came after Dad. this after noon to go and take a calf from a heifer but he got back before six. I don't know where Frank went to but I suppose back in the gully. It has not been much milder to-day and cloudy with an occasional drizzle.</p> <p>Monday May 7th</p> <p>Frank went down to Aunty's right after breakfast and has been down all day helping in the garden. He didn't get home till quite awhile after dark. Dad. has been ditching most of the day in the different fields. I spent the morning filling in the border bed along the chicken run fence with compost and earth. This after noon I levelled off the heap of clay in the drive house and made another fence post in there and mixed the cement on the floor of Billy's box stall. That took me about all the after noon. To-night I put the saddle on Queen and took her around the block. She went fine. Frank was telling us that Dave Low got a letter from Billy to-day from the hospital where he says he will have to be for three months. He said that he and young</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>and ploughed a couple of furrows to plant potatoes. It is such a rich piece of ground that he thought it would be a great place for the Irish Cobblers he got from Art Quanbury. He also started to plow the garden back of the shop where we want to put mangels. He got it about half plowed. The manure on it makes it hard as he has to stop every round and rake it into the furrow, it is pretty wet too. I took Queen for another ride to-night. I started to go down the mill hill but she was afraid to go through the bad mud hole so I didn't make her but rode her down to Aunty's and back. We painted pictures to-night. It has been a nice day but looks rainy. Froze last night.</p> <p>Wednesday May 9th</p> <p>Frank and I among a few chores got another cement post made this morning and Dad. finished plowing the garden. This after noon Frank disked on the pea ground till about four o'clock and then the rain drove him in. I got the cutter out and started to clean it and Dad. went back to see Charlie Quanbury who was working back in Ben Ivey's orchard to see if he could borrow Ben's little disks and put Belle and Queen on them. Charlie told him to hook on to Ben's springtooth so we harnessed the team but Alan Law came in to have Dad. look at old Ned's mouth and before we recovered from his attack Bob. Law</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Friday May 11th</p> <p>Dad. harrowed and rolled the garden back of the shop this morning and this after noon went over my acre of alfalfa plot with the springtooth but he and Frank have worked the rest of the day on the pea ground and think it will be fit to drill to-morrow if all's well. Aunty and Aunty Alice came over about eleven o'clock and stayed to dinner and tea. Aunty Alice brought us over a pound of mangle seed half a pound each of red and yellow variety's so this after noon I went over and borrowed Quanburys seed drill and Aunty Alice and I sowed them all on the garden back of the shop we just had enough seed to go over it except for two rows of potatoes next the orchard fence which I planted this morning. They were Irish Cobblers. Aunty and Aunty Alice brought Frank and me each a dandy pair of gloves. Win. came over to tea to-night, she won a two dollar prize on her composition on "The High school boy &amp; the labor shortage" that wasn't just the title but it was the subject. To-night Enah and Aunty and Aunty Alice went over to Mrs. Battersby's on their way home and Win and I went straight down town. I went in to see Marj. and as she had just got some trailing Arbutus from home we took a bunch of it down to Aunty. Billy Laings came into the Bagley's before we left with some chicken feed and we had to entertain him till Mrs. Bagley came home and relieved us. Billy was in a very {illegible}</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Sunday May 13th</p> <p>Frank and I didn't get ready int time to get to Sunday school this morning but we went down to church. Frank had to see Ben Ivey and as he was working over here we went around this way. Aunty came over with us for dinner. This after noon Dad. Dick and the baby went down to the gully. Frank went down to the Ryerse's and Enah, Aunty and I started down to look through the {Dicky?} Stevens orchard but we met Jim Waddle on the way out to the farm so Enah went back with him but Aunty and I went on and went all over the place. Jim Waddle and the girls were still here when we got back and when Aunty and I left for town. I went down with Aunty for tea and went to church with Aunty and Aunty Alice. Much warmer but breezy.</p> <p>Monday May 14th</p> <p>I was just getting ready to go to Ham's after the sprayer this morning when he and his man brought it down He said his trees were out too for now for the second spray so as he was coming down town any way he brought it down to us. We got the orchard and all the plum &amp; cherry trees sprayed by about five o'clock this after noon. We used nearly two tanks of spray but didn't put the second on nearly as thick as the first. To-night my two year old heifer</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>think it will last now. Before it broke every time after it had been in about a month. Karl Coleman came in while we were at it and helped us. He wanted to ask Dad. about a bloated lamb. I went over this morning and got some bone meal at Jack Martin's and Quanbury's seed drill to sow my alfalfa. After I got it Cawley and Chris both told me that Jack wanted to use it this after noon to sow mangels but he hadn't said anything to Quanbury's about it. Frank gave the acre a final harrowing and rolled it while I was gone and I started in to sow it before dinner. It took me till about five o'clock to get it done I got the three pounds on the acre but had to open the drill up to a larger hole for the last nine rows and I am a little afraid it didn't sow evenly. Dad. finished plowing the garden to-day and worked it up and ran out the ditches in the last drilled oat field and the pea ground. Frank and Enah started to sow the garden this after noon. I set out some dahlia and gladiolus to-night. Much warmer and very smoky. It looks like rain.</p> <p>Thursday May 17th</p> <p>Dad. and I took the four old hens which we put eightysix chicks out of the incubator under last night and put them in three coops in this end of the old hen house and in the other new coop outdoors. As soon as we got that done I went</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>down town and Marj. and I went up to the Radial to meet Mrs. Bagley who has been at some missionary conference in St Cathrines for a week. Poor old Dr. Jolly died this morning. He had a stroke the night before last and got delirious and while trying to induce Mrs. Bell to let him go downstairs he fainted or had another stroke and fell backwards all the way downstairs.</p> <p>Saturday May 19th</p> <p>Frank went over to Evans this morning with the plow shear to have it sharpened and Dad. plowed while he was gone. When he came back he plowed and Dad. and I stretched the wire along the posts we put in yesterday. We just had John Wess little wire stretchers and had to pull to each post as we went along so didn't get it very tight. While we were at it a fellow came in and introduced himself as Mr. Ferguson and said he had our application for a drainage survey and had come to do it. So we went out with him before dinner. This after noon he and I did the job. We staked out the runways first and then he took the levels. He will send us a blueprint when he gets back to the O.A.C. The holes at the north end of the field will drain easily into the gully but we couldn't drain the ones this way without making an eight or ten feet</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Monday May 21st</p> <p>I was up at five o'clock this morning for a change but didn't get much done. About nine o'clock I drove Mr. Ferguson up to young Bobbie Leith's which was his next job and when I got home went over to Mrs. Battersbys and got some rhubarb and some flag roots, which I set out this after noon. I didn't do much but putter around this after noon one job being to get the hop poles put up. Dad. set out about a hundred cabbage plants this after noon and nearly froze as there was a cold rain. Frank set thirty three duck eggs in the little incubator to-day. I read "Beltane the Smith" till about one o'clock to-night. It has been cold with an east wind all day and steady rain all the after noon &amp; to-night.</p> <p>Tuesday May 22nd</p> <p>Old Mr. Miller came after Dad. to-day before breakfast as his cow was sick so Dad. went up after breakfast. Just as he was going out of the lane George Duncan met him as he had a mare in trouble so Dad. was gone till noon. Frank and I made a cement post. Frank Ryerse was in to tell us the Government traction plow was at his place and to ask us if we wanted any plowing done but we are afraid our ground is too wet. This after noon we moved the three cement posts we had made out of the drive house and Frank and Dad. cut up some apple</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>town I ran across Harry Moon trying to put in a block of the pavement over his tile drain so I helped him till dark, then I met Bab. going up to Ben Ivey's with a telephone message so went up with her and then went down to Aunty's for awhile. It has been a miserable day. Cold, cloudy and drizzly also windy</p> <p>Thursday May 24th {Sketch of a Union Jack flag}</p> <p>It has been a rotten day. Cold windy and drizzling rain most of the time. We puttered around all morning. Frank started to clean out the shop and I took some eggs over to Jack Martin and he paid me Dad. has been digging ditches all day and feels about as blue as a sick fish over the weather. Right after dinner Frank and I made another cement post and then I went down to Miss Martin's to get my hollyhocks, she gave a baket full of stuff, besides hollyhocks were asters, snapdragons, nicotina and a few seedling dahlias. I set most of them out when I got home I stopped in at Aunty's for a few minutes on my way home. Although there were a few fishers went down the road to-day according to the annual custom, they were very few and the old creek was not bristling with fish poles from Art. Ryerse's to Coleman's point as it would have been if it had been a sunny day as it generally is. Hollie's ad. in the "Maple Leaf" is changed again. It is now "Wanted - Boys under 81 to make themselves generally useless about the fish house"</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>out to the plum orchard. Dad. then drove Enah and the baby down town and got back about six while Frank and I planted a few onion sets and a few potatoes in the old garden besides making afew observations on the actions of an old bee who appeared to be blind in one eye and to weak to fly and on a pair of humming birds out in the current bushes in the old garden. Frank went down town after tea. Winnie and Olive Ward were over this after noon to tell me that Mrs. Smythe had invited Aunty herself Winnie and me out there to dinner to-morrow but I said I couldn't go so maybe Frank will go instead. It has been sunny and warm all day but rained a little to-night.</p> <p>Sunday May 27th</p> <p>Frank and I went down for Sunday school this morning but as it was after ten when we got to Main St. we went down to the lake instead and circled around in time for church Dad. Enah and the baby came down to church. Dad. expected to hear Mr. Browne preach but Mr. Johnson announced that he would preach to-night. It was raining when we got out of church so Frank Aunty and Win didn't go to the Smythe's as they had intended (They were going up on the radial) but Frank and Win stayed down at Aunty's to dinner. Dick was over here when we got home. Dad had to go out to Charlie Teiple's to see a colt this after noon and</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Tuesday May 29th</p> <p>We started on the rest of the sheep this morning alone and the first one seemed too wet to shear. Dad let them all out for a few minutes last night and the first thing they did was to go across the ditch and it was too swollen for the planks to go over it so consequently a good many of them got in. However we caught a drier one and I had it nearly sheared when Art. came. I didn't make a very good job of it as I didn't have the knives tight enough. About eleven o'clock I went down town to get some coal oil and on up to the mill for flour and chicken feed. The hill down here at Preston's where they have put the big stones is so bad I had to go both ways by town and was so delayed that I didn't get home till after one. Billy Mills stopped me to ask about Ben Ivey's line fences as Jack is going to turn cattle back there in Ben's gully. Cawley stopped me to ask about the same thing Uncle Ward nailed me and I had to go down to Aunty's. Aunty Alice is going to Toronto in the morning. Art. left at eleven o'clock and we finished the sheep at four o'clock this after noon. I sheared the last one, so we all are pretty fair at the job now. Counting the tags we had 195 lbs of wool taking the aggregate of the individual fleece weighs according to the spring scales. To-night I went down to Aunty Alice's with some eggs and cream for Roy. Raining this morning but cleared off with fine day, warmer.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>business and how Ansley through mismanagement was losing thousands of dollars, for Frank contended that it was just as easy to make money as it was to lose it. He also informed us that Ansley was the best man to work for that ever lived. To-night I went down to church and went up to Huby's for awhile. I telephoned Ham Thompson from there to see if the car for the wool was at the L.E. &amp; N. siding and he said it was but that he hadn't been able to get Neff all day to find out for sure if we should ship to-morrow. Edmond England wants to ship with us but hasn't sheared yet and he thought it wouldn't matter for a day or two. I came home around by the L.E. &amp; N. station but the agent had left so I didn't find out any more. It has been hot and sultry Looks very rainy</p> <p>Thursday May 31st</p> <p>Frank went down this morning to tell Art. Ryerse that the car was there to ship the wool and while he was gone Dad. and I sewed up the wool sack and put the tags on it. Young Jack Maxwell came over to get Dad. to go over to John Robert John's to look after a cow. He said he had been working over there all Spring and that poor old Robert John is just about dead. Art. &amp; Lloyd came back with Frank with their wool and scales and they weighed our wool and took it down to the car. Frank and I</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>did not break under the jaw. Dad. calls it bastard strangles. We stayed long enough for him to have a good look at Queen as the object of our trip was partly to try to sell her. We went from there on down to Jimmy Horn's and took them the pedigree for the ram they got last fall. We were there about an hour as Dad. wanted to have a talk to the old man. While we were gone Frank went down to Art. Ryerse's and paid him for the freight on the wool as Art lent us the money yesterday. He also made a bee hive out of a nail keg to put up in the gully to see if he can catch another swarm and he put the supers on his two hives up here and got stung once.</p> <p>This after noon we made another post but didn't get much else done Dad. did some plastering in the kitchen Enah is house cleaning. To-night I went down town to see Marj. for a little while. Roy came to-night on the seven o'clock car from Simcoe, he was up there on business and will stay here till Sunday night any way. Aunty Alice with Vernon and Rebecca came up on the early Grand Trunk train and got here soon after Roy. Warm &amp; breezy.</p> <p>Saturday June 2nd</p> <p>Dad. and the baby drove down town this morning and were down all day. Dad. has been promising Aunty to go down for a long time to fix up her bay window bed and trim the walk</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Dick and Dess came over to see the little pigs. Not long after that Dad. Enah and the baby drove home and Aunty and Roy came over to tea Rebecca having come with Dad. Dick and Dess didn't stay long. To-night I went down town but none of us went to church to-night. I went up to Miss. Martin's where I found Marj. &amp; Mr. &amp; Mrs. McQueen. They had been in Grimsby all day and had come back on the seven o'clock car. They had intended going down with Jack Walker but it was such a nasty morning Jack didn't go so they went by radial and had a fine after noon. They went down principally to see peach blossoms but they weren't out yet and the cherry &amp; apples were gone but they had a good time. I stopped in at Auntys for an hour or so on my way home. Rainy &amp; very windy this morning but lovely by evening.</p> <p>Monday June 4th</p> <p>After I did chores this morning I planted out some gladioli and some mignonette &amp; Hollyhock seed. Aunty gave me the seeds and the hollyhocks were grown at Mt. Vernon and supposed to be some thing extra. Bert Thompson came over with a yearling heifer which he turned out here to pasture. I put in the rest of the day spudding thistles in the oats. Frank was down town getting Joe shod this morning and when he came back he cultivated mangels with the "Buko" as Aunty Alice calls the</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>much higher. Frank and I made a cement post this morning and Dad. did some more work at the culvert in the lane before the rain. This after noon Dad. and Frank fixed up the wire fence around the barnyard and put a barbed wire on the top of it and through the middle of it. I spent the after noon hunting up data in my diarys where with to make a herd record. About five I went back to the gully after the cows but I only got the three we milk and the calves. Daisy May was up having had a red bull calf this morning. They took Jack Martin's young stock back to Ben Ivey's gully this after noon and as they were right down with our cattle along the lane fence Dad. was afraid our cattle would break through our old barbed wire so I went back again to get the rest of them. I had an old rubber coat on but I got soaked as I was back in part of the heavy storm.</p> <p>Thursday June 7th</p> <p>Frank, Enah, the baby and I went down town this morning in the waggon this morning, we took our lumber for the harness cupboard doors back down to Emery to change it for stuff that would not waste but Emery told Frank that for making doors with matched lumber it didn't matter about short pieces being put in without any thing to nail to as long as they weren't</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Saturday June 9th</p> <p>Frank and I went down to Aunty's as soon as we could get started this morning and got the grass that old Reed cut out in front on the road and we cut a lot more and brought it home in the waggon box for the horses. It was after eleven when we got home so I started to cut the lawn and finished it after dinner Frank helped Dad. (who has been working at the mudhole in the lane all day) till I got through with the lawn and then he and I went back and stretched a barbed wire along John Wess' line from the wheat to within a panel and a half of the little block of woods. We then came up and went over to the stump for a swim. It was the first of the season for us and I found the water pretty cold, so didn't stay in long. Dad. had a bad headache and felt sick just before tea to-night. Frank went down town to-night. It has been a very hot and sultry day.</p> <p>Sunday June 10th</p> <p>Frank and I started out for Sunday school but Frank saw Ben Ivey and wanted to see him so by the time he left there we were too late. We picked Dick up at the bank and we all three went to church and got nicely settled in the back seat when Aunty Alice came in and made us go up to the front. After church Mrs. Johnson invited me over there to dinner with Marj. and some young Omstead who is a Hamilton</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Alice and came back after dinner. Enah and the baby went down with him and he left them at Mrs. Woodson's on his way back as she arrived here Saturday. I spudded thistles in the peas this morning, there are not many of them but they are in one or two patches through the field. Dad. ditched and went back to see if Ivey's line fence in the gully was alright. He went out and gathered up the coils of barbed wire along the road and as Tom was just coming back with the cream can while he was out there he brought them up for him. Dad. and I had our lunch alone and after in we went back with a couple of coils of barbed wire and finished stretching it on John Wess' line, we also put in a post along the fence between the wheat and pasture field Dad. turned the cattle in on that field this morning. It was about half past four when we got back to the house but as Frank was home and had things ready he and I made another post. Ham Thompson was in to-night to get some lime sulphur and told me he wanted to spray to-morrow. Fine and hot to-day.</p> <p>Tuesday June 12th</p> <p>I went up to Ham's about half past seven this morning and was up there till the middle of the after noon and we got all over the orchard both sides The wind wasn't very strong but we didn't make</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Wednesday June 13th</p> <p>We sprayed what we could of the orchard this morning and as it was rather late when we got every thing ready we didn't finish till nearly noon. The wind was a little too strong to go all around the tree but we got most of the blossoms I think but if it changes in a day or two we will go over them again. This after noon Dad. had to go up to George Duncan's raising and he got back in as I was finishing milking. Frank and I spent most of the after noon fixing Jack Martin's and Ben Ivey's fence along the road so that the lambs couldn't get in. We fixed their's instead of our own so that the lambs can pasture on the road. We drove in a lot of stakes and stapled the bottom wire of the fence to the stakes and also banked sod up in several places so that the little fellows can't push under. When we got through we went through the mangels with Belle and the cultivator and also took it out to the old garden but there wasn't much stuff up enough out there to do anything. Jonas was in to-night and got a setting of eggs. Very hot day. Thunder storm to-night.</p> <p>Thursday June 14th</p> <p>Frank and I cut a bushel of seed potatoes this morning</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>didn't try to come up it but went home around by town and it was after twelve when we got home. We didn't do much else this after noon but set out 100 tomato plants which took just about all there were in the cold frame. I went down town to-night and after going up to see Marj. for a little while I went down to Aunty's where there was a little party going on in honor of Mr. &amp; Mrs. Gordon who are here at Mrs. Skey's. It has been cold again to-day and cloudy this after noon. Looks rainy</p> <p>Saturday June 16th</p> <p>Frank has been over at Ben's all day helping him get his tomato plants out. He has had two or three men from the greenhouse and Bob. Leitch's team in the fore noon but didn't get them quite all out He had to work the land up as he went along. I drove Enah down town to get some provisions, right after breakfast and when we got back I went through the mangels with the Buko. up close to the row's. I got them all done by noon. This after noon I cut all the lawn and took some eggs over to Jack Dad. spent the day hoeing his potatoes and working in his garden back of the old barn. George Clark and Booze were over with Barwell's dog this after noon he got run over yesterday and is in pretty bad shape but Dad. told him he might pull through. Frank went down town to-night. It has been another cold day but a little more sun.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>and although the storms all went over or around us we got just enough of them to drive us in but not to wet much We were entertained for about half an hour right after breakfast by Jack Robinson who came in to get a long tooth of his mare's filed down. He was giving us glowing accounts of the time he had in Saskatchewan last summer on "the boy's" ranch. When he left we all went out to the old garden to work at least all the rest but me and I started in to Bako the alfalfa but the rain drove us in and we didn't do much else but putter around before dinner. This after noon we tried it again but with the same results however we did get quite a little bit done. After tea Dad. and I hooked Queen up to the cart and I drove her down town and around the block, she went fine. While we were hooking her up she backed up and one wheel of the cart took the corner off our last cement post. It wasn't a very good one anyway and it was the thirteenth post made</p> <p>Tuesday June 19th</p> <p>I have been "Bukoing" alfalfa all day but am only about half way over the plot. The ground is pretty hard and the alfalfa very small so it is quite a job. Frank and Dad. finished hoeing the potatoes this morning and this after noon cultivated every thing they could with Belle. Frank half soled a pair of his boots before tea. It has been sunny and hot all day and a thunder storm to-night but not much rain</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>This after noon we started to haul manure on the corn ground but owing to delays only got out three loads. Frank did the driving and had Belle for third horse and as she hasn't been doing any thing lately was balky and caused a lot of trouble. Then Billy Mills was in for a long time. He brought our disks back and borrowed our corn marker. I didn't help Dad. and Frank much but hoed in my alfalfa most of the after noon. To-night Dad. &amp; Enah went down to a party at Aunty Alice's and Frank and I watched Tid. They were very late getting started as they had to wait till he went to sleep and as he had slept all the after noon he was in no hurry about it. Frank went in and lay on the bed beside him and I read all I could find in the "Globe" on the conscription debate and then went to sleep in the chair. Sunny but cool breeze.</p> <p>Thursday June 21st</p> <p>Dad. and Frank have hauled manure all day and I have hoed alfalfa. The ground is very hard in spots which makes it a slow and tedious job but the hoe does much better work now that the Buko, in fact the latter wouldn't work at all in some of the hard spots. We let the sheep in for about an hour to-day at noon on the oats in the plum orchard. One of the old turkey hens has reappeared and has been wandering about the yard here for the last two days. We don't know</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Saturday June 23rd</p> <p>Dad. and Frank hauled manure this morning but didn't get so many out as they were cleaning out the box stall. The last load they put around the tomato plants in the old garden. I cut lawn till about eleven and then went and helped them get the hay out of the lane that Frank cut the other day. Just before dinner it commenced to rain and kept it up pretty much all the after noon. It was a nice gentle rain and will do a lot of good as the ground was getting pretty well baked after the heavy rains of a week ago. Frank and I made another post this after noon but didn't do much else and Dad. chored around. Frank and I went down town to-night and I got my hair cut. I took some eggs over to Jack.</p> <p>Sunday June 24th</p> <p>By the time Frank and I got chores done and got through monkeying around among other things looking at the marten's nests in the bird house, (there are three of them) it was too late to go to Sunday school but we went down to church. Dick and Aunty came over to dinner. Dick and Frank went down soon after dinner and Dad. drove Aunty down about four. Enah and I had a piano and horn concert and I went down to Aunty's to tea. Aunty Alice and I went to church to-night.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>and then it was most decidely wet as we had a very heavy thunder storm and it was rainy and sunny by turns all day. Frank and I didn't know whether to go down and get a load of slabs an run chances of getting wet or whether to stay home and make a post so we wound up by doing neither. Charlie Shand was in to tell us they were going to do road work next week, he had to go on over to Martin's, Quanbury's and Fleming's so I rode around with him and asked Jack Martin if I could ship my eggs with his and he said I could. I went down town to-night and had some strawberries at Miss Martin's.</p> <p>Wednesday June 27th</p> <p>Frank and I hauled two loads of slabs to-day one this morning and one this after noon, they were really only half loads as Hawey was charging two dollars a load and we thought we couldn't haul a big enough load for a whole one. When we came back this after noon we made another post. Kathleen Millman and her two friends Eva Williams or {Tow?} and Miss Kirtland were over this morning, they are here for a week staying at the Moon's. Dad. was up at Ham. Thompson's all morning with Daisy May looking at Hams. crops and stock. Dad. says he thinks he has a good crop of peas but they are not a patch on our Market.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Friday June 29th</p> <p>I woke up about four this morning and heard the water running in on the kitchen floor like the water out of a spout so got up and put a pan under it and banged my eye on the door while I was at it. About six Dad. came and called Frank to go after the cows, he had been back to the end of the lane but the gully was flooded so he didn't go down. Frank put on part of a bathing suit and got them he had to wade in water up to his waist. It must have been a terrific rain but it cleared up early and has been windy and sunny all day and by to-night is pretty well dried off. Dad. Enah and the baby went down town this morning and have been gone all day. Dad was going up to see Mrs. Miller to see if he could sell John, Old Miller was down to-night but didn't say what he thought about her. Frank and I made a post this morning and this after noon after spudding the thistles in the oats on the knoll by the old well, we went back to look at the ginseng and Golden Seal. The old ginseng root was dead but Frank located three seedlings. His Golden Seal looks fine. The wheat is just coming in head and looks pretty tough some of it is no good at all, but the hay has picked up quite a lot. I went down to tea at Aunty's to-night and went down to the station to help Marj. meet Glad Law, but she didn't come. We saw the three girls down there</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Sunday July 1st</p> <p>It rained very hard again during the night and has been raining pretty much all day but cleared up enough for us all to get to church. As this is Canada's fiftieth birthday Mr. Johnson had a sermon or at least a compilation of historical facts and statistical figures supposed to be suitable to the occasion but as some of them were incorrect and the rest uninteresting no one seemed to appreciate it as being the proper celebration of the jubilee Dominion day. Dad. Enah and Tim. stayed down at Aunty's to dinner and Frank, Dick and I had dinner alone. Frank and Dick drove down right after dinner but I stayed home all the after noon. Dad. drove home about five and about six Ade. brought Enah, Frank and the baby home in the car. Ade stayed here to tea and took Frank &amp; me back down town in the car. The road was in pretty bad shape for it. I went for a little walk with Marj. &amp; Glad Law and then went down to Auntys and talked to Mr. &amp; Mrs. Millman till bedtime. Nita. and Gwen. Canfield came in for a few minutes but except for passing them on the pier I didn't see any of the rest of the bunch. Dick came down before I left for a few minutes &amp; Frank was with the crowd all the evening &amp; didn't get home till after twelve. Warm after the rain but clearer to-night.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>hardly any live ticks. We caught the old ram and Dad while examining him found some puss on his bag and after working it awhile got about a 1/2 cup full of matter out of it. We are afraid he may not be any good another year. When we got through with the sheep we hooked Queen up and Frank and I drove her around the block I went down to the "sheep pasture" for awhile to-night. Fine day. Old Mr. &amp; Mrs. Miller were in to-night to look at John. Mrs. Miller would have bought her but the old man wanted to come down again and try milking her. Tupper was in for a few minutes, he has Fred Misner's cattle shut up in his stable, they have been running on the road lately and getting into everyone's crops, they were in our oats to-day. Tupper took them to pound the other day up to Jim. Waddle's but Jim said he was never sworn in poundkeeper so wouldn't accept them</p> <p>Tuesday July 3rd</p> <p>We three and the team have been doing road work all day to-day. They are on the side road between the top of the hill and our corner cleaning and scraping the ditches and piling it in the centre of the road. They expect the road machine to finish the job. It is making an awful mess of the road at present but will probably be good for it in the end. I went down town to-night and went up to see Huby. Fine and cool.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>manure on in with corn and the rest of the piece with buckwheat. We won't expect any corn off it of course but will get some good fodder if all's well. Dad. and I took John up to the Miller's this morning and then Dad. took Enah down town and I thinned a few mangles before dinner. This after noon Dad. and I cultivated the mangels and potatoes and hoed some more. Dick and Dess came over about five and were here all the evening. It has been fine, sunny &amp; not too hot.</p> <p>Friday July 6th</p> <p>Frank has been plowing all day and Dad. and I have been hoeing potatoes. Aunty and Aunty Alice came over to-night for a little while with all tney could carry of the where with all to celebrate Dad's birthday to-morrow Dad. drove them home. Lila was over for a few minutes, the results of the H.S. exams were in the "Maple Leaf" to-day and her name headed the list and she took honors. Still fine and not hot.</p> <p>Saturday July 7th</p> <p>I went down to the mill first thing this morning and got a supply of chicken feed. I was staggered when Ross Smith told me my account down there was over $130. after all that I have paid them was taken off. When I got home I took a couple</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>I went to sleep on the sofa soon after tea and some time before midnight was sufficiently aroused byt a clap of thunder to stagger off to bed being aware at the time of a stream of water coming through the kitchen ceiling into a pan that had been put under it early in the evening. About two o'clock my dreams were again broken by hearing Dad. &amp; Enah bailing out the kitchen. Dad. informed me that the storm was terrible and with that comforting knowledge I continued to slumber peacefully till about seven, when I got up donned a bathing suit and went after the cows. There was not as much water in the gully as I expected although it had been high but had run off. Frank got home just as I got out. We did up the chores and Frank and I went down to church Dad. drove us to the sidewalk. Dad and Enah &amp; Tid drove down to Aunty Alice's for dinner, we went down there after church intending to take Joe home but as they didn't get down till just dinner time we stayed and went home after dinner and did up the chores. We were to have been down again at five but by the time we got thing's done it was six when we got down and Dad. Enah &amp; Tim were having tea down there They went home as soon as they had tea and Frank and I had ours then went to church with Aunty &amp; Aunty Alice. After church I went up to see Marj. I didn't know she was</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Tuesday July 10th</p> <p>Frank and I went down town this morning with Joe and Belle in the waggon I took the three crates of old hens over to Jack and got $32.86 for them not a dollar apiece. We went on down town as Frank had to take his bank book to the Post Office to be fixed up. Granddaddy sent it to him Monday and he found he had thirty dollars in the Post Office savings bank that he didn't know any thing about. Granddaddy had opened the account long ago and the other day had intended to draw it out and invest it in a war bond for Frank but found Frank had to draw it himself so sent the book to him and asked him to buy a war bond, so I guess he will. We got some grass when we got home that Dad. had cut. He told us some young Andrews from Renton had been in while we were gone to ask about a ram lamb. This after noon Dad. &amp; Enah drove out to Trinder's to get a case of strawberries but they didn't get them. I went over to Jack's and settled up with him he gave me a check for $37.93 Then Frank and I made another post. To-night I went down to see Marj. Glad. Law and the two Walker girls were there. Marj. has been having an awful time with her throat but it is better to-night. Essie informed me the relapse was due to the talking she did Sunday night while I was there, but Marj. said it was from being out on Sunday. I went</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Thursday July 12th</p> <p>I hung around for about an hour this morning waiting for Enah to get ready to go down town then I drove her with the baby down and they have been down all day. I came home with some two inch nails to finish making the lamb creep. The town appeared to be full of Orangemen this morning and they were to say the least a "seedy" looking crowd. They didn't "walk" till this after noon but they were all bedecked with their gorgeous orange &amp; blue collars and badges which did not accord well with the rest of their apparel which was in most cases faded, baggy and soiled. They all looked to be of the same tribe from the old men who shambled around the streets in bunches and looked as if they were regretting the days when the 12th of July was celebrated in a wet Ontario to the young bucks, who in the first flush of their pride in their membership of the Orange Lodge betrayed by their appearance that their idea of legitimate happiness was to prance around the streets on a gala day arrayed in their Sunday clothes and to smoke cigars or eat ice cream cones &amp; popcorn with their best girls. Of course there were mothers &amp; children intersperced through the crowd all no doubt imbued with the same spirit of patriotism and religion which inspired their fathers, husbands and elder brothers. Right after dinner</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>her. Lila was over for a few minutes but didn't stay long. To-night Frank and I walked down town. I met Marj. up town and she and I went down to Mrs. Perry's to say good-bye to her but she wasn't home so we went down to Aunty's. Aunty &amp; Aunt Ida were over Brant Hill but Aunty Alice was home. Marj. says her throat is much better and intends to leave for Toronto in the morning</p> <p>Friday July 13th</p> <p>Frank went over to pick strawberries this morning but about ten o'clock Enah saw his bees swarming so I went over to tell him, he said first he would let them go till noon and then try to find the queen and kille her so that they would all go back to the hive but when I got home they had settled in two clusters and Dad. was very much afraid they would leave so I went back again to get Frank. Dad. thought he had better hive them as the season is late and they ought to do well from now on. However he hadn't any thing ready and at noon the Quanbury's came in after a piece of ice and Art told him to hive both bunches separately as there would be a queen in each, it was what he called a swarm and an afterswarm. He hadn't enough frames for both hives so he took some out of the super of the old hive. When he got things ready he put one of my chicken house cotton-frames down under the cluster and the hive on it and then cut the branch off that they were clustered</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>dinner. Dad. was out digging ditches around his potatoes to drain the water off and Frank had put a handle in the round point shovel. This after noon Frank went down town to get some supplies for his beehives, he came back about four and got dressed up and went down again till tea tea and was down all evening He wanted to get down before the Post Office closed so that he could get his check for the savings account and buy a $25.00 war bond. Dad. and I sat around reading for quite awhile after dinner and then took Joe and Belle &amp; the waggon and went and got the grass that Dad. cut in the corner field the other day. When we came in I finished cutting the lawn. To-night Dad. Enah &amp; the baby drove down town to get some supplies. Sunny &amp; hot after noon</p> <p>Sunday July 15th</p> <p>Frank and I walked down to church this morning and Aunty &amp; Dick came back with us to dinner. Lloyd Ryerse came in driving right after dinner and he and Frank drove out to the England's. Dick rode with them as far as the corner but was back in about five minutes in the Millman's car with Ade, Kathleen, Paddy, Skinny and {Gwen?} Canfield. The four of them came up from Toronto last night without sending any word and went to the dance. Ade evidently left early and went down to Aunty's intending to get lodging there for the night but they had gone to bed so he slept</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>in the latters car. They brought Boy over, stone dead and wanted Dad. to see if he could tell what killed him. Huby said he was with him down at Hobbe's boat about a quarter after seven and that was the last he saw him till about a quarter to eight where he found him dead, so he must have died quickly and there was no sign of struggle nor he was not stretched out with his head back like they are when they get strychine neither was there any indication of a blow or that he had been shot; so Dad. couldn't tell what he had got. Huby brought an old sandwich over which he found near him but Dad. didn't think that had anything to do with it. It is too bad as Huby just had him nicely trained and said he wouldn't take a hundred dollars for him. We did all we could in Simcoe (but couldn't get any rock salt nor queen excluders) and got back about two o'clock. We didn't do much after we had our dinner but I blocked up all the holes I could find in the old chicken yard and this after noon &amp; to-night caught about two dozen of the biggest cockrels and shut them in there. Dad. says Hec. Henderson was over to-day as one of the committee they have in town to help the farmers out and urge them to grow more wheat next year Dad. told him we could get on all right and would put in (number obscured} acres of wheat if the weather would let us. Fine but looked rainy {word obscured}</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Wednesday July 18th</p> <p>Frank and I made the other door for the harness cupboard this morning but didn't get them put on. I then hooked up Belle and Queen to the waggon and Frank and I went down to the mill and got a bag of mixed chop to crate fatten chickens. We went out and got the waggon box full of grass when we got home. We got Ben Ivey's cultivator as we went past and this after noon Dad and I cultivated the mangels except the far edge where it was too wet and we also went through the potatoes in the old garden. We took Ben's cultivator as it is a straight toothed one and goes throw the earth with out throwing it at all as ours does. When we got through with that Frank and I hoed potatoes till six and Dad. paris-greened a lot of them. To-night Dad and Enah went down town to get some provisions and Lloyd Ryerse came up to see Frank so I went with them back to Ben's cherry orchard where we tested a good many of the trees but didn't find any real sweet cherries but a good many real sour ones. When we got back I picked out most of the biggest cockrels I could find and put 14 in the fattening crate. Fine &amp; clear to-day.</p> <p>Thursday July 19th</p> <p>Frank has been plowing all day on the side hill next the woods. Dad. whent the first round with him and then came</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Saturday July 21st</p> <p>Dad. plowed all morning and Frank and I hoed and cultivated potatoes. Right after dinner Dad. went back to the gully to bring up Maple Hill Nellie as he noticed this morning that she was going to calve soon. He had hardly got back there when Whit Dixon came over after the steer, so I went back to get him and Dad. and I brought all the cattle up and left Maple Hill Nellie all alone as she was to far gone to move. We got the steer loaded with out much trouble and then went back to Nellie she had moved from up in the curve in the bottom of the hills opposite the mound to way down in the lower half of the gully and calved while we were back there with her. Dad. helped a little. It was a dandy big red and white heifer. We left it back there all night as Nellie is very nervous. Frank raked up the hay this after noon and then came up here to put some more frames in his beehives. Dad. and I when we got through admiring the calf cocked hay till six and then we all three came went after tea and finished cocking just as it got too dark to see. Frank and I went down town to-night and I got my hair cut and about eleven o'clock went down to the swimming hole at the dam with, Carl Coleman, {Kindree?}, Clare Deal, Woodyer and Frank and had a good swim. The I.O.D.E. had a masquerade dance in the pavilion to-night Frank went over to watch it for awhile. Fine and hot all day.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>operate with them in taking off the pea crop. Charlie {put?} his team on our mower and mowed the piece east of the ditch while the other four of us followed the mower and kept the swath out of his way and bunched it. He got that piece down about nine o'clock and then we loaded up both our rack and theirs and Charlie &amp; Frank took them down We hooked up Joe &amp; Belle to the mower when they left and I started to cut the other side of the ditch while Dad. and Art. kept it out of my road.</p> <p>I didn't finish till after dinner, Frank and Charlie took all that was left down in two more loads but Charlie had about two tons on, he put all he could on to draw out of the field and then finished the load with what he could draw in a couple of waggon loads. When they went down with the two last loads Dad. Art. and I hooked to the waggon and went out and started to cut Charlie's. I cut till about five when the boys came back with the waggons but Charlie said they were filling up down at the factory so they couldn't haul any down to-night. We put the big team on the mower and Dad. went home with the little team and the waggon. The rest of us stayed till nearly half past six but as there was about an hour's cutting yet, we quit and Frank Art and I went home. Charlie stayed to monkey with his bees</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Wednesday July 25th</p> <p>Dad. plowed all morning and I finished cutting the five-acre field east of the lane and went about two rounds on the ten-acre corner field. Frank turned out the cocks in the five acre field as they were pretty wet in the bottom. He then hoed till noon. This after noon the Quanbury's brought our rack back and took their own and Dad. and I hauled in a couple of small loads with Joe &amp; Belle and put them off with the hay fork in the big barn. We couldn't haul big loads as it was too soft in front of the barn doors. Frank cut with the big team in the corner field but was bothered a lot with the mower. He will have to go to Simcoe and get a new boxing for the pitman rod as the old one has cut out so there is too much play. Art. &amp; Charlie were in to-night to tell us Art's peas will be ready to cut to-morrow. Hot but breezy</p> <p>Thursday July 26th</p> <p>We put in a great night last night trying vainly to sleep. I didn't undress completely but just flopped on the bed and when Frank came home from town he woke me up. Dad was running around trying to get cool and I was about melted so went and lay on the front step for awhile. Frank tried the hammok and Dad. the sofa in the hall. They eventually did go to sleep but</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>chased his bees till they lit on the willow in Pickford's gully and then he came back and got his outfit and went out on his bicycle and hived them. To-night I went down to see Mr. Browne and it was twelve o'clock when I got home. Hot but nice breeze</p> <p>Friday July 27th</p> <p>Frank went to Simcoe this morning by the seven o'clock car and got a new boxing for the mower and came back at nine. Dad. and I were out at Art's all morning and we got the east side hill off. We took it in two loads by hauling small jags off the hills with the little rack and piling them on the big rack which was at the top of the west hill on the level and then evening up the loads afterwards. It was nearly one when we got home so we left the big rack in front of our lane till after dinner and Frank took it down to the factory. When he got back he cut a few more rounds with the mower which worked better but the first round the new boxing got very hot. Frank thinks the knives need sharpening. Dad. and I cocked up all the after noon and got all that was raked cocked up. Cooler to-day. Big rain out north yesterday</p> <p>Saturday July 28th</p> <p>Frank and I sharpened the mower knives this morning</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>We all lay around all the after noon out on the lawn and let out tongues {lap?} out as it was terribly hot in spite of the fact that there was a good breeze. About five o'clock Aunty, Walter, Elsie and Dick started to walk down town as they wanted to stop in at Mrs. Battersby's and Mrs. Woodson's on their way. We had tea as soon as they left and did chores. Enah put the baby to sleep and she and Dad drove down to church, Frank and I stayed home &amp; slept.</p> <p>Monday July 30th</p> <p>Frank mowed in the corner field all morning and for an hour or two after dinner but his knives got so dull he had to stop so he went down town and got a carborundum stone as well as some other things and came back and sharpened up his knives and raked up all that was fit He went out after tea as it was moon light and finished cutting. Dad. cultivated his potatoes in the old garden and put paris green on them. He had to go back after dinner to finish the job. I cut lawn most of the morning. It was an awful job as it has got too long and it was suffocatingly hot I nearly got bushed two or three times, however I got all over it but in some places it looks more as if it had been chewed off by a horse with only two teeth than as if it</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>this after noon, as we expect to haul peas again to-morrow {Name?} was over to-night and says they are so rushed down there he would like us to just haul half of them to-morrow and the others the next day. Dad. and I mowed away a lot of the hay this morning while Frank was raking and Dad. dug some post holes along by his potatoes as we want to let the sheep in on the pea stubble as soon as we get the peas off so will have to fence in the potatoes. To-night Dad. and I drove Queen down town and she went fine, we passed and were passed by automobiles at which she never looked, we drove up to Huby's and down to Aunty's and Dad settled up with Mr. Bagley.</p> <p>Wednesday August 1st</p> <p>Charlie and Art came over this morning and we cut half of the Market Garden Peas and Charlie and Frank each took a load down about eleven o'clock we won't take the rest down till to-morrow morning. Before dinner Dad. and I got the wire over from the orchard to put up along the potatoes. This after noon we hauled three loads of hay off the corner field. To-night Dad Enah and Tim drove out to the Shands. Frank went down town to get some cow spray and I went to bed, being very tired. Hot but breezy. Another big British &amp; French drive has begun in Flanders.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Friday August 3rd</p> <p>Dad. and I hauled in all day but only got in five loads there is still half a load in the field. We didn't get out till rather late this morning as we had to bolt a piece on to the front ladder of the rack which is cracked. Frank cut till about four o'clock and then raked up what he cut this morning. He is cutting in the 8 acre feild between Ivey's line and the lane and just south of the gully. Quite cool all day nice to work</p> <p>Saturday August 4th</p> <p>Things have gone rather slowly to-day. We started put off the load that was on the barn floor this morning but the third lift one of the strands in the big rope cut right out and we had to quit. It is cutting on the spring in the car. Tom Cawley came over to borrow the binder as Jack's isn't working right and it was getting pretty late in the morning when he left. Dad. and I then went out and cocked up most of what Frank raked last night. After dinner we went out and Dad. got Art Quanbury to come over and see if he could fix our car for us so that it wouldn't cut and Art cut the end off the spring, we didn't want to put it up in the barn again as we want the next lot of hay to go in the horse stable. We pitched the last lift that was on the waggon off by hand and Frank and I went</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>{Pencil sketch of a woodland scene}</p> <p>Drawn from Nature.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Monday August 6th</p> <p>We all went out and cocked up this morning and finished the field by about eleven, we then came up and put the car up in the horse stable mow and Frank put a roller out of the old lawn mower on the outside of the barn just below the hole that the big rope goes out to keep it from scrubbing on the ends of the boards. This after noon we hauled in four loads but left the last one standing at the end of the horse stable. To-night Frank and I took Queen around the block past John Wess's. Rained a very small shower last night and looked rainy this morning, but cleared.</p> <p>Tuesday August 7th</p> <p>We just got in three loads of hay this morning as the mow is getting full now and it takes time to get up to mow it. This after noon we got a load and a half of good hay and put it in the horse stable but the last load we got composed mostly of couch grass, so we hauled it in to the barn and left it to put in the bottom of the bay and {over?} rails to put the wheat on. We got through early and Dad and I took Queen around the block, we took the {obscured word} with us. It has been cloudy and cool all day and this after noon there was too much wind to load hay</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>after noon. Dad. cut my four wheat plots and the barley this after noon with Alfred's cradle, the emmer plot is not ripe yet. He bound them and shocked them up to I guess the barley was to short and thin to bind. I cut hay with Frank most of the after noon Cool and cloudy all day looked very much like rain.</p> <p>Thursday August 9th</p> <p>Frank and I cut with two teams all day and got all the grass cut between the oats and the plowing along the side road and I took Jack's mower home. Dad. gathered up my barley to-day and hoed in the old garden besides doing some other chores. Lila was over this after noon. Quite cool all day, tried to rain a little {obscured word} after dinner. It is two or three days since I wrote this so I forget. Frank started to rake the hay he cut first right after dinner but the rain stopped him so he only got about two rounds cut and then helped me mow till we finished the piece. Dad. cocked up all the after noon.</p> <p>Friday August 10th</p> <p>Aunty came over before seven this morning with Mr. {name obscured} and was here all morning but walked back with the baby about three o'clock. I raked hay all morning and</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>stop to look for the cause of the pounding in the {obscured word} which Cawley said he noticed the last after noon {he?} used it. They couldn't find it so Dad. went all the way up to John Wes's barn to ask him about it and he said he thought they would find it was the spring that holds the trip that was broken as his did the same last week. Sure enough that was the trouble so they {took?} the spring out of John's binder and it went alright but it kept them from getting any cut to speak of all morning. It went pretty well all the after noon and the only reason Frank didn't get more cut was owing to lack of speed on old Nellie's part. Sunny and warm to-day</p> <p>Saturday August 11th</p> <p>I took Joe down to Joe Howel's first thing this morning and had her shod but as he couldn't go at her for an hour or so it was about eleven o'clock when I got home. I spent most of the time down at Aunty's. I took Joe &amp; Nellie as soon as I got home and went out and started to rake up the rest of the hay. Frank had Harry &amp; Belle all day on the binder and finished cutting the wheat about seven o'clock. I raked hay all the after noon and finished the field about six. Dad. cocked up till about five</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>got down to the house Mr. &amp; Mrs. Passmore were there. Frank came in just after they left and drove home with me. Fine &amp; warm</p> <p>Monday August 13th</p> <p>We all three got out pretty early and started to cock the hay. It was very dark and about ten o'clock started to rain. It didn't rain hard and we worked for another hour but then had to stop as it was getting too {obscured word} Frank and Dad. mowed away the hay in the horse stable and then took Mary away before dinner while I pained letters on my chicken box. Frank and Dad. went back at the hay soon after dinner and worked all the after noon but didn't quite finish. I slew my twelve milk fed chickens and Enah picked the pin feathers out of them. I tried to stick {obscured word} in the brain but don't believe I hit the right spot with any of them so I hit them all a clip in the head with a club and that seemed to work just about as well, some of them tore pretty badly so I suppose I will be docked on that. We worked quite late to-night getting them all trimmed and put on the shaping board to cool. Dick was over to tea, he just got notice to-day to report in Winnipeg as soon as possible so is leaving here on Thursday. We hope it will be a good thing for him but hate to see him go</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>getting so full. Frank went down to Sam's right after dinner and was down there all the after noon. Dad. &amp; I got in two more jags and put them in the horse stable and Enah came out and told me when to trip. We threw one good big load and left it on the barn floor. To-night we all went down to Aunty's to seed Dick this being his last night here. Huby was there, raising cain and {making?}the baby wild. Win has gone into the bank to try it This was her first day. Frank and I rode down with Martin in his new car. Cloudy this morning but hot this {obscured word}</p> <p>Thursday August 16th</p> <p>Frank went over and borrowed Jack Martin's waggon this morning so that we could haul wheat with {obscured word} teams as it is so far back to go with one waggon. Dad. &amp; I pitched of the load of hay by hand into the east end {obscured word} We thought we could do it quicker than changing the {obscured word}Enah and the baby went back with us and Enah picked berries while we were loading up. It was rather late when we got started so we just made one trip this morning and {we} couldn't take very big loads as the sheaves are pretty {obscured word} in the butts yet. Frank had the old team and Jack's {obscured word} wheeled waggon and when Dad. {illegible} the wheel before</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>We had to put very small ones on Pickford's waggon as the front axle was cracked and it is an old ramshackle affair anyway. Frank had to be very careful going downhill as there was a rivet in the bolster stake that caught under the rim of the front wheel. It was late when we got through and there are still three or four loads back there. Aunty was over this after noon for a few minutes with a card from Dick saying he had reached Roy's safely. Quite cold wind but fair to-day</p> <p>Saturday August 18th</p> <p>We pitched off the two loads of wheat that were on the barn floor first thing and Frank took Pickford's waggon home and Dad. and I hauled in with the big team and our own waggon. We thought there would only be two loads and that it would only take till about noon to get it but instead there were three big loads and seven shocks which we had to make another trip after all it was seven o'clock before we got them unloaded. Frank spent the day fixing the reel rods on the binder and mowing away the hay in the horse stable as we think we can get another load in there. Enah and Tid. were down town all the after noon and got home just as Dad. was about to start after them at dark. Not so cold to-day. Sunny</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Tuesday August 21st</p> <p>Frank cut oats all day and finished the last of them to-night soon after six. Dad. and I hauled a small load of hay and put it in the horse stable and then got a good sized load and hauled it in on the barn floor and changed the car from the horse stable to the barn. We started to put the load off after dinner but the latch in the gate at the peak of the barn wasn't properly caught and and when the first lift went up it came down and bent so that I had to go up and take the whole gate down and let Dad. straighten it before we could go on. It took most of the after noon and we only got in one more load Frank didn't have quite enough of our own binder twine to finish so Dad. went over to borrow some from Billy Mills but he was just out and said Cawley had gone to the barn to hook up and go down and get some, so Dad. chased after Cawley but he had gone so I went over to Pickford's and was lucky enough to get a ball, his last one. Enah and the baby were down town this after noon. Aunty got a telegram from Dick yesterday saying he had been shipped on out to Cadillac Sask. {Saskatchewan}. We sent away the application for the lamb's registration to-day. Cool breezy &amp; cloudy.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>but cooled off and there was more breeze this after noon I didn't do much this morning but clean out the colony house and trim and train up my Dorothy Perkins rose which is growing so fast I can't keep up with it. It nearly covers the east end of the house now. Dad. and Frank shocked up a few oats but got soaked and as the ground was dry under the sheaves they left them This after noon being the day set for Boughner Picnic Dad. the baby and I drove down town and Frank walked down after he had looked through his bees and found there was no honey. Dad. had promised Tid. to take him fishing and he had been making all sorts of plans and building on it, but when they got down to Aunty's, Dad. suggested they go down and see "The City of Dover" come in, so we went down to the dock. Aunty and Frank came too and Dad. Frank and the baby went in to the fish shanty where they saw a big snapping turtle so that seemed to take the place of going fishing. Frank and I got a canoe and went for an hour's paddle up creek and didn't upset as we rather expected as neither of us knew much about it, Frank never having been in one before. Dad. &amp; the baby went home but Frank and I stayed down at Auntys for tea and all the evening. We spent most of the time looking at copys of Fa's old letters and trying to find Cadillac on the map</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>the temperature and it was very strong and from the west I worked with a coat on all day and was not too warm. This morning we shocked up the rest of the oats which were still pretty wet except where the wind &amp; sun had hit them. It was nearly eleven when we got through with them but we put off the load of hay that was on the barn floor and got a load in before dinner which was about one o'clock. This after noon we finished hauling the hay in three pretty good sized loads. The baby came out and rode in on the last load, the promise of which has kept him out of the field for the past week or two. Frank went down town to-night</p> <p>Sunday August 26th</p> <p>Enah and I drove down to church this morning and Frank walked down. Aunty Alice came over with us to dinner. She walked back soon after dinner and Dad. Enah and the baby went for a drive down the lake shore and wound up at Aunty's where they stayed to tea. I read, slept and wrote to Dick this after noon and Frank fixed his wheel and visited with Lloyd Ryerse most of the after noon and then went back to Ben Ivey's gully prospecting for butter nuts and sent the cows up.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>barn roof and make a couple of hog troughs. We wanted to get slabs but he couldn't let us have any. When we got home I went down to the mill and got some rolled oats for the sheep. This after noon Dad. and I put the doors on the harness cupboard but couldn't finish as we found we only had enough screws for three hinges instead of four. Frank put wire in his bee hive frames. About five o'clock Dad. went down to the mill and paid Charlie Ivey part of his account as Neil Elliott was in yesterday morning and gave him a check for Bobbie but said not to bring her down for two weeks. Enah and I printed pictures to-night</p> <p>Wednesday August 29th</p> <p>It rained most of the morning and I didn't do any thing much but read and try to trim a couple of the ram lambs Enah's friend Mr. Hall walked over in the pouring rain this morning and stayed to dinner. It cleared up about {obscured word} and Pickford came over to see if we would help him thrash this after noon as Sam couldn't do any thing with Al Boughner's alsike stack and said he would thresh Pickford out this after noon, however they didn't get moved down till about five o'clock so didn't thresh any to-day but Pickford was up to-night to see if two of us would go down in</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Friday August 31st</p> <p>Dad. plowed all day over on the side hill by the woods and got quite a bit turned over. After I did chores I unloaded the waggon load of wood that he brought up yesterday and then went up and set up the oats that had been laid down Some of them were very wet but none sprouted to speak of. When I got through I started to flail out my winter barley and finished cleaning it up after dinner. About three o'clock I hooked Joe &amp; Belle to the disk and started on the pea ground. I think it will work up nicely. I quit early and Enah and I went down at seven o'clock and had a ride on the "City of Dover" as she ran out to-night instead of Tuesday night when it rained. It was a lovely night to-night and we had a very nice ride Lila and Dess were with us. Dad. was about half the night doing chores as Mr. &amp; Mrs. Smythe came over to see the stock They have just got word within the last day or two that young Ernest Quanbury Chris's second son has been killed in action. It is just about a year ago now that Henry his brother died of his wounds. The Canadians are in heavy action these days around the coal pits of Lens and they are steadily pushing the German's out of the city. Conscription is now on the Canadian statute books having been passed by the Senate yesterday or to-day. Sunny &amp; breezy &amp; cool</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>I went down to Aunty's just at noon and stayed to dinner and after dinner pruned a few of the old branches out of the barbery bush for Aunty. I got home about three o'clock and got most of the lawn cut over here. Lila was over here to dinner. Dad. plowed all the after noon and Frank made a couple of hog troughs. Dad. plowed up a nest of rabbits this after noon. He killed two of them with the plow but brought two live ones home. They are only a few days old and I am afraid they won't live. Sunny but cool.</p> <p>Sunday September 9th</p> <p>Enah and I drove down to church this morning and Aunty came back with us to dinner. Frank spent the morning in trying out some new kind of solder he got at the exhibition which is applied like sealing wax and Dad. did chores and shocked up the twelve oat shocks. Aunty says he shocked more than the oats. I started to read after dinner but went to sleep almost immediately and slumbered peacefully till Aunty was ready to go down town and then I went down there to tea and to church with Aunty &amp; Aunty Alice. After church I went home with Marj. who has changed her place of abode from the Bagley's to Miss Kerny's. I wrote Dick a short note when I got home. Frank and Enah walked down to church to-night. Fine, cloudy &amp; cool. Feels like frost to-night</p> <p>Monday September 10th</p> <p>Frank and I took Bobbie down to the car this morning. Frank led her and I drove in the buggy. Neil wasn't around but we left Bobbie in the pen, one pig was the only other occupant of the pen. We went around by the station and got a poultry crate which Frank got from Silverwood's to ship his ducks in. We saw Huby and he said there was a heavy white frost down at the station but no sign of it at his place. When we got home Frank sorted out the ducks he wanted to keep and let them loose and I raked up the lawn. After dinner I took Belle &amp; Queen and went back and disked on the back field where Dad. had been plowing all morning and Dad. finished plowing the field and started in to harrow it. It is going to work up fine. Mrs. Tupper came past this after noon and said Clem. wanted one of us to go and help thrash this after noon, as it was then about four o'clock and the machine wasn't there yet, we didn't think they would do much but I told her to go up and get Frank, so she did and Frank was over there helping Tupper till after tea. The machine just got there at dark. He wants two of us to help him to-morrow. According to today's paper the Russians are cutting up rusty again Korniloff is leading a revolt against Kerensky at the Provisional Government and marching with his troops away from the battle front. Cold wind all day &amp; to-night.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Thursday September 6th</p> <p>Dad. plowed all day to-day and got on well. This morning Frank &amp; I hooked Queen up and drove down town to get his suitcase which he checked the other day and which didn't come and when we got back we drove down to Bruce's to get a set of double harness which Bruce told Dad. about a couple of months ago and which he said he wanted ten dollars for, we found Mr. Smith down there but Bruce had gone up to Hammond's to get some seed wheat. Mr. Smith gave us the harness however and it looks like a very strong one, there were no collars and only one crupper and one bridle check but the back bands and traces looke especially strong. Queen went fine but the roads were bad as it rained hard during the night and we didn't get back till about half past one. It was pretty well on in the after noon when we got through dinner and chores but I took Joe &amp; Belle and disked on the pea stubble and by six got all over it. Frank patched at the barn roof which he started at yesterday. Aunty Alice came over to tea and I walked down with her to-night. Poor Art Quanbury is having a very bad attack of his old trouble this week he was taken sick Monday and Charlie said to-night he was no better. Fine and cool.</p> <p>Friday September 7th</p> <p>I disked with Queen and Belle all day on the pea stubble and got pretty well over it lengthways of the field I was going crossways before. Frank plowed all day and Dad. was down town all day working in the garden down home. Enah went down town this after noon but missed Dad. and he had to go back after her but met her before he got very far. It began to drizzle rain about four o'clock and was raining quite hard by six. We quit early. I was about frozen when I got in and spent the evening reading "Saturday Nights" which Enah brought home all except Frank who was figuring out how much more it cost to farm with horses instead of tractors. He &amp; Dad. are in a cronic state of argument on the subject.</p> <p>Saturday September 8th</p> <p>It rained hard last night and Dad. thought it was too wet to work on the land this morning. We puttered around and did odd jobs among which were the lancing of an absess on the fat ewe's jaw and the filing of old Nellie's teeth. About eleven I shaved and went down town to to have Bill look at my tooth which has been bothering me a lot the last couple of days. He said there was nothing wrong with it that he could see but that I might have caught cold in it.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>as before I got all the chores done and they take quite awhile to do alone. Ham Thompson came in to look at the stock and just as he left old Mrs. Davidson, Julien the Pole and some fair damsel unknown to me came over with a little two year old Percheron filly which they said Dad. had told Aunty they could turn out here to pasture so I put her in the stable till we could put her with our colts. After I did have my lunch and was in the house reading Mrs. Lawrie and Edith came over but when the found Enah wasn't home they didn't come in Dad. and the baby walked home about five and left Enah down town to have tea with Aunt Ida as Aunty and Aunt Alice drove up to St. John's with Harvey Skey and his mother to a memorial service for the two Quanbury boys. I helped do up the chores and drove down town about eight o'clock I went for a walk with Marj. Glad. &amp; Miss Law from Ingersol who is a cousin of Glad's. Then I went down and drove Enah home.</p> <p>Monday September 3rd Labor Day</p> <p>Dad. plowed all day but as he thought it would be too wet after last nights heavy rain to disk I weeded out mangels all morning and disked this after noon with Belle and Queen. Enah went down town this after noon. Fine day</p> <p>Tuesday September 4th</p> <p>I disked this morning on the pea stubble with Belle and Queen and quit about half past eleven and went up to Ham. Thompson's. Dad. plowed all morning and at noon had to go over to Joe Long's to see a horse of George Thompson's that had been cut on barbed wire. It was rather late when we got started after dinner but we went out and turned out the shocks of oats that were left in the field east of the orchard and then hauled in a load but didn't quite clear the field. Enah helped us put off the load that was on the barn floor and we left the one we hauled unloaded. We got through fairly early, and I went down after tea and met Frank. His train was just on time so we got home quite early. He had a great time at the Fair and can think of nothing else but a rein drive tractor which he saw down there. Fine &amp; cool</p> <p>Wednesday September 5th</p> <p>We hauled in oats to-day and got them all in but twelve shocks. They didn't bulk up much I think there were only four loads on the six acre field. Frank and I went out after the last load about seven o'clock and it was eight when we got in, pitch dark and raining quite hard. Dad. came to meet us with the lantern. He milked while we were out. Cool.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Friday August 31st</p> <p>Dad. plowed all day over on the side hill by the woods and got quite a bit turned over. After I did chores I unloaded the waggon load of wood that he brought up yesterday and then went up and set up the oats that had been laid down Some of them were very wet but none sprouted to speak of. When I got through I started to flail out my winter barley and finished cleaning it up after dinner. About three o'clock I hooked Joe &amp; Belle to the disk and started on the pea ground. I think it will work up nicely. I quit early and Enah and I went down at seven o'clock and had a ride on the "City of Dover" as she ran out to-night instead of Tuesday night when it rained. It was a lovely night to-night and we had a very nice ride Lila and Dess were with us. Dad. was about half the night doing chores as Mr. &amp; Mrs. Smythe came over to see the stock They have just got word within the last day or two that young Ernest Quanbury Chris's second son has been killed in action. It is just about a year ago now that Henry his brother died of his wounds. The Canadians are in heavy action these days around the coal pits of Lens and they are steadily pushing the German's out of the city. Conscription is now on the Canadian statute books having been passed by the Senate yesterday or to-day. Sunny &amp; breezy &amp; cool.</p> <p>Saturday September 1st</p> <p>Dad. plowed all morning and I did chores and flailed out my emmer and sent off the report of it and the alfalfa experiment. This after noon I went down to Tom's and got the can of buttermilk, he had brought it as far as his place but his waggon broke down and he couldn't bring it any farther. Dad. turned out a few oat shocks while I was gone and when I got back we hauled in a good load, they might have been drier but weren't bad, we left the load on the barn floor. To-night I went down town and met Marj. &amp; Glad. Law, they came up to-night. Bright, breezy and cool.</p> <p>Sunday September 2nd</p> <p>It began to rain early this morning and rained hard till church time and then cleared up and was sunny and hot this after noon but cold to-night. We all drove down to church this morning as Enah had to play. There were very few there and Dad. and I had to take up the collection. There was some blind man there and Mr. Browne got me to pilot him up to the communion rail. I went home to dinner to do chores and Dad. Enah and the baby stayed down at Aunty's. I didn't get in till nearly half past three to get my lunch.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>down town to-night. Frank and I walked. Frank, Enah and the baby went up to the Sunday school but Dad. visited with Aunty Alice and Aunt Ida. Aunty was up at the Johnsons tending George who has the whooping cough while his father and mother were at the Sunday school. I went up to Andrew Innes's and got a pair of rubber boots and then took a little chicken up to Cousin Loll and by the time I had visited with her for half an hour it was too late to go to the {illegible}.</p> <p>Thursday November 1st</p> <p>I spent most of the morning doing chores and getting things ready for to-night as I expected to be up at Ham's this after noon with Frank helping him fill his silo. Dad. plowed all day. We went up right after dinner but Ham said it was too wet and didn't expect us up. It snowed quite a lot during the night and as his corn was all down in sheaf it would have been nasty handling. We came home and hooked Joe &amp; Belle to the waggon and went down to Art Ryerse's where we borrowed their root pulper. Lloyd told Frank the other day we could have it for all winter as they have no roots this year. To-night I went down town and after coming over to Silverthorne's with Marj. went to the show.</p> <p>Friday November 2nd</p> <p>Dad. and Frank were in the back field all day plowing and shovelling out ditches. I did all the chores up this morning. Aunty came over at noon and this after noon I went back down town with her and got my bank order from Waller's cashed and got some groceries. My arm has been pretty sore today and I gave it a long soaking again to-night. It has broken out in little blisters around the original spot and is quite badly swollen. To-night Chris Quanbury came over and got twenty pullets for which he paid me $0.50 apiece and four smaller pullets and a cockrel which I got $1.00 apiece for. I have decided to sell off the whole bunch except maybe ten or a dozen and pay Charlie Ivey (or try to) last winter's feed bill with what I receive for them as if I keep them and buy feed again this winter as I would have to I would be farther in the hole than ever even if they laid exceedingly well. Frank and I helped Chris take the bunch down to his place on wheelbarrows. Sunny and snow nearly gone but freezing in shade.</p> <p>Saturday November 3rd</p> <p>My arm was very sore again this morning so I</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>dinner we sacked up nine bags of oats and Frank took them to the mill and got part of them chopped and part rolled. While he was gone Dad. and I cleaned out the stables which were not cleaned yesterday. The mud makes it an awful job. When he got back they hauled up the wood they cut from the oak and we took all the mangels that were up and in piles into the drive house where they can dry off and not be in such danger of freezing. Dad. went back early to-night after the cows and found the four turkey's which disappeared from their roosting place in the gully three or four weeks ago. He of course brought them up and they roosted to-night in the orchard. Enah had a queer visitor just before tea to-night. A young fellow who seemed too cold, sleepy or stupid to carry on much conversation came and asked for some thing to eat and sat for half an hour hovering over the stove. While there she managed to find out from him that he had tramped from Dunnville and was on his way to Simcoe to be examined. He dozed most of the time he was in here but between yawns he told Enah that he had been picking fruit most of the summer and that he didn't like the cold and wanted to go to Florida to pick oranges, but if he was fit for Military Service, would not be able to cross the line, hence his desire to be examined. He left here in time to catch the seven o'clock car and offered to pay for his supper. It has been cloudy, muddy and raw with spitting snow storms.</p> <p>Wednesday October 31st</p> <p>This has been a most miserable day. Raw and cloudy with quite a heavy snowfall which by to-night has covered every thing. It froze the ground quite hard last night so is very muddy. Dad. plowed all morning and I cleared up the shingles back of the woodshed and put the best of them in the woodshed. Frank chopped up the blocks they cut off the oak yesterday. Ham Thompson came down with his ten ewes to put with our ram and borrowed our waggon and rack to haul corn in to-morrow and he wants Frank and me to go up to-morrow after noon to help him fill his Silo. This after noon I just did up the chores and then walked back to where Frank was plowing and found Dad. over talking to John Wess. I went over there for a few minutes and then we came up early so that we could go down to the Hallowe'en party in the Sunday school. Just about tea time Bert Thompson came over and got his heifer. We all went</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Saturday October 27th</p> <p>Dad. and Frank were back over the gully all morning &amp; most of the after noon one plowing and the other cleaning out ditches. I spent most of the morning fixing the fence around the old well as the sheep have taken to wandering around it and we were afraid one of them might get in. I did chores most of the after noon. It was a beautiful morning but it began to rain soon after dinner and it rained steadily but not hard till after tea and then it poured nearly all night. Dad. and Frank got soaked. Lila was over for awhile this morning.</p> <p>Sunday October 28th</p> <p>Frank went down to Sunday school this morning and I went down a little later but was too late to go to Sunday school so went up to the bank and woke Clark up and got him to go to church. Aunty walked over with us to dinner and we found Charlie &amp; Flossie Shand here. They had started to church but they have the road past Penman's barricaded so were too late and came in here. This after noon I took Marj. for a drive up around by Lynn Valley. I went down town again to-night and went over to the Moore's. {Larry?} Skey preached in our church to-night but I was too late to go. Clark told me this morning that he has been moved to Ottawa and is leaving to-morrow so I went up to-night for a minute to say goodbye to him. Cool &amp; cloudy to-day. Mild night.</p> <p>Monday October 29th</p> <p>It has rained nearly all day steadily, it began last night and is still at it to-night. I spent the day killing my crate fattened chickens and it took me just about all day. Enah picked the pin feathers out for me. I made a pretty good job of them, I stuck nearly all of them in the brain and tore them very little. Dad. did chores and read to the baby most of the day. This after noon Frank went over to Mrs. Robert John Watson's sale and got soaked to the hide.</p> <p>Tuesday October 30th</p> <p>I took my box of crate fed chickens down this morning and expressed them to Waller's. I didn't do much more this morning after I got home as it was nearly noon. Dad. and Frank cut blocks off the old oak all morning. After</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Wednesday October 24th</p> <p>It has rained steadily all day and all evening. I haven't done any thing to speak of but my arm has been a lot better I didn't soak it to-day but bathed it well a couple of times. Dad. and Frank put a great fix on the back of the stove with a piece of tin and some stove cement. It doesn't smoke now and the water in the reservoir warms up quickly. I pasted a few snapshots in my new album this after noon and also shaved and went down to Aunty's to tea. Marj. was there too so we had a very nice evening. They had a letter from Quint down there saying that straw mattresses &amp; blankets had been issued so that he thinks he will be in England all winter.</p> <p>Thursday October 25th</p> <p>I came home as soon as I had breakfast this morning. I did a few chores this morning and then drove down town and got some groceries and went up around by Ham Thompson's to ask him about forming a Farmer's Club for co-operative marketing and buying. This after noon I cleaned out the colony house. Dad. did chores all morning and plowed this after noon. Mr. Flemming came in this morning to get one of us to help him thrash this after noon so Frank went down. Winnie came over to tea to-night and I walked down town with her and stopped in for awhile at Aunty's on my way home. I had a letter from Dick to-day saying he had registered at the Post Office for service. We don't just understand how he came to do it as he said before that he had sent his medical sheet to the Head Office where they would apply for exemption for him. It was cloudy and raw this morning but sunny this after noon &amp; clear to-night.</p> <p>Friday October 26th</p> <p>Dad. and Frank went up on the nine o'clock car this morning to the Principal Plowing match at Oak Park Farm near Paris, they were up all day coming home at five but all the prizes had been awarded yesterday so Dad. didn't see what he most wanted to, the plowmen with their teams. The tractors were working to-day so Frank was satisfied but from what they say their work didn't show up very well beside the horses'. I went down to Flemming's and thrashed all morning and for half an hour after dinner and have been doing chores all after noon. My arm doesn't feel any the worse. I caught 38 chickens to-night in the outside little coop and put them in the colony house. Nice day. Rainy night.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>streaks running up towards my elbow. He told me to go home and soak it for an hour in hot water and then put some lotion on it which he gave me, so I started for home but met Dad. Enah &amp; the baby driving to church and Dad. told me to go to Aunty's and he came right down after leaving Enah at church and he got the water hot there on the gas much quicker than we could have at home. I soaked it for a good hour and it took the pain out a lot. I stayed there to dinner and tea. This after noon I went up to see Marj. but she had gone up to the Davises for dinner so I missed her. I knocked around with Charlie Quanbury all the after noon and to-night went to church with Aunty and then over with Marj. It was nearly twelve when I got home but I had to light a fire and soak my arm again as the Dr. told Aunty after church that I had better if the red streaks were still up the arm. Dad. &amp; Enah both came out in their night apparel &amp; hung around till I got through. Fine day but raw.</p> <p>Monday October 22nd</p> <p>I haven't done any thing in the way of work all day. I soaked my arm for an hour or more this morning and for a little while this after noon. This after noon I went down town and sent in my claim for exemption and then went down to show my arm to Dr. Cook. He said it was coming all right and opened it up more puting his probe down to the bone. I then went up and had my hair cut. Dad. plowed all day and Frank did chores Enah went down to Aunty's to tea and went up to Simcoe with the Hobbes to sing with the massed choirs of the deanery at the Deanery Meeting. Jack Martin brought her home.</p> <p>Tuesday October 23rd</p> <p>I haven't done much again to-day. I soaked my arm again this morning and this after noon drove down town to get some coal oil and came around by the mill and got a bag of bran. It rained all day so Dad. and Frank couldn't do much outside but Frank fixed the new trough in the pig pen and arranged the swinging door over it so that it would work easily and save him climbing over it every time he feeds the pigs. I stopped in at Aunty Alice's on my way down and she had just had a back tooth out. Dad. spent most of the day doing chores and ditching and this after noon he went over with me and took Jim Rosses chickens over to Jack Martin's and he shipped them for us</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Thursday October 18th</p> <p>I have planted ginseng all day and to-night counted the seeds I had left and just have 565 so I will soon be through the job. If the seeds all grow and the plants live and the Chinese keep on wanting ginseng roots I should make some money in six or seven years provided some one doesn't steal them. Frank and Dad. got started plowing to-day in the back field by the bush. Dad. ran out the ditches and struck out a couple of times and Frank threw out the sods and this after noon plowed. This was Frank's birthday. Rained a little.</p> <p>Friday October 19th</p> <p>It rained steadily all morning and has been raw cloudy and windy all the after noon. I spent the morning writing in this and to Douglas. Dad. read to the baby and Frank went back to the gully and caught a rabbit in one of his muskrat traps. He skinned it but found so many dubious looking spots on it that he decided to use it for bait instead of eating it. This after noon I went back and planted 328 more seeds and will plant the 239 I have left up here some place in a box. Dad. went over to Jack Martin's this after noon to see if he could get a box to ship 6 pullets to Jim Ross.</p> <p>Saturday October 20th</p> <p>I drove down town this morning to get some groceries and to see if McEwen came down on the nine car, but he didn't show up all day. Frank and I picked apples the rest of the day and Dad. plowed. We got just two trees stripped clean but they were the heaviest laden with fruit I think. Frank went down town to-night and heard that young Henry I forget his first name was killed the other day when he fell of some engine at the gas well where he was working. Charlie Quanbury was in to borrow the straw knife this morning. He was up to be examined yesterday and was classed A.2. which is very queer as he has a very bad throat but he went to Simcoe and said they marked him A2 before they had him half examined. Joe Thompson &amp; George Clark are both A2 but Charlie Ferris was thrown out. Froze last night raw &amp; windy all day.</p> <p>Sunday October 21st</p> <p>Frank went down to Sunday school this morning but I had to spend so much time bathing my arm that I didn't get down. I walked down in time for church but went around to see Dr. Cook first to show him my arm as it was badly swollen this morning and red</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Tuesday October 16th</p> <p>I have been planting ginseng all day again to day and am just nicely started. I had no idea it would be such a long job and I am very thankful that I only bought half a pound of seed instead of a pound as I at first intended and as the doctor wanted me to. I am planting every seed separately and about three or four inches apart in rows six or eight inches apart and as there are supposed to be four thousand of them in half a pound I can't expect to do it in no time. Dad. and Frank felled the big oak just at noon. It was a big job as its diameter was nearly equal to the length of the saw It will make a lot of fire wood but it was time it was cut as the heart of the trunk and the limbs was all punk, and it had got past being very pretty. Enah was down town all day and the baby was at Aunty's Enah was up helping at the banquet which the Board of Trade gave to a large deputation of businessmen representing all the towns and cities within reach of the L.E.&amp; N. and {G.H.&amp; P.?} railways. They had a very successful day and everybody spread themselves to entertain them and they donated $100.00 to be divided equally between the Red Cross &amp; the I.O.D.E. McEwen sent our ram to-day and the Dominion Express Co. brought it right over to the farm. Enah and the baby stayed down to tea and Dad. &amp; Frank &amp; I droved down afterwards to go to the Jubilee Singers concert in the town hall. I hadn't intended going but Dad. wanted me to go down and telephone McEwen and tell him the ram came and ask him when he would be down to look at the ram's lambs so I did and found out he couldn't be down before Saturday. I stayed and talked to Bab. for awhile and then went down to the show, just as I got to the town hall corner Tip Varey came out and gave me a ticket, he said he was just looking for some one to give it to. The hall was packed. Nice day.</p> <p>Wednesday October 17th</p> <p>I have been planting ginseng all day. Dad. and Frank spent most of the morning cutting a block off the old oak and splitting it up. This after noon they trimmed up the ewes and would have started plowing but it rained so they didn't. Dave. Ward was in to look at the lambs to-day &amp; Gid. McHoy &amp; Everett were in yesterday but of course we can't sell them till McEwen sees them. I went down to-night to see Marj. The grass was wet but thanks to the new rubbers which Aunty Alice gave me I didn't get wet. It froze hard last night. Nice morning but wet this after noon.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>south west wind and when Dad. got home at three o'clock he found one of Mrs. Jim. Low's apple trees blown down across Aunty's lane so he had to chop it up before he could get out with Joe &amp; the buggy. They had a letter from Dick to-day and he said that Head Office had told him to be examined and send his papers to Winnipeg for them to apply for exemption for him. He was marked A2 which is the highest he could get without military training, but he thinks he will be exempted. He hadn't intended applying for himself.</p> <p>Saturday October 13th</p> <p>After I got home and got my clothes changed this morning Dad. &amp; I picked up the apples in the orchard which yesterdays high wind blew down, while Frank went to the mill with some oats to chop. This after noon Dad. and I pulled a few rows of mangels while Frank went back after the chop and when He got back He and Dad. went over to Tupper's and got some mow {illegible} I pulled another row or two of mangels but Dad. thought I had better not pull many as we would not be able to cover them all to-night. I went back to the woods for a little while. Edmond England was in to-night to have Dad look at his horse which was lame. Fair to-day but rather cold.</p> <p>Sunday October 14th</p> <p>Enah Frank and I drove down to church this morning and I walked home with Aunty Alice who came over here to dinner. This after noon Aunty and I drove up to Vittoria and I got a half pound of ginseng seeds from Dr. McInnes for which I paid him five dollars. We got home about half past six and came around by Port Ryerse. To-night I went down town and met Marj. &amp; Glad. coming out of church, we went up to the Law's for awhile. Young Ivan who enlisted about a couple of months ago is home on his last leave and expects to leave Hamilton for Halifax on Wednesday. It was raining quite hard when I started home so I stayed all night at Aunty's. Frank was down also as he is going to help them pack up a box of stuff for Walter in the morning.</p> <p>Monday October 15th</p> <p>Aunty got up early this morning and called me so that I got home before Dad. was up, as it was still wet I put on Roy's rubber boots and some old clothes but it turned out a nice day. I have been back in the woods all day planting ginseng seed. Dad. and Frank started to cut down the old oak at the south east corner of the lawn. It was dying anyway</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>apply for exemption from military service. I went right over to the Armouries from the car to get an early place in the line but we had to wait about an hour before the doctors began examining. When they did start they told us to be ready for them so as not to keep them waiting and accordingly we all stripped to a most distressing state of complete nakedness and lined up ready to go through the test. There were about twenty five of us when they started and more kept coming. Some of the boys were cold and put their coats on while they waited, when they came to me I first got on a set of scales and one doctor weighed and measured me in different ways &amp; also tested my eyes, another fellow listened at my heart and lungs and asked me if I had ever had any trouble with my feet or legs so I told him about my knee. He pinched it and said it was a bog spavin and I had better blister it, he then sent me over to a third doctor and he said the same thing, that I had better fire it. I said I didn't think much of firing spavins but he told me he had a little mare once which sprung a couple of {jacks?} and he took them off where upon another doctor began inquiring of him as to the whereabouts of some "little sorrel". Eventually he let me go saying I would have to be put in Class E as my knee couldn't be depended on. I said I hated to be put down so low and he said he could put me in C which is for service in Canada but that E was where I should be so I said that if any trouble arose in Canada I would go anyway and so he said "That's the way to talk". It makes me feel rather down in the mouth to think I am physically unfit but I suppose oughtn't to as they said I was in good shape every other way. I believe I have been half hoping all along that there might be a chance of me becoming a soldier yet but now I know that there is nothing left but "The cool sequestered vale of life" for me and of course in a way it is a satisfaction to know just where I am and what I have to plan for. I was just too late when I got to the L.E.&amp; N. station to catch the four o'clock car so I prowled around town till six and came down with Dr. Cook who had come as far as Brantford from Toronto in his Ford but had got so cold &amp; wet that he left the car in a garage and took the radial. Aunty Alice was waiting for me at the station and said I was to stay there all night as it was such a rotten night. There was a strong</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>about all of Class A being called out before any were exempted. I also went around to Moore's studio while I was up there. We went back to the Fair Grounds about half past three and watched a couple of horse races and then went over to the sheep pen where we found Dad. waiting for us. He had intended going back on the car but thought he was too late so we loaded the sheep up and he and Frank drove home, and I started out to walk although I believe If I had gone a little earlier I could have caught the car as it was late, however I got a ride from just out of Simcoe nearly to the Half-Way-House with some old {Oaks?} and then I walked to about Duncan's orchard when Johnnie Walker picked me up. I got home about half past six and Dad. and Frank about an hour later. Cloudy &amp; Raw.</p> <p>Thursday October 11th</p> <p>I went down this morning to dig Aunty Alice's potatoes for her but didn't quite finish the job. Dad. &amp; Enah came down to Mrs. Dillon's funeral and Dad. had to be bearer. Frank came down a little later with Ben's rack and he and I went up and got a load of old shingles from Cousin Willie's barn. Enah's sister Mrs. Johnson came over to tea and to stay all night. Lovely day, rain to-night.</p> <p>Friday October 12th</p> <p>Dad. and I had planned to go up to McEwen's by the seven car this morning and from there to the Caledonia Fair via Brantford but when Dad. got up at five it was pouring rain and had been all night so we decided not to go to the Fair and as it rained steadily but not hard all day we were glad we did. We thought however we had better go to McEwen's, as he had four yearling rams which he said he might sell any day and we have come to the conclusion that we can't depend on our old fellow. We drove down and left Joe in the barn and took the nine o'clock car intending to get back home at one o'clock but when we got up there we got talking to McEwen and looking at the sheep and the car went back before we knew it so we had to wait there till two and have dinner there. We spoke for one of his yearling rams which he wants sixty five dollars for, but we thought he was a dandy except for some little stubs of horns and a rather big ear but he is big and low down. We left McEwen's at two o'clock and Dad. took the car home but I thought since I was so near I would go on into Brantford and be examined as I have to be anyway some time within the next month, before I</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>take all the prizes. The Shepherd invited Frank to sleep in his boxcar to-night so I guess he will. I just did up the horses when I got home and Dad. and I had tea alone and were just ready to start after Enah &amp; the baby when they came along. Enah had come down on the seven o'clock car. Miss Morgan &amp; Mrs. Brent were on the car and they told her that Mrs. Dillon died this morning in the Brantford hospital while undergoing an operation. I walked down town and went up to see Marj. for awhile and stayed all night at Aunty's. Nice day but raw.</p> <p>Wednesday October 10th</p> <p>I got of on the seven o'clock car this morning for Simcoe and found Frank prowling around the sheep pen at the Fair Grounds waiting for some place to open up so that he could get breakfast. Neither of us got very far away from the sheep till they were judged about ten o'clock. I tried to give them a little fixing up first but didn't make much difference in their looks. Lloyd-Jones man was trimming at his all the time and so were some fellows with Oxfords. Lloyd-Jones was the only other exhibitor of Shrops. Old Billy Beattie was the judge and we were</p> <p>most agreeably surprised when he gave us three second prizes and two third. Lloyd-Jones got all the firsts but still we thought we did very well considering it was the first time we ever showed. Our little loose fleeced ram lamb took second prize from one of Lloyd-Jones, but he didn't bring out one of his ram lambs. Our ewe lamb didn't get a prize and neither did one of the yearling ewes on account of some dark wool on her head, all the others got something. After they were judged Frank and I took in a little of the Fair and also a little dinner which we took standing up. About two o'clock we went down town as I wanted to find out if I could be examined for Military Service in Simcoe, but no board has been appointed yet. The only man I could find (after going to the Armouries and the Court House) who kenw any thing about it was George McKie and he is on one of the exemption tribunal for the North Riding. He told me I would probably be exempted on account of being a farmer, as he thought the only farmers who would be taken were those who have started farming within the last two months and those on farms which are overmanned. From what he said I think Charlie Quanbury must have been mistaken</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>froze hard last night, so I went out and finished plowing the headland at the north end of the field while Dad. went over and doctored up the cow. I brought the team up when I finished plowing but didn't get any more done at the sheep before noon. This after noon Dad. worked on the land and Frank and I continued to trim sheep. I trimmed our loose fleeced ram lamb and made a wonderful difference in his looks but I am afraid his fleece is too poor. Cool.</p> <p>Wednesday October 3rd</p> <p>It has rained steadily all day and we were very glad to have it as the land is very hard and dry and lots of the wheat we sowed last week has not sprouted yet. Frank and I spent the whole day nearly with the sheep washing their necks &amp; briskets where the oil was on the wool. Dad. fixed a pen over in the barn for the pure bred calf. This was the day of old Monteith's sale but we thought they would postpone it on account of the weather but we saw several buggies go past on the way home from it and Tom. told us to-morrow morning (I havent written this for some time) that there was a good crowd and the cattle in fact every thing sold very well.</p> <p>Thursday October 4th</p> <p>Frank and I washed up a few more sheep this morning and this after noon he and I fixed the wire across the gap going from the wheat field behind the barn into the hay stubble. Dad. cleaned out some of the ditches in the wheat. About four o'clock I took Joe down town and had her shoe put on as she broke one some way. I called for Aunty at Mrs. Battersby's on my way home and she came over here to tea. After tea it began to rain and was a nasty night so Dad. drove Aunty &amp; me down as far as Mr. Fleming's and we walked the rest of the way. I went over to Miss McQueen's with Marj. and stayed all night at Aunty's. Cloudy &amp; raw all day</p> <p>Friday October 5th</p> <p>Dad. worked on the wheat ground this after noon and thinks it will be ready to sow to morrow. He took down the stove pipe off the kitchen stove this morning and cleaned it out When I got home this morning Frank and I picked the King's and got about two bushels and then Frank went to the mill and got some of our oats rolled. This after noon we trimmed sheep and to-night I caught about 45 nice pulletts and shut them up in winter quarters.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Saturday October 6th</p> <p>Dad. worked on the wheat ground all day and got it drilled this after noon, there is just about three acres of it Frank and I cleaned up seed for him this morning and were at that nearly all the fore noon. This after noon Marj. and I went to Vittoria after chestnuts but didn't get any as they were not ripe yet and do not seem to be very well filled anyway. We went up to Dunkin's and he filled out an application blank for me to get the yearling ewe registered. He showed me his stock while Marj. was in getting warm. I stayed to tea at the Moore's and didn't get home till long after nine. Roy &amp; Rebecca came up to-day on the three o'clock car to stay over Monday it being Thanksgiving day. It has been cloudy with a raw north wind all day.</p> <p>Sunday October 7th</p> <p>I was the only one from this house to go to church this morning and I drove down and brought Rebecca home with me while Roy &amp; Aunty walked over Aunty Alice didn't feel like coming. This after noon I went down to the Moore's and had tea at Aunty's. Aunty and I went to church to-night and I went up afterward's to see Huby. Frank walked down to church and he &amp; I went home to-gether. Jack Martin started teaching Sunday school again.</p> <p>Monday October 8th</p> <p>Dad. went out first thing this morning to run some furrows in the wheat and then he, Enah and the baby went down to Aunty's for dinner and to spend the after noon. Frank and I spent most of the day putting what we considered the finishing touches on our sheep. Still pretty raw but rather sunny.</p> <p>Tuesday October 9th</p> <p>The Quanbury boys brought their waggon in this morning and left it for us to take the sheep to Simcoe and they took our old one with them. Just as they left Jack Highland drove in and left the sacks for the bluegrass and we bagged it up and Frank and I took it down this morning to the car. We took the baby with us and left him at Aunty's for the after noon as Enah went to the Simcoe Fair with the James'. Frank and I didn't get started for Simcoe till about half past two as we had to load the sheep after dinner and as we had to walk all the way it was nearly five when we got there. I left Frank and the sheep up there and left the Fair Grounds at a quarter past five and was home here at half past six. I had Joe &amp; Belle. Lloyd Jones shepherd had quite a flock of Southdowns and Shrops up there and as they were trimmed up to the queen's taste and in good shape I suppose they will</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Sunday September 30th</p> <p>Enah and I drove down to church this morning and Frank walked down. Enah stayed down to dinner and to-night to tea as she had to go to Vittoria with the choir and to play in church to-night. The held Harvest thanksgiving services both here &amp; in Vittoria to-day. Mr. Millman came up the other night and Ade. Orm. &amp; Kathleen all came up in the car this morning to take Paw &amp; Mrs. Millman home. This after noon Frank and I went down town. Kathleen and I went up to call on the Harry Moon's. Harry was lying on the sofa but the doctor told him he would have to stay in the house another week. His boils are pretty well healed but they have his lung straped in so that he can't breathe through it. Ade &amp; Orm walked over here to the farm to see Dad. and Paw took all the rest for a ride in the car. I came home to tea but Frank stayed down Just before we had tea All the Millman's but Mrs. came over here in the car. I rode down with them about eight and after waiting for about enough half an hour for Mr. Farney to get through talking went up to Miss Martin's with Marj. and her. I called in at Aunty's on my way home but they had taken Enah and Frank home. It has been cloudy raw and windy all day and feels like frost to-night.</p> <p>Monday October 1st</p> <p>Dad. sowed my experimental plots of wheat this morning and I disked them in. We then hooked on the plow but before we got out all the Millman's came over to say good-bye to us and were here for half an hour or so. Dad. then went out to try plowing the rest of the strip along the side road that Frank started in the spring for corn. He plowed all the after noon and said it was very hard but could be plowed. This after noon Frank and I went down town and sold five baskets of tomatoes and got a load of shingles off Cousin Willie's barn roof. Windy &amp; rather cool but sunny</p> <p>Tuesday October 2nd</p> <p>We got the ewes all over in the barn this morning and picked out seven that we thought were worthy of a place in the Simcoe show ring, two aged ewes three shearlings and two ewe lambs, we separated them and put the rest back in the orchard. Dad then went out to finish plowing and Frank and I started to trim the show sheep. Jack Martin's man came over to get Dad. to go and look at one of Jack's Jerseys which had got bloated up on the frozen clover as it</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>to meet Aunty &amp; Mrs. Millman who came up from Toronto to-night. Dad. and I met them at the station. We saw the Quanbury boys on our way home out experimenting with Charlie's tractor which he has concocted out his gasoline engine and an old mower and scrap iron. It seemed to be running all right on the road. Fine and dry.</p> <p>Wednesday September 26th</p> <p>I spent most of the day cleaning out the chicken house and getting it ready to put in the pullets. Frank picked and sorted tomatoes and this after noon harrowed on the wheat ground after Dad. who was disking. He disked on the pea stubble all day. The Quanbury boys were over this after noon to clean up a load of oats. To-night Mr. &amp; Mrs. Colin McNellige &amp; Miss Shand were over to spend the evening. Fine day, the ground is very dry.</p> <p>Thursday September 27th</p> <p>Frank and I have been over at Jack Martin's thrashing wheat all day and are not half through yet. The stacks are tough and the separator was stopped a good part of the time. The tough sheaves were very hard on the cylinder teeth. Dad. worked on the pea stubble all day and got started to drill about five o'clock. Frank and I came home to tea as we thought he would want to drill late but he stopped at six thinking we would stay to tea. I went to the picture show to-night with Marj. Nice day. Elgitha calved back in the gully to-night and the calf died.</p> <p>Friday September 28th</p> <p>We have been thrashing all day to-day again and are still at it. It went slower to day than yesterday. We only thrashed 90 bushels this morning. We moved down to Cawley's barn to-day but the stacks down there seem to be in just as bad shape. Dad. finished drilling the field to-day and Frank went over to help him drill the grassy piece west of the ditch. Lea Marshall came after him - Dad - this afternoon to go down to Bruce Smith's to see a colt he has down there. Enah and the baby went down with them in the car. Cloudy all day, rained a little last night.</p> <p>Saturday September 29th</p> <p>We finished thrashing at Jack's about four o'clock to-day The oats and barley came through a little faster but the spring wheat was in bad shape. In the three days we thrashed 976 bushels of stuff. Dad. ran out the furrows in the wheat field to-day and did a few other chores. Looks rainy to-day.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>At last I came to the conclusion that the thing must be decided in some way so I resolved to let the results of the battle of Verdeen which was then at its height be the judge. If the Germans broke through to Paris I would enlist. If the French were strong enough to hold them back I would stay home. Dad. said this was a fair proposition, as the Germans are still outside the defence of Verdeen I am still on the farm. Whether I did right or not I don't know, it is for those higher up in authority to judge but I do know that I have done what I thought was the best and have not suffered any uneasiness since I eliminated sentiment from the case. Now that conscription is coming in force all responsibility is lifted and if they tell me I am to stay on the farm it will be a satisfaction to know I have done right but if they tell me I must go to the front I will do it without any shame for having stayed away so long. I must say I do not feel the same eager desire to go that I once did and will not be sorry if I am exempted but at the same time want to go if I am really needed. The boys at the front have got to be reinforced no matter what else happens and we haven't the time to haggle over technicalities in our constitution to deside whether or not we have the right to enforce conscription. It may be bordering on Prussianism but we must have the men and as a last resort I think are justified in adopting some of the German methods in order to cope with them. All this is a little outside my usual diary writing but these are unusual times and in future years when time has harrowed over and smoothed our memories I want to remember how keenly we feel all these things now.</p> <p>Tuesday September 25th</p> <p>In some way or other I have missed one day altogether and wote under the heading of Monday all the doings of to-day so I will now write Monday's record under today's heading. Dad. and I finished hauling out manure this morning. We cleaned the shed and covered the field. Enah and Frank went out to the Shand's to take Flossie some tomatoes and then went down town. This after noon Dad. disked. I flailed out some of my wheat and Frank rode down to John Watt's to see if he could get some second cut clover that he is just putting up and then he and I went after it. We just got a little to feed the ram lambs and traded a bag of oats for it. To-night I went down town and got my hair cut and Dad. Enah &amp; the baby and I went to Aunty Alices</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>and stoops to the barbarous position of a beligerent she is leaving nothing undone in the way of preparation for military efficiency. It is very inspiring to hear the Yankees talk of how they are "wielding the sword of liberty and democracy to annihilate a war-mad tyrant whose atrocious deeds of barbarism have shocked their refined natures and provoked their holy wrath It is a little hard for me to understand just why the sword of liberty and democracy was allowed to hang rusting over in Uncle Sam's chimbney corner for two years and a half before his refined nature was shocked or his holy wrath provoked, because to the rest of the world the deeds committed by the war mad-tyrant early in the war such as the violation of Belgian neutrality and the wholesale murder of non-combatants, American women and children included, were just as atrocious as the destruction of U.S. shipping, however Uncle Sam is into the scrap now and every one is glad of it because if he never fires a shot off he can be very useful to the Allies in other ways, not the least of which will be the rounding up of the hordes of German spies within his borders. It is rather out of place for me to be looking critically at the motives for other country's actions when our own government in all its branches seems to be so rotten with party politics. An election is in sight and both parties seem far more interested in it now than the outcome of the war. The Grits spend all their time hunting up mud to throw at the Government and the Tories are exerting all their energies making plots by which they can remain in power. Parliament had prorogued and Borden has gone fishing but they did pass the Military Service Act by which it looks as if conscription would soon be enforced. That to my mind was the proper thing to do, for the voluntary system is certainly dead even if the Government did kill it and it was inefficent any way. It was based too much on sentiment and not reason. I have found out from my own experience that in a case like this sentiment is no use. Before a year ago last spring I was so tossed by the crossing winds of sentiment on the sea of indecision as to my course of action that I came nearly being wrecked on the rocks of lunacy. The lightship of duty was only a spot light which added confusion to the scene for it would first throw its lustre on the military troopship with the recruiting officers calling for more soldiers and then on the harbor of Home with Dad's pleadings and the athorities calling for greater production.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>down to the last notch; so although it is very dry it chewed it up considerably, Dad. spent most of the day flailing out my three varietys of wheat; and I helped him clean it. The Imperial Amber was the nicest and best sample with the Banatka next best. Frank did odd jobs and went down town. Sunny, no wind, no clouds and quite hot. Froze last night. Now that we are well started on the fourth year of the war, it is just as hard to say when it will end as ever. All the talk of Germany's degeneration and being at the end of her resources in men, money and food is beginning to be looked on as foolish gossip especially since the U.S. Ambassador has come home and told the public that Germany's total losses in men is only about 3 million out of the 12 she called out with 400 thousand coming of military age every year, and that there was no chance of starving her out as the non-combatant population is making the home country as well as the conquered territory produce more than ever before. On the other had there seems to be no fear of her being victorious for the Allies with their unlimited resources are becoming stronger every day. They are on the offensive on nearly every front and are able to hold most of the gains they make in their various drives, not only that but if there is only any truth whatever in the reports we get the Allies seem to be able through the efficiency of their artillery and aerial scouts to make important advances with the minimum of loss among their own men but at the same time inflict heavy losses on the enemy both in the first drive and in the repeated counter-attacks which invariably follow an Allied drive. Then too, the Germans although not demoralized do not seem to be able to put the same force into their offensives as they did in the early days of the war. A recent example of this was in Russia where conditions are bordering on civil war most of the time. The Germans were within reach of Riga and the Russian troops instead of offering resistance marched away from that part of the battle line in revolt under Korniloff against their own Government under Kerensky. If that had happened two years ago the Germans would have been in Petrograd now, but in some way Kerensky checked the revolt and the Russians went back to the front and the Germans are not yet in possession of Riga and it doesn't look as if they would be. It seems that by next year Germany must give up all hopes of victory, for now that the U.S. has come down off her lofty seat of super-civilization where she was "too proud to fight" as Wilson said</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>and did a few odd jobs and I disked on the pea stubble all morning. I would have gone thrashing instead of Dad. but I had promised to go up creek with Marj. this after noon and Dad. said as it was such a nice day I had better not postpone it so he went instead. They got through soon after dinner. I quit a little before noon so got down town fairly early but we had to go and hunt Jake Eyers up to get a boat as he was up digging potatoes and Marj. had to stop to express a basket of plums home which she picked at Miss McQueen's this morning, so it was about half past two when we left. We went up as far as we could row and had a dandy time getting back about half past five. I took a couple of pictures of Marj. It wasn't at all hot in fact some times when the sun went under a cloud or the breeze caught us it was rather chilly. I stayed to tea and all night at Aunty's Alice's. I was up town for a half an hour or so after tea and saw Brierly. Mrs. Barwell, Cousin Clair and Cousin Loll were down at Aunty Alice's for a rubber of bridge. Cold east wind this morning but sunny and warmer later.</p> <p>Sunday September 23rd</p> <p>I went home this morning right after breakfast and changed my clothes and then Dad. &amp; Tid drove me down again to church. Dad. had to go over to Kolbes pig pens in the marsh to see a sick pig. He says the place over there is a fright. Ducks and chickens are so dirty they can't grow and the ducks won't go into the creek. The pigs with their mothers have had nothing to eat but fish and are not growing a bit. When I got home from church Frank informed me that all the rest of the family had gone to Caledonia with Ham Thompson to see Douglas. After dinner Frank went back to the gully and got some butter nuts, and I sat around and read and wrote in this. Mr. &amp; Mrs. John Shand came to call but didn't stay when they found the folks away and Winnie was over for a little while, she wanted an impression of the crest to put on a signet ring. Frank and I did up all the chores and Frank went down to church I went down a little later and got home about eleven. Dad. Enah and Tid. got home about eight after having had a fine time down at Douglas's. I saw Hugh Bannister this morning for a few minutes, he has just got back from France having been on an American transport taking supplies to the U.S. troops. He has been pretty much all over the world since he left here 2 1/2 years ago. Lovely day.</p> <p>Monday September 24th</p> <p>I disked all day on the wheat ground to day and had the disks</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>manure all day but only got out eleven loads. It was an unlucky day from the start. The trouble began before. Dad. left when Frank started out with the first load some thing, we think it was the end of the whipple-tree caught one of the rods at the side of the spreader and bent it so that it threw the section of gear that lifts the tailboard up against the other gear and we had to take it out and straighten it. Then when he got out in the field with the load he offended Belle in some unknown way and she balked and after losing considerable time with her we had to take her off and put Joe in her place. This was before Dad. left but he didn't have time to monkey with her. This after noon Paton came in with a mare that he said had swallowed an apple and was choking and I had to lose another half hour with him. I never saw Dad. treat a choking animal so didn't know just what to do but I ramed the probang down her neck as far as I could and that seemed to ease her. He left her here till Dad. got home when she appeared to be all right. About this time Frank began to feel squeamish in his stomach and although he was able to haul out a few more loads he didn't feel much like pitching on so didn't. He must have had too much of his own cooking I guess for although he helped me do up all the chores he was quite sick this evening and again during the night. Dad. got home about five but didn't "peel off" his good clothes as I had a card from Enah to-day saying she would be home to-night so Dad. went down to meet her. It was after dark when I got everything done and I had to do some tall foraging to find sustenance enough in the house to keep the breath of life within me. I was very thankful Frank was sick and couldn't eat for our store of provisions had dwindled down to scant rashion fore one, however by rumaging around in the stale bread crock where I found two or three crusts that were not mouldy and cleaning up some left over apple sauce and nibbling a slice or two of old cheese I managed to collect enough nourishment to maintain existence till Enah got home when I was able to supplement my supper with some sandwichs from Enah's lunch box. They had tea down at Aunty Alice's. Dad. and Enah both report that nearly all the corn they saw in their travels a few miles north of here is ruined by frost.</p> <p>Saturday September 22nd</p> <p>Dad. went down to Sam's to thresh this morning and Art Quanbury drove down with him. Frank felt pretty sick but poked around</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>the couker, one of the ten looked very small an thin after he was plucked so I gave him to Aunty Alice and she said he was all right. Dad. and I were up till eleven o'clock picking out pin feathers while Frank write a letter to Enah</p> <p>Wednesday September 19th</p> <p>I packed up my nine chickens first thing this morning and took them down to the Dominion Express office and shipped them to Waller's, Toronto. I never shipped there before but he proved all right as I got my returns on Friday and he gave me 26 cts per lb which was a cent more than he quoted. They were a nicer looking lot than the ones I sent to Barron as I had stuck most of them in the brain, had torn them very little and only broke a couple of wings. I had larger sheets of parchment paper to wrap them in too and so made a much neater looking package. I stayed down long enough for Joe Howell to put a shoe on Josie. Dad. and Frank were hauling manure from the cow stable shed when I got back but they had cleaned up a lot of seed wheat for Mr. Flemming This after noon we hooked Joe and Queen to the disks and I went over the part of the pea stubble which Dad. has manured. I guess it was the first time we have ever had five of our own horses working at the same time. I quit early and went down to tea at Aunty Alice's and afterwards went to the picture show with Marj. and saw "Snow white" which was acted truer to the old story than any of them I have ever seen. I stayed all night with Aunty Alice. Another fine day.</p> <p>Thursday September 20th</p> <p>I cut the lawns down at Aunty Alice's before I came home this morning and Dad. and Frank were out at the manure. I saw Uncle Ward on my way home and he told me he was going to walk over here to find out whether or not Dad. could act as bearer at Mrs. Boughner's funeral to-morrow, she having died yesterday, so when I got home and told Dad. he despatched Frank on his wheel to find out the details and to save Uncle Ward the walk. We hauled out manure all day. Aunty Alice came over this after noon and did up the house chores and boiled us some potatoes and made a pudding.</p> <p>Friday September 21st</p> <p>Dad. and I helped us put on a couple of loads this morning and then had to go as he had to go down town this morning and get his hair cut and stayed at Aunty Alice's to dinner then went from there to the funeral. Frank and I hauled</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>of bachelor existance. Frank went down town to-night and stayed all night at Aunty Alice's. Lovely day.</p> <p>Sunday September 16th</p> <p>Dad. and I did did up the chores and partook of a cold and lonely breakfast after which I went down to church. Dad was home alone at dinner time and I don't believe he ate any as Frank and I stayed down at Aunty Alice's to dinner and had a good one. We came home right after and I hooked up Queen and took Marj. for a drive up into civilized borders of Charlotteville where we nearly got lost. Frank went down to Sam Law's and found that we could look for them to pull in here early to-morrow after noon. Dad. after entertaining Jim Waddle for an hour or so drove with him down town and stayed to tea at Aunty Alice's. Frank and I did chores after which I ate one hard biscuit and went down town and went up to Miss Martin's with Marj. after church and Frank went to bed. Fine and sunny day. Quite hot. Fly's bad.</p> <p>Monday September 17th</p> <p>Dad.and I hauled out what little manure we could this morning from around the old stack bottom, we got out I think nine loads. Frank cleaned up the barn and granarie's and just before noon went down and got Aunty Alice to come over and do things up in the house and prepare the supper for the threshers, they arrived about two o'clock and threshed all the oats out that were over the granary, there is my load of O.A.C. 72 to thresh yet. We got about 330 bushels which was not what we expected at harvest time but equal to any that has been threshed around here To-night I drove Aunty Alice down as far as the bridge. She simply would not allow me to drive her any farther for poor Joe might be frightened. Another fine day.</p> <p>Tuesday September 18th</p> <p>We threshed till noon and then finished with fifty bushels from my load of O.A.C. 72 and about 117 bushels of nice wheat from the 12 acres, to-gether with a pile of bluegrass which Jack Highland has since bought for 16 dollars. I went down about ten and got Aunty Alice who had to do some tall surrying to have dinner in time but she managed alright. After dinner Alfred Ryerse came up with his bags to get nine bushels of our Plymouth wheat for seed so he Dad. and Frank cleaned it up to-gether with our own seed and I spent the after noon killing my crate fattened chickens. I killed ten leaving the one with</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>We had to take it over to Clarence Welsh's to weigh it and left it in the field on our way home it was about two o'clock when we got to the house. Dad. went back with the big team and started drilling right after dinner and when I had my dinner I took Joe and Belle back and started harrowing but changed team's with Dad. later and he finished drilling the field about dark while I brought the old team up as old Nellie was so tired she could hardly walk. Fine day</p> <p>Friday September 14th</p> <p>Dad. took Belle &amp; Queen back this morning and harrowed over the field that he drilled yesterday and I disked on the pea stubble with the big team. Frank had to go down town Enah's brother and all his family and Fred Johnson came down in their car from Courtright yesterday and came over here this morning. Jean &amp; Adelina stayed here to dinner. This after noon Frank and I had to go over to Ben Ivey's to help thrash Quanbury's oat stack and were over there all the after noon having tea at the Quanbury's. Dad. ran out the furrows in the wheat this after noon. Enah is getting ready to-night to go to Courtright with her brother to-morrow, they were in again to-night for a while. Tid says he doesn't want to go away but he got resigned to his fate before they left. Another fine day.</p> <p>Saturday September 15th</p> <p>The principal event of to-day was the departure of Enah and the baby for Courtright with the James'. The baby seemed quite happy in the excitement of going in the car but it wouldn't have taken much coaxing to keep him home, however it has since transpired that he was quite contented and happy during his sojourn and the constant opportunity of access to new and wonderful sights and things of interest such as the big boats on the river and the magic performances of machinery in his uncle's tin-shop, afforded, - warded off any attacks of homesickness which under other circumstances he might have suffered from. I didn't do any thing much all day but wash the buggy and go down town with Frank to get a ton of soft coal for which we paid the exhorbitant price of ten dollars. Dad. finished cleaning out the ditches over in the back wheat field and he and Frank hauled up the planks and sleepers of Ivey's bridge which last spring's {illegible} deposited in our gully. The planks we want to have handy to support the thrashing engine on the barn floor and they will be ready for Ivey's any time they take the trouble to come and get them but the sleepers which were cedar railroad ties, they sawed and split up for use during our coming week</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Tuesday September 11th</p> <p>Charlie and Art Quanbury drove in this morning on their way out to Tupper's so I rode out with them. This is the first day Art. has been out of bed since he was taken sick a week or more ago, so I think he is plum crazy but maybe not. Frank rode down town on his wheel to tell Aunty Alice that we would likely not be able to attend her theatre party to-night if we had to thrash late and he rode on out to Tupper's on his wheel. I went over to Charlie's place with the boys and helped them put on a load of wheat out of Charlie's barn as they wanted to thrash a load for seed. They thrashed it first and then started at Tupper's out of the field. He hadn't a sheaf in the barn. I hauled in with Tupper's team and waggon all day, and we worked till after six. The wheat was in awful shape but the oats weren't so bad. He got 416 bushels alto-gether and 44 of them were wheat. Fairly cool but sunny all day.</p> <p>Wednesday September 12th</p> <p>Dad. and I worked both teams on the land this morning and Frank patched at the stable roof. Aunty came over at noon to tell us she was going to Toronto in the morning to help Vernon christen the baby. Bill. Philips came in just after dinner to get Dad. to go up and see Miss McCoy's cow and while Dad. was gone Bill helped Frank and me put off the load of oats that was on the rack and get the twelve shocks out in the field and the wheat of my plots. Dad. got back just as we got in and said he had told Miss McCoy to send to Simcoe for Bert or Anderson. It is now over a week since I have made an entry in this book so that the records for the week following this will be brief and their accuracy and completeness may suffer somewhat from the effacing effect that time has on my memory. To-night I went down town and spent an enjoyable evening at "Uncle" Hughie Moore's, where I have since learned that I revised Miss Kerney's former impression of my character as she had formed the opinion that I was a "solemn appearin' boy". I spent the night at Aunty's to help her get to the station in the morning.</p> <p>Thursday September 13th</p> <p>Aunty got off this morning and had Mrs. Gordon for company all the way to Toronto. I went to the station with her and carried her suitcases, she took one full of vegetables to Roy &amp; Vernon. When I got home I hunted up some bags and Frank and I took Joe and Belle on the waggon out to Bob. Ross's and got 17 bus {bushels} of seed wheat. Bob. was hauling in oats but Frank {illegible} his hay but on a load and he and I cleaned up the wheat.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>{This is a repeat of Index page 110}</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>soaked it for an hour or more. The original spot seems to be healing nicely but the numerous breakings out around it are getting very sore. Dad. and Frank dug potatoes all morning and I went out for about an hour before noon to help them. Two of Ham Thompsons kids were down this morning to say that Ham was going to fill his silo this morning after noon so Frank and I went up after dinner. We were up there till after dark and then had tea up there but didn't finish the job as the corn was so wet it kept plugging up the blower so that they had to take the curved pipe and the distributor off. I worked in the field for an hour or so loading {stacks?} but my arm got so sore I had to come up and trade jobs with Tige McBride who was tramping in the silo. Old Mr. Miller was in there too. I didn't mind that job at all. On our way home Frank &amp; I stopped in at the mill and got a bag of crate fattening mixture for another bunch of cockrels which I shut up last night but Tom had been here and said he couldn't get me any buttermilk. Dad. and I went out to-night and caught all the pullets we could find as Chris told Dad. to-day that he would be over Monday to take all that were any good for Jack and that he would give me 25 cts per lb for them. Fine day.</p> <p>Sunday November 4th</p> <p>All the household but me went to church this morning and as I had to soak my arm again I didn't get down till half past eleven and then went down to the doctor's. He dressed it again and gave me a hyperdemic for some reason or other and told me the new breakings out were infections from the original sore. It was very painful this after noon but principally around the spot where he inserted the needle. I went down to Aunty's for dinner and stayed there all day and all night I went up to see Marj. this after noon but she was up at the Bagley's as old Mrs. Hall just died and they wanted her to be at the door. Marj. was home after tea so I spent the evening with her. A goodly portion of the Bawlby family came down to Aunty's this after noon for an hour or so. Aunty Alice was over here to dinner and Enah came down town with her this after noon and took the five o'clock car for Simcoe to sing with a few others in the Dover choir at Trinity church where the Bishop of {illegible} was preaching. There was no service in our church to-night on account of his being in Simcoe and Aunty, Aunty Alice and Winnie went up on the seven car to hear him</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Monday November 5th</p> <p>I had breakfast at Aunty's this morning and came home right after, but in accordance with the doctor's advice and the feeling of my arm have done no manual labor all day. I soaked my arm for an hour this morning and again to-night and Enah wrapped it up the way Dr. Cook did. This after noon I rode down to the mill with Tom. and paid Charlie Ivey 57 dollars on the account but was surprised to find that there is still over 73 dollars to pay. Chris came over this morning and picked out all the pullets and old hens that were any good and Jack paid me 17 dollars for them 18 pullets &amp; 3 old hens. The government tractor a "Bull" is plowing over at Ben Ivey's to-day but is doing awful work. Frank plowed all morning and he and Dad. have been digging potatoes this after noon. They got them all in that they have dug to-night and were very agreeably surprised at the quantity as well as quality and size of the potatoes, very few were damaged with the frost. There are still four rows to be dug. To-night Dad. and Enah went down to Aunty's to celebrate Aunty Alice's birthday. Huby and Aunty Maude were there as well as the John Shand's. Froze hard. Lovely day.</p> <p>Tuesday November 6th</p> <p>I soaked my arm again this morning and then went down town to show it to the doctor. He didn't lance the sore's this time as I expected but sterilized each one of them by poking a wire with cotton balling soaked with full strength carbolic acid into the heads of them and working it around. It made me squirm somewhat as the carbolic burned. I stayed at Aunty's to dinner and left on the one o'clock car for Simcoe. I went up and collected our prize money, eight dollars, and took Frank's and my own shoes to be half soled. I then went over to the Court House to what was supposed to be a meeting of Unionists to select a Union Candidate for the Union Government but I found it composed pretty largely of good or at least dyed-in-the-wool tories with a sprinkling of Grits. About all they did and under the circumstances I guess it was the best they could do was to pass a resolution authorizing the executive of the Conservite party in Norfolk to select twelve men representing different parts of the county, to meet twelve men selected in the same way by the Liberal's and between them they are to arrange a convention of delegates representing each party equally and they are to select a Union candidate</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>All the party men wanted to pick out their man to-day or at least not accept H.P. Innes's resignation and got to the Grits and tell them to pick out their man or else consent to the Torie's man but the fellows who wanted to be square opposed that proposition as what they are afraid of is that we will have two Union candidates one Grit and one Tory opposing each other and then a Laurier Liberal will work in as a farmer's man or some thing else and win the election, which of course would not be what Norfolk wants as Laurier still stands by his referendum scheme and his first act should he be elected would be to stop the working of the Military Service Act. John Wess was over this morning to ask Dad. &amp; Frank to help him thrash to-morrow as there is another machine on the back road and he can't get hands. Dad. &amp; Frank finished harvesting the potato crop to-day and pulled a few more mangels. Lovely day.</p> <p>Wednesday November 7th</p> <p>I have done nothing in the shape of work all day. Dad. &amp; Frank went over to John Wesses to help him thrash this morning and Frank has been over all day but Dad. came home right after dinner. He didn't feel very well for awhile after he got back but feels all right to-night. He did chores and pulled a couple of more rows of mangels. I went down town this after noon and showed the doctor my arm which he said was doing well. I stayed to tea and spent the evening at Aunty's. Dad. came down after tea with a basket of the biggest of our potatoes (and there are some huge ones) for Aunty Alice to take down to show Roy on Saturday. He also brought down their milk as we are letting them have milk now three times a week. There was considerable excitement created to-day but the appearance of an aeroplane, the first one I think ever seen in this neighbourhood. Dad. told us about him first at noon as they had seen him over at John Wesses flying quite low. Then I saw him again this after noon but a long way off flying north east evidently for Toronto. It seems the aviator was a French-Canadian from Camp Borden and had got lost in a fog up around Lake Simcoe coming down here instead of Toronto &amp; mistaking Lake Erie for Ontario. He almost landed in the school yard at noon or near noon and they let all the kids out to see him. He couldn't land</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>in such a small space, however and went up to Holloway's place this side of Lynn Valley where he lit and went into Simcoe for gasoline They said he knew very little about his engine. A good proportion of the town saw him and heard him as he flew right down over the pond. It has been freezing hard the last few nights but the days have been mild and sunny, to-day especially nice.</p> <p>Thursday November 8th</p> <p>Although my arm has felt a good deal better to-day I have done nothing whatever to use it. Frank went back to John Wesses and thrashed till noon when they finished and he plowed all the after noon. Dad. did chores and sawed up some wood this morning and this after noon pulled up some more mangels besides doing chores. I helped Dad. saw up one limb of the old oak with one hand this morning and then went a walk back to the woods. I went to sleep before noon and was too lazy to get up to eat. This after noon I drove Enah &amp; Tid down town and came home by the mill where I got a 40 lb. bag of oatmeal. To-night I went down town to see Marj. It has been a beautiful day and not freezing as hard to-night.</p> <p>Friday November 9th</p> <p>Frank went out with the Quanbury boy's early this morning and was out there till noon helping them thrash at Charlie's place. The job only lasted a couple of hours but I guess they didnt get started on time. Dad. plowed all morning and I didn't do any thing much but kill a couple of old hens for Enah and a cockrel for Aunty Alice to take to Roy to-morrow. This after noon Dad. and Frank got up the rest of the mangels except a few small ones and put them all in the drive house. I helped them a little, pulling. Pickford came in to ask Dad. to go over in the morning to operate on a couple of calves. He had been in Brantford to-day with Mrs. Pickford who has something wrong with her eye and has to go up every so often from now on to a specialist. Pickford was telling us that he has it figured out that it is going to cost him nearly fifty dollars, which fact I am afraid is causing him considerable distress. Art &amp; John Quanbury came in with a load of oats to clean up and told Dad. that Jim Bannister had brought word at noon that Harry Ansley had had a stroke and was very low. Aunty came over just as they left and confirmed the news of</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>dangerous condition but said he had not had a stroke but sort of convulsions and they think the trouble was is from his spine. The latest news to-night is that he is resting quietly having had theree convulsions, the first one before noon and lasting nearly an hour, the other two being lighter. I went down town to-night with Aunty Alice's milk and Roy's chicken and stayed all night so that I could help Aunty Alice get to the train in the morning. The war news to-day is bad, another revolution is taking place in Petrograd. Kerensky has fled to regions unknown and the revolutionists are demanding a separate peace with Germany. Prospects on the Italian battle front are not showing brightening yet either. The Italian army is still retreating from the immense hordes of Astro-Germans who have crossed the Tagliamento river and claim the capture of 250'000 prisoners and 2300 guns. The Italians claim that Cadorna's main army retreated unmolested and taking up defensive positions along the Piave river where strong British &amp; French reinforcements are now massing and where it is hoped a decided stand will be taken as Venice is only fifteen miles behind this line and it is feared a further advance by the enemy would be liable to cause panic among the people who are already shaken but who are cheered by the presence of British &amp; French aid in great strength from the Western front. If the fighting spirit of the Italians is still strong it is thought by some that an allied victory here is possible, and would mean disaster for the Central Powers who it is believed made this big drive partly in the hopes of demanding peace. The British forces under General Allenby are making headway against the Turks in Palestine having taken Gaza and closing in on Jerusalem. The Canadians are also doing fine work in France.</p> <p>Saturday November 10th</p> <p>I went up to the Tibbets as soon as I had breakfast this morning and Cousin Willie told me that they had had no call during the night so thought Harry Ansley was about the same. It was just about seven when I got back but as Aunty Alice was already we went down to the station and when she got in the car I came back. I came home almost as soon as the train went out. Frank plowed all morning and helped Dad. saw off and up another</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>oak limb. This after noon Frank went to Simcoe to get the shoes I left up there to be fixed and to see Rus Lampkins about the windmill as some thing has gone wrong with it, I don't know just what. Dad. didn't get back to plow as there were so many chores to do and he helped me sort some of the potatoes. Frank came down to the five car and went down town again to-night. Another beautiful day.</p> <p>Sunday November 11th</p> <p>Enah and I drove down to church this morning leaving Dad. Frank and the baby to get dinner. Frank I think spent the morning fixing the windmill following the instructions he got from Rus Lampkins yesterday. Aunty &amp; Aunt Ida came over here to dinner I went down town right after dinner and Marj. and I went for a walk. She has a bad cold so didn't go to church at all to-day, she had an awful time with her cold yesterday but feels better to-day. I stayed up there to tea and for the evening. Rus. Skey was over here to tea and Dad. has been giving me very amusing accounts of his future dreams of leaving the bank which he has always detested and finishing his medical course coming to Dover and fixing up the old home putting in the remainder of his life (he figures he would have at least fifteen years for it) in scientific research practising on the Turkey Point decendants, gratis. He was also reviewing with Dad. the pugilistic incidents of their school days dwelling with special pride and joy upon the day he licked Bev. Powell. It has been a beautiful day, very warm &amp; not freezing to-night.</p> <p>Monday November 12th</p> <p>Dad. &amp; Frank both went back this morning one to plow and one to ditch. I had to go over and chase the sheep out of Jack Martin's field as they have discovered the way over and are determined to go. About nine o'clock there was a great commotion caused by the blowing of the factory, Canning factory and other whistles We thought there must be a fire so I hurried down as far as Uncle Ward's but every thing was quiet and undisturbed by then down town. There was a flag up on the factory and Uncle Ward had no idea what had caused the row. Aunty Lucy suggested news of victory while we thought possibly the completion of the dam (which is not yet completed) was responsible but later in the day we found out that at nine o'</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>clock this morning the books are open for subscriptions to the new "Victory Loan" and all sorts of means are being resorted to to bring it to the attention of the public, this being one of them. I stayed talking to Uncle Ward till I nearly froze and when I came home found Frank sorting potatoes so helped him till noon. This after noon I intended going down to the doctor's again but Dad. wanted me to write to Dick so by the time I got that done it was pretty late and Enah said I might as well wait till after tea and then take Aunty's milk down so I did. I also took a basket of apples over to Marj. as she told me yesterday she had hardly tasted one all fall, she wasn't home to-night having taken Miss Kelly to the picture show. I went around to the doctors and got another bottle of dope and he burned out a couple more spots I stayed down all night at Aunty's. Dad. plowed this after noon and Frank pulled some more turnips. Raw East wind to-day &amp; cloudy but clear to-night.</p> <p>Tuesday November 13th</p> <p>I came home about eight this morning and helped Frank bag up some oats to take down to be chopped. We took Belle and Queen and as they haven't been out for about a month were feeling pretty gay. Queen especially. It was about eleven when we started and they told us down there that we could get the grist in half an hour so we drove down town and got my box from Waller's and a bag of salts getting back about noon. Dad. plowed all morning. This after noon Frank went down back and plowed and Dad. and I spent most of the morning after noon cutting a block off the butt of the old oak. I went over to Ben's for a little while just before dark to see the tractor. It is plowing deeper than it did at first but has to make very wide {illegible} and leaves the ground very uneven. Cart. Bawlby was finishing up after it and had a big job as the pesky thing doesn't pretend to go straight. Cart. didn't think Ben was going to gain much in time or money by using it and then as he says it is only half plowed. Frank went down town to-night for a little while, there was a meeting in the town hall to-night to put the terms of the Victory Loan before the public. Froze hard last night but has been a nice day.</p> <p>Wednesday November 14th</p> <p>Enah, Tim and I went down town this morning and stayed at Aunty's to dinner. I went up again to the doctors and he punctured three more spots one a great big one like a blister and my hand is pretty sore to-night.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>I got some carbolic acid to heal any spots that come myself from now on. I went up and got Aunty's mail right after dinner but and then came home but didn't do any work all the after noon. Enah and the baby stayed down till after dark. Dad. &amp; Frank plowed and did chores all day and finished the back field to-night. They had a couple of rag-men for dinner to-day who presented them with a tin pail in payment. Word came on Saturday that poor old Skelly Long had been killed in action and to-day Enah heard that Fred George had got a bullet through the head.</p> <p>Thursday November 15th</p> <p>My arm has been pretty painful all day and I have been in the house nearly all day. Frank and Dad. spent the morning running out ditches in the fifty acre sod field east of the lane and Dad. just got started to plow it this after noon when Alan Law came to get him to cut the lump off old Ben's stifle. He was down there till nearly dark but they couldn't operate on Ben and will have to throw him. McEwen came in on the one o'clock car to look at the ram lambs but he said they were too small for him and advised us to keep four of them over, he bought the two best ones for twenty dollars apiece and we have to ship them to-morrow. Dad. took Aunty's milk down to her to-night. Cloudy, rainy &amp; raw all day.</p> <p>Friday November 16th</p> <p>Dad. and Frank crated up the two ram lambs this morning and Frank and I took them down to the station and Dad. went out and plowed. When we got back I went over to John Wesse's to see how he was, he was plowing but his breath was pretty short. I then went over to Tupper's and bought a heifer from him. Frank said he would go in on the speculation with me. She is rather small but in good shape and due to calve in April. Tupper said he would take my note for 11 mos. at 5% and he taxed me sixty five dollars for her. I stayed there to dinner and went down to Frank Ryerse's with him after dinner. Sam had just pulled in there to thrash. I got a couple of boxes of Chamberlain salve from Mrs. Ryerse and then came over to Law's with Alan and he drove me home. He took Dad. back with him and they threw old Ben but didn't operate as Dad. said it would be a painful operation and they were not sure it would cure him so they thought as he was so old it wasn't worth it. Aunty and Aunt ida were over here to dinner and walked over and back. I went down to Aunty's for tea and went to the picture-show with Marj. but it was a miserable show. My arm is still pretty bad. I put Chamberlain salve on it this after noon. Fair day.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Saturday November 17th</p> <p>I didn't get home very early this morning as I went up town first and got some long envelopes to send McEwen's pedigrees up in. Just as I climbed Martin's fence Dad. was starting out with Harry &amp; Belle, he had been out and plowed eight rounds in an hour with Harry and Queen and was now going to shake the keen edge off Belle. This after noon he plowed with Belle &amp; Queen to-gether and they did fine. Frank worked Harry &amp; Nellie. I fixed up McEwen's pedigrees and made out a promisary note for $25 for him and also made application for the pedigree of the yearlin ewe that is not registered yet. When Jim came at noon with the mail I ordered a postal note from him to pay for the pedigree and was fool enough not to think what I was doing and gave him McEwen's address instead of the "Live Stock Records at Ottawa so had to hike down to the post office and tell Cousin Willie to fix it when Jim came in. When I got home I walked out to Wilbur Ryerse's where Sam &amp; Alan are thrashing and told Alan that he was welcome to old Dave if he wanted to come and get him to plow with in place of old Ben. so he said he would come up and get him. He says he would buy a new horse if he was sure of not being called up for service but he thinks he will be when {illegible} is called. Lovely day.</p> <p>Sunday November 18th</p> <p>None of us went to church this morning, I would have gone but took so long to fix my arm. I went down to see Marj. this after noon and stayed at Aunty's for tea then went to church alone this evening. Aunty didn't go to church to-night as she didn't like to leave Aunt Ida alone. Marj. and I went over to the McQueen's after church. They were rather upset over at the Moore's this after noon by the news of the death of Mat. Hudson down the lake shore Miss Herny informerd uncle Hughie one day last week that there would be a death in the family as she heard the death bell ringing in her ears. Huby &amp; Mr. Lawrie were over here this after noon. Cloudy and raw all day. Rained a little, milder to-night. Bill Law arrived home from the war last night with just one leg.</p> <p>Monday November 19th</p> <p>I got home about half past nine this morning and found Dad. and Frank cutting more off the old oak. I got my old clothes on and about eleven walked out to the Shand's and had dinner with Willie &amp; Winnie and then walked down to the cheese factory &amp; paid Lea Marshall $7.40 for a year's buttermilk. Dad. and Frank were over helping Art Quanbury thrash this after noon till about five. Enah and the baby were down town all day. Charlie Shand doesn't know yet whether he will get exemption or not. Cloudy &amp; raw but fine.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Tuesday November 20th</p> <p>I didn't do any thing all morning but sit around and read "Saturday Nights". This after noon I went down and got my hair cut. Enah went down as far as Uncle Ward's to find out the particulars of Mrs. Schofield's funeral, she having died suddenly yesterday. Dad. and Frank plowed with both teams to-day but took quite awhile doing chores. The nominations for the federal elections were yesterday and it looks as if there was going to be quite a fight. In Norfolk, however, Innes withdrew at the last minute so that leaves Charlton, Liberal Unionist against Wallace, Laurier man. Cloudy &amp; damp. Charlie Quanbury got word to-day that his claim for exemption has been refused.</p> <p>Wednesday November 21st</p> <p>Dad. and Frank plowed this morning and Frank this after noon but Dad. had to act as bearer at Mrs. Scoffield's funeral if he had been home they would have finished the oat stubble I sat around the house all day as I have a new boil on my knee which makes it pretty sore. Bruce was around this after noon soliciting subscriptions to the Victory Loan but we were unable to invest. I went down town to-night to see Marj. and stayed at Aunty's all night. Cloudy &amp; raw.</p> <p>Thursday November 22nd</p> <p>I went down to get a fish for Aunty before I came home this morning and got home about ten. Dad. and Frank were cutting a block off the oak tree, they didn't plow any to-day as it rained or drizzled all the time. It turned colder towards night &amp; snowed. I sat around the house all day as my knee was very sore and swollen, the spot on it seems just like the ones on my arm. Charlie and Art Quanbury were cleaning up wheat most of the day with our mill. Charlie's throat is in bad shape, he announces his intention of starting revolution. He's peeved.</p> <p>Friday November 23rd</p> <p>I have sat around the house and read "The Illiad" and "Titus Andronicus" all day to-day. It was frozen too hard to plow and has been very cold and windy all day. There is a half covering of snow on everything. Dad. &amp; the baby went down to Aunty's this morning to bank up the house and stayed down to dinner. Frank got the apples down cellar this morning. This after noon they did chores. Enah walked down town this after noon to get some provisions. War news lately might be worse. British made a big drive the other day and took about 9000 prisoners. It was a complete surprise as no artillery were used to open the way. The tanks went first and broke the barbed wire.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Saturday November 24th</p> <p>It froze very hard last night and has not thawed at all to-day. The wind was from the north all day and it has been cold enough for mid-winter although sunny. I sat around the house most of the day although my knee was very much better. Dad. and Frank spent the day getting wood amd doing chores. Alfred was in this after noon for quite awhile and paid Dad. the balance on the seed wheat. Frank went down town to-night.</p> <p>Sunday November 25th</p> <p>Enah, Dad, Tid. and I walked to church this morning but found a notice on the door saying there would be no service owing to the lack of gas, so I went to the Catholick church and the others went to the Presbyterian. I came home to dinner and Frank and I had it alone as the rest stayed down at Aunty's. I went back down town right after dinner and spent the after noon with Marj. had tea at Aunty's and went up to Miss Martin's with Marj. after tea but found she had gone to a service they held in the Sunday school with Cousin Willie presiding as Mr. Johnson is in Stratford. Aunty &amp; Aunt Ida went to service to-night and said cousin Willie gave a very nice address. I went down there early and stayed all night. Froze hard again last night.</p> <p>Monday November 26th</p> <p>I spent most of the day killing and fixing up my 12 crate fattened cockrels. I am afraid they will niot bring as much as I have had very little milk for them and have not looked after them as I should have. It is still frozen up tight so FDad and Frank have been doing chores all day and this after noon they put the mangels down the cellar. They have been in the drive house but were not frozen. Enah was over at the Quanbury's this after noon and said there was quite a crowd skating on the pond. Tom. was in this morning and said John Watt's little shack burned down last night and people were lblaming him for it as old Jim McQueen was going to move into it to-day. It has been sunny but frosty to-day.</p> <p>Tuesday November 27th</p> <p>Frank and I went down with my chickens this morning which I shipped to Waller's and got the cellar window which has been at Mr. Jame's all fall owing to our forgetfulness. When we got home we went over to Tupper's and got our heifer getting back about noon. I had a bad cold anyway and the morning's operations knocked me out. I huddled over the stove all after noon, didn't want any tea and went to bed about seven o'clock. Dad. went down to-night and got leave from Clayton Ansley to do as he liked with old Nellie &amp; the heifer.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Wednesday November 28th</p> <p>Dad. and Frank got some more wood from the old oak this morning and this after noon started to clean up the wheat. Lloyd Ryerse came up with his ferret this after noon and after helping awhile to clean up wheat he and Frank went after rabbits but didn't see any. Dad. went over to John Wess's to see how he was to-day. He feels pretty well as long as he keeps still but can't do any work. {Com.?} is home now. This after noon I wnt down town stayed at Aunty's to tea went up to see Marj.and stayed at Aunty's all night. Milder but still frozen up.</p> <p>Thursday November 29th</p> <p>I have been down at Aunty's all day. I went down to the station this morning to meet Aunty Alice who came home on the eleven o'clock train. This after noon I went up after Aunty's mail and then made three trips up to Col. Smith's after "Saturday Evening Posts" and "Country Gentleman's". He had a big pile of them and didn't want to destroy them so said we could have them. I left them at Aunty Alice's till we can get them in the buggy. Dad. and Frank finished cleaning up the wheat to-day. It held out pretty well with the machine. Dad. went down to see Aunty Alice to-night. Much softer. Freezing to-night.</p> <p>Friday November 30th</p> <p>Dad. and Frank hauled the wheat down to the mill this morning in two loads I went down with them on the second load. Dad. was well pleased with the way the wheat turned out. He didn't expect it would more than pay the bill at the mill but there were about 57 1/2 bushels and Charlie gave him $2.09 for it so there was about $44.00 coming to him after the account was paid. This after noon Dad. and the baby drove down to take Aunty Alice up to the cemetry but it rained so hard they didn't go. Frank went down to the mill again this after noon to get some feed. They took down some oats this morning and got part of them chopped and traded part off for shorts &amp; feed flour. Rained most of the day.</p> <p>Saturday November December 1st</p> <p>Frank and I drove Belle and Queen to Simcoe this morning after the bbl. {barrel} of coal oil which Dad. ordered a week or so ago. We borrowed Mr. Flemming's democrat. Dad. only ordered 25 gallons but we had to take a 45 gal. bbl as there were no others. However it is two or three cents cheaper than we can get it here and is supposed to be better. Dad. Enah and the baby went down town this morning and did some shopping and Dad. drove Aunty Alice up to the cemetry. I didn't do any thing</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>in particular this after noon, and Dad. &amp; Frank just did chores. I gave my arm a good soaking before tea to-night. It is pretty sore again but there is only one big spot left to break on it. It seems to take a very long time to come to a head. Cold wind with snow all day. Freezing hard again to-night.</p> <p>Sunday December 2nd</p> <p>I was the only one of this family who went to church this morning and I was very late as we were late getting up. I came home to dinner but went down town right after and this after noon walked round the hill with Marj. after which we paid Miss McQueen a short visit. I had tea at Aunty's and to-night we went to church to hear the Bishop and see the confirmation ceremony. The church was packed and we had to get a few more seats from the Sunday school. There were about 22 candidates for confirmation, five of them coming from Vittoria. I stayed at Aunty's all night. Nice day but freezing.</p> <p>Monday December 3rd</p> <p>I hung around down at Aunty's this morning till about ten o'clock expecting Dad. down to go and see Niel Elliott about buying Harry Ansley's heifer, but as he didnt come Aunty &amp; Aunty Alice thought I had better go down and see Niel myself so I did. He was down at the coal office weighing hogs and asked me to take his horse up town to Hec's barn so I did and while I was gone Dad. came and went down also to see Niel and so I am afraid may have given him the impression that we had some thing here we were anxious to sell. Dad. went on up town and got his hair cut so I came home. This after noon I went down again to get an order from Waller's cashed and stayed to tea at Aunty's Mrs. Jackson from Port Rowan landed in there to stay all night having come in on the five o'clock car, and she made herself very entertaining by her enlivening conversation which during tea time consisted chiefly with of accounts of the Port Rowan Christian Scientists and their doings. it is quite evident that they hold a very low place in her estimation. After tea I went up to hear Charlton, Rowell and a Mr. Starr president of the Toronto Conservative Association speak on behalf of the Union Government. I have heard from several sources that Rowell was a very forceful speaker but I couldn't see anything much in what he said and I think if any one changed their views on the situation last to-night, their conversion would be credited to Mr. Starr, who I thought was good. Cloudy &amp; cold.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Tuesday December 4th</p> <p>I haven't done any thing in particular to-day, just sat around and read and husked a few hickory nuts. Dad. and Frank did chores and this after noon Frank went over to help Charlie Quanbury thrash seed. They didn't get started very early so didn't finish to-night. To-night Frank went down to a Red Cross dance in the town hall Dad. got the storm windows down and put some of them on. Raw.</p> <p>Wednesday December 5th</p> <p>Frank went out to help Charlie thrash first thing this morning and Dad. after he had done up the chores went over to help Pickford saw wood as he has Ot. Collins engine &amp; saw there to-day. Dad. only stayed a few minutes as Frank got there soon after he did having finished thrashing at Charlie's. He stayed there the rest of the day and Dad. did chores. I didn't do much but my arm is I think "on the mend" as the big lump that has been so bad has at last broken and there are no signs of any more bad ones coming. I went down to tea at Aunty's to-night and afterwards up to see Marj. Frank &amp; Enah came down after tea to attend one a Political meeting held by Wallace (Laurier man. or at least independant opposition) and the other choir practice. Roy came in on the seven o'clock car to stay for the night, going to Brantford in the morning.</p> <p>Thursday December 6th</p> <p>Frank has been over at Pickford's thrashing all day. Dad. went down right after breakfast to see Roy but just saw him for a minute. He found out that there was a car of coal in and that he could get some if he went down, so he came right home, harnessed the old team and got a ton. It began to look as if there wasn't going to be any for us this winter as very little came in and people who have had orders for a long time were served first, but now they expect there will be plenty in a week or so. Andrew Innes went over to Buffalo on behalf of the town and arranged for Kolbe to get it. I read most of the after noon but helped Dad. unload the coal and just as we got through Ham. Thompson came over after his ewes so it was nearly dark when we got them loaded. Enah went over to the McPherson's this after noon to teach Cecil a song for a Methodist concert. Dock Abbot got home from the front last night and there is great rejoicing down at Tom's Alan says he looks fine except for the deep cut in his face on account of which he is home and will have to go back for more treatment at the hospital, but all the grim yarns that were going around a few months ago about him being dumb and blind were false although for awhile he was in danger of losing one eye. Cloudy cold &amp; raw.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Friday December 7th</p> <p>Frank thrashed all morning at Pickford's and got home soon after dinner. Dad. did chores this morning and went down to the mill in the buggy after some feed flour. Aunty Alice walked over to dinner. This after noon Dad. and Frank went out to Bob. Ross's sale and didn't get back till dark. They left before it was over and didn't buy anything everything went high. Tid and I walked down as far as Mr. Battersby's with Aunty Alice and then went for a walk through the "Sheep Pasture". Freezing all day but sunny and nice.</p> <p>Saturday December 8th</p> <p>We took the four head of cattle which Dad. sold to Niel Elliottt on Monday down this morning with out any trouble. There was the three two year old heifer and the two black yearlings and Harry Ansley's black heifer which Dad. could only get $25.00 for. He got $165.00 for our three which he figured as $80.00 for the two year old $45.00 for the yearling steer and $40.00 for the yearling heifer. He and Frank went up town to get the money and pay up various debts and I waited for them at Aunty's They didn't get down there will about noon so I didn't go home with them but waited for dinner and went up town and got Aunty's mail this after noon. I came right home then but didn't do much this after noon but a few chores, my arm is very much better and I think I can work with it now as there is no sign of any more spots and the old ones are all healing Dad. got the colts up this after noon as there is a terrific blizzard raging. It was bad this morning but is much worse this after noon and every thing is full of snow. Enah was to have collected for the Navy this after noon but couldn't go out. Yesterday's and today's papers are full of the news of the awful explosion in Halifax caused by a munition ship blowing up. Nearly the whole city is wrecked and there are at least 2000 people killed, some put it at 3000 while about every second person in the city is injured. To make things worse to-day's papers say there is a fierce blizzard raging down there.</p> <p>Sunday December 9th</p> <p>It was very cold and windy this morning and the snow was drifting badly, it kept increasing till this after noon there was one of the worst snow storms and most blinding blizzards I every saw, at this time of year anyway. I was still at it to-night but I think had stopped snowing but was freezing very hard. I was the only one left the farm to-day. Dad. and Frank spent the day doing chores and making the animals</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>as comfortable as possible. I went down first thing this morning and shovelled Aunty's snow for them and had breakfast down there. By the time I got home and got dressed up it was too late to go to church but I went right down after dinner and took Aunty's &amp; Elva's cream down. I went around to see Marj. but couldn't find her as she had gone down to Patterson's for dinner and from there over to Mrs. Perry's. I stayed to tea at Aunty's and went up after tea when I found Marj. home. I didn't go to church but I think they had service in the Sunday school.</p> <p>Monday December 10th</p> <p>I shovelled all the snow and opened the rain barrels down at Aunty's this morning and got home about ten o'clock Frank and I spent the rest of the morning putting the poles we got from Tupper accross the bent in the old barn and covering them with straw to make a warm pen for the ram lambs and the young calves when they come. This after noon Frank went down to fix Aunty's cellar windows and Enah went out collecting for the Navy. I read most of the after noon but helped do chores and dug a snow house in a snow drift for the baby It has been very cold and windy all day and the snow was drifting badly but it did not snow any more</p> <p>Tuesday December 11th</p> <p>Frank and I spent most of the morning digging out the lane, there never was more snow in it since we have been over here. Tom came up this morning with butter and Dad drove up as far as Duncan's with him to see a lame horse which Annie told him about yesterday. Dad. and I just did chores this after noon and I read the papers, the mail trains didn't get through yesterday so we had both papers to-day. The most important news is that Jerusalem has surrendered to the British. Frank went down town this after noon and took the crosscut saw down to Uncle Wards and learned how to sharpen it. Enah made butter to-day. I spent the evening drawing a picture of a {puppy?} from the cover of "The Country Gentleman". Sunny &amp; cold.</p> <p>Wednesday December 12th</p> <p>Young Gamble from the Lower Hotel came over this morning to get Dad. to go down and look at their cow which had milk fever so he did after a good deal "cussin". Frank &amp; I did chores till he got back and then we got the bob-sleigh out of the barn and went down to Coleman's after a hog crate. It was after noon when we got back. Right after dinner we loaded old Gladys in the hog crate</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>and took her to the slaughter house where Karl killed her for us. Frank stayed there the rest of the after noon to watch him. I took the hog crate back down town and then came home with the team. Dad. Enah &amp; the baby drove down town in the cutter soon after I got back and brought Marj. back with them to tea. She was here all evening and I drove her home about half past ten. Nice winter day.</p> <p>Thursday December 13th</p> <p>Frank and I with the baby drove down to the slaughter house first thing this morning and got the remains of poor old Gladys and Dad. spent the rest of the morning cutting her up. Frank and I then went down town and around by the mill where we got a couple of bags of feed. It snowed hard all the after noon and we didn't do any thing much. Arthur Preston was over for quite a visit and told us that he had got a circular saying that there would be a meeting to-night to make more arrangement for Neff's Short Course this winter so Frank and I went down and Neff gave us each a route to canvass to create a little enthusiam over the course. Much milder to-night.</p> <p>Friday December 14th</p> <p>We have just done chores to-day and this after noon Dad. Tid and I drove Queen down town for exercise. Frank and I went down to a Union Government meeting to-night which was pretty good but late. Proff Law of Knox College &amp; Frank Ried were the speakers. Cold and clear to-day, very frosty to-night.</p> <p>Saturday December 15th</p> <p>Did chores most of the day. Frank and I drove Queen down town this after noon and went down to Aunty's to tea to-night &amp; spent the evening. Very cold.</p> <p>Sunday December 16th</p> <p>I went down alone to church this morning and just sat around the house all the after noon till it was time to do chores. Went down to-night and spent the evening with Marj.</p> <p>Monday December 17th</p> <p>Dad. and I drove out to Wiggin's this morning and Dad. voted for me as he said he wouldn't vote at all himself but as I was entitled to a vote but through neglect was not on the list he would mark the ballot the way I wanted it which was of course for Charlton &amp; Union Government. Dad's finger is very painful and he can't do a thing with it. To-night Frank and I went down to hear the returns. Union Government is safe. Charlton got bigger majority than Wallace did</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Monday December 31st</p> <p>When two weeks ago I discovered that I had only three pages left in this book I decided to wait till now and make a summary of the principal events of the old year's last couple of weeks instead of making three line entries for each day. About a month ago I started to condense my entries to an average of half a page a day and if there had been as I counted on three hundred pages, I would have been alright but it was not till I got this near the end that I found it fell short. Frank and I have had the chores to do ever since I wrote last as Dad's finger is still very sore. For four nights it was so painful that he couldn't sleep a wink and on the 19th he went down to Dr. Cook who was out of town so he went over to the old Dr. Toole who has just come to town and he diagnosed it as a felon and lanced it. Since then he has not suffered such awful pain with it, but it has been very sore and has been discharging a little every day till yesterday. My arm is aparently alright again and except for a toothache which I had for a couple of days before Christmas the rest of us have been able to work &amp; in fine shape. All our snow and good sleighing went off with a thaw we had about the 20th but it froze up right away again and the last week it has been very cold one night going down to 14° below zero. Before the sleighing went Frank and I got around on our two routes canvassing for the Short Course. I went down the third concession from our side road to the town line and back on the fourth and Frank had up the Gravel and Radical roads part way and in to the farms on the lake front. The day I we went on my beat it was a beautiful sunny day and the sleighing fine, we did up the morning chores before we left, stayed at Bruce's to dinner and got back in time to do the night chores. Dad. let the colts out and put the cows in at noon.We got one or two to promise they would come but the majority of them were too busy but said they would like to come in when they could. We went on Frank's beat the next fore noon and met with about the same success. That afternoon I drove Dad. Enah Aunty &amp; the baby out to Mrs. Jim. Waddle's reception, in the bobsleighs. It was not such a nice day and the sleighing was going fast. Christmas day we all went down to church in the morning which was not the usual Christmas service The church was undecorated and the choir &amp; congregation were small. Harry Moon seems to have dropped out</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>of church life since Mr. Johnson made his election remarks in the pulpit the day before election. Christmas night we had a great dinner &amp; tree over here, fifteen of us partaking of it, all from Aunty's, all from Huby's and all from the James. The roads were bare and icy and our horses unshod or smooth shod so that Dad. had to get Faulkner to bring over the ones who couldnt walk over and young Geordie came after them very early so that the evening was too short. Aunty Alice not being content with receipting my note to her on my birthday last summer gave me the cash to pay Douglas's note which comes due on the sixth. Frank and I haven't got very much work other than chores done lately so we have not been getting up before seven or half past but we did get over one load of hay over to the old barn for the cows and got the bent in the west end of the barn covered over with rails and straw and a fairly warm pen made in there for Frank's heifer which is due to calve in a day or two. We went skating two nights last week down on the creek with the Ryerse's and England's and to-night Enah and I printed pictures. I was just undressing when the Old Year left.</p> </div> untranscribed https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/782ed0b4e84a7b827c6b02fc0202cd64.pdf 654c1f2406dcee6b09e5835c01736d12 PDF Text Text ���������������������������������������������������������������������������� https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/e34a7a2b4a866f8a43f5451d32528d0e.pdf e617428b6b40fc236f2d2db8addbefc0 PDF Text Text ����������������������������������������������������������������������������� https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/5e4942842c8b1ffa340c577636b61900.pdf 3a62b8de8908bb70d97267546bbdef20 PDF Text Text Theobald (Toby) Barrett (1895-1969) 1918 Transcribed by Rural Diary Archive volunteers DISCLAIMER: This diary depicts some discriminatory content which some may find offensive. During the diary’s time period, such racial terms and prejudices were commonplace in Canadian society. They are considered wrong today. {Blank Front Cover Inside page on the left} {Right side page} DIARY. 1918 T.B.Barrett Port Dover, Ontario Knockfierna From January 1st 1918 to December 31st 1918 {Blank left page} Tuesday January 1st 1918 About the first thing I did to celebrate the New Year was to go to bed, all the rest of the family had retired at different times during the last evening of the old year but Enah & I had printed three dozen pictures most of which we intend to send to Dick for his birthday and I was till nearly midnight getting the last of them washed. To-day Frank and I have just done chores and sat around the house. Tupper was in for an hour or more this morning and I gave him my note for the heifer we bought from him. Aunty Alice came over to dinner but went down again soon after. Aunty came over to tea and stayed all night. Enah, Frank and I all went down to the dance in the hall to-night given by the I.O.D.E. I took Win & Frank got Dess to go with him. We found an enormous crowd at the hall gathered from the four corners of the county waiting impatiently for the music to start for an old time dance as was advertised. At last about an hour late a young duck from Simcoe came in and sat down at the piano. When it was discovered that he represented the entire orchestra and that there were no fiddlers there were marked signs of anger in the crowd, and by the time one or two 1 �one-steps had been danced by about half a dozen couples, the sons of the soil were just about foaming at the mouth, however after Art Ryerse went out and demanded (from poor Dr. Cook who had locked himself in the council chamber and was taking Art's denunciations through the wicket) proper music for square dances or their money back, they managed to skirmish up a fiddle and some fiddlers and callers-off and everybody got their fill of old fasioned dances. We quit about half past two. It is still very cold. Wednesday January 2nd Frank and I haven't done any thing else but chores to-day and cut enough wood for tonight. I pasted some snapshots in an album to send to Dick for his birthday. To-night I went down town and met Marj. who came back from Haliburton to-night. She left there at six o'clock this morning and it was nearly ten when she got in to-night so she was just about all in. She says it has been down to 25?° below zero up there since she went home. I got a pair of rubbers at Caley's to-night for Frank and me to give Aunty for her birthday. I also went over to the James and got some wallnuts to put in the box Dad and Enah are getting ready to send to Dick on his birthday. Aunty Alice sent over some doughnuts to put in it. It has been very cold all day with quite a wind from the north. Thursday January 3rd This being Aunty's birthday Dad. Enah & the baby went down there to dinner and to spend the after noon. Frank went down in the morning and took down some pigeons to Hec. Henderson He has spent the last few evenings catching them. He also got an axe handle to replace the one I broke yesterday. We did chores and he worked quite awhile trying to put in the new axe handle but didn't suceed very well I sat around and read quite a bit of the time. We started rather late to cut off a big block from the butt of the old oak but chore time overtook us before we finished so will have to finish it to-morrow. It is still down around zero but not so windy. Friday January 4th I have done nothing else but chores to-day except sit around and write to Douglas and send him a checque to pay off my note. Frank went down to the Law's to thrash this after noon and didn't get back till about nine o'clock to-night. His delay was caused more from visiting than working though. Dad did his chores up and it didn't seem to hurt his finger so it must be a lot better. He went down town for awhile to-night to see Aunty & Aunty Alice. It 2 �has been very much milder to-day and it looked like snow. There was no wind and we had to pump for the cattle Saturday January 5th The principal event of to-day was the arrival of a calf (red bull) of which Frank's heifer is the mother. Dad found it when he first went out this morning and it was covered with white frost and very cold but he got it rubbed dry and covered it up so that by noon it was quite frisky. Dad went over to John Wess's just before dinner and was there most of the after noon. Frank went down to the mill for some feed and I spent most of the day when I wasn't doing other chores, pumping water and sleigh riding with the baby. Enah took a couple of snap shots of us at this job. Frank went down town to-night. It has been a beautiful sunny day with no wind. It was quite hot around noon being 22° above zero. Sunday January 6th Enah and I walked down to church this morning and just about froze. Enah had to leave she was so cold. The temperature of the church was not much above freezing and we had communion and the King's proclamation regarding prayer for peace read. I went down again this after noon and stayed to tea at Miss Kerney's. Dad said it wouldn't hurt the cows to go without milking to-night. Much milder with an ice storm. Monday January 7th It snowed quite a little bit during the night and as it came on top of the ice of yesterday's storm it made good sleighing. It has been very soft all day and has been flurrying snow most of the day. Frank and I went over to Jack Martin's and borrowed his hog crate and this after noon loaded one of the young sows and took her down to Coleman & Kindee's boar but she was not ready for him so we had to bring her back. I spent about an hour this after noon taking some pictures of the ice coated trees which are very pretty to-day. It was a very dull day and I took short time exposures so don't know how they will turn out. Dad. Enah and I sat up till nearly twelve to-night singing, playing & reading. I received a couple of sample copy's of "The Breeder's Gazette" to-day. It looks like a great magazine. Tuesday January 8th We got up at six o'clock this morning and got most of the morning chores done up early so that we were able to get down to the first meeting of the Short Course in Agriculture in 3 �good time. Dad's finger is so much better that he can do the noon chores so that we stayed down at Aunty's to dinner. We had a good turnout at the Course there being about 18 in, and all showed a good interest in the lectures Neff gave us on Soils & Fertilizers and Insect Pests. We got home in plenty of time to do up the night chores. Enah was rather upset by news she got from Courtright to-day saying that Jean James was married having done the trick on the sly. Colder. Wednesday January 9th Frank and I went down to the Course this morning and we had a young fellow from Cayuga up to give us a talk on Cultivation but he wasn't much account. Neff also took up Fruit Growing. The fellow from Cayuga said they were to have started a Short Course down there yesterday but all the boys were afraid to leave the farms for fear of being drafted so he said. The tribunals exempted them on condition that they would not go off the farm for more than three days. This after noon the class went up to Ham Thompson's to judge poultry but as I found out from Huby that Jack Ivey had a car of coal in and that we could get a ton if we came after it right away I came home and Dad and I went down and got a ton. We were very lucky to get it as the car was nearly empty and there is no telling when there will be any more in and we were just out. To-night Frank and I went down to Aunty's for tea where Win, Lila, Dess and Marj. were also assembled so we had a very pleasant evening. Not so cold but rather blustery to-day. Thursday January 10th Frank and I were down at the Short Course all day. This after noon we tested whole milk for butter fat. I took down a Sample of Elgitha's milk and it tested 3.3% which Neff said wasn't bad. I only took the milk from her front quarters and didn't get the strippings which would make it go higher. I got my film from Billy Gordon to-day and to-night Enah and I printed pictures. The ones I took of the ice covered trees were pretty good. Not cold rather windy. Dad separated the new calf from his mother to-day. Friday January 11th Frank and I went down to school this morning and had Feeds & Feeding and Bacteriology and this after noon most of the class came over here to judge our sheep. Tupper's & Stace Lowrie's law suit came off this after noon and Frank heard when he was down to-night that Tupper lost his suit and Stace got $6.00. Frank went down to the Red Cross dance to-night 4 �Saturday January 12th When Frank came home from the dance about four o'clock this morning he said that it had been raining but was then snowing a nice steady storm. Big flakes coming right straight down and barely freezing. So when we got up about seven I was very surprised to see a terrific blizzard raging and on going out to find the thermometer registering zero. It has kept it up all day and has kept getting colder. To-night it was 10° below zero. We have done nothing whatever outside today except hike from the house to the barn & back again two or three times and all we did in the barn was to feed the stock and milk. We were out of hay in the old barn so all we could give the cows was straw and they got no water all day. It was out of the question to try to get hay over to them. Dad went down town this morning to see if they were alive down home and he could hardly manage to get through Jack's field. The gas was very poor down at Aunty's and Mr. & Mrs. Millman had come the night before. Mr. Millman wanted to go to Simcoe on business but the radial car only got about two miles up the track and had to work its way back and stay back and the Grand Trunk trains except the the Woodstock, it got as far as Norich this morning didn't attempt to go out at all. Frank and I just sat around the stove and read most of the day and this after noon I made a list of all our bulletins and reports issued by the two departments of Agriculture Dominion & Provincial. We had a dandy coal fire all day, the stove was red hot part of the time but we could see our breath right over it and it was freezing all day in our room. There are little snow drifts all over the house as the snow is so fine it blows in the smallest cracks and there are lots of cracks in this house that aren't microscopic in size. The snow blew in between the base board & the floor in the kitchen even after Dad. had plugged it up as well as he could with rags and it didn't melt all day although it wasn't six feet away from the stove. Nice day but windy. Sunday January 13th We didn't get up till eight o'clock this morning and found the storm had not abated in the least although the thermometer was up to zero. I went out to the barn and found the door had blown open between the calves pen & the barn floor and the calves especially Daisy May's were covered with snow which the heat of their bodies had melted and then it had frozen again so I was about half an hour scrubbing them off dry. After breakfast which we had about ten o'clock I got ready and went down to Aunty's getting there about noon. The gas down there was poor but the house was fairly comfortable. Mr. Millman was still in bed but Mrs. Millman had just got up and had dinner with us. They nearly froze in the night and Mr. Millman got up and wrapped Aunty Alice's sweater around his head. After dinner I went 5 �up to see Marj. but came back to Aunty's to tea. Huby was there and decided he'd stay to tea as he didn't think he would get any thing to eat at home on account of the poor fires. I didn't see any body that was at church this morning but I went up to-night but found there was no church so went over and spent the evening at the Moore's. I stayed all night at Aunty's so I would be able to shovel their snow in the morning. It moderated considerably by night. Monday January 14th I got up fairly early this morning and shovelled Aunty's snow and then had my breakfast down there so got home about half past eight, but Dad. was finished milking. We spent most of the morning shovelling through various snow drifts and Dad. shovelled it out of the wood shed. We had quite a job shovelling the lane out but got it done by noon. This after noon Frank went down to the mill with some grist and Tom was in for awhile on his way after cream. I cleaned out the calf pen and Dad. split up some wood. To-night Frank and I went down to see "Frecles" {should be spelled "Freckles"} at the picture show but the films are stormbound some place so they put on the Saturday night show which was very poor. Mr. Millman went to Simcoe to-day as the radial got running by one o'clock but there hasn't been a G.T.R. train moving in or out of here all day so he came back to Dover to-night and he & Mrs. Millman will go by electric car to Brantford to-morrow and get through to Toronto from there. We were sure there would be no classes to-day so didn't go down. Neff couldn't get down till this after noon from Simcoe and none of the boys could get in from far out in the country. They said Lloyd Ryerse was up here to dinner yesterday so he was visiting the neighbors to see how they survived the storm and he told them that Harry Dyer and old Mr. Mead nearly perished in the storm Saturday night. They had been out working at the inside of Farr's new house and he was driving them in at night but after his horse had gone down a couple of times they decided that they couldnt get through our cut on the side road with the rig so Farr let them out to walk in and he went back. They got up the hill some way but before they got to the corner old Mead said he would have quit as he couldn't stand the storm any longer, however Harry encouraged to renewed efforts by telling him they were not far from Pickford's and they eventually got there where the spent the night but Harry's face was frozen and Mr. Mead all in. Tuesday January 15th Frank and I went down to the class this morning and found our instructors there but very few students none from very far out as most of the roads & cuts were just shovelled out by 6 �to-day. Mr. Will from Toronto was here all day lecturing us on bees and he made things very interesting even for one who was not particularly interested in apiculture. Mr. & Mrs. Millman left at eleven for Brantford but there are no G.T.R. trains running yet, here. The radial is running pretty well and brings in the Toronto papers but no mail. They say this is the worst storm in fifty years but I think the cold counts in on that. It is still cold & blustery. Wednesday January 16th We had Dr. Reid from Georgetown down at the class to-day giving us talks on veterinary work and horse breeding, he was very good. Neff gave us a little talk on field crops and young Martin on poultry but he is no good for a talker although he does his best and is always apologizing and wishing he could make things clearer. I guess we don't make things any easier for him. Young Will. Sidway and I sit next to each other and invariably get laughing at some things though not intending to upset poor Mr. Martin. I am afraid it has that effect. Two engines with two cabooses and a snow plow came in on the Hamilton track about noon and Dave Turner went out at 4:30 with the mail train but the Woodstock track is still blocked. Still blustery and pretty cold: Karl Colman & Val. Leany are getting ahead of Cliff Lees who wants to soak them $600.00 for cutting ice off the pond, by taking it off the creek, just below Colman's point. Thursday January 17th Frank and I went down to the class this morning and Mr. Gardhouse of Weston was there and gave us the morning on Beef Cattle and Sheep but he had to leave at noon, and as the Woodhouse Council met this after noon we had to give up the council chamber to them and had no class. Frank came home to dinner to tell Dad how matters stood as he had all the chores done up ready to come down this after noon and hear Gardhouse. I stayed at Aunty's to dinner and went up this after noon to have Dr. Lemons fix my tooth but as he couldn't tend to it till four o'clock I went with Aunty over to see Miss Battersby and up to see Cousin Loll, then up to Bill's. He just put a temporary filling in. When I went down to Aunty's I found Dad. there and we came home to-gether. To-night Frank went down to see Tom Mark's show and I went over to Mrs. Battersby's to take her the picture of her house and trees with the ice on them. We got our mail for the first time to-day since last Friday, but the Woodstock road is not open yet and every one down town is predicting a storm to strike here about to-morrow which will put this last one in the shade. They say the station agents have received wires warning them to be ready for it. It was yesterday supposed to be sweeping Chicago. 7 �Friday January 18th Frank and I have been down at the class all day as Mr. Duke was supposed to be here to day to address us on Hogs but he didn't show up. We had insect pests and bee's this morning and this after noon tested cream and chose up sides for a debate next Friday. Corby, young Butler and I have to take the affirmative of the resolution that the Present war will prove a benefit to humanity and Clarence Finch, Ham Thompson & young Challand are to take the negative. I don't know beans about the subject but suppose I can think up something by that time. To-night Marj, Miss Kerney & I went to see "Freckles" at the picture show, he got through at last and was only on for to-night. We went to the first show but the place was packed to the doors so we went back and waited till the second show then I went in after the show and had some tea & cake so it was rather late when I got home. It has been a beautiful day but colder to-night. Saturday January 19th We didn't do much this morning but got the lane cleared out enough for Frank to get through with the bob-sleighs and go down to the mill and get the chop he left down there the other day. I went down to Aunty's to dinner and this after noon went to Simcoe on the car to hear what Mr. Hart from Toronto had to say about forming a Norfolk Cooperative Association for buying farm supplies and marketing farm produce. It looks as if it would be organized alright. I came home at five o'clock on what was really the 3 o'clock car... There was a bad storm on at noon and it was cold, so that the cars were all late but it had quieted down a lot by this afternoon. We had a concert tonight piano & horn. Sunday January 20th I walked down to church this morning and Aunty walked back with me to dinner, this after noon I went back down town soon after dinner, spent the after noon over at Mrs. McQueen's with Marj. and had tea at Aunty's. Huby was there to tea also. Aunty and I went to church after tea, church being held in the Sunday school both services, and Marj. and I walked home with Aunty and spent the evening laughing at Huby's stories. Huby had his dog down there and she made as if she would eat Marj. up when she first came in that tickled Huby to see her show some spirit. Mr. James, Eloas & Brant Bloodsworth and Lila were all over here this after noon and Dad drove them all home before tea in the bob sleigh. It has been a lovely day & fine night. Clear & frosty but sunny & not much wind. Monday January 21th 8 �Frank and I went down to the Short Course to-day and had a good day but no special speakers. Dad. Enah and the baby drove down this after noon to post a couple of letters for Tom but didn't stay. Huby came over to tea to-night and brought over a couple of pairs of army boots one pair that Quint had left & one pair that Jackson from Turkey Point who has been discharged, had given him. The principal object of this visit was to tell Dad. that Stringer the gas-man was down to-day and wants to make arrangements to lease his farm and to drill for gas right away. Sunny & cold. Tuesday January 22nd Frank and I have been at school all day. Mr. Kydd, formerly of Simcoe and now in the Government employ was here all day lecturing us on fruit growing and was interesting and entertaining. The Domestic Science Course started to-day and Neff said there were about fifty women up there this after noon. To-night I went down to see Marj. and see if I could arrange to go to Simcoe for a skate but she thought we had better put it off till next week. It has not been quite so cold to-day. Wednesday January 23rd Frank and I went down to school this morning and we had Mr. Stevenson of Ancaster lecturing us on Dairy Cattle this morning and this after noon the whole bunch of us went up to Simcoe on the car to see Mr. Alex Wallace's (the would be M.P.) herd of holsteins and have Mr. Stevenson demonstrate the points of dairy cattle to us and we had a judging class in which I picked out the winner but didn't hit the second prize right. We had a very good time. To-night I am going down to stay all night at Aunty's as she expects to leave for Toronto in the morning and Aunt Ida is going to Port Rowan for a visit. Cold & Cloudy but milder to-night. Thursday January 24th We got up fairly early this morning and I went down to the station and saw Aunty safely on her train for Toronto. I then went up and remined Al. Faulkner to call for Aunt Ida in time for her to catch the nine o'clock car which he did. Aunty Alice went up to Simcoe with Aunt Ida and put her in the hands of Mrs. {Os.?} Bowlby who saw her safely on the Pt. Rowan train. Aunty Alice came back on the eleven. Dad. and Frank brought old Sheild's down to Colman's this morning and sold him for 8 cts a lb which was dirt cheap but the best we could do. He weighed 214 lbs. I spent all the morning down in the library writing up my debate. This after 9 �noon we had skim milk testing and drainage. Aunty Alice spent the night up at Cousin Loll's. It has been very mild all day but snowing. Friday January 25th We both went to school this morning and had Mr. Rush from Toronto lecturing us on market gardening. He was interesting soley on account of his being well posted by experience on his subject as there was vast room for improvement in his language & other oratorical attributes. He spent the morning and for an hour after dinner with us and then went upstairs to talk to the girls. When he left our debate came off. Corby, Butler and I were against Challand, Tige Mc.Bride and Clarence Finch, we had to uphold the affirmative of the resolution "That the present war will prove a benefit to civilization." and according to the judges who were Lorne Myers, Sheppard and Cruickshanks, we had the best of the argument. We were limited to ten minutes to speak and consequently after I had tried to refute all my opponents statements, I only got away with about half of what I had prepared which was very annoying. Neff was chairman and Martin was critic. I went up to Bill's tonight to have my tooth fixed but he said it wasn't ready yet. Aunty Alice came over here with me to stay all night. To-night Frank went down to another dance in the hall. Mild all day but colder to night. Saturday January 26th Aunty Alice went back home right after breakfast this morning and wouldn't hear to any of us driving her down. I spent the morning cleaning out the chicken house and putting fresh straw in and went down and had dinner with Aunty Alice and then went to Simcoe again on the one o'clock car to take in another meeting of the "Norfolk County Co-operative Association" which I joined by signing a note for $100.00 payable on demand but which will not have to be paid unless the Company breaks as it is just for the purpose of establishing credit at the bank. I left the meeting before it was over to catch the five car so wasn't able to vote on the directors. Before I went to the meeting I went up to the rink where I ran into a half a dozen kids who begged me to play hockey with them for an hour so as they supplied the skates and stick I did for a little while and had quite a lot of fun. Stringer the gas man was in town to-day and Dad went down to Huby's office to meet him and made arrangements with him to lease the farm for them to drill for gas next summer. Frank went down town to-night and will likely stay with Aunty Alice to-night. It has been pretty cold all day. 10 �Sunday January 27th Frank didn't come home last night but stayed down with Aunty Alice and went to sunday school and church and as I didn't get up till half past seven we didn't get through chores in time for me to get to church. Dess. came over with Frank to dinner and Aunty Alice came over soon after them. I went down town right after dinner and spent the afternoon up at the Moore's. Aunty Alice came back down town before tea so I went down there for tea and then went to church which was held in the Sunday school and where I nearly froze. After church Marj. and I went over to post a couple of letters and ran into the J. Gordon Patterson's and Mrs. Pary so we went down with them to Pat's and spent the evening. I went down to Aunty Alice's to change my boots before I went home but and she had gone up to Cousin Loll's to spend the night but left the house so that I could get in. Cold east wind to day. Monday January 28th Frank has been at school all day but I didn't go down. I stayed home this morning to help Dad. take one of our young sows down to Kindree's and then at noon I decided I wouldn't bother going down. I went down to-night and Marj. and I went to the picture show to see "The Whip" and it was very good. It was a very rough morning with an east wind and sleet but got milder this after noon and almost rained although it didn't go above ten above zero. Trains are all late again. Tuesday January 29th Frank and I stayed home this morning intending to haul ice but when we went down, we found that they weren't cutting as the water had backed up on the creek so we came home and told Dad. and he thought we had better go down and get a load of coke, as they have a car of it in and don't know when they will have any coal in. We got a load but could only put on 1300 lbs as it is light stuff. It burns quicker than coal and makes a hot fire. Dad. went down with us to see Jim Bannister's old mare and Jim brought him back. Jim was going around with yesterday's mail as he didn't get any farther than Evan's yesterday and there was no mail in on the Hamilton road to-day. This after noon Frank and I went down to the class but they all came over to Martin's to pick and judge chickens, so I shovelled Aunty Alice's snow and came right back. Milder this after noon & cloudy. Wednesday January 30th 11 �Frank and I went down to haul ice this morning and we got one load but they told us not to come after any more till to-morrow as Val. was filling cars and was afraid he wouldn't have enough, so this after noon we went down to the class. We had a little work on fruit growing and then formed a club to be known as the Junior Farmer's Improvement Association which is quite a large organization throughout the province. They put me in as president and Frank secretary-treasurer. I stayed down to tea at Aunty Alice's and to-night Marj. and I went up to Simcoe for a skate. There was a big crowd at the rink as it was a special event put on by the Presbyterians. We had a good time as there were several up there we knew Belle Symington and Bill Baron went up from here and we saw Clara Hoag, Neff, Martin, and others up there I have a brute of a cold. 10° below zero this morning. Nice day. Thursday January 31st Aunty Alice got up about half past five this morning and got my breakfast. I stayed down there all night as I felt so tough with my cold. I got home about half past six before any of the family were up. Frank and I hauled ice all day and got five loads and as Alan hauled one for us last night one more that would have been for we only need one more to make our eight loads but when we went down after it to-night the men had quite working and the tools were all locked up. They don't work after five. We got four of our loads out of the creek back of the vinegar works where Val. was cutting yesterday and where he had all the ice that was cut out of the hole. He thought there would be enough there for us and so there would but Monty Burke's men got two loads from there so Frank and I had to go down to the harbour where they are cutting to fill Harry Ansley's ice house for our last load. The ice down there is the first cutting and twenty six inches thick so we could only haul six cakes to the load but we can cut it in two and make nice sized cakes of it. It is all fine ice. Dad. had to pump all the water for the stock to-day as the bolt broke in the windmill. Cold all day but nice & sunny. Friday February 1st Frank stayed at Aunty Alice's last night and went to Simcoe on the seven car to see Russ Lampkins about getting a new bolt for the windmill. He found Russ had moved to Lynn Valley but he ordered the bolt from his successor in business. Frank came back on the nine car but went right up to school. I went down this morning and hauled our last load of ice, and brought it home & just left it in the sleigh box. We have three loads out side now which we will have to put in the ice house. This after noon I went down to the school and found the boys & the girls of the Domestic Class in a great commotion getting ready for the 12 �wind-up banquet and dance to-night. Tige McBride sent me over to borrow the I.O.D.E boiler to make coffee in and when I got back Corby and I went down to the picture show where we found Neff and most of the boys practising yells and songs for to-night. When we went back to the hall we moved the piano upstairs to the Red Cross room which was to be the banquet hall, and the rest of the after noon was spent in preparing. I went up to Dr. Lemon's about four o-clock and then home but didn't do any chores, just changed my collar and shirt and hiked back again. Neff had informed me that as I was president of the J.F.I.A. I would be expected to make a reply to the toast to Agriculture; this news rather took my breath away as I had no idea what to say and had to put in the remainder of the after noon thinking up something polish to say. Enah came down to the banquet with Frank and it went off in fine shape. Mr. Johnson was Chairman and Messers. Barwell, Bond, Jack Martin proposed toasts to Our Country, The Ladies and Agriculture respectively and I got my speech off without fainting and different ones said it was allright. The dance started about five o'clock and and kept up all night. It was well sprinkled with square dances and the orchestra consisted of Harry Moon, Tom Schram & Mrs. Frank Slocomb. Enah and I stayed till about two o'clock and then came home and wished we had come before. Very cold but sunny. Saturday February 2nd I didn't get up very early this morning and have done nothing but chores all morning, Frank got home about noon, he had stayed at the hall all night and helped clear things up after the dance, so he didn't go to bed at all. Dad. and I split up the big cakes of ice by sawing them half way through with the cross cut saw and splitting them with the wedge. This after noon Frank and I drove down town with Belle & Queen. We went around by the mill and got some flour & hog feed and got Jack Martin's hog rack on our way back to ship the hogs in on Monday. We all went to bed early to-night. It has been sunny all day but is still down around zero. Sunday February 3rd We didn't get up in time to get to church this morning, but I took Elva's cream down this morning and told Aunty Alice to wait for Dad. to drive her over. As it was quite stormy Dad. drove over to Tupper's this morning in the bob sleigh to borrow his scales and hog crate as he was afraid the road would be too drifted by to-morrow. When he got home he drove down and got Aunty Alice and Marj. whom I brought down from church and who came over here to dinner with us. Frank drove us all back down town about four o'clock. Enah went 13 �down with us as she wanted to practice a duet with Elva to play at the church concert on Tuesday night. While Frank was waiting for Enah he took Marj. and me for a sleigh ride. We started up the Radical road and were just passing Symington's when Woodyer & Bill Gutcher came out, & piled in the sleigh. Belle saw them get in so yelled at us to wait and she & Bill Barron joined the party so we went up as far as George Eagle's in the teeth of a raging snow storm but we kept warm by laughing at Woodyer's crazy actions, His hat blew off twice and when he was getting back into the sleigh after rescuing it he turned a somersault into the box. The second time he lost it Frank kept right on driving when Woodyer got out and made him run about 10 rods to catch us. When we got back to town Frank went around and got Enah and I went down to Aunty Alice's to tea, she and I went to church to-night and after church Marj. and I went up to see Miss Martin but she wasn't home so we came back to Uncle Hughie's. I stayed all night with Aunty Alice. Very stormy but much milder 20° above. Monday February 4th Aunty Alice got me up about half past six this morning and got my breakfast. I went up to Hecs on my way home to see if Neil was going to ship hogs as we were afraid yesterday's storm might have blocked the trains, but as both trains went out this morning, Hec. said they would ship. So I came home and we weighed our two hogs and put one in each crate, one weighed 217 and the other 232 lbs acording to our weight but all Clare Deal could make it was 435, they gave us 17¼ cts which brought the check up to $75.04 which wasn't so bad for two pigs. Niel wasn't around himself and we had to leave the poor pigs in the open yard where it was perishingly cold and I don't know how long they would have to stay there as Huby told us Dave Turner's train didn't get any further out than the cheese factory this morning and there has been no mail in to-day. The drifts are so high now in places along the track as there has been no thaw for over a month that the least little blizzard blocks things up. When we got home we weighed the four ram lambs and the old ram, he only weighed about 140 lbs and the biggest of the lambs weighed 117 lbs. Dad. went down town this after noon and had tea with Aunty Alice and to-night went up town to meet Stringer and got the gas lease fixed up. It has been very cold this afternoon. Tuesday February 5th It was 26° below zero by our thermometer when we went out this morning and has been below zero all day with a cold wind. I have scarcely done anything all day. Dad. and Frank did most of the chores, this after noon Frank and I took Tupper's scales and hog crate 14 �home, he wasn't home but we put the things away where Dad said he got them I nearly perished coming home and only kept from freezing by getting behind Frank who had Dad's fur coat on. I just sat around the house when I got home. Frank went down to the mill and took Enah down town, she stayed down to tea as she had to play at the show to-night for Kelly who the church has got here. I was to have gone down and go to the concert with Aunty Alice but I hated the idea of going out after tea so gave my ticket to Frank. He went down but Aunty Alice didn't go as Harry Ansley was worse again, he had five attacks yesterday. Dad. & Frank did all the chores to-night and I got tea ready. I read & slept all evening. Wednesday February 6th Dad. Frank and I put the ice in the ice house this morning, which took us all the fore noon. This after noon we did up the chores and then hooked old Dave up, we put him on the bob sleigh with Harry and took him around the block. He went fine and was very good while we were hooking him up and unhooking him. Sam Law was in for quite awhile this after noon and settled up with Dad. for thrashing. To-night Frank and I went down to a meeting of our club but didn't do much. Mr. Groff was down from Simcoe to explain the advantages of the Co-operative society but there weren't many there, however a few more gave their notes. We drove down and it was pretty dark but we got along alright till just as we turned in the lane, when when runner got up on the snow bank and the side of the track and upset the cutter dumped both of us out and then Joe ran up the lane with the cutter on its side past the drive house and wound up in a drift by the windmill, she couldn't go any farther for the barnyard fence. I expected to find the cutter and harness all smashed to pieces but except for the back-hand being broken every thing was sound. It has been thawing all day. First for a month Thursday February 7th We hooked Dave and Harry up again this morning and drove down town. Dave behaved very well. We saw Aunty Alice who said she couldn't get over till Cousin Willie was better as Cousin Loll wanted her to stay with them. This after noon Frank and I put the sawdust back in the ice house. We left Pommers for an hour in the box stall this morning with the surcingle and bridle on him. To-night I went down town and spent the evening with Marj. She was packing candy cigarettels and socks to send to {Stiffy Warren?}. Lovely day, thawing in the sun but about 20° above in shade 15 �Friday February 8th After we got the chores done up this morning we hooked Dave and Harry up again and Frank & I drove them around the block past John Wesses. After dinner Dad. put the surcingle on Pommers and Dad. put a hobble on him with a rope to pull up his front foot if he made any lunges. I took the lines and Dad. took the hobble rope and Frank opened the drive house door. Pommers just made about two jumps across the lane and got his front foot over the little wire fence then wheeled around and plunged through the snow drifts up to the windmill, we couldn't hold him any more than we could a steam engine and Dad's. rope didn't seem to stop him so we had to let him go. He tore around for a few minutes but we caught him at last up in the corner of the pig pen & orchard fence. Dad. then put a halter on him and he took it while Frank and I each took a line - and in the course of about fifteen minutes we managed to get him back to the stable without him getting away. When we put him in Frank and I hooked up Harry & Belle and started to clean out the box stall which hasn't been cleaned out all winter, we hauled out three good loads to the old garden and left about one load still to be cleaned out. Jack Lawrie & Ralf Waddle came over to have Dad. look at Jack's old mare and when they left Dad. Enah and the baby drove down town. Frank went down to a dance to-night which Merrit & Charlie Long are running. I felt pretty rotten with a cold & cough. We all feel pretty tough. Saturday February 9th I felt rather tough to-day with my cold so didn't do much all day, this morning I wrote to Neff and to Aunty. Frank didn't get home from the dance till about eight o'clock as it rained in the night and they didn't break it up till day light on account of the roads being so bad, so he didn't feel very lively all day and seized every opportunity for snoozing. This after noon we hooked Pommers up again or at least put the harness on him and took him out without his getting away. Dad. put a rope on him with a string under his chin fastend to his halter bit rings, and Dad & Frank took the rope and I took the lines. Lila came over this after noon and Dad. went back with her and they had tea at Aunty Alice's. Lila stayed there all night. I went to bed early as my cold felt pretty bad and Enah made me soak my feet in hot water & mustard and drink hot black currant water. It has been thawing all day and a nice day. Sunday February 10th 16 �I got a note from Marj. yesterday asking me to come down to Nanticoke for her to-day if I could as her cousin had come up for her Friday and invited me down to dinner to-day, so as two of Joe's shoes are off I took Queen and left here about half past ten. I made very good time as the folks were just going into church when I went through Nanticoke, but I found out afterwards they were fifteen or twenty minutes late. When I got to the Banfields I found they had all gone to church but Mrs. Banfield and Cal. Howden the hired man (?.) He is one of Oscar's kids and is about as big as a skinned minute.). The rest got home about an hour after I arrived. Besides Mr. & Mrs. Warrie Banfield, Mr. & Mrs. Dick Doughty and Marj. came. Marj. had been staying over there till to-day. We had a very enjoyable time. all interest being centred on the Banfield baby which Cal. informed me would soon be a year old and is a comical little thing. Marj. and I left for home about half past three and came straight here as Dad. told me that he was going to take Aunty Alice & Lila down in the bobsleighs and would take Marj. and me too which would save me having to bring Queen back from town and then probably walking back again. We got here about five and they were just leaving but Enah invited Marj. to stay to tea which she did, so we didn't go down with them. I had the milking done when Dad. got back. Marj. and I walked down about nine o'clock. Quite mild but cold wind. Monday February 11th This morning Frank and I finished cleaning out the box stall in one big load. When we got back Dad. put the harness on Pommers and we took him down to the corner, he behaved very well but would have got away once or twice if Dad. hadn't had the rope in his halter. Aunty Alice walked over to dinner and this after noon she and Enah went calling down to the Ryerse's and Pickford's. Frank took them down in the bob sleighs and left them there an hour and then went after them. Aunty Alice was very anxious to get back as Cousin Loll had sent over a note in the mail saying Harry Ansley was very weak. Frank drove them right down town so that Enah could find out how he was and she said he was about the same. Alfred came up and got Dad. to go down with him to look at one of his pigs which is in bad shape owing to the cold weather. I spent the after noon cutting the tops off some of the high apple-trees according to the instructions given us at the Short Course by by Mr. Kydd. Sunny with a fresh thawing breeze. It has thawed a lot to-day and water is standing over everything. It is still soft to-night. We intend to butcher our hog to-morrow Tuesday February 12th 17 �It rained hard last night and has been very soft all day. It was cloudy all morning rained quite hard at noon and early this after noon then came out sunny and a fresh breeze but mild. On account of the weather we had to postpone our butchering operations and have just done odd jobs. I cleaned off the dropping board in the henhouse this morning as it has been frozen too hard all winter and then went out to see if I could let some water off the wheat as it was backed up by the snow. Then I started to scrape some of the apple trees. Dad. & Frank changed the stroke of the windmill again and put in the longest one. This after noon we cleaned out the box in the barn so that we could put my heifer in when she calves. I went up to Ham Thompson's to ask him what time our meeting on Saturday was to be and was up there quite awhile looking at the stock. Charlie Quanbury went out to the farm this morning with a load of manure but got stuck on the hill and left his load in the road. The snow is all undermined & honeycombed with water and the team went right down to their bellies Charlie had a hard time getting them loose. Wednesday February 13th We spent most of the morning getting things ready for and butchering our pig, and got it all done by noon. Dad. got a very nice stick and scald on her and she dressed a dandy. Charlie Munroe came in just as we started to scald so he helped us during the dressing operations. He walked over to get Dad. to look at one of his horses which has a bad cold so Dad. went back with him to dinner. This after noon I got ready and went down town to have my tooth fixed but as it was after four when I got there Bill said I had better come early to-morrow after noon. I stayed at Aunty Alices to tea and went to church to-night this being Ash Wednesday. Marj. had proposed going up to Miss Martin's to-night but as she. Marj.. had a sore throat we didn't go. I called for Aunty Alice at Cousin Loll's and stayed down at Aunty's all night. We had a letter to-day from a man in Omemee inquiring about the prices of ram lambs, he having seen in the report of the Co-operative wool sales that we had the highest percentage of our wool in the highest grade of any one in Ontario. It has not been thawing all day but has been quite mild and cloudy. There came nearly being bad flood. Thursday February 14th I came home about nine o'clock this morning but as I had to go right back after dinner I didn't change my clothes. I wrote to Mr. Bent the man who inquired about the rams and I also measured the lawn and flower beds as I had a letter from Mr. Tomlinson saying he had mislaid my first sketch and if I would send another he would be sure to send me a blueprint. I went down to Aunty Alices for dinner and went up to Bills right after. He filled my tooth 18 �and found a hole in another one He couldn't finish the job right away so I went back at four o'clock when he finished the job for which I paid him $1.50. While I was there the last time Karl Lemons came in and said the Penman's dam had gone out and the bridge had dropped at one end. I went down to Aunty Alice's and got my rubber boots on and she and Lila went down with me to see the wreck. It was a bad mess. The road at the north end of the bridge had caved in as the water has been leaking through the buttment of the dam all winter and washed a big hole out under the road. Then the big head of water coming from the last few day's thaw took the top of the north end of the dam out which was loosened by the bridge dropping down on the buttment and buckeing it. It would have been a very dangerous proceeding for me to try to go across the bridge but several had gone across on the ice on the pond making quite a detour away from the bridge so I followed their tracks and as I had my rubber boots on didn't get wet. Dad. cut up the pig this morning and I took some of it down to Aunty Alice, Huby and Mr. James. Frank fixed up a feed box for the calf and this afternoon, they moved the ram lambs over to the colony house with old McPherson. It has been sunny and thawing a lot all day. Thunderstorm to-night. Friday February 15th It was much colder to-day with a strong north west wind so we didn't do much out side. I started in to clean up the Tommy Jackson harness but didn't get any more than the bridle done but I made the nickel on it shine. This after noon Dad and I took Pommers out and he went like an old horse, we just had him on the line, and Dad. had the rope in his halter but didn't have to tighten on it once. Frank made a rack for the ram's hay this morning and put it in the colony house and this afternoon he went down to a meeting of the Black Creek Creamery patrons and announced our meeting to-morrow thinking he could get it more farmer's easier that way than any other. He said that they raised Lea Marshall's salary 1/4 cent per pound. and one old fellow kicked very much at it. He didn't think Lea needed it because he kept a hired girl and ran a Ford car. Jim Bannister told Dad. at noon that to add to Penman's troubles they had a bad fire down in the mill this morning which did a great deal of damage to the stock; it was caused they say, by a nail getting into the pickers, heating and being blown into the inflamable cotton. Saturday February 16th We didn't do much but chores this morning except take Pommers down to the corner again, he is certainly good never made a misstep. Frank and I went down to dinner at Aunty Alice's and this after noon we went up to a fairly successful meeting of farmers. Neff & Jas 19 �E. Johnson manager of the Norfolk Co-operative Assn. were down and explained the working of the Association very clearly and about ten more signed notes. We were there till nearly five and then I went up and got my hair cut, so it was after six when I got home. I came home by the dam and came across the ice. Frank went around by the mill (the same way we went down) and got home the same time I did but he was delayed by having to go back to the hall after his books and then winding the town clock for George Steele. Johnny Payne was buried to-day and Bob. Law died very suddenly this after noon. They said he was well when he fed his team this morning but lay down on the sofa when he came in and didn't feel like going out again at noon and soon after noon he was dead. News has also just come to town of the death of young Billy Thompson. He had just been moved to New York, they say on a $2000 salary when he took pneumonia and died in a few days. Bright and sunny but freezing hard all morning but snowing hard and milder this after noon. Sunday February 17th I walked down to church this morning and as Aunty Alice said she felt as if she was catching cold and didn't feel like walking over to the farm I decided to stay and have dinner with her but just as we were about ready to sit down Dad came down with the team and sleigh to take Aunty Alice over for dinner, so we both went. We came back down town about four o'clock and I stopped on the way down to see Mrs. Sinclair and after Mrs. Bell about having a social gathering next week the boys of the J.F.I.A. and the girls of the W.I. meeting together. Mrs. Bell advised me to see Olga Ryerse and offered her house for the occasion. I had tea with Aunty Alice and neither of us went to church but went up right after and she went up to Cousin Loll's for awhile and I went over to see Marj. who had been up with Glad Law all the after noon. I stayed all night at Aunty Alices. It has been cold but sunny all day. Freezing to-night. Monday February 18th I came home about nine o'clock this morning and came around by town and got fifty post cards to notify the members of the J.F.I.A. of the meeting here on Thursday night. Frank, Enah and I. spent quite awhile this morning writing them we sent out twenty five. Jack Walker was over for a little while to see if Enah {single page list that was probably used to make longer diary entries later} 20 �Jan 9 – F, I went down to the course - talk on Cultivation. Neff - fruit growing class at H Thompson's judging poultry Jan 10 - testing milk for % of the fat Jan 11 Feeds & feeding Bacteriology afternoon - judging sheep, at Farrs Blizzard Jan 11 & 12 & 14 Roads & R R all blocked Jan 15 - course resumed apiculture Jan 16 - Dr Reed - Test for {?} on vet work & horse breeding, Only radial TB & young Will Sidway get laughing Jan 17 - beef cattle & sheep - no rural mail from Jan 11 - Jan 17 Mr. Meade & Harry Dyer lost in storm & spent night at Pickfords - frozen faces Jan 19 - Mr. Hart on forming a Norfork Co oper for buying & marketing in Simcoe. Jan 22 - Mr. Kydd formerly Simcoe on fruit growing {continuation of list; written on graph paper} Jan 22 - womens course started about 50 entered Jan 23 - Dairy cattle - Mr Stevenson of Ancaster. Afternoon at Alex Wallace's - Holsteins very good time Jan 24 - preparing for debate This war will be a benefit jan 25 - Mr Rush on market Gardening Jan 26 - 2nd meeting re Co op joined & signed note for $100 Jan 29 - picking & judging chix at Martins Jan 30 - formed a club TB Pres Feb 1 - very busy preparing for wind up of course - TB responds to toast Trains still irregular very very cold 21 �would come down and play at Billy Thompson's funeral tomorrow after noon. It will be in the church and they wanted the choir out. This after noon Dad. walked down to Bob. Law's funeral and was gone all the after noon I walked down to see Olga Ryerse as Mrs. Bell suggested and when I got back Frank and I polished harness for a little while. Lloyd Ryerse was in for awhile to-night to see what to do for an old ewe that lambed early and has a caked udder. Quanbury’s cow had a pair of twin calves this morning which has caused considerable excitement in the neighborhood. When Dad. went down this after noon they had them in Jack Martin's wash-house where it was hot. The latest news is that Jack Payne has bought Wess Boughner's farm and is putting Lilly Myer’s husband on it to raise Shorthorns and Wess Boughner has bought Mrs. Duncan's place. Froze very hard last night. Fine sunny day. Tuesday February 19th It started to rain during the night and has rained most of the day so we didn't do anything much but chores. Dad. and Frank put the pig in pickle this morning. This after noon Dad. and Enah went down to Billy Thompson's funeral as Enah had to play. It was a masonic funeral but Dad. had got no notice so wasn't with the Masons. Frank drove them down in the bobsleigh although there were some very icy spots on the road. They got home about half past three and brought with them the geese that Enah bargained with Al. Faulkner for before Christmas. I spent most of the after noon reading "Queen Zixi of Ix" to Tid. I finised a good book to night. "The Double Four" by Phillips Oppenheim. Wednesday February 20th It turned very cold during the night and has been down to zero with a strong west wind all day. We haven't down anything much but chores as it has been too cold to work out side with comfort. I wrote a letter to Mr. Bent this morning promising him our best ram lamb next fall as I had a letter from him yesterday saying he would be willing to pay $55.00 for it. Tupper was in for a few minutes before noon on his way home from town and Charlie Munroe walked through on his way to the mill. He told Dad. his horse was better but not well yet. This after noon Dad. walked over to John Wesses and took him one of the calendars we got from the Department of Agriculture. He found John Wess just the same, feels fine as long as he doesn't try to do anything. Dad. went down to Charlie Munroe's from John Wesses and found his horse had developed distemper with its throat all swelled up, but it is getting on well. I read most of the after noon and went down to tea to Aunty Alice's. She and I went to church to-night but as the church was very cold and the lights very poor, we 22 �only had the war-time litany which lasted only 8 or 10 minutes. I went home with Marj. and stayed all night at Aunty Alices. Thursday February 21st I got home about nine o'clock and found the family all huddled around the stove and I was glad to join them. It was down below zero again with a biting north west wind. It has been pretty cold all day but the wind went down towards evening and it has been sunny We didn't do much but chores. Frank and I cleared up a little in the drive house this after noon to make room for any horses that members of the J.F.I.A. might drive to our meeting tonight. Then Frank rode his wheel down town to get some coffee. Although the roads were very hard and icy there were ten came to our meeting It was a nice night and the wind had died down. We had a very good meeting and they all seemed enthusiastic about growing a patch of potatoes this summer, after we talked over our business they played cards and checkers. Enah dished up some coffee and war bread and Corby & Fred Rolson sang for us. The meeting broke up about twelve. We went out to look at my heifer after the boys left and found her very near calving, so I went to bed with my clothes on, to get up and look at her later. Friday February 22nd I got up at four o'clock and went out to look at the heifer but she seemed easy so I went to bed again. Dad. got up at six and went out and she had just dropped her calf then. The calf is a red roan & a bull. She has a very big bag and is alright. We did chores most of the morning and Dad. and Frank went back to the gully and brought up a dozen boards off the cross fence back there to make sheep troughs of. This after noon Frank got three troughs pretty well made. I went down town to telephone Neff to see what night he could come down next week to our social meeting but he was out of town so I went down and talked to Huby for awhile and found there was a car of coal in, then I walked down to Corbetts and told Corby to telephone Neff to-night. He & his father were getting up wood off the lake bank which has slid terribly last year. I walked through their place to the creek and went up to the Ryerse's. Olga seems to be having a hard time getting the girls to-gether. I got home about five. Dad. was getting ready to go down to Aunty Alice's for tea and to meet the train as Aunty came home to-night. He stopped in at Quanbury's on his way down and got Charlie to say he would get us a load of coal in the morning as the roads are to icy for our horses. It has been milder with west wind and snow to-day. 23 �Saturday February 23rd We got up about six this morning and I was over at Quanbury's by eight o'clock to go down with Charlie and get our coal. Charlie was just at his breakfast so it was half an hour before we got started and had to go in the waggon, however the coal wasn't all gone when we got there but was going fast. They were only selling half ton lots to one person so we took half a load of coal and half coke. Frank was waiting for us at the mill with a couple of bags of feed which he put on the waggon. Charlie didn't charge Dad. anything for hauling it. This after noon Dad. Enah and the baby walked down to see the dam and went on across and saw Aunty for awhile. She has a cold a neuralgia. The wind was from the south west to-day and it was sunny and quite soft. Frank said he heard crows once. There was a faint touch of Spring in the air which made it feel nice to be alive. Frank finished making the sheep troughs and I for want of some thing to do shingled half of the "Library." I also turned over the hotbed manure pile. Sunday February 24th I walked down to church this morning and Aunty and Aunty Alice walked back with me to dinner. About three o'clock I went back down town. Glad. Law went back to Toronto on the 3'o'clock car and Marj. was down to see here off but I didn't get down in time to see Glad. but spent the rest of the after noon with Marj. About five o'clock she went up to Miss Martin's to tea and I went down to Aunty's. Aunty and I went to church and I came back there for awhile after church but didn't stay long. I didn't go home by the dam as there was a lot of water on the ice when I came down, I went home by the mill and met Marj. on her way home. Monday February 25th As it was mild and soft and fairly good footing for the horses we decided to move the straw stack in to-day. Dad. and I pitched the top of it off and most of the ice out of it while Frank dug away the big snow bank on the east side of the drive house and we got one load over to the horse stable before dinner but didn't pitch it off. We put it off right after dinner and got another jag over and off and left the butt of the stack to put in the old barn. We put the waggon back on the old barn floor and while we were at it the colts which were in the barnyard came through the gate we left open and took a good run over the wheat tramping & cutting it up considerably. About four o'clock Dad. and I started up to Ham Thompson's with Dad's heifer. It began to rain just as we left and before we got home was pouring down. 24 �It developed into a terrific thunderstorm but had stopped before we went to bed, but was cloudy and windy. I got two eggs to-day, the first I have got. Frank has been getting a duck egg daily for the last few days. A strip of paper has blown off the chicken shed roof and this wind will take more off so it looks pretty badly Tuesday February 26th There was a very strong west wind this morning and it had turned cold again during the night being about 10° above zero so we didn't do much but chores all day. I wrote a couple of letters this morning one to the Co-Operative Association ordering some clover seed oil cake and seed potatoes and one to the Canadian Sheep Breeders' to see if some arrangement couldn't be made to have Canadian registered sheep transferred to the American Book. Art. and Lloyd Ryerse were up most of the after noon, they wanted to see if we would be willing to put a telephone in. About four Art. and I went down town and Frank & Lloyd went off with Collin, {Spray?} & young George. Art and I went in to see Patterson about the telephone but from what he said I don't think there is much chance of the Co. putting up a line out our way till the war is over and prices are normal. We went down around by the mill but came home by crossing the creek at Colman's point where the big chunks of ice are frozen in. Wednesday February 27th It was cloudy and blustery this morning but not cold but later it came out sunny and nice. We moved what was left of the straw stack into the barn this morning, then Dad. and I took Pommers out on the rein, he went just as well as ever. About noon a peddlar came in and asked if he could have his dinner and put his horse in, so he did and turned out to be an old acquaintance of Dad's by the name of "Chinny" Klause, one-time farmer, milk dealer and carpenter on the Round Plains and at present travelling all over the country in the interests of the famous Rundel. Pain King Medicine Co. leaving bottles of None Such Liniments salve "to be paid for next year and collecting money for what was left last year. He seemed to honestly believe that it would do all that the Company claimed for it which was that it would cure any ailment that affects man or beast and can be applied either externally or internally. He and Dad. had quite a visit and he proved to be very entertaining telling of his experiences on the road, and others. He used to be a great pal of Jeff. Langs and told Dad quite a lot of news about them. This after noon Frank went down to Corbetts to get Leigh to telephone all the boys of the J.F.I.A. and tell them about the meeting the Woman's Institute 25 �are having and invited us to. I went down town to-night and came home with Enah who had gone down to tea and church. I was too late for church. We had to walk around by the mill. Thursday February 28th We put on a load of hay this morning and took it over to the barn for the cows, but didn't unload it. This after noon Dad. and I drove down town and had Joe shod and Dad also negotiated with old Walker for a loan of another fifty dollars to pay for our supplies from the Norfolk Co-Operative Association. Huby was here when we got home, he had walked over to have Dad. look at his dog, he didn't stay to tea. Frank cleaned out the shop this afternoon. Art & Charlie Quanbury stopped in on their way home from Henry Misner's sale which they said went well and where Art bought Hay rope & slings, to tell us that Tupper was going to thrash in the morning & wanted a man from here. Mild but cloudy & rainy all day. Friday February March 1st Dad. went thrashing over to Tupper's this morning and was gone all day. They didn't get started till after noon so didn't finish by night. Neither Henry Misner was there with the machine nor Tupper, he had to go to Simcoe. Frank went to the mill this morning and got some chop. We also went up to the old cherry tree and got some sand to plant seeds in. Mrs. McPherson was over here to-dinner. This after noon Frank and I put off the load of hay we got over yesterday but didn't do anything else much but chores. To-night we went down to the Women's Institute meeting to which the J.F.I.A. was invited and heard Mr. Johnson & Mrs. Bond talk about growing & canning vegetables. Neff was down but didn't have the dramas with him. He suggested that we should have a box social next Thursday. The others seemed to think it would be a good idea so I suppose we will have to have it. Young Crosbie drove Frank & me home and I thought he would upset us for sure. Nice day. Blustery this morning though. Saturday March 2nd Dad. went back to Tuppers this morning and they finished but he didn't get home till after noon as he went over to John Wesses for dinner and took him "Happy Hawkins" to read. About half past four he, Enah & the baby drove down town for some groceries. I spent most of my time to-day when I wasn't doing chores in fixing up boxes of earth and to-night sowed some tomato seed. We have them on a little table in front of the window in our 26 �room. Frank chased around this morning and this after noon went down to Ryerse's with his rifle. Lila was over to dinner. Nice sunny day but windy. Sunday March 3rd Frank and I drove down to church this morning. It was the first time Frank had been at church for a long time. We spent a nice hour and a half in the back seat and I was aroused from a nice doze about the middle of the sermon by some kids having a high time out side playing on the cellar door. Frank was taking the sermon very much to heart as Mr. Johnson was talking about the wickedness of those who didn't attend church regularly. Frank concluded he was lost. We were in to see Mrs. Bell before church to arrange for our box social next Thursday night. I drove Aunty and Aunty Alice over to dinner and Frank walked home going over the ice above the dam. I went back down town right after dinner and spent the after noon with Marj. I went up to Harry Moon’s just before tea to ask if he would help us with a concert and he said he would. I had tea at Aunty's. They had walked home as Sam & Mrs. Law had come in here just before they left so Dad. couldn't drive them down. Aunty Alice was afraid to go over the ice so they came all the way around by the mill and she was too tired to go to church but Aunty and I went. Marj. and I came back with her. Lovely sunny day. Cool breeze Monday March 4th We spent the whole day cleaning out the sheep barn floor. We hauled out seven or eight waggon loads and spread them on the old garden but there is quite a lot in there yet. We couldn't haul big loads as the road was rough and it jiggled off and we had no side boards on. It was sunny this morning but got very cloudy and rained this after noon and to-night. Very mild. Tuesday March 5th We finished cleaning out the sheep barn to-day but it took us till after dinner. We hauled out I think five loads and covered all the old garden west of the currant bushes and part of the strip that is left east of them. When we got through Dad. and Frank started to put the handle in the old axe head and I went down to Ryerse's to see what Olga found out about the box social and then walked over to Corby's to get him to telephone all the members of the J.F.I.A. and summon them to attend. At present it looks as if there would be about two women to every boy. Dad. & Enah got an invitation out to a party at Lish Farr's to-morrow 27 �night where they want them to "render a few selections". I suppose it is a house warming party as their new house is just finished. Foggy & mild. Wednesday March 6th Dad. and I went up to Ham. Thompson's right after breakfast with my two-year old heifer and didn't get back till nearly noon. Frank took a couple of axe heads down town and got the nicks ground out of them. He didn't get home till after we did. Alan Law was here when we got back, he had driven one of this horses up to have her clipped but as she was wet and muddy we thought we couldn't clip her so Frank went back home with him and they took the machine down and clipped the other mare this after noon. Alan drove Frank home with the clipped mare and they certainly made a slick job. They left the machine down there to clip the other mare when she is dry. Dad. spent most of the after noon trying to hang an axe handle but had a hard time with it. I read and wrote to Miss Wade Secretary of the American Sheep Registry Ass'n to find out about recording sheep over there. To-night I went down to church and spent the evening with Marj. Dad. and Enah had not decided whether to go out to Farr's when I left and they didn't decide until it was too late to go so stayed home. Huby got a cablegram from Quint sent on Sunday saying he was leaving the next day for France so I suppose he's pretty near the Front by this time. It has been cloudy & raw but not freezing all day. Snowing to-night. Thursday March 7th Frank and I didn't do much else all day but oil harness. We put a fire on in the shop and got Belle’s heavy harness oiled, washed, mended and put to-gether. It was about three o'clock when we finished the one harness so we didn't start on another one. I had a rather bad pain under my pinny this after noon so came in the house and lay down till chore time when it had disappeared. Dad. spent most of the after noon putting an axe handle in another head. He finished the one he was at yesterday, this morning. He got the handle in the head just so far then couldn't get it either in or out so he heated the head and then drove it in which made a very tight fit. According to to-day's "Globe" all the bank clerks in On except those who were granted exemption on personal grounds are to be called up, so I guess old Dick will be a soldier yet. Colder to-day but nice day. To-night we went down to our box social at Mrs. Bell's Friday March 8th. We had a very good time. There were not as many ladies there as we expected and so the boys & girls were about even in numbers. We played games and at the wind up I auctioned off the boxes for which we realized about $15.00 half of that went to the WAI & half to the J.F.I.A. Frank and I got home about one o'clock. 28 �Friday March 8th I went to Simcoe on the nine car this morning to see Johnson. Neff called me up last night to say they had a car of corn in and would send it down here with what stuff was ordered from around here, so I wanted to find out a little more about it and who had ordered from around here. Johnson said they hadn't many orders and wanted me to get more and send them up to him to-night. I meant to come home on the eleven car but missed it so walked home by the G.T.R. track. It was a lovely day for a walk especially down along the creek and I heard a lot of Spring birds and saw my first robin this morning. Frank was here alone when I got home about half past twelve as Dad. Enah & the baby went down to Aunty's for dinner. Right after dinner I went down town and went up to telephone Ham. Thompson from Aunty Maude's to see if knew of anyone who would buy corn, but he had gone over to our place. I visited with Aunty Maude for quite awhile and then went down to Aunty's till Dad. and Enah left. They drove and I walked, stopped in to see Harry Moon at the mill and Charlie Quanbury's new horse that he got at Porter's sale so it was six o'clock when I got home Saturday March 9th Frank and I took Elgitha up to Ham Thompson's this morning and Dad. did chores. They had intended going back and cutting some wood but it was snowing hard when we got back so they didn't go. This after noon Frank and I walked over to see John Wess. Cam has gone home for a little while and Albert Newcombe is doing chores over there. Dad. went down town to see Aunty for awhile. Aunty Alice was in Brantford all day visiting with "Miss" Watts and Vernon is up there too. Aunty Alice came back at five o'clock. Frank went down to a party to-night at Bill Barwell's to celebrate Bill's birthday. Frank stayed down all night. It has been a miserable day with a regular blizzard all the after noon and a thunderstorm to-night. Sunday March 10th We woke up this morning to find that our Spring has left us and Winter is here again. There is a lot of snow and it has been not above 15° above zero all day with a cold north wind but sunny. To-night when I came home it was down to zero. Dad. Enah Tid and I drove down to church in the cutter and the sleighing is better than it has been all winter although there is a crust over it which formed I suppose after last night's thunderstorm which brought sleet with it. After church Frank and I drove home and the rest went over to the James for dinner. I drove down after dinner and left Joe in the Presbyterian shed for them to drive home and I spent the after noon and evening with Marj. having tea and going to church with Aunty & 29 �Aunty Alice. Enah counted 25 robins this morning in the lilac bush outside the clothes room window. The poor little fellows evidently made a misguess and came north too soon. Monday March 11th We hauled down two loads of manure to Aunty's to-day, one this morning and another this after-noon. The sleighing was good and we took Belle and Queen. Frank went down this after noon to unload the car that should have come from the Norfolk Co-Operative Ass'n but Murray told him it wasn't in but called up Jack Martin after he got home and told him it was. Dad. Enah and I went down to a concert to-night given by Miss Prest & Miss Symonds for the prisoners of war. It was great. Much milder. Tuesday March 12th Frank went down first thing this morning to unload the Association car. Dad. and I put on another load of manure and took it down to Aunty's but had quite a time getting down as the sleighing was gone in places. We went down to the car and got our bag of oil cake but our clover seed didn't come. Smith from down on the town line had been up and got four bags of oil cake and left his sacks to be filled with corn so Frank wanted me to stay and help bag it up. We had dinner at Aunty's and were down at the car all the after noon. I called up Johnson right after dinner and he said the oil cake should have been weighed and Frank let Smith have his without, thinking there was just 300 lbs in a bag. We got Smith's bags all filled and he came after them about four o'clock. Lorne Myers was down and bagged up some for himself and Ham & Bert Thompson took two bags of oil cake which cleaned us out of it. It has been very windy and soft all day. Wednesday March 13th Whan Frank first went out this morning he found one of the four year old ewes No 8 with a fine ewe lamb. Frank went down to the car right after breakfast and didn't get home till about seven o'clock to-night, but said he got it all unloaded except a load or two for Charlie Ivey which Murray said he wouldn't charge demurrage for. As soon as they could get ready Dad. took Tid down to Aunty's and then came back got Enah and went out to the Shand's for dinner and spent the after noon not getting home till after half past six. They had dinner & the Harvey Shand's and spent part of the afternoon at Willie's. I spent the day doing chores and scraping a few of the apple trees. I had my dinner at one and sat around quite awhile reading the paper afterwards. I went out to look at the sheep about three o'clock and found old Lop ear (117) just at the lambing performance. In about half an hour she had 30 �two nice ones a buck & a ewe up and running around. I had most of the chores done up when Dad. got home but he fed the sheep and I came in and dressed and went down town. I was too late for church but took Aunty some cream and went up to see Marj. It was a fine day but turned out a bad night. Colder & raining hard. They say that yesterday's thaw broke the ice up in the pond and that last night about eleven the water was running over the road again and they thought the bridge would go out but it didn't. Thursday March 14th This has been a very disagreeable day. It rained hard most of the morning and drizzled all the after noon and was cloudy, muddy, and cold. Dad. and Frank went out to the sheep barn about six o'clock this morning and found three more lambs, Dad's ewe had one and No 10 had two. the ram lamb of No 10's was just about dead when they found him, for although he had not been born long there was a scum over his nostrils and he couldn't breathe. Dad. brought him in the house and revived him a little but he soon died. None of them seem to get enough milk for some reason or other so Frank got a nipple for the feed bottle this morning and Dad. has been feeding them cow's milk all day. To-night he brought Lop ears ewe lamb in the house for all night. It is in bad shape and doesn't seem to know enoug to suck except the bottle. It seems queer as they were all strong when they were born. Frank has been down town most of the day again, helping Charlie Ivey part of the time. We haven't done much but chores and watch the sheep. I got a letter from Miss Wade to-day saying that the records of sires & dams of any sheep recorded in the American Shropshire Registry must also appear on the book. I wrote to R. W. Wade asking for more definite information. Friday March 15th I haven't done much all day except stand around the sheep barn and shiver or sit around the house and sleep. It was a sunny day but the raw north wind made it very disagreeable. Matters were made worse by the bad luck we are having with the lambs. Lop ear's little ewe lamb died this morning and Dad opened it and said there was nothing in its stomach. One of the two year old ewes lambed to-day No 22. and the second lamb died just after it was born by being smothered with scum. The mother seemed to have no milk at all so we took the live lamb in the house and Dad. has been feeding it all day, as well as the lamb of Dad's ewe. By to-night. No 68 had a big pair of twins which seemed to get enough and which we put in the box stall in the horse stable. The situation looks a little brighter to-night but we have the two in a box in the house and Dad. has to feed them every hour or so from a 31 �bottle. Frank has increased their the ewe's grain ration and is giving a few mangels so we are hoping that they will soon "come to their milk". Saturday March 16th Charlie Quanbury came over this morning to get one of us to go over and help Billy Mills put straw over Jack's strawberries, so I went. Billy wasn't through with his chores when I got there as he has a lot of pigs to feed. We gathered up the straw from around the stack and as it was frozen it was slow pitching and we only got two loads out before dinner, by that time the ground was getting to soft to work on so I didn't go back this afternoon. Frank and Dad. took the oil cake down to the mill and weighed it and this after noon Frank went up to Simcoe to report to Johnson, his stewardship was evidently satisfactory as Johnson gave him 30 cents an hour for unloading the car. He drew about $7.00 and gave me $1.20 for my after noons work. Dad. and I didn't do much but chores this after noon and I cleaned and rubbed up my Tommy Jackson harness. To-night I went down town and got my hair cut and took my drawings down to Aunty and she picked out some to send to the Correspondence School. No more lambs have come and the ones we have are doing well. Two are still in the house. West wind but not cold. Sunday March 17th Frank and I went down to Sunday school this morning as we were up in plenty of time. I didn't take my clothes off all night but got up at two and fid the lambs in the house and looked at the ones in the barn I could hardly hold my head up in Sunday school and did sleep most of the time in church. Dad. drove Enah down to church but didn't stay himself and she walked home. I went back down town right after dinner and Marj. and I went up to Miss McDonald's and took her a school Art manual which she is studying. We then went up to Miss Martin's but she wasn't home so we walked down to the dam with Mr. & Mrs. Bagley whom we overtook. Ont our way back from there we went into Miss McQueen's for a few minutes where we found Miss Martin. I stayed down at Aunty's for tea, Win. was there too and went to church with them to-night. After church Marj. and I started out for a walk but met Mrs. Moon who had some church money to give Marj. and so we went in there for awhile. Then on our way home we met Said. Davis, who had spent the day in Simcoe and was rather excited at having some fellow, whom she didn't know offer to carry her club bag for her, so we walked up to Mrs. Richardson's with her where she is staying. It has been a beautiful sunny mild Spring day with a soft west wind. The spring birds are thick 32 �Monday March 18th I went over to Jack's first thing this morning and found him just milking his Jerseys. He said that instead of covering strawberrys this morning he would have me help Billy load some hogs to ship. I helped Billy do his chores and we had a lot of little things to do to get ready for the hogs which were in Charlie Martin's barn. We had to catch the two smallest ones and one of the biggest ones and weigh them. There were five and the smallest weighed 158 lbs & the big one went just over 200 but we took them all down as the price is way up 19 cts here I think. I came home as soon as we got them loaded and have spent most of the day getting manure out of the hog stall for the hot bed Frank murdered old Nellie this morning and worked with her most of the day and this after noon took her over to Jack. Dad has had a busy day with the lambs. He let the two biggest ones out to-day with the big sheep and left the two that were in the house out in the barn. He goes out every now and then and holds his ewe so that the two can suck as she won't own them. Two of the twoyear olds lambed to-day one had a single and one twins. The one with twins seems to have no milk but they are fine strong lambs. Frank went to a dance to-night. Lovely day. Tuesday March 19th Frank got home from the dance about four o'clock this morning and I got up soon after he went to bed. Dad. lay on the sofa all night with his clothes on so that he could go out and feed the lambs in the night. I spent nearly all the morning making a frame for the hot bed and got it just about finished I got the boards from the old fence along the road. On one of my trips out after boards Frank went with me and we measured the corner field to see how much wire it would take to fence it and figured it at 120 rds. to go around three sides of it and we have enough wire for the front. This after noon Frank and I drove down town and took poor old Nellie's hide down which Frank shipped to Hallam. While I was waiting for Frank at the station an engine came along and before I had time to turn around old Belle got frightened and broke the old tonge on the waggon. Then Harry fell down or she knocked him down and Belle jumped with her front feet over him. It was quite a tangle but I don't think either of them were hurt and nothing but the tongue and Harry's bit was broken. Frank got a new bit and we borrowed a sleigh tongue from Joe Howell which Waters roped to the old one so that the draw bolt went partly through both of them and it made it solid enough for us to go up to Jack McBride's where we put on four rolls of wire for the corner field fence and we got home with them all right. A new lamb had arrived when we got home. Dad. let all the lambs but the very youngest and the two that the mother doesn't own out with their mothers to-day as it was a beautifully warm sunny day with no wind. Tupper came in to- 33 �night and left a load of corn here which he had hauled from Simcoe. His team was tired and he didn't want to tackle the hill with his load. Wednesday March 20th I spent quite awhile this morning working at the hot bed and then helped Dad. & Frank put on a jag of hay to haul to the horse stable. Aunty & Aunty Alice came over to dinner and just as we sat down Tupper came after his corn so came in and had dinner with us. He hung around and visited till about three o'clock. Aunty and Aunty Alice went home about four and Enah went down to tea with them. After they left Dad. & I hauled the hay over and put it off over the horse stable. Frank went up to Mrs. Duncan's sale right after dinner and got back just as we got our load off. He bought a hog rack for $3.25. We were late getting through tea as another lamb arrived just after dark. I went down town but was too late for church. I spent the evening over at the Moore's and came home with Enah. Lidney & Wilma McQueen were over at Uncle Hughie's when I was there and Lidney was having a picnic chasing the kids away from his sap as he has the maples in front of the house tapped. He came in on two different occasions each time announcing that he had caught a couple of them. The last time he came in he said he left Garf on sentry and chuckled in great style over it because he said the kids would outrun him. The Sunday school was lit up and I think he expected a bunch of kids to get out of it but it was the weekly meeting of the I.O.D.E. It has been a beautiful day. No wind and quite hot. 84° in the sun. Ed. Moon got home from England to-night. Thursday March 21st We put on another load of hay this morning and hauled it over to the cow stable. While we were at it Lloyd Ryerse rushed in greatly excited to get Dad. to go down and poke a corn cob out of their purebred cow's throat as she was choking. Dad went down with him but when they got there the cow was alright. Dad. says Art. was standing in front of her with a broomstick and Colin behind her with a corn stalk and it was hard to say which was the wildest Art or the cow. This after noon Dad. and Frank cleared up a lot of the old fence bottom around the corner field and burnt over nearly the whole field. To-night Dad. went down to put Aunty's parlor carpet down and didn't get back till after twelve as they had a visit from Edgar Cantelon the artist and Huby was there to talk to him. Another great big lamb came to-night, the property of No. 6. It looks as if it was a week old. Pickford was over this morning to borrow our cyclone seeder to so his Spring wheat and he did this afternoon, 34 �but those who saw him disking and harrowing say it was a very muddy operation It has been even warmer to-day than yesterday & no wind. Friday March 22nd Lloyd Ryerse came in again this morning while we were at breakfast to get Dad. to go down to see their purebred cow as she had another spell the same as yesterday. Dad decided it was from drinking too much cold water. I went out this morning to catch Dad's ewe and hold her for the two lambs to suck and was very surprised to see her licking a new lamb. In about an hour another one arrived. Both of them were fine big strong lambs a ram & and ewe, and it was a week ago yesterday that she dropped the first one. At eleven o'clock I went up to Simcoe to take in Yeager's sale. I thought maybe I could get a cheap saddle but they didn't start the sale till half past one and I left at four so I didn't see anything but horses sold. The bidding was very slow on them and there were no big prices paid. They brought in a big bunch of Clydes which averaged about $350 a team and the highest price paid for hackneys at the sale was $700. for a team. I came down on the five o'clock car with Louise who has come up for over Easter. Another fine day but cool north wind. Saturday March 23rd I went over to Jack's again this morning and helped Billy get out two more loads of straw on the strawberries. It got pretty soft when the sun got up well and we got stuck with the second load and had to put part of it off. This after noon I put soil in the hot bed. The manure is heating well now and I am a little afraid of it burning out too fast. Dad. and Frank burned the grass along the road west of the lane where it will make nice pasture for the sheep. They said Ham Thompson was over again this morning he has a sick ewe up there. Another lamb arrived this after noon. Arthur McPherson has been over playing with Tid all the after noon so Tid has had a fine time except when they found a little mouse under Frank's bee hive and it bit him and later in the day when Arthur shoved him in the ditch and he had to come in the house and run around pantless the remainder of the after noon. They had a "net" set in the ditch and he had to content himself watching Arthur out of the window who went down periodically to lift it. Frank went down town to-night. Sunny but a cold north wind. Sunday March 24th Frank and I didn't get down to Sunday school this morning but went to church and so did Enah. I stayed down at Aunty's to both dinner and tea but spent the after noon and evening 35 �with Marj. and went to church to-night with Aunty, Aunty Alice & Louise I got home about twelve and went out to feed lambs, but as there was another lamb arriving I didn't go to bed till it came - about two o'clock and then just changed my clothes and lay down. Nice day. Cool breeze. Monday March 25th I went over to Jack's this morning and helped Billy cover strawberries till noon. We got out three jags. Aunty and Louise were here to dinner and after dinner Louise went out and inspected all the stock and took some pictures of the lambs.. After that I slept nearly all the after noon. Frank went down town and got his hair cut and Dad wrote a letter to Dick. Tonight Dad. went down to go with Aunty and hear Mr. Crosley the evangelist at the Methodist Church. They heard him here thirty years ago but Dad. said he had changed greatly. The morning war news was gloomy. The Germans claimed the capture of 30,000 British, 600 guns and advanced in some places 15 miles but Dad. heard to-night that Haig's men had taken 400,000 Germans and the Crown Prince. It seems incredible but Mr. Brand announced it in church as being authentic Tuesday March 26th I went over and helped Billy cover strawberries this morning and Jack told me he wanted me to help do chores around the chicken pens this after noon so I put in the after noon, watering chickens and cleaning off dropping boards and about four o'clock went down with old Jack and the democrat and got a couple of boxes of eel-parts. I saw May Perry down town, she was home for a day. The big war news yesterday proved to be all a fake. The British are still retreating but their lines are not broken and they are inflicting heavy losses on the Germans who still persist in attacking in massed formations. Nice day. Raw Wednesday March 27th I have been over at Jack's all day fiddling around watering, feeding and cleaning out chicken houses and doing anything anybody told me to. Snowdrop presented us with a big black bull calf this morning and ewe no 15 had a pair of lambs. To-night I went down town and went down to the station with Marj. who went to get her tickets for Haliburton. She is going home for Easter to-morrow. It has been a fine day but freezing to-night. Thursday March 28th 36 �I have put in another day over at Jack's, valet for the chickens all morning but this after noon I helped Billy haul a load of straw over from his place to the red barn and then Jack and I gathered the sap or at least he gathered it and I drove. We got a big milk can full, some of the buckets were running over. To-night Frank and I went down to a Horticultural meeting. Neilson was down from the College lecturing on vegetable growing and Neff was down with his moving picture machine which is a dandy. Ray and Rebecca came to-night. Enah went down to-night to choir practice and came back with us. It has been a fine day. Freezing to-night. Friday March 29th Good Friday. Same round of chicken chores to-day and this after noon gathered the sap twice. Some of the buckets were running over after dinner so I gathered a milk can full and then again at six I got about half a can again. Coakwell and I went down to Chris's this morning and helped him move his pig pent back further. Enah went down to church this morning and stayed to dinner. One of No 15's lambs died to-day. Dad opened it and found it was inflammation of the bladder. Another beautiful day. Saturday March 30th I put in most of the day just watering chickens and scraping off dropping boards. I watered every chicken pen & coop on the place and cleaned off every dropping board. I started to dig a hole to bury some dead hens this after noon but had to stop to help Jack gather sap. We didn't get so much to-day. It didn't freeze as hard last night and has been cloudy quite a lot to-day. I saw Pud. Slocomb to-day. He is up for over Easter and came over to Jack's at noon to get Frances. He says he doesn't have to go into the army till the 14th of May and that will give him time to finish his year at the University. The war news is looking better. The Germans are still advancing toward Amiens but are losing a pile of men and seem to be putting themselves in a rather dangerous salient position where there is a possibility of catching them between the French & British armies. They had to call out the militia down in Quebec yesterday to quell a riot which started over the rouning up of some fellow under the Military Service Act. Cloudy & mild. One of Jack's men who was to come to work Monday has disappointed him so he wants me back next week. I had to tell him I wouldn't see him stuck, but hate to go back. Sunday March 31st Easter. 37 �We all went down to church this morning, it being Easter. Ray and Louise sang in the choir which Ray has practiced a couple of times. Alf from Aunty's came over here to dinner but had to go back early as Ray had to show Rebecca to Aunty Alice Cousin Bessie this after noon. Tid. and Rebecca had a great time. Enah went down with Louise a little later than the others and stayed down to tea and evening church. Her father has been pretty sick. I didn't go to church but drove down afterwards and brought Enah home. It has been very mild all day and feels like rain. One of Split ears lambs died to-day. It was alright last night. Monday April 1st I was up at half past three this morning and didn't go to bed again. My big calf was loose out in the barn so I tied him up and then did some writing. I spent the day over at Jack's. He, Chris and I were the only ones there to do chickent chores as his new man that he expected didn't show up. Frank and Dad. cleaned up oats this after noon. Frank was going to try to plow on the corn ground to-day but it rained a little so he didn't go out. They docked eleven of the biggest lambs this morning. To-night Dad. and Enah went down to the Masonic dance. Very mild, cloudy and rainy. Tuesday April 2nd I have been over at Jack's all day and Frank started to plow this morning but didn't get much done. Enah had such cramps this morning that she had to go back to bed before breakfast and was very sick when I left. I came home again in about an hour or two and she was no better and Dad. was beginning to feel sick, soon after that I saw Frank going down town after Aunty as Dad. was laid up and when I got home at noon Dr. Cook was here. He says there are about forty of the ones who went to the dance last night laid up in the same way. They blame it to some chicken sandwiches they had, the chicken having been pressed or cooked in tin dishes. Neither Dad nor Enah have been able to sit up all day. Aunty is staying all night. Everyone is roasting Dr. Cook in a good-natured way as he was one of the two who looked after the banquet, Woodyer was the other and he is very sick and all of Dr. Cook's family is sick but he is alright. Wednesday April 3rd Dad. doesn't seem to be much better to-day but Enah was up at noon and felt much better. Aunty Alice came over this morning but went back again before tea. Aunty stayed till after tea and then I walked down with her. I spent the day over at Jacks. He has two new men on over there to-day but wanted me to stay the rest of the week till he gets them 38 �"broken in". To-night I went up to Ham Thompson's from town and borrowed a setting hen. I have one of my own and I think I will get a setting of Ham's bred-to-lay Rocks and a setting of good ones from Jack which he said he would let me have at half price and see which do the best. I intended to trap nest any pullets I raise as I think if I just have a few I can look after them better. Sunny but cold east wind. Freezing to-night. Thursday April 4th I have put in another day at Jack's cleaning out chicken houses most of the time. Enah seems to be alright again but Dad. is still pretty miserable he lay around all day but was able to eat a little. Aunty and Lila were over here to dinner. I had a letter from The Shaw Correspondence School yester day saying that my drawings showed I had ability to make a success as an Illustrator. I suppose they say the same to everyone but I think if possible I will take the course in the Fall. Fine and Cold. Freezing to-night. Friday April 5th I have been over at Jacks all day. Dad. felt well enough to help me milk this morning and he went down town for dinner, when I got home to-night he had the milking all done and separated. He feels a little weak yet and has a bad cold. Frank went down town on his wheel and got Alan Law to bring home our new waggon tongue which Joe Howell made and ironed off for only two dollars. To-night Frank and I went with Aunty to hear Mr. Crossley and see him give his physical culture exercises. She had invited the Oddfellows and Masons to come and hear him so the Presbyterian Church was well filled. Saturday April 6th I put in my last day at Jack's to-day. He may want me to help feed next Tuesday but I don't have to go at it steadily again. Frank went down town this after noon and got some coal oil and this after when he came back he started to plow the plum orchard which worked well he said. To-night Frank and I walked down town and spent the evening bumming around town. Sunny & mild all day. Cloudy to-night. Sunday April 7th Frank and I went down to Sunday school and church this morning and after church I went up to the McBain property to meet Ham Thompson and look over a plot which we think will do for the J.F.I.A. Aunty was over here to dinner. Dad. Enah and the baby drove down to 39 �church but Dad. & Tim. went over to see Dave. Waddle while Enah went to church. This afternoon I went down town I went around to the Moore's to see if Marj. had come yet but she hadn't. I was there for an hour or two. I went down to meet the five o'clock car and went up to Huby's for tea and part of the evening. I went down and met the nine o'clock car on which Marj. arrived and I spent the rest of the evening up at Mr. Moore's. It has been cloudy with a cool wind and looks stormy. Monday April 8th Frank and Dad. went to the back field this morning and Frank has been disking back there all day, and says it works fine. Dad. went over to see John Wess for awhile but he had gone down to meet Cam. I went up to Ham Thompson's and got a setting of Rock eggs and got him to telephone Neff. to come down here Wednesday night and he said he would tell the rest of the boys to meet and arrange for growing our potatoes. When I got home I went over to Jack's to get a setting from him but they didn't have a setting from the pen I wanted them from so I had to leave my basket. This after noon Dad. and I cleaned up oats Dad. went down to-night and went to hear Mr. Crossley with Aunty on the wickedness of cardplaying and dancing but he didn't care for him so much. It has been cold this after noon with north wind but was nice this morning. Tuesday. April 9th It froze hard last night so Frank didn't go to the back field but plowed all morning in the plum orchard. Dad. and I went to the back field and opened up a ditch along by the woods which was plowed in last fall. This after noon Dad. & Frank went back with two teams to work on the back field. Frank took Belle & Queen and harrowed. I went back with him and helped him get hooked up and then came up and helped Dad. put Harry and Dave together and he went back and disked. Enah went down to a meeting of Mr. Crossley's addressed solely to the ladies but she didn't like it much. I stayed here with Tim and spent most of the after noon grinding up oil-cake in the cider mill. To-night I went down to see Marj. for awhile. It has been cold with a strong north east wind. Wednesday April 10th Frank and I went down town this morning and got our seed potatoes and clover seed. Dad. went back with Harry & Dave and disked and Frank harrowed with Belle & Queen when we got back from town. Frank disked this after noon with Belle & Harry and Dad and I treated enough oats with formaldehyde for smut to sow the back field. To-night Frank and I went 40 �over to Ham Thompson's to a J.F.I.A. meeting but there were not many out. Neff. was down and wanted us to get a plot for our potatoes with both clay & sand in it so that we could run the two experiments, so we decided to go over and have a look at a piece of Lorne Myer's which he thinks will answer the requirements so a committee of Arnold McBride, Ham & I were empowered to go over and look at the plot and decide this week whether we would take it or Taylor's piece. After After we chewed the rag over our potatoes for an hour or so we had a game of cards and some music everybody contributing. It has been cloudy & very cold all day with a strong north east wind and is snowing tonight. Thursday April 11th We didn't do much this morning but ear tag the lambs but that took quite awhile not only to put the labels in but to get them in the right lambs & mark it down. I did the same as last year and put all the lambs down first in a book then started with the oldest and put the smallest number in his ear and so on to the youngest. By putting them all down first it is easier to check off the ones we have done and don't have to catch them in regular order. Art Quanbury yelled at me this morning to tell me that Jack wanted me over there to-day but I couldn't go till noon but was over there all the afternoon. Dad. and Frank ear marked the yearling ewes and rams and got some hay ready to load and bring over to the horsestable. It has been cloudy and windy to-day but not cold. The ground was covered with snow this morning and it is not all melted off by to-night. They moved eight loads of the gas drilling outfit on to Jack Martin's place to-day on the top of the gully hill near the road. Friday April 12th I went over to Lorne Myer's after breakfast this morning and met Ham Thompson and we picked out two half acre plots one clay loam and the other lighter soil which we think will do for our potatoes. Lorne wasn't home but left word for us to pick out what we wanted. I went over Jack's when we got through and worked till noon and then put in the after noon over there. Dad. and Frank moved some hay over to the horse stable this morning and this after noon Frank went down and got the money from Mr. Walker and sent a check to Johnson for his potatoes and clover seed. They plowed some more of the plum orchard. To-night I went down and saw Marj. for awhile. It has been cold and raw all day. Saturday April 13th I went over to Jack's this morning and fed up and then came back and helped Dad. put on a jag of hay for the cow stable. I was over at Jack's all the after noon. Frank finished plowing 41 �the plum orchard this morning and this after noon he and Dad. worked on the back field and got on fairly well. Frank and I went down town to-night and I had my hair cut and hung around town till midnight. The Daylight saving plan came into operation to-night and all the clocks were put on one hour. It is funny to hear the comments of those who uphold and oppose the bill. I am rather in favor of it as I think it will benefit the country as a whole although it may make it a little awkward for us farmers during haying and harvest when there are heavy dews but otherwise I can' t see how it will affect us in the least, but some people, Dad. and Aunty among them can't understand how it is that they aren't going to lose an hour's sleep in the morning, but I think they will find they depend more on the clock than they suppose. It has been a lovely sunny day. Sunday April 14th I didn't get up till seven o'clock (new time) this morning and was too late for Sunday school but Frank went down on his wheel and Enah and I drove down to church, our church ran on new time but the others didn't as they thought the people in the country didn't all know about it. Miss Morgan and Miss Newell came in just as church was over. Elva invited Marj. and me through Enah to go for a motor ride this after noon as Brant Bloodsworth had his father's car down here so we did and had a nice after noon but we got rather tired. I didn't think they were going far but we went to Brantford and a long way out on the Hamilton road from Brantford and didn't get home till nine o'clock. We had a nice time but a little too much of it. Frank and Lila rode their wheels down to the Ward's this after noon and Frank didn't get home till nine o'clock either. Aunty and Aunty Alice were over to dinner and Huby was over here to tea. The Pickford's and Gilbert Lynchs were also over this after noon. Lovely sunny day. Monday April 15th Dad. and Frank have worked both teams on the back field to-day and got it about half drilled in by to-night. I went over to Jack's for a couple of hours this morning and this after noon I did the chores over here at noon so was late getting to Jack's and then spen about half an hour helping to dig a big car out of the mud hole at the corner. The new time makes things later in the morning but its nice at night. Clementine Tupper had a red bull calf this morning and the white ewe had a pair of twins which don't seem very strong, that brings the lamb crop up to twenty four, eleven ewes & thirteen ram lambs. Tuesday April 16th 42 �Dad. finished drilling in the back field this morning and sowed a little piece near the woods broadcast as it was the other side of the ditch which he didn't want to cross. This afternoon he harrowed it over and Frank worked all the after noon on the piece back of the orchard. I put in a little over four hours over at Jack's and spent the rest of the time over at J doing chores. Very cloudy & mild. Wednesday April 17th Dad. and Frank furrowed out the oat field this morning and went down to the mill and got three bushels of barley to mix with oats and sow on the three acres of wheat along the side road as they are sure it is killed completely. On their way home from the mill they came in to Jack's and got three oak blocks which Frank Awde was going to burn on the bonfire as he said they were too tough to split. I was over there most of the morning and part of the after noon, but after dinner I helped Dad. treat the rest of the oats that were cleaned up. Frank went out to plow and got in an hour or two but rain drove him in at five o'clock. To-night I spent the evening with Marj. It has been cloudy all day. Sultry this morning and rainy all the after noon It rained heavily for a couple of hours but when I came home to-night It had stopped. Thursday April 18th I have been over at Jack's most of the day to-day. It has been cloudy and windy but too wet to work on the land but Frank plowed this after noon. He was on the sod east of the lane and says it it is pretty wet. This morning Dad. and Frank docked the rest of the lambs. The white ewes lambs are doing better but she is inclined not to own the youngest one however he gets enough milk some way to keep him satisfied. The Germans are making an awful drive now towards Ypres and have gained some high ground. There is talk now of calling out all the physically fit men in Canada between 20 & 23 and granting no exemptions at all but the bill has not been put through yet. Enah had a letter from Quint today. He has been up to the front line with a machine gun battery but evidently not in any action yet. It snowed again to-night. Friday April 19th Dad. plowed this morning in the sod field back of the orchard and Frank took a shear down to Halloway to be sharpened. This after noon Frank plowed and Art Ryerse came up to get Dad. to go down and see their purebred heifer as she had another fit but when they got down there she was dead. Aunty was over here to dinner to-day. To-night Frank went 43 �down to a dance in the town hall. Tiny & Joe Dyer came home this after noon. It has been cold and cloudy all day. I have been over at Jack's most of the day but a new man came today. Saturday April 20th I went over to Jack's about nine o clock this morning and found the new man, Frank Reid had most of the chores done on this side of the road so I did up most of Chris's for him. This after noon I didn't go back till five o'clock and then went back to show Ried how to feed up and get the eggs in the right pens of the egg baskets. He is just a schoolboy from down near Kingston but doesn't seem like a bad sort. I spent most of the after noon washing the buggy. Frank worked up the plum orchard and Dad. sowed oats on it and I sowed rape seed and then Frank harrowed it. He went out and plowed when he got through. Dad. Enah and the baby drove down town after I got the buggy washed. I worked till dark to-night raking up the lawn and then went over to Jack's and got an egg tester and tested out my two settings and just took out three eggs Sunday April 21st Enah and I walked down to church this morning as it rained hard during the night and this morning and we didn't want to get the buggy dirty. I stayed down and had dinner with Aunty Alice and Aunt Ida but Aunty came over here to dinner with Enah. I spent the after noon and evening with Marj. and had tea at Miss Kerney's. Marj. and I went to church and then walked up to ask after old Mr. Martin who is very sick with pneumonia. Cloudy but mild. Monday April 22nd It rained a little again early this morning and has been cloudy and windy most of the day but looks clearer to-night. It was too wet to do anything on the land so this morning we moved a couple of jags of hay over to the horse stable we didn't put on a full load as we thought the ground was too soft. This after noon Frank and I took a very small jag over to the cow stable and Dad. went over with Cam. McBride to operate on a pig. I got some more raking done on the lawn to-night. Geordie Boughner was in to-night to look at my red steer but only offered me 8½ cts for him so I decided to feed him for another month. Dad. had a letter from Dick to-day saying that intends to resign soon as he is now certain that he will be drafted although he has not had any notice from the Military Authorities yet. He hopes to go and see Granddaddy and spend a week on some ranch out there learning to ride. 44 �Tuesday April 23rd I sowed clover seed on the wheat back of the barn this morning. There doesn't seem to be much chance of any wheat coming but it is clean and so we thought we would take a chance on something coming to shade the clover seed. Dad. and Frank started to plow the old garden one plowed and the other raked the long manure into the furrow. I went over and took Dad's place when I got through sowing and Dad. went over and rolled up some of the barbed wire around the corner field along the front road. This afte rnoon Dad. and Frank plowed all they could of the old garden which was just on top of the knoll as the west and south sides were too wet. When they finished there Dad. went out and rolled up the rest of the wire along the south side of the field and Frank went on plowing along the east side of the field north of the orchard as it was fairly dry. I did up the chores at noon and then raked up the yard where the raspberries are. Enah and Tid. went down town to tea and Dad. Frank and I went down afterwards to go to a show "The Village Doctor" put on by the Jarvis Methodist Bible Class. It was a pretty punk show but they didn't do so badly considering what they had to work on. Tid. seemed to enjoy it. It has been a fine day but raining again to-night. Wednesday April 24th Frank plowed all morning and Dad. took down barbed wire from around the corner field and this after noon Dad. finished up Frank's lands and Frank finished rolling up the wire. I raked up on the lawn all morning and this after noon I did up the chores and then went over to Lorne Myer's to see if our choice of land for potato plots was satisfactory to him, he is very willing to do all he can to help. To-night Dad drove Enah down to choir practice but it was just about over when she got there. Dad. spent the evening quarrelling with Huby about farmers’ position. Huby upholding his favorite contention that the farmer's were making more money than anyone else, which being untrue and Huby's arguments so foolish made Dad. mad. Cloudy and cold raw wind. Freezing hard to-night. Thursday April 25th I spent the morning finishing raking the lawn and working at my rose bushes. Dad. plowed the headlands of the field north of the orchard as the west side of the field is too wet yet to plow. This after noon Frank harrowed with Queen & Belle on the fall plowing and Dad. disked up the old garden with Harry & Dave. Then I took his team and disked on the field and he helped Enah put in some onion sets. Aunty Alice and Dess were over here to tea and I went 45 �down with them this evening to go to a sidesmans meeting at the Rectory but was the only one there so just sat there and visited with Mr. & Mrs. Johnson and Mrs. Top. Dunkin who had come down from Vittoria with Mr. Johnson he has 6 acres up there which he and Top. are raising vegetables on. Frank and I went to the mill this morning and got some chop to finish off my big steer with. Sunny but raw. Friday April 26th Dad. and Frank disked and harrowed back of the orchard and this after noon Dad. drilled in all the oats we had cleaned up which sowed all of the fall plowing but not quite all of the oat stubble. Frank harrowed after the drill. I spent the morning doing a few chores and cleaning out the rest of my rose bushes and mulching them. This after noon I planted some Irish Cobbler potatoes out in the old garden. I went down town to-night. Cloudy but mild. Saturday April 27th This morning Dad. and Frank ran out the ditches in the piece Dad. drilled yesterday and then Frank started to disk up the three acres along the side road where we put wheat last fall but on which there is not a sign of anything alive except the grass on a few sods here and there. Frank didn't get all over it by noon but says it works up like a garden. Dad. cleaned out some ditches while I planted a few more potatoes and then we cleaned up what few seed oats we had left about four or five bushels. After dinner Dad. took Joe & Queen and the drill and Frank took Belle & Harry. Dad. harrowed till Frank got through disking and then drilled the piece in with oats & barley mixed half & half. Frank harrowed after the drill and Dad. went out after he brought his team & the drill up and they ran out the furrows finishing about seven. I spent most of the after noon chasing after the sheep which wouldn't stay in the gully but wandered all over the farm and putting and planing potatoes. I now have about five rows planted the length of the old garden and the sixth one started. Very warm and rather sultry to-day. Sunday April 28th Frank and I went down to church this morning and Aunty and Marj. came over to dinner. This after noon Aunty, Marj. & Tid. And I went to the woods and got a great lot of mayflowers and Spring beauties and a few adder tongues, the trilliums are not out yet. The flowers are very thick back there and are big and a great variety of colours. Jim and Mrs. Waddle were here when we got back and Dad. said Ham and Bert Thompson had been here. Frank was down at the Ryerse's on his wheel. Enah, Aunty, Marj. and I went down to 46 �Aunty's for tea. Aunty Alice had been down seeing Lila off as she went up to Lynn Valley on the five car and is going to start working for Chris Quanbury to-morrow. We all went to church to-night except Aunty and Aunt Ida and Perce Kindree & I assumed our duties as sidesmen. After church Marj. and I went down with Aunty Alice as Marj. had left some flowers down there. I got home before Frank as he had gone to Simcoe on the car with young Lampkins and Crosby. It has been very warm all day with a south breeze but it rained a little shower to-night. Monday April 29th Frank has been plowing all day on the five acre north of the orchard and thinks he can finish it to-morrow. Dad. went over first thing to see if he could get some barley from Jack. And saw Billy Mills who said they had a little but didn't know whether they would have six bushels more than enough for themselves but I went over and helped him clean it up and he decided that he could let us have our six bushels. Dad. Tid and I went after it right after dinner and then Dad. went down to Sam's and borrowed his disk drill and drilled till about seven o'clock on the wheat back of the barn. It was in beautiful shape and the disk drill hardly cut out any wheat but as he didn't have it set in very deep it didn't all cover. He didn't get all the field in as it began to rain before dark, so there is the little piece west of the ditch unsowed. Young Leo Mitchell was in this afternoon to have Dad. lance a big lump on his mare's breast. Fine day, a little shower to-night. Tuesday April 30th Frank plowed all morning and got the field done except for finishing up the last lands and Dad. finished them up this after noon. Dad. decided not to sow barley on the knoll west of the ditch as the wheat is pretty good in spots on it and we thought we would leave it for the sake of comparison; so we took the barley out of the drill and Dad. took it home. When he got back he disked with Joe & Queen till noon and this after noon Frank took them and disked. A Mr. Broadley from Charlotteville came in just before dinner with a big grey Percheron stallion and he stayed here to dinner. The stallion was "Jason" the one Chart Wooley bought at Yeager's sale, this Broadley has just bought him from Chart and wants to travel him down this way. He is the same one that Stinhoff had through here last year and didn't leave many colts. I did odd jobs & chores all day. Neil Elliott was in this after noon and looked at my big steer and offered me 10 cts for him now, but I didn't sell him. Sunny & cool. Wednesday May 1st 47 �Frank and I worked on the five acre field pretty much all day and have gone over it twice with the disk lengthways and twice with the harrows the same way and Frank started over it with the disks crossways. Dad. did chores and cleaned out ditches all day and to-night just before tea went over to Quanbury's and bagged up six bags of oats to sow, where we are working now. After tea the Quanbury boys brought their flat rack and the oats over here and left them as we want the flat rack to sheer sheep on. I went down town to-night. It has been sunny but very cold north wind all day. Thursday May 2nd Frank disked the field north of the orchard crossways this morning getting over it by a little after twelve but he didn't lop the disks half. Dad. and I sawed up one of the old oak limbs and then cleaned up the oats that the Quanbury boy's brought over. This after noon I harrowed with Queen & Dave and Dad. started to drill with Harry and Belle. We hoped to have been through seeding to-night but Dad. ran out of seed so we had to stop. Frank went down town and got a board at the Widespread and spent the afternoon making a woolpressing box. Pickford came over to-night to borrow the clover seeder and was here all the evening. Not cold but very strong south west wind. Friday May 3rd Dad and I cleaned up what few oats we had in the bin this morning and Dad. finished drilling the field before dinner but it took him till night to get it all harrowed and furrowed out. We are now through seeding. I spent the morning fixing up a coop to put my little chickens in and cleaning up the back yard. Frank went out and pulled all the posts out around the cornerfield cleaned out his bee hives and put them away (as the bees are all dead) and worked some more on the wool box, when Dad. was ready he went out and helped him run the ditches. Neff was in the after noon with some of the potatoes for the J.F.I.A. plot and I went with him over to Lorne Myer's Lorne wasn't home but we left the potatoes there and had a look at the land. Neff said it was alright. To-night I rode Queen up to Ham Thompson's to see about spraying. Dess was over after tea to-night. She and Dad. each got a letter from Dick who expects to be home in a couple of weeks. He wants to get in the Navy but Head Office ordered him to report for accountant at Imperial. Sask. but the manager told him it wasn't worth his while. Fine day. Saturday May 4th 48 �We expected to start in first thing this morning and shear the sheep, but when we went to take the horse clipping attachment off to put the sheep shearers on we couldn't do it. The directions with the machine said to put a screwdriver between the cogs and jerk the handle backward and we tried that several times but were afraid of breaking the little cogs in fact we did chip a couple of them. Art Quanbury came in and tried it but couldn't do any better so at last Frank took it down to Mr. James. He worked at it for an hour than advised Frank to take it up to the garage. The fellow up there and old Hamaker couldn't take it off but when George Gamble came in and did according to directions aparently the same as all the rest had tried it came off in a minute. He seems to be a regular wizzard with machinery. Frank didn't get home till after noon so it was late when we got started and Rus Lampkins was in for quite awhile so we only got the white ewe and the old ram sheared. This morning Dad. and I cleaned out the worst ditch in the oat field across the gully and I moved the little chickens down into their outside coops. I have just twelve out of each setting. Frank went down town to-night. Rus. Lampkins took the inch pipe he left here two or three years ago for the sink. Cloudy morning but fine day. Sunday May 5th We all went to church this morning. Frank Enah and I walked down and Dad. & Tim drove down. Frank and I drove Joe home and the rest stayed down at Aunty's for dinner. I helped Frank do chores and then hooked Queen up and took Marj. for a drive. We drove down the lake shore and took Mr. Moore some provisions. He seemed very glad to see us and took us in and showed their house and the farm. They have 19 acres in. I picked Winnie up on the way home and she was over here to tea and I walked down with her after tea but was too late for church. I met Marj. after church and spent the evening with her. It has been warm and sunny all day and feels as if it would rain. We would be glad to see a rain now as things are getting pretty dry. Monday May 6th We have been shearing all day but only got eight done, we didn't get started very early and made better time with last few. Jack Walker was over this after noon to get some elms for Gus to set out in front of his house. I went back with him to the woods and we got four. Tonight I got the lawn mower out of winter quarters but didn't have time to cut much lawn before dark. Very warm. Tuesday May 7th 49 �We have been at the shearing all day again to-day and only got eight sheep done. Mr. Broadley and Jason were in again for dinner and he sheared a couple for us one with the machine and one with the shears. He likes the shears best and made better time with them. Ham Thompson was in too while he was here. He came to tell me that the spraying was all off as it was too late now. Dad. had a letter from Dick from Regina enclosing the check for his trunk which is at the station now. He said the whole town of Cadillac was at the station to see him off. They had a surprise party for him at which they intended presenting him with a wrist watch but as it didn't come for the occasion, they will ship it to Dover for him. A letter addressed to him also came here from the Registrar of Saskatchewan saying that he had transferred Dick's name to the Toronto Registrar and for Dick to see him as soon as possible. Enah sent the letter to Ray as Dick intends to stay in Toronto a day or two before he comes home. I cut more of the lawn to-night. It was raining when we got up this morning has been very warm all day and although sunny at times rained several times quite heavily. Wednesday May 8th We sheared sheep all day and got 9 done to-day which was a slight improvement. We only have three left now to shear. To-night I went down town and Marj. and I went to the Presbyterian Church to hear Mr. Fulton Presbyterian Minister in Simcoe give a talk on Ireland which wasn't bad. Frank and Enah drove down and Enah went to Choir practice but there weren't enough there to have any. Fair & cooler. No ink in the house. Thursday May 9th We finished shearing the sheep this morning but it took us till noon. This after-noon Frank and I took down the piece of wire fence which we had along the potato patch back of the barn last year and put it between the orchard and the plum orchard so that we could let the sheep in the orchard. Tom came in just as we got that done and wanted us to clip Maude so Dad. Tom and I clipped her and Frank went down town and got some oil and when he got back he disked up last year's potato patch back of the barn and when we got Maud clipped he and Dad. went out to plow the old garden. Winnie & Dess came over this after noon and were here to tea. Alex Jameson was in too for a short visit. Tom brought Dick's trunk over for us so saved us a trip down with the waggon. Brant Bloodsworth & Elva came over after tea in the car and took the girls home and Enah & Tid for a ride. Brant. left the bank to-day and has to report in Brantford on Monday, he has got into the Flying Corps. Neff came over in his car this after noon and brought us the twine for our wool which he promised to send us. Dad. had a letter from Dick to-day from Toronto saying he would be 50 �home in a day or two, he couldn't get into the Navy, but is going to try the Aviation or Artillery. To-night Frank and I drove Queen over to Lorne Myers for a drive around the block. Fine growing day. Friday May 10th I spent most of the morning tying up the wool. Frank and Dad. went out to finish plowing the old garden but it began to rain so they had to come in and Frank helped me with the wool. Art. Quanbury came over at noon to borrow the clippers as he wanted to shear his sheep and Frank went over with him and sheared the first one. It was very windy and rather cold this after noon so we didn't haul any hay as we intended but when Frank came home we put the wool in the big sack they sent us from the Association. I had to get in and tramp it and we had a hard job putting the thirty fleeces in but we did but couldn't get the bundle of tags in so will have to send them separately. To-night Dad. went down town with Aunty Alice's milk and Frank and I spent the evening over at the gas well. Dad. wasn't home when we went to bed, and we were very surprised to be wakened soon after we were asleep by no less a personage than old Dick, he had come in on the seven o'clock car and had come home with Dad. He. Dad. and Enah sat up till after midnight, Dick telling them of his life since he left. He evidently had some good times in the West and is very much in love with the Prairies. He hasn't enlisted yet nor been drafted. He hoped to see Joe Dyer here as he is to be in command of three batteries of artillery in Toronto, but he has just left for Chicago for a week. Saturday May 11th We moved a pretty good load of hay over the horse stable this morning and took a small jag to the cow stable. We were delayed while putting it on by the cattle breaking down a post of the barnyard fence and getting into the wheat. There was one piece about 2 yards square of fairly good wheat and they trimmed it right to the ground. Aunty came over to dinner and this afternoon Dad. Dick. Aunty & Tim all went down town and Dad. fixed up the walks and the bay-window bed down home. Dick didn't come back to tea and stayed down town all night. Frank and I went back to the gully this after noon and started to take down the crossfence as it has become so delapitated that it is past fixing. We got the wire off and rolled on this side of the creek but didn't get much done at the other side. We went back to the woods to see our ginseng and golden-seal. The Ginseng is not up yet but the Golden seal looks fine. Frank caught a snapping turtle back there and took it over to Henry at the gas well as he eats them. We saw a big flock a hundred or more of American 51 �Goldfinches back in the gully. It seemed as if they had just come. To-night Frank and I went down town and I got my hair cut. Sunny morning but rainy after noon. Sunday May 12th It was raining when we got up this morning and rained pretty much all morning but cleared off for the after noon but was showery again all the evening. Enah and I drove down to church and I drove Enah home after church and then drove back to the top of Marshall's hill and picked Dick and Dess up who had started to walk over to dinner. After dinner Dick took our picture and then I went down town I had tea at Aunty's and went to church with her and spent the evening learning Latin from Marj. Dad. drove Dick and Dess part way down town soon after I left and they went to Brantford on the five car to see Musa and came back on the eleven. I waited till the car came in but not till Dick {illegible} come. Monday May 13th We have spent the whole day working at the fence around the corner field. We took the team and waggon out this morning and gathered up all the wire, short posts and rubbish along the fence bottom and measured off where our anchor post at the north west corner has to go. Frank borrowed Jack's chain this morning when he went over to get the seven ducks that Jack hatched for him. Dick came over right after dinner and as he was going to Toronto to-night to see if he could get into the Artillery we sat around for awhile after dinner talking to him, and about three or half past Dad. drove him down town to catch the train. There was notice of a registered parcel for him in the mail and it proved to be a dandy wrist watch which his friends in Cadillac had sent him. Frank and I went on surveying the fence while Dad. was down town and when he came back he brought the team out and started to plow a ridge along the front road for a fence bottom. They had to stop working at the gas well to-night as they have run out of rope. It has been cool and rather cloudy. Tuesday May 14th We have been all day at the fence again to-day and Dad. got the ridge for the fence bottom plowed all the way around the field. It kept Frank and me pretty busy setting stakes and making sure of the measurements. We grafted a couple of small wild apple trees on the road, just to see what we could do Walt Demming and Geordie Boughner were in this after noon to look at the red steer but only offered me $75 for him Niel was in yesterday and offered me $80. I asked $85 for him and if I don't get it I wont sell him. To-night I caught the 52 �cat which we have caught twice stealing my little chickens and took her down to the pond or at least the creek and drowned her. Fine day. Wednesday May 15th This morning Dad. and I went back to fix the gully fence while Frank took the two plow shears down to be sharpened and to have something done to his teeth. After dinner Frank and I took a load of manure over to our potato patch at Lorne Myers. We were over there quite awhile and got some more stuff at the mill for the calves and Frank's ducks so it was about half past four when we got home. We put on a load of manure and took it back to the sand knoll across the gully where we had the turnips last year and where we hope to have some potatoes this year Dad and Enah were working in the garden till we came home and then Dad. came back and he and Frank fixed a little more of the gully fence while I threw the last of the load off and brought the team up. To-night I went down town and learned Latin. Lorne Myers said to-day he thought he could have our plots ready to plant by Saturday so we are going to try it. Fine day but cold breeze. Thursday May 16th Frank and I hauled four loads more back over the gully this morning and one this after noon which covered the patch. Dad. finished fixing the gully fence and went back to John Wesses and borrowed his spud and spoon to dig anchor post holes. This after noon Dad. let the cattle back. When Frank and I got through hauling manure back over the gully, they we hauled a load out to the old garden to put on east of the currant bushes. It was a big load and Frank got stuck going through a wet place so we had to throw part of it off. He and Dad. started to plow the rest of the old garden and I started to dig an anchor post hole, but we quit early so that Frank and I could get started out to notify the J.F.I.A. members of our intention of planting potatoes on Saturday and to invite them all to help. I took Joe and the saddle and went north as far as Butlers and Frank went east on his wheel and the ones we didn't get the others will telephone. All I saw said they would come in the after noon anyway except Willard Butter and he said he couldn't. He and his brother have 160 they are trying to farm as old Nate is not able to work so the doctor told him and the oldest brother has just been drafted. Karl and Fred Coleman were over this morning and offered me $85 if I kept him for two weeks so I let him go. Mary presented us with another clear red heifer calf to-night. This was Dad's & Enah's 12th wedding {Toby made a squiggle and an arrow pointing to this comment in the margin :"Wavy lines denote intense drowsiness"} anniversary so Aunty and Aunty Alice were over to tea. Fine day, not much breeze. Very hot. 53 �Friday May 17th I went up to Ham Thompson's first thing this morning as Frank said he intended to spray his orchard for second spray but when I got up there and told him that we wouldn't have time to spray our orchard, he decided that he didn't either so I came home. I sowed clover seed on the three acres by the side road when I got home and then went over to Lorne Myer's to help him get the formalin solution ready and start treating the seed potatoes so as to have some ready to cut to-morrow. Dad. and Frank plowed the rest of the old garden to-day. This after noon we plowed in some potatoes in the sod east of the current bushes. Frank went down town soon after dinner to have his gum lanced where a wisdom tooth is coming and which has been very sore all day. Neff came in about five o'clock and got me to go over to Myer's to help him measure out the plots. He decided we wouldn't have enough seed for and acre so made the plots quite a lot smaller. Frank went down to Glen Ryerse's to-day to see if he could get some strawberry plants but couldn't. They seem to be very scarce. Fine day and hot. Saturday May 18th Frank and I went over to Lorne Myer's first thing after breakfast and have been over all day as we took our lunch. We got all our potatoes planted and were through by six o'clock. Frank and I were the first ones there and Neff .Tige McBride & Tick Nunn and Lloyd Crysler came soon after. We cut potatoes and measured off the plots all morning and Lorne cultivated and ran the furrows for us. Neff and Tick didn't come back after dinner but the others did and a big force besides consisting of Rolson, Charlie Blake, Ham Thompson, Leo Challand, Willie Nixon, Charlie Shand, Charlie Stitt and Eldon Crosbie also Arnold Myers and Alex England. It didn't take us long to plant and cover them but we had far more seed than enough to sow the plots that Neff marked out so we had to take about half as much land again and get Lorne to run us some more furrows. Dad. Enah, Tid & Frank went down town to-night. Sunday May 19th Enah and I drove down to church this morning and left Frank and Dad pasturing the sheep on the lawn. Enah stayed down at her mother's to dinner so Frank, Dad. and I had dinner alone. Right after dinner I hooked Queen up and Marj. and I went for a drive up above Fisher's Glen. Dad. was very disgusted at me when I got home as he had spent two hours this morning trimming the long hair off Queen's legs and ears and I never noticed it. Ed. 54 �Moon was over here to tea and had been reading Dad. his diary which he kept all the time he was in the Army. I hurried around, had tea before the rest and went down to church. I was late but went in and heard a Mr. Trivet who has been a missionary in Honan, China. He was very interesting. A Mr. Anderson from. Waterford was here this morning and he had been in India for quite awhile. I spent the evening with Marj. Sunny and hot but nice breeze. Monday May 20th We spent a couple of hours this morning with Billy and Pommers as Dad. trimmed their feet and pulled out some milk teeth out of each of them. Then I went out and finished digging the anchor post hole which I began the other day. This after noon I dug another one and got to within about a foot of the bottom of the third and last one. I would just about finished it but I put another crack in the handle of John Wesses spoon so had to take a half an hour off to wind it, however the last foot always takes longer to dig than all the rest. I am using John Wesses spud and spoon so that I won't have to dig a great big hole. Before dinner Dad. and Frank got the manure spreader all oiled up and did a little more disking and fixing up this end of the lane. Dad. got it all plowed on Saturday. This after noon they hauled out eleven loads of manure on the corn ground getting about half the pile at the cow stable out there. Aunty was over for awhile this after noon and told Enah our dipping tank was at the station. John Shand was also over for a visit. Fine day and hot. Tuesday May 21st Dad. and Frank hauled out manure all morning and got the shed at the cow stable all cleaned out. I went out to finish the anchor post hole but the colts had got into the back field so I had to go and put them out and cut a pole in the woods to put across the gap for a top bar. As the span is about fifteen feet I had to cut one with a good sized butt. The first one I got was too short and the second one was so heavy, it was all I could do to drag it out of the woods and up the hill. I had a chance, though, to look at my ginseng which is coming up. I then went back and finished the post hole before dinner. This after noon Frank, Tid. and I went down town in the waggon with Joe & Queen & got our dipping tank and five cement tiles one of which broke all to pieces coming home as it was only a month old. Dad. wanted them to put across the lane gate in the barnyard. We had to go back down to the mill after we unloaded our tank & tile to get some feed oats and one of our barrells to treat potatoes in which Lorne Myers brought down to the mill for us. When we got them home we took two of the locust anchor posts and a couple of brace posts out to the field. Tonight Frank and I hooked up Queen and drove up to Saville's this side of Lynn Valley as old 55 �Broadley who was here at noon said he had some strawberry plants but he hadn't, however we called in at Trinder's on our way home and he said he could let us have three hundred if we came after them in the morning. We got home soon after ten and I was just going to bed when Dick came in, he had come up on the nine car. We sat around and talked for an hour or more. He told us that Joe Syer was going to get him into the Artillery but had given him till Saturday morning to come home, they then expect to go to Petewawa and he doesn't think he will be able to get home till they go overseas. He brought us up a package of Cooper's dipping powder with about a bushel of booklets pertaining to sheep He says he had a whale of a time in Toronto. Fine day. Wednesday May 22nd Frank went up after the strawberry plants as soon as he could this morning and got back before dinner with three hundred. We didn't got started very early as a very heavy thunderstorm came up about breakfast time and lasted for about half an hour or more. Marie & George Ryerse were on their way to school and came in here till it was over and Alan Law also brought his team in. He had been hauling water for the gas well and he empties it into the ditch just above the culvert as they have it dammed. This morning he was in the shack letting the water run out of his tank when a flash of lightening scared his team and they started up the road so he brought them in here till it was over. It didn't rain hard enough to keep Dad. from plowing so he plowed the rest of the morning and I went back to the woods and cut about 100 stakes for tomato plants. I just cut bass wood as they are no particular good in the woods. This after noon we all went out to the old garden to set out the strawberry plants. Dad. disked the piece and rolled it. I made the holes and Frank and Enah planted. Dad. went back to the corn ground and plowed as soon as we started planting and when we finished about four we went over to plant potatoes on the sandy ridge that runs through the cornfield from the lane to Ben's fence. Enah helped us out and Frank and I planted in every third furrow as Dad. plowed. We got four rows the full length of the field planted by six o'clock but have a lot of seed left yet. To-night I went down town. It has been hot all day and to-night a very heavy thunderstorm came up but only lasted about half an hour. Dick was over to dinner and I went into Aunty's on my way home to see if he was coming over to-night but he was going to have a bath and stay down all night. I sat there and talked for about an hour so was pretty late getting home. I got Dad. some tobacco to-night although he says he has decided to quit smoking till the war is over as he only gets two very small plugs of Briar for a quarter now that they have begun taxing luxurys but I thought he had better have it handy. 56 �Thursday May 23rd Frank and I planted three more rows of potatoes this morning in the cornfield and Dad. plowed them in. When we finished we went back to the gully and pulled out the posts that were in the old crossfence and got the wire coild from the south gully fence to about the middle. This after noon Frank and Dad. started to haul out manure but when they went to oil up they found some springs all bent in one of the drive wheels so Frank drove up to Simcoe to get new ones. He also got some Hydrated Lime and Bluestone to make Bordeaux mixture to spray potatoes. Dad. plowed and Tid and I went back to the gully. Tid to catch frogs & pollywogs and I to fill up the old post holes and take down more wire but I didn't get very much done as I had a pain all the after noon which made me feel sick and sort of weak. I felt all right after tea but thought I wouldn't go to the Hard Time dance which the Women's Institute put on. Frank and Dick both went and I drove Frank down and as it was a beautiful moonlight night went around and took Marj. for a very short drive as it was late when I got down. It has been a fine day sunny with cool breeze. Friday May 24th We didn't get started at anything very early this morning and were delayed by Charlie Quanbury's team getting away from him while he was hooking them up. They came up this road and we went out to stop them. While out there Art Ryerse came along with Glen with some asparagus for us and came in to see Knockfierna which he thought was a dandy. Just as he was leaving Ed. Nunn came in after him, I don't know what for unless it was to go fishing. Frank and Dad. got five loads of manure out before dinner and two after dinner and finished cleaning out the box stalls. I went out and hoed the strawberrys and some of the potatoes which are just coming up. Dick and Dess were over to dinner and about three o'clock we hooked up to the waggon and all went down to see Dick off on the 4.30 train for Toronto as he has to report to-morrow to Joe Dyer. Dess, Win Frances & two McBride girls went down to Jarvis with him. Dad. Frank & Enah & Tid came right home after the train went out and Dad. and Frank went out to work in the old garden till tea and Enah went to call on Mrs. Zealand. I went up to see L.G. Morgan and find out what I could about the Dicky Stephen's "Sheep Pasture", but he referred me to Slaght in Simcoe as he is administrator. Frank sent in his name, age & address to the Military Registrar in Toronto to-day according to the regulations in the proclamation just issued ordering all men over 19 to register. I saw several cars going down the side road bristling with fish poles to-day and there were quite a lot of people in town celebrating. The "City of Dover" was also running excursions this after noon. It has been a beautiful day. 57 �Saturday May 25 Dad. and Frank started to haul out manure this morning and I went over to hoe what potatoes I could find up but about ten o'clock it began to rain so we all had to quit. Enah was out in the old garden too setting out cabbage plants. It didn't rain very hard and Dad. put on an old waterproof and went out and set out the rest of the cabbage plants till noon. I wrote in this and fooled around figuring on the size of a board to paint a sign on for the J.F.I.A. potato patch. Frank made staples for cement posts. This afternoon we decided to dip the sheep and it took the best part of the after noon to get ready. We put Art's flat rack on the barn floor and put the tank in the shed so that we could walk the sheep from the platform into the tank at the other end of the tank we put the waggon with the tail gate and front end taken out so that the drip would run down into a tub at the far end. We used ¾ of the package of Coopers dipping powder with 75 gallons of water but should have had 100 gallons to cover the old sheep. We didn't get started till about four o'clock so were late getting through. We dipped the lambs first and gave them all a good soaking It made them beautifully white with a yellowish tinge and soon after they were dipped the ticks began to come out to the end of the wool. They were all badly infested and should have been dipped before. The dip only came about halfway up on the old sheep but they stood well and we poured it over their backs and as their wool is so short they got well soaked and there were scarcely any ticks on them anyway. It was heavy work handling the old ones and I was very tired to-night. Cruikshank the Massey-Harris agent from Simcoe was in this after noon for a long time to look at the binder as something was wrong with it. Frank showed him around. He is also agent for the Confederation Life Insurance Co. and Frank took out a policy. By the time we got the chores all done to-night it was nearly ten o'clock so I had a bath and went right to bed. Fine all the after noon but rained again towards evening. Sunday May 26th It began to rain quite early this morning and it developed into about the heaviest thunderstorm we have had and kept it up till nearly noon. I got all ready for church but it was raining so hard at the time to start that I didn't go but stayed home and read all morning. I went down right after dinner and spent the afternoon with Marj. About five o'clock she and I went down to Auntys for tea as they had asked me to bring her down to see the white cactus which has to beautiful blossoms. When we got there Dad. was there just ready to take Aunty and Aunty Alice up to the cemetry and it was late when we got through tea but Aunty. Marj. and I went to church. We came back down to Aunty's after church and spent the evening down there. Dad. Enah and Tid stayed up at Huby's for tea. 58 �Monday May 27th We hauled out manure all day to-day but didn't get started very early Frank went down town to get some oil this morning and I helped Dad. haul out all morning and cut lawn while he was out in the field. Frank hoed the potatoes till noon after he got home from town. Dad. and I got out five six loads. This after noon Frank and Dad. hauled out and got out 12 loads. I finished cutting the lawn after dinner and then Enah and I set out some tomato plants. I quit at six o'clock and went up to Simcoe on the 7 car to see Slaght about the Dicky Stephen's place. He says he has full power to dispose of it and may be able to make an agreement with me, but he has to come down first to estimate the value of it. Cloudy and hot all day. Tuesday May 28th Dad. and Frank hauled out manure all morning and finished covering the field. This after noon Dad. Plowed. I set out more tomato plants this morning and finished two rows making about 175 plants and leaving a few in the cold frame for Huby and Aunty Alice. When I got through I went back to the woods and got a few of the stakes I cut but as they were too limber to drive in I got John Wesses spud and made a hole beside each plant with it. I finished that after dinner and about four o'clock Frank and I went back to John Wesses with Joe & Queen and took his spud & spoon home. Frank had been disking while I was making the holes. We bred Belle to-day. Cloudy & warm. Wednesday May 29th Dad. plowed all morning and most of the after noon but it began to rain about four o'clock so he had to quit. It rained from then till about dark but not very hard. Frank and I put on a load of straw this morning and Dad. hauled it over to the drive house at noon and we put it off right after dinner. We spent most of the morning back in the gully taking the wire off the crossfence and rolling itt we got it all done by noon. We went back to the woods at noon and got a few of the tomato stake and carried them to the top of the gully hill but they got too heavy to lug any farther. We had them on a hickory pole and each had one end of the pole. Cruikshanks, the machine and insurance agent was down to see Frank this morning and left his cane here so he and the District agent for the Confederation Life Co. were in again while Frank and I were putting off the straw and induced me to take out a 20 year endowment policy for $1000. I didn't pay anything down on it but told them I would in a week or so. If I can ever raise the money for the premiums I guess its a good thing. When they left, Frank and I went out to the side road to dig post holes but Pickford came over to 59 �visit us and it began to rain so we had to hike for his barn and only got two posts set. I went down town to-night and stayed all night at Aunty Alice's, she and Aunt Ida were over here to-dinner to-day. Aunty is in London. Thursday May 30th Dad. has plowed all day to-day. Frank and I intended going on with the fence but Ham Thompson came after me to help him put on the third spray so I have been up there all day not getting home till nearly eight o'clock. I was up this morning at five and Aunty Alice insisted on getting up and giving me my breakfast before I came home. Frank pulled all the steeples and let the fence down to the ground around the pasture in front of the house and threw sod in the low places so that the sheep couldn't crawl underneath. No wind to-day warm and rainy looking. Friday May 31st Frank and I went up to Ham's first thing this morning with Joe & Queen and got the spray outfit. We stopped in on the way home at the mill and got some feed for the calves and chickens and I paid $65.00 on my account as Karl came yesterday and got my steer and gave Frank the money for him. When we got home we sewed up the wool sack as I got a letter from Neff saying they were going to start a car loading here on Monday to go to Guelph. He wants one of us to be at the car till it goes out. Dad. plowed till noon and then helped us spray. We got over all the trees but couldn't do the north east side very well on account of the wind. We only put on tank of spray on It didn't seem to have the force to it that it should. We got through about half past four and Dad. went on out to plow and Frank and I took the sprayer back. After tea to-night Dad. & Enah went out to work in the garden and Frank and I let the sheep out in the lane and put up barricades so that they couldn't go on the lawn, I washed off the buggy. A good many people are very anxious these days over the war news as the Germans have started another desperate drive towards Paris on a front between Soissons & Rheims The French are holding the outskirts of both cities but the Germans have got nearly to the Marne in the centre but Allied reserves are coming in fast. They finished drilling to-night and struck a dry hole. Saturday June 1st I spent most of the day to-day hoeing in the garden. The potatoes are all up nicely now so I got them and the strawberries and tomatoes all hoed. Dad. plowed all morning and after dinner went over to the garden to get the harrows so while he was there he hooked Belle to 60 �the little straight toothed cultivater of Ben's and I helped him cultivate the garden. He harrowed the parts where nothing is planted and where the last potatoes are not up yet. He then went and plowed till six. Frank has had Joe. & Queen on the disks and roller all day on the corn ground. To-night Frank and I went down town and I met Marj. and Clara Garrie a friend of hers from Toronto who came in on the eleven car and is going to stay over the King's birthday. Very hot and very windy all day. Sunday June 2nd Enah and I drove down to church this morning and Frank walked down. This after noon I hooked Queen up and took Marj. and Miss Garrie for a drive down the Lake Shore. We came back past here and I put Queen in and we walked over to see Jack's chickens and then on down town around by the mill. I stayed at the Moore's to tea. We didn't go to church tonight but went down to the beach for awhile. Dad. and the baby went down to Aunty's this after noon. Stace Lowrie was in to see if he could get pasture for his old mare. Cloudy and cooler. Monday June 3rd Frank went down town right after breakfast to find out about the wool car and found that there was one for the wool at the L.E.&N. siding on Main St. so we went down with our wool and Quanbury's. We found England, Paw & Sidway had all been there with their wool. Frank took the team home and I stayed at the car as Neff asked me to be there to see that all the tickets were on all right. I stayed there till after dinner and didn't have anything to do as there were only about a dozen brought wool so I slept and studied Latin all fore noon and went without dinner. I went down to the station to get Ham Thompson's & Art Quanbury's freight bills about half past one and when I got back I found Billy M cNeilly there and he said the freight had been in and gone out again without taking our car. I don't understand it as Neff said it was to go out at 2.30. Dad. has plowed on the corn ground all day and Frank had worked the little team on the disks till I came home then I took them and he sprayed the potatoes with the Bordeaux mixture which he prepared this morning. To-night John James & family motored in having come in this after noon from Courtright, they went back down town for the night. Tuesday June 4th Dad. plowed corn ground all day but didn't quite finish. I disked with the little team all day. Frank went down town this morning and got Dad. a plow shear and got his hair cut. John. 61 �James and his family were all here to dinner and so was Mr. Broadley. After dinner they all went down to the greenhouse and Enah and Frank went with them. Very cool to-day & tonight. Wednesday June 5th I spent the morning planting five rows of mangel seed out in the old garden. I tried a scheme of Uncle Wards of planting five one or two seeds in a place about a foot apart, but it is too slow to do much of a patch. This after noon Frank and I took the little team and hauled out a load and a half of manure and put a good lot in between the tomatoes, a shovelfull to a plant. We also mixed up a lot of it with the soil in ten hills where we intend to plant some watermelons. We have never grown any before and it may be too late for them but we had lots of room so thought we would try them. Dad. finished plowing the corn ground. I went down town to-night. Thursday June 6th It has been a rainy day with very short intervals of sun shine. It rained quite heavily early this morning and has been drizzly the rest of the time. We put on a load of hay this morning and took it over to the horse stable. Alfred Ryerse was up to ask Dad. about a sick cow. Dad got his culvert fixed in the barnyard across the lane gate where there has always been a bad mud-hole. This after noon Frank and I put the shop all in the barn to pick out some yearlings to sell in case anyone comes of them but we only found two that we thought it wise to let go now one very small one and the one that didn't have milk enoug to raise a lamb, she is a decendant of the white ewe and few of her stock are up to much the best of the ewes all being descended from old Lop-Ear. When we got through with them we went over and got our bundle of tomato stakes and put them in Dad. hoed over in the garden most of the after noon. To-night Frank and I went down town to see Jack Pickford at the show in "The Varmint." Win & Marj. went with us. It was pretty good. Thursday Friday June 7th Frank and I went up to Ham Thompson's with a heifer this morning. Ham said he would come down to morrow after noon and plant our corn for us as Dad. thinks we can have it ready by then. I shelled corn all day after I got back from Ham's. The three bushels in the crates on the cob made about a bushel and a half of shelled corn. Dad. and Frank cut down a dead apple tree in the orchard this after morning and this after noon worked both teams on the corn ground. To-night Frank and I went over to Lorne Myer's to hoe the J.F.I.A. 62 �potatoes. Nixon Blake. Roleson and Charlie Stitt were the only others there but we got one patch the sandy one all hoed, if there had been more out we would have got them all hoed. Sunny but very cold west wind all day. Saturday June 8th Dad. and Frank worked both teams on the corn ground all day and have it very nice shape. I went over to Quanbury's this morning and borrowed their seed drill and sowed ten rows of mangels in the cornfield just north of the potatoes. I sowed one pound of seed which we had and then got another half pound from Quanbury's and sowed it. Ham Thompson came at noon and planted corn with the machine all the after noon but didn't finish but says he will come back, Monday. The machine is certainly a rig. It is the first one we ever saw work and it is hard to believe that the rows will be in line crossways but Ham says they will. I cut most of the lawn this after noon . To-night Frank and I went down town for a little while. Cold wind all day and a white frost last night. Sunday June 9th Frank and I went to Sunday School this morning as Jack asked me last yesterday if I couldn't get down, just as we got there we saw Jack leaving in a car with two fellows, however Aunty Maude took the class. Tid went down to Sunday School with me he said he liked it fine. Dad. and Enah drove down to church and brought Miss Phipps with them. Dad. was going to go home again to put the sheep in as some of them were out when he left, but I came home and put them in and then brought Joe back for them to drive home. Frank stayed down at Aunty's to dinner and went for a walk with Lila this after noon. I went down town about three o'clock. Stayed at Aunty's to tea and went to church with them to-night. They have started having church at 7.30 for the summer instead of 7 o'clock. I spent Most of the evening up at Cousin Loll's. Marj. was at Essie's Birthday party. It was pouring rain when I started home so I stayed all night at Aunty's. It has been cloudy all day and it looks like an all night rain. Monday June 10th I didn't get up very early this morning and had breakfast down at Aunty's so Dad. was about through milking when I got home. Frank and I stretched a barbed wire along the west side of the lane as part way up the lane as the colts have been bending the fence badly reaching over to eat the wheat. Dad. plowed and disked the garden back of the shop to-day. This after noon Art Quanbury came over to help me put in fence posts so we worked at it all the 63 �after noon. I borrowed Pickford's auger and we got it all the posts along the side road but the two brace posts and got four in along the north side of the field. Ham came down and he and Frank finished planting the corn. To-night Frank and I went over to the J.F.I.A. potato patch to hoe, there was a good bunch there to-night and we got them all hoed and Bill Sidway and Charlie Stitt brought horses and cultivated so the plots look much better. We got through about dark and then Lloyd Ryerse, Tige & Albert McBride and Frank and I went down to the creek and had a swim but it was a little to cold for comfort the air especially. Dad. and Enah & Tid drove down town to-night to take Aunty Alice's milk down to her. Cool all day. Tuesday June 11th Frank and I took our dipping tank and powder up to Ham's this morning and dipped all his sheep in return for the corn planting. We got home before noon. Dad. spent most of the day working down the garden back of the shop and planting fodder corn on it and harrowing the potatoes. This after noon Frank and I put in some more fence posts but didn't get out till late as Mr. Broadley was here. Frank had a stiff knee too. We quit early and he and I drove Queen to Simcoe to-night to answer our medical questions for insurance It got pretty black and very hot when we were going up to Simcoe and was beginning to thunder and lightening just as we were ready to start home but we thought we would take a chance on being caught so got all ready to start back, however just as we were ready to get into the buggy it began to pour down and for the next two hours we had a storm that would equal in its fury any of the worst of the 1915 models. It sounded terrible on the tin roof of Burts barn where we were and Queen was a little scared although she didn't make any fuss but I could tell by the way she put her nose in my face and hands that she wondered what it all meant. After the first spasm was over we looked out and the sky in the north was all a deep red so we knew that somebody's barn a long way out of town was struck, but when the next burst of rain came the red light disappeared. We waited there till the storm was over and got home before two o'clock, the roads weren't muddy but were washed bare and packed hard. Wednesday June 12th I didn't get up very early this morning and Dad. went back after the cows. He was in a great state of despondency over the storm, he thought everything would be ruined and he says there are lakes all over the cornfield so that it will be all drowned out. Edmond England was over last night to invite us to a bee at the School house to level the grounds so I went over 64 �about ten o'clock, that wasn't as late as I thought for they all work on the old time out there. I found a big bunch there with scrapers and plows and there was really more men than there was work, but I hung around all day filling scrapers and shovelling a little but principally visiting. I intended to come home at noon and tell Dad. what more they needed so that he could come this after noon but as Dave Lampkin invited me to dinner and I didn't think there was any use of any more coming I didn't go home. Neff was down on Monday and staked all the levels out for them and by to-night they had it in very nice shape. Dad. and Frank just did odd jobs and chores as it was too wet to do much. Aunty was over here to dinner I went down town to-night. Cloudy with strong & cold wind. Thursday June 13th I went over to John Wesses this morning and borrowed his spoon again to dig the earth out of the anchor post holes which has caved in since I dug them. When I got back we took out some sand, cement and the dipping tank which we filled with water bailed out of the holes, (they were nearly full) and put in the locust posts for anchor posts. We set one before dinner and the other two this after noon. I too John Wesses spoon back before tea when I got through with it. Enah went down town this after noon. I cut a little more lawn to-night. Sunny but still a cool breeze. Friday June 14th We took out some brace posts and all the good fence posts we could find around the place this morning and gathered up the few that were left along the road. Frank and I put them in before dinner and finished the row from the road to the north west anchor posts. Dad. spent the day harrowing over the corn-ground but didn't finish. This after noon Frank and I pulled out the rest of the fence posts in the gully cross-fence and stretched a little more barbed wire on the top of the lane fence. We all quit early and after tea Frank and I went over to the potato patch. I rode Belle over and cultivated the clay patch and Tig M cBride cultivated the others, we also went through Lorne's. There were seven or eight hoeing but they only got the sandy patch hoed and we intend to hoe the clay on Monday. Frank took his football over and we had quite a game when we got through work. Dad. Enah & Tid drove down town. Enah went to hear a missionary from the North-West and Dad. & Tid went fishing. Cool. Saturday June 15th 65 �Dad. took the team and waggon back to the top of the gully hill this morning and we hauled up a load of posts and fence boards out of the gully with the team and chain making several trips. We got all the stuff from the fence on the north side of the gully pretty well cleaned up. We got enough posts out of the load to go along the west side of the corner field and after we had unloaded the other stuff we took them out and Frank and I worked till noon putting them in and Dad. went on harrowing the corn field. This after noon Dad. finished harrowing the cornfield and the garden north of the shop and then cultivated all through everything he could in the old garden. Frank spent the afternoon in the old garden hoeing and spraying the potatoes. I drove Enah and Tim down town for Enah to get some provision and we got home about half past four and then I went back to the mill got some oat chop and washed the buggy. Huby was over this after noon and got a bag of straw for the pen his puppies are in. Miss Phipps was over to-night and brought us some lovely peonies. I got a fine blueprint from the Horticultural Department at Guelph showing how to plant the lawn with a complete planting list. It has been sunny & warmer to-day but a cold breeze yet. Sunday June 16th Tip Varey brought Barwell and his little Boston bulldog over in his car this morning. The poor little thing is having a hard time having puppies. Dad. got one from her and they left her here. Tim and I rode down with them to Sunday school. I went to church and Dad. drove Enah down but didn't stay. Aunty came over here with me for dinner. Just before dinner Dick Cook and Mr. Barwell came over to take the dog down to see Dr. Colemen at Jarvis and they waited till Dad. has his dinner and took with them, but the doctor said nothing could be done but just leave her quiet, so they brought her back and left her here. I hooked up Queen and took Marj. for a drive this after noon. I came home to tea and helped Dad. milk and then went down again. Marj. and I went over to Miss McQueen to show her my blueprint I got from Guelph. Lila was over here to tea. She has been cultivating corn she says most of this week and is having a good time up there as a farmerette. Cloudy & hot all day. Monday June 17th I had to go up to Ham Thompson's with Kate right after breakfast this morning and it was late when Frank and I got out to put posts in but we got in all but three on the east side of the field. Dad. did odd jobs & chores all morning and got another pup away from Barwell's bitch, he was very pleased at that. This after noon he took the plow and the harrows back over the gully and plowed and harrowed the turnip patch. It took him till about seven 66 �o'clock. Frank and I went back with Dad. and carried the tomato stakes out of the woods and put them in the waggon so that Dad. could bring them up. Then we finished putting in the posts on the east side of the field and the three brace posts on the west side so now we just have the cement posts to put in along the front. Charles and Art Quanbury came by on a load of hay and delayed us a little as I pulled Charlie off the load by the leg and he started in to lick me but I think I convinced him of the foolishness of that enterprize. We didn't get through though till late. We had our tea and I had part of the milking done when Dad. came up. Frank and Lloyd Ryerse went over to the potato patch as soon as they could but I didn't get over till nearly dark on account of the chores but was there in time to get a few kicks at the football. There was a good crowd there to-night. Mitchell, Butler Challand, & Nixon all came in from Renton in a car. On the way home Lloyd & Colin Ryerse, Tige McBride and Frank and I all stopped in at the mill to see Stan Dollar and got making so much noise singing and kicking the football around the mill, that old Herb Cook came across in a very peeved state and accused us of keeping one man from his sleep and another from his work. He was so crusty that we thought it best to break up the party so we came home and except setting fire to the gas well which wouldn't burn for more than a few seconds, committed no depredations on the way. Clear & much warmer to-day. Tuesday June 18th Frank and I didn't get to work very early this morning and worked till noon lining up and digging holes for the cement posts along the front of the field. We just bored the holes and will put the posts in when we first bring them out so as to save handling twice. Dad. went over and rolled down the turnip ground. This after noon I went over to sow the turnips. I had to go over to Art. Quanbury's to get his seed drill and I got about half over the field and then had to quit as I ran out of seed, so came up and helped Dad. and Frank who were stapling the wire on the posts along the side road. We don't intend to stretch it just now. To-night all of us but Dad. went down to see Mary Pickford in "Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm". Enah and Tid went down to the first show and Frank and I went to the second. Sam Law was here when we left and Barwell came over with young Howey to see his dog which is about the same. Fine day. Wednesday June 19th This morning I put in All the stakes I had left for the tomatoes and tied them up. We are going to let the rest go unstaked and seef if they are any worse. It was nearly noon when I got that done but I went over and sowed the rest of the turnip patch before dinner. Dad. 67 �cultivated in the garden all morning. Frank was down town most of the morning as the tire came off his wheel last night while he was down town and he went down to get it. He also got some 12 guage shotgun shells to shoot at the crows in the cornfield. Art. Quanbury lent him his shotgun. Aunty Alice was over to dinner. This after noon we tacked up the rest of the wire along the north end west side of the field so now just have the front to put the posts and wire along. We got a cheque for ninety dollars to-day as part payment for our wool. Sunny but cool breeze. Thursday June 20th Frank took down the piece of wire that ran along the north end of the plum orchard and we took it out and finished the west side of the field with it. Frank and I finished boring the holes along the front while Dad hoed in the garden. This after noon we started putting the cement posts in and got 12 of them out there and about 8 or 9 set. It was a big job getting them lined up as some of the holes had to be enlarged as they were a little out of line. They show much plainer if they are not just straight than the others do but they certainly look neat and substantial when they are in right. Enah went down town this after noon and when we came up there was a whole pile of calling tickets on the table which had been left by Winnie, Dess & some of the Zealand's while Enah was away. To-night I went down to the school house where Marj. and the other teachers were registering folks in accordance with the new regulation making it compulsory for every man & woman over 16 years of age to register and answer a question card before by June 22nd. It was nearly dark when I got down so they had to quit work. I went home with Marj. and she registered me down there. I was the 97th one she had done. The War news just now looks pretty good. The big Austrian drive in Italy has been stopped without them gaining enough to make up for their losses and the African French troops broke up a German rush for Rheims. Sunny but cold wind. Friday June 21st We took out the rest of the cement posts this morning and the roll of wire for the front but didn't get any more set as it began to rain and rained pretty much all day. Dad. wrote to Dick this morning and Frank and I got things ready to make a cement post. After dinner I sat down to read the paper and went to sleep and slept for an hour or two, but there was nothing else much to do. Frank fixed the binder. They said that for awhile when I was asleep it got almost as dark as night. About four o'clock Frank and I went out and made another post. I had to go up to Ham Thompson's with Elgitha to-night. Frank took milk to Aunty Alice. 68 �Saturday June 22nd I had to go up to Ham's this morning with Marj. and when I got back Dad. and Frank had gone out to the school house to register. Enah went over to Jack Martin's and registered. Dad. and Frank didn't get home till noon as they stopped in on the way and borrowed Tuppers post auger to enlarge the holes. It is a sort of plunger. I made some more reinforcement wires and got some sand over to make another post, but we didn't get it made. This after noon we got the rest of the posts in but didn’t get the wire up. Frank and I went down town to-night. It has been cloudy with a very cold north west wind all day. We were afraid of frost to-night but I guess it won't freeze. Sunday June 23rd I had to go up to Ham Thompson's with Snowdrop this morning so was too late to go to Sunday school but I drove Enah down to church. Aunty came home with us to dinner. I didn't go down town this after noon as Marj. told me she was going up to the Davis' for dinner. We all went out to look at the new fence and take the sheep out after dinner and then Uncle Ward came over. Aunty went home early but Uncle Ward stayed all the after noon I read and slept. Went down to-night and spent the evening with Marj. Sunny & cold. Monday June 24th I drove over to Tupper's this morning and took his post auger back and when I got back we finished putting up the front fence, we put in three wooden posts at this end and wired the fence to the cement posts. Dad. went down to Aunty's just before dinner and was down there all the after noon trimming the paths and cutting the long grass in front of the house. As soon as we could get started after dinner Enah Tid. and I drove to Simcoe with Queen. I got some rape seed and a grease cup for the brass boxing on the mower and went around to see Slaght. He said he had been down to see the "Sheep Pasture" but had not come to any decision in his own mind as to its value but again assured me that he would make not disposition of it without letting me know, but it might not be till fall. Enah and the baby went on a few errands and I picked them up at Charlie Martin's store. We got home by six o'clock. Warmer to-day. Cloudy to-night Frank spent the afternoon planting in corn where the crows took it. Tuesday June 25th 69 �Dad. has been cultivating corn all day with Belle Frank and I started to put some roofing paper on the chicken house roof to cover a patch that blew off during the winter but didn't quite finish before dinner. Just before noon Harvey Ross and a Mr. Thornton one of the sheep men belonging to the Anaka Farms of Wisconsin came over to see if we had any sheep for sale so I sold him the four yearling rams for $35.00 apiece which was all I asked him and which I thought was a pretty good price for them He would have bought the old ram for sixty but we didn't decide whether to sell him or not. I forgot to mention Ham's yearling ram to him so right after dinner I drove up and told Ham to call him up. This after noon I set up some aster plants which Mrs Quanbury sent over and finished putting the paper on the chicken house roof. Frank spent the after noon planting in missed corn hills. Dad. is very distressed at the way the crows and blackbirds are working in the cornfield. To-night we went over to hoe potatoes and play football and had 14 out. We got the loam patch hoed and had a good game. Warmer. Wednesday June 26th Dad. cultivated corn nearly all day and is so so stiff to-night he can hardly walk. He quit about half-past four and he and Enah drove down town after some groceries. Frank planted corn this morning and I hoed the mangels in the old garden and this after noon we both hoed in the old garden. Fine and pretty hot to-day. Thursday June 27th I took Belle out to cultivate corn this morning and worked till Dad. came out and took her I couldn't keep her from walking to one side of the rows. Dad. finished the field by noon. Frank and I finished hoeing the old garden this morning. Arthur Preston was over most of the morning visiting. This after noon Dad. started to plow the orchard. Frank and I cleared up the brush and Frank burned it. I spent most of the after noon painting lables to distinguish our different plots of J.F.I.A. potatoes. Winnie, Des & Frasa Dyer were over here to tea to-night. I promised Tige McBride that I would go over and help him cultivate the potatoes at Lorne Myer's to-night but it was so late before we got through with chores that I sent Frank over. He got all the clay patch loam patch gone through but Tige didn't show up so the clay didn't get done. I went over when I got through to see Henry Misner to see if he would spray them for us. He wasn't home but Mrs. Misner & Hazel entertained me till he got back, he said he would spray them for us if Edmond England would agree to have a new wheel put on the waggon but as he owns a half interest in the outfit he would have to be consulted. Fine and warm all day. 70 �Friday June 28th There was a thunderstorm during the night and it rained a little this morning so we didn't do much except make a cement post. This after noon Dad and Frank cut the thistles in the plum orchard and then Dad. started in again on the orchard and got a little more plowed while Frank drove Enah and the baby down town. I spent the after noon raking up the lawn as last night's wind storm had it badly littered with leaves and branches off the old willow I got the cows up early and we milked before tea and to-night I went down and took Marj. & Dorrie to the show. It has been hot again to-day & to-night. Saturday June 29th Dad. has been plowing in the orchard all day and finished it to-night. Frank and I went out this morning and hoed the potatoes in the field. We got through about half past eleven and then took Martha up to Ham Thompson's. Ham was back drilling in his cornfield over again with ensilage corn and didn't come up till nearly one o'clock so we were late getting through dinner. This afternoon Frank sprayed all the potatoes in the field and I cut the lawn. Very hot. Sunday June 30th I drove Enah down to Bill Lemon's this morning as she had a bad toothache all night and then Tid. and I went to Sunday school. Dad. walked down to church and drove Enah & Tid home. I walked over as far as Mrs. Woodson's with Roy as he and Rebecca came up last night and stayed there for dinner to-day. I slept for part of the after noon and then wrote old Billy Beattie to see what I could get a good yearling ram for. Dad. and Tid. were all ready to go down town to see Joe Dyer and ask him what chance there was of getting Dick off on harvest leave but it got so dark they didn't go It rained hard for about an hour but cleared up about five and I drove down and got Marj. & Dorrie and brought them over here for tea and drove them back about half past ten. Monday July 1st I disked in the orchard all morning and Frank sprayed potatoes in the old garden. Dad. went down town to see Col. Dyer about getting Dick off and he told Dad. to get a certificate from Neff to say Dick was needed at home and it would strengthen his application. Aunty and Rebecca walked over before noon and Roy came over at noon with Dad. This after noon we all fooled around for an hour or two putting in mower sections and fishing for the bucket 71 �and chain which dropped down the well Saturday night. We got the bucket but couldn't get the weight so Roy wired an old axe head to the end of the chain. About four o'clock Aunty and Roy walked back down town and Dad. drove Enah and the two kids down. Frank and I went back over the gully with mower and I went a round with Frank on the twelve acre meadow and then brought the cows up and Frank went another round. To-night I went down to say goodbye to Marj. She is going to Port Hope in the morning to go to a Summer school for a week. Very cold & cloudy all day. Tuesday July 2nd Dad. and I drove down town this morning and I got Joe shod while Dad. went up to Simcoe on the 9 car to see Neff who made application for Dick's leave of absence for him. Dad. came back on the eleven car and drove home with me. I went down to Aunty's for awhile this morning and cut their lawn. Frank mowed in the back field all day but didn't finish it. He took Joe & Harry this after noon and Dad. cultivated corn with Belle. I drove down to Jarvis this after noon to see old Russ about shipping our rams and he said he would let me know when the veterinary inspection was coming and we could bring our sheep down there. I drove Queen and took Tid with me. We were home by half past six, we then went back to the gully and got another purebred calf which Maple Hill Nellie presented us with this morning It is a dandy Roan heifer marked very much like Knockfierna. We had a little trouble getting it up as Nellie is very wild over it but after we got it up Daisy May adopted it and wouldn't let the mother near it and she Daisy May bawled around all night for the calf. This was the night we should have gone over to hoe potatoes but it was so late when we got through and I had to take my two year old heifer up to Ham Thompson's that we didn't get over. Tige McBride & Lloyd Crysler came over in the latter's car and got the football and the Ryerse boys brought it back. They said they got the patch pretty well hoed. Warmer. Wednesday July 3rd Dad. cultivated corn all morning and Frank mowed. I went down to the mill with Queen & the buggy and got a couple of bags of oat chop and then went back and shook up some of the heavy spots in the hay till noon. After dinner we all went back and Dad. and I finished shaking out the heavy spots that were cut yesterday and Frank finished mowing the field. Frank then started to rake what was fit and Dad. and I and Tid. cocked up till after six getting about half of what was raked put up in cock. To-night Dad. took some milk down to Aunty Alice. Frank went over to Ben's pea field and picked a basket of peas and I went out 72 �to prune and tie up the tomatoes again but I didn't get out till nearly dark so didn't get many done. Warmer and fair. Thursday July 4th Frank and I went down town this morning and got the lime, bluestone and aresenate of lead which Neff sent down to spray the potato plots with and took it up and left it at Henry Misner's. He said he could spray them for us on Saturday after noon if some of us would go over and help him put the tank on the waggon. We got home about eleven and went back and shook out the heaviest of the hay that was fit and didn't get up till nearly one. Dad. cultivated all morning. This after noon Frank raked up all the hay west of the little gully (about 10 acres) and Dad. and I cocked up till seven o'clock. Frank sprayed our early potatoes to-night. Fine hay day. Not hot nor windy. Friday July 5th We all three cocked up hay all day to-day and finished cocking all that was raked before six. There are still about two acres on the east side of the field to rake up yet. To-night Frank and I went over and got Lorne Myers and got him to help us go and put Henry Misner's tank on the waggon. We had an awful job as just as we were getting the thing on the hind holster of the waggon the weight of the engine rolled it over and we worked till eleven o'clock before we got it fixed. He is going to spray our potatoes for us tomorrow after noon. I felt tough all day and to-night it was all I wanted to do to walk home and roll into bed. Saturday July 6th Dad. cultivated corn this morning and Frank went down and got the piece of the ladder at the Widespread. I went back and turned out the heaviest of the hay that was in swath but didn't feel much like working and spent a good deal of the morning under a tree. Frank came back and raked it up before noon. This after noon Dad and Frank went back and cocked it up and then brought a load up and pitched it off in the horse stable. Neff came after me soon after dinner to go and get the sprayer attachment and help him put it on the sprayer. We were all the after noon at the job and didn't get any spraying done. Neff said he would be down Wednesday night to spray. Cloudy with very cool breeze to-day. Sunday July 7th 73 �Enah and I drove down to church this morning and Dad. and Tid. walked down to Aunty's for dinner where Enah went from church, this being Dad's birthday they were down there all the after noon. Huby brought them home in the boat as far as Black Creek bridge and he and Aunty walked up here to tea with them. Frank and I had dinner alone and this after noon Frank went for a ride on his wheel with Lila and I went up to Ham Thompson's as Harvey Ross was over here this morning to say that we were to take our rams down to his father's in the morning as the inspector was to be there. I asked Ham to bring his ram down to our place and let us hook to his waggon as the tires are so loose on our own. I came back home and read and slept all the after noon. Huby brought Tid one of the spaniel puppies to-day. Frank and I got Dad three books, Shorthorn Cattle, Feeds & Feeding & Breeding Farm Animals. Jackie Pickford was over for a visit to-night. Quite cold to-day & windy Monday July 8th Frank and I were all ready when Ham came with his ram soon after eight this morning but by the time we got ours loaded and our team hooked up it was about nine when we left for Jarvis. We didn't drive very furiously on account of Ham's tires being loose and it was about eleven when we got there. There was not a sign of anyone around the place but after waiting for about half an hour Mrs. Ross drove in with the inspector who proved to be the Mr. Henderson that Aunty and I met up at Penmer's five or six years ago. We put our sheep in the orchard and as it was so near noon we thought we might as well accept Mrs. Ross's invitation and stay to dinner so put the team in. We had to wait about an hour for dinner however as they seem to work on the old time down there. We were entertained through dinner by Mr. Ross's denunciations of the Union Government and especially the members of it who had been followers of Sir Wilfred. According to him they have wrought their own destruction by "oppressing the farmers" the way they have and that the time is coming when the farmers will rule the land and have a newspaper of their own which will tell them the truth. I could hardly help smiling to hear about this better farmer's paper idea and think it will be a ratty old country that is dominated by a bunch of hot-headed rubes such as are at the head of the United Farmer's of Ontario, but there is no danger of it ever coming to pass. We left for home soon after dinner and got home about four. I took Ham's waggon home and got our own which he drove up there this morning. Just as I came down Exelby's hill the tire came of one of the front wheels and I couldn't get it on again. Ben Ivey came along and gave me a had and we got it partly on and wired it. Then coming in the lane the tire came off the opposite wheel. Dad. cultivated corn all day. Frank sprayed the potatoes in the field after he got home and when I got home he and I cut the old dead willow log that 74 �fell over on the cornfield a couple of times and hauled it over to the fence Mr. & Mrs. Ham Thompson were here to-night. Sunny but cool breeze. Tuesday July 9th It rained enough during the night to keep us from haying and has been cloudy cold and drizzly all day although not enough water has fallen to make anything very wet. I cultivated corn for an hour or two this morning while Dad. and Frank sawed up the old willow that blew over in the cornfield. F and did some other chores. Then Dad. came out and cultivated till noon and I came up and filled out the application blank for registering the lambs. This after noon it was still rainy so Dad. cleaned out the cellar. Frank made a patent trough for feeding salt to the sheep. It has a false bottom with holes in it which his sheep stick their noses in to eat salt and the edges of the holes are pine tarred so that they get the tar all over their noses which keep the flies of the grub in the head from laying eggs in their nostrils. Enah and I drove down town and I sent off the application for the registration of the lambs and for the transfer of the yearlings. Enah got some provision and went to get her teeth out but Bill was busy. When we got home, Frank had things all ready and we made another cement post. To-night Frank and I went over to Henry Misner's and put the bluestone in a barrell to dissolve to be ready to spray to-morrow night. Wednesday July 10th It was still drizzling this morning and Dad. and I went out to cultivate the mangels. They are so small that I had to lead Belle. Frank went down town with Aunty Alice's milk and when he came back he harrowed over the orchard. Old Evans was over to have as he said a little chat with Dad. about his cow that has the broken leg. He feels very badly about it because he broke it unintentionaly by throwing bit of iron at her from his forge when she was eating through the fence. This after noon Dad. went on cultivating corn and Frank rolled down the orchard and I sowed the rape seed on it but we didn't get it harrowed in as it began to rain hard and we had quite a heavy rain for the rest of the after noon. I spent the time painting the J.F.I.A. sign. Frank and I also tidied up the shop and after tea it cleared off but too wet we thought to go over to spray potatoes so I went out and pruned the tomatoes and tied a few of them up Frank pulled weeds in the strawberrys and helped me Thursday July 11th I finished painting my sign this morning. Frank and Dad. put the sheep in and trimmed them up then Dad. went over to the garden and weeded onions and Frank and I took a jag of 75 �straw over to the horse stable. After dinner Dad. went out to cultivate corn and Frank and I went back and turned out the hay that Dad. & Frank bunched up Saturday. When we got up we found Rus Lampkin here fixing the windmill and soon after Dr. Grant Enahs Chinese missionary uncle came over. He and Frank went over to the old garden to hoe the strawberries and I sowed the rape-seed on the garden back of the shop and just went in to get the team out to harrow it and the orchard over when it began to rain and a very heavy thunderstorm came up and flooded things for half an hour or so and then cleared off, but we couldn't do anything on the land. Enah and Tid were down at the Zealand's at the Sunday school picnic but said they didn't get wet as they went in the house. Dr. Grant. stayed to tea and Frank drove him down to the side walk after tea. Friday July 12th Dad. and Frank have worked over in the garden hoeing and weeding all day. I spent most of the morning raking and cutting the lawn. This after noon I finished tying up the tomatoes and then came up and dug holes for the beds of spring bulbs where they are marked on the blue-print. They are up near the road fencing the very stiff red clay so I just dug them about a foot deep and wheeled the clay up and dumped it in the mudhole under the gate at the north end of the horse stable and intend to fill them up with good earth to plant the bulbs in. Enah went down town this after noon and didn't come back for tea. To-night Frank and I drove over to Lorne Myer's and put up the sign and the label on the plots. Lorne called Neff up but he wasn't home so Lorne left word for him to call him up in the morning if he could come down and spray to-morrow after noon. It has been very muggy and rather cloudy to-day It sprinkled a little here but Lorne Myers said it poured over there. Saturday July 13th Frank and I spent most of the morning hoeing over in the old garden Dad. went back and turned out some of the hay but said it would be too wet to haul this after noon. This after noon Frank and I went back and got part of the turnip patch hoed. Dad. brought the {illegible} back but couldn't do much with it. He was going over to pick berries in the woods but saw Mrs. John Wess and a couple of other women heading for the patch and they scared him out. Young Myers came after me about five o'clock to go and help spray the potatoes so I went over and was over there till dark. We had to fill the tank at the flume and it took a long time to strain the lime in so it was late when we got started and then the thing got plugged up so we had to quit. I am sick of the job. 76 �Sunday July 14th Tid. and I drove down to Sunday School this morning and both of us went to church I drove Aunty Alice over here after church and Jack Martin brought Aunty and Tid over in the car. AuntaIda has gone up to the Bawlby's for a week. Mr. & Mrs. James Douglas were here when we got home and we spent the after noon showing "Jimmy" the stock. He didn't like the old ram on account of his high shoulders and the black {skat?} but thought the calves were fine. He thought the purebred calf was better than Knockfierna as she has dairy hocks. Orm Millman was over in his car this after noon and brought Nita, Kathleen, Towser, and a Mr. Tait. They all came up from Toronto last night and are going back to-night except Kathleen & Tow who are going to stay in Dover for a couple of weeks. Orm took Mrs. Douglas and the rest of the ladie's down to Aunty's and we went Dad. Frank and I went in Douglass car up to Ham Thompson's and had a look at his stock then went down to Aunty's. The Douglases left before tea and we all stayed at Aunty's for tea and Enah stayed down to church but the rest of us came home to do chores and Dad. drove down for Enah when we got through. Fine. Monday July 15th First thing this morning we gave all the lambs a dose for tape-worm using Cooper's worm tablets. Then Frank harrowed the orchard and Dad. and I went back and turned out two or three rows of hay cocks. It is all pretty damp and blackened but not musty. When we were going back we saw Pommers pull his foot out of the barbed wire fence along this end of the woods near Charlie Munroe's line and when we went over we found his foot badly cut at the back and above the hoof, but we didn't bring him up as Dad. thought he would be better back there if the joint isn't cut into. We couldn't get close enough to him to see. This after noon we got in a couple of loads of hay. To-night Frank and I went over to the potato patch it was too late when we got over to spray and we found them all playing football. Tige McBride said he would help spray to-morrow night. Fine day, breezy Tuesday July 16th Dad. went back this morning and turned out some more hay and Frank and I put some bolts through the reach of the rack as it was cracked and went back for a load about ten o'clock. We just got one load up before dinner but got three up this after noon by working on the old time. It looked very cloudy all day so we didn't turn out any more. Frank went up to Ham's to-night and found out that Ross had made application to the Canada Food Board 77 �for export licences for our rams so that we won't need to. He also went over to the potato patch and found Alex England helping Henry. They got the loam patch sprayed but didn't have enough spray for the other patch as some of it leaked out. Sultry to-day. Wednesday July 17th It sprinkled a little during the night so that we couldn't do anything with the hay this morning. It cleared off but looked so threatening that we didn't like to turn out any more but about five o'clock went back and got the load that was turned out. Dad. cultivated corn all the rest of the day. This morning Frank and I mowed away the hay we had in and changed the pulley so that we can put the hay in the west end of the barn. I went down to the mill and got some chop and flour. I had to take 25% substitute with the flour as the new regulations of the Canada Food Board are that 25% substitute must be mixed with all the flour that is used so I got Rye flour. Frank hoed mangels before dinner and this after noon borrowed Quanbury's sprayer and sprayed all the potatoes. Before we went after the hay I pruned the tomatoes and went back to the gully to see if I could coax Pommers up but I couldn't. His foot looks pretty bad. Kathleen & Tow came over after tea to-night and Frank drove them home about ten o'clock. Thursday July 18th Frank cut about a dozen rounds around the field east of the orchard this morning and Dad and I went back and shook out about three more loads across the gully. This after noon we hauled in two more loads from across the gully. Aunty and Aunty Alice and Elva and Enah's aunt from Hamilton were all over here to tea. It has been a good hay day but a little windy The war news looks better. The Germans were almost completely repulsed in their last drive on the Marne by French & Americans. Friday July 19th When the dew went off enough this morning we all went out and shook out the heaviest parts of what Frank cut yesterday and then went back and got a load from the back field before dinner getting up here with it about one o'clock, but we have gone back to the old time pretty much through haying anyway. This after noon Dad. cultivated corn and got nearly all of what was untouched since the last rain gone over. Frank raked up the hay he cut and we both cocked up all the after noon but didn't get any more than half of it up. It has been a fine hay day & not too hot. 78 �Saturday July 20th We all went out and finished cocking up this morning all that was raked and then put off the hay that we hauled yesterday before dinner. We got a good early start after dinner and got in three more loads from the back field but there is more back there yet. Frank and I went down town to-night. I got my hair cut and had a swim in the spate under the dam. We got to bed about 2 a.m. Fine day. Sunday July 21st Tid and I drove down to Sunday school and church this morning. Mr. Ward Butcher was there to take the service as Mr. Johnson has gone to Petawawa Camp to be chaplin for Col. Syer. This after noon I went down to see Aunty and Aunty Alice and took a shamrock up to Miss Kerney. Frank went down to the beach and went for a swim, he said there was an awful crowd down there and the noise they were making could be heard all over town. He went down town again after tea. Dad. Enah and Tid. all went for a drive this after noon back north some place. It has been scorching hot all the afternoon. Monday July 22nd We hauled hay from the back field all day but didn't quite finish as there is about half a load back there, we only got in four loads. The rope that held the pulley in the peak of the barn broke twice this after noon. Lloyd Crysler and Lorne Myers were over in Lloyd's car this after noon to see if we would go to Burlington with them to-morrow. Neff wants us to go down to some farmer's gathering so I suppose we will go although we shouldn't. Tuesday July 23rd We were all up fairly early this morning so that we would be ready for Lloyd when he called but it began to rain about seven o'clock and rained quite hard for an hour or more so we thought Lloyd wouldn't go but about half past eight young Myers came over and told us that Neff had telephoned down to tell us to go around by Simcoe & Brantford and meet him and the rest of the bunch in Hamilton so we got ready and went down to the mill where he said Lloyd would call for us. We waited there for an hour and then went up to Henry Misner's where we found Lorne all togged up waiting and we hung around there till noon but Lloyd never showed up so we went home. Charlie Stitt came past and said he saw tracks out of Crysler's lane as if a car had come out, skidded all over the road and gone back again. Frank went up to Simcoe this after noon and got our check cashed which we got from 79 �Anoka Farms for our rams and settled up his insurance with Cruikshanks. Dad. cultivated corn all the after noon and I hoed mangels. Frank and I went up to Ham Thompson's tonight with Daisy May. Ham said he waited all the morning for Lloyd Crysler too. Rainy all morning Sunny & hot this after noon Wednesday July 24th Dad. and I went back this morning and got the three lifts that were left in the back field and we were glad to see the field cleaned. Frank went on cutting at the field east of the orchard with Joe & Queen but didn't finish, he broke one of the guards this after noon and that delayed him awhile. Dad. and I put off the load we got over the gully and as it was nearly noon we went out and just put on a small load and pitched it off in the horse stable. We got in two more good sized loads this after noon but had to change the pulley block as we put it in the east end of the barn. It is very nice sheep hay and we want it on top. This afternoon Dess & Win came over to tea and Aunty came over after tea to celebrate my birthday. I got two shirts from Enah, a tie from Dad. a film from Tid a knife from Frank and a year's subscription to the "Literary Digest" from Aunty Alice & Aunty and also a letter from Aunt Leena and we had ice cream for tea. Frank and I walked down to the bridge with Aunty & the girls and went for a swim. Very hot to-day Looks rainy. Thursday July 25th We put off the load that was in the barn and got another load and left it on the barn floor. Then Frank took the team and raked what was fit and then finished cutting about one o'clock while Dad and I cocked up what he raked. This after noon we put off the load and put another on and Frank raked a little more and Dad. and I cocked up till after six. After we got through the chores I went out and hoed a few mangels and Frank hoed the strawberries. Sunny & hot but a nice breeze. Friday July 26th We put the load off this morning that was on the barn floor and Dad. and I put on another big load and left it at the field gate till noon. Frank mowed away and changed to the hay fork instead of the slings and then came and shook out a little and when we got the load on he took the team and raked. We all cocked up till about four o'clock then Frank brought the team out and we hauled in two loads and put one of them off. We used the fork in the top of the mow as the sling ropes get caught in the hay. Dad. and Frank put the hay on those two loads in a hurry but I don't think there was nearly so much on a load. Frank 80 �went over to hoe potatoes to-night and I took a book over to Art. Preston as h he was over this morning and wanted Dad. to come over to-night and look at his cow which has developed a sudden case of {gargel?} Dad. was too tired to go over so sent the book over. I was too late to go over to the patch. Hot, nice breeze. Saturday July 27th We hauled in hay all day and in spite of several delays managed to clear our field in seven loads. We had to change our car from the barn to the horse stable and the first loads we put on were so big we couldn't get the lifts in the door of the mow without a terrible ammount of straining. The second load we tried to build a little smaller but the third lift stuck in the doorway and we broke one strand of the big rope pulling on it, that was just at noon and it looked as if we were held up for the after noon but Dad. thought of Lew. Brock so Frank went out and got him and he spliced the rope for us. This after noon we built very small loads and had no more trouble getting them in except once when we had to trip the lift and let it fall on the ground. The last load we brought in we knew would be a big one so we didn't use the slings but just put on all we could pile on intending to haul it on the barn floor and put it in the horse stable with the fork when we got time. I had so much on though, that going into the barn the hay rolled back on the top of the door and broke the back ladder off the rack. We did chores after tea and it was half past ten when we got through. Frank went down town and I hung around till about midnight and then went down to the dam for a swim as I knew there would be a bunch down there about that time and there was. I got a very nice illustrated volume of Whitcomb Riley's Farm Poems from Marj. to-day for a birthday present. Frank says that Paw. Nila and Paddy came up in the car to-night and brought Roy & Rebecca with them. They are going to take the girls home to-morrow. Hot to-day, but nice breeze A big thunderstorm went north of us but we didn't get hit. Sunday July 28th We didn't get up in time to go to Sunday school this morning but Enah, Frank, Tid. and I all went to church. Dad. walked down to Aunty's intending to drive Enah home but she stayed at her mother's to dinner so Dad. put Joe in Aunty's barn and stayed there to dinner and Frank and I came home. I just sat around and read all the afternoon. Dad. Enah and Tim got home about four o'clock. The Millman's didn't come over but left this after noon for Toronto. Roy is going back in the morning and Rebecca is going to stay for awhile. It has been very hot all day. We got the first ripe tomato off our own vines to-day. 81 �Monday July 29th Dad went down to Lew Brock's this morning to see if he could make a dicker with him for his woodpile and he got what he thinks is a great bargain. He got the woodpile which consists of about three cords of fairly good stove wood and everything else around the place in the shape of boards including the stable and smokehouse for ten dollars. When he got back we put the load of hay off and went down and got one load of the stuff and there is another load of loose stuff down there. This afternoon Frank started to cut the bluegrass out north and east of the old garden Dad. cultivated corn and I hoed mangels. To-night Frank and I drove Queen out to Marbury to pay Sid McBride for our fence. It came to $83.50. A thunderstorm came up before we got home but we didn't get very wet, the road was very dark though. Tuesday July 30th As soon as it dried off this morning and Frank went out and cut some more of the bluegrass. Dad. cultivated the garden and I hoed a few more mangels. Neff came over for awhile, he said an inspector was over at our potato patch looking for diseases on them so he came over here to wait for him. Aunty Alice and Rebecca and Lila were over here to dinner. This after noon Frank went down to Joe Howell's and got the collar for the binder and then hoed a few strawberries Dad. parisgreened the potatoes in the old garden and I did a little hoeing for awhile then I started to rake and Dad. cocked up hay. I didn't get it all done. I went over to the potato patch to-night but it was too dark to do anything by the time I got there. I found Tige McBride, Alex England and Bill Sidway there. Much cooler today & breezy. Wednesday July 31st Dad. and I cocked up hay most of the day and Frank finished raking what was cut and then hoed the strawberries and set the runners. He helped us cock up a little this afternoon. We didn't quite finish as we quit early to get the chores done so that Frank and I could go up to Simcoe to the last evening of the Chautauqua which they have had up there for the past week. The music was fine especially a violinist and the lecture which was entitled "Acres of Diamonds" by Dr. Russel Conley, principal of Temple University. Philadelphia was pretty good but rather peculiar I thought. We just got out in time to catch the last car. We were with Tige McBride and Lela ran to catch the car and hurt her ankle, when we got to Dover she said it hurt so badly that she couldn't walk home on it so Frank and I waited with her at 82 �the Main St. crossing while Tige went home and got the car and came after her, so Frank and I were pretty late getting home. We found Dad. up though as he, Enah and the baby had been down town at the {Mabelore?}. Fair & not too hot. Thursday August 1st I went out this morning and finished cocking up the hay. We got the binder out and cut one round around the wheat and barley before dinner. Frank cut all the after noon but didn't finish the field, he had Harry and Belle on and couldn't make them walk up. Dad. and I shocked up but it didn't keep us very busy. Enah was down town nearly all day helping at the Sunday school bazaar at which they cleaned up over $100.00 to pay for the piano. Tid was down all day at a picnic with Aunty. Lila, Rebecca and Helen Tibbits down at the Lake. We quit early to-night and went over to hoe potatoes but there were only a few of the boys there Edmond England was to have sprayed there for us to-night but he couldn't get the engine to work. Cool breeze. Friday August 2nd We finished cutting the wheat and barley this morning and Frank and Dad. went back with Harry and Joe to cut the wheat on the back side hill. They had the three horses on this morning. I finished shocking up the field and about five o'clock took Belle back to put on with the other two but Dad. thought as it was so late it wasn't worth while so we just went a couple of more rounds and quit. The first few rounds are the worst on that field. Still cool. Saturday August 3rd I hoed turnips for awhile this morning till Dad. and Frank got a few more rounds cut and then started shocking up. They got nearly off the hill before dinner. Just before noon I heard a shrill whistle which I knew to be Dick's and looked and saw him and Tid coming down the gully. He came home last night and stayed at Aunty's all night. We were all very surprised to see him as he just got his pass before he left. He is as black as an Indian but looks very well and soldierly in his artillery uniform. Aunty came over with him to dinner. After dinner Dad. Frank and I went down to Lew Brook's and got the rest of our wood, we have everything now but the stable and smokehouse When we got our wood unloaded we went back and finished cutting the wheat and shocked it up, it was certainly a thin crop on top of the hill only about a dozen shocks. We got up soon after seven. Frank went down town to-night and Dick was down all the after noon and most of the night. It has been fair and cool all day. 83 �Sunday August 4th Tid and I drove down to Sunday school and Enah and Frank came down to church and I drove Enah home. Dad. stayed home and made ice cream and Dick didn't get up till noon After dinner we took some pictures of Dick and then he, Frank and I walked down town. I spent the after noon down at Aunties and Frank went up town for awhile, we didn't see Dick again as he didn't get home till about two o'clock. We spent the evening home reading. Very hot but breezy. Monday August 5th We have hauled wheat and barley all day to-day and got our field cleaned by to-night We had six loads of wheat and barley mixed and one load of pure wheat. Dick stayed here to dinner and went down town right after and did not come back to-night as he has to leave on the seven o'clock car in the morning. Enah went down town to tea and took in the grand I O.D.E. cabaret in the pavillion. The rest of us all went down to say good-bye to Dick after we got the chores done which was about ten o'clock but when we got to Aunty's Enah was there and said Dick had gone to Simcoe with some of the crowd he thought we weren't coming down. Enah drove home with Dad. and I walked I took a dip in the pond on my way. Frank rode his wheel down. Hot. Tuesday August 6th We put off the load of wheat that we hauled in last night and put it in the swing mow up over the driveway so as to have it separate, it is the only pure Plymouth we have. Frank and Dad. hauled in the rest wheat off the back field to-day in three small loads. It took them a long time to get it off the side hill but there is some very good wheat there. I helped them put off the loads, we put it in a pile by itself at one end of the mow and in between times I tried to cut my plots back of the barn with the sickle but it was very hot and tedious. I got about a dozen sheaves cut and tied up but come to the conclusion that it was too primitive a method of harvesting for this enlightened age so about five o'clock I went down and borrowed Alfred's cradle and will let Dad. finish the job with it. Lila was over here to tea. Very hot, breezy. Wednesday August 7th We started oat harvest to-day and it has been very hot although there was quite a strong breeze. I don't know when I have felt the heat so much. Frank cut all day on the back field 84 �by the woods and got it all done but a little piece by the woods. Its a great crop. Dad. and I shocked up but didn't quite finish. Frank and I went for a swim to-night in the upper pond off the mill dam. Its a great hole I never was in there before. Thursday August 8th We finished cutting and shocking up the back field of oats by noon and this after noon Frank cut the three acres of barley and oats along the side road I shocked up while Dad. cradled and bound my plots of wheat and about six o'clock Dad. & Frank came out and finished shocking up while I took the cows up. It has been hot to-day but a very strong breeze so that it wasn't so hard to work. Just about dark a thunderstorm came up and it rained hard for quite awhile. If it clears off soon it will do no harm and a lot of good as things were getting dry. Friday August 9th It was too wet for us to do much to-day but putter around. I took Alfred's cradle down to Newton Silverthorne’s as he wanted it to cut his Spring wheat on his garden and on the way down I had quite a visit with Uncle Ward to whom the sight of the cradle recalled memories of early days and he told me about George Adams the best man he ever saw swing a cradle and who cut a six acre field of wheat for Uncle Ward's brother one time between half past seven in the morning and six at night. On my way home I met Aunty and Rebecca who were on their way over to the farm for dinner so I came over with Rebecca, Aunty stopped in for a few minutes to see Mr. Johnson. Dad. and Frank had been setting up the wheat sheaves off my plots along the barn and this after noon Dad. and I put them in the barn. We put on a jag of straw before dinner out of the mow over the granary just about cleaning it out and hauled it over to the box stall in the horse stable for Frank to use for bed. Frank drove Rebecca and Tid down town this after noon and Aunty and Enah walked down and Enah drove back with Frank. Dad. and I spent most of the after noon putting a door in the north side of the old barn so that we could let the calves out on the wheat stubble. To-night we went over to Lorne Myer's as Tige McBride was over here this morning and said he would call a meeting of the J.F.I.A. to decide on who would enter the Judging Competitions at the Toronto Fair and what classes they would enter. There was a pretty good turnout and six or seven of us are going to Toronto. Frank and I have entered on sheep & beef cattle Most of us went for a swim at the mill on our way home Saturday August 10th 85 �Frank and I had to go up to Ham Thompson's this morning and when we got back we all three went back to straighten up some of the oat sheaves in the back field Some of them were pretty wet but not sprouted. Dad. finished fixing up the calf pen and let the whole six of them out. This after noon Frank cut around the oat field just east of the lane and cut a road through it. Dad. and I shocked up. I got a couple of heads of oats with 100 grains on them. Frank found them and we are going to keep them for seed. To-night Dad. Enah and Frank all went down town. It has been pretty hot to-day and doesn't feel clear yet. Sunday August 11th Frank Tid. and I walked down to Sunday school this morning but as there was no teacher for the Bible Class Frank and I went down to the beach and got back in time for church. Mr. Farney took the sermon as Mr. Butcher has been called up for service that is military service. Dad. and Enah drove down to church. Tid and I stayed down at Aunty's for dinner and all the after noon. Huby was over here for tea. It has been very hot all day winding up with a small thunderstorm. Monday August 12th Last night's rain made it too wet to cut oats first thing this morning so I finished making a trough to feed the calves in and Dad. and Frank put a fence around the cucumbers back of the barn so that the calves wouldn't get at them, and also the sheep as we intend letting them out on the wheat stubble. Frank cut for about an hour before dinner and all the after noon and got all the east half of the field cut when but about one round when the doubletree broke so he quit. Enah was down town nearly all day as Elva and Brant got married. Frank went up to tell Tige McBride to-night that I made a mistake in telling the boys that they could enter the livestock class and the fruit & grain classes for fifty cents as I had a letter from Neff to-day telling me they were fifty cents entry fee for each class. The War News has been great lately. The Germans are on the defensive along the whole Western front and are steadily being pushed farther back. The American & French drive between Soissons & Reims where they drove them to the Vesle river had just slowed up when Sir Douglas Haig started another one farther north with British, French Canadian and Australian troops and so far has captured over 40,000 prisoners and 500 guns. In some places the German retreat seems to be almost a rout but in others they are putting up a stiff fight. Fairly hot to-day but feels clearer and fresher. Nice breeze. Tuesday August 13th 86 �We finished cutting the oats by one o'clock new time and put the binder back in its winter quarters in the woodshed after dinner. We then hauled the barley & oats from the strip along the side-road in three loads, they seem to be very heavy and dry. Very hot, but strong wind. Wednesday August 14th It was a very hot night but before morning the wind went around to the north and it has been nice and cool all day. It looked very rainy this morning in fact it did rain a little but soon cleared off. Dad. and I went back this morning to the back field and put on a load of oats and as it was nearly 12 o'clock when we got it off we didn't go back again before dinner, but Dad went back and turned out a couple of loads while Frank and I started to put a brace on the old cracked arm of the rack. We had an awful time trying to bore the holes through it, we blamed it to the bit being dull but after Frank had gone over to Quanbury's and borrowed another, he discovered we were trying to bore through nails. After dinner I went over and borrowed a waggon from Jack Martin while Dad. and Frank finished fixing the rack and we hauled in with two waggons and got four loads up by working till eight o'clock but didn't unload the last two. We turned out all the shocks before we hauled them as some of them were pretty damp. Alan Law was in to-night to see if he could get one of us to help thrash in the morning but said as we were so busy he would try to get someone else; and I guess he did. Thursday August 15th We didn't get on as fast to-day as we had hoped to as we only got up four more loads from the back field and left at least three back there. We had to pitch off the two that we brought up last night and every load now gets harder to pitch as the mow gets fuller. There should by rights be another man in the mow as it is too far to pitch across the two {beats?}. Dad. and I turned out all the shocks in the field this morning so that delayed us. Cool. Friday August 16th We got the back field cleared by to-night instead of last night as we had hoped. Our delay to-day was caused by me upsetting a load on the gully hill just coming out of the gate, my off wheel got in the rut and before I knew what was coming off I was on the ground and the waggon on its side. We took Frank's load up and unloaded it then came back with Jack' s rack (it was our rack that upset) and put part of my load on it and Frank got a reach from 87 �Tupper as ours was broken. We had a hard job getting it put in but managed to at last and then put the rest of the load in our rack but had to load carefully as one arm of the rack was broken. After we got the loads off we had to put an old hinge iron on the broken arm and Frank had to go to town after some bolts. It all took time and by the time we got two more loads up (the last two) it was after seven, we put the load off of Jack's rack and Frank took it home. Enah's sister Mrs. Johnson was over here to tea and Uncle Ward came over to get Dad. to offer a special prize at the Horticultural Show so he did for honey. Frank drove them home, or at least Dad. drove Uncle Ward home after Frank got back from taking Mrs. Johnson. Cool. Saturday, August 17th Frank had to go thrashing over at Quanbury's this morning so Dad. spoke to Pickford last night about getting one of the boys to help us to-day and Arthur came over this morning. He turned sheaves on the stack for us all day and was a good little worker. Dad. kept telling him that if the stack was a good one he would claim to be the builder of it, but if it was a poor one, he would tell that Arthur built it. We put five loads on the stack and left one standing on the barn floor. Dad. took a lot of pains building it as he laid every sheaf by hand and kneeled them all in, but one corner of it slid out a little much to his disappointment. Frank didn't get home till nearly dark and then went over to Quanbury's to tea but they finished over there and got about 1300 bushels from the 30 acres. Frank went down town to-night and said there were a bunch of Dominion Police down there rounding up fellows who didn't have their military and registration papers. Frank said they had quite a bunch of them in the lock-up but let them out on bail. He also said that Aunty Alice went to Toronto with Rebecca this morning and that, Ade, Orm, Kathleen & Lars all came up last night. Cool and strong north east wind. Sunday August 18th Frank and I and Tid. walked down to church this morning and Dad. and Enah were just ready to drive down when. Ade & Orm and the two girls came over in the car, as that delayed them, Orm drove Enah down to church and Ade drove down with Dad, who put Joe in Aunty's barn and didn't come to church. After church Enah went with the choir for a picnic and didn't get home till after church to-night, when Jack Walker brought her home in the car. Aunty and Aunt Ida came with them in the car just for the ride. Dad. & Tid stayed down at Aunty's for dinner and Frank and I had dinner alone and stayed home all the after noon and evening. Cool north east wind all day. Quite cold to-night. 88 �Monday August 19th We have hauled oats all day and got in five loads but there are still a couple more in the field. We put part of one load on the stack and one in the barn and then started to build another stack on the west side of the barn doors. The sheaves are shorter now and much harder to stack. Frank helped us unload and spent the rest of the time weeding in the garden. Still cool with east wind. Tuesday August 20th We finished oat harvest to-day at noon. There was only about a load and a half left in the field and we put part of it on the stack and the rest in the barn. This after noon we started haying again, but just got in two loads. It seems awful to be starting at it again this late in the season. We quit early as Dad. and Enah went down to the church concert which they said was very poor and Frank went down to the Ryerse's to a corn roast. I took Maple Hill Nellie up to Hams's. Enah was over at the Martin's this afternoon and heard that Jimmy Caley has gone so badly out of his mind that they had to take him to the hospital in connection with the asylum. Warm but not hot. Wednesday August 21st We finished hauling the hay that was cut to-day We got three loads in this morning and the third one we hauled around to the oat stacks and put the top of it off on them and Dad. topped them out with hay. This took quite awhile after dinner and then we had to do some mowing in the horse stable before we could get the load in so that it was late when we went out after the last little jag of 20 cocks, and by the time we got it off was about six o'clock. Warmer & cloudy, looked rainy. Thursday August 22nd Frank has been cutting hay in the old bluegrass meadow all day and got it more than half cut. He took Joe and Queen this morning and the old team after dinner. Dad. and I went over to Tupper's this morning and harrowed 11 bags of oats and took part of them down to the mill to be chopped. I went down after dinner and got the chop and then took the waggon out to the field. I raked up most of what Frank cut and then Dad put on a small load out of the windrow which I hauled up to-night. Dad. cocked up while I was raking. Enah and Tid have been down town all day. To-night Frank and I went down to the mill and had a good bath under the dam. It has been much warmer. 89 �Friday August 23rd Frank finished cutting the bluegrass to-day noon. Dad. and I changed the rack from the horse stable to the big barn and then went out and cocked up what was in windrow. This after noon I raked the whole thing up and Dad. cocked up what he could. Frank picked the ripe tomatoes and took a bushel over to Mrs. Pickford as Jackie spoke about getting them yesterday and a basket down to Mrs. Jim Low. To-night Zeitha Elva and Mrs. Johnson came over for the evening and Aunt Ida came over with Frank this after noon for tea She walked home to-night with the rest. Pretty warm. Saturday August 24th Frank had to go down town with some cream for Aunty Alice and was gone quite awhile but we got all the hay up in cock by noon. This after noon we put off the load that was on the barn floor and got one more in and then quit as Dad. wanted to go down and meet Dick. He got a letter from him at noon saying that he would be home on the five o'clock car having got six weeks farm leave. It seems queer that he should get farm leave now after everything is in when they wouldn't allow it before, but it seems it is on account of the Western Battalions getting it. Dick is tickled to death and won't have to go back to Petawawa but will likely put in the winter in Toronto. Dick, Frank and I went down town to-night. Dick went to the dance and stayed down town all night. I bummed around town awhile and then went and got my hair cut. Mr. & Mrs. Millman & Nita came up in the car this after noon and are going to take Percy and Kathleen back to-morrow. Pretty hot and rainy looking. Sunday August 25th Tid. and I went down to Sunday school this morning but as no Bible Class teacher showed up, I went over to see Hazen Waddle who is home on a weekend leave. I hadn't seen him since he got into uniform till this morning. I found him at breakfast in company with three damsels two of whom were strangers to me and the third one Miss Shiltz. Hazen seems to be standing the army racket pretty well although he says he is just getting over a little attack of Ptomain poisoning. He told me he was talking to a returned man the other day who in the course of conversation asked him where he was from and when Hazen told him his home-town was Port Dover, the fellow said "That's funny, I could show you a place in France where there is a stick in the ground with a board on it on one side of which is written “Here lies a Fritz" and on the other side is printed 'The Port Dover Canning Company.'" I went to church from there and sat in the front seat with Aunty, Aunt Ida and 90 �Dick, but Dick and I slept most of the time Morton Brown was again the preacher. Dad. drove Enah down with Queen as Joe is lame from some unknown cause, and so Dad. didn't stay to church but drove Tid. home. Enah and I went down to Aunty's after church where we ran across the Millmans and Mr. Millman drove us home in the car. Huby and Dick came over with us but went back to Aunty's with Mr. Millman for dinner. I read and slept all the after noon. Frank went down town and for a swim in the lake with Lloyd Ryerse and Dad. and Tid went down to the mill for a swim but I guess just paddled around in the creek. John Quanbury came over after Dad. to-night and he went over with him to see his sick cow but Dad. said it was all right. Wilbur Ryerse came in to-night to tell me that if I went over there to Tuppers in the morning I could go down to Douglas’s with them. Frank said that the Millman's went to turn the car around down in front of Aunty's this after noon and backed the thing right down the hill on to the railway track and they had to get Water's with his team to pull it up the hill again. Dick had to go down to the station and get them to telephone to the switch to have the car stop, but they said it came down as far as where the automobile was and then stopped and unloaded a whole car load of people who helped get the thing off. The brakes were out of order. It has been pretty hot again to-day. Monday August 26th We got four loads of our hay in to-day and put off the one that we hauled in Saturday night. It took a long time to put the loads off as the last load filled the west end of the barn right up and every load had to be mowed. Dick didn't get over till noon but this after noon he and Frank mowed away while we were putting the loads off and then Frank stayed in the mow and mowed it well away while Dick Dad. and I were out after loads. Wilbur Ryerse was in again to-night to tell me that they weren't going to start for Douglas's till noon as Tupper didn't want to go in the morning and he is going to take us down in his car. Rather cloudy and strong west & north west wind. Tuesday August 27th We went out this morning and got a fairly good load and put it off on the east side of the barn which had just about room enough for a couple of loads. Frank and Dick mowed it away. It was about eleven o'clock when we got it off so I came in and got ready to go to Caledonia with Tupper & Frank & Wilbur Ryerse, but Dad. and the boys got the rest of the hay in and hauled two slingfuls up and put them in the barn and then hauled the last load and Dad pitched it off by hand. I was over at Tupper's in lots of time as he hadn't come in yet from the field but we got started fairly early had a very nice drive and lots of time to 91 �see all of Douglas' cattle and got home before dark. Douglas himself was home and took us all over the farm to show us his cattle and Frank and Wilbur bought a $210.00 bull from him a yearling. We went up to the house where they pressed us to stay to tea but we didn't but the girls played their victrola for us. When I got back I just had my tea and went up to McBrides as Tige was down this morning to tell us that Neff was coming down to give us some pointers on judging fruit and vegetables. Frank wasn't through with his chores so didn't come up. I didn't get home till about twelve o'clock but got quite a few pointers on judging fruit which I knew very little about. Neff also announced that he was going to award prizes for general proficiency and best kept notes at last years winters short course and I was very agreeably surprised to learn that I had won First Prize for General proficiency and Tige McBride second. Leo Challand won first prize for best kept notes and Frank second. The prizes were all books mine was "Principles of Breeding" by Davenport and Frank's was "The Breeds of Farm Animals" by Gay. This after noon Frank and Dick burned some of the old swail grass that was in windrow out by the side road and Dad, Enah and Tid went down town and got some salt. Fine, cool & breezy. Wednesday August 28th It rained hard early this morning and all the after noon. We didn't do much but sit around and read. Dad. did a little ditching this morning and I took Ham Thompson's old red hen home about noon. Just at dinnertime an automobile party ran in here out of the rain to put chains on their wheels. The three women of the crowd came into the house and told us they were from Tilsonburg and on their way to Bridgeburg. About the middle of the afternoon Harvey Skey came over well protected from the weather by rubber coat and boots. He was after cream. Thursday August 29th First thing this morning Dad. Dick and I went down and started to tear down Lew Brock's old stable. Frank came down later with the team. We got more than half of it down and the nails out of the boards by noon and took one load home. This after noon Dad. and Dick got most of the rest of it down and Frank and I went down town and got a load of soft coal and took the wheels of the old waggon down to Hallam to have the tires set. We came back to Lews and got another load of boards after we had put the coal off. Mr. James and Mr. Johnson were over here this after noon and Dess and Win came over to tea. Dick went down with them to the dance this evening. I felt rather tough to-day, think I had a touch of the colic. Fine day cool and breezy. 92 �Friday August 30th We wanted to start hauling manure to-day but before we could haul the spreader out of the lane gate we had to put some more earth over the cement tile that Dad. put in there, so we went back to the end of the lane with the waggon to get some clay but as there was a big water hole back there we had to drain the water out of it before we could haul a load through it. Dad. ran a furrow from the hole to the top of the hill and threw the sods out of the furrow into the hole. We hauled two loads of clay from the gully and put them over the tile at the barnyard end of the lane. It was noon when we got through. Aunty and Aunty Alice were here to dinner and after dinner Bruce Smith and Frank Marr came over after Dad. as Frank's cow was choking on an apple so Dad. went down and managed to get the apple. We boys got the manure spreader out and Frank and Dick pitched manure while I went back and pulled weeds out of the mangels. Frank hauled out till Dad. came home and then went and weeded strawberries. To-night Dick and I went to a corn roast put up by Mrs. Hobbes and Frank went to another one that the McBrides were having. Both corn roast were up the beach about 100 yards apart below Globe Park. After we had burned up all the corn we had and then eaten it, we went up to the Hobbes and sat around till after midnight. Fine day. Saturday August 31st It rained quite hard during the night and quite a bit this morning so that I didn't do much but lie around read and sleep during the fore noon Frank made a plant stand for Enah out of an old desk we got down at Lew Brock's. This after noon Dad. and I went back and patched up the gully fence a little along the cornfield as there were two or three posts broken and we were afraid the delapitated condition of the fence might tempt the cattle to try to explore the cornfield. Frank spent the after noon cleaning and fixing up the granary bins. Sam's outfit is now at old Evan's and he will be at Pickford on Monday. Dick took a holiday this after noon and went down town. We did the chores up early and I went down town tonight, went down to the station and met Marj. who came back to-night. Sunny & cool wind this after noon. Sunday September 1st We were late getting around this morning so I wasn't able to take Tid. down to Sunday school so Dad. drove him down. He seems to like Sunday school and the stories Aunty tells them. He told Enah that last Sunday Aunty told them about a man who saw a burning bush 93 �and a voice came out of the bush which said "Take off your boots, for the ground where you stand is full of holes and you'll get your feet muddy." Obviously the story was about Moses and he took the Biblical phrase "holy ground" to mean full of holes and so he generally takes his boots off when he goes back to the gully to keep them from getting muddy, he thought Moses did it for the same reason. I stayed down at Aunty's for dinner and they invited Professor Andrew’s down there to dinner. He came down to preach this morning and there was no one to meet him and no choir or or organist so he played the organ himself. This after noon I went up to see Marj and went home to tea. Dad. came down to church to-night and Enah stayed down to tea at Aunty's and played to-night. I went to Patterson's with Marj. to-night. Monday September 2nd Dick and Dad. hauled out manure this morning and Frank and I dug potatoes and got some vegetables to take down to Vernon to-morrow. This after noon he and I went over to Pickford's to thrash. Dick took a holiday this after noon it being Labor day and Dad. hauled out manure alone. We got home from Pickford's about eight and thrashed {illegible} all out nearly 600 bushels all together. Enah had our valises packed when we got home so I got dressed up and went down town I went up to see Marj. for awhile and then came back to Aunty's to stay all night so as to be ready to catch the car in the morning. Frank was there and had just had a bath so I had one too. Fine day but looks rainy. Saturday September 7th As Frank and I have been in Toronto since last Tuesday till last night, I will have to put our doings in condensed form as I have not been able to write them day by day. We left Tuesday morning on the seven o'clock car and went to Brantford where after bumming around for an hour or so we took the radial for Hamilton getting there about eleven where we had our dinner and fooled in two or three more hours and then took the 2.15 boat for Toronto. We arrived there about five so we were nearly all day “en route.” We didn't mind though as there were five of us Charlie Blake, Tige McBride and Lloyd Ryerse being with us and we had an ideal trip over on the boat. Frank and I went to stay with Roy and Vernon of course and the other three stayed down on Bloor St. about three blocks away. That night we all went down to the Princess theatre and saw "The Garden of Allah" which Tige and I liked but which the other fellows didn't care for. Wednesday we put in the whole day out at the Fairgrounds. Frank went out early to the Sharples seperator company with a piece of the seperator to have it fixed and then went to his sheep judging competition at which he 94 �got 10th place. I went down later and just poked around till I ran into the other three fellows, we had our lunch on the grounds and met in the Breeders’ Ring at 2.30. I for the Beef Cattle judging and the others for the poultry. We had a class of aged Aberdeen Angus cows and one of Shorthorn heifers. I had a hard time coming to a decision on them as they were all pretty even but I tried to make out a good case for my placings when giving my reasons orally and I discovered I won 9th place among about 20. I didn't get the placings on the Shorthorn's right either, That night we got a free ticket to Mumby's dining hall and I had tea with Prof. Graham & Marcellus. After tea most of us went over to the Grand Stand performance but some of them thought it was going to be too wet for it as it drizzled all evening. We got a free ticket to it and had seats reserved for us. It was pretty good but nothing extra. It rained hard that night and Frank and I didn't get out very early to the Exhibition and Frank's class of grain and roots was partly over, however he entered and won 6th place amongst about thirty five. Our Fruit and Vegetable judging contest came off next and I got 6th prize in it. Leo Challand got 4th. After it was over we found all the Norfolk bunch which consisted of Challand, Butler, two Stitts and Corby besides us five. Rolson was also down judging hogs but he disappeared the first day and none of us saw him again. We all had lunch together and happend into the same tent that Neff was dining in. We prowled around the grounds all the after noon and had a lot of fun with Corby who stopped and interviewed anyone who would talk to him. One was a fellow demonstrating wooden arms and hands and another was showing off saftey razors. I went over to the Model Comp and saw Hazen for a few minutes and also saw a couple of boxing bouts between Canadian & Yankee soldiers. There was a whole battalion of Yankees down there. We went back to Vernon's for tea - or at least dinner and at night. Frank went to a Charlie Chaplin show and I went down town and drifted into Britnels book store where I spent the whole evening. Friday morning we went down town and did some shopping and then went over to the Millman's office and Orm took us up to the top of the Royal Bank building to see the city and then over to the Dominion bank to see the 40 ton door of the vaults and Jessie Kirtland and Paddy O'Flynn. We had lunch at Roy’s but had to leave right after it to catch our 2.15 boat for Hamilton. The other three were waiting for us and we all came home to-gether getting in last night on the nine o'clock car. Dick and Dad. hauled manure and thrashed most of the time we were away. They thrashed Jack Martin out and a little for Mr Flemming. They had a very bad wind and rain storm here and everything is pretty wet. Dick took a holiday to-day. Dad. and I spent most of the morning digging potatoes and this after noon we cleaned up the old barn to be ready for the thrashers. Frank did odd jobs. Fine day. Sunday September 8th 95 �I left my razor down at Auntys in the suitcase the other night so had to go down there to shave this morning. I took Tid down with me intending to send him to Sunday school with Aunty but they had gone so we just went to church. Dad. and Enah drove down to church. I stayed down at Aunty's for lunch but went home right after, got Queen and took Marj. for a drive up around by Vittoria. I didn't get down to church to-night but Dad. and I walked down after. He went down to Aunty's and Marj. and I spent the evening up at Miss Martin's Dick was going to Simcoe yesterday to spend Sunday with Dess at Grandpa Mead's and no one has seen him all day. It has been a very nice day. Monday September 9th Dad. and I hauled out manure all day and got out 13 loads. Frank rode up to Mat. Wilson's this morning to see when Sam could come here to thrash and he said not before Thursday. He told Dad. he would be here about Tuesday but took on some new job up there. Frank picked tomatoes and weeded strawberries the rest of the day. Dick spent most of the morning in bed and went to Simcoe this afternoon to have his picture taken. Cecil McPherson was over after school to-night picking plums for Enah. Cool. Tuesday September 10th Dick and Dad. finished covering the field with manure by to-night. Frank and I spent most of the day gathering up the windfalls in the orchard as we want to turn the sheep in there. It was quite a job but we got them all. Tupper was over this morning to get me to do his chores for him while he goes to the London Fair, so I went over to-night to see what to do. Aunty, Aunty Alice and Cousin Clair were over to tea to-night. Miss Kerney & Mrs. Hallam came over to-day and bought some plums from Enah. Cold wind. Wednesday September 11th We seperated the rams from the ewes this morning and put the rams in the orchard and the ewes back in their old pasture in front of the barn. Dad. got started to plow this morning on the oat stubble just north of the orchard. I think the five acres of spring plowing is all we will try to put in. Frank fixed up the fence around the orchard and I barricaded the two little plum trees I set out this spring so that the rams couldn't eat them off again, they have been nibbled down a couple of times but are still alive. Dick picked some plums to take down to Mrs. Dyer. This after noon Dick, Enah and I drove down town in the waggon and got some provisions for the thrashers whom we expect to-morrow. We took some plums down to the Canning Factory and I got the plow which we left at Hallam's to have the shear sharpened. 96 �We picked Melissa Tupper and Hazel Ward up and gave them a ride home. Melissa didn't go to the fair with the rest on account of some school work so she got Hazel Ward to go home with her and Mrs. Art Walker stayed with them all right. I hooked Joe to the buggy and drove them on over to Tupper's place and I did up the chores. To-night Marj. & I went to the picture show and saw Jack Pickford in "Huck & Tom". It has been cloudy all day and rained hard this after noon & evening. Thursday September 12th I drove over to Tupper's as soon as I got up this morning but it was a little late then, but as the walking was so bad I drove the girls down to school. They were late waiting for me to get through with the chores. I didn't get through with my breakfast till after ten o'clock and then went down to Flemmings & Jack Martin's to tell them we expected the thrashers. When I got back I spent the rest of the morning cleaning up my harness as it got pretty muddy. Dick and Frank spent most of the morning fixing up the granary. They put a partition in the middle bin and boarded up the tops so that the bins can be filled up to the ceiling. Dad. also battened up the cracks in the little boxstall in the horse stable so that we can use in for a granary too. It rained nearly all day so we couldn't do much outside Aunty Alice came over to help Enah if the thrashers came and Dess came over too, she and Dick went down to the show to-night. I went over to Tupper's soon after five and did up the chores in the rain. No one had been there all day and Melissa didn't come home so the milk utensils didn't get a very good washing. When I got home I found they had got the machine here and Alan, Sam & Ray were just leaving, they had a hard time moving. Friday September 13th I got over to Tupper's this morning before daylight and got the chores all done and home before they started to thrash. It rained a little and I suppose delayed them a little but it hasn't been raining at all to-day but has been cloudy, windy and cold. We thrashed pretty steadily all day and got everything thrashed but one stack. The oats turned out well about fifty bushels to the acre, and the mixed grain did well too We just had 117 bushels of clear wheat. The stack really thrashed better than the stuff in the barn as it was a little tough but the stack was perfectly dry so all Dad's worrying over the rain was no use. We have to-night 65 bushels over the 1000 mark and the other stack to thrash yet so this will be away the best turn out we have ever had. Tupper didn't get home to-day so I had to go over again to-night to do chores I was late getting over but Melissa was home and had the cows up and partly milked. She went over to Donald's to get Ina to stay with her to-night. 97 �Saturday September 14th I was over at Tupper's again this morning before daylight and found the lantern still burning on the table where I had left it last night thinking that Melissa and Ina would be right back but Melissa stayed over at Donald's all night. Tupper didn't get home to-day so I went over to-night and was surprised and a little worried to find that Melissa had not emptied the cream nor washed the seperator and aparantly had not been near the house all day so when I got the chores done I went over to Bill Donald's to see if she got there alright last night. They were all just coming out of the lane heading for town and Melissa was with them so I had my mind made easy and got a ride home. We finished thrashing the other stack this morning and it turned out just as well as the rest and made the total number of bushels up to 1240. The granary bins are all full as well as the little boxstall in the horse stable. When they got through here they moved down to Alfred's and Dick Frank and I went down with them. We thrashed there till about four o'clock and got finished at Alfred's. He had 408 bushels of oats and 14 of wheat and is as tickled as he can be. The wheat was nearly pure bluegrass. I was in the straw all the time as no-one else would go into it so felt pretty dirty to-night. When we got home Dad. had gone down town to see the dam and hear what Hon. Mr. Cavell had to say about the harbor. He says they will start work next week repairing the pier. I went down to-night and got my hair cut but there wasn't much going on. Charlie Quanbury treated me to ice cream. Fair. Sunday September 15th None of us went down to church this morning as we were late having breakfast. I didn't get back from Tupper's till about ten o'clock. This after noon Dick and I went down town and I went to Miss McQueen's with Marj. I came home thinking I would have to go over to Tupper's again to-night but was rejoiced to find him here to tell me he had got home. He said everything was in good shape and gave me two dollars for my trouble. I had my tea and went back down town thinking I would be in time for church. I went but just got in before the sermon and I discovered that they had changed the time back from half past seven to seven. I went over and spent the evening with Marj. She has changed her boarding house over to the Monteith's. It has been cloudy, and cold rained to-night. Monday September 16th Dick and Frank went over to Quanbury's (Art's) to thrash this morning and were over there till nearly noon but didn't get their dinner out of it. Dad. and I bagged up 12 bags of oats for 98 �Tupper and tied up all the bags that were in the barn. This after noon Dick and I took Tupper's oats back to him but the 12 bags fell a bushel short of what we borrowed by weight. We got 12 or 13 bassword poles over there to put over the mow in the old barn. When we got back we took all the filled bags that were in the barn over and dumped them in the little boxstall in the horse stable and took Art Quanbury's oats back which we borrowed at seeding time and took Ivey's bags back to them so most of the after noon was spent in returning borrowed goods. Frank and Dad. did odd jobs as it was raining and cloudy all day rain to-night. Tuesday September 17th Frank and I took Frank's ducks down to the station this morning and he shipped them to Silverwood's in London. Dad. did some odd jobs around and I helped him clean out the calf pen when I got back. This afternoon Dad. plowed on the wheat ground and Dick Frank and I went back to pull plantain in the clover seed but as there wasn't very much we went on over to John Wes’'s McBride's and visited with Cam. most of the after noon. To-night Dad. and Enah drove out to the Shand's to see the Virginia Nixon's Frank and I stenciled Dad's name on some bags. Dick went down town and just after Frank and I went to bed he came in and spanked us awake with his whip and informed us that a telegram had come for him from Col. Syer telling him he had a chance to go either to Siberia or Overseas with a tank battalion, he is tickled at the chance to go to Siberia. Sunny and fair but not hot to-day. Wednesday September 18th I went over to Lorne Myer's this morning to see what our potatoes looked like. The early ones are ready to dig but in the clay patch are too wet. I went on over to McBride's to see Tige but he wasn't home so I went in to see Ham. Thompson. He was going to try to get some wheat in and so was too busy to help with the potatoes so I thought we had better leave it for awhile. Dad. plowed this morning and Frank dug potatoes in our own garden. Dick went down town right after breakfast to wire Col. Syer that he would go to Siberia but didn't get any word back to-day He was down town all day and is staying down to-night. It rained a little at noon but soon cleared up and Dad. Enah and the baby drove down to see the Horticultural Show. Frank plowed all the after noon and I cut the lawn or at least part of it. It poured rain to-night but I went down town. I went up to the Flower Show but there was very little there so I went around and spent the evening with Marj. It cleared off but was cold and very windy when I came home. 99 �Thursday September 19th We were very late having breakfast this morning and it was nearly eleven o'clock before we got a grist bagged up and Frank and I got started for Lynn Valley to have it chopped. We had to take it up there as the flume down here at Charlie Ivey's just about collapsed the other day and is now in course of repair. Frank and I didn't get home till nearly three o'clock and found Dad. and Enah hadn't had dinner yet as they were waiting for us. After dinner we were sitting around the little coal oil stove reading as it was raining hard when Dick and Dess came over. Dick hadn't been home since yesterday morning. He had a telegram in his pocket from Col. Syer telling him to return to camp immediately as he was wanted for Siberia, so he set to work to pack his kit and intends to leave in the morning. We did up the chores early and Dad. drove him and Dess and his kit down town before dark and stayed down all night to take him to the station in the morning. It was sunny early this morning but was cold and wet all day. Friday September 20th Frank and I did chores this morning and Dad. didn't get home till after the nine o'clock car went out as after he saw Dick off safely he and Huby ran across Jock Paine who was telling them that he has just sold out his business for a quarter of a million and is now the richest man in Port Dover. He bought the first prize car at the Toronto Exhibition so he told them and said he was coming over here to get some mushrooms but he never came. We spent most of the day cleaning out the chicken houses and Dad. carried over the weed seeds and chaff off the barn floor and put in the sheds for them to scratch in. William Ryerse was in after dinner to invite us three boys out to a dance at his place to-night. He didn't know Dick had gone. Frank and I went out and had a pretty fair time although there was a little too big a crowd. The barn was full of horses and the house fuller still of folks. Wilbur spent the whole evening going around in his old clothes with a lantern like a night-watchman putting horses away and getting them out and occasionally taking a walk though the house to see how things were progressing. Dave and Mr. McNeilly furnished the music but as we had to dance in two small rooms each side of a hall full of people, the one room didn't get a very full share. It has been sunny and quite warm to-day Saturday September 21st Dad. and Frank cleaned up the wheat to-day and got somewhere around twenty-five bushels of clean seed, part of which we will sow, if it ever clears up. There was quite a lot of 100 �shrunken stuff in it. This morning I went over to Ben's and dug up a few peony roots to send to Dorrie Clarke and took them down to Marj. She packed them and I took them down and expressed them but had to wait for about an hour at the station to get them looked after so I was late getting home for dinner. Alfred Ryerse came up after dinner to pay us for helping him thrash but we wouldn't take it of course. We finished cleaning up wheat this after noon and I carried over some straw to the chicken houses. To-night I shut them all up but the young ones are so wild I couldn't do much with them. Frank went down town tonight and says that Ray & Vernon & the kids came up to Aunty's last night. Fine day but cold wind. Sunday September 22nd None of us went down to Sunday school this morning but all hands went to church. Enah drove Ray, Rebecca and Tim home and Dad. walked. Frank rode his wheel and I stayed down at Aunty's for dinner. This afternoon Marj. and I went over to see Glad. Law who came home last night. I went to church to-night with Aunty Alice and then Marj. Glad. and I went up to Miss Martin's. I didn't go home to tea and Frank and I stayed down all night as we want to go to Brantford in the morning to see Archie McEwen about another ram Enah was down at Aunty's to tea and played the organ to-night and Dad. drove down after her to-night. It has been fair but quite cool. Monday September 23rd Frank and I got off on the seven o'clock car this morning and went to Simcoe. We went to see Johnson about the apples and he said he would be down about the end of the week to have a look at them. I also gave Cruikshank $20.00 more for my insurance and then we got the nine o'clock car for Archie's place. Roy was on it so we went up with him. We had dinner at McEwen's and made a deal with him for another ram, one we like the looks of much better than the old McPherson ram and which has a far better fleece and skin. He is going to take the old ram back and let us have this one for ten dollars more. We came home on the three o'clock car but didn't do anything but chores after we got home. They lifted the bridge down at the dam this after noon. Dad. didn't do any plowing to-day. Fine day and warmer. Tuesday September 24th I spent most of the morning clearing up rubbish and putting away chicken coops and crates and Frank cleaned up the pen in the big barn to put our ram in as he has been used to being in. Dad. plowed all morning. This after noon we loaded up old McPherson and took 101 �him down to meet the after noon Express. Archie had sent the new ram down on it so we just took him out of the crate and put McPherson in and sent him back on the same car. Dad. thinks the new ram is a great improvement on the other. We stopped in for awhile at Aunty's on our way home and Dad. wanted to stay there and play with Roy's baby. It was time to do chores when we got home as Enah wanted us to get through early for Miss Phipps had been over to invite Dad. Enah and me over there for the evening. Mr. Barker, Mrs. D. Cook and Mr. & Mrs. Leslie Battersby were there. Dad. had a letter from Dick to-day saying he would leave Petewawa this week for the coast and Joe Syer told him that they were to leave Vancouver for Siberia not later than the 10th of October so that there will be no chance of his getting home again. He has been attached to the Veterinary Corps. There hasn't been much war news from the Western Front the last few days, as the doings in Palestine seem to be the centre of interest. General Allenby has just about freed that country from the Turks so they say and has entirely wiped out two Turkish armies. Cool & fine. Wednesday September 25th It rained again this morning but soon cleared off and was a very nice day. Dad. plowed most of the day but was late getting out because we let the ewes out in the corner field and put the ram lambs in the pasture in front of the barn. Frank and I spent most of the day building a hurdle fence across from the end of the horse stable to the big barn to make a paddock for the ram. Winnie was over to tea to-night and after tea Frank, Enah, Win and I went down town. Winnie & Enah went to choir practice but we met them all coming away from the church. I spent the evening over at the Monteiths. Frank went to the picture show and we all met at Aunty's and came home. Thursday September 26th Dad. has plowed all day to-day and is nearly finished. He didn't get out very early this morning as he helped us catch a couple of the best ewes to turn in with the new ram to try him out. Frank and I dug potatoes in the garden till dinnertime. This after noon I disked with Queen and Joe till about half past four and then gathered up the potatoes and onions that were dug as we fully expected a frost to-night. It has been very cold all day due to a wind from the north. I had my overcoat and gloves on this after noon and then nearly perished. Frank went down to Walk. Well's sale this afternoon. Tom told us this morning that some of our humorists had put on the sale bills that Sat. Robinson was to be Clerk. Where the joke of that come in is that Walk had Sat up in court a couple of weeks ago and had him fined 102 �ten dollars for endeavoring to aleinate the affections of his hired girl, or something of that nature. Friday September 27th Dad. finished plowing this morning and I have been disking most of the day. This morning I drove down town and got Vernon and the two kids and brought them over for dinner. Aunty and Aunty Alice walked over. This after noon about five o'clock I drove them home again. Frank and Aunty Alice picked beans over in the garden and Dad. dug potatoes. Our checks for prize money at the Toronto Exhibition came to-day. I got $22.00 and Frank $11.00. It has been nice to-day and much milder. Saturday September 28th I disked and Frank harrowed with the little team on the wheat ground. I didn't finish disking till about three o'clock and then Dad. started to drill and Frank harrowed after him. They worked till dark but got the field finished. I came up and cut part of the lawn it had got very long so after I cut it first I raked it and cut it again but that was just a small patch in the center. Enah went down town this afternoon to practice with Zeitha who is going to sing in church to-morrow. She told Dad. she thought she would be home to tea but didn't get home till about ten. Dad. got a little anxious about her so I went down to Aunty's to look for her, but they said she got a ride home with Jack Martin. I just missed them. Cloudy but milder. Sunday September 29th We all walked down to church this morning and I stayed down at Aunty's to dinner. The rest came in to Aunty's after church and there was great excitement when the car came in as several of us happened to look out and saw Dick's face in the window. We hadn't the faintest idea that he would be home as he was supposed to leave Petawawa for Vancouver to-morrow, but we all rushed out the back gate and met him at Reeve's corner and he informed us that they weren't to leave for the coast till Wednesday and that they had given him a three day pass so he hadn't asked any more questions but beat it. He stayed down at Aunty's for dinner and then he and Dess went over to the farm and stayed to tea. I spent the afternoon with Marj. and Glad Law and then Marj. and I came over here to tea. Tid stayed down at Aunty's to dinner and went with them up to Huby's for tea and to-night Dad. went after him. We didn't leave till he got back, and Dick spent most of the evening sleeping. He said he hadn't had a decent sleep since he left home. 103 �Monday September 30th Dad. drove down right after breakfast this morning to be with Dick who stayed down town all night and also to get Joe shod. Frank got the mower in shape to start cutting clover seed and I raked up some more of the lawn and cleaned out the calf pen. We had an early dinner and then Frank Enah Tid and I walked down to see Dick off on the one o'clock car. After he left Frank and I went up town and got our checks for prize money and then came home. We let the sheep out and Frank went back about four o'clock to start on the clover seed. I did a few chores, read the paper and raked up some more lawn. Dad. Enah and Tid didn't get home till six. Huby came over this after noon with his dog and shotgun to look for some ducks and snipe. There were four ducks out in the waterhole north of the old garden. He stayed to tea. The war news is about the best yet to-day. The whole Western Front is on the move and the Germans seem to be going back all the way from the Belgian Coast to the Swiss border. Positions along the Hindenburg line that were thought to be impregnable have been smashed and the Canadians are in the outskirts of Cambrai and the Belgians under King Albert's personal leadership, French and Americans are all just hooking it up. Cloudy & cold raw wind. Tuesday October 1st Frank cut clover seed all day to-day with the little team but didn't finish the field. I dug potatoes this morning and this after noon went back with Frank to carry a mower knife back and then threw the sods out of some of the ditches in the wheat. Dad. and I also let the ram out with the flock this after noon. Dad. ran out the furrows and ditches in the wheat field to-day. I had a letter to-day from Douglas to tell me he had found a couple of rams that would suit us so I wrote him to-night to tell him we had one. To-day's news says that Bulgaria has completely surrendered to the Allies. Wednesday October 2nd It rained a little during the night so it was too wet to cut clover seed and Frank and I both went over to Lorne Myer's to dig potatoes. Neff was down and Corby, Tige, Tick Nunn, Charlie Stitt and Willie Nixon and Ham Thompson were over there. We got all the Cobblers on the sand patch dug and put them in Henry Misener's barn. We got about two bags off the plot that was grown from Old Ontario seed and over four bags off each of the other two plots that were 104 �{There are two pages missing (ie one PDF) here. Toby numbers his pages in the upper right or left corners, so they would be #234-235 in the original diary. The dates are end of Oct.2 -October 4, inclusive.} Saturday October 5th Frank went back to Art's to thrash this morning and they finished early, before noon. Dad. and I cleaned out ditches in the wheat field and I dug a few potatoes in the cornfield this morning. There are some good potatoes out there as far as size and cleanness but the wire worms are bad in them. This after noon we went back to get a load of clover seed but there was such a wind I couldn't load it and when we got a little more than the rack full it began to rain so that we had to quit. It didn't rain much but drizzled. When we came up Dad. went to clean some more ditches and Frank dug some more potatoes. I picked what few Duchess apples there were left and then washed the buggy. Huby was over with his dog and gun this after noon and he and the baby trailed all over the farm. Huby wanted to give Gyp a lesson in retrieving so shot a blackbird out in the cornfield and let her find it but she nabbed it and hiked for the barn with it and he supposes ate it but he couldn't get near her. He stayed to tea. Huby stayed to tea and rode down town with Neff who came to see if we had got any more potatoes dug. Sunday October 6th Enah and I drove down to church alone this morning. Cousin Willie took the service and Zeitha sang a solo which was very pretty. This afternoon. Marj. Glad Law and I went for a drive up towards Vittoria and got some chestnuts, they seem to be thick but not quite ripe. It began to rain before we got home and has been drizzling and raining all evening. After tea Dad. & I went down town. Dad. went down to see Roy at Aunty's and Marj. and I went over to see Glad Law who is going away in the morning. We got very muddy and wet coming home and found Frank sitting up waiting for us to tell us that Enah was sick. She had a bad attack of cramps and had gone to bed, Frank having packed her in hot irons. Monday October 7th Enah was sick most of the night and has been in bed all day but felt a little better to-night. This morning Frank and I took Clementine and Marj. out to Renton as Demming ships from there. I led them both and Frank drove. We didn't have much trouble, we were late getting started as Edmond England was in before breakfast and bought a ram lamb from us for $40.00. This afternoon, we went over to the patch to dig potatoes. Lloyd Crysler, Charlie 105 �Stitt. Charlie Shand, Tige and Bill Sidway were there and we got the Green Mountains on the sand patch dug. Lorne Myer's was up getting cider at Walker Waddle's and as we all had what we could drink we forgave him for not helping us. He did come out anyway with his team and waggon and took the down potatoes down to the mill where we weighed them. For some unknown reason the ones grown from Old Ontario seed yeilded better than the other two plots which was opposite result to what we expected and to what it has been in other experiments. We were very surprised to-night to see Enah's brother and his family they came down in their car from Courtright to-day, they didn't stay here long but are coming to morrow. Nice afternoon. Tuesday October 8th Frank and I went to the Simcoe Fair to-day but we didn't get ready in time to catch the nine o'clock car so went up on the eleven. I went up town first and deposited my two checks from Edmond England and Demming so now have quite a bank account but it won't last long. As soon as I got to Simcoe I paid out about $20.00 to Cruikshank for insurance but have it all paid up. Frank and I had dinner at Walt. McCall's and then went out to the Fair Grounds. We tried to find Neff to give him a sample of our potatoes but couldn't find him for some time. I did locate him though later. He couldn't figure out how the Ontario plot beat the rest unless we could have by any chance got the labels mixed or the ground a little better. I lost Frank soon after we got there and didn't find him again. I spent most of the after noon watching the races with Bill Sidway and stayed there too long to catch the five car so Bill said I could ride home with him and Clark Horn as they were alone and had Clark's car. I did and had tea at the Sidway’s and then came on down town with Clark and his wife. I went down to Aunty's to tell them that I was home and then went up and got my hair cut. I stayed there all night so that I could catch the car for Hamilton to-morrow. Fine day. Wednesday October 9th I left for Hamilton this morning on the 7.30 train and got there about 10.30 there were four other fellows on on the train bent on the same errand as I was so we started off to-gether from the station but just stepped out the door when a plain clothes man held us up for our military papers and registration certificates, but we all had them so he told us how to get to the Armouries. That was the first time I was ever asked to show my papers. We all had to answer a list of questions before we went before the examining board and then we all went upstairs where the doctors were. There were several misfits around the room but most of 106 �the boys looked to be in pretty fair shape. They had me take my shoes and socks off and they looked at my knee for awhile and then told me to go and wait for awhile so I went back to the stove which had a railing around it just the right temperature to be comfortable for my feet and one of the other boys (Abbott from Courtland) and sat there with our bare feet up on the stove watching the other fellows getting put through their paces. There was one old fat fellow who was lame and they took a long time to pass on him. They had him stripped to the waist and made him lie out flat on the table which seemed to give him considerable trouble then they made him prance up and down the room and alternated these exercises all the time I was there. The last I saw of him he was reclining on the table with his abdomen heaved high in the air and the doctors had aparently forgotten him. Another one they had a lot of fun with was one of the Norfolk boys who came down with me. He had a shrunken muscle in his leg or some thing which appeared to me to become very much worse when we reached the Armouries than it had been before. However I might be mistaken about that. They had him hop down the room on his well leg and then try to hop back on his bad one. He didn't hop very gracefully on his well leg but the faces he made when he tried to hop on the other were pitiful to behold. He vowed he couldn't do it but the doctors urged him to make a stab at it so he did manage to get to the other end of the room. I don't know what happened to him eventually. They called me back in a few minutes and felt and pinced my knee till they hurt it and it has been lame all day. They at last decided that I wasn't bad enough for an E man, which is the same opinion I have always had, so put me up to B2 and gave me a certificate saying that my papers were taken from me and that I would hear from them in about two weeks. That finished my examination so I left feeling a much better man that I did last year. I went up to the Herrings where I intended to hit them up for a day's keep and a night's lodging as I was very much to anxious to go to the theatre to-night to see John E. Kellerd in "Julius Ceaser." I considered myself very lucky to get the chance to see the play as I have always wanted to see it more than any other Shakesperian play and have never had a chance before. When I got to the Herring's I found Cousin Clair had gone to Brantford for the day but Mr. Herring was home and he treated me right royally. I told him I wanted to go to the play to-night so he asked me if a matinee would be too much and treated me to it which was "The Bells" by the same company. He then took me all around the city and to the Library and Armouries where he showed me through the Officer's quarters. To-night he and I went to see Julius Caeser at which I stood treat and I certainly enjoyed it immensely. When we got home we found Cousin Clair had not yet returned so we waited up for her. She came in on the twelve o'clock car. I asked her what she thought of me landing in on them without warning. "Well" she said "Why shouldn't you, what have you got relations for," in a tone of voice that made 107 �me feel very much at home. We didn't wait up long after she got home and I went to bed feeling very much beholden to the Military Authorities for giving me the opportunity of having such a good time and more than paying my expenses. Thursday October 10th Cousin Clair gave me my breakfast this morning and I got off in plenty of time to catch the Dover train which left at 9.20. This being Caledonia Fair day there was a big crowd on and we didn't get into Dover till nearly twelve. I had dinner at Aunty's and then went up to get their mail for them. Everyone I saw seemed very interested to know how I made out in Hamilton. Aunty and Rebecca came over to the farm with me. I didn't get home very early but Dad Frank and I went back and got a load of clover seed. Dess came over to tea and tonight we managed to persuade Dad. to go down and stay at Aunty's so that he could go to the Caledonia Fair to-morrow. I also went down to see Marj. Lovely day. Friday October 11th Frank and I got the chores done up nearly as early as usual this morning but as we thought it was too wet to haul clover seed this morning on account of the dew we started in to cut corn and got about fifteen shocks cut before dinner. We went back right after dinner and put on a pretty good load of clover seed and then Frank raked up the rest of one side and I bunched up till he got through and then we came up with our load. To-night Frank went down to get Dad. but as his train was late they didn't get home till quite late. Dad. had a pretty good time at the Fair I guess as it was a lovely day. Roy came up to-night too. Saturday October 12th It rained a little during the night so was too wet to do anything at the clover seed this morning. I started to make a crate to ship Mr. Bent's ram lamb in but didn't finish it. Dad. and Frank cut up some wood and brought in the cabbages from the garden with the team and waggon. This after noon as it was a nice day and Marj. is going to be in Nanticoke over Thanksgiving day (Monday) she and I went after chestnuts. We went up north of Vittoria and only stopped at three trees but got a lot of nuts, they were thick on all the trees. We got requested to leave one tree by an angry farmer so we did, after we got all the nuts we could. It was a lovely afternoon and we got home before dark. Dad. and Frank hauled in the clover seed that was bunched up but the rest was a little too wet. Sunday October 13th 108 �Dad. Enah and Tid. drove down to church this morning and I walked down. Frank didn't go down as he wanted to go after chestnuts this after noon early. This after noon I drove Marj. down to the Doughty's at Nanticoke and left her there to spend Thanksgiving day. They invited me to stay to tea but I didn't and got home here in time to have tea and do chores. Roy and Vernon were here but they didn't stay long as they wanted to go to church tonight. Dad. and Enah were down there this afternoon. Frank went after chestnuts but didn't get any. I don't know why. He went up to Bowlby on the car and cut across south where there are lots of trees, and anywhere we were yesterday there were lots of nuts. I didn't go down town to-night. This morning there was a south wind and the air full of smoke which made everything look very queer. A north wind got up about noon and the air cleared but got colder. Monday October 14th (Thanksgiving Day) We finished hauling in the clover seed to-day. We went back this morning and Frank finished raking and Dad. and I bunched up and brought one load up before dinner and this after noon put it off and got the rest in one load and put it off. Enah and the baby went down to see Roy and Vernon off this after noon. Windy & cool. Tuesday October 15th Dad. started fall plowing to-day on the oat stubble in the back field. He also got a load of wood back there in the woods just old brokenl treetops and rubbish. Frank and I went up to Ham Thompson's and when we got back we started to pick the apples that were dropping the most and Frank picked up the windfalls and put them in the ice house for cider. I picked the King's and one tree of Canada Reds or whatever they are. Lila was over most of the day as the school has been closed on account of Spanish Influenza. I went down to-night intending to go to the picture show but Marj. thought it wouldn't be wise as the Flu. is spreading rapidly. There are all the way from 70 to 80 cases reported in town and to-day poor old Bob. Miller died of it and all the rest of his family are sick with it. They got word today that Geordie Spain has been killed in action. It has been a beautiful day. Froze. Wednesday October 16th Dad. has been plowing all day and got on fairly well. Frank and I finished building the crate to ship our ram to Omemee in this morning and I wrote to Mr. Bent and made out the applications for transfer while Frank went over to Quanbury's to set some saws. We also put the rams in the paddock and trimmed Mr. Bent's up a little and when Dad. came up at 109 �noon put the label in his ear. We picked apples this after noon and got the russets all picked. Huby was over shooting this after noon and stayed to tea. I drove him home tonight and then went for a little drive alone as it was a beautiful moonlight night and Queen enjoyed it too. Frank went for a ride somewhere on Joe. Frank and I were wokedd up this morning about three o'clock by the factory whistle and after we got up we heard the fire bells so hiked down town to find a small crowd around the planing mill where there had been a fire in the shavings. We were down there about an hour but they had it under control. The old Felix engine worked fine. We came home and went to bed again. Dad. got up after we left thinking he heard the six o'clock whistle and when he discovered his mistake he stayed up. Beautiful day. Thursday October 17th Frank and I dug potatoes all morning and I dug all the after noon out in the cornfield. We got two full rows and what was left of the one that Frank started on the other day. We would have got more done but Frank had to kill and pluck a couple of ducks. Dad. plowed all day and got on well. Cousins Clare and Phoebe were over for awhile this after noon. Frank went for a ride again to-night with Alex England and Colin Ryerse. Friday October 18th We were up soon after five this morning and Frank and I got down to the station with Mr. Bent's ram about ten minutes before the train went out. I went in and asked Stace Lampkins if I had better wait till the train pulled up or load him right away and he said to wait till it pulled up. We did but it pulled up and right out before we could get him on the car. They said they were late and couldn't wait a minute. It was very provoking but there was nothing to be done but leave him there till to-night so this after noon I went down early and saw that he got on the car, although the old pile of junk didn't pull out till a quarter of an hour later than it should. It is such occassions as this that make a fellow wish for a strong arm and a blasphemous tongue to curse the G.T.R. into a heap and lick all of its wooden headed and unaccomodating employee’s. Dad. plowed again all day and Frank and I dug potatoes all morning. Frank finished digging them in the cornfield this afternoon. Aunty and Aunty Alice were over to dinner to celebrate Frank's birthday. To-night I went down town and Marj. informed me that we were invited over to the Hobbes so we spent the evening over there. North east wind to-day and much colder. Saturday October 19th 110 �Dad. plowed all day and has about half the field plowed. Frank and I dug potatoes all day in the old garden but didn't get them all dug. They are much harder to dig out there than they were in the cornfield as they were weedier and "soddier". We only got two bags. Charlie Quanbury went through at noon to thrash at Art Walker's and told Dad. that the "Flu" is still spreading. Frank Awde is very sick with it and Toots Law is dead, only being sick 36 hours. One of the Alair boys is dead but he had pneumonia. They now say that Bob. Miller didn't have it but died of his old trouble. It has been clear and windy to-day but not so cold. Sunday October 20th It began to rain some time during the night and kept it up pretty well till about noon. I didn't get up till nearly nine o'clock and none of us went down to church. Frank stayed down all night so he went with Aunty but said there were hardly any there. There was no Sunday school and will no service to-night. The flu is still spreading and to day Charlie Alair died of it, just as they were taking out the body of his boy. I went down soon after dinner and spent the after noon with Marj. She went to the Bagley's for tea so I didn't see her to-night but I stayed to tea at Aunty's and all evening. Mr. & Mrs. Jim Ross came to town last night and are staying at Andrew Innes's for a week before they go to Toronto where Jim has been moved. Monday October 21st I went over to Tupper's right after breakfast this morning and paid him his note. I was over there most of the morning watching him break his big Clyde colt. He got on his back first but didn't stay there long. Dad. and Frank went down to Lew Brock's and got some more wood. This after noon Dad. Enah and Tid drove down in the buggy to see Jim Ross and Frank took the cider barrell down to have some hoops put on it. He also got a new suit. I sorted potatoes. Fresh day. Tuesday October 22nd Dad. plowed all day to-day. Frank and I picked apples this morning and got two trees of sweet ones picked. It froze hard last night so we didn't get out very early at it. This after noon we cut corn. It was a slow job too as up at the far end it was very short and full of ragweed. Mr. Smythe from Vittoria was in at noon yesterday to buy a ram but he thought $40.00 was pretty high and he wanted him recorded in the American book so we didn't make a deal yet. I got a card from Mr. Bent to-day saying that the ram arrived Saturday night so was slack but he seemed satisfied with him. Dad. had a letter from Dick from New 111 �Westminster and he says they are out of quarantine now but there are still a few cases of "Flu". Everyone here now seems to be on the mend. I went down town to-night. It has been a lovely day but cloudy to-night. Wednesday October 23rd Dad. plowed all day and Frank and I cut corn all day we got about 55 shocks cut. Dad. heard from Dick from the hospital saying he had the Flu but was doing well. His fever had been up to nearly 104° but was down to 101. Johnson's man was in at noon to look at the orchard. He thought there might be 20 bbls {barrels} of orchard. Enah went down town this after noon and told us to-night that Mrs. Frank Awde was dead and Frank himself very low with Influenza. Thursday October 24th Dad. has plowed all day. Frank and I picked apples this morning as we expected Pud. Smythe down to borrow some barley & oats as Mrs. Smythe asked Enah if they could get them yesterday. He came and got about ten bags and as he was going to have them chopped We got him to take a grist for us down to the mill too. I went down with him and didn't get back till about noon. This after noon Frank and I hooked up Joe and Queen to go after our chop but it wasn't done when we got there so we drove around the block instead of waiting. We met Ham Thompson when we were coming home. He had been over here to see if he could get us to help him fill silo to-morrow morning so we said we could. Tige McBride was in last night to see if we could did the rest of the potatoes to-morrow after noon as Neff could come down, so we said we would. Cloudy. Friday October 25th Dad. has plowed all day but Frank and I have been away from home all day. We went up to help Ham. fill his silo and were there all morning. We didn't finish at noon as the blower plugged up several times but after dinner Tige who was also helping and I went over to the plot to dig potatoes as Tige had sent out the summons again to the boys. Frank stayed to help Ham and Tige and I were the only ones at the plot till about five o'clock when Neff came then Frank a little later. Young Wilfred Myers helped us pick up all the afternoon and when Neff came he plowed out all the rest of the Cobbler’s on the clay patch. Tige and I had plowed out a row or two. I didn't get home till dark and Jack Martin had been here to get a couple of us to help fill his silo to-morrow. I had promised to go back to dig potatoes 112 �so Dad. said he would go although he could finish plowing to morrow. I went down town tonight. It has been cloudy and warm to-day. Saturday October 26th Dad. and Frank went over to Jack Martin's to help fill silo this morning and I took the team over to Lorne Myer's. Tige McBride and his father came over and Charlie Blake and Fred Rolson were there and a little later Neff came down with Leo Challand. Lorne Myers also helped us but no more of the boys came. Neff took our team and he and Rolson plowed all the potatoes out and we got the ones off the clay patch all picked up before dinner. This after noon I went back and Tige and Corby came and Lorne Myer’s pretty late. Rolson came with a lot of crates and picked up 20 bushels by measure for himself. Neff came down and helped us till after five. Tige Corby and I worked till dark and finished the job and Lorne Myer's hauled them up to his barn. When I got home Frank informed me that the silo filler had broken down so they had come home about four o'clock and Dad. Enah and the baby had gone down to Aunty's for tea as Jim & Mrs. Ross were there. I did the milking and Frank and I had tea then Frank went down town and I went down to stay at Frank Awdes as he is still pretty sick and his sister in law told me at noon that she would be very glad if someone would come so that she could get a little sleep as no-one but herself and Earl have been there since before Mrs. Awde died. Frank told Dad. I was there so he came in on his way home and stayed the rest of the night. It has been cloudy and mild all day. Sunday October 27th As there has been no church to-day none of us got around very early this morning. Dad. got home about half past five but went to bed for a little while. Aunty Alice came over after breakfast for a little while just to see how we were. Aunty had gone up to the Marr's to nurse Woodyer and his sister and Miss Gutcher who are all down with the Flu and she has been there all day. They changed the time back to the old system again to-day so everyone of the kickers ought to be happy. I went down town this after noon and went for a walk. I had tea with Aunty Alice alone as Aunty didn't get home till after we were through tea. I spent the evening with Marj. Dess was over here yesterday with a letter from Dick saying he was much better but in the hospital at Coquiltam. Beautiful warm day, rained a little. Monday October 28th 113 �Frank and I went down to Mr. Flemming's to thrash this morning but it began to rain before we got started and rained all morning. We hung around down there for an hour or so and then Tupper brought us home in the his car, we went down town with him first to get some gasoline. Frank spent most of the morning cleaning up root seed and I cleaned harness. This afternoon I went down town to get my tooth fixed as the filling came out of it yesterday. I got my hair cut and went down to Tip's to get a suit and a hat. I brought them back on approval. Young Earl Awde came over this after noon to ask someone to go down and stay all night to-night so Dad. went down. There is great consternation in town over the news which arrived this morning of Billy Faulkner's death. He died in England but no one knows what of but suppose it was the Flu. He just enlisted a little while ago. Tuesday October 29th Dad. finished plowing his field to-day but did not get a full day in as he was pretty tired after sitting up all night with Frank Awde. He didn't get home till daylight. Frank went down to Flemmings and they finished thrashing about four o'clock. I didn't go as Mr. Flemming said yesterday he didn't expect us both but Frank said they could have used me early in the day. I did chores and picked apples all day but didn't get in a very long day at the job. Fine day. Wednesday October 30th Frank and I picked apples all day and got all the Spy's picked and a lot of the Seek-noFurther’s or Vandeveers as Johnson’s man called them the other day. Dad. started to plow the side hill across the gully to-day. We want if we possibly can to get it seeded down with Alfalfa next year. It began to rain about four o'clock and drizzled all evening. I went down town to-night and intended to stay all night but when I got to Aunty's they told me that Neff had been down and wanted me to go to Guelph with him to-morrow. He had telephoned Tige before and wanted me to go but I told him I couldn't, but when he came down and went over to the farm Dad. said I could go so he came all the way down to Aunty's to tell me. As it had cleared off a little I went home for the night. Cloudy and rain. Thursday October 31st Tige McBride was down before breakfast this morning to tell me I couldn't go to Guelph as Neff had said last night that Tige was going to take Lloyd Ryerse and me in his car, but Tige said he was all alone as his father was off canvassing for Victory Loan subscriptions and Albert was picking apples for George Duncan but Lloyd said he thought the real cause was 114 �that his mother was afraid of him getting the Flu. He went on down to tell Lloyd and by the time they got back I was about ready to go so we drove up to McBride's and telephoned Neff. At first he said he could take us up with him but as Butler, Nixon & Mitchell were going too we thought it would be quite a load so we said we would go to Galt by Radial and he could pick us up there so we did. He got us all right at Galt and we got to Guelph in time for dinner. This after noon we went up to the College for the sale of surplus stock. I thought things went fairly cheaply although the stock was nothing extra. Mostly sows but a few sheep and cattle. There was one very nice young Shorthorn bull which went up around five hundred, and Carpenter & Ross bought a white heifer for over a thousand. We went back to the Royal Hotel for supper as soon as the sale was over, but Neff went out somewhere to tea I think to Neilson's. I went down to the Bard's to see how they all were but I found the old man and lady had gone out to the country and their married daughter that was there told me that Edna was drowned last summer while in bathing down by the old Victoria bridge. That was very sad news indeed and accounted for the old folks being away as they could bear to stay alone. To-night we didn't know what to do with ourselves as everything in the shape of entertainment was closed up. Butler and Mitchell were very anxious to pick up some "chickens" and I guess did chase up a couple but I went over to the Y.M.C.A. for awhile and then Nixon and I went back and I went to bed. Lloyd wandered around town for awhile and I was asleep when he came in. He and I had the same room. It has been cloudy raw & inclined to rain all day. Friday November 1st Neff left a call for us fellows last night and the old fellow came banging at our door this morning about seven o'clock, however, Lloyd and I were up, Lloyd having got up at intervals I think all night every time he heard a train go past. Neff doesn't eat any breakfast and was all ready for us when we got through ours and we were on the road soon after eight. Elliott. the District Rep recently from Lincoln County and Hampden from Welland were each there with a class of boys to fit for the Intie-County judging competition at the Guelph Winter Fair, for which Neff is going to pick a team of three from amongst us. Elliott was ahead of us with his car and he took Nixon with him as he didn't have as big a load, so that just left five in our car. We drove out ten or twelve miles north of Guelph and stopped first at John Lowe's an Aberdeen Angus breeder and had two or three classes to judge. Elliott gave us a little instruction and when Hampden came a little later he had a Mr. Franklin from "The Farmer's Advocate" staff and he gave us some pointers. From there we travelled north again through the little villages of Elora and Salem to J.A. Watt's place and saw his famous 115 �Shorthorns or at least a few of them including a couple of yearling heifers which he is fitting for the Chicago International and the old Gainford Marquis the herd Leader. The boys from Lincoln county had never seen much purebred stock as they haven't any down there and when we left Lowe's place they were all Angus enthusiasts but when they saw the Shorthorns and got their hands on them, their breath was fairly taken away and judging from their muttered exclamations they were all Shorthorn men when we left Watt's. We went from there back to Elora for dinner and had to wait for awhile as they hadn't had much notice at the little hotel and didn't have dinner ready for sixteen. We were all hungry as bears it being a cold morning and the driving in the wind seemed to whet our appetites. After dinner we started back towards Guelph but turned east at the little country store and hotel labeld Marden and went out to J. J. Elliots place, where we saw some more beautiful Shorthorns. Elliot himself wasn't home but his Scotch herdsman Alex showed us some of the fancy stock. He too was fitting for the International and had two two-year old heifers in excellent shape. Franklin from "The Farmer's Advocate" seemed well acquainted with all these fellows. He accosted "Alex" who was curling the two year old heifers by asking him what kind of cattle they were and telling him that the boys wanted to get a little practice in judging and so came out here although they knew they weren't very good samples of Shorthorns. One of the poor fellows from Lincoln Co. got himself into hot water by putting Herefords down on his judging card instead of Shorthorns. They threatened to put salt in his tea or sugar on his meat. We went back to Guelph from Elliots and paid our hotel bills and then went out to the College for awhile and had a look around. Prof. Wade Tovle gave us a little class on judging sheep but it was too late to get much there. We left the College about twenty minutes to six and started right for home having picked up Nixon there. We sailed right through, six of us in Neff's Ford, so we didn't bounce around much although we often came down pretty hard on the hind axle. We stopped for half an hour in Brantford and had our supper a good one at a Chink restaurant and came on down to Simcoe. We stopped for a few minutes in Waterford for Nixon to telephone his father to meet him in Simcoe and we got in Simcoe at twenty minutes to ten. Lloyd and I went down and waited at the station for the eleven o'clock car but Mitchell, Butler and Nixon started to walk for home as Nixon was afraid his father would miss him so thought he would meet him on the road. I got home about half past eleven. Saturday November 2nd Dad. has plowed all day and is getting on well with the side hill field. Frank and I cut corn today but didn't quite finish the north end of the field. Frank had cut a little while I was away. 116 �Winnie and Dess were over here to tea to-night and Frank and I went down town with them. I went up to Tip's and got my new suit and then came home. Fine but raw. Sunday November 3rd Several new cases of flu. broke out during the week so there was no church again to-day. We put the ram in with the sheep this morning and Huby came over with Chum. to have Dad take a lot of big warts out of his mouth. I went down town this after noon and Marj. and I walked around the hill with Mr. Smith and Bill and stopped at the dam for awhile to watch the crane work. We then went up to Miss McQueen's for a little while and went down to Aunty's for tea. Mrs. Skey was there but didn't stay very late. Very mild all day but rainy tonight. Monday November 4th Dad. plowed all day and Frank and I picked apples this morning. This after noon Jack Martin came over to tell us he wanted one of us to help him fill silo so Frank went over. I cleaned out the calf pen and got the cow stable ready to have the cows in to-night. I picked a few more apples but not many. The news to-day says that Austria has surrendered completely to the terms of the Allied armistice and Austrian troops on all fronts will lay down their arms to-day. Cloudy and cold wind all day. Tuesday November 5th Frank and I cut corn this morning and finished cutting all the corn north of the mangels and cut one row from the lane to Ivey's fence. Dad. plowed all day and he said at noon he thought we had better get the cider apples loaded ready to take up to Walker Waddle's so Frank filled the waggon box up this after noon from the pile we had picked up off the ground and put in the ice-house, some of them had gone bad so we had to get a few more out of the orchard. I fixed up the cow stable and picked a few more apples. Bruce Smith and Gov. Hammond were in this after noon canvassing for the Victory Loan but we couldn't help them out nay. Bruce said Norfolk's objective was one million dollars but that so far they had only raised three hundred thousand. Tom & Mrs. Chapman were in and bought three of my cockrels for $1.50 apiece, including the one that came here in the summer. Zeitha was over also to get her riding habit which she left her a week or so ago hoping to have a ride but she is going away on Saturday. Enah was down town as this was Aunty Alice's birthday. I went down to-night. It has been a fine day. 117 �Wednesday November 6th Frank and I got started right after breakfast this morning for Walker Waddle's but there were two loads of apples in ahead of us, however it didn't take long and we got 65 gallons of cider made. We took Huby one 10 gallon jug and Aunty 15 gallons and we brought the 40 gallon barrell home. We got home a little after one. Dad. didn't plow this morning as we had the team and this after noon it was such a lovely day he thought we had better get up the mangels so we went out and got part of the ones out of the old garden but didn't get them all, we had about a waggon load. Aunty and Aunty Alice came over to tea. It froze very hard last night but lovely day. Thursday November 7th Frank and I went up to Mat. Wilson's this morning first thing and got 10 apple barrells as we found out yesterday we could get them there. We saw Ham. and he said he would be down one day this week to help us pack. We saw one of Johnson's men yesterday on the road and he told us that their cars were odered for Dover and that they would probably be shipping next week. We took Joe and Queen and I could hardly hold them. When we got back we helped Dad. unload the mangels into the cellar and went out and got what was left in the old garden as well as the carrots and beets. We unloaded them right after dinner and Frank and Dad. went back to the cornfield to get what good ones there were out there, they were out all the after noon but didn't get them all. We have all been in quite a state of excitement this after noon and to-night. It began by an airplane flying over the town at noon. We were having dinner and heard what we thought was a car stuck some place near. Frank went out and saw the airplane and called us all out to see it. Soon after we got started to unload our mangels we heard first one then another whistle begin to blow in the direction of Simcoe. They kept it up so long that we were sure some great news had come. Then Jim. came with the mail and we saw by the paper that a German delegation had come across to the French lines under a white flag to meet Foch and hear the armistice terms. Soon after this the Dover whistles began to blow and the fire bell to ring so we knew that word must have come that the armistice had been signed. When we got the load off I went over to Jack Martin's and down to Sovereign to find out more particulars but all I could find out was that the German delegation had signed the armistice. We don't know just what the terms are but we know that if the Germans agree to them peace will inevitably follow as one of the stipulations is that Germany withdraw her troops 25 miles east of the Rhine and give the Allies control of all the Rhine forts while the peace terms are being "dictated to her" and not "discussed with her". The news made us all feel pretty much like going down town 118 �but I came home and picked a few more apples and Frank and I went down town to-night. The whole town was out and was feeling good, it hasn't been so lively since the war started. All the kids had tin cans and horns and they certainly kicked up a merry row and. We cleaned up all the rubbish from back of the stores and built a fair bon-fire on Main St. in front of the flag pole and some of the boys got a barrell full of tarred pound nets and set fire to it. Then of course they had to have a few speeches from the bandstand. Jack Martin made one then Mr. Robertson prayed then the bunch sang then Cousin Willie got humorous, then the kids banged their tin cans then we all gave three cheers, sang God Save the King, then there were more speeches and more singing and more cheers and more noise and everybody just felt good. Every now and then some kid would start ringing the fire bell or Harry Moon would fire off his shotgun and all the time cars were tearing up and down street honking and cutting up as many didos as a car is capable of. When the nine o'clock car came in with the papers it was found that the rumour was denied and that the Germans had not yet conferred with Foch but that didn't make any difference for everyone feels that if the fighting isn't over yet it soon will be, and we can have another celebration when the real thing comes. While most of the citizens were indulging in such jollification there were some sad hearts. I didn't know it till late in the evening but the body of Ina Nunn was brought here for burial to-day, she having died of the Flu. in Hamilton and Charlie Long who has been at the point of death for the last two days cashed in about midnight he also being a victim of Flu. Friday November 8th Dad. and Frank finished taking up the mangels this morning and got them all in the cellar. I picked up apples all morning and got all but one tree of the Vandeveers or whatever they are picked. Before we got through dinner Ham Thompson came down to help us pack apples. He said Johnson was in at his place this morning and told him that they had three cars down there and wanted to get them loaded by tomorrow noon Dad. helped us sort and we got four barrells put up this after noon 3 of Spys and one Sweets. We couldn't get a barrell of No 1. Spys so had to put them up Domestic. Lila was over this after noon and told us that George Murphy was dead - Flu -. She stayed to tea and as it was a nasty night all night I went down town and told them up at Huby's that Lila was going to stay down at the farm. It has been cloudy all day and rained a little to-night. Saturday November 9th 119 �Ham came back this morning and helped us pack the other six barrells of apples. We got two more of sweets and four of Pheonix, that is the latest name for the red apples which we use to call Seek-no-furthers and which Johnson's man said were Vandeveers but Johnson said to-day he thought they were Pheonix so that is what we labeled them. Frank and I got them down to the Main St siding on the radial track a little before noon but could find nobody around, except some section men playing poker in the tool house. They said that two cars were loaded but that they expected another one down this after noon. Johnson ordered three cars and they came but the fellows at the station let George Duncan have one of them so that rather made a mess of things. We unloaded our ten barrells on the side of the track right near a load of Irvin Paw's and Sid. Marsh's and then went down to find Johnson, we found him at the Dominion and he gave us a receipt for the apples. Alan Law came up at noon to-day to get Frank to go down and help him clip a horse this after noon so Frank was down there all the after noon Dad. and I got the cider barrell into the woodshed and tapped it and then I packed Roy's barrell of apples. Frank went down town to-night. Rainy and cloudy all day. Sunday. November 10th We all went down town to church this morning for the first time for about three weeks. I stayed down at Aunty's for dinner and then went up to see Marj. She was just starting down town to get some medicine for Sade Davis who is pretty sick with the flu. We got her medicine and went to see Miss McQueen for awhile and then went up to the Davis's and Mrs. Law who is looking after Sade. sent us back again to get some oranges and grapes but Sam Morell had gone to Simcoe and Jimmy Leany hasn't had any oranges for quite awhile as the price is so high, so we went back and then back to Monteith's and read "The Old Curiosity Shop". I had tea and Aunty's and she Aunty Alice and I went to church to-night. They had a meeting after church and Miss Martin & Marj. informed me that I had been put on a committee with Jack Martin to canvass the hill for subscriptions to Victory Bonds which the Sunday school wants to buy to put in an Endowment Fund for Coquimbo Missions and also to get a shield with maple leaves on it to inscribe the names of all the boys from the Sunday school who have died or been killed at the Front. Every sunday school that buys a Victory Bond gets one. H.W. Ansley gave them the price of one Bond so they want to get another. Pat. had a bulletin board out to-day with the announcement that the Kaiser has abdicated and the Crown Prince renounced his right to succession and that Germany is in control of the Socialists. Monday November 11th 120 �Dad. and Frank baged up a grist this morning and while they were at it I went over to Jack Martin's to tell him about the canvassing the hill and to ask him for a man to help cut corn this after noon as he promised us time in return for helping him fill silo. He told me that the Armistice was signed according to official announcement and the paper to-day says that the Kaiser, Crown Prince and the rest of the crew have all escaped to Holland. Frank and I took the grist to the mill and then went up to the mill Tige McBride's and got Mrs. Jolley's potatoes. No one was home up there but we would have taken Joe Smith's too but we found some rotten ones so thought we had better leave them to be spread out. We went on down town with Roy's barrell of apples and left it at the station to be shipped. All the town was decorated with flags and a half holiday proclaimed for this after noon to celebrate the "dawn of peace" Jack Martin gave all his men a holiday and as Frank had to go over to Pickford's to thrash and Dad. went back to plow this after noon I went down town as I didn't feel like cutting corn alone. Enah and the baby also went down and while I was waiting for them to get ready to drive down I went around my beat and they all said they would give something. Later I got a dollar each from the Quanbury's & Karl Coleman. I saw Pickford this morning but he thought he wouldn't subscribe as he is peeved at the preachers for talking politics and prohibition in church. I drove Enah and Tid down about three o'clock but by the time I got Joe put in Aunty's barn was just too late to see the big parade. Everybody in town was in it and all the cars in the country. Karl Coleman had the big band drum and Harry Moon, Mr. Bagley, Jack Walker and Art Lawson with their horns and several kids with bugles and snare drums. After their parade they settled in the Park and had a lot of speeches from the bandstand where all the preachers town fathers and returned soldiers were collected. They told me to come down again to-night and bring the Eb horn so I walked home and helped Dad milk and then polished up the old bass horn a little and went down. Dad. and Frank came down later and Dad. drove Enah home. With our horns drums and tin cans we raised a great hullabaloo to-night. We pranced around Main St. blowing "Hail, Hail. the gang's all here" (the only thing we could play.) till my lungs were sore. Harry Moon and Billy Gordon had a dummy made to represent the Kaiser so we rode him around on a rail then soaked him with coal oil and finally dumped him in the big bonfire they had in front of the town hall. Everybody was out singing, cheering and raising Cain in general just about as much racket as if there had been lots of booze instead of none. Tuesday November 12th Frank has been thrashing all day, they finished at Pickford's about three o'clock and moved right out to Art. Quanbury's. He expects to be there most of the day to-morrow Dad. 121 �plowed all day and finished the side hill field. I fixed up the crossfence in the chickin yard this morning so that I think it will hold the Rock Pullets and then I sorted the potatoes in the woodshed and put them down cellar. I cut corn this after noon but it is a slow job alone and I didn't get much done. Froze hard last night, but has been fine day Wednesday November 13th Frank has been thrashing at Art Quanburys nearly all day. They got through about four o'clock and Art got 22 bushels of good seed. This morning Dad. and I went back and Dad. ran out some furrows in the 12 acre clover sod some of which we want to put in with summer pasture We cut both sides of the ditch with the plow and hauled the sods over and put them in the waterhole over there. This after noon I cut corn and got another row cut and Frank Dad. plowed in the 12 acre field. I went down town to-night. My four Rock pullets were all on their favorite perch to-night. I havent got them fenced in yet. Thursday November 14th Frank and I cut corn all day and got nearly 4 rows cut we figured that if we could keep at it steadily we could finish by Saturday noon but Neff came down this after noon and wants us to go to Caledonia to-morrow to judge stock so that so that will prevent us finishing this week. It begins to look as if we never would get through. Dad. plowed all day on the clover sod. It has been a fine day. Cold wind. Friday November 15th Neff and Charlie Blake arrived here promptly at 8:30 this morning and Frank and I were all ready for them. We went with Charlie in his car with {name?} and Neff had Tige. Nixon & Butler in with him, we had a fine day and visited Douglas, where we had a class in Shorthorns and Listers then Richardson's near Caledonia where we saw his Holsteins, we had dinner in Caledonia and then went on out to Miller's who showed us his Clydesdales as well as a lot of pictures of famous Clyde in Scotland. We then went to Mr. Turner's near Hamilton where we had a class of Ayrshires. We had supper in Hamilton and Neff went to his father's for tea. He met us later and we all went to Low's. We left Hamilton at 11.20 and got home about one. Beautiful day. Mild. Saturday November 16th 122 �Frank and I cut corn to-day and made good time this morning getting 35 shocks cut but this after noon we were delayed by Ham Thompson bringing his sheep down and also by a visit from Tige McBride over Ivey's fence so we only got one row cut (15 shocks) Dad. didn't plow to-day but cleaned out ditches in the field he plowed. He got them all cleaned out. Very mild and rather cloudy. Sunday November 17th It was raining when we got up this morning and has been cloudy and rainy all day but looked cleared off to-night. I drove Enah down to church but she stayed down to dinner so that she could go to choir practice this after noon, they are having Thanksgiving Service next Thursday night also to-day and next Sunday for Peace. I walked down after dinner and spent the afternoon and evening at Mr. Monteiths but had tea and went to church with Aunty. Aunty Alice hurt her eye quite badly this morning with her umberella. Monday November 18th It rained quite a lot this morning and has been cloudy & muddy all day. We spent the morning cleaning up the woodshed. Dad. plowed this after noon and Frank and I sorted some of the apples in the barn to put down cellar. We quit early as Frank went down to tea at Aunty's Tuesday November 19th It has rained pretty much all day making things very muddy and disagreeable but has not been cold. Frank & I cleaned up some of the wheat & barley (mixed) this morning & Dad. cleaned out the calf pen and did odd jobs. Tupper was in with our note. This after noon I went down town and posted a letter. We couldn't do much as it poured rain. Enah and I printed some pictures to-night. Dad. got a letter from Dick. He expects to sail soon. Wednesday November 20th Frank and I went down town in the waggon this morning and took a sample of our wheat & barley to the mill and to Billy Langs. They offered us 2 ½ a hundred for it. We went up to McBride's and got the rest of the J.F.I.A. potatoes and took them down to Mrs. Jolley, Joe Smith and Mr. Norm Brock. They are all sold but the little ones now. We also went down to Aunty's and got her empty cider pig. This after noon Dad. plowed and Frank and I cleaned up wheat & barley I went down town to-night and Frank went down to Ryerse's to tell Lloyd 123 �to come up to McBride's in the morning as we expect to go to Burford to-morrow. Cloudy but not raining. Thursday November 21st Frank and I went up to Tige's about half past eight this morning where Corby joined us and Tige took us in his car to Simcoe. Lloyd Ryerse didn't show up at all. Mitchell's car was with Neff's own car in front of his office and Butler, Mitchell, Nixon, Tick Nunn and Charlie Stitt were all waiting for us. Blake & Roleson came up on the car to Simcoe. We went straight to Brethane's? at Burford and judged a couple of classes of sheep before dinner, we had dinner at Burford where the lady of the house was very distressed at not having enough for us to eat but where we managed to load up to the "busting" point just the same. We went back to Brethane's after dinner and judged hogs. From there we went to a Mr. Barkers where we had a couple of classes of Southdowns. It was dark when we left there so we all went into Brantford for supper and took in a show which was pretty poor. We got home about one o'clock. The District Representative from Brant was with us all day with his boys. Neff has put Butler, Tige and I on the judging team. Cloudy and raw all day. Friday November 22nd Frank and I took down what grain we had cleaned this morning to Billy Langs. We had on nearly a ton so it paid the twine bill at $28.00 and there was about $22.00 over. This afternoon we cut another row of corn. Dad. was down at Aunty's most of the day banking up the house. Blaikie was in for awhile this after noon but Frank and I didn't see him. He has been up north all summer. They got letters from Quint to-day telling of their entrance into French towns that the Germans have held for four years. He said he was with the first troops to enter and he never spent a happier birthday seeing the joy of the inhabitants who were released. The letter was written before the armistice. Saturday November 23rd It froze the ground quite stiff last night and has been freezing in the shade all day with a cold wind. Frank and I actually finished cutting the corn to-day about the middle of the after noon. We also husked a bushel. Dad. cleaned up the old garden this morning and tried to plow it this after noon but couldn't with the rolling coulter so came up and started to plow the patch back of the shop with the other plow. Enah and the baby were down town this afternoon. Frank to-night. 124 �Sunday November 24th Enah Frank and I walked down to church this morning. Aunty Alice came over here to dinner and I stayed down with Aunty and Aunt Ida. This afternoon Marj. and I went up to Miss Martin's for awhile and then walked around the hill we met Aunty Alice going home so went down with her and stayed to tea. We went to church with Aunty. Mr. Farney preached. Fine day but cold wind. Monday November 25th Frank and I cleaned up barley and oats all morning and part of the after noon and we took a load of it down to the mill this after noon. We also went up to McPhersons and got the trap nests that Emery had made for me. It was frozen too hard for Dad. to plow the garden this morning but sod would have plowed. Dad. helped us part of the time and did chores. Frank and I picked out six ewes this morning and marked them to sell if anyone comes around that wants them. Dess was over to-night with a letter she got from Dick lately. Fair cold wind. Tuesday November 26th We cleaned up the rest of the barley and wheat this morning and took it down to the mill this after noon We had over 18 cwt. on and we took three bags besides to Jack Martin's to pay for the seed we got last Spring. When we got home we bagged up some barley and oats for chop and took it down but left it till morning as there was such a lot there. To-night we had a meeting of the J.F.I.A. down at Aunty Alice's. There was a good turnout and we had a good time and arranged for a winter program. Tom. didn't get back till to-night with the can and butter. They got word yesterday that Doss. was dead of the Flu and poor old Tom and Maw. are broken hearted. Cold, but fine day. Wednesday November 27th Frank and I went down after our grist this morning and then cleaned up some oats. I spent the after noon working at the front flower beds. Dad. and Frank fixed the dining room chimney and Frank nailed some shingles on the barn roof. I went down town to-night. Aunty Alice left this morning for Toronto. It has been a beautiful day. Thursday November 28th 125 �Frank and I took about fifteen bushels of apples up to Walker Waddle's this morning and got another big barrel of cider. It began to rain while we were there and poured for an hour or two. We got home about one o'clock. This after noon Frank went over to Joe Long's sale and bought a set of scales and a scoop shovel. I slept till it stopped raining and then Dad. and I unloaded the cider barrel and put it down cellar. We had quite a job getting it down and had Enah helping us. We slid it down on rails but they spread till it was all on one rail, then we had to let it go the last three or four feet and it came down and bashed a hole in the cement floor of the cellar. About dark another big storm came up this time with thunder and lightening. Teriffic south west wind. Next day - The rain last night took away more of the old East Pier. The water was so high it carried the Jim & Tom right over the East Pier. Friday November 29th This morning we slew the biggest of the three pigs and it took us all morning to get ready, kill and dress him. This after noon I went down town to get a hair cut and met Tige McBride to pick out a suitable club room for the J.F.I.A. We finally arranged to get Mrs. Bell's cement block cottage which the bunch had two years ago. Frank went over to Joe Long's with Art. Quanbury to get their purchases, and we weighed the pig on the scales so were not long in using them. He dressed just 165 lbs. To night Frank and I went to the W.I. dance and had a good time. Saturday November 30th Dad. spent the morning cutting up the pig Frank sent out cards to notify the J.F.I.A. of a meeting Tuesday night and I worked at the flower beds in the front. Right after dinner I went down to send some of Dick's money out to Norman Denton as Dick asked Dad to do that. He has been running shy of cash again and borrowing from Baldy. Frank and Dad. ran out the ditches in the cornfield and plowed the garden back of the shop. Enah went down town this afternoon. Windy, Cloudy and freezing a little all day. Sunday December 1st Enah and I walked down to church this morning. Dad. and Tid walked down a little later and went with Enah to the Jame's for dinner. Frank and I had dinner alone. I went down town soon after dinner and spent the after noon at the Monteith's except for a few minutes I spent in at Pattersons seeing May Perry. She got home for 4 days and tapped at the window as I went past I had tea at Aunty's and went to church to-night. Aunty didn't go as 126 �she didn't like to leave Aunt Ida alone. I spent the evening with Marj. Sunny but cold to-day but snowing and milder to-night. Monday December 2nd We didn't get started very early this morning and Frank and I went down town but didn't get home till noon. We got some coal oil and some lumber to make a partition in the woodshed. This after noon Dad. and Frank cut down a dead apple tree in the orchard and I worked a little more at the flower beds. Much milder this morning but dark and sleet this afternoon. Tuesday December 3rd Dad. has been sick all day but was able to do a few chores. He thought he ate too much fresh pork. Frank and I cleaned up oats all day and got somewhere about 200 bushels cleaned up. To-night we had our first J.F.I.A. meeting in Mrs. Bell's cottage. There were only ten members out but we had a good meeting and everyone was very pleased with the room Rolson & Myers got some biscuits, cheese & sardines which the rest of us put in for. Stormy day, rainy to-night. I stayed down all night. Wednesday December 4th I had breakfast with Aunty this morning and caught the nine o'clock car for Simcoe. Tige got on at Main St. and we met Butler at Neff's office. We went out to Callver's and had a look at some Percheron's. We had dinner in Simcoe and then went out to old Decew’s to see his Jersey's and came back to Alex Wallaces and went over his Holsteins (and met his farmerettes). We got home on the seven o'clock car and I went home, shaved & went down town Thursday December 5th Frank and I hauled a load of oats down to the mill this morning but had to leave them there in the bags as they were filled up, so we couldn't haul down any more as we had intended. We had 19 bags and it weighed up to 53 bushels. We borrowed some more bags and cleaned up some more this after noon. Winnie & Dess were over here to tea to-night and Frank and I walked down with them. Enah and Tid drove down town with Mexico, the buckskin pony that Mrs. Wilson wants Enah to keep for the winter. Very mild but snowed more. Friday December 6th 127 �I haven't done a thing all day. I felt tough this morning so just lay around the house but feel better to-night. Dad. and Frank got the bob sleighs out this morning and took Gladys down to Coleman's. I think they spent most of the after noon cutting wood. Tid had a great time riding Mexico. Nice day. Saturday December 7th I went down town this morning and drew out the last $14.00 of my bank account to finance my trip to Guelph. I vainly imagined when I deposited $120.00 two months ago that I would be able to keep it there for the winter at least, but alas 5-6 cents is all my account represents now. I went down to Auntys for a few minutes and saw Aunty Alice who got back from Toronto Thursday night. This after noon we hauled over a small load of hay for the cows. Tom brought some of his fruit up to put in the cellar for the winter and bought a couple of dozen eggs @ 60 c. {cents}. Enah & Tid drove Mexico down town. Nice day and very mild. Sunday December 8th Frank went down to Sunday school this morning but none of the rest of us went to church. I didn't think I would have time as I left on the one o'clock car for Guelph. Tige got on at Dover and Butler & Neff at Simcoe. When we got to Galt we found the other electric cars didn't run on Sunday so we had to hire a motor bus to take us across to Kitchner. We got a G.T.R. train there for Guelph and got in there about six. Neff had a boarding house arranged for us but he didn't stay with us. We all three went to church to-night. Nice day here. Monday December 9th We spent the whole day to-day judging and waiting to give our reasons to the judges so didn't see much of the Fair. We didn't do very well judging beef cattle but not too bad on Dairy cattle, sheep and swine. The two latter classes we had this after noon up at the College. Neff told us we stood third so Neff told us with Durham County first. Butler did the best of the three, he was awarded three prizes, third & fifth in hogs and fifth in sheep. I got fifth in hogs. Tige didn't get any. To-night we went down to the Fair and saw the Thoroughbreds judged there were some beauties. Very cold up there. Tuesday December 10th 128 �We judged two classes of Clydesdales this morning but did poorly on them and dropped from third place to sixth. At the wind up Durham County was first with York second. We were ahead of York last night but they came up on horses. As we hadn't seen a bit of the show we decided to stay till to-morrow morning and put in the rest of the after noon looking over the stock. We saw Douglas' white heifer calf get first prize in a class of 21 and a red calf from old Browndale that Elva Douglas sold to Watt and which took first at Chicago come second. Several fellows congratulated us this after noon on our judging so we didn't feel so badly. Neff was quite tickled he said as Norfolk had never come higher than tenth before. There were 18 teams competing. To-night we saw "Hearts of the World." Tige came home quite sick and put in a bad night. Stormy night. Wednesday December 11th We didn't get up early this morning and went right to the station after breakfast as our train left for Galt at 10.35. I went over to the Fair building for awhile and got Neff. as he thought the train didn't go till 11 o'clock. We all four drove home together had dinner in Galt and Tige and I got to Dover on the three oclock radial. Neff & Butler got off at Simcoe. Tige felt pretty poorly all day but was better by the time we reached familiar home territory. We found a great difference in the weather up there from here. Here there was no snow whatever but up there, there was skating and sleighing. Dad. had plowed the old garden while I was away and when I got home had ridden Joe up to Port Ryerse to pay the taxes. He didn't get home till dark and I had the milking done. To-night Dad. Enah and Tid. went down to Aunty Alice's to hear Mrs. Rigg's a friend of Elva's sing. The James were down there and also Elva & Brant who has now got his discharge. I went up to see Marj. and Frank went to bed as he young Myers & Albert McBride stayed all night last night in the J.F.I.A. cottage. Mild & Cloudy. Thursday December 12th Dad. and I cleared up some of the apples out in the barn to-day and put them down cellar but there are a lot more to get yet. Frank went down to the mill this morning and borrowed some more money from Charlie Ivey to pay the town taxes and went down to Uncle Ward's & paid them. Dad. put up the little old soft coal stove in the dining room this afternoon and we had a fine fire in there to-night. Frank took the team down to the mill this after noon to get a little chop. He didn't take a grist as their chopper down there is not working. He came back with Pud. Smythe and the grain he borrowed. Lila was over here to tea last to-night. & Frank went home with her. Mild cloudy and very muddy. 129 �Friday December 13th It has been a very nasty day. Mild but raining all day the mud is a fright. I didn't do anything in particular Dad. and Frank worked most of the after noon putting the partition up in the woodshed. Frank went down to a dance Lila was having up in Schofield's to-night. I have a bad cold. Saturday December 14th It has rained all day. I didn't do a thing but sit around the house. Dad. finished the partition in the woodshed and Frank did odd jobs. I have a queer dizzy feeling all the time, but don't feel at all sick in any way. Sunday December 15th Frank went down to Sunday school this morning but didn't stay to church. I went to church and stayed at Aunty's for dinner. This after noon Marj. and I went for a walk around the hill and came out here and stayed for tea . Enah has a bad cold. Nice day. Monday December 16th Enah's cold has been very bad all day and she has been in bed most of the time but was up and feeling a little better to-night. Dad. has been busy all day doing chores indoors and out. Frank and I shut old Grey Nose & the White ewe up to-day to fatten and Frank husked a couple of tubs full of corn. I didn't do much all day. To-night Frank and I went down to tea at Auntys and went to the picture show to-night. Aunty Alice went with us. Lovely day. Muddy. Tuesday December 17th Frank took a grist to the mill this morning and Dad. did chores. I spent most of the morning washing dishes and the seperator. Enah was up to-day but doesn't feel well at all. Aunty Alice was over this morning and stayed to dinner. I didn't do much this after noon. Dad. doesn't feel very well. Frank went down to the J.F.I.A. to-night but Aunty Alice forbade me to go. It has been a beautiful warm day. Wednesday December 18th 130 �Dad. has been in bed all day and has a terrible pain in his eyes. Enah is up and says she feels better but is a long way from well yet. The baby who was quite sick all day yesterday is better to-day. We didn't do anything but chores to-day. I went down to Aunty's for tea. Marj. was down there and she didn't feel at all well so we went home early. Thursday December 19th The family is still pretty well knocked out. Dad. was up to-day but is not much better, he got so sore lying in bed he had to get up. Enah is about the same and Frank is beginning to feel tough. We just did chores all day. I went down to-night to see how Marj. was. She has been in bed all day with an awful pain in her eyes like Dad's. She is very disappointed at not being able to go home to-morrow. Pickford was in to tell us that Charley Ivey wants us to haul oats to the car to-morrow. The weather is still very mild but freezing nights. Friday December 20th Dad feels a little better to-day but is very weak while Enah doesn't seem quite as well. This is the baby's birthday, so he is happy although he didn't have much celebration. Frank has felt weak all day but kept going and helped me load two loads of oats and bag one. We took them down to a car on the L.E.& N. siding which Charlie Ivey is loading. After we took the first load down we went down and got a ton of soft coal. They had in a car of stove coal but wouldn't let any farmers have it. This after noon we unloaded the coal and took down another load of oats, it was nearly dark when I got home. Aunty was over this after noon for a little while. I walked down to-night to see how Marj. was. She was a little better. Fine day. Saturday December 21st Dad. & Enah seem to be a little stronger to-night but the baby has been quite miserable all day and Frank who has been on the go all day in spite of the fact that he felt very weak is about all in to-night. We finished hauling the oats in two loads the last one only 13 bags and have taken down about 261 bushels. The weather is wonderful for this time of year. It didn't freeze last night and has been very warm all day and looks like rain Aunty was over yesterday with some celer{y} which she dug that day. The roads are very bad and by tonight I think there is no frost in them. Sunday December 22nd 131 �I spent the whole morning doing chores. Frank fed the horses this morning and then caved in and hasn't been able to do anything all day. I went down town this after noon for an hour or two to see Marj. who is slightly improved. When I got home Dad. had the cattle fed and Frank had fed the chickens and as I didn't bother milking I wasn't so late getting through. Aunty was over this after noon. Enah feels quite a lot better to-day and Dad. is better but still feels weak and his tobacco and coffee still taste bad. The baby hasn't been well all day. Very mild but dark & wet. Monday December 23rd I haven't done anything much but chores to-day although Dad. felt well enough this morning to help me put on a jag of hay to take over for the cows as the yard is in awful shape to carry hay across. This after noon Dad. went down town to take some stuff down to Aunty's. He rode part way with Tom. but walked all the way home but was pretty tired when he got back. Frank has been in the house all day. To-night I went down to see Marj. for a little while. She had to telegraph home that she couldn't get there for Christmas and was disappointed but Aunty Alice invited her down there for our dinner. I went over to the J.F.I.A. for awhile. Very mild & soft. Tuesday December 24th It was a little colder with an east wind this morning and we had hopes of it freezing but it snowed for awhile and then turned to rain and has been raining all day. We are all sick of the mud. Dad. has been doing odd chores all day to-day so is quite a bit better and Frank was able to do a little to-night. Enah & the baby are also better. I went down to Aunty's for dinner to cut a little wood for to-morrow's cooking and then went up town to do some Santa Claus errands but was home early to do chores. I saw Ed. Turner up town who got home from the front Friday night and also Joe Thompson in naval uniform. I think he is just home for Christmas. Wednesday December 25th I was the only member of this household at church this morning as the others didn't feel like going down. Dad. drove Enah and the baby down to Aunty's this after noon then brought Joe home, helped us do up the chores and he Frank and I walked down by six o'clock for dinner. All at Huby's were there as well as Marj. She had been over to the Bagley's for dinner at noon and had got Faulkner to bring her down to Aunty's for to-night. After we had all stuffed ourselves with turkey (which Huby provided for the occasion and plum 132 �pudding we all adjourned to the parlor where a huge pile of presents was distributed. I drew a book, some handkerchiefs, socks, rubbers and a necktie, to say nothing of a dandy scarf which I got this morning from Santa Claus. The baby got heaps of toys and books as well as "useful" ones but seemed most pleased with a small cannon that Winnie gave him that would shoot a small wooden plug a few feet. After this we had games and music at which Huby provided his full quota of entertainments. He told us of the great excitement that prevailed about the time he was going to school when some body found out the world was round. He said he wasn't much interested but he rembered how Mr. Smith used to talk about it and prove it by saying that the masts of a ship coming into port could always be seen before the hull. Huby figured out from that, that if there was curve enough on the earth's surface to show only the masts of a ship at a distance of about 20 miles or Long Point which is as far away as a ship could be seen, that by the time you got to Erie it would be about under our feet, making a rather small globe. Other reminiscent stories equally amusing and his continual conversation with the baby imploring him not to sit on his, Huby's stomach or to shoot the cat with his cannon, contrary to Aunty Alice's injunctions, in place of his toes kept things lively till pretty late in the evening. Dad. Frank and I walked home but Enah and the baby stayed down all night. Marj. also stayed there, she feels a lot better but is pretty weak yet. Dad. didn't seem very well again. Thursday December 26th Huby told us last night that there was another car of coal in and that he thought we could get a little of it if we tried so Dad. went over to Uncle Ward's right after breakfast to ask him as he is municipal fuel controller. It was stove coal and the town people aren't very keen after it so he never hesitated in giving Dad. an order for a ton of it. While Dad. was gone Frank and I bagged up some grain for a grist. Charlie Quanbury came over to get Dad. to go and see old Dick who was sick Charlie thought he had got too much alsike thrashing. As soon as Dad. got back Frank and I went down to get the coal but it was noon by the time we got down and {Clais Deal?} gone to dinner. However Kolbe weighed our waggon and we got over a ton but by the time we got home it was two o'clock. The roads are awful and it is a wonder we didn't smash our old waggon jolting over the ruts as it froze last night enough to hold the waggon up. After we got the load off and had dinner Dad. went down with the buggy to get Enah and Frank and I hooked up to take our grist down but when we brought Belle out of the stable we found she was quite lame, we supposed having hurt her foot on the road this morning, so we put the harness on Queen and took her. We left our grist and didn't wait for the chop and it was time to start in on the chores when we got home. Dad. 133 �Enah and Tid got home about the same time and said Marj. was going to stay at Auntys all night again to-night. To-night Frank and I went down to the J.F.I.A. Social evening. We took Winnie & Dess with us. There were not many there but enough to fill the place up. Not one of the Social committee were present, but we had a pretty good time playing games. Friday December 27th Frank and I went down and got our chop this morning and then took a jag of hay over to the barn for the cows and a little straw over to the horse stable and got in a few shocks of corn. Dad. went over to Quanbury's to see Charlie's horse which died this after noon and got pretty tired. After dinner I went down town to get some coal oil and drive Marj. home but she decided to stay till to-morrow. Frank skinned old Dick. I spent the evening down at Aunty's. A little colder to-day with a flurry of snow Saturday December 28th Frank and I took a little jag of straw out in the waggon box and covered the strawberries that Dad. didn't get covered with corn stalks and tomato vines. We then went over to Quanburys and got his horsehide. This after noon I went over to Bill Sidway's to try and inspire a little energy into him for Tuesday night as it is our Agricultural evening and he is on the committee. I met him going down town so went down with him and then came back and beat him shooting with his rifle. Dark when I got home. Fine day, still frozen but mild. Sunday December 29th Frank went down to church and Sunday school this morning but I didn't get up in time to get the chores done so that I could get down. I spent the after noon and evening down at Aunty's. Marj. is still down there but feels much better. I came home at six to do chores. Mr. James and Elva were over here this after noon. Not cold but raw. Still frozen. Monday December 30th Dad. and the baby walked down to Aunty's to dinner to-day and were there most of the after noon. Dad. has felt very miserable to-day and doesn't seem any better to-night. Frank took his horsehide down this morning and shipped it to Hallam. I spent most of the day doing chores. To-night I went down to see how Marj. Was, she went up to the Monteith's to-day and says she feels very much better. Cloudy and looked like snow but not cold nor windy. 134 �Tuesday December 31st I haven't done anything but chores all day except husk some of the corn which Frank and I hauled in the other day. Frank spent the morning taking some pickets off the wire which he and Mexico hauled in out of the orchard yesterday. This after noon he went out with Charlie Quanbury to help him put on a load of hay. Aunty came over to tea to-night to see how Dad. was and went back with Frank and me. Dad. feels a little better to-day. Frank and I went down to the J.F.I.A. meeting but owing to the rottenness of the weather and the diversion of a couple of dances one in the hall and one out at Oscar Ryerse's there were very few out. I read them my speech which I had prepared and then I went up to Huby's and the rest went to the show. It was next year when I got home. Very mild and misty later turning to a foggy drizzle. For more information on Theobald (Toby) Barrett, check out the “Meet the Diarists” section under “Discover” on our website: ruraldiaries.uoguelph.ca 135 � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary Collection Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Theobald "Toby" Barrett Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Courtesy of Archival and Special Collections, University of Guelph Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1911-1925 Language A language of the resource English Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 20th Century, Norfolk County, Woodhouse Township, Ontario Table Of Contents A list of subunits of the resource. Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary & Transcription, 1911 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary & Transcription, 1913 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary & Transcription, 1914 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1915 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1916 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1917 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary & Transcription, 1918 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1919 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1920-1921 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1921 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1925 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1925-1926 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1926-1927 Medium The material or physical carrier of the resource. Scanned Manuscript Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary & Transcription, 1918 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Theobald "Toby" Barrett Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Courtesy of Archival and Special Collections, University of Guelph Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1918 Language A language of the resource English Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 20th Century, Norfolk County, Woodhouse Township, Ontario Date Created Date of creation of the resource. January 1, 1918 Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary Collection Medium The material or physical carrier of the resource. Scanned Manuscript & Typed Transcription UG Transcription Progress Scripto transcription progress Done Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>{Blank Front Cover Inside page on the left}</p> <p>{Right side page}</p> <p>Diary. 1918</p> <p>T.B.Barrett</p> <p>Port Dover, Ontario</p> <p>Knockfierna</p> <p>From January 1st 1918 to December 31st 1918</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>{Blank left page}</p> <p>Tuesday January 1st 1918</p> <p>About the first thing I did to Celebrate the New Year was to go to bed, all the rest of the family had retired at different times during the last evening of the old year but Enah &amp; I had printed three dozen pictures newest of which we intend to send to Dick for his birthday and I was till nearly midnight getting the last of them washed. To-day Frank and I have just done chores and sat around the house. Tupper was in for an hour or more this morning and I gave him my note for the heifer we bought from him. Aunty Alice came over to dinner but went down again soon after. Aunty came over to tea and stayed all night. Enah, Frank and I all went down to the dance in the hall to-night given by the O.D.E. I took Win &amp; Frank got Dess to go with him. We found an enormous crowd at the hall gathering from the four corners of the county waiting impatiently for the music to start for an old time dance as was advertised. At last about an hour late a young duck from Simcoe came in and sat down at the piano. When it was discovered that he represented the entire orchestra and that there were no fiddlers there were marked signs of anger in the crowd, and by the time one or two one steps had been danced by about half a dozen couples, the sons of the soil were just about</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>foaming at the mouth, however after Art Ryerse went out and demanded (from poor Dr. Cook who had locked himself in the council chamber and was taking Art's denunciations through the wicket) proper music for square dances or their money back, they managed to skirmish up a fiddle and some fiddlers and callers-off and everybody got their fill of old fasioned dances. We quit about half past two. It is still very cold.</p> <p>Wednesday January 2nd</p> <p>Frank and I haven't done any thing else but chores to-day and cut enough wood for to-night. I pasted some snapshots in an album to send to Dick for his birthday. To-night I went down town and met Marj. who came back from Haliburton to-night. She left there at six o'clock this morning and it was nearly ten when she got in to-night so she was just about all in. She says it has been down to 5 below zero up there since she went home. I got a pair of rubbers at {Caley's?} to-night for Frank and me to give Aunty for her birthday. I also went over to the James and got some wallnuts to put in the box Dad and Enah are getting ready to send to Dick on his birthday. Aunty Alice sent over some dough nuts to put in it. It has been very cold all day with quite a wind from the north.</p> <p>Thursday January 3rd</p> <p>This being Aunty's birthday Dad Enah &amp; the baby went down there to dinner and to spend the afternoon. Frank went down in the morning and took down some pigeons to Hec. Henderson He has spent the last few evenings catching them. He also got an axe handle to replace the one I broke yesterday. We did chores and he worked quite awhile trying to put in the new axe handle but didn't suceed very well I sat around and read quite a bit of the time. We started rather late to cut off a big block from the butt of the old oak but chore time overtook us before we finished so will have to finish it to-morrow. It is still down around zero but not so windy.</p> <p>Friday January 4th</p> <p>I have done nothing else but chores to-day except sit around and write to Douglas and send him a checque to pay off my note. Frank went down to the Law's to thrash this afternoon and didn't get back till about nine o'clock to-night. His delay was caused more from visiting than working though. Dad did his chores up and it didn't seem to hurt his finger so it must be a lot better. He went down town for awhile to-night to see Aunty &amp; Aunty Alice. It has been very much milder to-day and it looked like snow. There was no wind and we had to pump for the cattle</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Saturday January 5th</p> <p>The principal event of to-day was the arrival of a calf (red bull) of which Frank's heifer is the mother. Dad found it when he first went out this morning and it was covered with white frost and very cold but he got it rubbed dry and covered it up so that by noon it was quite frisky. Dad went over to John Wess's just before dinner and was there most of the afternoon. Frank went down to the mill for some feed and I spent most of the day when I wasn't doing other chores, pumping water and sleigh riding with the baby; Enah took a couple of snapshots of us at this job. Frank went down town tonight. It has been a beautiful sunny day with no wind. It was quite hot around noon being 22° above zero.</p> <p>Sunday January 6th</p> <p>Enah and I walked down to church this morning and just about froze. Enah had to leave she was so cold. The temperature of the church was not much above freezing and we had communion and the King's proclamation regarding prayer for peace read. I went down again this afternoon and stayed to tea at Miss Kerney's. Dad said it wouldn't hurt the cows to go without milking to-night. Much milder with an ice storm.</p> <p>Monday January 7th</p> <p>It snowed quite a little bit during the night and as it came on top of the ice of yesterday's storm it made good sleighing. It has been very soft all day and has been flurrying snow most of the day. Frank and I went over to Jack Martin's and borrowed his hog crate and this afternoon loaded one of the young sows and took her down to Colemand Kindee's boar but she was not ready for him so we had to bring her back. I spent about an hour this afternoon taking some pictures of the ice coated trees which are very pretty to-day. It was a very dull day and I took short time exposures so don't know how they will turn out. Dad, Enah and I sat up till nearly twelve to-night singing, playing &amp; reading. I received a couple of sample copy's of "The Breeder's Gazette" to-day. It looks like a great magazine.</p> <p>Tuesday January 8th</p> <p>We got up at six o'clock this morning and got most of the morning chores done up early so that we were able to get down to the first meeting of the Short Course in Agriculture in good time. Dad's finger is so much better that he can do the noon chores we that we stayed down at Aunty's to dinner. We had a good turnout at the</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Course there being about 18 in, and all showed a good interest in the lectures Neff gave us on Soils &amp; Fertilizers and Insect Pests. We got home in plenty of time to do up the night chores. Enah was rather upset by news she got from Courtright today saying that Jean James was married having done the trick on the sly. Colder.</p> <p>Wednesday January 9th</p> <p>Frank and I went down to the Course this morning and we had a young fellow from Cayuga up to give us a talk on Cultivation but he wasn't much account. Neff also took up Fruit Growing. The fellow from Cayuga said they were to have started a Short Course down there yesterday but all the boys were afraid to leave the farm for fear of being drafted so he said. The tribunals exempted them on condition that they would not go off the farm for more than three days. This afternoon the class went up to Ham Thompson's to judge poultry but as I found out from Huby that Jack Ivey had a car of coal in and that we could get a ton if we came after it right away I came home and Dad and I went down and got a ton. We were very lucky to get it as the car was nearly empty and there is no betting when there will be any more in and we were just out. To-night Frank and I went down to Aunty's for tea where Win, Lilu, Dess and Marj. were also assembled so we had a very pleasant evening. Not so cold but rather blustery to-day.</p> <p>Thursday January 10th</p> <p>Frank and I were down at the Short Course all day. This afternoon we tested whole milk for butter fat. I took down a Sample of Elgitha's milk and it tested 3.3% which Neff said wasn't bad. I only took the milk from her front quarters and didn't get to the strippings which would make it go higher. I got my film from Billy Gordon to-day and to-night Enah and I printed pictures. The ones I took of the ice covered trees were pretty good. Not cold rather windy. Dad sepurated the new calf from his mother today.</p> <p>Friday January 11th</p> <p>Frank and I went down to school this morning and had Feeds &amp; Feeding and Bacteriology and this afternoon most of the class came over here to judge our sheep. Tupper's &amp; {Stau?} Lowrie's law suit came off this afternoon and Frank heard when he was down to-night that Tupper lost his suit and {Stau?} got $6.00. Frank went down to the Red Cross dance to-night</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Saturday January 12th</p> <p>When Frank came home from the dance about four o'clock this morning he said that it had been raining but was then snowing a nice steady storm. Big flakes coming right straight down and barely freezing. So when we got up about seven I was very surprised to see a terrific blizzard raging and on going out to find the thermometer registering zero. It has kept it up all day and has kept getting colder. To-night it was 10° below zero. We have done nothing whatever outside today except hike from the house to the barn &amp; back again two or three times and all we did in the barn was to feed the stock and milk. We were out of hay in the old barn so all we could give the cows was straw and they got no water all day. It was out of the question to try to get hay over to them. Dad went down town this morning to see if they were alive down home and he could hardly manage to get through Jack's field. The gas was very poor down at Aunty's and Mr. &amp; Mrs. Millman had come the night before. Mr. Millman wanted to go to Simcoe on business but the radial car only got about two miles up the track and had to work its way back and stay back and the Grand Trunk trains except the {?} Woodstock, it got as far as Norich this morning didn't attempt to go out at all. Frank and I just sat around the stove and read most of the day and this afternoon I made a list of all our bulletins and reports issued by the two departments of Agriculture Dominion &amp; Provincial. We had a dandy coal fire all day, the stove was red hot part of the time but we could see our breath right over it and it was freezing all day in our room. There are little snow drifts all over the house as the snow is so fine it blows in the smallest cracks and there are lots of cracks in this house that aren't microscopic in size. The snow blew in between the base board &amp; the floor in the kitchen even after Dad had plugged it up as well as he could with rags and it didn't melt all day although it wasn't six feet away from the stove. Nice day but windy.</p> <p>Sunday January 13th</p> <p>We didn't get up till eight o'clock this morning and found the storm had not abated in the least although the thermometer was up to zero. I went out to the barn and found the door had blown open between the calves pen &amp; the barn floor and the calves especially Daisy May's were covered with snow which the heat</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>of their bodies had melted and then it had frozen again so I was about half an hour scrubbing them off dry. After breakfast which we had about ten o'clock I got ready and went down to Aunty's getting there about noon. The gas down there was poor but the house was fairly comfortable. Mr. Millman was still in bed but Mrs. Millman had just got up and had dinner with us. They nearly froze in the night and Mr. Millman got up and wrapped Aunty Alice's sweater around his head. After dinner I went up to see Marj. but came back to Aunty's to tea. Huby was there and decided he'd stay to tea as he didn't think he would get any thing to eat at home on account of the poor fires. I didn't see any body that was at church this morning but I went up to-night but found there was no church so went over and spent the evening at the Moore's. I stayed all night at Aunty's so I would be able to shovel their snow in the morning. It moderated considerably by night.</p> <p>Monday January 14th</p> <p>I got up fairly early this morning and shovelled Aunty's snow and then had my breakfast down there so got home about half past eight, but Dick was finished milking. We spent most of the morning shovelling through various snow drifts and Dad shovelled it out of the woodshed. We had quite a job shovelling the lane out but got it done by noon. This afternoon Frank went down to the mill with some grist and Tom was in for awhile on his way after cream. I cleaned out the calf pen and Dad split up some wood. To-night Frank and I went down to see "Frecles" {should be spelled "Freckles"} at the picture show but the films are stormbound some place so they put on the Saturday night show which was very poor. Mr. Millman went to Simcoe to-day as the radial got running by one o'clock but there hasn't been a G.T.R. Train moving in or out of here all day so he came back to Dover tonight and he &amp; Mrs. Millman will go by electric car to Brantford tomorrow and get through to Toronto from there. We were sure there would be no classes today so didn't go down. Neff couldn't get down till this afternoon from Simcoe and none of the boys could get in from far out in the country. They said Lloyd Ryerse was up here to dinner yesterday so he was visiting the neighbors to see how they survived the storm and he told them that that Harry Dyer and old Mr. Mead nearly perished in the storm Saturday night. They had been out working at the inside of Farr's new house and he was driving them in at night but after his horse</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>had gone down a couple of times they decided that they couldn't get through our cut on the side road with the rig so Farr let them out to walk in and he went back. They got up the hill some way but before they got to the corner old Mead said he would have quit as he couldn't stand the storm any longer, however Harry encouraged to renewed efforts by telling him they were not far from Pickford's and they eventually got there where the spent the night but Harry's face was frozen and Mr. Mead all in.</p> <p>Tuesday January 15th</p> <p>Frank and I went down to the class this morning and found our instructors there but very few students none from very far out as most of the roads &amp; cuts were just shovelled out by to-day. Mr. Will from Toronto was here all day lecturing on bees and he made things very interesting even for one who was not particularly interested in agriculture. Mr. &amp; Mrs. Millman left at eleven for Brantford but there are no G.T.R. Trains running yet, here. The radial is running pretty well and brings in the Toronto papers but no mail. They say this is the worst storm in fifty years but I think the cold counts in on that. It is still cold &amp; blustery.</p> <p>Wednesday January 16th</p> <p>We had Dr. Reid from Georgetown down at the class to-day giving us talks on veterinary work and horse breeding, he was very good. Neff gave us a little talk on field crops and young Martin on poultry but he is no good for a talker although he does his best and is always apologizing and wishing he could make things clearer. I guess we don't make things any easier for him. Young Will Sidway and I sit next to each other and invariably get laughing at some things though not intending to upset poor Mr. Martin. I am afraid it has that effect. Two engines with two cabooses and a snow plow came in on the Hamilton track about noon and Dave Turner went out at 4:30 with the mail train but the Woodstock track is still blocked. Still blustery and pretty cold: Karl Colman &amp; Val. Leary are getting ahead of Cliff Lees who wants to soak them $600.00 for cutting ice off the pond, by taking it off the creek, just below Colman's point.</p> <p>Thursday January 17th</p> <p>Frank and I went down to the class this morning and Mr. Gurdhouse of Weston was there and gave us the morning on Beef Cattle and Sheep but he had to leave at noon.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>and as the Woodhouse Council met this afternoon we had to give up the council chamber to them and had no class. Frank came home to dinner to tell Dad how matters stood as he had all the chores done up ready to come down this afternoon and hear Gardhouse. I stayed at Aunty's to dinner and went up this afternoon to have Dr. Lemons fix my tooth but as he couldn't tend to it till four o'clock I went with Aunty over to see Miss Battersby and up to see Cousin Loll, then up to Bill's. He just put a temporary filling in. When I went down to Aunty's I found Dad. there and we came home to-gether To-night. Frank went down to see Tom Mark's show and I went over to Mrs. Battersby's to take her the picture of her house and trees with the ice on them. We got our mail for the first time to-day since last Friday, but the Woodstock road is not open yet and everyone down town is predicting a storm to strike here about to-morrow which will put this last one in the shade. They say the station agents have received wires warning them to be ready for it. It was yesterday supposed to be sweeping Chicago.</p> <p>Friday January 18th</p> <p>Frank and I have been down at the class all day as Mr. Duke was supposed to be here to day to address us on Hogs but he didn't show up. We had insect pests and bee's this morning and this afternoon tested cream and chose up sides for a debate next Friday. Corby, young Butler and I have to take the affirmative of the resolution that the Present war will prove a benefit to humanity and Clarence Finch, Ham Thompson &amp; young Challand are to take the negative. I don't know beans about the subject but suppose I can think up something by that time. To-night Marj, Miss Kerney &amp; I went to see "Freckles" at the picture show, he got through at last and was only on for to-night. We went to the first show but the place was packed to the doors so we went back and waited till the second show then I went in after the show and had some tea &amp; cake so it was rather late when I got home. It has been a beautiful day but colder to-night.</p> <p>Saturday January 19th</p> <p>We didn't do much this morning but got the lane cleared out enough for Frank to get through with the bob-sleigh and go down to the mill and get the chop he left down there the other day. I went down to Aunty's to dinner and this afternoon went to Simcoe on the car</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>to hear what Mr. Hart from Toronto had to say about forming a Norfolk Cooperative Association for buying farm supplies and marketing farm products. It looks as if it would be organized alright. I came home at five o'clock on what was really the 3 o'clock car...There was a bad storm on at noon and it was cold, so that the cars were all late but it had quieted down a lot by this afternoon. We had a concert tonight piano &amp; horn.</p> <p>Sunday January 20th</p> <p>I walked down to church this morning and Aunty walked back with me to dinner, this afternoon I went back down town soon after dinner, spent the afternoon over at Mrs. McQueen's with Marj. and had a tea at Aunty's. Huby was there to tea also. Aunty and I went to church after tea, church being held in the Sunday school both services, and Marj. and I walked home with Aunty and spent the evening laughing at Huby's stories. Huby had his dog down there and she made as if she would eat Marj. up when she first came in that tickled Huby to see her show some spirit. Mr. James, Eloas &amp; Brant Bloodsworth and Lila were all over here this afternoon and Dad drove them all home before tea in the bob sleigh. It has been a lovely day &amp; fine night. Clear &amp; frosty but sunny &amp; not much wind.</p> <p>Monday January 21st</p> <p>Frank and I went down to the short Course today and had a good day but no special speakers. Dad, Enah and the baby drove down this afternoon to post a couple of letters for Tom but didn't stay. Huby came over to tea to-night and brought over a couple of pairs of army boots one pair that Quint had left &amp; one pair that Jackson from Turkey Point who has been discharged, had given him. The principal object of this visit was to tell Dad that Stringer the gas-man was down today and wants to make arrangements to lease his farm and to drill for gas right away. Sunny &amp; Cold.</p> <p>Tuesday January 22nd</p> <p>Frank and I have been at school all day. Mr. Kydd, formerly of Simcoe and now in the Government employ was here all day lecturing us on fruit growing and was interesting and entertaining. The Domestic Science Course started to-day and Neff said there were about fifty women up there this afternoon. To-night I went down to see Marj. and see if I could arrange to go to Simcoe for a skate but she thought we had better put it off till next week. It has not been quite so cold to-day.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Wednesday January 23rd</p> <p>Frank and I went down to school this morning and we had Mr. Stevenson of Ancaster lecturing us on Dairy Cattle this morning and this afternoon the whole bunch of us went up to Simcoe on the car to see Mr. Alex Wallace's (the would be M.P.) herd of holstein and have Mr. Stevenson demonstrate the points of dairy cattle to us and we had a judging class in which I picked out the winner but didn't hit the second prize right. We had a very good time. To-night I am going down to stay all night at Aunty's as she expects to leave for Toronto in the morning and Aunt Ida is going to Port Rowan for a visit. Cold &amp; Cloudy but milder to-night.</p> <p>Thursday January 24th</p> <p>We got up fairly early this morning and I went down to the station and saw Aunty safely on her train for Toronto. I then went up and remined Al. Faulkner to call for Aunt Ida in time for her to catch the nine o'clock car which he did. Aunty Alice went up to Simcoe with Aunt Ida and put her in the hands of Mrs. {name} Bowlby who saw her safely on the Pt. Rowan train. Aunty Alice came back on the eleven. Dad and Frank brought old Sheild's down to Colman's this morning and sold him for 8 cts a lb which was dirt cheap but the best we could do. He weighed 214 lbs. I spent all morning down in the library writing up my debate. This afternoon we had skim milk testing and drainage. Aunty Alice spent the night up at Cousin Loll's. It has been very mild all day but snowing.</p> <p>Friday January 25th</p> <p>We both went to school this morning and had Mr. Rush from Toronto lecturing us on market gardening. He was interesting soley on account of his being well {posted?} by experience on his subject as there was vast room for improvement in his language &amp; other oratorical attributes. He spent the morning and for an hour after dinner with us and then went up stairs to talk to the girls. When he left our debate came off. Corby, Butler and I were against Challand, Tige McBride and Clarence Finch, we had to up hold the affirmative of the resolution "That the present war will prove a benefit to civilization." and according to the judges who were Lorne Myers, Sheppard and Cruick shanks, we had the best of the argument. We were limited to ten minutes to speak and consequently after I had tried to refute all my opponents statements, I only</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>got away with about half of what I had prepared which was very annoying. Neff was chairman and Martin was critic. I went up to Bill's to-night to have my tooth fixed but he said it wasn't ready yet. Aunty Alice came over here with me to stay all night. To-night Frank went down to another dance in the hall. Mild all day but colder to night.</p> <p>Saturday January 26th</p> <p>Aunty Alice went back home right after breakfast this morning and wouldn't hear to any of us driving her down. I spent the morning cleaning out the chicken house and putting fresh straw in and went down and had dinner with Aunty Alice and then went to Simcoe again on the one o'clock car to take in another meeting of the "Norfolk County Co operative Association" which I joined by signing a note for $100.00 payable on demand but which will not have to be paid unless the Company breaks as it is just for the purpose of establishing credit at the bank. I left the meeting before it was over to catch the five car so wasn't able to vote on the directors. Before I went to the meeting I went up to the rink where I ran into a half a dozen kids who begged me to play hockey with them for an hour or so as they supplied the skates and stick I did for a little while and had quite a lot of fun. Stringer the gas man was in town to-day and Dad went down to Huby's office to meet him and made arrangements with him to lease the farm for them to drill for gas next summer. Frank went down town to-night and will likely stay with Aunty Alice to-night. It has been pretty cold all day.</p> <p>Sunday January 27th</p> <p>Frank didn't come home last night but stayed down with Aunty Alice and went to sunday school and church and as I didn't get up till half past seven we didn't get through chores in time for me to get to church. Dess came over with Frank to dinner and Aunty Alice came over soon after them. I went down town right after dinner and spent the afternoon up at the Moore's. Aunty Alice came back down town before tea so I went down there for tea and then went to church which was held in the Sunday school and where I nearly froze. After church Marj. and I went over to post a couple of letters and ran into the J. Gordon Patterson's and Mrs. Pary so we went down with them to Pat's and spent the evening. I went down to Aunty Alice's to change my boots before I went home and she had gone up to Cousin Loll's to spend the night but left the house so that I could get in. Cold east wind to day.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Monday January 28th</p> <p>Frank has been at school all day but I didn't go down, I stayed home this morning to help Dad take one of our young sows down to Kindree's and then at noon I decided I wouldn't bother going down. I went down to-night and Marj. and I went to the picture show to see "The Whip" and it was very good. It was a very rough morning with an east wind and sleet but got milder this afternoon and almost rained although it didn't go above zero. Trains are all late again.</p> <p>Tuesday January 29th</p> <p>Frank and I stayed home this morning intending to haul ice but when we went down, we found that they weren't cutting as the water had backed up on the creek so we came home and told Dad. and he thought we had better go down and get a load of coke, as they have a car of it in and don't know when they will have any coal in. We got a load but could only put on 1300 lbs as it is light stuff. It burns quicker than coal and makes a hot fire. Dad. went down with us to see Jim Bannister's old mare and Jim brought him back. Jim was going around with yesterday's mail as he didn't get any farther than Evan's yesterday and there was no mail in on the Hamilton road to-day. This afternoon Frank and I went down to the class but they all came over to Martin's to pick and judge chickens. so I shovelled Aunty Alice's snow and came right back. Milder this afternoon &amp; cloudy.</p> <p>Wednesday January 30th</p> <p>Frank and I went down to haul ice this morning and we got one load but they told us not to come after any more till to-morrow as Val. was filling cars and was afraid he wouldn't have enough, so this afternoon we went down to the class. We had a little work on fruit growing and then formed a club to be known as the Junior Farmer's Improvement Association which is quite a large organization through out the province. They put me in as president and Frank secretary-treasurer. I stayed down to tea at Aunty Alice's and to-night Marj. and I went up to Simcoe for a skate. There was a big crowd at the rink as it was a special event put on by the Presbyterians. We had a good time as there were several up there we knew Belle Symington and Bill {Baron?} went up from here and we saw Clara Hoag, Neff, Martin, and others up there I have a brute of a cold. 10° below zero this morning. Nice day.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Thursday January 31st</p> <p>Aunty Alice got up about half past five this morning and got my breakfast. I stayed down there all night as I felt so tough with my cold. I got home about half past six before any of the family were up. Frank and I hauled ice all day and got five loads and as Alan hauled one for us last night one more that would have been for we only need one more to make our eight loads but when we went down after it to-night the men had quite working and the tools were all locked up. They don't work after five. We got four of our loads out of the creek back of the vinegar works where Val. was cutting yesterday and where he had all the ice that was cut out of the hole. He thought there would be enough there for us and so there would but Monty Burke's men got two loads from there so Frank and I had to go down to the harbour where they are cutting to fill Holly Ainsley's ice house for our last load. The ice down there is the first cutting and twenty six inches thick so we could only haul six cakes to the load. but we can cut it in two and make nice sized cakes of it. It is all fine ice. Dad. had to pump all the water for the stock to-day as the bolt broke in the windmill. Cold all day but nice &amp; sunny.</p> <p>Friday February 1st</p> <p>Frank stayed at Aunty Alice's last night and went to Simcoe on the seven car to see Russ Lampkins about getting a new bolt for the windmill. He found Russ had moved to Lynn Valley but he ordered the bolt from his successor in business. Frank came back on the nine car but went right up to school. I went down this morning and hauled our last load of ice, and brought it home &amp; just left it in the sleigh box. We have three loads out side now which we will have to put in the ice house. This afternoon I went down to the school and found the boys &amp; the girls of the Domestic Class in a great commotion getting ready for the wind-up banquet and dance to-night. Tige McBride sent me over to borrow the {I.O.D.C.?} boiler to make coffee in and when I got back Corby and I went down to the picture show where we found Neff and most of the boys practising yells and songs for to-night. When we went back to the hall we moved the piano up stairs to the Red Cross room which was to be the banquet hall, and the rest of the afternoon was spent in preparing. I went up to Dr. Lemon's about four o-clock and then home but didn't do any chores, just changed my</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Collar and shirt and hiked back again. Neff had informed me that as I was president of the J.F.I.A. I would be expected to make a reply to the toast to Agriculture; this news rather took my breath away as I had no idea what to say and had to put in the remainder of the afternoon thinking up something polish to say. Enah came down to the banquet with Frank and it went off in fine shape. Mr. Johnson was Chairman and Messers. Barwell, {Bond?}, Jack Martin proposed toasts to Our Country, The Ladies, and Agriculture respectively and I got my speech off with out fainting. and different ones said it was allright. The dance started about five o'clock and and kept up all night. It was well sprinkled with square dances and the orchestra consisted of Harry {Nivon?}, Tom Schram &amp; Mrs. Frank Slocomb. Enah and I stayed till about two o'clock and then came home and wished we had come before. Very cold but sunny.</p> <p>Saturday February 2nd</p> <p>I didn't get up very early this morning and have done nothing but chores all morning, Frank got home about noon, he had stayed at the hall all night. and helped clear things up after the dance, so he didn't go to bed at all. Dad. and I split up the big cakes of ice by sawing them half way through with the cross cut saw and splitting them with the wedge. This afternoon Frank and I drove down town with Belle &amp; Queen. We went around by the mill and got some flour &amp; hog feed and got Jack Martin's hog rack on our way back to ship the hogs in on Monday. We all went to bed early to-night. It has been sunny all day but is still down around zero.</p> <p>Sunday February 3rd</p> <p>We didn't get up in time to get to church this morning, but I took Elva's cream down this morning and told Aunty Alice to wait for Dad. to drive her over. As it was quite stormy Dad. drove over to Tupper's this morning in the bob sleigh to borrow his scales and hog crate as he was afraid the road would be too drifted by to-morrow. When he got home he drove down and got Aunty Alice and Marj. whom I had brought down from church and who came over here to dinner with us. Frank drove us all back down town about foure o'clock. Enah went down with us as she wanted to practice a duet with Elva to play at the church concert on Tuesday night.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>While Frank was waiting for Enah he took Marj. and me for a sleigh ride. We started up the Radical road and were just passing Symington's when Woodyer &amp; Bill Gutcher came out, &amp; piled in the sleigh. Belle saw them get in so yelled at us to wait and she &amp; Bill Barron joined the party so we went up as far as George Eagle's in the teeth of a raging snow storm but we kept warm by laughing at Woodyer's crazy actions, His hat flew off twice and when he was getting back into the sleigh after rescuing it he turned a somersault into the box. The second time he lost it Frank kept right on driving when Woodyer got out and made him run about 10 rods to catch us. When we got back to town Frank went around and got Enah and I went down to Aunty Alice's to tea, she and I went to church to-night and after church Marj. and I went up to see Miss Martin but she wasn't home so we came back to Uncle Hughie's. I stayed all night with Aunty Alice. Very stormy but much milder 20° above.</p> <p>Monday February 4th</p> <p>Aunty Alice got me up about half past six this morning and got my breakfast. I went up to Hecs on my way home to see if Neil was gong to ship hogs as we were afraid yesterday's storm might have blocked the trains, but as both trains went out this morning. Hec. said they would ship. So I came home and we weighed our two hogs and put one in each crate, one weighed 217 and the other 232 lbs according to our weight but all Clare Deal could make it was 435. they gave us 17 1/4 cts which brought the check up to $75.04 which wasn't so bad for two pigs. Niel wasn't around himself and we had to leave the poor pigs in the open yard where it was perishingly cold and I don't know how long they would have to stay there as Huby told us Dave Turner's train didn't get any further out than the cheese factory this morning and there has been no mail in to-day. The drifts are so high now in places along the track as there has been no thaw for over a month that the least little blizzard blocks things up. When we got home we weighed the five ram lambs and the old ram, he only weighed about 140 lbs and the biggest of the lambs weighed 117 lbs. Dad. went down town this afternoon and had tea with Aunty Alice and to-night went up town to meet Stringer and got the gas lease fixed up. It has been very cold this afternoon.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Tuesday February 5th</p> <p>It was 26° below zero by our thermometer when we went out this morning and has been below zero all day with a cold wind. I have scarcely done anything all day. Dad. and Frank did most of the chores, this afternoon Frank and I took Tupper's scales and hog crate home, he wasn't home but we put the things away where Dad said he got them I nearly perished coming home and only kept from freezing by getting behind Frank who had Dad's fur coat on. I just sat around the house when I got home. Frank went down to the mill and took Enah down town, but she stayed down to tea as she had to play at the show to-night. for Kelly who the church has got here. I was to have gone down and go to the concert with Aunty Alice but I hated the idea of going out after tea so gave my ticket to Frank. He went down but Aunty Alice didn't go as Harry Ainsley was worse again. he had five attacks yesterday. Dad. and Frank did all the chores to-night and I got tea ready. I read and slept all evening.</p> <p>Wednesday February 6th</p> <p>Dad. Frank and I put the ice in the ice house this morning, which took us all the fore noon. This afternoon we did up the chores and then hooked old Dave up. We put him on the bob sleigh with Harry and took him around the block. He went fine and was very good while we were hooking him up and unhooking him. Sam Law was in for quite awhile this afternoon and settled up with Dad. for thrashing. To-night Frank and I went down to a meeting of our club but didn't do much. Mr. Groff was down from Simcoe to explain the advantages of the Co-operative society but there weren't many there. however a few more gave their notes. We drove down and it was pretty dark but we got along alright till just as we turned in the lane, when when runner got up on the snow bank and the side of the track and up set the cutter dumped both of us out and then Joe ran up the lane with the cutter on its side past the drive house and wound up in a drift by the windmill, she couldn't go any farther for the farmyard fence. I expected to find the cutter and harness all smashed to pieces but except for the back-hand being broken every thing was sound. It has been thawing all day. First for a month</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Thursday February 7th</p> <p>We hooked Dave and Harry up again this morning and drove down town. Dave behaved very well. We saw Aunty Alice who said she couldn't get over till Cousin Willie was better as Cousin Loll wanted her to stay with them. This afternoon Frank and I put the saw dust back in the ice house. We left Pommers for an hour in the box stall this morning with the surcingle and bridle on him. To-night I went down town and spent the evening with Marj. She was packing candy cigarettels and socks to send to {Stiffy Wasren?}. Lovely day, thawing in the sun but about 20° above in shade</p> <p>Friday February 8th</p> <p>After we got the chores done up this morning we hooked Dave and Harry up again and Frank &amp; I drove them around the block past John Wesses. After dinner Dad. put the surcingle on Pommers and Dad. put a hobble on him with a rope to pull up his front foot if he made any lunges. I took the lines and Dad took the hobble rope and Frank opened the drive house door. Pommers just made it about two jumps across the lane and got his front foot over the little wire fence then wheeled around and plunged through the snow drifts up to the windmill. we couldn't hold him any more than we could a steam engine and Dad's rope didn't seem to stop him so we had to let him go. He tore around for a few minutes but we caught him at last up in the corner of the pig pen &amp; orchard fence. Dad. then put a halter on him and he took it while Frank and I each took a line - and in the course of about fifteen minutes we managed to get him back to the stable with out him getting away. When we put him in Frank and I hooked up Harry &amp; Bell and started to clean out the box stall which hasn't been cleaned out all winter, we hauled out three good loads to the old garden and left about one load still to be cleaned out. Jack Lawrie &amp; RalfWaddle came over to have Dad. look at Jack's old mare and when they left Dad. Enah and the baby drove down town. Frank went down to a dance to-night which Merrit &amp; Charlie Long are running. I felt pretty rotten with a cold &amp; cough. We all feel pretty tough.</p> <p>Saturday February 9th</p> <p>I felt rather tough to-day with my cold so didn't do</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>much all day. this morning I wrote to Neff and to Aunty. Frank didn't get home from the dance till about eight o'clock as it rained in the night and they didn't break it up till day light on account of the roads being so bad, so he didn't feel very lively all day and seized every opportunity for snoozing. This afternoon we hooked Pommers up again or at least put the harness on him and took him out with out his getting away Dad. put a rope on him with a string under his chin fastend to his halter bit rings, and Dad &amp; Frank took the rope and I took the lines. Lila came over this afternoon and Dad. went back with her and they had tea at Aunty Alice's. Lila stayed there all night. I went to bed early as my cold felt pretty bad and Enah made me soak my feet in hot water &amp; mustard and drink hot black currant water. It has been thawing all day and a nice day.</p> <p>Sunday February 10th</p> <p>I got a note from Marj. yesterday asking me to come down to Nanticoke for her to-day if I could. as her cousin had come up for her Friday and invited me down to dinner to-day, so as two of Joe's shoes are off I took Queen and left here about half past ten. I made very good time as the folks were just going into church when I went through Nanticoke, but I found out afterwards they were fifteen or twenty minutes late. When I got to the Banfields I found they had all gone to church but Mrs. Banfield and Cal. Howden the hired man (?.) He is one of one of {Ascar's?} kids and is about as big as a skinned minute.). The rest got home about about an hour after I arrived, Besides Mr. &amp; Mrs. Warrie Banfield, Mr. &amp; Mrs. Dick Doughty and Marj. came. Marj. has been staying over there till to-day. We had a very enjoyable time. all interest being centred on the Banfield baby which Cal. informed me would soon be a year old and is a comical little thing. Marj. and I left for home about half past three and came straight here as Dad. told me that he was going to take Aunty Alice &amp; Lila down in the bob-sleighs and would take Marj. and me too which would save me having to to bring Queen back from town and then probably walking back again. We got here about five and they were just leaving but Enah invited Marj. to stay to tea which she did. so we didn't go down with them. I had the milking done when Dad. got back. Marj. and I walked down about nine o'clock. Quite mild but cold wind.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Monday February 11th</p> <p>This morning Frank and I finished cleaning out the box stall in one big load. When we got back Dad. put the harness on Pommers and we took him down to the corner. he behaved very well but would have got away once or twice if Dad. hadn't had the rope in his halter. Aunty Alice walked over to dinner and this afternoon she and Enah went calling down to the Ryerse's and Pickford's. Frank took them down in the sleighs and left them there an hour and then went after them. Aunty Alice was very anxious to get back as Cousin Loll had sent over a note in the mail saying Harry Ainsley was very weak. Frank drove them right down town so that Enah could find out how he was and she said he was about the same. Alfred came up and got Dad. to go down with him to look at one of his pigs. which is in bad shape owing to the cold weather. I spent the afternoon cutting the tops off some of the high apple-trees according to the instructions given us at the Short Course by by Mr. Kydd. Sunny with fresh thawing breeze. It has thawed a lot to-day and water is standing over everything. It is still soft to-night. We intend to butcher our hog to-morrow</p> <p>Tuesday February 12th</p> <p>It rained hard last night and has been very soft all day. It was cloudy all morning rained quite hard at noon and early this afternoon then came out sunny and a fresh breeze but mild. On account of the weather we had to postpone our butchering operations. and have just done odd jobs. I cleaned off the dropping board in the henhouse this morning as it has been frozen too hard all winter and then went out to see if I could let some water off the wheat as it was backed up by the snow. Then I started to scrape some of the apple trees. Dad. &amp; Frank changed the stroke of the windmill again and put in the longest one. This afternoon we cleaned out the box in the barn so that we could put my heifer in when she calves. I went up to Ham Thompson's to ask him what time our meeting on Saturday was to be. and was up there quite awhile looking at the stock. Charlie Quanbury went out to the farm this morning with a load of manure but got stuck on the hill and left his load in the road. The snow is all undermined &amp; honeycombed with water and the team went right down to their bellies Charlie had a hard time getting them loose.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Wednesday February 13th</p> <p>We spent most of the morning getting things ready for and butchering our pig, and got it all done by noon. Dad. got a very nice stick and scale on her and she dressed a dandy. Charlie Munroe came in just as we started to scald so he helped us during the dressing operations. He walked over to get Dad. to look at one of his horses which has a bad cold so Dad. went back with him to dinner. This afternoon I got ready and went down town to have my tooth fixed but as it was after four when I got there Bill said I had better come early to-morrow afternoon. I stayed at Aunty Alices to tea and went to church to-night this being Ash Wednesday. Marj. had proposed going up to Miss Martin's to-night but as she. Marj.. had a sore throat we didn't go &amp; I called for Aunty Alice at Cousin Loll's and stayed down at Aunty's all night. We had a letter to-day from a man in {place?} inquiring about the prices of ram lambs, he having seen in the report of the Co-operative wool sales that we had the highest percentage of our wool in the highest grade of anyone in Ontario. It has not been thawing all day but has been quite mild and cloudy. There came nearly being bad {frost?}</p> <p>Thursday February 14th</p> <p>I came home about nine o'clock this morning but as I had to go right back after dinner I didn't change my clothes. I wrote to Mr. Bent the man who inquired about the rams. and I also measured the lawn and flower beds as I had a letter from Mr. Tomlinson saying he has mislaid my first sketch and if I would send another he would be sure to send me a blueprint. I went down to Aunty Alices for dinner and went up to Bills right after. He filled my tooth and found a hole in another one He couldn't finish the job right away so I went back at four o'clock, when he finished the job for which I paid him $1.50. While I was there the last time Karl Lemons came in and said the Penman's dam had gone out and the bridge had dropped at one end. I went down to Aunty Alice's and got my rubber boots on and she and Lila went down with me to see the wreck. It was a bad mess. The road at the north end of the bridge had caved in as the water has been leaking through the buttment of the dam all winter and washed a big hole out under the road. Then the big head of water coming from the last few day's thaw took the top of the north end</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>of the dam out which was loosened by the bridge dropping down on the buttment and buckeing it. It would have been a very dangerous proceeding for me to try to go across the bridge but several had gone across on the ice on the pond making quite a detour away from the bridge so I followed their tracks and as I had my rubber boots on didn't get wet. Dad. cut up the pig this morning and I took some of it down to Aunty Alice, Huby and Mr. James. Frank fixed up a feed box for the calf and this afternoon, they moved the ram lambs over to the colony house with old McPherson. It has been sunny and thawing a bit all day. Thunderstorm to-night.</p> <p>Friday February 15th</p> <p>It was much colder to-day with a strong north west wind. so we didn't do much out side. I started in to clean up the Tommy Jackson harness but didn't get any more than the bridle done but I made the nickel on it shine. This afternoon Dad and I took Pommers out and he went like an old horse, we just had him on the line, and Dad. had the rope in his halter but didn't have to tighten on it once. Frank made a rack for the ram's hay this morning and put it in the colony house and this afternoon he went down to a meeting of the Black Creek Creamery patrons and announced our meeting to-morrow thinking he could get more farmer's easier that way than any other He said that they raised Lea Marshall's salary 1/4 cent per pound. and one old fellow kicked very much at it. He didn't think Lea needed it because he kept a hired girl and ran a Ford car. Jim Bannister told Dad at noon that to add to Penman's troubles they had a bad fire down in the mill this morning which did a great deal of damage to the stock; it was caused they say, by a nail getting into the pickers, heating and being blown into the inflamable cotton.</p> <p>Saturday February 16th</p> <p>We didn't do much but chores this morning except take Pommers down to the corner again, he is certainly good never made a misstep. Frank and I went down to dinner. at Aunty Alice's and this afternoon we went up to a fairly successful meeting of farmers. Neff &amp; Jas E. Johnson manager of the Norfolk Co-operative Assn. were down and explained the working of the Association very clearly and about ten more signed notes. We</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>were there till nearly five and then I went up and got my hair cut, so it was after six when I got home. I came home by the dam and came across the ice. Frank went around by the mill (the same way we went down) and got home the same time I did but he was delayed by having to go back to the hall after his books and then winding the town clock for George Steele. Johnny Payne was buried to-day and Bob Law died very suddenly this afternoon. They said he was well when he fed his teams this morning but lay down on the sofa when he came in and didn't feel like going out again at noon and soon after noon he was dead. News has also just come to town of the death of young Billy Thompson. He had just been moved to New York, they say on a $2000 salary when he took pneumonia and died in a few days. Bright and sunny but freezing hard all morning but snowing hard and milder this afternoon.</p> <p>Sunday February 17th</p> <p>I walked down to church this morning and as Aunty Alice said she felt as if she was catching cold and didn't feel like walking over to the farm I decided to stay and have dinner with her but just as we were about ready to sit down Dad came down with the team and sleigh to take Aunty Alice over for dinner, so we both went. We came back down town about four o'clock and I stopped on the way down to see Mrs. Sinclair and after Mrs. Bell about having a social gathering next week the boys of the J.F.I.A. and the girls of the W.I. meeting to-gether. Mrs. Bell advised me to see Olga Ryerse and offered her house for the occasion. I had tea with Aunty Alice and neither of us went to church but went up right after and she went up to Cousin Loll's for awhile and I went over to see Marj. who had been up with Glad Law all the afternoon. I stayed all night at Aunty Alices. It has been cold but sunny all day. Freezing to-night.</p> <p>Monday February 18th</p> <p>I came home about nine o'clock this morning and came around by town and got fifty post cards to notify the members of the J.F.I.A. of the meeting here on Thursday night. Frank, Enah and I. spent quite while this morning writing them we sent out twenty five. Jack Walker was over for a little while to see if Enah</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>{single page list that was probably used to make longer diary entries later}</p> <p>Jan 9 - Frank went down in the courses - talk on Cultivation. Neff - fruit growing class if H Thompson's judging poultry</p> <p>Jan 10 - testing milk for % of the fat</p> <p>Jan 11 Feeds &amp; Feeding Bacteriology afternoon - judging sheep, at Farrs Blizzard Jan 11 &amp; 12. 14 Roads 1 R R all blocked</p> <p>Jan 15 - course resumed agriculture</p> <p>Jan 16 - Dr Reed - Test for {?} on vet work &amp; horse breeding, only radial TB &amp; young Will Sidway got laughing</p> <p>Jan 17 - beef cattle &amp; sheep - no rural mail from Jan 11 - Jan 17 Mr. Mead &amp; Harry Dyer lost in storm &amp; spent night at Pickfords. Frozen faces</p> <p>Jan 19 - Mr. Hart on forming a Norfork Co oper for buying &amp; marketing in Simcoe.</p> <p>Jan 22 - Mr. Kydd formerly Simcoe on fruit growing</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>{continuation of list; written on graph paper}</p> <p>Jan 22 - womens course started about 50 entered</p> <p>Jan 23 - Dairy cattle - Mr Stevenson of Ancaster. Afternoon at Alex Wallace's - Holstein very good herd</p> <p>Jan 24 - preparing for debate This war will be a benefit</p> <p>jan 25 - Mr Rush on market Gardening</p> <p>Jan 26 - 2nd meeting re Co op joined &amp; signed note for $100</p> <p>Jan 29 - picking &amp; judging chick at Martins</p> <p>Jan 30 - formed a club TB Pres</p> <p>Feb 1 - very busy preparing for wind up of course - TB responds to toast</p> <p>Trains still irregular very very cold</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>would come down and play at Billy Thompson's funeral tomorrow afternoon. It will be in the church and they wanted the choir out. This afternoon Dad. walked down to Bob. Law's funeral and was gone all the afternoon I walked down to see Olga Ryerse as Mrs. Bell suggested and when I got back Frank and I polished harness for a little while. Lloyd Ryerse was in for awhile to-night to see what to do for an old ewe that lambed early and has a caked udder. {Surname's} cow had a pair of twin calves this morning which has caused considerable excitement in the neighborhood. When Dad. went down this afternoon they had them in Jack Martin's wash-house where it was hot. The latest news is that Jack Payne has bought Wess Boughner's farm and is putting Lilly {surname} husband on it to raise Shorthorns and Wess Boughner has bought Mrs. Duncan's place. Froze very hard last night. Fine sunny day.</p> <p>Tuesday February 19th</p> <p>It started to rain during the night and has rained most of the day so we didn't do anything much but chores. Dad. and Frank put the pig in pickle this morning. This afternoon Dad. and Enah went down to Billy Thompson's funeral as Enah had to play. It was a masonic funeral but Dad. had got no notice so wasn't with the Masons. Frank drove them down in the bob-sleigh although there were some very icy spots on the road. They got home about half past three and brought with them the geese that Enah bargained with Al. Faulkner for before Christmas. I spent most of the afternoon reading "Queen Zixi of Ix" to Tid. I finished a good book to night. "The Double Four" by Phillips Oppenheim.</p> <p>Wednesday February 20th</p> <p>It turned very cold during the night and has been down to zero with a strong west wind all day. We haven't down anything much but chores as it has been too cold to work out side with comfort. I wrote a letter to Mr. Bent this morning promising him our best ram lamb next fall as I had a letter from him yesterday saying he would be willing to pay $55.00 for it. Tupper was in for a few minutes before noon on his way home from town and Charlie Munroe walked through on his way to the mill. He told Dad. his horse was better but not well yet. This afternoon Dad. walked over to John Wesses and took him one of the calendars we got from the Department of Agriculture. He found</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>John Wess just the same. feels fine as long as he doesn't try to do anything. Dad. went down to Charlie Munroe's from John Wesses and found his horse had developed distemper with its throat all swelled up, but it is getting on well. I read most of the afternoon and went down to tea to Aunty Alice's. She and I went to church to-night but as the church was very cold and the lights very poor, we only had the war-time litany which lasted only 8 or 10 minutes. I went home with Marj. and stayed all night at Aunty Alices.</p> <p>Thursday February 21st</p> <p>I got home about nine o'clock and found the family all huddled around the stove and I was glad to join them. It was down below zero again with a biting north west wind. It has been pretty cold all day but the winds went down towards evening and it has been sunny We didn't do much but chores. Frank and I cleared up a little in the drive house this afternoon to make room for any horses that members of the J.F.I.A. might drive to our meeting to-night. Then Frank rode his wheel down town to get some coffee. Although the roads were. very hard and icy there were ten came to our meeting It was a nice night and the wind had died down. We had a very good meeting and they all seemed enthusiastic about growing a patch of potatoes this summer after we talked over our business they played cards and checkers. Enah dished up some coffee and war bread and Corby &amp; Fred Rolson sang for us. The meeting broke up about twelve. We went out to look at my heifer after the boys left and found her very near calving, so I went to bed with my clothes on. to get up and look at her later.</p> <p>Friday February 22nd</p> <p>I got up at four o'clock and went out to look at the heifer but she seemed easy so I went to bed again. Dad. got up at six and went out and she had just dropped her calf then. The calf is a red roan &amp; a bull. She has a very big bag and is alright. We did chores most of the morning and Dad. and Frank went back to the gully and brought up a dozen boards off the cross fence back there to make sheep troughs of. This afternoon Frank got three troughs pretty well made. I went down town to telephone Neff to see what night he could come down next week to our social meeting but he was out of town so I went.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>down and talked to Huby for awhile and found there was a car of coal in. then I walked down to Corbetts and told Corby to telephone Neff to-night. He &amp; his father were getting up wood off the lake bank which has slid terribly last year. I walked through their place to the creek and went up to the Ryerse's. Olga seems to be having a hard time getting the girls to-gether. I got home about five. Dad. was. getting ready to go down to Aunty Alice's for tea and to meet the train as Aunty came home to-night. He stopped in at Quanbury's on his way down and got Charlie to say he would get us a load of coal in the morning as the roads are to icy for our horses. It has been milder with west wind and snow to-day.</p> <p>Saturday February 23rd</p> <p>We got up about six this morning and I was over at Quanbury's by eight o'clock to go down with Charlie and get our coal. Charlie was just at his breakfast so it was half an hour before we got started and had to go in the waggon, however the coal wasn't all gone when we got there but was going fast. They were only selling half ton lots to one person. so we took half a load of coal and half coke. Frank was waiting for us at the mill with a couple of bags of feed which he put on the waggon. Charlie didn't charge Dad. anything for it. This afternoon Dad. Enah and the baby walked down to see the dam and went on across and saw Aunty for awhile. She has a cold a neuralgia. The wind was from the south west to-day and it was sunny and quite soft. Frank said he heard crows once. There was a faint touch of spring in the air, which made it feel nice to be alive. Frank finished making the sheep troughs and I for want of some thing to do shingled half of the "Library." I also turned over the hot-bed manure pile.</p> <p>Sunday February 24th</p> <p>I walked down to church this morning and Aunty and Aunty Alice walked back with me to dinner. About three o'clock I went back down town. Glad Law went back to Toronto on the 3'o'clock car and Marj. was down to see here off but I didn't get down in time to see Glad. but spent the rest of the afternoon with Marj. About five o'clock she went up to Miss Martin's to tea and I went down to Aunty's. Aunty and I went to church and I came back there for awhile after church but didn't stay long. I didn't go home by the dam as there was a lot of water on the ice when I came down, I went home by the mill and met Marj. on her way home.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Monday February 25th</p> <p>As it was mild and soft and fairly good footing for the horses we decided to move the straw stack in to-day. Dad. and I pitched the top of it off and most of the ice out of it while Frank dug away the big snow bank on the east side of the drive house. And we got one load over to the horse stable before dinner but didn't pitch it off. We put it off right after dinner and got another jag over and off and left the butt of the stack to put in the old barn. We put the waggon back on the old barn floor and while we were at it the colts which were in the barnyard came through the gate we left open and took a good run over the wheat tramping &amp; cutting it up considerably. About four o'clock Dad. and I started up to Ham Thompson's with Dad's heifer. It began to rain just as we left and before we got home was pouring down. It developed into a terrific thunderstorm but had stopped before we went to bed, but was cloudy and windy. I got two eggs to-day, the first I have got. Frank has been getting a duck egg daily for the last few days. A strip of paper has blown off the chicken shed roof and this wind will take more off so it looks pretty badly</p> <p>Tuesday February 26th</p> <p>There was a very strong west wind this morning and it had turned cold again during the night being about 10° above zero so we didn't do much but chores all day. I wrote a couple of letters this morning one to the Co-Operative Association ordering some clover seed oil cake and seed potatoes and one to the Canadian Sheep Breeders' to see if some arrangement couldn't be made to have Canadian registered sheep transferred to the American Book. Art. and Lloyd Ryerse were up most of the afternoon, they wanted to see if we would be willing to put a telephone in. About four Art. and I went down town and Frank &amp; Lloyd went off with Collin, {name?} &amp; young George. Art and I went in to see Patterson about the telephone but from what he said I don't think there is much chance of the Co. putting up a line out our way till the war is over and prices are normal. We went down around by the mill but came home by crossing the creek at Colman's point where the big chunks of ice are frozen in.</p> <p>Wednesday February 27th</p> <p>It was cloudy and blustery this morning but not cold but later it came out sunny and nice. We moved what was left of the straw stack into the barn this</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>morning, then Dad and I took Pommers out on the rein. he went just as well as ever. About noon a peddler came in and asked if he could have his dinner and put his horse in, so he did and turned out to be an old acquaintance of Dad's by the name of "Chinny" Klause, one-time farmer, milk dealer and carpenter on the Round Plains and at present travelling all over the country in the interests of the famous Rundel. Pain King Medicine Co. leaving bottles of None Such Liniments salve "to be paid for next year and collecting money for what was left last year. He seemed to honestly believe that it would do all that the Company claimed for it which was that it would cure any ailment that affects man or beast and can be applied either externally or internally. He and Dad. had quite a visit and he proved to be very entertaining telling of his experiences on the road. and others. He used to be a great pal of Jeff. Langs and told Dad quite a lot of news about them. This afternoon Frank went down to Corbetts to get Leigh to telephone all the boys of the J.R.I.A. and tell them about the meeting the Woman's Institute are having and invited us to. I went down town to-night and came home with Enah who had gone down to tea and church. I was too late for church. We had to walk around by the mill.</p> <p>Thursday February 28th</p> <p>We put on a load of hay this morning and took it over to the barn for the cows, but didn't unload it. This afternoon Dad. and I drove down town and had Joe shod and Dad also negotiated with old Walker for a loan of another fifty dollars to pay for our supplies from the Norfolk Co-Operative Association. Huby was here when we got home, he had walked over to have Dad. look at his dog, he didn't stay to tea. Frank cleaned out the shop this afternoon. Art &amp; Charlie Quanbury stopped in on their way home from Henry Misner's sale which they said went well and where Art bought Hay rope &amp; slings, to tell us that Tupper was going to thrash in the morning &amp; wanted a man from here. Mild but cloudy &amp; rainy all day.</p> <p>Friday March 1st</p> <p>Dad. went thrashing over to Tupper's this morning and was gone all day. They didn't get started till afternoon so didn't finish by night. Neither Henry Misner was there with the machine nor Tupper, he had to go to Simcoe. Frank went to the mill this morning and got some chaf. We also went up to the old cherry tree and to some sand to plant seeds in. Mrs. McPherson</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>was over here to-dinner. This afternoon Frank and I put off the load of hay we got. over yesterday but didn't do anything else much but chores. To-night we went down to the Woman's Institute meeting to which the J.F.I.A. was invited and heard Mr. Johnson &amp; Mrs. Bond talk about growing &amp; canning vegetables. Neff was down but didn't have the {dramas?} with him. He suggested that we should have a box social next Thursday. The others seemed to think it would be a good idea so I suppose we will have to have it. Young Crosbie drove Frank &amp; me home and I thought he would upset us for sure. Nice day. Blustery this morning though.</p> <p>Saturday March 2nd</p> <p>Dad. went back to Tuppers this morning and they finished but he didn't get home till afternoon as he went over to John Wesses for dinner and took him "Happy Hawkins" to read. About half past four he, Enah &amp; the baby drove down town for some groceries. I spent most of my time to-day when I wasn't doing chores in fixing up boxes of earth and to-night sowed some tomato seed. We have them on a little table in front of the window in our room. Frank chased around this morning and this afternoon went down to Ryerse's with his rifle. Lila was over to dinner. Nice sunny day but windy.</p> <p>Sunday March 3rd</p> <p>Frank and I drove down to church this morning. It was the first time Frank had been at church for a long time. We spent a nice hour and a half in the back seat and I was aroused from a nice doze about the middle of the sermon by some kids having a high time out side playing on the cellar door. Frank was taking the sermon very much to heart as Mr. Johnson was talking about the wickedness of those who didn't attend church regularly. Frank concluded he was lost. We were in to see Mrs. Bell before church to arrange for our box social next Thursday night. I drove Aunty and Aunty Alice over to dinner and Frank walked home going over the ice above the dam. I went back down town right after dinner and spent the afternoon with Marj. I went up to Harry {Morris's?} just before tea to ask if he would help us with a concert and he said he would. I had tea at Aunty's. They had walked home as Sam &amp; Mrs. Law had come in here just before they left so Dad. couldn't drive them down. Aunty Alice was afraid to go over the ice so they came all the way around by the mill and she was too tired to go to church but Aunty and I went. Marj. and I came back with her. Lovely sunny day. Cool breeze</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Monday March 4th</p> <p>We spent the whole day cleaning out the sheep barn floor. We hauled out seven or eight waggon loads and spread them on the old garden but there is quite a lot in there yet. We couldn't haul big loads as the road was rough and it jiggled off and we had no sideboards on. It was sunny this morning but got very cloudy and rained this afternoon and to-night. Very mild.</p> <p>Tuesday March 5th</p> <p>We finished cleaning out the sheep barn to-day but it took us till after dinner. We hauled out I think five loads and covered all the old garden west of the currant bushes and part of the strip that is left east of them. When we got through Dad. and Frank started to put the handle in the old axe head and I went down to Ryerse's to see what Olga found out about the box social and then walked over to Corby's to get him to telephone all the members of the J.F.I.A. and summon them to attend. At present it looks as if there will be about two women to every boy. Dad. &amp; Enah got an invitation out to a party at Lish Farr's to-morrow night where they want them to "render a few selections". I suppose it is a house warming party so their new house is just finished. Foggy &amp; mild.</p> <p>Wednesday March 6th</p> <p>Dad. and I went up to Ham Thompson's right after breakfast with my two-year old heifer and didn't get back till nearly noon. Frank took a couple of axe heads down town and got the nicks ground out of them. He didn't get home till after we did. Alan Law was here when we got back, he had driven one of this horses up to have her clipped but as she was wet and muddy, we thought we couldn't clip her so Frank went back home with him and they took the machine down and clipped the other mare this afternoon. Alan drove Frank home with the clipped mare and they certainly made a slick job. They left the machine down there to clip the other mare when she is dry. Dad. spent most of the afternoon trying to hang an axe handle but had a hard time with it. I read and wrote to Miss Wade Secretary of the American Sheep. Registry Ass'n to find out about recording sheep over there. To-night I went down to church and spent the evening with Marj. Dad. and Enah had not decided whether to go out to Farr's when I left and they didn't decide until it was too late to go so stayed home. Huby got a cablegram from Quint sent on Sunday saying he was leaving the next day for France so I suppose he's pretty near the Front by this time. It has been cloudy &amp; raw but not freezing all day. Snowing to-night.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Thursday March 7th</p> <p>Frank and I didn't do much else all day but oil harness. We put a fire on in the shop and got Bell's heavy harness oiled, washed, mended and put to-gether. It was about two o'clock when we finished the one harness so we didn't start on another one. I had a rather bad pain under my {?} this afternoon so came in the house and lay down till chore time when it had disappeared. Dad. spent most of the afternoon putting an axe handle in another head. He finished the one he was at yesterday, this morning. He got the handle in the head just so far then couldn't get it either in or out so he heated the head and then drove it in which made a very tight fit. According to to-day's "Globe" all the bank clerks in On except those who were granted exemption on personal grounds are to be called up. so I guess old Dick will be a soldier yet. Colder to-day but windy. To-night we went down to our box social at Mrs. Bell's Friday March 8th. We had a very good time. There were not as many ladies there as we expected and so the boys &amp; girls were about even in numbers. We played games and. at the wind up I auctioned off the boxes for which we realized about $15.00 half of that went to the WAI &amp; half to the J.F.I.A. Frank and I got home about one o'clock.</p> <p>Friday March 8th</p> <p>I went to Simcoe on the nine car this morning to see Johnson. Neff called me up last night to say they had a car of corn in and would send it down here with what stuff was ordered from around here, so I wanted to find out a little more about it and who had ordered from around here.. Johnson said they hadn't many orders and wanted me to get more and send them up to him to-night. I meant to come home on the eleven car but missed it so we walked home by the G.T.R. track. It was a lovely day for a walk especially down along the creek and I heard a lot of Spring birds and saw my first robin this morning. Frank was here alone when I got home about half past twelve as Dad. Enah &amp; the baby went down to Aunty's for dinner. Right after dinner I went down town and went up to telephone Ham Thompson from Aunty Maude's to see if knew of anyone who might buy corn, but he had gone over to our place. I visited with Aunty Maude for quite awhile and then went down to Aunty's till Dad. and Enah left. They drove and I walked. stopped in to see Harry {Man?} at the mill. and Charlie Quanbury's new horse that he got at Porter's sale so it was six o'clock when I got home</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Saturday March 9th</p> <p>Frank and I took Elgitha up to Ham Thompson's this morning and Dad. did chores. They had intended going back and cutting some wood but it was snowing hard when we got back so they didn't go. This afternoon Frank and I walked over to see John Wess. Cam has gone home for a little while and Albert Newcombe is doing chores over there. Dad. went down town to see Aunty for awhile. Aunty Alice was in Brantford all day visiting with "Miss" Watts and Vernon is up there too. Aunty Alice came back at five o'clock. Frank went down to a party to-night at Bill Barwell's to celebrate Bill's birthday. Frank stayed down all night. It has been a miserable day. with a regular blizzard all the afternoon and a thunderstorm to-night.</p> <p>Sunday March 10th</p> <p>We woke up this morning to find that our Spring has left us and Winter is here again. There is a lot of snow and it has been not above 15° above zero all day with a cold north wind but sunny. To-night when I came home it was down to zero. Dad. Enah Tid and I drove down to church in the cutter and the sleighing is better than it has been all winter although there is a crust over it which formed I suppose after last night's thunderstorm which brought sleet with it. After church Frank and I drove home and the rest went over to the James for dinner. I drove down after dinner and left Joe in the Presbyterian shed for them to drive home and I spent the afternoon and evening with Marj. having tea and going to church with Aunty &amp; Aunty Alice. Enah counted 25 robins this morning in the lilac bush out side the clothes room window. The poor little fellows evidently made a misguess and came north too soon.</p> <p>Monday March 11th</p> <p>We hauled down two loads of manure to Aunty's to-day, one this morning and another this afternoon. The sleighing was good and we took Belle and Queen. Frank went down this afternoon to unload the car that should have come from the Norfolk Co-Operative Ass'n but Murray told him it wasn't in but called up Jack Martin after he got home and told him it was. Dad. Enah and I went down to a concert to-night given by Miss Prest &amp; Miss Symonds for the prisoners of war. It was great. Much milder.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Tuesday March 12th</p> <p>Frank went down first thing this morning to unload the Association car. Dad. and I put on another load of manure and took it down to Aunty's but had quite a time getting down as the sleighing was gone in places. We went down to the car and got our bag of oil cake but our clover seed didn't come. Smith from down on the town line had been up and got four bags of oil cake and left his sacks to be filled with corn so Frank wanted me to stay and help bag it after. We had dinner at Aunty's and were down at the car all this afternoon. I called up Johnson right after dinner and he said the oil cake should have been weighed and Frank let Smith have his without, thinking there was just 300 lbs in a bag. We got Smith's bags all filled and he came after them about four o'clock. Lorne Myers was down and bagged up some for himself and Ham &amp; Bert Thompson took two bags of oil cake which cleaned us out of it. It has been very windy and soft all day.</p> <p>Wednesday March 13th</p> <p>Whan Frank first went out this morning he found one of the four year old ewes No 8 with a fine ewe lamb. Frank went down to the car right after breakfast and didn't get home till about seven o'clock to-night, but said he got it all unloaded except a load or two for Charlie Ivey which Murray said he wouldn't charge demurrage for. As soon as they could get ready Dad. took Tid down to Aunty's and then came back got Enah and went out to the Shand's for dinner and spent the afternoon not getting home till after half past six. They had dinner &amp; the Harvey Shand's and spent part of the afternoon at Willie's. I spent the day doing chores and scraping a few of the apple trees. I had my dinner at one and sat around quite awhile reading the paper afterwards. I went out to look at the sheep about three o'clock and found old Lop ear (117) just at the lambing performance. In about half an hour she had two nice ones a buck &amp; a ewe up and running around. I had most of the chores done up when Dad. got home but he fed the sheep and I came in and dressed and went down town. I was too late for church but took Aunty some cream and went up to see Marj. It was a fine day but turned out a bad night. Colder &amp; raining hard. They say that yesterday's thaw broke the ice up in the pond and that last night about eleven the water was running over the road again and they thought the bridge would go out. but it didn't.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Thursday March 14th</p> <p>This has been a very disagreeable day. It rained hard most of the morning and drizzled all the afternoon and was cloudy, muddy, and cold. Dad. and Frank went out to the sheep barn about six o'clock this morning and found three more lambs, Dad's ewe had one and No 10 had two. the ram lamb of No 10's was just about dead when they found him, for although he had not been born long there was a scum over his nostrils and he couldn't breathe. Dad. brought him in the house and revived him a little but he soon died. None of them seem to get enough milk for some reason or other so Frank got a nipple for the feed bottle this morning and Dad. has been feeding them cow's milk all day. To-night he brought Lop ears ewe lamb in to the house for all night. It is in bad shape, and doesn't seem to know enoug to suck except the bottle. It seems queer as they were all strong when they were born. Frank has been down town most of the day again, helping Charlie Ivey part of the time. We haven't done much but chores and watch the sheep. I got a letter from Miss Wade to-day saying that the records of sires &amp; dams of any sheep recorded in the American Shropshire Registry must also appear on the book. I wrote to R. W. W. Wade, asking for more definite information.</p> <p>Friday March 15th</p> <p>I haven't done much all day except stand around the sheep barn and shiver or sit around the house and sleep. It was a sunny day but the raw north wind made it very disagreeable. Matters were made worse by the bad luck we are having with the lambs. Lop ear's little ewe lamb died this morning and Dad opened it and said there was nothing in its stomach. One of the two year old ewes lambed to-day No 22. and the second lamb died just after it was born by being smothered with scum. The mother seemed to have no milk at all so we took the live lamb in the house and Dad. has been feeding it all day, as well as the lamb of Dad's ewe. By to-night. No 8 had a big pair of twins which seemed to get enough and which we put in the box stall in the horse. stable. The situation looks a little brighter to-night but we have the two in a box in the house and Dad. has to feed them every hour or so from a bottle. Frank has increased their the ewe's grain ration and is giving a few mangolds so we are hoping that they will soon "come to their milk".</p> <p>Saturday March 16th</p> <p>Charlie Quanbury came over this morning to get one</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>of us to go over and help Billy Mills put straw over Jack's strawberries, so I went. Billy wasn't through with the chores when I got there as he has a lot of pigs to feed. We gathered up the straw from around the stack and as it was frozen it was slow pitching and we only got two loads out before dinner. by that time the ground was to soft to work on. so I didn't go back this afternoon. Frank and Dad. took the oil cake down to the mill and weighed it and this afternoon Frank went up to Simcoe to report to Johnson, his steward ship was evidently satisfactory as Johnson gave him 30 cents an hour for unloading the car. He drew about $7.00 and gave me $1.20 for my afternoons work. Dad. and I didn't do much but chores this afternoon and I cleaned and rubbed up my Tommy Jackson harness. To-night I went down town and got my hair cut and took my drawings down to Aunty and she picked out some to send to the Correspondence School. No more lambs have come and the ones we have are doing well. Two are still in the house. West wind but not cold.</p> <p>Sunday March 17th</p> <p>Frank and I went down to Sunday school this morning as we were up in plenty of time. I didn't take my clothes off all night but got up at two and fid the lambs in the house and looked at the ones in the barn I could hardly hold my head up in Sunday school and did sleep most of the time in church. Dad. drove Enah down to church but didn't stay himself and she walked home. I went back down town right after dinner and Marj. and I went up to Miss McDonald's and took her a school Act manual which she is studying. We then went up to Miss Martin's but she wasn't home so we walked down to the dam with Mr. &amp; Mrs. Bagley whom we overtook. Ont our way back from there we went into Miss McQueen's for a few minutes where we found Miss Martin. I stayed down at Aunty's for tea, Win. was there too. and went to church with them to-night. After church Marj. and I started out for a walk but met Mrs. Moon who had some church money to give Marj. and so we went in there for awhile. Then on our way home we met {Said?} Davis who had spent the day in Simcoe and was rather excited at having some fellow, whom she didn't know offer to carry her club bag for her, so we walked up to Mrs. Richardson's with her where she is staying. It has been a beautiful sunny mild Spring day with a soft west wind. The spring birds are thick</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Monday March 18th</p> <p>I went over to Jack's first thing this morning and found him just milking his Jerseys. He said that instead of covering strawberrys this morning he would have me help Billy load some hogs to ship. I helped Billy do his chores and we had a lot of little things to do to get ready for the hogs which were in Charlie Martin's barn. We had to catch the two smallest ones and one of the biggest ones and weigh them. There were five and the smallest weighed 158 lbs &amp; the big one went just over 200 but we took them all down as the price is way up 19 cts here I think. I came home as soon as we got them loaded and have spent most of the day getting manure out of the hog stall for the hot bed Frank murdered old Nellie this morning and worked with her most of the day and this afternoon took her over to Jack. Dad has had a busy day with the lambs. He let the two biggest ones out to-day with the big sheep and left the two that were in the house out in the barn. He goes out every now and then and holds his ewe so that the two can suck as she won't own them. Two of the two year olds lambed to-day one had a single and one twins. The one with twins seems to have no milk. but they are fine strong lambs. Frank went to a dance to-night. Lovely day.</p> <p>Tuesday March 19th</p> <p>Frank got home from the dance about four o'clock this morning and I got up soon after he went to bed. Dad. lay on the sofa all night with his clothes on so that he could go out and feed the lambs in the night. I spent nearly all the morning making a frame for the hot bed and got it just about finished I got the boards from the old fence along the road. On one of my trips out after boards Frank went with me and we measured the corner field to see how much wire it would take to fence it and figured it at 120 rds. to go around three sides of it and we have enough wire for the front. This afternoon Frank and I drove down town and took poor old Nellie's hide down which Frank shipped to Hallam While I was waiting for Frank at the station an engine came along and before I had time to turn around old Belle got frightened and broke the old tonge on the waggon. Then Harry fell down as she knocked him down and Belle jumped with her front feet over him. It was quite a tangle but I don't think either of them were hurt and nothing but the tongue and Harry's bit was broken. Frank got a new bit and we borrowed a sleigh tongue from Joe Howell which Waters roped to the old one so that the draw bolt went partly through both of them and it made it.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>solid enough for us to go up to Jack McBride's where we put on four rolls of wire for the corner field and we git home with them all right. A new lamb had arrived when we got home. Dad. let all the lambs but the very youngest and the two that the mother doesn't own out with their mothers to-day as it was a beautiful warm sunny day with no wind. Tupper came in to-night and left a load of corn here which he had hauled from Simcoe. His team was tired and he didn't want to tackle the hill with his load.</p> <p>Wednesday March 20th</p> <p>I spent quite awhile this morning working at the hot bed and then helped Dad. &amp; Frank put on a jag of hay to haul to the horse stable. Aunty &amp; Aunty Alice came over to dinner and just as we sat down Tupper came after his corn so came in and had dinner with us. He hung around and visited till about three o'clock Aunty and Aunty Alice went home about four and Enah went down to tea with them. After they left Dad. &amp; I hauled the hay over and put it off over the horse stable. Frank went up to Mrs. Duncan's sale right after dinner and got back just as we got our load off. He bought a hog rack for $3.25. We were late getting through tea as another lamb arrived just after dark. I went down town but was too late for church. I spent the evening over at the Moore's and came home with Enah. Lidney &amp; Wilma McQueen were over at Uncle Hughie's when I was there and Lidney was having a picnic chasing the kids away from his sap as he has the maples in front of the house tapped. He came in on two different occasions each time announcing that he had caught a couple of them. The last time he came in he said he left {Garf?} on sentry and chuckled in great style over it because he said the kids would out run him. The Sunday school was lit up and I think he expected a bunch of kids to get out of it but it was the weekly meeting of the I.O.D.E. It has been a beautiful day. No wind and quite hot. 84° in the sun. Ed Moon got home from England to-night.</p> <p>Thursday March 21st</p> <p>We put on another load of hay this morning and hauled it over to the cow stable. While we were at it Lloyd Ryerse rushed in greatly excited to get Dad. to go down and poke a corn cob out of their purebred cow's throat. as she was choking. Dad went down with him but</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>when they got there the cow was alright. Dad. says Art. was standing in front of her with a broom stick and Colin behind her with a corn stalk. and it was hard to say which was the wildest Art or the cow. This afternoon Dad. and Frank cleared up a lot of the old fence bottom around the corner field and burnt over nearly the whole field. To-night Dad. went down to put Aunty's parlor carpet down and didn't get back till after twelve as they had a visit from Edgar Cantelon the artist and Huby was there to talk to him. Another great big lamb came to-night, the property of No. 6. It looks as if it was a week old. Pickford was over this morning to borrow our cyclone seeder to so his Spring wheat and he did this afternoon, but those who saw him disking and harrowing say it was a very muddy operation It has been even warmer to-day than yesterday &amp; no wind.</p> <p>Friday March 22nd</p> <p>Lloyd Ryerse came in again this morning while we were at breakfast to get Dad. to go down to see the purebred cow as she had another spell the same as yesterday. Dad decided it was from drinking too much cold water. I went out this morning to catch Dad's ewe and hold her for the two lambs to suck and was very surprised to see her licking a new lamb. In about an hour another one arrived. Both of them were fine big strong lambs a ram and ewe. and it was a week ago yesterday that she dropped the first one. At eleven o'clock I went up to Simcoe to take in Yeager's sale. I thought may be I could get a cheap saddle but they didn't start the sale till half past one and I left at four so I didn't see any thing but horses sold. The bidding was very slow on them and there were no big prices paid. They brought in a big bunch of Clydes which averaged about $350 a team and the highest price paid for hackneys at the sale was $700. for a team. I came down on the five o'clock car with Louise who has come up for over Easter. Another fine day but cool north wind.</p> <p>Saturday March 23rd</p> <p>I went over to Jack's again this morning and helped Billy get out two more loads of straw on the straw berries. It got pretty soft when the sun got up well and we got stuck with the second load and had to put part of it off. This afternoon I put</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>soil in the hot bed. The manure is heating well now and I am a little afraid of it burning out too fast. Dad. and Frank burned the grass along the road west of the lane where it will make nice pasture for the sheep. They said Ham Thompson was over again this morning he has a sick ewe up there. Another lamb arrived this afternoon. Arthur McPherson has been over playing with Tid all the afternoon so Tid has. had a fine time except when they found a little mouse under Frank's {bee hive?} and it bit him and later in the day when Arthur shoved him in the ditch and he had to come in the house and run around pantless the remainder of the afternoon. They had a "net" set in the ditch and he had to content himself watching Arthur out of the window who went down periodically to lift it. Frank went down town to-night. Sunny but a cold north wind.</p> <p>Sunday March 24th</p> <p>Frank and I didn't get down to Sunday school this morning but went to church and so did Enah. I stayed down at Aunty's to both dinner and tea but spent the afternoon and evening with Marj. and went to church to-night with Aunty, Aunty Alice &amp; Louise I got home about twelve and went out to feed lambs, but as there was another lamb arriving I didn't go to bed till it came - about two o'clock and then just changed my clothes and lay down. Nice day. Cool breeze.</p> <p>Monday March 25th</p> <p>I went over to Jack's this morning and helped Billy cover strawberries till noon. We got out three jags. Aunty and Louise were here to dinner and after dinner Louise went out and inspected all the stock and took some pictures of the lambs.. After that I slept nearly all the afternoon. Frank went down town and got his hair cut and Dad wrote a letter to Dick. To-night Dad. went down to go with Aunty and hear Mr. Crosley the evangelist at the Methodist Church. They heard him here thirty years ago but Dad. said he had changed greatly. The morning war news was gloomy. The Germans claimed the capture of 30,000 British, 600 guns and advanced in some places 15 miles but Dad. heard to-night that Haig's men had taken 400,000 Germans and the Crown Prince. It seems incredible but Mr. Brand announced it in church as being authentic</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Tuesday March 26th</p> <p>I went over and helped Billy cover strawberries this morning and Jack told me he wanted me to help do chores around the chicken pens this afternoon so I put in the afternoon, watering chickens and cleaning off dropping boards and about four o'clock went down with old Jack and the democrat and got a couple of boxes of eel-parts.. I saw May Perry down town, she was home for a day. The big war news yesterday proved to be all a fake. The British are still retreating but their lines are not broken and they are inflicting heavy losses on the Germans who still persist in attacking in massed formations. Nice day. Raw</p> <p>Wednesday March 27th</p> <p>I have been over at Jack's all day fiddling around watering, feeding and cleaning out chicken houses and doing anything anybody told me to. Snowdrop presented us with a big black bull calf this morning and ewe no 15 had a pair of lambs. To-night I went down town and went down to the station with Marj. who went to get her tickets for Haliburton. She is going home for Easter to-morrow. It has been a fine day but freezing to-night.</p> <p>Thursday March 28th</p> <p>I have put in another day. over at Jack's, valet for the chickens all morning but this afternoon I helped Billy haul a load of straw over from his place to the red barn and then Jack and I gathered the sap or at least he gathered it and I drove. We got a big milk can full. some of the buckets were running over. To-night Frank and I went down to a Horticultural meeting. Neilson was down from the College lecturing on vegetable growing and Neff was down with his moving picture machine which is a dandy. Roy and Rebecca came to-night. Enah went down to-night to choir practice and came back with us. It has been a fine day. Freezing to-night.</p> <p>Friday March 29th Good Friday.</p> <p>Same round of chicken chores to-day. and this afternoon gathered the sap twice. Some of the buckets were running over after dinner so I gathered a milk can full and then again at six I got about half a can again. Coakwell and I went down to Chris's this morning and helped him move his pig pent back further. Enah went down to church this morning.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>and stayed to dinner. One of No 15's lambs died to-day. Dad opened it and found it was inflammation of the bladder. Another beautiful day.</p> <p>Saturday March 30th</p> <p>I put in most of the day watering chickens and scraping off dropping boards. I watered every chicken pen &amp; coop on the place and cleaned off every dropping board. I started to dig a hole to bury some dead hens this afternoon but had to stop to help Jack gather sap. We didn't get so much to-day It didn't freeze as hard last night and has been clearing quite a bit to-day. I saw Pud. Slocomb to-day. He is up for over Easter and came over to Jack's at noon to get Frances. He says he doesn't have to go into the army till the 14th of May and that will give him time to finish his year at the University. The war news is looking better. The Germans are still advancing toward Amiens but are losing a pile of men and seem to be putting themselves in a rather dangerous salient position where there is a possibility of catching them between the French &amp; British armies. They had to call out the militia down in Quebec yesterday to quell a riot which started over the rouning up of some fellow under the Military Service Act. Cloudy &amp; mild. One of Jack's men who was to come to work Monday has disappointed him so he wants me back next week. I had to tell him I wouldn't see him stuck, but hate to go back.</p> <p>Sunday March 31st Easter.</p> <p>We all went down to church this morning, it being Easter. Ray and Louise sang in the choir which Ray has practiced a couple of times. Alf from Aunty's came over here to dinner but had to go back early as Ray had to show Rebecca to Aunty Alice Cousin Bessie this afternoon. Tid. and Rebecca had a great time. Enah went down with Louise a little later than the others and stayed down to tea and evening church. Her father has been pretty sick. I didn't go to church but drove over afterwards and brought Enah home. It has been very mild all day and feels like rain. One of Split ears lambs died to-day. It was alright last night.</p> <p>Monday April 1st</p> <p>I was up at half past three this morning and didn't go to bed again. My big calf was loose out in the barn</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>so I tied him up and then did some writing. I spent the day over at Jack's. He, Chris and I were the only ones there to do chickent chores as his new man that he expected didn't show up. Frank and Dad. cleaned up oats this afternoon. Frank was going to try to plow on the corn ground to-day but it rained a little so he didn't go out. They docked eleven of the biggest lambs this morning. To-night Dad. and Enah went down to the Masonic dance. Very mild. Cloudy and rainy.</p> <p>Tuesday April 2nd</p> <p>I have been over at Jack's all day and Frank started to plow this morning but didn't get much done. Enah had such cramps this morning that she had to go back to bed before breakfast and was very sick when I left. I came home again in about an hour or two and she was no better and Dad. was beginning to feel sick. soon after that I saw Frank going down town after Aunty as Dad. was laid up and when I got home at noon Dr. Cook was here. He says there are about forty of the ones who went to the dance last night laid up in the same way. They blame it to some chicken sandwiches they had, the chicken having been pressed or cooked in tin dishes. Neither Dad nor Enah have been able to sit up all day. Aunty is staying all night. Every one is roasting Dr. Cook in a good-natured way as he was one of the two who looked after the banquet, Woodyer was the other and he is very sick and all of Dr. Cook's family is sick but he is alright.</p> <p>Wednesday April 3rd</p> <p>Dad. doesn't seem to be much better to-day but Enah was up at. noon and felt much better. Aunty Alice came over this morning but went back again before tea. I spent the day over at Jacks. He has his new men on over there to-day but wanted me to stay the rest of the week till he gets them "broken in". To-night I went up to Ham Thompson's from town and borrowed a setting hen. I have one of my own and I think I will get a setting of Ham's bred-to-lay Rocks and a setting of good ones from Jack which he said he would let me have at half price and see which do the best. I intended to trap nest any pullets I raise as I think if I just have a few I can look after them better. Sunny but cold east wind. Freezing to-night.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Thursday April 4th</p> <p>I have put in another day at Jack's cleaning out chicken houses most of the time. Enah seems to be alright again but Dad. is still pretty miserable he lay around all day but was able to eat a little. Aunty and Lila were over here to dinner. I had a letter from the Shaw Correspondence School yesterday saying that my drawings showed I had the ability to make a success as an Illustrator. I suppose they say the same to every one but I think if possible I will take the course in the Fall. Fine and Cold. Freezing to-night.</p> <p>Friday April 5th</p> <p>I have been over at Jacks all day. Dad. felt well enough to help me milk this morning and he went down town for dinner. when I got home to-night he had the milking all done and separated. He feels a little weak yet and has a bad cold. Frank went down town on his wheel and got Alan Law to bring home our new waggon tongue which Joe Howell made and ironed off for only two dollars. To-night Frank and I went with Aunty to hear Mr. Crossley and see him give his physical culture exercises. She had invited the Odd Fellows and Masons to come and hear him so the Presbyterian Church was well filled.</p> <p>Saturday April 6th</p> <p>I put in my last day at Jack's to-day. He may want me to help feed next Tuesday but I don't have to go at it steadily again. Frank went down town this afternoon and got some coal oil and this after when he came back he started to plow the plum orchard which worked well he said. To-night Frank and I walked down town and spent the evening bumming around town. Sunny &amp; mild all day. Cloudy to-night.</p> <p>Sunday April 7th</p> <p>Frank and I went down to Sunday school and church this morning and after church I went up to the McBain property to meet Ham Thompson and look over a plot which we think will do for the J.F.I.A. Aunty was over here to dinner. Dad. Enah and the baby drove down to church but Dad. &amp; Tim. went over to see Dave. Waddle while Enah went to church. This afternoon I went down town I went around to the Moore's to see if Marj.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>had come yet but she hadn't. I was there for an hour or two. I went down to meet the five o'clock car and went up to Huby's for tea and part of the evening. I went down and met the nine o'clock car on which Marj. arrived and I spent the rest of the evening up at Mr. Moore's. It has been cloudy with a cool wind and looks stormy.</p> <p>Monday April 8th</p> <p>Frank and Dad. went to the back field this morning and Frank has been disking back there all day, and says it works fine. Dad. went over to see John Wess for awhile but he had gone down to meet Cam. I went up to Ham Thompson's and got a setting of Rock eggs and got him to telephone Neff. to come down here Wednesday night and he said he would tell the rest of the boys to meet and arrange for growing our potatoes. When I got home I went over to Jack's to get a setting from him but they didn't have a setting from the pen I wanted them from so I had to leave my basket. This afternoon Dad. and I cleaned up oats Dad. went down to-night and went to hear Mr. Crossley with Aunty on the wickedness of card-playing and dancing but he didn't care for him so much. It has been cold this afternoon with north wind but was nice this morning.</p> <p>Tuesday. April 9th</p> <p>It froze hard last night so Frank didn't go to the back field but plowed all morning in the plum orchard. Dad. and I went to the back field and opened up a ditch along by the woods which was plowed in last fall. This afternoon Dad. &amp; Frank went back with two teams to work on the back field. Frank took Belle &amp; Queen and harrowed. I went back with him and helped him get hooked up and then came up and helped Dad. put Harry and Dave to-gether and he went back and disked. Enah went down to a meeting of Mr. Crossley's addressed solely to the ladies but she didn't like it much. I stayed here with Tim and spent most of the afternoon grinding up oil-cake in the cider mill. To-night I went down to see Marj. for awhile. It has been cold with a strong north east wind.</p> <p>Wednesday April 10th</p> <p>Frank and I went down town this morning</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>and got our seed potatoes and clover seed. Dad. went back with Harry &amp; Dave and disked and Frank harrowed with Belle &amp; Queen when we got back from town. Frank disked this afternoon with Belle &amp; Harry and Dad and I treated enough oats with formaldehyde for smut to sow the back field. To-night Frank and I went over to Ham Thompson's to a J.F.I.A. meeting but there were not many out. Neff was down and wanted us to get a plot for our potatoes with both clay &amp; sand in it so that we could run the two experiments, so we decided to go over and have a look at a piece of Lorne Myer's which he thinks will answer the requirements so a committee of Arnold McBride, Ham &amp; I were empowered to go over and look at the plot and decide this week whether we would take it as Taylor's piece. After After we chewed the rag over our potatoes for an hour or so we had a game of cards and some music everybody contributing. It has been cloudy &amp; very cold all day with a strong north east wind and is snowing tonight.</p> <p>Thursday April 11th</p> <p>We didn't do much this morning but ear tag the lambs but that took quite awhile not only to put the labels in but to get them in the right lambs &amp; mark it down. I did the same as last year and put all the lambs down first in. a book then started with the oldest and put the smallest number in his ear and so on to the youngest. By putting them all down first it is easier to check off the ones we have done and don't have to catch them in regular order. Art Quanbury yelled at me this morning to tell me that Jack wanted me over there to-day but I couldn't go till noon but was over there all the afternoon. Dad. and Frank ear marked the yearling ewes and rams and got some hay ready to load and bring over to the horse-stable. It has been cloudy and windy to-day but not cold. The ground was covered with snow this morning and it is not all melted off by to-night. They moved eight loads of the gas. drilling outfit on to Jack Martin's place to-day on the top of the gully hill near the road.</p> <p>Friday April 12th</p> <p>I went over to Lorne Myer's after breakfast this morning and met Ham Thompson and we picked out</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>two halfacre plots one clay loam and the other lighter soil which we think will do for our potatoes. Lorne wasn't home but left word for us to pick out what we wanted. I went over Jack's when we got through and worked till noon and then put in the afternoon over there. Dad. and Frank moved some hay over to the horse stable this morning and this afternoon Frank went down and got the money from Mr. Walker and sent a check to Johnson for his potatoes and clover seed. They plowed some more of the plum orchard. To-night. I went down and saw Marj. for awhile. It has been cold and raw all day.</p> <p>Saturday April 13th</p> <p>I went over to Jack's this morning and fed up and then came back and helped Dad. put on the jag of hay for the cow stable. I was over at Jack's all the afternoon. Frank finished plowing the plum orchard this morning and this afternoon he and Dad. worked on the back field and got on fairly well. Frank and I went down town to-night and I had my hair cut and hung around town till midnight. The Daylight saving plan came into operation to-night and all the clocks were put on one hour. It is funny to hear the comments of those who up hold and oppose the bill. I am rather in favor of it as I think it will benefit the country as a whole although it may make it a little awkward for us farmers during haying and harvest when there are heavy dews but otherwise I can' t see how it will affect us in the least, but some people. Dad. and Aunty among them can't understand how it is that they aren't going to lose an hour's sleep in the morning, but I think they will find they depend more on the clock than they suppose. It has been a lovely sunny day.</p> <p>Sunday April 14th</p> <p>I didn't get up till seven o'clock (new time) this morning and was too late for Sunday school but Frank went down on his wheel and Enah and I drove down to church, our church ran on new time but others didn't as they thought the people in the country didn't all know about it. Miss Morgan and Miss Newell came in just as church was over. Elva invited Marj. and me through</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Enah to go for a motor ride this afternoon as Brant Bloodsworth had his father's car down here so we did and had a nice afternoon but we got rather tired. I didn't think they were going far but we went to Brantford and a long way out on the Hamilton road from Brantford and didn't get home till nine o'clock. We had a nice time but a little too much of it. Frank and Lila rode their wheels down to the Ward's this afternoon and Frank didn't get home till nine o'clock either. Aunty and Aunty Alice were over to dinner and Huby was over here to tea. The Pickford's and Gilbert Lynchs were also over this afternoon. .Lovely sunny day.</p> <p>Monday April 15th</p> <p>Dad. and Frank worked both teams on the back field to-day and got it about half drilled in by to-night. I went over to Jack's for a couple of hours this morning and this afternoon I did the chores over here at noon so was late getting to Jack's and then spen about half an hour helping to dig a big car out of the mud hole at the corner. The new time makes things later in the morning but its nice at night. Clementine Tupper had a red bull calf this morning and the white ewe had a pair of twins which don't seem very strong, that brings the lamb crop up to twenty four. eleven ewes and thirteen ram lambs.</p> <p>Tuesday April 16th</p> <p>Dad. finished drilling in the back field this morning and sowed a little piece near the woods broadcast as it was the other side of the ditch which he didn't want to cross. This afternoon he harrowed it over and Frank worked all the afternoon on the piece back of the orchard. I put in a little over four hours over at Jack's and spent the rest of the time over at J doing chores. Very cloudy &amp; mild.</p> <p>Wednesday April 17th</p> <p>Dad. and Frank furrowed out the oat field this morning and went down to the mill and got three bushels of barley to mix with oats and sow on the three acres of wheat along the side road as they are sure it is killed. completely. On their way home from the mill they came in to Jack's and got three oak blocks which Frank Awde was going to burn on the bonfire as he said.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>they were too tough to split. I was over there most of the morning and part of the afternoon. but after dinner I helped Dad. treat the rest of the oats that were cleaned up. Frank went out to plow and got in an hour or two but rain drove him in at five o'clock. To-night I spent the evening with Marj. It has been cloudy all day. Sultry this morning and rainy all the afternoon It rained heavily for a couple of hours but. when I came home to-night It had stopped.</p> <p>Thursday April 18th</p> <p>I have been over at Jack's most of the day to-day. It has been cloudy and windy but too wet to work on the land but Frank plowed this afternoon. He was on the sod east of the lane and says it it is pretty wet. This morning Dad. and Frank docked the rest of the lambs. The white ewes lambs are doing better but she is inclined not to own the youngest one however he gets enough milk some way to keep him satisfied. The Germans are making an awful drive now towards Ypres and have gained so me high ground. There is talk of calling out all the physically fit men in Canada between 20 &amp; 23 and granting no ex emptions at all but the bill has not been put through yet. Enah had a letter from Quint to-day. He has been up to the front line with a machine gun battery but evidently not in any action yet. It snowed again to-night.</p> <p>Friday April 19th</p> <p>Dad. plowed this morning in the sod field back of the orchard and Frank took a shear down to Halloway to be sharpened. This afternoon Frank plowed and Art Ryerse came up to get Dad. to go down and see their purebred heifer as she had another fit but when they got down there she was dead. Aunty was over here to dinner to-day. To-night Frank went down to a dance in the town hall. Tiny &amp; Joe Dyer came home this afternoon. It has been cold and cloudy all day. I have been over at Jack's most of the day but a new man came to-day.</p> <p>Saturday April 20th</p> <p>I went over to Jack's about nine o clock this morning and found the new man, Frank Reid had most of the chores done on this side of the road so I did up most of Chris's for him. This afternoon I didn't go back till five o'clock and then went back to show Ried how</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>to feed up and get the eggs in the right pens of the egg baskets. He is just a schoolboy from down near Kingston but doesn't seem like a bad sort. I spent most of the afternoon washing the buggy. Frank worked up the plum orchard and Dad. sowed oats on it and I sowed rape seed and then Frank harrowed it. He went out and plowed when he got through. Dad. Enah and the baby drove down town after I got the buggy washed. I worked till dark to-night raking up the lawn and then went over to Jack's and got an egg tester and tested out my two settings and just took out three eggs</p> <p>Sunday April 21st</p> <p>Enah and I walked down to church this morning as it rained hard during the night and this morning and we didn't want to get the buggy dirty. I stayed down and had dinner with Aunty Alice and Aunt Ida but Aunty came over here to dinner with Enah. I spent the afternoon and evening with Marj. and had tea at Miss Kerney's. Marj. and I went to church and then walked up to ask after old Mr. Martin who is very sick with pneumonia. Cloudy but mild.</p> <p>Monday April 22nd</p> <p>It rained a little again early this morning and has been cloudy and windy most of the day but looks clearer to-night. It was too wet to do anything on the land so this morning we moved a couple of jags of hay over to the horse stable we didn't put on a full load as we thought the ground was too soft. This afternoon Frank and I took a very small jag over to the cow stable and Dad. went over with Cam. McBride to operate on a pig. I got some more raking done on the lawn to-night. Geordie Boughner was in to-night to look at my red steer but only offered me 8 1/2 cts for him so I decided to feed him for another month. Dad. had a letter from Dick to-day saying that intends to resign soon as he is now certain that he will be drafted although he has not had any notice from the Military Authorities yet. He hopes to go and see Granddaddy and spend a week on some ranch out there learning to ride.</p> <p>Tuesday April 23rd</p> <p>I sowed clover seed on the wheat back of the barn this morning. There doesn't seem to be much chance</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>of any wheat coming but it is. clean and so we thought we would take a chance on something coming to shade the clover seed. Dad. and Frank started to plow the old. garden one plowed and the other raked the long manure into the furrow. I went over and took Dad's place when I got through sowing and Dad. went after and rolled up some of the barbed wire around the corner field along the front road. This afternoon Dad. and Frank plowed all they could of the old garden which was just on top of the knoll as the west and south sides were too wet. When they finished there Dad. went out and rolled up the rest of the wire along the south side of the field and Frank went on plowing along the east side of the field north of the orchard as it was fairly dry. I did up the chores at noon and then raked up the yard where the raspberries are. Enah and Tid. went down town to tea. and Dad. Frank and I went down afterwards to go to a show "The Village Doctor" put on by the Jarvis Methodist Bible Class. It was a pretty punk show but they didn't do so badly considering what they had to work on. Tid. seemed to enjoy it. It has been a fine day but raining again to-night.</p> <p>Wednesday April 24th</p> <p>Frank plowed all morning and Dad. took down a barbed wire from around the corner field and this afternoon Dad. finished up Frank's lands and Frank finished rolling up the wire. I raked up on the lawn all morning and this afternoon I did up the chores and then went over to Lorne Myer's to see if our choice of land for potato plots was satisfactory to him. he is very willing to do all he can to help. To-night Dad drove Enah down to choir practice but it was just about over when she got there. Dad. spent the evening quarrelling with Huby about farmer's position. Huby up holding his favorite contention that the farmer's were making more money than any one else, which being untrue and Huby's arguments so foolish made Dad. mad. Cloudy and cold raw wind. Freezing hard to-night.</p> <p>Thursday April 25th</p> <p>I spent the morning finishing raking the lawn and working at my rose bushes. Dad. plowed the head lands of the field north of the orchard as the west side of the field is too wet yet to plow. This afternoon Frank harrowed with Queen &amp; Belle on the {?} plowing and</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Dad. disked up the old garden with Harry &amp; Dave. Then I took his team and disked on the field and he helped Enah put in some onion sets. Aunty Alice and Dess were over here to tea and I went down with them this evening to go to a sidesmans meeting at the Rectory but was the only one there so just sat there and visited with Mr. &amp; Mrs. Johnson and Mrs. Top. Durkin who had come down from Vittoria with Mr. Johnson he has 6 acres up there which he and Top. are raising vegetables on. Frank and I went to the mill this morning and got some chop to finish off my big steer with. Sunny but raw.</p> <p>Friday April 26th</p> <p>Dad. and Frank disked and harrowed back of the orchards and this afternoon Dad. drilled in all the oats we had cleaned up which sowed all of the full plowing but not quite all of the oat stubble. Frank harrowed after the drill. I spent the morning doing a few chores and cleaning out the rest of my rose bushes and mulching them. This afternoon I planted some Irish Cobbler potatoes out in the old garden. I went down town to-night. Cloudy but mild.</p> <p>Saturday April 27th</p> <p>This morning Dad. and Frank ran out the ditches in the piece Dad. drilled yesterday and then Frank started to disk up the three acres along the side road where we put wheat last fall but on which there is not a sign of anything alive except the grass on a few sods here and there. Frank didn't get all over it by noon but says it works up like a garden. Dad. cleaned out some ditches while I planted a few more potatoes and then we changed up what few seed we had left about four or five bushels. After dinner Dad. took Joe &amp; Queen and the drill and Frank took Belle &amp; Harry. Dad. harrowed till Frank got through disking and then drilled the piece in with oats &amp; barley mixed half &amp; half. Frank harrowed after the drill and Dad. went out after he brought his team &amp; the drill up and they ran out the furrows finishing about seven. I spent most of the afternoon chasing after the sheep which wouldn't stay in the gully but wandered all over the farm and putting and planting potatoes. I now have about five rows planted the length of the old garden and the sixth one started. Very warm and rather sultry to-day.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Sunday April 28th</p> <p>Frank and I went down to church this morning and Aunty and Marj. came over to dinner. This afternoon Aunty, Marj. &amp; Tid. And I went to the woods and got a great lot of may flowers and Spring beauties and a few adder tongues, the trilliums are not out yet. The flowers are very thick back there and are big and a great variety of colours. Jim and Mrs. Waddle were here when we got back. and Dad. said Ham and Bert Thompson had been here. Frank was down at the Ryerse's on his wheel. Enah, Aunty, Marj. and I went down to Aunty's for tea. Aunty Alice had been down seeing Lila off as she went up to Lynn Vally in the five car and is going to start working for Chris Quanbury to-morrow. We all went to church to-night except Aunty and Aunt Ida and Perce Kindree &amp; I assumed our duties as sidesmen. After church Marj. and I went down with Aunty Alice as Marj. had left some flowers down there. I got home before Frank as he had gone to Simcoe on the car with young Lampkins and Crosby. It has been very warm all day with a south breeze but it rained a little shower to-night.</p> <p>Monday April 29th</p> <p>Frank has been plowing all day on the five acres north of the orchard and thinks he can finish it to-morrow. Dad. went over first thing to see if he could get some barley from Jack. And saw Billy Mills who said they had a little but didn't know whether they would have six bushels more than enough for themselves but I went over and helped him clean it up and he decided that he could let us have our six bushels. Dad. Tid and I went after it right after dinner and then Dad. went down to Tam's and borrowed his disk drill and drilled till about seven o'clock on the wheat back of the barn. It was in beautiful shape and the disk drill hardly cut out any wheat but as he didn't have it set in very deep it didn't all cover. He didn't get all the field in as it began to rain before dark, so there is the little piece west of the ditch unsowed. Young Leo Mitchell was in this afternoon to have Dad. lance a big lump on his mare's breast. Fine day, a little shower to-night.</p> <p>Tuesday April 30th</p> <p>Frank plowed all morning and got the field done</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>except for finishing up the last loads and Dad. finished them up this afternoon. Dad. decided not to sow barley on the knoll west of the ditch as the wheat is pretty good in spots on it and we thought we would leave it for the sake of comparison; so we took the barley out of the drill and Dad. took it home. When he got back he disked with Joe &amp; Queen till noon and this afternoon Frank took them and disked. A Mr. Broadley from Charlotteville came in just before dinner with a big grey Pickeron stallion. and he stayed here to dinner. The stallion was "Jason" the one Chart Wooley bought at Yeager's sale. this Broadley has just bought him from Chart and wants to travel him down this way. He is the same one that Stinhoff had through here last year and didn't have many colts. I did odd jobs &amp; chores all day. Neil Elliott was in this afternoon and looked at my big steer and offered me 10 cts for him now, but I didn't sell him. Sunny &amp; cool.</p> <p>Wednesday May 1st</p> <p>Frank and I worked on the five acre field pretty much all day and have gone over it twice with the disk lengthways and twice with the harrow the same way and Frank started over it with the disks crossways. Dad. did chores and cleaned out ditches all day. and to-night just before tea went over to Quanbury's and bagged up six bags of oats to sow, where we are working now. After tea the Quanbury boys brought their flat rack and the oats over here and left them as we want the flat rack to sheer sheep on. I went down town to-night. It has been sunny but very cold north wind all day.</p> <p>Thursday May 2nd</p> <p>Frank disked the field north of the orchard crossways this morning getting over it by a little after twelve but he didn't lop the disks half. Dad. and I sawed up one of the oak limbs and then cleaned up the oats that the Quanbury boy's brought over. This afternoon I harrowed with Queen &amp; Dave and Dad. started to drill with Harry and Belle. We hoped to have been through seeding to-night but Dad. ran out of seed so we had to stop. Frank went down town and got a board at the {Widespread?} and spent the afternoon making a wool-pressing box. Pickford came over to-night to borrow the clover seeder and was here all the evening. Not cold but very strong south west wind.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Friday May 3rd</p> <p>Dad and I cleaned up what few oats we had in the bin this morning and Dad. finished drilling the field before dinner but it took him till night to get it all harrowed and furrowed out. We are now through seeding. I sent the morning fixing up a coop to put my little chickens in and clearing up the back yard. Frank went out and pulled all the posts out around the cornerfield cleaned out his bee hives and put them away (as the bees are all dead.) and worked some more on the wool box. when Dad. was ready he went out and helped him run the ditches. Neff was in the afternoon with some of the potatoes for the J.R.I.A. plot and I went with him over to Lorne Myer's Lorne wasn't home but we left the potatoes there and had a look at the land. Neff said it was alright. To-night I rode Queen up to Ham Thompson's to see about spraying. Dess was over after tea to-night. She and Dad. each got a letter from Dick who expects to be home in a couple of weeks. He wants to get in the Navy but Head Office ordered him to report for accountant at Imperial. Sask, but the manager told him it wasn't worth his while. Fine day.</p> <p>Saturday May 4th</p> <p>We expected to start in first thing this morning and shear the sheep, but when we went to take the horse clipping attachment off to put the sheep shearers on we couldn't do it. The directions with the machine said to put a screw driver between the cogs and jerk the handle backward and we tried that several times but were afraid of breaking the little cogs in fact we did chip a couple of them. Art Quanbury came in and tried it but couldn't do any better so at last Frank took it down to Mr. James. He worked at it for an hour than advised Frank to take it up to the garage. The fellow up there and old Hamaker couldn't take it off but when George Gamble came in and did according to directions aparently the same as the rest had tried it came off in a minute. He seems to be a regular wizzard with machinery. Frank didn't get home till afternoon so it was late when we got started and Rus Lampkins was in for quite awhile so we only got the white ewe and the old ram sheared. This morning Dad. and I cleaned out the worst ditch in the oat field across the gully</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>and I moved the little chickens down into their outside coops. I have just twelve out of each setting. Frank went down town to-night. Rus Lampkins took the inch pipe he left here two or three years ago for the sink. Cloudy morning but fine day.</p> <p>Sunday May 5th</p> <p>We all went to church this morning. Frank Enah and I walked down and Dad. &amp; Tim drove down. Frank and I drove Joe home and the rest stayed down at Aunty's for dinner. I helped Frank do chores and then hooked Queen up and took Marj. for a drive. We drove down the lake shore and took Mr. Moore some provisions. He seemed very glad to see us and took us in and showed their house and the farm. They have 19 acres in. I picked Winnie up on the way home and she was over here to tea. and I walked down with her after tea but it was too late for church. I met Marj. after church and spent the evening with her. It has been warm and sunny all day and feels as if it would rain. We would be glad to see a rain now as things are getting pretty dry.</p> <p>Monday May 6th</p> <p>We have been shearing all day but only got eight done. we didn't get started very early and made better time with last few. Jack Walker was over this afternoon to get some elms for Gus to set out in front of his house. I went back with him to the woods and we got four. To-night I got the lawn mower out of winter quarters but didn't have time to cut much before dark. Very warm.</p> <p>Tuesday May 7th</p> <p>We have been at the shearing all day again to-day and only got eight sheep done. Mr. Broadly and Jason were in again for dinner and he sheared a couple for us with the machine and one with the shears. He likes the shears best and made better time with them. Ham Thompson was in too while he was here. He came to tell me that the spraying was all off as it was too late now. Dad. had a letter from Dick from Regina enclosing the check for his truck which is at the station now. He said the whole town of Cadillac was at the station to see him off. They had a surprise</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>party for him at which they intended presenting him with a wrist watch but as it didn't come for the occasion, they will ship it to Dover. for him. A letter addressed to him also came here from the Registrar of Saskatchewan saying that he had transferred Dick's name to the Toronto Registrar and for Dick to see him as soon as possible. Enah sent the letter to Ray as Dick intends to stay in Toronto a day or two before he comes home. I cut more of the lawn to-night. It was raining when we got up this morning has been very warm all day and although sunny at times rained several times quite heavily.</p> <p>Wednesday May 8th</p> <p>We sheared sheep all day and got 9 done to-day which was a slight improvement. We only have three left now to shear. To-night I went down town and Marj. and I went to the Presbyterian Church to hear Mr. Falton Presbyterian Minister in Simcoe give a talk on Ireland which wasn't bad. Frank and Enah drove down and Enah went to Choir practice but there weren't enough there to have any. Fair &amp; cooler. No ink in the house.</p> <p>Thursday May 9th</p> <p>We finished shearing the sheep this morning but it took us till noon. This afternoon Frank and I took down the piece of wire fence which we had along the potato patch back of the barn last year and put it between the orchard and the plum orchard so that we could let the sheep in the orchard. Tom came in just as we got that done and he wanted us to clip Maude so Dad. Tom and I clipped her and Frank went down town and got some oil and when he got back he disked up last year's potato patch back of the barn and when we got Maud clipped he and Dad. went out to plow the old garden. Winnie &amp; Dess came over this afternoon and were here to tea. Alex Jameson was in too for a short visit. Tom brought Dick's truck over for us so saved us a trip down with the waggon. Brant Bloodsworth &amp; Elva came over after tea in the car and took the girls home and Enah &amp; Tid for a ride. Brant. left the bank to-day and has to report in Brantford on Monday. He has got into the Flying Corps. Neff came over in his car this afternoon and brought us the twine for our wool which he promised to send us. Dad.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>had a letter from Dick to-day from Toronto saying he would be home in a day or two. he couldn't get into the Navy. but is going to try the Aviation or Artillery. Tonight Frank and I drove Queen over to Lorne Myers for a drive around the block. Fine growing day.</p> <p>Friday May 10</p> <p>I spent most of the morning tying up the wool. Frank and Dad. went out to finish plowing the old garden but it began to rain so they had to come in and Frank helped me with the wool. Art. Quanbury came over at noon to borrow the clippers as he wanted to shear his sheep and Frank went over with him and sheared the first one. It was very windy and rather cold this afternoon so we didn't haul any hay as we intended but when Frank came home we put the wool in the big sack they sent us from the Association I had to get in and tramp it and we had a hard job putting the thirty fleeces in but we did but couldn't get the bundle of tags in so will have to send them separately. To-night Dad. went down town with Aunty Alice's milk and Frank and I spent the evening over at the gas well. Dad. wasn't home when we went to bed, and we were very surprised to be wakened soon after we were asleep by no less a personage than old Dick. he had come in on the seven o'clock car and had come home with Dad.. He. Dad. and Enah sat up till after mid night. Dick telling them of his life since he left. He evidently had some good times in the West and is very much in love with the Prairies. He hasn't enlisted yet nor been drafted. He hoped to see Joe Dyer here as he is to be in command of three batteries of artillery in Toronto, but he has just left for Chicago for a week.</p> <p>Saturday May 11th</p> <p>We moved a pretty good load of hay over the horse stable this morning and took a small jag to the cows stable. We were delayed while putting it on by the cattle breaking down a post of the barnyard fence and getting into the wheat. There was one piece about 2 yards square of fairly good wheat and they trimmed it right to the ground. Aunty came over to dinner and this afternoon Dad. Dick. Aunty &amp; Tim all went down town and Dad. fixed up the walks and the bay-</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>window bed down home. Dick didn't come back to tea and stayed down town all night. Frank and I went back to the gully this afternoon and started to take down the cross fence as it has become so dilapidated that it is past fixing. We got the wire off and rolled on this side of the creek but didn't get much done at the other side. We went back to the woods to see our ginseng and golden-seal. The Ginseng is not up yet but the Golden Seal looks fine. Frank caught a snapping turtle back there and took it over to Henry at the gas well as he eats them. We saw a big flock a hundred or more of American Goldfinches back in the gully. It seems as if they had just come. To-night Frank and I went down town and I got my hair cut. Sunny morning but rainy afternoon.</p> <p>Sunday May 12th</p> <p>It was raining when we got up this morning and rained pretty much all morning but cleared off for the afternoon but was showery again all the evening. Enah and I drove down to church and I drove Enah home after church and then drove back to the top of Marshall's hill and picked Dick and Dess up who had started to walk over to dinner. After dinner Dick took our picture and then I went down town I had tea at Aunty's and went to church with her and spent the evening learning Latin from Marj. Dad. drove Dick and Dess part way down town soon after I left and they went to Brantford on the five car to see Musa and came back on the eleven. I waited till the car came in but not till Dick {?} come.</p> <p>Monday May 13th</p> <p>We have spent the whole day working at the fence around the corner field. We took the team and waggon out this morning and gathered up all the wire, short posts and rubbish along the fence bottom and measured off where our anchor post at the north west corner has to go. Frank borrowed Jack's {chair?} this morning when he went over to get the seven ducks that Jack hatched for him..Dick came over right after dinner and as he was going to Toronto to-night. to see if he could get into the Artillery we sat around for awhile after dinner talking to him. and about three or half past Dad. drove him down town to catch the train. There was notice of a registered</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>parcel for him in the mail and it proved to be a dandy wrist watch which his friends in Cadillac had sent him. Frank and I went on surveying the fence while Dad. was down town and when he came back he brought the team out and started to plow a ridge along the front road for a fence bottom. They had to stop working at the gas well to-night as they have run out of rope. It has been cool and rather cloudy.</p> <p>Tuesday May 14th</p> <p>We have been all day at the fence again to-day and Dad. got the ridge for the fence bottom plowed all the way to the field. It kept Frank and me pretty busy setting stakes and making sure of the measurements. We grafted a couple of small wild apple trees on the road, just to see what we could do Walt {Deanming?} and Geordie Baughner were in this afternoon to look at the red steer but only offered me $75 for him Niel was in yesterday and offered me $80. I asked $85 for him and if I don't get it I wont sell him. To-night I caught the cat which we have caught twice stealing my little chickens and took her down to the pond or at least the creek and drowned her. Fine day.</p> <p>Wednesday May 15th</p> <p>This morning Dad. and I went back to fix the gully fence while Frank took the two plow shears down to be sharpened and to have something done to his teeth. After dinner Frank and I took a load of manure over to our potato patch at Lorne Myers. We were over there quite awhile and got some more stuff at the mill for the calves and Frank's ducks so it was about half past four when we got home. We put on a load of manure and took it back to the sand knoll across the gully where we had the turnips last year and where we hope to have some potatoes this year Dad and Enah were working in the garden till we came home and then Dad. came back and he and Frank fixed a little more of the gully fence while I threw the last of the load off and brought the team up. To-night I went down town and learned Latin. Lorne Myers said to-day he thought he could have our plots ready to plant by Saturday so we are going to try it. Fine day but cold breeze.</p> <p>Thursday May 16th</p> <p>Frank and I hauled four loads more back over the gully this morning and one this afternoon which covered</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>the patch. Dad. finished fixing the gully fence and went back to John Wesses and borrowed his spud and spoon to dig anchor post holes. This afternoon Dad. let the cattle back. When Frank and I got through hauling manure back over the gully. they we hauled a load out to the old garden to put on east of the currant bushes. It was a big load and Frank got stuck going through a wet place so we had to throw part of it off.. He and Dad. started to plow the rest of the old garden and I started to dig an anchor post hole, but we quit early so that Frank and I could get started out to notify the J.F.I.A. members of our intention of planting potatoes on Saturday and to invite them out to help. I took Joe and the saddle and went north as far as Butlers and Frank went east on his wheel and the ones we didn't get the others will telephone. All I saw said they would come in the afternoon anyway except Willard Butter and he said he couldn't. He and his brother have 160 they are trying to farm as old Nate is not able to work so the doctor told him and the oldest brother has just been drafted. Karl and Fred Coleman were over this morning and offered me $85 if we kept him for two weeks so I let him go. Mary presented us with another clear red heifer calf to-night. This was Dad's &amp; Enah's 12th wedding {Toby made a squiggle and an arrow pointing to this comment in the margin :"Wavy lines denote intense drowsiness"} anniversary so Aunty and Aunty Alice were over to tea. Fine day, not much breeze. Very hot.</p> <p>Friday May 17th</p> <p>I went up to Ham Thompson's first thing this morning as Frank said he intended to spray his orchard for secondspray but when I got up there and told him that we wouldn't have time to spray our orchard. he decided that he didn't either so I came home. I sowed clover seed on the three acres by the side road when I got home and then went over to Lorne Myer's to help him get the formalin solution ready and start treating the seed potatoes so as to have some ready to cut tomorrow. Dad. and Frank plowed the rest of the old garden to-day. This afternoon we plowed in some potatoes in the sod east of the current bushes. Frank went down town soon after dinner to have his gum lanced where a wisdom tooth is coming and which has been very sore all day. Neff came in about five o'clock and got me to go over to Myer's to help him measure out the plots. He decided we wouldn't have enough seed for and acre</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>so made the plots quite a lot smaller. Frank went down to Glen Ryerse's to-day to see if he could get some strawberry plants but couldn't. They seem to be very scarce. Fine day and hot.</p> <p>Saturday May 18th</p> <p>Frank and I went over to Lorne Myer's first thing after breakfast and have been over all day as we took our lunch. We got all our potatoes planted and were through by six o'clock. Frank and I were the first ones there and Neff .Tige McBride &amp; Tick Nunn and Lloyd Crysler came soon after. We cut potatoes and measured off the plots all morning and Lorne cultivated and ran the furrows for us. Neff and Tick didn't come back after dinner but the others did and a big force besides consisting of Rolson, Charlie Blake, Ham Thompson, Leo Challand, Willie Nixon, Charlie Shand, Charlie Stitt and Eldon Crosbie also Arnold Myers and {Alex?} England. It didn't take us long to plant and cover them but we had for more seed than enough to sow the plots that Neff marked out so we had to take about half as much land again and get Lorne to run us some more furrows. Dad. Enah, Tid &amp; Frank went down town to-night.</p> <p>Sunday May 19th</p> <p>Enah and I drove down to church this morning and left Frank and Dad pasturing the sheep on the lawn. Enah stayed down at her mother's to dinner so Frank, Dad. and I had dinner alone. Right after dinner I hooked Queen up and Marj. and I went for a drive up above Fisher's Glen. Dad. was very disgusted at me when I got home as he had spent two hours this morning trimming the long hair off Queen's legs and ears and I never noticed it. Ed. Moon was over here to tea and had been reading Dad. his diary which he kept all the time he was in the Army. I hurried around, had tea before the rest and went down to church. I was late but went in and heard a Mr. {surname} who has been a missionary in Honan, China. He was very interesting. A Mr. Anderson from. Waterford. was here this morning and he had been in India for quite awhile. I spent the evening with Marj. Sunny and hot but nice breeze.</p> <p>Monday May 20th</p> <p>We spent a couple of hours this morning with Billy and Pommers as Dad. trimmed their feet and pulled out some milk teeth out of each of them. Then</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>I went out and finished digging the anchor post hole which I began the other day. This afternoon I dug another one and got to within about a foot of the bottom of the third and last one. I would just about finished it but I put another crack in the handle of John Wesses spoon so had to take a half an hour off to wind it. however the last foot always takes longer to dig than all the rest. I am using John Wesses Spud and spoon so that I won't have to dig a great big hole. Before dinner Dad. and Frank got the manure spreader all oiled up and did a little more disking and fixing up this end of the lane. Dad. got it all plowed on Saturday. This afternoon they hauled out eleven loads of manure on the corn ground getting about half the pile at the cow stable out there. Aunty was over for awhile this afternoon and told Enah our dipping tank was at the station. John Shand was also over for a visit. Fine day and hot.</p> <p>Tuesday May 21st</p> <p>Dad. and Frank hauled out manure all morning and got the shed at the cow stables all cleaned out. I went out to finish the anchor post hole but the colts had got into the back field so I had to go and put them out and cut a pole in the woods to put across the gap for a top bar. As the span was about fifteen feet I had to cut one with a good sized butt. The first one I got was too short and the second one was so heavy, it was all I could do to drag it out of the woods and up the. hill. I had a chance, though, to look at my ginseng which is coming up. I then went back and finished the post hole before dinner. This afternoon Frank, Tid. and I went down town in the waggon with Joe &amp; Queen &amp; got our dipping tank and five cement tiles one of which broke all to pieces coming home as it was only a month old. Dad. wanted them to put across the lane gate in the barnyard. We had to go back down to the mill after we unloaded our tank &amp; tile to get some feed oats and one of our barrells to treat potatoes in which Lorne Myers brought down to the mill for us. When we got them home we took two of the locust anchor posts and a couple of brace posts out to the field. To-night Frank and I hooked up Queen and drove up to Saville's this side of Lynn Valley as old Broadley who was</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>here at noon said he had some strawberry plants but he hadn't. however we called in at Linder's on our way home and he said he could let us have three hundred if we came after them in the morning. We got home soon after ten and I was just going to bed when Dick came in, he had come up on the nine car. We sat around and talked for an hour or more. He told us that Joe Dyer was going to get him into the Artillery but had given him till Saturday morning to come home, they then expect to go to Petewawa and he doesn't think he will be able to get home till they go overseas. He brought us up a package of Cooper's dipping powder with about a bushel of booklets pertaining to sheep He says he had a whale of a time in Toronto. Fine day.</p> <p>Wednesday May 22nd</p> <p>Frank went up after the strawberry plants as soon as he could this morning and got back before dinner with the three hundred. We hadn't got started very early as a very heavy thunderstorm came up about breakfast time and lasted for about half an hour or more. Marie &amp; George Ryerse were on their way to school and came in here till it was over and Alan Law also brought his team in. He has been hauling water for the gas well and he empties it into the ditch just above the culvert as they have it dammed. This morning he was in the shack letting the water run out of his tank when a flash of lightening scared his team and they started up the road so he brought them in here till it was over. It didn't rain hard enough to keep Dad. from plowing so he plowed the rest of the morning and I went back to the woods and cut about 100 stakes for tomato plants. I just cut bass wood as they are no particular good in the woods. This afternoon we all went out to the old garden to set out the strawberry plants. Dad. disked the piece and rolled it. I made the holes and Frank and Enah planted. Dad. went back to the corn ground and plowed as soon as we started planting and when we finished about four we went over to plant potatoes on the sandy ridge that runs through the cornfield from the lane to Ben's fence. Enah helped us out and Frank and I planted .in every third furrow as Dad. plowed. We got four rows the full length of the field planted by six o'clock but have a lot of seed left yet. To-night I went down town. It has been</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>hot all day and to-night a very heavy thunderstorm came up but only lasted about half an hour. Dick was over to dinner and I went into Aunty's on my way home to see if he was coming over to-night but he was going to have a bath and stay down all night. I sat there and talked for about an hour so was pretty late getting home. I got Dad. some tobacco to-night although he says he has decided to quit smoking till the war is over as he only gets two very small plugs of Briar for a quarter now that they have begun taxing luxurys but I thought he had better have it handy.</p> <p>Thursday May 23rd</p> <p>Frank and I planted three more rows of potatoes this morning in the cornfield and Dad. plowed them in when we finished we went back to the gully and pulled out the posts that were in the old cross fence and got the wire coild from the south gully fence to about the middle. This afternoon Frank and Dad. started to haul out manure but when they went to oil up they found some springs all bent in one of the drive wheels so Frank drove up to Simcoe to get new ones He also got some Hydrated Lime and Bluestone to make Bordeaux mixture to spray potatoes. Dad. plowed and Tid and I went back to the gully. Tid to catch frogs &amp; polly wogs and I to fill up the old post holes and take down more wire but I didn't get very much done as I had a pain all the afternoon which made me feel sick and sort of weak. I felt all right after tea but thought I wouldn't go to the Hard Time dance which the Women's Institute put on. Frank and Dick both went and I drove Frank down and as it was a beautiful moon light night went around and took Marj. for a very short drive as it was late when I got down. It has been a fine day sunny with cool breeze.</p> <p>Friday May 24th</p> <p>We didn't get started at any thing very early this morning and were delayed by Charlie Quanbury's team getting away from him while he was hooking them up. They came up this road and we went out to stop them. while out there Art Ryerse came along with Glen with some asparagus for us and came in to see Knockfierna which he thought was a dandy. Just as he was leaving Ed. Nunn came in after them, I don't know what for unless it was to go fishing.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Frank and Dad. got five loads of manure out before dinner and two after dinner and finished cleaning out the box stalls. I went out and hoeed the strawberrys and some of the potatoes which are just coming up. Dick and Dess were over to dinner and about three o'clock we hooked up to the waggon and all went down to see Dick off on the 4:30 train for Toronto as he has to report to-morrow to Joe Dyer. Dess, Win Frances &amp; two McBride girls went down to Jarvis with him. Dad. Frank &amp; Enah &amp; Tid came right home after the train went out and Dad. and Frank went out to work in the old garden till tea and Enah went to call on Mrs. Zealand. I went up to see Lyle Morgan and find out what I could about the Dicy Stephen's "Sheep Pasture". but he referred me to Slaight in Simcoe as he is administrator. Frank sent in his name, age &amp; address to the Military Registrar in Toronto to-day according to the regulations in the proclamation just issued ordering all men over 19 to register. I saw several cars going down the side road bristling with fish poles to-day and there were quite a lot of people in town celebrating The "City of Dover" was also running excursions this afternoon. It has been a beautiful day.</p> <p>Saturday May 25th</p> <p>Dad. and Frank started to haul out manure this morning and I went over to hoe what potatoes I could find up but about ten o'clock it began to rain so we all had to quit. Enah was out in the old garden too setting out cabbage plants. It didn't rain very hard and Dad. put on an old waterproof and went out and set out the rest of the cabbage plants till noon. I wrote in this and fooled around figuring on the size of a board to paint a sign on for the J.F.I.A. potato patch. Frank made staples for cement posts. This afternoon we decided to dip the sheep and it took the best part of the afternoon to get ready. We put Art's flat rack on the barn floor and put the tank in the shed so that we could walk the sheep from the platform into the tank at the other end of the tank we put the waggon with the tail gate and front end taken out so that the drip would run down into a tub at the far end. We used 3/4 of the package of Coopers dipping. powder with 75 gallons of water but should have had 100 gallons to cover the old sheep. We didn't get started till about four o'clock so were late getting through. We dipped the lambs first and gave them all a good soaking It made them beautifully white with a yellowish</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>tinge and soon after they were dipped the ticks began to come out to the end of the wool. They were all badly infested and should have been dipped before. The dip only came about halfway up on the old sheep but they stood well and we poured it over their backs and as their wool is so short they got well soaked and there were scarcely any ticks on them anyway. It was heavy work handling this old ones and I was very tired to-night. Cruikshank the Massey-Harris agent from Simcoe was in this afternoon for a long time to look at his binder as something was wrong with it. Frank showed him around. He is also agent for the Confederation Life Insurance Co. and Frank took out a policy. By the time we got the chores all done to-night it was nearly ten o'clock so I had a bath and went right to bed. Fine all the afternoon but rained again towards evening.</p> <p>Sunday May 26th</p> <p>It began to rain quite early this morning and it developed into about the heaviest thunderstorm we have had and kept it up till nearly noon. I got all ready for church but it was raining so hard at the time to start that I didn't go but stayed home and read all morning. I went down right after dinner and spent the afternoon with Marj. About five o'clock she and I went down to Auntys for tea as they had asked me to bring her down to see the white cactus which has to beautiful blossoms. When we got there Dad. was there just ready to take Aunty and Aunty Alice up to the cemetary and it was late when we got through tea but Aunty. Marj. and I went to church We came back down to Aunty's after church and spent the evening down there. Dad. Enah and Tid stayed up at Huby's for tea.</p> <p>Monday May 27th</p> <p>We hauled out manure all day to-day but didn't get started very early. Frank went down town to get some oil this morning and I helped Dad. haul out all morning and cut lawn while he was in the field. Frank hoed the potatoes till noon after he got home from town. Dad. and I got out six full loads. This afternoon Frank and Dad. hauled out and got out 12 loads. I finished cutting the lawn after dinner and then Enah and I set out some tomato plants. I quit at six o'clock and went up to Simcoe on the 7 car to see Slaght about the Dicky Stephen's place. He says he has full power to dispose of it and may be able to make an</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>agreement with me, but he has to come down first to estimate the value of it. Cloudy and hot all day.</p> <p>Tuesday May 28th</p> <p>Dad. and Frank hauled out manure all morning each finished covering the field. This afternoon Dad. plowed I set out more tomato plants this morning and finished two rows making about 175 plants and leaving a few in the cold frame for Huby and Aunty Alice. When I got through I went back to the woods and got a few of the stakes I cut but as they were too limber to drive in I got John Wesses spud and made a hole beside each plant with it. I finished that after dinner and about four o'clock Frank and I went back to John Wesses with Joe &amp; Queen and took his spud &amp; spoon home. Frank had been disking while I was making the holes; We bred Belle to-day. Cloudy &amp; warm.</p> <p>Wednesday May 29th</p> <p>Dad. plowed all morning and most of the afternoon but it began to rain about four o'clock so he had to quit. It rained from then till about dark but not very hard. Frank and I put on a load of straw this morning and Dad. hauled it over to the drive house at noon and we put it off right after dinner. We spent most of the morning back in the gully taking the wire off the cross fence and rolling itt we got it all done by noon. We went back to the woods at noon and got a few of the tomato stake and carried them to the top of the gully hill but they got too heavy to lug any farther. We had them on a hickory pole and each had one end of the pole. Cruikshanks. the machine and insurance agent was down to see Frank this morning and left his cane here so he and the District agent for the Confederation Life Co. were in again while Frank and I were putting off the straw and induced me to take out a 20 year endowment policy for $1000. I didn't pay anything down on it but told them I would in a week or so. If I can ever raise the money for the premiums I guess its a good thing. When they left. Frank and I went out to the side road. to dig post holes but Pickford came over to visit us and it began to rain so we had to hike for his barn and only got two posts set. I went down town to-night and stayed all night at Aunty Alice's. she and Aunt Ida were over here to-dinner to-day. Aunty is in London.</p> <p>Thursday May 30th</p> <p>Dad. has plowed all day to-day. Frank and</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>I intended going on with the fence but Ham Thompson came after me to help him put on the third spray so I have been up there all day not getting home till nearly eight o'clock. I was up this morning at five and Aunty Alice insisted on getting up and giving me my breakfast before I came home. Frank pulled all the steeples and let the fence down to the ground around the pasture in front of the house and threw some in the low places so that the sheep couldn't crawl underneath. No wind to-day warm and rainy looking.</p> <p>Friday May 31st</p> <p>Frank and I went up to Ham's first thing this morning with Joe &amp; Queen and got the spray outfit. We stopped in on the way home at the mill and got some feed for the calves and chickens and I paid $60.00 on my account as Karl came yesterday and got my steer and gave Frank the money for him. When we got home we sewed up the wool sack as I got a letter from Neff saying they were going to start a car loading here on Monday to go to Guelph. He wants one of us to be at the car till it goes out. Dad. plowed till noon and then helped us spray. We got over all the trees but couldn't do the north east side very well on account of the wind. We only put on tank of spray on It didn't seem to have the force to it that it should. We got through about half past four and Dad. went on out to plow and Frank and I took the sprayer back. After tea to-night Dad. &amp; Enah went out to work in the garden and Frank and I let the sheep out in the lane and put up barricades so that they couldn't go on the lawn, I washed off the buggy. A good many people are very anxious these days over the war news as the Germans have started another desperate drive towards Paris on a front between Soissons &amp; Rheims The French are holding the outskirts of both cities but the Germans have. got nearly to the Marne in the centre. but Allied reserves are coming in fast. They finished drilling to-night and struck a dry hole.</p> <p>Saturday June 1st</p> <p>I spent most of the day to-day hoeing in the garden. The potatoes are all up nicely now so I got them and the strawberries and tomatoes all hoed. Dad. plowed all morning and after dinner went over to the</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>garden to get the harrows so while he was there he hooked Belle to the little straight toothed cultivater of Ben's and I helped him cultivate the garden. He harrowed the parts where nothing is planted and where the last potatoes are not up yet. He then went and plowed till six. Frank has had Joe. &amp; Queen on the disks and roller all day on the corn ground. To-night Frank and I went down town and I met Marj. and Clara Garrie a friend of hers from Toronto who came in on the eleven car and is going to stay over the King's birthday. Very hot and very windy all day.</p> <p>Sunday June 2nd</p> <p>Enah and I drove down to church this morning and Frank walked down this afternoon. I hooked Queen up and took Marj. and Miss Garrie for a drive down the Lake Shore. We came back past here and I put Queen in and we walked over to see Jack's chickens and then on down town around by the mill. I stayed at the Moore's to tea. We didn't go to church to-night but went down to the beach. for awhile. Dad. and the baby went down to Aunty's this afternoon. {Stace?} Lowrie was in to see if he could get pasture for his old {mare?}. Cloudy and cooler.</p> <p>Monday June 3rd</p> <p>Frank went down town right after breakfast to find out about the wool car and found that there was one for the wool at the L.E.&amp;N. siding on Main St. so we went down with our wool and Quanbury's. We found England, Parr &amp; Sidway had all been there with their wool. Frank took the team home and I stayed at the car as Neff asked me to be there to see that all the tickets were on all right. I stayed there till after dinner and didn't have anything to do as there were only about a dozen brought wool so I slept and studied Latin all fore noon and went with out dinner. I went down to the station to get Ham Thompson's &amp; Art Quanbury's freight bills about half past one. and when I got back I found Billy McNeilly there and he said the freight had been in and gone out again with out taking our car. I don't understand it as Neff said it was to go out at 2.30. Dad. has plowed on the corn ground all day and Frank had worked the little team on the disks till I came home then I took them and he sprayed the potatoes with the Bordeaux mixture which he prepared this morning. To-night John James &amp; family motored in having come in this afternoon from Courtright. They went back down town for the night.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Tuesday June 4th</p> <p>Dad. plowed corn ground all day but didn't quite finish. I disked with the little team all day. Frank went down town this morning and got Dad. a plow shear and got his hair cut. John. James and his family were all here to dinner and so was Mr. Broadley. After dinner they all went down to the greenhouse and Enah and Frank went with them. Very cool to-day &amp; to-night.</p> <p>Wednesday June 5th</p> <p>I spent the morning planting five rows of mangel seed out in the old garden. I tried a scheme of Uncle Wards of planting five one or two seeds in a place about a foot apart, but it is too slow to do much of a patch. This afternoon Frank and I took the little team and hauled out a load and a half of manure and put a good lot in between the tomatoes a shovelfull to a plant. We also mixed up a lot of it with the soil in ten hills where we intend to plant some watermelons. We have never grown any before and it may be too late for them but we had lots of room so thought we would try them. Dad. finished plowing the corn ground. I went down town to-night.</p> <p>Thursday June 6th</p> <p>It has been a rainy day with very short intervals of sun shine It rained quite heavily early this morning and has been drizzly the rest of the time. We put on a load of hay this morning and took it over to the horse stable. Alfred Ryerse was up to ask Dad. about a sick cow. Dad got his culvert fixed in the barnyard across the lane gate where there has always been a bad mud-hole. This afternoon. Frank and I put the stock all in the barn to pick out some yearlings to sell in case any one comes of them but we only found two that we thought it wise to let go now one very small one and the one that didn't have milk enoug to raise a lamb. she is a decendant of the white ewe and few of her stock are up to much the best of the ewes all being descended from old Lop-Ear When we got through with them we went over and got our bundle of tomato stakes and put them in Dad. hoed over in the garden most of the afternoon. To-night Frank and I went down town to see Jack Pickford at the show in "The Varmint." Win &amp; Marj. went with us. It was pretty good.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Thursday Friday June 7th</p> <p>Frank and I went up to Ham Thompson's with a heifer this morning. Ham said he would come down to morrow afternoon and plant our corn for us as Dad. thinks we can have it ready by then: I shelled corn all day after I got back from Ham's. The three bushels in the crates on the cob made about a bushel and a half of shelled corn. Dad. and Frank cut down a dead apple tree in the orchard this after morning and this afternoon worked both teams on the corn ground. To-night Frank and I went over to Lorne Myer's to hoe the J.F.I.A. potatoes. Nixon Blake. Roleson and Charlie Stitt were the only others there but we got one patch the sandy one all hoed, if there had been more out we would have got them all hoed. Sunny but very cold west wind all day.</p> <p>Saturday June 8th</p> <p>Dad. and Frank worked both teams on the corn ground all day and have it very nice shape. I went over to Quanbury's this morning and borrowed their seed drill and sowed ten rows of mangels in the cornfield just north of the potatoes. I sowed one pound of seed which we had and then got another half pound from Quanbury's and sowed it. Ham Thompson came at noon and planted corn with the machine all the afternoon but didn't finish but says he will come back, Monday. The machine is certainly a rig. It is the first one we ever saw working and it is hard to believe that the rows will be in line cross ways but Ham says they will. I cut most of the lawn this afternoon . To-night Frank and I went down town for a little while. Cold wind all day and white frost last night.</p> <p>Sunday June 9th</p> <p>Frank and I went to Sunday School this morning as Jack asked me last yesterday if I couldn't get down. just as we got there we saw Jack leaving in a car with two fellows, however Aunty Maude took the class. Tid went down to Sunday School with me he said he liked it fine. Dad. and Enah drove down to church and brought Miss Phipps with them. Dad. was going to go home again to put the sheep in as some of them were out when he left, but I came home and put them in and then brought Joe back for them to drive home. Frank stayed down at Aunty's to dinner and went for a walk with Lila this afternoon. I went down town about.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>three o'clock. Stayed at Aunty's to tea and went to church with them to-night. They have started having church at 7.30 for the summer instead of 7 o'clock. I spent Most of the evening up at Cousin Loll's. Marj. was at Essie's Birthday party. It was pouring rain when I started home so I stayed all night at Aunty's. It has been cloudy all day and it looks like an all night rain</p> <p>Monday June 10th</p> <p>I didn't get up very early this morning and had breakfast down at Aunty's so Dad. was about through the milking when I got home. Frank and I stretched a barbed wire along the west side of the lane as part way up the lane as the colts have been bending the fence badly reaching over to eat the wheat. Dad. plowed and disked the garden back of the shop to-day. This afternoon Art Quanbury came over to help me put in fence posts so we worked at it all the afternoon. I borrowed Pickford's auger and we got it all the posts along the side road but the two brace posts and got four in along the north side of the field. Ham came down and he and Frank finished planting the corn. To-night Frank and I went over to the J.F.I.A. potato patch to hoe. there was a good bunch there to-night and we got them all hoed. and Bill Sidway and Charlie Stitt brought horses and cultivated so the plots look much better. We got through about dark and then Lloyd Ryerse, Tige &amp; Albert McBride and Frank and I went down to the creek and had a swim but it was a little to cold for comfort the air especially. Dad. and Enah &amp; Tid drove down town to-night to take Aunty Alice's milk down to her. Cool all day.</p> <p>Tuesday June 11th</p> <p>Frank and I took our dipping tank and powder up to Ham's this morning and dipped all his sheep in return for the corn planting. We got home before noon. Dad. spent most of the day working down the garden back of the shop and planting fodder corn on it and harrowing the potatoes. This afternoon Frank and I put in some more fence posts but didn't get out till late as Mr. Broadley was here. Frank had a stiff knee too. We quit early and he and I drove Queen to Simcoe to-night to answer our medical questions for insurance It got pretty black and very hot when we were</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>going up to Simcoe and was beginning to thunder and lightening just as we were ready to start home but we thought we would take a chance on being caught so got all ready to start back, however just as we were ready to get into the buggy it began to pour down and for the next two hours we had a storm that would equal in its fury any out of the worst of the 1915 models. It sounded terrible on the roof of Burts barn where we were. and Queen was a little scared although she didn't make any fuss but I could tell by the way she put her nose in my face and hands that she wondered what it all meant. After the final spasm was over we looked out and the sky in the north was all a deep red so we knew that somebody's barn a long way out of town was struck but when the next burst of rain came the red light disappeared. We waited here till the storm was over and got home before two o'clock, the roads weren't muddy but were washed bare and packed hard.</p> <p>Wednesday June 12th</p> <p>I didn't get up very early this morning and Dad. went back after the cows. He was in a great state of despondency over the storm, he thought everything would be ruined and he says there are lakes all over the cornfield so that it will be all drowned out. Edmond England was over last night to invite us to a bee at the School house to level the grounds so I went over about ten o'clock. that wasn't as late as I thought for they all work on the old time out there. I found a big bunch there with scrapers and plows and there was really more men than there was work but I hung around all day filling scrapers and shovelling a little but principally visiting. I intended to come home at noon and tell Dad. what more they needed so that he could come this afternoon but as Dave Lampkin invited me to dinner and I didn't think there was any use of any more coming I didn't go home. Neff was down on Monday and staked all the levels out for them and by to-night they had it in very nice shape. Dad. and Frank just did odd jobs and chores as it was too wet to do much. Aunty was over here to dinner I went down town to-night. Cloudy with strong &amp; cold wind.</p> <p>Thursday June 13th</p> <p>I went over to John Wesses this morning and</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>borrowed his spoon again to dig the earth out of the anchor post holes which has caved in since I dug them. When I got back we took out some sand. cement and the dipping tank which we filled with water bailed out of the holes (they were nearly full) and put in the locust posts for anchor posts. We set one before dinner and the other two this afternoon. I too John Wesses spoon back before tea when I got through with it. Enah went down town this afternoon. I cut a little more lawn to-night. Sunny but still a cool breeze.</p> <p>Friday June 14th</p> <p>We took out some brace posts and all the good fence posts we could find around the place this morning and gathered up the few that were left along the wall. Frank and I put them in before dinner and finished the row from the road to the north west anchor posts. Dad. spent the day harrowing over the corn-ground but didn't finish. This afternoon Frank and I pulled out the rest of the fence posts in the gully cross-fence and stretched a little more barbed wire on the top of the lane fence. We all quit early and after tea Frank and I went over to the potato patch. I rode Belle over and cultivated the clay patch and Tig McBride cultivated the others, we also went through Lorne's. There were seven or eight hoeing but they only got the sandy patch hoed and we intend to hoe the clay on Monday. Frank took his football over and we had quite a game when we got through work. Dad. Enah &amp; Tid drove down town. Enah went to hear a missionary from the North-West and Dad. &amp; Tid went fishing. Cool.</p> <p>Saturday June 15th</p> <p>Dad. took the team and waggon back to the top of the gully hill this morning and we hauled up a load of posts and fence boards out of the gully with the team and chain making several trips. We got all the stuff from the fence on the north side of the gully pretty well cleaned up. We got enough posts out of the load to go along the west side of the corner field and after we had unloaded the other stuff we took them out and Frank and I worked till noon putting them in and Dad. went on harrowing the corn field. This afternoon Dad. finished harrowing the cornfield and the garden north of the shop and then cultivated all through everything he could in the old garden. Frank spent the</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>afternoon in the old garden hoeing and spraying the potatoes. I drove Enah and Tim down town for Enah to get some provision and we got home about half past four and then I went back to the mill got some oat chop and washed the buggy. Huby was over this afternoon and got a bag of straw for the pen his puppies are in. Miss Phipps was over to-night and brought us some lovely peonies. I got a fine blueprint from the Horticultural Department at Guelph showing how to plant the lawn with a complete planting list. It has been sunny &amp; warmer to-day but a cold breeze yet.</p> <p>Sunday June 16th</p> <p>Tip Varey brought Barwell and his little Boston bull dog over in his car this morning. The poor little thing is having a hard time having puppies. Dad. got one from her and they left her here. Tim and I rode down with them to Sunday school. I went to church and Dad. drove Enah down but didn't stay. Aunty came over here with me for dinner. Just before dinner Dick Cook and Mr. Barwell came over to take the dog down to see Dr. Colemen at Jarvis and they waited till Dad. has his dinner and {took?} with them, but the doctor said nothing could be done but just leave her quiet, so they brought her back and left her here. I hooked up Queen and took Marj. for a drive this afternoon. I came home to tea and helped Dad. milk and then went down again. Marj. and I went over to Miss McQueen to show her my blueprint I got from Guelph. Lila was over here to tea. She has been cultivating corn she says most of this week and is having a good time up there as a farmerette. Cloudy &amp; hot all day.</p> <p>Monday June 17th</p> <p>I had to go up to Ham Thompson's with Kate right after breakfast this morning and it was late when Frank and I got out to put posts in but we got in all but three on the east side of the field. Dad. did odd jobs &amp; chores all morning and got another pup away from Barwell's bitch. he was very pleased at that. This afternoon he took the plow and the harrows back over the gully and plowed and harrowed the turnip patch. It took him till about seven o'clock. Frank and I went back with Dad. and carried the tomato stakes out of the woods and put them in the waggon so that Dad. could bring them up. Then we finished putting in the posts on the east side of the field</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>and the three brace posts on the west side so now we just have the cement posts to put in along the front. Charles and Art Quanbury came by on a load of hay and delayed us a little as I pulled Charlie off the load by the leg and he started in to lick me but I think I convinced him of the foolishness of that enterprize. We didn't get through though till late. We had our tea and I had part of the milking done when Dad. came up. Frank and Lloyd Ryerse went over to the potato patch as soon as they could but I didn't get over till nearly dark on account of the chores but was there in time to get a few kicks at the football. There was a good crowd there to-night. Mitchell, Butler Challand, &amp; Nixon all came in from Renton in a car. On the way home. Lloyd &amp; Colin Ryerse. Tige McBride and Frank and I all stopped in at the mill to see Stan Dollar and got making so much noise singing and kicking of the football around the mill, but old Herb Cook came across in a very peeved state and accused us of keeping one man from his sleep and another from his work. He was so crusty that we thought it best to break up the party so we came home and except setting fire to the gas well which wouldn't burn for more than a few seconds, committed no depredations on the way. Clear &amp; much warmer to-day.</p> <p>Tuesday June 18th</p> <p>Frank and I didn't get to work very early this morning and worked till noon lining up and digging holes for the cement posts. along the front of the field. We just hoed the hobs and will put the posts in when we first bring them out so as to save handling twice. Dad. went over and rolled down the turnip ground. This afternoon I went over to sow the turnips. I had to go over to Art. Quanbury's to get his seed drill and I got about half over the field and then had to quit as I ran out of seed, so came up and helped Dad. and Frank who were stapling the wire on the posts along the side road. We don't intend to stretch it just now. To-night all of us but Dad. went down to see Mary Pickford in "Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm". Enah and Tid went down to the first show and Frank and I went to the second. Sam Law was here when we left. and Barwell came over with young Howey to see his dog which is about the same. Fine day.</p> <p>Wednesday June 19th</p> <p>This morning I put in all the stakes I had left for the tomatoes and tied them up. We are going to let the rest go unstaked and seef if they are any worse</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>It was nearly noon when I got that done but I went over and sowed the rest of the turnip patch before dinner. Dad. cultivated in the garden all morning. Frank was down town most of the morning as the tire came off his wheel last night while he was down town and he went down to get it. He also got some 12 gauge shot gun shells to shoot at the crows in the cornfield. Art Quanbury left him his shot gun. Aunty Alice was over to dinner. This afternoon we tacked up the rest of the wire along the north end west side of the field so now just have the front to put the posts and wire along. We got a cheque for ninety dollars to-day as part payment for our wool. Sunny but cool breeze.</p> <p>Thursday June 20th</p> <p>Frank took down the piece of wire that ran along the north end of the plum orchard and we took it out and finished the west side of the field with it. Frank and I finished boring the holes along the front while Dad hoed in the garden. This afternoon we started putting the cement posts in and got 12 of them out there and about 8 or 9 set. It was a big job getting them lined up as some of the holes had to be enlarged as they were a little out of line. They show much plainer if they are not just straight than the others do but they certainly look neat and substantial when they are in right. Enah went down town this afternoon and when we came up there was a whole pile of calling tickets on the table which had been left by Winnie, Dess &amp; some of the Zealand's while Enah was away. To-night I went down town the school house where Marj. and the other teachers were registering folks in accordance with the new regulation making it compulsory for every man &amp; woman over 16 years of age to register and answer a question card before by June 22nd. It was nearly dark when I got down so they had to quit work. I went home with Marj. and she registered me down there. I was the 97th one she had done. The war news just now looks pretty good. The big Austrian drive in Italy has been stopped without them gaining enough to make up for their losses and the African French troops broke up a German rush for Rheims. Sunny but cold wind.</p> <p>Friday June 21st</p> <p>We took out the rest of the cement posts this morning and the roll of wire for the front but didn't get any more set as it began to rain and rained pretty</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>much all day. Dad. wrote to Dick this morning and Frank and I got things ready to make a cement post. After dinner I sat down to read the paper and went to sleep and slept for over an hour or two, but there was nothing else much to do. Frank fixed the binder. They said that for awhile when I was asleep it got almost as dark as night. About four o'clock Frank and I went out and made another post. I had to go up to Ham Thompson's with Elgitha to-night. Frank took milk to Aunty Alice.</p> <p>Saturday June 22nd</p> <p>I had to go up to Ham's this morning with Marj. and when I got back Dad. and Frank had gone out to the school house to register. Enah went over to Jack Martin's and registered. Dad. and Frank didn't get home till noon as they stopped in on the way and borrowed Tuppers post auger to enlarge the holes. It is a sort of plunger. I made some more reinforcement wires and got some sand over to make another post. but didn't get the wire up. Frank and I went down town to-night. It has been cloudy with a very cold north west wind all day. We were afraid of frost to-night but I guess it won't freeze.</p> <p>Sunday June 23rd</p> <p>I had to go up to Ham Thompson's with Snowdrop this morning so was too late to go to Sunday school but I drove Enah down to church Aunty came home with us to dinner. I didn't go down town this afternoon as Marj. told me she was going up to the Davis' for dinner. We all went out to look at the new fence and take the sheep out after dinner. and then Uncle Ward came over. Aunty went home early but Uncle Ward stayed all the afternoon I read and slept. Went down to-night and spent the evening with Marj. Sunny &amp; cold.</p> <p>Monday June 24th</p> <p>I drove over to Tupper's this morning and took his post auger back and when I got back we finished putting up the front fence, we put in three wooden posts at this end and wired the fence to the cement posts. Dad. went down to Aunty's just before dinner and was down there all the afternoon trimming the paths and cutting the long grass in front of the house. As soon as we could get started after dinner Enah Tid. and I drove to Simcoe with Queen. I got some rope and a grease cup for the brass boxing on the mower and went around to see</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Slaght. He said he had been down to see the "Sheep Pasture" but hadn't come to any decision in his own mind as to its value but again assured me that he would make not disposition of it without letting me know, but it might not be till fall. Enah and the baby went on a few errands and I picked them up at Charlie Martin's store. We got home by six o'clock. Warmer to-day. Cloudy to-night Frank spent the afternoon planting in corn where the crows {?} it.</p> <p>Tuesday June 25th</p> <p>Dad. has been cultivating corn all day with Belle Frank and I started to put some roofing paper on the chicken house roof to cover a patch that blew off during the winter but didn't quite finish before dinner. Just before noon Harvey Ross and a Mr. Thornton one of the sheep men belonging to the Anaka Farms of Wisconsin came over to see if we had any sheep for sale so I sold him the four yearling rams for $35.00 which was all I asked him and which I thought was a pretty good price for them He would have bought the old ram for sixty but we didn't decide whether to sell him or not. I forgot to mention Ham's yearling ram to him so right after dinner I drove up and told Ham to call him up. This afternoon I set up some {astie?} plants which Mrs Quanbury had sent over and finished putting the paper on the chicken house roof. Frank spent the afternoon planting in missed corn hills. Dad. is very distressed at the way the crows and black birds are working in the cornfield. To-night we went over to hoe potatoes and play football and had 14 out. We got the loam patch hoed and had a good game. Warmer.</p> <p>Wednesday June 26th</p> <p>Dad. cultivated corn nearly all day and is so so stiff to-night he can hardly walk. He quit about half-past four and he and Enah drove down town after some groceries.. Frank planted corn this morning and I hoed the mangels in the old garden and this afternoon we both hoed in the old garden. Fine and pretty hot to-day.</p> <p>Thursday June 27th</p> <p>I took Belle out to cultivate corn this morning and worked till Dad. came out and took her I couldn't keep her from walking to one side of the rows. Dad. finished the field by noon. Frank and I finished hoeing the old garden this morning. Arthur Preston was over most of the morning visiting. This afternoon Dad. started to plow the orchard.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Frank and I cleared up the brush and Frank burned it. I spent most of the afternoon painting lables to distinguish our different plots of J.F.I.A. potatoes. Winnie, Des &amp; {Frasa?} Dyer were over here to tea to-night. I promised Tige McBride that I would go over and help him cultivate the potatoes at Lorne Myer's to-night but it was so late before we got through with chores that I sent Frank over. He got all the clay patch loam patch gone through but Tige didn't show up so the clay didn't get done. I went over when I got through to see Henry Misner to see if he would spray them for us. He wasn't home but Mrs. Misner &amp; Hazel entertained me till he got back, he said he would spray them for us if Endmond England would agree to have a new wheel put on the waggon but as he was a half interest in the outfit he would have to be consulted. Fine. and warm all day.</p> <p>Friday June 28th</p> <p>There was a thunderstorm during the night and it rained a little this morning so we didn't do much except make a cement post. This afternoon Dad and Frank cut the thistles in the plum orchard. and then Dad. started in again on the orchard and got a little more plowed while Frank drove Enah and the baby down town. I spent the afternoon raking up the lawn as last night's wind storm had it badly littered with leaves and branches off the old willow I got the cows up early and we milked before tea and to-night I went down and took Marj. &amp; Dorrie to the show. It has been hot again to-day &amp; to-night.</p> <p>Saturday June 29th</p> <p>Dad. has been plowing in the orchard all day and finished it to-night. Frank and I went out this morning and hoed the potatoes in the field. We got through about half past eleven and then took Martha up to Ham Thompson's. Ham was back drilling in his cornfield over again with ensilage corn and didn't come up till nearly one o'clock so we were late getting through dinner. This afternoon. Frank sprayed all the potatoes in the field and I cut the lawn. Very hot.</p> <p>Sunday June 30th</p> <p>I drove Enah down to Bill Lemon's this morning as she had a bad toothache all night and</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>then Tid and I went to Sunday school. Dad. walked down to church and drove Enah &amp; Tid home. I walked over as far as Mrs. {Woodion's?} with Roy as he and Rebecca came up last night and stayed there for dinner to-day. I slept for the best part of the afternoon and then wrote to old Billy Beattie to see what I could get a good yearling ram for. Dad. and Tid. were all ready to go down town to see Joe Dyer and ask him what chance there was of getting Dick off on harvest leave but it got so dark they didn't go It rained hard for about an hour but cleared up about five and I drove down and got Marj. &amp; Dorrie and brought them over her for tea and drove them back about half past ten.</p> <p>Monday July 1st</p> <p>I disked in the orchard all morning and Frank sprayed potatoes in the old garden. Dad. went down town to see Col. Dyer about getting Dick off and he told Dad. to get a certificate from Neff to say Dick was needed at home and it would strengthen his application. Aunty and Rebecca walked over before noon and Roy came over at noon with Dad. This afternoon we all fooled around for an hour or two putting in mower sections and fishing for the bucket and chain which dropped down the well Saturday night. We got the bucket but couldn't get the weight so Roy wired an old axe head to the end of the chain. About four o'clock Aunty and Roy walked back down town and Dad. drove Enah and the two kids down. Frank and I went back over the gully with mower and I went a round with Frank on the twelve acre meadow and then brought the cows up and Frank went another round. To-night I went down to say goodbye to Marj. She is going to Port Hope in the morning to go to a Summer school for a week. Very cold &amp; cloudy all day.</p> <p>Tuesday July 2nd</p> <p>Dad. and I drove down town this morning and I got Joe shod while Dad. went up to Simcoe on the 9 car to see Neff who made application for Dick's leave of absence for him. Dad. came back on the eleven car and drove home with me. I went down to Aunty's for awhile this morning and cut their lawn. Frank mowed in the back field all day but didn't finish it. He took Joe &amp; Harry this afternoon and Dad. cultivated corn with Belle. I drove down to Jarvis this afternoon to see old Ross about shipping</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>our rams and he said he would let me know when the veterinary inspection was coming and we could bring our sheep down there. I drove Queen and took Tid with me. We were home by half past six. we then went back to the gully and got another purebred calf which Maple Hill Nellie presented us with this morning It is a dandy Roan heifer marked very much like Knockfierna. We had a little trouble getting it up as Nellie is very wild over it but after we got it up Daisy May adopted it and wouldn't let the mother near it and she Daisy May bawled around all night for the calf. This was the night we should have gone over to hoe potatoes but it was so late when we got through and I had to take my two year old heifer up to Ham Thompson's that we didn't get over. Tige McBride &amp; Lloyd Crysler came over in the latter's car and got the football and the Ryerse boys brought it back. They said they got the patch pretty well hoed. Warmer.</p> <p>Wednesday July 3rd</p> <p>Dad. cultivated corn all morning and Frank mowed. I went down to the mill with Queen &amp; the buggy and got a couple of bags of oat chop and then went back and shook up some of the heavy spots in the hay till noon. After dinner we all went back and Dad. and I finished shaking out the heavy spots that were cut yesterday. Frank finished mowing the fields. Frank then started to rake what was fit and Dad. and I and Tid. cocked up till after six getting about half of what was raked put up in cock. To-night Dad. took some milk down to Aunty Alice. Frank went over to Ben's pea field and picked a basket of peas and I went out to prune and tie up the tomatoes again but I didn't get out till nearly dark so didn't get many done. Warmer and fair.</p> <p>Thursday July 4th</p> <p>Frank and I went down town this morning and got the lime, bluestone and aresenate of lead which Neff sent down to spray the potato plots with. and took it up and left it at Henry Misner's. He said he could spray them for us on Saturday afternoon if some of us would go over and help him put the tank on the waggon. We got home about eleven and went back and shook out the heaviest of the hay that was fit and didn't get up till nearly one. Dad. cultivated all morning. This afternoon Frank raked up all the hay west of the little gully (about 10 acres) and Dad. and I cocked up till seven o'clock. Frank sprayed our early potatoes to-night. Fine hay day. Not hot nor windy.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Friday July 5th</p> <p>We all three cocked up hay all day to-day and finished cocking all that was raked before six. There are still about two acres on the east side of the field to rake up yet. To-night Frank and I went over and got Lorne Myers and got him to help us go and put Henry Misner's tank on the waggon. We had an awful job as just as we were getting the thing on the hind holster of the waggon the weight of the engine rolled it over and we worked till eleven o'clock before we got it fixed. He is going to spray our potatoes for us tomorrow afternoon. I felt tough all day and to-night it was all I wanted to do to walk home and roll into bed.</p> <p>Saturday July 6th</p> <p>Dad. cultivated corn this morning and Frank went down and got the piece of the ladder at the Widespread. I went back and turned the heaviest of the hay that was in swath but didn't feel much like working and spent a good deal of the morning under a tree. Frank came back and raked it up before noon. This afternoon Dad and Frank went back and cocked it up and then brought a load up and pitched it off in the horse stable. Neff came after me soon after dinner to go and get the sprayer attachment and help him put it on the sprayer We were all the afternoon at the job and didn't get any spraying done. Neff said he would be down Wednesday night to spray. Cloudy with very cool breeze to-day.</p> <p>Sunday July 7th</p> <p>Enah and I drove down to church this morning and Dad. and Tid. walked down to Aunty's for dinner where Enah went from church. this being Dad's birthday they were down there all the afternoon. Huby brought them home in the boat as far as Black Creek bridge and he and Aunty walked up here to tea with them. Frank and I had dinner alone and this afternoon Frank went for a ride on his wheel with Lila and I went up to Ham Thompson's as Harvey Ross was over here this morning to say that we were to take our rams down to his father's in the morning as the inspector was to be there. I asked Ham to bring his ram down to our place and let us hook to his waggon as the tires are so loose on our own. I came back home and read and slept all the afternoon. Huby brought Tid one of the special puppies to-day. Frank and I got Dad three books, Shorthorn Cattle, Feeds &amp; Feeding &amp; Breeding Farm Animals. Jackie Pickford was over for a visit to-night. Quite cold to-day &amp; windy</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Monday July 8th</p> <p>Frank and I were all ready when Ham came with his ram soon after eight this morning but by the time we got ours loaded and our team hooked up it was about noon when we left for Jarvis. We didn't drive very furiously on account of Ham's tires being loose and it was about eleven when we got there. There was a not a sign of anyone around the place but after waiting for about half an hour Mrs. Ross drove in with the inspector who proved to be the Mr. Henderson that Aunty and I met up at {Penner's?} five or six years ago. We put our sheep in the orchard and as it was so near noon we thought we might as well accept Mrs. Ross's invitation and stay to dinner so put the team in We had to wait about an hour for dinner however as they seem to work on the old time down there. We were entertained through dinner by Mr. Ross's denunciations of the Union Government and especially the members of it who had been followers of Dr Wilfred. According to him they have wrought their own destruction by "oppressing the farmers" the way they have and that the time is coming when the farmers will rule the land and have a newspaper of their own which will tell them the truth. I could hardly help smiling to hear about this better farmer's paper idea. and think it will be a ratty old country that is dominated by a bunch of hot-headed rubes such as are at the head of the United Farmer's of Ontario. but there is no danger of it even coming to pass. We left for home soon after dinner and got home about four. I took Ham's waggon home and got our own which he drove up there this morning.. Just as I came down {Exelby's?} hill the tire came off one of the front wheels and I couldn't get it on again. Ben Ivey came along and gave me a had and we got it partly on and wired it. Then coming in the lane the tire came off the opposite wheel. Dad. cultivated corn all day. Frank sprayed the potatoes in the field after he got home and when I got home he and I cut the old dead willow log that fell over on the cornfield a couple of times and hauled it over to the fence Mr. &amp; Mrs. Ham Thompson were here to-night. Sunny but cool breeze.</p> <p>Tuesday July 9th</p> <p>It rained enough during the night to keep us from haying and has been cloudy cold and drizzly all day although not enough water has fallen to make any thing very wet. I cultivated corn for an hour or two this</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>morning while Dad. and Frank sawed up the old willow that blew over in the cornfield. F and did some other chores Then Dad. came out and cultivated till noon and I came up and filled out the application blank for registering the lambs. This afternoon it was still rainy so Dad cleaned out the cellar. Frank made a patent trough for feeding the sheep. It has a false bottom with holes in it which his sheep stick their noses in to eat salt and the edges of the holes are pins tarred so that they get the tar all over their noses which keep the flies of the grub in the head from laying eggs in their nostrils. Enah and I drove down town and I sent off the application for the registration of the lambs and for the transfer of the yearlings. Enah got some provision and went to get her teeth out but Bill was busy. When we got home, Frank had things all ready and we made another cement post. To-night Frank and I went over to Henry Misner's and put the blue stone in a barrell to dissolve to be ready to spray to-morrow night.</p> <p>Wednesday July 10th</p> <p>It was still drizzling this morning and Dad. and I went out to cultivate the mangels. They are so small that I had to lead Belle. Frank went down town with Aunty Alice's milk and when he came back he harrowed over the orchard. Old Evans was over to have as he said a little chat with Dad. about his cow that has the broken leg. He feels very badly about it be cause he broke it unintentionaly by throwing bit of iron at her from his forge when she was eating through the fence. This afternoon Dad. went on cultivating corn and Frank rolled down the orchard and I sowed the rape seed on it but we didn't get it harrowed in as it began to rain hard and we had quite a heavy rain for the rest of the afternoon. I spent the time painting the J.F.I.A, sign. Frank and I also tidied up the shop. and after tea it cleared off but too wet we thought to go over to spray potatoes so I went out and pruned the tomatoes and tied a few of them up Frank pulled weeds in the strawberrys and helped me</p> <p>Thursday July 11th</p> <p>I finished painting my sign this morning. Frank and Dad. put the sheep in and trimmed them up then Dad. went over to the garden and weeded onions and Frank and I took a jag of straw over to the horse stable. After dinner Dad. went out to cultivate corn and Frank and I went back and turned out the hay that Dad. &amp; Frank bundled</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>up Saturday. When we got up we found Rus Lampkin here fixing the windmill and soon after Dr. Grant Enahs Chinese missionary uncle came over. He and Frank went over to the old garden to hoe the strawberries and I sowed the rape-seed on the garden back of the shop and just went in to get the team out to harrow it and the orchard over when it began to rain and a very heavy thunderstorm came up and flooded things for half an hour or so and then cleared off. but we couldn't do any thing on the land Enah and Tid were down at the Zealand's at the Sunday school picnic but said they didn't get wet as they went in the house. Dr. Grant. stayed to tea and Frank drove him down to the side walk after tea.</p> <p>Friday July 12th</p> <p>Dad. and Frank have worked over in the garden hoeing and weeding all day. I spent most of the morning raking and cutting the lawn. This afternoon I finished tying up the tomatoes and then came up and dug holes for the beds of spring bulbs where they are marked on the blue-print. They are up near the road fencing the very stiff red clay so I just dug them about a foot deep and wheeled the clay up and dumped it in the mud hole under the gate of the north end of the horse stable and intend to fill them up with good earth to plant the bulbs in; Enah went down town this afternoon and didn't come back for tea. To-night Frank and I drove over to Lorne Myer's and put up the sign and the label on the plots. Lorne called Neff up but he wasn't home so Lorne left word for him to call him up in the morning if he could come down and spray to-morrow afternoon It has been very muggy and rather cloudy to-day It. sprinkled a little here but Lorne Myers said it poured over there.</p> <p>Saturday July 13th</p> <p>Frank and I spent most of the morning hoeing over in the old garden Dad. went back and turned out some of the hay but said it would be too wet to haul this afternoon. This afternoon Frank and I went back; and got part of the turnip patch hoed. Dad. brought the {?} back but couldn't do much with it. He was going over to pick berries in the woods but saw Mrs. John Wess and a couple of other women heading for the patch and they scared him out. Young Myers came after me about five o'clock to go and help spray the potatoes so I</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>went over and was over there till dark. We had to fill the tank at the flume and it took a long time to strain the lime in so it was late when we got started and then the thing got plugged up so we had to quit. I am sick of the job.</p> <p>Sunday July 14th</p> <p>Tid. and I drove down to Sunday School this morning and both of us went to church I drove Aunty Alice over here after church and Jack Martin brought Aunty and Tid over in the car. AuntaIda has gone up to the Bawlby's for a week. Mr. &amp; Mrs. James Douglas were here when we got home and we spent the afternoon showing "Jimmy" the stock. He didn't like the old ram on account of his high shoulders and the black {?} but thought the calves were fine. He thought the purebred calf was better than Knockfierna as she has dairy hocks. Clem Millman was over in his car this afternoon and brought Nita, Kathleen, Towser, and a Mr. Tait. They all came up from Toronto last night and are going back to-night. Kathleen &amp; Tow who are going to stay in Dover for a couple of weeks. Clem took Mrs. Douglas and the rest of the ladie's down to Aunty's and we went Dad. Frank and I went in Douglas car to Ham Thompson's and had a look at his stock then went down to Aunty's. The Douglases left before tea and we all stayed at Aunty's for tea and Enah stayed down to church but the rest of us came home to do chores and Dad. drove down for Enah when we got through. Fine.</p> <p>Monday July 15th</p> <p>First thing this morning we gave all the lambs a dose for tape-worm using Cooper's worm tablets. Then Frank harrowed the orchard and Dad. and I went back and turned out two or three rows of hay cocks. It is all pretty damp and blackened but not musty. When we were going back we saw Pommers pull his foot out of the barbed wire fence along this end of the woods near Charlie Munroe's line and when we went over we found his foot badly cut at the back and above the hoof, but we didn't bring him up as Dad. thought he would be better back there if the joint isn't cut into. We couldn't get close enough to him to see. This afternoon we got in a couple of loads of hay. To-night Frank and I went over to the potato patch it was too late when we got over to spray and we found them all playing football. Tige McBride said he would help spray to-morrow night. Fine day. breeze</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Tuesday July 16th</p> <p>Dad. went back this morning and turned out some more hay and Frank and I put some bolts through the reach of the rack as it was cracked and went back for a load about ten o'clock. We just got one load up before dinner but got three up this afternoon by working on the old time. It looked very cloudy all day so we didn't turn out any more. Frank went up to Ham's to-night and found out that Ross had made application the Canada Food Board for export licences for our farms so that we won't need to. He also went over to the potato patch and found Alex England helping Henry. They got the loam patch sprayed but didn't have enough spray for the other patch as some of it leaked out. Sultry to-day.</p> <p>Wednesday July 17th</p> <p>It sprinkled a little during the night. so that we couldn't do any thing with the hay this morning. It cleared off but looked so threatening that we didn't like to turn out any more but about five o'clock went back and got the load that was turned out. Dad. cultivated corn all the rest of the day. This morning Frank and I mowed away the hay we had in and changed the pulley so that we can put the hay in the west end of the barn. I went down to the mill and got some chop and flour. I had to take 25% substitute with the flour as the new regulations of the Canada Food Board are that 25% substitute must be mixed with all the flour that is used so I got Rye flour. Frank hoed mangels before dinner and this afternoon borrowed Quanbury's sprayer and sprayed all the potatoes. Before we went after the hay I pruned the tomatoes and went back to the gully to see if I could coax Pommers up but I couldn't. His foot looks pretty bad. Kathleen &amp; Low came over after tea to-night and Frank drove them home about ten o'clock.</p> <p>Thursday July 18th</p> <p>Frank cut about a dozen rounds around the field east of the orchard this morning. and Dad and I went back and shook about three more loads across the gully. This afternoon we hauled in two more loads from across the gully. Aunty and Aunty Alice and Elva came and Enah's aunt from Hamilton were all over here to tea. It has been a good hay day but a little windy The war news looks better. The Germans were almost completely repulsed in their lust drive on the Marne by French &amp; Americans.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Friday July 19th</p> <p>When the dew went off enough this morning we all went out and shook out the heaviest pacts of what Frank cut yesterday. and then went back and got a load from the back field before dinner getting up here with it about one o'clock, but we have gone back to the old time pretty much through haying anyway. This afternoon Dad. cultivated corn and got nearly all of what was untouched since the last rain gone over. Frank raked up the hay he cut and we both cocked up all the afternoon but didn't get any more than half of it up. It has been a fine hay day &amp; not too hot.</p> <p>Saturday July 20th</p> <p>We all went out and finished cocking up this morning all that was raked and then put off the hay that we hauled yesterday before dinner. We got a good early start after dinner and got in three more loads from the back field but there is more back there yet. Frank and I went down town to-night. I got my hair cut and had a swim in the chute under the dam. We got to bed about 2 a.m. Fine day.</p> <p>Sunday July 21st</p> <p>Tid and I drove down to Sunday school and church this morning. Mr. Ward Butcher was there to take the service as Mr. Johnson has gone to Petawawa Camp to be chaplin for Col. Dyer. This afternoon I went down to see Aunty and Aunty Alice and took a shamrock up to Miss Kerney. Frank went down to the beach and went for a swim, he said there was an awful crowd down there and the noise they were making could be heard all over town. He went down town again after tea. Dad. Enah and Tid. all went for a drive this afternoon back north some place. It has been scorching hot all the afternoon.</p> <p>Monday July 22nd</p> <p>We hauled hay from the back field all day but didn't quite finish as there is about half a load back there, we only got in four loads. The rope that held the pulley in the peak of the barn broke twice this afternoon. Lloyd Crysler and Lorne Myers were over in Lloyd's car this afternoon to see if we would go to Burling ton with them to-morrow. Neff wants us to go down to some farmer's gathering so I suppose we will go although we shouldn't.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Tuesday July 23rd</p> <p>We were all up fairly early this morning so that we would be ready for Lloyd when he called but it began to rain about seven o'clock and rained quite hard for an hour or more so we thought Lloyd wouldn't go but about half past eight young Myers came over and told us that Neff had telephoned down to tell us to go around by Simcoe &amp; Brantford and meet him and the rest of the bunch in Hamilton so we got ready and went down to the mill where he said Lloyd would call for us. We waited there for an hour and then went up to Henry Misner's where we found Lorne all togged up waiting and we hung around there till noon but Lloyd never showed up so we went home. Charlie Stitt came past and said he saw tracks out of Crysler's lane as if a car had come out skidded all over the road and gone back again. Frank went up to Simcoe this afternoon and got our check cashed which we got from Anaka Farms for our rams and settled up his insurance with Cruikshanks. Dad. cultivated corn all the afternoon and I hoed mangels. Frank and I went up to Ham Thompson's to-night with Daisy May. Ham said he waited all the morning for Lloyd Crysler too. Rainy all morning Sunny &amp; hot this afternoon</p> <p>Wednesday July 24th</p> <p>Dad. and I went back this morning and got the three lifts that were left in the back field. and we were glad to see the field cleaned. Frank went on cutting at the field east of the orchard with Joe &amp; Queen but didn't finish, he broke one of the guards this afternoon and that delayed him awhile. Dad. and I put off the load we got over the gully and as it was nearly noon we went out and just put on a small load and pitched it off in the horse stable. We got in two more good sized loads this afternoon but had to change the pulley block as we put it in the east end of the barn. It is very nice sheep hay and we want it on top. This afternoon Dess &amp; Win came over to tea and Aunty came over after tea to celebrate my birthday. I got two shirts from Enah, a tie from. Dad. a film from Tid a knife from Frank and a year's subscription to the "Literary Digest" from Aunty Alice &amp; Aunty and also a letter from. Aunt Leena and we had ice cream for tea. Frank and I walked down to the bridge with Aunty &amp; the girls and went for a swim. Very hot to-day Looks rainy.</p> <p>Thursday July 25th</p> <p>We put off the load that was in the barn and got another</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>load and left it on the barn floor. Then Frank took the team and raked what was fit and then finished cutting about one o'clock while Dad and I cocked up what he raked. This afternoon we put off the load and put another on and Frank raked a little more and Dad. and I cocked up till after six. After we got through the chores I went out and hoed a few mangels and Frank hoed the strawberries. Sunny &amp; hot but a nice breeze.</p> <p>Friday July 26th</p> <p>We put the load off this morning that was on the barn floor and Dad. and I put on another big load and left it at the field gate till noon. Frank mowed away and changed to the hay fork instead of the slings and then came and shook out a little and when we got the load on he took the team and raked. We all cocked up till about four o'clock then Frank brought the team out and we hauled in two loads and put one of them off. We used the fork instead the top of the maw as the sling ropes got caught in the hay. Dad. and Frank put the hay on those two loads in a hurry but I don't think there was nearly so much on a load. Frank went over to hoe potatoes to-night and I took a book over to {Art Preston?} as h he was over this morning and wanted Dad. to come over to-night and look at his cow which has developed a sudden case of {?} Dad. was too tired to go over so sent the book over. I was too late to go over to the patch. Hot. nice breeze.</p> <p>Saturday July 27th</p> <p>We hauled in hay all day and in spite of several delays managed to clear our field in seven loads. We had to change our car from the barn to the horse stable and the first loads we put on were so big we couldn't get the lifts in the door of the {?} without a terrible amount of straining. The second load we tried to build a little smaller but the third lift stuck in the doorway and we broke one strand of the big rope pulling on it, that was just at noon and it looked as if we were held up for the afternoon but Dad. thought of Lew. Brock so Frank went out and got him and he spliced the rope for us. This afternoon we built very small loads and had no more trouble getting them in except once when we had to trip the lift and let it fall on the ground. The last load we brought in we knew would be a big one so we didn't use the slings but just put on all we could pile on</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>intending to haul it on the barn floor and put it in the horse stable with the fork when we get time. I had so much on though, that going into the barn the hay rolled back on the top of the door and broke the back ladder off the rack. We did chores after tea and it was half past ten when we got through. Frank went down town and I hung around till about midnight and then went down to the dam for a swim as I knew there would be a bunch down there about that time and there was. I got a very nice illustrated volume of Whitcomb Riley's Farm Poems from Marj. to-day for a birthday present. Frank says that Paw. Nila and Paddy came up in the car to-night and brought Roy &amp; Rebecca with them. they are going to take the girls home to-morrow. Hot to-day, but nice breeze A big thunderstorm north of us but we didn't get hot.</p> <p>Sunday July 28th</p> <p>We didn't get up in time to go to Sunday school this morning but Enah Frank, Tid. and I all went to church. Dad. walked down to Aunty's intending to drive Enah home but she stayed at her mother's to dinner so Dad. put Joe in Aunty's barn and stayed there to dinner and Frank and I came home. I just sat around and read all the afternoon. Dad. Enah and Tim got home about four o'clock. The Millman's didn't come over but left this afternoon for Toronto. Roy is going back in the morning and Rebecca is going to stay for awhile. It has been very hot all day. We got the first ripe tomato off our own vines to-day.</p> <p>Monday July 29th</p> <p>Dad went down to Lew Brock's this morning to see if he could make a dicker with him for his woodpile and he got what he thinks is a great bargain. He got the woodpile which consists of about three cords of fairly good stove wood and every thing else around the place in the shape of boards including the stable and smokehouse for ten dollars. When he got back we put the load of hay off and went down and got one load of the stuff and there is another load of loose stuff down there. This afternoon Frank started to cut the blue grass out north and east of the old garden Dad. cultivated corn and I hoed mangels. To-night Frank and I drove Queen out to Marbury to pay Sid McBride for our fence. It came to $83.50. A thunderstorm came up before we got home but we didn't get very wet, the road was very dark though.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Tuesday July 30th</p> <p>As soon as it dried off this morning and Frank went out and cut some more of the blue grass. Dad. cultivated the garden and I hoed a few more mangels Neff came over for awhile, he said an inspector was over at our potato patch looking for diseases on them so he came over here to wait for him. Aunty Alice and Rebecca and Lila were over here to dinner. This afternoon Frank went down to Joe Howell's and got the collar for the binder and then hoed a few strawberries Dad. paris greened the potatoes in the old garden and I did a little hoeing for awhile there I started to rake and Dad. cocked up hay. I didn't get it all done. I went over to the potato patch to-night but it was too dark to do anything by the time I got there. I found Tige McBride, Alex England and Bill Sidway there. Much cooler to-day &amp; breezy.</p> <p>Wednesday July 31st</p> <p>Dad. and I cocked up hay most of the day and Frank finished raking what was cut and then hoed the strawberries and set the runners. He helped us cock up a little this afternoon, We didn't quite finish as we quit early to get the chores done so that Frank and I could go up to Simcoe to the last evening of the Chautauqua which they have had up there for the past week. The music was fine especially a violinist and the lecture which was entitled "Acres of Diamonds" by Dr. Russel Conley, principal of Temple University. Philadelphia was pretty good but rather peculiar I thought. We just got out in time to catch the last car. We were with Tige McBride and Lela ran to catch the car and hurt her ankle. when we got to Dover she said it hurt so badly that she couldn't walk home on it so Frank and I waited with her at the Main St. crossing while Tige went home and got the car and came after her, so Frank and I were pretty late getting home. We found Dad. up though as he, Enah and the baby had been down town at the {Mabelore?}. Fair &amp; not too hot.</p> <p>Thursday August 1st</p> <p>I went out this morning and finished cocking up the hay. We got the binder out and cut one round around the wheat and barley before dinner. Frank cut all the afternoon but didn't finish the field. he had Harry and Belle on and couldn't make them walk up Dad. and I shocked up but it didn't keep us very busy. Enah was down town nearly all day helping at the</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Sunday school bazaar at which they cleaned up over $100.00 to pay for the piano. Tid was down all day at a picnic with Aunty. Lila, Rebecca and Helen Tibbits down at the Lake. We quit early to-night and went over to hoe potatoes but there were only a few of the boys there Edmond England was to have sprayed there for us to-night but he couldn't get the engine to work. Cool breeze.</p> <p>Friday August 2nd</p> <p>We finished cutting the wheat and barley this morning and Frank and Dad. went back with Harry and Joe to cut the wheat on the back side hill. They had the three horses on this morning. I finished shocking up the hill and about five o'clock took Belle back to put on with the other two but Dad. thought as it was so late it wasn't worth while so we just went a couple of more rounds and quit. The first few rounds are the worst on that still {?} field.</p> <p>Saturday August 3rd</p> <p>I hoed turnips for awhile this morning till Dad. and Frank got a few more rounds cut and then started shocking up. They got nearly off the hill before dinner. Just before noon I heard a shrill whistle which I knew to be Dick's and looked and saw him and Tid coming down the gully. He came home last night and stayed at Aunty's all night. We were all very surprised to see him as he just got his pass before he left. He is as black as an Indian but looks very well and soldierly in his artillery uniform. Aunty came over with him to dinner. After dinner Dad. Frank and I went down to Lew Brook's and got the rest of our wood. we have everything now but the stable and smokehouse When we got our wood unloaded we went back and finished cutting the wheat and shocked it up, it was certainly a thin crop on top of the hill only about a dozen shocks. We got up soon after seven. Frank went down town to-night and Dick was down all the afternoon and most of the night. It has been fair and cool all day.</p> <p>Sunday August 4th</p> <p>Tid and I drove down to Sunday school and Enah and Frank came down to church and I drove Enah home. Dad. stayed home and made ice cream and Dick didn't get up till noon After dinner we took some pictures of Dick and then he, Frank and I walked down town. I spent the afternoon down at.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Aunties and Frank went up town for awhile. we didn't see Dick again as he didn't get home till about two o'clock. We spent the evening home reading. Very hot but breezy.</p> <p>Monday August 5th</p> <p>We have hauled wheat and barley all day to-day and got our field cleaned by to-night We had six loads of wheat and barley mixed and one load of pure wheat. Dick stayed here to dinner and went down town right after and did not come back to-night as he has to leave on the seven o'clock car in the morning. Enah went down town to tea and took in the grand I O.D.E. cabaret in the pavillion. The rest of us all went down to say good-bye to Dick after we got the chores done which was about ten o'clock but when we got to Aunty's Enah was there and said Dick had gone to Simcoe with some of the crowd he thought we weren't coming down. Enah drove home with Dad. and I walked I took a dip in the pond on my way. Frank rode his wheel down. Hot.</p> <p>Tuesday August 6th</p> <p>We put off the load of wheat that we hauled in last night and put it in the swing {mow?} up over the drive way so as to have it separate, it is the only pure Plymouth we have. Frank and Dad. hauled in the rest wheat off the back field to-day in three small loads. It took them a long time to get it off the side. hill but there is some very good wheat there. I helped them put off the loads. we put it in a pile by itself at one end of the {mow?} and in between tines. I tried to cut my plots back of the barn with the sickle but it was very hot and tedious. I got about a dozen sheaves cut and tied up but come it the conclusion that it was too primitive a method of harvesting for this enlightened age so about five o'clock I went down and borrowed Alfred's cradle and will let Dad. finish the job with it. Lila was over here to tea. Very hot, breezy.</p> <p>Wednesday August 7th</p> <p>We started oat harvest to-day and it has been very hot although there was quite a strong breeze. I don't know when I have felt the heat so much. Frank cut all day on the back field by the woods and got it all done but a little piece by the woods. {?} a great crop. Dad. and I shocked up but didn't quite finish. Frank and I went for a swim to-night in the upper pond off the mill dam. Its a great hole I never was in there before.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Thursday August 8th</p> <p>We finished cutting and shocking up the back field of oats by noon and this afternoon Frank cut the three acres of barley and oats along the side road I shocked up while Dad. cradled and bound the plots of wheat and about six o'clock Dad. &amp; Frank came out and finished shocking up while I took the cows up. It has been hot to-day but a very strong breeze so that it wasn't so hard to work. Just about dark a thunderstorm came up and it rained hard for quite awhile. If it clears off soon it will do no harm and a lot of good as things were getting dry.</p> <p>Friday August 9th</p> <p>It was too wet for us to do much to-day but putter around. I took Alfred's cradle down to Newton Silver as he wanted to to cut his spring wheat on this garden. and on the way down I had quite a visit with Uncle Ward to whom the sight of the cradle recalled memories of early days and he told me about George Adams the best man he ever saw swing a cradle and who cut a six acre field of wheat for Uncle Ward's brother one time between half past seven in the morning and six at night. On my way home I met Aunty and Rebecca who were on their way over to the farm for dinner so I came over with Rebecca. Aunty stopped in for a few minutes to see Mr. Johnson. Dad. and Frank had been setting up the wheat sheaves off my plots along the barn and this afternoon Dad. and I put them in the barn. We put on a jag. of straw before dinner out of the mow over the granary just about cleaning it out and hauled it over to the box stall in the horse stable for Frank to use for bed. Frank drove Rebecca and Tid down town this afternoon and Aunty and Enah walked down and Enah drove back with Frank. Dad. and I spent most of the afternoon putting a door in the north side of the old barn so that we could let the calves out on the wheat stubble. To-night we went over to Lorne Myer's as Tige McBride was over here this morning and said he would call a meeting of the J.F.I.A. to decide on who would enter the Judging Competitions at the Toronto Fair and what classes they would enter. There was a pretty good turnout and six or seven of us are going to Toronto. Frank and I have entered our sheep &amp; beef cattle Most of us went for a swim at the mill on our way home</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Saturday August 10th</p> <p>Frank and I had to go up to Ham Thompson's this morning and when we got back we all three went back to straighten up some of the oat sheaves in the back field Some of them were pretty wet but not sprouted. Dad. finished fixing up the calf pen and let the whole six of them out This afternoon Frank cut around the oat field just east of the lane and cut a road through it. Dad. and I shocked up. I got a couple of loads of oats with 100 grains on them. Frank found them and we are going to keep them for seed. To-night Dad. Enah and Frank all went down town. It has been pretty hot to-day and doesn't feel clear yet.</p> <p>Sunday August 11th</p> <p>Frank Tid. and I walked down to Sunday school this morning but as there was no teacher for the Bible Class Frank and I went down to the beach and got back in time for church. Mr. Farney took the sermon as Mr. Butcher has been called up for service that is military service Dad. and Enah drove down to church. Tid and I stayed down at Aunty's for dinner and all the afternoon. Huby was over here for tea. It has been very hot all day winding up with a small thunderstorm.</p> <p>Monday August 12th</p> <p>Last night's rain made it too wet to cut oats first thing this morning so I finished making a trough to feed the calves in and Dad. and Frank put a fence around the cucumbers back of the barn so that the calves wouldn't get at them, and also the sheep as we intend letting them out on the wheat stubble. Frank cut for about an hour before dinner and all the afternoon and got all the east half of the field cut when but about one round when the double-tier broke so he quit. Enah was down town nearly all day as Elva and Brant got married. Frank went up to tell Tige McBride to-night that I made a mistake in telling the boys that they could enter the livestock class and the fruit &amp; grain classes for fifty cents as I had a letter from Neff to-day telling me they were fifty cents entry fee for each class. The War News has been great lately. The Germans are on the defensive along the whole Western front and are steadily being pushed farther back. The American &amp; French drive between Saissons &amp; Reims where they drove them to the {?} river had just showed up when Sir Douglas Haig started another one farther north with British, French</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Canadian and Australian troops and so far has captured over 40,000 prisoners and 500 guns. In some places the German retreat seems to be almost a rout but in others they are putting up a stiff fight. Fairly hot to-day but feels clearer and fresher. Nice breeze.</p> <p>Tuesday August 13th</p> <p>We finished cutting the oats by one o'clock new time and put the binder back in its winter quarters in the woodshed after dinner. We then hauled the barley &amp; oats from the strip along the side-road in three loads, they seem to be very heavy and dry. Very hot, but strong wind.</p> <p>Wednesday August 14th</p> <p>It was a very hot night but before morning the wind went around to the north and it has been nice and cool all day. It looked very rainy this morning in fact it did rain a little but soon cleared off. Dad. and I went back this morning to the back field and put on a load of oats and as it was nearly 12 o'clock when we got it off we didn't go back again before dinner. but Dad went back and turned out a couple of loads while Frank and I started to put a brace on the old cracked arm of the rack. We had an awful time trying to bore the holes through it, we blamed it to the bit being dull but after Frank had gone over to Quanbury's and borrowed another, he discovered we were trying to bore through nails. After dinner I went over and borrowed a waggon from Jack Martin while Dad. and Frank finished fixing the rack and we hauled in with two waggons and got four loads up by working till eight o'clock but didn't unload the last two. We turned out all the shocks before we hauled them as some of them were pretty damp. Alan Law was in to-night to see if he could get one of us to help thresh in the morning but said as we were so busy he would try to get some one else; and I guess he did.</p> <p>Thursday August 15th</p> <p>We didn't get on as fast to-day as we had hoped to as we only got up four more loads from the back field and left at least three back there. We had to pitch off the two that we brought up last night and every load now gets harder to pitch as the mow gets fuller. There should by rights be another man in the mow as it is too far to pitch across the two {?}. Dad. and I turned out all the shocks in the field this morning so that delayed us. Cool.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Friday August 16th</p> <p>We got the back field cleared by to-night instead of last night as we had hoped. Our delay to-day was caused by me upsetting a load on the gully hill just coming out of the gate. my off wheel got in the rut and before I knew what was coming off I was on the ground and the waggon on its side. We took Frank's load up and unloaded it then came back with Jack' s rack (it was our rack that upset) and put part of my load on it and Frank got a reach from Tupper as ours was broken. we had a hard job getting it put in but managed to at last and then put the rest of the load in our rack. but had to load carefully as one arm of the rack was broken. After we got the loads off we had to put an old hinge iron on the broken arm and Frank had to go to town after some bolts It all took time and by the time we got two more loads up (the last two) it was after seven, we put the load off of Jack's rack and Frank took it home. Enah's sister Mrs. Johnson was over here to tea and Uncle Ward came over to get Dad. to offer a special prize at the Horti cultural Show so he did for honey. Frank drove them home, or at least Dad. drove Uncle Ward home after Frank got back from taking Mrs. Johnson. Cool.</p> <p>Saturday, August 17th</p> <p>Frank had to go thrashing over at Quanbury's this morning so Dad. spoke to Pickford last night about getting one of the boys to help us to-day and Arthur came over this morning. He turned sheaves on the stack for us all day and was a good little worker. Dad. kept telling him that if the stack was a good one he would claim to be the builder of it, but if it was a poor one, he would tell that Arthur built it. We put five loads on the stack and left one standing on the barn floor. Dad. took a lot of pains building it as he laid every sheaf by hand and kneeled them all in, but one corner of it slid out a little much to his disappointment. Frank didn't get home till nearly dark and then went over to Quanbury's to tea but they finished over there and got about 1300 bushels from the 30 acres. Frank went down town to-night and said there were a bunch of Dominion Police down there rounding up fellows who didn't have their military and registration papers. Frank said they had quite a bunch of them in the lock-up but let them out on bail. He also said that Aunty Alice went to Toronto with Rebecca this morning and that, Ada, Clem, Kathleen &amp; Lars all came up last night. Cool and strong north east wind.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Sunday August 18th</p> <p>Frank and I and Tid. walked down to church this morning and Dad. and Enah were just ready to drive down when. Ade &amp; Clem and the two girls came over in the car. as that delayed them, Clem drove Enah down to church and Ade drove down with Dad, who put Joe in Aunty's barn and didn't come to church. After church Enah went with the choir for a picnic and didn't get home till after church to-night, when Jack Walker brought her home in the car. Aunty and Aunt Ida came with them in the car just for the ride. Dad. &amp; Tid stayed down at Aunty's for dinner and Frank and I had dinner alone and stayed home all the afternoon and evening. Cool north east wind all day. Quite cold to-night.</p> <p>Monday August 19th</p> <p>We have hauled oats all day and got in five loads but there are still a couple more in the field. We put part of one load on the stack and one in the barn and then started to build another stack on the west side of the barn doors. The sheaves are shorter now and much harder to stack. Frank helped us unload and spent the rest of the time weeding in the garden. Still cool with east wind.</p> <p>Tuesday August 20th</p> <p>We finished oat harvest to-day at noon. There was only about a load and a half left in the field and we put part of it on the stack and the rest in the barn. This afternoon we started haying again, but just got in two loads. It seems awful to be starting at it again this late in the season. We quit early as, Dad. and Enah went down to the church concert which they said was very poor and Frank went down to the Ryerse's to a corn roast. I took Maple Hill Nellie up to Hans's. Enah was over at the Martin's this afternoon and heard that Jimmy {Caley?} has gone so badly out of his mind that they had to take him to the hospital in connection with the asylum. Warm but not hot.</p> <p>Wednesday August 21st</p> <p>We finished hauling the hay that was cut to-day We got three loads in this morning and the third one we hauled around to the oat stacks and put the top of it off on them and Dad. topped them out with hay. This took quite awhile after dinner and then we had to do some mowing in the horse stable before we could get the load in so that</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>it was late when we went out after the last little jag of 20 cocks, and by the time we got it off was about six o'clock. Warmer &amp; cloudy, looked rainy.</p> <p>Thursday August 22nd</p> <p>Frank has been cutting hay in the old blue grass meadow all day and got it more than half cut. He took Joe and Queen this morning and the old team after dinner. Dad. and I went over to Tupper's this morning and harrowed 11 bags of oats and took part of them down to the mill to be chopped. I went down after dinner and got the chop and then took the waggon out to the field. I raked up most of what Frank cut and then Dad put on a small load out of the wind row which I hauled up to-night. Dad. cocked up while I was raking. Enah and Tid have been down town all day, To-night Frank and I went down to the mill and had a good bath under the dam. It has been much warmer.</p> <p>Friday August 23rd</p> <p>Frank finished cutting the blue grass to-day noon. Dad. and I changed the {rack?} from the horse stall to the big barn and then went out and cocked up what was in the wind row. This afternoon I raked the whole thing up and Dad cocked up what he could. Frank picked the ripe tomatoes and took a bushel over to Mrs. Pickford as Jackie spoke about getting them yesterday and a basket down to Mrs. Jim Low. To-night {Zeitha?} Elva and Mrs. Johnson came over for the evening and Aunt Ida came over with Frank this afternoon for tea She walked home to-night with the rest. Pretty warm.</p> <p>Saturday August 24th</p> <p>Frank had to go down town with some cream for Aunty Alice and was gone quite awhile but we got all the hay up in cock by noon. This afternoon we put off the load that was on the barn floor and got one more in and then quit as Dad. wanted to go down and meet Dick. He got a letter from him at noon saying that he would be home on the five o'clock car having got six weeks farm leave. It seems queer that he should get farm leave now after everything is in when they wouldn't allow it before, but it seems it is on account of the Western Battalions getting it. Dick is tickled to death and won't have to go back to Patawawa but will likely put in the winter in Toronto.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Dick, Frank and I went down town to-night. Dick went to the dance and stayed down town all night. I bummed around town awhile and then went and got my hair cut. Mr. &amp; Mrs. Millman &amp; Nita came up in the car this afternoon and are going to take Percy and Kathleen back to-morrow. Pretty hot and rainy looking.</p> <p>Sunday August 25th</p> <p>Tid. and I went down to Sunday school this morning but as no Bible Class teacher showed up, I went on to see Hazen Waddle who is home on a week end here. I hadn't seen him since he got into uniform till this morning. I found him at breakfast in company with three damsels two of whom were strangers to me and the third one Miss Shiltz. Hazen seems to be standing the army racket pretty well although he says he is just getting over a little attack of Ptomain poisoning. He told me he was talking to a returned man the other day who in the course of conversation asked him where he was from and when Hazen told him his hometown was Port Dover, the fellow said "That's funny, I could show you a place in France where there is a stick in the ground with a board on it on one side of which is written 'there lies a Fritz" and on the other side is printed 'The Port Dover Canning Company.'" I went to church from there and sat in the front seat with. Aunty, Aunt Ida and Dick, but Dick and I slept most of the time Morton Brown was again the preacher. Dad. drove Enah down with Queen as Joe is lame from some unknown cause, and so Dad. didn't stay to church but drove Tid. home. Enah and I went down to Aunty's after church where we ran across the Millmans and Mr. Millman drove us home in the car. Huby and Dick came over with us but went back to Aunty's with Mr. Millman for dinner. I read and slept all the afternoon. Frank went down town and for a swim in the lake with Lloyd Ryerse and Dad. and Tid went down to the mill for a swim but I guess just paddled around in the creek. John Quanbury came over after Dad. to-night and he went over with him to see his sick cow but Dad. said it was all right. Wilbur Ryerse came in to-night to tell me that if I went over there to Tuppers in the morning I could go down to Douglas with them. Frank said that the Millman's went to turn the car around down in front of Aunty's this afternoon and backed the thing right down the hill on to the</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>railway track and they had to get Water's with his team to pull it up the hill again. Dick had to go down to the station and get them to telephone to the switch to have the car stop, but they said it came down as far as where the auto mobile was and then stopped and unloaded a whole car load of people who helped get the thing off. The brakes were out of order. It has been pretty hot again to-day.</p> <p>Monday August 26th</p> <p>We got four loads of our hay in to-day and put off the one that we hauled in Saturday night. It took a long time to put the loads off as the last load filled the west end of the barn right up and every load had to be mowed. Dick didn't get over till noon but this afternoon he and Frank mowed away while we were putting the loads off and then Frank stayed in the mow and mowed it well away while Dick Dad. and I were out after loads. Wilbur Ryerse was in again to-night to tell me that they weren't going to start for Douglas's till noon as Tupper didn't want to go in the morning and he is going to take us down in his car. Rather cloudy and strong west &amp; north west wind.</p> <p>Tuesday August 27th</p> <p>We went out this morning and got a fairly good load and put it off on the east side of the barn which had just about room enough for a couple of loads. Frank and Dick mowed it away. It was about eleven o'clock when we got it off so I came in and got ready to go to Caledonia with Tupper &amp; Frank &amp; Wilbur Ryerse. but Dad. and the boys got the rest of the hay in. and hauled two slingfuls up and put them in the barn and then hauled the last load and Dad pitched it off by hand. I was over at Tupper's in lots of time and he hadn't come in yet from the fields but we got started fairly early had a very nice drive with lots of time to see all of Douglas' cattle and got home before dark. Douglas himself was home and took us all over the farm to show us his cattle and Frank and Wilbur bought a $210.00 bull from him a yearling. We went up to the house where they pressed us to stay to tea but we didn't but the girls played their victrola for us. When I got back I just had my tea and went up to McBride as Tige was down this morning to tell us that Neff was coming down to give us some pointers on judging fruit and vegetables. Frank wasn't</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>through with his chores so didn't come up. I didn't get home till about twelve o'clock but got quite a few pointers on judging fruit which I knew very little about. Neff also announced that he was going to award prizes for general proficiency and best kept notes at last years winters short course and I was very agreably surprised to learn that I had won First Prize for General proficiency and Tige McBride second. Leo Challand won first prize for best kept notes and Frank second. The prizes were all books mine was "Principles of Breeding" by Davenport and Frank's was "The Breeds of Farm Animals" by Gay. This afternoon Frank and Dick burned some of the old {?} grass that was in the wind rows out by the side road and Dad, Enah and Tid went down town and got some salt. Fine, cool &amp; breezy.</p> <p>Wednesday August 28th</p> <p>It rained hard early this morning and all the afternoon. We didn't do much but sit around and read. Dad. did a little ditching this morning and I took Ham Thompson's old red hen home about noon. Just at dinnertime an auto mobile party ran in here out of the rain to put chains on their wheels. The three women of the crowd came into the house and told us they were from Tilsonburg and on their way to Bridgeburg. About the middle of the afternoon Harvey {?} came over well protected from the weather by rubber coat and boots. He was after cream.</p> <p>Thursday August 29th</p> <p>First thing this morning Dad. Dick and I went down and started to tear down Lew Brock's old stable. Frank came down late. with the team. We got more than half of it down and the nails out of the boards by noon and took one load home. This afternoon Dad. and Dick got most of the rest of it down and Frank and I went down town and got a load of soft coal and took the wheels of the old waggon down to Hallam to have the tires sets. We came back to Lews and got another load of boards after we had put the coal off. Mr. James and Mr. Johnson were over here this afternoon and Dess and Win came over to tea. Dick went down with them to the dance this evening. I felt rather rough to-day, think I had a touch of the colic. Fine day cool and breezy.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Friday August 30th</p> <p>We wanted to start hauling manure to-day but before we could haul the spreader out of the lane gate we had to put some more earth over the cement tile that Dad. put in there, so we went back to the end of the lane with the waggon to get some clay but as there was a big water hole back there we had to drain the water out of it before we could haul a load through it. Dad. ran a furrow from the hole to the top of the hill and threw the sods out of the furrow into the hole. We hauled two loads of clay from the gully and put them over the tile at the barnyard end of the lane. It was noon when we got through. Aunty and Aunty Alice were here to dinner and after dinner Bruce Smith and Frank Marr came over after Dad. as Frank's cow was choking on an apple so Dad. went down and managed to get the apple. We boys got the manure spreader out and Frank and Dick pitched manure while I went back and pulled weeds out of the mangels. Frank hauled out till Dad. came home and then went and weeded strawberries. To-night Dick and I went to a corn roast put up by Mrs. Hobbes. and Frank went to another one that the McBrides were having. Both corn roast were up the beach about 100 yards apart below Globe Park. After we had burned up all the corn we had and then eaten it. we went up to the Hobbes and sat around till after mid night. Fine day.</p> <p>Saturday August 31st</p> <p>It rained quite hard during the night and quite a bit this morning so that I didn't do much but lie around read and sleep during the fore noon Frank made a plant stand for Enah out of an old desk we got down at Lew Brock's. This afternoon Dad. and I went back and patched up the gully fence a little along the cornfield as there were two or three posts broken and we were afraid the delapidated condition of the fence might tempt the cattle to try to explore the cornfield. Frank spent the afternoon cleaning and fix ing up the granary bins. Sam's outfit is now at old Evan's and he will be at Pickford on Monday. Dick took a holiday this afternoon and went down town. We did the chores up early and I went down town to-night, went down to the station and met Marj. who came back to-night Sunny &amp; cool wind this afternoon.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Sunday September 1st</p> <p>We were late getting around this morning so I wasn't able to take Tid. down to Sunday school so Dad. drove him down. He seems to like Sunday school and the stories Aunty tells them. He told Enah that last Sunday Aunty told them about a man who saw a burning bush and a voice came out of the bush which said "Take off your boots, for the ground where you stand is full of holes and you'll get your feet muddy." Obviously the story was about Moses and he took the Bible phrase "holy ground" to mean full of holes and so he generally takes his boots off when he goes back to the gully to keep them from getting muddy. He thought Moses did it for the same reason. I stayed down at Aunty's for dinner and they invited Professor Andrews down there to dinner. He came down to preach this morning and there was no one to meet him and no choir or or organist so he played the organ himself. This afternoon I went up to see Marj and went home to tea. Dad. came down to church to-night and Enah stayed down to tea at Aunty's and played to-night. I went to Patterson's with Marj. to-night.</p> <p>Monday September 2nd</p> <p>Dick and Dad. hauled out manure this morning and Frank and I dug potatoes and got some vegetables to take down to Vernon to-morrow. This afternoon he and I went over to Pickford's to thrash. Dick took a holiday this afternoon it being Labor day and Dad. hauled out manure alone. We got home from Pickford's about eight and thrashed {?} all out nearly 600 bushels all together. Enah had our valises packed when we got home so I got dressed up and went down town I went up to see Marj. for awhile and then came back to Aunty's to stay all night so as to be ready to catch the car in the morning. Frank was there and had just had a bath so I had one too. Fine day but looks rainy.</p> <p>Saturday September 7th</p> <p>As Frank and I have been in Toronto since last Tuesday till last night, I will have to put our doings in condensed form as I have not been able to write them day by day. We left Tuesday morning on the seven o'clock car and went to Brantford where after bumming around for an hour or so we took the radial for Hamilton getting there about</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>eleven where we had our dinner and fooled in two or three more hours and then took the 2.15 boat for Toronto. We arrived there about five so we were nearly all day en route We didn't mind though as there were five of us Charlie Blake, Tige McBride and Lloyd Ryerse being with us and we had an ideal trip over on the boat Frank and I went to stay with Roy and Vernon of course and the other three stayed down on Bloor St. about three blocks away That night we all went down to the Princess theatre and saw "The Garden of Allah" which Tige and I liked but which the other fellows didn't care for. Wednesday we put in the whole day out at the Fair grounds. Frank went out early to the {Sharplers?} seperator company with a piece of the seperator to have it fixed and then went to his sheep judging competition. at which he got 10th place. I went down later and just poked around till I ran into the other three fellows, we had our lunch on the grounds and met in the Breeder's Ring at 2.30. I for the Beef Cattle judging and the others for the poultry. We had a class of aged Abeerdeen {?} cows and one of Shorthorn heifers. I had a hard time coming to a decision on them as they were all pretty even but I tried to make out a good case for my placings when giving my reasons orally and I discovered I won 9th place among about 20. I didn't get the placings on the Shorthorn's right either, That night we got a free ticket to Mumby's dining hall and I had tea with Prof. Graham &amp; Marcellus. After tea most of us went over to the Grand Stand performance but some of them thought it was going to be too wet for it as it drizzled all evening. We got a free ticket to it and had seats reserved for us. It was pretty good but nothing extra. It rained hard that night and Frank and I didn't get out very early to the Exhibition and Frank's class of grain and roots was partly over. however he entered and won 6th place amongst about thirty five. Our Fruit and Vegetable judging contest came off next and I got 6th prize in it. Leo Challand got 4th. After it was over we found all the Norfolk bunch which consisted of Challand, Butler, two Stitts and Corby besides us five. Rolson was also down judging hogs but he disappeared the first day and none of us saw him again. We all had lunch together and happend into the same tent that Neff</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>was dining in. We prowled around the grounds all the afternoon and had a lot of fun with Corby who stopped and interviewed any one who would talk to him. One was a fellow demonstrating wooden arms and hands and another was showing off safety razors. I went over to the Model Comp and saw Hazen for a few minutes and also saw a couple of boxing bouts between Canadian &amp; Yankee soldiers. There was a whole battalion of Yankees down there. We went back to Vernon's for tea - our best dinner and the night. Frank went to a Charlie Chaplin show and I went down town and drifted into Britnels book store where I spent the whole evening. Friday morning we went down town and did some shopping and then went over to the Milman's office and Clem took us up to the top of the Royal Bank building to see the city and then over to the Dominion bank to see the 40 ton door of the vaults and Jessie Kirtland and Paddy O'Flynn. We had lunch at {Rap?} but had to leave right after it to catch our 2.15 boat for Hamilton. The other three were waiting for us and we all came home to-gether getting in last night on the nine o'clock car. Dick and Dad. hauled manure and thrashed most of the time we were away. They thrashed Jack Martin out and a little for Mr Flemming. They had a very bad wind and rain storm here and every thing is pretty wet. Dick took a holiday to-day. Dad. and I spent most of the morning digging potatoes and this afternoon we cleaned up the old barn to be ready for the thrashers. Frank did odd jobs. Fine day.</p> <p>Sunday September 8th</p> <p>I left my razor down at Auntys in the suitcase the other night so had to go down there to shave this morning. I took Tid down with me intending to send him to Sunday school with Aunty but they had gone. so we just went to church. Dad. and Enah drove down to church. I stayed down at Aunty's for lunch but went home right after, got Queen and took Marj. for a drive up around by Vittoria. I didn't get down to church to-night. but Dad. and I walked down after. He went down to Aunty's and Marj. and I spent the evening up at Miss Martin's Dick was going to Simcoe yesterday to spend Sunday with Dess at Grandpa Mead's and no one has seen him all day. It has been a very nice day.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Monday September 9th</p> <p>Dad. and I hauled out manure all day and got out 13 loads. Frank rode up to Mat. Wilson's this morning to see when Sam could some here to thrash and he said not before Thursday. He told Dad. he would be here about Tuesday but took on some new job up there. Frank picked tomatoes and weeded strawberries the rest of the day. Dick spent most of the morning in bed and went to Simcoe this afternoon to have his picture taken Cecil McPherson was over after school to-night picking plums for Enah. Cool.</p> <p>Tuesday September 10th</p> <p>Dick and Dad. finished covering the field with manure by to-night. Frank and I spent most of the day gathering up the wind falls in the orchard as we want to turn the sheep in there. It was quite a job but we got them all. Tupper was over this morning to get me to do his chores for him while he goes to the London Fair. so I went over to-night to see what to do. Aunty, Aunty Alice and Cousin Clair were over to tea to-night. Miss Kerney &amp; Mrs. Hallam came over to-day and bought some plums from Enah. Cold wind.</p> <p>Wednesday September 11th</p> <p>We seperated the rams from the ewes this morning and put the rams in the orchard and the ewes back in their old pasture in front of the barn Dad. got started to plow this morning on the oat stubble just north of the orchard I think the five acres of spring plowing is all we will try to put in Frank fixed up the fence around the orchard and I barricaded the two little plum trees I set out this spring so that the rams couldn't eat them off again, they have been nibbled down a couple of times but are still alive. Dick picked some plums to take down to Mrs. Dyer. This afternoon Dick, Enah and I drove down town in the waggon and got some provisions for the thrashers whom we expect to-morrow. We took some plums down to the Canning Factory and I got the plow which we left at Hallam's to have the shear sharpened. We picked Melissa Tupper and Hazel Ward up and gave them a ride home. Melissa didn't go to the fair with the rest on account of some school work so she got Hazel Ward to go home with her and Mrs. Art Walker stayed with them all right. I hooked Joe to the buggy and drove them on over to Tupper's place and I</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>did up the chores. To-night Marj. &amp; I went to the picture show and saw Jack Pickford in "Huck &amp; Tom". It has been cloudy all day and rained hard this afternoon &amp; evening.</p> <p>Thursday September 12th</p> <p>I drove over to Tupper's as soon as I got up this morning but it was a little late there, but as the walking was so bad I drove the girls down to school. They were late waiting for me to get through with the chores. I didn't get through with my breakfast till after ten o'clock and then went down to Flemmings &amp; Jack Martin's to tell them we expected the thrashers. When I got back I spent the rest of the morning cleaning up my harness as it got pretty muddy. Dick and Frank spent most of the morning fixing up the granary. They put a partition in the middle bin and boarded up the tops so that the bins could be filled up to the ceiling. Dad. also battened up the cracks in the little box stall in the horse stable so that we can use in for a granary too. It rained nearly all day so we couldn't do much out side Aunty Alice came over to help Enah if the thrashers came and Dess came over too, she and Dick went down to the show to-night. I went over to Tupper's soon after five and did up the chores in the rain. No one had been there all day and Melissa didn't come home so the milk utensils didn't get a very good washing. When I got home I found they had got the machine here and Alan, Sam &amp; Ray were just leaving, they had a hard time moving.</p> <p>Friday September 13th</p> <p>I got over to Tupper's this morning before daylight and got the chores all done and home before they started to thrash. It rained a little and I suppose delayed them a little but it hasn't been raining at all to-day but has been cloudy, windy and cold. We thrashed pretty steadily all day and got everything thrashed but one stack. The oats turned out well about fifty bushels to the acre, but the mixed grain did well too we just had 117 bushels of clear wheat. The stack really thrashed better than the stuff in the barn as it was a little tough but the stack was perfectly dry so all Dad's worrying over the rain was no use. We have to-night 65 bushels over the 1000 mark and the other stack to thrash yet so this will be away the best turn out. we have ever had. Tupper didn't get home to-day so I had to go over again to-night to do</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>chores I was late getting over. but Melissa was home and had the cows up and partly milked. She went over to Donald's to get Ina to stay with her to-night.</p> <p>Saturday September 14th</p> <p>I was over at Tupper's again this morning before daylight and found the lantern still burning on the table where I had left it last night. thinking that Melissa and Ina would be right back but Melissa stayed over at Donald's all night. Tupper didn't get home to-day so I went over to-night and was surprised and a little worried to find that Melissa had not emptied the cream nor washed the seperator and aparantly had not been near the house all day so when I got the chores done I went over to Bill Donald's to see if she got there al right last night. They were all just coming out of the lane heading for town and Melissa was with them so I had my mind made easy and got a ride home. We finished thrashing of the other stack this morning and it turned out just as well as the rest and made the total number of bushels up to 1240. The granary bins are all full as well as the little box stall in the horse stable. When they got through up here they moved down to Alfred's and Dick Frank and I went down with them. We thrashed there till about four o'clock and got finished at Alfred's. He had 408 bushels of oats and 14 of wheat and is as tickled as he can be. The wheat was nearly pure blue grass. I was in the straw all the time as no-one else would go into it so felt pretty dirty to-night. When we got home Dad. had gone down town to see the dam and hear what Hon. Mr. Cavell had to say about the harbor. He says they will start work next week repairing the pier. I went down to-night and got my hair cut but there wasn't much going on. Charlie Quanbury treated me to ice cream. Fair.</p> <p>Sunday September 15th</p> <p>None of us went down to church this morning as we were late having breakfast. I didn't get back from Tupper's till about ten o'clock. This afternoon Dick and I went down town and I went to Miss McQueen's with Marj. I came home thinking I would have to go over to Tupper's again to-night but was rejoiced to find him here to tell me he had got home. He said everything was in good. shape and gave me two dollars for my trouble. I had my tea and went back down town</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>thinking I would be in time for church. I went but just got in before the sermon and I discovered that they had changed the time back from half past six to seven. I went over and spent the evening with Marj. She has changed her boarding house over to the Monteith's. It has been cloudy, and cold rained to-night.</p> <p>Monday September 16th</p> <p>Dick and Frank went over to Quanbury's (Art's) to thrash this morning and were over there till nearly noon but didn't get their dinner out of it. Dad. and I bagged up 12 bags of oats for Tupper and tied up all the bags that were in the barn. This afternoon Dick and I took Tupper's oats back to him but the 12 bags fell a bushel short of what we borrowed by weight. We got 12 or 13 bassword {poles?} over there to put over the mow in the old barn. When we got back we took all the filled bags that were in the barn over and dumped them in the little box stall in the horse stable and took Art Quanbury's oats back which we borrowed at seeding time and I took Ivey's bags back to them so most of the afternoon was spent in returning borrowed goods. Frank and Dad. did odd jobs as it was raining and cloudy all day rain to-night.</p> <p>Tuesday September 17th</p> <p>Frank and I took Frank's ducks down to the station this morning and he shipped them to Silverwood's in London. Dad. did some odd jobs around and I helped him clean out the calf pen when I got back. This afternoon Dad. plowed on the wheat ground and Dick Frank and I went back to pull plantain in the clover seed but as there wasn't very much we went on over to John Wess's McBride's and visited with Cam. most of the afternoon. To-night Dad. and Enah drove out to the Shand's to see the Virginia Nixon's Frank and I stenciled Dad's name on some bags. Dick went down town and just after Frank and I went to bed he came in, and spanked us awake with his whip and in formed us that a telegram had come for him from. Col. Dyer telling him he had a chance to go either to Siberia or Overseas with a tank battalion, he is tickled at the chance to go to Siberia. Sunny and fair but not hot to-day.</p> <p>Wednesday September 18th</p> <p>I went over to Lorne Myer's this morning to see</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>what our potatoes looked like. The early ones are ready to dig but in the clay patch are too wet. I went on over to McBride's to see Tige but he wasn't home so I went in to see Ham Thompson. He was going to try to get some wheat in and so was too busy to help with the potatoes so I thought we had better leave it for awhile. Dad. plowed this morning and Frank dug potatoes in our own garden. Dick went down town right after breakfast to wire Col. Dyer that he wants to go to Siberia but didn't get any word back to-day He was down town all day and is staying down to-night. It rained a little at noon but soon cleared up and Dad. Enah and the baby drove down to see the Horticultural Show, Frank plowed all the afternoon and I cut the lawn or at least part of it. It poured rain to-night but I went down town. I went up to the Flower Show but there was very little there so I went around and spent the evening with Marj. It cleared off but was cold and very windy when I came home.</p> <p>Thursday September 19th</p> <p>We were very late having breakfast this morning and it was nearly eleven o'clock before we got a grist bagged up and Frank and I got started for Lynn Valley to have it chopped. We had to take it up there as the flume down here at Charlie Ivey's just about collapsed the other day and is now in course of repair. Frank and I didn't get home till nearly three o'clock and found Dad. and Enah hadn't had dinner yet as they were waiting for us. After dinner we were sitting around the little coal oil stove reading as it was raining hard when Dick and Dess came over. Dick hadn't been home since yesterday morning. He had a telegram in his pocket from Col. Dyer telling him to return to camp immediately as he was wanted for Siberia. so he set to work to pack his kit and intends to leave in the morning. We did up the chores early and Dad. drove him and Dess and his kit down town before dark and stayed down all night to take him to the station in the morning. It was sunny early this morning but was cold and wet all day.</p> <p>Friday September 20th</p> <p>Frank and I did chores this morning and Dad. didn't get home till after the nine o'clock car went out.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>as after he saw Dick off safely. he and Huby ran across Jock Paine who was telling them that he has just sold out his business for a quarter of a million and is now the richest man in Port Dover. He bought the first prize car at the Toronto Exhibition so he told them and said he was coming over here to get some mushrooms but he never came. We spent most of the day cleaning out the chicken houses and Dad. carried over the weed seeds and chaff off the barn floor and put in the sheds for them to scratch in. William Ryerse was in after dinner to in vite us three boys out to a dance at his place to-night. He didn't know Dick had gone. Frank and I went out and had a pretty fair time although there was a little too big a crowd. The barn was full of horses and the house fuller still of folks. Wilbur spent the whole evening going around in his old clothes with a lantern like a night-watchman putting horses away and getting them out and occasionally taking a walk though the house to see how things were progressing. Dave and Mr. McNeilly furnished the music but as we had to dance in the small rooms each side of a hall full of people, the one room didn't get a very full share. It has been sunny and quite warm to-day</p> <p>Saturday September 21st</p> <p>Dad. and Frank cleaned up the wheat to-day and got somewhere around twenty-five bushels of clean seed, part of which we will sow, if it ever clears up. There was quite a lot of shrunken stuff in it. This morning I went over to Ben's and dug up a few peony roots to send to Dorrie Clarke and took them down to Marj. She packed them and I took them down and expressed them but had to wait for about an hour at the station to get them looked after so I was late getting home for dinner. Alfred Ryerse came up after dinner to pay us for helping him thrash but we wouldn't take it of course. We finished cleaning up wheat this afternoon and I carried over some straw to the chicken houses To-night. I shut them all up but the young ones are so wild I couldn't do much with them. Frank went down town to-night and says that Ray &amp; Vernon &amp; the kids came up to Aunty's last night. Fine day but cold wind.</p> <p>Sunday September 22nd</p> <p>None of us went down to Sunday school this morning but all hands went to church. Enah drove Ray, Rebecca and Tim home and Dad. walked. Frank</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>rode his wheel and I stayed down at Aunty's for dinner. This afternoon Marj. and I went over to see Glad. Law who came home last night. I went to church to-night with Aunty Alice and then Marj. Glad. and I went up to Miss Martin's. I didn't go home to tea and Frank and I stayed down all night as we want to go to Brantford in the morning to see Archie McEwen about another ram Enah was down at Aunty's to tea and played the organ to-night and Dad. drove down after her to-night. It has been fair but quite cool.</p> <p>Monday September 23rd</p> <p>Frank and I got off on the seven o'clock car this morning and went to Simcoe. We went to see Johnson about the apples and he said he would be down about the end of the week to have a look at them. I also gave Cruikshank $20.00 more for my insurance and then we got the nine o'clock car for Archie's place. Roy was on it so we went up with him. We had dinner at McEwen's and made a deal with him for another ram, one we like the looks of much better than the old McPherson ram and which has a far better fleece and skin. He is going to take the old ram back and let us have this one for ten dollars more. We came home on the three o'clock car but didn't do any thing but chores after we got home. They lifted the bridge down at the dam this afternoon. Dad. didn't do any plowing to-day. Fine day and warmer.</p> <p>Tuesday September 24th</p> <p>I spent most of the morning clearing up rubbish and putting away chicken coops and crates and Frank cleaned up the pen in the big barn to put our ram in as he has been used to being in. Dad. plowed all morning. This afternoon we loaded up old McPherson and took him down to meet the afternoon Express. Archie had sent the new ram down on it so we just took him out of the crate and put McPherson in and sent him back on the same car. Dad. thinks the new ram is a great improvement on the other. We stopped in for awhile at Aunty's on our way home and Dad. wanted to stay there and play with Roy's baby. It was time to do chores when we got home as Enah wanted us to get through early for Miss Phipps had been over to invite Dad. Enah and me over there for the evening. Mr. Barker, Mrs. Dr. Cook and Mr. &amp; Mrs. Leslie Battersley were there. Dad. had a letter from Dick to-day saying he would leave Petewawa this</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>week for the coast and Joe Dyer told him that they were to leave Vancouver for Siberia not later than the 10th of October. so that there will be no chance of his getting home again. He has been attached to the Veterinary Corp. There hasn't been much war news from the Western Front the last few days, as the doings in Palestine are to be the centre of interest. General Allenby has just about freed that country from. the Turks so they say and has entirely wiped out two Turkish armies. Cool &amp; fine.</p> <p>Wednesday September 25th</p> <p>It rained again this morning but soon cleared off and was a very nice day. Dad. plowed most of the day but was last getting out because we let the ewes out in the corner field and put the ram lambs in the pasture in front of the barn. Frank and I spent most of the day building a hurdle fence across from the end of the horse stable to the big barn to make a paddock for the ram. Winnie was over to tea to-night and after tea Frank, Enah, Win and I went down town. Winnie &amp; Enah went to choir practice but we met them all coming away from the church. I spent the evening over at the Monteiths. Frank went to the picture show and we all met at. Aunty's and came home.</p> <p>Thursday September 26th</p> <p>Dad. has plowed all day to-day and is nearly finished. He didn't get out very early this morning as he helped us catch a couple of the best ewes to turn in with the new ram to try him out. Frank and I dug potatoes in the garden till dinnertime. This afternoon I disked with Queen and Joe till about half past four and then gathered up the potatoes and onions that were dug as we fully expected a frost to-night. It has been very cold all day due to a wind from the north. I had my over coat and gloves on this afternoon and then nearly perished. Frank went down to Walk. Well's sale this afternoon. Tom told us this morning that some of our humorists had put on the sale bills that Sat. Robinson was to be Clerk. Where the joke of that come in is that Walk had Sat up in court a couple of weeks ago and had him fined ten dollars for endeavoring to aleinate the affections of his hired girl, or something of that nature.</p> <p>Friday September 27th</p> <p>Dad. finished plowing this morning and I have been disking most of the day. This morning I drove down town and got Vernon. and the two kids and brought</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>them over for dinner. Aunty and Aunty Alice walked over. This afternoon about five o'clock I drove them home again. Frank and Aunty Alice picked beans over in the garden and Dad. dug potatoes. Our checks for prize money at the Toronto Exhibition came to-day. I got $22.00 and Frank $11.00. It has been nice to-day and much milder.</p> <p>Saturday September 28th</p> <p>I disked and Frank harrowed with the little team on the wheat ground. I didn't finish disking till about three o'clock and then Dad. started to drill. and Frank harrowed after him. They worked till dark but got the field finished. I came up and cut part of the lawn it had got very long so after I cut it first I raked it and cut it again but that was just a small patch in the center. Enah went down town this afternoon to practice with Zeitha who is going to sing in church to-morrow. She told Dad. she thought she would be home to tea but didn't get home till after tea. Dad. got a little anxious about her so I went down to Aunty's to look for her, but they said she got a ride home with Jack Martin. I just missed them. Cloudy but milder.</p> <p>Sunday September 29th</p> <p>We all walked down to church this morning and I stayed down at Aunty's to dinner. The rest came in to Aunty's after church and there was great excitement when the car came in as several of us happened to look out and saw Dick's face in the window. We hadn't the faintest idea that he would be home as he was supposed to leave Petawawa for Vancouver to-morrow, but we all rushed out the back gate and met him at Reeve's corner and he informed us that they weren't to leave for the coast till Wednesday and that they had given him a three day pass so he hadn't asked any more questions but beat it. He stayed down at Aunty's for dinner and then he and Dess went over to the farm and stayed to tea. I spent the afternoon with Marj. and Glad Law and then Marj. and I came over here to tea. Tid stayed down at Aunty's to dinner and went with them up to Huby's for tea and to-night Dad. went after him. We didn't leave till he got back, and Dick spent most of the evening sleeping. He said he hadn't had a decent sleep since he left home.</p> <p>Monday September 30th</p> <p>Dad. drove down right after breakfast this morning</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>to be with Dick who stayed down town all night and also to get Joe shod. Frank got the mower in shape to start cutting clover seed and I raked up some more of the lawn and cleaned out the calf pen. We had an early dinner and then. Frank Enah Tid and I walked down to see Dick off on the one o'clock car. After he left Frank and I went up town and got our checks for prize money and then came home. we let the sheep out and Frank went back about four o'clock to start on the clover seed. I did a few chores, read the paper and raked up some more lawn. Dad. Enah and Tid didn't get home till six. Huby came over this afternoon with his dog and old gun to look for some ducks and snipe. There were four ducks out in the water hole north of the old garden. He stayed to tea. The war news is about the best yet to-day. The whole Western Front is on the move and the Germans seem to be going back all the way from the Belgian Coast to the Swiss border. Positions along the Hindenburg line that were thought to be impregnable have been smashed and the Canadians are in the out skirts of Cambrai and the Belgians under King Albert's personal leadership, French and Americans are all just {?} it up. Cloudy and cold raw wind.</p> <p>Tuesday October 1st</p> <p>Frank cut clover and all day to-day with the little team but didn't finish the field. I dug potatoes this morning and this afternoon and went back with Frank to carry a mower knife back and then threw the sods out of some of the ditches in the wheat. Dad. and I also let the ram out with the flock this afternoon. Dad. ran out the furrows and ditches in the wheat field to-day. I had a letter to-day from Douglas to tell me he had found a couple of rams that would suit us so I wrote him to-night to tell him we had one. To-day's news says that Bulgaria has completely surrendered to the Allies.</p> <p>Wednesday October 2nd</p> <p>It rained a little during the night so it was too wet to cut clover seed and Frank and I both went over to Lorne Myer's to dig potatoes. Neff was down and Corby, Tige,Tick Nunn, Charlie Stitt and Willie Nix on and Ham Thompson were over there. We got all the Cobblers in the sand patch. dug and put them in Henry Misener's barn. We got about two bags off the plot that was grown from Old Ontario seed and over four bags off each of the other two plots that were</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>{There are two pages missing (ie one PDF) here. Toby numbers his pages in the upper right or left corners, so they would be #234-235 in the original diary. The dates are end of Oct.2 -October 4, inclusive.}</p> <p>Saturday October 5th</p> <p>Frank went back to Art's to thrash this morning and they finished early before noon. Dad. and I cleaned out ditches in the wheat field and I dug a few potatoes in the cornfield this morning. There are some good potatoes out there as far as size and cleanness but the wire worms are bad in them. This afternoon we went back to get a load of clover seed but there was such a wind I couldn't load it and when we got a little more than the rack full it began to rain so that we had to quit. It didn't rain much but drizzled. When we came up Dad. went to clear some more ditches and Frank dug some more potatoes. I picked what few {Duchess?} apples there were left and then washed the buggy. Huby was over with his dog and gun this afternoon and he and the baby trailed all over the farm. Huby wanted to give Gyp a lesson in retrieving so shot a black bird out in the cornfield and let her find it but she nabbed it and hiked for the barn with it and he supposes ate it but he couldn't get near her. He stayed to tea. Huby stayed to tea and rode down town with Neff who came to see if we had got any more potatoes dug.</p> <p>Sunday October 6th</p> <p>Enah and I drove down to church along this morning. Cousin Willie took the service and Zietha sang a solo which was very pretty. This afternoon. Marj. Glad Law and I went for a drive up towards Vittoria and got some chest nuts, they seem to be thick but not quite ripe. It began to rain before we got home and has been drizzling and raining all evening. After tea Dad. &amp; I went down town. Dad. went down to see Roy at Aunty's and Marj. and I went over to see Glad Law who is going away in the morning. We got very muddy and wet coming home and found Frank sitting up waiting for us to tell us that Enah was sick. She had a bad attack of cramps and had gone to bed, Frank having packed her in hot irons.</p> <p>Monday October 7th</p> <p>Enah was sick most of the night and has been in bed all day but felt a little better to-night. This morning Frank and I took Clementine and Marj. out to Renton as {Demming?} ships from there. I led them both and Frank drove. We didn't have much trouble. we were late getting started as Edmond England was in before breakfast and bought a ram lamb from us for $42.00</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>This afternoon, we went over to the patch to dig potatoes. Lloyd Crysler, Charlie Still. Charlie Shand, Tige and Bill Sidway were there and we got the Green Mountain on the sand patch dug. Lorne Myer's was up getting cider at Walker Waddle's and as we all had what we could drink we forgave him for not helping us. He did come out anyway with his team and waggon and took the cleen potatoes down to the mill where we weighed them. For some unknown reason the ones grown from Old Ontario seed yielded better than the other two plots which was opposite result to what we expected and to what it has been in other experiences. We were very surprised to-night to see Enah's brother and his family they came down in their car from Cartright to-day. They didn't stay here long but are coming to morrow. Nice afternoon.</p> <p>Tuesday October 8th</p> <p>Frank and I went to the Simcoe Fair to-day but we didn't get ready in time to catch the nine o'clock car so went up on the eleven. I went up town first and deposited my two checks from Edmond England and Demming so now have quite a bank account but it won't last long. As soon as I got to Simcoe I paid out about $20.00 to Cruikshank for insurance but have it all paid up. Frank and I had dinner at Walt. MccCall's and then went out to the Fair Grounds. We tried to find Neff to give him a sample of our potatoes but couldn't find him for some time. I did locate him though later. He couldn't figure out how the Ontario plot beat the rest unless we could have by any chance got the labels mix ed or the ground a little better. I lost Frank soon after we got there and didn't find him again. I spent most of the afternoon watching the races with Bill Sidway and stayed there too long to catch the five car so Bill said I could ride home with him and Clark Horn as they were alone and had Clark's car. I did and had tea at the Sidways and then came on down town with Clark and his wife. I went down to Aunty's to tell them that I was home and then went up and got my hair cut. I stayed there all night so that I could catch the car for Hamilton to-morrow. Fine day.</p> <p>Wednesday October 9th</p> <p>I left for Hamilton this morning on the 7.30 train and got there about 10.30 there were four other fellows on on the train bent on the same errand as I was so we started off to-gether from the station but just stepped out the</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>door when a plain clothes man held us up for our military papers and registration certificates, but we all had them so he told us how to get to the Armouries. That was the first time I was ever asked to show my papers. We all had to answer a list of questions before we went before the examining board and then we all went up stairs where the doctors were. There were several misfits around the room but most of the boys looked to be in pretty fair shape. They had me take my shoes and socks off and they looked at my knees for awhile and then told me to go and wait for awhile so I went back to the stove which had a railing around it just the right temperature to be comfortable for my feet and one of the other boys (Abbott from Coast land) and sat there with our four feet up on the stove watching the other fellows getting put through their paces. There was one old fat fellow who was lame and they took a long time to pass on him. They had him stripped to the waist and made him lie out flat on the table which seemed to give him considerable trouble then they made him prance up and down the room and alternated these exercises all the time I was there. The last I saw of him he was reclining on the table with his abdomen heaved high in the air and the doctors had aparently forgotten him. Another one they had a lot of fun with was one of the Norfolk boys who came down with me. He had a shrunken muscle in his leg or some thing which appeared to me to become very much worse when we reached the Armouries than it had been before. However I might be mistaken about that. They had him hop down the room on his well leg and then try to hop back on his bad one. He didn't hop very gracefully on his well leg but the faces he made when he tried to hop on the other were pitiful to behold. He vowed he couldn't do it but the doctors urged him to make a stab at it so he did manage to get to the other end of the room. I don't know what happened to him eventually. They called me back in a few minutes and felt and pinced my knee till they hurt it and it has been lame all day. They at last decided that I wasn't bad enough for an E man. which is the same opinion I have always had. so put me up to B2 and gave me a certificate saying that my papers were taken from me and that I would hear from them in about two weeks. That finished my examination so I left feeling a much better man that I did last year. I went up to the Herrings where I intended to hit them up for a day's keep and a night's lodging as I was very</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>much to anxious to go to the theatre to-night to see John E. Kellerd in "Julius Ceaser." I considered myself very lucky to get the chance to see the play as I have always wanted to see it and have never had a chance before. When I got to the Herring's I found Cousin Clair had gone to Brantford for the day but Mr. Herring was home and he treated me right royally. I told him I wanted to go to the play to-night so he asked me if a matinee would be too much and treated me to it which was "The Bells" by the same company. He then took me all around the city and to the Library and Armouries where he showed me through the Officer's quarters. To-night he and I went to see Julius Caeser at which I stood treat and I certainly enjoyed it immensely. When we got home we found Cousin Clair had not yet returned so we waited up for her. She came in on the twelve o'clock car. I asked her what she thought of me landing in on there without warning. "Well" she said "Why shouldn't you, what have you got relations for," in a tone of voice that made me feel very much at home. We didn't wait up long after she got home and I went to bed feeling very much beholden the the Military Authorities for giving me the opportunity of having such a good time and more than paying my expenses.</p> <p>Thursday October 10th</p> <p>Cousin Clair gave me my breakfast this morning and I got off in plenty of time to catch the Dover train which left at 9.20. This being Caledonia Fair day there was a big crowd on and we didn't get into Dover till nearly twelve. I had dinner at Aunty's and then went up to get their mail for them. Every one I saw seemed very interested to know how I made out in Hamilton. Aunty and Rebecca came over to the farm with me. I didn't get home very early but Dad Frank and I went back and got a load of clover seed. Dess came over to tea and to-night we managed to persuade Dad. to go down and stay at Aunty's so that he could go to the Caledonia Fair to-morrow. I also went down to see Marj. Lovely day.</p> <p>Friday October 11th</p> <p>Frank and I got the chores done up nearly as early as usual this morning but as we thought it was too wet to haul clover seed this morning on account of the dew we started in to cut corn and got about fifteen shocks cut before dinner. We went back right after dinner and put on a pretty good load of clover seed and then Frank raked up the rest of one side and I bunched up till he got through and then we came up with our load. To-night Frank went</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>down to get Dad. but as his train was late they didn't get home till quite late. Dad. had a pretty good time at the Fair I guess as it was a lovely day. Roy came up to-night too.</p> <p>Saturday October 12th</p> <p>It rained a little during the night so was too wet to do any thing at the clover seed this morning. I started to make a crate to ship Mr. Bent's ram lamb in but didn't finish it. Dad. and Frank cut up more wood and brought in the cabbages from the garden with the {?} and waggon. This afternoon as it was a nice day and Marj. is going to be in Nanticoke over Thanksgiving day (Monday) she and I went after chestnuts. We went up north of Vittoria and only stopped at three trees but got a lot of nuts, they were thick on all the trees. We got requested to leave one tree by an angry farmer so we did. after we got all the nuts we could. It was a lovely afternoon and we got home before dark. Dad. and Frank hauled in the clover seed that was bunched up but the rest was a little too wet.</p> <p>Sunday October 13th</p> <p>Dad. Enah and I drove down to church this morning and I walked down. Frank didn't go down as he wanted to go after chestnuts this afternoon early. This afternoon I drove Marj. down to the Doughty's at Nanticoke and left her there to spend Thanksgiving day. They invited me to stay to tea but I didn't and got home here in time to have tea and do chores. Roy and Vernon were here but they didn't stay long as they wanted to to to church to-night. Dad. and Enah were down there this afternoon. Frank went after chestnuts but didn't get any. I don't know why. He went up to Bowlby on the car and cut across south where there are lots of trees, but anywhere we were yesterday there were lots of nuts. I didn't go down town to-night. This morning there was a south wind and the air full of smoke which made everything look very queer. A north wind got up about noon and the air cleared but got colder.</p> <p>Monday October 14th (Thanksgiving Day)</p> <p>We finished hauling in the clover seed to-day. We went back this morning and Frank finished raking and Dad. and I bunched up and brought one load up before dinner and this afternoon put it off and got the rest in one load and put it off. Enah and the baby went down to see Roy and Vernon off this afternoon. Windy &amp; cool.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Tuesday October 15th</p> <p>Dad. started fall plowing to-day on the oat stubble in the back field. He also got a load of wood back there in the woods just old brokenl treetops and rubbish. Frank and I went up to Ham Thompson's and when we got back we started to pick the apples that were dropping the most and Frank picked up the windfalls and put them in the ice house for cider. I picked the King's and one tree of Canada Reds or whatever they are. Lila was over most of the day as the school has been closed on account of Spanish Influenza. I went down to-night intending to go to the picture show but Marj. thought it wouldn't be wise as the flu is spreading rapidly. There are all the way from 70-80 cases reported in the town and to-day poor old Bob. Miller died of it and all the rest of his family are sick with it. They got word to-day that Geordie {surname?} has been killed in action. It has been a beautiful day. Froze.</p> <p>Wednesday October 16th</p> <p>Dad. has been plowing all day and got on fairly well. Frank and I finished building the crate to ship our ram to {?} in the morning and I wrote to Mr. Bent and made all the applications for transfer while Frank went over to Quanbury's to set some saws. We also put the rams in the paddock and trimmed Mr. Bent's up a little and when Dad. came up at noon put the label in his ear. We picked apples this afternoon and got the russets all picked. Huby was over shooting this afternoon and stayed to tea. I drove him home to-night and then went for a little drive alone as it was a beautiful moonlight night and Queen enjoyed it too. Frank went for a ride some where on Joe. Frank and I were wokeded this morning about three o'clock by the factory whistle and after we got up we heard the fire bell so hiked down town to find a small crowd around the planing mill where there had been a fire in the shavings. We were down there about an hour but they had it under control. The old Felix engine worked fine. We came home and went to bed again. Dad. got up after we left thinking he heard the six o'clock whistle and when he discovered his mistake he stayed up. Beautiful day.</p> <p>Thursday October 17th</p> <p>Frank and I dug potatoes all morning and I dug all the afternoon out in the cornfield. We got two full rows and what was left of the one that Frank started on the other day. We would have got more done but Frank</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>had to kill and pluck a couple of ducks. Dad. plowed all day and got on well. Cousins {two names?} were over for awhile this afternoon. Frank went for a ride again to-night with Alex England and Colin Ryerse.</p> <p>Friday October 18th</p> <p>We were up soon after five this morning and Frank and I got down to the station with Mr. Bent's ram about ten minutes before the train went out. I went in and asked Stace Lampkins if I had better wait till the train pulled up or load him right away and he said to wait till it pulled up. We did but it pulled up and right out before we could get him on the car. They said they were late and couldn't wait a minute. It was very provoking but there was nothing to be done but leave him till to-night so this afternoon I went down early and saw that he got on the car although the old pile of junk didn't pull out till a quarter of an hour later than I should. It is such occassions as this that make a fellow wish for a strong arm and a blasphemous tongue to curse the G.T.R. into a heap and lick all of its wooden headed and unaccomodating employees. Dad. plowed again all day and Frank and I dug potatoes all morning. Frank finished digging them in the cornfield this afternoon. Aunty and Aunty Alice were over to dinner to celebrate Frank's birthday. To-night I went down town and Marj. informed me that we were invited over to the Hobbs so we spent the evening over. there. North east wind to-day and much colder.</p> <p>Saturday October 19th</p> <p>Dad. plowed all day and has about half the field plowed. Frank and I dug potatoes all day in the old garden but didn't get them all dug. They are much harder to dig out there than they were in the cornfield as they were weedier and "soddier". We only got two bags. Charlie Quanbury went through at noon to thrash at Art Walker's and told Dad. that the "Flu" is still spreading. Frank Awde is very sick with it and Toots Law is dead. only being sick 36 hours. One of the Alair boys is dead but he had pneumonia. They now say that Bob. Miller didn't have it but died of his old trouble. It has been clear and win dy to-day but not so cold.</p> <p>Sunday October 20th</p> <p>It began to rain some time during the night and kept it up pretty well till about noon. I didn't get</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>up till nearly nine o'clock and none of us went down to church. Frank stayed down all night so he went with Aunty but said there were hardly any there. There was no Sunday school and with no service to-night. The flu is still spreading and to day Charlie Alair died of it, just as they were taking out the body of his boy. I went down soon after dinner and spent the afternoon with Marj. She went to the Bagley's for tea so I didn't see her to-night but I stayed to tea at Aunty's and all evening. Mr. &amp; Mrs. Jim Ross came to tea last night and are staying at at Andrew Innes's for a week before they go to Toronto where Jim has been {?}.</p> <p>Monday October 21st</p> <p>I went over to Tupper's right after breakfast this morning and paid him for his note. I was over there most of the morning watching him break his big Clyde colt. He got on his back first but didn't stay there long. Dad. and Frank went down to Lew Brock's and got some more wood. This afternoon Dad. Enah and Tid drove down in the buggy to see Jim Ross and Frank took the cider barrell down to have some hoops put on it. He also got a new suit. I sorted potatoes. {?} day.</p> <p>Tuesday October 22nd</p> <p>Dad. plowed all day to-day. Frank and I picked apples this morning and got two trees of sweet ones picked. It froze hard last night so we didn't get out very early at it. This afternoon we cut corn. It was a slow job too as up at the far end it was very short and full of rag weed. Mr. Smythe from Vittoria was in at noon yesterday to buy a ram but he thought $40.00 was pretty high and he wanted him recorded in the American book so we didn't make a deal yet. I got a card from Mr. Bent to-day saying that the ram arrived Saturday night so was slack but he seemed satisfied with him. Dad. had a letter from Dick from New Westminster and he says they are out of quarantine now but there are still a few cases of "Flu". Every one here now seems to be on the mend. I went down town to-night. It has been a lovely day but cloudy to-night.</p> <p>Wednesday October 23rd</p> <p>Dad. plowed all day and Frank and I cut corn all day we got about 55 shocks cut. Dad. heard from Dick from the Hospital saying he had the Flu but was doing well. His fever had been up to nearly 104° but was down to 101. Johnson's man was in at noon to look</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>at the orchard. He thought there might be 20 {bbls?} of orchard. Enah went down town this afternoon and told us to-night that Mrs. Frank Awde was dead and Frank himself very low with Influenza.</p> <p>Thursday October 24th</p> <p>Dad. has plowed all day. Frank and I picked apples this morning as we expected Pud. Smythe down to borrow some barley &amp; oats. as Mrs. Smythe asked Enah if they could get them yesterday. He came and got about ten bags and as he was going to have them chopped we got him to take a grist from us down to the mill too. I went down with him and didn't get back till about noon. This afternoon Frank and I hooked up Joe and Queen to go after our chop but it wasn't done when we got there so we drove around the block instead of waiting. We met Sam Thompson when we were coming home. He had been over here to see if he could get us to help him fill silo tomorrow morning so we said we could. Tige McBride was in last night to see if we could did the rest of the potatoes to-morrow afternoon as Neff could come down, so we said we would. Cloudy.</p> <p>Friday October 25th</p> <p>Dad. has plowed all day but Frank and I have been away from home all day. We went up to help Ham. fill his silo and were there all morning. We didn't finish at noon as the blower plugged up several times. but after dinner Tige who was also helping and I went over to the plot to dig potatoes as Tige had sent out the summons again to the boys. Frank stayed to help Ham and Tige and I were the only ones at the plot till about five o'clock when Neff came there Frank a little later Young Wilfred Myers helped us pick up all the afternoon and when Neff came he plowed out all the rest of the Cobbles on the clay patch. Tige and I had plowed out a row or two. I didn't get home till dark and Jack Martin had been here to get a couple of us to help till his silo to-morrow. I had promised to go back to dig potatoes. so Dad. said he would go although he could finish plowing to morrow. I went down town to-night. It has been cloudy and warm to-day.</p> <p>Saturday October 26th</p> <p>Dad. and Frank went over to Jack Martin's to help fill silo this morning and I took the team over to Lorne Myer's. Tige McBride and his father came</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>over and Charlie Blake and Fred Rolson were there and a little later Neff came down with Leo Challand. Lorne Myers also helped us but no more of the boys came. Neff took our teams and he and Rolson plowed all the potatoes out and we got the ones off the clay patch all picked up before dinner. This afternoon I went back and Tige and Corby came and Lorne Myers pretty late. Rolson came with a lot of crates and picked up 20 bushels by measure for himself. Neff came down and helped us till after five. Tige Corby and I worked till dark and finished the job and Lorne Myer's hauled them up to his barn. When I got home Frank informed me that the silo filler had been broken down so they had come home about four o'clock and Dad. Enah and the baby had gone down to Aunty's for tea as Jim &amp; Mrs. Ross were there. I did the milking and Frank and I had tea then Frank went down town and I went down to stay at Frank Awdes as he is still pretty sick and his sister in law told me at noon that she would be very glad if some one would come so that she could get a little sleep as no one but herself and Earl have been there since before Mrs. Awde died. Frank told Dad. I was there so he came in on his way home and stayed the rest of the night. It has been cloudy and mild all day.</p> <p>Sunday October 27th</p> <p>As there has been no church to-day none of us got around very early this morning. Dad. got home about half past five. but. went to bed for a little while. Aunty Alice came over after breakfast for a little while just to see how we were. Aunty had gone up to the Marr's to nurse Woodyer and his sister and Miss Gutcher who are all down with the Flu. and she has been there all day. They changed the time back to the old system again to-day so every one of the kickers ought to be happy. I went down town this afternoon and went for a walk. I had tea with Aunty Alice alone as Aunty didn't get home till after we were through tea. I spent the evening with Marj. Dess was over here yesterday with a letter from Dick saying he was much better but in the hospital at Coquitlam. Beautiful warm day. Rained a little.</p> <p>Monday October 28th</p> <p>Frank and I went down to Mr. Flemming's to thrash this morning but it beganto rain before we got started.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>and rained all morning. We hung around down there for an hour or so and then Tupper brought us home in his car we went down town with him first to get some gasoline. Frank spent most of the morning cleaning up root seed. and I cleaned harness. This afternoon I went down town to get my tooth fixed as the filling came out of it yesterday. I got my hair cut and went down to Tip's to get a suit and a hat. I brought them back on approval. Young Earl Awde came over this afternoon to ask someone to go down and stay all night to-night so Dad. went down. There is great consternation in town over the news which arrived this morning of Billy Faulkner's death. He died in England but no one knows what of but suppose it was the Flu. He just enlisted a little while ago.</p> <p>Tuesday October 29th</p> <p>Dad. finished plowing his field to-day but did not get a full day in as he was pretty tired after sitting up all night with Frank Awde. He didn't get home till daylight. Frank went down to Flemmings and they finished thrashing about four o'clock. I didn't go as Mr. Flemming said yesterday he didn't expect us both but Frank said they could have used me early in the day. I did chores and picked apples all day but didn't get in a very long day at the job. Fine day.</p> <p>Wednesday October 30th</p> <p>Frank and I picked apples all day and got all the Spy's picked and a lot of the Suck-no-Furthers or Vandeveers as John's man called them the other day. Dad. started to plow the side hill across the gully to-day. We want if we possibly can to get it seeded down with Alfalfa next year. It began to rain about four o'clock and drizzle all evening. I went down town to-night and intended to stay all night but when I got to Aunty's they told me that Neff had been down and wanted me to go to Guelph with him to-morrow. He had telephoned Tige before and wanted me to go but I told him I couldn't, but when he came down and went over to the farm Dad. said I could go so he came all the way down to Aunty's to tell me. As it had cleared off a little I went home for the night. Cloudy and rain.</p> <p>Thursday October 31st</p> <p>Tige McBride was down before breakfast this</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>morning to tell me I couldn't go to Guelph as Neff had said last night that Tige was going to take Lloyd Ryerse and me in his car, but Tige said he was alone as his father was off canvassing for Victory Loan subscriptions and Albert was picking apples for George Duncan but Lloyd said he thought the real cause was that he mother was afraid of him getting the Flu. He went on down to tell Lloyd and by the time they got back I was about ready to go so we drove up to McBrides's and telephoned Neff. At first he said he could take up up with him but as Butler, Nixon &amp; Mitchell were going too we thought it would be quite a load so we said we would go to Galt by Radial and he could pick us up there so we did. He got us all right at Galt and we got to Guelph in time for dinner. This afternoon we went up to the College for the sale of surplus stock. I thought things went fairly cheaply although the stock was nothing extra. Mostly sows but a few sheep and cattle. There was one very nice young Shorthorn bull which went up around five hundred, and Carpenter &amp; Ross bought a white heifer for over a thousand. We went back to the Royal Hotel for supper as soon as the sale was over, but Neff went out some where to tea I think to Neilson's. I went down to the Bard's to see how they all were but I found the old man and lady had gone out to the country and their married daughter that was there told me that Edna was drowned last summer while in bathing down by the old Victoria bridge. That was very sad news indeed and accounted for the old folks being away as they could bear to stay alone. To-night we didn't know what to do with ourselves as everything in the shape of entertainment was closed up. Butler and Mitchell were very anxious to pick up some "chickens" and I guess did chase up a couple but I went over to the Y.M.C.A. for awhile and then Nixon and I went back and I went to bed. Lloyd wander d around town for awhile and I was asleep when he came in. He and I had the same room. It has been cloudy raw &amp; inclined to rain all day.</p> <p>Friday November 1st</p> <p>Neff left a call for us fellows last night and the old fellars came banging at our door this morning</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>about seven o'clock, however, Lloyd and I were up, Lloyd having got up at intervals I think all night every time he heard a train go past. Neff doesn't eat any breakfast and was all ready for us when we got through ours and we were on the road soon after eight, Elliott. the District Rep recently from Lincoln County and Hampden from Welland were each there with a class of boys to fit for the Intie-County judging competition at the Guelph Winter Fair, for which Neff is going to pick a team of three from amongst us. Elliott was ahead of us with his car and he took Nixon with him as he didn't have as big a load. so that just left {?} in our car. We drove out ten or twelve miles north of Guelph and stopped first at John Lowe's an Aberdeen Angus breeder and had two or three classes to judge Elliott gave us a little instruction and when Hampden came in a little later he had a Mr. Franklin from "The Farmer's Advocate" staff and he gave us some pointers. From there we travelled north again through the little villages of Elora and Salem to J.A. Watt's place and saw his famous Shorthorns or at least a few of them including a couple of yearling heifers which is fitting for the Chicago International and the old Gainford Marquis the herd Leader. The boys from Lincoln county had never seen much purebred stock as they haven't any down there and when we left Lowe's place they were all Angus enthusiasts but when they saw the Shorthorns and got their hands on them, their breath was unfairly taken away and judging from their muttered exclamations they were all Shorthorn men when we left Watt's. We went from there back to Elora for dinner and had to wait for awhile as they hadn't had much notice at the little hotel and didn't have dinner ready for sixteen. We were all hungry as bears it being a cold morning and the driving in the wind seemed to whet our appetites. After dinner, we started back towards Guelph but turned east at the little country store and hotel labeld Marden and went out to J. J. Elliots place, where we saw some more beautiful Shorthorns. Elliot himself wasn't home but his Scotch herdsman Alex showed us some of the fancy stock. He too was fitting for the International and had two two-year old heifers in excellent shape.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Franklin from "The Farmer's Advocate" seemed well acquainted with all these fellows. He accosted "Alex" who was curling the two year old heifers by asking him what kind of cattle they were and telling him that the boys wanted to get a little practice in judging and so came out here although they knew they weren't very good samples of Shorthorns. One of the poor fellows from Lincoln Co. got himself into hot water by putting Herefords down on his judging card instead of Shorthorns. They threatened to put salt in his tea or sugar on his meat. We went back to Guelph from Elliots and paid our hotel bills and then went out to the College for awhile and had a look around. Prof. Wade {surname?} gave us a little class on judging sheep but it was too late to get much there. We left the College about twenty minutes to six and started right for home having picked up Nixon there. We sailed right through, six of us in Neff's Ford. so we didn't bounce around much although we often came down pretty hard on the hind axle. We stopped for half an hour in Brantford and had out supper a good one at a Chink restaurant. and came on down to Simcoe. We stopped for a few minutes in Waterford for Nixon to telephone his father to meet him in Simcoe and we got in Simcoe at twenty minutes to ten. Lloyd and I went down and waited at the station for the eleven o'clock car but Mitchell, Butler and Nixon started to walk for home as Nixon was afraid his father would miss him so thought he would meet him on the road. I got home about half past eleven.</p> <p>Saturday November 2nd</p> <p>Dad. has plowed all day and is getting on well with the side hill field. Frank and I cut corn to-day. but didn't quit finish the north end of the field. Frank had cut a little while I was away. Winnie and Dess were over here to tea to-night and Frank and I went down town with them. I went up to Tip's and got my new suit, and then came home. Fine but raw.</p> <p>Sunday November 3rd</p> <p>Several new cases of flu. broke out during the week so there was no church again to-day. We put the ram in with the sheep this morning and Huby came over with Chum. to have Dad take a lot of</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>big warts out of his mouth. I went down town this afternoon and Marj. and I walked around the hill with Mr. Smith and Bill and stopped at the dam for awhile to watch the crane work. We then went up to Miss McQueen's for a little while, and went down to Aunty's for tea. Mrs. Sky was there but didn't stay very late. Very mild all day but rainy to-night.</p> <p>Monday November 4th</p> <p>Dad. plowed all day and Frank and I picked apples this morning. This afternoon Jack Martin came over to tell us he wanted one of us to help him fill silo so Frank went over. I cleaned out the calf pen and got the cow stable ready to have the cows in to-night. I picked a few more apples but not many. The news to-day says that Austria has surrendered completely to the terms of the Allied armistice and Austrian troops on all fronts will lay down their arms to-day. Cloudy and cold wind all day.</p> <p>Tuesday November 5th</p> <p>Frank and I cut corn this morning and finished cutting all the corn north of the mangels and cut one row from the lane to Ivey's fence. Dad. plowed all day and he said at noon he thought we had better get the cider apples loaded ready to take up to Walker Waddle's so Frank filled the waggon box up this afternoon from the pile we had picked up off the ground and put in the ice-house, some of them had gone bad so we had to get a few more out of the orchard. I fixed up the cow stable and picked a few more apples. Bruce Smith and Gov. Hummond were in this afternoon canvassing for the Victory Loan but we couldn't help them out {?} Bruce said Norfolk's objective was one million dollars but that so far they had only raised three hundred thousand. Tom &amp; Mrs. Chapman were in and bought three of my cockrels for $1.50 apiece. including the one that came here in the summer. {Zeitha?} was over also to get her riding habit which she left her a week or so ago hoping to have a ride but she is going away on Saturday. Enah was down town as this was Aunty Alice's birthday. I went down to-night. It has been a fine day.</p> <p>Wednesday November 6th</p> <p>Frank and I got started right after breakfast this morning for Walker Waddle's but there were two loads of apples in ahead of us, however it didn't take long and</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>we got 65 gallons of cider made. We took Huby one 10 gallon jug and Aunty 15 gallons and we brought the 40 gallon barrell home. We got home a little after one. Dad. didn't plow this morning as we had the team and this afternoon it was such a lovely day. he thought we had better get up the mangels so we went out and got part of the ones out of the old garden but didn't get them all, we had about a waggon load. Aunty and Aunty Alice came over to tea. It froze very hard last night but lovely day.</p> <p>Thursday November 7th</p> <p>Frank and I went up to Mat. Wilson's this morning first thing and got 10 apple barrells as we found out yesterday we could get them there. We saw Ham. and he said he would be down one day this week to help us pack. we saw one of Johnson's men yesterday on the road and he told us that their cars were odered for Dover and that they would probably be shipping next week. We took Joe and Queen and I could hardly hold them. When we got back we helped Dad. unload the mangels into the cellar and went out and got what was left in the old garden as well as the carrots and beets. We unloaded them right after dinner and Frank and Dad. went back to the cornfield to get what good ones there were out there they were out all the afternoon but didn't get them all. We have all been in quite a state of excitement this afternoon and to-night. It began by an air plane flying over the town at noon. We were having dinner and heard what we thought was a car stuck some place near. Frank went out and saw the air plane and called us all out to see it. Soon after we got started to unload our mangels we heard first one then another whistle begin to blow in the direction of Simcoe. They kept it up so long that we were sure some great news had come. Then Jim came with the mail and we saw by the paper that a German delegation had come across to the French lines under a white flag to meet Foch and hear the armistice terms. Soon after this the Dover whistles began to blow and the fire bell to ring so we knew that word must have come that the armistice had been signed. when we got the load off I went over to Jack Martin's and down to {?} to find out more particulars but all I could find out was that the German delegation had signed the armistice. We don't know just what the terms are but we know that if the Germans agree to them peace will inevitably</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>follow as one of the stipulations is that Germany with draw her troops 25 miles east of the Rhine and give the Allies control of all the Rhine forts while the peace terms are being "dictated' to her" and not "discussed with her". The news made us all feel pretty much like going down town but I came home and picked a few more apples and Frank and I went down town to-night. The whole town was out and was feeling good, it hasn't been so lively since the war started. All the kids had tin cans and horns and they certainly kicked up a merry row and. We cleaned up all the rubbish from back of the stores and built a fair bon-fire on Main St. in front of the flag pole. and some of the boys got a barrell full of tarred pound nets and set fire to it. Then of course they had to have a few speeches from the bandstand. Jack Martin made one then Mr. Robertson prayed then the bunch sang then Cousin Willie got humorous, then the kids banged their tin cans then we all gave three cheers, sang God Save the King, then there were more speeches and more singing and more cheers and more noise and everybody just felt good. Every now and then some kid would start ringing the fire bell or Harry Moon would fire off his shot gun and all the time cars were tearing up and down street honking and cutting up as many dido - as a car is capable of. When the nine o'clock car came in with the papers it was found that the rumour was denied and that the Germans had not yet conferred with Foch but that didn't make any difference. for everyone feels that if the fight isn't over yet it soon will be, and we can have another celebration, when the real thing comes. While most of the citizens were indulging in such jollification there were some sad hearts. I didn't know it till late in the evening but the body of Ina Nunn was brought here for burial to-day, she having died of the Flu. in Hamilton and Charlie Long who has been at the point of death for the last two days cashed in about midnight he also being a victim of Flu.</p> <p>Friday November 8th</p> <p>Dad. and Frank finished taking up the mangels this morning and got them all in the cellar. I picked up apples all morning and got all but one tree of the Vandeveers or whatever they are picked. Before we got through dinner Ham Thompson came down to help us</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>pack apples. He said Johnson was in at his place this morning and told him that they had three cars down there and wanted to get them loaded by tomorrow noon Dad. helped us sort and we got four barrells put up there afternoon &amp; of Spys and one Sweets. We couldn't get a barrell of No 1. Spys so had to put them up Domestic. Lilu was over this afternoon and told us that George Murphy was dead - Flu -. She stayed to tea and as it was a nasty night all night I went down town and told them up at Huby's that Lila was going to stay down at the farm. It has been cloudy all day and rained a little to-night.</p> <p>Saturday November 9th</p> <p>Ham came back this morning and helped us pack the other six barrells of apples. We got two more of sweets and four of Pheonix. That is the latest name for the red apples which we use to call Suk-no-furthers and which Johnson's man said were Vandeveers but Johnson said to-day he thought they were Pheonix so that is what we labeled them. Frank and I got them down to the Main St siding on the radial track a little before noon but could find nobody around, except some station men playing poker in the tool house. They said that two cars were loaded but that they expected another one down this afternoon. Johnson ordered three cars and they came but the fellows at the station let George Duncan have one of them so that rather made a mess of things. We unloaded our ten barrells on the side of the track right near a load of Irwin Paw's and Sid. Marsh's and then went down to find Johnson. we found him at the Dominion and he gave us a receipt for the apples. Alan Law came up at noon to-day to get Frank to go down and help him clip a horse this afternoon so Frank was down there all the afternoon Dad. and I got the cider barrell into the woodshed and tapped it and then I packed Roy's barrell of apples. Frank went down town to-night. Rainy and cloudy all day.</p> <p>Sunday. November 10th</p> <p>We all went down town to church this morning, for the first time for about three weeks. I stayed down at Aunty's for dinner and then went up to see Marj. She was just starting down town to get some medicine for Sade Davis who is pretty sick with the flu. We got her medicine and went to see Miss McQueen for awhile and then went up to the Davis's and Mr. Law who is looking after Sade. sent us back again to get some oranges and</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>grapes but Sam Morell had gone to Simcoe and Jimmy Leamy hasn't had any oranges for quite awhile as the price is so high, so we went back and then back to Monteith's and read "The Old Curiosity Shop". I had tea and Aunty's and she Aunty Alice and I went to church to-night. They had a meeting after church and Miss Martin &amp; Marj. informed me that I had been put on a committee with Jack Martin to canvass the hill for subscriptions to Victory Bonds which the Sunday school wants to buy to put in an Endowment Fund for {?} Missions and also to get a shield with maple leaves on it to inscribe the names of all the boys from the Sunday school who have died or been killed at the Front. Every sunday school that buys a Victory Bond gets one. H.W. Ansley gave them the price of the Bond so they wanted to get another. Pat had a bulletin board out to-day with the announcement that the Kaiser has abdicated and the Crown Prince renounced his right to succession and that Germany is in control of the Socialists.</p> <p>Monday November 11th</p> <p>Dad. and Frank hayed up a grist this morning and while they were at it I went over to Jack Martin's to tell him about the canvassing the hill. and to ask him for a man to help cut corn this afternoon as he promised us time in return for helping him fill silo. He told me that the Armistice was signed according to official announcement and the paper to-day says that the Kaiser, Crown Prince and the rest of the crew have all escaped to Holland. Frank and I took the grist to the mills and then went up to the mill Tige McBride's and got Mrs. Jolley's potatoes. No one was home up there but we would have taken Joe Smith's too but we found some rotten ones so thought we had better leave them to be spread out. We went on down town with Ray's barrell of apples and left it at the station to be shipped. All the town was decorated with flags and a half holiday proclaimed for this afternoon to celebrate the "dawn of peace" Jack Martin gave all his men a holiday and as Frank had to go over to Pickford's to thrash and Dad. went back to plow this afternoon I went down town as I didn't feel like cutting corn alone. Enah and the baby also went down and while I was waiting for them to get ready to drive down I went around my beat and they all said they would give some thing. Later I got a dollar each from the Quanbury's &amp; Karl Coleman. I saw Pickford this morning but he thought he wouldn't subscribe as he is peeved at the preachers for talking politics and prohibition in church. I drove</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Enah and Tid down about three o'clock but by the time I got Joe put in Aunty's barn was just too late to see the big parade. Everybody in town was in it and all the {cars?} in the country. Karl Coleman had the big band drum and Harry Moon, Mr. Bagley. Jack Walker and Art Laws with their horns and several kids with bugles and some drums. After their parade they settled in the Park and had a lot of speeches from the band stand where all the preacher's town fathers and returned soldiers were collected. They told me to come down again to-night and bring the Ek horn so I walked home and helped Dad milk and then polished up the old brass horn a little and went down. Dad. and Frank came down later and Dad. drove Enah home. With our horns drums and tin cans we raised a great hullabaloo to-night. We pranced around Main St. blowing "Hail, Hail. the gang's all here" (the only thing we could play.) till my lungs were sore. Harry Moon and Billy Gordon had a dummy made to represent the Kaiser so we rode him around on a rail then soaked him with coal oil and finally dumped him in the big bonfire they had in front of the town hall. Everybody was out singing, cheering and raising Cain in general just about as much racket as if there had been lots of booze instead of none.</p> <p>Tuesday November 12th</p> <p>Frank has been thrashing all day, they finished at Pickford's about three o'clock and moved right out to Art. Quanbury's. He expects to be there most of the day to-morrow Dad. plowed all day and finished the side hill field. I fixed up the cross fence in the chickin yard this morning so that I think it will hold the Rock Pullets. and then I sorted potatoes in the woodshed and put them down cellar. I cut corn this afternoon but it is a slow job alone and I didn't get much done. Froze hard last night, but has been fine day</p> <p>Wednesday November 13th</p> <p>Frank has been thrashing at Art Quanburys nearly all day. They got through about four o'clock and Art got 22 bushels of good seed. This morning Dad. and I went back and Dad. ran out some furrows in the 12 acre clover sod some of which we want to put in with summer pasture We cut both sides of the ditch with the plow and hauled the sods over and put them in the water hole over there. This afternoon I cut corn and got another row cut and Frank Dad. plowed in the 12 acre field. I went down town to-night. My four Rock pullets were all on their favorite perch to-night. I haven't got them fenced in yet.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Thursday November 14th</p> <p>Frank and I cut corn all day and got nearly 4 rows cut we figured that if we could keep at it steadily we could finish by Saturday noon but Neff came down this afternoon and he wants us to go to Caledonia to-morrow to judge stock so that so that will prevent us finishing this week. It begins to look as if we never would get through. Dad. plowed all day on the clover sod. It has been a fine day. Cold wind.</p> <p>Friday November 15th</p> <p>Neff and Charlie Blake arrived here promptly at 8:30 this morning and Frank and I were all ready for them. We went with Charlie in his car with {name?} and Neff had Tige Nixon &amp; Butter in with him, we had a fine day and visited Douglas, where we had a class in Shorthorns and {?} then Richardson's near Caleonia where we saw his Holsteins we had dinner in Caledonia and then went on out to Miller's who showed us his Clydesdale as well as a lot of pictures of famous Clyde in Scotland. We then went to Mr. Turner's near Hamilton where we had a class of {?} We had supper in Hamilton and Neff went to his father's for tea. He met us later and we all went to Loew's. We left Hamilton at 11.20 and got home about one. Beautiful day. Mild.</p> <p>Saturday November 16th</p> <p>Frank and I cut corn to-day and made good time this morning getting 35 shocks cut but this afternoon we were delayed by Ham Thompson bringing his sheep down and also by a visit from Tige McBride over Ivey's fence so we only got one row cut (15 shocks) Dad. didn't plow to-day but cleaned out ditches in the field he plowed. He got them all cleaned out. Very mild and rather cloudy.</p> <p>Sunday November 17th</p> <p>It was raining when we got up this morning and has been cloudy and rainy all day but looked cleared off tonight. I drove Enah down to church but she stayed down to dinner so that she could go to choir practice this afternoon. they are having Thanksgiving Service next Thursday night also to-day and next Sunday for Peace. I walked down after dinnr and spent the afternoon and evening at Mr. Mon teiths but had tea and went to church with Aunty. Aunty Alice hurt her eye quite badly this morning with her umbrella.</p> <p>Monday November 18th</p> <p>It rained quite a lot this morning and has been cloudy &amp; muddy all day. We spent the morning cleaning up the woodshed. Dad. plowed this afternoon and Frank and I sorted</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>some of the apples in the barn to put down cellar. We quit early as Frank went down to tea at Aunty's</p> <p>Tuesday November 19th</p> <p>It has rained pretty much all day making things very muddy and disagreeable but has not been cold. Frank &amp; I cleaned up some of the wheat &amp; barley (mixed) this morning &amp; Dad. cleaned out the calf pen and did odd jobs. Tupper was in with our note. This afternoon I went down town and posted a letter. We couldn't do much as it poured rain. Enah and I printed some pictures to-night. Dad. got a letter from Dick. He expects to sail soon.</p> <p>Wednesday November 20th</p> <p>Frank and I went down town in the waggon this morning and took a sample of our wheat &amp; barley to the mill and to Billy Langs. They offered us 2 1/2 a hundred for it. We went up to McBride's and got the rest of the J.F.I.A. potatoes and took them down to Mrs. Jolley, Joe Smith and Mr. Norm Brock. They are all sold but the little ones now. We also went down to Aunty's and got her empty cider keg. This afternoon Dad. plowed and Frank and I cleaned up wheat &amp; barley I went down town to-night and Frank went down to Ryerse's to tell Lloyd to come up to McBride's in the morning as we expect to go to Burford to-morrow. Cloudy but not raining.</p> <p>Thursday November 21st</p> <p>Frank and I went up to Tige's about half past eight this morning when Corby joined us and Tige took us in his car to Simcoe. Lloyd Ryerse didn't show up at all. Mitchell's car was with Neff's own car in front of his office and Butter, Mitchell, Nixon, Tick Nunn and Charlie Stitt were all waiting for us. Blake &amp; Robs on came up on the car to Simcoe We went straight to {Brethane's?} at Burford and judged a couple of classes of sheep before dinner, we had dinner at Burford where the lady of the house was very distressed at not having enough for us to eat. but where we managed to load up to the "busting" point just the same. We went back to {Brethane's?} after dinner and judged hogs. From there we went to a Mr. Barkers where we had a couple of classes of Southdown. It was dark when we left there so we all went into Brantford for supper and took in a show which was pretty poor. We got home about one o'clock. The District Representative from Brant was with us all day with his boys. Neff has put Butter, Tige and I on the judging team. Cloudy and raw all day.</p> <p>Friday November 22nd</p> <p>Frank and I took down what grain we had cleaned this morning to Billy Langs. We had on nearly a ton so it paid the twine bill at $28.00 and there was about $22.00 over. This</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>afternoon we cut another row of corn. Dad. was down at Aunty's most of the day banking up the house. Blaikie was in for awhile this afternoon but Frank and I didn't see him. He has been up north all summer. They got letters from Quint to-day telling of their entrance into French towns that the Germans have held for four years. He said he was with the first troops to enter and he never spent a happier birthday seeing the joy of the inhabitants who were released. The letter was written before the armistice.</p> <p>Saturday November 23rd</p> <p>It froze the ground quite stiff last night and has been freezing in the shade all day with a cold wind. Frank and I actually finished cutting the corn to-day about the middle of the afternoon. We also husked a bushel. Dad. cleaned up the old garden this morning and tried to plow it this afternoon but couldn't with the rotting {?} so came up and started to plow the patch back of the shop with the other plow. Enah and the baby were down town this afternoon. {Frost?} to-night</p> <p>Sunday November 24th</p> <p>Enah Frank and I walked down to church this morning. Aunty Alice came over here to dinner and I stayed down with Aunty and Aunt Ida. This afternoon Marj. and I went up to Miss Martin's for awhile and then walked around the hill we met Aunty Alice going home so went down with her and stayed to tea. We went to church with Aunty. Mr. Farney preached. Fine day but cold wind.</p> <p>Monday November 25th</p> <p>Frank and I cleaned up barley and oats all morning and part of the afternoon and we took a load of it down to the mill this afternoon. We also went up to McPhersons and got the trap-nests that Emery had made for me. It was frozen too hard for Dad. to plow the garden this morning but sod would have plowed. Dad. helped us part of the time and did chores. Frank and I picked out six ewes this morning and marked them to sell if anyone comes around that wants them. Dess was over to-night with a letter she got from Dick lately. Fair cold wind.</p> <p>Tuesday November 26th</p> <p>We cleaned up the rest of the barley and wheat this morning and took it down to the mill this afternoon We had over 18 {?} on and we took three bags besides to Jack Martin's to pay for the seed we got last spring</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>When we got home we bagged up some barley and oats for chop and took it down but left it till morning as there was such a lot there. To-night we had a meeting of the J.F.I.A. down at Aunty Alice's. There was a good turnout and we had a good time and arranged for a winter program Tom. didn't get back till to-night with the car and butter. They got word yesterday that {Doss.?} was dead of the Flu and poor old Tom and Maw. are broken hearted. Cold. but fine day.</p> <p>Wednesday November 27th</p> <p>Frank and I went down after our grist this morning and then cleaned up some oats. I spent the afternoon working at the front flower beds. Dad. and Frank fixed the dining room chimney and Frank nailed some shingles on the barn roof. I went down town to-night. Aunty Alice left this morning for Toronto. It has been a beautiful day.</p> <p>Thursday November 28th</p> <p>Frank and I took fifteen bushels of apples up to Walker Waddle's this morning and got another big barrel of cider. It began to rain while we were there and poured for an hour or two. We got home about one o'clock. This afternoon Frank went over to Joe Long's sale and bought a set of scales and a scoop shovel. I slept till it stopped raining and then Dad. and I unloaded the cider barrel and put it down cellar. We had quite a job getting it down and had Enah helping us. We slid it down on rails but they spread till it was all on one rail. then we had to let it go the last three or four feet and it came down and bashed a hole in the cement floor of the cellar. About dark another big storm came up this time with thunder and lightening. Teriffic south west wind. Nextday - The rain last night took away more of the old East Pier. The water was so high it carried the Jim &amp; Tom right over the East Pier.</p> <p>Friday November 29th</p> <p>This morning we slew the biggest of the three pigs and it took us all morning to get ready, kill and dress him. This afternoon I went down to get a hair cut and met Tige McBride to pick out a suitable club room for the J.F.I.A. We finally arranged to get Mrs. Bell's cement block cottage which the bunch had two years ago. Frank went over to Joe Long's with Art. Quanbury to get their purchases, and we weighed the pig on the scales so were not long in using them. He dressed just 165 lbs. To night Frank and I went to the W.I. dance and had a good time.</p> <p>Saturday November 30th</p> <p>Dad. spent the morning cutting up the pig Frank</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>sent out cards to notify the J.F.I.A. of a meeting Tuesday night and I worked at the flower beds in the front. Right after dinner I went down to send some of Dick's money out to Norman {Denton?} as Dick asked Dad to do that. He has been running shy of cash again and borrowing from Baldy Frank and Dad. ran out the ditches in the cornfield and plowed the garden back of the shop. Enah went down town this afternoon. Cloudy and freezing a little all day.</p> <p>Sunday December 1st</p> <p>Enah and I walked down to church this morning. Dad. and Tid walked down a little later and went with Enah to the Jame's for dinner. Frank and I had dinner alone. I went down town soon after dinner and spent the afternoon at the Monteith's except for a few minutes I spent in at Patterson's seeing May Perry. She got home for 4 days and tapped at the window as I went past I had tea at Aunty's and went to church to-night. Aunty didn't go as she didn't like to leave Aunt Ida alone. I spent the evening with Marj. Sunny but cold to-day but snowing and milder to-night.</p> <p>Monday December 2nd</p> <p>We didn't get started very early this morning and Frank and I went down town but didn't get home till noon. We got some coal oil and some lumber to make a partition in the woodshed. This afternoon Dad. and Frank cut down a dead apple tree in the orchard and I worked a little more at the flower beds. Much milder this morning but dark and sleet this afternoon.</p> <p>Tuesday December 3rd</p> <p>Dad. has been sick all day but was able to do a few chores. He thought he ate too much fresh pork. Frank and I cleaned up oats all day and got some where about 200 bushels cleaned up. To-night we had our first J.R.I.A. meeting in Mrs. Bell's cottage. There were only ten members out but we had a good meeting. and every one was very pleased with the room Rolson &amp; Myers got some biscuits, cheese &amp; s ardines which the rest of us put in for. Stormy day, rainy to-night. I stayed down all night.</p> <p>Wednesday December 4th</p> <p>I had breakf ast with Aunty this morning and caught the nine o'clock car for Simcoe. Tige got me at Main St. and we met Butter at Neff's office. We went out to Callver's and had a look at some Percheron's. We had dinner in Simcoe and then went out to old {?} to see his Jersey's and came back to Alex Wallaces and went over his Holsteins (and met his farmerettes). We got home on the seven o'clock car and I went home, shaved &amp; went down town</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Thursday December 5th</p> <p>Frank and I hauled a load of oats down to the mill this morning but had to leave them there in the bags as they were filled up, so we couldn't haul down any more as we had intended. We had 19 bags and it weighed up to 53 bushels. We borrowed some more bags and cleaned up some more this afternoon. Winne &amp; Dess were over here to tea to-night and Frank and I walked down with them. Enah and Tid drove down town with Mexico, the buckskin pony that Mrs. Wilson wants Enah to keep for the winter. Very mild but snowed more.</p> <p>Friday December 6th</p> <p>I haven't done a thing all day. I felt tough this morning so just lay around the house but feel better to-night. Dad. and Frank got the bob sleighs out this morning and took Gladys down to Coleman's. I think they spent most of the afternoon cutting wood. Tid had a great time riding Mexico. Nice day.</p> <p>Saturday December 7th</p> <p>I went down town this morning and drew out the last $14.00 of my bank account to finance my trip to Guelph. I vainly imagined when I deposited $120.00 two months ago that I would be able to keep it there for the winter at least. but alas 5-6 cents is all my account represents now. I went down to Auntys for a few minutes and saw Aunty Alice who got back from Toronto Thursday night. This afternoon, we hauled over a small load of hay for the cows. Tom brought some of his fruit up to put in the cellar for the winter and brought a couple of dozen eggs @ {?} Enah and Tid drove Mexico down town. Nice day and very mild.</p> <p>Sunday December 8th</p> <p>Frank went down to Sunday school this morning but none of the rest of us went to church. I didn't think I would have time as. I left on the one o'clock car for Guelph. Tige got on at Dover and Butter &amp; Neff at Simcoe. When we got to Galt we found the other electric cars didn't run on Sunday so we had to hire a motor bus to take us across to Kitchner. We got a G.T.R. train there for Guelph and got in there about six. Neff had a boarding house arranged for us but he didn't stay with us. We all three went to church to-night. Nice day here.</p> <p>Monday December 9th</p> <p>We spent the whole day to-day judging and waiting to give our reasons to the judges so didn't see much of the Fair. We didn't do very well judging {beef?} cattle but not too bad on Dairy cattle, sheep and swine. The two latter classes</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>we had this afternoon up at the College. Neff told us we stood third so Neff told us with Durham County first. Butter did the best of the three, he was awarded three prizes, third &amp; fifth in hogs and fifth in sheep. I got fifth in hogs. Tige didn't get any. To-night we went down to the Fair and saw the Thoroughbreds judged there were some beauties. Very cold up there.</p> <p>Tuesday December 10th</p> <p>We judged two classes of Clydesdales this morning but did poorly on them and dropped from third place to sixth. At the wind up Durham county was first with York second. We were ahead of York last night but they came up on horses. As we hadn't seen a bit of the show we decided to stay till to-morrow morning and put in the rest of the afternoon looking over the stock. We saw Douglas' white heifer calf get first prize in a class of 21 and a red calf from old Browndale that Douglas sold to Walt and which took first at Chicago come second. Several fellows congratulated us this afternoon on our judging so we didn't feel so badly. Neff was quite tickled he said as Norfolk had never come higher than tenth before. There were 18 teams competing. To-night we saw "Hearts of the Wild." Tige came home quite sick and put in a bad night. Stormy night.</p> <p>Wednesday December 11th</p> <p>We didn't get up early this morning and went right to the station after breakfast as our train left for Galt at 10.35. I went over to the Fair building for awhile and got Neff. as he thought the train didn't go till 11 o'clock. We all four drove home together had dinner in Galt. and Tige and I got to Dover on the three oclock radial. Neff &amp; Butter got off at Simcoe. Tige felt pretty poorly all day but was better by the time we reached familiar home territory. We found a great difference in the weather up there from here. While there was no snow whatever but up there. there was skating and sleighing. Dad. had plowed the old garden while I was away and when I got home had ridden Joe up to Port Ryerse to pay the taxes. He didn't get home till dark and I had the milking done. To-night Dad. Enah and Tid. went down to Aunty Alice's to hear Mr. Rigg's a friend of Elva's sing. The James were down there and also Elva &amp; Brant who has now got his discharge. I went up to see Marj. and Frank went to bed as he young Myers &amp; Albert McBride stayed up all night last night in the J.F.I.A. cottage. Mild &amp; Cloudy.</p> <p>Thursday December 12th</p> <p>Dad. and I cleaned up some of the apples out in the barn and put them down cellar but there are a lot</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>more to get yet. Frank went down to the mill this morning and borrowed some more money from Charlie Ivey to pay the town taxes and went down to Uncle Ward's &amp; paid them. Dad. put up the little old soft coal stove in the dining room this afternoon and we had a fine fire in there to-night. Frank took the team down to the mill this afternoon to get a little chop. He didn't take a grist as their chopper down there is not working. He came back with Pud. Smythe and the grain he borrowed. Lila was over here to tea to-night. &amp; Frank went home with her. Mild cloudy and very muddy.</p> <p>Friday December 13th</p> <p>It has been a very nasty day. Mild but raining all day the mud is a fright. I didn't do anything in particular Dad. and Frank worked most of the afternoon putting the partition up in the woodshed. Frank went down to a dance Lila was having up in Schofield's to-night. I have a bad cold.</p> <p>Saturday December 14th</p> <p>It has rained all day. I didn't do a thing but sit around the house. Dad. finished the partition in the woodshed. and Frank did odd jobs. I have a queer dizzy feeling all the time, but don't feel at all sick in any way.</p> <p>Sunday December 15th</p> <p>Frank went down to Sunday school this morning but didn't stay to church. I went to church and stayed at Aunty's for dinner. This afternoon Marj. and I went for a walk around the hill and came out here and stayed for tea . Enah has a bad cold. Nice day.</p> <p>Monday December 16th</p> <p>Enah's cold has been lvery bad all day and she has been in bed most of the time but was up and feeling a little better to-night. Dad. has been busy all day doing chores in doors and out. Frank and I shut old Grey {?} &amp; the White ewe up to-day to fatten and Frank husked a couple of tubs full of corn. I didn't do much all day. To-night Frank and I went down to tea at Auntys and went to the picture show to-night. Aunty Alice went with us. Lovely day. Muddy.</p> <p>Tuesday December 17th</p> <p>Frank took a grist to the mill this morning and Dad. did chores. I spent most of the morning washing dishes and the separator. Enah was up to-day but doesn't feel well at all. Aunty Alice was over this morning and stayed to dinner. I didn't do much this afternoon. Dad. doesn't feel very well. Frank went down to the J.F.I.A. to-night. but Aunty Alice for bade me to go. It has been a beautiful warm day.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Wednesday December 18th</p> <p>Dad. has been in bed all day and has a terrible pain in his eyes. Enah is up and says she feels better. but is a long way from well yet. The baby who was quite sick all day yesterday is better to-day. We didn't do anything but chores to-day. I went down to Aunty's for tea. Marj. was down there and she didn't feel at all well so we went home early.</p> <p>Thursday December 19th</p> <p>The family is still pretty well knocked out. Dad. was up to-day but is not much better, he got so sore lying in bed he had to get up. Enah is about the same and Frank is beginning to feel tough. We just did chores all day. I went down to-night to see how Marj. was. She has been in bed all day with an awful pain in her eyes like Dad's. She is very disappointed at not being able to go home to-morrow. Pickford was in to tell us that Charley Ivey wants us to haul oats to the car to-morrow. The weather is still very mild but freezing nights.</p> <p>Friday December 20th</p> <p>Dad feels a little better to-day but is very weak while Enah doesn't seem quite as well. This is the baby's birthday. So he is happy although he didn't have much celebration. Frank has felt weak all day but kept going and helped me load two loads of oats and bag one. We took them down to a car on the L.E.&amp; N. siding which Charlie Ivey is loading. After we took the first load down we went down and got a ton of soft coal. They had in a car of stove coal but wouldn't let any farmers have it. This afternoon we unloaded the coal and took down another load of oats, it was nearly dark when I got home Aunty was over this afternoon for a little while. I walked down to-night to see how Marj. was. She was a little better. Fine day.</p> <p>Saturday December 21st</p> <p>Dad. &amp; Enah seem to be a little stronger to-night but the baby has been quite miserable all day and Frank who has been on the go all day in spite of of the fact that he felt very weak is about all in to-night. We finished hauling the oats in two loads the last one only 13 bags and have taken down about 261 bushels. The weather is wonderful for this time of year. It didn't freeze last night and has been very warm all day and looks like rain Aunty was over yesterday with some {?} which she dug that day. The roads are very bad and by to-night I think there is no frost in them.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Sunday December 22nd</p> <p>I spent the whole morning doing chores. Frank fed the horses this morning and then caved in and hasn't been able to do anything all day. I went down town this afternoon for an hour or two to see Marj. who is slightly improved. When I got home Dad. had the cattle fed and Frank had fed the chickens and as I didn't bother milking I wasn't so late getting through. Aunty was over this afternoon Enah feels quite a lot better to-day and Dad. is better but still feels weak and his tobacco and coffee still taste bad. The baby hasn't been well all day. Very mild but dark &amp; wet.</p> <p>Monday December 23rd</p> <p>I haven't done anything much but chores to-day. although Dad. felt well enough this morning to help me put on a jag of hay to take over for the cows as the yard is in awful shape to carry hay across. This afternoon Dad. went down town to take some stuff down to Aunty's. He rode part way with Tom. but walked all the way home but was pretty tired when he got back. Frank has been in the house all day. To-night I went down to see Marj. for a little while. She had to telegraph home that she couldn't get there for Christmas and was disappointed but Aunty Alice invited her down there for our dinner. I went over to the J.F.I.A. for awhile. Very mild &amp; soft.</p> <p>Tuesday December 24th</p> <p>It was a little colder with an east wind this morning and we had hopes of it freezing but it snowed for awhile and then turned to rain and has been raining all day. We are all sick of the mud. Dad. has been doing odd chores all day to-day so is quite a bit better and Frank was able to do a little to-night. Enah &amp; the baby are also better. I went down to Aunty's for dinner to cut a little wood for to-morrow's cooking and then went uptown to do some Santa Claus errands but was home early to do chores. I saw Ed. Turner up town who got home from the front. Friday night and also Joe Thompson in naval uniform. I think he is just home for Christmas.</p> <p>Wednesday December 25th</p> <p>I was the only member of this house hold at church this morning as the others didn't feel like going down. Dad. drove Enah and the baby down to Aunty's this afternoon then brought Joe home. helped us do up the chores and he Frank and I walked down by six o'clock for dinner. All at Huby's were there as well as Marj. She had been over. to the Bagley's for dinner at noon and had got Faulkner to bring her down to Aunty's for to-night. After we had all stuffed ourselves with turkey (which Huby provided for the occasion</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>and plum pudding we all adjourned to the parlor where a huge pile of presents was distributed. I drew a book, some handkerchiefs, socks, rubbers and a necktie, to say nothing of a dandy scarf which I got this morning from Santa Claus. The baby got heaps of toys and books as well as "useful" ones but seemed most pleased with a small cannon that Winnie gave him that would shoot a small wooden plug a few feet. After this we had games and music, all at which Huby provided his full quota of entertainments. He told us of the great excitement that prevailed about the time he was going to school when some Lady found out the world was round. He said he wasn't much interested but he rembered how Mr. Smith used to talk about it and prove it by saying that the masts of a ship coming into port could always be seen before the hull. Huby figured out from that that if there was curve enough on the earth's surface to show only the masts of a ship at a distance of about 20 miles or Long Point which is as far as a ship could be seen, that by the time you get to Erie it would be about under our feet, making a rather small globe. Other reminscent stories equally amusing and his continual conversation with the baby im ploring him not to sit on his, Huby's stomach or to shoot the cat with his cannon. contrary to Aunty Alice's injunctions, in place of his toes kept things lively till pretty late in the evening. Dad. Frank and I walked home but Enah and the baby stayed down all night. Marj. also stayed there, she feels a lot better but is pretty weak yet. Dad. didn't seem very well again.</p> <p>Thursday December 26th</p> <p>Huby told us last night that there was another car of coal in and that he thought we could get a little of it if we tried so Dad. went over to Uncle Ward's right after breakfast to ask him as he is municipal fuel controller. It was stove coal and the town people aren't very keen after it so he never hesitated in giving Dad. an order for a ton of it. While Dad. was gone Frank and I bagged up some grain for a grist. Charlie Quanbury came over to get Dad. to go and see old Dick who was sick Charlie thought he had got too much {?} thrashing. As soon as Dad got back Frank and I went down to get the coal but it was noon by the time we got down and {Clair Deal?} gone to dinner. However {two words?} had</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>our waggon and we got over a ton but by the time we got home it was two o'clock. The roads are awful. and it is a wonder we didn't smash our old waggon jolting over the ruts as it froze last night. enough to hold the waggon up. After we got the load off and had dinner Dad. went down with the buggy to get Enah and Frank and I hooked up to take our grist down but when we brought Belle out of the stable we found she was quite lame, we supposed having hurt her foot on the road this morning. so we put the harness on Queen and took her. We left our grist and didn't wait for the chop and it was time to start in on the chores when we got home. Dad. Enah and Tid got home about the same time. and said Marj. was going to stay at Aunty's all night again to-night. To-night Frank and I went down to the J.F.I.A. Social evening We took Winnie &amp; Dess with us. There were not many there but enough to fill the place up. Not one of the Social committee were present. but we had a pretty good time playing games.</p> <p>Friday December 27th</p> <p>Frank and I went down and got some chop this morning and then took a jag of hay over to the barn for the cows and a little straw over to the horse stable and got in a few shocks of corn. Dad. went over to Quanbury's to see Charlie's horse which died this afternoon and got pretty tired. After dinner I went down town to get some coal oil and drive Marj. home but she decided to stay till to-morrow. Frank skinned old Dick. I spent the evening down at Aunty's. A little colder to-day with a flurry of snow</p> <p>Saturday December 28th</p> <p>Frank and I took a little jag of straw out in the waggon box and covered the strawberries that Dad. didn't get covered with corn stalks and tomato vines. We then went over to Quanburys and got his horsehide. This afternoon I went over to Bill Sidway's to try and in spire a little energy into him for Tuesday night as it is our Agricultural evening and he is on the committee. I met him going down town so went down with him and then came back and beat him shooting with his rifle. Dark when I got home. Fineday. still frozen but mild.</p> <p>Sunday December 29th</p> <p>Frank went down to church and Sunday school this morning but I didn't get up in time to get the chores done so that I could get down. I spent the afternoon and evening down at Aunty's. Marj. is still down there but feels much better. I came home at six to do chores. Mrs. James and {?} were over here this afternoon. Not cold but raw. Still frozen.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Monday December 30th</p> <p>Dad. and the baby walked down to Aunty's to dinner to-day and were there most of the afternoon. Dad. has felt very miserable to-day and doesn't seem any better to-night. Frank took his horsehide down this morning and shipped it to Hallam. I spent most of the day doing chores. To-night I went down to see how Marj. was. she went up to the Monteith's to-day and says she feels very much better. Cloudy and looked like snow but not cold nor windy.</p> <p>Tuesday December 31st</p> <p>I haven't done any thing but chores all day except husk some of the corn which Frank and I hauled in the other day. Frank spent the morning taking some pickets off the wire which he and Mexico hauled in out of the orchard yesterday. This afternoon he went out with Charlie Quanbury to help him put on a load of hay. Aunty came over to tea to-night to see how Dad. was and went back with Frank and me. Dad. feels a little better to-day. Frank and I went down to the J.R.I.A. meeting but owing to the rottenness of the weather and the diversion of a couple of dances one in the hall and one out at {?} Ryerse's there were very few out. I read them my speech which I had prepared and then I went up to Huby's and the rest went to the show. It was next year when I got home. Very mild and misty later turning to a foggy drizzle.</p> </div> transcribed https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/33431700dae090c857dc69631c89a47a.pdf 98e29c8b55f97cac495b47150133eea0 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. {FRONT COVER} DIARY.1919 T.B.Barrett Port Dover, Ontario Knockfierna.............. From January 1st 1919 to December 31st 1919 https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/3266e59aaea68801ecac276fbb1855f3.pdf 973fb03225e7a45870d2d612d958e6ed PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Wednesday January 1st 1919. I have had a feeling all day to-day as if I ought to have the blues, not exactly that I ought to have them but that it is queer that I haven't got them. That isn't the proper way to feel on New Year's day especially since every New Year's day for the last four years we have all thought that if the "damned" (thats what most of us thought allright even if we didn't say it) old war was over we would never feel blue again and neither we do at least I don't and don't intend to even although I have had to light the lamp this after noon to see to write, and though my gum boot which I wore a hole in the sole of on the hard frozen knobs of earth in the barn yard last week let in a pint of oozey mud and water around my foot so that it was just like an eel in a puddle all morning (I wore Dad's rubbers this after noon) and although that old brute of a Gladys acted just as stubborn as a pig can when we tried to load her into the crate this morning and I got mad enough to kill her and chased her around the yard till I was winded calling her names that wouldn't do for Sunday, and although I had to stand under the drip of the eave of the barn this after noon for about https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/2adf26634e83f0891bd1c2871b339a73.pdf 5919da1255636077be1915b7d6727ad5 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. ten minutes trying to unhook the chain which was just within an ace of unhooking but wouldn't come, and although instead of this being a nice, crisp, sunshiney, snowy sleigh bell jingling day, it has been a dark, muddy, drizzley, drippy, rainy rotten one with nothing more cheerful to look at than the mist and drizzle and nothing to hear but the darn ducks squawk and the dismal flapping of Enah's clothes which have been hanging on the line since Monday steadily getting wetter than when she put them there. Even in spite of all this, I haven't got the blues and upon a moment's thought realize that I would be a mighty ungrateful creature if I had, for in spite of all the weather there is an awful lot to be thankful for. The main part of the war is over and the boys are beginning to get back, some of them pretty badly shot up but others looking fine and all of them tickled pink to be home. Old Quint, who must have seen some hard fighting during the last summer and fall has got through without a scratch and writes most interesting letters from Belgium of the sights he sees there. Of course, Dad. had a letter from Dick to-day written on Christmas saying he was to sail for Siberia the next day so he is probably well out on the Pacific by this time and will maybe see action over there as the paper reports Canadian Artillery in the Arcangel region supporting Russian, American and Polish troops in attacks on the Bolsheviki, but then even though his future movements are in some ways so uncertain, it doesn't seem as if his stay in Russia will last as long as it might have if the Western Front was not peaceful and some reports say that men will not have to stay there more than a year unless they like, even although Canadian troops are still kept there, and even if he does see action over there after knowing of some of the marvelous escapes some of the boys in France have had, I can't help feeling that the same Power that pulled them through will also look after old Dick. These things as well as others keep my heart above my boot tops in spite of the depressing atmosphere. We did nothing in the way of celebration to-day. Frank and I had to take old Gladys down to Coleman's this morning and got pretty wet doing it. Dad. felt better this morning and went out and helped us load her but I'm afraid it didn't do him any good. To-night Frank and I went down town. Frank went up to Huby's. We intend to celebrate New Year's on Aunty's birthday. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/c3c563b8a2f2bdff96f7c32c6da82dcc.pdf 5f61c577f5af65c477aeb7640c633586 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Thursday January 2nd After I got the morning chores done up I went down town to send a money order to "The Breeder's Gazette" for a renewal of my subscription and also for some books for the J.F.I.A. for which Frank gave me a cheque. I didn't get back till noon. This after noon Charlie Quanbury came after Frank to help him take his calves out to {Lish?} Farr. who seems to be making a business of wintering cattle for people on his thrashed alsike. I didn't do any thing in particular but chores all the afternoon. To night I felt as if I was getting quite a cold so soaked my feet in hot water and went to bed rather early having spent the fore part of the evening reading "The Prince and the Pauper" which Aunt Ida gave me on Christmas. It has been a beautiful winter day, dull, frozen & not cold. Friday January 3rd This being Aunty's birthday we celebrated it over here by having the goose which Frank slew yesterday for dinner and accordingly Aunty, Aunty Alice, Aunt Ida and Marj. all came over to partake of it. Frank and I didn't do any thing but chores and visit. Marj. stayed to tea and for the evening but the rest of them went down before tea. Frank went down to the dance given by the Women's Institute to-night and I walked home with Marj. later. Dad. hasn't felt much better to-day. It has been a very nice day. Freezing hard to-night. Saturday January 4th Last night was the coldest we have had yet this winter, the mercury being at zero this morning, but it has been a nice day with quite a strong west wind. Dad. Enah and the baby went down town before dinner and stayed down all the afternoon. Frank and I just did chores and bagged up what apples were left out in the barn some of which were frozen like bricks. Frank hitched Mexico to the cart and we hauled them over to the house in it and put them down cellar. We spent most of the after noon in the house reading the mail. Chuck Harn was in for a few minutes with a petition to have The Marburg Station moved from where it is up to the Cheese Factory, so Frank and I signed it as we didn't care a cent where it was and thought they must want it changed. Saturday January 5th Frank went down to Sunday school and church this morning but I didn't get down on account of the chores. None https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/fe6009a0f4ea404b72c571da1eb053f3.pdf 3650b65f6a0536be10fc7954fafc50b1 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. of the rest of the family went down. I spent the after noon down at the Monteith's and came home to tea and to do chores. Lila was here to tea and She and I went down town right after tea as I wanted to get to church. We cut across the pond as there were a lot on it this after noon and I got my over coat full of pitch fork burrs getting up the hill. I went to church but was about half an hour late. I picked the burrs out of my over coat during the sermon. After church I went over and spent the evening with Marj. Tige McBride was down to-day to ask Frank and me to be bearers at Lee Boughner's funeral. He just home from France or England or where ever he was in the army the other day and died very suddenly yesterday. It hasn't been so cold to-day but freezing all day. Cloudy & breezy. Monday January 6th Frank and I spend most of our time these days just doing chores. I husked the rest of the corn we had up this morning and Frank and I got over some hay this afternoon. This was election day but Dad. didn't feel like going out to vote and I didn't want to take the time with the roads as rough as they are to drive way out to Wiggin's school house Jack Martin was in about four o'clock to get us to go out and vote for Hammond as he thought if he got in we might get the roads fixed up a little down in this end of the township. However we didn't go and Hammond got beaten by Gilbert by about 48 votes. In town R. M. Taylor beat Mat. Wilson for reeve and the council consists of Clare Deal, Jack Reynolds, Jim Bannister & Billy {Lamp?} I am afraid they are more inclined to be knockers than boosters but they may be all right. Enah and Tid went down to the Sunday school for tea to-night and for a concert afterwards in which all the kids took part. Frank went down after tea. Nice morning but rather blustery in after noon. Not cold. Tuesday January 7th We did all the chores up this morning so that we could go to Lee Boughner's funeral this after noon. Tom was over this morning greatly delighted at Hammond's defeat. Oscar Howden came in to drive him out to vote for Hammond but he walked out to Marburg so that he could vote as he pleased. We went up to the funeral this after noon and didn't put in such a bad time. Frank and I, Colin Lloyd, Tige and Lynn Waddle were bearers. Lynn would persist in expressing sentiments not suited to the https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/db46e7efbbeb8d03922821b6ff21254f.pdf 9c3e5c6377f46e9416e836a1f0a76e93 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. occasion which made it uncomfortable for the rest of us fellows during the service but we managed to pull through without disgracing ourselves and very unwillingly accepted the undertakers invitation to go in and have a look at Lee. Five returned soldiers came down from Simcoe to attend the funeral. They were a tough looking bunch. One had a glass eye and a stiff arm and another a game leg. They buried him in the Simcoe cemetry. I drove up with Lynn Waddle and Jack Maxwell. Lynn lit up his corn cob pipe just as we got started and and I don't think opened his mouth all the way up unless it was to make some coarse and ribald jest, one being that he thought Wess Boughner was damned stingy with his hard cider, as he hadn't offered us any. I came home with George Duncan as he was alone and could bring me closer to home. I transferred at his gate to Jack McBride's rig and when he turned in home I got in with Colin Ryerse & Frank and so got a ride home. To-night Frank and I went down to the J.F.I.A. and although we didn't have many out had a fairly good time. Everybody present performed in some way sang or read a poem out of my James Whitcomb Riley book it being Literary evening. We had some toast for refreshments. Very soft & mild. Snowing to-night. Wednesday January 8th Besides doing chores to-day Frank and I started to dig the straw out of the bottom of the west hay over in the old barn and put it up on the rails over head. Lorne Myers was in this morning to return Dad's probang. He borrowed it last night while we were down town to take a turnip out of his cow's throat. He wanted to know if we would like to try feeding some dried beet pulp as he was going to send for some so I told him to get us ten dollars's worth. To-night Frank and I went down town. I went over to the Monteith's for the evening. Frank intended to go to a soldier's concert which the I.O.D.E. were having but it was called off on account of the Holdin girls being sick, so he went up to Huby's and took Lila to the show. Aunty Alice sent to a Boston publishing Company for some plays for us to-night. A little colder to-day but nice. Thursday January 9th Frank and I finished covering the rails in the old barn with straw. We intended to get some more corn in and some hay over but the weather prevented us. It has been very blustery and blizzardy all day. It didn't snow any more but the high west wind kept what little had https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/06fb2f1cfd4274252583a702aa590f39.pdf c27624f75066185f80dfc01e20f4e79e PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. fallen in the air all day. It was quite mild this morning but the mercury has been dropping all day and stands at zero to-night. This after noon the J.F.I.A. books came from "The Breeder's Gazette" Company so I spent this after noon looking through them. Charlie Shand was over and he and Frank went down to the dam to see if they were going to put the bridge back in place, but something went wrong with their plans so they didn't move it. Friday January 10th It has been still very windy all day, the wind was worse than yesterday but it has been much milder and was barely freezing this after-noon. Just did chores this morning and this after noon went up to Mat. Wilson's to pay him for the apple-barrels I got last fall. Sam Law had been thrashing there but had to stop as the wind was blowing their belt into the wheel and fraying it. I went over to Ham Thompson's for awhile to look at his calves. Frank went over to Quanbury's as he had promised to help them haul hay but as he thought they didn't go after any as the wind was too strong. I went down town to-night. They had a small fire at the dam last night. Saturday January 11th Frank and I fed up the stock this morning and then went out and got a small jag of corn shocks Tom and his grandson young Murrey Simpson came over and got a little jag of hay on his one horse waggon This after noon Frank went out with John Quanbury to Charlie's place and helped him put on a load of hay I did chores and husked enough corn stalks to feed the cows to-night. Aunty came over this after noon to see how Dad. was and he and Tid. walked back with her and stayed down to tea. Frank went down town to-night and I oiled the chicken's legs. Not so windy a little colder. Saturday January 12th Frank went down to Sunday school and church this morning but I was doing chores till noon. Dad., Enah & Tid went down to Aunty's for dinner and Enah went to church. Frank Awde & Earl came to see Dad. just as I was going to eat and I left them here with Frank and went down town. I was down with Marj. all the after noon but came home to tea and do chores. I went down after tea but was too late to go to church. It has been mild and sunny to-day. Not much wind. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/8ce2f688273a2416bcfefa9b76110d05.pdf 6c5142b9237f5e65e1fd66da56fb1e99 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Monday January 13th Frank and I loaded up the oats we cleaned out of the little box-stall in the horse stable and took them down to be chopped. There were 17 bags but we thought we might as well take them down as empty part of them. The water was low down there so we had to leave the grist there. Dad. walked over to John Wess's this morning and stayed to dinner. He was pretty tired when he got back and he says John Wess is in pretty bad shape too. This after noon Frank finished mending the box stall door and I helped him hang it and then husked a little corn. About four o'clock we went down and got our chop. We traded some oats off for a bag of oil cake. To-night Frank went down town to ask Zeitha Barwell if she would go to Simcoe with him to-morrow night as the J.F.I.A. all intended going up to the Rink for a skate, but Tige and Albert were down to-night and thought we had better call it off as there would be no ice, so we are going to leave it till to-morrow and see if it gets colder. Very mild and soft all day. Tuesday January 14th Dad. Enah and Tid all went down to Aunty's for dinner to-day as it was Aunt Ida's birthday. Frank and I did chores all morning and I husked corn. Tige McBride came down after dinner to tell us that he called up Simcoe this morning and found out that there wouldn't be any ice so we went down to Lloyd's to tell him to arrange for some thing at the club. Tige let most of the fellows know by telephone that the meeting would be at the club. Frank and I did up the chores early and Dad. and Tid came home about half past four. Enah went up to St. John's with Aunty Maude to hear some W.A. workers from the West. She came back on the seven o'clock car. Marj. had promised to go to the rink with me so when I told her we were going to meet at the club she went over there. There were ten or a dozen of the boys out and about eight girls so we had a very good time playing games and a little dancing. Crosby and Alex England went down and borrowed a fiddle from the Slocomb's and Charlie Blake furnished the music. Soft all day, colder to-night. Wednesday January 15th Dad. felt much better to-day and helped us all day and we got in two loads of corn. The second one we https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/8431b557fb3401c971c1afe3d0fa2546.pdf 282581cdc4f00977e52f3ad6fa3af2da PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. got were little ones with not much corn in it so we brought them in to feed to the cows without husking. We had a visit from a pail pedlar and got three pails from him. To-night I went down to see Marj. for awhile. Mild but frozen. Thursday January 16th John Quanbury came over this morning before we through breakfast to get Frank to go and help him saw up part of the spruce tree which he cut down at Mrs. Battersby's about a month ago. The butt of it is a big log and John can't saw it alone. We had figured on getting in some more corn but Dad. and I put off what we brought in last night but didn't go after any more. Frank came in at noon and he and I got in a load this after noon. Dad. was very much annoyed not to be able to help us but Jackie Pickford came over for a visit and Dad. couldn't shake him he was here all the after noon. We didn't bring in a big load of corn as we don't pile it up on the rack but try to keep each shock seperate so that we won't pull them to pieces when we unload. We didn't unload it to-night but emptied the chop we got the other day into Ed's big bin as we saw one of the cats with a big rat and were afraid to leave it in the bags any longer. Frank and I had hoped to go for a skate to-night but it has been very soft all day and is barely freezing to-night so we stayed home and read over the Shakespeare plays which Aunty Alice got for us for a J.F.I.A. performance. Friday January 17th Frank went over to help John Quanbury again this morning. Dad. and I did chores and unloaded the corn Frank and I brought in yesterday. Aunty Alice came over to dinner. This after noon Dad. Frank and I put on a jag of hay to haul over to the old barn, we would have hauled more but McEwen came down to look at the sheep. He said he wanted to get some ewes for some fellow and asked me if I would take $35.00 apiece for the ewes we culled out and marked for sale in the fall, so I told him we would as the market seems very uncertain and we need the money. I am to call him up to-morrow night to find out whether it is a sale or not. He also offered me $15.00 apiece for the old ewes we sold to Niel Elliott, so I will have to find out from Niel whether he will let me off the deal. I https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/39ae93cf3f6ef9783e9858ae9c7da4a4.pdf 017e98a75b922e8e92a629812caf1f6a PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. tried to telephone him to-night but he wasn't home. Alan Law came in before McEwen left for Dad. to look at his mare. He is afraid she has an attack of asoturia. Enah went down town with Aunty Alice this after noon and had two teeth out. Frank went down to the Women's Institute dance to-night and I went skating on the pond I was surprised to find it so good as it has been very soft all day, but the ice was hard. Saturday January 18th Frank went over this morning and finished helping John Quanbury cut up the spruce tree. Dad. Tid and I drove down to Sam Law's and gave Alan's mare a ball, she didn't seem very sick. When we got back I went over to Martin's to see the bunch of chickens they had all ready to ship to Madison Square gardens this after noon. I also went down to Quanbury's to telephone Niel Elliott but he wasn't home. This after noon Dad. finished cleaning a couple of chickens he killed this morning and Frank finished making a crate to weigh sheep in. We then brought the scales over from the old barn and weighed the three ram lambs we sold to Niel. {Hray?} weighed 87 lbs and the other two 100 & 105. I went down town to-night and called up Niel and McEwen. Niel told me to go ahead and sell the old ewes if I could get any more out of them but when I got McEwen he told me he hadn't been able to see the man that he was buying for so said I hadn't better keep them on the chance of him taking them. I was in at Aunty's on my way home. Aunty is very grieved over the cutting down of the old poplar tree in front of the old Mrs. Bagley house. It was the largest tree of its kind I ever saw and one of the most beautiful trees in town. It is far older than any one living can remember and the trunk was sound as could be. The weather is still very mild and Spring like. Didn't freeze to-night. Sunday January 19th Frank went down to Sunday school and I went down to church this morning Dad. has fell well enough to do chores to-day. Enah was to have played the organ this morning but felt too sick. She has felt miserable since having her teeth out. Aunty came over to dinner with us. I went down town this after noon and Marj. and I went over to see Miss McQueen. Marj. & https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/3e797852a6baa757dc3b6fd7b95baa43.pdf f28f958253bba897199410c65705a435 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Essie went to Hamilton yesterday to see Robert Mantell in "The Merchant of Venice" and Marj. said it was great. I stayed down at Aunty's to tea and went to church with Aunty Alice. Spent the evening with Marj. Very mild. Feels like April instead of January. Monday January 20th Dad. went over to Flemming's this morning to thrash while Frank and I took our sheep down to Niel's. He made the two old ewe's weigh 30 lbs more than we did so we didn't lose anything by not letting McEwen have them after all. The lambs lost 10 lbs according to Niel going down but the five head brought us $67.00. We brought home a load of coal with us as one had just come in. It was chestnut and pea coal mixed so was not nearly as good as the last stove coal we got. Dad. stayed down to Flemming's to dinner and Frank went down to change places with him after dinner. There was a letter in the mail addressed to Mr. Barratt and Rush on it. We expected Dad. home any minute so put it away for him. He was about half an hour getting home and when he opened it found it was from Lloyd-Jones letting me to meet him as he was coming down on the 3 o'clock car, consequently I had to step lively to make the car. Dad. went back over to Flemming's to let Frank come home and seperate some of the smallest ewe lambs in case Lloyd-Jones wanted to buy any. I took him up to Ham's before I brought him over here and Ham sold him his two best ram lambs and his five ewe lambs. He then came over to our place and bought the five ewes we had picked out and begged so hard for some more that we picked out Nos. 2 & 3 four year old ewes of old Splitears and sold him the seven for $225.00. The little yearling the "baby" we considered worth $15.00 and the others $35.00 apiece I took Lloyd-Jones back to catch the five o'clock car. Frank didn't think it worthwhile going back to Flemming's so Dad. has thrashed nearly all day and feels pretty tired to-night. It has been a beautiful, mild Spring like day. Tuesday January 21st Frank went over to thrash again this morning and has been away all day. They finished at Flemming's before dinner and moved to Martin's where they had a https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/dc84529516bf2334b12dcf9a2f1c4cc2.pdf d9b479f42efc4e32d59eaf95840995ff PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. very steady run all the after noon. Frank says they will finish there in a couple of hours. Dad. and I went down this morning and got a load of soft coal. Dad. walked down and I had the coal on when he got down as he stopped in at Aunty's for awhile. I saw the station agent who told me we could have a car to-morrow after noon to ship the sheep but when we found the thrashers would be here so early we thought we had better put off the shipping a day so I saw the agent again to-night and he said it would suit him better not to let us have the car till Thursday. Enah went down to the dentist this after noon so I sent down all the certificates to be transferred with her to post. Dad. and I did chores this after noon and I unloaded the soft coal some of it at the barn to thrash with us and the rest of it in the wood shed. Frank and I went to J.F.I.A. to-night. We had a pretty fair crowd out and spent the evening deciding on a play to get up. We at last picked on Julius Caesar. There was a grand dance on in the hall to-night for the employees of the Foundation Company. Ham and I went up after the club to find the station agent as he was one of the guests, they were all up in the Red Cross rooms having supper. {illegible} Spring Wednesday January 22nd Frank went over to Martin's for a little while this morning and came back while they were putting through the chaff to help us get ready for them. They got over here and set up and thrashed about an hour before dinner and ran steadily all the after noon finishing up soon after five. We got about ten bushels of nice looking seed two bushels of which were from the chaff and may not be quite so heavy as the other. I didn't do very much as Tom came over and we had lots of help. Tom gave me four dollars which he got for the old hens and two dollars for eggs and this after noon I got a letter from Neff with a cheque in it for ten dollars to pay my expenses at Guelph and also my score cards. I went down to see Marj. to-night. Thursday January 23rd It was very misty this morning and soon turned to rain which kept up all day some times raining quite hard. Frank went over to Pickford's to see if they would thrash but neither Sam nor Alan put in an appearance. I drove down town before dinner to see where our car was to ship the sheep in and thought I would get Joe shod. I didn't have https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/d438c555bb02e71b3913bcc496c92c99.pdf 0629fa9c348a49a86a53e0c8b1db5b2c PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. time to get her shod before dinner so thought as I had her down and she was badly in need of it I had better have her shod after so I stayed at Aunty's to dinner and by the time I got home it was half past three. We then had to hurry to get the sheep loaded {illegible words} there and as it was Frank and I {illegible words} after six. Dad. went down with us and {illegible words} home. The sheep go out on a night {illegible words} morning and appeared to be {illegible words}. Friday January 24th Frank went down to Pickford's to thrash this morning {illegible words} as they started up about the middle of {illegible words}. They finished there this after noon and then moved down to {illegible} and thrashed him out in an hour or two and Frank didn't get back till dark. Dad. and I did chores and and Dad. battoned up the north end of the calve's pen. I started to read after dinner and went to sleep for quite awhile {illegible words} for awhile this after noon to get the number of the old ram Enah and Frank went down to the Library dance to-night & I went down town and went up to Miss Martin's with Marj. I went down to Aunty's and found Roy there. He came in on the nine o'clock car. I went up to the hall to call for Enah about half past eleven as she didn't want to stay too late. There was certainly a jamboree up there in the hallway was packed so full a fellow could hardly move and couldn't see across the room for smoke. Colder & windy. Saturday January 25th Dad. Frank and I have been hauling in corn all day we got in six rack loads averaging about ten shocks to the load and put it up over the granary where the clover seed was. We got some of the best corn in the field and some of it was very goodlooking. Roy came over to tea to-night and Dad. walked back with him to-night {illegible words} saw several little door mice in the corn field to-day. They are very pretty and unlike the field mice which always make for another shock cross-country when the shock they have been inhabiting is lifted off them and are generally caught by the dogs, the door mice always try to climb out of harm's reach. One of them ran up one of the spokes in the front wheel and sat on the front bolster of the waggon for a long time and a couple ran up the horse's legs. Beautiful Spring day again. Muddy this afternoon. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/98909713a79dcc0249ef1dfe28afb911.pdf acb46d5eb5b92cddfe92274463ce3c9a PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Sunday January 26th Frank went down to Sunday school this morning and Dad. Enah and Tid went down to church but I didn't go down as I didn't get the chores done in time. This after noon I went down town after Frank and I had our lunch, the rest of them stayed down at Aunty's for dinner. Marj. and I went down and called on the Bailies and then went over to the Paterson's but they weren't home so we walked up Main St. and met Miss Martin who was en route to the Sunday school to number some books in the library so we went down with her and helped her or at least Marj. did. We then went down to Aunty's to tea. Enah and Winnie were also there. They and Roy and Aunty went to church but Aunty Alice, Aunt Ida and Marj. & I didn't go. Beautiful day. West Wind. Monday January 27th We hauled in corn all day again to-day and got the field cleared this side of the potato ground. We also have the mow about full. Pickford came over this after noon and told us he had sold his best clover seed for twenty three dollars per bushel and his lower grade for twenty one. Edmonds bought it but didn't want to buy much. It is queer that it is so hard to sell and yet the price is so high. Another fine day. Muddy this after noon. Tuesday January 28th We hauled in another load of corn this morning from the north side of the potato patch but there was no room for it in the mow so we left it on the waggon. I went down to Aunty's for dinner and caught the one o'clock car for Simcoe to attend the annual meeting of the Norfolk Co-Operative Association. There was a good turnout and the report of the business done was very satisfactory for the first year. They had $1136.31 profit, $1000 of which they will divide among the members giving them 2 1/2% rebate on the business they did with the Association. Burnaby the President of the United Farmers of Ontario Co-Operative Co. was there and gave us a talk on organization I came home on the 7 o'clock car and had tea at Aunty's. Corby was at the station waiting around to go to the J.F.I.A. He had been in Simcoe but had driven his mother down to Dover and they had gone on home, so I invited him up to Aunty's for supper. He came. Frank came down and we https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/bcdd52875750267a8a75a8d2de307074.pdf fb80616d24be9e01ae51579de6af2e64 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. all went up to the club. There weren't many out but as our books came we went over the play and it sounded pretty fair. Dad. and Frank got another load of coal this after noon and hauled it over the new bridge, the first time any of us have driven over it. A little colder to-day. Cloudy. Wednesday January 29th Dad. and Frank went down to Sam Law's to thrash this morning and Frank was gone all day. Dad. got home soon after dinner. I first did chores this morning and husked some corn. This after noon I drove up to Ham Thompson's and got a Barred Rock cockrell to mate with my four pullets. I also stopped in at the mill and paid $25.00 on my account. I went down town to-night and Marj. and I went up to Miss Martin's. It has not been very cold to-day but a raw wind. March weather. Thursday January 30th I went over to Tupper's this morning to get him to come over and help us slay swine so he told Dad. he would come when we were ready to convert our two into pork. He was milking when I got there and I had to wait till he had breakfast so it was rather late when we got over here and got started and as a natural consequence long after noon when we finished. However we got the job done very well. Tupper brought over a little block and tackle outfit he had so that eliminated all heavy lifting to scald them or hang them up as we fixed up a scaffold and had a rail out of the upstairs door of the shop to hang them on and the barrel of water right under. They were a nice pair one dressed 232 lbs and the other 205 I think. Tupper had dinner here and we didn't do a thing till chore time but visit. He entertained us by relating anecdotes of folks up around the district between Simcoe and Waterford. He seems to know every one up there and has very funny stories to tell of all of them, and they lose nothing by him telling it either. Tom came in about half past four and got two or three bags of clover chaff for bedding. He also got my two cockrels which I sold him for a dollar apiece. I went down town to night and Frank and Enah and I went to hear Miss Wade at the Sunday school lecture on China. She was staying at Aunty's and we saw her afterwards down there. She was very interesting. Nice day. Freezing to-night. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/1450fc414775d76189957e3d4373e7eb.pdf 7f1e5f5d0efca6ec40a61a8cd48e2a02 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Friday January 31st Dad. spent all the morning and I think most of the after noon cutting up the pigs. Frank and I cut a piece off the straw stack and hauled it over to the horse stable. This after noon Frank went down to the Customs office to get his Roth Memory Course which he sent for the other day. I hooked up and went over to Lorne Myer's and to Lloyd Crysler's to get them to take part in Julius Caeser. I don't know whether they will or not as they both seemed loth to tackle it. I was at Lloyd's quite awhile visiting with him and Hannah and listening to their Pathé phonegraph. To-night Frank and I went down town. Frank went to the Women's Institute dance and I spent the evening at Monteith's. Ed. Moon was over here all the after noon. Windy and a little colder. Saturday February 1st Dad. put the pork in pickle this morning and was glad to find he could get it all in his barrel. Frank and I hauled a load of hay over to the old barn and put it off. This after noon we hauled in three more loads of corn and put two of them off over the west bay in the old barn on top of what we hauled first. The third load we left in the rack. Enah went down town this after noon and Dad. went down to-night to take Aunty a piece of pork. They had a letter from Quint saying that he hoped to be home by the end of March. Sunday February 2nd Frank went down to Sunday school this morning and Enah and I walked down to church. Aunty came over with Enah and Frank but I stayed down with Aunty Alice and Aunt Ida to dinner. This after noon Marj. and I went over to Miss McQueen's. I had tea at Aunty's and Aunty, Aunt Ida and I went to church. I spent the evening at the Monteith's. Lila was over here to tea with her eukalalie. Frank went down with her to-night and overtook me on my way home. Beautiful day, a little colder. Monday February 3rd We hauled in more corn to-day and got in the best of it. This after noon Dad. burned off the corner field as it burned so well while Frank and I were putting on the last load. We put on https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/9da2d37e8086db5964ef9655b698fdaf.pdf bdb2666ebcec214fd09fb095891cee4f PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. a big load and left it on the waggon. Ham Thompson was down this morning to see if I was going to Brantford to-morrow. We decided to go on the nine o'clock car. Frank went down town to-night to stay {words illegible} as he is going to leave for Toronto in the morning {words illegible} in the Sheep Breeder's meeting. Beautiful day very mild. Tuesday February 4th Ham, Frank and I all went up on the nine o'clock car this morning. We left Frank at {illegible} and the went to Hamilton by radial. Ham and I {words illegible} for Brantford at 10.45. There was quite a {illegible} on the train bound for the Lloyd Jones sale and they all got off at Mt. Vernon so we {piled off too?} and had to walk over a mile to the farm. We had dinner at Lloyd Jone's as soon as we got there. Ham {words illegible} in with a Mr. Gould from the American Sheep {Association?} and after dinner we had a look at all the prize winners and cups before we went out. He had quite a {words illegible} of them. The sale lasted all the after noon as the bidding was rather slow. There were few buyers and they didn't run things up all high. Our old ewes brought $40.00 apiece and the others ${34.00?} and $39. Six of them were sold in pairs but the little one was sold singly and brought $20.00 so he didn't make a very big profit on any of our stuff but one of Ham's ram lambs brought $48.00. He sold all his at $50.00 apiece but some of the ewes lambs didn't bring that much and the other ram just brought {illegible}. We hung around and nearly froze all the after noon and about four o'clock Mr. Gould struck out for Mt. Vernon to catch the train for Brantford, but we wanted to get our checks if possible from Lloyd-Jones before we left {illegible} waited as he promised to get us to Brantford in time to catch the six car, so we waited. The sale lasted right up to the minute we had to leave so we couldn't get our money and he sent us in to Brantford in his Ford. A fellow came with us who was very anxious to get a six o'clock train for Toronto but just about two miles out of Brantford we had a blowout, so had to stop to put on a new tire. The Toronto man hailed another car going in with a load so may have caught his train but ours had gone when we got to town so we had to wait for the eight o'clock car. We had a good supper which we were might glad to get at the Royal Café and then played a couple of games of Pool before the car came in. I saw https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/863428e965cf251dfc1fdccf468046fc.pdf 4ab4c9096ff7004e1b52c64757224f7a PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Mrs Dell on the car. She had been down at Cobury to see Roy and says he his just about alright again. We went up to the J.F.I.A. social evening. I stopped in at Aunty's first. We put in the time in the usual manner up there and I got home at three o'clock. Rained this morning. Freezing to-night. Wednesday February 5th Dad. and I did chores this morning but not much else. This after noon I went over to Lorne Myer's and got the beet pulp he ordered for us. It is queer looking stuff and very bulky. A cwt. bag being about as big as a bluegrass sack. We put a little of it to soak to feed the cows to-morrow. To-night I went down town and Marj. and I went skating, we called in and got Zeitha to go with us. Ed. Turner, Woodger, Leggit, Mr. Bagley & Essie were down there and as the ice was pretty good we had a good skate. It has been colder to-day, but fair. Thursday February 6th Dad. went down to Alfred's this morning to borrow the screens of his fanning mill which he uses to clean clover seed as we want to get ours cleaned up. Ham was talking to a fellow at the sale on Tuesday and he said they had no clover seed to sow up there and the Woodstock seed merchants were asking $32.00 a bushel for it. Ham told him he could get 100 bushels down this way for $25.00 or less so he took Ham's name and said he would put it up to his club and try to get them to give us an order. This after noon I went down town as notice of a registered letter came and as I suspected it was the pedigree for the sheep and found I was correct. I posted them again to Lloyd-Jones before I came home. To-night Enah and I went down to the hall to see the boys that are home from the front get their five dollar gold pieces or whatever the town was giving them. Ron. Taylor was doing the presenting and Mr. Johnson calling out the names of the men. Most of them had got their souvenir when we got there but we heard Ed Moon and Ed Turner make little speeches. They had a dance afterwards and we stayed till about midnight. Friday February 7th We didn't do any thing much to-day but chores and sit around and read. We heard last night that the Sloan's had got a letter from Willie posted at Tokio https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/87bcbf9f01f6e9e7f32a90d657042604.pdf 8db0af9cab82bce25e6979b395e62db6 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. so Dad. has been looking for one from Dick as we thought they were on the same boat but have found out since that Willie Sloan sailed about a week earlier than Dick. I went skating to-night and had a fine time. Miss McQueen went down and afterwards Marj. Ed. Turner and I went in to her place and had coffee & cake. As I was going through Martin's to-night I was very surprised to meet Frank he had come home on the seven o'clock car. He went home and then came down to the pond. Still fine and mild. Saturday February 8th We cleaned off the barn floor this morning and put our clover seed through the mill. It didn't clean out much and what seed went behind we put through again and will keep it to sow as there are no very bad weed seeds in it. We will have about six bushels or more to sell and plenty to sow. We also put through a sample of oats to take to Simcoe as Neff is buying seed oats for the Government at 80 cts per bushel to send out West and Johnson is handling them for 5 cts per bushel. The market price is about sixty cts. Frank and I went skating again to-night. The pond is great now up above where it was frozen before as it has risen and made new ice. It is still beautiful weather may be a little colder but very little. Sunday February 9th I actually got ready in time for Sunday school this morning and went down. I stayed at Aunty's for dinner and this after noon went up to see Marj. We sat around the house all the after noon as it was snowing hard when I went up. We went down to Aunty's for tea and Aunty Alice, Marj. and I all went to church Huby and Aunty Maude came back to Aunty's with us and we spent the evening there. It didn't snow much. Colder. Monday February 10th We spent the day hauling out clover chaff on the wheat to-day. We hauled it out on the rack and Frank and I pitched it off and spread it as well as we could and Dad. followed us and shook it out more, as we didn't want to get it on too thick. We got it all out and it covered two bands the full length of the feild and a piece at https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/5aadf36dd8d6ac3d45b9e21924c8a7b6.pdf 93c768e0571903351176f14eec3ad7b1 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. each end of the next two bands. We also got in another jag of corn. Charlie Munroe was in this morning and sold Dad. a piece of beef. Mr. & Mrs. Jim Waddle were in for a few minutes at noon. Dad. and Enah had intended to go out to see them to-night to ask them over to dinner on Thursday. They did go to-night any way. Frank went skating but I stayed home so that Tid wouldn't be alone he is asleep. Beautiful day. Mild. Frank told us when he got home about Toddy West, his little brother and Johnnie Miller being drowned in the lake this after noon. The little West fellow got in through the ice first and then Teddy tried to save him. He got in and Johnny tried to get him out. Young Gunton was with them and he yelled for help and Capt. McCauly & Ed Moon waded in and got them all out but although they worked on them for a couple of hours or more they couldn't save them. <s>Wednesday</s> Tuesday February 11th We got the spreader out this morning and have been hauling out manure from around the stack to too wheat all day and got out 12 loads. We were a little afraid to tackle it at first for fear the ground being so hard would do some damage to the spreader but it didn't seem to hurt it any. Mr. Nixon and Willie were in for a few minutes this after noon to look at the stack. Enah and Tid. drove Mexico down town after some coal-oil this after noon. To-night Frank and I went down to the J.F.I.A. but as usual there were very few there. Very mild all day looks like snow. Wednesday February 12th It snowed a little last night but soon melted off to-day as it has been very mild up around 40°. Frank and I hauled manure all day and got out 12 more loads. We started in on the pile at the horse stable this after noon. Dad. spent most of the day killing and picking the four ducks that were left to provide the dinner for Mr. & Mrs. Jim Waddle to-morrow night. To-night Enah, Frank and I went down to Aunty Alice's party. Lila, Winnie, Dess, Fraser, Marj. Zeitha, Bill {illegible} Tige McBride and Huby were all there, and Huby provided the principal entertainment naturally but Zeitha did some very nice singing for us and Bill performed on Lila's Ukalele. We also had various forms of guessing contests, the chief amusement derived from them were Huby's answers https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/8268cc862ac6850f0d4a78552c187818.pdf ad6438b5083eb351ecec711f705ff3a6 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Thursday February 13th Frank and I got out six more loads of manure this morning but quit early to go to Simcoe this after noon. We both went up and I went to the Co-operative meeting and Frank did shopping. He got some rock-salt & gut and got the harness we left at Church's. He said he couldn't fix it so we left it at Herb. Woods. We had an interesting meeting although there were not many out. Mr. Gordon from the Livestock branch was there to talk about shipping Livestock co-operatively and Mr. Kerr from P.E. Island told about their successful co-operative egg-marketing business down there. Prof Graham was also there but I didn't have time to wait till the meeting was over as Frank and I had to leave at four o'clock to get home in good time for supper. Dad. had most of the chores done when we got home. Mr. & Mrs. Jim Waddle were here to tea and spent the evening. Frank went down to a birthday party at Myrtle Greenbury's Very mild, roads in beautiful shape. Raining to-night. Friday February 14th It rained hard during the night so that we couldn't go on with the manure hauling. I took Daisy May over to Tupper's and while I was gone Alan Law came after Frank and the clippers to clip his horse. He was down there to dinner. This after noon Dad. and I drove down to Wess & George Fields to see their Shorthorns and were very agreeably surprised at the bunch we saw. They have seven or eight cows of very uniform type and all thick smoothe and low down. They had two very fine yearling heifers all of Scotch breeding. Their $500.00 Imported two-year bull is very smoothe and stylish looking but doesn't look as if he would make a very big bull. We went from there down to Blake's and I left some "Breeder's Gazettes" for Charlie to get pointers for his debate from. The roads were awful and consequently we were late getting home. We came up the Plank and through town as it was better than the back way. Frank and I went down town to-night. Frank went to the W.I. dance. Still mild but drizzly. Saturday February 15th We didn't do much to-day but chores. Frank and I husked some corn this morning and this after noon bagged up all the barley and oats that were left (about 10 bags) https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/0455972b274df342f4bbdd03bd8f7f8b.pdf e52007272d01e0daa7eb13c162da3737 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. to take to the mill but as it was so wet we didn't go. Dad. went down to Aunty's for tea to-night. Marion McLaughlin was over all the after noon playing with Tid. It has been colder to-day and snowed a little this after noon. Sunday February 16th Frank went to Sunday school this morning and I left here with the intention of going but when I got within sight of the town clock and found it to be a quarter after ten I decided to wait till church time so went back to Aunty's and read for awhile and then went to church, sat in the back seat with Frank, Lloyd Ryerse and a stranger and disgraced myself by going to sleep during the Litany dreaming of something funny and waking up laughing. I partook of dinner at Aunty's and also tea, accompanied Aunty to church this evening and spent the after noon and evening with Marj. at the Monteiths. Soft during day. Colder to-night. Monday February 17th I have put in a pretty idle day. This morning Frank and I went down to the mill this morning with the grain we bagged up on Saturday and from there on down town to the Widespread where I got my trap nest which Emery made for me. We got our chop on our way home.This after noon I just sat around and read. Dad. and Frank put on a load of hay and hauled it over to the horse stable. Enah and Tid drove Miss Phipps over to McPherson's for her to see a dinner-waggon Emery is making for her. To-night I went down to Aunty's for tea as she invited me to go to the picture show with her. Marj. was there too and we three went to see Margurite Clark in "The Seven Swans". It was about the prettiest and all-round nicest show I ever saw. Aunty is very distressed about my ribs hurting so much and thinks I should go to the doctor. Colder but fine all day. Snowing quite hard to-night. Tuesday February 18th I haven't done any thing in the shape of work to-day but this after noon went down and had the doctor examine my ribs where I hurt them a couple of weeks ago as the last few days they have pained considerably when I tried to work. He said the bone was not hurt but put some adhesive tape banadages around me which promise to be very uncomfortable. I got my hair cut and stayed at Aunty's to tea. Huby was there too as he came to take https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/b26b84fc3dd4c23fe52b4b28f9d3b5b2.pdf 57bb06b357caf2545c3560e69d7e1edd PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. a couple of pictures out of a tube which Quint sent to Aunty. Enah & Tid. drove Mexico down this after noon and Enah went to help her mother tend store as her father went to Hamilton to a trade banquet this after noon. Dad. and Frank spent most of the day doing chores and getting over some straw for the horse stable. Dad had a long, interesting and as it is the first one we have got since New Year's, very welcome letter from Dick. It was posted at Vladivostock and tells mostly of his trip across the Pacific. He went as we supposed on the S.S. Protosilous (or some such name) {Protesilaus} and although he was luckier than most in escaping sea-sickness, they had some very bad storms, and it was in a typhoon that the ship lost one of her propellers. She was a twin screw however, so could make port on her own steam. He had not seen much of the city when he wrote as they were quartered two miles out in barracks built by the Russians in the Russian - Japanese war. Typhus was prevalent in town so he didn't intend going in much. He said there was nothing to go in for any way as he couldn't talk to the shop-keepers and although there was a picture-show, it seldom ran for when it did there was not enough power left to run the street cars. I went up to the J.F.I.A. to-night and althoug we had a fair crowd out most of them couldn't wait but hiked for the dance in the hall which Jack Riddel & Pete Holmes the station agent are putting on to-night. We had a sort of debate on the Horse vs. Tractor and Frank had the best prepared lot of points in favor of the Tractor, but was the only one evidently who had put any time on it. I went back down to Aunty's after the meeting and found Dad. and Tid. there. Dad. having come down to go with Enah and Tid. to see the "Seven Swans". Dad told me to stay all night so that I could hook Mexico up for Enah in the morning as she stayed all night with her mother. The flags are floating at half-mast to-day in memory of Sir Wilfred, whose death was reported in to-day's papers. We all realize that with him Canada has lost the greatest orator and statesman of the day and that it may be years before Parliament has another man his equal. There has been quite a change in the weather lately and we are now having quite seasonable weather but not much snow. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/14f6ac7e5b2a612e8b14b851ac3ed868.pdf 0802ae09459165a44440fcd0d57c6468 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Wednesday February 19th I was spending a very enjoyable hour in bed this morning awake but, knowing I didn't have to get up till Aunty & Aunty Alice did, when Aunty came in with the alarming anouncement that she thought I had better stay in bed all day or at least till she went up and got the doctor and threatened to bring me my breakfast in bed. She had heard me cough as I have quite a cold and was afraid that I might contract pleurisy where my ribs were sore and maybe the flu so was quite worried. I did my best to allay her fear and did persuade her to let me get up and eat breakfast like a Christain but she was bound to go and interview the doctor. He said there was no danger what ever so that relieved her. I sat around there and read till about eleven when Enah came down. I hooked Mexico up for her and she drove home but I walked having had all the ride I wanted behind Mexico in his cart coming around the block. I didn't do much this after noon but sit around and read. Dad. and Frank hauled over another load of straw and put it off in the horse stable. Geordie Boughner was in looking at Dad's steers this after noon but didn't buy. We also had a visit from old Broadley and the famous Rachel. He was collecting stallion fees and after looking at Bell decided we owed him seven and a half although Dad. doesn't think she is in foal. However I paid him. He allowed seventy five cents a trip for his meals last summer, otherwise the fees would have been fifteen dollars. I went down town to-night and Aunty Alice gave me a ticket to Miss Crydon's music pupils' recital as the I.O.D.E. were selling the tickets to raise funds to buy a flag for the school-house Aunty Alice had bought two. She went with Cousin Loll and I went up to Monteith's and found Marj. had bought a ticket also so we started off for the concert. I considering it a treat for me and a Dutch treat for Marj. On the way down we thought better of it as no-body seemed to anticipate much of a concert and went down and spent a very nice evening at Miss McQueen's. I called in at Aunty's on my way home and Aunty Alice informed me that the concert was the worst she had ever experienced. It consisted chiefly of violin selections by Miss Crydons pupils and the fiddles were not in tune and the fiddlers couldn't play anyway. One lady recited and she stuttered. The best performer was a little Mitchell but her unlady like posture and fondness for chewing gum distressed Aunty Alice terribly. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/65da5672e3408874ad19691868344841.pdf 358031ff24362a75fa11faebab736ab4 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Thursday February 20th Dad and Frank hauled over another load of straw to the horse stable this morning and I helped them mow it away. I didn't do much though as the adhesive tape on by back and ribs makes the skin irritable and rather sore when I work. Aunty Alice came over for a little while after dinner but didn't stay long. Enah & Tid drove down town as Enah had to go to the dentist and Dad. and Frank went back and cut a little basswood along John Wess's line. I read all the after noon. The two books which should have come before with the ones we ordered for the J.F.I.A. came to-day, "Feeds & Feeding" and "The Road to Dumbiedykes". To-night Dad.& Enah after leaving Tid in care of the Sandman went down to call on the Pickford's and didn't get home till about midnight. Frank and I read till we got sleepy and then went to bed. Nice day. Friday February 21st Didn't do much but chores this fore noon & didn't do many of them. Dad. oiled the buggy and Frank went down town and borrowed Aunty Alice's fur coat to go to Walsh this after noon. He and I left here about half past twelve to go to a sale which we saw advertised down town and at which there was to be a pure-bred Shorthorn heifer sold. The place was about half a mile east of Walsh Methodist church and on the fifth concession of Charlotteville. We found the place without much trouble inquiring once at the half-way house and arrived just before the sale commenced about half past two. We found the cow we had come to see but found she was some of Charlie Dunkin's stock which he had neglected to keep registered so that she was ineligible. She was a very nice smoothe and deep three-year-old but was rather small and didn't show signs of being much of a milker so we decided that unless we could buy her for for less than $85.00 we would leave her and as Bill Bickler bid $87.00 on her we left her. The rest of the stock was very ordinary looking and so was the crowd, natives of the blow-sand all, and as we weren't enjoying ourselves particularly we left as soon as the cattle were sold and were home by about five. The roads weren't bad for the most part but we were soaked as it snowed steadily all the time and was very soft. It was an old fashioned snow-storm, great big flakes coming straight down. I went down town to-night. It is still very soft. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/35d2f4d70c7e7317b1e84e0bc8291a50.pdf e6bb2e7f49c60cedc1e7055a76b2e403 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Saturday February 22nd Dad. and Frank spent the morning remodeling the calf pen. They moved the bars back about six feet so that there will be room in front of them to tie Dad's steers and they intend taking the two heifer calves out from the rest. I intended going out to the Shand's with the bobsleighs after dinner to borrow their scale rack so that we could weigh the steers but by the after dinner the snow had all melted off so that I didn't go as I didn't want to take the waggon. I peeled the bandages of my ribs to-day as they were getting quite irritable. I havent felt any the worse for it. Very soft. Cloudy this after noon. Sunday February 23rd Frank went down to Sunday school this morning and I started but was so late I didn't go. We both went to church. I stayed at Aunty's to dinner and tea, went to church with Aunty Alice and spent the after noon and evening at the Monteiths. Rainy. Monday February 24th Dad. and Frank finished fixing over the calf pen this morning and we got Dad's steer in and tied him up. We put the young fellow we have had in beside him for awhile but they seemed disposed to fight so we seperated them again. I went over to Jack Martin's this morning to have my incubator thermometer tested and to invite Chris down to a band meeting which was called for to-night to reorganize. Clare Deal asked me to bring Chris down. This after noon Dad. and Frank went back and cut some more basswood and I put up some posts in the old barn to fix bars to so that we can have a couple of box stalls in the west bent for calves and freshening cows. To-night I went down to the band meeting and we had a very good turn-out of the old band boys and some new ones who were willing to join. The council was represented by R.M. Taylor. Clare Deal & Jack Reynolds. {Mid?} Thompson was appointed secretary and authorized to get some music and it was decided that we meet next Monday and collect all the instruments that can be located. Taylor promised all financial support needed. Dad. had another long letter from Dick to-day written just a month ago. Canadians are in action now in the Murman region & defeating Bolsheviki. Beautiful day. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/1269cdaf92cd5a118357c020aa9987ea.pdf 076459f33f205da9941ac3f4d8b6d096 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Tuesday February 25th Dad. and Frank went back to the bush this morning and cut basswood till noon. They didn't return after dinner on account of it looking so rainy. Dad. fixed up some cross partitions over in the barn to make boxstalls and Frank tried to get his forge going. I spent the day doing chores and cleaning out the chickens sheds and putting fresh straw in. To-night Frank and I went down to J.F.I.A. social evening. We had a good turn out of girls and the usual crowd of boys. Got home about two o'clock. Mild and rainy all day, snow & colder to-night. Wednesday February 26th After we did chores up this morning Dad. and Tid. went down to see how Aunty Alice was as she has been feeling quite sick. They stayed to dinner. I put some more brine in the pork barrel and then Frank and I sent out a bunch of cards to the J.F.I.A. members notifying them of the annual meeting next Tuesday. When Dad. got back we took Pommers out on the rein and found he hadn't forgotten any of his last winter's lessons. When we brought him in Dad. & I battened up part of the west end of the barn to make a boxstall suitable for Elgitha to inhabit. Enah drove down town with Mexico this after noon. I went down town to-night. It has been cold all day with a very cold west wind. It feels as if we were going to get our winter now but Dad. and Tid. saw a robin down near Woodson's this morning and Dad. & Frank saw a groundhog yesterday I set an incubator yesterday, the little one I got from Art. Thursday February 27th Dad. and Frank went back to the bush this morning and Dad. was back till noon. Frank came up early to get ready to go to Simcoe this after noon. Neff is having a short course to-day & to-morrow on the care of gasoline engines so Frank went up to it. I did chores this morning and took Pommers out for a little exercise. The road was too rough to let him trot and follow him so I took him in the corner field. I sat around most of the after noon & read. Marj. came over to tea and after tea the Ukelele Club came over to spend the evening, and of all the racket I ever heard, they made the most. I couldn't see or hear very much music about it though. No wind to-day but rather cold. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/ff014bbd835a03e2115f7d386fc73802.pdf ce1647370eb28154a0f1b6e9618a60bd PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Friday February 28th We haven't seen Frank all day. He stayed at Aunty's last night and went up to Simcoe on the nine car. He intended to see the hockey match at the rink to-night between Simcoe and Niagara Falls, come down on the eleven and go to the Women's Institute dance in the hall. Dad. & I just did chores this morning and I took Pommers out for a little more exercise. Dad. went back to the bush right after dinner. I went back about three o'clock but didn't do any thing. We did the chores up fairly early and to-night Marj. and I went to a concert in the Methodist church. It was put on by a travelling company comprising a pianist, vocalist, elocutionist and violinist. The pianist was a blind man and although he could play beautifully, it gave a fellow the "Willies" to look at him as he looked like a mechanical ghost. All the performers were very good but the violinist took my fancy. I almost wished she had been the whole show as I never heard any violin sound so sweet. I was in at Aunty's quite awhile on my way home as Roy was there having come in on the seven o'clock car to spend Sunday. Huby was down there when I went down with a medal which Lila had just received for a first prize on an essay she had written on the "Victory Loan". It has been very mild all day with a strong south wind. It rained hard this evening during the concert but had cleared off when I went home and the wind had gone around to the west getting stronger & colder. Saturday March 1st The advent of this March has been of the most approved lion-like type. It was a ferocious wind all night and morning and much colder although milder and <s>calmer</s> more calm this after noon. Frank got home some time before daylight and said he had seen the hockey match. We thought it would be too soft but he said they played a good game in spite of the water on the ice. The score was 8 - 5 in favor of the Falls. Dad. went over to Tupper's this morning so see his steers and was over there all morning. Tupper was showing him some great bargain he got in used uniforms up at {Brauk's?} Shoddy Mill so this after noon Frank rode his wheel up to see what he could do. He left his wheel up there https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/20b72b8e07ff5aa665a1e7e23e91d5bd.pdf 4611f1b8aca5e283d5444887a56f9fb4 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. to be overhauled and as he was too late for the five car walked home with his purchases getting here about half past six. He got a dandy officers greatcoat very little worn for $3.50 two or three pairs of riding breeches & slacks for $1.00 a pair, two tunics one of them a red Mounted Police one for $1.00 a piece two pairs of putties for 26 cts and a couple of caps thrown in for souvenirs. He says they have heaps of them up there but he didn't have time to pick over any more. The ones he got though are good all a little worn. I cleaned out the chicken pen this after noon where the roosters were as I may want it for little chickens soon. Sunday March 2nd Frank and I went to Sunday school this morning and I actually got there in good time. Enah drove down to church with Tid. and after church Marj. came home with them and the Mexico-cart outfit. Roy was in church and I walked home with him as he came over here to dinner. We sat around and visited all the after noon and Roy went down town before tea. Marj. stayed here to tea and didn't go to church to-night. Dad. went down this evening to see how Aunt Ida was as she has been pretty sick. I drove Marj. home a little late and then called for Dad. and drove him home. It has been a beautiful spring day. Monday March 3rd Dad. and I went up to Ham Thompson's this morning with Knockfierna and were up there till nearly noon looking at the stock which looks fine. This after noon Dad. and Frank went back to the bush. I took Pommers out on the line but he got away from me. He didn't do any thing mean but just got cantering faster than I could and as I couldn't stop long enough to brace myself to hold him I had to let go. He ran up and down the lane and got the lines plastered with mud but I didn't have much trouble catching him when I got up to him. Enah and Tid drove down town this after noon and stayed to tea at Huby's. Frank went down there to tea also and they all went to see Uncle Tom's Cabin to-night in the hall. I went down to the band meeting and left my horn there. We didn't do much at the meeting but spent most of the time watching the show It seemed to be a little better than the general run of shows but not much. It has been very mild all day. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/383a366be241c6ca64a64c7ce08d280e.pdf 683aa2c4457b7e879e373205e9a6af1c PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Tuesday March 4th Dad. and Frank took the team back to the bush this morning and brought up a load of wood at noon. They brought another one up this after noon. I drove down town this morning and got some coal oil and sent away to join the Sheep Breeder's and Shorthorn breeder's association. I didn't do much this after noon but read the paper and a few chores. Enah. drove down before tea and went to help at the Men's Banquet in the Sunday school. Frank went down there for his tea but I had mine at home as I don't like oysters and I didn't like the idea of going and eating and then leaving immediately as I would have to do in order to get to the J.F.I.A. in time. However on my way down I fell in with Jack Martin who insisted that I go over for a little while as he didn't want to go in alone so I did but didn't eat much and didn't stay long. The annual meeting of the J.F.I.A. was fairly successful. We had about ten or twelve out and they all promised to do their best to make things go next year and gave evidence of their good faith by consenting to try again to make our play a success. They wouldn't accept my resignation so I am still president. Frank was made secretary for life. Lloyd Ryerse was made vice-president and Tige, Charlie Blake & Charlie Shand were put on the Committee of Management which we propose to make a living thing out of this year. Charlie Blake proposed a scheme for organizing an orchestra claiming it could be done through a correspondence course. I think every one was rather doubtful, but we gave Charlie authority to get all the information he could on the subject. Neff was down and we arranged to put Corby and Frank in to hold up the honor of the club in a debate against the Courtland boys on the subject of the middle man. After we closed up our business several of the fellows went to the dance in the hall and I went over to the Sunday school again where things were just coming to a close. It has been very mild all day and to-night. Wednesday March 5th It was snowing this morning when we got up and has got a little colder to-day, freezing quite hard to-night. We did chores this morning and Whit and {Name?} came over to look at Dad's steers. Dad. asked Whit seventy-five dollars for the young fellow but Whit wouldn't https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/cd27973496884a8f204c8f317e94946a.pdf ffe12529f87703ef73e0fd6dd64aebcc PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. give him more than seventy so Dad. didn't sell. Frank and I bagged up some oats and Dad. wrote to Dick he heard from him yesterday and they have been quarintined for Spinal Meningitis and Spotted Fever. He said he had seen Billy Sloan who is stationed about five miles from where Dick is. This after noon Frank and I took the oats we bagged up down and had them chopped and drove down town to post Dad's letter. Frank saw Moses Fisher about fixing up his military overcoat and Moses said he could have it dyed and remodel it to make a good civilian coat for 3 or 4 dollars. Marj. came over after four to-night to return a sweater of Enah's and stayed to tea. I got ready to go with her to church to-night but it was seven o'clock when we got through tea and as she had to stop on her way down to pay Newman Silverthorne for lodge dues, we stayed here for the evening and guessed riddles. Thursday March 6th It froze pretty hard last night but has been a beautiful sunny day though wintry. Dad. and Frank hauled up two loads of wood with the sleighs this morning. There was just enough snow for the sleighs to slip, but it was too soft this after noon to try it. I did up the chores and took Pommers out for a little exercise before dinner. This after noon we hauled over a couple of loads of hay one to the horse stable and one to the old barn. Tom came in about six o'clock to-night and got a little jag of straw. To-night Frank went down to the Tom Marks show and I went up to see if Harry Moon could come any night next week to give us a little drill for our play. He was in Simcoe playing at the rink and will be three nights next week if it stays cold. I talked to Mrs. Moon for about an hour and a half and then went down to Aunty's for awhile.They are evidently having lively times at Ottawa these days. Sir Sam Hughes has been raving and tearing his hair metaphorically and actually weeping bitter tears of anguish over the foul administration of the Union Government and charging that the leaders of the Canadian forces caused needles slaughter of Canadian men last fall at Cambrai, Mons, simply to glorify themselves and through bullheadedness, but I think the public have more confidence in Sir Arthur Currie than old Sir Sam, and realize that he followed Pock's plan of conserving man-power at the expense of time. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/ef065df557d453cd3044335a3650eade.pdf f14051889c309333fa61860e5b502e5a PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Friday March 7th Frank and I hauled out three loads of manure this morning on the sleighs and spread it on last year's potato patch, one load was cleaned out of the calf pen. This after noon Dad. and Frank hauled up two more loads of wood in the waggon. I went over to Jack's and borrowed an egg tester and tested out my eggs. I took out 28 out of the seventy and broke one good one. To-night Frank and I went down town Frank went to the picture show to see "Intolerance" but as the engine broke down he didn't see it all as he didn't wait till it was fixed. I went over to the Monteith's, the old man is pretty sick. Tid. saw a robin on the lawn this afternoon. Froze pretty hard last night but sunny to-day. Saturday March 8th Dad. and Frank hauled up two or three more loads of wood in the waggon this morning while I did chores and took Pommers out for a little exercise. Charlie Quanbury came after Frank at noon to go and see some thing about his cattle out at Farr's as Farr had telephoned him and he was hauling ice and didn't want to quit, so Frank was out there all the after noon. Dad. hauled up one more load of wood alone as I waited around expecting Ham Thompson in as he told Dad. the other night that he was going to take his alsike to Jarvis to-day and would stop in for a sample of our clover seed to take to Harry Misner, however he didn't come. When Dad. came with the wood I took the team & waggon and went down to the mill and got a bag of oat-meal. I saw Art. Preston prowling around the place and thought he was one of the seventh-day Adventists as he had a beard on him like a Bolsheviki. I asked him if he had lost his razor but he said he had been sick again, and had been taking Russian Oil from Dr. Hicks, which I suppose accounts for his Bolshevist appearance. To-night Marj. and I went to the 'Gem" to see "Intolerance" It was certainly a wonderful picture especially the seige of Babylon. Frank went down to a birthday party at Bill Barwell's to-night. Raw east wind all day and snowing hard but getting softer when I came home to-night. Sunday March 9th The snow storm turned to rain before morning and it https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/b1cfff3f9a51f9b3fd6624a9fcb16d71.pdf ca56e7f83fd57ce7c2add0af9e9b344d PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. has been wet and slushy all day. There was a cold east wind this morning which later changed to the west. It is freezing a little to-night. Frank and I went down to Sunday school and I helped Miss Martin give out books. We went to church and Marj. and I went down to Aunty's to dinner and stayed there all the after noon and to tea. We went to church with Aunty Alice to-night and afterwards we went around to see how Miss McQueen was but the house was in darkness so we went on over to the Monteith's and stayed there. Monday March 10th I went out to the Shand's this morning and borrowed their scales and stock rack as Dad. wanted to weigh the steers. I went around by Lorne Meyer's and took the beet pulp bags back to him and as the roads were none too good I didn't get back home till one o'clock. Willie Shand had been here while I was gone and brought my incubator back. Frank went down town to get some postcards to notify the J.F.I.A. members of a lecture in the hall Wednesday night. He wrote them out over at the club and saw Tige and Albert and a few more to visit with so didn't get home till nearly two o'clock. He saw Fat. Turner down town who had just got home and Frank says looks fine having completely recovered from his wound. We weighed the steers after dinner and the smallest one weighed 815 and the old one 860 lbs. Frank and I then took the scales back to the Shands but we didn't take the rack home as we think we may be able to use it with our own scales and Charlie said they wouldn't be needing it for awhile. Enah went down town to an I.O.D.E. meeting this after noon. When Frank and I got home Ham Thompson was here getting a couple of bushels of clover seed for his own use and Will Wright had been in after a bushel. Dad sold it for $18.00 a bushel as that seems to be about all any one is getting now. Frank got a statement from the Department of Agriculture to-day of a sample he sent down and it graded no.1. there was very little bad seed in it. I stayed home to-night for a change as I didn't know whether there was to be a band meeting or not. Soft but raw wind. Tuesday March 11th Dad. went up to Miss McCoy's this morning to see a steer with a swollen jaw. Wess Boughner came after him https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/849170b74dc15f26cbfd16aae414a17e.pdf 6d1670af8cf99a19e976cd76acfc7bb5 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Frank and I did chores and husked a little corn. Alan Law came in here after dinner to see if we had sold our clover seed yet and showed us a card he had got Edmonds saying they were in the market again and for him to send up a sample of his seed. Alan had sold his to Fiss for $20.00 a bushel so Frank caught the 3 o'clock car and took a sample of ours to Edmonds and sold it for $21.00 a bushel. We have to take it up in the morning Dad. went down town to pay Clare Deal for the coal this after noon and Enah & Tid. drove down for some groceries. I read the paper, cleaned out a place in the cellar for my incubator and started to prune the raspberries but didn't get much done. Frank went down to Alfred's to-night to ask him if he wanted us to take his seed up for him to-morrow but he wasn't home nor at Art's nor Pickford's. Aunty & Dess had letters from Dick to-day and in Dess's said he thought they would be leaving for home about April. He told a very distressing story of the filth and poverty of Vladivostok. Nice day but rather cold west wind. Wednesday March 12th Frank went down to Alfred's this morning and got his two bushels of clover seed and while he was down there Dad. and I weighed up a bushel of ours for Will Wright and the balance just ammounted to a little over 3 1/2 bushels so we kept out the few pounds over that ammount and so just sold Edmonds the 3 1/2 bushels. Dad. went with us up to Miss McCoy's to see her steer. We met Will Wright on the road coming down here after his seed so we gave it to him. We then stopped in at Ham's and left the waggon there and borrowed his democrat. It was half past ten when we got started for Simcoe and the roads were rather sloppy but we got there and got our seed sold before noon. We didn't wait till one although Frank wanted to see Neff and get some mower supplies. We got the checkque cashed up there and we got home about half past two. We didn't do any thing but chores when we got home. Enah drove down town and stayed to tea and Frank and I went down after tea intending to go to church but found there wasn't any on account of Mr. Johnson being sick. Frank went to an agricultural lecture in the town hall and I went over to see Marj. It has been a very nice day but very windy and the wind has been getting worse all day https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/08804dba3e7df4363dae96e154a9661b.pdf 45dbd7372f19390901436abc026e6088 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Thursday March 13th We spent the morning cleaning up fifty bushels of oats for Will Wright. He came down and helped us. He paid Dad 60 cts a bushel for them. We didn't do much this after noon. I went over to Jack Martin's for awhile to ask Chris about my brooder but didn't get much satisfaction. I am afraid I will have a hard time getting it hot enough to be much use. Dad. and Frank fixed up some nests over in the shed for the geese to lay in as they have been laying under the hog-pen. To-night Frank and I went down to the club as I wanted to have a committee meeting to make plans for the coming year foolishly thinking that when we got just the committee there alone we could come to some definite arrangement to make a real life club which would make its activities aiming toward improvement felt in the community. They were all there except Tige. the best one of the bunch, but we might have well as stayed home for all the good we did. They would neither make suggestions themselves nor even give their opinion on any I made. What in thunder they want to have the club for is more than I can see. Darn them for a bunch of rubes. When we got home Frank went out to the stable to see if there were any lambs and was surprised to find two. He is sure they both belong to the same ewe but both ewes were taking a very maternal interest in them. He put on his old clothes and stayed with them till they got up and were nourished but I went to bed. I went down to see my incubator first and found all the eggs on the top of the machine. I took them out to cool and forgot them. They were cool alright and I suppose I can quit worrying about a brooder. It has been getting colder all day and to-night there is a strong wind. Friday March 14th There has been a high cold east wind all day to-day and we haven't done much outside. Dad. helped me get my big incubator down cellar this morning and I fixed it up and made a wire partition to fit in the little one to keep the eggs from the different hens seperate. Dad. took the pork out of the pickle and hung it in the smoke house and Frank repaired and oiled an old halter and the lines that Pommers dragged in the mud when he got away from me. Aunty came over to dinner and Enah and Tid. drove her home with Mexico about https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/672a55f0be9ddb840e65f69489e1cc2e.pdf 1e6d9ef14365d215539995f4ca073693 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. four o'clock. To-night Frank and I went down town. He went to a party at Ivey Howells and I went up to the Monteiths. There was supposed to be church again to-night but it was cancelled again. When I got home I wrote a letter to "The Farmer's Advocate" telling about the J.F.I.A. Saturday March 15th Young Albert McBride came in on horse-back this morning to ask Frank to go shooting with him so Frank rode up on his wheel. Dad. and I went back to the woods and got another load of wood. We got up with it about noon and it was raining quite hard. It rained all the after noon so we didn't do much but sit around and read. I went to sleep for the most of the after noon as I had a pain like the ones I had in the summer. We got another flock book to-day. Frank went down town to-night and I read all evening. There were two more lambs in the boxstall when Dad. went out this morning. Sunday March 16th It rained all morning but Frank and I walked down to Sunday school and church. I stayed down at Aunty's to dinner and tea but spent the after noon and evening at the Monteiths. The old man is in pretty bad shape and doesn't seem to be much better. Winnie was at Aunty's to tea to-night and she Aunty and I went to church. The flu is not over yet. Sweetmore died the other day while on a visit to the Falls and Dave. Smith about the first Dover man to return from the war died yesterday. Spring is in the air to-day. It cleared off after dinner and I walked down to the beach from Wedlake's this after noon. The piles of broken ice along the shore are just about washed away, the wind had a warm feel to it and there was a steamy mist out over the lake so that I couldn't tell where the horizon was. I went on out on the dock which is certainly in terrible shape. The end is all gone off the west pier and a great hole washed through the east pier. They have a carload or two of timber down there and are trying to patch it up, but to see that harbour now with six thousand dollars worth of timber looks to me like a harder "task <s>than</s> to prove" than to:- ... "Stop a stream with sand Or fetter flame with silken band. I came up the tack with Hughie Allen and the old red-winged black-birds were flying around in the marsh and to-night wen I came home I heard killdeer https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/581b2474a62cbcdd2cb62c81e656b8c2.pdf a4b6c2bfb853beb36d1d27198e37cdf7 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. {Sketch of a tree} Monday March 17th It has been very mild and muddy to-day and has rained a good deal of the time. Tupper was in for about an hour this morning visiting. I washed out my big incubator and started it going to-day and put the eggs in to-night. This after noon we weighed the steers again on our own scale. The little one just gained six lbs but the big fellow gained 24 lbs. We then hauled over a load of hay for the cattle... Frank went down to a St. Patrick's dance in the hall to-night but it was so rainy and muddy that I didn't go down to band practice and Frank said he doesn't think they had any. I read the "Breeders Gazette" most of the evening. Tuesday March 18th Dad. Enah and Tid all went down to Sam Law's to dinner to-day and spent most of the after noon down there. Frank went down to the mill after some bran for the sheep and I just did chores and sat around and read. Karl. Coleman was in this morning to look at Dad's steer and we sold him subject to Dad's approval for ninety dollars and he is to go a week from Thursday. Dad. was perfectly satisfied with the deal. I went down to see how Marj. was to-night as she had a very stiff neck but she was better and ironing a dress to go to Bessie's party to-morrow night. One egg is chipped and a chicken out in my incubator to-night so I didn't freeze them all the other day. Sam. Law told Dad. that they couldn't get a death certificate and in consequence couldnt bury Dan Smith, as the nurse he had being dissatisfied with Dr. Cooks treatment sent for Dr. Newel in Jarvis. He didn't come but sent some medicine and so neither doctor was there when he died and as Sam Law said they couldn't expect Dr. Cook to give the certificate when he didn't know what the other fellow had given to poison him, however, they got him buried all right to-day with a flag over him and with military honors. It has been raw and cloudy and terribly muddy to-day. Wednesday March 19th I helped Frank put on a load of hay this morning and while he and Dad. put if off in the horse stable I went over to Tupper's and borrowed a setting hen as there are three chickens out in the incubator and I am afraid there won't be many more. I was over there https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/9d34f74bebf95772c73a784bb6519661.pdf 78daf482dfed4079324962bbbbbd3681 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. till noon. This after noon I drove Enah down town and I got some coal oil and my hair cut. Enah stayed down to tea as Aunty Alice had a carpet rag bee this after noon Frank went to Billy Dixon's sale and bought a hay truck and a potato digger. Dad. had a busy after noon looking after Tid and a new heifer calf that came after dinner belonging to Young Bobbie. To-night Frank and I went down to church, and after church I went down to a party at Patterson's. There was a big crowd there about forty and they played Five Hundred. I was fortunate enough to get the booby prize. It has been a beautiful spring day but muddy. Thursday March 20th Dad. went down to Aunty's this morning and has been down all day tearing down the fence between Aunty's and Charlie Warren's. He got it all down and the boards piled up. I took six chickens out of the incubator this morning all that are going to hatch and put them under the hen I got from Tupper. I thought she was going to mother them well but before noon she killed four. The first two I found I thought she had stepped on unintentionally but the second two were picked in the head. I took the remaining two away from her and put them in a basket on the stove but I don't know what will become of them. I didn't do any thing much but chore around this morning and took my time at that. To tell the truth it was a beautiful day for "black-snaking." No wind, air warm and sunny, and a lazy drowsy sort of feeling over everything, both man & beast. This after noon I husked a little corn. Frank has been cleaning out the shop all day and by to-night it could be seen that he had started. It is "some" job. Charlie Shand was in for awhile this afternoon on his way down town. He came on horseback as the roads are a fright. Enah drove over to the McPherson this after noon and poor Mexico got stuck and broke a trace coming home. Frank and I went down to J.F.I.A. social evening to-night. We had no music as Charlie Blake had asked to be let off during Lent. Neff & Fleming were down and we played cards, Jacob & Rachel and had a spelling match. No body brought any milk so we took our coffee straight, at least I shoud say <u>they</u> did. Neff came down the Gravel in his Ford but <s>nearly</s> got stalled several times. We got home about three o'clock https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/f71a18dba38d47ed1b4d4b87c99b914a.pdf 1b811569e2f72f9b224d91d7cfa98d88 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Friday March 21st I spent the morning doing chores and trying to make my two young chickens comfortable. I put them in Dad's birdcage and hung it over the stove. I made a "hen" out of a strawberry basket lined with cloth. They seem comfortable while they are under it but don't know enough to go under of their own accord. Frank finished cleaning out the shop and started to make a whipple-tree for the disks. Dad. cut wood, the small pieces which he can chop with the axe. Frank went down to a party at Frances Slocomb's to-night. I went down town and called for Aunty Alice and Cousin Loll at Col. Smith's on my way home. Mild but a little colder wind than yesterday. Frogs singing to-night & last night. Saturday March 22nd Frank and I had to take Knockfierna up to Ham's this morning again. When we got home George Eagles was here to get Dad. to go up and lance the jaw of Miss McCoy's steer, so he went before dinner. This after noon Frank & Tid went back to the gully to spear pike as they are up in the creeks now. Frank said he saw five and speared one but the spear wouldn't hold them. It is an old four tined spear which the baby has been sharpening up for the last week or two and I guess has it so sharp it cuts right through them. Dad. sawed wood and I split it this after noon. I had a letter from the "Farmer's Advocate" saying my letter was satisfactory and that they would pay me the end of the month in which it was <s>written</s> published. Quite a cold wind to-day. Sunday March 23rd Frank and I went to Sunday school and church this morning and Enah came down to church. Aunty came over here to dinner with Enah and Frank but I stayed down with Aunty Alice and Aunt Ida. This after noon Marj. and I went for a walk down the beach after first getting a film and taking some pictures of the cat. We went down to Aunty's early in the after noon as Aunty Alice wanted to go up and see Huby and didn't want to leave Aunt Ida alone. We stayed down there to tea and entertained Aunt Ida while Aunty & Aunty Alice went to church by singing all the hymns we knew. Marj. played. Frank went down to Corby's this afternoon. Beautiful day, very warm. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/b2f527ca4b87f1543c628edcdede639e.pdf fa2ae34dac7b5a37ce83423f99be2b55 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Monday March 24th Dad. went up to Miss McCoy's this morning and Frank and I husked corn, we got into some nice stuff and got quite a pile husked. This after noon we weighed the steers again but before we watered them and one only gained one pound and the other four over last week's weights. Frank and the baby then went back to the gully to spear fish as they had borrowed Alfred's spear and came home with seven nice pike. The kid. was tickled to death. Dad. and I sawed and split wood and did chores. Frank and I both went down town to-night to stay all night so as to catch the train for Caledonia in the morning. Frank went to the dance but I went to bed early about 11.30. Another lovely day. Tuesday March 25th Aunty and I set the alarm clock last night and as neither of us knew just what time it was we set it early and set the alarm early so consequently were up about half an hour earlier than was necessary, but as it was such a lovely morning nobody objected. We found {Irvine?} Pow at the station bent on the same quest as ourselves so we had him for company all day. We found cars waiting for us at the Caledonia station, and they took us right out to the Moore farm which was just about a mile north of the town on the old Plank Road. We were surprised to see how dry and smooth the roads were down there and could hardly believe it when they told us that last week they were impassable. We had plenty of time to look over the cattle in the stable before the crowd got too thick, and we were certainly delighted with what we saw. The cows seemed to show much more of the beef type and build than dual purpose animals that I had in my mind's eye but their udders and Records of Performance showed that they were all very profitable dairy animals as well. About eleven o'clock lunch and coffee was served. Each lunch was done up in a seperate paper bag and consisted of a couple of sandwiches a piece of cheese a doughnut and a roll. The bags were all put in a big basket and every one just helped himself. There was another basket of cups which were filled with hot coffee when wanted by one of the half dozen girls that were mingled through the crowd with kettles of the beverage https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/31e5e566e317abd58fcffc6134544f8d.pdf 678055dba39a4ef581ecd63dfc2fadb6 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. The door yard was well filled with diners and as it was such a beautiful day, it proved very enjoyable as well as novel way of being fed. The simple cleaning up of paper bags and washing of cups must have been a much lighter task for the women folks than the washing of so many plates, saucers, knives, forks and other dishes and clearing away of tables and taking down of benches to say nothing of the sweeping up and setting things in order after the occupation of the house by such a horde of men as was assembled in the door yard that morning. Lunch being over we still had over an hour on our hands before the event started so we three took a stroll over the field to the big red basement barn of a neighbour. The barn looked to be the property of a prosperous man so we thought the cattle inside it would be worth looking at. We found it filled with grade Holsteins, the feeding and milking of which aparently took all of their young owner's time so that their rather unkempt appearance contrasted unfavorably with that of the herd we had just seen all groomed and cleaned and in every way made attractive looking. On our return we found the big tent which had been erected in case of bad weather had been taken down and was in a big heap under a tree so we three sat down on it to wait for the sale to commence. The warmth of the noonday sun, the drowsiness of the springtime air, the drone of conversation all around us, and the faint aroma of tobacco smoke, all had a very soothing effect and if it had not been for the constant chugging, honking and stopping of cars as they came up the lane and took their places in the orchard, and the cackling laugh of some fellow who with two or three others was perched on an old hayrack under an apple tree and aparently enjoying a very amusing conversation, we three should have gone to sleep. The crowd was continually gathering, the men were making some final preparations in the ring. A group of very small boys whom we guessed had been lured by the song sparrows, the sunshine and the crowd from the monotonous routine of the little school house up the road, came hurrying in and after trying several points of vantage around the ringside, decided that the apple tree over the auctioneer's stand was the ideal grandstand and acting on their decision perched themselves along the limbs. Here they https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/862a320eec1637743757f2782f020fb8.pdf 5ed4a7f58659e43fd2644c973374a9e1 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. stayed very well behaved till Capt. Robson mounted the auction box and beckoned them down whereupon they solemnly scrambled to earth again. We were soon aroused from our comfortable position by the observation that the crowd was closing around the ring. Different groups of men were carrying blocks and planks to make seats so we we decided that if we were to have the place at the ring that our early arrival deserved, we would have to do likewise. We did and got a seat opposite the auctioneer and were soon hemmed in by a big standing crowd behind us. After Hugh A. Scott, secretary of the Caledonian Shorthorn Breeders association and a neighbor of the late Mr. Moore had given a little address relating to the herd their excellence and the estimable character of Mr. Moore, the sale began. Burnfoot Grace was the first cow brought out. She was a nine year old roan squarely built with big frame and in calf to Burnfoot Chieftain the old herd sire. She went for $445.00 to A.D. Wallace, Toronto. We came to the conclusion right then that our chances for getting anything worth while there were pretty slim as we knew that every animal in the sale compared very favorably with this one and we didn't dare risk any more than half that sum, much as we would have liked to. We were not wrong in our conclusion as the bidding was keen on nearly all of them although only one went as high as $1000. She was a four year old cow with an R.O.P. 8147 lbs of milk testing 4.08 as a two year old. J.W. Carter of Ilderton bought her. The lowest price was $170 for a little bull calf. The average price for calves and everything was $440.16. The old bull Burnfoot Chieftain sold for $440.00 just $100. more than his this year's calf out of Burnfoot Lady one of the old good cows. Old Dairymaid the 12 year old foundation cow with a record of 13535 lbs and one-time Canadian champion sold for $350 but was not in calf and was in poor shape owing to a dose of blood-poisoning she got when she calved last time. All the cows were taken by Ontario buyers although there was at least one Americon there, but for some trouble over getting a tuberculin test they couldn't be taken across the line. We heard him say later that if it had not been for this trouble old Dairymaid and the other old cow Burnfoot Lady would never have stayed in Canada. After the sale we went back to Caledonia. Frank and I got a ride with Johnnie Walker a fellow I knew up in Guelph and who I see nearly every time I am around a https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/962c4d8cec93a1da0650bd7a9586f8d1.pdf 981bc03550513c6b91773495121dfd90 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. gathering of Shorthorn breeders and {Irvine?} got picked up by a car. We sat around the Union Hotel listening to this Yankee talking to some others who had been at the sale till six o'clock and then went up to the station getting some biscuits on our way to do instead of supper. The Dover train left at 6.40 and we got home about 8.30. Wednesday March 26th Frank and I bagged up some oats and the corn we husked the other day and took it to the mill. We left the grist there and went on down and got a small load of coal as the road down at the corner is pretty bad. Most of the roads have been scraped. We came home around by Munros corner. This after noon we took Shands rack for their scales home and came back by the mill and got our chop. I took the turnip seed Frank had cleaned up into Arthur Preston and he gave me some swede turnip seed for it. They are all sick again over there. Frank Enah and I went down to church to-night. It has been a very nice day Thursday March 27th It has been a very disagreeable day. Cold and drizzling rain most of the time. Dad. & Frank went over to Tupper's with Daisy May this morning and while they were gone Karl. Coleman came over and got the steer and gave me the money for him. I wrote letters to three different fellows this morning inquiring about bulls. Art Quanbury came after Dad this after noon to go and look after a ewe that was having a hard time lambing. Dad. was over there most of the after noon and said he was afraid the ewe would die. We heard later that she did and the lamb too. We didn't do anything much. Frank went down town to-night. Friday March 28th It froze hard last night and has been cold and very windy all day wind due north. We hauled over a load of hay this morning to the old barn. We wanted to get some to the horse stable but it was blowing too hard. Aunty Alice came over to dinner. Frank rode his wheel down town this after noon and got his hair cut. I just sat around and read most of the after noon. To-night Frank and Enah wrote cards to all the J.F.I.A. members notifying them that Mr. Duncan would be here Thursday night. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/96f03e94dbb78ad5a1d8b6063e481d28.pdf 278b60c016cc475c1779322d88855775 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Saturday March 29th It has been sunny to-day but the wind is still high and cold. We have spent the whole day doing chores and watching our herd and flock increase. Little No. 4 ewe had a big strong lamb with her when Dad. went out this morning and before noon No 33 had one. They were both big fat lambs but strong, but the event which will make this a red letter day in the annals of Knockfierna was the long-looked for arrival of Elgitha's calf. He too is a big strong bull and a fine roan. Elgitha is so wild no one can get within ten feet of her, but there is no necessity to as she and the calf are both all right. I hung around out in the barn till about four o'clock and then came in and got shaved and ready to take in Mrs. Smith's tea-party. It was a great success. She had nine boys there and Marj. & me. We helped her feed the bunch which included Isabel and then she the colonel and we two had our tea while the rabblement tore around in the other rooms. I went over to band practice for a little while after tea and Marj. shipped the boys off soon after I got back but we stayed for quite awhile listening to the Colonel talk. Sunday March 30th Frank. Tid. and I went down to Sunday school and church this morning. Enah went down to church and Aunty came over here to dinner with her. I stayed down at Aunty Alice's for dinner and tea. This after noon Marj. and I went for a walk but spent most of the after noon visiting. We stopped in at the Davis's to see if Said. had Marj's camera and as Said. had gone out for a walk with her beau who has just returned from the war, we stayed and talked to Mrs. Davis for awhile, we then went down and spent the rest of the after noon at Miss McQueen's. I went to church to-night with Aunty Alice and spent the evening up at the Monteith's. Aunty had a letter from Norah Hall and answering her question about the correct meaning of Knockfierna. She said the "Knock" was Anglesized and should be spelt "Cnoc" but meant a little hill, the whole word she thought would mean a grassy knoll more than a fairy knoll. However it applies just as well, maybe better to the mound as we never happened to catch any fairys there. Beautiful day. Monday March 31st Frank and I went down town in the waggon this morning https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/6cf012942c49fef3596c4c6a6301e15c.pdf b576eb25e9d0febc76ee7df94947e8b2 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. and got some old cherry logs over at Mr. Jame's. Frank got some boxes to feed the sheep in and I got a can of coal-oil. I saw {Mid.?} and Mr. Bagley go in to Arthur Anderson's so I went in to ask them where they were going to practice to-night as the Women's Institute are having a lecturer up in the room which we have been using and which is also their meeting place. They didn't know where we would meet but said it would be some place maybe in the Masonic hall if there was no fear of us "getting their goat". I found them back in the store rejoicing over a horn which was lost and is found. I think it was an alto which Jack Anderson had. Ed. Moon was in there and wanted to send over some beans to clean through the fanning mill so went down to the house with us to get them. This after noon Frank went down and got some posts at Jack Reynolds and when he came back Dad. went back to the back field with him and put them off. To-night Frank went down to the picture show and I went to band practice. We did have it in the Mason's room. Very cold north wind. Tuesday <s>March</s> April 1st I haven't done any thing much to-day but a few chores. I helped Frank bag up some oats this morning and he took them down to the mill to trade off for oil cake and bran for the sheep. He also went up to Billy Dixon's and got the hay truck and potato digger which he bought at the sale. This after noon he went down town to get Felix Perkins to come over and fix the pump at the windmill. We don't know what is wrong with it but Dad. went to turn the windmill in last night and the rod in the pump was jammed and wouldn't move. The wind was strong and before he knew what happened a piece snapped out of the middle of the jirk-rod. Felix said he would be over in the morning. Dad. Enah & Tid went down to tea at Aunty's to-night and then went to the picture show to see "Uncle Tom's Cabin". I went down and went with Marj. to the second show. It was pretty good. Margurite Clark played Eva and Topsy. Old no. 68 had a pair of lambs late this after noon. She had them in a very short time and none of us were out there. When Frank found them one was up. They were covered with dirt as they were born out in the shed. Wednesday April 2nd Tupper came in this morning and got Frank to https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/59ddd96f785d6163a73ad20fb71c98ee.pdf 56c702cc1be1e3eab586e4e93553efb0 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. go over and help him tear down his verandah. He was having a bee to tear down his verandah and build a garage out of it. Dad. and I helped Felix all morning who came over about ten o'clock. We got the pipes out as far down as the cylinder and found that what made it stick the other night was ice. The drain cock had got plugged in someway and it had frozen up. The sucker needed fixing anyway so we took it out. Frank got home soon after dinner and so I didn't help so much this after noon. We had to let the cows in the field to drink out of the ditch and I carried water from the ditch to the steer, Nellie & Elgitha. Wilbur Ryerse was over nearly all the afternoon. Dess was over for a little while. The assessor was here and Tom came after a jag of straw. Enah went down to church to-night but Frank and I didn't get ready in time but went down afterwards. I took my horn down to Harry Moon as he wanted to give Alf. Harvey & {Gint?} Rankin a little practice. Milder to-day. Tuesday April 3rd We didn't do much to-day except haul a couple of loads of hay over from the big barn. We put one in the old barn for the cows and one in the horse-stable. Colin Ryerse & Tige McBride were both in at different times for awhile. Enah went down town for dinner at her mother's. We put Martha in the box-stall in the horse-stable this afternoon and when Frank and I came home to nigh we found a red heifer calf with her not bigger than a fair-sized dog but all right. Frank and I went down to club to-night. We expected Duncan from Toronto down but he let Neff know that he couldn't come to Neff brought J. E. Johnson down and he gave us a little talk on Co-operation. Neff suggested we form a softball baseball team as the Courtland fellows were and we could meet them now and then in touring. Cloudy, mild, rain to-night. Friday April 4th Frank and I got off on the nine o'clock (new time) car this morning and spent the morning in Brantford. Mr. Cockshutt sent us out to his farm and the man showed us over the Shorthorns. He had one very nice young red bull but wanted $400.00 for him https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/fce6da1a2c238b62992f59e9914e6d74.pdf 57432c55ba7e09c2612fd00ab045cbbd PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. which was more than we could stand, but there was another roan one about seven months old which he only asked $120.00 for. We didn't like him quite so well and his mother didn't give a very big milk record but as all of his - Cockshutt's - stock is of such pure English breeding having come from the Rothschild estate and been line bred for generations, we thought he might make a great impression on our stock and be a good foundation to build up on. However we didn't buy him but thought we would ask Dad. about it and let him know later. We got home at two o'clock by our time. The time of the country is in a beautiful mix up now. The house {illegible} didn't the "Daylight Saving" law because the farmer's made such a howl about it last year, but the railways all adopted new time on the first of April claiming that as they had it on the other side it would cause no end of confusion and probably accidents at the border if they didn't have the same time as the American roads. The consequence is a muddle and no-one is any better of and most people are madder than ever at the farmer's and in this particular case I don't think any one can blame them. When we got up to Aunty's we found Roy there he had come on the car before we did. Old Phelix was here putting the little pump he made for the well at the windmill in at the house-well as the old chain there is just about rusted out. It looks queer there in place of the old bucket and chain well and reminds me of one of these walking sticks we find in the woods {pencil sketch of a walking stick}. Guy Tuple came after Dad. soon after we got home so we helped Phelix while Dad. went over there. I went down town to-night and went with Marj. & Miss Martin to the Presbyterian show in the hall. It was a bunch of middle aged women from Simcoe putting on "The Suffragette Convention" and I think was the poorest excuse for an entertainment that it has ever been my misfortune to attend. Mild, cloudy. Saturday April 5th I went down to Uncle Ward's this morning and borrowed a couple of setting hens from him and put them up over the hog pen and to-night put some eggs under them from the incubator so that they will be prepared to look after the chickens when they come out. When I came back https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/622d0eb1b7f91983a43a751f9ce0ca5e.pdf 9be28be2f0e6283f404c95d0e94b1c46 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. from Uncle Ward's, Tid and I burned the dead grass off the yard where I want to put the little chickens and then Frank and I put the association ear tags in the rams <s>lambs</s> yearlings. After dinner we put them in the yearling ewes and the private numbers in the lambs. Lila came over soon after dinner and Aunty Alice and Roy after that. We didn't do much but chores and visit the rest of the after noon. They all stayed to tea. Two more ewes lambed this after noon No. 40 & No 15 and another one to-night old Lop-ear. Frank went down town to-night and I think went to the show with Lila. I wrote to Cockshutt and told him to send down the little bull if he hadn't sold him as Dad. thought that as we couldn't very well lose anything on him it would be worth trying him to see what sort of impression he would make as well as purifying the blood of our stock. I went to bed early. It rained last night and has been cloudy but very mild all day. Sunday April 6th It was very showery all morning but was a beautiful after noon and is thundering and cloudy to-night. Frank went down to Sunday school this morning but I was too late getting ready as I spent considerable time with my setting hens. I went down to church though. Enah and Tid. also drove down. I stayed to dinner at Aunty's and this after noon Marj. and I went up the Radical Road in quest of pussy willows but didn't find many nice ones although there were plenty of no. 2's. We went through Duncan's woods and down to the beach. It was lovely up there and I was very glad to be without my overcoat. I think this is the most Spring like day we have had and the grass is beginning to show quite green. I had tea with Aunty Alice and Aunt Ida as Aunty & Roy had gone up to Huby's. Aunt Ida and I went to church to-night but were joined at the church by Aunty. I spent the evening up at the Monteiths and when I got home found Dad. & Frank out in the barn with the sheep. Old Split-ear had triplets to-day one of them with a twisted face which Dad. has in the house. Another ewe had a single lamb. Monday April 7th It rained a little more during the night but was sunny and quite hot and muggy all morning and a little cooler and cloudy this afternoon. We trimmed a lot https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/26c0157ba07ca876c7fd9b79ce71e4ee.pdf 5966f09b471bd43a289749c110cf1e4d PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. of the loose wool from around the bags of the ewes which have lambed to keep the lambs from getting wool-balls in their stomachs and Frank and I docked the six oldest lambs. We cleaned up the barn floor before dinner and got the fanning mill set ready to clean up the seed oats and Frank and I spent the after noon at it. We didn't get much done but put what we did do through twice and intend to run them through again. They are certainly heavy and when we put them in the big bags we got from the Canning Factory, they handle like wheat. Dad did chores and cut wood most of the day. I took a stroll over the wheat and and over to the garden this morning. The wheat looks fine and so do the strawberries. I went down to band practice to-night. We had a good one. Tuesday April 8th I went over to Quanbury's this morning and borrowed Arts toe-punch to mark my little chickens. The red hen over the hog pen hatched out five chicks from seven eggs. They are all from Hen no 74 one of the Wyandottes which started laying first and has laid more eggs than the rest. I want to keep her chicks seperate in case there is a good cockrel among them to breed. I put six eggs out of the incubator under one of the hens I got from Uncle Ward, but she didn't sit on them and they got cold. I put them under the red hen and one hatched. They were eggs from no 37 the best Plymouth Rock hen. I put nine eggs from the incubator under the other hen I got from Uncle Ward and she hatched eight chicks. They are from No 52. When I got that done, Frank and I put the ear labels in the rest of the lamb's ears. We cleaned up some more oats this after noon. Colin and Lloyd Ryerse came up this morning with their dehorners and took the spikes off the five steers. They are pretty sore to-night and are horrible looking objects as their heads are covered with blood, but they were getting too fond of using their horns which were nasty spikes on the oldest ones. We were to have gone up to Ham Thompson's to play baseball with the J.F.I.A. to-night but it was too wet. It was a nice morning but rained all the after noon and is colder. Wednesday April 9th I spent most of the morning getting my chickens out It was too wet to put them outside so I put them in https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/9eb008baeb51e637afdd190f6b552912.pdf b610fdb81327b3227ffb34f1f421595a PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. the unused end of the chicken house. I got them under two hens, one has twenty white ones and the other seventeen black ones. I only got twenty seven out of the incubator and two of them were cripples and had to be killed. Jessie had a nice red bull calf during the night and Dad has had a big job milking her as her bag is caked and and her hind teats very short. She gives a big mess of milk. There was also one more buck lamb this morning. Frank went down town and got three 16 foot Hemlock plank to make a bull pen as I got word from Cockshutt that he would ship the calf to-morrow. We cleaned up a few more oats this after noon but it was late when we got started so didn't get many put through Frank and I went down town to-night but were too late for church. Milder and rather cloudy to-day. Very muddy. Thursday April 10th It has been cloudy and drizzly but quite mild all day Frank and I went down with the team this morning and got a load of shingles Howey has just got a carload in and we thought that by taking them right off the car we would get them a little cheaper although they are dear enough there, five dollars a thousand. The car is on the canning factory siding as it is at last a much handier place to haul them from than Howey's yard. Dad. and Frank measured the roof and and figured it would take just about twenty-one thousand bring the cost up to $105.00 for shingles alone. We put on 42 bunches just half what we need on our first load and hauled it around by Mrs. Munroe's corner as we thought we couldn't get through with a load past Johnson's place, but decided that it wasn't any worse than from our corner on the side road down to the lane. Frank had his dinner early and rode his wheel down to the station to see if the freight on the L.E. & N. was in as we expected our bull on it, and they told him last night it was due about one o'clock new time. He came right back and told us that they had telephoned from Waterford saying that we could unload the bull at Main St. crossing if we were there between two & two-thirty when the train came in. However it didn't get in till just before the three o'clock car came so they backed the cars up on the siding and we unloaded the bull there. We had no trouble getting him off nor getting him home in the waggon and Dad. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/8fad31a1dd048b0197fadfc8a9f6ee69.pdf 75faba4f8664ea25f7a0e90a365c9d8e PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. is quite favorably impressed with his appearance. When we got "Moonshine" put away in his new quarters, Frank and I went down and got the rest of the shingles. Frank went dwn town to-night and sent Cockshutt a check for $150.00 for Moonshine. Aunty Alice lent him the money. Friday April 11th Frank went down to Aunty's this morning and was down most of the day fixing their fence between them and the Rankin's. Dad. and I spent the morning doing chores and I gave all the horses a good cleaning. This after noon I started to rake up the lawn and Dad. sawed wood. I measured up the bare spaces in the orchard and figured that we would need about two dozen trees to fill it up. While I was out there I saw a pair of ducks rise out of the water-holes and on taking a walk over saw to more pair rise. Niel Elliott was in to-night and Dad. sold him Daisy May. Dad. hadn't thought much of seliling her but Niel offered him $100.00 and said that was all he could possibly give but Dad. worked him to $120.00 so Dad. sold her. Frank and I went down town to-night & Frank went to the dance. Cloudy & cool. Saturday April 12th Tid. and I finished raking the lawn the other side of the ditch this morning. Right after dinner I went down to Uncle Ward's and ordered some apple trees. A man whom I suppose was Mr. Granton came in and started telling of his experiences in the West and it was three o'clock when I got home. I spent the rest of the after noon raking up the rest of the lawn. Frank went back to the gully this morning with Alfred's spear and got three pike one of them weighing four pounds. He took it down to Alfred. Lila came over this morning and has been practicing on the guitar all day and took it home with her this after noon. Dad. Frank and Tid went down town in the waggon this after noon to get the gutters for the roof and some coal oil. Dad. was going to get Cousin Willie to witness his signature on a proof of age form which Dick Frank & I have to send to our insurance companies but Cousin Willie was down at the dock and although Dad waited for him till five o'clock he didn't show up. Hugh didn't have the gutters cut out either. Still cloudy & rather cold wind. Frank saw first martin on the bird house to-day. Sunday April 13th Frank Tid and I went down to Sunday school this https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/93344a7a2d2c15c031b4931329af972f.pdf 00941a11c0011aa9f74ba2b6e163e5ab PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. morning and Enah came down to church. Marj. and I went down to Aunty's for lunch and about three o'clock went up to the Monteith's while I pumped some water for them up there and then we came over here to the farm and had tea. Dick {Fomsbe?} was over for awhile to see Dad. about a sick cow. Nice sunny day, cool wind. Monday April 14th Art. Quanbury came over about eight o clock this morning and we have been shingling all day and got the east side of the parlor roof on. We weren't looking for Art. till this after noon and were just ready to haul over a little hay but Frank hauled the rack over to the barn and then went down town and got the gutters from Hugh McQueen and Dad. and I hauled over a little jag of hay when he got back. Sam Law came up after dinner with his hammer and apron and said he heard us hammering so just came up to give us a hand. I suppose Tom has told him we were shingling. I went to band practise to-night. Tuesday April 15th Art. came over this morning and we shingled till noon and got about half of Dick's bed-room roof on but just at noon it began to rain and has kept it up all the after noon and evening. Snowdrop presented us with a black and white heifer calf this morning so it took considerable time after dinner to tend to her and do the other chores. We put some costic potash on the two youngest calves horns and Frank and I put up a lot of hay from the far bent in the big barn up over the sheep pen so that it will be handy to load when we can get the waggon over. It was cold this morning but about noon the wind veered a little more to the south east and it got a little milder. Dad. had to go up on the roof <s>this morning</s> to-night to stick some shingles over the bare spots where it was leaking. Wednesday April 16th It rained hard and steadily all morning and I think all night. It cleared off two or three times during the after noon but rained most of the time and is cloudy to-night. We haven't done any thing but chores all day and sit around and read. The ditch running through the sheep pasture is a regular river, and when Frank let them out at noon most of them plunged right through it as they have https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/a99b764a8a3ee7aabe9a2ea5c7fc6013.pdf 290f52f5d13839b6060b32ccb37d3595 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. been accustomed to do, never taking notice aparently that the bridge was gone. Most of the little lambs went too. Frank and I went down town to-night and I spent the evening over at the Monteith's. Marj. expects to go home to-morrow for the holidays. Aunty told us to-night that Mrs. J. S. Allen died very suddenly Monday night and Mrs. Fred Roleson died Tuesday, she had the flu and Mrs Allen had heart trouble. Lila is quite sick and twenty-five out of the High School are sick in the same way. Frank was up there to-night looking at all the fancy guns Quint sent home. Thursday April 17th Frank and I hauled over two more jags of hay one to the old barn and one to the horse stable. Charlie Munroe was over to see Dad. about a sick cow and Dad. spent most of the morning doing the chores over at the old barn. It takes about all of one man's time over there now to keep things done up right especially now that the yard is so muddy that a lot of them can't be turned out. It cleared off nicely this after noon and I cleaned out the colony house so that if we get a chance to shear sheep we can do it in there. Dad. went back and opened some ditches on the back field. Frank got the clippers oiled up. To-night Frank went down to the J.F.I.A. another social evening but I didn't go down. It will be Good Friday before they get out. Roy came up to-night. Cloudy this morning. Friday April 18th Art came over this morning and we shingled all day. Sam. came up this <s>morning</s> after noon and said he would be back to-morrow if it was nice. This being Good Friday Enah went down to church this morning. Dad. went down town to-night to see Roy but he wasn't home. Nice day. Saturday April 19th Art. and Sam both came over this morning and we got on well with the shingling. We now have just the north sides of the kitchen & dining room roofs to shingle. Dr. Cook was in at noon to-day and said that they all had the flu. over at Tupper's and intimated that some of us would have to go over to do the chores so Frank went over to-night. Tupper had the milking done when he got over there but he said he looked pretty sick and he thought should not have been out. Aunty and Roy came over https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/1e704c86e4aff17f83596a7298ae053c.pdf 73c1974746f405f86c1986beb5c360e2 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. this afternoon. Frank went down town to-night. Very nice day. Sunday April 20th This has not seemed very much like Easter to me and has been any thing but a day of rest. I went over to Tupper's about half past nine this morning after we had done our own chores and was all the morning over there. Tupper was lying in the lounge in the house and gave me instructions about feeding every thing which I found difficult to keep straight in my head but I followed them as well as I could and thought that as long as every thing got some thing to eat that they needn't worry. While I was over there Dr. Cook came and ordered Tupper to bed as he had quite a fever and told me to go down to Hanselman's and get a nurse there and bring her out to Tupper's. It was just twelve o'clock when I got home and all the family had gone down to church and as Dad. had Joe and the buggy I had to wait till he got home about half past one before I could go after the nurse. By the time I got her, took her out and got home again it was after three. Dad. and Frank were just having their lunch alone as Enah and Tid. had stayed down so that Enah could go to Mrs. Hobbes for after noon tea. I had my dinner and sat around for a half an hour or so and then went back to do Tupper's night chores. Nurse Little gave me some money to get her some beef and whisky so just as I got home about dark Dad. was starting off in the buggy to get Enah and I gave him the order and he managed to get the goods. Frank went down to the corner with him with a bag full of cats which he left in the pond. Dad. thought there were too many around and there is a very big family of little rabbits out now and he didn't want them killed. There are still two tabbys here each with a family of kittens. Enah got home soon after Dad. left. She had been in at Uncle Ward's and he had missed her. It rained this morning but was very nice after noon. Monday April 21st I went over to Tupper's right after breakfast this morning and it was after eleven when I got back so I didn't do much else this fore noon. Frank took a grist to the mill and went down to the Widespread to get the ridge boards but the engine down there was broken so he couldn't get them. Alan Law was past and was telling https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/9f5fb49578eaf8edabcebff0b114462e.pdf 16be47e0aff0c5824384968121238a4d PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. me Charlie Ivey's side of the story of Clarence Ferris getting fired down at the mill. Charlie bought the lot across from his house on purpose to preserve the big spruce trees along the road on the lot. After he bought it Clarence wanted to buy it from him and Charlie sold it to him on condition he would leave the trees but it was only a verbal agreement. Joe Long wanted the trees so Clarence let him cut them down although Charlie offered to buy them or the lot or another lot down town in order to keep them. If that is the case Clarence certainly deserved all he got because Charlie has treated him well. Karl Coleman was over this morning to look at the steer and told Dad he would give him 12 cts for him when he was ready in two or three weeks. Dad. took Daisy May down on Saturday to ship but Niel wasn't there and had left word at Henderson's that he didn't want her that day but Dad. had never got the word so was very peeved when he had to bring her home again. Karl told him he would make Niel buy her over again and if he didn't make a suitable offer that he himself would take her. This after noon Frank and I sheared one of the rams. I did the shearing and made a pretty messy looking job as I have forgotten how to hold them. We only did the one as Frank had to get to the mill after the chop. Dess came over with a letter from Dick. He enclosed a program of a concert he had been at put on by Austrian-Hungarian prisoners of war which were under Japanese control. I went back to Tupper's about five o'clock and got home about dark. I made arrangements with old Evans to do the chores in the morning. Frank went down to the Masonic dance to-night. Sunny and mild all day, cool breeze. We lost a fine big lamb to-day. Dad. opened him and found a big wool ball in his stomach. That is the second lamb that has died, one of Splitear's died Saturday, but it was never right. Tuesday April 22nd Frank and I got three rams sheared this morning. After dinner Dad. sheared one and then I sheared the old ram. We didn't have time to do any more as I went over to Tupper's about half past four. I rode Joe over and when I got there the cows and calves were all loose in the stable and so I didn't have to bring the cows in nor milk one of them and got home quite early. Dad. went back with the harrows this morning and went over the https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/09634a2248cf497a59f6b7c3d81cf844.pdf 4c7627e7b0fe3e8c5f5f34d00047687b PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. side hill and took the disks back late this afternoon, the discs cut down to the mud but the top works fine. I went down to band practice to-night. Very mild & fine. Wednesday April 23rd Frank and I sheared another ram this morning but it took quite awhile and we had to put on a load of straw to take over to the horse stable so we only got the one done. Dad. went back and disked the side hill this morning and drilled it in this after noon. It was a hard job he said drilling on the hill as several times he lost track of his drill mark. Dad. hauled our load of straw over to the horse stable and Frank and I put it off right after dinner and before Dad. went back to the field he hauled the rack over to the barn and Frank and I put on a load of hay. It was so late when we got it on that we didn't have time to shear another ram. Aunty Alice was over to dinner and Enah drove her down with Mexico this after noon. Enah got a lot of groceries which Melissa asked me to get and I drove over to Tuppers to do chores. It began to rain while I was over there and rained all evening. I went down and got my hair cut to-night and took my horn down to practice but it was so late when I got around that they were all through. I stayed all night down town as it was such a bad night. Very warm & sultry all day. Thursday April 24th I got home at six o'clock this morning and helped do chores. It turned cold during the night and has been cloudy, cold and a north wind all day and several times it has started to snow. I went up to Simcoe on the 11 o'clock car and went over to Slaght's office but was very disappointed to learn that nothing has been done about the "Sheep Pasture". Slaght is still sick and not expected back in the office for a month. I went in to see Neff for a few minutes he had a Mr. May in there who is going around organizing the county for Y.M.C.A. work. They said they were coming down to Dover this afternoon. Neff said that the Courtland boys would be down at the club to-night to give their debate and advised me to see Mr. Johnson and ask him to act as our judge as the Courtland boys were going to bring one down. When I got home Dad. & Frank where at Aunty's after the ridge-boards for the roof and as https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/85687c8d0572fe2b3f888bb5ae9f4f1a.pdf 11332c5b9cc9ef1cc8c84e582f9a2569 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. I had to go up town to get some bread for Tuppers I stayed down at Aunty's for dinner. After dinner I went up and asked Mr. Johnson to come over to the club to-night but he said he couldn't as there was a vestry meeting on and advised me to get Mr. Robertson so I got Tige to ask him. Soon after I got home Neff and Mr. May came over to look at my heifer and Frank's pigs that we are entering in the Profit Competitions and when they left it was time to go over to Tupper's. Gladys had fourteen pigs to-day. Dad. has two of them in the house but one is not going to live long. We had a great meeting at the club to-night. About six Courtland boys and as many girls came down and we had a good turnout of our own both boys and girls. Corby who was to have helped Frank out in the debate informed us at the eleventh hour that he couldn't come so Frank had to hold up our side alone, however he made a good job of it and the judges made it out a tie. One of the Courtland fellows did very well but the other wasn't so good. Mr. May acted as critic and then gave us a little talk on the Y.M.C.A. and invited us all to go to Simcoe to-morrow night to a meeting they are having to organize the county. After that we had some games and supper. We stayed for a long time after our visitors left and danced and cut up till a late hour. Ham had his phonograph down to furnish the music and Charlie Shand played his mouth organ. We think that will be our last meeting there. Friday April 25th It has been very cold and very windy all day and snowed to-night. We havent done very much but chores. Frank and I put up some hay ready to haul over to the horse stable but it was too windy to haul it. Niel Elliots nephew came over to ask Dad. to take Daisy May down this morning as they were going to drive a bunch to Jarvis. Dad. told him he was pretty sore at having to take her down and bring her home again last week and that now if Niel wanted her he could have her for $125.00 so I went over to Jack Martins as Niel was going to telephone there to say whether he would take her or not. Jack was very disturbed when he saw me as Niel had telephoned him early this morning to tell us to bring the cow down and Jack had promised to and then forgot. Neil called up soon https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/1f321ec46552f847af5f9052f24985d9.pdf e430e8bde5f123af163e229acb1a37aa PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. after I got there and said to bring her down so Frank and Dad. went right down with her. Niel was very apologetic and told Dad. that he wouldn't have blamed him if he had sold her, he thought that Dad. knew he didn't want the cow on Saturday. He is a great old bluffer. Frank went down to the Women's Institute dance tonight. Saturday April 26th The ground was covered with snow this morning nearly as much as was on the ground any time this winter. It turned sunny and soon melted off and is milder to-night. We hauled over the load of hay we put on yesterday to the horse stable this morning and this after noon we started to put on another load for the cows but Ham came down and wanted to have a horse clipped so we didn't get it over. I went over to Tuppers early and did the chores and got down to meet the 8.15 train which is due at 7.15 by our time. Marj. came back to-night Sunday April 27th Frank and I went down to Sunday school and church this morning and I stayed down at Aunty's to dinner. This after noon Marj. and I went up to Huby's for awhile as Marj. wanted to take Lila some maple sugar she brought from home. Lila was feeling much better. We went from there to Miss Martin's and I left Marj. there to have tea. I came home changed my clothes and rode over to Tupper's to do the chores. Tupper was feeling much better and came out to the barn for awhile but got severely reprimanded by the nurse for doing it. She told him he was a "bad naughty man". His improved health is making him wayward. The nurse let him out for an hour this morning to visit with Wilbur Ryerse and he and Wilbur got on the sunny side of the straw stack and he stayed out nearly all morning. I went back to Miss Martin's after tea as I couldn't get down before church was out. Enah and Tid. went for a drive with Mexico this after noon. Sunny, cool breeze. Monday April 28th Frank and I took a grist to the mill this morning and went from there down to the lake and got part of a load of sand and some plaster to plaster the ceiling in the spare room. We also got a barrel of salt. Ham Thompson came in after dinner with Hugh A. Scott, who came to https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/eed2ca0caae5ccb6e1b09833c0c244f6.pdf 1929757b07f9a41e37fc2fa70b69899f PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. look at the cattle. After he left Frank and I went to the mill and got our chop and I went over to Tuppers when I got home. Tupper was down town when I got there but came home before I left and said he thought he could manage his chores himself from now on. I borrowed a setting hen from him. To-night I went down to band practice. Al. Faulkner has been cutting up again. He got on a tear Saturday and went up Main St. in his car about dark at 40 or 50 miles an hour, ran into Bruce McQueen and his wife who were coming down in a buggy and hurt Mrs. McQueen very badly. Cloudy and cool. Tuesday April 29th Frank and I went to Simcoe this morning in the waggon and got four bags of Irish Cobbler potatoes for seed, {illegible}, oil cake, bran, & feed flour from Johnson. I went in to see Neff about my Dairy Profit competition and Frank went to get some ledger plates for the mower and some stumping powder but he couldn't get any. We had Joe & Queen and as Queen hasn't been out all winter we had to let her go pretty slowly and it was about three o'clock when we got home. Dad spent the day I think helping Enah house clean. Nice day, sunny, cool breeze. Wednesday April 30th Frank and I gathered up most of the shingles off the lawn this morning and put them in the wood shed and Enah raked it this afternoon. Dad tore off some more shingles from the north side of the dining room roof as Charlie said Art would be over this after noon and then he took the team back to harrow the side hill. Art. came after dinner and he and Frank shingled all the after noon. Dad. took the team back and finished harrowing the side hill and I cleaned out the cow stables and then went back and disked on top the hill and Dad. came up and helped shingle. It doesn't work too badly but looks like more rain to-night. Neff was on for a minute or two this morning and brought us some milk preserving tablets. I went down town to-night. Nice day and sunny but east wind. Thursday May 1st It has rained most of the day and so we have done no outside work at all. I spent most of the morning filling in my Dairy profit and egg sheets https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/648b871310f4d19469c257962c8386f3.pdf 74425f1dc8d7e88ee7b92b37b9ceccdc PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. for April as well as writing this and filling up crop reports for the Bureau of Statistics. Dad. went over to Art Quanbury's and helped him shear a sheep. I read and did chores this after noon. Frank cleaned out the drive house and Dad. made a wheelbarrow for Tid. and scraped plaster off the spare room ceiling. Charlie brought the clipping machine back this after noon and said Art. had all his sheep sheared. Friday May 2nd It was raining again this morning but cleared off soon and has been very windy all day. We couldn't do any thing on the land or the roof to-day. Frank finished cleaning out the stable and drive house and Dad. scraped the rest of the plaster of the spare room ceiling. I took the chickens out of the incubator this morning and had a much bigger hatch than I expected and so had no accomodation for them. I have 25 under the hen I got from Tupper but that is the limit of her capacity and I still have 14 in the machine. I tried putting them under the hen with the older chickens but she wouldnt own them so I am going to get a hen from Charlie Quanbury and try to make her own them. I spent most of the day when not with the chickens husking corn. Frank helped me this after noon and we got nearly all the corn that is left husked. Frank and I went down town to-night. Frank went to a party at Anna Holden's. Huby saw Less. Parish to-day who has just got home. He saw Quint two days before he left but he had lost some of his papers so couldnt sail with his battery which is now in Canada. Less says it may be a long time before he can get home and will have to be a {illegible}. Saturday May 3rd Art came over this morning to shingle and they tore all the shingles off the dining room side of the roof. It started to rain about noon but we kept right on shingling after dinner and finished that side about four o'clock the rain didn't ammount to much. I drove out to the Shand's this morning to see if we could get some seed barley from them and they said we could. Willie was drilling but the ground was pretty packed. I stopped in at Charlie Quanbury's on my way back and borrowed one of his hens. He had two with seven chickens apiece so he doubled them up and gave me one hen. I put the fourteen chickens with her out of the https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/4918dc675236c245ddcaac70a667973e.pdf 1db705a737d9ff017e0e427d2060caab PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. {Repeat of previous page}. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/9f6bc339e6c5db7f28337e635708435e.pdf c978fddc2bb1dcf5592707392fe63d3f PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. machine and she mothered them all right. Charlie was in this after noon on his way home and said it rained very hard out at his place. We did chores up fairly early and I went down to Aunty's to spend the evening. The two Miss Hardings and Miss Martin were there playing bridge. Marj. was there also and to wind up with we had a five handed game of Five Hundred. Rained again to-night. Sunday May 4th Frank Tid. and I went down to Sunday school and Church this morning. I stayed at Aunty's to dinner and went up to band practise this after noon. Enah and Tid. went down town as Enah had to practice for the mother's choir. They stayed down to tea at Aunty's but I came home and helped do chores. I went down town again this evening, got Mexico out of Aunty's barn and left him tied to a tree in front of Dick {Name?} for Enah and then I spent the evening at the Monteith's. The mother's choir was a great success. It rained hard during church but cleared up during the after noon but to-night there was a terrific thunder storm and I got caught in a heavy storm going home. Monday May 5th Frank Slocomb came over this morning and has been here the most of the day plastering the spare room ceiling and patching the parlor. Dad. and Frank have been helping him. I just did call chores and husked a little corn but got so sleepy doing that I had to quit. Dad. had a letter from George Pilley to-day dated at Toronto and saying he would be here to-morrow so Enah went down town this <s>night</s> after noon to get some paper to cover the new plastering. Frank went to a dance at Pete Holmes and I polished up my horn. Fine day. Tuesday May 6th Frank went down town this morning to see if Harry Dyer could come over to paper the parlor ceiling to-day but he couldn't so Frank got Jerry Burtch to say he would come to-morrow morning. I fixed up a chicken coop and moved my little chickens out this morning. Dad. did chores and helped Enah house clean and Frank and I sheared the last two rams before dinner. Ah! Dad. sheared the last one. Just after dinner Aunty Alice and George Pilley came over. We didn't know what train George https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/7c546600b9bcdfa20b8a094812984873.pdf 68dfdf1282a8fa62c361f1dde73cd5b3 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. would come on but he came at eleven and Aunty Alice met him. This after noon we sheared four of the yearling ewes. Tonight Enah, Frank and George went down to the memorial service in the church. Mr. Jeakins an ex-chaplin was down from Brantford and they unveiled the new altar in memory of the boys who were killed at the front. I was too late getting through to be in time for church but I went down and Marj. and I went and called on Belle Smith afterwards. Wednesday May 7th Frank went down with the waggon this morning and got Jerry Burtch and his outfit and he came over and papered the parlor ceiling in about an hour and a half and made a very slick job of it. Then Frank had to take him home again. We got two more ewes sheared this morning and Dad. sheared one with the handshears, but it was pretty dull. This after noon we sheared three more and got a little hay over to the horse stable and cow barn. Dad. put the parlor carpet down this after noon. I went down town to-night. George has been entertaining us with stories of his four years at the front. He was certainly lucky to come through it as well as he did. Rained a little this morning. Fine day. Thursday May 8th We started to shear sheep this morning and got one done (the last of the yearlings) when Art. came over wanting to shingle, so we went at it. George helped us and we finished the job to-night. Dad. and Art were till after six putting on the ridge boards but it is all done now except to clean up the mess. I had to go down to band practise to-night and had to leave all the milking to Dad. He didn't get through till nearly ten o'clock. I got a can of Brasso down town and after I got home worked till twelve o'clock polishing my horn and then didn't finish. Frank and George went down to see Ada. to-night. I saw Alan, Art. Munroe and Kilt Moore to-night. They all looked fine. Fine and warm this morning, but colder & rain to-night. Friday May 9th We bagged up a grist this morning and Frank took it down to the mill while Dad. and I started to put on a load of hay. When Frank got home he hauled it over to the horse stable and George, Frank and I put it off. Frank then went down to the mill after the chop and I put a little more polish on my horn and then https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/48ef8c467a716c9e16fdca3b1745a844.pdf 5db56a1282747b7337bb40f386605874 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. got ready to go down town. I got down there at half past one alright and at two o'clock sharp we started our parade. We marched up to the school house followed by the girl guides and all the school kids and then played marches or hymns and listened to speechs alternately. R.M. Taylor explained the idea of planting a memorial grove of elms. Jack Martin complimented the Women's Institute for taking up the work and mentioned something about the soil of Dover being very good for trees. Then the three preachers had a little to say. Mr. Robertson winding up with a prayer and the school kids sang "O, Canada" and "The Maple Leaf." Neff was down to supervise the setting of the first trees. Mrs. Bell as president of the W. I. planted the first tree and then the band marched the crowd back to town leaving Huby & Mr. Johnson to plant the rest of the fifty trees. I don't know how they made out. Frank and George went down town this after noon but were too late to see the ceremony. Enah and Tid. drove down also and I guess were late. I went in to see Punk McDonald for awhile this after noon. He has just got back from France and is staying at Mrs Lawson's. I went down town again to-night and Frank went to Craig Long's hard-time dance. George was going too but when the time came decided to go to bed instead. Rained a little this morning but fine & cool after noon. Saturday May 10th It has rained steadily all day to-day, not very hard much of the time but a very soaky, dismal drizzle. We sheared sheep in the shop all day and got six done. We carried them over from the barn in the crate and carried them back after they were sheared. Dad. helped us and did chores and George ironed off a whipple-tree, fixed the wool box, and put a latch on the door of the shop. To-night Frank, George and I went down to Aunty Alice's to spend the evening. Winnie, Lila, Dess, Fraser, Marj., Ada and Douglas Skey were all there and we had a lot of fun playing games such as consequences and making poetry. We had to make a verse answering a question and using a word that two others had written on a piece of paper, folded and passed on. Douglas drew for a question "Whether is the song of nightingale sweeter in the morning or the evening" and his word was "Word." Douglas wrote "The word of the bird is sweet." Aunty Alice said "Brevity is the soul of wit." We got home about midnight. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/48d9e527b9bd7c780a297c7e576bacc9.pdf 5f16f9d28ae577bf4a1dd6c731378188 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Sunday May 11th Frank and George went for a walk over Brant Hill this morning and I went to Sunday school but was very late as I cut my chin while shaving and couldn't stop the flow of gore for some time. When I got there {Name?} Ryerse was marking the book as Miss Martin didn't show up and I had to step lively to get the books dished out. I went to church and found George & Frank there. We three went to Aunty's for dinner. This after noon Marj. and I went up to Miss Martin's with the money we cleaned up at Sunday school and found her looking very tired and her father sick in bed. We didn't stay long as the Best's came up, but we spent the remainder of the after noon at Miss McQueen's. I came home to tea and to do chores and went down again after tea and spent the evening at the Monteith's. George & Frank went up to Huby's and to see Ada this after noon. Mrs Hobbes invited them there to tea with Ada. but Frank came home to do chores George went and after tea he and Ada went up to Waterford with Mr. & Mrs. Robertson from Toronto in their car. They went on to Brantford and Ada & George spent a little while with Ada's freinds in Waterford & came back on the car. Rained all day, drizzle Monday May 12th Karl. Coleman came over this morning and got the steer I went down with him and saw him weighed. He just came to 960. Dad. was very disappointed as he was expecting him to go at least 1000 but Karl told me to-night after he killed him that he had no fat inside at all. Frank & George sheared sheep while I was gone and I helped them the rest of the day. We got eight done and only have two more to do now. Old Broadley & Jason were here to dinner, the first trip of the season and old Broadley sheared one sheep for us after dinner. Frank Ryerse was in just after tea to-night to see Dad. about a horse that has the colic. I rode down town with him to band practise. Frank and George went to the picture show. Cloudy & cool this morning but cleared off. Tuesday May 13th We sheared the last two sheep this morning and got all the wool packed in the big sack. We hung it under the trap door in the ice house and Frank got in and tramped it. This after noon Dad. and Frank took it down and shipped it. Dad. stayed down to get his hair cut and walked home and brought Marj. over with him. Winnie & Dess. had https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/7fb47192c7a7700f046e3d487de8b348.pdf 5166b0f755441d5466cfee51d047d024 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. come over earlier. George and I cleared up some of the old shingles around the house this after noon and I cleaned out the cow stables. Dad. let the cattle back to the gully this after noon but as the fence isn't fixed yet into the field, they all got in, at least the cows did. The calves didn't go out of the lane. I went back after them about five and they were right back at the woods and the felt so fine to be out that I had to do considerable chasing to get them into the lane. Wednesday May 14th Frank and George went back to fix the fence in the gully this morning and about half past ten I went back to help them. I had been cleaning up shingles around the house before Dad. had to go (I wrote most of the foregoing while I was asleep, so quit and went to bed) down to Alex Jameson to see a sick horse. This after noon Tom came up to have Maude clipped and to get his fruit out of the cellar and they also clipped Mexico. He looks like a different horse. I spent the after noon gathering up shingles and got the worst of the job done. I went down town to-night. Frank also went down, calling some place I think. It has been warm and sunny to-day but looks rainy to-night. Thursday May 15th It was raining this morning so we didn't go back to the gully to fix fence but put on a small load of straw and hauled it over to the horse stable. We then put a small jag of hay in the horse stable. This after noon Enah and George & Tid. drove Mexico down town and Enah took George through the woollen mill. He was very interested in it. Dad. & Frank cleaned out the cellar this after noon and I cut and cleared up part of the lawn. We were to have gone up to Ham Thompson's to-night to play base-ball but Jack Martin came over and it was so late when we got through and a heavy fog that we thought it was no use going up. I went up for a little while though and some of the fellows were there. I rode Frank's wheel up but walked it most of the way home. Enah & I played duets on the piano & horn when I got back. Cloudy & drizzly this morning but fine after noon. Friday May 16th It was a little too wet this morning to finish cutting the lawn so I went out and staked out the places for the little trees in the orchard. I can get two dozen all but one in the bare space at the north end of the orchard https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/e9f2158f67d70ad9c1f5e1ce0cdfdece.pdf 02cf8e304774a26439043629dcaa6f27 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. and so can protect them by simply fencing them off and will not need to barricade them. It began to rain just about noon and has kept it up all the after noon increasing in violence till to-night every thing is flooded and it is pouring down. I didn't do any thing much this after noon. George & Frank spent the day building stancions for the calves out in the old barn. Dad. and Tid. drove down town this after noon, I think to settle up various accounts. George Frank and I went down to Ada's to-night to a little party Miss Beemer who has lately returned from France where she has been nursing was there and Bill & Zeitha Barwell, Douglas Skey, the two Miss Hardings and the Huby family. We danced and had a very nice time generally. Saturday May 17th It has been a cold drizzly day. George & Frank finished building the stancions for the calves and they made a grand job of it. I did a few chores and went over to Ivey's and got some more paeony roots. They are all coming up through the ploughing and I think they just intend to cultivate them all up and put oats there so I thought I would take what I wanted while I had the chance. Enah and George drove Mexico down town this after noon. I just puttered around and built a wren house. I got the cows up about 4.30 and left Dad. & Frank to do the chores and I went down to the Harding's for tea. Enah and George also came and Douglas Skey and Ada. We came home quite early. Sunday May 18th I went down to Sunday school with Tid. this morning and George & Frank went for a walk up the beach but we all went to church. Enah drove down to church and Ada came back with her to dinner. Marj. came over to dinner with me. We were very late getting through dinner as Mr. Johnson preached such a lengthy sermon on the subject of having his salary raised. We sat around for awhile after dinner and then George, Ada and Frank went down to Huby's for tea I didn't go down but helped do chores and Marj. stayed here to tea and we went down about ten o'clock. George & Frank stayed all night down at Aunty's so that George could get off easily on the 7.30 train in the morning. I went in on my way home but they had all gone to bed. It has been sunny & nice to-day. Cool breeze drying up the mud. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/f78d8c6480e0b049b8bc78bebd12b2d3.pdf c4765d6461651f670fcb7f380a77664e PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Monday May 19th I sowed clover seed on the wheat this morning and Dad. and Frank strung barbed wire along the top of the lane fence and straightened it up where the colts had broken it down. This after noon I raked up and cut the rest of the lawn and put my wren house up in the pear tree. Dad. & Frank kept on at the fence. Broadley & Jason were here to dinner. I Went down to band practice to-night. We are going out again on Friday to help the school kids celebrate Empire day. Fine day. Tuesday May 20th It poured rain early this morning and has been cloudy and wet all day but didn't rain much more. I took the hen I borrowed from Uncle Ward home this morning and stopped in for awhile at Quanbury's on my way back. Art was building a chicken coop & Charlie was remodelling his tractor. Dad. and Frank had gone back to the gully to fix fence when I got home as Charlie Butler had brought word that the cattle were on the road. I didn't do any thing much this after noon except write a couple of letters one to Cockshutt asking him to have the bulls pedigree hurried along and one to McEwen reminding him that we have some rams for sale. Dad. did chores and Frank pulled teasels on the road. Aunty came over about four o'clock and stayed to tea. Frank went down with her to-night. There is a great strike on now in Winnipeg and the city is almost completely isolated from the rest of the country as there is no mail telegraph or newspapers. From all accounts they have set up a regular Bolshevik rule except that there has been so far no rioting. It seems that the trouble is caused by certain employers refusing to negotiate with Labor officials outside their own employees and will not recognize the "One big Union". It is surprising and rather alarming to see what a strong undercurrent of straight Bolshevism there is in labor circles all over Canada. Another event of a very different nature is causing the world excitement, and that is the attempt of Aviator Hawker and his pilot Grieve to fly across the Atlantic. They left Sunday after noon in a little Sopwith biplane and expected to make the trip in 20 hours. Last night the evening papers said he https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/19b9ff9b85ca94332ce3df44ce9a048a.pdf b354dd62baa88458ee6029ebf030411d PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. had been sighted 400 or 500 miles off the coast of Ireland about nine o'clock yesterday morning, but the morning papers to-day contradicted that report and they said he had fallen into the sea some where near the Irish coast. To-night's papers however, seem to indicate that he is without doubt lost and they think he fell before he got very far from the Newfoundland coast. Hawker was an Australian, and his English rival for the honor to be the first to cross and win the $50,000 price offered by the London Times, started as soon as he saw Hawker leave but he had an accident before he got off the ground. Three U.S. Navy seaplanes left three or four days ago but they didn't attemp a non stop flight. Two of them got safely to the Azores and the third one was picked up some place. They had a row of ships across fifty miles apart for protection. Wednesday May 21st Frank and I were back in the gully fixing fence this morning. Dad. took us back in the waggon and then took the team back home. Old Evans came after him and took him out there to see one of his old horses which has the heaves or something. Frank and I went back to the gully after dinner but were only back a short time when it commenced to rain. We stayed till we got pretty well soaked and then came up and put on a change of raiment and I shaved. Dad. spent the after noon helping Enah house clean the clothes-room and getting ready to plaster the ceiling of it. To-night I went down town and spent the evening at the Monteiths. Thursday May 22nd I took Tupper's hen back home this morning and came back through the gully and helped Frank fix fence. We have been at that all day and are not through yet by any means but we are making a good job of it as we go I think. Dad. plastered the ceiling in the clothes room and helped Enah house clean all day. Frank went down town right after dinner and got our wool cheque cashed and got the pedigree for Moonshine which came registered. The advance payment on the wool was $105.00 I went down to band practice to-night and Frank went up to Ham Thompson's but it was too wet to play ball. Drizzled this morning but cleared off fine & warm. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/b04a470864b6dac734319f18d7a005c4.pdf 49f116ae6a82a95cd3a9c40a573b15cb PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Friday May 23rd I set out two little shrubs Tartarian Honeysuckle which Aunty sent over this morning and as I put them across the ditch and had to dig holes in the clay and fill in with other earth it took me quite awhile. I helped Dad. trim Maple Hil Nellie's & the bull's toe-nails Dad's lamb which has been sick for the last few days died this morning and Dad. opened him and found a growth on his bowels stuck fast to the ribs and on further examination found him full of tape worms. Tid. and I went down to Aunty's for dinner and I helped them put in some stakes for the peas. I went up town right after dinner to see what the band was going to do but it was raining quite hard at two o'clock so we couldn't march and it was no use going up to the school house as the kids couldn't have their sports. They were all crowed around the park under umbraellas so we all went down on the band stand and tore off a few selections. After we had been there about half an hour some one noticed a crape over on George Thompson's door. I suppose old Mrs Hambleton is dead so we thought we had better move. All the kids had gone up into the hall so we went up there and stayed for the rest of the after noon played a little, and listened to the usual run of speeches. Inspector Cook was the principal speaker and explained the formation of the Union Jack most of which was news to me but the kids seemed by the answers they gave to know all about it. The occasion for the celebration was the presentation by the I.O.D.E. to the school of a flag. Cousin Clare seemed to represent the former and handed a roll of bunting which I suppose was a flag to Mr. Johnson or Mr. Smith I forget which and Mr. Johnson mumbled out a prayer or so and that was about all the ceremony ammounted to. Tid. and I came home to tea and after we did chores I went down and spent the evening with Marj. R.M. Taylor proclaimed Monday as a holiday to celebrate Victoria Day instead of to-morrow. Mr. Watson announced to the kids that although it was a holiday in town they would have to go to school just the same on Monday, but Taylor wouldn't have it so and made it plain to everyone that Mr. Watson would have to observe his proclamation which brought him loud and prolonged cheers from the kids. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/0ce31829f1db362b51b23a4975f5cd7c.pdf 620ae03ab8cbd58133312c1469ea0adc PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Saturday May 24th Frank and I dosed all the lambs with worm tablets this morning and put the ear labels in the <s>the</s> three youngest. Auson Abbot came in and got the four pigs which Tom had bargained for and after we got him loaded up Fred Krell came after two bags of clover hay for his rabbits and he was here till nearly noon telling us all about the rabbit business. He has a bunch of Flemish Giants, and expects to raise some fancy show stock from them. This after noon Frank took Alfred's spear home and I cleaned out the cow stables and then we both fixed fence in the gully till chore time. Old Ed. Walker and Johnny Richardson came over to-night after their pigs. Gladys had them all out in the yard and her door came shut so that she couldnt get them in again and they were just like so many mud balls. Old. Walker wanted two boar pigs and Frank caught a boar first but old Johnny put it in his bag and then wouldn't trade it with old Walker for a sow as he thought it was a little bigger so we had to corner up another boar for old Walker and Gladys didn't like it a bit. We got them fixed up at last however and they drove off to-gether like a pair of kids with new pets to play with. Fine and rather sultry all day. Looks rainy. I polished my horn up again to-night. Frank told me when he came home that the youngest of the Zealand's William I think his name is, was drowned to-day just below the house. He and Billy Mill's little girl were playing on the boat house landing which has just been built and they both fell in. The Mills kid hung on to the landing till they got her out but the little boy was either hurt or too frightened and was drowned in about two feet of water. He was just five years old. Sunday May 25th Frank Tid. and I went down to Sunday school and Dad. and Enah went down to church this morning. Aunty came over here to dinner and I stayed down there. This after noon Marj. and I went to the woods and got some violets. We found Lila up there with Chum looking for dogwood. We then went up and saw Glad. Law who came up for the 24th. I came home to help do chores and went back about the time church was out Frank Ried was there telling of the work of the Y.M.C.A. Aunty Alice said she liked his address. Beautiful day. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/0cd3ae89b25ea6dad2bbc12e7e81c8f7.pdf 33ed8174b67143908b355353f7e28ce3 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Monday May 26th I spent most of the day cleaning up around the place. I cut the lawn this morning and this after noon cleaned up the shingles around under Dick's window. Dad. and Frank did chores & odd jobs. Frank took a grist to the mill and they hauled a jag of hay over to the horse stable. Enah went over to Mrs. Battersbys to after noon tea and came home with the information that Quint's name was amongst those of the troops just landed at Halifax so that naturally created considerable excitement as she said Aunty & Aunty Alice were quite sure he would be here to-night. We all went down to-night. I had to go to band practice but went down to the eight o'clock car but Quint didn't show up. I saw Win. and Lila and they were very surprised that we should be looking for him. Aunty was to have gone to London to-day but put it off till to-morrow in hope that Quint. would be home to-night. They had letters from Dick to-night and he hoped to sail on the "Empress of Russia" which is due at Vancouver in a day or two. This was a holiday in town to-day and they had great sports at the school house. Today's paper says Hawker & Grieve were picked up alive in mid ocean and are both alright. Tuesday May 27th Dad. went back this morning and got the disks and has put in most of the day working up the old garden. It is wet but so sandy that it doesn't matter. I spent the day taking the sod of a strip of the lawn where I want to plant my perennial border and resodding the square under Dick's window. Frank has been doing odd jobs. He treated some potatoes with formalin and dug up a lot of sow thistle in the meadow east of the orchard. He says there is quite a patch of it over by the sheep pasture fence. There were three or four little plants of it there last year but we thought we got every particle of it out, evidently it has fooled us. Frank went down to the dance to-night and I went down to see if old Quint came but he didn't. It has been a beautiful day & looks cleared up. Wednesday May 28th Dad. worked all morning harrowing the old garden and plowing furrows to plant potatoes. Frank and I cut up a bag of potatoes and planted them out there. This after noon Dad. took the disks back and worked on the back field next the woods. He said it didn't work https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/c909783486ed542942a7b65f6658d06a.pdf 54409a329cedac0a156224ba9a91eac6 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. too badly. Frank planted a lot more garden seed in the old garden and I spent most of the after noon taking a piece of chicken wire off the fence up by the hog pen where it was stretched on the other wire and put it across the end of the yard where I have the little chickens to try to keep them off the road and the lawn. Aunty Alice was over here to dinner and Enah drove her down town this after noon. Dad. & Enah went down to-night to see the Hobbes but they weren't home. Mrs. Hobbes has been moved and is going to leave Monday. Every one is very sorry about it. I went down to-night to a meeting that was called to discuss 1st of July celebrations, but as they didn't start the thing going till about nine o'clock I left and spent the eveing down at Aunty Alices. Marj. was down there acting as she said "watch dog" for Aunty Alice. They had a letter from Roy saying Quint was in Toronto. Thursday May 29th I went down right after breakfast this morning to get the little apple trees at Uncle Wards. I took Aunty Alice's quince tree down to her and planted it. I helped Uncle Ward take off a couple of upstairs storm windows as he can't climb on a ladder and then came right home with my trees and started to put them in. It took me nearly all day to put them in and mulch them and I have four to mulch yet. There were eighteen of them 12 of which were Snows, 4 Duchess one Spy which Aunty wanted us to put in for Tid. and one a new variety supposed to be all that its name implies, Delicious. Dad. went back with the team this morning and Frank went with him and between them they have worked all day on the back field. Dad. went over to John Wess's to see if he wanted his sheep sheared. He said he didn't know how he was going to get it done so Frank came up and got the machine and took it over. John Wess was working on the land but put the team in to help. Frank was over shearing till three o'clock and then Dad. went over and stayed to tea. Frank sheared five. Dad. three and Wilbur Ryerse was in at noon and did two, one in seven minutes. Frank and I did all the chores up to-night and then went up to Ham Thompson's to play baseball. It was pretty late when we got there and the boys had quit playing and Ham was knocking up flys. Mrs Thompson made us sandwiches. Dandy day. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/42e2f18a8c4aded9614969b87a9f1c40.pdf 5ecd65bc5592c7af0d90e6858ca0323c PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Friday May 30th Dad. has been disking all day on the back field. He got all over it lengthways this after noon and started disking crossways. I finished mulching the little trees this morning and set out some tomato plants that Aunty Alice gave Enah. I also dug around some of the little poplar trees along the side road. While I was at that Pickford saw me and haled me over to look at his sow and crops. I was over there till nearly noon. This after noon Frank and I went out to Shand's after our barley seed. They had it all cleaned so we weren't out there very long. When we got back we took the little team back to the field and I harrowed till five o'clock. It was very hot for them. I went down town to-night. Aunty got home from London to-night. Fine & very hot Saturday May 31st We have worked on the land all day but as we had old Pommers in all day we had to give it to him easy. Dad. put him and old Harry on the disks this morning and I went around with him for about an hour with the rope through the bit, but as he soon cooled down, we didn't bother with the rope but Dad. walked behind the disks all day. He got pretty well tired out but is big enough to stand it. I had Queen & Belle on the harrows for a little while before dinner and this after noon. Queen rammed into it all day and as it was very hot they were wringing wet to-night. After tea to-night I took the buggy down to the mill and washed it and then had a shower bath under the flume. Got home soon after ten. Frank went down town to-night and says Quint is not home yet. Sunday <s>May</s> June 1st Frank Tid. and I went down to Sunday school this morning and Enah drove down to church. This afternoon Marj. and I went for a drive down the Lake Shore with Queen. Dad. went down to Aunty's and Enah went down to see the Hobbes and then stayed to tea at her mother's. Frank went off on his wheel after dinner and didn't get home till about midnight. I think he was down at Dave Ward's. I helped Dad. do chores and then went down town for the evening. It was very hot to-day and the Lakeshore road was lined with cars and picnicers https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/ec531b4fe533d22ff6f80b7fde58c1c7.pdf 7ae42df789fad78945de882cbb83ce4f PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Monday June 2nd Dad. took Harry & Pommers back and disked all morning with them. I went back and helped him hook up and then came up and helped Frank mix the barley & oats for seed and treat it with formalin. That took us till about noon. Broadley & Jason were here for dinner and we didn't get a very early start this after noon. Dad. took the drill back with Harry & Joe and I took the seed with Belle & Queen and we let Pommers rest. Dad. started to drill and I harrowed ahead of him and we got over quite a little piece of ground. I went down to band practice to-night. Still very hot and dry. Tuesday June 3rd Dad. disked this morning and I harrowed. Dad. had Dave in with old Harry this morning and at first he went fine but after he got started he fought badly. Dad. put Joe & Harry on the drill this afternoon and got some more drilled but on account of the heat couldn't make much headway for fear of doing up the horses. I harrowed with Belle & Queen for awhile this afternoon but poor old Belle was fagged right out. They are soft any way not having had any work all spring and this awful heat they say is killing a good many of them where men are not careful. To-night Marj. and I went to the picture show which was very funny. Wednesday June 4th I haven't worked the team to-day at all as it is still very hot and Dad. thought it was unsafe to put Belle in. Dad. has been back all day with Joe and Harry. He finished disking & harrowing but didn't get it quite all drilled. I cut the lawn this morning and spent most of the after noon wheeling the compost heap out to where I want to put the perennial border. Frank did odd jobs in the garden and around the house. Enah and Tid. went down town to Aunty Alice's for tea. She had Dick, Mrs Dick (Molly) & Alan Tibbits down there for tea Dad. and I drove Queen down after tea and Dad went down there and came home with Enah and I went for a drive up the Radical Road with Marj. Frank was down town too and went up the creek. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/d1fbbe66b1cc06bfa64dd92c33427eef.pdf 54051460315b0fef7f437a07d92f808b PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Thursday June 5th Dad. took Joe and Harry back this morning and finished drilling the field and started harrowing. This after noon we both went back as Dad. had Pommers in intending to put him on the harrows but he seemed to be "feeling his oats" and showed several signs of misbehaviour so Dad. decided it would not be wise to hook him to the harrows so we hooked him to the <s>drill</s> disks and brought them up around by the road. A car passed us along by the corner field and he paid no attention to it till it got past and then he kicked three or four times and kicked so hard that he broke the end of his whippletree. I went over to Pickfords and borrowed a rope to tie the end of Harry's doubletree back and we got them up without any more mishaps. It started to rain soon after we got back and rained hard for awhile. When it was over Dad. and Frank went back and brought up the waggon and a couple of bags of oats which Dad. had left over. Arthur Preston was over during the rain and we sat out in the drive house discussing the League of Nations, Peace Conference, Winnipeg Strike and other little matters of equal unimportance. I oiled or at started to oil harness this morning. The pure bred calf got out of the barn this morning and we hunted high & low for him but couldn't find him till the rain came and scared him up out of the clover where he had been lying concealed only a few feet from where we had walked looking for him. We didn't go up to Ham's to-night. Friday June 6th Dad. went down to Aunty's this morning to trim up the walks and the lawn for them and was down all day. I spent the morning filling out applications for the registration of the lambs and three purebred calves, it took me till noon. This after noon I finished oiling the light harness. Frank worked over in the garden disking up the place where we want to set out the strawberries and he set out some tomato plants. Cooler. Old Quint got home last night. I saw him to-night. Bigger than ever. Saturday June 7th Dad. and Frank went back and ran out the ditches in the field Dad. has just sowed while I dug up part of my perennial bed. It is so late know that I guess I will have to just summer fallow it. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/16da3920079ea94da2ba7a41721de1e7.pdf 5419f8d6a0cfcfa96efe294861db6609 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. and possibly plant it in the fall. When they came up we went out and set out about 150 strawberry plants. We went back after dinner and set out the rest of the patch about 300 plants altogether. Frank and I put on a little jag of hay for the horse stable and Dad. cut some of the long grass around the shop. I had to quit early to get down and go with the band out on the "City of Dover" Holbe was opening the season by running free excursions out in the lake and Mid. invited the band to go along in the evening. We had two trips one at eight and one at nine. The first one we played up on deck but it got too dark to see so we had to go down below where they were lights but it didn't sound nearly so well as we were all boxed in. When we came off Mid treated us all to ice cream in at Alf's. Sunday June 8th Frank Tid. and I went down to Sunday school and Enah went down to church. Aunty Alice invited Marj. Tid & me there to dinner but Marj. and I came over here right after dinner and got Queen and went for a drive. We went out to Butler's to get my book & brushes which Willard brought home from Guelph last winter but no one was home so we drove on out and turned west at Mt. Zion church and travelled through country that was strange to me and the nicest looking territory we had seen any place this year. We came south through Lynn Valley and Marj. came back here to tea. We went back down town about ten o'clock and a little thunder shower came up but we took shelter on Charlie Ivey's verandah. Jack Paine was in for about an hour this morning Dad. said trying to coax some of us to go and shear his sheep. Mr. Millman was also over this after noon for awhile with Aunty & Aunty Alice & Tid. He brought Percy & his family up in the car yesterday. Percy has rented a cottage here for the summer. Monday June 9th We dipped the sheep this morning and it took us all the fore noon. It took quite awhile to rig up the tank and dripping board which we made out of the waggon box https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/848402e91f67b17f08273ce1217d9cfb.pdf f7d74a14cf7147dbf8b10a2a3e384afe PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. We put it in the east bay in the barn where the floor is about a foot and a half higher than the bottom of the bay and ran the sheep in from the barn floor to the tank and let them drip in the bay. Art Quanbury brought his over and we dipped them making 74 head all told. Old Broadley was here to dinner and we were a little late having it. Alan Law came over to borrow a spade after dinner to dig up some paeony roots so I went over with him and got a lot more roots as well as come larkspur. They are disking every thing up over there to sow oats. The grass is about a foot high and the field looks as about as green when they sow it as it does after its up and still they are hoping to get a catch of clover seed. It took me nearly all the after noon to dig them and set them out. Dad. went back and ran out some ditches in the back field and Frank worked in the garden. I went down to band practice to-night and Frank went down to the show. We both had a good swim at the bridge on our way home. Enah went down town this morning and sent away the applications for registration of the lambs & calves. We have decided to have a Dickens herd and call all the calves after Dickens characters and instead of having family names & numbers, we will call all calves belonging to one family, names from the same book. We called Nellie's calves Nancy and Oliver Twist and Elgitha's Wilkins Micawber. Tuesday June 10th We didn't get started very early this morning as we had a lot of puttering around to do. We had to put the waggon box back on the truck, we had used it as a dripping board yesterday while dipping and one of the ewes no 17 about the best one in the flock needed attention as she is very sick and we have no hope to-night for her recovery. We can't think what can ail her unless she got some of the dip inside her and is poisoned. Dad. was in the back field cleaning out to ditches all day and Frank and I hauled out manure with Harry & Joe and the waggon and spread it on the strip where we want to put roots and potatoes. We cleaned out the calf pen first and hauled it out. Marj. and I went to the show to-night. Fine, very dry, not so hot. Wednesday June 11th The sick ewe was considerably better this morning https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/665dd87300b62fdb905ab5d210678a70.pdf baca73a147480071433f2138df62eb3e PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. We were very agreeably surprised when we went out after breakfast and gave her a little help that she got up and stood on her feet. She then drank about a quart of water and has taken quite a lot of gruel during the day. She is very weak yet to-night but we now have great hopes for her recovery. We got Billy in the stable this morning and have had him tied up all day preparatory for giving him his first lesson. He fought hard while we were at dinner for he broke his halter but Dad. had a big rope around his neck so that he didn't get loose. Dad. let him back with the others to-night. We had Pommers in with Harry on the plow to-day plowing the root ground. All three of us went back with him and plowed a round or two before dinner. Frank held the plow, Dad drove. and I held the line in his bit rings in case of his cutting up. I didn't need to use it at all however so this after noon Dad. and I worked the outfitt and I plowed. Frank went to Simcoe to pay our insurance. To-night Marj. and I went for a drive with Queen. Mr. Johnson left three posters advertising the strawberry social up at the Smythes and we tacked them up at the mill & Edmund England's corner. Thursday June 12th Dad. and I finished plowing the root ground this morning with Harry & Pommers and Dad. disked it up with them this after noon. I spent the after noon cutting the lawn and washing Mexico's cart down at the mill. Frank went down to Alfred's this morning and brought the geese home as Colin was in last night to tell us they were there. He has been working in the garden most of the day. George and Miss Sutherland came to-night on the Hamilton train and Enah went down to meet them with Mexico. Hot day. Friday June 13th Dad. worked on the root ground all day with Harry and Joe. I cleaned out the bull's pen and did odd jobs this morning and Frank put a formalin solution in the dipping tank and treated the potatoes. He and I spent most of the after noon cutting them. Frank Faulkner was in this morning with a sick pig for Dad. to look at. It got as stiff as a board about every ten minutes. George & Miss Sutherland spent most of the after noon sleeping. I went down to see Marj. to-night. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/55b05b6b400cd2035547f2bb52dd1445.pdf dbf0531428cfae45f43de99ae6fbcf2b PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Saturday June 14th I got home this morning soon after midnight and found Dad. and Frank both asleep, dressed, and when Dad. woke up, he was very anxious about Belle. She had been in pain off and on during the evening but still showed no signs of foaling so he thought some thing must be wrong. I changed my clothes and lay down and about four Dad. called me as he had decided to make an examination. He did and said he was afraid there was no hope for the colt and very little for Belle. He then went to the house and called Frank to go down and get Bruce. While he was gone Belle lay down and in about ten minutes just after Dad. got back had a fine big colt and both he & she are doing fine. Dad. has christened him George Broadley. We planted the potatoes this morning. George and Miss Sutherland helped us. Just after dinner a heavy thunder storm came up. It didn't last long but a lot of water fell and there was a fierce little gale with it. It came out terribly sultry and hot after it. Frank and I hauled a little jag of straw over to the horse stable. We all went down town to-night but it was too hot to dance, we watched them. We three boys went for a swim on our way home. Sunday June 15th Frank, Tid and I went down to Sunday school and the rest except Dad. went down to church. I ran across Quint after church and we took a walk down to the beach. There were a lot in swimming. Quint was telling me that Alan & Dick Tibbitts intend to put up a hundred more bathing houses this week. Aunty and Aunty Alice came over here to dinner but left a lunch for me which I had alone down there. I spent the after noon with Marj. trying to find a cool spot. We didn't have much success but did get a shady & fairly breezy place over in Globe Park, where we camped with some books. The Millmans were over here and took Aunty, Aunty Alice, George & Miss Sutherland down to Auntys where they had tea. They came back after tea and took Dad. & Enah for a motor drive. Billy was with them and I guess kept them highly entertained. I came home to tea and helped do chores and went back again this evening. Frank went down to Wards on his wheel after supper. Monday June 16th I felt very lazy all morning and managed to keep from https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/29d0dc3fd45eb19724014f9ba1147d58.pdf 6be988ff2dbd0cdbfc7f391400964a59 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. any very strenuous labor. Dad. went out and disked harrowed and rolled the mangel ground with Harry & Pommers this morning and I think Frank helped him and also worked in the garden. I went down to the Quanbury's to borrow their seed drill but John said it was out at Charlie's place so I fooled around the pond awhile and then drove Joe out to Charlie's. He told me the drill was at Art's place so I went back and got it and by the time I got home it was noon. George & Miss Sutherland went down to Aunty's with Mexico to gather greens for dinner. We had dinner rather late and old Broadley was here. It rained again for a little while right after dinner so we didn't do any thing much for awhile. When it cleared off I went out and drilled in the mangel seed. I sowed two lbs. of seed on 8 or 9 rows and one row of turnip. Dad. cut the grass around the shop. I went down to band practice to-night and had a swim on my way home. After I got home and before I went to bed I was much surprised to see George and Miss Sutherland walk in as I thought all hands were asleep. They had been for a walk. We got some cider and sat up till a very late hour, quietly carousing. Tuesday June 17th I haven't done any thing much all day. Dad. & Frank plowed the old garden back of the shop and Dad. worked it this after noon. I worked a little on the lawn this morning and Miss Sutherland and I started to weed out the rose border. This after noon I helped Dad. hook Pommers up to the disks and helped unhook him. An old fellow named Culver from up near Simcoe was in with another Percheron stallion and wanted us to use him, but we told him we were using Jason. I shaved this after noon and spent quite awhile discussing various things with Marion. She reads Omar Khayyam to me and is very fond of it. I enjoy the poetry of it but argue with her on the philosophy of it, she however agrees with him but she is very nice to argue with. To-night we all went down to Mrs. Dick Tibbitt's "At Home" and according to the ladies who are capable of judging such matters it was very nice. To me the ice cream was nice, the conversation very gobbly and the temperature rather high but altogether I didn't put in such a bad time. George, Frank and Marion went out to hoe potatoes this after noon. Frank came in after cider and soon after George was the only man on the job. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/3045441dc27694decfdf1bddcb673b75.pdf acccd7139dc4520074a40283c0118aed PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Wednesday June 18th This has been a very lazy day for me. Dad. and I took Billy out this morning for a lesson on the reins and he did very well. The trailing after him seemed to give me a pain and it stayed with me all day. I just sat around from the time we came in till dinner time. Dad. went out to hoe in the garden but said he couldn't find the stuff that was up so he came in and read Whitcomb Riley to us. Frank went to Simcoe on the early car and got back about noon. He got a new horse collar and did some other purchasing. This after noon Frank & George hoed out in the garden. I slept for about an hour after dinner and then Dad. and I got out the cultivator and old Harry and cultivated the garden. Enah, Tid. & Marion went down to the Lake for a swim. Marion stayed at Aunty's for tea and George and I walked down after tea. Mrs. Millman & Billy were there for tea and Billy was reading them the manuscript of a book he is writing. It sounded very well written what I heard of it. Quint & Joe were working at the boat house and I went up town with them but spent the evening over at the Monteiths. Very hot still. Thursday June 19th Dad. and I gave Billy a little exercising this morning and then went and hoed in the garden till noon. George, Marion & Tid went to the Lake for a swim this morning. This after noon Frank and I went up to Jack McBrides and got a roll of wire fence and then over to Jack Martin's and borrowed his hog crate. We put a piece of the fence across the orchard just south of where the little trees are so that we can let the sheep in the south end of the orchard without them getting at the little trees. There is good pasture in there now. We all went down town to-night. I went to the band concert as we gave our first open air concert of the season to-night. The reeve treated us to ice cream afterwards and then I persuaded Harry Dyer to go up and cut my hair. The rest of the family spent the evening at the Barwell's I went over there about eleven o'clock just in time to get some ice cream and hear Billy Millman recite "David Lilly" and the "Highwayman" also the "Cremation of Sam McGee." George Frank and I went for a good swim at the dam on our way home. It has been hot but a nice breeze to-day. Rained a little. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/0c45fbd392cecefc15d6e54d1aed5b75.pdf 106e4b531c10735797f6c231f2212870 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Friday June 20th Frank and I had to go down to Clarence Finch's this morning with old Gladys. We stopped at Hallam's shop on our way home and got Tom's old democrat which he told us to bring over here if we wanted it. A heavy shower came up while we were there. Frank took shelter in the blacksmith shop but I didn't like to leave the team so when I got Tom's rig fastened I came home. This after noon Frank rolled the old garden and disked it. I shaved and read awhile after dinner and then went out and helped Dad. and Tid. pick the strawberries. They got quite a mess and we had them for tea. Enah, <s>Frank</s> <s>went</s> George and Marion went up to the Strawberry social at the Smythe's this after noon and Frank took Joe and went up about six. I went down and joined the band at half past seven and went up in Jim Bush's car. We had a very good time and the festival was a success in every way. They took in $220.00 or more. The band got all the strawberries and ice cream it could hold and then got treated to 2 1/2 % beer which had been ordered to sell at the soft drink booth but which had caused such a scandal amongst the pious folks that they had to take it in the house and hide it behind the sofa and subsequently feed it to the band. Poor band, it certainly is rotten stuff. I came home with Mr. Johnson and Bill Barwell. We were held up at the cemetry by another car stuck in the road so we went to look for some human bones which a couple of kids said they saw lying in the sand there beside the road. Mr. Johnson lit matches and I groped with my hand and sure enough found a skull. We overtook Mexico and his load coming around the hill so we all got home to-gether before twelve. Frank rolled in some time before morning having been down Mud Street. Saturday June 21st I raked up and cut the lawn this morning and Dad. and I gave Billy a little exercise. Tupper came in for a visit on his way home from the mill and stayed all morning. Frank and George took the mower to pieces and are going to put on new ledger plates. Frank went over to Tupper's this after noon and got an old binder tongue to make a new tongue for the rake. I didn't do any thing much but sit around and work a little at the perennial border. Dad. Paris-greened the potatoes. Enah, Marion & Tid. went down https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/152df8ccafe9c11702026ef37575502e.pdf f5a7d9b8182da410c588975b06ed282a PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. town this after noon. George spent the after noon writing letters. He received a packet of mail yesterday from Grand daddy with a telegram enclosed offering him a position as instrument man with a survey party going to Peace River at $100 a month. George thought that was "joke" but another epistle from Grand daddy informed him that he had answered the telegram saying he didn't think George would accept the position. George sent a wire right off yesterday contradicting that statement and this after noon wrote his father telling him that while it was perfectly alright to open his letters he did object to his answering them. To-night George Marion and I went for a drive. Dad. said he would like to see the skull I found so we went up and got it and brought it home. We then went on out through Lynn Valley. It was the first time they had had a ride behind Queen and it was quite a treat I think after Mexico. We had some music when we got home. Sunday June 22nd Frank Tid. and I went down to Sunday school and Enah George and Marion went down to church. I stayed at Aunty's for dinner. Mr. & Mrs. Millman were there and so was Tid. Frank came home to dinner but all the rest went down to the Harding's for their midday repast. I came home early and wrote to {Darrie?}. The rest came home fairly early and Alan, Dick & Mrs. Dick Tibbitts came over for tea. I left right after tea for Nanticoke as Marj. went down last night with {Warrie?} Banfield and I drove her home. It has been a lovely day with a fine cool breeze. Monday June 23rd Dad. had to go down to Sam Law's this morning and he drove George and Marion down town and they went up creek. He then drove Aunty down to Sam's with him. I hoed the strawberries and Frank took the mower guards down and had the new ledger plates riveted on. Broadley was here for two or three hours at noon as he had several customers, consequently we didn't get much done. Frank and George have the mower all fixed up ready for business and Frank got a couple of pieces of ash for the rake tongue. I went down to band practice to-night. We saw by to-day's paper that Dick is with the troops that landed in Canada on the Monteagle on Friday so we expect him home in two or three days. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/24661b29076f129837caee566a941cf9.pdf fa450d69313f7e04dfb1de7912a8109f PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Tuesday June 24th Dad. and I cultivated the old garden and the mangels out in the field this morning with old Harry. I went sound asleep after dinner and dozed off considerable time, all efforts to wake me proving futile so they say. I had some cider before dinner I don't know whether that was the cause of it or not, after I did wake up I helped George a little who has put in the day making a bigger doorway in the end of the horse stable loft to let the hay in. Marion and I then went out and picked some strawberries. Marj. came over to tea and spent the evening but I had to go to Woodhouse with the band as there was another strawberry social on up there. We had a good feed and I got home about half past eleven just as George and Maron were getting home with Mexico after having driven Marj. home. Harry Ansley died yesterday. Wednesday June 25th Dad. went down and got his hair cut this morning and this afternoon he and Enah went down to Harry Ansley's funeral. Frank and George put the shafts on the cart this morning and I spent most of the fore noon correcting the application that I had returned for the sheep registration's. It poured rain all the after noon so we didn't do any thing out-side Marion & I read all sorts of things this after noon, Irish History, Pope, Burns and the dictionary. George and Frank and Tid. played & read. Dad. saw in the paper to-day that the Siberian troops had reached Toronto so was quite sure of Dick being home to-night and drove down to meet him but he didn't come. I drove down with him as it was too wet for the band to go to Jack McBride's where we were booked to play for the Presbyterian strawberry social. I spent the evening over at the Monteith's and stayed all night at Aunty's. Thursday June 26th It has rained pretty much all day although there have been fine and sunny spaces between the showers. Dad. and I went out to set out some cabbage & tomato plants this morning but a big shower drove us in before we got much done. Marion came out to tell us that Aunty and Aunty Alice were over here. They stayed to dinner Dess had been down with a letter she received from Dick saying that he was in Toronto but would be unable https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/de550be67f34dbeeee3278b132f43144.pdf 1beb56c47e45dc597a545de1084c2b22 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. to reach home, he was afraid before Monday as he couldn't get his discharge right away. After dinner Dad. drove Aunty & Aunty Alice back down town and a big storm came up while <s>they</s> he was gone. I sat around and read and slept till it cleared off and then went out and worked a little more at the perennial border and Marion and I weeded out some more of the roses till it was time to go and get the cows. I went down to band concert to-night and all the rest were down town too. George, Enah and Marion were up at Ada's for awhile. Friday June 27th When Dad. went back for the cows this morning he found the whole bunch as well as the colts in on the oats. They had broken one of the bars and knocked the other one down. I went back with him after breakfast and helped him drive the colts out. When we came up we hooked up Pommers and old Harry and started plowing a piece along the road from in the sheep pasture for rape. He went very well and we plowed most of the day. Frank, George and Marion picked the strawberries this morning and picked 28 baskets. Frank set out the rest of the tomato and cabbage plants. Enah went down town this after noon I think to see if Mrs. Wilson wanted Mexico, but Clare Herring told her that Mrs. Wilson had gone to Toronto and left her dog here and he was amusing himself eating up the neighbor's chickens. To-night I went up to the Presbyterian strawberry social at Jack McBrides. The band I think walked up from town and I walked from here. They were about half through playing the second piece when I arrived. We were well fed and had a good time. I got a ride home with Frank & Jennie Wards. He was just starting to take her home when I came out the gate. I sent my horn down town with Pud. Slocombe. When I got home I found all the family in bed but Enah & Marion the latter was writing letters. I brought up some cider and cookies and after Enah left us and Marion finished her correspondence, she and I sat and read Omar Khayyam till Frank arrived. Very much cooler. Saturday June 28th The cattle were all in on the oats again this morning and I went back with Dad. and put them out. They had broken down a panel of fence over by the woods. George Frank and Marion went back and fixed it after breakfast. Dad. and I finished ploughing the rape ground and Dad. worked https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/8aa272da76f764b08cd38cb446ba97a3.pdf ab53c163102c9e1e740bd42473aaee5c PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. it down this afternoon. He also harrowed over the old garden back of the shop and sowed corn on it with the drill. I drove Aunty & Aunty Alice up to the cemetry this after noon and to-night went down to see Marj. Lovely day. When I got home to-night I was quite surprised <s>Sunday</s> to find Dad. talking to Dick in the kitchen the rest had all gone to bed. I thought as Dick didnt come up on the train he wouldn't be here but he came with Ade and a Mr. Meddlin in Ade's car. He has to go back to-morrow as he didn't get his discharge. I guess from all accounts they had lively times here to-night. Ade brought up a bottle of whiskey & one of port wine and they had finished a flask or so on the way up and on coming into the house. Mr. Meddlin began to to feel his oats. They all had a glass of wine around to celebrate Dick's homecoming and then one to celebrate Peace as the treaty was signed to-day although no body took much notice of it. Mr. Meddlin passed a glass of wine across the table to some one and George rescued it from going down the lamp chimney, then he (Meddlin) kissed Enah a couple of times telling her she shouldn't mind as he had brought her boy home. I guess she didn't. To wind up with as they were going out to the car he fell over himself and just about cracked his "bean." Sunday June 29th Ade and his pal were over before we were through milking this morning. They had been up since half past four and had had a swim and breakfast at Hec's then as no one down town was up came over here. Every thing here was in such a state of commotion owing to Dick's arrival home that none of us got down to church but just sat around and enjoyed life. I went down to Aunty's at twelve o'clock for dinner but they hadn't got home from church at half past twelve and as they told me to be at the band room at one o'clock I had some bread and butter and left without seeing them. I needn't have been so rushed as we didn't leave the band room till half past one and led the Oddfellows up Main St. in time to catch the two o'clock car. We all boarded the car and got off at Anderson's crossing walking from there over to the cemetry. The Oddfellows got all their graves decorated in time to catch the four o'clock car and we played hymns https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/5170600c5bae7b6b2cc9ee545e7e0cef.pdf fdc0220698ca5ea94fda037e3cb42649 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. while they were at it. I went over to the Monteith's as soon as we finished playing down town and got Marj. to come over to tea. We didn't get over till about six o'clock as we had to stop at Aunty's & Miss McQueen's for Marj. to say good-bye. She is going to the St. Catherines, Ridley College, Summer school to-morrow on the two car. Dick went back to Toronto at four o'clock to-day hoping to get his discharge to-morrow. We were rather late getting the chores done and the Millman family all came over in Ade's car just before tea. After tea Frank wanted to print some pictures so we all helped him but Marj. and I went home fairly early. It has been a very nice day & cool. Monday June 30th Dad. and I cultivated the mangels and potatoes in the field this morning and spent most of the after noon hoeing in the old garden. Frank went down town this morning to see about getting ladders for the rack. He left the pattern down with Reynolds months ago but they have never been finished. Reynolds told him he told Emery to make them Saturday, but Emery hadn't showed up this morning, he thought he was decorating Bert Thompson's car for tomorrow's parade. Frank mowed half of the field east of the orchard this after noon. We have decided to leave the field back of the barn for alsike. I went down to band practice to-night. Dick came in to Aunty's while I was there. He had just got in at eight o'clock and had his discharge in his pocket. He was a tickled boy. On my way home I stopped in and Quint and Hazel Dunkin were there Hazel was staying there all night. He had ridden down from Vittoria this after noon and was wearing riding breeches & putties and looked like the devil. Tuesday July 1st I spent most of the morning polishing my horn and the rest of the family doing chores and getting ready for a picnic down at the beach. Dick went down fairly early with Dad. and George, Marion and Enah went down a little later driving Mexico. Frank and I went down at noon. We had a fine spread just below Sovereens cottage, but I couldn't stay long as they told me to be at the band room at one o'clock. I spent the rest of the day with the band. We played for an hour or so on the bandstand and then went out for about half an hour on the https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/afe06ab6a30b1baad0927cb9fb263cd1.pdf ab7e6718164440c0042f4b720a63f4bf PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. "City of Dover". From there we went up to Buck's park and played one piece there before tea. I had tea at Aunty's and we spent the evening playing in Orchard Beach park. Nothing very exciting happened to-day. There was the usual run of sports, a baby show on the bandstand being the only think a little out of the ordinary. They had about 30 babies entered in it. Mrs. Percy Millman had hers there and asked me to hold it for her which I did for awhile. Chris Quanbury's baby took 1st prize. It was just hot enough to-day to bring the crowd in but not uncomfortable. I went over for a few minutes while we were waiting for the boat to see Alan & Dick Tibbits and Quint. Alan said they had had their bathing houses full up all the after noon. Quint only got his booth about half built and his ice cream didn't come but he seemed to be doing a good business selling soft drinks and cigarettes. Pete Holmes new casino opened to-day. <s>Tuesday</s> Wednesday July 2nd Frank was down town nearly all morning getting the rack fixed up and the new ladder put on. I raked up the hay that was cut and Dad cocked up. We both cocked up all the after noon and Frank cut the other half of the field. Enah drove George and Marion down to the station this morning and saw them off. They both seemed to hate to go and we were all very sorry to see them leave. This morning at breakfast we all found a little bottle of grape juice at our plates with an appropriate verse from Omar Khayyam in Marion's writing on each bottle, after we had emptied them I filled hers and mine up with hard cider and she took hers and I put mine away "Till we meet again". Dick has been down town all day ordering new clothes. Thursday July 3rd Dad. and I finished or nearly finished cocking up what was raked by noon and this after noon we started hauling in. Dick & Frank pitched on and I loaded. We got two loads in the barn from that field and then hauled in what was cocked up in the field we are leaving for alsike, about half a load there. We had it up by five o'clock and then I went back for the cows while the others pitched it off in the horse stable. Aunty & Aunty Alice were over to dinner. I was at band concert to-night https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/c9c405ec1ba6cb637d1d34a7f3364528.pdf ac0491927bfdca91c6ff738ad81b974d PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Friday July 4th We got out fairly early this morning and had one load on by about half past eight. We left in on the waggon till noon and I took the team and raked up what was cut. When I finished raking, Dad. and I took the load up and then cocked up. We finished cocking up by soon after dinner as there were the four of us at it. When we finished cocking up we started hauling again and got in three more loads and put them off. Dick went down town to-night and Frank went out to see Bill Sidway. He says he is improving very slowly. Saturday July 5th We established a record for ourselves to-day in hauling hay. We got out soon after seven and hauled in nine loads to-day and had the last one in the barn by about half past six. We would have had another in but the big rope broke again this morning where Lew Brock sliced it last year and that delayed us for some time. Frank found it would take too long to splice it again so we used the rope Roy sent up last fall. It is an older rope and not so big as our own but seems to work satisfactorily. It was about twice too long so we cut it. There are still about two or three loads left in the field. The boys went down town to-night but I didn't go. I intended to go for a swim after it got dark but I went to sleep and slept till too late. Hot. Sunday July 6th Frank and I and Tid. went to Sunday school and church this morning and Dad. and Enah went down to church. Dad. stayed down at Aunty's to dinner & for the after noon but Enah came home. I went down right after dinner with my horn as the band gave a sacred concert in the park to celebrate the peace thanksgiving which was appointed for to-day. I came home with Dad. about five o'clock after stopping in for a few minutes at Aunty's to see Louise who came up Friday. I slept most of the evening. Frank went down to Ward's and Dick has been down town all day. Cloudy and very much cooler all day. Monday July 7th Frank started cutting the 12 acres across the gully https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/a51d37b5b57a2ac6d9ba5c555755fca3.pdf 3bee1fb1e1fbae1f5a72ecbb3616636d PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. this morning and has been cutting all day. He raked up what he cut this morning before he quit to night. The cattle were in on the oats again this morning and Dad. had to fix the fence where they got in first thing this morning. I did a few odd jobs around here and then went out and started to eat & trim the mangels. Dad. came out with Belle before I got one line done and I helped him cultivate the mangels and part of the potatoes before dinner. Broadley was here for a long time to-day so Dad. didn't get out very early. I went back with Frank at noon as he took the rake back and wanted some help to get through the gates and then I started at the mangles again till Dad was ready to bring Belle out, then we finished cultivating the potatoes and went over to the garden and cultivated everyt hing we could there. Aunty was over at noon to help celebrate Dad's birthday. Dick went down with her after dinner to post a letter to McNab, his old bank manager out West, who wrote him the other day wanting him to come back at $1000 a year. Dick doesn't want to go back just yet. Soon after they left Dess came over and stayed till about 5 o'clock, then as Dick didn't come back she went down again. She evidently missed him down there for Dick. came home about seven o'clock having had his tea at Aunty's. He rode Frank's wheel back down town but didn't stay long. I went down to band practice to-night. We had a lot of new music and Ed. wasn't there. On my way home I met Cousin Clare escorted by Alan Tibbitts and Totie. Smith. They had been down at Aunty's. Totie informed me that there was some cake left so I went down and found Quint there demolishing the last piece of cherry pie and making alarming inroads into a chocolate cake, but I was in time to check his advance and save a couple of pieces. He had brought down a lot of sweet cherries from home so Aunty Alice give me some to bring home as I approached home I could hear great revelry and found the family engaged in song & dance in the parlor. The Shands had been here. Very nice day sunny but cool. Tuesday July 8th Frank went back this morning and continued to cut till about eleven o'clock when he broke the pitman rod on the mower and had to stop. He went up to https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/4504e82bd4702624faa2a36e0bb088ca.pdf 2bf29de2b1363df27b0e392f6493ed2e PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Simcoe on the 12 o'clock car and got a new one and also got Joe Howell to fix the old one, but he didn't get home in time to do any more cutting to-day. Dad. Dick and I wemt back this morning and cocked up what Frank raked yesterday. This after noon we hauled in what was left in the field east of the orchard and did it in two loads, but for some reason or other it took us about all the after noon. Getting it out of the little gully made it harder pitching and harder loading. Then the lift jammed once in the car but I got it loose by getting over on it and prying the latch off the gate. Cool day. Wednesday July 9th We took the rack to the back field this morning and brought a load up with us at noon. I raked all that was fit and Dad. & Dick cocked up. Frank fixed the pitman rod on the mower and after I finished raking, cut a few more rounds. This after noon we put off the load we hauled up and then went back and cocked up and Frank finished cutting. We didn't get back very early as we had to change the pulley to the other end of the barn and that delayed us a little. We brought up another load to-night. Louise came over here to dinner. Jim brought her over with the mail. Enah drove her down with Mexico this after noon. She can't walk very far yet since having the Flu. Dick Tibbitts was over for awhile at noon. He had some papers for Dad to sign. We three boys went for a swim at the bridge to-night. Fine and cool. Thursday July 10th We all went back this morning and Frank finished raking and then helped us cock up. We got it all up in cock by about eleven. Chris Quanbury came after Dad to go and look at Jack's lambs. One died yesterday and they thought two more were sick, they were not though Dad. said and the one that died had a big wool ball in its stomach which Dad. found when he opened it. This after noon I went up to Ham Thompson's to see a poultry culling demonstration. Ushay from the College was down and showed how to pick out the hens that hadn't layed much during the winter & spring by their yellow legs. Dad. and the boys got in two loads while I was gone but it was very windy and consequently hard to pitch https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/7fd58b931282add8f5b67f74d0ce9253.pdf 5baa49b28541f96235b8cddba91d88fe PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Ham. has a new hay loader and I drove the team for them while it put on one load. It took it up right up out of the swath as clean as a rake would. I went down to band concert to-night but the lights were so bad that we couldn't play more than about three pieces, however we went up to the band room and had a practice. Cool & windy. Friday July 11th We hauled hay all day off the back field and got in five loads. Frank loaded and I helped Dad. or Dick pitch on. We have about all the {illegible} of it now and put it in the barn, we will put the rest in the horse stable. Tom. told Dad. this morning that Reynold's drugstore was burned to the ground last night or at least this morning between three & four o'clock. He said the Orangemen had a meeting up above there last night so Dad. said of course they would be blamed for it as Taylor & Reynolds are both catholics. In spite of the high wind they saved all the houses near from the fire but the Chinese laundry shack was squashed flat when the wall of the store fell Dick spent the evening writing to various lady friends, he seems to have them in a string reaching half way round the earth now. Enah and Tid drove Mexico down to view the remains of the drugstore. Very cool. Saturday July 12th We hauled in all the hay from the back field in five loads to-day, the last load was a small one. The first load we put off in the barn but Dad. changed the car and we put the other four in the horse stable loft. It was a little after six when we got the last load off and then we went out and brought in the six cocks that were left at the end of the orchard, so that we have no cut hay our for our Sunday. Dick and Frank both walked down town to-night and I think went to the dance and I drove Queen down and back fast for exercise. Cloudy & quite cool. Looks a little like rain. Sunday July 13th Tid. and I went down to Sunday school this morning and the rest all came down to church except Frank who went back to the side hill field to hunt sow thistle. Mr. Johnson was away and a Mr. Tillet I think his name was took the service. He has lately come from Serbia and was appealing for https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/f8af8ba8f88dc8a27714fc5f7bbaa871.pdf 7943ec5c349ce1e4cb463dcb3e4c9638 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. the Serbian relief fund. He was a very poor speaker and looked any thing but starved as he says every one in Serbia is but made it clear that the kids over there were in pretty distressing straits and I think got quite a boodle for the fund. Dick and I stayed at Aunty's to dinner and I spent the whole after noon there visiting with Aunty, Aunty Alice & Louise. I came home in time to help do chores. Enah went down to tea and to play the organ to-night. Mr. Farney preached but Mr. Johnson got home in time to take the service. Dad. & Tid walked down after tea and came home with Enah & Frank went out to Bill Sidway's with some books. Very hot & dry, wind to-day. Monday July 14th Dad. and I spent most of the morning grinding mower knives but I went out about eleven and started to weed and thin mangels. I was at it all the after noon and to-night have four rows finished one was nearly done when I started. Frank cut the thistles in the orchard this morning and was delayed a little by one of the ledger plates springing and catching a section. This after noon he cut hay, timothy out east of the old garden. Dad. spent most of the after noon cutting thistles with the scythe along the fence in the corner field. Aunty was over for a few minutes before dinner with some raspberries they had picked down home. Dick was down town all the after noon and in bed all morning. Old Broadley was here for a long time at noon. This is his last trip. I went down to band practice to-night and went down to Pete Holmes casino afterwards where I found Dick & Quint. Frank was down town too and I had promised to meet him & go for a swim about half past eleven but when I got there we was in. I then waited for about half an hour for Dick and then went in just as he came. Cloudy & cool. Tuesday July 15th It rained a little spatter early this morning so as the alsike was tough enough to work at Frank cut for an hour or two this morning and then raked up the hay he <s>raked</s> cut yesterday. Dad. and I thinned out a few more mangels. This after noon Frank cut the rest of the hay between the old oat stubble and the ditch. Dad. Dick and I cocked up what he raked this morning. I went over to Jacks after we got it https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/f668f52aaedd2cd4939110b6a3a99092.pdf 85595d9fa4b506ea04822bc5a5e853c1 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. cocked up and borrowed a crate to ship some broilers. I thought I would have about a crate full but when Dad. and I caught them to-night I only got 13 that I thought were worth taking. Enah took Tid down to a picnic that Aunty had to-day for Mrs. Browne & the two kids. Enah went down after him again to-night. Quite cool and fresh breeze. Wednesday July 16th I took my broilers over to Jack's first thing this morning and left them for Jack Walker to call for. I shipped them to Mallen instead of Waller, Chris said he was pretty good. Frank finished cutting the alsike this morning and then raked up the rest of the hay that was cut. We ran the binder out and Frank cleaned it all up ready to start on the wheat this after noon. He cut this after noon but didn't quite finish. Dad. Dick and I cocked hay this morning and part of the after noon and when we finished started to shock up. Dick and I went down and got our hair cut to-night and then went with Dess down to Pete Holmes casino. I had one dance with Dess as I only had five cents and then I went over to Quint's shack and spent the rest of the evening with him getting home about twelve. Dad. announced his intention of calling us at four o'clock to-morrow to bunch up alsike and as I knew that if I once went to bed I would hate to get up at four so thought I would go at it while I was awake. I stuck at it till about half past two but finally got so tired and cold I had to come in. I went to sleep on the sofa with my clothes on. Omar Khayyam swallowed a rubber baloon & died to-day. Thursday July 17th Frank and Dad. went out at four o'clock this morning and bunched up a lot more alsike but I slept in till half past five. After the dew was off Dad. & Frank went through and pulled all the sourdock out of the alsike they could find and I shocked up the wheat that was cut. Frank came out about eleven and cut the rest of the wheat and Dad. & I shocked it up we got through a little after twelve. Dick, Frank and I hauled in a couple of loads of hay from east of the old garden this after noon and put it in the horse stable. Dad. cleaned out the bull pen. We all went down to the band concert to-night. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/26b65c4804d053ad6d70f7759776bff3.pdf ac0d13702051f283339a0af7902fcaa0 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Friday July 15th Frank went out last night after he got home and raked up all the alsike. Dad went out at four o'clock and bunched a lot of it and we all worked at it after breakfast till we got it done. It didn't shell very badly after it was dry. We hauled in one load before dinner but didn't put it off. This after noon we hauled in four more and put them off over the granary. Frank and I drove Queen out to Bill Sidway's to-night to take him a {husk?} he doesn't seem to be improving very fast. We got home about dark and then Frank, Dick and I went for a swim. It was fine. Fine day. Saturday July 19th We hauled in four more loads of alsike this morning besides a jag of couch grass which we threw in the bottom of the bay. We put all that we hauled this morning in the bay. This after noon we three boys went down town, the band played in the park as this was proclaimed a holiday by the King to celebrate peace. There was a big crowd in town but they were all down at the lake. I stayed down at Aunty's for tea. I recived a cheque for my broilers at 40 cts per lb. Sunday July 20th Frank Tid. and I went down to Sunday school this morning and Dad. & Enah went down to church. Huby and I took up the collection. Dad. & Enah stayed down town this after noon Enah & Tid stayed to tea and Dad. drove down after church for them, he came home at six and helped me do chores. Frank Dick and I had dinner to-gether and then Dick went down town but Frank and I stayed home all after noon. Monday July 21st We finished hauling the alsike in two loads this morning and then hauled two loads of wheat before dinner, but as we pulled in the barn with the second load it began to rain quite hard so we didn't get any more in to-day. This after noon I started down town to get my money order cashed but Dick overtook me on the wheel so I sent it down with him and I came home. Frank Dad and I cleaned up some oats as we want to put our next years seed away now as there will probably not be much next Spring. Old Alex Ross came in about five o'clock to see again https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/0bbeed35600751612b1e8f038ad54d3f.pdf 85515f38628c953cb44f3aa6e5e8fca3 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. about pasture for his horse and as he said his brother J.C. Ross from Jarvis was down town Dad. thought I had better drive down and ask him if he could tell us what was causing the wool to come off our sheep. I saw him but he couldn't tell me, he said it was like scab but with it they are itchy. I took my horn down, stayed at Aunty's for tea and went to band practice to-night. Dick was down there for tea too. Tuesday July 22nd It was still too wet to do any hauling this morning so Frank, Dick & I cleaned up some more oats and then put what we had cleaned through again so we think now we have enough for seed cleaned up. Dad. picked blackcurrants and hoed in the garden. This after noon we hauled in the rest of the wheat in three loads one of them a small one. To-night Dick & I drove Queen up to Buter's and I got my book & brushes. It was half past eight & just dark when we got there and Willard & his brother were coming in with a load of alsike. The two of them have taken off 95 acres of hay & alsike and have their whole 150 acres in crop. Frank rode his wheel up to Kelly's Wednesday July 23rd We hauled in the rest of the hay about four loads all but about 12 cocks from east of the old garden and we hauled one load of alsike from out there, there is also a little of it left. We put the hay in the horse stable and pitched the alsike off in the old barn. The bluegrass was hard to pitch and it took a long time to put on a load. Cruikshank & Harris, district agent for Massey Harris were in for about an hour after dinner trying to sell Dad. a fertilizer disc drill. Dad. said he wouldn't take a chance on it but Frank could if he liked so Frank signed their agreement. He is to pay $55 next March and $100 a year from then. To-night Frank rode Mexico down Mud. St. and Dick and I took some milk and cream down to Aunty's and then went for a swim. Thursday July 25th Frank started to cut the rest of the stuff out east of the old garden this morning but had a breakdown with the mower so didn't get any cut. Dad. cultivated the potatoes with Belle amd I thinned at the mangels all day, Dad. helping me this after noon. Dick had a headache this https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/7cdd6dd21808b896b64ffa8eb6ad04f7.pdf 63c508be67043368e2ee2a86550ebfb0 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. morning but got some stuff down town to fix it up. After dinner he and Frank went over to thrash at Jack's, they are thrashing out of the field so they had to take the team. Dad went over about 4.30 and took Dick's place and Dick went down town for tea. Karl. Coleman was over this after noon to look at Kate and was to make a dicker with Frank for her. I went down to band concert to-night. This being my birthday Aunty, Aunty Alice & Cousin Clare came over to dinner. I got a pair of low shoes, a shirt, a neck tie, a wash rag, a film and the "Literary Digest" for a year. Looked stormy and has been a hot dry wind. Friday July 25th I went over to Jack's this morning with Frank & the team and pitched on two or three loads till Dick came over then I went back and thinned more mangels. Dick & Frank have been thrashing all day and finished to-night Jack had 540 bushels from about 20 acres which was better than we thought judging from the fields near the road. I slept for about an hour this after noon & then Dad. and I went out and finished thinning the mangels & turnips. We then took a walk over to Art. Quanbury's to see if his sheep were affected with the same skin disease or whatever it is that ours are but they seemed to be alright. We thought if they were affected we could attribute it to the dip, but we can't make out at all what it is. We brought the cows up with us on our way home. Saturday July 26th Frank had to go down to Ryerse's to thrash this morning and has been down there all day. I put in most of the day hoeing potatoes but took a grist to the mill this morning and went after it again this after noon. Dad. helped me hoe potatoes and put the woodshed screen door on. Dick went down town this after and he and Dess went to Simcoe and stayed all night. It rained a little last night and they say hailed big stones out at Roy Hammonds. Sunday July 27th Frank Tid and I went to Sunday school and Dad. & Enah drove down to church. Tid. and I stayed at Aunty's to dinner and Tid stayed there all the after noon & to tea playing with Rebecca as she and Roy came up with the Millman's last night. I came home soon after https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/cd55724b18dff15d3dc3de91254d3ac7.pdf 2a1d75df396059201e827241ff67bd04 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. dinner and found Dad. and Enah asleep and Frank had gone down to the Cave with Lila, they stayed to tea down at the Ward's. Roy came over to the Woodsons with me and later came over here and stayed to tea Enah drove him home with Mexico about dark and brought Tid. back with her. Very hot & very windy. Monday July 28th Frank cut hay out by the side road all morning and Dad. and I hoed potatoes. This after noon Frank started to rake the hay and leave the patches of alsike. I went out when I thought he had enough raked to cock up but the wind was so strong I couldn't do any thing with it so I came back and started to hoe the potatoes. Dad. took the buggy down town after dinner as he thought one of the axles was sprung. He noticed it the other night when I was driving out and told me that the wheels didn't track. He took it to Joe Howell's and had him come out and look at it while Joe was trying to figure out what was the matter Alan Law who was in the shop burst forth in a loud peel of merriment and informed Dad that the wheels were changed and sure enough that proved to be the case, some one to play a trick, had changed the front and hind wheel on the offside and we had never discovered it it. I suppose it has been done when Frank had it at the garden party awhile ago. About five o'clock Dad. Enah and Tid started off for Charlotteville to pick Huckleberries as they had a card the other day from George Broadley inviting them up. Frank and I got the chores done up fairly well and then I went down to band practice. Aunt Nancy died last night. Aunt Ida is back. Tuesday July 29th Frank and I got up after five this morning and went out to see what we could do with the alsike patches. There was no dew but the stuff was tough. He decided to rake it up and I bunched a little and then went after the cows. Frank cooked some breakfast and went out to mow right after but I did chores in the house and barn. I washed up all the dishes and the seperator made the bed and swept out the kitchen. This took me the biggest part of the morning and then I went out to cock up but the wind was so strong I couldn't so I picked out some of the sour dock. Frank had to go thrashing down at Sam Law's this after noon so I took Harry & Queen and went out to finish https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/ab61de9ed2f66ee8614640f4c1765a16.pdf 1923f5171d82260cab27f6b472c340b9 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. mowing but spent most of the after noon tinkering with the mower. The brass boxing on the crank shaft got hot and I took it off a couple of times and then the knives gummed up so that I had to change them and had a very annoying time during which I said several bad words, and just got the thing ready to cut when the whistle blew, as I didn't know but what I would have to do all the chores alone I quit and went up but just as I got the team put away Dad. Enah & Tid got home. They had had a not altogether enjoyable trip, but got quite a lot of huckleberries. I guess Broadley's hospitality although genuine was very Charlottevillian and Mrs. Broadley or Rachel as Broadley proudly calls her is much fonder of plowing and working in the bush than she is of housekeeping. They were not the only guests for the night as Mr. & Mrs. Ed. Billington were also taking shelter under the same roof. Mrs. Billington used to be a Brook, Law's sister. Tid was sick all day and went to bed as soon as he got home and didn't wake up all evening. Dick was down town all after noon. Wednesday July 30th Frank went out before breakfast this morning while the alsike was tough and raked up all the hay & alsike that was cut. Dad, Frank, Dick and I cocked up all morning. This after noon Frank finished cutting and Dad, Dick & I cocked up. Then Dick & Frank went up and Frank brought the waggon out and when we <s>put</s> finished cocking up we put on a load and put it off in the horse stable. Dick went down town as he had an invitation to go to Simcoe with Helen Anderson and a party in the car. Cool and cloudy all day. Thursday July 31st It began to rain early this morning and rained steadily but quietly nearly all morning and part of the after noon. I helped Frank sharpen the binder & mower knives but spent most of the day reading writing and drawing. Frank tinkered around and put a board on the step of the woodshed door to keep the flies from coming under the screen. Dick spent the morning in bed and went down town this after noon. It stopped raining to-night but didn't clear off very well but we had a good band concert. I went around after it to the Barwell's to call for Aunty Alice who was there playing bridge. Huby moved down to the Tom Law house to-day. Bob got back from the West to-night. Mary Hodge is also home from France. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/940daff0feef66d3273db469263135c6.pdf 028e81ec159ff7c5bc65ee839fd77d99 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Friday August 1st It was too wet to work at the hay to-day so Dad. & Frank hauled out manure all day. Dick and I went back to set the fence posts across the side hill field from the woods to the gully as we want to get the cattle in where we cut the hay off as soon as possible. The ground was so hard we couldn't make much impression on it with the post auger but got one post set. We then went over to John Wess's to borrow his spud to loosen up the hard clay and were over there till noon, but this after noon we made better progress by using the spud and I think got six posts set. To-night Dick and I went down town as I wanted to try on a pair of low shoes at Caley's but they were closed up so we decided to go to the show. We were just a little early for the second show so went over to Pete Holmes where we ran across Bob & Dess, so we took them to the show with us. It was "The Heart of Humanity" a war picture showing just Canadian troops. It was very good but very sad and depicted some horrible examples of German brutality. Roy Dell was with us and could tell us about the places, such as Vimy Ridge Saturday August 2nd Tupper was in the other night and promised to come over and help us haul hay when we got ready so Frank went over last night to ask him to come to-day, we also got Jack to send Hanselman over and we put in quite a day hauling with two teams. We got all the hay in that was cut but there is still the alsike two or three loads out yet. We hauled in nine loads, which wasn't too bad, as we didn't start early or work late and the bluegrass is very slow to pitch being so short and heavy. Tupper took in too big a load once and broke the hoist rope a pulley and banged the end of the barn out. The boys went down town to-night. Cool and cloudy. Sunday August 3rd Frank Tid and I went down to Sunday school and the rest all came down to church. Dick Tid and I stayed at Aunty's for dinner and Aunty persuaded me to go up and see Miss Battersby after dinner to thank her for the wash rag she made me. I came home with Tid. about three o'clock and just as we got here we found Jim & Mrs. Waddle about to take Dad. & Enah for a joyride in their new https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/4c671787834e35240a0a02c7b3323ba9.pdf bfa73985a2bc1ea82e7f0b345782bf9b PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. car, so Tid went with them but I declined an invitation to go. Dad. didn't enjoy it much, they went way up into Charlotteville and very nearly collided with another fellow which scared them all prettty badly. They got home about five. It has been quite cool and rather cloudy. Monday August 4th First thing this morning Frank braced the plank in the peak of the big barn that has the gate on the track in it as he thought it being unbraced had some thing to do with the loads sticking. Dad. and I had to hold the ladder for him and it took quite awhile. Sam's whistle blew over at Pickford's before we finished and Frank and Dick went over there to thrash. Bruce Smith came in, in his new "Fliver" and we went back to the gully to look at Snowdrop. We brought her up and Bruce felt in her mouth and found a long tooth but they couldn't do anything without more instruments. It was nearly noon when he left. Byron & Fred Johnson were over here to dinner. We sat around for quite awhile after dinner talking to them and then Dad. and I put off the load of hay that was on the barn floor and went after a load of alsike. Dick and Frank got home from Pickford's in time to help us put it off and Dad. Frank and I went out after another load which we didn't put off. I went down to band practice to-night. There were not many out and Ed. & Harry Moon got into a quarrel over the town waterworks question and Ed. got mad and left saying he wouldn't sit and play with a man that talked such nonsense as Harry did. Ed. had been down at the meeting of the Board & Trade & Council and was pretty riled when he came up and when Harry started in to defend the Council for not doing any thing to hold the by-law for putting in the waterworks Ed. couldn't stand it. Frank and I came home to-gether we found Dick up and all indulged in some hard cider. Tuesday August 5th Dick has been down town all day, he went down to get his tooth fixed. Dad. Frank and I put off the load of alsike that was on the barn floor and brought another load in which was the last and which we left on the barn floor. Frank then started to cut the stuff on the old oat https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/e2369af59648ff89bdf2987f9b8908b1.pdf 5450dd417c19bc72c432dae93e95246c PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. stubble and finished it this after noon. It is no good mostly weeds but we are shy of feed so will save it. Dad. and I hoed the strawberries and then Arthur Preston came over and as it began to rain a little he and I spent the after noon in the drive house discussing various subjects, and he tried to convert me to his rather radical prohibition ideas. Dad. cut some thistles and went over to Martin's to return the ladder he borrowed. Didn't rain. Wednesday August 6th Frank raked up the stuff he cut yesterday, this morning I took the buggy over to John Evans this morning to see if he could set the tires and tighten the reins. He said he could but was too busy now but would do it if I would bring it over Monday. I then caught the ten o'clock car and went to Simcoe to see {Slaght?}. He advised me to make an offer of $2000 for Bronzie, which I decided to do after coming home and consulting Dad. and Aunty Alice. It is a pretty steep price but I need the place. This after noon Dad. Frank and I cocked up but didn't finish. Frank and I went down town to-night and went for a swim. Dick has been down all day. Very hot and looks rainy. Thursday August 7th We finished cocking up the hay this morning and then put off the load of alsike that was on the barn floor. It was too late to get in any hay before dinner but we hauled in four loads this after noon but didn't unload the last one. To-night I went down to band concert. Ed. was back on the job all right. Very hot and very windy to-day. Friday August 8th We hauled in three more loads of hay this morning and Dick helped us mow it away, there were just five more sling lifts out there besides one load of clover seed which seemed pretty well filled. We put the hay in with out much mowing and left the clover seed on the waggon in the old barn, we brought in some sival grass for bedding. Aunty & Rebecca came over this morning and Enah drove them home this evening. Frank ordered a ton of Basic Slag to try on the wheat this fall. Very cool and windy. Saturday August 9th Dad. Enah and Tid all struck off for Simcoe this morning Th had dinner with Mrs. Frank Bowlby and Louise https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/794e49f56395f50ee694e485496521ff.pdf b5a91ad57c0a4af2565340a151f8fae0 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. and this after noon took in the circus getting home about six o'clock. They said it was a good show and they had a fine time. Frank and I put in the whole day burning the old grass and weeds out around the old garden and went all over the field from the lane to the road and to the gully. We had to watch it carefully in the old timothy stubble as it ran very fast. Dick spent the morning in bed and then went down town. Frank and I went down to-night and I got a pair of shoes at Andrew's. Quite cold to-day. Sunday August 10th Frank Tim and I went down to Sunday school and Enah drove Mexico down to church. Rev. Ralph Moon preached but Mr. Johnson was there too. I stayed at Auntys for dinner and this after noon went with the band down to Kitchen's point where we gave a little concert mostly sacred to quite a large crowd, there is a big crowd mostly country people down there every Sunday after noon. I didn't get home till nearly six as Mr. Zealand showed Uncle Ward and me all over his place. Enah went down to play the organ to-night and Ed. Moon came over here and spent the evening. Cool but nice. Monday August 11th I went back after the cows this morning and found five of them over in Ivey's and had a bad time getting them out. After breakfast I took the buggy over to Evan's with Mexico and was over there all morning while he tightened the spokes and set the tires. Dad. and Frank cut the oats on the side hill and as they didn't want to leave till they could bring the binder up, we didn't have dinner till about two o'clock. This after noon I felt very tough with a sore throat and cold in my head so went to sleep on the sofa till tea time and went to bed right after tea. Frank went down to the mill with some oats for chop. To-night Dad. Enah & Tid. drove down town to take Aunty Alice's milk down. Cloudy & cool. Tuesday August 12th We put off the load of clover seed this morning, put a new reach in the waggon and Dad. and Frank hauled up a jag of oats before dinner and got the rest after dinner. There was barely one full sized load but they were quite heavy. I haven't done much all day, my throat is better but my head is water logged. Dad. Enah & Tid went down to the James' for tea this being {Eliss?} wedding anniversary. Frank went out to Bill Sidway's to-night. Cool & looked stormy. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/30d1e11b4f203454fa9f9b46360de966.pdf d5731d6c61c76a1cd018f63ea1cf15f6 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Wednesday August 13th Dad. Frank and I went back this morning and started to put up the old fence along the woods that has been down in the grass ever since we came over here. We found that most of it was good enough when put up on trees and stakes to turn cattle but in spots it was rusted out too badly to be any good and one place it was cut. Dad. felt very miserable all morning and this afternoon he didn't go out of the house. Frank and I went back after dinner and put up nearly all of the fence that was any good but we quit at four o'clock as Frank had to get ready to go down to Dave Ward's and take Jennie out to Quanbury's to a meeting of the Moonlight Riding Club. Dick came over to tell me that the band was going down to Nanticoke to a garden party but I thought my cold was still too bad to go so went to bed. Thursday August 14th It was very late this morning when we went back to work at our fence as it looked a little rainy and consequently we didn't finish it by noon but had about an hour's work after dinner, we opened the fence into the gully but didn't drive the cattle into their new pasture as we thought they would roam to the extreme limits of it and give us too long a tramp after theem. When we finished back there we put up a few posts along the top of the field east of the orchard and as soon as we can get a fence up there we will let the sheep in in that field. There was a picnic from Dover in Nanticoke this after noon and the band went down but I didn't go nor I didn't go down to band concert to-night although I guess I could have all right. Louise and Winnie were over here to tea and Enah drove them down after and went with them to the picture show. Friday August 15th Dad. and I went back this morning expecting to find the cows in their new pasture but instead found that they had broken the gully fence into the oats and tramped right through them to John Wess's line. Dad. went back after breakfast and fixed it up and put them in on the clover while Frank and I hauled manure. Then Dad. helped Frank at that and I spent the rest of the day getting the posts and wire ready to put along the top of the field east of the orchard for the sheep Dad. helped me put the wire up while Frank pitched https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/53a7dec81b27219edbc5aea8af6aee20.pdf 44d078cbc1a96d0ecda4f55d5ec36e62 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. on the last few loads alone. He hauled out 20 loads to-day Dad. and I didn't get the wire stretched very well but as long as it doesn't go right flat I think it will turn the sheep. It has been quite hot to-day. Dad. feels punk. Saturday August 16th Frank and I hauled manure all day but only got out about 17 loads. Niel Eliot was in for awhile this morning and Frank went back with him to show him Kate but he said she wasn't in shape yet to buy. This after noon we were driven in but quite a heavy thunder shower and it kept on raining pretty much till dark. Dad. has felt very miserable and weak to-day and has not been out of the house all day. Frank went down town to-night. Sunday August 17th We were greatly surprised this morning to find George in bed with Dick. He came up last night and came over with Frank after I was asleep. Ed. Turner has got him a good job as draughtsman on the Welland Canal. Dad. drove Tid and me down to Sunday school and the boys all came down to church. Dick and I stayed at Aunty's for dinner and I went with band and played sacred music in Powell park this after noon. George & Frank were down this after noon but came to tea and for the eveing I went down to see Quint for a few minutes and he gave me some ice cream to bring home. Pretty warm to-day, breeze. Monday August 18th Frank and I hauled manure to-day but only got out 13 loads as the rain this morning delayed us so that we only hauled 4 loads out before dinner. It rained again this after noon but not till we were just about to quit. I went down to band practice to-night so we quit at five. Dad. felt better to-day and he and Tid. went down to cut Aunty Alice's oats but they didn't get them cut on account of the rain. Quint took them out for a ride in his motor boat and they got home just in time for Dad. to help me milk. Some garden thief has been very active this last week, about 100 hills of potatoes were dug out of Ed. Moon's garden up on Main St and a lot of beets and carrots were taken from Mrs. Battersby's and Uncle Ward's gardens on Saturday night. Frank drove George down this morning and he got off on the 6.30 G.T.R. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/58354f8c430bab0891bd3bb203ed58da.pdf d84a8eb54e9a5c4067d2702b90883557 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Tuesday August 19th Frank and I hauled out 9 loads of manure this morning and got it all out of the shed at the cow stable but at noon we had a very heavy rain storm which put a stop to outside work for the rest of the after noon, it rained two or three times during the after noon. I read, slept and wrote to Vernon asking her if we could stay with her during The Exhibition. Frank & Tid went back to the gully. This morning Dad. went over to see how Mrs. John Wess was and Mrs. McCarter said she was doing well but in dangerous condition. Wednesday August 20th Frank and I hauled out manure all day and Dad. hoed over in the garden. This morning we put all the sheep in the barn and greased the backs of the ewes which have the wool off. We separated the ewes from the rams and lambs and put the latter back in the orchard and will have the ewes in the field till the lambs are weaned. Dick came home to-night, he has decided not to go to Midland. Thursday August 21st We hauled out a few loads of manure this morning but had to stop twice on account of the rain, however Frank said the field was covered although he would have put another load on if he had time. This after noon Frank drove Joe down and had her shoes set and had Dr. Cook look at his eye which has been very sore for two days. There are some sort of pimples under the eyelid. Dad. and I took Belle & Harry out to start plowing. Dad. struck out for a headland all around the field but old Belle was in no mood for work after her holiday and it took us about 3 hours to get once around the field. For the last stretch I brought out the cow sprayer and scared her into her collar by spraying at her from behind. Band concert to-night. This was supposed to be Boughner picnic day but for once it was a complete failure I suppose on account of the rain. Fine after noon. Friday August 22nd Frank and I hauled out manure to-day and got out {10?} loads. Frank hauled it out along the side road to-day. Dad. went down to Aunty's this morning and was down all day cutting the oats and fixing up the lawns & paths. Frank's eye is better but not well by any means. It has been a fine day sunny & breezy but not too hot. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/0350e6f496a43809fc83be003743189f.pdf ff5e4891d1214c3cdcfbe5f79c12c2b7 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Saturday August 23rd We are still at the manure and it is not out yet although the pile has dwindled considerably. Frank and I hauled out all day and Dad helped us put on some loads as he was cleaning out the little box-stall in the horse stable where Bill Philip's pig has been living. I went down town to-night with Frank and got my hair cut. We stopped in at Aunty's and were very much surprised to see Vernon & Mrs. Millman, they had come up in the car this afternoon. I went down to the Casino for awhile to look on and there was an awful jam there. I came home with Charlie Quanbury and as he had mentioned when commenting on the great reception His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales is getting in all the Canadian cities that he didn't believe in Royalty, I spent considerable time trying to prove to him that the King & his throne deserved more respect than that and that the British system of government was the nearest perfect of any nation on earth. Sunday August 24th Went to Sunday school and church this morning and so did all the rest of the family. Mr. Brand from Nanticoke took the services morning and evening. Dick and I stayed at Aunty's for dinner and I cut my oats. Vernon left on the four o'clock car so I waited till it went out and went down to the station to see her off then came home and did chores. Enah went down to church to-night. Frank went down to Ward's and I went down to the "sheep pasture, Bronzie". Quite warm, breezy. Monday August 25th Dad. Frank and Tid. went down to Aunty's this morning and got the oats that Dad. cut and we put them in the box stall. Frank will use them for bedding. I put in a post in the chicken yard to fix up a cross fence while they were gone. Dad. stayed down till noon to dig Aunty Alice's potatoes for her. Frank and I got out two loads of manure before dinner and nine I think this afternoon. I went down to band practice to-night. It has been quite cold and showery all day. Tuesday August 26th We expected to finish the manure to-day but although we hauled out 16 loads there is still a little left. Art Quanbury was in at noon to say that Neff had telephoned saying the Judging Competition would be Sept 3 & 4th. To-night Dad. & Enah went out to the Shands to see the Nixon's. I went down to Aunty's for awhile. Cool. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/b109fb7e3f40a40e39671013f43f6996.pdf 7c998958d3aeaa48b9db9621bdef39c1 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. {This entry is by Toby's father} cutting the East side of the field about 5 O'Clock and I got it all set up. Frank had a very sick turn just as he finished, so I brought the team up and he the cows. We did not get up much too soon for while I was milking we had a heavy rain, but it cleared up in time for Hattie to go down and meet George and Miss Sutherland. We all had tea when they got back, very cool. Sunday August 31st It was showery all morning nothing much but not nice to be out in. Hattie, George and Marion got ready for church but it rained when they were ready to start so they did not go and when it cleared off Dick and I drove Queen down with cream for Auntie and found out there was no service. Alice came over in the afternoon and stayed to tea Lila was over too. Dick came over in the morning having come up from Toronto last night by way of Gault. Cool and damp. Monday September 1st We were all up early this morning to get George, Marion and Frank off. Frank went down on the wheel. I drove the others down and got there Just in time to see the train move out. Marion ran and caught it, but as George could not she and Frank got off and went by way of Brantford. I came back home and by the time I got the cows up and milked and all the other chores done there was not much left of the forenoon. Enah and Tim drove over to Shands School house and Dick and I walked out, had a very nice time in spite of several light showers, but poor Mrs. {Hank?} Ryerse fell and broke her arm. Hattie and Dick went with her in Jack Walkers car to the doctors. There was a good number there in spite of the day being so showery It seems a long time to Thursday night and it is quite a grind going it single handed but I guess we will manage it. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/f0f7c9dac0b24d99b36eea9a3c3b82a5.pdf 9e2cb900205177a2114d6d13f1b03699 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. {This entry is by Toby's father} I did not manage to get much done today but the chores. I watered and fed the horses before it was good day light when I went in the stable after breakfast I saw poor Joe could not put her near hind foot on the floor on examining it I found a two inch nail in at the point of the frog and I had quite a time getting it out. I finally managed it with the hammer, she is very lame I had to take Harry and Queen to finish cutting the oats. Dick took the cows up for me. It has been fair and warmer to day. Wednesday September 3rd My troubles increased this morning when I found six head of cattle in the woods and it was late enough when I had <u>my</u> breakfast. Dick had to go to the dentists but he got home at noon and he and I went back after dinner and got the binder and it took us nearly all the afternoon to get it stored away. It has been fine and much warmer. {Toby takes up the entry again} Thursday September 4th Frank and I reached home to-night on the last car and were mighty glad to get back although we had a fine time in Toronto. Frank was sick to-day but felt better by the time we got home. I went in the beef cattle judging competition yesterday and did very poorly not getting in on the prize money at all. I judged Fruit and Vegetables to-day but don't know how I did. Frank was too sick to judge to-day but he judged sheep yesterday and I guess got something out of it. I spent most of the time taking in shows and at the Fair. Marj. was in Toronto last week and I went over to Hamilton on the boat with her on Monday, she went on to Dover from there. Fine weather Friday September 5th Dad. and I hauled oats off the back field to-day, we were late getting started as we had a lot to do and only got in four very small jags. We had to make them small as Belle was very much inclined to balk after her long holiday. We are stacking the oats outside I went down to see Marj. to-night. It has been quite hot all day. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/6cc1c0dbb0a537a9bfae38ce5afcc774.pdf 9b9c63568d5552f7516592759b378f76 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Saturday September 6th We finished hauling the oats & barley to-day but had quite a time doing it. Belle worked very nicely till the last two loads and then we put on pretty fair sized loads and the first one she balked on the hill when Dad locked the wheel but Dad. shoved it down on top of her so that she went off fairly well. The last load however was a real load and she stopped several times uninvited coming across the field but went off nicely when Dad. put a rope around her front fetlock. That little scheme failed to work however, when she felt the wheel lock on top of the hill but only seemed to make her worse. After working for quite awhile, Frank came back and he and Dad. by main force shoved the waggon down in spite of her. I then let her run to the top of the hill on the road and she went all right till we came to the barn. We had to haul this load in the barn as it only needed a few sheaves to finish the stack but she refused to go into the barn. All manner of persuasion failed to make her budge so Dad. tied her up solidly, took old Harry off and left her there till long after dark. We did the chores had tea and then took Harry out again and hooked him to the waggon and old Belle walked in without a word. Sunday September 7th Frank Tid and I went down to Sunday school this morning and Enah came down to church. Marj. and I stayed at Aunty's to dinner and came over here for tea Dad. & Enah were over at Mrs. Battersby's when we got here at a reception for Mr. & Mrs. Edwin Battersby who expect to go to Shanghai to live soon. Mr & Mrs Millman, Kathleen, Nita, {Tow?}, Jessie Kirtland and Quint all came over in the car to-night. Rather cloudy but close all day. Monday September 8th Frank and I went to Simcoe this morning to get the fertilizer drill that Frank bought. We had to go out around by Wiggin's as the Gravel Road into Simcoe is blocked. We got the drill and got home about three o'clock. I went in to see Slaght again. He was sick again but his son told me that they had heard from Thompson saying he didn't want to sell the "Bronzie" property till he had seen it. When we had dinner we put the load of oats off in the barn and Dad. and I took Pommers & Harry out for a while to get Pommers used to going. I went down to Fred Krell's to-night to get the address of a poultry farm. Very hot. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/dd35863d7bf87525aa15133060d9c390.pdf 735936c438eb99ff588250740771f13d PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Tuesday September 9th Frank took Joe down to have her front shoes set this morning and Dad. and I tried to plow out in the old corn stubble with Pommers & Harry but had to stop as the shear was too dull. The ground is very hard and the flies & heat drive poor Pommers about crazy. Dad. came up and ground down one of the cast shears on the grind stone and we went back after dinner and it went fine. It was much cooler this after noon too. Frank took a grist to the mill this after noon with Belle & Queen. Wednesday September 10th It rained most of the morning so we didn't do much. Alan & Sam who had their separator over at Ivey's intending to thrash out of the field to-day pulled it into our barn out of the rain and if all's well will thrash for us in the morning Alan brought the engine over this after noon. Some of the cattle got out on the road so Dad. went to put them in. This after noon Frank and I got half a ton of soft coal. Frank went to the Riding Club to-night at Lynn Valley and I went down town. Dick got tickets for himself and Dad. as he is leaving for the West to-morrow and wants Dad. to go to Toronto with him. Alan & Zeitha were over for awhile this after noon. Thursday September 11th We thrashed this morning but our granaries are in no danger of colapsing with their load. We have 10 bushels of wheat and 219 of oats & barley and pretty poor stuff at that. Sam moved from our place to Pickford's and from there to Alfred's and thrashed the three places out to-day. Frank went down to Pickford's and Alfred's to help. Dad. & Dick left for Toronto this morning. They were going by Galt. as Dick could get a ticket from here to Winnipeg going that way (all C.P.R.) for the same price as one from Toronto to Winnipeg. Dad. was very loth to go but we're hoping he will enjoy himself. Dick says he will have to stay till Saturday as he has arranged for him to come up with the Millman's in the car. After dinner I went back to fix a place in the fence on the side road where the cattle have been getting out, but found I couldn't do much alone as some wires were broken, It began to rain while I was back there and rained quite hard. When I got to the house I found Aunty Alice and Enah ready to start off in the pouring rain with Mexico & the cart. Aunty Alice https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/534b05521331dac819980cc55223f597.pdf 19474088955223c0a405a339e8ba932d PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. came over to help Enah and said they must get back to post a letter. I persuaded them to take the buggy. I cleaned up the barn floor till it was time to do chores and I got them done up in good time. Frank got home in time to do his. Mostly fine. Friday September 12th Frank and I went back first thing and fixed the fence up where the cattle escaped. We thought we wouldn't take chances trying to plow with Pommers and as the ground is so hard we didn't like to put Queen or Joe on and we were sure Belle would balk so we didn't try it at all. Old Ross came and got his horse yesterday or we would have tried him. He has led a miserable existance out here as Dave was very mean to him and wouldn't let him near the gully consequently he spent the whole time up in this front field where there wasn't a thing to eat and occasionally Dave would break in there and kick him around. Frank and I spent the day trimming up the sheep. We got the eight yearling rams looing a little better but didn't give them a thorough carding. We were greatly excited at noon by the appearance of six aeroplanes flying over the place to the west. One of them looked to fly directly over our heads and stood between the shop and the woodshed. They were in a sort of cross formation. One ahead, one behind and two on each wing. Just as they got nicely past we saw one circle and light. It looked as if it came down about at Ham. Thompson's and in a few minutes we saw Colin Ryerse going up the road on horseback, that put Frank in the notion so he jumped on his wheel and went up. He was gone for a couple of hours but he found the machine. It had run short of gasoline and had come down about three mile up the Gravel in one of By. William's field. Frank said the flock had started from Buffalo for Detroit and were Americans on their way to Texas for the winter.The one that came down was the one that was first in the race between Toronto & New York during the Exhibition. Mrs. Selby drove one of the aviators to Dover for gasoline and the other stayed by the machine and gave the crowd that gathered all this information. Frank said all the farmer's for miles around had left their teams to come and see it. He stayed till it went up and said it was very funny as they got young Lloyd Wooley to hold the tail down when they started the engine and he was pretty nervous and let go before he should have as he was under the ropes some way and https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/421a79fa0d9bd4309c867228776a5906.pdf bee02546bcbae9adcec6f07e8df5c555 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. was afraid of being caught. The wind caused by the motion of the propellor is enough to blow a man over almost he said. We did chores up fairly early and I went down town to-night. Aunty & Aunty Alice were looking for Walter & Elsie as they are at Roy's and spoke of coming up either Friday or Saturday and they thought Dad would come up with them but they didn't arrive. Saturday September 13th Frank and I spent most of the day hauling in the straw from around the bottom of the stack. We got about a load and a half and put it in the horse stable loft. It took a long time to pitch it on and we had to move the slings from the barn. Dad. got home while I was milking. He, Walter, Elsie & little John came up with the Millman's in the car. I guess Dad. had a pretty good time playing with the babies, Roy's & Walter's. Sunday September 14th Frank Tid. and I went to Sunday school and Dad. and Enah went down to church. Morton Brown preached. There was no service to-night. We all went down to see Elsie & John after church. Walter was in church with Aunty, but I was the only one who stayed to dinner. I spent the after noon up the beach with Marj. I came home about six and Frank and I did chores. Dad. Enah & Tid went down this after noon and stayed at Aunty's to tea. I went down after tea, but was late as Nellie and I had a {free?} fight, she scratched one of her teats and I couldn't milk her, she kicked milk all over me. Marj. was down at Aunty's so I went up with her and when I came back it was raining so I stayed down all night. Monday September 15th Dad. and I plowed with Pommers and Harry this morning and got along very well, although we struck an old post in the headland next the lane and broke both whipple-trees so had to put on the iron ones. This after noon Frank and I had to go down and help Sam Law thrash, we were down all the after noon and to supper. Walter, Elsie, John and Aunty Alice were all over here for dinner and this after noon. To-night I went down to band practice but there weren't many out. I was in at Aunty's for awhile on my way home. Fine, cool. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/3b9fad8af14ff0abd0a39d144d9f00fe.pdf ddda7014dd5c686d77f6bc0d712791dc PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Tuesday September 16th Dad. and I plowed all day and got enough done that Frank was able to bring Queen & Belle out and work on it this after noon, he rolled and disked it. We quit at five and all went down town to-night. Frank, Enah and I went to the picture show to see "Miss. Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch" which I didn't think much of and Dad. and Tid stayed at Aunty's to say good bye to Walter & Elsie. I went down on my way home to see them but they had just gone to bed. They are going in the morning. Wednesday September 17th We plowed all day again. Frank did odd jobs and waited all day for Belle to come up from the back field as she always has done as soon as the sun gets hot but she didn't come up for water till night so he couldn't work her, but he took Queen & Joe out late in the after noon and harrowed a little. I went down town to-night to telephone Archie McEwen and ask him what prospects there were for selling one sheep but he was in Toronto so I couldn't get him. I went over to Dyer's and got my hair cut and then came home and polished my horn a little. Cool breeze but sun hot and flies very bad. Cold nights. Thursday September 18th Dad. & I plowed this morning. Frank came out with Belle & Queen and hooked to the roller, they weren't going just to suit Dad so he took them and Frank plowed. Just at noon Dad. had a bad accident. The double-trees on the roller came off and the tongue dropped throwing him forward and scraping his shin badly on the brace of the roller tongue. He couldn't walk at first for the pain but for a wonder he didn't break his leg. He has to keep his leg up all the time as it pains very badly when he puts it down. Frank and I kept on plowing this after noon and to-night we all went down to the Horticultural show. Enah & Tid drove down and when they came home Frank went down I went with the band and we played. Friday September 19th Frank and I plowed all morning and this after noon till we finished the side of the potato patch, just as we finished a storm which had been threatening all the after noon broke and it poured rain soaking us We came up and both had a bath before <s>changing</s> putting on dry clothes. It rained all the rest of the day & https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/04098acdd3a072e248596e5ab52ab05d.pdf 6bd101f6cf9c1020458b2b0f9ba0a348 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. night and I didn't go back after the cows. Aunty came over this morning to see Dad. and stayed to dinner but got down town again before the rain. I went down to-night. Saturday September 20th Frank went to the mill this morning and took some oats and wheat down for grist. I harrowed with Pommers and Harry all morning andf this after noon till I finished the piece and then I started to disk. Frank brought the other team out and rolled this after noon. The ground works up fine since the rain which soaked right through. Dad. was able to walk a little to day with the aid of canes. Frank went down town to-night and telephoned McEwen. He said he would be down to look at the rams soon. Cool. Sunday September 21st It rained nearly all morning but Frank and I drove down to Sunday school and church. Enah was very sick yesterday all day and although she was "up and about" to-day she didn't feel like going out so there was no organist in church and consequently no music. I stayed down at Aunty's to dinner and spent the after noon and evening up at the Monteith's, coming home at tea-time to do chores. Ade Millman & his wife were up with the rest of the family in their cottage for over Sunday and they all came over here tihs morning in the rain but I didn't see them. Monday September 22nd Frank and I started in to plow on the other side of the potato patch this morning and have been at it all day getting on fairly well. Dad's leg felt quite a bit better to-day and he drove Mexico down town and stayed at Aunty's for dinner. I went down to band practice to-night. Tuesday September 23rd Frank and I plowed all day, we spent most of the fore noon striking out the rest of the piece and plowed four lands this after noon. Dad. walked out to the field this morning and said he felt well enough to disk if Belle came up, but she didn't come. I caught all my white chickens to-night and shut them up. I wanted to pick out the cockrels. Mrs. Millman, Nita, Kathleen, Orm & a Mr. Bowyer all came over in Orm's car tonight and we spent an hilarious evening. Cool. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/61a8cbac53474f4fa010044d2b6374e1.pdf f755f4a0886f96ec4b47398ba7543700 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Wednesday September 24th Frank and I plowed all day, we got rather a late start and didn't quite get to the gully fence, which we hoped to do by to-night, leaving just the triangle to plow off to-morrow, however Frank says we can do it by to-morrow noon if we get a good start in the morning. Dad. has disked all day and helped me milk to-night as his leg is a great deal better. I went down town to-night. Thursday September 25th We got a late start this morning as it rained or drizzled and threatened to rain for an hour or two but then cleared off and has been fine but a cold wind all day. Owing to the delay we didn't quite finish the field by noon as we had hoped. After dinner Frank and I went over to Jack's and cleaned up enough wheat for our seed and then came back and finished plowing. Dad. disked and harrowed all day and is pretty tired to-night. I am afraid it didn't do him any good. Friday September 26th This has been a most unsatisfactory day as we don't seem to have accomplished very much. I went out this morning and finished harrowing the piece this side of the mangolds with Harry and Pommers while Dad. and Frank went over to Jacks and got the wheat and brought it and the fertilizer out to the field. We then brought the new drill out which takes three horses so there was nothing else for me to do. Frank started to drill but we found the fertilizer was running out too fast but Frank didn't know how to change it so as we only got 8 or 10 rounds drilled before noon, he went out to the Shand's right after dinner to see how they worked theirs. Theirs wasn't working right either but they didn't know how to fix it. On his way home he ran across Bill Cruickshank fixing his car on the road so he brought him in. They fixed it to sow less fertilizer but they couldn't throw the fertilizer feed out of gear. They fiddled away for about an hour and after Bill left frank had to tie a string on the grain feed shaft to keep it from slipping cogs and altogether most of the day was spent in just monkeying. However Frank kept at it till he finished the piece but it was after dark. Enah went down to the Millman's to tea to-night and I went down after tea and spent the evening at the Monteith's. Dad. has felt pretty miserable all day. Fine & cool. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/24618fbde47338a7354222b85cbf3172.pdf 51b1aa515903e310fed192f26db718f2 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Saturday September 27th Dad. and I ran out the ditches this morning in the piece. Frank sowed with Harry & Pommers and Frank rolled the other piece down with Belle & Joe. This after noon I disked and Frank rolled and harrowed with Belle & Queen. Dad. spent the after noon cleaning out ditches. An aeroplane circled over the farm this after noon and Enah who was down town said it was taking passengers out from Simcoe charging $10.00 for a ten minute fly. Young Arthur McPherson was over here playing with Tid. all the after noon and stayed to tea. He started off very bravely after tea when it was quite dark to go home but sent word back by Tid who went a little way with him that he wished he had said he was scared so Tid called him back. He curled up on the sofa to wait till Frank was ready to take him home but by that time was so sound asleep that he stayed all night and Frank went to tell the folks. It certainly is an eerie spot past Preston's barn & Jonas' house after dark. Roy, Vernon and the children all came up with Mr. Millman in the car to-day. Sunday September 28th Frank and I went down to Sunday school and church this morning and I stayed down to dinner at Auntie's. Enah drove Mexico down and played the organ. This after noon Marj. and I went for a walk up the beach to the Chestnut opening. I came home to tea but was too late to do chores as I stopped in to say good bye to Roy who left at six o'clock. I went down again after tea and met the Millman's and Quint who were all coming over here to see Dad. He felt tired to-day and didn't go down at all. Beautiful day. Monday September 29th I finished disking the field lengthways this morning and then spent the rest of the day crossing it finishing it to-night. Dad. cleaned out ditches all day and Frank harrowed this morning but didn't bring the team out this after noon, I think he picked the big pears in front of the house. I went down to band practice to-night after which I went over to the Millman's for awhile. Kathleen was in the Lake when I got there. There was a man here from below Nanticoke to-day looking at the rams but he didn't buy as he wanted one registered in the American book. Fine day. Tuesday September 30th I went over to Charlie Quanbury's to thrash this morning https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/eb6bff8d3fabe413351e444e4c37c724.pdf a85d5c713f3515c926695559d6f4807f PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. We started about 9.30 and finished by noon. Dad. & Frank started to drill the other half of the field in and finished in the middle of the after noon. Then they ran out all the ditches before dark. I didn't do much this after noon but clean up a little and patch up the chicken yard fence. It was inclined to drizzle and was cold. The Millman's came over to-night to say good bye as they are leaving to-morrow. Nita was greatly excited over an adventure they had to-day. They were getting chestnuts from a tree along Farrar's place in Vittoria and a man shot at them. She was scared stiff and Aunty was with them and tried to keep Quint and Alan from getting their gun out of the car. Quint did get it however and pointed it at the man and he dusted for the barn in a hurry. Wednesday October 1st Mr. Fleming was in this morning for thrashing hands. He wanted two as Alfred is laid up with lumbago but the machine didn't get there till noon. Dad. Frank & I dug potatoes this morning. We used Frank's digger that he bought at Billy Dixon's sale and it worked pretty well when there were no weeds but where they were thick we had to use the plow. We got eight rows dug out of the twelve but couldn't dig the other four as they would be covered. Dad. dug the ones which we got from Quanbury and which we think are Rural New Yorkers by hand and got a bag full which we will save for seed. Dad. & Enah picked up most of the potatoes this after noon while Frank and I went thrashing. We thrashed wheat till about four o'clock and got 146 bushels and just as the mow waa emptied, the pan under the cylinder broke and Alan had to take it to town. We hung around for an hour expecting it to be fixed but as he didn't come back I came home. Frank stayed there to tea but they didn't thrash any more. I went down town to-night. Beautiful weather. Thursday October 2nd Frank and I went back to Fleming's and finished thrashing the grain, spring wheat and oats. We finished about half past ten and they put the oats through in a hurry. I was carrying away and part of the time couldn't keep the measures emptied fast enough to keep them from running over. When the finished the grain they pulled the clover mill into the barn and started on the https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/84bf605678e92444dce39288882191bc.pdf 696eacd5148060def9e4a4b9083b78bd PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. seed but Mr. Fleming said he wouldn't need both of us for that so I came home and took a stroll down through "Bronzie" where I found some fine pears. Right after dinner Art Quanbury came in to get me to go and help roof his barn so I was out there all the after noon, his father & Charlie were out too but we didn't get on very fast as the roofing was hard to put on. It is corrugated iron sheets that has been on some military camp building and Art bought it cheap. It will make a good roof but is much harder to handle than new stuff would be. Charlie painted it with some tar roofing preparation as we put it on. To-night I went down and the band played a few selections at the little ceremony they had to present McCauly with a parchment from the Humane Society for the attempt he made last winter to rescue the little boys in the lake. Beautiful day but very warm. Friday October 3rd Frank went back to Mr. Fleming's this morning and they finished thrashing there and then moved to Jack Martin and were there all day. Frank went there too. I waited around for the Quanbury boy's this morning but they didn't come so I went out with Dad. and we plowed out the last four rows of potatoes. I then went over to Mrs. Battersby's and asked John if the boys intended working on the roof and he said they did so I walked out. At noon Frank sent word over by Tid. for me to go over to Jack's but I didn't go thinking the boys would want me on the roof but when they didn't come I supposed they were helping Jack so I helped Dad. pick up potatoes and we got four bags. Saturday October 4th Frank took some stuff to the mill this morning and Dad. and I raked up the weeds off the potato ground. I also washed the buggy. When Frank came back we hauled up the potatoes and the plow and harrows and then took the plow out to the old garden and brought up what few mangolds were any good. This after noon Marj. and I went after chestnuts and had a great after noon. It was quite hot but fine. We got quite a lot of nuts and no-one chased us. Marj. brought a lunch so we had it by the Vittoria creek and got home about nine o'clock. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/b692c4d10a4645d21851e282c64daeeb.pdf 659f328cf7c988af32477bf4db499535 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Sunday October 5th As it was raining a littlle this morning Dad. drove Tid and me down to Sunday school and Frank rode his wheel. Dad. and Enah came down to church I stayed at Aunty's to dinner ansd spenrt the after noon with Marj. We went up to Miss Martin's and went to see the Patterson's but they weren't home. Dad took Vernon for a drive this after noon and left word at Aunty's that I needn't come home for tea so I didn't and went to church with Aunty Alice to-night It was raining when I started fir home so I turned in at Aunty's. I found Frank there too in bed. Monday October 6th Frank and I went home at half past five this morning and and made our departure so quietly that Aunty came down at six to call us. Sam and Alan Law were in while we were milking to see if we wanted to thrash our seed. They didn't want to thrash up the Gravel on account of Simcoe Fair. Dad. told them to come on down so they came about noon. Frank and I hauled in two loads of coal this morning and hunted up thrashing hands. We hauled a load of chestnut coal which was very poor looking stuff and as we had to take one third pea coal we took next time half a load of pea and half of soft. We thrashed all after noon and got the mow over the granary cleaned out and about four bags of seed. I went down to band practice to-night but there were so few there we didn't have any. Pete Holmes was having a dance in the hall so I went in and watched them for awhile. May Perry and Marj. came up while I was there to look on for awhile so I went home with them. There wasn't much of a crowd there. Tuesday October 7th We finished thrashing about ten o'clock and got out about seven bags and a half of seed. I got ready and went to Simcoe Fair on the twelve o'clock car but as it was the second day there wasn't much there. I saw Neff and a Mr. Manning a Y.M.C.A. man and had quite a talk with them. I came back at six with Vernon, Rebecca, Molly, Dick & Alan Tibbits. The Zealand's rowed me across the pond from Ivey's stop. Gypsy had eight puppies last night. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/9c5672071fd0387c701e76262752d1fb.pdf b8e6212254cbf1aa6fa59f9ef67a1a0e PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Wednesday October 8th We separated the ewe lambs from the rams this morning and put them with the old ewes. Midget who has not been well for a day or two died this morning and Frank skinned her. I started to shingle the chicken shed roof this morning and worked at it most of the day but didn't make much showing as it is a long roof. This was Vernon's birthday and they all came over here for dinner. Dad. hooked Joe up to Mexico's cart and brought Aunt Ida, Vernon and the two children over and Aunty & Aunty Alice walked. After dinner we went out and picked up hickory nuts for awhile. Frank went to the Simcoe Fair this after noon and got home at six, he said there wasn't much stock there. I went down town to-night. It froze quite hard last night.Only third white frost we have had. Thursday October 9th It turned much milder and rained all morning and has been cloudy all day. Frank and I husked hickory nuts most of the morning and this after noon went down and got a load of stove coal as Huby sent word over that it was in. To-night the "Moonlight Riding Club" to which Frank belongs spent their monthly meeting here. There were about a dozen of them and they seemed to have a pretty good time playing cards and with music. Friday October 10th Dad. Frank and I put the rails across the west bent in the old barn intending to move the alsike straw in and leave room for the calves underneath but by the time we got the rails in place the wind was so strong that we didn't attempt to move the straw. Dad. and Frank went out to clean out ditches in the wheat and I tried to pick the apples. There is only one tree in the orchard that has any number at all on and a there are a few basketfulls on the other trees. This after noon Frank took the old drill back which he has rigged up as a spring tooth cultivator and gave the potato ground a good sorting up. Aunty and Aunt Ella & Rebecca came over this after noon Aunt Ella was attending a W.A. conference in Hamilton and came up here on her way home for a very short visit. She is quite a wonderful old lady, over seventy. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/3a0c233dcfb7b81dc5210f04a5af177d.pdf 1bc331740821523455113777e67cc02f PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. and spry as a cricket. She walked up to see Miss Battersby this morning, over here and back this after noon and when I went down to-night she was up at church with Aunty Alice. She is very busy working on the Referendum just now and although she is a great temperance worker, she agrees with me that it would be a mistake to try to make prohibition too tight. Aunty Alice takes the same view of the case. Roy came up to-night to stay over Thanksgiving. Saturday October 11th It rained a little this morning and drizzled quite a lot. Dad. and I spent the fore noon rigging up box stalls over in the west bay of the old barn under the rails we put up yesterday. Frank cleaned out the fertilizer parts of his drill and put them away. We all three spent the after noon moving the thrashed alsike into the barn and putting it up on the rails, we got about half of it in. Gladys had {13?} pigs this afternoon, 3 died. Sunday October 12th Frank and I went down to Sunday school and Dad. Enah and Tid drove down to church. This was Thanksgiving service and they had the church very prettily decorated. Mr. Reford (I think that was the name) from Jarvis took the service. I stayed at Aunty's for dinner but came home for tea. I went up to the Davis' where Marj. had been for dinner and she and I walked around the hill stopping at Miss McQueen on our way back. I went down town to-night. Huby Roy and Vernon were all over this after noon. Fine day Monday October 13th Thanksgiving Day Dad. Frank and I spent the morning and part of the after noon moving the rest of the alsike straw into the barn. When we got it in I dug up the dahlia roots and Frank started to put the door of the barn back which was broken off when we were thrashing. Enah and Tid. have been down town all day visiting. I went down to-night to see if there was any band practice but there wasn't so I went down to Aunty's Huby and Aunty Maude were there playing bridge. They had nominations at Vittoria to-day and Jack withdrew and left it to Pratt and Cridland.Tupper was in this morning after thrashing hands. Lovely day https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/8bcdf49016b3a23ba4cf6560a25f687c.pdf 501dd2b4463fb9dd2087864b35e5891a PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. The paper to-day reports the wonderful recovery of two littlle girls in the Chicago hospital who were poisoned about two weeks ago by their crazy mother with bichloride of mercury. On Saturday Dr. Carter the specialist who has been working with them said there was no hope whatever for the eldest girl but to-day says that a real miracle has been performed and that they both will recover. Tuesday October 14th Dad. went over to Tupper's this morning and has been over there all day thrashing. Frank and I left for Simcoe first thing this morning and took the seed up. Frank stayed up there with it and had it cleaned but I came back with the team and got home about noon. I spent the after noon doing chores and put a few more shingles on the chicken house roof. Frank didn't get home till after dark. He got a check for about $2.40 for the alsike and there is about a bushel of red seed up there which they cleaned out but which they wouldn't buy on account of the dock seed in it, but as it is easy to get out of the field we thought we would sow it and sell a bushel of our red seed. Frank went down to-night to hear Cridland. Fine day rather cloudy. Wednesday October 15th I have been all day killing my crate fattened cockrels. I killed and picked the thirteen of them and finished soon after four. Dad. and Enah helped me take out the pin "feathers." I had to change all my apparel when I got through. Frank was all morning fixing up the fence along Iveys line and the front field and we put the rams in there & the ewes over in the orchard and field east of it as the rams got so that they wouldn't stay in there at all and this morning the homliest one of the bunch was in with the ewes. Dad. cleaned out ditches this morning. This after noon Frank went down to the dentist's and up creek after school and didn't get home till about seven o'clock. I went down town to-night. Pratt had a meeting to-night at which Dr. Annie Backhouse spoke, she was at Auntie's for tea. It is wonderful and sad the way a crook and liar like Pratt is known to be can wheedle public sentiment into thinking he is an honest man and worthy to be their representative in the House. Alan Tibbitts was over this morning to say good-bye, for he is leaving for Fort Francis this after noon to get there in time to vote. It has been a beautiful day. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/ae53444b1aee0c3d1af3f1bd5b5c62b2.pdf 827ee2dfdd60931e6801828a70f465c7 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Sunday October 19th Frank and I went down to Sunday school, they didn't have a regular lesson but got the children ready to go to church as this was Children's day. They had a good turn out and the choir which was composed solely of children was fine. Nancy Dyer sang a solo. Rev. Ralph Mason preached a fine sermon for the young ones and they never wriggled all through it. I stayed at Aunty's for dinner and this after noon Marj. and I walked up the beach. I came home for tea & went down again. Monday October 20th Dad. Enah and I spent most of the morning voting. I rode Joe out and Dad. and Enah drove Queen. There was a big crowd out at Wiggin's school house and we had to wait about an hour. We all voted for Cridland not that we wanted to see a United Farmer in but we wanted to kick Pratt out. I put three no's and a yes in the Referendum ballot, the yes being for the sale of booze through Government agencie's. Tupper was in and wanted to take Frank out to vote in Dick's name but Frank wouldn't go. This after noon Dad & Frank slew Bill Phillips the pig with the "pimple". He made a pretty fair carcas. I put a few more shingles on the chicken house and to-night I went down town and got my hair cut. Pat. had a big bulletin out in front of the store giving the returns as they came in. There was a big crowd and every one was surprised at the results. The Hearst Government is badly defeated and Hearst himself with four 4 of his ministers are not elected. The United Farmer's have 40 seats. Liberals 31 and Conservatives 28 Labor 11 & 1 independent. Pratt. was snowed right under. Cridland beating 'him' by about 1300. Port Rowan gave Pratt a majority of 45 but it was the only place. Dover went bone dry as well as all the country places. Four or five cities went wet. Tuesday October 21st We were supposed to go and help Ham Thompson fill silo to-day but it was raining when we got up and kept it up all morning. We didn't do any thing all day but sit around and read or write. I slept for awhile. Dad. went down to Aunty's this after noon. Frank and I went down to a J.F.I.A. meeting to-night. They appointed committee for next winter which I think will be a fizzle but I told them I was not going to do any more than president's duties. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/ccaaeb1e885939cc2f790eb14531971a.pdf e1de63e08294d0b9da30290075f5d269 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Wednesday October 22nd Frank and I went up to Ham's this morning to help him fill his silo and were there till about half past three when we got it full, they had a good run. I was in the silo all the time tramping. I think Dad. put the pork in pickle. I went down town to-night. Fine day. Thursday October 23rd Frank went over to Jack's to fill silo this morning and was over there till about three o'clock when they finished. I went out with Dad. this morning to help him get started plowing as Pommers was feeling pretty frisky. I spent the rest of the fore noon picking apples and only got about two basketsfull, they were so scattered on the trees. I went out after dinner and helped Dad. strike out and then came up and shingled. Dad. has had a very lame knee to-day. Friday October 24th Dad. has plowed all day, his knee was much better Frank & Tid. went down in the buggy this morning and got a few tile to fix the end of the tile drain out at the side road. This after noon he has done odd jobs. I have been shingling all day on the chicken house roof. Went down town to-night. Fine & mild. Saturday October 25th Dad. started to plow this morning and I did a little more shingling but early in the fore noon it started to rain and we had to quit. Dad. got soaked coming in from the field. Tom came in and he was pretty well drenched too. Frank went to Simcoe to get some plow shears. It rained pretty much all day. I didn't do a thing but sit around the house and read. Sunday October 26th Raining again this morning but not hard and Frank and I went down to Sunday school, the rest came down to church. I stayed at Aunty's for dinner and Marj. & I spent the after noon at Miss Martin's. I came home early and helped Dad. do chores as Frank was off at the Ward's with Gilly and Dad. Enah & Tid went down to a duck supper at Huby's. Rev. Skey was there. I had my tea alone and went down to church and spent the evening at the Monteith's. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/e5932561d1b096985a0d947d9995c382.pdf b114838ba193f8e29b8475759fbaabc4 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Monday October 27th It has been stormy all day and we haven't attempted to do any thing but chores except that Dad. and Frank went out and fixed the fence along the side road where the cattle broke through yesterday and got on Pickford's field. Young {Harn?} from Marburg was in this morning and bought a ram lamb for $22.00. He got him cheap but he drives a tight bargain and we needed the money. The lambs hind legs were a little crooked. Frank and I went down town to-night and I went to band practice but there were no cornets there so we didn't have any. I spent most of the evening down at Aunty's, they tried to teach me to play bridge. Tuesday October 28th It cleared off to-day and has been very windy & colder. Dad. plowed all day but said it was very stiff. Frank has done odd jobs. I started to go down town this morning but had such a pain I lay down and slept it off. I went down this after noon and got a pair of rubbers from the man who bought Andrew out. To-night Frank and I went down to a committee meeting of the J.F.I.A. in our Sunday school. Neff & Manning were down we had a fair meeting and arranged for a debate in two weeks Wednesday October 29th I went down this morning to help Uncle Ward pick apples (he asked me yesterday) and have been down there all day. I picked a fine lots of Spys all off one tree. I thought of going to Simcoe this after noon to see a poultry dressing demonstration but it was such a nice day I hated to quit picking so didn't go. Frank went over to Tupper's and picked a couple of bushels for ourselves. Tupper sold them to us for $1.25 a bushel. Dad. has been plowing all day. Zeitha & Molly were over this after noon after mushrooms. Enah went down this morning and took Vernon & the kids to the station as they went back to-day. Aunty Alice went to Brantford with them. I went down town to-night. Dad. & Frank spent the evening studying Dad's income tax report. Thursday October 30th It has been another rainy day and we have done very little Dad. has spent the entire day and evening figuring and filling out his income tax forms. Frank helping. They are very complicated. Frank went to the mill this after noon. I just read and chored around all day. Very mild. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/2bca509dd47bea6b274b7a18d06688c4.pdf 307e638594825e3a7d0ad15b1b6f4835 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Friday October 31st It rained again this morning but then looked as if it had cleared off till noon and Dad. went out to plow he ran out some ditches and Frank threw the sod out of them. I spent the morning pruning the raspberries. It started in to rain about noon and rained most of the after noon Frank went down to the dentists and I just did chores & sat around. I got four eggs to-day. My first pullet began to lay the day before yesterday. Frank went down to the Women's Institute Hallowe'en party in the Town Hall Saturday November 1st Dad. has plowed all day and Frank and I trimmed up all the ewes and marked all the long legged & long necked ones to sell if any one wants them. We culled out 13 altogether including one lamb. We valued the lot at about $400.00 but don't suppose we will have a buyer. It has been colder to-day and rather cloudy. Sunday November 2nd Frank Tid and I went down to Sunday school and Dad and Enah went down to church. Aunty came over with us to dinner and Dad. and Enah went back with her to tea and went to church to-night to hear Larry Skey, who preached. Frank and I put the ram in with the ewes and then drove out to see Bill Sidway for awhile. We did the chores and I went down and met Marj. who came in on the nine o'clock car. She has been in Toronto helping Clara Gorrie get married. Mid. Thompson gave me a dollar to-night for our Donnybrook trip. Fine day but quite cool. It is very cold out West. Dick said in his last letter that he went to work the other morning but couldn't do any thing as the ink was all frozen so the manager got him to go with him to play cards. Monday November 3rd One of our yearling rams has been breaking through the fence and getting with the ewe lambs so Frank made a poke for him this morning and we put it on. We spent most of the remainder of the day pulling mangolds and got four rows pulled and covered with leaves for the night. Dad. has been plowing all day. We had letters from McEwen and a Wm. Burtch on the same mail route as Archie https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/6b68efc11c7c03bf4b67084b5ee160e0.pdf fb847e47e9af1be3d20362ff51e33016 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. inquiring about the yearling rams to-day. Frank went down town to-night and telephoned Archie and he said he would be down with another man either to-morrow or Wednesday. Cloudy & cold east wind Tuesday November 4th Frank and I put the rams over in the colony yard this morning and trimmed up the lambs Dad. took the pork out of pickle and made fresh as he was afraid the first wasn't strong enough. He used a preserved egg to test the strength of it and is afraid that it floated in a weaker solution than a fresh one would have. About the time we finished the sheep it began to rain and kept it up till after dinner. I haven't done much all day except write out my side of the debate for the J.F.I.A. Frank has been working out in the barn tearing up the old floor and oiling the bobsleighs. Trum Walker was in for awhile. Wednesday November 5th Dad. has been plowing all day and Frank and I finished pulling the mangolds and got part of them piled and covered and part just covered with leaves to protect them from the frost till we can haul them in. Archie McEwen and Mr. Baily from Oak Park Farm, Paris. were down to look at the rams this after noon. Mr. Baily bought two which he thought were the best but we could only get $40.00 apiece out of them and McEwen didn't give us much hope of selling the rest although he said Mr. Burtch wanted some. We were rather disappointed about it. This was Aunty Alice's birthday and Enah and Tid went down and I sent her a dozen eggs. Charlie Blake was in to invite Frank and me down to a party at his place to-night. Frank went down but I went down town. Cloudy & cold wind. Thursday November 6th Dad. plowed all day and got on very well. I was getting ready to haul in the mangolds this morning and Frank was down getting nails to make sheep crates, when Chris Quanbury came over and told Enah there was a long distance call put in at his mother's for her, she went over but found it was for me from Brantford. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/f05b39e9fddf596d76157348fb8716b1.pdf 11d431ffa97b78a0a736079c76d69205 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. I waited over there a long time but couldn't get through. I was just going out the door having made an appointment for 12.30 when the call came and a woman's voice told me that Mr. Burtch had left on the 10 car and wanted me to meet him. The car was nearly due then so I ran home and hooked up Queen and drove down to the station. Huby went over to the station as the car was in and found out that Burtch had got off at Main St. and walked over having received directions from the conductor, so he was here before I was. He proved to be a very decent fellow but told us the ram market was all off this year and he didn't dare take any more rams off our hands than he knew he could place. He bought one for $30.00 and told us he would try to place the other five if we would let them go at $25.00 apiece. The long necked, parrot-mouthed fellow will have to be eaten I guess, and I don't know whether we will be able to sell any more lambs or not. Burtch helped us make a crate as he wanted the ram he bought shipped this after noon. He stayed to dinner and I drove him down to catch the one o'clock car. Then Frank and I crated up the ram and took him down to the after noon express. We got some lumber on our way home and by five o'clock had enough cut to make three more crates and had them partly put to-gether. The Quanbury's called Frank in on the way home as there was another phone call for us and he found it was Burtch wanting another ram to be shipped with Bailey's to-morrow. Frank finished putting the crates to-gether after tea to-night. Aunty Alice was over here to dinner. I went down to a card party at the Harry Moon's to-night. We played Five Hundred and had a very nice time Quint was there and won first gentleman's prize and Marj. won the Ladie's. Cloudy, raw. Friday November 7th Dad. has plowed all day. Frank and I crated up the three rams and got them off on the morning express. We hauled in one load of mangolds before dinner and three this after noon. We have them all in now except the piles. I went down town to-night and went over to Col. Smith's to call for Aunty Alice. Cold east wind, cloudy. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/65ff6dc0e35c71765b45f59c8531dca8.pdf 5706c1ac0666d4076667b929afd5614c PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Saturday November 8th Dad. plowed all day. Frank and I hauled in the rest of the mangolds this morning in two loads. We put one load in the cellar and left the other on the barn floor to feed up. It took us till noon to pile them all down cellar and clean up the cellar floor. Frank helped Dad. do some ditching this after noon and I did chores. I bedded down the cow stable and put the cows in for the night. Horn came and took his ram lamb this after noon. I went over to Quanbury's and telephoned Neff as he wrote me yesterday asking me if I could go to Toronto on Monday to help him fix up an exhibit for the Fruit & Flower Show. I'll go. Sunday November 9th Frank Tid and I went to Sunday School this morning and Enah came down to church. Tim. went to Huby's instead of going to church and he Quint & Huby went up the creek & stayed at Huby's to dinner. Marj. and I had dinner and spent the after noon at Aunty's, then we came over here for tea Quint and Tid came over with us. Zeitha came over to practise a song with Enah to sing to-morrow night when the Prince's flag is to be presented to the town and township for winning their objective in the Victory Loan. She wouldn't consent to stay to tea but after going down the road a little way on her way home she met Rex who scared her back and she stayed to tea and for the evening. I stayed at Aunty's all night to leave for Toronto in the morning. Monday November 10th I left on the 7 o'clock car this morning, left Brantwood at 10.17 and arrived at Roy's about noon. They hadn't received my card so were very surprised to see me. I went out to the Exhibition grounds right after dinner and was out there till six helping Neff get a little corner in the Transportation Building fixed up for the Norfolk exhibit, none of his stuff had come so we couldn't do much. I went back to Roy's at six for dinner and stayed there all the evening. It has been cloudy & rained a little. Tuesday November 11th I went out to the Horticultural Show at eight o clock this morning and was out there all day and evening coming in with Neff for dinner & supper at the Carls - https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/fca9fee66fb93f2d41904ce986028e30.pdf 8250b341ca281837148f3ccba90e5c69 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Rite. I fully intended going home to-night at six o'clock but as Neff was not nearly through I didn't like to leave him. We were out there till after ten to-night and then were not through. This was the anniversary of the signing of the armstice and it was supposed to be observed throughout the whole Empire by every one stopping work at eleven o'clock for two minutes, this was the King's request. We stopped work out at the Exhibition and then sang "God save the King." and I guess the same thing was done all over. To-night there was a reunion and banquet for some battalion at the Carls. Rite. and {illegible} in for all the racket they made. There was an open air dance and general celebration up on University Ave. to-night and there were a couple of aeroplanes flying around all illuminated. We went up to University Ave on our way home to-night but the dance was over with. Wednesday November 12th I didn't get up very early this morning and went down town till noon to get some things. I hurried through lunch at Roy's intending to leave for home at 1.20 but I didn't give myself time enough to get to the station and missed my train by about two minutes. I had a shave and hair cut and went back up to Roy's for about an hour and left on the 4 o'clock train, it was a slow one and I didn't get to Brantford till nearly seven so didn't get to Dover till nine. I went up to Aunty's for a minute or two and then up town to see Marj. Cold to-night. Thursday November 13th Charlie Quanbury was through here before daylight and before anyone but Dad. was up on his way to light a fire in the engine and he wanted one of us to go over and help him thrash his alsike. I went over about nine o'clock and we finished about 10.30. When I got back I helped Dad. throw out some ditches in the corner field till noon and Frank plowed in there all day. Dad. finished the other field while I was away. This after noon Dad. & Tid went down to Aunty's to bank up the house. I cleaned out the cow stable and spent most of the after noon cleaning out one end of the chicken shed and putting in fresh straw. It froze very hard last night and has been very cloudy and freezing quite hard all day. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/a1c6960b77752833293d943b3530961f.pdf c413fb106d17444a0b6c009b0798894f PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Friday November 14th It froze hard last night but Frank was able to plow and has been at it all day. I went back to the gully this morning and chopped a hole in the creek for the cattle to drink then I spent the rest of the morning moving the hay around in the horse stable so that we could put some straw up there. We wanted to move the stack or what is left of it in to-day but it was too windy. I didn't do any thing much all the after noon but a few chores. We put the cows all in this after noon as well as Wilkins Micawber Knocfierna and Nancy. Wyatt Waddle and a Frost & Wood agent were here this after noon to sell Dad. a mower. He said if they would alow him $40.00 on the old one he would get a new $90.00 one from them so they were going to try to deal it off. Enah went down town this after noon and sold four dozen eggs for me @ 65 cts. I got 16 eggs to-day. I went down town to-night and Frank went to a dance at Nanticoke. Saturday November 15th We spent most of the morning getting ready to haul straw we had to take the box off the waggon and put the rack on. We had quite a time with Wilkins Micawber who being homesick and lonesome for his ma was very persistent in his attempts to jump out of the pen, he did jump out once and we had to put another plank on. Another delay was caused by Ansin Abbott coming after his pigs. Dad. sold him the whole litter, nine, for forty dollars, one was a very runty one. We got two sling loads on and over to the horse stable before dinner but didn't put them off. We put them off after dinner and then while Frank went down town to send off an order to Eatons for a stove which we are getting for the dining room Dad. and I put on two more lifts and put them off in the horse stable. We had very poor luck putting it off as it was too short to lift. We then put on a fair sized load and hauled it in on the barn floor. Still cold but sunny, milder to-night. Sunday November 16th Frank Tid. and I went to Sunday school and Enah came down to church. I stayed at Aunty's for dinner and was there most of the after noon. Lila and I came over here about four o'clock, stayed to tea and went down again. I spent the evening with Marj. who had been in Vittoria with the Johnson's. Much milder https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/83ceb91d6a1bea862c8b96690a5d5695.pdf 99e29376cae2728c7b15526ee217f040 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Monday November 17th Frank plowed all day in the corner field. Dad. and I put off the load of straw that was on the barn floor and then started to move the stack in. We couldn't put it on the waggon as it was so windy but just shoved it in the door and piled it up on the barn floor. We got quite a little pile in by noon but Tupper was over and wanted one of us to help him thrash. Dad. went so that Frank and I could go down to a tea in the Sunday school to-night. I spent the after noon doing chores and I went down to the mill in the buggy to get some rolled oats and oil cake. 100 of oil cake cost me $4.75. I did the milking very early and Frank and I went down to the Sunday school a little after six but in time to get something to eat. Mr. Manning was there and a good turn out of boys and he addressed them on the organized Sunday School classes. Mr. Manning had to leave at seven o'clock so the meeting closed. I went up to Miss Martin's with Marj. and then went and got shaved and called for Enah at Aunty's about eight and we went up to a party at Ada's. We had a very nice time, there were only a few there, two tables playing bridge and Winnie. Jim Emmet & Miss Perry (Mrs. Freeman's sister) playing Rummy. Lovely day. Tuesday November 18th Frank has been over at Tupper's all day thrashing. Charlie Quanbury told me on his way to the farm that there was a telephone call for me so I went over and found it was Mr. Burtch who wanted me to ship the two best rams that were left. Dad. and I spent the rest of the morning building a rcate. We had one crate which Burtch had shipped back to us. We took the rams down to the station right after dinner and left them, then came home around by Aunty's, Harry Battersby rode over the hill with us to Mrs. Battersby's. When we got home we put more of the straw stack in the barn & got most of it in. It was a beautiful morning but turned colder this after noon and snowed quite hard for a short while. Wednesday November 19th Frank went over and thrashed at Tupper's all day and said they would have another half day of it but he said he wouldn't go back to-morrow as I want to go with Neff. He was down yesterday morning and said he was going to take the Courtland boys up to Burford & Paris to judge stock to-morrow and invited me to go along. Dad. and I ran out some ditches in the corner field this morning and https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/ed8ee0d0abcb4a6206970f6a0faeb49d.pdf 885d9cae7a9be74e6b54cd6466d26b3f PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Dad. plowed the rest of the day. I threw out ditches till noon and spent most of the after noon doing chores. I went down town to-night and stayed down. Cold west wind to-day. Thursday November 20th I went to Simcoe on the early car this morning and walked up to Neff's place, he was just getting the car out when I got there to take his brother up to their orchard. It was pretty frosty so I went back with them to his office and waited there till Neff got back. We started on our trip about eight and went to Mr. Knight's at Vanessa where we were supposed to meet the Courtland boys. We were there for a long time looking over his dual purpose shorthorns. He has some good milkers and his bull is out of Moore's old Dairymaid but all the stock was thin. At last when the boys didn't appear we went up to Vanessa and found them all waiting there as they had forgotten the name of the fellow we were to see. We didn't go back to Knight's as it was late but went on over to Burtch's at Mt. Pleasant. He has some fine Shrop. ewes and we had two good classes of judging. I saw one of the rams we shipped him and he gave me a checque for them. From there we went to Brantford & had dinner at our old chink cafe, it is a good place. After dinner we went over to Burford and were there quite awhile looking at Brethour's Yorkshires. He is fitting up a bunch to take to the International and certainly had some beauties at least if such an adjective can be applied to hogs they were when judged by their own standards. From Brethour's we went over to Gurney's at Paris and were there till dark looking at Belgians. We started right for home from Gurney's but Neff took a road he wasn't familiar with and just north of Scotland we struck an awful bit of trail going through a swampy piece of bush. We thought several times we were going to be stalled and there was no possible chance of turning around. Neff and I were ahead in his Ford and the other boys were following us in a McLaughlin & a Gray Dort. However we did get through it eventually and stopped at Scotland for Neff to fill his car with water, when the other boys came up there was some tall language used at Neff for taking then over such a road. That was the last we saw of them for they struck off west from Scotland on the Talbot road for Delhi while Neff and I came right down the town line to Simcoe. I had tea at Neff's https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/73642adedbde20f20dcf96b4e75c3462.pdf b9dfecb72ad7ac4354aa755503dc226a PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. place and then he drove me down to the L.E.& N. station where I caught the nine o'clock car. The weather couldn't have been nicer. Friday November 21st Dad. plowed all day and got on well. He was at it yesterday but it was frozen so hard he had a hard time Frank and I spent the morning throwing out ditches. This after noon we (Frank & I) went down town and got a load of coal as Huby sent a note over to say there was a car in. It is what they call washery not coal and is dull owing to the fact that it has been out in the weather for a year, it is also full of clinkers. Frank & I went down town to-night and he went to the Women's Institute dance in the hall. It has been milder & stormy looking. Saturday November 22nd Dad. was up at five o'clock this morning and so was in time to see Frank getting home from the dance. He just changed his clothes and went to work without any sleep. Dad. plowed all day and got a lot done as he had such a good start. Frank and I put up the straw that was on the barn floor this morning into the mow. This afternoon I did chores and we unloaded the coal we got yesterday. Frank went down town to-night and met George who came up from Allanburg to spend Sunday. Frank went to bed as soon as he got home. There was supposed to be an eclipse of the sun this morning but it was too cloudy to see it. Cloudy all day. Sunday November 23rd Frank and I went down to Sunday school and I alone went to church. Marj. came over here to dinner and we have all been home all after noon and evening. Frank, Tid and George went out for awhile with the rifle this after noon Quint came over here to tea and spent the evening. The Grand Trunk round house burned down last night and ruined the two engines. Fine but a rather cold wind. Monday November 24th Dad. has plowed all day and got on very well. Frank and I went down and got a load of soft coal this morning. We took George down with us and he left on the eleven o'clock car. We also took Gypsy down to Quint who is going to take her up to Bill Oakes at Turkey Point. Bill has charge of Dr. McInnes's "farm" there and goes halves with the https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/007b90119e271b5123aa62f77e0e309d.pdf 2e0792289db0e2a5b9cf85c45c31d952 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. doctor on the trapping and shooting. The doctor has gone to South America for the winter. Dad. suggested to Quint that he take Gyp. up there and put Tid. off by saying that Bill would train her and send her back. Tid was quite willing for her to go yesterday but as the hour of parting drew near he decided she shouldn't go. Frank took her however and Tid was overwhelmed with grief. This after noon I did chores and Frank let down the lane fence on the posts along the wheat so that the sheep couldn't get in and pulled what few turnips there were and then we went out with Joe & Queen and got them. Fine day. Tuesday November 25th Dad. was out at daybreak this morning and got in a good day's plowing. Frank and I spent the day doing odd jobs. We battened up Moonshine's stall this morning and Frank fixed the manger in the corner where he stood all summer and put Kate in so that he can feed her. He sold her to Karl the other day but he doesn't want to take her yet, so said he would pay for the chop she ate if Frank would feed her. I put tar paper around the little apple trees this after noon to protect them from the mice. Aunty Alice was over for a few minutes this morning and brought some salve for Tid's forhead. Frank and I went down to the J.F.I.A. social evening in the Sunday school to-night. There was a big turnout and we had quite an hilarious time much after the fasion of the ones we had last winter. It has been mild & cloudy and rather misty all day. Wednesday November 26th Dad. plowed from day light till dark and got a lot turned over. I spent nearly the whole day doing chores but went out for awhile and cleaned out a few ditches. Frank has felt rather tough all day with a pain but he did a little ditching and this after noon went down and helped Tige clean out the Sunday school. I went down to band practice, there were about half a dozen there and we sat around the stove talking about the income tax till about nine o'clock then I went downstairs and ran across Marj. so went up and spent the evening with her. I came back past the hall where there was a U.F.O. meeting going on so I asked Corby if they practised. He said they did a little and Clare Deal took my horn home. Cloudy & freezing raw east wind. Thursday November 27th https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/2d4892c77d7ed230c3e4bd138cf7884d.pdf dddf0b1a44a5594d77bfc8b29ab576fb PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Dad. plowed all day but as it has been freezing a little ever since yesterday it plowed pretty stiff and he didn't get quite so much done, however, he is just about to the old cherry tree so will soon be done. I cleaned a few ditches this morning but spent most of the day doing chores. Frank took some oats to the mill this morning but there wasn't enough water to chop it. I went down to Aunty's to tea to-night. Marj. was there and after tea she Aunty Alice & I went to see "Venus in the East" at the picture show. After the show Aunty Alice went to play bridge at Cousin Clare's and I called for her. Friday November 28th It froze hard last night and there was no chance of plowing and most of the morning was spent doing chores and gettin Enah & Tid. started off for Toronto. They went to Brantford on the eleven o'clock car and were going to take a train for Toronto from there after dinner.They drove Mexico down town and Dad. walked down, stayed to dinner and drove back this after noon. He said Tid. at the last minute was very loth to leave and seemed quite sick.They didn't know whether he was cold or excited, but they persuaded him to go as far as Brantford and then if he still felt sick he could come back, but as they haven't showed up I guess he recovered. This after noon Frank borrowed Jack Martin's hog crate and we weighed up his four hogs, they just averaged 200 lbs apiece. We did chores up early and I went to bed soon after tea and Frank went out to Bill Sidway's. Saturday November 29th Frank got breakfast this morning and right after breakfast Dad. left home and didn't show up till after dinner. He went down to Aunty's to clean up a little down there around the barn. Frank has been doing housework all day and I have been doing chores. It began to rain quite early this fore noon and has kept it up all day clearing off at night and a strong west wind taking its place by ten o'clock there was a regular hurricane blowing and it was increasing in violence. Frank went down town to-night and said when he got home that there were several trees blown down and the false front above the roof of Hugh McQueen's store had blown off. Sunday November 30th https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/d99056e721cbc0e731240f3511aaa95a.pdf edd1c79d5cfcc7eed358b898966644f6 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. The wind was still very high this morning and has abated very little by this evening but has not been so strong as it must have been during the night. We got off with very little damage. It blew the north doors off the old barn and two or three boards from the big barn and tipped over the "library." When Dad. got up the windmill had blown in gear and was going like mad. He ran out to shut it off with scarcely any clothes on and nearly froze. He found the barnyard half flooded. We heard later that the wind blew Edmond England's windmill down and the head of John Wess's. It wrecked the big drying kiln over at the brickyard and blew down a new building that Kolbe was just putting up. Frank & I went down to Sunday school and church this morning & stayed at Aunty's for dinner. This after noon I drove down to Nanticoke to bring Marj. home as she went down to the Banfield's Friday night. The roads were rather rough but it wasn't bad. I was bundled up so with Dad's fur coat I couldn't feel the wind. I took a fur coat of Aunty Alice's down for Marj. so she didn't get very cold. We got home soon after six. I came home and had tea and then went back down town again. Frank & Alex England went down Mud Street to-night. Monday December 1st We haven't done much but chores to-day, they take most of our time now that the cattle are all in. Dad. fixed the fence that the wind blew down and nailed on the boards that had blown off and we re-established parliament. Aunty came over and helped Frank get dinner but didn't stay long after dinner. I shifted the chickens around to-night. I put the old hens in where the roosters were and put all but two of them in the fattening crate. I left one in with the old hens and put the one that was so full of fight in with the pullets. Fine day, freezing all day, cloudy. Owing to the coal-miner's strike and the shortage of soft coal The G.T.R. has taken off 70 trains from Ontario lines, all our midday trains being included so that we don't get our mail till the day after it comes in now. Jim comes early. Tuesday December 2nd Did nothing but chores to-day. Dad. went down to Aunty's for dinner but came home right after and we brought the rams up and put them in the field back of the barn. It snowed last night and quite a bit this morning and to-night is 10° above zero. Frank and I went down town to-night. Lovely night but frosty. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/b423cb849c13cf258171f797265e5555.pdf 2907997db74fb8d071512128d3c1623e PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Wednesday December 3rd Have put in most of the day doing chores, but made a box this after noon to ship my pair of dressed cockrels up to the Winter Fair and Frank painted it for me. Tupper came over after dinner and took Dad. over with him to help him kill his old sow, so Dad. was over there all the after noon and to tea. He shouldn't have gone as his cold made him feel sick and he got cold over there. To-night I went down to band practice. Freezing all day and 8° above zero to-night. Thursday December 4th Aunty Alice came over to dinner to-day and thought Frank's housekeeping was splendid, if he keeps on he will make a fine wife for somebody someday. Besides the chores we managed to get time to put the old box stove out of the shop up in the dining room this morning and to-night Dad. has a fire in it and it is nice and warm. We ordered a Quebec Heater from Eaton's but it was too cold to wait for it to come. Dad. went over to John Wess's this after noon to ask him if he had any intentions of selling out but he wasn't home, both he & Mrs. McBride are in bad shape. I went down to the mill in the buggy after some chicken feed. Milder. Friday December 5th Dad. has done most of the chores to-day as I put in a lot of time killing and fixing up my cockrels which I am going to send up to the Guelph Winter Fair. I killed four and will take the two best and send them up. I had good luck killing and plucking them and as there were no pin feathers they looked very nice. I found the box I had made to ship them in was too small so I went over to Jack Martin's this after noon and got another. They were boxing up a shipment of chickens for Australia over there. I am going down town to-night. It has been milder but still freezing. Saturday December 6th I made another box to ship my cockrels in this morning and got them packed and shipped by this afternoon's express. Frank and I went down town in the waggon and got a bag of sugar whch Aunty ordered for us the other day and got some chop at the mill. Aunty Alice was over to dinner and most of the after noon darning socks for us. Snowed all after noon, milder. Sunday December 7th Frank and I went down to Sunday school and church and https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/79d480cac95f80d2b59194b368dc1754.pdf 7c0cd6c997209cab6bbf1bef0f11bc79 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. stayed at Aunty's for dinner. Frank went home right after dinner but I stayed down all afternoon and evening and had tea at Aunty's and went to church with Aunty Alice & Dad. I spent the after noon and evening with Marj. Dad. did all the chores and came down to Aunty's for tea. He took Molly for a sleigh drive this after noon but the cutter didn't slip very well. Fine day. Monday December 8th We haven't done much to-day but chores. Frank has been very busy all day getting the house slicked up in preparation for Enah's & Tid's homecoming to-night. He has made a fine housekeeper and cook but looks forward to chucking the job to-morrow. Dad. and I drove down town with the cutter as soon as we got the night chores done but had to wait around town for nearly an hour as the seven o'clock car was very late Enah & Tid were aboard and Dad drove them home and I walked. Frank had a good tea already for us when we got home and I was ready for it. Enah and Tid both had a good time in Toronto but were glad to be home. Tuesday December 9th It turned very mild during the night and rained all morning and has been very spring-like all day. I spent most of the day doing chores and Dad. and Frank fixed up a place to hang pigs as we expect to kill to-morrow. Frank and I went down to a J.F.I.A. meeting to-night in the Sunday school. It was supposed to be an agricultural evening and in the hands of that commitee but as Lloyd & George Ryerse were the only other members present we adjourned and Frank and I went down to Auntys for the remainder of the eveing. Wednesday December 10th We had intended butchering our hogs to-day but it was so cold and windy that Dad. decided not to. He went over to Tupper's to tell him so as Tupper was coming over to help. Dad. was over there most of the morning. Tupper told him that he had sold out to Tom Butler and his pal. Neil Elliot was in after dinner and bought Snowdrop for thirty dollars. I wernt down to band practice to-night. Very cold & windy, near zero. Thursday December 11th It was still very frosty this morning but the wind had died down so Tupper came over to slay our porkers. I didn't have much to do with the ceremony as I was https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/ecae8e033626a2ae8f3ef315b76dfd0e.pdf c4e15ce242799a6a182ed27743f4063e PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. busy doing chores. I did help a little after the pigs were scalded but couldn't work hard enough to keep warm, so quit. Right after dinner I took poor old Snowdrop down to the Dog's Nest where Neils man was to call for her. I didn't see him but tied her in the Gospel Hall shed and left her. I just did chores after I got home. They finished the pigs about three o'clock and the four of them hanging behind the shop make it look as if we wouldn't starve this winter anyway. Aunty. Marj. & Win all came over here to tea and we had the crate fattened roosters. Friday December 12th Dad. has put in the entire day dissecting the dead pigs and got through by to-night and has the woodshed piled full. I put in most of the day doing chores. Arthur Preston was over this afternoon and told us they were going to thin half the trees out of their orchard and that if we would clean them out we could have all the wood for doing it, so Dad. was higly pleased with the proposition. Jack Walker was over canvassing for subscriptions to a fund to buy a new organ for the church. I went down town to-night but it was raining when I came home so I stayed at Aunty's all night. Huby got moved to-day to their house up on St Andrew Street. Turned soft last night. Very mild all day. Saturday December 13th I did chores this morning and Dad. & Frank took Gladys down to Clarence Finch's. This after noon Frank and I hauled home a load of chestnut coal as Kolbe just got a car in and we put it in the old coldframe near the colony house as I intend to use it for a brooder. Dad. has been busy all after noon and evening putting the pork in the pickle. Colder. Sunday December 14th Frank and I went to Sunday school and church. Frank rode his wheel and took Tid. down on it but Tid. was so cold when they got to Aunty's that he stayed there till he got warm and then walked home. Marj. came over here to dinner to help eat spare ribs and she stayed all the evening. Enah went down to choir practice this after noon. Frank lit out for Mud Street after dinner and didn't get back till night Dad. and I did up the chores but didn't milk. Dad. went down after tea to see Aunty Alice as her cold was bad and she had a lame back. Very cold. Monday December 15th I went over to John Wess's this morning to inquire after them and John told me that Mrs. McBride was down in bed https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/3a9f788c95a07f023a5a9254c70c5b53.pdf 58f85f8ed66a74064d4669a79220f025 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. now and couldn't get up. It looks pretty tough for him and he is all alone with her, he himself is just able to limp around and do the chores, but he expects Cam. home this after noon. I went over to Jack Martin's for awhile when I got back from John Wess's to ask them about a stove brooder and Chris. told me that he might be able to get one for me from a man in Galt. I went to Simcoe on the one o'clock car and took my sample of milk to Neff and priced the brooders at Boyd's. The size Chris advised me to get cost $33.00. I came home on the 3 o'clock car. To-night Marj. and I went to the Methodist church to hear Capt. Martin give his lecture Jean Valjean. Frank and Lila were there but there was a very small crowd, the lecture was very good. Very cold & windy all day. Below zero to-night. Tuesday December 16th It was very cold this morning, below zero and a strong wind and although we were up fairly early it took us some time to thaw out and start to work. Frank went to prime the pump at the windmill this morning but the water froze immediately between the pump rod and the pump lead and as the windmill was in gear it broke the wooden jerk rod. Frank went over to Tupper's after breakfast to help him move some thrashed hay, but they didn't do much at it and Frank came home after dinner. I went down to Sam Law's to thrash this after noon. I didn't do very much as there was only a very little bit and Charlie Quanbury couldn't keep warm at it alone. We finished about four o'clock and then had supper. Sam got about three bags of seed. I went down town to-night. Wednesday December 17th Dad. and Frank went down to Preston's this morning and cut one of the trees. They were going back right after dinner but Frank fixed the jerk rod in the windmill first, and then Ham Thompson came after his {illegible}. Karl. Coleman also came and got Kate. Then Pickford and Tom. Butler came over and Pickford bought one of the yearling rams to kill. By the time they left it was too late to cut more wood so they just took the waggon down and hauled home what they cut. I went down to Aunty's to tea to-night. Marj. was there and she and Aunty went up to the Girls' Branch and I went to band practice. Neither of our meetings ammounted to much owing to lack of gas so Marj. and I went over to Miss McQueen's for awhile and then I spent the evening over at the Monteith's with her. I left my horn at Hec. Henderson's but when I went to get it the door was locked. Hasn't been above zero all day but clear & no wind. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/b3bccb0261b983bc32e6321b57dc0e64.pdf 08e19701e01c2a029ac25f34ecffd810 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Thursday December 18th Dad. and Frank went down and cut a couple more trees in Preston's orchard this morning. I didn't do much but hang around waiting for Pickford as we expected him over to get one of the yearling rams to kill. He didn't come however. As there was no wind to pump to-day we had to carry all the water for the stock and so we spent most of the after noon doing chores. Frank drove down town to get a lot of Christmas groceries and a box to send Elva one of the pups in. I went down town to-night to see if Marj. intended going home to-morrow. I didn't see her but found that school started again to-day so she won't be able to go till Saturday. School has been closed since Monday as some grater in the furnace had to be replaced and they just came yesterday. Friday December 19th Pickford and Tom. Butler came over and got the ram before we had breakfast this morning. The ram weighed 155 lbs and he gave us 8 cts a lb for him. Frank and I drove down town right after breakfast and shipped the pup to Elva by the L.E.& N. express. I stayed down at Aunty's all morning and chopped some wood for them to cook the spiced round. Frank and Dad. went down to Preston's this morning and sawed up some more apple wood and this after noon Frank went over to Tupper's and helped him put in the rest of his thrashed hay, while Dad. and I just did chores. To-night Frank and I went down town and I spent the evening with Marj. She is going home to-morrow. Frank went to the W.I. dance and is staying all night at Aunty's intending to go to Allanburg in the morning to spend Sunday with George. He had a letter from George saying that their office down there had been burned to the ground and Ed. Turner lost every thing he owned. It has been bitterly cold all week but is a little milder to-night. Saturday December 20th Dad. and I went down to Preston's this morning and sawed up a little more wood, and this after noon hauled a load home. Aunty was over to tea to-night as it was Tid's birthday. I went down with her and went up town for awhile to get some Christmas cards. Beautiful day but no wind to pump water. Sunday December 21st I went down to Sunday school and church but have been home all the after noon. Dad. and Enah went down this after noon to choir practice and Enah stayed down to tea and went with {Name?} https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/995c1d912073fb2df1873f6b836cc871.pdf 9ee36d086c12811cdc0f77bcc715fa19 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Walker to Hagersville to-night to hear an organ in the Methodist church there. It has been a beautiful day but no wind to pump water and we are at our wit's end to know what to do as we daren't take too much out of the well it is so low and the cistern is nearly empty and we can't pump enough by hand from the well at the windmill as something is wrong with the sucker and only the windmill will pump it. It has been much milder to-day & yesterday but by no means soft. Monday December 22nd Dad. spent most of morning drawing water out of the well at the windmill as there has been no wind to pump. I killed my five roosters. Bob Doherty was in this after noon and I promised him 12 of the lambs @ 14 cts a lb. To-night Enah and I went down to the confirmation service at which Lila was confirmed. Frank got home to-night. Mild but rather foggy all day. Tuesday December 23rd Frank and I took Dick's box down to the Express office this morning and then bagged up some oats and took them down to the mill. Al. Faulkner came over and got six of his geese and we kept two for our share. I went over to John Wess's this after noon and Frank and Tid got a Christmas tree. We went down to J.F.I.A. to-night but no-one was out. Wednesday December 24th Didn't do any thing very important this morning. Frank went down town on his wheel and got some cabbage at Uncle Ward's & took Cousin Loll one of the crate fattened cockrels. McEwen and a freind another McEwen were down this after noon and the other man bought two yearling ewes for $35.00 apiece. George came to-night. Christmas Day. We all went down to church this morning, spent most of the after noon doing chores and had dinner over here at night. Huby supplied the turkey. Dad. brought Aunt Ida over in the cart and the rest all walked over. All from Huby's, all from Aunty's and Cousin Clare made with ourselves a party of 15. We had a tree after dinner and every one got loaded with presents. It has been very cold all day, 8° below zero this morning. Friday December 26th Dad. hauled the two sleepers out of the big barn this morning and this after noon we cleaned the remains of the driveway floor out of it, so that now we can let the sheep in and drive in if we need to. We all went down to Aunty's to-night and had a fine evening. Much milder. George stayed down all night at Aunty's as he intends leaving in the morning. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/7eeb849281d94782ca8a4856537d2755.pdf 9430ca5c06743e628f8149f57b628df0 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Saturday December 27th Frank and I drove down in the waggon this morning and got some nails & lumber to make sheep crates and feeding racks and we spent most of the after noon making a couple of crates to ship McEwen's yearlings in. I worked all the evening at my show card course and got the first lesson fairly well done. It has been much milder to-day. Sunday December 28th Frank Tid. and I went down to Sunday school and Enah walked down to church. Aunty came over with us to dinner. Dad. had to draw up water for the cattle this after-noon as there wasn't wind enough to pump. Frank went skating this after noon and he and Alex England went off for a drive to-night. I spent the evening reading "An Irish Cousin", which Roy & Vernon sent me. Fine and cold. Monday December 29th First thing after breakfast this morning Frank & I took our two ewes down and shipped them by the 9.45 express to McEwen at Mt. Pleasant. We had to get some things up town and stopped at Aunty's for awhile so it was nearly noon when we got home. This after noon Frank went down and got a file and then took the cross-cut saw over to John Evans, who showed him how to sharpen it, and he brought it home all honed up in great shape. Dad. went over to see John Wess this after noon. Cam. told him that his mother had been very sick the other night and they were afraid she wouldn't pull through the night but she was a little better to-day. Cam. said he didn't know at all what his father intended to do and didn't like to ask him as he felt so upset. Dad. went down to see them at Aunty's to-night and I worked all evening at my show card course. It has not been so cold to-day and is stormy to-night. Tuesday December 30th Dad. decided this morning that as all conditions except the roads being so favorable we had better haul our ice now so Frank and I went down after a load as soon as we could while he cleaned out the ice house. The first load we put off outside as Dad. didn't have the ice house ready and we hauled another before dinner and put it in. Frank hauled three this after noon alone and I chinked them, while Dad. did the chores. It is beautiful ice https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/35bc02dd774897af521f559cfd2b3c48.pdf 9378c6928cd56d6a6de333be61164b00 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. clear and solid right through and the cubes just the right size to handle nicely. It is a little harder on the horses hauling it in the waggon especially as the roads are pretty rough it spots but it is nicer to unload. Very mild Wednesday December 31st We finished filling the ice house to-day, this being the earliest I think we have ever had it filled. Frank hauled three more loads this morning and we put the load that was outside in this after noon and then Frank wend down and hauled a load of saw-dust to pack it. He also saw old Felix Perkins who said he would be over in a couple of days to fix the pump as it isn't working at all satisfactorily. Frank and I went down town to-night. I thought there might be band practice but as there wasn't I went around to Harry Dyer's and got my hair cut. I was there till about 11 o'clock. Frank went to the W.I. dance and I went up about 11, but only went on the floor once with Dess. I spent the rest of the time with Bub. & Dess in the gallery watching the circus below which was just as much fun and far safer. I went home with the girls about one o'clock and then came on home, thus ushering in the year 1920. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary Collection Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Theobald "Toby" Barrett Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Courtesy of Archival and Special Collections, University of Guelph Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1911-1925 Language A language of the resource English Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 20th Century, Norfolk County, Woodhouse Township, Ontario Table Of Contents A list of subunits of the resource. Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary & Transcription, 1911 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary & Transcription, 1913 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary & Transcription, 1914 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1915 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1916 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1917 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary & Transcription, 1918 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1919 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1920-1921 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1921 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1925 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1925-1926 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1926-1927 Medium The material or physical carrier of the resource. Scanned Manuscript Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1919 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Theobald "Toby" Barrett Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Courtesy of Archival and Special Collections, University of Guelph Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1919 Language A language of the resource English Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 20th Century, Norfolk County, Woodhouse Township, Ontario Date Created Date of creation of the resource. January 1, 1919 Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary Collection Medium The material or physical carrier of the resource. Scanned Manuscript UG Transcription Progress Scripto transcription progress Done Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>{FRONT COVER}</p> <p>DIARY.1919</p> <p><br />T.B.Barrett</p> <p><br />Port Dover, Ontario</p> <p><br />Knockfierna..............</p> <p><br />From January 1st 1919 to December 31st 1919</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Wednesday January 1st 1919.</p> <p>I have had a feeling all day to-day as if I ought to have the blues, not exactly that I ought to have them but that it is queer that I haven't got them. That isn't the proper way to feel on New Year's day especially since every New Year's day for the last four years we have all thought that if the "damned" (thats what most of us thought allright even if we didn't say it) old war was over we would never feel blue again and neither we do at least I don't and don't intend to even although I have had to light the lamp this after noon to see to write, and though my gum boot which I wore a hole in the sole of on the hard frozen knobs of earth in the barn yard last week let in a pint of oozey mud and water around my foot so that it was just like an eel in a puddle all morning (I wore Dad's rubbers this after noon) and although that old brute of a Gladys acted just as stubborn as a pig can when we tried to load her into the crate this morning and I got mad enough to kill her and chased her around the yard till I was winded calling her names that wouldn't do for Sunday, and although I had to stand under the drip of the eave of the barn this after noon for about</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>ten minutes trying to unhook the chain which was just within an ace of unhooking but wouldn't come, and although instead of this being a nice, crisp, sunshiney, snowy sleigh bell jingling day, it has been a dark, muddy, drizzley, drippy, rainy rotten one with nothing more cheerful to look at than the mist and drizzle and nothing to hear but the darn ducks squawk and the dismal flapping of Enah's clothes which have been hanging on the line since Monday steadily getting wetter than when she put them there. Even in spite of all this, I haven't got the blues and upon a moment's thought realize that I would be a mighty ungrateful creature if I had, for in spite of all the weather there is an awful lot to be thankful for. The main part of the war is over and the boys are beginning to get back, some of them pretty badly shot up but others looking fine and all of them tickled pink to be home. Old Quint, who must have seen some hard fighting during the last summer and fall has got through without a scratch and writes most interesting letters from Belgium of the sights he sees there. Of course, Dad. had a letter from Dick to-day written on Christmas saying he was to sail for Siberia the next day so he is probably well out on the Pacific by this time and will maybe see action over there as the paper reports Canadian Artillery in the Arcangel region supporting Russian, American and Polish troops in attacks on the Bolsheviki, but then even though his future movements are in some ways so uncertain, it doesn't seem as if his stay in Russia will last as long as it might have if the Western Front was not peaceful and some reports say that men will not have to stay there more than a year unless they like, even although Canadian troops are still kept there, and even if he does see action over there after knowing of some of the marvelous escapes some of the boys in France have had, I can't help feeling that the same Power that pulled them through will also look after old Dick. These things as well as others keep my heart above my boot tops in spite of the depressing atmosphere. We did nothing in the way of celebration to-day. Frank and I had to take old Gladys down to Coleman's this morning and got pretty wet doing it. Dad. felt better this morning and went out and helped us load her but I'm afraid it didn't do him any good. To-night Frank and I went down town. Frank went up to Huby's. We intend to celebrate New Year's on Aunty's birthday.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Thursday January 2nd</p> <p>After I got the morning chores done up I went down town to send a money order to "The Breeder's Gazette" for a renewal of my subscription and also for some books for the J.F.I.A. for which Frank gave me a cheque. I didn't get back till noon. This after noon Charlie Quanbury came after Frank to help him take his calves out to {Lish?} Farr. who seems to be making a business of wintering cattle for people on his thrashed alsike. I didn't do any thing in particular but chores all the afternoon. To night I felt as if I was getting quite a cold so soaked my feet in hot water and went to bed rather early having spent the fore part of the evening reading "The Prince and the Pauper" which Aunt Ida gave me on Christmas. It has been a beautiful winter day, dull, frozen &amp; not cold.</p> <p>Friday January 3rd</p> <p>This being Aunty's birthday we celebrated it over here by having the goose which Frank slew yesterday for dinner and accordingly Aunty, Aunty Alice, Aunt Ida and Marj. all came over to partake of it. Frank and I didn't do any thing but chores and visit. Marj. stayed to tea and for the evening but the rest of them went down before tea. Frank went down to the dance given by the Women's Institute to-night and I walked home with Marj. later. Dad. hasn't felt much better to-day. It has been a very nice day. Freezing hard to-night.</p> <p>Saturday January 4th</p> <p>Last night was the coldest we have had yet this winter, the mercury being at zero this morning, but it has been a nice day with quite a strong west wind. Dad. Enah and the baby went down town before dinner and stayed down all the afternoon. Frank and I just did chores and bagged up what apples were left out in the barn some of which were frozen like bricks. Frank hitched Mexico to the cart and we hauled them over to the house in it and put them down cellar. We spent most of the after noon in the house reading the mail. Chuck Harn was in for a few minutes with a petition to have The Marburg Station moved from where it is up to the Cheese Factory, so Frank and I signed it as we didn't care a cent where it was and thought they must want it changed.</p> <p>Saturday January 5th</p> <p>Frank went down to Sunday school and church this morning but I didn't get down on account of the chores. None</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>of the rest of the family went down. I spent the after noon down at the Monteith's and came home to tea and to do chores. Lila was here to tea and She and I went down town right after tea as I wanted to get to church. We cut across the pond as there were a lot on it this after noon and I got my over coat full of pitch fork burrs getting up the hill. I went to church but was about half an hour late. I picked the burrs out of my over coat during the sermon. After church I went over and spent the evening with Marj. Tige McBride was down to-day to ask Frank and me to be bearers at Lee Boughner's funeral. He just home from France or England or where ever he was in the army the other day and died very suddenly yesterday. It hasn't been so cold to-day but freezing all day. Cloudy &amp; breezy.</p> <p>Monday January 6th</p> <p>Frank and I spend most of our time these days just doing chores. I husked the rest of the corn we had up this morning and Frank and I got over some hay this afternoon. This was election day but Dad. didn't feel like going out to vote and I didn't want to take the time with the roads as rough as they are to drive way out to Wiggin's school house Jack Martin was in about four o'clock to get us to go out and vote for Hammond as he thought if he got in we might get the roads fixed up a little down in this end of the township. However we didn't go and Hammond got beaten by Gilbert by about 48 votes. In town R. M. Taylor beat Mat. Wilson for reeve and the council consists of Clare Deal, Jack Reynolds, Jim Bannister &amp; Billy {Lamp?} I am afraid they are more inclined to be knockers than boosters but they may be all right. Enah and Tid went down to the Sunday school for tea to-night and for a concert afterwards in which all the kids took part. Frank went down after tea. Nice morning but rather blustery in after noon. Not cold.</p> <p>Tuesday January 7th</p> <p>We did all the chores up this morning so that we could go to Lee Boughner's funeral this after noon. Tom was over this morning greatly delighted at Hammond's defeat. Oscar Howden came in to drive him out to vote for Hammond but he walked out to Marburg so that he could vote as he pleased. We went up to the funeral this after noon and didn't put in such a bad time. Frank and I, Colin Lloyd, Tige and Lynn Waddle were bearers. Lynn would persist in expressing sentiments not suited to the</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>occasion which made it uncomfortable for the rest of us fellows during the service but we managed to pull through without disgracing ourselves and very unwillingly accepted the undertakers invitation to go in and have a look at Lee. Five returned soldiers came down from Simcoe to attend the funeral. They were a tough looking bunch. One had a glass eye and a stiff arm and another a game leg. They buried him in the Simcoe cemetry. I drove up with Lynn Waddle and Jack Maxwell. Lynn lit up his corn cob pipe just as we got started and and I don't think opened his mouth all the way up unless it was to make some coarse and ribald jest, one being that he thought Wess Boughner was damned stingy with his hard cider, as he hadn't offered us any. I came home with George Duncan as he was alone and could bring me closer to home. I transferred at his gate to Jack McBride's rig and when he turned in home I got in with Colin Ryerse &amp; Frank and so got a ride home. To-night Frank and I went down to the J.F.I.A. and although we didn't have many out had a fairly good time. Everybody present performed in some way sang or read a poem out of my James Whitcomb Riley book it being Literary evening. We had some toast for refreshments. Very soft &amp; mild. Snowing to-night.</p> <p>Wednesday January 8th</p> <p>Besides doing chores to-day Frank and I started to dig the straw out of the bottom of the west hay over in the old barn and put it up on the rails over head. Lorne Myers was in this morning to return Dad's probang. He borrowed it last night while we were down town to take a turnip out of his cow's throat. He wanted to know if we would like to try feeding some dried beet pulp as he was going to send for some so I told him to get us ten dollars's worth. To-night Frank and I went down town. I went over to the Monteith's for the evening. Frank intended to go to a soldier's concert which the I.O.D.E. were having but it was called off on account of the Holdin girls being sick, so he went up to Huby's and took Lila to the show. Aunty Alice sent to a Boston publishing Company for some plays for us to-night. A little colder to-day but nice.</p> <p>Thursday January 9th</p> <p>Frank and I finished covering the rails in the old barn with straw. We intended to get some more corn in and some hay over but the weather prevented us. It has been very blustery and blizzardy all day. It didn't snow any more but the high west wind kept what little had</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>fallen in the air all day. It was quite mild this morning but the mercury has been dropping all day and stands at zero to-night. This after noon the J.F.I.A. books came from "The Breeder's Gazette" Company so I spent this after noon looking through them. Charlie Shand was over and he and Frank went down to the dam to see if they were going to put the bridge back in place, but something went wrong with their plans so they didn't move it.</p> <p>Friday January 10th</p> <p>It has been still very windy all day, the wind was worse than yesterday but it has been much milder and was barely freezing this after-noon. Just did chores this morning and this after noon went up to Mat. Wilson's to pay him for the apple-barrels I got last fall. Sam Law had been thrashing there but had to stop as the wind was blowing their belt into the wheel and fraying it. I went over to Ham Thompson's for awhile to look at his calves. Frank went over to Quanbury's as he had promised to help them haul hay but as he thought they didn't go after any as the wind was too strong. I went down town to-night. They had a small fire at the dam last night.</p> <p>Saturday January 11th</p> <p>Frank and I fed up the stock this morning and then went out and got a small jag of corn shocks Tom and his grandson young Murrey Simpson came over and got a little jag of hay on his one horse waggon This after noon Frank went out with John Quanbury to Charlie's place and helped him put on a load of hay I did chores and husked enough corn stalks to feed the cows to-night. Aunty came over this after noon to see how Dad. was and he and Tid. walked back with her and stayed down to tea. Frank went down town to-night and I oiled the chicken's legs. Not so windy a little colder.</p> <p>Saturday January 12th</p> <p>Frank went down to Sunday school and church this morning but I was doing chores till noon. Dad., Enah &amp; Tid went down to Aunty's for dinner and Enah went to church. Frank Awde &amp; Earl came to see Dad. just as I was going to eat and I left them here with Frank and went down town. I was down with Marj. all the after noon but came home to tea and do chores. I went down after tea but was too late to go to church. It has been mild and sunny to-day. Not much wind.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Monday January 13th</p> <p>Frank and I loaded up the oats we cleaned out of the little box-stall in the horse stable and took them down to be chopped. There were 17 bags but we thought we might as well take them down as empty part of them. The water was low down there so we had to leave the grist there. Dad. walked over to John Wess's this morning and stayed to dinner. He was pretty tired when he got back and he says John Wess is in pretty bad shape too. This after noon Frank finished mending the box stall door and I helped him hang it and then husked a little corn. About four o'clock we went down and got our chop. We traded some oats off for a bag of oil cake. To-night Frank went down town to ask Zeitha Barwell if she would go to Simcoe with him to-morrow night as the J.F.I.A. all intended going up to the Rink for a skate, but Tige and Albert were down to-night and thought we had better call it off as there would be no ice, so we are going to leave it till to-morrow and see if it gets colder. Very mild and soft all day.</p> <p>Tuesday January 14th</p> <p>Dad. Enah and Tid all went down to Aunty's for dinner to-day as it was Aunt Ida's birthday. Frank and I did chores all morning and I husked corn. Tige McBride came down after dinner to tell us that he called up Simcoe this morning and found out that there wouldn't be any ice so we went down to Lloyd's to tell him to arrange for some thing at the club. Tige let most of the fellows know by telephone that the meeting would be at the club. Frank and I did up the chores early and Dad. and Tid came home about half past four. Enah went up to St. John's with Aunty Maude to hear some W.A. workers from the West. She came back on the seven o'clock car. Marj. had promised to go to the rink with me so when I told her we were going to meet at the club she went over there. There were ten or a dozen of the boys out and about eight girls so we had a very good time playing games and a little dancing. Crosby and Alex England went down and borrowed a fiddle from the Slocomb's and Charlie Blake furnished the music. Soft all day, colder to-night.</p> <p>Wednesday January 15th</p> <p>Dad. felt much better to-day and helped us all day and we got in two loads of corn. The second one we</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>got were little ones with not much corn in it so we brought them in to feed to the cows without husking. We had a visit from a pail pedlar and got three pails from him. To-night I went down to see Marj. for awhile. Mild but frozen.</p> <p>Thursday January 16th</p> <p>John Quanbury came over this morning before we through breakfast to get Frank to go and help him saw up part of the spruce tree which he cut down at Mrs. Battersby's about a month ago. The butt of it is a big log and John can't saw it alone. We had figured on getting in some more corn but Dad. and I put off what we brought in last night but didn't go after any more. Frank came in at noon and he and I got in a load this after noon. Dad. was very much annoyed not to be able to help us but Jackie Pickford came over for a visit and Dad. couldn't shake him he was here all the after noon. We didn't bring in a big load of corn as we don't pile it up on the rack but try to keep each shock seperate so that we won't pull them to pieces when we unload. We didn't unload it to-night but emptied the chop we got the other day into Ed's big bin as we saw one of the cats with a big rat and were afraid to leave it in the bags any longer. Frank and I had hoped to go for a skate to-night but it has been very soft all day and is barely freezing to-night so we stayed home and read over the Shakespeare plays which Aunty Alice got for us for a J.F.I.A. performance.</p> <p>Friday January 17th</p> <p>Frank went over to help John Quanbury again this morning. Dad. and I did chores and unloaded the corn Frank and I brought in yesterday. Aunty Alice came over to dinner. This after noon Dad. Frank and I put on a jag of hay to haul over to the old barn, we would have hauled more but McEwen came down to look at the sheep. He said he wanted to get some ewes for some fellow and asked me if I would take $35.00 apiece for the ewes we culled out and marked for sale in the fall, so I told him we would as the market seems very uncertain and we need the money. I am to call him up to-morrow night to find out whether it is a sale or not. He also offered me $15.00 apiece for the old ewes we sold to Niel Elliott, so I will have to find out from Niel whether he will let me off the deal. I</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>tried to telephone him to-night but he wasn't home. Alan Law came in before McEwen left for Dad. to look at his mare. He is afraid she has an attack of asoturia. Enah went down town with Aunty Alice this after noon and had two teeth out. Frank went down to the Women's Institute dance to-night and I went skating on the pond I was surprised to find it so good as it has been very soft all day, but the ice was hard.</p> <p>Saturday January 18th</p> <p>Frank went over this morning and finished helping John Quanbury cut up the spruce tree. Dad. Tid and I drove down to Sam Law's and gave Alan's mare a ball, she didn't seem very sick. When we got back I went over to Martin's to see the bunch of chickens they had all ready to ship to Madison Square gardens this after noon. I also went down to Quanbury's to telephone Niel Elliott but he wasn't home. This after noon Dad. finished cleaning a couple of chickens he killed this morning and Frank finished making a crate to weigh sheep in. We then brought the scales over from the old barn and weighed the three ram lambs we sold to Niel. {Hray?} weighed 87 lbs and the other two 100 &amp; 105. I went down town to-night and called up Niel and McEwen. Niel told me to go ahead and sell the old ewes if I could get any more out of them but when I got McEwen he told me he hadn't been able to see the man that he was buying for so said I hadn't better keep them on the chance of him taking them. I was in at Aunty's on my way home. Aunty is very grieved over the cutting down of the old poplar tree in front of the old Mrs. Bagley house. It was the largest tree of its kind I ever saw and one of the most beautiful trees in town. It is far older than any one living can remember and the trunk was sound as could be. The weather is still very mild and Spring like. Didn't freeze to-night.</p> <p>Sunday January 19th</p> <p>Frank went down to Sunday school and I went down to church this morning Dad. has fell well enough to do chores to-day. Enah was to have played the organ this morning but felt too sick. She has felt miserable since having her teeth out. Aunty came over to dinner with us. I went down town this after noon and Marj. and I went over to see Miss McQueen. Marj. &amp;</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Essie went to Hamilton yesterday to see Robert Mantell in "The Merchant of Venice" and Marj. said it was great. I stayed down at Aunty's to tea and went to church with Aunty Alice. Spent the evening with Marj. Very mild. Feels like April instead of January.</p> <p>Monday January 20th</p> <p>Dad. went over to Flemming's this morning to thrash while Frank and I took our sheep down to Niel's. He made the two old ewe's weigh 30 lbs more than we did so we didn't lose anything by not letting McEwen have them after all. The lambs lost 10 lbs according to Niel going down but the five head brought us $67.00. We brought home a load of coal with us as one had just come in. It was chestnut and pea coal mixed so was not nearly as good as the last stove coal we got. Dad. stayed down to Flemming's to dinner and Frank went down to change places with him after dinner. There was a letter in the mail addressed to Mr. Barratt and Rush on it. We expected Dad. home any minute so put it away for him. He was about half an hour getting home and when he opened it found it was from Lloyd-Jones letting me to meet him as he was coming down on the 3 o'clock car, consequently I had to step lively to make the car. Dad. went back over to Flemming's to let Frank come home and seperate some of the smallest ewe lambs in case Lloyd-Jones wanted to buy any. I took him up to Ham's before I brought him over here and Ham sold him his two best ram lambs and his five ewe lambs. He then came over to our place and bought the five ewes we had picked out and begged so hard for some more that we picked out Nos. 2 &amp; 3 four year old ewes of old Splitears and sold him the seven for $225.00. The little yearling the "baby" we considered worth $15.00 and the others $35.00 apiece I took Lloyd-Jones back to catch the five o'clock car. Frank didn't think it worthwhile going back to Flemming's so Dad. has thrashed nearly all day and feels pretty tired to-night. It has been a beautiful, mild Spring like day.</p> <p>Tuesday January 21st</p> <p>Frank went over to thrash again this morning and has been away all day. They finished at Flemming's before dinner and moved to Martin's where they had a</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>very steady run all the after noon. Frank says they will finish there in a couple of hours. Dad. and I went down this morning and got a load of soft coal. Dad. walked down and I had the coal on when he got down as he stopped in at Aunty's for awhile. I saw the station agent who told me we could have a car to-morrow after noon to ship the sheep but when we found the thrashers would be here so early we thought we had better put off the shipping a day so I saw the agent again to-night and he said it would suit him better not to let us have the car till Thursday. Enah went down to the dentist this after noon so I sent down all the certificates to be transferred with her to post. Dad. and I did chores this after noon and I unloaded the soft coal some of it at the barn to thrash with us and the rest of it in the wood shed. Frank and I went to J.F.I.A. to-night. We had a pretty fair crowd out and spent the evening deciding on a play to get up. We at last picked on Julius Caesar. There was a grand dance on in the hall to-night for the employees of the Foundation Company. Ham and I went up after the club to find the station agent as he was one of the guests, they were all up in the Red Cross rooms having supper. {illegible} Spring</p> <p>Wednesday January 22nd</p> <p>Frank went over to Martin's for a little while this morning and came back while they were putting through the chaff to help us get ready for them. They got over here and set up and thrashed about an hour before dinner and ran steadily all the after noon finishing up soon after five. We got about ten bushels of nice looking seed two bushels of which were from the chaff and may not be quite so heavy as the other. I didn't do very much as Tom came over and we had lots of help. Tom gave me four dollars which he got for the old hens and two dollars for eggs and this after noon I got a letter from Neff with a cheque in it for ten dollars to pay my expenses at Guelph and also my score cards. I went down to see Marj. to-night.</p> <p>Thursday January 23rd</p> <p>It was very misty this morning and soon turned to rain which kept up all day some times raining quite hard. Frank went over to Pickford's to see if they would thrash but neither Sam nor Alan put in an appearance. I drove down town before dinner to see where our car was to ship the sheep in and thought I would get Joe shod. I didn't have</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>time to get her shod before dinner so thought as I had her down and she was badly in need of it I had better have her shod after so I stayed at Aunty's to dinner and by the time I got home it was half past three. We then had to hurry to get the sheep loaded {illegible words} there and as it was Frank and I {illegible words} after six. Dad. went down with us and {illegible words} home. The sheep go out on a night {illegible words} morning and appeared to be {illegible words}.</p> <p>Friday January 24th</p> <p>Frank went down to Pickford's to thrash this morning {illegible words} as they started up about the middle of {illegible words}. They finished there this after noon and then moved down to {illegible} and thrashed him out in an hour or two and Frank didn't get back till dark. Dad. and I did chores and and Dad. battoned up the north end of the calve's pen. I started to read after dinner and went to sleep for quite awhile {illegible words} for awhile this after noon to get the number of the old ram Enah and Frank went down to the Library dance to-night &amp; I went down town and went up to Miss Martin's with Marj. I went down to Aunty's and found Roy there. He came in on the nine o'clock car. I went up to the hall to call for Enah about half past eleven as she didn't want to stay too late. There was certainly a jamboree up there in the hallway was packed so full a fellow could hardly move and couldn't see across the room for smoke. Colder &amp; windy.</p> <p>Saturday January 25th</p> <p>Dad. Frank and I have been hauling in corn all day we got in six rack loads averaging about ten shocks to the load and put it up over the granary where the clover seed was. We got some of the best corn in the field and some of it was very goodlooking. Roy came over to tea to-night and Dad. walked back with him to-night {illegible words} saw several little door mice in the corn field to-day. They are very pretty and unlike the field mice which always make for another shock cross-country when the shock they have been inhabiting is lifted off them and are generally caught by the dogs, the door mice always try to climb out of harm's reach. One of them ran up one of the spokes in the front wheel and sat on the front bolster of the waggon for a long time and a couple ran up the horse's legs. Beautiful Spring day again. Muddy this afternoon.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Sunday January 26th</p> <p>Frank went down to Sunday school this morning and Dad. Enah and Tid went down to church but I didn't go down as I didn't get the chores done in time. This after noon I went down town after Frank and I had our lunch, the rest of them stayed down at Aunty's for dinner. Marj. and I went down and called on the Bailies and then went over to the Paterson's but they weren't home so we walked up Main St. and met Miss Martin who was en route to the Sunday school to number some books in the library so we went down with her and helped her or at least Marj. did. We then went down to Aunty's to tea. Enah and Winnie were also there. They and Roy and Aunty went to church but Aunty Alice, Aunt Ida and Marj. &amp; I didn't go. Beautiful day. West Wind.</p> <p>Monday January 27th</p> <p>We hauled in corn all day again to-day and got the field cleared this side of the potato ground. We also have the mow about full. Pickford came over this after noon and told us he had sold his best clover seed for twenty three dollars per bushel and his lower grade for twenty one. Edmonds bought it but didn't want to buy much. It is queer that it is so hard to sell and yet the price is so high. Another fine day. Muddy this after noon.</p> <p>Tuesday January 28th</p> <p>We hauled in another load of corn this morning from the north side of the potato patch but there was no room for it in the mow so we left it on the waggon. I went down to Aunty's for dinner and caught the one o'clock car for Simcoe to attend the annual meeting of the Norfolk Co-Operative Association. There was a good turnout and the report of the business done was very satisfactory for the first year. They had $1136.31 profit, $1000 of which they will divide among the members giving them 2 1/2% rebate on the business they did with the Association. Burnaby the President of the United Farmers of Ontario Co-Operative Co. was there and gave us a talk on organization I came home on the 7 o'clock car and had tea at Aunty's. Corby was at the station waiting around to go to the J.F.I.A. He had been in Simcoe but had driven his mother down to Dover and they had gone on home, so I invited him up to Aunty's for supper. He came. Frank came down and we</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>all went up to the club. There weren't many out but as our books came we went over the play and it sounded pretty fair. Dad. and Frank got another load of coal this after noon and hauled it over the new bridge, the first time any of us have driven over it. A little colder to-day. Cloudy.</p> <p>Wednesday January 29th</p> <p>Dad. and Frank went down to Sam Law's to thrash this morning and Frank was gone all day. Dad. got home soon after dinner. I first did chores this morning and husked some corn. This after noon I drove up to Ham Thompson's and got a Barred Rock cockrell to mate with my four pullets. I also stopped in at the mill and paid $25.00 on my account. I went down town to-night and Marj. and I went up to Miss Martin's. It has not been very cold to-day but a raw wind. March weather.</p> <p>Thursday January 30th</p> <p>I went over to Tupper's this morning to get him to come over and help us slay swine so he told Dad. he would come when we were ready to convert our two into pork. He was milking when I got there and I had to wait till he had breakfast so it was rather late when we got over here and got started and as a natural consequence long after noon when we finished. However we got the job done very well. Tupper brought over a little block and tackle outfit he had so that eliminated all heavy lifting to scald them or hang them up as we fixed up a scaffold and had a rail out of the upstairs door of the shop to hang them on and the barrel of water right under. They were a nice pair one dressed 232 lbs and the other 205 I think. Tupper had dinner here and we didn't do a thing till chore time but visit. He entertained us by relating anecdotes of folks up around the district between Simcoe and Waterford. He seems to know every one up there and has very funny stories to tell of all of them, and they lose nothing by him telling it either. Tom came in about half past four and got two or three bags of clover chaff for bedding. He also got my two cockrels which I sold him for a dollar apiece. I went down town to night and Frank and Enah and I went to hear Miss Wade at the Sunday school lecture on China. She was staying at Aunty's and we saw her afterwards down there. She was very interesting. Nice day. Freezing to-night.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Friday January 31st</p> <p>Dad. spent all the morning and I think most of the after noon cutting up the pigs. Frank and I cut a piece off the straw stack and hauled it over to the horse stable. This after noon Frank went down to the Customs office to get his Roth Memory Course which he sent for the other day. I hooked up and went over to Lorne Myer's and to Lloyd Crysler's to get them to take part in Julius Caeser. I don't know whether they will or not as they both seemed loth to tackle it. I was at Lloyd's quite awhile visiting with him and Hannah and listening to their Pathé phonegraph. To-night Frank and I went down town. Frank went to the Women's Institute dance and I spent the evening at Monteith's. Ed. Moon was over here all the after noon. Windy and a little colder.</p> <p>Saturday February 1st</p> <p>Dad. put the pork in pickle this morning and was glad to find he could get it all in his barrel. Frank and I hauled a load of hay over to the old barn and put it off. This after noon we hauled in three more loads of corn and put two of them off over the west bay in the old barn on top of what we hauled first. The third load we left in the rack. Enah went down town this after noon and Dad. went down to-night to take Aunty a piece of pork. They had a letter from Quint saying that he hoped to be home by the end of March.</p> <p>Sunday February 2nd</p> <p>Frank went down to Sunday school this morning and Enah and I walked down to church. Aunty came over with Enah and Frank but I stayed down with Aunty Alice and Aunt Ida to dinner. This after noon Marj. and I went over to Miss McQueen's. I had tea at Aunty's and Aunty, Aunt Ida and I went to church. I spent the evening at the Monteith's. Lila was over here to tea with her eukalalie. Frank went down with her to-night and overtook me on my way home. Beautiful day, a little colder.</p> <p>Monday February 3rd</p> <p>We hauled in more corn to-day and got in the best of it. This after noon Dad. burned off the corner field as it burned so well while Frank and I were putting on the last load. We put on</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>a big load and left it on the waggon. Ham Thompson was down this morning to see if I was going to Brantford to-morrow. We decided to go on the nine o'clock car. Frank went down town to-night to stay {words illegible} as he is going to leave for Toronto in the morning {words illegible} in the Sheep Breeder's meeting. Beautiful day very mild.</p> <p>Tuesday February 4th</p> <p>Ham, Frank and I all went up on the nine o'clock car this morning. We left Frank at {illegible} and the went to Hamilton by radial. Ham and I {words illegible} for Brantford at 10.45. There was quite a {illegible} on the train bound for the Lloyd Jones sale and they all got off at Mt. Vernon so we {piled off too?} and had to walk over a mile to the farm. We had dinner at Lloyd Jone's as soon as we got there. Ham {words illegible} in with a Mr. Gould from the American Sheep {Association?} and after dinner we had a look at all the prize winners and cups before we went out. He had quite a {words illegible} of them. The sale lasted all the after noon as the bidding was rather slow. There were few buyers and they didn't run things up all high. Our old ewes brought $40.00 apiece and the others ${34.00?} and $39. Six of them were sold in pairs but the little one was sold singly and brought $20.00 so he didn't make a very big profit on any of our stuff but one of Ham's ram lambs brought $48.00. He sold all his at $50.00 apiece but some of the ewes lambs didn't bring that much and the other ram just brought {illegible}. We hung around and nearly froze all the after noon and about four o'clock Mr. Gould struck out for Mt. Vernon to catch the train for Brantford, but we wanted to get our checks if possible from Lloyd-Jones before we left {illegible} waited as he promised to get us to Brantford in time to catch the six car, so we waited. The sale lasted right up to the minute we had to leave so we couldn't get our money and he sent us in to Brantford in his Ford. A fellow came with us who was very anxious to get a six o'clock train for Toronto but just about two miles out of Brantford we had a blowout, so had to stop to put on a new tire. The Toronto man hailed another car going in with a load so may have caught his train but ours had gone when we got to town so we had to wait for the eight o'clock car. We had a good supper which we were might glad to get at the Royal Café and then played a couple of games of Pool before the car came in. I saw</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Mrs Dell on the car. She had been down at Cobury to see Roy and says he his just about alright again. We went up to the J.F.I.A. social evening. I stopped in at Aunty's first. We put in the time in the usual manner up there and I got home at three o'clock. Rained this morning. Freezing to-night.</p> <p>Wednesday February 5th</p> <p>Dad. and I did chores this morning but not much else. This after noon I went over to Lorne Myer's and got the beet pulp he ordered for us. It is queer looking stuff and very bulky. A cwt. bag being about as big as a bluegrass sack. We put a little of it to soak to feed the cows to-morrow. To-night I went down town and Marj. and I went skating, we called in and got Zeitha to go with us. Ed. Turner, Woodger, Leggit, Mr. Bagley &amp; Essie were down there and as the ice was pretty good we had a good skate. It has been colder to-day, but fair.</p> <p>Thursday February 6th</p> <p>Dad. went down to Alfred's this morning to borrow the screens of his fanning mill which he uses to clean clover seed as we want to get ours cleaned up. Ham was talking to a fellow at the sale on Tuesday and he said they had no clover seed to sow up there and the Woodstock seed merchants were asking $32.00 a bushel for it. Ham told him he could get 100 bushels down this way for $25.00 or less so he took Ham's name and said he would put it up to his club and try to get them to give us an order. This after noon I went down town as notice of a registered letter came and as I suspected it was the pedigree for the sheep and found I was correct. I posted them again to Lloyd-Jones before I came home. To-night Enah and I went down to the hall to see the boys that are home from the front get their five dollar gold pieces or whatever the town was giving them. Ron. Taylor was doing the presenting and Mr. Johnson calling out the names of the men. Most of them had got their souvenir when we got there but we heard Ed Moon and Ed Turner make little speeches. They had a dance afterwards and we stayed till about midnight.</p> <p>Friday February 7th</p> <p>We didn't do any thing much to-day but chores and sit around and read. We heard last night that the Sloan's had got a letter from Willie posted at Tokio</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>so Dad. has been looking for one from Dick as we thought they were on the same boat but have found out since that Willie Sloan sailed about a week earlier than Dick. I went skating to-night and had a fine time. Miss McQueen went down and afterwards Marj. Ed. Turner and I went in to her place and had coffee &amp; cake. As I was going through Martin's to-night I was very surprised to meet Frank he had come home on the seven o'clock car. He went home and then came down to the pond. Still fine and mild.</p> <p>Saturday February 8th</p> <p>We cleaned off the barn floor this morning and put our clover seed through the mill. It didn't clean out much and what seed went behind we put through again and will keep it to sow as there are no very bad weed seeds in it. We will have about six bushels or more to sell and plenty to sow. We also put through a sample of oats to take to Simcoe as Neff is buying seed oats for the Government at 80 cts per bushel to send out West and Johnson is handling them for 5 cts per bushel. The market price is about sixty cts. Frank and I went skating again to-night. The pond is great now up above where it was frozen before as it has risen and made new ice. It is still beautiful weather may be a little colder but very little.</p> <p>Sunday February 9th</p> <p>I actually got ready in time for Sunday school this morning and went down. I stayed at Aunty's for dinner and this after noon went up to see Marj. We sat around the house all the after noon as it was snowing hard when I went up. We went down to Aunty's for tea and Aunty Alice, Marj. and I all went to church Huby and Aunty Maude came back to Aunty's with us and we spent the evening there. It didn't snow much. Colder.</p> <p>Monday February 10th</p> <p>We spent the day hauling out clover chaff on the wheat to-day. We hauled it out on the rack and Frank and I pitched it off and spread it as well as we could and Dad. followed us and shook it out more, as we didn't want to get it on too thick. We got it all out and it covered two bands the full length of the feild and a piece at</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>each end of the next two bands. We also got in another jag of corn. Charlie Munroe was in this morning and sold Dad. a piece of beef. Mr. &amp; Mrs. Jim Waddle were in for a few minutes at noon. Dad. and Enah had intended to go out to see them to-night to ask them over to dinner on Thursday. They did go to-night any way. Frank went skating but I stayed home so that Tid wouldn't be alone he is asleep. Beautiful day. Mild. Frank told us when he got home about Toddy West, his little brother and Johnnie Miller being drowned in the lake this after noon. The little West fellow got in through the ice first and then Teddy tried to save him. He got in and Johnny tried to get him out. Young Gunton was with them and he yelled for help and Capt. McCauly &amp; Ed Moon waded in and got them all out but although they worked on them for a couple of hours or more they couldn't save them.</p> <p>Wednesday Tuesday February 11th</p> <p>We got the spreader out this morning and have been hauling out manure from around the stack to too wheat all day and got out 12 loads. We were a little afraid to tackle it at first for fear the ground being so hard would do some damage to the spreader but it didn't seem to hurt it any. Mr. Nixon and Willie were in for a few minutes this after noon to look at the stack. Enah and Tid. drove Mexico down town after some coal-oil this after noon. To-night Frank and I went down to the J.F.I.A. but as usual there were very few there. Very mild all day looks like snow.</p> <p>Wednesday February 12th</p> <p>It snowed a little last night but soon melted off to-day as it has been very mild up around 40°. Frank and I hauled manure all day and got out 12 more loads. We started in on the pile at the horse stable this after noon. Dad. spent most of the day killing and picking the four ducks that were left to provide the dinner for Mr. &amp; Mrs. Jim Waddle to-morrow night. To-night Enah, Frank and I went down to Aunty Alice's party. Lila, Winnie, Dess, Fraser, Marj. Zeitha, Bill {illegible} Tige McBride and Huby were all there, and Huby provided the principal entertainment naturally but Zeitha did some very nice singing for us and Bill performed on Lila's Ukalele. We also had various forms of guessing contests, the chief amusement derived from them were Huby's answers</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Thursday February 13th</p> <p>Frank and I got out six more loads of manure this morning but quit early to go to Simcoe this after noon. We both went up and I went to the Co-operative meeting and Frank did shopping. He got some rock-salt &amp; gut and got the harness we left at Church's. He said he couldn't fix it so we left it at Herb. Woods. We had an interesting meeting although there were not many out. Mr. Gordon from the Livestock branch was there to talk about shipping Livestock co-operatively and Mr. Kerr from P.E. Island told about their successful co-operative egg-marketing business down there. Prof Graham was also there but I didn't have time to wait till the meeting was over as Frank and I had to leave at four o'clock to get home in good time for supper. Dad. had most of the chores done when we got home. Mr. &amp; Mrs. Jim Waddle were here to tea and spent the evening. Frank went down to a birthday party at Myrtle Greenbury's Very mild, roads in beautiful shape. Raining to-night.</p> <p>Friday February 14th</p> <p>It rained hard during the night so that we couldn't go on with the manure hauling. I took Daisy May over to Tupper's and while I was gone Alan Law came after Frank and the clippers to clip his horse. He was down there to dinner. This after noon Dad. and I drove down to Wess &amp; George Fields to see their Shorthorns and were very agreeably surprised at the bunch we saw. They have seven or eight cows of very uniform type and all thick smoothe and low down. They had two very fine yearling heifers all of Scotch breeding. Their $500.00 Imported two-year bull is very smoothe and stylish looking but doesn't look as if he would make a very big bull. We went from there down to Blake's and I left some "Breeder's Gazettes" for Charlie to get pointers for his debate from. The roads were awful and consequently we were late getting home. We came up the Plank and through town as it was better than the back way. Frank and I went down town to-night. Frank went to the W.I. dance. Still mild but drizzly.</p> <p>Saturday February 15th</p> <p>We didn't do much to-day but chores. Frank and I husked some corn this morning and this after noon bagged up all the barley and oats that were left (about 10 bags)</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>to take to the mill but as it was so wet we didn't go. Dad. went down to Aunty's for tea to-night. Marion McLaughlin was over all the after noon playing with Tid. It has been colder to-day and snowed a little this after noon.</p> <p>Sunday February 16th</p> <p>Frank went to Sunday school this morning and I left here with the intention of going but when I got within sight of the town clock and found it to be a quarter after ten I decided to wait till church time so went back to Aunty's and read for awhile and then went to church, sat in the back seat with Frank, Lloyd Ryerse and a stranger and disgraced myself by going to sleep during the Litany dreaming of something funny and waking up laughing. I partook of dinner at Aunty's and also tea, accompanied Aunty to church this evening and spent the after noon and evening with Marj. at the Monteiths. Soft during day. Colder to-night.</p> <p>Monday February 17th</p> <p>I have put in a pretty idle day. This morning Frank and I went down to the mill this morning with the grain we bagged up on Saturday and from there on down town to the Widespread where I got my trap nest which Emery made for me. We got our chop on our way home.This after noon I just sat around and read. Dad. and Frank put on a load of hay and hauled it over to the horse stable. Enah and Tid drove Miss Phipps over to McPherson's for her to see a dinner-waggon Emery is making for her. To-night I went down to Aunty's for tea as she invited me to go to the picture show with her. Marj. was there too and we three went to see Margurite Clark in "The Seven Swans". It was about the prettiest and all-round nicest show I ever saw. Aunty is very distressed about my ribs hurting so much and thinks I should go to the doctor. Colder but fine all day. Snowing quite hard to-night.</p> <p>Tuesday February 18th</p> <p>I haven't done any thing in the shape of work to-day but this after noon went down and had the doctor examine my ribs where I hurt them a couple of weeks ago as the last few days they have pained considerably when I tried to work. He said the bone was not hurt but put some adhesive tape banadages around me which promise to be very uncomfortable. I got my hair cut and stayed at Aunty's to tea. Huby was there too as he came to take</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>a couple of pictures out of a tube which Quint sent to Aunty. Enah &amp; Tid. drove Mexico down this after noon and Enah went to help her mother tend store as her father went to Hamilton to a trade banquet this after noon. Dad. and Frank spent most of the day doing chores and getting over some straw for the horse stable. Dad had a long, interesting and as it is the first one we have got since New Year's, very welcome letter from Dick. It was posted at Vladivostock and tells mostly of his trip across the Pacific. He went as we supposed on the S.S. Protosilous (or some such name) {Protesilaus} and although he was luckier than most in escaping sea-sickness, they had some very bad storms, and it was in a typhoon that the ship lost one of her propellers. She was a twin screw however, so could make port on her own steam. He had not seen much of the city when he wrote as they were quartered two miles out in barracks built by the Russians in the Russian - Japanese war. Typhus was prevalent in town so he didn't intend going in much. He said there was nothing to go in for any way as he couldn't talk to the shop-keepers and although there was a picture-show, it seldom ran for when it did there was not enough power left to run the street cars. I went up to the J.F.I.A. to-night and althoug we had a fair crowd out most of them couldn't wait but hiked for the dance in the hall which Jack Riddel &amp; Pete Holmes the station agent are putting on to-night. We had a sort of debate on the Horse vs. Tractor and Frank had the best prepared lot of points in favor of the Tractor, but was the only one evidently who had put any time on it. I went back down to Aunty's after the meeting and found Dad. and Tid. there. Dad. having come down to go with Enah and Tid. to see the "Seven Swans". Dad told me to stay all night so that I could hook Mexico up for Enah in the morning as she stayed all night with her mother. The flags are floating at half-mast to-day in memory of Sir Wilfred, whose death was reported in to-day's papers. We all realize that with him Canada has lost the greatest orator and statesman of the day and that it may be years before Parliament has another man his equal. There has been quite a change in the weather lately and we are now having quite seasonable weather but not much snow.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Wednesday February 19th</p> <p>I was spending a very enjoyable hour in bed this morning awake but, knowing I didn't have to get up till Aunty &amp; Aunty Alice did, when Aunty came in with the alarming anouncement that she thought I had better stay in bed all day or at least till she went up and got the doctor and threatened to bring me my breakfast in bed. She had heard me cough as I have quite a cold and was afraid that I might contract pleurisy where my ribs were sore and maybe the flu so was quite worried. I did my best to allay her fear and did persuade her to let me get up and eat breakfast like a Christain but she was bound to go and interview the doctor. He said there was no danger what ever so that relieved her. I sat around there and read till about eleven when Enah came down. I hooked Mexico up for her and she drove home but I walked having had all the ride I wanted behind Mexico in his cart coming around the block. I didn't do much this after noon but sit around and read. Dad. and Frank hauled over another load of straw and put it off in the horse stable. Geordie Boughner was in looking at Dad's steers this after noon but didn't buy. We also had a visit from old Broadley and the famous Rachel. He was collecting stallion fees and after looking at Bell decided we owed him seven and a half although Dad. doesn't think she is in foal. However I paid him. He allowed seventy five cents a trip for his meals last summer, otherwise the fees would have been fifteen dollars. I went down town to-night and Aunty Alice gave me a ticket to Miss Crydon's music pupils' recital as the I.O.D.E. were selling the tickets to raise funds to buy a flag for the school-house Aunty Alice had bought two. She went with Cousin Loll and I went up to Monteith's and found Marj. had bought a ticket also so we started off for the concert. I considering it a treat for me and a Dutch treat for Marj. On the way down we thought better of it as no-body seemed to anticipate much of a concert and went down and spent a very nice evening at Miss McQueen's. I called in at Aunty's on my way home and Aunty Alice informed me that the concert was the worst she had ever experienced. It consisted chiefly of violin selections by Miss Crydons pupils and the fiddles were not in tune and the fiddlers couldn't play anyway. One lady recited and she stuttered. The best performer was a little Mitchell but her unlady like posture and fondness for chewing gum distressed Aunty Alice terribly.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Thursday February 20th</p> <p>Dad and Frank hauled over another load of straw to the horse stable this morning and I helped them mow it away. I didn't do much though as the adhesive tape on by back and ribs makes the skin irritable and rather sore when I work. Aunty Alice came over for a little while after dinner but didn't stay long. Enah &amp; Tid drove down town as Enah had to go to the dentist and Dad. and Frank went back and cut a little basswood along John Wess's line. I read all the after noon. The two books which should have come before with the ones we ordered for the J.F.I.A. came to-day, "Feeds &amp; Feeding" and "The Road to Dumbiedykes". To-night Dad.&amp; Enah after leaving Tid in care of the Sandman went down to call on the Pickford's and didn't get home till about midnight. Frank and I read till we got sleepy and then went to bed. Nice day.</p> <p>Friday February 21st</p> <p>Didn't do much but chores this fore noon &amp; didn't do many of them. Dad. oiled the buggy and Frank went down town and borrowed Aunty Alice's fur coat to go to Walsh this after noon. He and I left here about half past twelve to go to a sale which we saw advertised down town and at which there was to be a pure-bred Shorthorn heifer sold. The place was about half a mile east of Walsh Methodist church and on the fifth concession of Charlotteville. We found the place without much trouble inquiring once at the half-way house and arrived just before the sale commenced about half past two. We found the cow we had come to see but found she was some of Charlie Dunkin's stock which he had neglected to keep registered so that she was ineligible. She was a very nice smoothe and deep three-year-old but was rather small and didn't show signs of being much of a milker so we decided that unless we could buy her for for less than $85.00 we would leave her and as Bill Bickler bid $87.00 on her we left her. The rest of the stock was very ordinary looking and so was the crowd, natives of the blow-sand all, and as we weren't enjoying ourselves particularly we left as soon as the cattle were sold and were home by about five. The roads weren't bad for the most part but we were soaked as it snowed steadily all the time and was very soft. It was an old fashioned snow-storm, great big flakes coming straight down. I went down town to-night. It is still very soft.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Saturday February 22nd</p> <p>Dad. and Frank spent the morning remodeling the calf pen. They moved the bars back about six feet so that there will be room in front of them to tie Dad's steers and they intend taking the two heifer calves out from the rest. I intended going out to the Shand's with the bobsleighs after dinner to borrow their scale rack so that we could weigh the steers but by the after dinner the snow had all melted off so that I didn't go as I didn't want to take the waggon. I peeled the bandages of my ribs to-day as they were getting quite irritable. I havent felt any the worse for it. Very soft. Cloudy this after noon.</p> <p>Sunday February 23rd</p> <p>Frank went down to Sunday school this morning and I started but was so late I didn't go. We both went to church. I stayed at Aunty's to dinner and tea, went to church with Aunty Alice and spent the after noon and evening at the Monteiths. Rainy.</p> <p>Monday February 24th</p> <p>Dad. and Frank finished fixing over the calf pen this morning and we got Dad's steer in and tied him up. We put the young fellow we have had in beside him for awhile but they seemed disposed to fight so we seperated them again. I went over to Jack Martin's this morning to have my incubator thermometer tested and to invite Chris down to a band meeting which was called for to-night to reorganize. Clare Deal asked me to bring Chris down. This after noon Dad. and Frank went back and cut some more basswood and I put up some posts in the old barn to fix bars to so that we can have a couple of box stalls in the west bent for calves and freshening cows. To-night I went down to the band meeting and we had a very good turn-out of the old band boys and some new ones who were willing to join. The council was represented by R.M. Taylor. Clare Deal &amp; Jack Reynolds. {Mid?} Thompson was appointed secretary and authorized to get some music and it was decided that we meet next Monday and collect all the instruments that can be located. Taylor promised all financial support needed. Dad. had another long letter from Dick to-day written just a month ago. Canadians are in action now in the Murman region &amp; defeating Bolsheviki. Beautiful day.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Tuesday February 25th</p> <p>Dad. and Frank went back to the bush this morning and cut basswood till noon. They didn't return after dinner on account of it looking so rainy. Dad. fixed up some cross partitions over in the barn to make boxstalls and Frank tried to get his forge going. I spent the day doing chores and cleaning out the chickens sheds and putting fresh straw in. To-night Frank and I went down to J.F.I.A. social evening. We had a good turn out of girls and the usual crowd of boys. Got home about two o'clock. Mild and rainy all day, snow &amp; colder to-night.</p> <p>Wednesday February 26th</p> <p>After we did chores up this morning Dad. and Tid. went down to see how Aunty Alice was as she has been feeling quite sick. They stayed to dinner. I put some more brine in the pork barrel and then Frank and I sent out a bunch of cards to the J.F.I.A. members notifying them of the annual meeting next Tuesday. When Dad. got back we took Pommers out on the rein and found he hadn't forgotten any of his last winter's lessons. When we brought him in Dad. &amp; I battened up part of the west end of the barn to make a boxstall suitable for Elgitha to inhabit. Enah drove down town with Mexico this after noon. I went down town to-night. It has been cold all day with a very cold west wind. It feels as if we were going to get our winter now but Dad. and Tid. saw a robin down near Woodson's this morning and Dad. &amp; Frank saw a groundhog yesterday I set an incubator yesterday, the little one I got from Art.</p> <p>Thursday February 27th</p> <p>Dad. and Frank went back to the bush this morning and Dad. was back till noon. Frank came up early to get ready to go to Simcoe this after noon. Neff is having a short course to-day &amp; to-morrow on the care of gasoline engines so Frank went up to it. I did chores this morning and took Pommers out for a little exercise. The road was too rough to let him trot and follow him so I took him in the corner field. I sat around most of the after noon &amp; read. Marj. came over to tea and after tea the Ukelele Club came over to spend the evening, and of all the racket I ever heard, they made the most. I couldn't see or hear very much music about it though. No wind to-day but rather cold.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Friday February 28th</p> <p>We haven't seen Frank all day. He stayed at Aunty's last night and went up to Simcoe on the nine car. He intended to see the hockey match at the rink to-night between Simcoe and Niagara Falls, come down on the eleven and go to the Women's Institute dance in the hall. Dad. &amp; I just did chores this morning and I took Pommers out for a little more exercise. Dad. went back to the bush right after dinner. I went back about three o'clock but didn't do any thing. We did the chores up fairly early and to-night Marj. and I went to a concert in the Methodist church. It was put on by a travelling company comprising a pianist, vocalist, elocutionist and violinist. The pianist was a blind man and although he could play beautifully, it gave a fellow the "Willies" to look at him as he looked like a mechanical ghost. All the performers were very good but the violinist took my fancy. I almost wished she had been the whole show as I never heard any violin sound so sweet. I was in at Aunty's quite awhile on my way home as Roy was there having come in on the seven o'clock car to spend Sunday. Huby was down there when I went down with a medal which Lila had just received for a first prize on an essay she had written on the "Victory Loan". It has been very mild all day with a strong south wind. It rained hard this evening during the concert but had cleared off when I went home and the wind had gone around to the west getting stronger &amp; colder.</p> <p>Saturday March 1st</p> <p>The advent of this March has been of the most approved lion-like type. It was a ferocious wind all night and morning and much colder although milder and calmer more calm this after noon. Frank got home some time before daylight and said he had seen the hockey match. We thought it would be too soft but he said they played a good game in spite of the water on the ice. The score was 8 - 5 in favor of the Falls. Dad. went over to Tupper's this morning so see his steers and was over there all morning. Tupper was showing him some great bargain he got in used uniforms up at {Brauk's?} Shoddy Mill so this after noon Frank rode his wheel up to see what he could do. He left his wheel up there</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>to be overhauled and as he was too late for the five car walked home with his purchases getting here about half past six. He got a dandy officers greatcoat very little worn for $3.50 two or three pairs of riding breeches &amp; slacks for $1.00 a pair, two tunics one of them a red Mounted Police one for $1.00 a piece two pairs of putties for 26 cts and a couple of caps thrown in for souvenirs. He says they have heaps of them up there but he didn't have time to pick over any more. The ones he got though are good all a little worn. I cleaned out the chicken pen this after noon where the roosters were as I may want it for little chickens soon.</p> <p>Sunday March 2nd</p> <p>Frank and I went to Sunday school this morning and I actually got there in good time. Enah drove down to church with Tid. and after church Marj. came home with them and the Mexico-cart outfit. Roy was in church and I walked home with him as he came over here to dinner. We sat around and visited all the after noon and Roy went down town before tea. Marj. stayed here to tea and didn't go to church to-night. Dad. went down this evening to see how Aunt Ida was as she has been pretty sick. I drove Marj. home a little late and then called for Dad. and drove him home. It has been a beautiful spring day.</p> <p>Monday March 3rd</p> <p>Dad. and I went up to Ham Thompson's this morning with Knockfierna and were up there till nearly noon looking at the stock which looks fine. This after noon Dad. and Frank went back to the bush. I took Pommers out on the line but he got away from me. He didn't do any thing mean but just got cantering faster than I could and as I couldn't stop long enough to brace myself to hold him I had to let go. He ran up and down the lane and got the lines plastered with mud but I didn't have much trouble catching him when I got up to him. Enah and Tid drove down town this after noon and stayed to tea at Huby's. Frank went down there to tea also and they all went to see Uncle Tom's Cabin to-night in the hall. I went down to the band meeting and left my horn there. We didn't do much at the meeting but spent most of the time watching the show It seemed to be a little better than the general run of shows but not much. It has been very mild all day.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Tuesday March 4th</p> <p>Dad. and Frank took the team back to the bush this morning and brought up a load of wood at noon. They brought another one up this after noon. I drove down town this morning and got some coal oil and sent away to join the Sheep Breeder's and Shorthorn breeder's association. I didn't do much this after noon but read the paper and a few chores. Enah. drove down before tea and went to help at the Men's Banquet in the Sunday school. Frank went down there for his tea but I had mine at home as I don't like oysters and I didn't like the idea of going and eating and then leaving immediately as I would have to do in order to get to the J.F.I.A. in time. However on my way down I fell in with Jack Martin who insisted that I go over for a little while as he didn't want to go in alone so I did but didn't eat much and didn't stay long. The annual meeting of the J.F.I.A. was fairly successful. We had about ten or twelve out and they all promised to do their best to make things go next year and gave evidence of their good faith by consenting to try again to make our play a success. They wouldn't accept my resignation so I am still president. Frank was made secretary for life. Lloyd Ryerse was made vice-president and Tige, Charlie Blake &amp; Charlie Shand were put on the Committee of Management which we propose to make a living thing out of this year. Charlie Blake proposed a scheme for organizing an orchestra claiming it could be done through a correspondence course. I think every one was rather doubtful, but we gave Charlie authority to get all the information he could on the subject. Neff was down and we arranged to put Corby and Frank in to hold up the honor of the club in a debate against the Courtland boys on the subject of the middle man. After we closed up our business several of the fellows went to the dance in the hall and I went over to the Sunday school again where things were just coming to a close. It has been very mild all day and to-night.</p> <p>Wednesday March 5th</p> <p>It was snowing this morning when we got up and has got a little colder to-day, freezing quite hard to-night. We did chores this morning and Whit and {Name?} came over to look at Dad's steers. Dad. asked Whit seventy-five dollars for the young fellow but Whit wouldn't</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>give him more than seventy so Dad. didn't sell. Frank and I bagged up some oats and Dad. wrote to Dick he heard from him yesterday and they have been quarintined for Spinal Meningitis and Spotted Fever. He said he had seen Billy Sloan who is stationed about five miles from where Dick is. This after noon Frank and I took the oats we bagged up down and had them chopped and drove down town to post Dad's letter. Frank saw Moses Fisher about fixing up his military overcoat and Moses said he could have it dyed and remodel it to make a good civilian coat for 3 or 4 dollars. Marj. came over after four to-night to return a sweater of Enah's and stayed to tea. I got ready to go with her to church to-night but it was seven o'clock when we got through tea and as she had to stop on her way down to pay Newman Silverthorne for lodge dues, we stayed here for the evening and guessed riddles.</p> <p>Thursday March 6th</p> <p>It froze pretty hard last night but has been a beautiful sunny day though wintry. Dad. and Frank hauled up two loads of wood with the sleighs this morning. There was just enough snow for the sleighs to slip, but it was too soft this after noon to try it. I did up the chores and took Pommers out for a little exercise before dinner. This after noon we hauled over a couple of loads of hay one to the horse stable and one to the old barn. Tom came in about six o'clock to-night and got a little jag of straw. To-night Frank went down to the Tom Marks show and I went up to see if Harry Moon could come any night next week to give us a little drill for our play. He was in Simcoe playing at the rink and will be three nights next week if it stays cold. I talked to Mrs. Moon for about an hour and a half and then went down to Aunty's for awhile.They are evidently having lively times at Ottawa these days. Sir Sam Hughes has been raving and tearing his hair metaphorically and actually weeping bitter tears of anguish over the foul administration of the Union Government and charging that the leaders of the Canadian forces caused needles slaughter of Canadian men last fall at Cambrai, Mons, simply to glorify themselves and through bullheadedness, but I think the public have more confidence in Sir Arthur Currie than old Sir Sam, and realize that he followed Pock's plan of conserving man-power at the expense of time.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Friday March 7th</p> <p>Frank and I hauled out three loads of manure this morning on the sleighs and spread it on last year's potato patch, one load was cleaned out of the calf pen. This after noon Dad. and Frank hauled up two more loads of wood in the waggon. I went over to Jack's and borrowed an egg tester and tested out my eggs. I took out 28 out of the seventy and broke one good one. To-night Frank and I went down town Frank went to the picture show to see "Intolerance" but as the engine broke down he didn't see it all as he didn't wait till it was fixed. I went over to the Monteith's, the old man is pretty sick. Tid. saw a robin on the lawn this afternoon. Froze pretty hard last night but sunny to-day.</p> <p>Saturday March 8th</p> <p>Dad. and Frank hauled up two or three more loads of wood in the waggon this morning while I did chores and took Pommers out for a little exercise. Charlie Quanbury came after Frank at noon to go and see some thing about his cattle out at Farr's as Farr had telephoned him and he was hauling ice and didn't want to quit, so Frank was out there all the after noon. Dad. hauled up one more load of wood alone as I waited around expecting Ham Thompson in as he told Dad. the other night that he was going to take his alsike to Jarvis to-day and would stop in for a sample of our clover seed to take to Harry Misner, however he didn't come. When Dad. came with the wood I took the team &amp; waggon and went down to the mill and got a bag of oat-meal. I saw Art. Preston prowling around the place and thought he was one of the seventh-day Adventists as he had a beard on him like a Bolsheviki. I asked him if he had lost his razor but he said he had been sick again, and had been taking Russian Oil from Dr. Hicks, which I suppose accounts for his Bolshevist appearance. To-night Marj. and I went to the 'Gem" to see "Intolerance" It was certainly a wonderful picture especially the seige of Babylon. Frank went down to a birthday party at Bill Barwell's to-night. Raw east wind all day and snowing hard but getting softer when I came home to-night.</p> <p>Sunday March 9th</p> <p>The snow storm turned to rain before morning and it</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>has been wet and slushy all day. There was a cold east wind this morning which later changed to the west. It is freezing a little to-night. Frank and I went down to Sunday school and I helped Miss Martin give out books. We went to church and Marj. and I went down to Aunty's to dinner and stayed there all the after noon and to tea. We went to church with Aunty Alice to-night and afterwards we went around to see how Miss McQueen was but the house was in darkness so we went on over to the Monteith's and stayed there.</p> <p>Monday March 10th</p> <p>I went out to the Shand's this morning and borrowed their scales and stock rack as Dad. wanted to weigh the steers. I went around by Lorne Meyer's and took the beet pulp bags back to him and as the roads were none too good I didn't get back home till one o'clock. Willie Shand had been here while I was gone and brought my incubator back. Frank went down town to get some postcards to notify the J.F.I.A. members of a lecture in the hall Wednesday night. He wrote them out over at the club and saw Tige and Albert and a few more to visit with so didn't get home till nearly two o'clock. He saw Fat. Turner down town who had just got home and Frank says looks fine having completely recovered from his wound. We weighed the steers after dinner and the smallest one weighed 815 and the old one 860 lbs. Frank and I then took the scales back to the Shands but we didn't take the rack home as we think we may be able to use it with our own scales and Charlie said they wouldn't be needing it for awhile. Enah went down town to an I.O.D.E. meeting this after noon. When Frank and I got home Ham Thompson was here getting a couple of bushels of clover seed for his own use and Will Wright had been in after a bushel. Dad sold it for $18.00 a bushel as that seems to be about all any one is getting now. Frank got a statement from the Department of Agriculture to-day of a sample he sent down and it graded no.1. there was very little bad seed in it. I stayed home to-night for a change as I didn't know whether there was to be a band meeting or not. Soft but raw wind.</p> <p>Tuesday March 11th</p> <p>Dad. went up to Miss McCoy's this morning to see a steer with a swollen jaw. Wess Boughner came after him</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Frank and I did chores and husked a little corn. Alan Law came in here after dinner to see if we had sold our clover seed yet and showed us a card he had got Edmonds saying they were in the market again and for him to send up a sample of his seed. Alan had sold his to Fiss for $20.00 a bushel so Frank caught the 3 o'clock car and took a sample of ours to Edmonds and sold it for $21.00 a bushel. We have to take it up in the morning Dad. went down town to pay Clare Deal for the coal this after noon and Enah &amp; Tid. drove down for some groceries. I read the paper, cleaned out a place in the cellar for my incubator and started to prune the raspberries but didn't get much done. Frank went down to Alfred's to-night to ask him if he wanted us to take his seed up for him to-morrow but he wasn't home nor at Art's nor Pickford's. Aunty &amp; Dess had letters from Dick to-day and in Dess's said he thought they would be leaving for home about April. He told a very distressing story of the filth and poverty of Vladivostok. Nice day but rather cold west wind.</p> <p>Wednesday March 12th</p> <p>Frank went down to Alfred's this morning and got his two bushels of clover seed and while he was down there Dad. and I weighed up a bushel of ours for Will Wright and the balance just ammounted to a little over 3 1/2 bushels so we kept out the few pounds over that ammount and so just sold Edmonds the 3 1/2 bushels. Dad. went with us up to Miss McCoy's to see her steer. We met Will Wright on the road coming down here after his seed so we gave it to him. We then stopped in at Ham's and left the waggon there and borrowed his democrat. It was half past ten when we got started for Simcoe and the roads were rather sloppy but we got there and got our seed sold before noon. We didn't wait till one although Frank wanted to see Neff and get some mower supplies. We got the checkque cashed up there and we got home about half past two. We didn't do any thing but chores when we got home. Enah drove down town and stayed to tea and Frank and I went down after tea intending to go to church but found there wasn't any on account of Mr. Johnson being sick. Frank went to an agricultural lecture in the town hall and I went over to see Marj. It has been a very nice day but very windy and the wind has been getting worse all day</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Thursday March 13th</p> <p>We spent the morning cleaning up fifty bushels of oats for Will Wright. He came down and helped us. He paid Dad 60 cts a bushel for them. We didn't do much this after noon. I went over to Jack Martin's for awhile to ask Chris about my brooder but didn't get much satisfaction. I am afraid I will have a hard time getting it hot enough to be much use. Dad. and Frank fixed up some nests over in the shed for the geese to lay in as they have been laying under the hog-pen. To-night Frank and I went down to the club as I wanted to have a committee meeting to make plans for the coming year foolishly thinking that when we got just the committee there alone we could come to some definite arrangement to make a real life club which would make its activities aiming toward improvement felt in the community. They were all there except Tige. the best one of the bunch, but we might have well as stayed home for all the good we did. They would neither make suggestions themselves nor even give their opinion on any I made. What in thunder they want to have the club for is more than I can see. Darn them for a bunch of rubes. When we got home Frank went out to the stable to see if there were any lambs and was surprised to find two. He is sure they both belong to the same ewe but both ewes were taking a very maternal interest in them. He put on his old clothes and stayed with them till they got up and were nourished but I went to bed. I went down to see my incubator first and found all the eggs on the top of the machine. I took them out to cool and forgot them. They were cool alright and I suppose I can quit worrying about a brooder. It has been getting colder all day and to-night there is a strong wind.</p> <p>Friday March 14th</p> <p>There has been a high cold east wind all day to-day and we haven't done much outside. Dad. helped me get my big incubator down cellar this morning and I fixed it up and made a wire partition to fit in the little one to keep the eggs from the different hens seperate. Dad. took the pork out of the pickle and hung it in the smoke house and Frank repaired and oiled an old halter and the lines that Pommers dragged in the mud when he got away from me. Aunty came over to dinner and Enah and Tid. drove her home with Mexico about</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>four o'clock. To-night Frank and I went down town. He went to a party at Ivey Howells and I went up to the Monteiths. There was supposed to be church again to-night but it was cancelled again. When I got home I wrote a letter to "The Farmer's Advocate" telling about the J.F.I.A.</p> <p>Saturday March 15th</p> <p>Young Albert McBride came in on horse-back this morning to ask Frank to go shooting with him so Frank rode up on his wheel. Dad. and I went back to the woods and got another load of wood. We got up with it about noon and it was raining quite hard. It rained all the after noon so we didn't do much but sit around and read. I went to sleep for the most of the after noon as I had a pain like the ones I had in the summer. We got another flock book to-day. Frank went down town to-night and I read all evening. There were two more lambs in the boxstall when Dad. went out this morning.</p> <p>Sunday March 16th</p> <p>It rained all morning but Frank and I walked down to Sunday school and church. I stayed down at Aunty's to dinner and tea but spent the after noon and evening at the Monteiths. The old man is in pretty bad shape and doesn't seem to be much better. Winnie was at Aunty's to tea to-night and she Aunty and I went to church. The flu is not over yet. Sweetmore died the other day while on a visit to the Falls and Dave. Smith about the first Dover man to return from the war died yesterday. Spring is in the air to-day. It cleared off after dinner and I walked down to the beach from Wedlake's this after noon. The piles of broken ice along the shore are just about washed away, the wind had a warm feel to it and there was a steamy mist out over the lake so that I couldn't tell where the horizon was. I went on out on the dock which is certainly in terrible shape. The end is all gone off the west pier and a great hole washed through the east pier. They have a carload or two of timber down there and are trying to patch it up, but to see that harbour now with six thousand dollars worth of timber looks to me like a harder "task than to prove" than to:- ... "Stop a stream with sand Or fetter flame with silken band. I came up the tack with Hughie Allen and the old red-winged black-birds were flying around in the marsh and to-night wen I came home I heard killdeer</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>{Sketch of a tree}</p> <p>Monday March 17th</p> <p>It has been very mild and muddy to-day and has rained a good deal of the time. Tupper was in for about an hour this morning visiting. I washed out my big incubator and started it going to-day and put the eggs in to-night. This after noon we weighed the steers again on our own scale. The little one just gained six lbs but the big fellow gained 24 lbs. We then hauled over a load of hay for the cattle... Frank went down to a St. Patrick's dance in the hall to-night but it was so rainy and muddy that I didn't go down to band practice and Frank said he doesn't think they had any. I read the "Breeders Gazette" most of the evening.</p> <p>Tuesday March 18th</p> <p>Dad. Enah and Tid all went down to Sam Law's to dinner to-day and spent most of the after noon down there. Frank went down to the mill after some bran for the sheep and I just did chores and sat around and read. Karl. Coleman was in this morning to look at Dad's steer and we sold him subject to Dad's approval for ninety dollars and he is to go a week from Thursday. Dad. was perfectly satisfied with the deal. I went down to see how Marj. was to-night as she had a very stiff neck but she was better and ironing a dress to go to Bessie's party to-morrow night. One egg is chipped and a chicken out in my incubator to-night so I didn't freeze them all the other day. Sam. Law told Dad. that they couldn't get a death certificate and in consequence couldnt bury Dan Smith, as the nurse he had being dissatisfied with Dr. Cooks treatment sent for Dr. Newel in Jarvis. He didn't come but sent some medicine and so neither doctor was there when he died and as Sam Law said they couldn't expect Dr. Cook to give the certificate when he didn't know what the other fellow had given to poison him, however, they got him buried all right to-day with a flag over him and with military honors. It has been raw and cloudy and terribly muddy to-day.</p> <p>Wednesday March 19th</p> <p>I helped Frank put on a load of hay this morning and while he and Dad. put if off in the horse stable I went over to Tupper's and borrowed a setting hen as there are three chickens out in the incubator and I am afraid there won't be many more. I was over there</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>till noon. This after noon I drove Enah down town and I got some coal oil and my hair cut. Enah stayed down to tea as Aunty Alice had a carpet rag bee this after noon Frank went to Billy Dixon's sale and bought a hay truck and a potato digger. Dad. had a busy after noon looking after Tid and a new heifer calf that came after dinner belonging to Young Bobbie. To-night Frank and I went down to church, and after church I went down to a party at Patterson's. There was a big crowd there about forty and they played Five Hundred. I was fortunate enough to get the booby prize. It has been a beautiful spring day but muddy.</p> <p>Thursday March 20th</p> <p>Dad. went down to Aunty's this morning and has been down all day tearing down the fence between Aunty's and Charlie Warren's. He got it all down and the boards piled up. I took six chickens out of the incubator this morning all that are going to hatch and put them under the hen I got from Tupper. I thought she was going to mother them well but before noon she killed four. The first two I found I thought she had stepped on unintentionally but the second two were picked in the head. I took the remaining two away from her and put them in a basket on the stove but I don't know what will become of them. I didn't do any thing much but chore around this morning and took my time at that. To tell the truth it was a beautiful day for "black-snaking." No wind, air warm and sunny, and a lazy drowsy sort of feeling over everything, both man &amp; beast. This after noon I husked a little corn. Frank has been cleaning out the shop all day and by to-night it could be seen that he had started. It is "some" job. Charlie Shand was in for awhile this afternoon on his way down town. He came on horseback as the roads are a fright. Enah drove over to the McPherson this after noon and poor Mexico got stuck and broke a trace coming home. Frank and I went down to J.F.I.A. social evening to-night. We had no music as Charlie Blake had asked to be let off during Lent. Neff &amp; Fleming were down and we played cards, Jacob &amp; Rachel and had a spelling match. No body brought any milk so we took our coffee straight, at least I shoud say they did. Neff came down the Gravel in his Ford but nearly got stalled several times. We got home about three o'clock</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Friday March 21st</p> <p>I spent the morning doing chores and trying to make my two young chickens comfortable. I put them in Dad's birdcage and hung it over the stove. I made a "hen" out of a strawberry basket lined with cloth. They seem comfortable while they are under it but don't know enough to go under of their own accord. Frank finished cleaning out the shop and started to make a whipple-tree for the disks. Dad. cut wood, the small pieces which he can chop with the axe. Frank went down to a party at Frances Slocomb's to-night. I went down town and called for Aunty Alice and Cousin Loll at Col. Smith's on my way home. Mild but a little colder wind than yesterday. Frogs singing to-night &amp; last night.</p> <p>Saturday March 22nd</p> <p>Frank and I had to take Knockfierna up to Ham's this morning again. When we got home George Eagles was here to get Dad. to go up and lance the jaw of Miss McCoy's steer, so he went before dinner. This after noon Frank &amp; Tid went back to the gully to spear pike as they are up in the creeks now. Frank said he saw five and speared one but the spear wouldn't hold them. It is an old four tined spear which the baby has been sharpening up for the last week or two and I guess has it so sharp it cuts right through them. Dad. sawed wood and I split it this after noon. I had a letter from the "Farmer's Advocate" saying my letter was satisfactory and that they would pay me the end of the month in which it was written published. Quite a cold wind to-day.</p> <p>Sunday March 23rd</p> <p>Frank and I went to Sunday school and church this morning and Enah came down to church. Aunty came over here to dinner with Enah and Frank but I stayed down with Aunty Alice and Aunt Ida. This after noon Marj. and I went for a walk down the beach after first getting a film and taking some pictures of the cat. We went down to Aunty's early in the after noon as Aunty Alice wanted to go up and see Huby and didn't want to leave Aunt Ida alone. We stayed down there to tea and entertained Aunt Ida while Aunty &amp; Aunty Alice went to church by singing all the hymns we knew. Marj. played. Frank went down to Corby's this afternoon. Beautiful day, very warm.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Monday March 24th</p> <p>Dad. went up to Miss McCoy's this morning and Frank and I husked corn, we got into some nice stuff and got quite a pile husked. This after noon we weighed the steers again but before we watered them and one only gained one pound and the other four over last week's weights. Frank and the baby then went back to the gully to spear fish as they had borrowed Alfred's spear and came home with seven nice pike. The kid. was tickled to death. Dad. and I sawed and split wood and did chores. Frank and I both went down town to-night to stay all night so as to catch the train for Caledonia in the morning. Frank went to the dance but I went to bed early about 11.30. Another lovely day.</p> <p>Tuesday March 25th</p> <p>Aunty and I set the alarm clock last night and as neither of us knew just what time it was we set it early and set the alarm early so consequently were up about half an hour earlier than was necessary, but as it was such a lovely morning nobody objected. We found {Irvine?} Pow at the station bent on the same quest as ourselves so we had him for company all day. We found cars waiting for us at the Caledonia station, and they took us right out to the Moore farm which was just about a mile north of the town on the old Plank Road. We were surprised to see how dry and smooth the roads were down there and could hardly believe it when they told us that last week they were impassable. We had plenty of time to look over the cattle in the stable before the crowd got too thick, and we were certainly delighted with what we saw. The cows seemed to show much more of the beef type and build than dual purpose animals that I had in my mind's eye but their udders and Records of Performance showed that they were all very profitable dairy animals as well. About eleven o'clock lunch and coffee was served. Each lunch was done up in a seperate paper bag and consisted of a couple of sandwiches a piece of cheese a doughnut and a roll. The bags were all put in a big basket and every one just helped himself. There was another basket of cups which were filled with hot coffee when wanted by one of the half dozen girls that were mingled through the crowd with kettles of the beverage</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>The door yard was well filled with diners and as it was such a beautiful day, it proved very enjoyable as well as novel way of being fed. The simple cleaning up of paper bags and washing of cups must have been a much lighter task for the women folks than the washing of so many plates, saucers, knives, forks and other dishes and clearing away of tables and taking down of benches to say nothing of the sweeping up and setting things in order after the occupation of the house by such a horde of men as was assembled in the door yard that morning. Lunch being over we still had over an hour on our hands before the event started so we three took a stroll over the field to the big red basement barn of a neighbour. The barn looked to be the property of a prosperous man so we thought the cattle inside it would be worth looking at. We found it filled with grade Holsteins, the feeding and milking of which aparently took all of their young owner's time so that their rather unkempt appearance contrasted unfavorably with that of the herd we had just seen all groomed and cleaned and in every way made attractive looking. On our return we found the big tent which had been erected in case of bad weather had been taken down and was in a big heap under a tree so we three sat down on it to wait for the sale to commence. The warmth of the noonday sun, the drowsiness of the springtime air, the drone of conversation all around us, and the faint aroma of tobacco smoke, all had a very soothing effect and if it had not been for the constant chugging, honking and stopping of cars as they came up the lane and took their places in the orchard, and the cackling laugh of some fellow who with two or three others was perched on an old hayrack under an apple tree and aparently enjoying a very amusing conversation, we three should have gone to sleep. The crowd was continually gathering, the men were making some final preparations in the ring. A group of very small boys whom we guessed had been lured by the song sparrows, the sunshine and the crowd from the monotonous routine of the little school house up the road, came hurrying in and after trying several points of vantage around the ringside, decided that the apple tree over the auctioneer's stand was the ideal grandstand and acting on their decision perched themselves along the limbs. Here they</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>stayed very well behaved till Capt. Robson mounted the auction box and beckoned them down whereupon they solemnly scrambled to earth again. We were soon aroused from our comfortable position by the observation that the crowd was closing around the ring. Different groups of men were carrying blocks and planks to make seats so we we decided that if we were to have the place at the ring that our early arrival deserved, we would have to do likewise. We did and got a seat opposite the auctioneer and were soon hemmed in by a big standing crowd behind us. After Hugh A. Scott, secretary of the Caledonian Shorthorn Breeders association and a neighbor of the late Mr. Moore had given a little address relating to the herd their excellence and the estimable character of Mr. Moore, the sale began. Burnfoot Grace was the first cow brought out. She was a nine year old roan squarely built with big frame and in calf to Burnfoot Chieftain the old herd sire. She went for $445.00 to A.D. Wallace, Toronto. We came to the conclusion right then that our chances for getting anything worth while there were pretty slim as we knew that every animal in the sale compared very favorably with this one and we didn't dare risk any more than half that sum, much as we would have liked to. We were not wrong in our conclusion as the bidding was keen on nearly all of them although only one went as high as $1000. She was a four year old cow with an R.O.P. 8147 lbs of milk testing 4.08 as a two year old. J.W. Carter of Ilderton bought her. The lowest price was $170 for a little bull calf. The average price for calves and everything was $440.16. The old bull Burnfoot Chieftain sold for $440.00 just $100. more than his this year's calf out of Burnfoot Lady one of the old good cows. Old Dairymaid the 12 year old foundation cow with a record of 13535 lbs and one-time Canadian champion sold for $350 but was not in calf and was in poor shape owing to a dose of blood-poisoning she got when she calved last time. All the cows were taken by Ontario buyers although there was at least one Americon there, but for some trouble over getting a tuberculin test they couldn't be taken across the line. We heard him say later that if it had not been for this trouble old Dairymaid and the other old cow Burnfoot Lady would never have stayed in Canada. After the sale we went back to Caledonia. Frank and I got a ride with Johnnie Walker a fellow I knew up in Guelph and who I see nearly every time I am around a</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>gathering of Shorthorn breeders and {Irvine?} got picked up by a car. We sat around the Union Hotel listening to this Yankee talking to some others who had been at the sale till six o'clock and then went up to the station getting some biscuits on our way to do instead of supper. The Dover train left at 6.40 and we got home about 8.30.</p> <p>Wednesday March 26th</p> <p>Frank and I bagged up some oats and the corn we husked the other day and took it to the mill. We left the grist there and went on down and got a small load of coal as the road down at the corner is pretty bad. Most of the roads have been scraped. We came home around by Munros corner. This after noon we took Shands rack for their scales home and came back by the mill and got our chop. I took the turnip seed Frank had cleaned up into Arthur Preston and he gave me some swede turnip seed for it. They are all sick again over there. Frank Enah and I went down to church to-night. It has been a very nice day</p> <p>Thursday March 27th</p> <p>It has been a very disagreeable day. Cold and drizzling rain most of the time. Dad. &amp; Frank went over to Tupper's with Daisy May this morning and while they were gone Karl. Coleman came over and got the steer and gave me the money for him. I wrote letters to three different fellows this morning inquiring about bulls. Art Quanbury came after Dad this after noon to go and look after a ewe that was having a hard time lambing. Dad. was over there most of the after noon and said he was afraid the ewe would die. We heard later that she did and the lamb too. We didn't do anything much. Frank went down town to-night.</p> <p>Friday March 28th</p> <p>It froze hard last night and has been cold and very windy all day wind due north. We hauled over a load of hay this morning to the old barn. We wanted to get some to the horse stable but it was blowing too hard. Aunty Alice came over to dinner. Frank rode his wheel down town this after noon and got his hair cut. I just sat around and read most of the after noon. To-night Frank and Enah wrote cards to all the J.F.I.A. members notifying them that Mr. Duncan would be here Thursday night.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Saturday March 29th</p> <p>It has been sunny to-day but the wind is still high and cold. We have spent the whole day doing chores and watching our herd and flock increase. Little No. 4 ewe had a big strong lamb with her when Dad. went out this morning and before noon No 33 had one. They were both big fat lambs but strong, but the event which will make this a red letter day in the annals of Knockfierna was the long-looked for arrival of Elgitha's calf. He too is a big strong bull and a fine roan. Elgitha is so wild no one can get within ten feet of her, but there is no necessity to as she and the calf are both all right. I hung around out in the barn till about four o'clock and then came in and got shaved and ready to take in Mrs. Smith's tea-party. It was a great success. She had nine boys there and Marj. &amp; me. We helped her feed the bunch which included Isabel and then she the colonel and we two had our tea while the rabblement tore around in the other rooms. I went over to band practice for a little while after tea and Marj. shipped the boys off soon after I got back but we stayed for quite awhile listening to the Colonel talk.</p> <p>Sunday March 30th</p> <p>Frank. Tid. and I went down to Sunday school and church this morning. Enah went down to church and Aunty came over here to dinner with her. I stayed down at Aunty Alice's for dinner and tea. This after noon Marj. and I went for a walk but spent most of the after noon visiting. We stopped in at the Davis's to see if Said. had Marj's camera and as Said. had gone out for a walk with her beau who has just returned from the war, we stayed and talked to Mrs. Davis for awhile, we then went down and spent the rest of the after noon at Miss McQueen's. I went to church to-night with Aunty Alice and spent the evening up at the Monteith's. Aunty had a letter from Norah Hall and answering her question about the correct meaning of Knockfierna. She said the "Knock" was Anglesized and should be spelt "Cnoc" but meant a little hill, the whole word she thought would mean a grassy knoll more than a fairy knoll. However it applies just as well, maybe better to the mound as we never happened to catch any fairys there. Beautiful day.</p> <p>Monday March 31st</p> <p>Frank and I went down town in the waggon this morning</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>and got some old cherry logs over at Mr. Jame's. Frank got some boxes to feed the sheep in and I got a can of coal-oil. I saw {Mid.?} and Mr. Bagley go in to Arthur Anderson's so I went in to ask them where they were going to practice to-night as the Women's Institute are having a lecturer up in the room which we have been using and which is also their meeting place. They didn't know where we would meet but said it would be some place maybe in the Masonic hall if there was no fear of us "getting their goat". I found them back in the store rejoicing over a horn which was lost and is found. I think it was an alto which Jack Anderson had. Ed. Moon was in there and wanted to send over some beans to clean through the fanning mill so went down to the house with us to get them. This after noon Frank went down and got some posts at Jack Reynolds and when he came back Dad. went back to the back field with him and put them off. To-night Frank went down to the picture show and I went to band practice. We did have it in the Mason's room. Very cold north wind.</p> <p>Tuesday March April 1st</p> <p>I haven't done any thing much to-day but a few chores. I helped Frank bag up some oats this morning and he took them down to the mill to trade off for oil cake and bran for the sheep. He also went up to Billy Dixon's and got the hay truck and potato digger which he bought at the sale. This after noon he went down town to get Felix Perkins to come over and fix the pump at the windmill. We don't know what is wrong with it but Dad. went to turn the windmill in last night and the rod in the pump was jammed and wouldn't move. The wind was strong and before he knew what happened a piece snapped out of the middle of the jirk-rod. Felix said he would be over in the morning. Dad. Enah &amp; Tid went down to tea at Aunty's to-night and then went to the picture show to see "Uncle Tom's Cabin". I went down and went with Marj. to the second show. It was pretty good. Margurite Clark played Eva and Topsy. Old no. 68 had a pair of lambs late this after noon. She had them in a very short time and none of us were out there. When Frank found them one was up. They were covered with dirt as they were born out in the shed.</p> <p>Wednesday April 2nd</p> <p>Tupper came in this morning and got Frank to</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>go over and help him tear down his verandah. He was having a bee to tear down his verandah and build a garage out of it. Dad. and I helped Felix all morning who came over about ten o'clock. We got the pipes out as far down as the cylinder and found that what made it stick the other night was ice. The drain cock had got plugged in someway and it had frozen up. The sucker needed fixing anyway so we took it out. Frank got home soon after dinner and so I didn't help so much this after noon. We had to let the cows in the field to drink out of the ditch and I carried water from the ditch to the steer, Nellie &amp; Elgitha. Wilbur Ryerse was over nearly all the afternoon. Dess was over for a little while. The assessor was here and Tom came after a jag of straw. Enah went down to church to-night but Frank and I didn't get ready in time but went down afterwards. I took my horn down to Harry Moon as he wanted to give Alf. Harvey &amp; {Gint?} Rankin a little practice. Milder to-day.</p> <p>Tuesday April 3rd</p> <p>We didn't do much to-day except haul a couple of loads of hay over from the big barn. We put one in the old barn for the cows and one in the horse-stable. Colin Ryerse &amp; Tige McBride were both in at different times for awhile. Enah went down town for dinner at her mother's. We put Martha in the box-stall in the horse-stable this afternoon and when Frank and I came home to nigh we found a red heifer calf with her not bigger than a fair-sized dog but all right. Frank and I went down to club to-night. We expected Duncan from Toronto down but he let Neff know that he couldn't come to Neff brought J. E. Johnson down and he gave us a little talk on Co-operation. Neff suggested we form a softball baseball team as the Courtland fellows were and we could meet them now and then in touring. Cloudy, mild, rain to-night.</p> <p>Friday April 4th</p> <p>Frank and I got off on the nine o'clock (new time) car this morning and spent the morning in Brantford. Mr. Cockshutt sent us out to his farm and the man showed us over the Shorthorns. He had one very nice young red bull but wanted $400.00 for him</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>which was more than we could stand, but there was another roan one about seven months old which he only asked $120.00 for. We didn't like him quite so well and his mother didn't give a very big milk record but as all of his - Cockshutt's - stock is of such pure English breeding having come from the Rothschild estate and been line bred for generations, we thought he might make a great impression on our stock and be a good foundation to build up on. However we didn't buy him but thought we would ask Dad. about it and let him know later. We got home at two o'clock by our time. The time of the country is in a beautiful mix up now. The house {illegible} didn't the "Daylight Saving" law because the farmer's made such a howl about it last year, but the railways all adopted new time on the first of April claiming that as they had it on the other side it would cause no end of confusion and probably accidents at the border if they didn't have the same time as the American roads. The consequence is a muddle and no-one is any better of and most people are madder than ever at the farmer's and in this particular case I don't think any one can blame them. When we got up to Aunty's we found Roy there he had come on the car before we did. Old Phelix was here putting the little pump he made for the well at the windmill in at the house-well as the old chain there is just about rusted out. It looks queer there in place of the old bucket and chain well and reminds me of one of these walking sticks we find in the woods {pencil sketch of a walking stick}. Guy Tuple came after Dad. soon after we got home so we helped Phelix while Dad. went over there. I went down town to-night and went with Marj. &amp; Miss Martin to the Presbyterian show in the hall. It was a bunch of middle aged women from Simcoe putting on "The Suffragette Convention" and I think was the poorest excuse for an entertainment that it has ever been my misfortune to attend. Mild, cloudy.</p> <p>Saturday April 5th</p> <p>I went down to Uncle Ward's this morning and borrowed a couple of setting hens from him and put them up over the hog pen and to-night put some eggs under them from the incubator so that they will be prepared to look after the chickens when they come out. When I came back</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>from Uncle Ward's, Tid and I burned the dead grass off the yard where I want to put the little chickens and then Frank and I put the association ear tags in the rams lambs yearlings. After dinner we put them in the yearling ewes and the private numbers in the lambs. Lila came over soon after dinner and Aunty Alice and Roy after that. We didn't do much but chores and visit the rest of the after noon. They all stayed to tea. Two more ewes lambed this after noon No. 40 &amp; No 15 and another one to-night old Lop-ear. Frank went down town to-night and I think went to the show with Lila. I wrote to Cockshutt and told him to send down the little bull if he hadn't sold him as Dad. thought that as we couldn't very well lose anything on him it would be worth trying him to see what sort of impression he would make as well as purifying the blood of our stock. I went to bed early. It rained last night and has been cloudy but very mild all day.</p> <p>Sunday April 6th</p> <p>It was very showery all morning but was a beautiful after noon and is thundering and cloudy to-night. Frank went down to Sunday school this morning but I was</p> <p>too late getting ready as I spent considerable time with my setting hens. I went down to church though. Enah and Tid. also drove down. I stayed to dinner at Aunty's and this after noon Marj. and I went up the Radical Road in quest of pussy willows but didn't find many nice ones although there were plenty of no. 2's. We went through Duncan's woods and down to the beach. It was lovely up there and I was very glad to be without my overcoat. I think this is the most Spring like day we have had and the grass is beginning to show quite green. I had tea with Aunty Alice and Aunt Ida as Aunty &amp; Roy had gone up to Huby's. Aunt Ida and I went to church to-night but were joined at the church by Aunty. I spent the evening up at the Monteiths and when I got home found Dad. &amp; Frank out in the barn with the sheep. Old Split-ear had triplets to-day one of them with a twisted face which Dad. has in the house. Another ewe had a single lamb.</p> <p>Monday April 7th</p> <p>It rained a little more during the night but was sunny and quite hot and muggy all morning and a little cooler and cloudy this afternoon. We trimmed a lot</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>of the loose wool from around the bags of the ewes which have lambed to keep the lambs from getting wool-balls in their stomachs and Frank and I docked the six oldest lambs. We cleaned up the barn floor before dinner and got the fanning mill set ready to clean up the seed oats and Frank and I spent the after noon at it. We didn't get much done but put what we did do through twice and intend to run them through again. They are certainly heavy and when we put them in the big bags we got from the Canning Factory, they handle like wheat. Dad did chores and cut wood most of the day. I took a stroll over the wheat and and over to the garden this morning. The wheat looks fine and so do the strawberries. I went down to band practice to-night. We had a good one.</p> <p>Tuesday April 8th</p> <p>I went over to Quanbury's this morning and borrowed Arts toe-punch to mark my little chickens. The red hen over the hog pen hatched out five chicks from seven eggs. They are all from Hen no 74 one of the Wyandottes which started laying first and has laid more eggs than the rest. I want to keep her chicks seperate in case there is a good cockrel among them to breed. I put six eggs out of the incubator under one of the hens I got from Uncle Ward, but she didn't sit on them and they got cold. I put them under the red hen and one hatched. They were eggs from no 37 the best Plymouth Rock hen. I put nine eggs from the incubator under the other hen I got from Uncle Ward and she hatched eight chicks. They are from No 52. When I got that done, Frank and I put the ear labels in the rest of the lamb's ears. We cleaned up some more oats this after noon. Colin and Lloyd Ryerse came up this morning with their dehorners and took the spikes off the five steers. They are pretty sore to-night and are horrible looking objects as their heads are covered with blood, but they were getting too fond of using their horns which were nasty spikes on the oldest ones. We were to have gone up to Ham Thompson's to play baseball with the J.F.I.A. to-night but it was too wet. It was a nice morning but rained all the after noon and is colder.</p> <p>Wednesday April 9th</p> <p>I spent most of the morning getting my chickens out It was too wet to put them outside so I put them in</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>the unused end of the chicken house. I got them under two hens, one has twenty white ones and the other seventeen black ones. I only got twenty seven out of the incubator and two of them were cripples and had to be killed. Jessie had a nice red bull calf during the night and Dad has had a big job milking her as her bag is caked and and her hind teats very short. She gives a big mess of milk. There was also one more buck lamb this morning. Frank went down town and got three 16 foot Hemlock plank to make a bull pen as I got word from Cockshutt that he would ship the calf to-morrow. We cleaned up a few more oats this after noon but it was late when we got started so didn't get many put through Frank and I went down town to-night but were too late for church. Milder and rather cloudy to-day. Very muddy.</p> <p>Thursday April 10th</p> <p>It has been cloudy and drizzly but quite mild all day Frank and I went down with the team this morning and got a load of shingles Howey has just got a carload in and we thought that by taking them right off the car we would get them a little cheaper although they are dear enough there, five dollars a thousand. The car is on the canning factory siding as it is at last a much handier place to haul them from than Howey's yard. Dad. and Frank measured the roof and and figured it would take just about twenty-one thousand bring the cost up to $105.00 for shingles alone. We put on 42 bunches just half what we need on our first load and hauled it around by Mrs. Munroe's corner as we thought we couldn't get through with a load past Johnson's place, but decided that it wasn't any worse than from our corner on the side road down to the lane. Frank had his dinner early and rode his wheel down to the station to see if the freight on the L.E. &amp; N. was in as we expected our bull on it, and they told him last night it was due about one o'clock new time. He came right back and told us that they had telephoned from Waterford saying that we could unload the bull at Main St. crossing if we were there between two &amp; two-thirty when the train came in. However it didn't get in till just before the three o'clock car came so they backed the cars up on the siding and we unloaded the bull there. We had no trouble getting him off nor getting him home in the waggon and Dad.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>is quite favorably impressed with his appearance. When we got "Moonshine" put away in his new quarters, Frank and I went down and got the rest of the shingles. Frank went dwn town to-night and sent Cockshutt a check for $150.00 for Moonshine. Aunty Alice lent him the money.</p> <p>Friday April 11th</p> <p>Frank went down to Aunty's this morning and was down most of the day fixing their fence between them and the Rankin's. Dad. and I spent the morning doing chores and I gave all the horses a good cleaning. This after noon I started to rake up the lawn and Dad. sawed wood. I measured up the bare spaces in the orchard and figured that we would need about two dozen trees to fill it up. While I was out there I saw a pair of ducks rise out of the water-holes and on taking a walk over saw to more pair rise. Niel Elliott was in to-night and Dad. sold him Daisy May. Dad. hadn't thought much of seliling her but Niel offered him $100.00 and said that was all he could possibly give but Dad. worked him to $120.00 so Dad. sold her. Frank and I went down town to-night &amp; Frank went to the dance. Cloudy &amp; cool.</p> <p>Saturday April 12th</p> <p>Tid. and I finished raking the lawn the other side of the ditch this morning. Right after dinner I went down to Uncle Ward's and ordered some apple trees. A man whom I suppose was Mr. Granton came in and started telling of his experiences in the West and it was three o'clock when I got home. I spent the rest of the after noon raking up the rest of the lawn. Frank went back to the gully this morning with Alfred's spear and got three pike one of them weighing four pounds. He took it down to Alfred. Lila came over this morning and has been practicing on the guitar all day and took it home with her this after noon. Dad. Frank and Tid went down town in the waggon this after noon to get the gutters for the roof and some coal oil. Dad. was going to get Cousin Willie to witness his signature on a proof of age form which Dick Frank &amp; I have to send to our insurance companies but Cousin Willie was down at the dock and although Dad waited for him till five o'clock he didn't show up. Hugh didn't have the gutters cut out either. Still cloudy &amp; rather cold wind. Frank saw first martin on the bird house to-day.</p> <p>Sunday April 13th</p> <p>Frank Tid and I went down to Sunday school this</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>morning and Enah came down to church. Marj. and I went down to Aunty's for lunch and about three o'clock went up to the Monteith's while I pumped some water for them up there and then we came over here to the farm and had tea. Dick {Fomsbe?} was over for awhile to see Dad. about a sick cow. Nice sunny day, cool wind.</p> <p>Monday April 14th</p> <p>Art. Quanbury came over about eight o clock this morning and we have been shingling all day and got the east side of the parlor roof on. We weren't looking for Art. till this after noon and were just ready to haul over a little hay but Frank hauled the rack over to the barn and then went down town and got the gutters from Hugh McQueen and Dad. and I hauled over a little jag of hay when he got back. Sam Law came up after dinner with his hammer and apron and said he heard us hammering so just came up to give us a hand. I suppose Tom has told him we were shingling. I went to band practise to-night.</p> <p>Tuesday April 15th</p> <p>Art. came over this morning and we shingled till noon and got about half of Dick's bed-room roof on but just at noon it began to rain and has kept it up all the after noon and evening. Snowdrop presented us with a black and white heifer calf this morning so it took considerable time after dinner to tend to her and do the other chores. We put some costic potash on the two youngest calves horns and Frank and I put up a lot of hay from the far bent in the big barn up over the sheep pen so that it will be handy to load when we can get the waggon over. It was cold this morning but about noon the wind veered a little more to the south east and it got a little milder. Dad. had to go up on the roof this morning to-night to stick some shingles over the bare spots where it was leaking.</p> <p>Wednesday April 16th</p> <p>It rained hard and steadily all morning and I think all night. It cleared off two or three times during the after noon but rained most of the time and is cloudy to-night. We haven't done any thing but chores all day and sit around and read. The ditch running through the sheep pasture is a regular river, and when Frank let them out at noon most of them plunged right through it as they have</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>been accustomed to do, never taking notice aparently that the bridge was gone. Most of the little lambs went too. Frank and I went down town to-night and I spent the evening over at the Monteith's. Marj. expects to go home to-morrow for the holidays. Aunty told us to-night that Mrs. J. S. Allen died very suddenly Monday night and Mrs. Fred Roleson died Tuesday, she had the flu and Mrs Allen had heart trouble. Lila is quite sick and twenty-five out of the High School are sick in the same way. Frank was up there to-night looking at all the fancy guns Quint sent home.</p> <p>Thursday April 17th</p> <p>Frank and I hauled over two more jags of hay one to the old barn and one to the horse stable. Charlie Munroe was over to see Dad. about a sick cow and Dad. spent most of the morning doing the chores over at the old barn. It takes about all of one man's time over there now to keep things done up right especially now that the yard is so muddy that a lot of them can't be turned out. It cleared off nicely this after noon and I cleaned out the colony house so that if we get a chance to shear sheep we can do it in there. Dad. went back and opened some ditches on the back field. Frank got the clippers oiled up. To-night Frank went down to the J.F.I.A. another social evening but I didn't go down. It will be Good Friday before they get out. Roy came up to-night. Cloudy this morning.</p> <p>Friday April 18th</p> <p>Art came over this morning and we shingled all day. Sam. came up this morning after noon and said he would be back to-morrow if it was nice. This being Good Friday Enah went down to church this morning. Dad. went down town to-night to see Roy but he wasn't home. Nice day.</p> <p>Saturday April 19th</p> <p>Art. and Sam both came over this morning and we got on well with the shingling. We now have just the north sides of the kitchen &amp; dining room roofs to shingle. Dr. Cook was in at noon to-day and said that they all had the flu. over at Tupper's and intimated that some of us would have to go over to do the chores so Frank went over to-night. Tupper had the milking done when he got over there but he said he looked pretty sick and he thought should not have been out. Aunty and Roy came over</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>this afternoon. Frank went down town to-night. Very nice day.</p> <p>Sunday April 20th</p> <p>This has not seemed very much like Easter to me and has been any thing but a day of rest. I went over to Tupper's about half past nine this morning after we had done our own chores and was all the morning over there. Tupper was lying in the lounge in the house and gave me instructions about feeding every thing which I found difficult to keep straight in my head but I followed them as well as I could and thought that as long as every thing got some thing to eat that they needn't worry. While I was over there Dr. Cook came and ordered Tupper to bed as he had quite a fever and told me to go down to Hanselman's and get a nurse there and bring her out to Tupper's. It was just twelve o'clock when I got home and all the family had gone down to church and as Dad. had Joe and the buggy I had to wait till he got home about half past one before I could go after the nurse. By the time I got her, took her out and got home again it was after three. Dad. and Frank were just having their lunch alone as Enah and Tid. had stayed down so that Enah could go to Mrs. Hobbes for after noon tea. I had my dinner and sat around for a half an hour or so and then went back to do Tupper's night chores. Nurse Little gave me some money to get her some beef and whisky so just as I got home about dark Dad. was starting off in the buggy to get Enah and I gave him the order and he managed to get the goods. Frank went down to the corner with him with a bag full of cats which he left in the pond. Dad. thought there were too many around and there is a very big family of little rabbits out now and he didn't want them killed. There are still two tabbys here each with a family of kittens. Enah got home soon after Dad. left. She had been in at Uncle Ward's and he had missed her. It rained this morning but was very nice after noon.</p> <p>Monday April 21st</p> <p>I went over to Tupper's right after breakfast this morning and it was after eleven when I got back so I didn't do much else this fore noon. Frank took a grist to the mill and went down to the Widespread to get the ridge boards but the engine down there was broken so he couldn't get them. Alan Law was past and was telling</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>me Charlie Ivey's side of the story of Clarence Ferris getting fired down at the mill. Charlie bought the lot across from his house on purpose to preserve the big spruce trees along the road on the lot. After he bought it Clarence wanted to buy it from him and Charlie sold it to him on condition he would leave the trees but it was only a verbal agreement. Joe Long wanted the trees so Clarence let him cut them down although Charlie offered to buy them or the lot or another lot down town in order to keep them. If that is the case Clarence certainly deserved all he got because Charlie has treated him well. Karl Coleman was over this morning to look at the steer and told Dad he would give him 12 cts for him when he was ready in two or three weeks. Dad. took Daisy May down on Saturday to ship but Niel wasn't there and had left word at Henderson's that he didn't want her that day but Dad. had never got the word so was very peeved when he had to bring her home again. Karl told him he would make Niel buy her over again and if he didn't make a suitable offer that he himself would take her. This after noon Frank and I sheared one of the rams. I did the shearing and made a pretty messy looking job as I have forgotten how to hold them. We only did the one as Frank had to get to the mill after the chop. Dess came over with a letter from Dick. He enclosed a program of a concert he had been at put on by Austrian-Hungarian prisoners of war which were under Japanese control. I went back to Tupper's about five o'clock and got home about dark. I made arrangements with old Evans to do the chores in the morning. Frank went down to the Masonic dance to-night. Sunny and mild all day, cool breeze. We lost a fine big lamb to-day. Dad. opened him and found a big wool ball in his stomach. That is the second lamb that has died, one of Splitear's died Saturday, but it was never right.</p> <p>Tuesday April 22nd</p> <p>Frank and I got three rams sheared this morning. After dinner Dad. sheared one and then I sheared the old ram. We didn't have time to do any more as I went over to Tupper's about half past four. I rode Joe over and when I got there the cows and calves were all loose in the stable and so I didn't have to bring the cows in nor milk one of them and got home quite early. Dad. went back with the harrows this morning and went over the</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>side hill and took the disks back late this afternoon, the discs cut down to the mud but the top works fine. I went down to band practice to-night. Very mild &amp; fine.</p> <p>Wednesday April 23rd</p> <p>Frank and I sheared another ram this morning but it took quite awhile and we had to put on a load of straw to take over to the horse stable so we only got the one done. Dad. went back and disked the side hill this morning and drilled it in this after noon. It was a hard job he said drilling on the hill as several times he lost track of his drill mark. Dad. hauled our load of straw over to the horse stable and Frank and I put it off right after dinner and before Dad. went back to the field he hauled the rack over to the barn and Frank and I put on a load of hay. It was so late when we got it on that we didn't have time to shear another ram. Aunty Alice was over to dinner and Enah drove her down with Mexico this after noon. Enah got a lot of groceries which Melissa asked me to get and I drove over to Tuppers to do chores. It began to rain while I was over there and rained all evening. I went down and got my hair cut to-night and took my horn down to practice but it was so late when I got around that they were all through. I stayed all night down town as it was such a bad night. Very warm &amp; sultry all day.</p> <p>Thursday April 24th</p> <p>I got home at six o'clock this morning and helped do chores. It turned cold during the night and has been cloudy, cold and a north wind all day and several times it has started to snow. I went up to Simcoe on the 11 o'clock car and went over to Slaght's office but was very disappointed to learn that nothing has been done about the "Sheep Pasture". Slaght is still sick and not expected back in the office for a month. I went in to see Neff for a few minutes he had a Mr. May in there who is going around organizing the county for Y.M.C.A. work. They said they were coming down to Dover this afternoon. Neff said that the Courtland boys would be down at the club to-night to give their debate and advised me to see Mr. Johnson and ask him to act as our judge as the Courtland boys were going to bring one down. When I got home Dad. &amp; Frank where at Aunty's after the ridge-boards for the roof and as</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>I had to go up town to get some bread for Tuppers I stayed down at Aunty's for dinner. After dinner I went up and asked Mr. Johnson to come over to the club to-night but he said he couldn't as there was a vestry meeting on and advised me to get Mr. Robertson so I got Tige to ask him. Soon after I got home Neff and Mr. May came over to look at my heifer and Frank's pigs that we are entering in the Profit Competitions and when they left it was time to go over to Tupper's. Gladys had fourteen pigs to-day. Dad. has two of them in the house but one is not going to live long. We had a great meeting at the club to-night. About six Courtland boys and as many girls came down and we had a good turnout of our own both boys and girls. Corby who was to have helped Frank out in the debate informed us at the eleventh hour that he couldn't come so Frank had to hold up our side alone, however he made a good job of it and the judges made it out a tie. One of the Courtland fellows did very well but the other wasn't so good. Mr. May acted as critic and then gave us a little talk on the Y.M.C.A. and invited us all to go to Simcoe to-morrow night to a meeting they are having to organize the county. After that we had some games and supper. We stayed for a long time after our visitors left and danced and cut up till a late hour. Ham had his phonograph down to furnish the music and Charlie Shand played his mouth organ. We think that will be our last meeting there.</p> <p>Friday April 25th</p> <p>It has been very cold and very windy all day and snowed to-night. We havent done very much but chores. Frank and I put up some hay ready to haul over to the horse stable but it was too windy to haul it. Niel Elliots nephew came over to ask Dad. to take Daisy May down this morning as they were going to drive a bunch to Jarvis. Dad. told him he was pretty sore at having to take her down and bring her home again last week and that now if Niel wanted her he could have her for $125.00 so I went over to Jack Martins as Niel was going to telephone there to say whether he would take her or not. Jack was very disturbed when he saw me as Niel had telephoned him early this morning to tell us to bring the cow down and Jack had promised to and then forgot. Neil called up soon</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>after I got there and said to bring her down so Frank and Dad. went right down with her. Niel was very apologetic and told Dad. that he wouldn't have blamed him if he had sold her, he thought that Dad. knew he didn't want the cow on Saturday. He is a great old bluffer. Frank went down to the Women's Institute dance tonight.</p> <p>Saturday April 26th</p> <p>The ground was covered with snow this morning nearly as much as was on the ground any time this winter. It turned sunny and soon melted off and is milder to-night. We hauled over the load of hay we put on yesterday to the horse stable this morning and this after noon we started to put on another load for the cows but Ham came down and wanted to have a horse clipped so we didn't get it over. I went over to Tuppers early and did the chores and got down to meet the 8.15 train which is due at 7.15 by our time. Marj. came back to-night</p> <p>Sunday April 27th</p> <p>Frank and I went down to Sunday school and church this morning and I stayed down at Aunty's to dinner. This after noon Marj. and I went up to Huby's for awhile as Marj. wanted to take Lila some maple sugar she brought from home. Lila was feeling much better. We went from there to Miss Martin's and I left Marj. there to have tea. I came home changed my clothes and rode over to Tupper's to do the chores. Tupper was feeling much better and came out to the barn for awhile but got severely reprimanded by the nurse for doing it. She told him he was a "bad naughty man". His improved health is making him wayward. The nurse let him out for an hour this morning to visit with Wilbur Ryerse and he and Wilbur got on the sunny side of the straw stack and he stayed out nearly all morning. I went back to Miss Martin's after tea as I couldn't get down before church was out. Enah and Tid. went for a drive with Mexico this after noon. Sunny, cool breeze.</p> <p>Monday April 28th</p> <p>Frank and I took a grist to the mill this morning and went from there down to the lake and got part of a load of sand and some plaster to plaster the ceiling in the spare room. We also got a barrel of salt. Ham Thompson came in after dinner with Hugh A. Scott, who came to</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>look at the cattle. After he left Frank and I went to the mill and got our chop and I went over to Tuppers when I got home. Tupper was down town when I got there but came home before I left and said he thought he could manage his chores himself from now on. I borrowed a setting hen from him. To-night I went down to band practice. Al. Faulkner has been cutting up again. He got on a tear Saturday and went up Main St. in his car about dark at 40 or 50 miles an hour, ran into Bruce McQueen and his wife who were coming down in a buggy and hurt Mrs. McQueen very badly. Cloudy and cool.</p> <p>Tuesday April 29th</p> <p>Frank and I went to Simcoe this morning in the waggon and got four bags of Irish Cobbler potatoes for seed, {illegible}, oil cake, bran, &amp; feed flour from Johnson. I went in to see Neff about my Dairy Profit competition and Frank went to get some ledger plates for the mower and some stumping powder but he couldn't get any. We had Joe &amp; Queen and as Queen hasn't been out all winter we had to let her go pretty slowly and it was about three o'clock when we got home. Dad spent the day I think helping Enah house clean. Nice day, sunny, cool breeze.</p> <p>Wednesday April 30th</p> <p>Frank and I gathered up most of the shingles off the lawn this morning and put them in the wood shed and Enah raked it this afternoon. Dad tore off some more shingles from the north side of the dining room roof as Charlie said Art would be over this after noon and then he took the team back to harrow the side hill. Art. came after dinner and he and Frank shingled all the after noon. Dad. took the team back and finished harrowing the side hill and I cleaned out the cow stables and then went back and disked on top the hill and Dad. came up and helped shingle. It doesn't work too badly but looks like more rain to-night. Neff was on for a minute or two this morning and brought us some milk preserving tablets. I went down town to-night. Nice day and sunny but east wind.</p> <p>Thursday May 1st</p> <p>It has rained most of the day and so we have done no outside work at all. I spent most of the morning filling in my Dairy profit and egg sheets</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>for April as well as writing this and filling up crop reports for the Bureau of Statistics. Dad. went over to Art Quanbury's and helped him shear a sheep. I read and did chores this after noon. Frank cleaned out the drive house and Dad. made a wheelbarrow for Tid. and scraped plaster off the spare room ceiling. Charlie brought the clipping machine back this after noon and said Art. had all his sheep sheared.</p> <p>Friday May 2nd</p> <p>It was raining again this morning but cleared off soon and has been very windy all day. We couldn't do any thing on the land or the roof to-day. Frank finished cleaning out the stable and drive house and Dad. scraped the rest of the plaster of the spare room ceiling. I took the chickens out of the incubator this morning and had a much bigger hatch than I expected and so had no accomodation for them. I have 25 under the hen I got from Tupper but that is the limit of her capacity and I still have 14 in the machine. I tried putting them under the hen with the older chickens but she wouldnt own them so I am going to get a hen from Charlie Quanbury and try to make her own them. I spent most of the day when not with the chickens husking corn. Frank helped me this after noon and we got nearly all the corn that is left husked. Frank and I went down town to-night. Frank went to a party at Anna Holden's. Huby saw Less. Parish to-day who has just got home. He saw Quint two days before he left but he had lost some of his papers so couldnt sail with his battery which is now in Canada. Less says it may be a long time before he can get home and will have to be a {illegible}.</p> <p>Saturday May 3rd</p> <p>Art came over this morning to shingle and they tore all the shingles off the dining room side of the roof. It started to rain about noon but we kept right on shingling after dinner and finished that side about four o'clock the rain didn't ammount to much. I drove out to the Shand's this morning to see if we could get some seed barley from them and they said we could. Willie was drilling but the ground was pretty packed. I stopped in at Charlie Quanbury's on my way back and borrowed one of his hens. He had two with seven chickens apiece so he doubled them up and gave me one hen. I put the fourteen chickens with her out of the</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>{Repeat of previous page}.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>machine and she mothered them all right. Charlie was in this after noon on his way home and said it rained very hard out at his place. We did chores up fairly early and I went down to Aunty's to spend the evening. The two Miss Hardings and Miss Martin were there playing bridge. Marj. was there also and to wind up with we had a five handed game of Five Hundred. Rained again to-night.</p> <p>Sunday May 4th</p> <p>Frank Tid. and I went down to Sunday school and Church this morning. I stayed at Aunty's to dinner and went up to band practise this after noon. Enah and Tid. went down town as Enah had to practice for the mother's choir. They stayed down to tea at Aunty's but I came home and helped do chores. I went down town again this evening, got Mexico out of Aunty's barn and left him tied to a tree in front of Dick {Name?} for Enah and then I spent the evening at the Monteith's. The mother's choir was a great success. It rained hard during church but cleared up during the after noon but to-night there was a terrific thunder storm and I got caught in a heavy storm going home.</p> <p>Monday May 5th</p> <p>Frank Slocomb came over this morning and has been here the most of the day plastering the spare room ceiling and patching the parlor. Dad. and Frank have been helping him. I just did call chores and husked a little corn but got so sleepy doing that I had to quit. Dad. had a letter from George Pilley to-day dated at Toronto and saying he would be here to-morrow so Enah went down town this night after noon to get some paper to cover the new plastering. Frank went to a dance at Pete Holmes and I polished up my horn. Fine day.</p> <p>Tuesday May 6th</p> <p>Frank went down town this morning to see if Harry Dyer could come over to paper the parlor ceiling to-day but he couldn't so Frank got Jerry Burtch to say he would come to-morrow morning. I fixed up a chicken coop and moved my little chickens out this morning. Dad. did chores and helped Enah house clean and Frank and I sheared the last two rams before dinner. Ah! Dad. sheared the last one. Just after dinner Aunty Alice and George Pilley came over. We didn't know what train George</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>would come on but he came at eleven and Aunty Alice met him. This after noon we sheared four of the yearling ewes. Tonight Enah, Frank and George went down to the memorial service in the church. Mr. Jeakins an ex-chaplin was down from Brantford and they unveiled the new altar in memory of the boys who were killed at the front. I was too late getting through to be in time for church but I went down and Marj. and I went and called on Belle Smith afterwards.</p> <p>Wednesday May 7th</p> <p>Frank went down with the waggon this morning and got Jerry Burtch and his outfit and he came over and papered the parlor ceiling in about an hour and a half and made a very slick job of it. Then Frank had to take him home again. We got two more ewes sheared this morning and Dad. sheared one with the handshears, but it was pretty dull. This after noon we sheared three more and got a little hay over to the horse stable and cow barn. Dad. put the parlor carpet down this after noon. I went down town to-night. George has been entertaining us with stories of his four years at the front. He was certainly lucky to come through it as well as he did. Rained a little this morning. Fine day.</p> <p>Thursday May 8th</p> <p>We started to shear sheep this morning and got one done (the last of the yearlings) when Art. came over wanting to shingle, so we went at it. George helped us and we finished the job to-night. Dad. and Art were till after six putting on the ridge boards but it is all done now except to clean up the mess. I had to go down to band practise to-night and had to leave all the milking to Dad. He didn't get through till nearly ten o'clock. I got a can of Brasso down town and after I got home worked till twelve o'clock polishing my horn and then didn't finish. Frank and George went down to see Ada. to-night. I saw Alan, Art. Munroe and Kilt Moore to-night. They all looked fine. Fine and warm this morning, but colder &amp; rain to-night.</p> <p>Friday May 9th</p> <p>We bagged up a grist this morning and Frank took it down to the mill while Dad. and I started to put on a load of hay. When Frank got home he hauled it over to the horse stable and George, Frank and I put it off. Frank then went down to the mill after the chop and I put a little more polish on my horn and then</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>got ready to go down town. I got down there at half past one alright and at two o'clock sharp we started our parade. We marched up to the school house followed by the girl guides and all the school kids and then played marches or hymns and listened to speechs alternately. R.M. Taylor explained the idea of planting a memorial grove of elms. Jack Martin complimented the Women's Institute for taking up the work and mentioned something about the soil of Dover being very good for trees. Then the three preachers had a little to say. Mr. Robertson winding up with a prayer and the school kids sang "O, Canada" and "The Maple Leaf." Neff was down to supervise the setting of the first trees. Mrs. Bell as president of the W. I. planted the first tree and then the band marched the crowd back to town leaving Huby &amp; Mr. Johnson to plant the rest of the fifty trees. I don't know how they made out. Frank and George went down town this after noon but were too late to see the ceremony. Enah and Tid. drove down also and I guess were late. I went in to see Punk McDonald for awhile this after noon. He has just got back from France and is staying at Mrs Lawson's. I went down town again to-night and Frank went to Craig Long's hard-time dance. George was going too but when the time came decided to go to bed instead. Rained a little this morning but fine &amp; cool after noon.</p> <p>Saturday May 10th</p> <p>It has rained steadily all day to-day, not very hard much of the time but a very soaky, dismal drizzle. We sheared sheep in the shop all day and got six done. We carried them over from the barn in the crate and carried them back after they were sheared. Dad. helped us and did chores and George ironed off a whipple-tree, fixed the wool box, and put a latch on the door of the shop. To-night Frank, George and I went down to Aunty Alice's to spend the evening. Winnie, Lila, Dess, Fraser, Marj., Ada and Douglas Skey were all there and we had a lot of fun playing games such as consequences and making poetry. We had to make a verse answering a question and using a word that two others had written on a piece of paper, folded and passed on. Douglas drew for a question "Whether is the song of nightingale sweeter in the morning or the evening" and his word was "Word." Douglas wrote "The word of the bird is sweet." Aunty Alice said "Brevity is the soul of wit." We got home about midnight.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Sunday May 11th</p> <p>Frank and George went for a walk over Brant Hill this morning and I went to Sunday school but was very late as I cut my chin while shaving and couldn't stop the flow of gore for some time. When I got there {Name?} Ryerse was marking the book as Miss Martin didn't show up and I had to step lively to get the books dished out. I went to church and found George &amp; Frank there. We three went to Aunty's for dinner. This after noon Marj. and I went up to Miss Martin's with the money we cleaned up at Sunday school and found her looking very tired and her father sick in bed. We didn't stay long as the Best's came up, but we spent the remainder of the after noon at Miss McQueen's. I came home to tea and to do chores and went down again after tea and spent the evening at the Monteith's. George &amp; Frank went up to Huby's and to see Ada this after noon. Mrs Hobbes invited them there to tea with Ada. but Frank came home to do chores George went and after tea he and Ada went up to Waterford with Mr. &amp; Mrs. Robertson from Toronto in their car. They went on to Brantford and Ada &amp; George spent a little while with Ada's freinds in Waterford &amp; came back on the car. Rained all day, drizzle</p> <p>Monday May 12th</p> <p>Karl. Coleman came over this morning and got the steer I went down with him and saw him weighed. He just came to 960. Dad. was very disappointed as he was expecting him to go at least 1000 but Karl told me to-night after he killed him that he had no fat inside at all. Frank &amp; George sheared sheep while I was gone and I helped them the rest of the day. We got eight done and only have two more to do now. Old Broadley &amp; Jason were here to dinner, the first trip of the season and old Broadley sheared one sheep for us after dinner. Frank Ryerse was in just after tea to-night to see Dad. about a horse that has the colic. I rode down town with him to band practise. Frank and George went to the picture show. Cloudy &amp; cool this morning but cleared off.</p> <p>Tuesday May 13th</p> <p>We sheared the last two sheep this morning and got all the wool packed in the big sack. We hung it under the trap door in the ice house and Frank got in and tramped it. This after noon Dad. and Frank took it down and shipped it. Dad. stayed down to get his hair cut and walked home and brought Marj. over with him. Winnie &amp; Dess. had</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>come over earlier. George and I cleared up some of the old shingles around the house this after noon and I cleaned out the cow stables. Dad. let the cattle back to the gully this after noon but as the fence isn't fixed yet into the field, they all got in, at least the cows did. The calves didn't go out of the lane. I went back after them about five and they were right back at the woods and the felt so fine to be out that I had to do considerable chasing to get them into the lane.</p> <p>Wednesday May 14th</p> <p>Frank and George went back to fix the fence in the gully this morning and about half past ten I went back to help them. I had been cleaning up shingles around the house before Dad. had to go (I wrote most of the foregoing while I was asleep, so quit and went to bed) down to Alex Jameson to see a sick horse. This after noon Tom came up to have Maude clipped and to get his fruit out of the cellar and they also clipped Mexico. He looks like a different horse. I spent the after noon gathering up shingles and got the worst of the job done. I went down town to-night. Frank also went down, calling some place I think. It has been warm and sunny to-day but looks rainy to-night.</p> <p>Thursday May 15th</p> <p>It was raining this morning so we didn't go back to the gully to fix fence but put on a small load of straw and hauled it over to the horse stable. We then put a small jag of hay in the horse stable. This after noon Enah and George &amp; Tid. drove Mexico down town and Enah took George through the woollen mill. He was very interested in it. Dad. &amp; Frank cleaned out the cellar this after noon and I cut and cleared up part of the lawn. We were to have gone up to Ham Thompson's to-night to play base-ball but Jack Martin came over and it was so late when we got through and a heavy fog that we thought it was no use going up. I went up for a little while though and some of the fellows were there. I rode Frank's wheel up but walked it most of the way home. Enah &amp; I played duets on the piano &amp; horn when I got back. Cloudy &amp; drizzly this morning but fine after noon.</p> <p>Friday May 16th</p> <p>It was a little too wet this morning to finish cutting the lawn so I went out and staked out the places for the little trees in the orchard. I can get two dozen all but one in the bare space at the north end of the orchard</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>and so can protect them by simply fencing them off and will not need to barricade them. It began to rain just about noon and has kept it up all the after noon increasing in violence till to-night every thing is flooded and it is pouring down. I didn't do any thing much this after noon. George &amp; Frank spent the day building stancions for the calves out in the old barn. Dad. and Tid. drove down town this after noon, I think to settle up various accounts. George Frank and I went down to Ada's to-night to a little party Miss Beemer who has lately returned from France where she has been nursing was there and Bill &amp; Zeitha Barwell, Douglas Skey, the two Miss Hardings and the Huby family. We danced and had a very nice time generally.</p> <p>Saturday May 17th</p> <p>It has been a cold drizzly day. George &amp; Frank finished building the stancions for the calves and they made a grand job of it. I did a few chores and went over to Ivey's and got some more paeony roots. They are all coming up through the ploughing and I think they just intend to cultivate them all up and put oats there so I thought I would take what I wanted while I had the chance. Enah and George drove Mexico down town this after noon. I just puttered around and built a wren house. I got the cows up about 4.30 and left Dad. &amp; Frank to do the chores and I went down to the Harding's for tea. Enah and George also came and Douglas Skey and Ada. We came home quite early.</p> <p>Sunday May 18th</p> <p>I went down to Sunday school with Tid. this morning and George &amp; Frank went for a walk up the beach but we all went to church. Enah drove down to church and Ada came back with her to dinner. Marj. came over to dinner with me. We were very late getting through dinner as Mr. Johnson preached such a lengthy sermon on the subject of having his salary raised. We sat around for awhile after dinner and then George, Ada and Frank went down to Huby's for tea I didn't go down but helped do chores and Marj. stayed here to tea and we went down about ten o'clock. George &amp; Frank stayed all night down at Aunty's so that George could get off easily on the 7.30 train in the morning. I went in on my way home but they had all gone to bed. It has been sunny &amp; nice to-day. Cool breeze drying up the mud.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Monday May 19th</p> <p>I sowed clover seed on the wheat this morning and Dad. and Frank strung barbed wire along the top of the lane fence and straightened it up where the colts had broken it down. This after noon I raked up and cut the rest of the lawn and put my wren house up in the pear tree. Dad. &amp; Frank kept on at the fence. Broadley &amp; Jason were here to dinner. I Went down to band practice to-night. We are going out again on Friday to help the school kids celebrate Empire day. Fine day.</p> <p>Tuesday May 20th</p> <p>It poured rain early this morning and has been cloudy and wet all day but didn't rain much more. I took the hen I borrowed from Uncle Ward home this morning and stopped in for awhile at Quanbury's on my way back. Art was building a chicken coop &amp; Charlie was remodelling his tractor. Dad. and Frank had gone back to the gully to fix fence when I got home as Charlie Butler had brought word that the cattle were on the road. I didn't do any thing much this after noon except write a couple of letters one to Cockshutt asking him to have the bulls pedigree hurried along and one to McEwen reminding him that we have some rams for sale. Dad. did chores and Frank pulled teasels on the road. Aunty came over about four o'clock and stayed to tea. Frank went down with her to-night. There is a great strike on now in Winnipeg and the city is almost completely isolated from the rest of the country as there is no mail telegraph or newspapers. From all accounts they have set up a regular Bolshevik rule except that there has been so far no rioting. It seems that the trouble is caused by certain employers refusing to negotiate with Labor officials outside their own employees and will not recognize the "One big Union". It is surprising and rather alarming to see what a strong undercurrent of straight Bolshevism there is in labor circles all over Canada. Another event of a very different nature is causing the world excitement, and that is the attempt of Aviator Hawker and his pilot Grieve to fly across the Atlantic. They left Sunday after noon in a little Sopwith biplane and expected to make the trip in 20 hours. Last night the evening papers said he</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>had been sighted 400 or 500 miles off the coast of Ireland about nine o'clock yesterday morning, but the morning papers to-day contradicted that report and they said he had fallen into the sea some where near the Irish coast. To-night's papers however, seem to indicate that he is without doubt lost and they think he fell before he got very far from the Newfoundland coast. Hawker was an Australian, and his English rival for the honor to be the first to cross and win the $50,000 price offered by the London Times, started as soon as he saw Hawker leave but he had an accident before he got off the ground. Three U.S. Navy seaplanes left three or four days ago but they didn't attemp a non stop flight. Two of them got safely to the Azores and the third one was picked up some place. They had a row of ships across fifty miles apart for protection.</p> <p>Wednesday May 21st</p> <p>Frank and I were back in the gully fixing fence this morning. Dad. took us back in the waggon and then took the team back home. Old Evans came after him and took him out there to see one of his old horses which has the heaves or something. Frank and I went back to the gully after dinner but were only back a short time when it commenced to rain. We stayed till we got pretty well soaked and then came up and put on a change of raiment and I shaved. Dad. spent the after noon helping Enah house clean the clothes-room and getting ready to plaster the ceiling of it. To-night I went down town and spent the evening at the Monteiths.</p> <p>Thursday May 22nd</p> <p>I took Tupper's hen back home this morning and came back through the gully and helped Frank fix fence. We have been at that all day and are not through yet by any means but we are making a good job of it as we go I think. Dad. plastered the ceiling in the clothes room and helped Enah house clean all day. Frank went down town right after dinner and got our wool cheque cashed and got the pedigree for Moonshine which came registered. The advance payment on the wool was $105.00 I went down to band practice to-night and Frank went up to Ham Thompson's but it was too wet to play ball. Drizzled this morning but cleared off fine &amp; warm.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Friday May 23rd</p> <p>I set out two little shrubs Tartarian Honeysuckle which Aunty sent over this morning and as I put them across the ditch and had to dig holes in the clay and fill in with other earth it took me quite awhile. I helped Dad. trim Maple Hil Nellie's &amp; the bull's toe-nails Dad's lamb which has been sick for the last few days died this morning and Dad. opened him and found a growth on his bowels stuck fast to the ribs and on further examination found him full of tape worms. Tid. and I went down to Aunty's for dinner and I helped them put in some stakes for the peas. I went up town right after dinner to see what the band was going to do but it was raining quite hard at two o'clock so we couldn't march and it was no use going up to the school house as the kids couldn't have their sports. They were all crowed around the park under umbraellas so we all went down on the band stand and tore off a few selections. After we had been there about half an hour some one noticed a crape over on George Thompson's door. I suppose old Mrs Hambleton is dead so we thought we had better move. All the kids had gone up into the hall so we went up there and stayed for the rest of the after noon played a little, and listened to the usual run of speeches. Inspector Cook was the principal speaker and explained the formation of the Union Jack most of which was news to me but the kids seemed by the answers they gave to know all about it. The occasion for the celebration was the presentation by the I.O.D.E. to the school of a flag. Cousin Clare seemed to represent the former and handed a roll of bunting which I suppose was a flag to Mr. Johnson or Mr. Smith I forget which and Mr. Johnson mumbled out a prayer or so and that was about all the ceremony ammounted to. Tid. and I came home to tea and after we did chores I went down and spent the evening with Marj. R.M. Taylor proclaimed Monday as a holiday to celebrate Victoria Day instead of to-morrow. Mr. Watson announced to the kids that although it was a holiday in town they would have to go to school just the same on Monday, but Taylor wouldn't have it so and made it plain to everyone that Mr. Watson would have to observe his proclamation which brought him loud and prolonged cheers from the kids.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Saturday May 24th</p> <p>Frank and I dosed all the lambs with worm tablets this morning and put the ear labels in the the three youngest. Auson Abbot came in and got the four pigs which Tom had bargained for and after we got him loaded up Fred Krell came after two bags of clover hay for his rabbits and he was here till nearly noon telling us all about the rabbit business. He has a bunch of Flemish Giants, and expects to raise some fancy show stock from them. This after noon Frank took Alfred's spear home and I cleaned out the cow stables and then we both fixed fence in the gully till chore time. Old Ed. Walker and Johnny Richardson came over to-night after their pigs. Gladys had them all out in the yard and her door came shut so that she couldnt get them in again and they were just like so many mud balls. Old. Walker wanted two boar pigs and Frank caught a boar first but old Johnny put it in his bag and then wouldn't trade it with old Walker for a sow as he thought it was a little bigger so we had to corner up another boar for old Walker and Gladys didn't like it a bit. We got them fixed up at last however and they drove off to-gether like a pair of kids with new pets to play with. Fine and rather sultry all day. Looks rainy. I polished my horn up again to-night. Frank told me when he came home that the youngest of the Zealand's William I think his name is, was drowned to-day just below the house. He and Billy Mill's little girl were playing on the boat house landing which has just been built and they both fell in. The Mills kid hung on to the landing till they got her out but the little boy was either hurt or too frightened and was drowned in about two feet of water. He was just five years old.</p> <p>Sunday May 25th</p> <p>Frank Tid. and I went down to Sunday school and Dad. and Enah went down to church this morning. Aunty came over here to dinner and I stayed down there. This after noon Marj. and I went to the woods and got some violets. We found Lila up there with Chum looking for dogwood. We then went up and saw Glad. Law who came up for the 24th. I came home to help do chores and went back about the time church was out Frank Ried was there telling of the work of the Y.M.C.A. Aunty Alice said she liked his address. Beautiful day.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Monday May 26th</p> <p>I spent most of the day cleaning up around the place. I cut the lawn this morning and this after noon cleaned up the shingles around under Dick's window. Dad. and Frank did chores &amp; odd jobs. Frank took a grist to the mill and they hauled a jag of hay over to the horse stable. Enah went over to Mrs. Battersbys to after noon tea and came home with the information that Quint's name was amongst those of the troops just landed at Halifax so that naturally created considerable excitement as she said Aunty &amp; Aunty Alice were quite sure he would be here to-night. We all went down to-night. I had to go to band practice but went down to the eight o'clock car but Quint didn't show up. I saw Win. and Lila and they were very surprised that we should be looking for him. Aunty was to have gone to London to-day but put it off till to-morrow in hope that Quint. would be home to-night. They had letters from Dick to-night and he hoped to sail on the "Empress of Russia" which is due at Vancouver in a day or two. This was a holiday in town to-day and they had great sports at the school house. Today's paper says Hawker &amp; Grieve were picked up alive in mid ocean and are both alright.</p> <p>Tuesday May 27th</p> <p>Dad. went back this morning and got the disks and has put in most of the day working up the old garden. It is wet but so sandy that it doesn't matter. I spent the day taking the sod of a strip of the lawn where I want to plant my perennial border and resodding the square under Dick's window. Frank has been doing odd jobs. He treated some potatoes with formalin and dug up a lot of sow thistle in the meadow east of the orchard. He says there is quite a patch of it over by the sheep pasture fence. There were three or four little plants of it there last year but we thought we got every particle of it out, evidently it has fooled us. Frank went down to the dance to-night and I went down to see if old Quint came but he didn't. It has been a beautiful day &amp; looks cleared up.</p> <p>Wednesday May 28th</p> <p>Dad. worked all morning harrowing the old garden and plowing furrows to plant potatoes. Frank and I cut up a bag of potatoes and planted them out there. This after noon Dad. took the disks back and worked on the back field next the woods. He said it didn't work</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>too badly. Frank planted a lot more garden seed in the old garden and I spent most of the after noon taking a piece of chicken wire off the fence up by the hog pen where it was stretched on the other wire and put it across the end of the yard where I have the little chickens to try to keep them off the road and the lawn. Aunty Alice was over here to dinner and Enah drove her down town this after noon. Dad. &amp; Enah went down to-night to see the Hobbes but they weren't home. Mrs. Hobbes has been moved and is going to leave Monday. Every one is very sorry about it. I went down to-night to a meeting that was called to discuss 1st of July celebrations, but as they didn't start the thing going till about nine o'clock I left and spent the eveing down at Aunty Alices. Marj. was down there acting as she said "watch dog" for Aunty Alice. They had a letter from Roy saying Quint was in Toronto.</p> <p>Thursday May 29th</p> <p>I went down right after breakfast this morning to get the little apple trees at Uncle Wards. I took Aunty Alice's quince tree down to her and planted it. I helped Uncle Ward take off a couple of upstairs storm windows as he can't climb on a ladder and then came right home with my trees and started to put them in. It took me nearly all day to put them in and mulch them and I have four to mulch yet. There were eighteen of them 12 of which were Snows, 4 Duchess one Spy which Aunty wanted us to put in for Tid. and one a new variety supposed to be all that its name implies, Delicious. Dad. went back with the team this morning and Frank went with him and between them they have worked all day on the back field. Dad. went over to John Wess's to see if he wanted his sheep sheared. He said he didn't know how he was going to get it done so Frank came up and got the machine and took it over. John Wess was working on the land but put the team in to help. Frank was over shearing till three o'clock and then Dad. went over and stayed to tea. Frank sheared five. Dad. three and Wilbur Ryerse was in at noon and did two, one in seven minutes. Frank and I did all the chores up to-night and then went up to Ham Thompson's to play baseball. It was pretty late when we got there and the boys had quit playing and Ham was knocking up flys. Mrs Thompson made us sandwiches. Dandy day.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Friday May 30th</p> <p>Dad. has been disking all day on the back field. He got all over it lengthways this after noon and started disking crossways. I finished mulching the little trees this morning and set out some tomato plants that Aunty Alice gave Enah. I also dug around some of the little poplar trees along the side road. While I was at that Pickford saw me and haled me over to look at his sow and crops. I was over there till nearly noon. This after noon Frank and I went out to Shand's after our barley seed. They had it all cleaned so we weren't out there very long. When we got back we took the little team back to the field and I harrowed till five o'clock. It was very hot for them. I went down town to-night. Aunty got home from London to-night. Fine &amp; very hot</p> <p>Saturday May 31st</p> <p>We have worked on the land all day but as we had old Pommers in all day we had to give it to him easy. Dad. put him and old Harry on the disks this morning and I went around with him for about an hour with the rope through the bit, but as he soon cooled down, we didn't bother with the rope but Dad. walked behind the disks all day. He got pretty well tired out but is big enough to stand it. I had Queen &amp; Belle on the harrows for a little while before dinner and this after noon. Queen rammed into it all day and as it was very hot they were wringing wet to-night. After tea to-night I took the buggy down to the mill and washed it and then had a shower bath under the flume. Got home soon after ten. Frank went down town to-night and says Quint is not home yet.</p> <p>Sunday May June 1st</p> <p>Frank Tid. and I went down to Sunday school this morning and Enah drove down to church. This afternoon Marj. and I went for a drive down the Lake Shore with Queen. Dad. went down to Aunty's and Enah went down to see the Hobbes and then stayed to tea at her mother's. Frank went off on his wheel after dinner and didn't get home till about midnight. I think he was down at Dave Ward's. I helped Dad. do chores and then went down town for the evening. It was very hot to-day and the Lakeshore road was lined with cars and picnicers</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Monday June 2nd</p> <p>Dad. took Harry &amp; Pommers back and disked all morning with them. I went back and helped him hook up and then came up and helped Frank mix the barley &amp; oats for seed and treat it with formalin. That took us till about noon. Broadley &amp; Jason were here for dinner and we didn't get a very early start this after noon. Dad. took the drill back with Harry &amp; Joe and I took the seed with Belle &amp; Queen and we let Pommers rest. Dad. started to drill and I harrowed ahead of him and we got over quite a little piece of ground. I went down to band practice to-night. Still very hot and dry.</p> <p>Tuesday June 3rd</p> <p>Dad. disked this morning and I harrowed. Dad. had Dave in with old Harry this morning and at first he went fine but after he got started he fought badly. Dad. put Joe &amp; Harry on the drill this afternoon and got some more drilled but on account of the heat couldn't make much headway for fear of doing up the horses. I harrowed with Belle &amp; Queen for awhile this afternoon but poor old Belle was fagged right out. They are soft any way not having had any work all spring and this awful heat they say is killing a good many of them where men are not careful. To-night Marj. and I went to the picture show which was very funny.</p> <p>Wednesday June 4th</p> <p>I haven't worked the team to-day at all as it is still very hot and Dad. thought it was unsafe to put Belle in. Dad. has been back all day with Joe and Harry. He finished disking &amp; harrowing but didn't get it quite all drilled. I cut the lawn this morning and spent most of the after noon wheeling the compost heap out to where I want to put the perennial border. Frank did odd jobs in the garden and around the house. Enah and Tid. went down town to Aunty Alice's for tea. She had Dick, Mrs Dick (Molly) &amp; Alan Tibbits down there for tea Dad. and I drove Queen down after tea and Dad went down there and came home with Enah and I went for a drive up the Radical Road with Marj. Frank was down town too and went up the creek.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Thursday June 5th</p> <p>Dad. took Joe and Harry back this morning and finished drilling the field and started harrowing. This after noon we both went back as Dad. had Pommers in intending to put him on the harrows but he seemed to be "feeling his oats" and showed several signs of misbehaviour so Dad. decided it would not be wise to hook him to the harrows so we hooked him to the drill disks and brought them up around by the road. A car passed us along by the corner field and he paid no attention to it till it got past and then he kicked three or four times and kicked so hard that he broke the end of his whippletree. I went over to Pickfords and borrowed a rope to tie the end of Harry's doubletree back and we got them up without any more mishaps. It started to rain soon after we got back and rained hard for awhile. When it was over Dad. and Frank went back and brought up the waggon and a couple of bags of oats which Dad. had left over. Arthur Preston was over during the rain and we sat out in the drive house discussing the League of Nations, Peace Conference, Winnipeg Strike and other little matters of equal unimportance. I oiled or at started to oil harness this morning. The pure bred calf got out of the barn this morning and we hunted high &amp; low for him but couldn't find him till the rain came and scared him up out of the clover where he had been lying concealed only a few feet from where we had walked looking for him. We didn't go up to Ham's to-night.</p> <p>Friday June 6th</p> <p>Dad. went down to Aunty's this morning to trim up the walks and the lawn for them and was down all day. I spent the morning filling out applications for the registration of the lambs and three purebred calves, it took me till noon. This after noon I finished oiling the light harness. Frank worked over in the garden disking up the place where we want to set out the strawberries and he set out some tomato plants. Cooler. Old Quint got home last night. I saw him to-night. Bigger than ever.</p> <p>Saturday June 7th</p> <p>Dad. and Frank went back and ran out the ditches in the field Dad. has just sowed while I dug up part of my perennial bed. It is so late know that I guess I will have to just summer fallow it.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>and possibly plant it in the fall. When they came up we went out and set out about 150 strawberry plants. We went back after dinner and set out the rest of the patch about 300 plants altogether. Frank and I put on a little jag of hay for the horse stable and Dad. cut some of the long grass around the shop. I had to quit early to get down and go with the band out on the "City of Dover" Holbe was opening the season by running free excursions out in the lake and Mid. invited the band to go along in the evening. We had two trips one at eight and one at nine. The first one we played up on deck but it got too dark to see so we had to go down below where they were lights but it didn't sound nearly so well as we were all boxed in. When we came off Mid treated us all to ice cream in at Alf's.</p> <p>Sunday June 8th</p> <p>Frank Tid. and I went down to Sunday school and Enah went down to church. Aunty Alice invited Marj. Tid &amp; me there to dinner but Marj. and I came over here right after dinner and got Queen and went for a drive. We went out to Butler's to get my book &amp; brushes which Willard brought home from Guelph last winter but no one was home so we drove on out and turned west at Mt. Zion church and travelled through country that was strange to me and the nicest looking territory we had seen any place this year. We came south through Lynn Valley and Marj. came back here to tea. We went back down town about ten o'clock and a little thunder shower came up but we took shelter on Charlie Ivey's verandah. Jack Paine was in for about an hour this morning Dad. said trying to coax some of us to go and shear his sheep. Mr. Millman was also over this after noon for awhile with Aunty &amp; Aunty Alice &amp; Tid. He brought Percy &amp; his family up in the car yesterday. Percy has rented a cottage here for the summer.</p> <p>Monday June 9th</p> <p>We dipped the sheep this morning and it took us all the fore noon. It took quite awhile to rig up the tank and dripping board which we made out of the waggon box</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>We put it in the east bay in the barn where the floor is about a foot and a half higher than the bottom of the bay and ran the sheep in from the barn floor to the tank and let them drip in the bay. Art Quanbury brought his over and we dipped them making 74 head all told. Old Broadley was here to dinner and we were a little late having it. Alan Law came over to borrow a spade after dinner to dig up some paeony roots so I went over with him and got a lot more roots as well as come larkspur. They are disking every thing up over there to sow oats. The grass is about a foot high and the field looks as about as green when they sow it as it does after its up and still they are hoping to get a catch of clover seed. It took me nearly all the after noon to dig them and set them out. Dad. went back and ran out some ditches in the back field and Frank worked in the garden. I went down to band practice to-night and Frank went down to the show. We both had a good swim at the bridge on our way home. Enah went down town this morning and sent away the applications for registration of the lambs &amp; calves. We have decided to have a Dickens herd and call all the calves after Dickens characters and instead of having family names &amp; numbers, we will call all calves belonging to one family, names from the same book. We called Nellie's calves Nancy and Oliver Twist and Elgitha's Wilkins Micawber.</p> <p>Tuesday June 10th</p> <p>We didn't get started very early this morning as we had a lot of puttering around to do. We had to put the waggon box back on the truck, we had used it as a dripping board yesterday while dipping and one of the ewes no 17 about the best one in the flock needed attention as she is very sick and we have no hope to-night for her recovery. We can't think what can ail her unless she got some of the dip inside her and is poisoned. Dad. was in the back field cleaning out to ditches all day and Frank and I hauled out manure with Harry &amp; Joe and the waggon and spread it on the strip where we want to put roots and potatoes. We cleaned out the calf pen first and hauled it out. Marj. and I went to the show to-night. Fine, very dry, not so hot.</p> <p>Wednesday June 11th</p> <p>The sick ewe was considerably better this morning</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>We were very agreeably surprised when we went out after breakfast and gave her a little help that she got up and stood on her feet. She then drank about a quart of water and has taken quite a lot of gruel during the day. She is very weak yet to-night but we now have great hopes for her recovery. We got Billy in the stable this morning and have had him tied up all day preparatory for giving him his first lesson. He fought hard while we were at dinner for he broke his halter but Dad. had a big rope around his neck so that he didn't get loose. Dad. let him back with the others to-night. We had Pommers in with Harry on the plow to-day plowing the root ground. All three of us went back with him and plowed a round or two before dinner. Frank held the plow, Dad drove. and I held the line in his bit rings in case of his cutting up. I didn't need to use it at all however so this after noon Dad. and I worked the outfitt and I plowed. Frank went to Simcoe to pay our insurance. To-night Marj. and I went for a drive with Queen. Mr. Johnson left three posters advertising the strawberry social up at the Smythes and we tacked them up at the mill &amp; Edmund England's corner.</p> <p>Thursday June 12th</p> <p>Dad. and I finished plowing the root ground this morning with Harry &amp; Pommers and Dad. disked it up with them this after noon. I spent the after noon cutting the lawn and washing Mexico's cart down at the mill. Frank went down to Alfred's this morning and brought the geese home as Colin was in last night to tell us they were there. He has been working in the garden most of the day. George and Miss Sutherland came to-night on the Hamilton train and Enah went down to meet them with Mexico. Hot day.</p> <p>Friday June 13th</p> <p>Dad. worked on the root ground all day with Harry and Joe. I cleaned out the bull's pen and did odd jobs this morning and Frank put a formalin solution in the dipping tank and treated the potatoes. He and I spent most of the after noon cutting them. Frank Faulkner was in this morning with a sick pig for Dad. to look at. It got as stiff as a board about every ten minutes. George &amp; Miss Sutherland spent most of the after noon sleeping. I went down to see Marj. to-night.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Saturday June 14th</p> <p>I got home this morning soon after midnight and found Dad. and Frank both asleep, dressed, and when Dad. woke up, he was very anxious about Belle. She had been in pain off and on during the evening but still showed no signs of foaling so he thought some thing must be wrong. I changed my clothes and lay down and about four Dad. called me as he had decided to make an examination. He did and said he was afraid there was no hope for the colt and very little for Belle. He then went to the house and called Frank to go down and get Bruce. While he was gone Belle lay down and in about ten minutes just after Dad. got back had a fine big colt and both he &amp; she are doing fine. Dad. has christened him George Broadley. We planted the potatoes this morning. George and Miss Sutherland helped us. Just after dinner a heavy thunder storm came up. It didn't last long but a lot of water fell and there was a fierce little gale with it. It came out terribly sultry and hot after it. Frank and I hauled a little jag of straw over to the horse stable. We all went down town to-night but it was too hot to dance, we watched them. We three boys went for a swim on our way home.</p> <p>Sunday June 15th</p> <p>Frank, Tid and I went down to Sunday school and the rest except Dad. went down to church. I ran across Quint after church and we took a walk down to the beach. There were a lot in swimming. Quint was telling me that Alan &amp; Dick Tibbitts intend to put up a hundred more bathing houses this week. Aunty and Aunty Alice came over here to dinner but left a lunch for me which I had alone down there. I spent the after noon with Marj. trying to find a cool spot. We didn't have much success but did get a shady &amp; fairly breezy place over in Globe Park, where we camped with some books. The Millmans were over here and took Aunty, Aunty Alice, George &amp; Miss Sutherland down to Auntys where they had tea. They came back after tea and took Dad. &amp; Enah for a motor drive. Billy was with them and I guess kept them highly entertained. I came home to tea and helped do chores and went back again this evening. Frank went down to Wards on his wheel after supper.</p> <p>Monday June 16th</p> <p>I felt very lazy all morning and managed to keep from</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>any very strenuous labor. Dad. went out and disked harrowed and rolled the mangel ground with Harry &amp; Pommers this morning and I think Frank helped him and also worked in the garden. I went down to the Quanbury's to borrow their seed drill but John said it was out at Charlie's place so I fooled around the pond awhile and then drove Joe out to Charlie's. He told me the drill was at Art's place so I went back and got it and by the time I got home it was noon. George &amp; Miss Sutherland went down to Aunty's with Mexico to gather greens for dinner. We had dinner rather late and old Broadley was here. It rained again for a little while right after dinner so we didn't do any thing much for awhile. When it cleared off I went out and drilled in the mangel seed. I sowed two lbs. of seed on 8 or 9 rows and one row of turnip. Dad. cut the grass around the shop. I went down to band practice to-night and had a swim on my way home. After I got home and before I went to bed I was much surprised to see George and Miss Sutherland walk in as I thought all hands were asleep. They had been for a walk. We got some cider and sat up till a very late hour, quietly carousing.</p> <p>Tuesday June 17th</p> <p>I haven't done any thing much all day. Dad. &amp; Frank plowed the old garden back of the shop and Dad. worked it this after noon. I worked a little on the lawn this morning and Miss Sutherland and I started to weed out the rose border. This after noon I helped Dad. hook Pommers up to the disks and helped unhook him. An old fellow named Culver from up near Simcoe was in with another Percheron stallion and wanted us to use him, but we told him we were using Jason. I shaved this after noon and spent quite awhile discussing various things with Marion. She reads Omar Khayyam to me and is very fond of it. I enjoy the poetry of it but argue with her on the philosophy of it, she however agrees with him but she is very nice to argue with. To-night we all went down to Mrs. Dick Tibbitt's "At Home" and according to the ladies who are capable of judging such matters it was very nice. To me the ice cream was nice, the conversation very gobbly and the temperature rather high but altogether I didn't put in such a bad time. George, Frank and Marion went out to hoe potatoes this after noon. Frank came in after cider and soon after George was the only man on the job.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Wednesday June 18th</p> <p>This has been a very lazy day for me. Dad. and I took Billy out this morning for a lesson on the reins and he did very well. The trailing after him seemed to give me a pain and it stayed with me all day. I just sat around from the time we came in till dinner time. Dad. went out to hoe in the garden but said he couldn't find the stuff that was up so he came in and read Whitcomb Riley to us. Frank went to Simcoe on the early car and got back about noon. He got a new horse collar and did some other purchasing. This after noon Frank &amp; George hoed out in the garden. I slept for about an hour after dinner and then Dad. and I got out the cultivator and old Harry and cultivated the garden. Enah, Tid. &amp; Marion went down to the Lake for a swim. Marion stayed at Aunty's for tea and George and I walked down after tea. Mrs. Millman &amp; Billy were there for tea and Billy was reading them the manuscript of a book he is writing. It sounded very well written what I heard of it. Quint &amp; Joe were working at the boat house and I went up town with them but spent the evening over at the Monteiths. Very hot still.</p> <p>Thursday June 19th</p> <p>Dad. and I gave Billy a little exercising this morning and then went and hoed in the garden till noon. George, Marion &amp; Tid went to the Lake for a swim this morning. This after noon Frank and I went up to Jack McBrides and got a roll of wire fence and then over to Jack Martin's and borrowed his hog crate. We put a piece of the fence across the orchard just south of where the little trees are so that we can let the sheep in the south end of the orchard without them getting at the little trees. There is good pasture in there now. We all went down town to-night. I went to the band concert as we gave our first open air concert of the season to-night. The reeve treated us to ice cream afterwards and then I persuaded Harry Dyer to go up and cut my hair. The rest of the family spent the evening at the Barwell's I went over there about eleven o'clock just in time to get some ice cream and hear Billy Millman recite "David Lilly" and the "Highwayman" also the "Cremation of Sam McGee." George Frank and I went for a good swim at the dam on our way home. It has been hot but a nice breeze to-day. Rained a little.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Friday June 20th</p> <p>Frank and I had to go down to Clarence Finch's this morning with old Gladys. We stopped at Hallam's shop on our way home and got Tom's old democrat which he told us to bring over here if we wanted it. A heavy shower came up while we were there. Frank took shelter in the blacksmith shop but I didn't like to leave the team so when I got Tom's rig fastened I came home. This after noon Frank rolled the old garden and disked it. I shaved and read awhile after dinner and then went out and helped Dad. and Tid. pick the strawberries. They got quite a mess and we had them for tea. Enah, Frank went George and Marion went up to the Strawberry social at the Smythe's this after noon and Frank took Joe and went up about six. I went down and joined the band at half past seven and went up in Jim Bush's car. We had a very good time and the festival was a success in every way. They took in $220.00 or more. The band got all the strawberries and ice cream it could hold and then got treated to 2 1/2 % beer which had been ordered to sell at the soft drink booth but which had caused such a scandal amongst the pious folks that they had to take it in the house and hide it behind the sofa and subsequently feed it to the band. Poor band, it certainly is rotten stuff. I came home with Mr. Johnson and Bill Barwell. We were held up at the cemetry by another car stuck in the road so we went to look for some human bones which a couple of kids said they saw lying in the sand there beside the road. Mr. Johnson lit matches and I groped with my hand and sure enough found a skull. We overtook Mexico and his load coming around the hill so we all got home to-gether before twelve. Frank rolled in some time before morning having been down Mud Street.</p> <p>Saturday June 21st</p> <p>I raked up and cut the lawn this morning and Dad. and I gave Billy a little exercise. Tupper came in for a visit on his way home from the mill and stayed all morning. Frank and George took the mower to pieces and are going to put on new ledger plates. Frank went over to Tupper's this after noon and got an old binder tongue to make a new tongue for the rake. I didn't do any thing much but sit around and work a little at the perennial border. Dad. Paris-greened the potatoes. Enah, Marion &amp; Tid. went down</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>town this after noon. George spent the after noon writing letters. He received a packet of mail yesterday from Grand daddy with a telegram enclosed offering him a position as instrument man with a survey party going to Peace River at $100 a month. George thought that was "joke" but another epistle from Grand daddy informed him that he had answered the telegram saying he didn't think George would accept the position. George sent a wire right off yesterday contradicting that statement and this after noon wrote his father telling him that while it was perfectly alright to open his letters he did object to his answering them. To-night George Marion and I went for a drive. Dad. said he would like to see the skull I found so we went up and got it and brought it home. We then went on out through Lynn Valley. It was the first time they had had a ride behind Queen and it was quite a treat I think after Mexico. We had some music when we got home.</p> <p>Sunday June 22nd</p> <p>Frank Tid. and I went down to Sunday school and Enah George and Marion went down to church. I stayed at Aunty's for dinner. Mr. &amp; Mrs. Millman were there and so was Tid. Frank came home to dinner but all the rest went down to the Harding's for their midday repast. I came home early and wrote to {Darrie?}. The rest came home fairly early and Alan, Dick &amp; Mrs. Dick Tibbitts came over for tea. I left right after tea for Nanticoke as Marj. went down last night with {Warrie?} Banfield and I drove her home. It has been a lovely day with a fine cool breeze.</p> <p>Monday June 23rd</p> <p>Dad. had to go down to Sam Law's this morning and he drove George and Marion down town and they went up creek. He then drove Aunty down to Sam's with him. I hoed the strawberries and Frank took the mower guards down and had the new ledger plates riveted on. Broadley was here for two or three hours at noon as he had several customers, consequently we didn't get much done. Frank and George have the mower all fixed up ready for business and Frank got a couple of pieces of ash for the rake tongue. I went down to band practice to-night. We saw by to-day's paper that Dick is with the troops that landed in Canada on the Monteagle on Friday so we expect him home in two or three days.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Tuesday June 24th</p> <p>Dad. and I cultivated the old garden and the mangels out in the field this morning with old Harry. I went sound asleep after dinner and dozed off considerable time, all efforts to wake me proving futile so they say. I had some cider before dinner I don't know whether that was the cause of it or not, after I did wake up I helped George a little who has put in the day making a bigger doorway in the end of the horse stable loft to let the hay in. Marion and I then went out and picked some strawberries. Marj. came over to tea and spent the evening but I had to go to Woodhouse with the band as there was another strawberry social on up there. We had a good feed and I got home about half past eleven just as George and Maron were getting home with Mexico after having driven Marj. home. Harry Ansley died yesterday.</p> <p>Wednesday June 25th</p> <p>Dad. went down and got his hair cut this morning and this afternoon he and Enah went down to Harry Ansley's funeral. Frank and George put the shafts on the cart this morning and I spent most of the fore noon correcting the application that I had returned for the sheep registration's. It poured rain all the after noon so we didn't do any thing out-side Marion &amp; I read all sorts of things this after noon, Irish History, Pope, Burns and the dictionary. George and Frank and Tid. played &amp; read. Dad. saw in the paper to-day that the Siberian troops had reached Toronto so was quite sure of Dick being home to-night and drove down to meet him but he didn't come. I drove down with him as it was too wet for the band to go to Jack McBride's where we were booked to play for the Presbyterian strawberry social. I spent the evening over at the Monteith's and stayed all night at Aunty's.</p> <p>Thursday June 26th</p> <p>It has rained pretty much all day although there have been fine and sunny spaces between the showers. Dad. and I went out to set out some cabbage &amp; tomato plants this morning but a big shower drove us in before we got much done. Marion came out to tell us that Aunty and Aunty Alice were over here. They stayed to dinner Dess had been down with a letter she received from Dick saying that he was in Toronto but would be unable</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>to reach home, he was afraid before Monday as he couldn't get his discharge right away. After dinner Dad. drove Aunty &amp; Aunty Alice back down town and a big storm came up while they he was gone. I sat around and read and slept till it cleared off and then went out and worked a little more at the perennial border and Marion and I weeded out some more of the roses till it was time to go and get the cows. I went down to band concert to-night and all the rest were down town too. George, Enah and Marion were up at Ada's for awhile.</p> <p>Friday June 27th</p> <p>When Dad. went back for the cows this morning he found the whole bunch as well as the colts in on the oats. They had broken one of the bars and knocked the other one down. I went back with him after breakfast and helped him drive the colts out. When we came up we hooked up Pommers and old Harry and started plowing a piece along the road from in the sheep pasture for rape. He went very well and we plowed most of the day. Frank, George and Marion picked the strawberries this morning and picked 28 baskets. Frank set out the rest of the tomato and cabbage plants. Enah</p> <p>went down town this after noon I think to see if Mrs. Wilson wanted Mexico, but Clare Herring told her that Mrs. Wilson had gone to Toronto and left her dog here and he was amusing himself eating up the neighbor's chickens. To-night I went up to the Presbyterian strawberry social at Jack McBrides. The band I think walked up from town and I walked from here. They were about half through playing the second piece when I arrived. We were well fed and had a good time. I got a ride home with Frank &amp; Jennie Wards. He was just starting to take her home when I came out the gate. I sent my horn down town with Pud. Slocombe. When I got home I found all the family in bed but Enah &amp; Marion the latter was writing letters. I brought up some cider and cookies and after Enah left us and Marion finished her correspondence, she and I sat and read Omar Khayyam till Frank arrived. Very much cooler.</p> <p>Saturday June 28th</p> <p>The cattle were all in on the oats again this morning and I went back with Dad. and put them out. They had broken down a panel of fence over by the woods. George Frank and Marion went back and fixed it after breakfast. Dad. and I finished ploughing the rape ground and Dad. worked</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>it down this afternoon. He also harrowed over the old garden back of the shop and sowed corn on it with the drill. I drove Aunty &amp; Aunty Alice up to the cemetry this after noon and to-night went down to see Marj. Lovely day. When I got home to-night I was quite surprised Sunday to find Dad. talking to Dick in the kitchen the rest had all gone to bed. I thought as Dick didnt come up on the train he wouldn't be here but he came with Ade and a Mr. Meddlin in Ade's car. He has to go back to-morrow as he didn't get his discharge. I guess from all accounts they had lively times here to-night. Ade brought up a bottle of whiskey &amp; one of port wine and they had finished a flask or so on the way up and on coming into the house. Mr. Meddlin began to to feel his oats. They all had a glass of wine around to celebrate Dick's homecoming and then one to celebrate Peace as the treaty was signed to-day although no body took much notice of it. Mr. Meddlin passed a glass of wine across the table to some one and George rescued it from going down the lamp chimney, then he (Meddlin) kissed Enah a couple of times telling her she shouldn't mind as he had brought her boy home. I guess she didn't. To wind up with as they were going out to the car he fell over himself and just about cracked his "bean."</p> <p>Sunday June 29th</p> <p>Ade and his pal were over before we were through milking this morning. They had been up since half past four and had had a swim and breakfast at Hec's then as no one down town was up came over here. Every thing here was in such a state of commotion owing to Dick's arrival home that none of us got down to church but just sat around and enjoyed life. I went down to Aunty's at twelve o'clock for dinner but they hadn't got home from church at half past twelve and as they told me to be at the band room at one o'clock I had some bread and butter and left without seeing them. I needn't have been so rushed as we didn't leave the band room till half past one and led the Oddfellows up Main St. in time to catch the two o'clock car. We all boarded the car and got off at Anderson's crossing walking from there over to the cemetry. The Oddfellows got all their graves decorated in time to catch the four o'clock car and we played hymns</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>while they were at it. I went over to the Monteith's as soon as we finished playing down town and got Marj. to come over to tea. We didn't get over till about six o'clock as we had to stop at Aunty's &amp; Miss McQueen's for Marj. to say good-bye. She is going to the St. Catherines, Ridley College, Summer school to-morrow on the two car. Dick went back to Toronto at four o'clock to-day hoping to get his discharge to-morrow. We were rather late getting the chores done and the Millman family all came over in Ade's car just before tea. After tea Frank wanted to print some pictures so we all helped him but Marj. and I went home fairly early. It has been a very nice day &amp; cool.</p> <p>Monday June 30th</p> <p>Dad. and I cultivated the mangels and potatoes in the field this morning and spent most of the after noon hoeing in the old garden. Frank went down town this morning to see about getting ladders for the rack. He left the pattern down with Reynolds months ago but they have never been finished. Reynolds told him he told Emery to make them Saturday, but Emery hadn't showed up this morning, he thought he was decorating Bert Thompson's car for tomorrow's parade. Frank mowed half of the field east of the orchard this after noon. We have decided to leave the field back of the barn for alsike. I went down to band practice to-night. Dick came in to Aunty's while I was there. He had just got in at eight o'clock and had his discharge in his pocket. He was a tickled boy. On my way home I stopped in and Quint and Hazel Dunkin were there Hazel was staying there all night. He had ridden down from Vittoria this after noon and was wearing riding breeches &amp; putties and looked like the devil.</p> <p>Tuesday July 1st</p> <p>I spent most of the morning polishing my horn and the rest of the family doing chores and getting ready for a picnic down at the beach. Dick went down fairly early with Dad. and George, Marion and Enah went down a little later driving Mexico. Frank and I went down at noon. We had a fine spread just below Sovereens cottage, but I couldn't stay long as they told me to be at the band room at one o'clock. I spent the rest of the day with the band. We played for an hour or so on the bandstand and then went out for about half an hour on the</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>"City of Dover". From there we went up to Buck's park and played one piece there before tea. I had tea at Aunty's and we spent the evening playing in Orchard Beach park. Nothing very exciting happened to-day. There was the usual run of sports, a baby show on the bandstand being the only think a little out of the ordinary. They had about 30 babies entered in it. Mrs. Percy Millman had hers there and asked me to hold it for her which I did for awhile. Chris Quanbury's baby took 1st prize. It was just hot enough to-day to bring the crowd in but not uncomfortable. I went over for a few minutes while we were waiting for the boat to see Alan &amp; Dick Tibbits and Quint. Alan said they had had their bathing houses full up all the after noon. Quint only got his booth about half built and his ice cream didn't come but he seemed to be doing a good business selling soft drinks and cigarettes. Pete Holmes new casino opened to-day.</p> <p>Tuesday Wednesday July 2nd</p> <p>Frank was down town nearly all morning getting the rack fixed up and the new ladder put on. I raked up the hay that was cut and Dad cocked up. We both cocked up all the after noon and Frank cut the other half of the field. Enah drove George and Marion down to the station this morning and saw them off. They both seemed to hate to go and we were all very sorry to see them leave. This morning at breakfast we all found a little bottle of grape juice at our plates with an appropriate verse from Omar Khayyam in Marion's writing on each bottle, after we had emptied them I filled hers and mine up with hard cider and she took hers and I put mine away "Till we meet again". Dick has been down town all day ordering new clothes.</p> <p>Thursday July 3rd</p> <p>Dad. and I finished or nearly finished cocking up what was raked by noon and this after noon we started hauling in. Dick &amp; Frank pitched on and I loaded. We got two loads in the barn from that field and then hauled in what was cocked up in the field we are leaving for alsike, about half a load there. We had it up by five o'clock and then I went back for the cows while the others pitched it off in the horse stable. Aunty &amp; Aunty Alice were over to dinner. I was at band concert to-night</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Friday July 4th</p> <p>We got out fairly early this morning and had one load on by about half past eight. We left in on the waggon till noon and I took the team and raked up what was cut. When I finished raking, Dad. and I took the load up and then cocked up. We finished cocking up by soon after dinner as there were the four of us at it. When we finished cocking up we started hauling again and got in three more loads and put them off. Dick went down town to-night and Frank went out to see Bill Sidway. He says he is improving very slowly.</p> <p>Saturday July 5th</p> <p>We established a record for ourselves to-day in hauling hay. We got out soon after seven and hauled in nine loads to-day and had the last one in the barn by about half past six. We would have had another in but the big rope broke again this morning where Lew Brock sliced it last year and that delayed us for some time. Frank found it would take too long to splice it again so we used the rope Roy sent up last fall. It is an older rope and not so big as our own but seems to work satisfactorily. It was about twice too long so we cut it. There are still about two or three loads left in the field. The boys went down town to-night but I didn't go. I intended to go for a swim after it got dark but I went to sleep and slept till too late. Hot.</p> <p>Sunday July 6th</p> <p>Frank and I and Tid. went to Sunday school and church this morning and Dad. and Enah went down to church. Dad. stayed down at Aunty's to dinner &amp; for the after noon but Enah came home. I went down right after dinner with my horn as the band gave a sacred concert in the park to celebrate the peace thanksgiving which was appointed for to-day. I came home with Dad. about five o'clock after stopping in for a few minutes at Aunty's to see Louise who came up Friday. I slept most of the evening. Frank went down to Ward's and Dick has been down town all day. Cloudy and very much cooler all day.</p> <p>Monday July 7th</p> <p>Frank started cutting the 12 acres across the gully</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>this morning and has been cutting all day. He raked up what he cut this morning before he quit to night. The cattle were in on the oats again this morning and Dad. had to fix the fence where they got in first thing this morning. I did a few odd jobs around here and then went out and started to eat &amp; trim the mangels. Dad. came out with Belle before I got one line done and I helped him cultivate the mangels and part of the potatoes before dinner. Broadley was here for a long time to-day so Dad. didn't get out very early. I went back with Frank at noon as he took the rake back and wanted some help to get through the gates and then I started at the mangles again till Dad was ready to bring Belle out, then we finished cultivating the potatoes and went over to the garden and cultivated everyt hing we could there. Aunty was over at noon to help celebrate Dad's birthday. Dick went down with her after dinner to post a letter to McNab, his old bank manager out West, who wrote him the other day wanting him to come back at $1000 a year. Dick doesn't want to go back just yet. Soon after they left Dess came over and stayed till about 5 o'clock, then as Dick didn't come back she went down again. She evidently missed him down there for Dick. came home about seven o'clock having had his tea at Aunty's. He rode Frank's wheel back down town but didn't stay long. I went down to band practice to-night. We had a lot of new music and Ed. wasn't there. On my way home I met Cousin Clare escorted by Alan Tibbitts and Totie. Smith. They had been down at Aunty's. Totie informed me that there was some cake left so I went down and found Quint there demolishing the last piece of cherry pie and making alarming inroads into a chocolate cake, but I was in time to check his advance and save a couple of pieces. He had brought down a lot of sweet cherries from home so Aunty Alice give me some to bring home as I approached home I could hear great revelry and found the family engaged in song &amp; dance in the parlor. The Shands had been here. Very nice day sunny but cool.</p> <p>Tuesday July 8th</p> <p>Frank went back this morning and continued to cut till about eleven o'clock when he broke the pitman rod on the mower and had to stop. He went up to</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Simcoe on the 12 o'clock car and got a new one and also got Joe Howell to fix the old one, but he didn't get home in time to do any more cutting to-day. Dad. Dick and I wemt back this morning and cocked up what Frank raked yesterday. This after noon we hauled in what was left in the field east of the orchard and did it in two loads, but for some reason or other it took us about all the after noon. Getting it out of the little gully made it harder pitching and harder loading. Then the lift jammed once in the car but I got it loose by getting over on it and prying the latch off the gate. Cool day.</p> <p>Wednesday July 9th</p> <p>We took the rack to the back field this morning and brought a load up with us at noon. I raked all that was fit and Dad. &amp; Dick cocked up. Frank fixed the pitman rod on the mower and after I finished raking, cut a few more rounds. This after noon we put off the load we hauled up and then went back and cocked up and Frank finished cutting. We didn't get back very early as we had to change the pulley to the other end of the barn and that delayed us a little. We brought up another load to-night. Louise came over here to dinner. Jim brought her over with the mail. Enah drove her down with Mexico this after noon. She can't walk very far yet since having the Flu. Dick Tibbitts was over for awhile at noon. He had some papers for Dad to sign. We three boys went for a swim at the bridge to-night. Fine and cool.</p> <p>Thursday July 10th</p> <p>We all went back this morning and Frank finished raking and then helped us cock up. We got it all up in cock by about eleven. Chris Quanbury came after Dad to go and look at Jack's lambs. One died yesterday and they thought two more were sick, they were not though Dad. said and the one that died had a big wool ball in its stomach which Dad. found when he opened it. This after noon I went up to Ham Thompson's to see a poultry culling demonstration. Ushay from the College was down and showed how to pick out the hens that hadn't layed much during the winter &amp; spring by their yellow legs. Dad. and the boys got in two loads while I was gone but it was very windy and consequently hard to pitch</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Ham. has a new hay loader and I drove the team for them while it put on one load. It took it up right up out of the swath as clean as a rake would. I went down to band concert to-night but the lights were so bad that we couldn't play more than about three pieces, however we went up to the band room and had a practice. Cool &amp; windy.</p> <p>Friday July 11th</p> <p>We hauled hay all day off the back field and got in five loads. Frank loaded and I helped Dad. or Dick pitch on. We have about all the {illegible} of it now and put it in the barn, we will put the rest in the horse stable. Tom. told Dad. this morning that Reynold's drugstore was burned to the ground last night or at least this morning between three &amp; four o'clock. He said the Orangemen had a meeting up above there last night so Dad. said of course they would be blamed for it as Taylor &amp; Reynolds are both catholics. In spite of the high wind they saved all the houses near from the fire but the Chinese laundry shack was squashed flat when the wall of the store fell Dick spent the evening writing to various lady friends, he seems to have them in a string reaching half way round the earth now. Enah and Tid drove Mexico down to view the remains of the drugstore. Very cool.</p> <p>Saturday July 12th</p> <p>We hauled in all the hay from the back field in five loads to-day, the last load was a small one. The first load we put off in the barn but Dad. changed the car and we put the other four in the horse stable loft. It was a little after six when we got the last load off and then we went out and brought in the six cocks that were left at the end of the orchard, so that we have no cut hay our for our Sunday. Dick and Frank both walked down town to-night and I think went to the dance and I drove Queen down and back fast for exercise. Cloudy &amp; quite cool. Looks a little like rain.</p> <p>Sunday July 13th</p> <p>Tid. and I went down to Sunday school this morning and the rest all came down to church except Frank who went back to the side hill field to hunt sow thistle. Mr. Johnson was away and a Mr. Tillet I think his name was took the service. He has lately come from Serbia and was appealing for</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>the Serbian relief fund. He was a very poor speaker and looked any thing but starved as he says every one in Serbia is but made it clear that the kids over there were in pretty distressing straits and I think got quite a boodle for the fund. Dick and I stayed at Aunty's to dinner and I spent the whole after noon there visiting with Aunty, Aunty Alice &amp; Louise. I came home in time to help do chores. Enah went down to tea and to play the organ to-night. Mr. Farney preached but Mr. Johnson got home in time to take the service. Dad. &amp; Tid walked down after tea and came home with Enah &amp; Frank went out to Bill Sidway's with some books. Very hot &amp; dry, wind to-day.</p> <p>Monday July 14th</p> <p>Dad. and I spent most of the morning grinding mower knives but I went out about eleven and started to weed and thin mangels. I was at it all the after noon and to-night have four rows finished one was nearly done when I started. Frank cut the thistles in the orchard this morning and was delayed a little by one of the ledger plates springing and catching a section. This after noon he cut hay, timothy out east of the old garden.</p> <p>Dad. spent most of the after noon cutting thistles with the scythe along the fence in the corner field. Aunty was over for a few minutes before dinner with some raspberries they had picked down home. Dick was down town all the after noon and in bed all morning. Old Broadley was here for a long time at noon. This is his last trip. I went down to band practice to-night and went down to Pete Holmes casino afterwards where I found Dick &amp; Quint. Frank was down town too and I had promised to meet him &amp; go for a swim about half past eleven but when I got there we was in. I then waited for about half an hour for Dick and then went in just as he came. Cloudy &amp; cool.</p> <p>Tuesday July 15th</p> <p>It rained a little spatter early this morning so as the alsike was tough enough to work at Frank cut for an hour or two this morning and then raked up the hay he raked cut yesterday. Dad. and I thinned out a few more mangels. This after noon Frank cut the rest of the hay between the old oat stubble and the ditch. Dad. Dick and I cocked up what he raked this morning. I went over to Jacks after we got it</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>cocked up and borrowed a crate to ship some broilers. I thought I would have about a crate full but when Dad. and I caught them to-night I only got 13 that I thought were worth taking. Enah took Tid down to a picnic that Aunty had to-day for Mrs. Browne &amp; the two kids. Enah went down after him again to-night. Quite cool and fresh breeze.</p> <p>Wednesday July 16th</p> <p>I took my broilers over to Jack's first thing this morning and left them for Jack Walker to call for. I shipped them to Mallen instead of Waller, Chris said he was pretty good. Frank finished cutting the alsike this morning and then raked up the rest of the hay that was cut. We ran the binder out and Frank cleaned it all up ready to start on the wheat this after noon. He cut this after noon but didn't quite finish. Dad. Dick and I cocked hay this morning and part of the after noon and when we finished started to shock up. Dick and I went down and got our hair cut to-night and then went with Dess down to Pete Holmes casino. I had one dance with Dess as I only had five cents and then I went over to Quint's shack and spent the rest of the evening with him getting home about twelve. Dad. announced his intention of calling us at four o'clock to-morrow to bunch up alsike and as I knew that if I once went to bed I would hate to get up at four so thought I would go at it while I was awake. I stuck at it till about half past two but finally got so tired and cold I had to come in. I went to sleep on the sofa with my clothes on. Omar Khayyam swallowed a rubber baloon &amp; died to-day.</p> <p>Thursday July 17th</p> <p>Frank and Dad. went out at four o'clock this morning and bunched up a lot more alsike but I slept in till half past five. After the dew was off Dad. &amp; Frank went through and pulled all the sourdock out of the alsike they could find and I shocked up the wheat that was cut. Frank came out about eleven and cut the rest of the wheat and Dad. &amp; I shocked it up we got through a little after twelve. Dick, Frank and I hauled in a couple of loads of hay from east of the old garden this after noon and put it in the horse stable. Dad. cleaned out the bull pen. We all went down to the band concert to-night.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Friday July 15th</p> <p>Frank went out last night after he got home and raked up all the alsike. Dad went out at four o'clock and bunched a lot of it and we all worked at it after breakfast till we got it done. It didn't shell very badly after it was dry. We hauled in one load before dinner but didn't put it off. This after noon we hauled in four more and put them off over the granary. Frank and I drove Queen out to Bill Sidway's to-night to take him a {husk?} he doesn't seem to be improving very fast. We got home about dark and then Frank, Dick and I went for a swim. It was fine. Fine day.</p> <p>Saturday July 19th</p> <p>We hauled in four more loads of alsike this morning besides a jag of couch grass which we threw in the bottom of the bay. We put all that we hauled this morning in the bay. This after noon we three boys went down town, the band played in the park as this was proclaimed a holiday by the King to celebrate peace. There was a big crowd in town but they were all down at the lake. I stayed down at Aunty's for tea. I recived a cheque for my broilers at 40 cts per lb.</p> <p>Sunday July 20th</p> <p><br />Frank Tid. and I went down to Sunday school this morning and Dad. &amp; Enah went down to church. Huby and I took up the collection. Dad. &amp; Enah stayed down town this after noon Enah &amp; Tid stayed to tea and Dad. drove down after church for them, he came home at six and helped me do chores. Frank Dick and I had dinner to-gether and then Dick went down town but Frank and I stayed home all after noon.</p> <p>Monday July 21st</p> <p>We finished hauling the alsike in two loads this morning and then hauled two loads of wheat before dinner, but as we pulled in the barn with the second load it began to rain quite hard so we didn't get any more in to-day. This after noon I started down town to get my money order cashed but Dick overtook me on the wheel so I sent it down with him and I came home. Frank Dad and I cleaned up some oats as we want to put our next years seed away now as there will probably not be much next Spring. Old Alex Ross came in about five o'clock to see again</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>about pasture for his horse and as he said his brother J.C. Ross from Jarvis was down town Dad. thought I had better drive down and ask him if he could tell us what was causing the wool to come off our sheep. I saw him but he couldn't tell me, he said it was like scab but with it they are itchy. I took my horn down, stayed at Aunty's for tea and went to band practice to-night. Dick was down there for tea too.</p> <p>Tuesday July 22nd</p> <p>It was still too wet to do any hauling this morning so Frank, Dick &amp; I cleaned up some more oats and then put what we had cleaned through again so we think now we have enough for seed cleaned up. Dad. picked blackcurrants and hoed in the garden. This after noon we hauled in the rest of the wheat in three loads one of them a small one. To-night Dick &amp; I drove Queen up to Buter's and I got my book &amp; brushes. It was half past eight &amp; just dark when we got there and Willard &amp; his brother were coming in with a load of alsike. The two of them have taken off 95 acres of hay &amp; alsike and have their whole 150 acres in crop. Frank rode his wheel up to Kelly's</p> <p>Wednesday July 23rd</p> <p>We hauled in the rest of the hay about four loads all but about 12 cocks from east of the old garden and we hauled one load of alsike from out there, there is also a little of it left. We put the hay in the horse stable and pitched the alsike off in the old barn. The bluegrass was hard to pitch and it took a long time to put on a load. Cruikshank &amp; Harris, district agent for Massey Harris were in for about an hour after dinner trying to sell Dad. a fertilizer disc drill. Dad. said he wouldn't take a chance on it but Frank could if he liked so Frank signed their agreement. He is to pay $55 next March and $100 a year from then. To-night Frank rode Mexico down Mud. St. and Dick and I took some milk and cream down to Aunty's and then went for a swim.</p> <p>Thursday July 25th</p> <p>Frank started to cut the rest of the stuff out east of the old garden this morning but had a breakdown with the mower so didn't get any cut. Dad. cultivated the potatoes with Belle amd I thinned at the mangels all day, Dad. helping me this after noon. Dick had a headache this</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>morning but got some stuff down town to fix it up. After dinner he and Frank went over to thrash at Jack's, they are thrashing out of the field so they had to take the team. Dad went over about 4.30 and took Dick's place and Dick went down town for tea. Karl. Coleman was over this after noon to look at Kate and was to make a dicker with Frank for her. I went down to band concert to-night. This being my birthday Aunty, Aunty Alice &amp; Cousin Clare came over to dinner. I got a pair of low shoes, a shirt, a neck tie, a wash rag, a film and the "Literary Digest" for a year. Looked stormy and has been a hot dry wind.</p> <p>Friday July 25th</p> <p>I went over to Jack's this morning with Frank &amp; the team and pitched on two or three loads till Dick came over then I went back and thinned more mangels. Dick &amp; Frank have been thrashing all day and finished to-night Jack had 540 bushels from about 20 acres which was better than we thought judging from the fields near the road. I slept for about an hour this after noon &amp; then Dad. and I went out and finished thinning the mangels &amp; turnips. We then took a walk over to Art. Quanbury's to see if his sheep were affected with the same skin disease or whatever it is that ours are but they seemed to be alright. We thought if they were affected we could attribute it to the dip, but we can't make out at all what it is. We brought the cows up with us on our way home.</p> <p>Saturday July 26th</p> <p>Frank had to go down to Ryerse's to thrash this morning and has been down there all day. I put in most of the day hoeing potatoes but took a grist to the mill this morning and went after it again this after noon. Dad. helped me hoe potatoes and put the woodshed screen door on. Dick went down town this after and he and Dess went to Simcoe and stayed all night. It rained a little last night and they say hailed big stones out at Roy Hammonds.</p> <p>Sunday July 27th</p> <p>Frank Tid and I went to Sunday school and Dad. &amp; Enah drove down to church. Tid. and I stayed at Aunty's to dinner and Tid stayed there all the after noon &amp; to tea playing with Rebecca as she and Roy came up with the Millman's last night. I came home soon after</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>dinner and found Dad. and Enah asleep and Frank had gone down to the Cave with Lila, they stayed to tea down at the Ward's. Roy came over to the Woodsons with me and later came over here and stayed to tea Enah drove him home with Mexico about dark and brought Tid. back with her. Very hot &amp; very windy.</p> <p>Monday July 28th</p> <p>Frank cut hay out by the side road all morning and Dad. and I hoed potatoes. This after noon Frank started to rake the hay and leave the patches of alsike. I went out when I thought he had enough raked to cock up but the wind was so strong I couldn't do any thing with it so I came back and started to hoe the potatoes. Dad. took the buggy down town after dinner as he thought one of the axles was sprung. He noticed it the other night when I was driving out and told me that the wheels didn't track. He took it to Joe Howell's and had him come out and look at it while Joe was trying to figure out what was the matter Alan Law who was in the shop burst forth in a loud peel of merriment and informed Dad that the wheels were changed and sure enough that proved to be the case, some one to play a trick, had changed the front and hind wheel on the offside and we had never discovered it it. I suppose it has been done when Frank had it at the garden party awhile ago. About five o'clock Dad. Enah and Tid started off for Charlotteville to pick Huckleberries as they had a card the other day from George Broadley inviting them up. Frank and I got the chores done up fairly well and then I went down to band practice. Aunt Nancy died last night. Aunt Ida is back.</p> <p>Tuesday July 29th</p> <p>Frank and I got up after five this morning and went out to see what we could do with the alsike patches. There was no dew but the stuff was tough. He decided to rake it up and I bunched a little and then went after the cows. Frank cooked some breakfast and went out to mow right after but I did chores in the house and barn. I washed up all the dishes and the seperator made the bed and swept out the kitchen. This took me the biggest part of the morning and then I went out to cock up but the wind was so strong I couldn't so I picked out some of the sour dock. Frank had to go thrashing down at Sam Law's this after noon so I took Harry &amp; Queen and went out to finish</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>mowing but spent most of the after noon tinkering with the mower. The brass boxing on the crank shaft got hot and I took it off a couple of times and then the knives gummed up so that I had to change them and had a very annoying time during which I said several bad words, and just got the thing ready to cut when the whistle blew, as I didn't know but what I would have to do all the chores alone I quit and went up but just as I got the team put away Dad. Enah &amp; Tid got home. They had had a not altogether enjoyable trip, but got quite a lot of huckleberries. I guess Broadley's hospitality although genuine was very Charlottevillian and Mrs. Broadley or Rachel as Broadley proudly calls her is much fonder of plowing and working in the bush than she is of housekeeping. They were not the only guests for the night as Mr. &amp; Mrs. Ed. Billington were also taking shelter under the same roof. Mrs. Billington used to be a Brook, Law's sister. Tid was sick all day and went to bed as soon as he got home and didn't wake up all evening. Dick was down town all after noon.</p> <p>Wednesday July 30th</p> <p>Frank went out before breakfast this morning while the alsike was tough and raked up all the hay &amp; alsike that was cut. Dad, Frank, Dick and I cocked up all morning. This after noon Frank finished cutting and Dad, Dick &amp; I cocked up. Then Dick &amp; Frank went up and Frank brought the waggon out and when we put finished cocking up we put on a load and put it off in the horse stable. Dick went down town as he had an invitation to go to Simcoe with Helen Anderson and a party in the car. Cool and cloudy all day.</p> <p>Thursday July 31st</p> <p>It began to rain early this morning and rained steadily but quietly nearly all morning and part of the after noon. I helped Frank sharpen the binder &amp; mower knives but spent most of the day reading writing and drawing. Frank tinkered around and put a board on the step of the woodshed door to keep the flies from coming under the screen. Dick spent the morning in bed and went down town this after noon. It stopped raining to-night but didn't clear off very well but we had a good band concert. I went around after it to the Barwell's to call for Aunty Alice who was there playing bridge. Huby moved down to the Tom Law house to-day. Bob got back from the West to-night. Mary Hodge is also home from France.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Friday August 1st</p> <p>It was too wet to work at the hay to-day so Dad. &amp; Frank hauled out manure all day. Dick and I went back to set the fence posts across the side hill field from the woods to the gully as we want to get the cattle in where we cut the hay off as soon as possible. The ground was so hard we couldn't make much impression on it with the post auger but got one post set. We then went over to John Wess's to borrow his spud to loosen up the hard clay and were over there till noon, but this after noon we made better progress by using the spud and I think got six posts set. To-night Dick and I went down town as I wanted to try on a pair of low shoes at Caley's but they were closed up so we decided to go to the show. We were just a little early for the second show so went over to Pete Holmes where we ran across Bob &amp; Dess, so we took them to the show with us. It was "The Heart of Humanity" a war picture showing just Canadian troops. It was very good but very sad and depicted some horrible examples of German brutality. Roy Dell was with us and could tell us about the places, such as Vimy Ridge</p> <p>Saturday August 2nd</p> <p>Tupper was in the other night and promised to come over and help us haul hay when we got ready so Frank went over last night to ask him to come to-day, we also got Jack to send Hanselman over and we put in quite a day hauling with two teams. We got all the hay in that was cut but there is still the alsike two or three loads out yet. We hauled in nine loads, which wasn't too bad, as we didn't start early or work late and the bluegrass is very slow to pitch being so short and heavy. Tupper took in too big a load once and broke the hoist rope a pulley and banged the end of the barn out. The boys went down town to-night. Cool and cloudy.</p> <p>Sunday August 3rd</p> <p>Frank Tid and I went down to Sunday school and the rest all came down to church. Dick Tid and I stayed at Aunty's for dinner and Aunty persuaded me to go up and see Miss Battersby after dinner to thank her for the wash rag she made me. I came home with Tid. about three o'clock and just as we got here we found Jim &amp; Mrs. Waddle about to take Dad. &amp; Enah for a joyride in their new</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>car, so Tid went with them but I declined an invitation to go. Dad. didn't enjoy it much, they went way up into Charlotteville and very nearly collided with another fellow which scared them all prettty badly. They got home about five. It has been quite cool and rather cloudy.</p> <p>Monday August 4th</p> <p>First thing this morning Frank braced the plank in the peak of the big barn that has the gate on the track in it as he thought it being unbraced had some thing to do with the loads sticking. Dad. and I had to hold the ladder for him and it took quite awhile. Sam's whistle blew over at Pickford's before we finished and Frank and Dick went over there to thrash. Bruce Smith came in, in his new "Fliver" and we went back to the gully to look at Snowdrop. We brought her up and Bruce felt in her mouth and found a long tooth but they couldn't do anything without more instruments. It was nearly noon when he left. Byron &amp; Fred Johnson were over here to dinner. We sat around for quite awhile after dinner talking to them and then Dad. and I put off the load of hay that was on the barn floor and went after a load of alsike. Dick and Frank got home from Pickford's in time to help us put it off and Dad. Frank and I went out after another load which we didn't put off. I went down to band practice to-night. There were not many out and Ed. &amp; Harry Moon got into a quarrel over the town waterworks question and Ed. got mad and left saying he wouldn't sit and play with a man that talked such nonsense as Harry did. Ed. had been down at the meeting of the Board &amp; Trade &amp; Council and was pretty riled when he came up and when Harry started in to defend the Council for not doing any thing to hold the by-law for putting in the waterworks Ed. couldn't stand it. Frank and I came home to-gether we found Dick up and all indulged in some hard cider.</p> <p>Tuesday August 5th</p> <p>Dick has been down town all day, he went down to get his tooth fixed. Dad. Frank and I put off the load of alsike that was on the barn floor and brought another load in which was the last and which we left on the barn floor. Frank then started to cut the stuff on the old oat</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>stubble and finished it this after noon. It is no good mostly weeds but we are shy of feed so will save it. Dad. and I hoed the strawberries and then Arthur Preston came over and as it began to rain a little he and I spent the after noon in the drive house discussing various subjects, and he tried to convert me to his rather radical prohibition ideas. Dad. cut some thistles and went over to Martin's to return the ladder he borrowed. Didn't rain.</p> <p>Wednesday August 6th</p> <p>Frank raked up the stuff he cut yesterday, this morning I took the buggy over to John Evans this morning to see if he could set the tires and tighten the reins. He said he could but was too busy now but would do it if I would bring it over Monday. I then caught the ten o'clock car and went to Simcoe to see {Slaght?}. He advised me to make an offer of $2000 for Bronzie, which I decided to do after coming home and consulting Dad. and Aunty Alice. It is a pretty steep price but I need the place. This after noon Dad. Frank and I cocked up but didn't finish. Frank and I went down town to-night and went for a swim. Dick has been down all day. Very hot and looks rainy.</p> <p>Thursday August 7th</p> <p>We finished cocking up the hay this morning and then put off the load of alsike that was on the barn floor. It was too late to get in any hay before dinner but we hauled in four loads this after noon but didn't unload the last one. To-night I went down to band concert. Ed. was back on the job all right. Very hot and very windy to-day.</p> <p>Friday August 8th</p> <p>We hauled in three more loads of hay this morning and Dick helped us mow it away, there were just five more sling lifts out there besides one load of clover seed which seemed pretty well filled. We put the hay in with out much mowing and left the clover seed on the waggon in the old barn, we brought in some sival grass for bedding. Aunty &amp; Rebecca came over this morning and Enah drove them home this evening. Frank ordered a ton of Basic Slag to try on the wheat this fall. Very cool and windy.</p> <p>Saturday August 9th</p> <p>Dad. Enah and Tid all struck off for Simcoe this morning Th had dinner with Mrs. Frank Bowlby and Louise</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>and this after noon took in the circus getting home about six o'clock. They said it was a good show and they had a fine time. Frank and I put in the whole day burning the old grass and weeds out around the old garden and went all over the field from the lane to the road and to the gully. We had to watch it carefully in the old timothy stubble as it ran very fast. Dick spent the morning in bed and then went down town. Frank and I went down to-night and I got a pair of shoes at Andrew's. Quite cold to-day.</p> <p>Sunday August 10th</p> <p>Frank Tim and I went down to Sunday school and Enah drove Mexico down to church. Rev. Ralph Moon preached but Mr. Johnson was there too. I stayed at Auntys for dinner and this after noon went with the band down to Kitchen's point where we gave a little concert mostly sacred to quite a large crowd, there is a big crowd mostly country people down there every Sunday after noon. I didn't get home till nearly six as Mr. Zealand showed Uncle Ward and me all over his place. Enah went down to play the organ to-night and Ed. Moon came over here and spent the evening. Cool but nice.</p> <p>Monday August 11th</p> <p>I went back after the cows this morning and found five of them over in Ivey's and had a bad time getting them out. After breakfast I took the buggy over to Evan's with Mexico and was over there all morning while he tightened the spokes and set the tires. Dad. and Frank cut the oats on the side hill and as they didn't want to leave till they could bring the binder up, we didn't have dinner till about two o'clock. This after noon I felt very tough with a sore throat and cold in my head so went to sleep on the sofa till tea time and went to bed right after tea. Frank went down to the mill with some oats for chop. To-night Dad. Enah &amp; Tid. drove down town to take Aunty Alice's milk down. Cloudy &amp; cool.</p> <p>Tuesday August 12th</p> <p>We put off the load of clover seed this morning, put a new reach in the waggon and Dad. and Frank hauled up a jag of oats before dinner and got the rest after dinner. There was barely one full sized load but they were quite heavy. I haven't done much all day, my throat is better but my head is water logged. Dad. Enah &amp; Tid went down to the James' for tea this being {Eliss?} wedding anniversary. Frank went out to Bill Sidway's to-night. Cool &amp; looked stormy.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Wednesday August 13th</p> <p>Dad. Frank and I went back this morning and started to put up the old fence along the woods that has been down in the grass ever since we came over here. We found that most of it was good enough when put up on trees and stakes to turn cattle but in spots it was rusted out too badly to be any good and one place it was cut. Dad. felt very miserable all morning and this afternoon he didn't go out of the house. Frank and I went back after dinner and put up nearly all of the fence that was any good but we quit at four o'clock as Frank had to get ready to go down to Dave Ward's and take Jennie out to Quanbury's to a meeting of the Moonlight Riding Club. Dick came over to tell me that the band was going down to Nanticoke to a garden party but I thought my cold was still too bad to go so went to bed.</p> <p>Thursday August 14th</p> <p>It was very late this morning when we went back to work at our fence as it looked a little rainy and consequently we didn't finish it by noon but had about an hour's work after dinner, we opened the fence into the gully but didn't drive the cattle into their new pasture as we thought they would roam to the extreme limits of it and give us too long a tramp after theem. When we finished back there we put up a few posts along the top of the field east of the orchard and as soon as we can get a fence up there we will let the sheep in in that field. There was a picnic from Dover in Nanticoke this after noon and the band went down but I didn't go nor I didn't go down to band concert to-night although I guess I could have all right. Louise and Winnie were over here to tea and Enah drove them down after and went with them to the picture show.</p> <p>Friday August 15th</p> <p>Dad. and I went back this morning expecting to find the cows in their new pasture but instead found that they had broken the gully fence into the oats and tramped right through them to John Wess's line. Dad. went back after breakfast and fixed it up and put them in on the clover while Frank and I hauled manure. Then Dad. helped Frank at that and I spent the rest of the day getting the posts and wire ready to put along the top of the field east of the orchard for the sheep Dad. helped me put the wire up while Frank pitched</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>on the last few loads alone. He hauled out 20 loads to-day Dad. and I didn't get the wire stretched very well but as long as it doesn't go right flat I think it will turn the sheep. It has been quite hot to-day. Dad. feels punk.</p> <p>Saturday August 16th</p> <p>Frank and I hauled manure all day but only got out about 17 loads. Niel Eliot was in for awhile this morning and Frank went back with him to show him Kate but he said she wasn't in shape yet to buy. This after noon we were driven in but quite a heavy thunder shower and it kept on raining pretty much till dark. Dad. has felt very miserable and weak to-day and has not been out of the house all day. Frank went down town to-night.</p> <p>Sunday August 17th</p> <p>We were greatly surprised this morning to find George in bed with Dick. He came up last night and came over with Frank after I was asleep. Ed. Turner has got him a good job as draughtsman on the Welland Canal. Dad. drove Tid and me down to Sunday school and the boys all came down to church. Dick and I stayed at Aunty's for dinner and I went with band and played sacred music in Powell park this after noon. George &amp; Frank were down this after noon but came to tea and for the eveing I went down to see Quint for a few minutes and he gave me some ice cream to bring home. Pretty warm to-day, breeze.</p> <p>Monday August 18th</p> <p>Frank and I hauled manure to-day but only got out 13 loads as the rain this morning delayed us so that we only hauled 4 loads out before dinner. It rained again this after noon but not till we were just about to quit. I went down to band practice to-night so we quit at five. Dad. felt better to-day and he and Tid. went down to cut Aunty Alice's oats but they didn't get them cut on account of the rain. Quint took them out for a ride in his motor boat and they got home just in time for Dad. to help me milk. Some garden thief has been very active this last week, about 100 hills of potatoes were dug out of Ed. Moon's garden up on Main St and a lot of beets and carrots were taken from Mrs. Battersby's and Uncle Ward's gardens on Saturday night. Frank drove George down this morning and he got off on the 6.30 G.T.R.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Tuesday August 19th</p> <p>Frank and I hauled out 9 loads of manure this morning and got it all out of the shed at the cow stable but at noon we had a very heavy rain storm which put a stop to outside work for the rest of the after noon, it rained two or three times during the after noon. I read, slept and wrote to Vernon asking her if we could stay with her during The Exhibition. Frank &amp; Tid went back to the gully. This morning Dad. went over to see how Mrs. John Wess was and Mrs. McCarter said she was doing well but in dangerous condition.</p> <p>Wednesday August 20th</p> <p>Frank and I hauled out manure all day and Dad. hoed over in the garden. This morning we put all the sheep in the barn and greased the backs of the ewes which have the wool off. We separated the ewes from the rams and lambs and put the latter back in the orchard and will have the ewes in the field till the lambs are weaned. Dick came home to-night, he has decided not to go to Midland.</p> <p>Thursday August 21st</p> <p>We hauled out a few loads of manure this morning but had to stop twice on account of the rain, however Frank said the field was covered although he would have put another load on if he had time. This after noon Frank drove Joe down and had her shoes set and had Dr. Cook look at his eye which has been very sore for two days. There are some sort of pimples under the eyelid. Dad. and I took Belle &amp; Harry out to start plowing. Dad. struck out for a headland all around the field but old Belle was in no mood for work after her holiday and it took us about 3 hours to get once around the field. For the last stretch I brought out the cow sprayer and scared her into her collar by spraying at her from behind. Band concert to-night. This was supposed to be Boughner picnic day but for once it was a complete failure I suppose on account of the rain. Fine after noon.</p> <p>Friday August 22nd</p> <p>Frank and I hauled out manure to-day and got out {10?} loads. Frank hauled it out along the side road to-day. Dad. went down to Aunty's this morning and was down all day cutting the oats and fixing up the lawns &amp; paths. Frank's eye is better but not well by any means. It has been a fine day sunny &amp; breezy but not too hot.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Saturday August 23rd</p> <p>We are still at the manure and it is not out yet although the pile has dwindled considerably. Frank and I hauled out all day and Dad helped us put on some loads as he was cleaning out the little box-stall in the horse stable where Bill Philip's pig has been living. I went down town to-night with Frank and got my hair cut. We stopped in at Aunty's and were very much surprised to see Vernon &amp; Mrs. Millman, they had come up in the car this afternoon. I went down to the Casino for awhile to look on and there was an awful jam there. I came home with Charlie Quanbury and as he had mentioned when commenting on the great reception His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales is getting in all the Canadian cities that he didn't believe in Royalty, I spent considerable time trying to prove to him that the King &amp; his throne deserved more respect than that and that the British system of government was the nearest perfect of any nation on earth.</p> <p>Sunday August 24th</p> <p>Went to Sunday school and church this morning and so did all the rest of the family. Mr. Brand from Nanticoke took the services morning and evening. Dick and I stayed at Aunty's for dinner and I cut my oats. Vernon left on the four o'clock car so I waited till it went out and went down to the station to see her off then came home and did chores. Enah went down to church to-night. Frank went down to Ward's and I went down to the "sheep pasture, Bronzie". Quite warm, breezy.</p> <p>Monday August 25th</p> <p>Dad. Frank and Tid. went down to Aunty's this morning and got the oats that Dad. cut and we put them in the box stall. Frank will use them for bedding. I put in a post in the chicken yard to fix up a cross fence while they were gone. Dad. stayed down till noon to dig Aunty Alice's potatoes for her. Frank and I got out two loads of manure before dinner and nine I think this afternoon. I went down to band practice to-night. It has been quite cold and showery all day.</p> <p>Tuesday August 26th</p> <p>We expected to finish the manure to-day but although we hauled out 16 loads there is still a little left. Art Quanbury was in at noon to say that Neff had telephoned saying the Judging Competition would be Sept 3 &amp; 4th. To-night Dad. &amp; Enah went out to the Shands to see the Nixon's. I went down to Aunty's for awhile. Cool.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>{This entry is by Toby's father}</p> <p>cutting the East side of the field about 5 O'Clock and I got it all set up. Frank had a very sick turn just as he finished, so I brought the team up and he the cows. We did not get up much too soon for while I was milking we had a heavy rain, but it cleared up in time for Hattie to go down and meet George and Miss Sutherland. We all had tea when they got back, very cool.</p> <p>Sunday August 31st</p> <p>It was showery all morning nothing much but not nice to be out in. Hattie, George and Marion got ready for church but it rained when they were ready to start so they did not go and when it cleared off Dick and I drove Queen down with cream for Auntie and found out there was no service. Alice came over in the afternoon and stayed to tea Lila was over too. Dick came over in the morning having come up from Toronto last night by way of Gault. Cool and damp.</p> <p>Monday September 1st</p> <p>We were all up early this morning to get George, Marion and Frank off. Frank went down on the wheel. I drove the others down and got there Just in time to see the train move out. Marion ran and caught it, but as George could not she and Frank got off and went by way of Brantford. I came back home and by the time I got the cows up and milked and all the other chores done there was not much left of the forenoon. Enah and Tim drove over to Shands School house and Dick and I walked out, had a very nice time in spite of several light showers, but poor Mrs. {Hank?} Ryerse fell and broke her arm. Hattie and Dick went with her in Jack Walkers car to the doctors. There was a good number there in spite of the day being so showery It seems a long time to Thursday night and it is quite a grind going it single handed but I guess we will manage it.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>{This entry is by Toby's father}</p> <p>I did not manage to get much done today but the chores. I watered and fed the horses before it was good day light when I went in the stable after breakfast I saw poor Joe could not put her near hind foot on the floor on examining it I found a two inch nail in at the point of the frog and I had quite a time getting it out. I finally managed it with the hammer, she is very lame I had to take Harry and Queen to finish cutting the oats. Dick took the cows up for me. It has been fair and warmer to day.</p> <p>Wednesday September 3rd</p> <p>My troubles increased this morning when I found six head of cattle in the woods and it was late enough when I had my breakfast. Dick had to go to the dentists but he got home at noon and he and I went back after dinner and got the binder and it took us nearly all the afternoon to get it stored away. It has been fine and much warmer.</p> <p>{Toby takes up the entry again}</p> <p>Thursday September 4th</p> <p>Frank and I reached home to-night on the last car and were mighty glad to get back although we had a fine time in Toronto. Frank was sick to-day but felt better by the time we got home. I went in the beef cattle judging competition yesterday and did very poorly not getting in on the prize money at all. I judged Fruit and Vegetables to-day but don't know how I did. Frank was too sick to judge to-day but he judged sheep yesterday and I guess got something out of it. I spent most of the time taking in shows and at the Fair. Marj. was in Toronto last week and I went over to Hamilton on the boat with her on Monday, she went on to Dover from there. Fine weather</p> <p>Friday September 5th</p> <p>Dad. and I hauled oats off the back field to-day, we were late getting started as we had a lot to do and only got in four very small jags. We had to make them small as Belle was very much inclined to balk after her long holiday. We are stacking the oats outside I went down to see Marj. to-night. It has been quite hot all day.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Saturday September 6th</p> <p>We finished hauling the oats &amp; barley to-day but had quite a time doing it. Belle worked very nicely till the last two loads and then we put on pretty fair sized loads and the first one she balked on the hill when Dad locked the wheel but Dad. shoved it down on top of her so that she went off fairly well. The last load however was a real load and she stopped several times uninvited coming across the field but went off nicely when Dad. put a rope around her front fetlock. That little scheme failed to work however, when she felt the wheel lock on top of the hill but only seemed to make her worse. After working for quite awhile, Frank came back and he and Dad. by main force shoved the waggon down in spite of her. I then let her run to the top of the hill on the road and she went all right till we came to the barn. We had to haul this load in the barn as it only needed a few sheaves to finish the stack but she refused to go into the barn. All manner of persuasion failed to make her budge so Dad. tied her up solidly, took old Harry off and left her there till long after dark. We did the chores had tea and then took Harry out again and hooked him to the waggon and old Belle walked in without a word.</p> <p>Sunday September 7th</p> <p>Frank Tid and I went down to Sunday school this morning and Enah came down to church. Marj. and I stayed at Aunty's to dinner and came over here for tea Dad. &amp; Enah were over at Mrs. Battersby's when we got here at a reception for Mr. &amp; Mrs. Edwin Battersby who expect to go to Shanghai to live soon. Mr &amp; Mrs Millman, Kathleen, Nita, {Tow?}, Jessie Kirtland and Quint all came over in the car to-night. Rather cloudy but close all day.</p> <p>Monday September 8th</p> <p>Frank and I went to Simcoe this morning to get the fertilizer drill that Frank bought. We had to go out around by Wiggin's as the Gravel Road into Simcoe is blocked. We got the drill and got home about three o'clock. I went in to see Slaght again. He was sick again but his son told me that they had heard from Thompson saying he didn't want to sell the "Bronzie" property till he had seen it. When we had dinner we put the load of oats off in the barn and Dad. and I took Pommers &amp; Harry out for a while to get Pommers used to going. I went down to Fred Krell's to-night to get the address of a poultry farm. Very hot.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Tuesday September 9th</p> <p>Frank took Joe down to have her front shoes set this morning and Dad. and I tried to plow out in the old corn stubble with Pommers &amp; Harry but had to stop as the shear was too dull. The ground is very hard and the flies &amp; heat drive poor Pommers about crazy. Dad. came up and ground down one of the cast shears on the grind stone and we went back after dinner and it went fine. It was much cooler this after noon too. Frank took a grist to the mill this after noon with Belle &amp; Queen.</p> <p>Wednesday September 10th</p> <p>It rained most of the morning so we didn't do much. Alan &amp; Sam who had their separator over at Ivey's intending to thrash out of the field to-day pulled it into our barn out of the rain and if all's well will thrash for us in the morning Alan brought the engine over this after noon. Some of the cattle got out on the road so Dad. went to put them in. This after noon Frank and I got half a ton of soft coal. Frank went to the Riding Club to-night at Lynn Valley and I went down town. Dick got tickets for himself and Dad. as he is leaving for the West to-morrow and wants Dad. to go to Toronto with him. Alan &amp; Zeitha were over for awhile this after noon.</p> <p>Thursday September 11th</p> <p>We thrashed this morning but our granaries are in no danger of colapsing with their load. We have 10 bushels of wheat and 219 of oats &amp; barley and pretty poor stuff at that. Sam moved from our place to Pickford's and from there to Alfred's and thrashed the three places out to-day. Frank went down to Pickford's and Alfred's to help. Dad. &amp; Dick left for Toronto this morning. They were going by Galt. as Dick could get a ticket from here to Winnipeg going that way (all C.P.R.) for the same price as one from Toronto to Winnipeg. Dad. was very loth to go but we're hoping he will enjoy himself. Dick says he will have to stay till Saturday as he has arranged for him to come up with the Millman's in the car. After dinner I went back to fix a place in the fence on the side road where the cattle have been getting out, but found I couldn't do much alone as some wires were broken, It began to rain while I was back there and rained quite hard. When I got to the house I found Aunty Alice and Enah ready to start off in the pouring rain with Mexico &amp; the cart. Aunty Alice</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>came over to help Enah and said they must get back to post a letter. I persuaded them to take the buggy. I cleaned up the barn floor till it was time to do chores and I got them done up in good time. Frank got home in time to do his. Mostly fine.</p> <p>Friday September 12th</p> <p>Frank and I went back first thing and fixed the fence up where the cattle escaped. We thought we wouldn't take chances trying to plow with Pommers and as the ground is so hard we didn't like to put Queen or Joe on and we were sure Belle would balk so we didn't try it at all. Old Ross came and got his horse yesterday or we would have tried him. He has led a miserable existance out here as Dave was very mean to him and wouldn't let him near the gully consequently he spent the whole time up in this front field where there wasn't a thing to eat and occasionally Dave would break in there and kick him around. Frank and I spent the day trimming up the sheep. We got the eight yearling rams looing a little better but didn't give them a thorough carding. We were greatly excited at noon by the appearance of six aeroplanes flying over the place to the west. One of them looked to fly directly over our heads and stood between the shop and the woodshed. They were in a sort of cross formation. One ahead, one behind and two on each wing. Just as they got nicely past we saw one circle and light. It looked as if it came down about at Ham. Thompson's and in a few minutes we saw Colin Ryerse going up the road on horseback, that put Frank in the notion so he jumped on his wheel and went up. He was gone for a couple of hours but he found the machine. It had run short of gasoline and had come down about three mile up the Gravel in one of By. William's field. Frank said the flock had started from Buffalo for Detroit and were Americans on their way to Texas for the winter.The one that came down was the one that was first in the race between Toronto &amp; New York during the Exhibition. Mrs. Selby drove one of the aviators to Dover for gasoline and the other stayed by the machine and gave the crowd that gathered all this information. Frank said all the farmer's for miles around had left their teams to come and see it. He stayed till it went up and said it was very funny as they got young Lloyd Wooley to hold the tail down when they started the engine and he was pretty nervous and let go before he should have as he was under the ropes some way and</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>was afraid of being caught. The wind caused by the motion of the propellor is enough to blow a man over almost he said. We did chores up fairly early and I went down town to-night. Aunty &amp; Aunty Alice were looking for Walter &amp; Elsie as they are at Roy's and spoke of coming up either Friday or Saturday and they thought Dad would come up with them but they didn't arrive.</p> <p>Saturday September 13th</p> <p>Frank and I spent most of the day hauling in the straw from around the bottom of the stack. We got about a load and a half and put it in the horse stable loft. It took a long time to pitch it on and we had to move the slings from the barn. Dad. got home while I was milking. He, Walter, Elsie &amp; little John came up with the Millman's in the car. I guess Dad. had a pretty good time playing with the babies, Roy's &amp; Walter's.</p> <p>Sunday September 14th</p> <p>Frank Tid. and I went to Sunday school and Dad. and Enah went down to church. Morton Brown preached. There was no service to-night. We all went down to see Elsie &amp; John after church. Walter was in church with Aunty, but I was the only one who stayed to dinner. I spent the after noon up the beach with Marj. I came home about six and Frank and I did chores. Dad. Enah &amp; Tid went down this after noon and stayed at Aunty's to tea. I went down after tea, but was late as Nellie and I had a {free?} fight, she scratched one of her teats and I couldn't milk her, she kicked milk all over me. Marj. was down at Aunty's so I went up with her and when I came back it was raining so I stayed down all night.</p> <p>Monday September 15th</p> <p>Dad. and I plowed with Pommers and Harry this morning and got along very well, although we struck an old post in the headland next the lane and broke both whipple-trees so had to put on the iron ones. This after noon Frank and I had to go down and help Sam Law thrash, we were down all the after noon and to supper. Walter, Elsie, John and Aunty Alice were all over here for dinner and this after noon. To-night I went down to band practice but there weren't many out. I was in at Aunty's for awhile on my way home. Fine, cool.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Tuesday September 16th</p> <p>Dad. and I plowed all day and got enough done that Frank was able to bring Queen &amp; Belle out and work on it this after noon, he rolled and disked it. We quit at five and all went down town to-night. Frank, Enah and I went to the picture show to see "Miss. Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch" which I didn't think much of and Dad. and Tid stayed at Aunty's to say good bye to Walter &amp; Elsie. I went down on my way home to see them but they had just gone to bed. They are going in the morning.</p> <p>Wednesday September 17th</p> <p>We plowed all day again. Frank did odd jobs and waited all day for Belle to come up from the back field as she always has done as soon as the sun gets hot but she didn't come up for water till night so he couldn't work her, but he took Queen &amp; Joe out late in the after noon and harrowed a little. I went down town to-night to telephone Archie McEwen and ask him what prospects there were for selling one sheep but he was in Toronto so I couldn't get him. I went over to Dyer's and got my hair cut and then came home and polished my horn a little. Cool breeze but sun hot and flies very bad. Cold nights.</p> <p>Thursday September 18th</p> <p>Dad. &amp; I plowed this morning. Frank came out with Belle &amp; Queen and hooked to the roller, they weren't going just to suit Dad so he took them and Frank plowed. Just at noon Dad. had a bad accident. The double-trees on the roller came off and the tongue dropped throwing him forward and scraping his shin badly on the brace of the roller tongue. He couldn't walk at first for the pain but for a wonder he didn't break his leg. He has to keep his leg up all the time as it pains very badly when he puts it down. Frank and I kept on plowing this after noon and to-night we all went down to the Horticultural show. Enah &amp; Tid drove down and when they came home Frank went down I went with the band and we played.</p> <p>Friday September 19th</p> <p>Frank and I plowed all morning and this after noon till we finished the side of the potato patch, just as we finished a storm which had been threatening all the after noon broke and it poured rain soaking us We came up and both had a bath before changing putting on dry clothes. It rained all the rest of the day &amp;</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>night and I didn't go back after the cows. Aunty came over this morning to see Dad. and stayed to dinner but got down town again before the rain. I went down to-night.</p> <p>Saturday September 20th</p> <p>Frank went to the mill this morning and took some oats and wheat down for grist. I harrowed with Pommers and Harry all morning andf this after noon till I finished the piece and then I started to disk. Frank brought the other team out and rolled this after noon. The ground works up fine since the rain which soaked right through. Dad. was able to walk a little to day with the aid of canes. Frank went down town to-night and telephoned McEwen. He said he would be down to look at the rams soon. Cool.</p> <p>Sunday September 21st</p> <p>It rained nearly all morning but Frank and I drove down to Sunday school and church. Enah was very sick yesterday all day and although she was "up and about" to-day she didn't feel like going out so there was no organist in church and consequently no music. I stayed down at Aunty's to dinner and spent the after noon and evening up at the Monteith's, coming home at tea-time to do chores. Ade Millman &amp; his wife were up with the rest of the family in their cottage for over Sunday and they all came over here tihs morning in the rain but I didn't see them.</p> <p>Monday September 22nd</p> <p>Frank and I started in to plow on the other side of the potato patch this morning and have been at it all day getting on fairly well. Dad's leg felt quite a bit better to-day and he drove Mexico down town and stayed at Aunty's for dinner. I went down to band practice to-night.</p> <p>Tuesday September 23rd</p> <p>Frank and I plowed all day, we spent most of the fore noon striking out the rest of the piece and plowed four lands this after noon. Dad. walked out to the field this morning and said he felt well enough to disk if Belle came up, but she didn't come. I caught all my white chickens to-night and shut them up. I wanted to pick out the cockrels. Mrs. Millman, Nita, Kathleen, Orm &amp; a Mr. Bowyer all came over in Orm's car tonight and we spent an hilarious evening. Cool.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Wednesday September 24th</p> <p>Frank and I plowed all day, we got rather a late start and didn't quite get to the gully fence, which we hoped to do by to-night, leaving just the triangle to plow off to-morrow, however Frank says we can do it by to-morrow noon if we get a good start in the morning. Dad. has disked all day and helped me milk to-night as his leg is a great deal better. I went down town to-night.</p> <p>Thursday September 25th</p> <p>We got a late start this morning as it rained or drizzled and threatened to rain for an hour or two but then cleared off and has been fine but a cold wind all day. Owing to the delay we didn't quite finish the field by noon as we had hoped. After dinner Frank and I went over to Jack's and cleaned up enough wheat for our seed and then came back and finished plowing. Dad. disked and harrowed all day and is pretty tired to-night. I am afraid it didn't do him any good.</p> <p>Friday September 26th</p> <p>This has been a most unsatisfactory day as we don't seem to have accomplished very much. I went out this morning and finished harrowing the piece this side of the mangolds with Harry and Pommers while Dad. and Frank went over to Jacks and got the wheat and brought it and the fertilizer out to the field. We then brought the new drill out which takes three horses so there was nothing else for me to do. Frank started to drill but we found the fertilizer was running out too fast but Frank didn't know how to change it so as we only got 8 or 10 rounds drilled before noon, he went out to the Shand's right after dinner to see how they worked theirs. Theirs wasn't working right either but they didn't know how to fix it. On his way home he ran across Bill Cruickshank fixing his car on the road so he brought him in. They fixed it to sow less fertilizer but they couldn't throw the fertilizer feed out of gear. They fiddled away for about an hour and after Bill left frank had to tie a string on the grain feed shaft to keep it from slipping cogs and altogether most of the day was spent in just monkeying. However Frank kept at it till he finished the piece but it was after dark. Enah went down to the Millman's to tea to-night and I went down after tea and spent the evening at the Monteith's. Dad. has felt pretty miserable all day. Fine &amp; cool.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Saturday September 27th</p> <p>Dad. and I ran out the ditches this morning in the piece. Frank sowed with Harry &amp; Pommers and Frank rolled the other piece down with Belle &amp; Joe. This after noon I disked and Frank rolled and harrowed with Belle &amp; Queen. Dad. spent the after noon cleaning out ditches. An aeroplane circled over the farm this after noon and Enah who was down town said it was taking passengers out from Simcoe charging $10.00 for a ten minute fly. Young Arthur McPherson was over here playing with Tid. all the after noon and stayed to tea. He started off very bravely after tea when it was quite dark to go home but sent word back by Tid who went a little way with him that he wished he had said he was scared so Tid called him back. He curled up on the sofa to wait till Frank was ready to take him home but by that time was so sound asleep that he stayed all night and Frank went to tell the folks. It certainly is an eerie spot past Preston's barn &amp; Jonas' house after dark. Roy, Vernon and the children all came up with Mr. Millman in the car to-day.</p> <p>Sunday September 28th</p> <p>Frank and I went down to Sunday school and church this morning and I stayed down to dinner at Auntie's. Enah drove Mexico down and played the organ. This after noon Marj. and I went for a walk up the beach to the Chestnut opening. I came home to tea but was too late to do chores as I stopped in to say good bye to Roy who left at six o'clock. I went down again after tea and met the Millman's and Quint who were all coming over here to see Dad. He felt tired to-day and didn't go down at all. Beautiful day.</p> <p>Monday September 29th</p> <p>I finished disking the field lengthways this morning and then spent the rest of the day crossing it finishing it to-night. Dad. cleaned out ditches all day and Frank harrowed this morning but didn't bring the team out this after noon, I think he picked the big pears in front of the house. I went down to band practice to-night after which I went over to the Millman's for awhile. Kathleen was in the Lake when I got there. There was a man here from below Nanticoke to-day looking at the rams but he didn't buy as he wanted one registered in the American book. Fine day.</p> <p>Tuesday September 30th</p> <p>I went over to Charlie Quanbury's to thrash this morning</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>We started about 9.30 and finished by noon. Dad. &amp; Frank started to drill the other half of the field in and finished in the middle of the after noon. Then they ran out all the ditches before dark. I didn't do much this after noon but clean up a little and patch up the chicken yard fence. It was inclined to drizzle and was cold. The Millman's came over to-night to say good bye as they are leaving to-morrow. Nita was greatly excited over an adventure they had to-day. They were getting chestnuts from a tree along Farrar's place in Vittoria and a man shot at them. She was scared stiff and Aunty was with them and tried to keep Quint and Alan from getting their gun out of the car. Quint did get it however and pointed it at the man and he dusted for the barn in a hurry.</p> <p>Wednesday October 1st</p> <p>Mr. Fleming was in this morning for thrashing hands. He wanted two as Alfred is laid up with lumbago but the machine didn't get there till noon. Dad. Frank &amp; I dug potatoes this morning. We used Frank's digger that he bought at Billy Dixon's sale and it worked pretty well when there were no weeds but where they were thick we had to use the plow. We got eight rows dug out of the twelve but couldn't dig the other four as they would be covered. Dad. dug the ones which we got from Quanbury and which we think are Rural New Yorkers by hand and got a bag full which we will save for seed. Dad. &amp; Enah picked up most of the potatoes this after noon while Frank and I went thrashing. We thrashed wheat till about four o'clock and got 146 bushels and just as the mow waa emptied, the pan under the cylinder broke and Alan had to take it to town. We hung around for an hour expecting it to be fixed but as he didn't come back I came home. Frank stayed there to tea but they didn't thrash any more. I went down town to-night. Beautiful weather.</p> <p>Thursday October 2nd</p> <p>Frank and I went back to Fleming's and finished thrashing the grain, spring wheat and oats. We finished about half past ten and they put the oats through in a hurry. I was carrying away and part of the time couldn't keep the measures emptied fast enough to keep them from running over. When the finished the grain they pulled the clover mill into the barn and started on the</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>seed but Mr. Fleming said he wouldn't need both of us for that so I came home and took a stroll down through "Bronzie" where I found some fine pears. Right after dinner Art Quanbury came in to get me to go and help roof his barn so I was out there all the after noon, his father &amp; Charlie were out too but we didn't get on very fast as the roofing was hard to put on. It is corrugated iron sheets that has been on some military camp building and Art bought it cheap. It will make a good roof but is much harder to handle than new stuff would be. Charlie painted it with some tar roofing preparation as we put it on. To-night I went down and the band played a few selections at the little ceremony they had to present McCauly with a parchment from the Humane Society for the attempt he made last winter to rescue the little boys in the lake. Beautiful day but very warm.</p> <p>Friday October 3rd</p> <p>Frank went back to Mr. Fleming's this morning and they finished thrashing there and then moved to Jack Martin and were there all day. Frank went there too. I waited around for the Quanbury boy's this morning but they didn't come so I went out with Dad. and we plowed out the last four rows of potatoes. I then went over to Mrs. Battersby's and asked John if the boys intended working on the roof and he said they did so I walked out. At noon Frank sent word over by Tid. for me to go over to Jack's but I didn't go thinking the boys would want me on the roof but when they didn't come I supposed they were helping Jack so I helped Dad. pick up potatoes and we got four bags.</p> <p>Saturday October 4th</p> <p>Frank took some stuff to the mill this morning and Dad. and I raked up the weeds off the potato ground. I also washed the buggy. When Frank came back we hauled up the potatoes and the plow and harrows and then took the plow out to the old garden and brought up what few mangolds were any good. This after noon Marj. and I went after chestnuts and had a great after noon. It was quite hot but fine. We got quite a lot of nuts and no-one chased us. Marj. brought a lunch so we had it by the Vittoria creek and got home about nine o'clock.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Sunday October 5th</p> <p>As it was raining a littlle this morning Dad. drove Tid and me down to Sunday school and Frank rode his wheel. Dad. and Enah came down to church I stayed at Aunty's to dinner ansd spenrt the after noon with Marj. We went up to Miss Martin's and went to see the Patterson's but they weren't home. Dad took Vernon for a drive this after noon and left word at Aunty's that I needn't come home for tea so I didn't and went to church with Aunty Alice to-night It was raining when I started fir home so I turned in at Aunty's. I found Frank there too in bed.</p> <p>Monday October 6th</p> <p>Frank and I went home at half past five this morning and and made our departure so quietly that Aunty came down at six to call us. Sam and Alan Law were in while we were milking to see if we wanted to thrash our seed. They didn't want to thrash up the Gravel on account of Simcoe Fair. Dad. told them to come on down so they came about noon. Frank and I hauled in two loads of coal this morning and hunted up thrashing hands. We hauled a load of chestnut coal which was very poor looking stuff and as we had to take one third pea coal we took next time half a load of pea and half of soft. We thrashed all after noon and got the mow over the granary cleaned out and about four bags of seed. I went down to band practice to-night but there were so few there we didn't have any. Pete Holmes was having a dance in the hall so I went in and watched them for awhile. May Perry and Marj. came up while I was there to look on for awhile so I went home with them. There wasn't much of a crowd there.</p> <p>Tuesday October 7th</p> <p>We finished thrashing about ten o'clock and got out about seven bags and a half of seed. I got ready and went to Simcoe Fair on the twelve o'clock car but as it was the second day there wasn't much there. I saw Neff and a Mr. Manning a Y.M.C.A. man and had quite a talk with them. I came back at six with Vernon, Rebecca, Molly, Dick &amp; Alan Tibbits. The Zealand's rowed me across the pond from Ivey's stop. Gypsy had eight puppies last night.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Wednesday October 8th</p> <p>We separated the ewe lambs from the rams this morning and put them with the old ewes. Midget who has not been well for a day or two died this morning and Frank skinned her. I started to shingle the chicken shed roof this morning and worked at it most of the day but didn't make much showing as it is a long roof. This was Vernon's birthday and they all came over here for dinner. Dad. hooked Joe up to Mexico's cart and brought Aunt Ida, Vernon and the two children over and Aunty &amp; Aunty Alice walked. After dinner we went out and picked up hickory nuts for awhile. Frank went to the Simcoe Fair this after noon and got home at six, he said there wasn't much stock there. I went down town to-night. It froze quite hard last night.Only third white frost we have had.</p> <p>Thursday October 9th</p> <p>It turned much milder and rained all morning and has been cloudy all day. Frank and I husked hickory nuts most of the morning and this after noon went down and got a load of stove coal as Huby sent word over that it was in. To-night the "Moonlight Riding Club" to which Frank belongs spent their monthly meeting here. There were about a dozen of them and they seemed to have a pretty good time playing cards and with music.</p> <p>Friday October 10th</p> <p>Dad. Frank and I put the rails across the west bent in the old barn intending to move the alsike straw in and leave room for the calves underneath but by the time we got the rails in place the wind was so strong that we didn't attempt to move the straw. Dad. and Frank went out to clean out ditches in the wheat and I tried to pick the apples. There is only one tree in the orchard that has any number at all on and a there are a few basketfulls on the other trees. This after noon Frank took the old drill back which he has rigged up as a spring tooth cultivator and gave the potato ground a good sorting up. Aunty and Aunt Ella &amp; Rebecca came over this after noon Aunt Ella was attending a W.A. conference in Hamilton and came up here on her way home for a very short visit. She is quite a wonderful old lady, over seventy.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>and spry as a cricket. She walked up to see Miss Battersby this morning, over here and back this after noon and when I went down to-night she was up at church with Aunty Alice. She is very busy working on the Referendum just now and although she is a great temperance worker, she agrees with me that it would be a mistake to try to make prohibition too tight. Aunty Alice takes the same view of the case. Roy came up to-night to stay over Thanksgiving.</p> <p>Saturday October 11th</p> <p>It rained a little this morning and drizzled quite a lot. Dad. and I spent the fore noon rigging up box stalls over in the west bay of the old barn under the rails we put up yesterday. Frank cleaned out the fertilizer parts of his drill and put them away. We all three spent the after noon moving the thrashed alsike into the barn and putting it up on the rails, we got about half of it in. Gladys had {13?} pigs this afternoon, 3 died.</p> <p>Sunday October 12th</p> <p>Frank and I went down to Sunday school and Dad. Enah and Tid drove down to church. This was Thanksgiving service and they had the church very prettily decorated. Mr. Reford (I think that was the name) from Jarvis took the service. I stayed at Aunty's for dinner but came home for tea. I went up to the Davis' where Marj. had been for dinner and she and I walked around the hill stopping at Miss McQueen on our way back. I went down town to-night. Huby Roy and Vernon were all over this after noon. Fine day</p> <p>Monday October 13th Thanksgiving Day</p> <p>Dad. Frank and I spent the morning and part of the after noon moving the rest of the alsike straw into the barn. When we got it in I dug up the dahlia roots and Frank started to put the door of the barn back which was broken off when we were thrashing. Enah and Tid. have been down town all day visiting. I went down to-night to see if there was any band practice but there wasn't so I went down to Aunty's Huby and Aunty Maude were there playing bridge. They had nominations at Vittoria to-day and Jack withdrew and left it to Pratt and Cridland.Tupper was in this morning after thrashing hands. Lovely day</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>The paper to-day reports the wonderful recovery of two littlle girls in the Chicago hospital who were poisoned about two weeks ago by their crazy mother with bichloride of mercury. On Saturday Dr. Carter the specialist who has been working with them said there was no hope whatever for the eldest girl but to-day says that a real miracle has been performed and that they both will recover.</p> <p>Tuesday October 14th</p> <p>Dad. went over to Tupper's this morning and has been over there all day thrashing. Frank and I left for Simcoe first thing this morning and took the seed up. Frank stayed up there with it and had it cleaned but I came back with the team and got home about noon. I spent the after noon doing chores and put a few more shingles on the chicken house roof. Frank didn't get home till after dark. He got a check for about $2.40 for the alsike and there is about a bushel of red seed up there which they cleaned out but which they wouldn't buy on account of the dock seed in it, but as it is easy to get out of the field we thought we would sow it and sell a bushel of our red seed. Frank went down to-night to hear Cridland. Fine day rather cloudy.</p> <p>Wednesday October 15th</p> <p>I have been all day killing my crate fattened cockrels. I killed and picked the thirteen of them and finished soon after four. Dad. and Enah helped me take out the pin "feathers." I had to change all my apparel when I got through. Frank was all morning fixing up the fence along Iveys line and the front field and we put the rams in there &amp; the ewes over in the orchard and field east of it as the rams got so that they wouldn't stay in there at all and this morning the homliest one of the bunch was in with the ewes. Dad. cleaned out ditches this morning. This after noon Frank went down to the dentist's and up creek after school and didn't get home till about seven o'clock. I went down town to-night. Pratt had a meeting to-night at which Dr. Annie Backhouse spoke, she was at Auntie's for tea. It is wonderful and sad the way a crook and liar like Pratt is known to be can wheedle public sentiment into thinking he is an honest man and worthy to be their representative in the House. Alan Tibbitts was over this morning to say good-bye, for he is leaving for Fort Francis this after noon to get there in time to vote. It has been a beautiful day.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Sunday October 19th</p> <p>Frank and I went down to Sunday school, they didn't have a regular lesson but got the children ready to go to church as this was Children's day. They had a good turn out and the choir which was composed solely of children was fine. Nancy Dyer sang a solo. Rev. Ralph Mason preached a fine sermon for the young ones and they never wriggled all through it. I stayed at Aunty's for dinner and this after noon Marj. and I walked up the beach. I came home for tea &amp; went down again.</p> <p>Monday October 20th</p> <p>Dad. Enah and I spent most of the morning voting. I rode Joe out and Dad. and Enah drove Queen. There was a big crowd out at Wiggin's school house and we had to wait about an hour. We all voted for Cridland not that we wanted to see a United Farmer in but we wanted to kick Pratt out. I put three no's and a yes in the Referendum ballot, the yes being for the sale of booze through Government agencie's. Tupper was in and wanted to take Frank out to vote in Dick's name but Frank wouldn't go. This after noon Dad &amp; Frank slew Bill Phillips the pig with the "pimple". He made a pretty fair carcas. I put a few more shingles on the chicken house and to-night I went down town and got my hair cut. Pat. had a big bulletin out in front of the store giving the returns as they came in. There was a big crowd and every one was surprised at the results. The Hearst Government is badly defeated and Hearst himself with four 4 of his ministers are not elected. The United Farmer's have 40 seats. Liberals 31 and Conservatives 28 Labor 11 &amp; 1 independent. Pratt. was snowed right under. Cridland beating 'him' by about 1300. Port Rowan gave Pratt a majority of 45 but it was the only place. Dover went bone dry as well as all the country places. Four or five cities went wet.</p> <p>Tuesday October 21st</p> <p>We were supposed to go and help Ham Thompson fill silo to-day but it was raining when we got up and kept it up all morning. We didn't do any thing all day but sit around and read or write. I slept for awhile. Dad. went down to Aunty's this after noon. Frank and I went down to a J.F.I.A. meeting to-night. They appointed committee for next winter which I think will be a fizzle but I told them I was not going to do any more than president's duties.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Wednesday October 22nd</p> <p>Frank and I went up to Ham's this morning to help him fill his silo and were there till about half past three when we got it full, they had a good run. I was in the silo all the time tramping. I think Dad. put the pork in pickle. I went down town to-night. Fine day.</p> <p>Thursday October 23rd</p> <p>Frank went over to Jack's to fill silo this morning and was over there till about three o'clock when they finished. I went out with Dad. this morning to help him get started plowing as Pommers was feeling pretty frisky. I spent the rest of the fore noon picking apples and only got about two basketsfull, they were so scattered on the trees. I went out after dinner and helped Dad. strike out and then came up and shingled. Dad. has had a very lame knee to-day.</p> <p>Friday October 24th</p> <p>Dad. has plowed all day, his knee was much better Frank &amp; Tid. went down in the buggy this morning and got a few tile to fix the end of the tile drain out at the side road. This after noon he has done odd jobs. I have been shingling all day on the chicken house roof. Went down town to-night. Fine &amp; mild.</p> <p>Saturday October 25th</p> <p>Dad. started to plow this morning and I did a little more shingling but early in the fore noon it started to rain and we had to quit. Dad. got soaked coming in from the field. Tom came in and he was pretty well drenched too. Frank went to Simcoe to get some plow shears. It rained pretty much all day. I didn't do a thing but sit around the house and read.</p> <p>Sunday October 26th</p> <p>Raining again this morning but not hard and Frank and I went down to Sunday school, the rest came down to church. I stayed at Aunty's for dinner and Marj. &amp; I spent the after noon at Miss Martin's. I came home early and helped Dad. do chores as Frank was off at the Ward's with Gilly and Dad. Enah &amp; Tid went down to a duck supper at Huby's. Rev. Skey was there. I had my tea alone and went down to church and spent the evening at the Monteith's.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Monday October 27th</p> <p>It has been stormy all day and we haven't attempted to do any thing but chores except that Dad. and Frank went out and fixed the fence along the side road where the cattle broke through yesterday and got on Pickford's field. Young {Harn?} from Marburg was in this morning and bought a ram lamb for $22.00. He got him cheap but he drives a tight bargain and we needed the money. The lambs hind legs were a little crooked. Frank and I went down town to-night and I went to band practice but there were no cornets there so we didn't have any. I spent most of the evening down at Aunty's, they tried to teach me to play bridge.</p> <p>Tuesday October 28th</p> <p>It cleared off to-day and has been very windy &amp; colder. Dad. plowed all day but said it was very stiff. Frank has done odd jobs. I started to go down town this morning but had such a pain I lay down and slept it off. I went down this after noon and got a pair of rubbers from the man who bought Andrew out. To-night Frank and I went down to a committee meeting of the J.F.I.A. in our Sunday school. Neff &amp; Manning were down we had a fair meeting and arranged for a debate in two weeks</p> <p>Wednesday October 29th</p> <p>I went down this morning to help Uncle Ward pick apples (he asked me yesterday) and have been down there all day. I picked a fine lots of Spys all off one tree. I thought of going to Simcoe this after noon to see a poultry dressing demonstration but it was such a nice day I hated to quit picking so didn't go. Frank went over to Tupper's and picked a couple of bushels for ourselves. Tupper sold them to us for $1.25 a bushel. Dad. has been plowing all day. Zeitha &amp; Molly were over this after noon after mushrooms. Enah went down this morning and took Vernon &amp; the kids to the station as they went back to-day. Aunty Alice went to Brantford with them. I went down town to-night. Dad. &amp; Frank spent the evening studying Dad's income tax report.</p> <p>Thursday October 30th</p> <p>It has been another rainy day and we have done very little Dad. has spent the entire day and evening figuring and filling out his income tax forms. Frank helping. They are very complicated. Frank went to the mill this after noon. I just read and chored around all day. Very mild.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Friday October 31st</p> <p>It rained again this morning but then looked as if it had cleared off till noon and Dad. went out to plow he ran out some ditches and Frank threw the sod out of them. I spent the morning pruning the raspberries. It started in to rain about noon and rained most of the after noon Frank went down to the dentists and I just did chores &amp; sat around. I got four eggs to-day. My first pullet began to lay the day before yesterday. Frank went down to the Women's Institute Hallowe'en party in the Town Hall</p> <p>Saturday November 1st</p> <p>Dad. has plowed all day and Frank and I trimmed up all the ewes and marked all the long legged &amp; long necked ones to sell if any one wants them. We culled out 13 altogether including one lamb. We valued the lot at about $400.00 but don't suppose we will have a buyer. It has been colder to-day and rather cloudy.</p> <p>Sunday November 2nd</p> <p>Frank Tid and I went down to Sunday school and Dad and Enah went down to church. Aunty came over with us to dinner and Dad. and Enah went back with her to tea and went to church to-night to hear Larry Skey, who preached. Frank and I put the ram in with the ewes and then drove out to see Bill Sidway for awhile. We did the chores and I went down and met Marj. who came in on the nine o'clock car. She has been in Toronto helping Clara Gorrie get married. Mid. Thompson gave me a dollar to-night for our Donnybrook trip. Fine day but quite cool. It is very cold out West. Dick said in his last letter that he went to work the other morning but couldn't do any thing as the ink was all frozen so the manager got him to go with him to play cards.</p> <p>Monday November 3rd</p> <p>One of our yearling rams has been breaking through the fence and getting with the ewe lambs so Frank made a poke for him this morning and we put it on. We spent most of the remainder of the day pulling mangolds and got four rows pulled and covered with leaves for the night. Dad. has been plowing all day. We had letters from McEwen and a Wm. Burtch on the same mail route as Archie</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>inquiring about the yearling rams to-day. Frank went down town to-night and telephoned Archie and he said he would be down with another man either to-morrow or Wednesday. Cloudy &amp; cold east wind</p> <p>Tuesday November 4th</p> <p>Frank and I put the rams over in the colony yard this morning and trimmed up the lambs Dad. took the pork out of pickle and made fresh as he was afraid the first wasn't strong enough. He used a preserved egg to test the strength of it and is afraid that it floated in a weaker solution than a fresh one would have. About the time we finished the sheep it began to rain and kept it up till after dinner. I haven't done much all day except write out my side of the debate for the J.F.I.A. Frank has been working out in the barn tearing up the old floor and oiling the bobsleighs. Trum Walker was in for awhile.</p> <p>Wednesday November 5th</p> <p>Dad. has been plowing all day and Frank and I finished pulling the mangolds and got part of them piled and covered and part just covered with leaves to protect them from the frost till we can haul them in. Archie McEwen and Mr. Baily from Oak Park Farm, Paris. were down to look at the rams this after noon. Mr. Baily bought two which he thought were the best but we could only get $40.00 apiece out of them and McEwen didn't give us much hope of selling the rest although he said Mr. Burtch wanted some. We were rather disappointed about it. This was Aunty Alice's birthday and Enah and Tid went down and I sent her a dozen eggs. Charlie Blake was in to invite Frank and me down to a party at his place to-night. Frank went down but I went down town. Cloudy &amp; cold wind.</p> <p>Thursday November 6th</p> <p>Dad. plowed all day and got on very well. I was getting ready to haul in the mangolds this morning and Frank was down getting nails to make sheep crates, when Chris Quanbury came over and told Enah there was a long distance call put in at his mother's for her, she went over but found it was for me from Brantford.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>I waited over there a long time but couldn't get through. I was just going out the door having made an appointment for 12.30 when the call came and a woman's voice told me that Mr. Burtch had left on the 10 car and wanted me to meet him. The car was nearly due then so I ran home and hooked up Queen and drove down to the station. Huby went over to the station as the car was in and found out that Burtch had got off at Main St. and walked over having received directions from the conductor, so he was here before I was. He proved to be a very decent fellow but told us the ram market was all off this year and he didn't dare take any more rams off our hands than he knew he could place. He bought one for $30.00 and told us he would try to place the other five if we would let them go at $25.00 apiece. The long necked, parrot-mouthed fellow will have to be eaten I guess, and I don't know whether we will be able to sell any more lambs or not. Burtch helped us make a crate as he wanted the ram he bought shipped this after noon. He stayed to dinner and</p> <p>I drove him down to catch the one o'clock car. Then Frank and I crated up the ram and took him down to the after noon express. We got some lumber on our way home and by five o'clock had enough cut to make three more crates and had them partly put to-gether. The Quanbury's called Frank in on the way home as there was another phone call for us and he found it was Burtch wanting another ram to be shipped with Bailey's to-morrow. Frank finished putting the crates to-gether after tea to-night. Aunty Alice was over here to dinner. I went down to a card party at the Harry Moon's to-night. We played Five Hundred and had a very nice time Quint was there and won first gentleman's prize and Marj. won the Ladie's. Cloudy, raw.</p> <p>Friday November 7th</p> <p>Dad. has plowed all day. Frank and I crated up the three rams and got them off on the morning express. We hauled in one load of mangolds before dinner and three this after noon. We have them all in now except the piles. I went down town to-night and went over to Col. Smith's to call for Aunty Alice. Cold east wind, cloudy.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Saturday November 8th</p> <p>Dad. plowed all day. Frank and I hauled in the rest of the mangolds this morning in two loads. We put one load in the cellar and left the other on the barn floor to feed up. It took us till noon to pile them all down cellar and clean up the cellar floor. Frank helped Dad. do some ditching this after noon and I did chores. I bedded down the cow stable and put the cows in for the night. Horn came and took his ram lamb this after noon. I went over to Quanbury's and telephoned Neff as he wrote me yesterday asking me if I could go to Toronto on Monday to help him fix up an exhibit for the Fruit &amp; Flower Show. I'll go.</p> <p>Sunday November 9th</p> <p>Frank Tid and I went to Sunday School this morning and Enah came down to church. Tim. went to Huby's instead of going to church and he Quint &amp; Huby went up the creek &amp; stayed at Huby's to dinner. Marj. and I had dinner and spent the after noon at Aunty's, then we came over here for tea Quint and Tid came over with us. Zeitha came over to practise a song with Enah to sing to-morrow night when the Prince's flag is to be presented to the town and township for winning their objective in the Victory Loan. She wouldn't consent to stay to tea but after going down the road a little way on her way home she met Rex who scared her back and she stayed to tea and for the evening. I stayed at Aunty's all night to leave for Toronto in the morning.</p> <p>Monday November 10th</p> <p>I left on the 7 o'clock car this morning, left Brantwood at 10.17 and arrived at Roy's about noon. They hadn't received my card so were very surprised to see me. I went out to the Exhibition grounds right after dinner and was out there till six helping Neff get a little corner in the Transportation Building fixed up for the Norfolk exhibit, none of his stuff had come so we couldn't do much. I went back to Roy's at six for dinner and stayed there all the evening. It has been cloudy &amp; rained a little.</p> <p>Tuesday November 11th</p> <p>I went out to the Horticultural Show at eight o clock this morning and was out there all day and evening coming in with Neff for dinner &amp; supper at the Carls -</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Rite. I fully intended going home to-night at six o'clock but as Neff was not nearly through I didn't like to leave him. We were out there till after ten to-night and then were not through. This was the anniversary of the signing of the armstice and it was supposed to be observed throughout the whole Empire by every one stopping work at eleven o'clock for two minutes, this was the King's request. We stopped work out at the Exhibition and then sang "God save the King." and I guess the same thing was done all over. To-night there was a reunion and banquet for some battalion at the Carls. Rite. and {illegible} in for all the racket they made. There was an open air dance and general celebration up on University Ave. to-night and there were a couple of aeroplanes flying around all illuminated. We went up to University Ave on our way home to-night but the dance was over with.</p> <p>Wednesday November 12th</p> <p>I didn't get up very early this morning and went down town till noon to get some things. I hurried through lunch at Roy's intending to leave for home at 1.20 but I didn't give myself time enough to get to the station and missed my train by about two minutes. I had a shave and hair cut and went back up to Roy's for about an hour and left on the 4 o'clock train, it was a slow one and I didn't get to Brantford till nearly seven so didn't get to Dover till nine. I went up to Aunty's for a minute or two and then up town to see Marj. Cold to-night.</p> <p>Thursday November 13th</p> <p>Charlie Quanbury was through here before daylight and before anyone but Dad. was up on his way to light a fire in the engine and he wanted one of us to go over and help him thrash his alsike. I went over about nine o'clock and we finished about 10.30. When I got back I helped Dad. throw out some ditches in the corner field till noon and Frank plowed in there all day. Dad. finished the other field while I was away. This after noon Dad. &amp; Tid went down to Aunty's to bank up the house. I cleaned out the cow stable and spent most of the after noon cleaning out one end of the chicken shed and putting in fresh straw. It froze very hard last night and has been very cloudy and freezing quite hard all day.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Friday November 14th</p> <p>It froze hard last night but Frank was able to plow and has been at it all day. I went back to the gully this morning and chopped a hole in the creek for the cattle to drink then I spent the rest of the morning moving the hay around in the horse stable so that we could put some straw up there. We wanted to move the stack or what is left of it in to-day but it was too windy. I didn't do any thing much all the after noon but a few chores. We put the cows all in this after noon as well as Wilkins Micawber Knocfierna and Nancy. Wyatt Waddle and a Frost &amp; Wood agent were here this after noon to sell Dad. a mower. He said if they would alow him $40.00 on the old one he would get a new $90.00 one from them so they were going to try to deal it off. Enah went down town this after noon and sold four dozen eggs for me @ 65 cts. I got 16 eggs to-day. I went down town to-night and Frank went to a dance at Nanticoke.</p> <p>Saturday November 15th</p> <p>We spent most of the morning getting ready to haul straw we had to take the box off the waggon and put the rack on. We had quite a time with Wilkins Micawber who being homesick and lonesome for his ma was very persistent in his attempts to jump out of the pen, he did jump out once and we had to put another plank on. Another delay was caused by Ansin Abbott coming after his pigs. Dad. sold him the whole litter, nine, for forty dollars, one was a very runty one. We got two sling loads on and over to the horse stable before dinner but didn't put them off. We put them off after dinner and then while Frank went down town to send off an order to Eatons for a stove which we are getting for the dining room Dad. and I put on two more lifts and put them off in the horse stable. We had very poor luck putting it off as it was too short to lift. We then put on a fair sized load and hauled it in on the barn floor. Still cold but sunny, milder to-night.</p> <p>Sunday November 16th</p> <p>Frank Tid. and I went to Sunday school and Enah came down to church. I stayed at Aunty's for dinner and was there most of the after noon. Lila and I came over here about four o'clock, stayed to tea and went down again. I spent the evening with Marj. who had been in Vittoria with the Johnson's. Much milder</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Monday November 17th</p> <p>Frank plowed all day in the corner field. Dad. and I put off the load of straw that was on the barn floor and then started to move the stack in. We couldn't put it on the waggon as it was so windy but just shoved it in the door and piled it up on the barn floor. We got quite a little pile in by noon but Tupper was over and wanted one of us to help him thrash. Dad. went so that Frank and I could go down to a tea in the Sunday school to-night. I spent the after noon doing chores and I went down to the mill in the buggy to get some rolled oats and oil cake. 100 of oil cake cost me $4.75. I did the milking very early and Frank and I went down to the Sunday school a little after six but in time to get something to eat. Mr. Manning was there and a good turn out of boys and he addressed them on the organized Sunday School classes. Mr. Manning had to leave at seven o'clock so the meeting closed. I went up to Miss Martin's with Marj. and then went and got shaved and called for Enah at Aunty's about eight and we went up to a party at Ada's. We had a very nice time, there were only a few there, two tables playing bridge and Winnie. Jim Emmet &amp; Miss Perry (Mrs. Freeman's sister) playing Rummy. Lovely day.</p> <p>Tuesday November 18th</p> <p>Frank has been over at Tupper's all day thrashing. Charlie Quanbury told me on his way to the farm that there was a telephone call for me so I went over and found it was Mr. Burtch who wanted me to ship the two best rams that were left. Dad. and I spent the rest of the morning building a rcate. We had one crate which Burtch had shipped back to us. We took the rams down to the station right after dinner and left them, then came home around by Aunty's, Harry Battersby rode over the hill with us to Mrs. Battersby's. When we got home we put more of the straw stack in the barn &amp; got most of it in. It was a beautiful morning but turned colder this after noon and snowed quite hard for a short while.</p> <p>Wednesday November 19th</p> <p>Frank went over and thrashed at Tupper's all day and said they would have another half day of it but he said he wouldn't go back to-morrow as I want to go with Neff. He was down yesterday morning and said he was going to take the Courtland boys up to Burford &amp; Paris to judge stock to-morrow and invited me to go along. Dad. and I ran out some ditches in the corner field this morning and</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Dad. plowed the rest of the day. I threw out ditches till noon and spent most of the after noon doing chores. I went down town to-night and stayed down. Cold west wind to-day.</p> <p>Thursday November 20th</p> <p>I went to Simcoe on the early car this morning and walked up to Neff's place, he was just getting the car out when I got there to take his brother up to their orchard. It was pretty frosty so I went back with them to his office and waited there till Neff got back. We started on our trip about eight and went to Mr. Knight's at Vanessa where we were supposed to meet the Courtland boys. We were there for a long time looking over his dual purpose shorthorns. He has some good milkers and his bull is out of Moore's old Dairymaid but all the stock was thin. At last when the boys didn't appear we went up to Vanessa and found them all waiting there as they had forgotten the name of the fellow we were to see. We didn't go back to Knight's as it was late but went on over to Burtch's at Mt. Pleasant. He has some fine Shrop. ewes and we had two good classes of judging. I saw one of the rams we shipped him and he gave me a checque for them. From there we went to Brantford &amp; had dinner at our old chink cafe, it is a good place. After dinner we went over to Burford and were there quite awhile looking at Brethour's Yorkshires. He is fitting up a bunch to take to the International and certainly had some beauties at least if such an adjective can be applied to hogs they were when judged by their own standards. From Brethour's we went over to Gurney's at Paris and were there till dark looking at Belgians. We started right for home from Gurney's but Neff took a road he wasn't familiar with and just north of Scotland we struck an awful bit of trail going through a swampy piece of bush. We thought several times we were going to be stalled and there was no possible chance of turning around. Neff and I were ahead in his Ford and the other boys were following us in a McLaughlin &amp; a Gray Dort. However we did get through it eventually and stopped at Scotland for Neff to fill his car with water, when the other boys came up there was some tall language used at Neff for taking then over such a road. That was the last we saw of them for they struck off west from Scotland on the Talbot road for Delhi while Neff and I came right down the town line to Simcoe. I had tea at Neff's</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>place and then he drove me down to the L.E.&amp; N. station where I caught the nine o'clock car. The weather couldn't have been nicer.</p> <p>Friday November 21st</p> <p>Dad. plowed all day and got on well. He was at it yesterday but it was frozen so hard he had a hard time Frank and I spent the morning throwing out ditches. This after noon we (Frank &amp; I) went down town and got a load of coal as Huby sent a note over to say there was a car in. It is what they call washery not coal and is dull owing to the fact that it has been out in the weather for a year, it is also full of clinkers. Frank &amp; I went down town to-night and he went to the Women's Institute dance in the hall. It has been milder &amp; stormy looking.</p> <p>Saturday November 22nd</p> <p>Dad. was up at five o'clock this morning and so was in time to see Frank getting home from the dance. He just changed his clothes and went to work without any sleep. Dad. plowed all day and got a lot done as he had such a good start. Frank and I put up the straw that was on the barn floor this morning into the mow. This afternoon I did chores and we unloaded the coal we got yesterday. Frank went down town to-night and met George who came up from Allanburg to spend Sunday. Frank went to bed as soon as he got home. There was supposed to be an eclipse of the sun this morning but it was too cloudy to see it. Cloudy all day.</p> <p>Sunday November 23rd</p> <p>Frank and I went down to Sunday school and I alone went to church. Marj. came over here to dinner and we have all been home all after noon and evening. Frank, Tid and George went out for awhile with the rifle this after noon Quint came over here to tea and spent the evening. The Grand Trunk round house burned down last night and ruined the two engines. Fine but a rather cold wind.</p> <p>Monday November 24th</p> <p>Dad. has plowed all day and got on very well. Frank and I went down and got a load of soft coal this morning. We took George down with us and he left on the eleven o'clock car. We also took Gypsy down to Quint who is going to take her up to Bill Oakes at Turkey Point. Bill has charge of Dr. McInnes's "farm" there and goes halves with the</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>doctor on the trapping and shooting. The doctor has gone to South America for the winter. Dad. suggested to Quint that he take Gyp. up there and put Tid. off by saying that Bill would train her and send her back. Tid was quite willing for her to go yesterday but as the hour of parting drew near he decided she shouldn't go. Frank took her however and Tid was overwhelmed with grief. This after noon I did chores and Frank let down the lane fence on the posts along the wheat so that the sheep couldn't get in and pulled what few turnips there were and then we went out with Joe &amp; Queen and got them. Fine day.</p> <p>Tuesday November 25th</p> <p>Dad. was out at daybreak this morning and got in a good day's plowing. Frank and I spent the day doing odd jobs. We battened up Moonshine's stall this morning and Frank fixed the manger in the corner where he stood all summer and put Kate in so that he can feed her. He sold her to Karl the other day but he doesn't want to take her yet, so said he would pay for the chop she ate if Frank would feed her. I put tar paper around the little apple trees this after noon to protect them from the mice. Aunty Alice was over for a few minutes this morning and brought some salve for Tid's forhead. Frank and I went down to the J.F.I.A. social evening in the Sunday school to-night. There was a big turnout and we had quite an hilarious time much after the fasion of the ones we had last winter. It has been mild &amp; cloudy and rather misty all day.</p> <p>Wednesday November 26th</p> <p>Dad. plowed from day light till dark and got a lot turned over. I spent nearly the whole day doing chores but went out for awhile and cleaned out a few ditches. Frank has felt rather tough all day with a pain but he did a little ditching and this after noon went down and helped Tige clean out the Sunday school. I went down to band practice, there were about half a dozen there and we sat around the stove talking about the income tax till about nine o'clock then I went downstairs and ran across Marj. so went up and spent the evening with her. I came back past the hall where there was a U.F.O. meeting going on so I asked Corby if they practised. He said they did a little and Clare Deal took my horn home. Cloudy &amp; freezing raw east wind.</p> <p>Thursday November 27th</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Dad. plowed all day but as it has been freezing a little ever since yesterday it plowed pretty stiff and he didn't get quite so much done, however, he is just about to the old cherry tree so will soon be done. I cleaned a few ditches this morning but spent most of the day doing chores. Frank took some oats to the mill this morning but there wasn't enough water to chop it. I went down to Aunty's to tea to-night. Marj. was there and after tea she Aunty Alice &amp; I went to see "Venus in the East" at the picture show. After the show Aunty Alice went to play bridge at Cousin Clare's and I called for her.</p> <p>Friday November 28th</p> <p>It froze hard last night and there was no chance of plowing and most of the morning was spent doing chores and gettin Enah &amp; Tid. started off for Toronto. They went to Brantford on the eleven o'clock car and were going to take a train for Toronto from there after dinner.They drove Mexico down town and Dad. walked down, stayed to dinner and drove back this after noon. He said Tid. at the last minute was very loth to leave and seemed quite sick.They didn't know whether he was cold or excited, but they persuaded him to go as far as Brantford and then if he still felt sick he could come back, but as they haven't showed up I guess he recovered. This after noon Frank borrowed Jack Martin's hog crate and we weighed up his four hogs, they just averaged 200 lbs apiece. We did chores up early and I went to bed soon after tea and Frank went out to Bill Sidway's.</p> <p>Saturday November 29th</p> <p>Frank got breakfast this morning and right after breakfast Dad. left home and didn't show up till after dinner. He went down to Aunty's to clean up a little down there around the barn. Frank has been doing housework all day and I have been doing chores. It began to rain quite early this fore noon and has kept it up all day clearing off at night and a strong west wind taking its place by ten o'clock there was a regular hurricane blowing and it was increasing in violence. Frank went down town to-night and said when he got home that there were several trees blown down and the false front above the roof of Hugh McQueen's store had blown off.</p> <p>Sunday November 30th</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>The wind was still very high this morning and has abated very little by this evening but has not been so strong as it must have been during the night. We got off with very little damage. It blew the north doors off the old barn and two or three boards from the big barn and tipped over the "library." When Dad. got up the windmill had blown in gear and was going like mad. He ran out to shut it off with scarcely any clothes on and nearly froze. He found the barnyard half flooded. We heard later that the wind blew Edmond England's windmill down and the head of John Wess's. It wrecked the big drying kiln over at the brickyard and blew down a new building that Kolbe was just putting up. Frank &amp; I went down to Sunday school and church this morning &amp; stayed at Aunty's for dinner. This after noon I drove down to Nanticoke to bring Marj. home as she went down to the Banfield's Friday night. The roads were rather rough but it wasn't bad. I was bundled up so with Dad's fur coat I couldn't feel the wind. I took a fur coat of Aunty Alice's down for Marj. so she didn't get very cold. We got home soon after six. I came home and had tea and then went back down town again. Frank &amp; Alex England went down Mud Street to-night.</p> <p>Monday December 1st</p> <p>We haven't done much but chores to-day, they take most of our time now that the cattle are all in. Dad. fixed the fence that the wind blew down and nailed on the boards that had blown off and we re-established parliament. Aunty came over and helped Frank get dinner but didn't stay long after dinner. I shifted the chickens around to-night. I put the old hens in where the roosters were and put all but two of them in the fattening crate. I left one in with the old hens and put the one that was so full of fight in with the pullets. Fine day, freezing all day, cloudy. Owing to the coal-miner's strike and the shortage of soft coal The G.T.R. has taken off 70 trains from Ontario lines, all our midday trains being included so that we don't get our mail till the day after it comes in now. Jim comes early.</p> <p>Tuesday December 2nd</p> <p>Did nothing but chores to-day. Dad. went down to Aunty's for dinner but came home right after and we brought the rams up and put them in the field back of the barn. It snowed last night and quite a bit this morning and to-night is 10° above zero. Frank and I went down town to-night. Lovely night but frosty.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Wednesday December 3rd</p> <p>Have put in most of the day doing chores, but made a box this after noon to ship my pair of dressed cockrels up to the Winter Fair and Frank painted it for me. Tupper came over after dinner and took Dad. over with him to help him kill his old sow, so Dad. was over there all the after noon and to tea. He shouldn't have gone as his cold made him feel sick and he got cold over there. To-night I went down to band practice. Freezing all day and 8° above zero to-night.</p> <p>Thursday December 4th</p> <p>Aunty Alice came over to dinner to-day and thought Frank's housekeeping was splendid, if he keeps on he will make a fine wife for somebody someday. Besides the chores we managed to get time to put the old box stove out of the shop up in the dining room this morning and to-night Dad. has a fire in it and it is nice and warm. We ordered a Quebec Heater from Eaton's but it was too cold to wait for it to come. Dad. went over to John Wess's this after noon to ask him if he had any intentions of selling out but he wasn't home, both he &amp; Mrs. McBride are in bad shape. I went down to the mill in the buggy after some chicken feed. Milder.</p> <p>Friday December 5th</p> <p>Dad. has done most of the chores to-day as I put in a lot of time killing and fixing up my cockrels which I am going to send up to the Guelph Winter Fair. I killed four and will take the two best and send them up. I had good luck killing and plucking them and as there were no pin feathers they looked very nice. I found the box I had made to ship them in was too small so I went over to Jack Martin's this after noon and got another. They were boxing up a shipment of chickens for Australia over there. I am going down town to-night. It has been milder but still freezing.</p> <p>Saturday December 6th</p> <p>I made another box to ship my cockrels in this morning and got them packed and shipped by this afternoon's express. Frank and I went down town in the waggon and got a bag of sugar whch Aunty ordered for us the other day and got some chop at the mill. Aunty Alice was over to dinner and most of the after noon darning socks for us. Snowed all after noon, milder.</p> <p>Sunday December 7th</p> <p>Frank and I went down to Sunday school and church and</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>stayed at Aunty's for dinner. Frank went home right after dinner but I stayed down all afternoon and evening and had tea at Aunty's and went to church with Aunty Alice &amp; Dad. I spent the after noon and evening with Marj. Dad. did all the chores and came down to Aunty's for tea. He took Molly for a sleigh drive this after noon but the cutter didn't slip very well. Fine day.</p> <p>Monday December 8th</p> <p>We haven't done much to-day but chores. Frank has been very busy all day getting the house slicked up in preparation for Enah's &amp; Tid's homecoming to-night. He has made a fine housekeeper and cook but looks forward to chucking the job to-morrow. Dad. and I drove down town with the cutter as soon as we got the night chores done but had to wait around town for nearly an hour as the seven o'clock car was very late Enah &amp; Tid were aboard and Dad drove them home and I walked. Frank had a good tea already for us when we got home and I was ready for it. Enah and Tid both had a good time in Toronto but were glad to be home.</p> <p>Tuesday December 9th</p> <p>It turned very mild during the night and rained all morning and has been very spring-like all day. I spent most of the day doing chores and Dad. and Frank fixed up a place to hang pigs as we expect to kill to-morrow. Frank and I went down to a J.F.I.A. meeting to-night in the Sunday school. It was supposed to be an agricultural evening and in the hands of that commitee but as Lloyd &amp; George Ryerse were the only other members present we adjourned and Frank and I went down to Auntys for the remainder of the eveing.</p> <p>Wednesday December 10th</p> <p>We had intended butchering our hogs to-day but it was so cold and windy that Dad. decided not to. He went over to Tupper's to tell him so as Tupper was coming over to help. Dad. was over there most of the morning. Tupper told him that he had sold out to Tom Butler and his pal. Neil Elliot was in after dinner and bought Snowdrop for thirty dollars. I wernt down to band practice to-night. Very cold &amp; windy, near zero.</p> <p>Thursday December 11th</p> <p>It was still very frosty this morning but the wind had died down so Tupper came over to slay our porkers. I didn't have much to do with the ceremony as I was</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>busy doing chores. I did help a little after the pigs were scalded but couldn't work hard enough to keep warm, so quit. Right after dinner I took poor old Snowdrop down to the Dog's Nest where Neils man was to call for her. I didn't see him but tied her in the Gospel Hall shed and left her. I just did chores after I got home. They finished the pigs about three o'clock and the four of them hanging behind the shop make it look as if we wouldn't starve this winter anyway. Aunty. Marj. &amp; Win all came over here to tea and we had the crate fattened roosters.</p> <p>Friday December 12th</p> <p>Dad. has put in the entire day dissecting the dead pigs and got through by to-night and has the woodshed piled full. I put in most of the day doing chores. Arthur Preston was over this afternoon and told us they were going to thin half the trees out of their orchard and that if we would clean them out we could have all the wood for doing it, so Dad. was higly pleased with the proposition. Jack Walker was over canvassing for subscriptions to a fund to buy a new organ for the church. I went down town to-night but it was raining when I came home so I stayed at Aunty's all night. Huby got moved to-day to their house up on St Andrew Street. Turned soft last night. Very mild all day.</p> <p>Saturday December 13th</p> <p>I did chores this morning and Dad. &amp; Frank took Gladys down to Clarence Finch's. This after noon Frank and I hauled home a load of chestnut coal as Kolbe just got a car in and we put it in the old coldframe near the colony house as I intend to use it for a brooder. Dad. has been busy all after noon and evening putting the pork in the pickle. Colder.</p> <p>Sunday December 14th</p> <p>Frank and I went to Sunday school and church. Frank rode his wheel and took Tid. down on it but Tid. was so cold when they got to Aunty's that he stayed there till he got warm and then walked home. Marj. came over here to dinner to help eat spare ribs and she stayed all the evening. Enah went down to choir practice this after noon. Frank lit out for Mud Street after dinner and didn't get back till night Dad. and I did up the chores but didn't milk. Dad. went down after tea to see Aunty Alice as her cold was bad and she had a lame back. Very cold.</p> <p>Monday December 15th</p> <p>I went over to John Wess's this morning to inquire after them and John told me that Mrs. McBride was down in bed</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>now and couldn't get up. It looks pretty tough for him and he is all alone with her, he himself is just able to limp around and do the chores, but he expects Cam. home this after noon. I went over to Jack Martin's for awhile when I got back from John Wess's to ask them about a stove brooder and Chris. told me that he might be able to get one for me from a man in Galt. I went to Simcoe on the one o'clock car and took my sample of milk to Neff and priced the brooders at Boyd's. The size Chris advised me to get cost $33.00. I came home on the 3 o'clock car. To-night Marj. and I went to the Methodist church to hear Capt. Martin give his lecture Jean Valjean. Frank and Lila were there but there was a very small crowd, the lecture was very good. Very cold &amp; windy all day. Below zero to-night.</p> <p>Tuesday December 16th</p> <p>It was very cold this morning, below zero and a strong wind and although we were up fairly early it took us some time to thaw out and start to work. Frank went to prime the pump at the windmill this morning but the water froze immediately between the pump rod and the pump lead and as the windmill was in gear it broke the wooden jerk rod. Frank went over to Tupper's after breakfast to help him move some thrashed hay, but they didn't do much at it and Frank came home after dinner. I went down to Sam Law's to thrash this after noon. I didn't do very much as there was only a very little bit and Charlie Quanbury couldn't keep warm at it alone. We finished about four o'clock and then had supper. Sam got about three bags of seed. I went down town to-night.</p> <p>Wednesday December 17th</p> <p>Dad. and Frank went down to Preston's this morning and cut one of the trees. They were going back right after dinner but Frank fixed the jerk rod in the windmill first, and then Ham Thompson came after his {illegible}. Karl. Coleman also came and got Kate. Then Pickford and Tom. Butler came over and Pickford bought one of the yearling rams to kill. By the time they left it was too late to cut more wood so they just took the waggon down and hauled home what they cut. I went down to Aunty's to tea to-night. Marj. was there and she and Aunty went up to the Girls' Branch and I went to band practice. Neither of our meetings ammounted to much owing to lack of gas so Marj. and I went over to Miss McQueen's for awhile and then I spent the evening over at the Monteith's with her. I left my horn at Hec. Henderson's but when I went to get it the door was locked. Hasn't been above zero all day but clear &amp; no wind.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Thursday December 18th</p> <p>Dad. and Frank went down and cut a couple more trees in Preston's orchard this morning. I didn't do much but hang around waiting for Pickford as we expected him over to get one of the yearling rams to kill. He didn't come however. As there was no wind to pump to-day we had to carry all the water for the stock and so we spent most of the after noon doing chores. Frank drove down town to get a lot of Christmas groceries and a box to send Elva one of the pups in. I went down town to-night to see if Marj. intended going home to-morrow. I didn't see her but found that school started again to-day so she won't be able to go till Saturday. School has been closed since Monday as some grater in the furnace had to be replaced and they just came yesterday.</p> <p>Friday December 19th</p> <p>Pickford and Tom. Butler came over and got the ram before we had breakfast this morning. The ram weighed 155 lbs and he gave us 8 cts a lb for him. Frank and I drove down town right after breakfast and shipped the pup to Elva by the L.E.&amp; N. express. I stayed down at Aunty's all morning and chopped some wood for them to cook the spiced round. Frank and Dad. went down to Preston's this morning and sawed up some more apple wood and this after noon Frank went over to Tupper's and helped him put in the rest of his thrashed hay, while Dad. and I just did chores. To-night Frank and I went down town and I spent the evening with Marj. She is going home to-morrow. Frank went to the W.I. dance and is staying all night at Aunty's intending to go to Allanburg in the morning to spend Sunday with George. He had a letter from George saying that their office down there had been burned to the ground and Ed. Turner lost every thing he owned. It has been bitterly cold all week but is a little milder to-night.</p> <p>Saturday December 20th</p> <p>Dad. and I went down to Preston's this morning and sawed up a little more wood, and this after noon hauled a load home. Aunty was over to tea to-night as it was Tid's birthday. I went down with her and went up town for awhile to get some Christmas cards. Beautiful day but no wind to pump water.</p> <p>Sunday December 21st</p> <p>I went down to Sunday school and church but have been home all the after noon. Dad. and Enah went down this after noon to choir practice and Enah stayed down to tea and went with {Name?}</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Walker to Hagersville to-night to hear an organ in the Methodist church there. It has been a beautiful day but no wind to pump water and we are at our wit's end to know what to do as we daren't take too much out of the well it is so low and the cistern is nearly empty and we can't pump enough by hand from the well at the windmill as something is wrong with the sucker and only the windmill will pump it. It has been much milder to-day &amp; yesterday but by no means soft.</p> <p>Monday December 22nd</p> <p>Dad. spent most of morning drawing water out of the well at the windmill as there has been no wind to pump. I killed my five roosters. Bob Doherty was in this after noon and I promised him 12 of the lambs @ 14 cts a lb. To-night Enah and I went down to the confirmation service at which Lila was confirmed. Frank got home to-night. Mild but rather foggy all day.</p> <p>Tuesday December 23rd</p> <p>Frank and I took Dick's box down to the Express office this morning and then bagged up some oats and took them down to the mill. Al. Faulkner came over and got six of his geese and we kept two for our share. I went over to John Wess's this after noon and Frank and Tid got a Christmas tree. We went down to J.F.I.A. to-night but no-one was out.</p> <p>Wednesday December 24th</p> <p>Didn't do any thing very important this morning. Frank went down town on his wheel and got some cabbage at Uncle Ward's &amp; took Cousin Loll one of the crate fattened cockrels. McEwen and a freind another McEwen were down this after noon and the other man bought two yearling ewes for $35.00 apiece. George came to-night.</p> <p>Christmas Day.</p> <p>We all went down to church this morning, spent most of the after noon doing chores and had dinner over here at night. Huby supplied the turkey. Dad. brought Aunt Ida over in the cart and the rest all walked over. All from Huby's, all from Aunty's and Cousin Clare made with ourselves a party of 15. We had a tree after dinner and every one got loaded with presents. It has been very cold all day, 8° below zero this morning.</p> <p>Friday December 26th</p> <p>Dad. hauled the two sleepers out of the big barn this morning and this after noon we cleaned the remains of the driveway floor out of it, so that now we can let the sheep in and drive in if we need to. We all went down to Aunty's to-night and had a fine evening. Much milder. George stayed down all night at Aunty's as he intends leaving in the morning.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Saturday December 27th</p> <p>Frank and I drove down in the waggon this morning and got some nails &amp; lumber to make sheep crates and feeding racks and we spent most of the after noon making a couple of crates to ship McEwen's yearlings in. I worked all the evening at my show card course and got the first lesson fairly well done. It has been much milder to-day.</p> <p>Sunday December 28th</p> <p>Frank Tid. and I went down to Sunday school and Enah walked down to church. Aunty came over with us to dinner. Dad. had to draw up water for the cattle this after-noon as there wasn't wind enough to pump. Frank went skating this after noon and he and Alex England went off for a drive to-night. I spent the evening reading "An Irish Cousin", which Roy &amp; Vernon sent me. Fine and cold.</p> <p>Monday December 29th</p> <p>First thing after breakfast this morning Frank &amp; I took our two ewes down and shipped them by the 9.45 express to McEwen at Mt. Pleasant. We had to get some things up town and stopped at Aunty's for awhile so it was nearly noon when we got home. This after noon Frank went down and got a file and then took the cross-cut saw over to John Evans, who showed him how to sharpen it, and he brought it home all honed up in great shape. Dad. went over to see John Wess this after noon. Cam. told him that his mother had been very sick the other night and they were afraid she wouldn't pull through the night but she was a little better to-day. Cam. said he didn't know at all what his father intended to do and didn't like to ask him as he felt so upset. Dad. went down to see them at Aunty's to-night and I worked all evening at my show card course. It has not been so cold to-day and is stormy to-night.</p> <p>Tuesday December 30th</p> <p>Dad. decided this morning that as all conditions except the roads being so favorable we had better haul our ice now so Frank and I went down after a load as soon as we could while he cleaned out the ice house. The first load we put off outside as Dad. didn't have the ice house ready and we hauled another before dinner and put it in. Frank hauled three this after noon alone and I chinked them, while Dad. did the chores. It is beautiful ice</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>clear and solid right through and the cubes just the right size to handle nicely. It is a little harder on the horses hauling it in the waggon especially as the roads are pretty rough it spots but it is nicer to unload. Very mild</p> <p>Wednesday December 31st</p> <p>We finished filling the ice house to-day, this being the earliest I think we have ever had it filled. Frank hauled three more loads this morning and we put the load that was outside in this after noon and then Frank wend down and hauled a load of saw-dust to pack it. He also saw old Felix Perkins who said he would be over in a couple of days to fix the pump as it isn't working at all satisfactorily. Frank and I went down town to-night. I thought there might be band practice but as there wasn't I went around to Harry Dyer's and got my hair cut. I was there till about 11 o'clock. Frank went to the W.I. dance and I went up about 11, but only went on the floor once with Dess. I spent the rest of the time with Bub. &amp; Dess in the gallery watching the circus below which was just as much fun and far safer. I went home with the girls about one o'clock and then came on home, thus ushering in the year 1920.</p> </div> transcribed https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/3e49a268117a30bf36b4dbd6b5830904.pdf 12cef13ff6b4b15f8e96a3c457d2ee89 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. DIARY. 1920-21. T.B.Barrett, Port Dover, Ontario. Cnocfierna. From January 1st 1920 to April 15th 1921 https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/8f2d4886b294cbdd1142585952194b7d.pdf dd12ff1a2359008ed7f4b086febd8f0c PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. {Left page blank} Thursday January 1st 1920 The New Year found me leaning over the balcony in the gallery of the town hall with Bub. and Dess watching the noisy crowd of dancers below us with a certain ammount of amusement but with no desire to join them. My feet were too sore with chilblains to dance anyway, but Bub's society was just as congenial if not more so than any one else's there, in fact there were very few of my freinds there and the great majority I didn't even know, and judging from appearances am not at all particular about making their acquaintance. We soon became tired of our show and went home early. It is a long time since I have had a visit with Bub and our conversation had been mainly reminisent of our high school days of ten years ago. It sounds a long time but looks only a matter of a few months when the happenings of the interval are not considered. Certainly, though, those happening's have meant a great deal to the poor old world and I wonder what effect they will have on the history of the decade we are now beginning. Although the war has been over now for more than a year, the spirit of strife is still rampant in all countries and manifests itself in the strikes, riots and general restlessness <s>with</s> which all people have been suffering from. Up till now conditions don't show much sign of improvement but it must come to an end eventually, and I suppose, when the old world does get<s>ting</s> running smoothly again. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/eb6088786398108c187de61d1412e423.pdf ea4751278eed2ad297cfcae0bf84ff4d PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. it will be a better place for all classes to live. New Year's day has been cold and blustery and we haven't done any thing but the necessary chores and sit around the fire and read. To-night we all went down to Aunty's for tea and spent the evening. All from Huby's were there as well as Cousin Clare & Phoebe. We spent the evening with music and playing Guessing games which we always have a lot of fun at. Friday January 2nd It has been bitterly cold to-day, below zero with a strong west wind and we have done nothing but a few chores keep the fires going and read. To-night Enah Frank and I went down to a party at Ada's and had a very nice time. We played cards most of the evening. Most of the party were playing bridge but, Winnie Lila, Frank a Mr. Moore who is a freind of Zeitha's and a cousin of Mrs. Freeman's, and I played rummy and seven-up, and the phonograph, then Zeitha and later Quint joined us and we danced. Frank & Lila lit out for the Rebecca's dance in the hall about twelve o'clock. I stayed at Ada's and came home with Enah and Mrs. Jack Martin about one o'clock. Saturday, January 3rd We were very late having breakfast this morning and before we got at it Phil Shaver came after Dad. to go and dose one of his horses, so Dad. was over there till noon. I chored around most of the morning and Frank slept most of the day as he didn't get home from his dance till about four o'clock this morning. Dad. and I did up the chores early (and we have quit milking at night) and we both went down to Aunty's for tea. Quint was there and so were the Miss Hardings so Aunty had quite a birthday party. I left right after tea and went down to meet the seven o'clock car, as Marj. came in on it, so I spent the rest of the evening with her, she had a nice holiday at home <s>Su</s> Sunday, January 4th Frank Tid and I went down to sunday school and church this morning. I stayed down at Aunty's for dinner. This afternoon Marj. and I went over to see Miss McQueen and then went down to Aunty's where we stayed to tea. Aunty Alice Marj. and I went to church to-night. I got home about twelve o'clock and found Frank was not in yet. He was down at the Ward's and got home soon after I did. It has been very cold all day, but very little wind. Monday, January 5th Frank and I went down right after breakfast to get our long looked for stove. It was ordered from Eaton's on the 15th of November and just arrived on Saturday. We also got Marj's suitcase which she checked by Grand Trunk and took it up for her, and as we had to get some things up town it was after eleven when we got home, but we went down to the mill for some bran & chicken feed before dinner. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/d4742c6889544fd0c4d137e55f8e63e5.pdf 92ed39c4ede2f43a77ae594e2f258b73 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. We spent most of the after noon putting the new stove up and had a great fire until to-night. Bob. Dougherty was in just before two with some fellow called Slack to tell us he wanted the lambs on Saturday. He would have stayed to tea but Slack wouldn't wait for him and he was driving the car. Frank and I went down town to-night. Frank went to the dance and I went with the band to serenade the new council. Taylor beat poor old Walker badly so we went up to his place first and took him as well as all the rest of them by surprise. We went from there to John Harvey's where we got treated with wine and Lou's wedding cake. Then we went over to Perce Ryerse's but his wife informed us that he had gone down after some medicine for the baby. We played anyway and I don't know whether we killed the baby or not. Mr. Quinn's was our next stop and then we set out for Capt. P.C. Robinson's. We went to the house but Pauline said he had gone to lodge, so we started over there to "get his goat" but some body saw him headed down Main St. and at last "tried" him in his office at the Fish Shanty, so we gave him a couple of selections and then we dispersed. They all promised to give us all the financial assistance that was necessary next year and three of them gave us enough to buy some cigars with. Mid shoved the cash down and I don't know what became of it. Altogether we had a very nice time, but had to go in everywhere to thaw our horns out as it was a very frosty night & bright. Tuesday, January 6th Our windmill which has been the source of great tribulation to us all winter owing to its very unsatisfactory work refused to pump at all this morning, so Frank went down and got Felix to come over and he has been over all day. I should have said the pump was wrong instead of the windmill. We took the whole thing up and found that the bottom of the cylinder was a little loose which we supposed let air in and and caused the water to shoot out of the top of the pump the way it has been doing. The valves were also worn out so Felix put in new ones. We didn't finish till about five o'clock and then the wind had died down so that we couldn't get any water to-night and the cattle had to go without a drink all day. It was really not very cold to-day but felt raw especially working at the pump. It is a miserable job at any time but especially so at this time of year. Old Felix keeps at it though and he just celebrated his eightieth birthday on Saturday. To-night Enah and Tid went down to the Sunday school Christmas tree. I went down later but didn't go to the tree. I met Marj. after it was over and spent the evening with her. Wednesday, January 7th We put the doors on the barn this morning which blew off the night of the big wind. There were three off, the two in the peak and one little one down on the shed. This afternoon https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/bb470855860ad11708a6037e962476d6.pdf 4ed9043d9e3ee43c78bbc2d6b16958ee PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Dad. trimmed Mexico's feet which were in very bad shape. I didn't do much but chores. Old Felix & Harvey Perkins were over this after noon to sell Frank some shares in Peace River Oil Wells. Harvey is selling them & old Felix thinks he is going to be a millionaire as soon as they get the well finished they are boring at now. Frank took fifty shares, I think. I went down to Aunty's to tea to-night and went up at seven o'clock with the band to play at the Simcoe rink for two hockey matches. There were two car loads went up from here so the Dover {illegible}played. The band & the hundred or so routers must have had a good effect on the Dover boys as they trimmed Simcoe 7-2, and it was a good fast game too. The first match was between the "War Vetrans" and the "Wanderers". The Vets won that with a score of 6-3 I think. Then our boys played the "Canners" and it was a much better game. Harvey Lany played very well and shot several goals. Jack McDonald is very good too and a clean player. Old {Name} was playing back and not many got past him, he works hard and dodges around like a swallow. Young Bill Miller was rather rough and was on the fence about half the time. {Name} McDonald tended goal and once got a little excited and went into the corner after the puck and they shot a goal while he was out. We had a fine time and the band got invited up again on Friday night to play at an O.H.A. game between Ingersol & Woodstock. Mild & inclined to rain or mist to-day. Thursday January 8th I spent the morning to-day doing chores and Dad. threw in some more sawdust on the ice. Frank went down to the dentist's but I don't think got any thing done and has to go back to-morrow. This after noon we cleaned out the box stall in the horse stable and took out two big loads and spread them on the root ground. Frank went back this after noon and sowed 100 lbs of his basic slag on the gully hills to see what effect it has on pasture. I went down town to-night. Mild this morning but colder & windy to-night. Friday January 9th It has been very stormy (wind and snow) but not very cold all day but cleared off and quieted down to-night. We got all the outside stock except the two colts in the barn this morning. Billy & Dave can run in the shed. Frank had to go down to the dentist's this morning and was down till after dinner. Dad. went over to Quanbury's to get some more instructions about his dry salted bacon and I just did chores worked at my show-card lessons which I find very interesting and dozed all day. We did things up early to-night and I went down to Aunty's for tea. It had stopped snowing when I got there so I shovelled their snow for them. Marj. was there too and she & Aunty went up to their Bible Class after tea. I went to Simcoe with the band and we had a very good time. It was an O.H.A game between https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/d4d780683624a9cf570e3905e28f8281.pdf baa74718cff6d1bcfb0cdb9ed83587c5 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Simcoe and Woodstock, and the score was 8-5 in favor of Simcoe. The Woodstock boys put up a very good game and the score was 3-3 at the beginning of the last period when Simcoe got very energetic and Woodstocks best man who was playing back didn't seem to do as well and they lost 5 goals and only made 2. They have picked out three Dover men as spares on the Simcoe team and put Harvey Lany on to-night but whether from nervousness or not he didn't put up any thing like the game he did the other night so they soon took him off and didn't try {Name} or Joe. Saturday January 10th We were up early this morning and spent the whole fore-noon getting Dougherty's lambs off. We got the sleighs out and Frank started down to Pickford's after our stock rack but met him coming back with it. We then weighed the lambs up by pairs on our own scales and when we weighed them down at the car they came to exactly the same and Dougherty gave us 15 cts for the ewe lambs. We had to go to the planing mill and get him some shavings to bed the car with and had to go up town for some coal oil and then we got some shavings to bring home with us to put on the ice so it was about noon when we got here, our lambs came to about $177.00. We haven't done much all the after noon but chores. Frank went down town to-night and I worked at my show card work. Snowed more this morning, not cold. Sunday January 11th Dad. drove Tid, Frank and me down to Sunday school this morning and then came down after church and drove Aunty Marj. and Tid over here for dinner. Frank and I walked home. Frank walked out to Sidway's this after noon but I stayed home. Dad. drove Aunty home about four o'clock while I fed the cows. Marj. stayed to tea and I drove her home this evening. The cutter slides along but the road is bare in spots. W.F. Cockshutt M.P. gave an address on the Forward Movement in church this morning which was very good. Monday January 12th Frank left for Guelph to-day. He expects to be up there about a month taking short courses in Hock & Seed Judging and Tractors & machinery. He spent most of the morning getting packed up and I drove him down in the bob-sleigh to Aunty's where he stayed to dinner intending to leave on the one o'clock car, but it was so late that they cancelled it, and he and young Downs who is going to Guelph too, left on the three o'clock car, but he thought he could get over to Guelph from Galt some time to-night. Dad. and I hauled out manure to day from the Bull's pens. We got out three loads but didn't quite finish the pens. I went over to John Wess's this afternoon. Mrs McBride is very low. I saw Cam. and spoke to him about the place and he promised that if it was to be sold he would see that I got a chance at it. I went down town to-night. Milder https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/44da8f5ea03ea9f45a2b39cdcbe04cff.pdf 9a8a4862647b9fdb150f4eed31c6f1cf PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Tuesday January 13th It has been very stormy most of to-day and we didn't do anything outside but chores. I spent most of the forenoon getting my incubator ready to start and it has been heating up all day. I worked at my show card work for quite awhile this after noon. I went down to-night to a meeting in the Rectory to organize a canvassing campaign for the Forward Movement, but as Mr. Freeman was the only other one there we couldn't do much. Marj. had been there to tea so I went home with her. It has not been very cold but very blustery. Wednesday January 14th Dad. and I had to shovel out the lane this morning as yesterday's storm drifted it full. It was after eleven when we got finished and then I started out with Joe & Queen on the bob-sleighs to get Aunty Alice as we expected her over to dinner but I met her just outside the lane. This after noon Dad. drove Enah & Aunty Alice over to Mrs. McLaughlin's to play bridge and I did up the chores. I had a card from Mid. at noon saying the band was going to play at Simcoe to-night so I went down to Aunty's for tea. The cars were running an hour late so that it was after eight when we got to Simcoe. The Dover team played the Vetrans and they both put up a very good game. Dover winning score 4-3. We didn't leave Simcoe till 12 o'clock and the car was crowded as a great many had come up at five o'clock. Blustery day. Thursday January 15th It has been cold and stormy all day so we just did chores this morning. Dad. has been reading "Courtin' Christina" and "Wee McGreggor Enlists" and finished them to-day they are certainly very good. This after noon Dad. drove Enah & Tid down to the Pickford's and the Ryerse's to distribute some Forward Movement literature. I went down to a meeting in the Sunday school to-night Mr. Manning was there and a few boys but they didn't do much. I then went over to see Marj. for awhile and stayed all night at Aunty's in order to help Aunty Alice get started for Toronto in the morning as she is going down for a few days Friday January 16th Aunty Alice got off on the 7.20 G.T.R. this morning and I went to the station with her and then came home. We did up the chores and then Dad. and I went down and cut down a tree at Preston's. This after noon I took some oats to the mill and left them for chop and took Enah and Tid down to go to "Mickey" at the picture show. I then came home and did up a few chores and went down to Aunty's for tea and Marj. and I went to see "Mickey" to-night. after which we went into Miss McQueen's for a cup of tea. It was very stormy all after noon and evening but the picture show was packed for all three shows. People have certainly gone crazy over "Mickey". What there is in it, I don't know. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/ce69def204c922d42398d9a755cb18ba.pdf 15b57321a3b6ac1ce4b2de653d485239 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Saturday January 17th Dad. went down to Aunty's this morning to shovel their snow but John Shand had it done when he got down. I did chores and painted a little. Com & Billy McBride were in at noon to say that Mrs. John Wess died yesterday and to ask Dad. to be a bearer. This after noon I drove Enah down town and she got some flowers and we came home by the mill where I got the grist and some rolled oats. It has been sunny but very blustery & cold all day Sunday January 18th It was very cold and windy this morning and we were late getting through chores and I didn't get up very early. I was too late for Sunday school but went down to church. I was a little early and was sitting in the church when I heard the fire bell ring so ran out and saw them getting the engines out of the old jail. I followed the crowd up to L.G. Morgan's house where the smoke was pouring out all the windows. After considerable confusion in trying to find the fire they got the engines going at the north side of the house. I went inside but the smoke was almost suffocating. I ran across Harry Moon in there who told me that Mr. Morgan was dead and in the middle of a knot of men I saw his body His clothes were burned off down to his waist. His back was badly burned and his head all charred. It was a horrible sight but I don't believe he could have suffered very long. The fire was caused by him knocking over a coal oil stove in his room, an of course in the shape he was in he couldn't get out. He called Miss Morgan but she couldn't do any thing for the smoke. Val. Leaney saw the fire from his place and was there at once but L.G. was too far gone to be saved. Miss Newell is in a semi consious condition but very low having been badly suffocated. They managed to get the fire out without it spreading beyond the one room and every thing in it was burned. I went back to the church expecting to meet Aunty but the door was locked and I found they hadn't held service. I stayed at Aunty's to dinner and spent the after noon up at the Monteiths. I came home about five and helped do chores and then went down again & spent the evening with Marj. Very cold but not stormy to-night. Dad. went over to John Wess's this morning with the flowers. Monday January 19th Dad. and I spent the morning doing chores and shovelling out the lane which was drifted full. Just before dinner Dad. took Tid down to Aunty's where he stayed for the after noon while Dad. Enah and I went to Mrs. McBride's funeral. Dad. was one of the bearers and I drove him up to the cemetry. We let Enah out at the head of Main St. and got Tid & her on our way home. My feet got very cold so I walked home from town. Dess. was over. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/1d851652253489ee2a24ecb0526bdfc0.pdf 84d77ebf7f16dd21c119b083f667b33b PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. just before tea on her snowshoes, with a message for Dad. asking him to be bearer at Mr. Morgan's funeral to-morrow. There was another funeral to-day from down east some place. The two hearses went into the cemetry about the same time. I stayed home to-night and worked at my show card practice. Tuesday January 20th We did the chores up pretty well this morning and right after dinner Dad. Enah & Tid. drove down town. They put Queen in at Hec's. and left Tid with Aunty and Dad. went to Mr. Morgan's funeral. It was private so Enah didn't go. He was buried up at St. John's. I walked down town after dinner and went to the bank to deposit some money as I promised Boyd. I would send him a cheque when the brooder came. I then went to the station but it hasn't come yet. I was in the Custom House for awhile talking to Huby. He was giving me a long dissertation on the tribulations of his office owing to the constant revision of the ever-changing tariff, when a very seedy looking chap came in and rather sheepishly asked what was the duty on any thing imported from the States. Huby told him it made a great deal of difference what he was importing and when he aparently unwillingly confessed that it was an automobile Huby started in & told him first 30% then 7 1/2% then 10% of the duty paid value. The fellow looked rather dazed and reasoned that "they sure go for a feller". Huby figured it up to be well over $500.00 on $1000.00 so at last the fellow left after asking very particularly whether the Government got all that money or the fellow he bought his car from. He left rather crestfallen and I think was undecided whether to buy a car in Canada or not at all or wait till the War Debt was paid off or appeal to the A.F.O. of which organization I have no doubt he was a member. I got home before five and Dad. soon after me. Enah & Tid stayed down to tea. Dad. and I did chores and had a bite to eat & then walked down to see the Girl Guides concert which they put on for the relief of the Armenians. It was "Aunt Dinah's Quilting Party." Harry Moon coached them and they did very well. Ed. Gray & Hazel Ward. did especially well. The concert was over by half past nine and I spent the rest of the evening with Marj. Dad and Enah & Tid got a ride home with Pickford in his bob-sleigh. A very little milder with a sleet storm this after noon. Wednesday January 21st We were late getting out this morning and spent most of the morning doing chores I went down to the mill about noon to see if I could get some corn chop & bran but they haven't had enough water to run either chopper or mill so had nothing. I spent the whole after noon practising at my show card lessons and worked all evening at it too. Dad. went down to Aunty's for tea and spent the evening down there. Dover was to play the "Wanderers" in Simcoe to-night but as I didn't get any notice of the band going up I decided not to go as I wanted to work although I would have liked to have seen the game. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/ad6868d996362c6fd5da8861b0c9269f.pdf 3b5ee367cca03f295fba90e3cbc0ff87 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Thursday January 22nd Dad. Enah and Tid. drove down this morning to see if they wanted Enah to sit up with Miss Newell to-night but they asked her to stay this after noon so Dad. left her at the Johnston's and Tid at Aunty's and came home. This after noon he and I read the mail for quite awhile and then went over to John Wess's to see how he felt. He looks pretty tough. Dad. and I did the chores and then drove down to Aunty's where we all had tea and Dad. drove Enah and Tid home right after. Aunty heard from Aunty Alice to-day saying she was coming home to-night so I went to the station and met her. Huby was there too. I went up to see Marj. for a little while first, her throat has been very sore and she has not been at school all the after noon. Dover got trimmed last night by the "Wanderer's" 6-5. They say that the Dover boys got sore because Simcoe put on a professional and played a dirty game. Friday January 23rd Dad. and I drove down town this morning and got my stove brooder which came in by freight yesterday. We stopped for a minute at Aunty's to see Aunty Alice. We overtook Miss Phipps on her way down and took her down to the Johnston's to see Miss Newell. This after noon it became very stormy with an east wind. Dad. and I got hay enough over for night and then I did my show card lesson so that I could post it to-night. Dad. & Enah drove down town to bring Miss Phipps home as it had become so stormy, but they couldn't find her. Dad. did up the chores and I went down town before dark & had tea at Aunty's. I went up to see Marj. to-night, her throat was better. I stayed at Aunty's all night as the walking was a fright, drifts up to my knees but not very cold. Saturday January 24th I didn't get up very early this morning and after I breakfast I shovelled the snow and then went up town to inquire after Miss Newell, she is just about the same as nearly as I could make out from Mrs. Johnson. I also went up to Hugh McQueen's to get him to make me a chimbney for my brooder. It was after tea when I got home and didn't do much but shovell the snow out of the chicken houses before dinner. This after noon we sat around and read the mail for an hour or so and then Dad. and I got over enough hay to last us over Sunday and shovelled out the lane. Not quite so windy to-day but pretty cold. Sunday January 25th I walked down to Sunday school this morning and Dad. drove Enah down to church and then went home and drove back after her. We had a short service this morning as the church was cold and Mr. Johnston didn't preach a sermon but although the church wasn't much warmer to-night I thought he would never stop preaching about the Forward Movement and other https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/5c8a2079de79b6b6cf40bc62032e7ce2.pdf cf8be32f62f6cb63007cb42677996ba8 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. money they wanted to raise. I stayed at Aunty's for dinner and spent the after noon and evening with Marj. who is feeling much better. I came home to tea and walked down again in time for church. Alan Law gave me a ride out to the side road corner. 20° below last night. Monday January 26th I tested my eggs out this morning. It was too cold down cellar so I darkened the dining room and brought them up. I only got 28 fertile ones out of 155. I guess they must have been chilled. I unpacked my brooder but can't put it to-gether till I get my stove pipe from Hugh. I also put on a couple of panes of glass and puttyed up several others in a sash I want to use for my brooder house. Late this after noon Dad. and I & Tid. drove down town and got some coal oil. Dad. has had heartburn badly all day and has had to carry a lot of water to the stock as there was not wind enough to pump. It has been very mild barely freezing in the shade. To night I went down to the Sunday school where Mr. Manning and the officers of the Methodist "Square" put our boys through the first {legue?} of the initiation ceremony for Tuxis boys I then went over to Epworth League with Manning for awhile. Tuesday January 27th I spent most of the morning fitting the windows in the colony house besides doing a few odd jobs. This after noon Dad. Tid. and I drove down to Pickford's to invite them over here to-night to spend the evening. We then drove out to the Shands to inquire after Flossie who has had pleurisy. She is still in bed but a little better. To-night the whole Pickford family came over. Tom Butler was in Simcoe when they left but they put a note out for him telling him to follow them so he came down later. We had quite a time doing various tricks, had a little music and Tid. put on a magic lantern show. Much milder to-day, colder to-night. Wednesday January 28th Dad. went down to the Pickford's this morning to see if he could get Jackie to come up and have a look at the ram we want to kill. He is very thin but Pickford says they are deceiving and don't need to be very fat. He and Tom had gone down to get some stuff Tom bought at Porter's sale in Walpole, but Mrs. Pickford said she would send him up after dinner. He and Tom both came up and killed and dressed the sheep, but he was very thin. I don't know why he didn't get fatter as he has been getting grain but has been running out. I did a show card lesson this morning and this after noon drove Enah down town to go to the bridge-gang meet. I saw Quint down there and took him for a little spin around town. Mr. & Mrs. Jim Waddle were in and invited us all out there for dinner Friday night. I went down town to-night. Very frosty. Thursday January 28th Bob. Dougherty came in here last night and stayed all night with us and most of the morning. He was highly entertaining https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/2857ae4e76696097a9d4197514d59b51.pdf fe0db3f97c7203e92af1d7c5f0f3629a PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. but we didn't get much done while he was here. When he left John Quanbury came over to get Dad. to go and see his cow which is pretty sick. Dad. cut up the mutton before dinner. This after noon Dad. Enah & Tid drove down town and took Huby a piece of mutton as this was his birthday. I did another show card lesson and went down to Aunty's for tea. Huby & Aunty Maude were there. Winnie came over here for tea with Dad. & Enah. To-night Marj. & I went up to Miss. Martin's and I got my hair cut on my way home. Mild. Friday January 30th Dad. and I went down this morning and got a load of coal as there was a new car in and the coal looked and has proved to be of much better quality than any we have got so far. On our way home we met Jim. Waddle on his way over to tell us not to come out to-night as Mrs. Waddle was sick but to come Sunday night. This after noon we sat around and read quite awhile and then Dad. and Enah & Tid. drove down town to post a letter and I went over to Jack Martin's to ask them about buying baby chicks for broilers. I got a price list from a fellow in Toronto and the cheapest were $30.00 per 100 which Jack thought was pretty high for broiler chicks, but Chris offered to let me raise all of his Leghorns and to pay me broiler prices for them when they are ready to go so I think I will take his offer. He told me that band was going to Simcoe to-night to play at the rink so I went down to Aunty's for tea. Only a few of the band boys went up and it was very cold up in the rink, but it was a good game. Simcoe beat Paris 5-2 O.H.A. Saturday January 31st It was 20 below zero this morning and a strong east wind blowing which made it almost unbearable to be out. We just fed up the stock and haven't done a thing else all day but sit around the stove and read. We were greatly surprized to have Aunty Alice come over for dinner. She said yesterday she would come over if it was a nice day but we never expected her when it was so cold. She walked back this after noon as she wanted to stop it at Mrs. Battersby's for awhile. I went down town to-night to see how Marj's throat was, but she wasn't home so I suppose it must be better. The wind died down a little to-night but it is still very cold. I took a walk down to Pete Holmes' rink where they were staging a hockey match between Penman's & Knox Church but there were very few spectators and I thought it was too cold to watch them so I went down to Aunty's for awhile and then home. Sunday February 1st It was still cold this morning but has been a beautiful day and getting milder all day. I went down to Sunday school and church and stayed to dinner at Aunty's. Marj. and I went up to Miss Martin's for a little while this after noon and then I came home early. I stopped in at Newman Silverthorne's for awhile to pay Mr. Clarke's lodge dues. Marj. started over with them on Saturday but the weather stopped her when she got as far as Miss. McQueen's. Dad. Enah & Tid drove out to Jim Waddle's for dinner to-night and I went down to Aunty's for tea and https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/d8033cb8de3cac42124b26b48c298739.pdf 4314ea4bad12337ef66b494bf5074f9c PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. went to church with Aunty to-night then spent the evening with Marj. Monday February 2nd The old bear could have seen his shadow all day to-day if he came out of his log, he would also have got his feet wet as it has been a beautiful sunny, warm, spring-like day and thawing in the shade. I took a walk over to John Wess's this morning. Cam. was there and told me that he was coming back here to live as his father couldn't bear the thought of going to live in the city nor of selling the furniture and household effects that Mrs. McBride had bought when the first started. This after noon I went down to the mill and got some rolled oats and Dad. & Tid. went down to Preston's orchard for awhile.They found old Henry Misener in there cutting too so Arthur has evidently thought we weren't going to get all the trees cut but he didn't say anything about it. Enah took Mexico & the cutter and drove Mrs. Skey up to Miss. McCoy's this afternoon. Dad. took the pork out of the pickle to-day. This evening I went down as I thought the Tuxis boys were going to meet but they didn't as there was some arrangement about them going to Simcoe to play hockey. Tuesday February 3rd Dad. & I went down to Preston's this morning and got another tree down and partly brushed up. This after noon Dad. went down and finished trimming the tree and I drove down town in the cutter and got the chimney for my brooder that Hugh McQueen has been making for me. I did up the chores after I got home. I worked at my show card work to-night. Cloudy and colder Wednesday February 4th Dad. and I went down to the orchard again this morning and have been down there most of the day so got quite a lot done. Tupper was in at noon to ask me to be clerk at his sale which is due to come off on the 17th. Dad. commisioned him to get him a plug of tobacco which he was to leave in the mail box on but he never came back and caused Dad. several fruitless trips to the mail box. I went down town to-night. It has not been frosty to day but a raw east wind. Thursday February 5th Dad. and I went over to the orchard this morning and got a big tree next the hedge down. Old Harry Misener was there and he and I took our saw over to his place and he sharpened it up a little. He got word from some where that the Dover team beat the Vet's. last night 11-2. We didn't go back this after noon but Dad. helped me with my brooder house and put on the chimney. Billy Miller was over to-night and said Chris wasn't going to let me have any baby chicks now as he was getting orders for them. Tupper was in too and brought Dad's tobacco. Snowed a little. Friday February 6th This has been a beautiful day. Sunny & mild. Dad. and I https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/a6ece27a501ec4ef6ba62076e83c49f9.pdf 0dcf082ae1222b8a1fd550e8c63f613a PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. went down to the orchard and worked there all day. Old Henry Misener had Arnold Myers helping him and we gave them a hand to shove a tree over. It slipped on the stump and fell the opposite direction to the one they intended and Dad. & I had to step lively to get out of its road. Enah & Tid drove Mexico down with the cutter to-day, took Aunt Ida for a drive and brought Aunty over here to tea. She and I walked down to-night and I spent the evening with Marj. who had quite a bad fall yesterday. Saturday February 7th Dad. and I bagged up some oats this morning and I took them to the mill while he trimmed up some of the trees we had down. I left the grist and went back to the orchard and took a big load of blocks home, then went back and got the chopper This after noon we went back to the orchard and on our return found Frank here. He came in on the three o'clock car. Sunday February 8th Frank and I went down to Sunday school. There was no service in our church this morning but we all went to the Presbyterian were Jack Martin & some student held forth at great length on the Forward Movement. Mr. Robertson & Mr. Johnson are both sick.To-night there was a Unnion Service English & Presbyterian in our church and Cousin Willie gave a very nice address & the same Presbyterian studen spoke for a very long time but didn't say much The church was packed. They are about to launch the Forward Movement financial drive and that is the cause of all their activity. While they very emphatically testify that the financial drive is a very insignificant part of the Forward Movement in comparison to the spiritual impetus which they hope to wake up religion, it seems to me rather unfortunate that the financial should be the first to be brought to the notice of the general run of people, as it will give Skeptics plenty of grounds for their contention that it is merely a "money making game." I don't altogether sympathize with the business end of the affair for while I feel that money should be given with out stint to feed & clothe the starving people of Europe and to minister to the physical needs of all people in heathen lands. I can't feel that the real Spirit of Christianity is going to strengthened or increased by simply raising funds as Jack Martin said for such purposes as to increase the salaries of our ministers & missionarys in order that more young men will be attracted to the profession. I'm not a business man and may be that is the reason that but I don't like to hear people talk about putting the work of our church on a "business basis," but as that seems to be what they intend to do I hope I am wrong. Quint. Marj. & I had dinner at Aunty's. Marj. & I spent the after noon there but Quint went for a drive with Bill Oakes so he said, but I think if his statement were to be analyzed it would be found that he was speaking figuratively and Bill would be passed in https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/b999b4f63bc5049b1a049c73b3459dc9.pdf ffecb40ab79a052e042604f3c92cfdca PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. in the feminine gender. Dad. brought Enah & Tid. down to stay to tea about five o'clock and he drove Marj. home & then he and I came home helped Frank do up the chores and we all went down to church to-night. I spent the evening with Marj. Dad. & Enah & Tid. went out to the Shand's this afternoon to see how Flossie was, she is better, but Dad. was very surprised to hear that Fred Doane died very suddenly last night. Monday February 9th Dad. and Frank have been down in Preston's orchard all morning. I went down to Uncle Ward's this morning to ask him if he would like to go with Dad. out to Fred Doanes funeral. He hadn't heard that he was dead and was very surprised. He called up town and found that the funeral was to be at half-past two. I came home and practised a little at my show cards before dinner. This after noon Dad. & Uncle Ward went out to the funeral and Frank and I spent the after noon doing chores. We did things up early and went down to the men's banquet in the Sunday school. Dad. drove Enah down about four and then came home & stayed with Tid. We had a very nice time. Mr. Bose the Presbyterian student of yesterday, Dr. Maguire & Mr. Muir manager of the Roal Bank in Simcoe gave very nice addresses and as the men from Simcoe had to leave in time to catch the nine o'clock car, we were home early. Enah & I came home but Frank went to the U.F.O. & W.F.N.I. dance in the town hall. Rather cloudy but mild. I just took four chicks from the incubator, so I killed them, they were crippled. Tuesday February 10th Dad. & Frank were in the orchard all day to-day. I did chores & started a fire in my brooder just to see how it worked. It certainly warmed things up in the colony house. I spent quite a lot of the day working at my show-card lessons I went down town to-night and took Aunty Alice some eggs I went up to see Cousin Loll for awhile and then met Marj. & Miss Martin coming away from the Girl's auxillary meeting so I suggested that we go up to Miss Martin's and eat dough-nuts as she told us Sunday she had made some. We did and were up there till quite late and consumed large quantitys, at least I did. Aunty told me that Jack Martin had given $500.00 to the Forward Movement. Wednesday February 11th Dad. and Frank were down at Preston's all day. Frank took the saw down to Uncle Ward's this morning and got it set. I cleaned out the colony house this morning. This after noon George Fields was in for awhile to look at the cattle and seemed to take quite a fancy to Maple Hill Nellie. I think though that he was predjuiced in her favor because I told him she was a Pansy which is the cow his {trace} to but I remembered afterwards that I was mistaken as she {traces} to Louisa. I did some show card practising. Enah went to play bridge at Mrs. Battersby's. Jack Martin was in about six o'clock canvassing for the Forward Movement. Frank & I went down town to-night and Frank went to a U.F.O. meeting which he says is worse than the J.F.I.A. They https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/1314081f2bc198c9e0bb7ea361da8337.pdf 5fd97d94617fff12662bf9c06a12fbf1 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. wrangled all night trying to decide whether they wanted a car of wire or not and hadn't decided when they broke up. Harry Smith & Steve Powell who have been the hog-buyers are going to quit as the brethren are accusing them of making $50.00 on a car, so if things continue much longer in that direction, I imagine this U.F.O. club will find itself "on the rocks". I didn't go to Simcoe to-night although this was to be the final game of the series and the Dover team played the "Wanderers". I heard the last car come in and a great deal of cheering & racket going on with it but didn't see a soul to find out the result. I have since heard that Dover trimmed the Wanderers 13-6 and so have won the series. They say the Simcoe fellows played a very rough game and Harve Leany got knocked out. Thursday February 12th Frank promised the "Women's Institute" the other night to haul them a load of gravel to-day as they were having a bee hauling gravel to build a monument to the boys up near the grove of elms they planted. As Jack Martin had our sleighs hauling part of his chicken house up here from Fisherville, Frank went down and borrowed Mr. Flemmings. I went down to the orchard with Dad. This after noon Dad. & Frank went down there but it came up a very heavy & wet snowstorm so they didn't stay long. Frank & Tid. went down to Mrs. Freeman's & Molly's party and I worked at my show card lessons most of the after noon and evening. Very soft & cloudy. Mild all week. Friday February 13th Frank went down this morning and got another load of saw-dust to put on the ice and then came over to the orchard and got a big load of wood. Dad. & I trimmed up the tree they felled yesterday. This after noon Dad. & Frank worked in the orchard all the after noon and I went to the mill and got some rolled oats and got a small load of wood on the way home. Frank drove me down town to-night and he went down to Nanticoke I got my skates at Aunty's and went to hunt up some skating but couldn't find any so I ran across a bunch of fellows going to the Women's Institute masquerade dance so I went too and had a great time. Sunny & mild. Saturday February 14th Dad. & Frank worked in the orchard all morning. I went down to the mill and got a bag of bran and stopped in at the orchard and brought a load of wood home, unloaded it and got another load, but it was snowing hard and very soft. This after noon it was snowing so much that they didn't go back to the orchard but Dad. went down town and got his hair cut. I didn't do any thing much till about four o'clock when I started in at the chores but there had been no wind all day to pump so I waited till then in hopes that it would pump a little to let https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/0981509b98aa75fc8a8136b966bb7030.pdf f8491ecba07f4e014274f77eaa935535 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. the cattle out but it didn't so they had to go thirsty. It began to blow about six o'clock and has turned out quite blustery and much colder to-night. Dad. brought Marj. home with him to tea and Lila came over. Enah had asked Zeitha & Mr. Moore to come over but they didn't show up, we suppose the storm was too bad for Zeitha who has had a bad cold to be out. We spent the evening listening to Marj. & Enah play duets and then I drove the girls home. Aunty Maude asked Quint to go up town and get some meat this morning so Quint by way of celebrating St. Valentine's day brought home a couple of hearts. Then as he was to be alone for tea to-night Aunty Maude & Huby having been invited out and Winnie gone to Brantford Aunty Maude put a heart in the oven for him to keep warm but Quint came home and couldn't find it so didn't have any. Sunday February 15th It was very cold again this morning and a strong west wind which has kept up all day and night. No-body seems to relish this return of severe cold after the lovely winter weather we have been enjoying for the last couple of weeks. Frank & I went down to Sunday school & church but none of the rest came down. I had dinner and tea at Aunty's. I spent the after noon at the Monteiths. Quint was at Aunty's for tea and none of us went to church to-night, but I spent the evening with Marj. and then as the walking & weather was so disagreeable I stayed all night at Aunty's. Monday February 16th I shovelled Aunty's snow this morning and as they insisted on getting up and getting my breakfast I didn't get home very early. It didn't matter though as we have not tried to do any thing outside but chores. Dad. went down before dinner and stayed till about five o'clock to-night and went with Aunty Alice up to Cousin Loll's and over to Col. Smith's with Aunty Alice this after noon. Frank and I just sat around this after noon but Frank shovelled out the lane this morning but it will drift full again to-night. It was very cold last night and froze every thing in the kitchen and pantry. It is a little milder to-night but a regular blizzard is raging. The roads are blocked and there have been no {mails?} in all day. Jim came out with a magazine that evidently came Saturday but as he soon went back I suppose he couldn't get through the side road. Tuesday February 17th Blizzard still on and worse than ever but not very cold. Dad. went down town this morning to see how they all were but came home to dinner. I sat around and read or slept most of the day but this morning went over to Pickford's to see if they knew what Tupper was going to do about his sale. They didn't know so I went on over to Tupper's to make sure because as I promised him I would act as clerk I wanted to be certain. The walking was a fright and I was sure he wouldn't try to have it and I was right, so I spent the rest of the day painting and listening to Dad read "Huckleberry Finn". https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/a5a1867c8bf542adcb6f6f7004b950b9.pdf c496e5ce1d7aa4a037052e7b59e12548 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Wednesday February 18th The storm abated during the night and to-day has been sunny, still and cold. Dad. went down to Aunty's right after breakfast this morning and Frank and I dug the lane out and about eleven o'clock Frank drove Enah & Tid. down in the bobsleighs. They all stayed down to dinner. We just did chores Jim Bannister walked out with our mail this after noon, the first we have had this week. Tom. Butler & Arthur Pickford were in for a few minutes with the team Tom bought in Toronto. About half past four Frank drove down town and brought the family home. Frank and I went down town to-night. The hockey team was to have gone to Simcoe to play the Vetrans to-night but as no radials are running yet the game is postponed till Friday night. The first victim of the Flu around here for this year was young Billy Butler, Charlie's brother, who died the other day. Another rather surprising piece of news for the community was the wedding of Charlie Innes and Nellie Barber. Aparently they got into a great hurry at the last and as Mr. Johnson is sick drove up to St. John's on Tuesday during all the storm to have Mr. Ward perform the ceremony. Later - I have heard that, that last statement is incorrect. Charlie & Nellie had intended going to Mr. Ward to be married, he being an old freind of Nellie's but as it was so stormy they got Mr. Johnson out of bed to do the job. Miss Newell was telling Aunty about it and said they came up in {Name} Johnsons old covered bus and she thought it was the hearse coming. Thursday February 19th Dad. and Frank went down to the orchard to-day and to-night reported that they have just one more tree to cut. It was down to about 12° below zero this morning and has been cold but still & sunny all day. I didn't do any thing outside but chores. I read most of the morning and worked at my show card work this after noon. Tid was very busy all morning digging a snow house in a big drift out by the barn and I took some pictures of him at noon. To-night I went down to the Sunday school and we had a meeting of the Tuxis boys which was fairly successful. Friday February 20th Dad. and Frank went down to the orchard this morning and cut their last tree down and got it trimmed up this after noon. Dad. had to go down to Alfred's right after dinner to look at one of his cows' mouths as she can't eat properly. I did chores, read and worked at my show card lessons a little. Frank left here about five o'clock and took Hazel Ward home and spent the evening down there. I went down town to-night. I got word that the band was going to Simcoe with the hockey team but I didn't go with them although I would have liked to see the game. I think judging from the racket coming from the direction of the station that about half the town went up. I heard the car come in on my way home and heard a little cheering so imagined that the Dover boys had been victorious again, but Frank https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/3b13684ad4b377c9457e64edb94cbf4c.pdf c2e163a4ea18f8b55da2f523c751e4ee PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. informed me when he got home that he had just met Colin Ryerse who had told him that the Vetrans had won 6-4. I was very much surprised on my way down town to meet George who had come in at five o'clock and had tea at Aunty's. We expected him to-morrow night. Dad. had a letter from Dick to-day which has created a little excitement in the family circle as he told Dad. that he had run across a William Barrett out there who he thinks is the son of Fa's brother who left home at the time of the North & South war and was never heard of afterwards, and who has always supposed to have enlisted and been killed with out ever being married. This fellow told Dick that he had brothers by the names of Hugh, an old family name, and <s>George</s> Robert which was the name of the missing brother, also another named Charlie, one of these has recently died. Dick said this was a rather tough- ooking fellow owing to his need of a barber's service but that he had the large Barrett nose. If Dick has made no mistake it is quite a discovery, but it seems almost incredible that so large a branch of the family could have become so seperated for so many years, especially as there have been several attempts from this side to find traces of the lost brother and as Hugh & Fred Barrett (Aunt Ella's sons) have lived out in that vicinity for so many years. Way below zero this morning but lovely day. Saturday February 21st We haven't done very much to-day except chores. Dad. and I to George (Broadly) out on the halter for awhile this morning and gave him a good dusting with louse killer. Frank George (Pelly) and Tid shot and dressed a couple of rabbits this morning. I practised a little at my show cards lessons. This after noon all but Dad. and me went in the bobsleighs down town and got Ada Dess and Winnie and took them for a sleigh drive down to the butter factory where Enah got some butter. I was busy doing the chores so didn't go but read and slept for awhile. To-night Frank and George went down to Aunty's for tea and from there they intended going up to Ada's to spend the evening. I read "Much Ado about Nothing." Froze hard last night. Sunny day. Cold wind to-night. Sunday February 22nd Frank, George, Tid and I all went down to Sunday school this morning and much to my disgust they rung me in for opening the thing as Mr. Johnson is away. Morton {Brown?} took the service in church. Marj. came over here to dinner but through some misunderstanding George & Frank didn't come home but went with Ada to dinner and George brought Ada out here to tea to-night. Marj. and I went for a cutter ride this after noon and took Miss Martin. It was a beautiful after noon and we had a fine drive and nearly upset trying to pass Frank Ryerse on the side road back of Fleming's place. We lost one of Marj's new Christmas kid gloves but went back and found it where we met Frank Ryerse. I went to a meeting to-night that Frank Smith had to make plans for a big meeting Thursday. Went up to see Marj. for awhile afterwards. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/8cebf89a6edc35bb27edc17600f48477.pdf 6109fab087685b70f658b6f30c9c6c27 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Monday February 23rd Dad. and I got some hay over this morning to do to feed up to-night and Frank drove George down to catch the eleven o'clock car. We had an early dinner and I went over to Tupper's quite early but his sale didn't commence till long after the appointed time. There was quite a crowd but the bidding wasn't very keen but some of the stock sold very well. Jim Hodge was auctioneer and I was clerk. We got through with out being caught at making any mistakes and Tupper gave me two dollars for my services. Dad. & Frank were both over but went home before I did. To-night I went down town and had a meeting with the Tuxis boys and we initiated Bill Barwell. I then went over to the Monteith's and found Marj. all dressed up ready to go to the Library dance so we went over there and had a wild time till 1.30. It snowed all morning and has been cloudy but mild all day. Tuesday February 24th Frank and I went to Simcoe this morning and got four cwt of corn chop at the Co-Operative Store. We took Joe & Queen and didn't lose much time on the road. We also got our clover seed which has been at Edmond's since they cleaned it last fall. We saw Neff and Manning amd I took Neff up to the Air Line station to catch a train for Courtland. We got home about half past one and this after noon I took a sample of very nice white corn over to Jack Martin, Johnson just got it in and thought Jack would like to get some as he doesn't like to feed yellow corn to his exhibition stock, claiming it makes their plumage brassy. Jack thought it was fine looking corn. He asked me what I thought of the Forward Movement Campaign. The Bishop he said was highly delighted with Norfolk County as it was the first in the dioses to reach its objective. He said that the reports we heard were true concerning the Bishop offering Mr. Johnson two other churches and he wouldn't accept them. He is very annoyed at Mr. Johnson and Jack says the next one he refuses there is going to be trouble. I worked at show card lessons all evening. Fine, Cold. Wednesday February 25th We all three went down to Preston's orchard this morning and hauled three loads of wood. It was quite a job breaking a trail and digging out the piles of limbs as they were well covered with snow. This after noon Frank went down town to get his note to Massey Harris renewed or else to borrow some money to pay it and Dad. and I got over hay for to-night and did up the chores. To-night Dad. Enah & Tid went down to the Pork & Bean supper in the Methodist church and I went down to Aunty's for tea Marj. & Win were there to tea and this evening Marj. & Aunty bound a lot of old books. Frank stayed home alone. Fair day but very cold to-night. Thursday February 26th Dad. and Frank have been hauling wood all day although there was a biting north wind and Dad. froze his finger https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/a1c6928dc979629a681c853f542ea30a.pdf 73b45fc5f500220f89d3721961a95721 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. I carried over hay for the cattle this morning and this after noon went down to the Boy's Work conference in the Sunday school. Mr. Manning & a Mr. McLaren were down and we had a good turnout of boys. Mr. McLaren made things very interesting. We went over for supper at 6.15 to the Methodist Sunday school and after supper had some very rollicking songs and toasts. I had to respond to a toast on Boy's Work but Manning fixed me up a little speech which I got off fairly well. Marj. was there helping with the supper so I went home with her and stayed there for the rest of the evening. Dad. & Enah went over to a party at Jack Martin's. Freezing very hard to-night. Friday February 27th It was still very cold this morning and we decided it was much too cold to haul wood as Dad. & Frank nearly froze at the job yesterday. We sat around the house all morning and I did another show card lesson and also wrote down to Toronto to register as a C.S.E.I. Mentor. This after noon Frank and I got some hay over and went down to Aunty's for tea so that we could go to see the protested hockey match played off between Dover & the Vets. I hadn't had any intention of going but when the time came I couldn't resist the temptation, although I was too hard up to afford it. It was a fine game in every way. The referee saw every thing that happened and was absolutely impartial and both sides played for all they were worth but Dover just played in hard luck and got badly beaten 10-3. They made any amount of the prettiest shots at the Simcoe goal but the puck just simply wouldn't go in. They started off by scoring two goals in the first period. Then Joe Thompson made three or four very slick rushes and shots in the second period but couldn't score and in the last period they got one goal but Simcoe got five. However it was a fine game and nobody's fault. The Simcoe fellows put up the best game I have seen them play yet. There was an awful crowd went up from Dover, two cars packed, and they made racket enough to wake the dead. Three or four Doc. McQueen, Al. Faulkner, Hontzburger & Jim Brennen got very tight and when we arrived home went up the middle of Main St. Arm in arm advising the Doverites who had followed the team to Simcoe to "pack all their troubles in their old kit bag" and then challenging them with the question "Are we downhearted" whereat Dover would reply with one voice "NO!" I came with Karl Coleman who was very amused at the condition of Huntzberger and Harbach who have to take the L.E.& N. car out in the morning The former was just in good shape to put in a glorious night of it, but Harbach got so tight this after noon in anticipation of the game that Garnet his brother-in-law had to put him to bed and he couldn't go up. Karl didn't see Garnet on the car which caused him some concern as Garnet had some work to do in the morning Karl said he saw Garnet and two others lined up in the station but some body nudged one of them and they all stalked out, which is a sign these days that there is a battle some place accessible. Lloyd Wooley and old Broadley were in this after noon collecting https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/8f057e3df58302ef2f062cc87c47483a.pdf c5e6bbb61b746675397e3587be8b0db0 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. fees for old Jason and Broadley informed us that he has gone on a big 200 acre farm at Wycome and won't be down through here with Jason any more. The Tupper family were all here to tea and to spend the evening but I didn't see them. Saturday February 28th It snowed all day to-day but has been much milder till to-night when the wind started to get around to the north west again and it is freezing pretty hard. We didn't do any thing much but chores and sit around the house. I worked at my show card lessons & read. Sunday February 29th Frank and I went down to Sunday school and Church this morning but none of the rest came down. I stayed in town all day. Quint and I had dinner at Aunty's and I spent the after noon up at the Monteiths. Marj. and I went for a walk this after noon and called on the Patterson's. We then went down to Aunty's for tea and spent the evening there. Aunty & Aunty Alice went to church to-night and we stayed with Aunt Ida. Dad. & Enah drove up to see how Miss McCoy was this afternoon as she has had shingles badly Frank went out to Sidway's. Cold all day but sunny Monday <s>February</s> March 1st I had an argument with Quint yesterday about warm water freezing quicker than cold. I claimed that it wouldn't so this morning I tried it out. I took two pans the same size and put a pint of water in each, the temperature of the one was about 120° and the other about 30°. I put them both out in the woodshed and the cold water froze long before the other It had a good skimming of ice on it when the other was about 48 We haven't done anything much to-day. It has been a nice day and we would have hauled wood but Tom Butler wanted to borrow the sleighs to get some hay. Frank went over with him and helped put Pickford's rack on our sleighs. This after noon I walked down town and got my hair cut. I went around by the mill and put up a notice Neff sent of a Farmer's Institute meeting on Thursday. It has been a very nice day, not too cold. Tuesday March 2nd My throat has been very sore all day and I haven't done much outside. Frank went down to the sawmill this morning and got a load of sawdust to use for bedding in the horse stable. He also took a grist to the mill. He and Dad. hauled up a load of wood this after noon and Frank got his stuff at the mill. Dad. went down to Cousin Clare's to tea to-night and spent the evening. Enah and Tid drove Mexico down in the after noon and put him in John Shand's barn and they were at Cousin Clare's too. Frank and I kept house by ourselves. Edmond England left his horse in here while he went to help Dick Waddle drive a cow up from Pickford's which he bought at {Kinsula's?} sale to-day. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/ad4711fa7544b69161c476df990188cd.pdf ba0f0c530b0d0942dc5c24b6795d36b5 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Wednesday March 3rd My throat has been pretty sore all day and I haven't done much except a few chores and work at my show-cards. Dad. & Frank hauled wood all day and now have it all up but one load. To-night Frank and I went down to church and I went home with Marj afterwards I didn't intend to stay but she wanted me to help her fill out her report cards and then she made me let her swab my throat with some dope. Mild all day but freezing to-night. Thursday March 4th Dad. and Frank hauled up their last load of wood this morning there will be a little more from the dead limbs that have yet to be cut out. When that was unloaded we put a load of manure on the sleighs from the box stalls in the horse stable and after dinner Dad. & Frank took it down to Aunty's. Aunty Alice walked over here before dinner. She went over to Mrs. Battersby's from here. She knew I was going down to the boys' meeting to-night so asked me down to tea but I read for quite awhile after dinner so didn't get the chores done in time. Frank and I went down to-night and Frank went to a Agricultural meeting of Neff's in the hall. I went to the boys' meeting and then down to Auntys. Marj. was there and had been there to tea. Mr. & Mrs. Will Holden & Miss Buckwell were there playing bridge. I went up with Marj. and then as it was raining stayed at Auntys all night. Frank came home. Very soft & slushy. Raining to-night. Friday March 5th I woke up about half past three this morning and saw through Aunty's back hall window an awful fire so I got into my clothes as quickly as possible to go up to see it. I called Aunty & Aunty Alice and Aunty Alice thought at once that it was the Post Office block & found out that she was right. When I got up town the whole building was gone & just the flaming brick walls standing. They told me that not a thing was saved. I didn't stay up town long but went back to Aunty's and we had breakfast. Then Aunty Alice wanted to go up and see how Cousin Loll was so I walked up with her. We thought they would have taken her to Cousin Clare's but her house was dark so we went into the Freeman's which was lit up and found Cousin Loll & Willie & Dick & Mollie all in there. Cousin Loll was wrapped up in a quilt and said she had lost all her clothes but one stocking. Dick said the smoke was so bad he couldn't save a thing except a few clothes which he grabbed out of the bureau drawer and the hall rack. He tried to get the safe open to save what was in it but couldn't see to do it in the dark and there was no one to help him move it. The fire started in the back of Patterson's shed nobody knows how and young Johnnie Innes who is the night telephone operator gave the alarm but it was too far on when any one got there to stop it. I came home about six o'clock and found Dad. & Frank up. Dad. was terribly shocked at the news of the fire and went down town as soon as he got the chores done https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/e54cc1467aa99162faba43f8e64f5548.pdf b8db09928ef267de64fca2b2e5f8aeb0 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Frank also went down after dinner to hear a trial between Lloyd Crysler and Earl Long over some hay deal. Lloyd was the defendant and won the case. I did up the chores after dinner but felt pretty tough and when I got through I was afraid I was going to have an ear-ache so I curled up on the sofa for the rest of the day and Enah kept hot salt bags on my ear which staved off the pain pretty well and I went to bed soon after tea. Dad. came home early and he and Frank did all the chores. Dad. says they have opened the Post Office down in Harold Sloan's old ice cream parlor and Patterson is opening an store and telephone & telegraph office up in Coleman's little shack where Huby used to be. It was raining when I went up to the fire this morning but about five o'clock the wind switched around to the north-west and it got very cold and still is. Saturday March 6th I stayed in bed till noon to-day and have not been outside all day but to-night I feel better. It has been bitterly cold all day and windy. Dad. and Frank have down all the chores and Frank took Joe down town this after noon and had her shod. He also took down the bag of good clover seed to Harry Misener and he gave him $67.00 for it but didn't weigh it up then. Dad. went to the doctor yesterday to ask him about his arm as it has been paining him a lot lately. The doctor didn't know what it was but gave him some pills to take. Sunday March 7th Frank went down to Sunday school and church this morning but I have not been out of the house all day although I feel better. Aunty came over with Frank to dinner and was here all the after noon. Dad. went back with her to tea and I think he went up to see Cousin Loll to-night. Lloyd Ryerse came up just after dinner and he & Frank went over and spent the after noon at the England's. Still very cold. Monday March 8th I have been in the house all day again to-day but would have gone out if the weather had been decent but it has been very windy and blustery although not very cold. Dad. and Frank just did chores. I still have quite a cold in my head but my throat is much better. I spent the day reading "Troilus & Cressida" which I didn't care much for. It's representation of the Trojan war and the Grecian heroes was rather tame after the "Illiad". I went out this after noon to gather the eggs and found the two white roosters had got together and had a battle royal and were both about all in. The one that was with the pullets has died and the other one will come around I think. He is the one I was most particular about as his mother is 74 last year's best layer. He is the only rooster I have now as Dad. killed my Rock one the other day, he was sick. Tuesday March 9th This has been a beautiful Springlike day and sunny https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/9c3374a75554fde1b3ce99b594d2925d.pdf e6afc58c3a3dbd16c5593e70793ae80e PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. A great deal of snow has gone off and water is standing around everywhere. It grew very cloudy and looked like rain towards evening but the rain didn't come. I have been out a lot to-day and feel fine but as it is so wet there is nothing much but chores to do, they will begin to increase from now on however as when Frank went out this morning he found that two ewes had lambed one of Dad's ewes had two lambs and No 55 had one. It was a mild night and they are all right. The lambs are we suppose sired by the yearling that got in with the ewes two or three times last fall as old Archie was not put in till after the 1st of November. George Ryersie was in to-night to say the boys were having a meeting to-night but I didn't go down. Frank went down town with him. Wednesday March 10th It didn't freeze last night and has been very soft all day. We just did chores this morning and I painted a little. I got my lesson back to-day which I supposed was burned up with the Post Office. I had another one all ready to post. Tom. Butler was in and borrowed the sleighs to haul some oats. This after noon Frank went out to Lige Farr's sale. Farr was selling a lot of sheep and some stuff he didn't want. Frank said things went pretty well as they were not in very good shape. Dad. has felt very miserable all the after noon he thinks due to the pills Dr. Cook gave him. Enah has not been well either. Miss Phipps was over for awhile this after-noon. To-night Frank and I went down to church and I spent the evening with Marj. It was freezing slightly when I came home. Thursday March 11th There was another big ewe lamb belonging to No 15 when Frank went out this morning, they are all doing well. We did chores and I painted a little this morning. I also cleaned off the dropping boards in the hen houses as the frost was all out and they hadn't been cleaned all winter. I went down town this after noon and took 9 doz. eggs down, sold 4 doz to Aunty Alice and 5 doz to {Name?}. I stayed at Aunty's for tea and to-night went up to the Tuxis {boys'} social evening in the Sunday school and the Methodist boys were there and a lot of girls There must have been abut {40?}. They had quite an hilarious time and seemed to enjoy themselves. Marj. & Mrs. Cook were there and they engineered the eating part of the affair. Friday March 12th It rained during the night and every thing was flooded to-day but by opening up a few ditches a great deal was run off. Frank fixed up a pen for the ewes with lambs over in the barn. He cut through the hay on the east side of the floor and threw half of it up on the other half and made a nice light pen for the lambs we moved them in and they got very playful. Mrs. Tupper came after Frank this morning to get him to go out to https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/e7197886696a9a2facd62a94fe2f2517.pdf 6cbca8ea6b77eb24cdaa278f4761e201 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Villa Nova with Tupper to help him move his cattle. Tom Butler and his partner were in this after noon with the sleighs and said Tupper and Frank didn't get started till two o'clock so it would be late when they got out there. Frank didn't come back to-night. They say the water down along Shand's flat was up to a horse's belly on the road so they will have had a nice trip. Dad. and I cleaned out Moonshine's box-stall. I went down town to-night. Manning came down and we had a meeting with some of the boys from both squares to arrange about athletic activities for the summer. I spent the rest of the evening with Marj. and went over to call for Aunty Alice at Col. Smith's at eleven o'clock. Saturday March 13th It has been very windy and cold all day to-day and Dad. and I haven't done any thing but chores and sit around the house. Enah felt very miserable this after noon and had an earache. About six o'clock she and Tid got quite a scare as the chimbney or at least the soot in the stove pipe in the kitchen caught fire and filled the room with smoke. They called Dad. & me in from the barns but we couldn't find any trace of fire up in the garret or near the chimney so nothing serious happened. I didn't go down town to-night as it was a rotten cold night. Enah had hoped to take some things down to Cousin Loll's shower which they had for her but she couldn't go. Frank got home about eleven. He came down from Waterford on the car. He had a bad trip. Sunday March 14th Frank and I went down to Sunday school and church this morning and Aunty Alice came over here with Frank to dinner but I stayed down at Aunty's for both dinner and tea. Quint came down at noon and he and I went down to the creek for a little while after dinner to look at muskrat holes and then we went up town. He to Joe Thompson's and I spent the after noon with Marj. who was suffering from toothache. I went around before tea to ask after poor old Tom Abbott. Huby found him yesterday on the doorstep of the cobbler shop and he couldn't move or speak and is still only semiconscious. Huby & someone else got him up to Alex Simpson's They say there will not be much change till a day or two. Aunty and I went to church to-night. Mr. Base preached. Cold wind but feels like spring. Monday March 15th Frank and I went down to Preston's this morning and cut the dead wood out of about six or seven trees as it was part of our contract to cut the dead wood out of the tree next to the one we cut down. Dad. Enah & Tid went down town this morning and were down to dinner and all the after noon, and went to see Cousin Loll. Frank and I just did chores this after noon. Very mild and showery to-night. Tuesday March 16th Dad. noticed yesterday that Cnocfierna was not eating https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/fd9c067373350ac400563e81deabd7be.pdf aa098ab2d9fc5cdcf318df2de83ef66a PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. properly, so he and I tried to examine her mouth. We couldn't see much but he poked around with his float and knocked the cap off one of her teeth. He said he had never heard of a cow having capped teeth like colts but didn't see why they shouldn't have. To-night he found another one so we think that from now on she will be able to eat properly. Alan Law came in while we were out there and took Dad. down to look at a caulked hock on a new horse he bought last fall and which caulked itself running through a snow bank. Dad. was down there till noon. He has not felt very well this after noon. After I did up the after dinner chores I took a walk back to the woods and across Ivey's gully into Preston's woods. The snow is about all off the level now and just in the cuts and on the north side of hills are there banks left of honey combed dirty snow. I saw Old Walker and Benny & Charlie & Guy Tuple working up the big trees in Preston's which the big wind storm took down. Sunny & spring like but cold wind. Wednesday March 17th I haven't done much to-day but chores. Frank has been fixing up some old doubletree getting them ready for seeding. Dad. went over to Quanbury's this morning to see Charlie's cow which got into the chop the other day and has been bloated up ever since. He found Karl Coleman there skinning her. Poor Charlie does have tough luck. Dad. hasn't felt at all well all day to-day and his arm is paining him to-night again. Enah is feeling miserable too Frank and I did up the chores early to-night and Frank went down to Aunty's for tea. I went down right after tea and went with Aunty Alice to church to-night. After church Marj. and I went over to the entertainment put on by J.W. Bengough for the local post of the Grand Army of Canada. He was certainly amusing both as a cartoonist and talker. He drew a picture of old Fred over at the Dominion Hotel which was a very good likeness of him and which tickled the boys in the gallery immensley, he also made a {illegible} Irish {mug?} out of a potato and and English one out of a plum pudding and also a Scotch one out of a thistle. There was a dance after the show but we didn't stay. Thursday March 18th Dad. went over to see John Wess this morning and didn't get back till about two o'clock and hadn't had any dinner. Joh is over there all alone now as Cam. & his wife have gone back home to settle up their affairs before coming back here to look after John. Frank went down to the butter factory this morning to get some butter as no one has called since poor old Tom had the stroke. Cliff Loan told Frank they had no one yet to take Tom's place. This after noon Sam Law was in for quite awhile, he brought some puss he got out of his horse's back to show it to Dad. and ask him if it was joint water. Frank said https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/cd91c2003588965d0ad04f11c6581b62.pdf af7ab965fb82401f4a55778756b4a567 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Alan was going to Simcoe this after noon to hear Roy Haven tried for stealing oats from the Norfolk Milling Co. Frank & Tid spent most of the after noon clearing up the rubbish on the lawn under the old willow tree. I didn't do much but chores all day and painted a little. I went down to the Tuxis boys meeting to-night and was there till about 10.45 practising charting on {Hermon?} Cook and then only got him about half charted. I went from there down to Aunty's and stayed till about mid-night telling them about the Bengough concert. It has been sunny but rather raw to day. Friday March 19th Frank and I started to clean out the box stall where the steers have been all winter. We intended to haul it out to the field but it started to rain and by noon was raining quite hard so we just threw it in a pile outside the door. It turned colder about noon and to-night the ground is covered with snow again. I did chores and we cleaned out a little more this after noon but didn't finish. Frank notified all the J.F.I.A. members of the annual meeting. Dad hasn't done much all day and I think the rest his arm is getting is doing it good. I went down to band practise to-night. There were about 18 out including some new ones. Jim. Ryerse. Karl Lemmons and Joey Smith. We had a good practise and stayed there till half past ten. It is freezing quite hard to night. Saturday March 20th Frank and I finished clearing out the stall where the steers were this morning and hauled it out to the potato ground on the sleighs. There was just enough snow to make the first load slip but it was about gone when we took the last one out. Aunty was over here to dinner and she Enah and Tid. drove down town with Mexico this after-noon. Alan Law was up this morning to see Dad. again about his horse, so Dad. drove down this after noon. Frank and I just did chores. I painted to-night. Fine day, sunny Sunday March 21st Frank Tid. and I went down to Sunday school and Enah came down to church. Enah Tid. and I stayed at Aunty's for dinner and this after noon Enah went to choir practise and to after noon tea at the Barwell's. Marj. & I went for a walk this after noon and saw a robin & some red-winged black-birds. I have heard that robins have been around for some time but to-day was the first I saw one. Marj. and I went to Aunty's for tea and this evening entertained (?) Aunt Ida by singing hymns while Aunty and Aunty Alice went to church. Tid. stayed at Aunty's for tea but drove home with Enah right after. Mexico was in John Shand's barn. It has been fine and Springlike but with a raw west wind. Frank went over to see Tom. Butler and his pal this after noon https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/da164a470d06da2ae37bf52cba6d5fa5.pdf e0bc1daf748ad5590d71ffc40db08c14 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Monday March 22nd Frank has been down at Preston's all day trimming up the dead limbs. He also went over to Henry Miseners to see when they wanted to cut wood but Henry wasn't home. Dad. and I moved the bulls into the place where the steers were, where we can keep them clean. We took down the calf stancions and cleaned out the calves boxstall. To-night Frank and I went down to the annual meeting of the J.F.I.A. and there were just enough boys to form a quorum. Clarence Finch suggested that we dissolve the thing and use what money we had about $25.00 to buy some good agricultural book to put in the Library. Every one agreed to the proposal except Charlie Blake who didn't want to dissolve, however the motion carried. We were all surprised to-day by Frank and me receiving forty dollars apiece from Grand daddy from the sale of some property out there. It came just in time for me to get a new suit. The Northern Lights were wonderful to-night. Beautiful day. Tuesday March 23rd Frank gathered up all the saws he could find this morning and took them down to Dave Waddle's to sharpen them. Dave saw him the other night and invited him down so he was there to dinner. I went over to Preston's and took the dead wood out of the two trees that were left. This afternoon I drove out to Shand's and bargained for a couple of loads of hay, which we are to get as soon as we can manage it. I went from there down to the cheese factory and got some butter as no one is hauling yet in Tom's place The roads are very heavy although not deep and in some places quite dry, it was after six when I got home. I brought Cliff Lown up from the factory with me. I went down town to-night and spent the evening with Marj. Fine day. Wednesday March 24th I went down town first thing this morning and went to Tip's and tried on some ready-made suits. I picked on one $42.00 Navy Blue that suited me pretty well, but I told Harry I wouldn't decide till I went to Simcoe. I went up on the eleven o'clock car and went to see Neff about the books the J.F.I.A. want to donate to the Library. I then went over to Inscombe & Vance and they showed me a piece of Navy Blue Irish serge they call it which the fellow said they had cut a great many suits of and he said he would guarantee it to be fast dye and all wool so I ordered a suit of it at $55.00. It seemed pretty steep but I thought the guarantee was worth something. I came home on the express car and went up to tell Col. Smith who is Chairman of the Library Board about the books and so it was about five o'clock when I got home I found Frank was away as Edmond England had sent for him to help cut wood just after I left. To-night he & https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/f732288b1ea9b4d6a66dfda510ffd8aa.pdf ff97b99757ce312e145139f598777e5e PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. I went down town he went to church and I went to band practice. Aunty Alice went to Hamilton this morning to have her glasses changed and as Aunt Ida has been quite sick all day with a pain in her side I stayed down all night to-night. Another beautiful day, mild Thursday March 25th Frank and I went over to Henry Misener's this morning to help cut wood and were there till about four o'clock. We didn't get started very early as the cylinder of Edmond's gasoline engine was leaking and they had to take the head off and repack it, but we cut up a pile of wood when we did start. We had lots of help as besides ourselves and Henry & Edmond, there was Charlie McQueen, Guy Tuple, Dick Waddle & Tom Stone. They moved over and got set up at our place and we cut a little but Edmond & Henry wanted to get home so we quit early. I went down to the Tuxis boys meeting to-night and stopped in on my way down to ask Jack Martin to send over a man to help us in the morning. Frank went over to {Tom Butler's?} and one of them promised to come over and help. Quite hot to-day Friday March 26th It was colder and windy this morning and looked like rain but it didn't come and we got started before nine at our wood and finished the pile just at noon. Tom Butler and a man came over from Jack's which besides Henry & Edmond was all the help we had. After dinner we loaded up & moved over to Arthur Prestons. Frank and I went down there & helped but it didn't take much more than half an hour to saw Arthur's little pile up. Frank and I stayed down there for awhile talking to Arthur and then came home and did chores and I went down town to-night and about eleven went over to Col. Smith's and called for Aunty Alice. Trying hard to rain. Saturday March 27th We haven't done much all day but chores. Frank found two more lambs when he went out this morning one of them isn't much bigger than a red squirrel and is very weak but Dad. has it in the house feeding it from a spoon. Another ewe lambed a little later. This after noon Dad. went down to ask after old Tom, and said he was very low, and to-night when I went down I heard he was dead. Poor old Tom. we certainly are going to miss his visits and his wit, but maybe for him it would have been much harder to live and see the old lady suffer the way she is or to live with out her as she can't last much longer. I went down to Col. Smiths for tea to-night, Mrs Smith had her boys there and invited Marj. & me. Mr. & Mrs. Johnston were also there and we had a great time. I started for home quite early but stopped in at Frank Smiths and talked to him till near 12 o'clock Roy, Vernon & the children all came up to-day to stay till after Easter. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/50bdc4417b71204a735398944883942a.pdf 1c1fbaa37ae6325ceec58043782f8f57 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Sunday March 28th Frank Tid. and I went down to Sunday school and church this morning and Tid. and I stayed down to dinner. Enah has a bad cold and sore throat so didn't go down to church but went down this after noon to choir practice. Marj. & I went for a walk up the beach this after noon. The lake is lower than I ever saw it, the beach being from 40 to 70 ft wide in places. We also went around to Miss McQueen's for awhile and she gave us tea and cookies. Miss Martin was there, this being her birthday. Aunty Alice, Vernon and I went to church to-night and I spent the evening with Marj. Mr. Johnston announced a meeting to-morrow night to consider the question of whether to take the steeple down or not as since the sheeting blew off it last fall some of them have got it into their heads that it is unsafe. Col. Smith & Jack Martin seem to think that it will have to come down and as the idea of that church without the steeple seemed like a crime to me I climbed up this after noon and as far as I could see only the sills around the posts and the sheeting are a little rotten but perfectly solid and <s>as far as I</s><s> can see</s> it would cost much less to repair it than to take it down. To remove that steeple would not only destroy the beauty of the church which really is pretty but it would take away the most outstanding and picturesque feature of the town. Roy & Jack Walker looked at it too and came to the same conclusion as I did. Monday March 29th Dad. had to be a bearer at Mrs. Chapman's funeral to-day and as they brought her here he had to go down to meet the morning train at eleven. Frank drove him down and he stayed down to dinner. I didn't do much but a few chores and painted this after noon. Frank has been pretty busy with the sheep as several more ewes lambed to-day. To-night he went down to Aunty's for tea as they had invited him & Jennie Ward down there. Marj. came over here for tea. Fine day colder to-night. Tuesday March 30th We spent the morning doing up the chores. The lambs are coming thick and fast now and require considerable attention. This after noon Dad. and I went to old Tom's funeral. We took Tid. down and left him at Aunty's to visit with Rebecca while we drove up to the cemetry. Dad. went to the service at the house but I stayed out and held Joe. and talked to Alan Law. Alan misses Tom about as much as anyone but like old Tom himself he takes good care not to betray his feelings by his line of talk. To-night Frank and I went down town and I went around with Marj. but soon after we went in she was seized with a terrible toothache or neuralgia so I didn't stay long. Thank's to Roy's energy the result of last night's meeting was that Huby, Cousin Willie and Barwell were appointed as a committee to have Bill Rankin, Percy Ryerse & Jack Spain to look at the old steeple this morning which they did and https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/1bac78ae77d90485c9412caa14189c10.pdf e53bef708a35062583636b7f197274c7 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. came to the conclusion that it will not be necessary to tear it down. These three were all very anxious to have it left but Roy feels certain that if he had not urged them to go and had not examined the steeple himself that the outcome would have been that Jack Martin and a few others who don't care much would have just had it torn down to be done with it. Very mild, rained a little. Wednesday March 31st Frank and I have been down at Preston's all day burning brush and got the brush from 8 or 9 trees burned just by starting a fire over the stump and carrying to it. In this way we could burn the brush from several trees at once. Roy, Vernon, Aunty and the two children were over here to dinner. Aunty & Roy walked back early and wheeled Walter in a go-cart they had borrowed and Enah drove Vernon and Rebecca down about five o'clock. Frank had to go over to Jack Martin's to night to get instructions in doing the chores Billy Mills is sick with flu and Hanselman is leaving to day and going up to Jack Paine's place so they stuck for help and Frank is going over to help old Bill George out. Frank and I went down town to-night and I went to band practice. Thursday April 1st Frank was over at Jack's all morning. Dad. and I went down to Preston's this morning and burned some more brush. This after noon Frank and I went up to Ham Thompsons and got a small load of hay, as we are not going to have enough of our own to get us through. Frank got off on our way home to do up the chores at Jack's. I went down to the Tuxis boys meeting to-night. I expected Manning to be there but he had been down earlier and sent Neff down. Neff gave the boys a little talk. When it was over I went around to see Marj. her toothache was better. She intends leaving for home to-morrow for the holidays. It has been a beautiful day to-day. Bobbie calved to-day a red & white bull. Moonshine's first. Friday April 2nd Good Friday Dad. & I didn't go down to the orchard this morning as we had several jobs around here to do. We moved Bobbie and ear-marked a couple of the lambs. The old big bagged ewe had two lambs to-day but evidently has very little milk for them so Dad. brought one of them in the house and has been feeding from a bottle. Enah went down to church this morning and I painted a little. It rained quite hard about noon but soon cleared off and Dad. and I went down to the orchard and burned some more brush. It went all right once we got it started. Frank and Tid. went down to Alfreds and borrowed his fish spear and went back to spear pike but had no luck, although we have heard wonderful stories of the fish being caught in our gully this spring. Very mild all day but it has turned colder and windy to-night. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/635a71731d52e30188ea5b2e9172ad16.pdf 31a37adfdc872b04f2443619273f3b32 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Saturday April 3rd Dad. and I went down to the orchard this morning to burn brush but it was so windy Dad. and Arthur decided it would be dangerous to start a fire, so we came home and I walked down to the creamery to get some butter as we were right out. I went down to Ryerse's and then walked up along the creek to the second bridge. I saw several of the fellows back there working on the land either on the side hills or on the flats which dry out quickly on account of the gravel bottom. Roy Hammond was at the factory and he gave me a ride as far as his place on my way home. I came through Tom Butler's place and stopped to talk to them for awhile so it was after one o'clock when I got home. We didn't do any thing much this after noon as it was very cold and windy. Freezing to-night. Sunday April 4th Easter. (Martha's calf (bull) came to-day) I went down to Sunday school this morning and the rest went down to church except Frank who had to help old Bill George do chores over at Jack Martin's. Vernon came over here to dinner with Enah and Roy and I walked over after having dinner at Aunty Alice's. We didn't do any thing extraordinary for the rest of the day. Roy and Vernon left early in the after noon to go to Huby's for tea. Frank went down to the Ryerse's this after noon Lloyd & George have been sick and are not much better yet. Miserable cold raw day Monday April 5th Dad. & Tid went down first thing this morning to see Roy, Vernon & Aunty off as they thought they were going at nine o'clock, they didn't get away till eleven though Aunty went back with them to spend a week. It has been a miserable day with ice over every thing from last night's ice storm. To-night I went down to the Vestry meeting as I promised Mr. Johnston I would. He asked me to act as secretary for the meeting so I had to go over to the Rectory afterwards to copy in the minutes. I had intended getting my hair cut but Mrs. Johnston invited me to crackers, cheese & wine, and Mr. Johnston gave me a cigar so I sat there till too late to go to the barbers. They have had quite a day of it down there as Percy Dunkin & Miss Baugley were married to-day and they entertained the party at the Rectory. It was wine that Percy brought down that we were making merry with to-night. I stayed all night at Aunty Alice's as Aunty is away although Aunty Alice said she intended to stay alone, however she had the bed ready for me if I intended to stay. Cold. Tuesday April 6th Dad. and I did chores this morning and this after noon Frank and I went up to Ham Thompson's and got the rest of the hay that he said we could have https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/b870145a138f5178b37eac58d89b45f3.pdf fdc0c1586af0220672f56d46af4b08d6 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Frank stopped off at Jack's to do chores and Dad. and I put part of the load off in the horse stable, just as we were getting through the chores which was rather late George & Marion came in. They had come on the five o'clock car and had had tea with Aunty Alice. We were expecting them some time to-night as George sent a telegram. Miserable weather, snowing to-night. Wednesday April 7th We haven't done much but chores to-day and I have been working on the last lesson of my show card course. It is quite a long one and I want to finish it up this week if possible. Enah drove George & Marion down town with Mexico this afternoon and they got a suitcase which they had left down town. I went down to band practise to-night. I went around to Harry Dyer's first and got my hair cut. We hadn't a big crowd out as it was a rotten night freezing hard and {Grint?}, Mid. and Erney West are up the lake fishing. Bill Lemmons was in a exceptionally good humor though They say he is going to be married soon to Lou. Dixon but she hasn't got him yet. Cold and extremely rotten. Thursday April 8th Dad. George and I went down to Preston's this morning and burned some more brush. Henry was there burning his to-day. This after noon Dad. & I went down alone and finished burning ours. I went down to the Tuxis boy's meeting to-night we didn't have a regular meeting but the boys were making plans for their father & son banquet next Tuesday, we had a very short session and I got home early. It has been a nasty day. Sunny by "spells" and a snow storm every half hour. Friday April 9th Dad. George. Tid and I went down to the orchard this morning and helped Henry burn the rest of his brush. We got it all slicked up in fine shape before noon and Arthur complimented us on the thoroughness with which we did the job. George and I went over to see the old McQueen cemetry. I worked at my show card lessons this after noon. George went down town while Marion was asleep after dinner and invited Ada to go to the dance with him to-night. Marion went down town after him as soon as she woke up and brought him back for tea. After tea George left early to get Ada. and Frank, Enah and Marion went down later to a concert and dance put on by the Rebecca Lodge from Delhi. They said the dance was good but the concert was rotten. Dad. Tid and I stayed home and I worked at my show card lesson. A little milder but raw. Saturday April 10th Frank and I went out to the Shands this morning to https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/7cdfd1cac1fd8afb202a515153467145.pdf 012515121ea917340f3712e7bd3ce53e PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. get a load of hay which they promised us. We had to go over to Willie's place to get it and as we were going under their telephone wire which crossed the lane the back ladder of the rack caught it and broke off clean both legs. Frank and Charlie fixed it up but it took quite awhile and it was nearly noon by the time we left with our load, we took it down to Kolbe's to weigh it and as it was after twelve when we arrived there, the office was locked up and we had to wait for our weight till one o'clock, when Kolbe came along. I went over to Huby's for awhile as he stays at the office till one o'clock on Saturdays. It was pretty late when we got home with our load and didn't do much but chores after dinner after we had put off the load most of it in the horse stable. Dad. went over to Jack's in Frank's place this morning. Frank will be through over there to-morrow as Billy is feeling well enough to get out. I went down to the station to-night and met Marj. she came back on the Grand Trunk. Milder to-day. Sunday April 11th I went down to Sunday school this morning and Enah went down to church but none of the rest went down. I stayed at Aunty's for dinner and spent the after noon with Marj. part of it delivering maple sugar, she brought back a load of it from home and had to divide it up and give it away. We both came over here for tea and I helped Dad. milk, all the family except Dad. and Frank were out for a joy-ride in Joe Thompson's car, Quint came over here to dinner with Enah and Joe came over after dinner to get him so took them all for a drive up around by Simcoe. We all spent the evening here and Enah and Marion played duets. Tid went to bed early and was very quiet and seems to realize that to-night sees the close of the first epoch of his career, his childhood days are over, and to-morrow he will be a school-boy. Monday April 12th Dad. and Enah took Tid. down to school this morning and left him quite happy with Miss McQueen, who he fell in love with at first sight. Frank and I spent most of the morning clipping Mexico. It rained most of the after noon. Jim. Bannister came in right after dinner with the lower half of the circle of his buggy broken and had to borrow ours to go around the mail route. We didn't do any thing much this after noon but chores. Dad. drove after Tid. at four o'clock with Mexico and the cart. We were all home to-night. George & Marion intend to leave to-morrow and George is going West right away. Tuesday April 13th Dad. drove Tid down to school first thing this morning and as soon as he got back I drove George down https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/edc2f7eda21c5574c1343d60f958712a.pdf 0c34686630e76dea693b9edb6c933207 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. as he wanted to go and say good bye to the Harding's and Ada. Enah drove Marion down a little later with Mexico and they got off on the eleven car. I went down to Frank Smith's to ask him how the Father & Son banquet was progressing and he said all arrangements had been completed. This after noon Frank and I put the ear labels in the rest of the lambs. We both went down soon after six to the Father & Son banquet in the Methodist church and had a rattling good supper and as I had to leave at 8.20 to meet Aunty I got out of listening to most of the speeches. Bill Barwell & Joe Smith proposed toasts and were answered by Mr. Brand and a Mr. Neil who came with Manning, then a Mr. Dollar who I think is liable to succeed Mr. Brand in the Methodist pulpit this year. They were all pretty poor, but but Frank said that Taylor Statten who spoke for about an hour after I left was very good. The train got in about nine o'clock and I went up to the house with Aunty and then went up and spent the rest of the evening with Marj. Sunny and a little milder to-day. Wednesday April 14th Frank and I went to Simcoe this morning to get some feed at Johnson's. We borrowed Art. Quanbury's waggon as ours had the rack on it and as we went over there after it, we didn't get started till about ten o'clock. It was nearly noon when we got there so Frank took his wheel around to Ford's to be fixed and we took some bags up to Johnson's and then put the team in at Burt's and went and had dinner at Shaw's. It was four o'clock before we left Simcoe. I got my new suit and went to Slaght who didn't know any more about the Dickey Stevens place than he did last fall We couldn't get any bran or shorts anywhere up there but got our seed potatoes and some seed corn. It was nearly six when we got home. Dad. said Roy Hammond had been in to invite us all down to a U.F.O. social meeting to-night and hear a debate on the subject of an 8 hour day on the farm. I went down to band practise to-night and went to the U.F.O. meeting after it. The debate was just about over but we heard <s>the</s> a quartette composed of Frank Lemons, Fram. Walker, Mrs. Welch & Mrs. Roy Hammond sing and a violin duet. Then some old Frank Ryerson from Teeterville or some place made a long rambling agitating speech in which he made several comparisons between the poor down trodden farmer and the wealthy autocratic city-man all of which was bunk. He is a witty and comical old coon but a {rube?} in manners, looks and speech, but evidently a high man in U.F.O. circles. After this we had refreshments, which were good, and plentiful. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/2e33a5786de0bc8e0eaf7bb6baa52b5d.pdf d311a2a68f4fe9ceeac778294fef6f1b PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Thursday April 15th Dad went out to the corner field and tried to plow this morning but it was too wet and he had to come up. Frank and I cut the tails off 14 more lambs and then Frank drove Tid. down to school. I braided up the corn we got in Simcoe yesterday and hund it up in the drive house. It started to rain before noon and rained all the afternoon and night. Dad. went over to John Wesses this after noon and was there till after five. We did chores and puttered around. I went down town to-night to see if the Tuxis boys were going to meet but they didn't. I had on Frank's rubber boots so thought I would go home but I took a walk up to the Monteith's and saw Marj. near the door so knocked and she let me in. She got me old Monteith's slippers which nearly pinched my feet off and caused the old man considerable concern when he went to look for them later. Frank went down to a minstrel show composed of Simcoe Methodists in the town hall. Friday April 16th We started to fix up the lane a little this morning Dad. & Frank plowed three furrows on each side of it and I threw the sods out in the middle. A little before noon Tom. Butler came over after Dad. to go and see a ewe that was lambing so Dad. went over and didn't get back till after three and didn't have any dinner Frank worked a little more at the lane this after noon and fixed up a lamb creep. I spent most of the after noon doing chores. Wore my new suit down town to-night and they all said it looked fine. Nice day Saturday April 17th Dad. and I have spent most of the day piling wood and didn't quite finish but made things look quite a bit better than they did. Frank went down town this morning and up to Miss McCoy's where he found we could get two tons of hay for $25.00 a ton. He went out to Evans and got the wheel of the old waggon which he took out there the other day. Evans had put in a piece of a rim and two new spokes and only charged $2.50. Frank put it on the old waggon this after noon and went down town and got a load of sawdust to use in the horse stable for bedding. Dad. went down to see Aunty to-night. Very windy, mild. Sunday April 18th Tid and I went down to Sunday school this morning and Frank came down but was too late for sunday school and too early for church so went up the beach. I stayed at Aunty's for dinner and this after noon Marj. and I went over to Prestons & Ivey's woods and https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/cb27f258297172bebce3c9ef71356b8b.pdf 4dc107e0468e38c8004d59609ed4a6be PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. gathered a big bunch of may flowers. We came up through the gully to the house and found Aunty Alice here She went home before tea, but Marj. stayed here for the evening. Frank was over at the Sidway's and didn't get home till nearly seven but as I was home I helped Dad. do the chores. It has been a beautiful day, east breeze. Monday April 19th Frank and I went out to the Shand's first thing this morning and got another load of hay. They told us we could have enough to make up a ton but we put on as much if not more than we had last time and the last load weighed 1580, but Willie said they would call the two loads 3000 and only charged us $18.00 a ton for it. It was easily worth $25.00 according to what we would have to pay anywhere else. We put it all off in the horse stable and right after dinner we went up to Miss McCoy's and got a load. It took us quite awhile to put it on and coming out of the barn we had to make a very short turn and broke a trace but were able to shorten it and go on. We took it down and weighed it and it was 1910 but heavier hay. Fine day Tuesday April 20th We started work on the land to-day. I went out first thing and sowed the rest of the clover seed on the wheat and Frank went out and started disking along the side road. Dad. took Tid down to school and then went out with Belle & Queen with the harrows. Frank had Harry & Pommers and Pommers went off without a particle of trouble. They worked till about four o'clock when Frank came up to get the drill and seed as it looked so rainy we thought we had better put in what was worked up although Dad. didn't want to put it in without more work and without treating the seed. Just as Frank came up it started to rain and rained till five o'clock so nothing more could be done. I dug around some of the little trees in the orchard this morning and this after noon did chores and mixed barley & oats for seed. Frank and I went down town to-night. I met Marj. after their auxillary meeting was over and we went to the picture show. Wednesday April 21st Frank and I spent the day shearing sheep but only got six done. We were quite awhile getting the machine in order and haven't got our hand in very well yet. We couldn't find our wool box so couldn't tie up the fleeces Dad. went down to the butter factory this after noon to get some butter and didn't get back till after six He said the roads were a fright. They just scraped them before the rain. I went down to band practise to-night. Cnocfierna had a heifer calf to-night. Fine & warm. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/f3a7e006454bf3e5db83d7b79a929014.pdf d879330435925835f889fc19c61e1f5b PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Thursday April 22nd Frank took Tid. down to school this morning and went on down town to get some oil for the sheep clippers and to get me some developing supplies. He also went up to Ham Thompson's and found our wool box. Ham had borrowed it last year and had forgotten about it till he found it the other day cleaning out the drive house. I raked the lawn for awhile and then Dad. helped me shear a couple of sheep, but it hurt his arm to turn the machine. We sheared this after noon and got seven more done. Alan Law was in this morning and took the knives of the horse clippers up to be sharpened in Simcoe. Elva came over to dinner and Aunty Alice right after dinner and all the bridge club later in the after noon. Aunty Alice & Elva stayed to tea and I walked down with them after tea and went to the Tuxis boys meeting. It began to rain just after we left and we had a great old thunder storm. It was still raining a little when I started for home so I went in to Aunty Alice's for the night. Saw a pair of big blue martin's on the bird house to-day. Friday April 23rd This has been a miserable day, rained or drizzled nearly all the time with little patches of sunshine and rather chilly. Frank and I sheared seven more sheep. Dad. went up to see Ham Thompson's cattle this morning. I went down town to-night. Saturday April 24th Frank and I docked the rest of the lambs this morning and then sheared three more sheep before dinner. Aunty came over to dinner and this afternoon she Enah and Tid went back to the woods and got a lot of may flowers. Frank went to Simcoe this after noon and got his wheel and rode it home. It was rather late when we got through the noon chores so instead of shearing any more sheep, Dad. went out to clean out some ditches and I went down to "Bronzie" and got some cedar trees to set out for a hedge Enah. Tid. and Aunty drove down town and I went down and got some more little cedars and left them by Mrs. Battersby's mail box and Enah brought them home in the cart. I set some of them out to-night and heeled the rest of them in. Sunny but cold north wind Sunday April 25th Frank and I went down to sunday school this morning I was purposely late as I had a premonition that I might be requested to open Sunday school but when I got there I found that they had not yet started so sure enough Aunty Alice pounced on me and asked me to do the job. I thought there was only one effective way of getting out of it and convincing them that I absolutely and unconditionally refused to be let in https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/0c61e97646c168cdc4821eef08c8f65b.pdf 27fa7f633b75a445275afea7a0a686a8 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. for it so I made for the door and went down to the pier for half and hour. There were several fishing down there and they were hauling out perch at a great rate. I didn't have quite time enough after I got back to get all the books distributed. Mr. Johnson had a very bad cold and there was some talk of not having church so Marj. and I thought we would go up the beach, there was church however but we walked right past much to Aunty Alice's surprise, we thinking that the fewer Mr. Johnston had to speak to the easier it would be on his voice. I left Marj. at the Bagleys where she had dinner and spent the afternoon celebrating Mr. Bagley's birthday. I came home to dinner and this after noon went over to Tom Butler's with some tobacco Frank got for him. I also took a knife over to dock his lambs, but Art Quanbury had been over this morning and done that. I found Tom & Stevens in the house entertaining Bill Donald, Frank Lemons and Jack & Arthur Pickford, so I stayed for about an hour and imbibed cider with the company On my way home I came through the woods and dug up some may-flower roots to send to Dorrie. I helped Dad. do chores and went down town by after church. They had a long service. The oddfellows were all there and Mr. Farney preached to them. Frank has been down at the Ward's all after noon & evening. Fine day, cool Monday April 26th I went out first thing this morning to measure of a space in the field along the side road to put the Experimental Union plots. Then I came up and helped Frank bring out the old drill which he had rigged up as a broadcast seeder with Harry & Pommer while Dad. drove Tid to school. They had broken a cog in the feed drive gear of the drill so when we got out with it we found it wouldn't run as it would stop feeding when it came to the broken cog. We came up and put Queen with the team and hooked on to the big drill and Dad. & Frank went a few rounds with it but found the ground was too wet for it to work in the mud clogged up in the disks and half the seed didnt sow and it wouldn't cover well either. I opened up some ditches in the corner field This after noon Frank took the broken gear wheel to Simcoe but they were all too busy up there to fix it and the implement man didn't have one in stock but sent for one. Dad. and I took Pommers & Harry out to plow in the corner field and I went a few rounds with him but it was too wet to work well and the plow not being scoured pulled very hard, but Dad. kept at it till night and finished a land. I came up and set out the rest of my cedar hedge down to the ditch. I have some left though. Cold east wind and cloudy. Rain to-night. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/b3087f1b099e293da7f67eed684aa069.pdf 49a994b87b2170fd15f7c6af56b7b3de PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Tuesday April 27th It drizzled rain all morning so that we couldn't do anything outside. I worked in the shop making stakes for the experimental plots and fixing the milk stools. Frank went down to Alfred's and cleaned up some oats as we have to buy some for feed. This after noon it cleared off, the wind went from the east to west by the south and it got quite warm. We went back to the gully and fixed a little of the fence as there is enough pasture back there now to turn the steers back. I went down to-night. Wednesday April 28th We spent the day fixing fence back in the gully and think we have the old barricade patched up enough to hold the steers as we want to turn them out to-morrow. We <s>p</s>put most of the morning on the fence this side of the creek on Ivey's line. It was in awful shape so we took it all down, put in a couple more posts and stretched the barbed wire over again. It doesn't look very artistic but it is in a perpendicular position anyway, I went down to band practice to-night. Rotten day. Cloudy, windy, very cold & rainy. Tom Butler & his pal spent the evening over here to-night. They are getting tired of batching and have a chance to engage a young widow from near Simcoe as housekeeper, but don't know whether it would be strictly in accordance with the rules of society or not. Thursday April 29th Frank went out and harrowed this morning along the side road and Dad. plowed in the corner field. Frank thought the land worked pretty well so Dad. went on this after noon and sowed the rest of the barley & oats we had mixed up. He went over what he sowed the other day again. He couldn't start sowing till quite late as Jim who brought the spare part to the broadcast seeder couldn't find it when he brought the mail and so went all around his route and found it in the bottom of his box so then brought it out, he was in his car so went around fairly quickly. I measured out 250 lbs of manure this morning to put on one of my experimental plots and then went out and staked them out. I came up at four o'clock and did up the chores as Dad. worked pretty late. I went down to the Tuxis boys' meeting to-night after which I ran across Hazen and walked up to the radical track and back with him. We turned the steers out to-day. Friday April 30th Dad. worked on the land all day and got in four or five acres more. Frank and I treated what oats he sowed for smut this morning. We tried the dry treatment this time which is to spray the formalin on instead of sprinkling it. We use a much stronger solution, half in half and just use one https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/6a8fe171fd377ab9d0c68ac4bfdcd99f.pdf 7ad079e0f2fb94bf31cc1eb87449e28c PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. pint of the mixture to 25 bushels of grain. We did it in the granary instead of on the barn floor where there would have been a breeze and it nearly suffocated us. The fumes got in our eyes and noses even after we tied handkerchiefs over our mouths, but little by little we got the job done. We then took the sheep out to the corner field and Frank went on the land and worked. I sowed three of my experimental plots but will have to wait till I get the manure on the other one to sow it. I spent the after noon doing chores. We were very much surprised this morning when we went out to the cow stable to find a roan heifer calf behind Elgitha. She wasn't due till the 12th of May so we hadn't noticed her at all and she calved in the stanchions. We put her and the calf out back of the barn for to day and shut her in a box stall at night, she looks to have a good bag. We let the cows back to the gully for awhile this after noon. I went down town to-night. Fine but quite cool. Saturday May 1st It froze hard last night and has been cold quite uncomfortably so with a north west wind all day but it has been fine and Dad. and Frank have managed to finish that field out there, we think there must be about 14 acres in it. There are one or two holes with water in them that they had to leave, but Dad can sow a little closer to them by hand and Frank will cross harrow it Monday if it stays fine. We put it in in pretty rough shape just disked and harrowed it ahead of the <s>drill</s> seeder with out crossing. Dad. hates to put it in that way, but with the weather we have it seems like taking chances on not getting it in at all if we do it "a la" John Wess. This is the way Art Ryerse & Alf. Pow do it every year and they thrash some great crops. I have chored around all day cleaning out the calf pens and mulching the raspberries. Enah and Tid went down to John Watts' sale this after noon. Enah said there were very few there and things went for very little. She bought some chairs and rag mats, for a little over a dollar. John Watts is leaving as Sam & Alan have bought the farm. Sunday May 2nd Frank and I went down to Sunday school and Enah went down to church as she had to play the organ. Dad. went down to Aunty's for dinner. I came home for dinner and tea and spent the after noon and evening down town. I took 16 chick out from two hens to-day and put them in a little coop under one hen. Frank & Lloyd Ryerse went down the lake shore to-night to invite folks to the Butler's Stevens party to-morrow night. Fine day but cold wind. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/93c155706c7d9b99aef87486abe6076b.pdf e0839366698fed4d9a17972267f7e8ed PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Monday May 3rd Frank and I went up to Miss McCoy's this morning and got another load of hay. It was after noon by the time we got it home and off. Dad. harrowed crossways on what we sowed this morning and Frank finished harrowing it this after noon and started in disking the corner field. Dad. and I hauled out the manure I had weighed up for my plot and some more which we mulched some of the little poplars along the side road with. We then brought the plow out of the corner field and ran the ditches in the sowed piece and Dad. started to plow the head land in the corner field. Winnie came over to tea to go with me to the party to-night. Frank had arranged to take Kathleen Kinsular and Jennie Ward so he had to take them out first then come back and get Win & me. We had a very good time out there. Bobbie Mc.Milland was the orchestra and Fred Krill the master of ceremonies, there was a good crowd out there and lots to eat. Frank drove Win & me home about one o'clock and then went back after the other girl Thursday May 4th Frank and I had to go back to the back field first thing this morning to get the cattle out of the woods as they had knocked down and broken a bar. I then drove Win. down to the bank and when I got home Frank and I put on a load of manure and took it down to Aunty Alice. We brought home some posts from Jack Reynolds to put along the road for a fence. Dad. plowed the head land in the corner field this morning and he and Frank worked on it this after noon. We are going to work up just half of it for oats and put corn on the rest of it. I did chores and sowed my last experimental plot with oats. I went down town to-night. Wednesday May 5th Dad. & Frank worked on the corner field all day and hope to have it ready to drill by to-morrow after noon. I went out and burned some old rubbish in the corner field that had been along the old fence bottom, then I cleaned out some ditches in the sowed field. Frank and I treated some more oats this after noon and a little barley which Frank went down to the mill for. Remembering our last experience we were determined not to do the job in the granary again so we cleaned off the barn floor but that took a long time so that by the time we got done, there was no time to do any thing else much. Frank went out and sowed two kinds of Spring Wheat on the plots. I went down to band practice to-night. Aunty Alice was over here to tea. Fine & warm all day but it freezes every night. Thursday May 6th Dad. & Frank worked all morning on the corner field and drilled it in this after noon with the big drill. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/5c6ac5762d808f140a3a97763664250f.pdf 0893f0dbe7615ce83e26204ed1437f03 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Frank didn't finish till nearly dark. I sowed all the clover seed we had left on the side road field this morning, it went over about to the first water hole. I had dinner about ten o'clock and then went up to Charlie Trinders to see the Shorthorn sale of his & Ham Thompson's. I did think of going up on the eleven o'clock car but changed my mind and walked up through the Cedar Swamp and Dean's Hollow. It was a beautiful day for a walk and I just poked along and enjoyed myself. I got a ride home with Lloyd Crysler who had taken John Wess. Charlie Butler & Wilbur Ryerse up. The sale was very poor. Trinder's stuff was in poor shape and small and although Hams looked pretty nice the bidding was very slow and every thing went for grade prices or less. Lloyd Crysler & John Wess each bought a bull. I went down town to-night and ran races and jumped with the boys. Came home early & went to bed. Friday May 7th Frank had a couple of bags of seed left over last night when he got the piece sowed that was worked up so as it was treated we thought we had better sow it. Dad. has been working up five more lands all morning Frank drilled it in this after noon and then disked over the plowing that was left to keep it from getting too hard. We went down to Alfred's first thing this morning and got six more bags of oats for feed, we then went down to the mill and got four bags of some new feed mixture to feed the bulls. Then as the cattle were all in the back field again, we went back and put them out and stretched some more barbed wire. Frank came up and harrowed and I went over to ask Cam. McBride if he would like us to give him a day to-morrow he seemed very pleased at the prospect. He was just finishing up his field plowing and is afraid he won't get any more in. I went from there over to Charlie McQueen's to ask him if there would be any chance of renting his place this fall but he said he guessed not. This after noon I cleaned out a few ditches did chores and went over to ask Art Quanbury if he would rent Charlies place but he said not. I went down town to-night. Fine & warm. Saturday May 8th I went over to Cam McBride's first thing this morning with the harrows and was over there till nearly six harrowing. Cam. got his field in to-night with the broadcast seeder. I harrowed ahead of him and then went over it after him so harrowed the field nearly over twice. Charlie Munroe came over and harrowed too all the after-noon. I came home before tea much against Cam's & John Wess's wishes and forgot the halters and left them in the barn where the horses had been tied at noon. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/336acee5330aafa15a433307759f0174.pdf 515f5885ad5e2d142f61173882729c0d PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. so Frank rode over on his wheel to get them but found Charlie Munroe had put them on his horses so he had to wait till Charlie got through tea and had his there too. He worked up the garden to-day and his alfalfa plot. He & Dad. ran out the ditches in the corner field this morning but Dad. has felt so tough with a cold that he didn't do any thing this after noon. We were till after dark getting the chores all done, then Frank and I went down town. I got my hair cut and as I was so sleepy I went down to Aunty Alices and spent the night. Very hot this morning looked rainy Sunday May 9th Aunty Alice called me at five o'clock this morning and I went to sleep again but got away before half past five. Dad. was milking when I got home. Frank, Tid and I went down to Sunday school. Enah drove down to church. I stayed at Aunty Alices to dinner and this after noon Marj. & I walked over to Preston's woods and then over here to tea. Frank was down at the Ward's and Dad. was to sick with his cold and an awful headache to get up at all so I had all the chores to do. I drove Marj. down to-night. Fine day Monday May 10th Frank and I finished cleaning out the ditches in the corner field this morning and this after noon sheared four more sheep. Dad. has felt very little better and hardly went out of the house all day Tid's cold is worse too and he didn't go to school. It has been cloudy all day and rained a little this after noon. We need it badly. Frank found a lamb this morning with a big lump on its shoulder and Dad. lanced it, and got a lot of stuff out of it. I afterwards pulled a long piece of straw out of the wound which looked like a timothy head with all the seed hulls off it. Tuesday May 11th It rained most of the morning and must have rained a lot during the night. We needed it badly and it was a nice gentle rain. The sheep got wet during the night so we couldn't shear to-day. Frank went down town this morning to see about borrowing some money, he stayed at Aunty's to dinner and went to Simcoe this after noon to see about several items of business. He is full of business ideas these days and says he is going to make the farm hum and double production, so I tell him to "go to it". I spent the morning trying out different letterings on a memorial honor-roll for Mr. Johnson. It cleared off this after noon and I did chores and worked around out in front of the house. Alan Tibbets, Zeitha and little Helen were over this after noon and went back to the woods after flowers. Tom Butler & Stevens were in for awhile too. Frank and I went down town to-night. Dad. helped me do the night chores. Tid. feels rotten https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/422adad258c93e60d385a4314b647473.pdf 8313a68c477800a3a3f6a02cac55822a PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Wednesday May 12th Frank and I sheared the rest of the sheep to-day. We got five done this fore noon and the other two after dinner. Alex Jamieson was in and wanted us to go down and shear his but Frank told him we didn't have time but that he could borrow the machine if he wanted it. Dad. felt quite a lot better to-day and went down to Aunty's for dinner and was down town all the after noon. Tid has been in bed all day and to-night they have decided that he has the measles. I went down to band practice to-night. Fine but cold wind. Frosty. Thursday May 13th I spent the day putting in posts along the road so that we could stretch the fence along the front of field east of the orchard. The sheep are on it and with no fence up they wander up the road and pasture on Pickford's wheat, which hasn't grown any since last fall so doesn't need pasturing. Frank harrowed over the garden this morning and this after noon he and Dad. hauled manure out on it. Dad. was quite worried over Jessie all day as she wasn't progressing with calving very fast. He examined her to-night and as the calf's head was back he was afraid we were going to lose one or both but he managed to straighten it out and it came fine a big red heifer. I went down to a Tuxis boys' meeting and a {sidesmen's?} meeting afterwards. Very cold all day and cloudy. It can't aparently warm up. Friday May 14th It took me nearly all day to put in the two posts in the gully I dug long holes for them and nailed cross pieces on the bottom's and put stones on top of them so I don't think the wire will lift them. Frank and I strung the wire up to them to-night so that the sheep can't get out. They have taken to going up to Pickford's wheat so we have to keep them in as Pickford's wheat makes very poor pasture. Dad. and Frank hauled some more manure on the garden this morning and they disked it and spring toothed it this after noon. Frank also went over his alfalfa plot and Dad. plowed a little more of the corn ground in the corner field. I went down town to-night and met Marj. going to Aunty's with a basket which she had taken a kitten up home in so we spent the evening there. Huby Aunty Maude, Cousin Clare & Col. Smith were there playing bridge. Cloudy and very cold wind all day. Freezing hard to-night. Saturday May 15th Dad. and Frank and I worked all morning in the garden I cut up some of the small Irish Cobbler potatoes that were in the cellar and we planted four rows of them. Dad. and Frank planted a lot of small seeds. This after noon Frank and I took the little pigs down town and delivered them to their various purchasers. Bronzie Brock got one Art Webster one, Geordie Long two & Geordie Innes two. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/914ccb0687942f4a02bb9d896541a9bc.pdf c8a12df742b419c585b8904cb38983e4 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. We also took the wool down and put it on a freight car and got two bags of fertilizer that Frank got from Johnson to try out on Corn & potatoes. He wanted to go up to Miss McCoy's and get some hay this after noon but we didn't have time. We got some plank from Jack Reynold's to fix Joe's stall with. Dad. intended working in the garden this after noon but Lea Marshall came after him and he had to go down town to see a sick horse of Jack Richardson's. Frank went down town to-night and I started to do some show card work but went to sleep. Nice day. Sunday May 16th It froze a little last night again but has been a very nice day no wind and quite mild. Frank and I went down to Sunday school and church. This after noon Frank went over to Tom. Butler's and took Crusoe with him and left him there as Tom wanted a dog and we didn't want him. Jack Richardson came after Dad. to go down to Henderson's and give his horse some more attention and Dad. went from there down to Aunty's. I did chores and took some little chickens out this after noon. I only got two good ones out of the incubator and I think they will die but the old hen hatched eight. Lloyd Ryerse was in for quite awhile. I went down town to-night and met Marj. who has been in Waterford all day with Mrs. Wood and they came in on the nine car. Tid. feels quite a bit better to-day, but is well spotted up yet. Monday May 17th Frank and I went up to Miss McCoy's this morning and got another load of hay. Dad. spent most of the morning attending to Nellie who presented us with a big red bull calf this morning. This after noon Dad. finished plowing the corner field for corn and I cleaned up around the back yard. Frank hauled two loads of coal and a load of sawdust for bedding in the horse stable. There was a car of coal in and we thought we had better get some of it now and be sure of having it especially as the price is going up. To-night Frank & I went down to Mr. Freeman's to get lists of names to canvass for the steeple fund. It has been very warm all day and looks like rain. Tuesday May 18th Dad. went down to Aunty's this morning and was down all day trimming up the walks and fixing the fences. I spent the morning raking up the lawn but didn't quite finish. This afternoon I went out to the garden and sowed some more seeds. Frank worked on the corn ground all day. Alan Law was in at noon and borrowed the manure spreader. I went down town fairly early and got part of my canvassing done. Mrs. Martin was the only one I approached who refused to give at all and several gave me $5.00 I spent the evening with Marj. Very warm & cloudy. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/53b3c01beccdeb63c0b9093e69e66a42.pdf 597b343e77f321f512881495b8803a5b PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Wednesday May 19th Dad. went back to the gully after the cows this morning and found Mary with a big roan bull calf, we left her back there all day. Frank went over to Tom Butler's and sheared his sheep for him this morning. I planted some more seeds in the garden and Dad. worked on the corn ground. This after noon Frank and I hauled out some manure to put on a patch which Dad. wants to work up for strawberries. Bruce came after Dad. about three o'clock to go down to Bob. Dougherty's with him to see a mare so Frank and I worked on the corn ground I worked till Frank got the strawberry patch covered and then he took the team and I planted some more corn & my oats in the garden. I went down to band practice to-night. Fair and mild all day, sprinkled a little to-night. Thursday May 20th Dad. and I went back after Mary's calf this morning We had quite a time finding him as Mary had hidden him in the little gully running up into the field, and he lay there perfectly still with his head down as low as he could get it till I was just about on him. After quite a lot of trouble we got him up to the barn and I spent the rest of the day raking & cutting the lawns and got them all looking pretty nice. Dad. worked on the corner ground and Frank spring toothed the back field as we thought it would be a good idea to keep it loosened up till we get a chance to plow it for summer fallow. I went down to the Tuxis boys' meeting to-night and finished my collecting for the steeple, and got $46.00 promised Huby gave me five dollars. I went there last and stayed most of the evening, but called in at Aunty's on my way home where I found Cal. Smith, Cousin Loll & Mrs. Barwell playing bridge. Quint was there too. Very warm, shower to-night. Friday May 21st Dad. had to go down to Mr. Fleming's this morning as he had a new colt which he was afraid was not going to be able to suck but when Dad. got there it was all right. On his way home he saw Billy Mills who was very anxious to get Jack's sheep sheared so Dad. told him I would go over this afternoon. I spent the morning digging around my hedge. Dad. came home and plowed the strawberry patch and Frank went down to Sam Law's and got a few plants but not enough to fill the patch. I went over to Jack's with the clippers this after noon and sheared six of his sheep.They are much easier to shear than ours as there is no wool on their faces or the inside of their legs. Frank set out the strawberries this after noon and Dad. worked on the corn ground. I went down town to-night. Very warm. I saw kids in at the stump this after noon. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/8a8af0e7166b22701ecceeebb598cd92.pdf b61cae641de66bf5debba0787ff56551 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Saturday May 22nd I went over to Martin's first thing this morning and finished shearing the sheep. I got home about eleven and wheeled out a barrow load or two of manure to put around my hedge but as Frank had the seed potatoes all treated for scab and ready to cut, I cut them till noon. Dad. plowed the potato ground this morning and Frank treated the seed and helped Dad. fork the manure out of the road of the shear. This after noon Frank and I cut seed. It took us till after four as we cut it all. Dad. worked down the land and furrowed it out but we didn't get it all planted. We planted four rows and Frank put fertilizer on three of them and Dad. covered them. Fine and warm to-day Sunday May 23rd I went down to Sunday school this morning and Dad. Enah and Tid to church. Mr. Johnson dedicated the new memorial font this morning which Miss Buckwell put in the church in memory of her father & mother, and we had a baptismal service when five children were christened. This afternoon Mr. Johnson invited Marj. & me to go to Vittoria with him. He told Marj. to invite two more to make up a car load so she asked Miss McQueen and her mother. We had a very nice after noon and went to the woods up there while Mr. Johnson was at church. I came home and did chores and went down again to-night. Monday May 24th Dad. Frank and I finished planting the potatoes this morning and got in ten rows altogether running from the lane to Ivey's line. We finished about eleven and then Frank went over to Martin's and got some strawberry plants. I took the buggy down to the mill and washed the mud off it. This after noon Dad. & Frank set out the strawberry plants and put a ring in Moonshine's nose but I took a holiday to celebrate the Queen's birthday and Marj. and I went up the Radical road to look for Dogwood. We didn't find any but we dug up a lot of other roots and got some lovely violets. We also saw a scarlet tanager and an indigo bird neither of which had we ever seen before. We gave a lot of our roots to Miss McQueen on our way home and she gave me some out of her garden to set out over here. I brought Marj. over here to tea. Billy Mills was over after the corn-marker this morning and said the creek was lined with fishermen. It was cloudy all morning but a beautiful day. Tuesday May 25th Frank and I hauled manure all day to-day and got out 19 loads on the corn ground. I put in the time between loads mulching around the hedge and cherry trees in the lane. Dad. cleaned out the cellar and had a hard job. Neff and Manning were in this after noon. Neff is making arrangements for an https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/95c91ed81bc664b6caacf0a4f96633ea.pdf 412f7c175d436282e0a4d0fb93ea0b43 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. automobile trip down into New York State some time next month and wants to have a meeting in Simcoe to-morrow night to arrange the details. Frank said he would try to go up. I went down town to-night and Marj. and I went over to Miss McQueen's and I got some larkspur plants that they had got for me from Miss Martin's hot bed. Wednesday May 26th Frank and I hauled manure all day and finished covering the corn ground. I cut the lawn in between loads and got it all looking slick. Dad. did odd jobs and hoed over in the garden. Frank went to Neff's meeting to-night. He said they had about fifteen out representative of the different J.F.I.A's throughout the county and formed a sort of County association with a Vittoria boy as president and Bill Nixon as secretary. I went down to band practice to-night. Very hot to-day. Thursday May 27th Dad. worked on the corn ground all day. Frank went down town this morning and got some seed corn and this after noon he harrowed on the corn ground. I just did odd jobs and took my harness to pieces and rubbed it up a little. I took the back strap out of the saddle and couldn't get it back in again. I went down town to-night but none of the boys showed up. I did a show card lesson after I got home. Very hot, warm night. Friday May 28th Dad. worked on the corn ground all day. Frank worked most of the day but went up to Ham. Thompson's to see if he could come down and plant corn for us to-morrow but he said he couldn't come till next week so we will if all's well mark it and plant it by hand to-morrow. Tid and I drove Mexico down town this morning and I dug a patch for Aunty Alice to plant potatoes and some holes for squash and then went up to Mr. Johnson's and he gave me a lot of perenniels. We stayed at Aunty Alice's for dinner and came home right after and spent the rest of the afternoon setting out the things I got from Mr. Johnson. I went down town to-night and went to an athletic meeting in the town hall but as Ernie West Jackson, Frank Smith and Manning were the only ones there we didn't do any thing. I left at nine and went down to Aunty's for the rest of the evening. Marj. was there having had tea there. Turned cold during the night. Cold wind all day. Saturday May 29th Dad. marked the corn ground this morning and I went with him to pick up the ends of the marker on the turns. Frank rolled the field down ahead of us and then went around to Pickford's & Mr. Flemming's and borrowed their corn planters. Billy Mills came over after dinner and he Frank and I planted this after noon. We ran out of https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/d7dc12a7f31ba8ae620798c5ac965dc0.pdf 6a35f10f31fd612d2782566d99da2722 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. about five rows from the end so will have to leave that much till Monday. Dad. took Billy out this after noon with the bridle & surcingle on and did odd jobs. Aunty came over to tea and Dad. drove her home to-night. I read & painted a show card lesson. Quite cold this morning. Sunday May 30th Frank Tid and I went down to Sunday school and Enah drove down to church. She stayed down to dinner but the rest of us came home. Olive Ward saw Marj. yesterday and invited her, with Frank and me, down to their place this after noon. Frank had made arrangements to go some place with Lloyd Ryerse so he didn't go down but helped Dad. as much as he could with the chores and Marj. and I drove down after dinner and spent the after noon and evening there and had a very nice time {Leggit?} was down to tea too. We got home about 11.30 Beautiful day, nice breeze. Monday May 31st Dad. spent the day plowing and working up the patch back of the shop where we are going to try and raise some fodder corn this year. Frank went down town and got some more seed corn and planted it this afternoon I put up my wren house and watched a pair of orioles for awhile that are building out on the lawn. Henry Misener came over with some stumping powder to blast out the big rock out in the field by the side road as Frank had made arrangements with him Saturday night to do it. I went out with him and Frank came out when he got back from town. He put three sticks under the rock and cracked it up and heaved it up out of the ground pretty well. He made two more blasts or mud caps as he called them by just putting the dynamite on top of the rock and covering it over well with mud. He split up some of the big chunks that way but there are still some big pieces to handle. There will be about half a day's work hauling the chunks away and filling up the hole. Frank had him go down to the corner field and put a stick under the old stump. He split a piece off the side of it and loosened it up. I dug around the little apple trees this afternoon Tid went back to school to-day. Very hot. Tuesday June 1st Frank discovered Belle with a colt this morning When Dad. went out first he looked over in the field <s>with</s> at her, and she was standing in the corner aparently the same as yesterday, but Frank came out a few minutes later and saw a colt up with her. Dad. went over and found a fine bay filly which had evidently arrived in this country early in the night and every thing was all right. He calls it Rachel after Mrs. Broadley. We https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/31932e4c0719951b41a2006107b9b21a.pdf 0375bf7b6c67a5b18f44cbccd623e543 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. spent the fore noon hauling out manure on the mangel ground. We got it covered by noon, and took the pile away from back of the barn and cleaned out the pen in the barn where we had the bulls all winter. This after noon Dad. plowed the mangel ground this after noon but didn't quite finish Frank went down town on some of his business projects and I cut the lawn. Olive & Jonnie Ward were over here to tea. I went down town and spent the evening over at the Monteiths. I went down to the beach on my way home and it looked so nice I went for a swim. It has been very sultry and rather cloudy to-day but it won't rain. Wednesday June 2nd Clarence Finch and Dr. Duncombe from Waterford were in first thing this morning and castrated George for us. Just as they left Alex. Jamieson & his son came in, in a car to get Dad. to go down to see a sick ewe or an injured one. They took Tid down to school and the boy brought Dad. back. Rus. Lampkins & George Kirkwood came in just as Dad. got home to get some more of the boiler tubes. Rus. looked at the windmill and said the boxing would have to be re-bobbited again right away. Dad. went out and finished plowing the mangel ground. He didn't quite finish by noon and was most of the noon working it up. Frank harrowed the corn ground over with the little team and this after noon he went to the mill and got a couple of bags of chop for the bulls and went over to Quanbury's and got the little seed drill and then rolled down the mangel ground. I did a few odd jobs this morning and about eleven o'clock rode Frank's wheel down town and gave Aunty Alice an hour or two in the garden. She told me last night that Mr. Johnson had lent her a wheeled hoe but it was too hard for her work so I wheel-hoed every thing I could and made quite a showing. I came home about three o'clock and cut some more lawn. Pickford came over with some pumpkin seed and delayed me quite a lot. I went down to Band practice to-night and went down to Wood's to get some shoe polish and found Marj. there so Mrs. Wood told me to come back after practice I did and went home with Marj. Two of the three boats comprising Capt. Robinson's "navy" are in the harbor now. He is admiral and Captains, Bailie, McDonald and Cousins each have command of one boat. Fine and hot. Thursday June 3rd I spent the fore noon sowing mangel and turnip seed. I got in 10 1/2 rows of mangels and about 11 rows of turnips, running from the lane to Ivey's line. Frank took the spring tooth out and went over his alfalfa ground and helped Dad. saw up the old willow tree https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/3e89cd35a1ee2bbb989e55e66fcf41ce.pdf 9bffd64567d6ce8f218cdc924b266353 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. out in the wheat which blew down last fall and has been holding Ivey's fence down ever since. This morning Ivey's young cattle were in the wheat and got over the fence there so Dad. thought it had better be straightened up. He spent the fore noon and he and Frank all the after noon fixing Ivey's line fence in the gully from the south creek to the big elm by the mound. It was in very bad shape so they took it all down and put in a few posts and stretched it over again. I hoed the potatoes in the garden this after noon. They are just nicely up. Tid was home from school to-day as this is the King's birthday. He was back with Dad. and Frank this after noon and they discovered a crow's nest so Frank went up and took the four young ones which were just about big enough to fly and Dad. brought them all up to the house in his shirt and put them in his big bird cage. Tid is highly delighted of course. Enah wasn't home for tea as she went down to the deanery meeting. Quite cool. Friday June 4th We have spent the day weeding and hoeing in the garden. Most of the stuff is pretty well up now and needs cleaning out. This after noon Frank went out to Edmond England's to see a sheep dipping and castrating demonstration which Neff was putting on. I went down town to-night and called for Aunty Alice at Col. Smith's a little after eleven. They were having a little bridge party over there and I got there in time for the cake and wine. Quite a cold wind & cloudy Saturday June 5th Dad. Frank and I went out again to the garden this morning. Frank planted some beans and Dad. set out tomatoes while I hoed and weeded. We hadn't been there long when it commenced to sprinkle and it gradually increased in intensity until finally it was raining quite hard. Dad. and I stayed out till we got pretty wet setting out tomatoes, we then came up and Dad. and Frank spent the remainder of the fore noon putting a floor in Joe's stall and I painted a show card lesson. The rain kept up pretty well all day and night. I went to sleep this after noon and the others sat around the house. I painted some more to-night. Fine rain Sunday June 6th Frank Tid and I went to Sunday school this morning and Dad and Enah went down to church. Marj. and I stayed at Aunty's to dinner. Winnie was there too. Marj. Aunty Alice and I came over here to the farm this after noon and Winnie came over later for tea. We all went down town before dark as Aunty Alice wanted to get some cauliflower plants at the Quanbury's. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/482b97fd3664fcc0a89316e817b1c14c.pdf 2776b649d0d96fd81b7f7c48db918958 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Monday June 7th I drove down to Aunty's this morning and got the scythe as we have to start cutting grass for the stock, we are completely out of hay. I drove around by the school house and took Tid. down. Aunty gave me some forget me nots and peppers to set out so I set them out when I got home. Frank had to go with Sam Law this morning to help him take a couple of heifer's to Jarvis so he didn't get back till after dinner. He said they got down all right but when they got there the cattle ran through every back yard in Jarvis. Dad. worked up the strip we plowed for rape last year and this after noon he drilled it in with oats and vetch for sheep pasture. He also worked up and drilled the piece back of the shop with fodder corn. I cut a little grass this after nooon and just puttered around. Tuesday June 8th I went to Simcoe this morning on the nine o'clock car and went to see Slaght as Enah and Aunty noticed in the Maple Leaf that Kelly was asking for notification of claims against the estate of Susan Stevens and as they were all sure that was Dicky Stevens mother we thought that possibly the "sheep pasture" might be involved. However Slaght said it had nothing to do with it and that Thompson so far had done nothing. I came home at eleven and went up to Jim Moris's and had my hair cut. This after noon Frank and I hauled out manure, he and Dad. hauled out in the morning We didn't get very much done. There was a heavy thunder shower just after dinner but it only lasted a few minutes. When I got home from Simcoe I found Douglas here. He was in Jarvis so thought he would run up to look at the bulls. He stayed to dinner he thought the bulls were nice ones but at present he says there is no market for them whatever. I went down town to-night and on my way home had a wild goose chase up to the switch at Iveys being attracted by the bell on the car which Pete Furlong had in some way started going and couldn't stop till she rain out of air. Three or four other fellows ran down, their "missus" had waked them up and told them there was a fire. Hot after the rain. Wednesday June 9th I rode Belle up to Jim Waddle's this morning at seven o'clock and bred her to {Culver's?} horse. I was there for half an hour and Jim. was showing me Clara Belle and her colt from Hal. <s>He</s> It is a beauty. Frank had to go down to the mill for some feed and when he got back, we hauled out manure. It was https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/3214062e8d5bf10dd204001704edce02.pdf 1aa431c3852809aceaf6f5c51304d3d8 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. slow work hauling it out of the shed and as we were late getting started we didn't get much done. I went down to band practice to-night and we had a good one Thursday June 10th We were late getting started at the manure this morning as it takes a long time to cut grass for the bulls and do odd jobs. Frank gave us a demonstration of the English method of castrating lambs with his teeth this morning and that look a little time. We finished hauling out of the shed though and hauled a few loads from the yard. Dad. finished hoeing in the garden and hooked Joe up to the cultivator and went through it. When they came up they both had "tummy-aches" Enah got me some poppy and daisy roots at Miss Martin's this morning when she took Tid. to school and I set them out but I am afraid the poppy won't stand it. I went down to-night to see the Tuxis boys but they didn't show up. I went down to Aunty's and they were up at Miss Martin's with the Sunday school staff presenting her with a prayer book. They came home soon and said Aunty Maude was having a great deal of pain so I took up a bottle of stuff for her from Aunty. Huby had his two customs inspectors there entertaining them so I stayed till pretty late. Hot day Friday June 11th We decided to dip the sheep to-day so Frank spent most of the morning getting the tank ready the way they did over at the Englands. He sank it in the ground just inside the barn doors and rigged the waggon box with the sides on it for a draining pen<s>t</s>. He had Joe Howell make him a dipping hook. We got started to dip after eleven and were through by about half past twelve. We left them in the barn for an hour or so as they told Frank over there that turning them out in the sun immediately after dipping would blister them so I suppose that was the cause of our trouble last year. This after noon Frank and I hauled out a little more manure and Dad. went over to let the cattle into the back field and went on over to John Wess's. He and Cam were both at Turkey Point fixing up the House Boat which a bunch of those old sports back there have bought. Went down town to-night. Hot. Saturday June 12th Frank and I hauled out manure all morning but quit at noon as Dad. thought we had better start plowing the field on Monday and get in what we have manured. This after noon Dad. Frank & Tid went down town and cut the grass in front of Aunty's place and brought it over here. There was enough of it to last over Tuesday https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/ba1b53fd6bcc9acc58634df55d1c0b89.pdf 2c78d03d2c42e472f37a3514c5b833c7 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. I slept for about an hour after dinner and then started to cut lawn but as I had to file down one of the knives on the lawn mower I didn't finish. Dad's last crow died last night. He left the four of them out of the cage the other night and three of them left in the night This one was sick so couldn't go with the others. Hot, looks rainy. Sunday June 13th Frank Tid and I drove down to Sunday school & Dad. & Enah went down at church time. Enah went to church and Dad. went to see Aunty Maude, who is feeling quite a bit better. After church Marj. and I drove out to the Smythe's where we had dinner and spent a very nice after noon. We started for home about four o'clock but I just got Joe hooked up when a very heavy thunder storm came up and it just poured rain for about half an hour so I had to tie poor Joe to a tree and go in the house. It cleared up beautifully and we got home about half past five. Mr. Wilson (president of Mexico) was here when we got home so I drove him down to the side walk. I helped Dad. do up the chores after tea and Marj. and I drove down town about half past nine. We took some strawberries down to Aunty which Mrs. Smythe sent her. Frank has been making arrangements to go to New York State with Neff's party to-morrow in Irvin Pow's car Monday June 14th Frank left early this morning to go on Neff's trip through New York State. He was to meet Irvin Pow at the Winding Hill at a quarter to seven and as he hasn't been back all day I guess they got away. Lloyd Ryerse & Alex England were going in the same car and they were to meet the rest of the party at Renton or Jarvis. I spent most of the day filling in the missed hills of corn in the field and Dad. took up the dining room carpet for Enah who has the house all ripped up for house cleaning and spent the rest of the day cultivating. He took Mexico out this morning and cultivated what he could in the garden and a little of the corn with him but he was very ignorant and very slow so this after noon he took Belle, she resented leaving Rachel and so wasn't very interested in her work all the after noon but Dad. thinks she will be all right later on. I got through planting corn about four o'clock and then hoed a little in the garden. I went down to band practice to-night. When it was over I fell in with a bunch of the boys who were going down to Chiravaree Alan Law so I left my horn at Karl Colman's and went with them I went in Lloyd Crysler's car and so got a ride all the way home. We gave Alan a grand old serenade with bells, revolvers and an old steel saw which is kept for such occasions. Alan was prepared for us and treated us to wine, cider, beer and cigars. Every body was there. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/b873bd1ed039248b1cabcc33fad5367c.pdf 952949030a1ae8c8d338a3d34da8f4b4 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Tuesday June 15th Dad. put down the dining room carpet for Enah first thing this morning and then took Belle out and cultivated corn till noon. It looked so dark and rainy that we didn't get the team in to plow corn ground as we had intended. I hoed potatoes in the garden till nearly noon and then had to go back to put the cattle out of the back field. It sprinkled two or three times but didn't ammount to much. Dad. and I cultivated and hoed after dinner till about three o'clock when we saw a terrible storm coming up from the north so we went to the house. The storm rolled up pretty quickly and when it broke it was a fierce one and lasted till nearly six o'clock. It let up at intervals and in one of these Dad Dad. went after Tid. I painted a show card lesson. I went down town to-night with Cliff Lown who came in after tea with the cream can. It was raining again when I started for home so I stayed at Aunty's Wednesday June 16th I got home soon after 5.30 this morning and went back after the cows. After breakfast I felt rather tired from tramping around in the mud with Frank's rubber boots on. About ten o'clock I went down to have Dr. Lemmon look at my tooth which the filling came out of. He couldn't look at it till about noon and said he wouldn't have time to fix it till to-morrow after noon. I stayed at Aunty's to dinner and didn't go home till after two as it looked so rainy. I didn't do much all the after noon except try to put a handle on an umbrella of Marj's. To-night I went down to band practice. We had it over Ted. Nicol's new garage and it was fine. It certainly is an enormous place. Every one seems to be of the opinion that Ted will never get his money back. Rainy all day. Thursday June 17th It rained or drizzled nearly all day so we didn't do any thing outside. Dad. & Enah have been very busy house cleaning, papering & painting. I "messed about" and did a little printing. I went down town right after dinner and took my horn down to Ed's as he has some fine polish down there I made it look quite a lot better but it needs a lot more yet. I went up at three o'clock to Dr. Lemon's but he couldn't fix my tooth for another hour so I went down to the lake where I found Quint and Joe fixing up their bathing houses. I took the contract to paint some signs for them. I went over to Bill's about half past four and he filled my tooth. I then came home and did chores and after tea went down town again as I wanted to see the Tuxis boys about some skin game https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/4efe58f4e7af69437a05b51fef363fcf.pdf dab0cc7b4610e4e41c2971ab6a95a687 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. that Mr. Johnson wants them to run at the strawberry social. I was late getting down so missed them but met a couple of them later on the street. I went down to Aunty's where I found Marj. so walked home with her. Frank got home to-day noon from his trip & had a fine time. Friday June 18th Frank and I went down in the waggon this morning and I got the old Northern Crown Bank signs which Quint wanted me to paint over for them to put down at the beach. Frank had some other things to get and we came home by the mill and got some feed so it was nearly noon when we got home. It drizzled rain for quite awhile after dinner and was too wet to do any thing outside. I did some lettering. Frank cleaned up in the shop and Dad's time was taken up with Julien {Neins's} horse which had got something in it's foot and was quite lame. He went after him at four o'clock. It cleared off to-night and Marj. and I went up the Radical Road tacking up posters for the strawberry festival. I felt ashamed of myself all the time for helping to advertise the darned thing, but there is no use bucking it when the majority seem to think it is the proper thing. We went up to Port Ryerse and put up about fifteen posters on gates and posts and two on a water tank. We came home around by the Smythe's and returned some {ropes?} they lent us last week. Saturday June 19th It looked cleared off to-day and has been sunny and breezy Dad. & Frank started to plow the field east of the new meadow this morning for corn and Dad. has been at it all day but says it is pretty wet yet. I spent most of the morning cleaning out the bull's pen and doing odd chores and got started to cut the lawn. I finished it this after noon. Frank did odd jobs and mulched the little trees in the orchard. He and Tid. went fishing for a little while after dinner and Tid was in the seventh heaven over catching two carp. He brought them home and cleaned them all by himself and we all had to have a taste at tea time. Enah went down town. Sunday June 20th We all went down to church or sunday school this morning. Marj. Quint and I had dinner at Aunty's I went up town this after noon and the band played out in the park. We had a good concert and a full band. I came home soon after four and helped Dad. do chores It began to rain about five and kept it up all evening I went down town after tea and found Marj. in at the Wood's, we went up to the Monteith's and spent the evening. Frank went down to the Ward's on his wheel and I guess is stalled down there I stayed all night at Aunty's. Very windy & rather cold & a drizzly rain. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/08cffb29feff637b5cab933636186fd1.pdf c542521677667ebfec08cb8bcb4b84f4 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Monday June 21st It rained or threatened rain nearly all day so we didn't do very much Frank got home a little before noon He came up to town with the Ward girls when they came to school and Tom Butler brought him over here. Dad. and I did odd jobs and I worked at my show cards a little This after noon Frank painted the bob-sleighs and tidied up in the shop. I went down to band practice to-night. Tuesday June 22nd I went down when Dad. drove Tid. to school this morning and went down to the beach to paint the letters Quint wanted on their bathing houses, but when I got there George Holden told me he had just left so I went over to the pier and saw old Quint just out of earshot beyond the end of the pier in his little boat heading for Wooley's point or beyond up the lake. I went up to the Thompson's to see if I could get the key from Joe but he said the paint was all locked up in Quint's shack and he had the key. Joe seemed rather provoked at him for leaving as he said they expected a big picnic in on Saturday and didn't have any thing ready for it. I went up to Aunty's and cut their lawn and stayed to dinner. On my way home Mrs. Quanbury gave me a lot of aster plants so I spent most of the after noon setting them out. Dad. and Frank spent their day putting up the fence between the lane and the barn-yard and made a fine job of it. I stayed home to-night and painted show card lessons. Dad. took some milk down to Aunty's but they were all away. Fine, cool and windy Wednesday June 23rd I spent about an hour this morning cutting grass for the bulls and wheeling it up to the barn I got enough cut to last them all day. Dad. drove Tid. to school and then went out to the garden to hoe. It was dry enough only up on top of the knoll. I started to put in some temporary posts to divide the sheep pasture as we want to give the east side of it which has a lot of young clover on it a chance to grow up I just got started when a big rain storm came up and I had to quit. It poured rain for a couple of hours and there were two or three very sharp lightening flashes one of which killed a horse of Mr. Fleming's It cleared off this after noon but was too wet to do anything. I started to paint Quint's signboard but got the letters too big so will have to paint them out. Frank helped Enah house clean our room. I spent the evening with Marj. Thursday June 24th I spent quite awhile cutting grass for the bulls and Dad. and I took a look at our own and Ivey's wheat The Hessian Fly is working in ours a little and https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/d4e4585e88d969683ff8451814ceb22b.pdf 74a6e729ed05490fb7539e21d6ad8234 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. more still in Ivey's and they say some fields are nearly cut to pieces with it. Cruickshanks and a Massey Harris man came down this morning and Frank helped them fix the drill up in good running order. Hermon Cook & Gordon Zealand came over this morning to ask me about the peanut grab which they are to have charge of at the strawberry festival to-night and I gave Hermon a lot of my bird's eggs. He wanted to buy the whole bunch and offered me a dollar for them. This after noon Frank and I put up the fence through the field east of the orchard to keep the sheep off the east side of it and give it a chance to grow. Frank took it off the posts at the north end to run down through the centre. We made a rather sloppy job of it as the posts weren't in solid and we didn't half stretch it but it was the best we could do under the circumstances and I think it will hold the sheep Enah went down this after noon to the strawberry social and Tid went down there from school. We did the chores all up early and Dad. Frank and I drove down about seven. I went up to the band room but found no one there so thought they had gone over but they didn't start to gather till nearly eight, so we were rather late getting there. However we gave them quite a concert and they gave us a very good feed and treated us to cigars. Fine day but looked rainy. Friday June 25th We penned all the sheep this morning and went over them and took out the ones that looked unthrifty and shut them up in the box stall to starve before treating them for tapeworm. Frank then hooked to the mower and cut a strip of grass along each side of the road. Dad. helped him. Tom Butler was in for quite awhile. I worked for about half an hour more on Quint's sign before dinner. I spent about an hour after dinner getting hay for the bulls along the road where Frank cut it this morning. Frank put some more stakes in the sheep pasture fence and Dad. hoed in the garden which is still pretty wet. I went out to help him but Joe Thompson came over and wanted me to go down right away and paint some of the letters on the bathing house. He was very provoked at Quint who left last Tuesday for the Point and has not come back yet they still have quite a lot to do to get ready for business and expect picnics right along now. I went down and got New Bath Houses painted in big letters 18 inches high which could be seen from Main St. and promised Joe I would try to finish it to-morrow. I didn't get through till after five so I had to hurry as Aunty Alice had invited Marj. & me to tea I went home milked one cow and changed my clothes and got back down town in an hour but got a ride down with Jack Martin. Fine day and quite hot. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/a858bbb7bd6880ab8a25f2208f9cd122.pdf b06952a2b773292e3157ee2555c0d312 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Saturday June 26th I went down to the beach right after breakfast this morning and was down all day painting the letters on the bathing houses. I finished to-night and the boys seemed satisfied. Quint got back last night. His Yankee friends took their speedboat over to Erie and had her measured up for some race which they may enter later on. That was what kept them so long but Quint wasn't saying anything about it. Dad. has felt rather sick all day and didn't go out at all this afternoon till chore time. I got home in time to help do chores and then went down again after tea and spent the evening with Marj. Fine and hot. Sunday June 27th Frank Tid. and I went to Sunday school and I gave Frank instructions about running the library as Marj. is bound I am to take her class when she goes. I stayed for dinner at Aunty's and this after noon Marj. and I took a walk up the beach. We came over here for tea about five o'clock and I drove Marj. home to-night Frank went down to the Ward's with Charlie Blake and brought his wheel home which has been down there since last Sunday. Alex England rode in to-night. He was supposed to take Frank down to the Ward's this after noon but didn't show up. Monday June 28th Dad. and I took Belle out and cultivated the turnips and mangels this morning and then Dad. cultivated the potatoes alone while I came up to paint my sign I found Mexico caught in the orchard fence and had quite a time to get him out but with Enah's help managed to extricate him without much injury to him or the fence. I was all the after noon painting at Quint's sign and didn't quite finish Frank set his cultivator up this morning but thought there was a brace missing so couldn't try it out. Dad. plowed a little more out where we want to put corn. He said it was pretty wet still. Frank hoed for awhile in the garden this after noon. I went down town to-night to see Marj. I went down to "Porky" Marshall's to see about painting some letters for him on his shop but George Zealand had got the job. I was glad he had as I haven't got the time. Very hot to-day & to-night. Tuesday June 29th Dad. plowed all morning and intended to cultivate corn this after noon but just after dinner a terrific thunder storm broke loose which stopped him. It rained several short but very hard showers all the after noon and a terrible wind, so we didn't do any thing all the after noon but sit around. Dad. went out with https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/80ea2194b4e5d371b908a703cd92c02c.pdf 74b5d1be24f3914c5ecefb71338577d3 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. the cultivator but got caught in the rain. I finished painting the sign this morning and spent quite awhile talking to a representative of the Basic Slag people who came to look at the wheat. He admitted there wasn't any noticable change in the appearance of the fertilized & unfertilized and thought it must have been due to the dry weather. I cleaned out a row of mangels when he left. Frank has felt rather tough all day owing to an overdose of green peas he had last night over at Jack Martin's field where he picked some for Enah. I went down town to-night to see if by any chance <s>Wednes</s> the band was going to the Woodhouse social but just as I got to Aunty's it began to rain again and Marj. was there so I never went up town. On my way home to-night I fell in with the chiravaree brigade on their way to honor Dock McQueen who married Lilly Greenbury the other day. I went over with them but didn't go in. They didn't make any racket as Mrs. Alex Spain is about at death's door They told me the band stayed home. Wednesday June 30th Frank and I took Quints sign down to him this morning and then went up and got some things (a desk & some books) of Marj's. which she wanted stored at Aunty's for the summer. Frank took the team home and got some stuff at the mill and I went down to the beach to paint some more letters for Quint & Joe but they didn't have things ready so I couldn't. I stayed art Aunty's to dinner and went home right after. She gave me some pansy plants which I set out and I spent the rest of the after noon raking up the lawn which was very littered after yesterday's storm. Dad. worked in the garden all day and Frank fixed the bracing at the windmill and cut the grass around the little trees in the orchard this after noon. Marj. came over to tea. She has been very busy calling on all the folks in town and saying goodbye. She is leaving to-morrow and not coming back till I go and bring her I hope in October. Thursday July 1st I spent most of the morning doing chores and cutting the lawn but didn't finish. I went down a little before noon and had dinner at Aunty's. Right after dinner I went down to the lake and painted a direction sign for Quint and Joe and spent the remainder of the afternoon with the band. We played in Powel park till about four o'clock and then went over to Jimmy's where we were treated to ice-cream and from there we went down and had a trip out on the "City of Dover". We went home for supper after that and Bill said we were through as the committee told him we didn't need to play after five o'clock. Mr. Bagley however was https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/040bb5a8ce53228971069c68bd22eef7.pdf 9dcb847f6b29524775eeecd1060614c0 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. greatly incensed at the idea of not playing after tea on the 1st of July as he had never known of such a thing before so we came back for an hour and gave quite a little concert. {Doct.?} didn't show up though as he had a date with Lou. Dixon. Mid. & Harry Moon ran the thing. I didn't see much of what went on all day but they had a big baby show and Dover won first money in the baseball tournament and I guess the other sports were good. It was a fine day not to hot and yet warm enough for the boys at the beach to be pretty well patronized. Dad. didn't come down town all day but came down at night. I didn't go to see Marj. off to-night but the rest did Friday July 2nd Rus. Lampkins came down this morning and put a new top on the windmill as the boxings were getting badly worn on the old one. Dad plowed up the old strawberry patch in the garden and worked it down and this after noon cultivated corn. I raked up the hay Frank cut in the orchard and cocked it up this morning and cut a little more lawn. This after noon I cleaned out another row of mangels. Frank has felt pretty tough all day but tried his new cultivator out It doesn't go just right yet. Mr. & Mrs James, Elva and Brant were all over here for tea. Cloudy all day, warm. Saturday July 3rd I finished cutting the lawn this morning and spent the rest of the day thinning mangels. I just got two more rows done. Dad. set out cabbage plants all day so we should have a good supply of them. Frank still feels pretty tough and hasn't done any thing much all day. I did another show card lesson to-night but made a bad job of it. Hot this morning but very windy this after noon Sunday July 4th Frank Tid and I went down to Sunday school. Frank ran the library and I took Marj's class, but didn't feel as if I made much of a job of it. Dad. went down early this morning and drove Aunty & Aunty Alice up to the cemetry. I had dinner at Aunty's and this after noon went with the band up to the cemetry as this was the Oddfellow's decoration day. We went up on the three o'clock car and came back on the five. Dad. Enah and Tid drove down to-night and took Aunty Alice for milk. Frank and I went to bed early. Very cool. Ade & Percy Millman were over this morning for awhile. Monday July 5th I hoed mangels all day and just got two more rows done. Dad. and Frank spent the day cultivating corn Frank has had quite a time adjusting his two row cultivator. It seemed to pull very heavy and not dig in https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/691742bb3bc0c643f269e13e9f1163d0.pdf 650b63f850ad2db10b40c92358bf96ec PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. much but he put the big team on this after noon and I think got it working fairly well. They have got as far as our corner with Harry Misener's house. They have been over a week getting this far - from Renton.They can walk right along on the level but it took them all day to get up through our cut. It is a big frame two-story house and every one seems to think it will bother them getting it over the bridge. I went down to band practice to-night. We got paid two dollars apiece for playing on the 1st of July and the Council promised us 25 dollars a night for the summer playing Thursdays They wanted to go up to serenade Bill Wamsley but Mr. Bagley thought it would be a mistake for the band to go up and play good music as every body that got married in future would expect us out, so we didn't go Aunty told us to-night that Jack Martin has bought Mrs Battersbys place. Tuesday July 6th I thinned mangels all morning and most of the after noon but right after dinner Frank and I hauled in the hay that was cut in the orchard. We hauled it on the waggon and put one jag in for the bulls and one for the horses. Dad finished cultivating the corn and what stuff he could in the garden Frank disked up the strip Dad. plowed for corn and his alfalfa plot and sprayed the potatoes in the field. Dad. & I worked for awhile in the garden to-night. Cloudy and raining to-night. Wednesday July 7th It rained hard during the night but didn't flood things at all and there has been a gentle drizzle all morning clearing off at noon and coming out sunny & windy this after noon. Dad. and I spent the fore noon setting out cabbage plants. We put out about 300. We expected them all over from home to dinner as it was Dad's birthday They were going to have Mrs. John Walker bring them over in the car but as it rained she didn't come for them. Aunty Alice walked over and said Aunty & Aunt Ida couldn't come but I drove down and brought them over in the buggy and Enah took them back in the cart this after noon We just visited this after noon except Frank he fixed a piece of fence back in the gully and took some plank from back there and brought them up to floor Moonshine's stall which he cleared all out this morning. Arthur Preston was over for most of the after noon. To-night Tid and I went down to the "sheep pasture" for a walk and to see if Frank Awde's sweet cherries were ripe but there weren't any. Thursday July 8th Still thinning mangels. I got about two more rows done I think I made a little better time by hoeing them all out first and then weeding around each plant afterwards. Dad. & Enah worked in the garden all day & Frank harrowed and rolled the plowed strip for corn. We all went down to band concert to-night. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/e361c5766acb3783885eb8a65902f9f6.pdf 9d01592370cdfa04136ab2340cf947b3 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Friday July 9th I hoed mangels and turnips most of the day. I have all the mangels hoed now but have to thin the last row yet. The turnips are much bigger and are a nuisance to hoe out but I can make fairly good time at it if I dont stop to thin. I took about an hour off this morning and went over and hoed down three or four patches of perennill saw thistle in Ivey's meadow to keep them from going to seed and blowing on to our place. I went down to Bronzie for a little while from Ivey's. This after noon it started to rain about half past three and as it looked as if it was going to keep it up I came up to the house and painted a show card lesson. The rain didn't ammount to much but we had quite a heavy little shower about five. Frank planted the strip we had plowed with corn this morning and has been cutting thistles in the back field the rest of the day. There was an awful crop of them. Dad. & Enah worked all day till it commenced to rain in the garden. Elva & Brant came in about four o'clock on their way out to see {Vance?} Walker and took Enah and Tid out with them. Saturday July 10th I have still been pegging away at the turnips and mangels. I have the mangels all thinned now and have most of the turnips hoed but only a row and a half thinned. Dad. has been working all day in the garden pulling weeds. Frank finished cutting the thistles in the back field and started to cut the side hill which is mostly thistles and daisys but there is some blue grass on top. Tid went to a birthday party at Gertrude Silverthorne's this afternoon. He got an invitation the other day and has been worrying about it more or less ever since. He wanted to go but was scared to. However Enah managed to get him packed off hoping that Miss McQueen and John Harris Buck would be there. They weren't but he knew the ones that were there so had a good time. Fine day and not hot. Sunday July 11th We all went down to church and Tid. Frank and I went to Sunday school. I took the class but don't think I taught it any thing. I didn't feel as if I was. We all stayed at Aunty's for dinner and I came home right after to do chores. Mr. Zealand took me in to show me his garden so I didn't get home till nearly three. Dad. Enah and Tid came home about five. Frank rode his wheel down to the Wards and as it rained hard for about an hour at six o'clock, he evidently got stalled down there as he didn't show up all night. Cool. Monday July 12th Dad. started to plow the back field for summer https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/568967ce17a3d7f866f9eaa4bd34b6d1.pdf 2b00105bda7a7ab89319da6b95e8ed5a PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. fallow this morning and has been at it all day. I went back with him and helped him get started and from there walked over to Tom Butler's to try to induce him to buy Oliver at beef price but he said they only had two cows so didn't think they could afford to. I got talking and Mark put on some phonograph record so I didn't get back till dinner time. Frank rode his wheel home sometime during the forenoon. This after noon He finished cutting the side hill field and cut two rounds on the five acres next the lane. I hoed a couple more rows of turnips. Tid is having a great time trying to snare a ground hog back on the mound. He and Hubert Zealand seem to be in partnership on the business. I went down to band practice to-night. Fine day but cloudy. Tuesday July 13th Dad. cut thistles in the corn field this morning and plowed this after noon. Frank cut hay north of the orchard till ten o'clock, then went back and raked up the back field by noon I cut some of the lawn and did a few odd jobs this morning and then went out and finished hoeing the turnips and started to thin them. I intended to go back right after dinner and cock up the hay that Frank raked but a little shower came up and I couldn't do it till four o'clock and so didn't finish. I thinned turnips while I was waiting for it to dry. Frank went over to Lloyd Crysler's raising this after noon. It proved a sad affair for this community. Mr. Flemming was killed at it.They were rising the end bent of the barn and he was shoving on one post when the frame over-balanced and the end of the post on the sill slipped and fell back and either the girt or the brace caught him across the back and killed him almost instantly. Frank was in the same position at the other post but he realized the danger of the place and got to the outside of the post a little while before the frame fell. Mr. Flemming was such a rattling good man in every way that it seems mighty hard to lose him like that, but in reality it was a great way to go as they all say he never knew what hit him. Tom & Mark were over to-night and we had a little music. Cool & nice. Wednesday July 14th It rained this morning and I spent an hour or so working at my show card lessons which I finished to-night. Dad. did odd jobs around and Frank cleaned up the upstairs of the woodshed. Tom Butler was in for awhile to have Dad look at one of his horses which has a sore eye. It cleared up after dinner and Dad cultivated the garden and the potatoes & roots in the field. Tid. & I cut the lawn or part of it and Frank finished mowing the meadow north of the orchard. Karl bought the 5 steers to-night for $550.00. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/a0ed0fb0ff42f1dc22cece786dc8a742.pdf 10b51d851166793721915f93458b1537 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Thursday July 15th Frank cultivated the corn this morning and Dad hoed in the garden and I finished raking the lawn and hoed two rows and a half of potatoes in the field. Tid. went down to Aunty's for dinner and the rest of us all went to Mr. Flemming's funeral. There was about the biggest crowd there I ever saw at a funeral nearly everyone from around here and a great many from down east. Dad. was one of the bearers so went up with them. I drove up and took old Maneer up with me. We missed the procession as they went through town and we went by the mill. After the funeral Dad. and I drove home around by Jim Waddle's as Dad. wanted to see the {Hal.?} H. Colt but Jim had shipped the mare to Toronto to be bred. He was hauling in hay. It was after five when we got home. Frank had come home and raked up the first cut hay and was cocking up. Jack Ivey was over and wanted him to rake theirs up to-morrow. I went down to band concert to-night. Fine day but cold to-night. Friday July 16th Frank went to the mill before breakfast this morning and got some chop for the hogs & bulls. He and I dosed the lambs for tape-worm after breakfast and then he went over and raked up Ivey's hay for him. Dad. and I cocked up what was raked in the field north of the orchard and started in to cock up what was left in windrow across the gully Frank came back a little before noon and finished raking this field and we spent the after noon finishing across the gully and cocking up in this field. We went out after tea and cocked up some but didn't quite finish. Old Moonshine broke out of his pen this morning so Frank had to fix it up after dinner. He upset things in the barn and got into a bag of chop but I think spilled more than he ate. Cool wind all day & quite cold to-night. Saturday July 17th We hauled hay to-day from the field north of the orchard and would have cleared it if we had not had to put poles across in the big barn to build a mow, so that we could have the clover hay where we could get at it. We put one load in the horse stable and then had to change the car so that altogether we were delayed about two hours or more and only got in two loads this morning. We got in five this after noon. Mr. & Mrs. Millman, Percy & Kathleen all came up from Toronto to-day. Paw & Mrs Millman are staying at Aunty's They were over here for awhile after tea with Aunty Alice, Percy's wife, children & mother-in-law. Cool but fine. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/a2c39554dd3120b200e7060a1ac87508.pdf 0f6546c7f5816b07080c93f91e2eb57c PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Sunday July 18th It rained during the night and rained hard several times during the day and evening. It was so muddy and wet at Sunday school time that Frank Tid and I drove down and Dad. and Enah didn't go down to church. I walked down with Mr. Herring after church went in for a minute to see Cousin Clare. They have rented Mrs. {Lig?} Anderson's house for the summer and she busy as a nailer getting things settled I came home for dinner with Frank & Tid. as the walking was so bad. I spent the rest of the day reading and writing. Dad. went to sleep. Frank went back to the woods. Monday July 19th It was too wet to do any thing with the hay this morning and it was cloudy and drizzly till noon but came out clear & breezy after dinner. Dad. and Tid went down to Aunty's this morning and Dad. trimmed up the paths and cleared away a big limb which broke off the Newton pippin tree. They came back soon after dinner and Dad. worked in the garden this after noon. Frank and I changed the fence in the sheep pasture this morning and rolled it back from where we had it dividing the field to the original place for it from the orchard to the corner field. After that I set out some more cabbage plants in the garden & Frank helped Enah pick the cherries, there won't be so many of them as usual as the robins have taken a lot. This after noon Frank cut down the piece of grass between the old garden and where he drilled in the strip of corn. We had intended putting corn on it but it got too wet to plough it. It is mostly couch grass. I spent the after noon thinning turnips. Went to band practice to-night. Tuesday July 20th Frank worked most of the fore noon on his alfalfa plot and Dad. and I turned out the hay. It wasn't wet much except around the edges, the bluegrass across the gully we didn't have to turn out at all. Enah and Tid. went back to the woods to pick berries but didn't get very many. We saw Mark Stephens going to town after one of his applicants for housekeeper. They put an ad in the Globe. about a week ago and Mark says they have been reading applications for the job ever since, so he says there is going to be a steady procession of them now to look over the situation. We hauled in the rest of the hay north of the orchard in about three loads and left the last load on the waggon Then Frank raked up the other piece he cut while Dad. and I were doing the chores. Herb Gurr came over to play with Tid. this after noon and told us that Jane https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/614ce8c9c3822d7b5302a86cc813b1d9.pdf 5d244a835e5e88c0b1b41a76bb43fc11 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Zealand died about noon, Ada told me last night that she was threatened with diphtheria but I didn't know it was so serious. Cool and windy all day. Wednesday July 21st Dad. and I cocked up hay all morning while Frank cultivated the corn. We didn't quite finish by noon as it is mostly bluegrass and slow to handle. Jack Ivey was over and wanted Frank to go over and rake up some hay for them, so he went over after dinner. Neff was in with a Mr. Frances on their way down to Charlie Blake's to a poultry culling demonstration and wanted me to go but I didn't. They gave me a few pointers though on picking out the poor-laying old hens. Dad. and I finished cocking our field about four o'clock and Frank got home about the same time. We started to put off the load of hay that was on the barn floor but when we got three lifts off a heavy thunder shower came up and as Dad. didn't want to get the rope wet we didn't unload the last lift. I took Aunty's milk down to her to-night and got a few pointers on the Sunday school lesson got home about ten o'clock and culled out my hens before I went to bed. Thursday July 22nd It was too wet to do any haying to day so Dad. plowed all day and got quite a nice strip turned over. I thinned turnips and made Tid a milk stool this morning as he is learning to milk now. Frank took Joe down town and had her shod. He brought Mrs. Johnson from Courtright over to dinner and she was here all the after noon and to tea. This after noon I didn't do much went back with Frank to fix up the fence in the gully along the road but as we took Joe & Queen back with us I had to stay with them and let Frank do the fencing. He took one of the old snow barricades and put it up instead of the old gate which is pretty well broken to pieces. We all went down to-night and I went to band concert. Friday July 23rd Frank started to cultivate corn this morning and Dad. cut weeds along the fences and in the orchard I started cutting the lawn. Art Quanbury went by going to haul hay all alone. Dad. thought it would be too wet here to haul till noon so I rode Frank's wheel over to give Art a hand. We got part of a load on - all he could haul through his gully - when it started to rain He rough-locked the waggon going down the hill but it went a little too fast for the horses and they couldn't stop till the hind wheels were square in the ditch. They couldn't pull it out so Art had to go and get a spade and dig it out. By this time it was pouring rain and https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/d308c43c7a1f7161129b495681644054.pdf b60611991e6d80f5e7c97cb1d5b37cdb PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. we both got soaked to the hide before we got to the barn. We lay in the straw for about an hour and when it stopped raining came home. It was cold after the rain but this after noon came out sunny and warm. Dad. plowed. I finished cutting the lawn and Frank cleared things up over in the barn. Looks clear to-night. Saturday July 24th Frank finished cultivating the corn this morning and Dad. hoed thistles out in the corn field while I thinned some more turnips. Aunty was over for dinner by way of celebrating my birthday. After dinner Frank went and got some lime and bluestone to mix up a Bordeaux spray for the potatoes and Dad. and I hauled out a barrel of water to the potato patch for him. We then put on a load of hay and as Dad didn't want to climb way up into the peak of the barn without any hay in to change the pulley we tried putting it off with just the two pulleys and then with the peak pulley hooked on at the gable, the first scheme wouldn't work and the second time the hook pulled out so Frank climbed up to the peak and put the pulley up. Aunty went home before tea. Fine and quite cool. Sunday July 25th Frank Tid and I went to Sunday school and Dad. & Enah went down to church I stayed at Aunty's for dinner and most of the after noon and on my way home stopped at the Woodson's for about an hour. Several of them and two or three Zealand's were down at the pond fishing I just got home in time to help Dad. do chores. Enah stayed down at her father's all the after noon and Dad. and Tid. went after her this evening. Frank and Lloyd Ryerse went for a drive down to the Ward's. Poor Tom. Butler was over to-night in a bad state of blues He has got into a row with Pickford over something he told Pickford's sisters about Pickford's actions out here and which Mrs. Tuck who has just been over there evidently denied and told Pickford about it. Tom feels badly that Mrs. Pickford is down on him as he seems to think a lot of her and she has been very good to him. To add to his troubles Mark is getting sick of the job and wants to pull out and leave things. Monday July 26th We finished hauling what hay was cocked on this side of the gully this morning and there were only three more loads of it. At noon Frank changed the car to the horse stable and we hauled one load from across the gully. We didn't go back again as Harry Misener was moving the school-house in and we were afraid he would block the road between us and the barn, so Frank went to the mill and got some chop for the pigs and bulls and I went over to https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/c2d338652e623d181e8704f301ec5b47.pdf e829fe9f766d0b5c6800a359563d27df PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Jack's to borrow a crate to ship some old hens. Frank called and got it on his way home. Dad. hoed thistles in the corn. Later Frank drove down to get some gasoline for Gundry who has been working all day out here grading our road. Enah and Tid were down at Aunty's picking berries this morning. I went down to band practice to-night, very few out. Karl got the first of our steers this morning. Tuesday July 27th Frank and I took my old hens over to Jack Martin's this morning. There were just 16 of them and he gave me $23.00 for them after he weighed them up. He had promised some fellow a couple of dozen culls but hadn't culled his out so he said these would do as well. We hauled two more loads in this morning taking all the hay there was out. This after noon Dad. cultivated and hoed the potatoes and mangels and in the garden. I helped Frank grind a mower knife and then thinned some more turnips. Frank started to cut the rest of the hay on this sideoff the gully. Frank killed an old hen for Aunty Alice this <s>morning</s> evening and he took it down to her. Wednesday July 28th Frank cut hay all day. He finished all there was on this side of the gully before noon and after dinner I helped him grind a mower knife and he cut all the after noon on the 12 acre piece across the gully. Dad. hoed potatoes all morning and I hung around here till Karl Coleman came about ten o'clock and got Frank's steer which we shut in for him. I then went out and thinned turnips till noon. I finished there soon after dinner and then took the little team and raked up what Frank cut yesterday while Dad. cocked up. He and Frank cocked up some more after tea as it looks like rain to-night. I went down town with Aunty Alice's cream. Enah went over to call on Tom & Mark's house keeper and Mrs. Harvey Evans also Mrs. Cam McBride and Mrs. Ivey. Fine & warmer. Thursday July 29th Frank finished raking on this side of the gully this morning and then went over and raked up Ivey's and raked theirs up as Landon was over this morning to ask him. After dinner he went back and raked what was cut across the gully and then helped Dad. & me cock up. We cocked up all day and got nearly finished. It was quite windy this morning and very hard to cock as the bluegrass is so short and heavy. About five o'clock it began to rain and we had quite a sharp thunder storm. I went down to band concert to-night. Friday July 30th It was too wet early to haul hay or work at it so Dad. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/2efa5eded824758c17ff2ac42d03c59c.pdf cc7cd15d233831d095312cbb7dc9dc50 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. and I weeded at the potatoes one hoed while the other pulled weeds. We only had two rows to do by noon so this after noon we finished the job although it has been a good drying day and John Wess was hauling in this after noon, but Dad. thought our bluegrass would be all the better to cure a little longer in cock. Frank worked on his alfalfa ground and the strip of corn ground that the crows demolished the corn from all morning and this after noon got Art Quanbury's seed drill and sowed his alfalfa. Winnie was over to tea and I drove her home to-night. Saturday July 31st It rained quite hard again last night but Dad thought the hay was dry enough to haul before noon although it has been cloudy and trying to rain all day till about five o'clock when it cleared off and got quite cool. Dad. worked in the garden & cut thistles this morning and Frank sowed some buckwheat on the corn patch that the crows ate up and I cultivated my flower bed. About eleven we went out and put on a load of hay and this after noon Dad & I got in three more - Frank felt sick all the after noon but was able to stay up in the mow and tell us where to dump the hay. Aunty was over to tea to-night and Enah & Tid drove her home with Mexico. The end of July without one really hot day. Sunday August 1st Frank Tid. and I went down to Sunday school and Dad. and Enah went down to church and then out to the Smythe's for dinner and to spend the after noon. We three stayed at Aunty's for dinner. Tid stayed there all the after noon till Dad and Enah called for him. Frank rode his wheel down to the Ward's with Gilly and I came home to do the noon chores and stayed home the rest of the day. I had several callers, two with indisposed dogs requiring veterinary treatment and later Mrs. Brent & Eric came over. They never seem to strike here when Enah is home. I finished reading a book of E. Philips, Oppenheim's to-night, "The Great Impersonation". It was a good one. Cloudy and quite cold to-day. Monday August 2nd It rained again this morning so that we couldn't work at the hay all day. Dad. ploughed and this morning Frank and I hoed the strawberries and cabbages. Karl came over and got Charlie. I didn't do much this after noon but cut a little lawn and sit around Harry Misener was over and sold Dad. another ton of Bosie Hay although he admitted there was no difference to be seen the the fertilized & unfertilized wheat or potatoes nor pasture so far. Frank cultivated the little patch of corn and went down and got a load of sawdust. I went down to band practice to-night. Still very cool. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/9f6f7e97e815f674dee8645d3e9b44a8.pdf 2ff704571771b15ff6fed16ee3c631bc PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Tuesday August 3rd Frank and I went down this morning and got a load of soft coal to thrash with as Clare Deal told me last night that they had a load in and it seems to be rather scarce these days. We heard that Barwell had to buy the saw mill in order to get slabs to use on the tugs in place of coal. It is $15.00 per ton. We called at Mrs. Battersby's on our way down and took some books from there down to Aunty's which Miss Phipps wanted to send to the Sunday school library. We also took the cart wheels down and sent them to Brantford to be re-rubber-tired. Dad. cultivated with Belle while we were gone. We hauled in one load of hay before dinner and this after noon finished hauling all the hay this side of the gully in one load and a few cocks which we left on the waggon in the old barn to feed to the bulls. Frank went over and raked up Ivey's hay for them and Dad. and I went back and cocked up what there was on the other side of the gully. Beautiful day. Fine but not hot. Wednesday August 4th We started to cut the wheat to-day and were all day gering this side of the potatoes cut. It took most of the morning to get the binder out and oiled and in working order, then the horses were a terrible nuisance. We had Pommers, Joe & old Harry on before dinner but old Harry would not act his part at all. Frank didn't have a whip and Harry knew it. He would stand perfectly still every few minutes and nod his head. We took him off after dinner and put Queen in but going across the ditches made her mad and Frank had a hard time persuading her to go across the ends every time. Pommers worked fine. Aunty Maude went to Brantford yesterday and was operated on to-day for appendicitis. Dad. Enah and Tid went down to-night and Lila had had a telephone message from Dr. Hicks saying everything was satisfactory. Thursday August 5th We finished cutting & shocking up the wheat this morning. There wasn't much on the north side of the field but couch grass. We put the binder back in the woodshed after dinner Landon Ivey was in for quite awhile just after dinner. He wants a team to help thrash to-morrow whenever Sam gets there. He went up to Sid. Marsh's this after noon about four o'clock so won't be down here very early, likely. This after noon Dad. disked what he had plowed across the gully and Frank cut some more hay over there. I didn't do much but weed out some parsnips in the garden. I went down to band concert to-night. Stopped in at the Zealand's on my way down, they have offered me the use of their house for the winter. No more news of Aunty Maude. A red-haired heir to the house of Dillon arrived last night. Hot to-day & a hot night, the first. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/d00dddb9bae337ac3d47d766a775118b.pdf d19dc15bc3129c4bb3f1f3b0350d2dec PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Friday August 6th Dad. plowed this morning and Frank finished cutting the hay across the gully. He expected to have to go and help thrash at Ivey's this after noon but as the machine didn't pull in there till to-night. He raked the hay across the gully and Dad. and I cocked up what we could. I didn't do much this morning but a little hoeing in the garden. To-night we persuaded Dad & Enah to go up to the {Chataugay?} at Simcoe. There was a comedy "Nothing but the Truth" on and Dad. laughed so hard he was nearly sick. Frank Tid and I did up the chores and Frank took Aunty Alice's milk down and brought home an ice cream brick which we three demolished. Young Larry Skey came over this morning and borrowed Mexico for his father to go trout fishing. His father brought him back to-night after dark and I guess didn't have much of a day. He went to Port Ryerse in an hour and a quarter and caught about half a dozen trout. He said he didn't send Larry after Mexico but when he went to the trouble of getting him, he didn't like to disappoint him. Alan Law came in after dark and was so tired he could hardly stand up so borrowed the waggon with the rack on to ride home in. The other waggon still has the coal on it. Hot and Lazy all day. Looks rainy or else very dry Saturday August 7th Frank has been over at Ivey's with the team all day helping thrash, they didn't quite finish but could have easily if they had worked after six. Dad. and I cocked up hay in the back field all day and finished a little after five. We thought after dinner when we went back that we only had about a couple of hours work but there was more than we thought and as we didn't take any water back and it was very hot we were pretty dry when we came up. Enah & Tid went down to the lake this after noon and I was to meet Enah at the seven o'clock car and go to Simcoe to the musical {Chautaugua?} I went down but met Enah coming home as she decided not to go. I went on down town for the rest of the evening and got my hair cut. The Lavaltre came in to-night with a lot of Yankee nets and W. J. Thompson gave me a lot of herring that they took with the nets. Sunday August 8th Frank Tim and I went down to Sunday school and church. We had Mr. McDonald here in Mr. Johnson's place I stayed at Aunty's to dinner, Huby, Win. & Lila were also there. Win. went to Brantford this after noon to see Aunty Maude, who seems to be doing as well as can be expected after her operation. About three o'clock I went up to the stump and had a swim and then walked around the pond and lay around on Frank Awde's point till five o'clock. It was nice and cool there but https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/96b0ec412942bb398a430cd6eb40604b.pdf a9f582f59f0c6680073ded85ae9ab8f5 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. very hot every where else. We had tea before we milked and Enah went down to church and Dad. & Tid walked down to meet her when we got the chores done. Frank went over to call on Tom & Mark's housekeeper. Very hot. Monday August 9th It was raining this morning when we got up so as we couldn't do any thing outside I went to Simcoe to pay Cruickshanks my insurance and see Neff about selling the bulls, as I knew he would be connected with the campain on to do away with scrub sires, but when I got there I found it was Simcoe's civic holiday, Cruickshanks was at the {Point?}. Neff wasn't at the office but Manning was and said he would tell Neff. It poured rain while I was there so I stayed in the office with Manning till it was too late to catch the 11 o'clock car. I went up to Slaght's house and saw him for awhile but he didn't know any more. I came home at one o'clock and had a little dinner at Aunty's and then went up town to put some money in the bank. I didn't do much this after noon but work at my show-card lessons and to-night I went down to band practice. Frank and Dad. fixed the barn up ready to haul in. Frank went down town this morning and got some binder twine from Billy Lang and this afternoon Dad ploughed. Cloudy & rainy all day. Very sultry. Tuesday August 10th Dad. has ploughed all day and got a nice strip done. Frank and I went back this morning to straighten up the wheat shocks, but there weren't many down and the ones that were standing didn't seem very wet so we left them alone. We then went back to the gully and intended cutting across to Jack Paine's bridge for a swim but we saw Harvey Evans out all alone shocking up wheat which was all lyind down and soaking wet so we helped him till noon. This after noon I did a little more show card work then went out and hoed onions. Frank tried to drill in some rape between the corn rows but the little seeder wouldn't work, it was too wet, so then he took the roller back and rolled down what Dad has ploughed. Rus. Lampkins was in and got the rest of his boiler flues and a fellow who Rus. told me was Frank Schugler was in looking at the sheep. Hot. Wednesday August 11th Dad. ploughed all morning. Frank and I moved Moonshine over to the box stall in the horse-stable and cleaned out the place where he was so that we could haul wheat. About half past ten we went over to Mrs. Battersbys to help them move the big square piano but they weren't quite ready so I went down to the mill to pay up. Karl came and got my steer this morning and gave me https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/b93fedf1f074b9353ab40e4ea3294240.pdf 419d2d1d97ce4d1ae315a6aaee2434f4 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. $110.00 which I thought would square up but I was grieved to learn that I owed him $136.00. Frank went back home and turned out a load of wheat. We then went back to move the piano. We got Goodwin, Frank Awde & a new man from Jack Martin's and Mr. Bagley was there taking some wardrobes apart so we had lots of men but it was quite a lift. We couldn't get the legs off it so had to worm it through the doors. They are getting things ready for the sale over there. We didn't get back much before noon. After dinner we hauled in four jags of wheat. It was damp but we thought it would do. Landon Ivey wanted Frank to go over and rake the wheat stubble and we let him have the rake and Joe Long raked it. They finished thrashing to-day. Jack Martin is over at Syracuse with some chickens. They tell me he took one or two of my old hens over there to the show. Hot. Thursday August 12th We went out this morning and turned out all the wheat. We then went back across the gully and put on a load of the poorest hay which we spread on the rails over the bulls and over the granary. As there was a heavy fog and wet this morning, we didn't get started very early, so it was noon by the time we got our load off. This after noon we hauled in the wheat which was in fairly good shape to go in, we figured there were about seven decent sized loads although we made more trips to the field than that. There will be a lot of rakings. I went down to band concert to-night and the rest all went down to hear it. Roy & Vernon and the children are at Aunty's so we stayed there for quite awhile. Enah was over at Mrs. Battersby's sale all the after noon. It was a big sale and a big crowd. Tid. was down playing with Rebecca all the after noon and stayed down to tea. Very hot and muggy. Friday August 13th Frank went out and raked the wheat stubble this morning and we got a good sized load of rakings off it. It took longer to rake it than Dad had figured on so that we didn't have time to go back and get any hay before dinner but we got the wheat rakings in before noon. While Frank was at that Dad. and I put off the load of wheat that was in the barn and then as I had a pain in my tummy I lay down till we hauled in the rakings. We went back after dinner to haul hay. We got one load up and another half on when it began to rain. We came up with our half load but got drenched doing it. I spent the rest of the after noon painting show card practice and Frank washed out our wet clothes. Very warm to-day before and after the rain. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/1cb0cfa4d7f7cc44c1259684f16b01cb.pdf de7b40c24ac1b161eb5b1e7555da9146 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Saturday August 14th Dad. has plowed all day in the back field and has got past the niche in the fence so is on the short rounds. I didn't do much all day but cut a few thistles in the orchard and mow part of the lawn this after noon. Frank did a few odd jobs among which was patching the rooves of the old barn and horse stable. Tid. & Enah went down town. The Millman's arrived about eight o'clock having run into some bad roads. Mr. & Mrs. Millman Kathleen & {Tow?}. After they had tea, they all went down in the car and Enah & Frank went with them. I changed my clothes and walked down later and met the girls over at Pete Holmes' casino. We had a few dances but had more fun watching the antics of the others. The girls are staying at Percy's so Frank and I went around there with them and sat on the beach till about one o'clock. Mr. & Mrs. Millman are staying over here. Very hot. We thought we were going to get a real thunder storm to-day but didn't. Sunday August 15th Frank Tid and I went down to Sunday school and church and after church we found Dad. & Mr. Millman down at Aunty's with the car to take the whole family over here to dinner I walked as far as the bridge on my way home and then Charlie Shand picked me up and brought me all the way home. We had a great old dinner party. After dinner Roy, Rebecca and I went out and gathered some mushrooms which Roy said were good but which I always thought were toadstools. We sat around on the lawn trying without much success to be cool and about four o'clock Mr. Millman drove all but Dad. Tid & me down town. Frank had left before on his wheel to go down the Lake shore with the Ward's, he got back about dark. Mr. & Mrs. Millman & Enah came back for tea and we all spent the evening here. Very hot. Monday August 16th We were up early this morning and Mr. Millman went down about six o'clock to go over to Turkey Point with Roy & Percy to fish. He was gone all day and got about four or five bass and a pike or so. It rained again quite a little shower and was cloudy all morning so we couldn't do any thing with the crops. Dad. ploughed all day and Frank cleaned out the shop. I dug up some paeony roots over at Ivey's this morning and packed a box of them to send to Daerie. This after noon some Mr. Brooks from Brantford was down to look at the sheep, he may buy a few later on. Enah & Mrs. Millman went down town this after noon. Kathleen & Tow were over for a little while this morning and I drove them down town in the midst of a heavy shower. I went down to band practice to-night but there were very few out. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/2738057b199252e2ff5d139a2e72405c.pdf f335a5e42bf3060effb0a9eab817d3f1 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Tuesday August 17th The Millman's left for home this morning about 9 o'clock and took Enah with them to Brantford where she spent the after noon with Aunty Maude coming down on the five o'clock car, she said Aunty Maude was looking fine and expected to come home this week. Dad. Frank and I spent the remainder of the fore noon separating the ewes & lambs and marking the ewes we wanted to keep We picked out 13 of the ones we considered the best & the three best looking lambs, and we put the lambs and rams over in the front pasture west of the house and left the ewes in the orchard. This after noon we got the binder out and started to cut the barley in the corner field it is crinkled down and there is a lot of green stuff in it so it looks miserable, we didn't cut it out separately from the oats in the other end of the field but cut straight through. We didn't get much more than well started to-day as it was late when we got out. I went down town to-night with some cream for Aunty and spent most of the evening with Roy & Quint who were fitting a pipe in Quint's new launch. Cooler looks rainy. Wednesday August 18th We cut oats all day, finished the strip in the corner field and started in on the barley and oats along the side road, but still have the five or six loads in the corner field that were latest sowed to cut yet. Billy Mills came over after dinner and borrowed the rack to haul alsike. He delayed me quite a bit as I had to help him put off the hay that was on it. Roy was over for awhile this evening and spent the whole time trying to prove to Frank something about a kite he is making for Tid. but I guess he failed in the attempt. Cooler but looks rainy. Thursday August 19th Still cutting oats, got on fairly well to-day but have quite a strip to cut yet, nothing out of the ordinary happened. I went down to band concert to-night. Cool. Friday August 20th We finished cutting the oats to-day. It took longer to cut the piece with the water holes in it than it did the others as Frank had to cut around them so that by the time we got the five lands in the corner field cut and the binder loaded and put away it was about quitting time. Dad. and I kept them shocked up as they were cut. Fine day Saturday August 21st Dad. & Frank went after after a load of hay this morning while I killed a couple of chickens one for Mrs Bowlby https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/78a74da9173eea23bfde02a46fabbe84.pdf a1223ff815313a3ad8a07780615ba78f PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. and one for Aunty Alice. I also got some ice and put the car out of the horse stable. We hauled two loads this morning and one load of barley as we didn't have time to go after a load of hay before noon. This after noon we hauled two more loads of hay, there are still four or five loads back there I think. I went down to the dam at the grist mill to-night and had a good bath. It rained quite a shower. Hot but nice breeze to-day. Sunday August 22nd Frank, Tid. and I went down to Sunday school this morning and Dad. & Enah went to church. I was home all the after noon. Gordon Zealand, Oliver Mann, George Ryerse & young Aubrey Wilson came over to see my birds' eggs. Enah and Tid went for a drive and Frank went over to Tom Butler's. He & Mark went down to church to-night. Dad. Enah & Tid drove down to-night to see Roy as this was his birthday. Huby & Lila went to Brantford this after noon and brought Aunty Maude home, she is going to stay at Aunt Lucy's for awhile till she gets stronger, she has got on very well so far. Or, & his girl, Carlotta Turk, and Kathleen, Tow and two boys came in at noon for awhile. Very cool all day Monday August 23rd We finished hauling the hay from the back field to-day. We got two loads this morning and as we didn't have time before dinner to go back for another we penned the ewes and milked them all out. Then we hauled the remaining two this afternoon. Tupper was in for a few minutes this morning. I went down to band practice to-night. We have three engagements booked. Boughner picnic Thursday afternoon Simcoe Oddfellow's decoration Sunday and a garden party or some thing out at Jim Ross's Tuesday night. Roy went over to the Point to-day with Quint, Dad. {Name?} and Jack Ivey and just got back about ten o'clock Tuesday August 24th Dad. and I hauled in six bags of oats to-day from the corner field. Frank had to go down to Sam Law's to thrash and it made it very awkward pitching up into the mow and mowing away for just the two of us, so that we didn't get as much in as we otherwise would have. I took some milk down to Aunty's to-night and stayed most of the evening. Kathleen & Tow were there. I rode or tried to ride Frank's wheel but made a bad job of it. He took Queen and went for a drive to-night. Fair and not too hot. Wednesday August 25th We finished hauling in off the corner field first thing this morning. The barley that was left out there made https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/0215c84eb8f36c805d9682171df5b698.pdf ecdb2884135c74fc25e35f01f498f312 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. a big load and took a long time to pitch on and off. We got two loads of barley & oats off the long field before dinner and put them in the barn. Frank had to go over to Pickford's to thrash this afternoon so Dad and I hauled two loads of oats and started a stack as two can't unload now in the barn. It was slow work making the stack with just two. To-night Dad. Enah & Tid drove down with Aunty's milk and just as they got home Mr. Cantelon the artist rode in, he was here for a long time making a copy of a sketch Clarence did of the old Dog's Nest. He is very interested in anything pertaining to the early history of the country. Hot & looks dry Thursday August 26th Frank was over at Pickford's thrashing all <s>day</s> morning. Dad. and I hauled in three loads of oats and pitched two off on the stack and left one till after dinner. This after noon I went down to play in the band for Boughner picnic and Dad. & Frank hauled in two more loads of barley and oats. The Boughner picnic has degenerated in late years. There was not such a big crowd as usual in spite of the fact that it was a beautiful day. In olden days we used to see all roads into Dover lined with buggys and democrats at five a.m. but now every one comes in cars and they don't start till after dinner. We played to a rather small audience over in Bucks park till half past five. I stayed at Aunty's for tea and then went with Quint, Roy & Vernon out in the new boat. We picked Kathleen, Tow, Enah and Tid. up down at Barwell's fish shanty and we had a fine ride out in the lake, it was the fastest boat I was ever in. It was after eight when we got in but I got up to the bandstand before they started to play. This was I suppose our last concert for the season. I went over to Pete Holme's after band concert and from there went with Kathleen, Tow & Quint over to their cottage where we had some ice cream which Quint brought from his shack and cake & lemonade. Frank joined us later and we fooled around there half the night then I went for a dip in the lake and walked home in my bare feet. I changed my clothes went I got home as I didn't think it was worthwhile undressing. It was after three when I went to bed. Friday August 27th Dad. called me before daylight this morning and I went and helped him put the sheep out of the garden. They had gone through a hole in the fence that Belle had broken. They had got well filled up on clover but hadn't done much damage in the garden We finished hauling the oats to-day. It took us all https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/80ec92319cca7650a8bee0bc36608649.pdf 30ff7945c7aa1d933e1832a6bbd8fac8 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. day as finishing the stack took a lot of time. Kathleen and Tow were over to dinner to-day and Enah drove them down this after noon. Mr. & Mrs. Millman came up in the car to-night. They are all going home on Sunday Orm & Carlotta Turk came up too. Fine day pretty hot. Saturday August 28th I spent most of the fore noon cleaning out the flower border and setting out a little plant of bleeding heart and some iris which Mrs. Millman brought me. This afternoon I went over to Ivey's and dug up some more paeony roots and took a stroll over to Bronzie where I poked around for an hour or more. Dad. ploughed all day. Frank went down to Sam Law's this after noon and borrowed 30 bushels of oats which he took down to the mill and had chopped. Fine day not hot. Sunday August 29th Frank Tid and I went down to Sunday school & Dad and Enah drove down to church but Dad. couldn't go as he had forgotten the tie strap and couldn't tie Queen up. I had a very hurried lunch at Aunty's and went to Simcoe on the one o'clock car with the band as we were engaged to play for the Oddfellow's decoration day up there. We had to wait till three o'clock for the {Coutons?} the highest order of the Oddfellow's to come down from Brantford and then we marched out to the cemetry and were out there an hour or so. By the time we got through it was too late to catch the five o'clock car so we were treated to supper at the Battersby house and got home at seven. Beautiful day Monday August 30th Dad. ploughed all day but didn't quite finish the field. Frank patched the roof of the old barn this morning and I went up on the inside and shoved straws through to show him where the holes were. I went down town before dinner to see about getting some clothes. I wanted to get a second best suit and a light overcoat. Moses Fischer showed me some brown sample of a suit which he said would be $48.00. I went down to Tip's and bought a ready made for $25..00 It won't look as well as the other but seemed pretty good and I didn't feel as if I could afford to spend $22.00 on mere appearance. I also got Tip to send for some samples of tweed raincoats which he says are taking the place of fall overcoats. He had some there but they were all too short in the sleeves. I got a pair of shoes at Frank Smith's for $7.50. I had dinner at Aunty's and came home soon after and hoed a few strawberries. I stopped in for a few minutes to see Aunty Maude on my way home. Frank sowed some rape seed in the corn this afternoon but I am afraid it is too late for it to ammount to anything. I went down to band practice to-night. Fine & cool https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/b76b9dce14aa1b283e2b48f2bf5419b7.pdf 44be1c29ed3f279b07ed716934b46aa3 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Tuesday August 31st Frank was down at Dave Ward's last night and as Dave has his oats all out yet Frank promised to go down and help him get them in, so off he went this morning and I don't know when he will be back. Dad. ploughed this morning and I cut lawn and after dinner Dad. & I went out to the side road and got the snow fence that the township council or road officials put out there and brought it up and put it around the stack as the calves and sheep were rubbing and pulling at it. Dad. then went back to plough for a while and I wired the snow fence to-gether and didn't do any thing else much till chore time. To-night I went down and joined the band and we all went out to Jim Ross's to a Women's Auxillary garden party. It was very cold down there but we had a pretty good time. Their programme was so rotten it was funny. Tom Butcher of Nanticoke was the principal entertainer and he appears to be batty. Mrs. Hank Sinclair told fortunes and I think it was young Mason who had an old stove out under an apple tree frying hot dogs. He also sold ice cream but most people were too frozen to want to buy it. Wednesday September 1st Dad. finished ploughing and rolling the field this morning and I puttered around and hoed a little in the strawberries. This after noon we got the spreader out and hauled out three loads as it took a long time to get it oiled up and started and then some thing went wrong with the worm gear that turns the apron and it lifted itself out of the gear and didn't turn. Dad. tightened up a nut which we couldn't see would help it any but it worked all right afterwards. Jack Martin was in to-night to tell us that he was going to thrash to-morrow and wanted two men. Fine day & cool Thursday September 2nd Dad. and I hauled out <s>three or four</s> seven loads this morning but as the machine moved in to Jack's place before dinner we put the spreader in the shed at noon and went over there at one o'clock. They were thrashing oats out of the stack down at the {illegible} barn and had a good run but didn't quite finish. I stayed over there to tea but Dad. came home. It was pretty late when we got the chores done. Winnie was over here to tea. Fine Friday September 3rd We thrashed all day at Jack's to-day and are not quite through yet. We finished the oats and then moved up to the Mills barn and started thrashing wheat before dinner. Benny Walker and I carried away. Benny would carry away three bushels and then I'd carry three so we had a pretty fair time. I came home at noon to do chores and Dad. stayed over to dinner. Still a fine day. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/2af77aefcafd2294c1aaad8cae23c94f.pdf 58ec3fd54534e092aa8e5a86a4e26b93 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Saturday September 4th We finished thrashing at Martin's this morning about half past eight having about 400 bushels of wheat and 623 of oats. Dad and I came home by way of Jack Martin's to get his measuring chain but we couldn't find it. Sid. Goodwin showed his string of chickens that he is getting ready for the Syracuse Show. This after noon we hauled out a few more loads of manure. I went down town to-night and got my suit which they all thought looked all right. Frank came home some time during the night. Sunday September 5th Frank Tid and I went down to Sunday school and Enah came down to church. She and Tid. stayed all the after noon at her mothers as Elva & Brant were down for Labor Day to-morrow. I stayed for dinner at Aunty's and was down there all the after noon, went home about five and helped Dad. do chores. Frank seems pretty well tuckerd out. Dave must have worked him pretty hard and then he wound up by going to the dance. Mark. Stephens was in for awhile on his way down to church and he stopped in on his way back and we ate part of a water-melon that Enah got this afternoon up at Cantelon's. Monday September 6th This being Labor Day we didn't do any thing but chores this morning but as the water has had a very disagreeable taste and odour lately Dad. thought he would make an examination and much to our disgust discovered a rabbit floating in the water in an advanced stage of decomposition, with considerable manoevering he managed to dip it up with a pail. We imagine it must have fallen through the hole we left for ventilation although there has been a box over it. Enah and Tid. drove out to the school house to the Dolly Smith reunion and about noon Dad. and I walked out. Frank still feels tough so didn't go. We weren't there long before the bell rang for dinner and we went down into the basement and had a grand feed. After dinner we played baseball and had a very good time. Girls against the boys. I don't know who won but I think it was a large score in favour of neither. We played till about four o'clock when Mr. Bagley went inside to call the roll of "Aunt Dolly's" old pupils. Dad. and I walked home through John Wess's and found Mr. Lawrie and Hubert there trap shooting. It looked rainy this morning but was a fine day. Tuesday September 7th Dad. and I hauled out manure all day and got the yard nearly cleaned up. Frank hoed the strawberries and the weeds out of his alfalfa. He went down to see Colin Ryerse's new tractor this after noon. Colin has left his fifty dollars a week job in Chicago to come home and run a tractor. Aunty Alice was over to-day. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/8cc84e2197b6c0f6b51484b52da80b15.pdf dd3a7cd4c72be57f38a81b55b8f0d091 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Wednesday September 8th Dad. and I finished hauling out the manure to-day, we got all we could pitch out before dinner and after dinner we scraped up the stack bottom <s>and</s> in little piles and hauled it out it took a long time but made a good clean job. Dad. took the big team back and disked when we got through with that. I didn't do any thing but chores and a little painting for the rest of the after noon. Frank went to Simcoe this morning to order some photo-graphs of Dick from Moore as Dick wrote and asked for some. This after noon he took Queen & Joe and mowed the big weeds around the water holes that were left in the oat stubble. Old Jonas Green was here to tea to-night. He is thinking of coming back to Dover to work in the greenhouse but as usual doesn't know what to do with the old cow, the horse and the chickens and Sairy. I went down town to-night and got my hair cut. Fine day not hot. Thursday September 9th Dad. went down to Aunty's this morning to help them in the garden for a day. He trimmed the paths and dug some early Rose potatoes, Aunty Alice got five pounds of seed from Bruce's last Spring and to-day they dug seven baskets or two bushels and a third by measure. Frank disked on the back field this morning but it rained more or less all the after noon so he didn't go back after dinner. It was raining hard about four o'clock so I drove down after Tid. Enah had intended going down after him and staying for tea at Aunty's with Dad. but as it was such a wet night she didn't go down and I drove down and got Dad. After tea he and Enah drove down and Enah went to a Horticultural meeting with Aunty Alice. I spent the day doing chores clearing up the lawn and painting at show cards. Friday September 10th Dad. went down to Aunty's again to-day and put in another day in the garden. He weighed up the yield of Early Rose potatoes, the weighed 136 1/2 lbs. Frank worked on the land all day. I took Alfred's cradle back to him this morning and then went over and saw Colin Ryerse's tractor working, from there I went over to Frank Ryerse's to see if they wanted to buy one of the bulls. I came home along by the creek and roved down as far as Flemming's woods with young Philips. This after noon I didn't do any thing much but pick a basket of plums. Ethel Phipps was over here all the after noon. Tom Butler was over here all the evening I painted a show card lesson. Sultry. Saturday September 11th Dad. worked on the back field all day. Frank and https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/4588980bcc2d47f18fe459db8b69ec61.pdf 6b318eb56ab0895dc8f6fd33f4b22a42 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. I went down this morning and got the basic slag Dad. ordered from Harry Misener. Chris Quanbury had found the surveyor's chain and gave it to us so when we got home we started to measure up the farm. We spent the whole after noon at the job and got all the fields this side of the gully measured. Fine day but cool and windy Sunday September 12th My day commenced at two o'clock this morning when I was awakened by a fierce thunder storm raging I got up and looked around to see if any thing was hit by the lightning but couldn't see any thing so went back to bed. There were several thunder claps and flashes then that shook the house and not long after I heard a dog bark and a man whistle. I then got up and saw a big blaze over at Jack Martin's I called Dad. and Frank and we hurried over and found the implement shed just about gone. They had saved one or two pieces of machinery but Billy Mill's two pigs were burned. Luckily the wind kept the sparks away from the straw stack which was only a few yards away or the whole thing would have gone barn & all. Dad. and I. Art Quanbury & Sid Goodwin sat there with Billy till morning to watch it. About six o'clock we came home and I went back to get the cows but Dad. called to me when I got back there that the cows were all in the stable, we shut them in last night to feed them some corn and had forgotten to let them out again. Frank Tid and I went down to Sunday school and church. Mr. James came over here for dinner and this after noon the Jim Waddle's and Uncle Ward came in. Uncle Ward & Mr. James stayed to tea and Enah drove them down to-night with Mexico. Frank took Queen & the buggy and drove down to the Ward's. Billy Dixon's shed was burned last night too. Monday September 13th Frank and I finished measuring up the back fields this morning and this after noon Frank went up to Will. Wright's to help Alan & Sam with the engine. Dad. worked on the land all day and I went back this after noon and dug out a big stone that Dad. had run into with the plow I loosened it up and it was all Dad. and I could do to get it out of the hole. Mr. James was over again to dinner and Enah drove him down this after noon. I went down to band practice to-night. Mark came over to-night & borrowed the spreader. Tuesday September 14th I drove Tid down to school this morning as he was late getting up when I got home I did a few chores and went out to the garden to dig potatoes. I dug potatoes most of the day and got four bushels and haven't got half of the two outside rows dug yet. I have been https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/d407c06acf405be97b4aad1fb26b295a.pdf 7aee5d0a2dc8a8aced3ec3b5e23f0f0c PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. digging the two outside rows to see if there is any difference between the fertilized and unfertilized but I can't see a particle, they are all beauties and a lot of them. Dad. worked on the land all day and Frank has been off thrashing with Alan & Sam, he is having a beautiful time as Alan lets him run the engine I went down town to-night with Aunty Alice's milk. Wednesday September 15th It was very foggy this mornng and I didn't go out very early to dig potatoes but got four more bushels dug. I went back at noon and helped Dad. take the harrows back. Dad. worked on the land all day and Frank has been helping Alan & Sam. Fine day. Aunty Alice was over to tea to-night. Thursday September 16th Dad. finished fitting the wheat ground to-day and has it in fine shape. I finished digging the potatoes in the garden at noon and got 11 bushels. This after noon I went over to the Preston's and helped old Walker clean up 18 bushels of seed wheat for ourselves. Enah was down all day judging at the flower show. There was very little there considering the good year it was for every thing. I went down to-night and found the band playing up there so went back to Aunty's and got my horn. Fine & cold wind. Friday September 17th Dad. and Frank have been all day and part of the night putting in the wheat. They had to haul the Basic Slag back first thing this morning, then go over to Preston's and get the wheat, chain the drill to the back of the waggon and haul it around to the gully gate on the side road, take the wheat up and unload it and then go back after the drill so it was about eleven o'clock or after when they started to drill. It took two of them as the Slag is too heavy for one to handle alone and watch the team too. They kept at it till eight o'clock to-night but finished the field. I did a few odd jobs this morning and went back as soon as I had my dinner to watch the cattle out of the field while Dad. went up to get his and then I stayed back there with Frank when he came back till Dad. arrived. When I got up to the house I found two roots of Bleeding Heart that Marj. had sent me so I put them in and then hurried over to tell Arthur Pickford that the boys were going to leave Frank Smith's store at 5:30 to go for a camp fire trip but he had decided not to go. I also cut some corn for the cows and then got ready and went down town. I picked up Gordon Zealand on the way down, he had just come on the five o'clock car from Hamilton. He was the only one of our bunch that showed up and only four of the Methodists. Manning took us down the Lake Shore in his car and we built a big https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/769a36b21eca2dc7eb9777b1a1040023.pdf b647173f593e74b76389a97d9110fb13 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. fire in a ravine on the shore in front of Hurl. Powell's place. He came down and was for putting us out as he was afraid of the fire running up the gully, but we promised to watch it and put it out before we left so he let us stay. The boys visited a corn field on the way down and Manning brought a water melon and I had some sandwiches so we made out a pretty fair meal. Manning gave us a little talk on the stars and we got home about ten o'clock. Fine day fairly hot and windy Saturday September 18th Frank and I had to go over to Ern. Flemming's to thrash to-day and were over there all day, at least Frank was. I came home a little early as I was helping Wilbur Ryerse carry away oats and when the wheat commenced to come Ern could handle it alone so Ern. told me I could come home & get ready for the machine as they moved in here to-night. Dad. was running out land furrows in the back field all day. Ham Thompson was in and borrowed the drill. Fine day Sunday September 19th We all went to church this morning and Frank Tid and I went to Sunday school. Miss {Treneman?} sang a solo. Enah had to play as Mrs. Andrews is away so she stayed down all day. Dad. stayed down to dinner at Auntys, but Frank and I came home. I was home all the after noon but went down to-night with some eggs for Aunty Alice. We were much surprised this after noon when Mr. & Mrs. Millman drove in. They went on down to Aunty's and are staying there for a day or two. Mr. Millman is going to buy apples for his evapourator at Vittoria. Monday September 20th We thrashed all day to-day and got out about 830 bushels 100 of wheat 40 of barley and the rest oats and mixed grain. It wasn't as big a yield as I had looked for but the oats rolled out of the spout about 3 bushels per minute. It was very cloudy cold and drizzly all day and just as we finished began to rain so hard it threw the belt off. We only had five more sheaves to thrash, but they put it on again and we thrashed them. Tuesday September 21st We caught the lambs this morning and trimmed the wool out of their eyes as some of them couldn't see at all. This after noon Dad. and I went back and ran out the cross ditches in the back field. Frank had to go down to Art Ryerse's with Alan & Sam when they took the engine but they didn't thrash any to-day as they wanted to go to the school fair. I started to get ready to go down to that but about four o'clock Bob. Doherty and Webb. came in and stayed for an hour or so. Frank came home while they were here and we sold him all the lambs but four and the three old ewes, 13 cts for the good lambs 9 cts. for culls and 4 cts for the old ewes. Mr. Millman was in for a minute to-night with Aunty Maude & Aunt Ida. Fine day https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/328e810bce2c7d1079d1c57dffd399aa.pdf af2b249b59855a5160d3d4f78c1c44fd PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Wednesday September 22nd Frank has been away with Sam & Alan all day down at Art Ryerse's. Dad. and I took Sam's oats home first thing this morning and when we got back Rus. Lampkins was here to fix the pump so we worked with him till noon. He had to go home at noon to take his wife to Simcoe and he didn't get back till half past three. Dad. and I bagged up a grist and I took it down this after noon and when I got back Dad. & Rus had the pump back in the well. Rus. put in a new valve and sucker and now it works better than it ever did. Lovely day. It has been very dry now for a long time in spite of the fact that the New Moon has been perpendicular now for several months. This moth it was south of the line. {Wee sketch of the moon shape}. Thursday September 23rd Dad. & I spent the fore noon cleaning up around the stack. We put all the loose straw from the south side of the stack on the rack and hauled it in on the barn floor and carried it in from the north side. Then Dad. got up and put a better top on the stack as the wind was too strong the day we thrashed to make a neat job of it. This after noon we went back and cleaned some of the ditches in the wheat field but quit early and to-night I had a meeting with the boys. Hermon & Jonas were the only ones there, we figured on a programme for next month. Fine & hot. Friday September 24th I spent most of the morning doing chores but went back about eleven and cleaned some more ditches in the back field. Dad. took Tid to school and picked some tomatoes for Mrs. Law. This after noon he and I finished cleaning the ditches. Frank was with the thrashers all day. I did a couple of show card lessons to-night and Dad. Enah & Tid drove down with Aunty's milk. Very warm, tried to rain. Saturday September 25th Frank told us that Dougherty called him up yesterday and wanted to ship the lambs this morning so we had to get the waggon unloaded, it had some coal on it and get the sheep in and loaded. We took down about 16 of the best lambs the first load and when we got there found Dougherty wasn't there yet, but we unloaded them and Frank went back for another load. He put them all on but had to take four off at Martin's as they nearly smothered, so by the time they were all down there it was noon and about one when we got home. The lambs the good ones just averaged about 68 lbs apiece and the whole bunch came to about $242.00. This after noon Frank had to go and help Sam and Tid and I dug some paeony roots and took them down to Miss McQueen and Miss Monteith. To-night I went to town and charted Hermon Cook. I found Mark Stephens and his sister here when I got home. Fine day. Very hot. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/401d2521d893048dcc499c78ad7ca85b.pdf 21b7681390b89742c440a8911e4f312e PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Sunday September 26th This has been one of the hottest days we have had this year. Frank Tid and I went down to Sunday school and Dad. and Enah went to church. This was {Harvest?} Home service and they had the church looking very nice. Zeitha sang a solo. Doc. Lemmons & Lou. Dixon were supposed to sing a duet but Bill didn't show up. <s>Aunty came.</s> This after noon I went down to Bronzie as it was the only cool spot I could find. It was lovely down there on the point. I came home early and we did up the chores in good time. Mark and his sister and Winnie were here for tea and we all except Frank and Tid. went down to church to-night. Mr. Ward from St John's preached. After church we all went down to Aunty's and spent the evening Aunty Alice gave Mark a kitten which Miss Stephens took home in a basket and which howled terribly. Monday September 27th I fixed up the old corn house this morning and this after noon Dad. and I started to cut corn and got 28 shocks cut. Frank was away all day with Sam. and Alan. I went to band practice to-night. Tuesday September 28th Dad. and I cut corn all day and are nearly halfway across the field there are just ten rows of shocks in the field. Fine day, sunny with cool wind. Wednesday September 29th We cut corn all day. Jack Highland was past to-night about five o'clock and while Dad. was talking to him he heard a cow bawl so we went back to the gully and found Nancy calving. We gave her a little assistance and now have another red and white bull calf known as Bill Sykes Dad. and I drove down with milk for Aunty to-night and up around by Ham Thompson's as I wanted to see if he was going to Courtland to-morrow. Fine & cold. Thursday September 30th I caught the nine o'clock car this morning and went with Ham Thompson to Simcoe where Manning picked us up and drove us to Courtland. The had the township fair and school fair combined. I didn't do much but help Ham judge the school kid's chickens. We had a very nice time though. The fair didn't ammount to much as there was very little stock there and not much of anything else Dean Taylor and a couple of pals were there having a great time Manning drove Ham and me back. We had supper at his place and he drove us on down to Dover, as he was coming down to a meeting. Cloudy and cold all day. Raining to-night. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/4f714c84e8f14d46ef099e5ed49e1aa6.pdf bf3132d3b9f0b5081fae2271065043fa PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Friday October 1st It has rained steadily all day and has been very raw and cold. Tom. Butler came in on his way down town and he and Frank went over to look at the stuff Flemming has for sale and then he came back here and had dinner. I didn't do any thing much but a few chores. Frank went home with Tom this after noon and stayed there for tea and all night so that he could put a fire on in the engine in the morning to finish thrashing at Art Quanbury's. Miserable day but good for the wheat. Saturday October 2nd Dad. and Frank went over and finished thrashng at Art Quanbury's this morning. Dad. got home before dinner and Frank went on to Charlie Munroe's with the machine. I took Aunty's milk down this morning and on my way back stopped in at the Zealand's He showed me various things about the place and told me I could have the house any time I wanted it, so I told him that would be in about three weeks I hoped. Dad. and I dug a couple of rows of potatoes this after noon. I went down to meet the Tuxis boys to-night but Jonas was the only one out. Sunday October 3rd Frank, Tid and I went down to Sunday school and church and Enah came down to church. Aunty came back over here to dinner. It rained this morning a little and has been cloudy and cool all day. Tuesday October 12th I have some way got far behind in writing this and can't remember precisely what happened from day to day so will have to make a summary of last weeks events. I think we finished cutting the field corn Tuesday the fifth working at it Monday after noon & Tuesday. We cut the fodder corn Wednesday after noon and Thursday morning. There will be quite a lot of feed on it considering how late it was put in. We spent the rest of the time up till Wednesday noon digging potatoes. We just finished that job yesterday after noon and got nearly fifty bushels out of the patch in the field. We have them piled out in the field. Thursday after noon Dad. had to go to be bearer ar Mrs. Tommy Jackson's funeral and I went over to Ern. Flemming's sale. Friday Dad. and I were over at Tom & Mark's all day thrashing and finished up there Saturday fore noon, from there I went with Art Quanbury down to {Ausen?} Abbot's to look at an old house which Art wants to buy to tear down and use the stuff to build his new one. Dad. went over to John Wess's for a visit and stayed there to dinner. Frank thrashed with Sam Monday morning and then they quit till after Simcoe fair but Frank https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/6e2fae0824ab8890256a34981316fcb4.pdf fbd1dae80534b9954d4ad221b9b8f4b2 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. stayed with Sam till Tuesday night helping him shock up his corn. He went to the fair on Wednesday and has been sick ever since, he is just beginning to get around now. I stayed down at Aunty's for dinner on Sunday and Sunday afternoon Aunty Alice came over here with me and stayed to tea. Aunty went to Scotland this morning with Dick Tibbits to see Uncle Robuck. They had to come back on the L.E.&N. as Dick's car played out. The Bawlby's came down in the after noon and took Aunt Ida up with them for tea. Jack Martin was over here after tea to ask Dad. to go with him on Tuesday to a political meeting near Aylmer. Yesterday Frank took Joe down to be shod and brought Aunt Ida back with him to spend the day. It began to rain this after noon and we had quite a heavy thunder storm but it stopped before night. Dad. drove Aunt Ida home after tea. To-day I went over to the Zealand's to help him put on the storm window but he thought it was too warm yet, so I helped them make some cider Enah went over to get the curtains and wash them but as Mr. Zealand was away when she got there she didn't take them. Dad. went with Jack Martin to Straffordville and heard Mr. Meighen, but said they had a very tiresome day as they had to wait so long. I got some flower roots over at Mrs. Battersby's this after noon. Frank felt better and picked the King's. To-night I went down town to get my hair cut but couldn't get into any of the barber shops so went down to see Aunty Maude. It has been a very nice day. Wednesday October 13th Dad. and I walked back to the gully this morning to get a long pole that was back there for firewood and while we were back took a walk over to look at the wheat which is coming nicely since the rain and as we saw Cam McBride back plowing pea stubble went over and talked to him for awhile. Frank drove Tid. down to school. It was pretty late when we got back but Dad. castrated the four calves before dinner. The big roan bled quite a lot and to-night Dad. went to look at him but thought it had stopped pretty well, however he started up again during the night and bled to death. This after noon I went down town and got my hair cut and made the final preparations or purchases as to-morrow Aunty Alice and I leave D.O. for Haliburton where on Saturday Marj. and I are to be married. Wednesday November 8th There must of necessity be a considerable gap left in these records caused by the event predicted in the last entry. I was away in Haliburton https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/336bfdfc1e06165942f1859484f2b26f.pdf 10560991aa4079f70b3ee9bc67e9e286 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. and Bobcayceon for nearly two weeks and since coming back with Marj. have been so unsettled and having so much {illegible} getting our new nest feathered that I havent been able to get into my old habit of writing in my diary. There is not much use trying to record the events of the past few weeks as I don't know what has happened, all I know is that Marj. and I are married and have had a most happy time and that we are the luckiest pair alive as we are in our own house by ourselves for the winter and with the many things Marj. has had given to her and the things by the Zealand's which we may use, we seem to have every thing we want, we don't even have to pay rent for the place, which is very fortunate as being as poor as ever as far as cold cash is concerned. Mr. Zealand is still here during the day packing up fruit and making cider but he stays at night with Mr. Johnson and has his men at the Quanburys. He went to Hamilton last weekend and spent Saturday after noon giving away the fruit he had sent down. Besides the many things Marj. has had given to her privately we have had several more or less public donations. The second night we were back in Dover The band came over to the farm 17 strong with an extra to carry Karl's big drum, Karl himself being burdened with a dandy big leather rocking chair to present to us. We had a fine musical evening On Thursday November 4th we were invited to a meeting of the County J.F.I.A. at Mr. Neff's in Simcoe where we were presented with a beautiful table-cloth. Marj. says it is one of the finest she ever saw and that the like can't be bought new, this <s>one</s> being made before the war. The next night we were invited to the Sunday school where they had "kitchen shower" for Marj. and stocked her up with a fine lot of aluminum and pirex ware and rumors have reached us that the object of a combined visit of teachers on Tuesday night November 16th is to present Marj. with some forks. This is Monday the 15th and I have not had time to make an entry in this for about a week. This house keeping is very unsettling but it is a lot of fun. I am waiting now for Marj. to get dinner. I have just got of 12 bbl {barrels} of apples to Mr. Clarke which I spent considerable time last week and the week before getting ready for him. Frank and I got in the mangels and Dad. has got some plowing done. Our turnips are out yet and as we had a very cold snap (about 12° of frost) they are https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/091cc74b776e83aa8b9b4160ad7e3af5.pdf 4bcb89723099f37ddc42802400f2f42e PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. frozen stiff but it is beautiful again today so will be all right I think. We got in one load of corn stalks on Saturday and they are in good shape and there is some fine corn in them. I went up to a meeting of mentors which Manning called in Simcoe to-night and left Marj. here alone to go to bed early as she has a bad cold. Tuesday November 16th Just a month ago to-day that we were married and I am just beginning to get squared away to regular habits but we have had a good time. Marj's cold is very bad to-night, she feels quite sick I think. She got up early and has worked hard all day as she expected a joint attack from the school teacher's but Miss McQueen telephoned at the last minute that they couldn't come. Frank and I put off the load of corn stalks that we hauled in yesterday and then went down after a load of freight which just came in for Marj. It was all her things from home which her Dad. had packed and shipped to her. It made about a waggon load. I opened them for her at noon and she unpacked them and it was a very tiresome job but she was glad to get a lot of the things. This after noon Frank and I took some oats to the mill to be rolled. Dad. ploughed all day. Frank went down to stay at Aunty's to-night and is going with Neff on a judging trip to-morrow D.O. Still cold and east snow storm to-night. Wednesday November 17th I was up at 6.30 this morning and found a fierce east wind and snow storm raging but not very cold. We expected Frank who stayed at Aunty's all night back but he didn't come so we suppose he must have gone with Neff although we didn't think they could get through on account of the snow. I drove Tid. down to school and went on down town and got some meat and bread for Marj. Dad. and I threw the hay that was on the floor of the big barn up in the mow and let the calves in there for shelter. I didn't go over to the farm very early after dinner as I shovelled all the snow as Marj. was "receiving" Aunty Alice came over early and Enah was here. I husked some corn this after noon. Mark. came over for awhile and Dad. drove him down town with Queen and then he came back and stayed at his farm for tea. Aunty Alice had tea at our place, she being the first one to break bread with us in our own home. Much milder to-night. Thursday November 18th Frank didn't turn up all day but came home to-night and said they did go to London in Neff's car and saw the stock at Wildwood and Col. McEwen's. Dad. and I have just done chores all day. The snow and the frost make it impossible so far to do any thing with the turnips although it has thawed a great deal to-day and is not freezing as hard to-night. Enah had a tea party for Marj this afternoon https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/8028a21966695bb24d39e2c69e8ca2b3.pdf 5a13e1d3dc5189967e3788e3787dca50 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. and Dad. drove down and got Aunt Ida and brought her over. She stayed to tea. To-night Enah had to go down to practice with the "Sunny France" opera as Zeith got her to be their pianist so Marj. and I stayed with Tid till sh and Dad. got home about eleven Friday November 19th We haven't done much to-day but chores. Frank husked a nice lot of corn. This morning he and I took some barley down to the mill for chop but their chopper is out of order so we couldn't have it done. We got the rolled oats we left the other day and brought some potatoes down here for Marj. This was her day for receiving again and Aunty, Aunty Alice and Aunt Ida came over to help her. She had a host of callers too. Aunty stayed with us for tea. To-night we went to the Wilson McDonald concert "In Sunny France" on some complimentary tickets that Enah got. We all enjoyed it very much especially the dances by the little girls. Of course it was especially interesting to Dover folk as it was entirely written and composed by Wilson McDonald a brother of Daisys who had the honor of going to school here. He is very clever not only a poet and composer but an artist in certain lines. There were about fifty in the cast mostly Dover girls though some came down from Brantford. Saturday November 20th The frost being pretty well out of things we made a start at getting up the turnips. It was very muddy but we got about three loads pulled before dinner and this after noon we hauled them in and piled them in the barn to feed up right away To-night the four Tuxis boys came over and we had a very fair meeting. Cloudy and raw all day. Sunday November 21st Marj. and I went to Sunday school and church this morning. We have become established there as teachers I guess. She has Mrs. Smith's class and I have the Tuxis boys. We stayed to dinner at Aunty's and this after noon went up to see Miss Monteith and stopped in for a few minutes at the McQueen's. Cold wind. Monday November 22nd It was raining when we first went out this morning but it stopped early in the fore noon and has been cloudy and misty all day turning milder to-night. We got about three or four more loads of turnips up and started to pit them out in the field. Wilbur Ryerse was in this morning and got the ten little pigs for fifty dollars He liked the looks of Wilkins very much. Marj. wrote the greatest letter to Dorrie to-day, told her all the news in rhyme. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/045021f43aae5e83f38be6a2748b4f54.pdf c2ef03e540d04b9f45093ab77db368b3 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Tuesday November 23rd It has been a very dull damp dismal day sputting rain quite a lot, but we went out and pulled the rest of the turnips this forenoon and this after noon put them all in the pit and Dad. covered it, they appear to be all right in spite of their freezing but we don't know how they will keep. Oliver Mann came over to-night and I charted him. He charted up very well. Wednesday November 24th We put in the whole fore-noon just doing chores and puttering around. It was a very wet gloomy day. This after noon I stayed home and put on all the storm windows and it was quite a job to make them all fit. Marj. had a worse job as she was bound to wash them all thoroughly before I put them on, so was tired out to-night. Thursday November 25th Dad. ploughed all morning and got about half drowned wading through the mud-holes so this after noon Frank went out. This morning Frank went down to the mill to get the barley chop we took down on Friday but it wasn't done they not having got their chopper working right yet. He and I then went over to Jack Martin's and got his corn stalk chopping box and brought it over to chop stalks for the bulls as they don't eat them very well the other way. I spent the rest of the day doing chores and husking a little corn Winnie came over and spent the after noon sewing wth Marj. and stayed to tea. Still cloudy but not cold. Friday November 26th Marj. went over to the farm with me this morning & Dad. drove her down with Tid. to school and she invited Miss McQueen over here to tea. Old Gladys was on one of her periodical rampages and followed the buggy all the way to the corner and I suppose would have gone all the way to school with them if I had not cut across Ivey's and headed her off. She went down to Quanbury's and then home. I did chores all day & Frank ploughed. After dinner Marj. and I gathered up some russets and made a gallon or so of cider. Miss McQueen came over for tea and Dad. Enah and Tid came over and spent the evening. Frank had to go out to the school house. Saturday November 27th I just did chores to-day and Frank ploughed and Dad. cleaned some ditches. Lila was over here all the afternoon and to tea. The Tuxis boys were over to-night, after they left I rowed Lila across the pond, it was a lovely night. We haven't seen the sun all this week. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/5c42ca8a59321784bf8e11359342481a.pdf 50d11f7585d3fc24618875a3833789d0 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Sunday November 28th Marj. and I went to Sunday school and church and had dinner at Aunty's. Winnie was there to dinner and we stayed most of the after noon. We left our cat outdoors this morning and when we came home it was nowhere to be found. Mr & Mrs Jas. Smythe were at the farm when I went over and as Enah asked them for tea she sent Tid over to bring Marj. over so we were there all the evening. Mark Stepens and his brother who is going to technical school in Toronto were at the farm for dinner and To-night Tom came over. Sun out but cold Monday November 29th Frank ploughed all day and finished up out east of the old garden. Dad. went down this morning expecting that the body of Will McQuade would be in on the morning train but it wasn't and he waited till after dinner and Geo Thompson had no word of it, so Dad. went down and visited all the scenes of public improvement viz: the dock and the swing bridge. I did chores most of the day but this after noon took a walk back to look at the wheat which is doing fine and on over to see Art. Quanbury's new house, he was pulling up the studding. Marj. went down to sit with Aunt Ida this after noon. I had dinner at the farm Tuesday November 30th It froze hard last night but has been a beautiful day. Frank and Dad. started ploughing in the field north of the barn. I did chores and helped them <s>run</s> throw out some ditches. We each made one strike out. {Nancy?} was an awful mess. This after noon I husked some corn. Geo Thompson telephoned over to say Will McQuade's funeral would be to-morrow at one o'clock. To-night I went to a meeting in Simcoe of the County J.F.I.A. where we chewed the rag about a ploughing match next year and winter entertainment. I wouldn't have gone if it hadn't been for the table-cloth they gave us but that is the admiration of all who see it so I felt in duty bound. Marj. went down to Aunty's and waited till I got home. Some one went in to Val. Leany's house to-night between six & seven o'clock and robbed him of $800.00 cash and $500.00 in Victory Bonds. Val. was at the Point and Mrs. Leany had gone up street to get Mrs. Henry to come and stay with her all night. Jack Martin got home from the {illegible} Stole Fair to-night where he scooped everything in prizes. Wednesday December 1st It has been very dark and rained quite hard all day. Dad. went down this morning to attend Will McQuade's funeral but the body didn't come till one o'clock. Mary. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/f038c6c71b0e141f9dcbba932d0ac518.pdf 69ffaeeeaa68b988984c32f4d1cad3a9 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. and Annie Blaikie and Mary's husband were there. They took him to {illegible phrase} didn't get home till after four. Frank {illegible phrase} this morning but it rained too hard this after noon so he helped me husk corn. I just {illegible} and husked corn all day. Marj. was to have gone down to tea at Aunty's to-night and then go to a {illegible} meeting but she didn't feel very well & the weather was so bad, we stayed home. Thursday December 2nd Dad. ploughed all day and Frank threw out ditch this morning and this after noon he and I hauled in a load of cabbages from the garden, they don't seem to be hurt a bit with the frost. I took a crate over from Martin's this morning and put my 14 cockrels in it and took them over to Jack. He said he would look them over and settle up with me later. I took a little prowl along the pond and through Bronzie. Marj. has scurried around at a great rate this after-noon getting things slicked up for the teachers as Miss {Jonson} telephoned her the other day that they were coming over to-night but at the last minute she telephoned again that they were not coming. Marj. disgusted Friday December 3rd This was Marj's birthday and a beautiful day. Sunny and mild. I spent most of the morning doing chores and Frank and I unloaded the cabbages we hauled up yesterday. This after noon Frank and I hauled in the rest of the cabbages without trimming them. About four Frank took Mexico down to Marj. and she went on down town and got Miss McQueen and Tim and they all went over to the farm to tea, where we had a birthday party and some music this evening. Marj's Dad. sent her a brace of partridge and a piece of venison and she got a good many other things as well. Saturday December 4th It has been cloudy and rainy all day again but quite mild. I spent the whole fore noon doing chores. I cleaned out the calf pen which took quite awhile Dad. ploughed all day although it was pretty wet and Frank threw out ditches this morning and did odd jobs this after noon. He emptied the cider barrel into another one so that we can get it filled again. Old Gladys has been making raids on the shop where I have my chicken feed and has gained an entrance several times and torn two or three bags of feed all to pieces. I stayed home for awhile after dinner to paint a show card lesson but spoiled it. The boys three of them came over to-night but it was a very bad night some didn't expect the others out. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/be9ab256db096a27fa2afec749a46e94.pdf 21815730042fa55d20407638ae7c8dcb PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Sunday December 5th I got up at 9.30 this morning and went over to the farm before breakfast and then Marj. and I went down to Sunday school and Church. We came back for dinner which we had rather late and then we sat around for about an hour and read some of Wilson MacDonald's poems which I enjoyed very much. I went over to the farm about four to help do chores but as they were not expecting me there was nothing to do so back I came and Marj. and I went down to the Will Wood's for tea and spent the evening. We stopped in at Auntys for a few minutes on our way home. Dull cold, drizzly and windy to-day. Monday December 6th Dad. ploughed all day and {Frank?} rolled over. He was up early as the top {illegible phrase} off during the night and he got up before daylight to see if anything was hurt. Luckily nothing was. I spent the whole day doing chores and husking corn. Frank helped me husk corn and I helped him put the cabbages out of the waggon down cellar and we ran the waggon into the orchard. He wants to fill it and get another barrel of cider. Marj. & Enah went to a bridge party at the Harding's this afternoon I painted a lesson to-night. Dull and drizzly Tuesday December 7th Dad. ploughed all day. I did the chores up and then Frank and I picked up enough apples to make a barrel of cider. This after noon we husked corn. To-night they all came over here to tea from the farm and we had Marj's birthday present of partridge and venison which was delicious. Frank left right after tea to go out to a practice at Shands. Bright to-day but quite a cold wind. Auntie Alice came over at noon and brought Marj. some forks and spoons that Luby Williams sent her and this after noon the whole staff of teachers came over and presented her with half a dozen sterling forks dandies. Yesterday she got a very pretty {illegible} brass kettle on a stand & burner from Elsie & Walter. Wednesday December 8th It froze hard last night and has been freezing a little all day. Dad. finished the land he was ploughing but as the crust was so hard to turn he didn't strike out again. This after noon he covered the turnip pits more. Frank took the cider apples down this after noon and got the barrel and a 5 gal keg for Aunty filled. Marj. and I went down town to-night. She went to a Girl's Branch Meeting and I went to the to a meeting of the census committee but they didn't have it https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/b62caf6aeca5133841f0d1c4bc0cfe27.pdf cf4a07e70ff3059846ceab4d8f421ee3 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Thursday 9th December Dad. went down to Aunty's this morning and banked the house for them. After Frank and I got the chores done we went down to Uncle Ward's and hauled in his corn stalks for him and put them in the loft. This after noon Dad. Frank and I put some straw on the strawberries and and got in a few of our own corn stalks. To-night I started on another show card lesson and Marj. & I tried Zealand's mangle on some towels and things but it didn't work just right. At noon Marj. undertook to mend my pants and in order to accomplish her purpose with greater despatch and efficiency had me remove the torn garment and cover up on the lounge, all went lovely till in the midst of the performance in bounced the gas-man - much to the amusement of all present. We are being haunted by a black cat. He followed us home from the bridge last night, camped on our doorstep (metaphorically speaking) all night walked in this morning and made himself very much at home all day and in spite of being most inhospitably treated and spoken to by our cat curled himself up in the oven and went to sleep, he overstepped the line of newiness though and stole some thing so he has been ejected but is still clamouring at the windows and the {illegible} for admittance. Froze hard last night but has been a beautiful day. Friday December 10th I aroze at five this morning and finished the show card lesson I started last night and just as I finished I dropped a big blot of paint on it whereat I swore. It has snowed all day and has been very mild & wet so we couldn't do much outside. We spent the fore noon gathering up the corn that was husked over in the barn and carried it over and spread it out above the hog pen, there were about 30 bushel crates of it and we must have fed up about ten bushels. We also bagged up a grist before dinner and this afternoon Frank took it to the mill. He took some corn down too and had it chopped. Pickford was over this afternoon and Dad. and I didn't do much but chores. Marj. was down town this after noon. I started another lesson to-night. Saturday December 11th I spent nearly all day doing chores and husking corn. Frank and Tid shot rabbits off and on all day. Tid shot one himself and was tickled to death. I think they bagged seven all day. Tom Butler was over at noon and they put three wire rings in old Glady's snout and twisted them up as Gladys has been getting much too independent lately. Tom. stayed to dinner. Six of the boys came over to-night and we had a debate. Very mild and sunny https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/79d52a7478fb5ed87a2367e00b1a3bb2.pdf 89c87960b635a29b25beafff1afa851f PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Sunday December 12th Marj. and I went to church and Sunday school this morning and stayed at Aunty's for dinner. We came home fairly early after dinner and as it was such a beautiful day we just poked around the place. I in my shirt sleeves and bare headed as the weather was like April.I went over to the farm and helped do the chores and we stayed home all evening. Frank and Marj. were going down to Aunty's for tea to-night. Monday December 13th I got up about 4.30 this morning to work at my show cards but was rather late getting to the farm I did chores and put tar paper around most of my little apple trees. Dad. ploughed all day except for a while after dinner when Frank relieved him and he went down to Pickford's with a confirmation cup for Irene. Frank dug ditches and husked a little corn. I just did chores and husked corn this after noon and to-night I finished making a hopper for Zealand's chickens and helped Marj. make some Christmas candy It has been very mild but cloudy rained this after noon & to-night. Tuesday December 14th Dad. and Frank finished ploughing the field back of the barn to-day. Frank stayed all night over with Tom & Mark as it was pouring home when he started home. It has been very windy and cloudy all day and is getting colder to-night. I just did chores and husked a little corn. Marj. went down to a tea party at Aunty's this after noon and stayed there for tea to go to a Sunday school meeting afterwards so I stayed at the farm and went down to-night and met Marj. at Huby's. Enah stayed down too so Dad. went down and met her at Aunty's. Aunty Maude looks badly. Wednesday December 15th https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/e541190a3d37e3ce5eeba18e88a4e93d.pdf 0892fc6138855870b356e130d336066a PDF Text Text � https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/2d224b02bfe70ad04935fb198f2b6465.pdf 98aa8201ebfeb6c77290528e05a9d5f7 PDF Text Text � https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/cb31acc3400525c18f469bae7430e0d9.pdf 5dab68549ce640a036888971321a9604 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Friday December 24th I spent the day doing chores and husking corn. Dad. went down town this morning and took a ham down for tomorrow's dinner and fixed up the big turkey that Huby provided for the feast. Frank took a pie over to Tom Butler and got a Christmas tree over there which he and Dave McBride took down this afternoon Marj. has been tearing around all day cleaning up the house and making preparations for Christmas Miss McQueen & her mother and Miss McNelly were over to-night just before her and brought us a mince pie. To-night Marj. and I went down and played Santa Claus we called at the Bugleys's the Monteith's and the McQueen's where Marj. delivered home made Candy for Christmas - and we did some shopping and called at Aunty's for awhile. Christmas Day. I went over rather late this morning and did a few chores and then we all went down to church. Marj. and I came home and had a picnic brunch and spent a very happy after noon celebrating our first Christmas in our own home and picking up things to put on the tree. I went over and helped do chores and at six we all congregated at Auntys for Christmas dinner. Mr. Johnson brought Aunty Maude down in his car and she lay on the sofa and said she had a good time. Cousin Clare & Phoebe came down after dinner while we unloade the trio Marj. and I fared scrumptiously at the Christmas tree and we all had a lovely time Marj. gave me her present last night which was a pair of house shoes Beautiful day, cold & snowing to-night. Sunday December 26th Marj. and I were very late getting down to Sunday school this morning for we slept in. We went to church and came home for dinner. Aunty Maude & Huby were staying at Aunty's. We chored around all the after noon and I lit a fire in the grate. Glad Law came over for tea. I went over and helped do chores as Frank went down to the Ward's. We had a nice evening with Glad around our fireside and Marj. and I both walked home with her. The walking was fierce as it has snowed hard all this after noon. Very mild. Monday December 27th I arose and shovelled considerable snow before breakfast this morning It had snowed a lot during the night and was very mild. The trees were all laden with heavy snow and this place in the grey light of early morning looked https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/697ef412ea0a5b47f7471f36711f9760.pdf 689fd271784aab55695a3f54f09626d0 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. as much like Fairy land as any poet ever dreamed, but it didn't last long as it thawed enough for the snow to drop from the branches. Dad drove down town in the cutter this morning and shovelled Aunty's snow for them, he said the sleighing would have been good if there had not been some wheels out which spoiled it. He and Frank got the bob-sleighs out this after noon but didn't hook up to them I did chores all day and wrapped tar paper around the rest of my little apple trees and laid down the Dorothy Perkins rose bush and covered it up. Marj. and I had a lovely evening at home to-night, she darning my socks and I reading to her from Jeffrey Farnol's "My Lady Caprice". She got a parcel from home to-day containing a pair of towells for her and two pair of Miss Bain knit socks for me and two soft collars from Dorrie. Dorrie sent her a cup and saucer a few days ago and with it a little bell from Miss {name?} Tuesday December 28th Frank and I https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/62dbeb4734eb84fd8226af6714c02b56.pdf bbd2425c7d66d5dbb78e48fc60974c84 PDF Text Text � https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/feb8f9d06ade088893f11f05d6522748.pdf a6a9d5b2009cf220f05b8cdadacf2b9c PDF Text Text � https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/92d41cd5f38cf140b74352d10ef28c75.pdf 3f5550b420d58304b80fba1959da2c2f PDF Text Text � https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/663d89f4eea9009b5721bb7a385f356a.pdf ac6fa3f25f317b5def61a2f8661911bd PDF Text Text � https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/8571911d9f601556e431acee8cab5572.pdf bdf2eb9f0e9e74cb2c0b4a29aea245de PDF Text Text � https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/801e99f851e5484850952d19d4d4f73b.pdf 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For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary Collection Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Theobald "Toby" Barrett Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Courtesy of Archival and Special Collections, University of Guelph Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1911-1925 Language A language of the resource English Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 20th Century, Norfolk County, Woodhouse Township, Ontario Table Of Contents A list of subunits of the resource. Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary & Transcription, 1911 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary & Transcription, 1913 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary & Transcription, 1914 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1915 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1916 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1917 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary & Transcription, 1918 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1919 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1920-1921 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1921 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1925 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1925-1926 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1926-1927 Medium The material or physical carrier of the resource. Scanned Manuscript Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1920-1921 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Theobald "Toby" Barrett Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Courtesy of Archival and Special Collections, University of Guelph Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource January 1, 1920 to April 15, 1921 Language A language of the resource English Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 20th Century, Norfolk County, Woodhouse Township, Ontario Date Created Date of creation of the resource. January 1, 1920 Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary Collection Medium The material or physical carrier of the resource. Scanned Manuscript UG Transcription Progress Scripto transcription progress In Progress Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. <div class="mw-parser-output"><p>DIARY. 1920-21. </p><p>T.B.Barrett, </p><p>Port Dover, Ontario. </p><p>Cnocfierna. </p><p>From January 1st 1920 to April 15th 1921 </p></div> <div class="mw-parser-output"><p>{Left page blank} </p><p>Thursday January 1st 1920 </p><p>The New Year found me leaning over the balcony in the gallery of the town hall with Bub. and Dess watching the noisy crowd of dancers below us with a certain ammount of amusement but with no desire to join them. My feet were too sore with chilblains to dance anyway, but Bub's society was just as congenial if not more so than any one else's there, in fact there were very few of my freinds there and the great majority I didn't even know, and judging from appearances am not at all particular about making their acquaintance. We soon became tired of our show and went home early. It is a long time since I have had a visit with Bub and our conversation had been mainly reminisent of our high school days of ten years ago. It sounds a long time but looks only a matter of a few months when the happenings of the interval are not considered. Certainly, though, those happening's have meant a great deal to the poor old world and I wonder what effect they will have on the history of the decade we are now beginning. Although the war has been over now for more than a year, the spirit of strife is still rampant in all countries and manifests itself in the strikes, riots and general restlessness <s>with</s> which all people have been suffering from. Up till now conditions don't show much sign of improvement but it must come to an end eventually, and I suppose, when the old world does get<s>ting</s> running smoothly again. </p></div> <div class="mw-parser-output"><p>it will be a better place for all classes to live. New Year's day has been cold and blustery and we haven't done any thing but the necessary chores and sit around the fire and read. To-night we all went down to Aunty's for tea and spent the evening. All from Huby's were there as well as Cousin Clare &amp; Phoebe. We spent the evening with music and playing Guessing games which we always have a lot of fun at. </p><p>Friday January 2nd </p><p>It has been bitterly cold to-day, below zero with a strong west wind and we have done nothing but a few chores keep the fires going and read. To-night Enah Frank and I went down to a party at Ada's and had a very nice time. We played cards most of the evening. Most of the party were playing bridge but, Winnie Lila, Frank a Mr. Moore who is a freind of Zeitha's and a cousin of Mrs. Freeman's, and I played rummy and seven-up, and the phonograph, then Zeitha and later Quint joined us and we danced. Frank &amp; Lila lit out for the Rebecca's dance in the hall about twelve o'clock. I stayed at Ada's and came home with Enah and Mrs. Jack Martin about one o'clock. </p><p>Saturday, January 3rd </p><p>We were very late having breakfast this morning and before we got at it Phil Shaver came after Dad. to go and dose one of his horses, so Dad. was over there till noon. I chored around most of the morning and Frank slept most of the day as he didn't get home from his dance till about four o'clock this morning. Dad. and I did up the chores early (and we have quit milking at night) and we both went down to Aunty's for tea. Quint was there and so were the Miss Hardings so Aunty had quite a birthday party. I left right after tea and went down to meet the seven o'clock car, as Marj. came in on it, so I spent the rest of the evening with her, she had a nice holiday at home <s>Su</s> </p><p>Sunday, January 4th </p><p>Frank Tid and I went down to sunday school and church this morning. I stayed down at Aunty's for dinner. This afternoon Marj. and I went over to see Miss McQueen and then went down to Aunty's where we stayed to tea. Aunty Alice Marj. and I went to church to-night. I got home about twelve o'clock and found Frank was not in yet. He was down at the Ward's and got home soon after I did. It has been very cold all day, but very little wind. </p><p>Monday, January 5th </p><p>Frank and I went down right after breakfast to get our long looked for stove. It was ordered from Eaton's on the 15th of November and just arrived on Saturday. We also got Marj's suitcase which she checked by Grand Trunk and took it up for her, and as we had to get some things up town it was after eleven when we got home, but we went down to the mill for some bran &amp; chicken feed before dinner. </p></div> <div class="mw-parser-output"><p>We spent most of the after noon putting the new stove up and had a great fire until to-night. Bob. Dougherty was in just before two with some fellow called Slack to tell us he wanted the lambs on Saturday. He would have stayed to tea but Slack wouldn't wait for him and he was driving the car. Frank and I went down town to-night. Frank went to the dance and I went with the band to serenade the new council. Taylor beat poor old Walker badly so we went up to his place first and took him as well as all the rest of them by surprise. We went from there to John Harvey's where we got treated with wine and Lou's wedding cake. Then we went over to Perce Ryerse's but his wife informed us that he had gone down after some medicine for the baby. We played anyway and I don't know whether we killed the baby or not. Mr. Quinn's was our next stop and then we set out for Capt. P.C. Robinson's. We went to the house but Pauline said he had gone to lodge, so we started over there to "get his goat" but some body saw him headed down Main St. and at last "tried" him in his office at the Fish Shanty, so we gave him a couple of selections and then we dispersed. They all promised to give us all the financial assistance that was necessary next year and three of them gave us enough to buy some cigars with. Mid shoved the cash down and I don't know what became of it. Altogether we had a very nice time, but had to go in everywhere to thaw our horns out as it was a very frosty night &amp; bright. </p><p>Tuesday, January 6th </p><p>Our windmill which has been the source of great tribulation to us all winter owing to its very unsatisfactory work refused to pump at all this morning, so Frank went down and got Felix to come over and he has been over all day. I should have said the pump was wrong instead of the windmill. We took the whole thing up and found that the bottom of the cylinder was a little loose which we supposed let air in and and caused the water to shoot out of the top of the pump the way it has been doing. The valves were also worn out so Felix put in new ones. We didn't finish till about five o'clock and then the wind had died down so that we couldn't get any water to-night and the cattle had to go without a drink all day. It was really not very cold to-day but felt raw especially working at the pump. It is a miserable job at any time but especially so at this time of year. Old Felix keeps at it though and he just celebrated his eightieth birthday on Saturday. To-night Enah and Tid went down to the Sunday school Christmas tree. I went down later but didn't go to the tree. I met Marj. after it was over and spent the evening with her. </p><p>Wednesday, January 7th </p><p>We put the doors on the barn this morning which blew off the night of the big wind. There were three off, the two in the peak and one little one down on the shed. This afternoon </p></div> <div class="mw-parser-output"><p>Dad. trimmed Mexico's feet which were in very bad shape. I didn't do much but chores. Old Felix &amp; Harvey Perkins were over this after noon to sell Frank some shares in Peace River Oil Wells. Harvey is selling them &amp; old Felix thinks he is going to be a millionaire as soon as they get the well finished they are boring at now. Frank took fifty shares, I think. I went down to Aunty's to tea to-night and went up at seven o'clock with the band to play at the Simcoe rink for two hockey matches. There were two car loads went up from here so the Dover {illegible}played. The band &amp; the hundred or so routers must have had a good effect on the Dover boys as they trimmed Simcoe 7-2, and it was a good fast game too. The first match was between the "War Vetrans" and the "Wanderers". The Vets won that with a score of 6-3 I think. Then our boys played the "Canners" and it was a much better game. Harvey Lany played very well and shot several goals. Jack McDonald is very good too and a clean player. Old {Name} was playing back and not many got past him, he works hard and dodges around like a swallow. Young Bill Miller was rather rough and was on the fence about half the time. {Name} McDonald tended goal and once got a little excited and went into the corner after the puck and they shot a goal while he was out. We had a fine time and the band got invited up again on Friday night to play at an O.H.A. game between Ingersol &amp; Woodstock. Mild &amp; inclined to rain or mist to-day. </p><p>Thursday January 8th </p><p>I spent the morning to-day doing chores and Dad. threw in some more sawdust on the ice. Frank went down to the dentist's but I don't think got any thing done and has to go back to-morrow. This after noon we cleaned out the box stall in the horse stable and took out two big loads and spread them on the root ground. Frank went back this after noon and sowed 100 lbs of his basic slag on the gully hills to see what effect it has on pasture. I went down town to-night. Mild this morning but colder &amp; windy to-night. </p><p>Friday January 9th </p><p>It has been very stormy (wind and snow) but not very cold all day but cleared off and quieted down to-night. We got all the outside stock except the two colts in the barn this morning. Billy &amp; Dave can run in the shed. Frank had to go down to the dentist's this morning and was down till after dinner. Dad. went over to Quanbury's to get some more instructions about his dry salted bacon and I just did chores worked at my show-card lessons which I find very interesting and dozed all day. We did things up early to-night and I went down to Aunty's for tea. It had stopped snowing when I got there so I shovelled their snow for them. Marj. was there too and she &amp; Aunty went up to their Bible Class after tea. I went to Simcoe with the band and we had a very good time. It was an O.H.A game between </p></div> <div class="mw-parser-output"><p>Simcoe and Woodstock, and the score was 8-5 in favor of Simcoe. The Woodstock boys put up a very good game and the score was 3-3 at the beginning of the last period when Simcoe got very energetic and Woodstocks best man who was playing back didn't seem to do as well and they lost 5 goals and only made 2. They have picked out three Dover men as spares on the Simcoe team and put Harvey Lany on to-night but whether from nervousness or not he didn't put up any thing like the game he did the other night so they soon took him off and didn't try {Name} or Joe. </p><p>Saturday January 10th </p><p>We were up early this morning and spent the whole fore-noon getting Dougherty's lambs off. We got the sleighs out and Frank started down to Pickford's after our stock rack but met him coming back with it. We then weighed the lambs up by pairs on our own scales and when we weighed them down at the car they came to exactly the same and Dougherty gave us 15 cts for the ewe lambs. We had to go to the planing mill and get him some shavings to bed the car with and had to go up town for some coal oil and then we got some shavings to bring home with us to put on the ice so it was about noon when we got here, our lambs came to about $177.00. We haven't done much all the after noon but chores. Frank went down town to-night and I worked at my show card work. Snowed more this morning, not cold. </p><p>Sunday January 11th </p><p>Dad. drove Tid, Frank and me down to Sunday school this morning and then came down after church and drove Aunty Marj. and Tid over here for dinner. Frank and I walked home. Frank walked out to Sidway's this after noon but I stayed home. Dad. drove Aunty home about four o'clock while I fed the cows. Marj. stayed to tea and I drove her home this evening. The cutter slides along but the road is bare in spots. W.F. Cockshutt M.P. gave an address on the Forward Movement in church this morning which was very good. </p><p>Monday January 12th </p><p>Frank left for Guelph to-day. He expects to be up there about a month taking short courses in Hock &amp; Seed Judging and Tractors &amp; machinery. He spent most of the morning getting packed up and I drove him down in the bob-sleigh to Aunty's where he stayed to dinner intending to leave on the one o'clock car, but it was so late that they cancelled it, and he and young Downs who is going to Guelph too, left on the three o'clock car, but he thought he could get over to Guelph from Galt some time to-night. Dad. and I hauled out manure to day from the Bull's pens. We got out three loads but didn't quite finish the pens. I went over to John Wess's this afternoon. Mrs McBride is very low. I saw Cam. and spoke to him about the place and he promised that if it was to be sold he would see that I got a chance at it. I went down town to-night. Milder </p></div> <div class="mw-parser-output"><p>Tuesday January 13th </p><p>It has been very stormy most of to-day and we didn't do anything outside but chores. I spent most of the forenoon getting my incubator ready to start and it has been heating up all day. I worked at my show card work for quite awhile this after noon. I went down to-night to a meeting in the Rectory to organize a canvassing campaign for the Forward Movement, but as Mr. Freeman was the only other one there we couldn't do much. Marj. had been there to tea so I went home with her. It has not been very cold but very blustery. </p><p>Wednesday January 14th </p><p>Dad. and I had to shovel out the lane this morning as yesterday's storm drifted it full. It was after eleven when we got finished and then I started out with Joe &amp; Queen on the bob-sleighs to get Aunty Alice as we expected her over to dinner but I met her just outside the lane. This after noon Dad. drove Enah &amp; Aunty Alice over to Mrs. McLaughlin's to play bridge and I did up the chores. I had a card from Mid. at noon saying the band was going to play at Simcoe to-night so I went down to Aunty's for tea. The cars were running an hour late so that it was after eight when we got to Simcoe. The Dover team played the Vetrans and they both put up a very good game. Dover winning score 4-3. We didn't leave Simcoe till 12 o'clock and the car was crowded as a great many had come up at five o'clock. Blustery day. </p><p>Thursday January 15th </p><p>It has been cold and stormy all day so we just did chores this morning. Dad. has been reading "Courtin' Christina" and "Wee McGreggor Enlists" and finished them to-day they are certainly very good. This after noon Dad. drove Enah &amp; Tid down to the Pickford's and the Ryerse's to distribute some Forward Movement literature. I went down to a meeting in the Sunday school to-night Mr. Manning was there and a few boys but they didn't do much. I then went over to see Marj. for awhile and stayed all night at Aunty's in order to help Aunty Alice get started for Toronto in the morning as she is going down for a few days </p><p>Friday January 16th </p><p>Aunty Alice got off on the 7.20 G.T.R. this morning and I went to the station with her and then came home. We did up the chores and then Dad. and I went down and cut down a tree at Preston's. This after noon I took some oats to the mill and left them for chop and took Enah and Tid down to go to "Mickey" at the picture show. I then came home and did up a few chores and went down to Aunty's for tea and Marj. and I went to see "Mickey" to-night. after which we went into Miss McQueen's for a cup of tea. It was very stormy all after noon and evening but the picture show was packed for all three shows. People have certainly gone crazy over "Mickey". What there is in it, I don't know. </p></div> <div class="mw-parser-output"><p>Saturday January 17th </p><p>Dad. went down to Aunty's this morning to shovel their snow but John Shand had it done when he got down. I did chores and painted a little. Com &amp; Billy McBride were in at noon to say that Mrs. John Wess died yesterday and to ask Dad. to be a bearer. This after noon I drove Enah down town and she got some flowers and we came home by the mill where I got the grist and some rolled oats. It has been sunny but very blustery &amp; cold all day </p><p>Sunday January 18th </p><p>It was very cold and windy this morning and we were late getting through chores and I didn't get up very early. I was too late for Sunday school but went down to church. I was a little early and was sitting in the church when I heard the fire bell ring so ran out and saw them getting the engines out of the old jail. I followed the crowd up to L.G. Morgan's house where the smoke was pouring out all the windows. After considerable confusion in trying to find the fire they got the engines going at the north side of the house. I went inside but the smoke was almost suffocating. I ran across Harry Moon in there who told me that Mr. Morgan was dead and in the middle of a knot of men I saw his body His clothes were burned off down to his waist. His back was badly burned and his head all charred. It was a horrible sight but I don't believe he could have suffered very long. The fire was caused by him knocking over a coal oil stove in his room, an of course in the shape he was in he couldn't get out. He called Miss Morgan but she couldn't do any thing for the smoke. Val. Leaney saw the fire from his place and was there at once but L.G. was too far gone to be saved. Miss Newell is in a semi consious condition but very low having been badly suffocated. They managed to get the fire out without it spreading beyond the one room and every thing in it was burned. I went back to the church expecting to meet Aunty but the door was locked and I found they hadn't held service. I stayed at Aunty's to dinner and spent the after noon up at the Monteiths. I came home about five and helped do chores and then went down again &amp; spent the evening with Marj. Very cold but not stormy to-night. Dad. went over to John Wess's this morning with the flowers. </p><p>Monday January 19th </p><p>Dad. and I spent the morning doing chores and shovelling out the lane which was drifted full. Just before dinner Dad. took Tid down to Aunty's where he stayed for the after noon while Dad. Enah and I went to Mrs. McBride's funeral. Dad. was one of the bearers and I drove him up to the cemetry. We let Enah out at the head of Main St. and got Tid &amp; her on our way home. My feet got very cold so I walked home from town. Dess. was over. </p></div> <div class="mw-parser-output"><p>just before tea on her snowshoes, with a message for Dad. asking him to be bearer at Mr. Morgan's funeral to-morrow. There was another funeral to-day from down east some place. The two hearses went into the cemetry about the same time. I stayed home to-night and worked at my show card practice. </p><p>Tuesday January 20th </p><p>We did the chores up pretty well this morning and right after dinner Dad. Enah &amp; Tid. drove down town. They put Queen in at Hec's. and left Tid with Aunty and Dad. went to Mr. Morgan's funeral. It was private so Enah didn't go. He was buried up at St. John's. I walked down town after dinner and went to the bank to deposit some money as I promised Boyd. I would send him a cheque when the brooder came. I then went to the station but it hasn't come yet. I was in the Custom House for awhile talking to Huby. He was giving me a long dissertation on the tribulations of his office owing to the constant revision of the ever-changing tariff, when a very seedy looking chap came in and rather sheepishly asked what was the duty on any thing imported from the States. Huby told him it made a great deal of difference what he was importing and when he aparently unwillingly confessed that it was an automobile Huby started in &amp; told him first 30% then 7 1/2% then 10% of the duty paid value. The fellow looked rather dazed and reasoned that "they sure go for a feller". Huby figured it up to be well over $500.00 on $1000.00 so at last the fellow left after asking very particularly whether the Government got all that money or the fellow he bought his car from. He left rather crestfallen and I think was undecided whether to buy a car in Canada or not at all or wait till the War Debt was paid off or appeal to the A.F.O. of which organization I have no doubt he was a member. I got home before five and Dad. soon after me. Enah &amp; Tid stayed down to tea. Dad. and I did chores and had a bite to eat &amp; then walked down to see the Girl Guides concert which they put on for the relief of the Armenians. It was "Aunt Dinah's Quilting Party." Harry Moon coached them and they did very well. Ed. Gray &amp; Hazel Ward. did especially well. The concert was over by half past nine and I spent the rest of the evening with Marj. Dad and Enah &amp; Tid got a ride home with Pickford in his bob-sleigh. A very little milder with a sleet storm this after noon. </p><p>Wednesday January 21st </p><p>We were late getting out this morning and spent most of the morning doing chores I went down to the mill about noon to see if I could get some corn chop &amp; bran but they haven't had enough water to run either chopper or mill so had nothing. I spent the whole after noon practising at my show card lessons and worked all evening at it too. Dad. went down to Aunty's for tea and spent the evening down there. Dover was to play the "Wanderers" in Simcoe to-night but as I didn't get any notice of the band going up I decided not to go as I wanted to work although I would have liked to have seen the game. </p></div> <div class="mw-parser-output"><p>Thursday January 22nd </p><p>Dad. Enah and Tid. drove down this morning to see if they wanted Enah to sit up with Miss Newell to-night but they asked her to stay this after noon so Dad. left her at the Johnston's and Tid at Aunty's and came home. This after noon he and I read the mail for quite awhile and then went over to John Wess's to see how he felt. He looks pretty tough. Dad. and I did the chores and then drove down to Aunty's where we all had tea and Dad. drove Enah and Tid home right after. Aunty heard from Aunty Alice to-day saying she was coming home to-night so I went to the station and met her. Huby was there too. I went up to see Marj. for a little while first, her throat has been very sore and she has not been at school all the after noon. Dover got trimmed last night by the "Wanderer's" 6-5. They say that the Dover boys got sore because Simcoe put on a professional and played a dirty game. </p><p>Friday January 23rd </p><p>Dad. and I drove down town this morning and got my stove brooder which came in by freight yesterday. We stopped for a minute at Aunty's to see Aunty Alice. We overtook Miss Phipps on her way down and took her down to the Johnston's to see Miss Newell. This after noon it became very stormy with an east wind. Dad. and I got hay enough over for night and then I did my show card lesson so that I could post it to-night. Dad. &amp; Enah drove down town to bring Miss Phipps home as it had become so stormy, but they couldn't find her. Dad. did up the chores and I went down town before dark &amp; had tea at Aunty's. I went up to see Marj. to-night, her throat was better. I stayed at Aunty's all night as the walking was a fright, drifts up to my knees but not very cold. </p><p>Saturday January 24th </p><p>I didn't get up very early this morning and after I breakfast I shovelled the snow and then went up town to inquire after Miss Newell, she is just about the same as nearly as I could make out from Mrs. Johnson. I also went up to Hugh McQueen's to get him to make me a chimbney for my brooder. It was after tea when I got home and didn't do much but shovell the snow out of the chicken houses before dinner. This after noon we sat around and read the mail for an hour or so and then Dad. and I got over enough hay to last us over Sunday and shovelled out the lane. Not quite so windy to-day but pretty cold. </p><p>Sunday January 25th </p><p>I walked down to Sunday school this morning and Dad. drove Enah down to church and then went home and drove back after her. We had a short service this morning as the church was cold and Mr. Johnston didn't preach a sermon but although the church wasn't much warmer to-night I thought he would never stop preaching about the Forward Movement and other </p></div> <div class="mw-parser-output"><p>money they wanted to raise. I stayed at Aunty's for dinner and spent the after noon and evening with Marj. who is feeling much better. I came home to tea and walked down again in time for church. Alan Law gave me a ride out to the side road corner. 20° below last night. </p><p>Monday January 26th </p><p>I tested my eggs out this morning. It was too cold down cellar so I darkened the dining room and brought them up. I only got 28 fertile ones out of 155. I guess they must have been chilled. I unpacked my brooder but can't put it to-gether till I get my stove pipe from Hugh. I also put on a couple of panes of glass and puttyed up several others in a sash I want to use for my brooder house. Late this after noon Dad. and I &amp; Tid. drove down town and got some coal oil. Dad. has had heartburn badly all day and has had to carry a lot of water to the stock as there was not wind enough to pump. It has been very mild barely freezing in the shade. To night I went down to the Sunday school where Mr. Manning and the officers of the Methodist "Square" put our boys through the first {legue?} of the initiation ceremony for Tuxis boys I then went over to Epworth League with Manning for awhile. </p><p>Tuesday January 27th </p><p>I spent most of the morning fitting the windows in the colony house besides doing a few odd jobs. This after noon Dad. Tid. and I drove down to Pickford's to invite them over here to-night to spend the evening. We then drove out to the Shands to inquire after Flossie who has had pleurisy. She is still in bed but a little better. To-night the whole Pickford family came over. Tom Butler was in Simcoe when they left but they put a note out for him telling him to follow them so he came down later. We had quite a time doing various tricks, had a little music and Tid. put on a magic lantern show. Much milder to-day, colder to-night. </p><p>Wednesday January 28th </p><p>Dad. went down to the Pickford's this morning to see if he could get Jackie to come up and have a look at the ram we want to kill. He is very thin but Pickford says they are deceiving and don't need to be very fat. He and Tom had gone down to get some stuff Tom bought at Porter's sale in Walpole, but Mrs. Pickford said she would send him up after dinner. He and Tom both came up and killed and dressed the sheep, but he was very thin. I don't know why he didn't get fatter as he has been getting grain but has been running out. I did a show card lesson this morning and this after noon drove Enah down town to go to the bridge-gang meet. I saw Quint down there and took him for a little spin around town. Mr. &amp; Mrs. Jim Waddle were in and invited us all out there for dinner Friday night. I went down town to-night. Very frosty. </p><p>Thursday January 28th </p><p>Bob. Dougherty came in here last night and stayed all night with us and most of the morning. He was highly entertaining </p></div> <div class="mw-parser-output"><p>but we didn't get much done while he was here. When he left John Quanbury came over to get Dad. to go and see his cow which is pretty sick. Dad. cut up the mutton before dinner. This after noon Dad. Enah &amp; Tid drove down town and took Huby a piece of mutton as this was his birthday. I did another show card lesson and went down to Aunty's for tea. Huby &amp; Aunty Maude were there. Winnie came over here for tea with Dad. &amp; Enah. To-night Marj. &amp; I went up to Miss. Martin's and I got my hair cut on my way home. Mild. </p><p>Friday January 30th </p><p>Dad. and I went down this morning and got a load of coal as there was a new car in and the coal looked and has proved to be of much better quality than any we have got so far. On our way home we met Jim. Waddle on his way over to tell us not to come out to-night as Mrs. Waddle was sick but to come Sunday night. This after noon we sat around and read quite awhile and then Dad. and Enah &amp; Tid. drove down town to post a letter and I went over to Jack Martin's to ask them about buying baby chicks for broilers. I got a price list from a fellow in Toronto and the cheapest were $30.00 per 100 which Jack thought was pretty high for broiler chicks, but Chris offered to let me raise all of his Leghorns and to pay me broiler prices for them when they are ready to go so I think I will take his offer. He told me that band was going to Simcoe to-night to play at the rink so I went down to Aunty's for tea. Only a few of the band boys went up and it was very cold up in the rink, but it was a good game. Simcoe beat Paris 5-2 O.H.A. </p><p>Saturday January 31st </p><p>It was 20 below zero this morning and a strong east wind blowing which made it almost unbearable to be out. We just fed up the stock and haven't done a thing else all day but sit around the stove and read. We were greatly surprized to have Aunty Alice come over for dinner. She said yesterday she would come over if it was a nice day but we never expected her when it was so cold. She walked back this after noon as she wanted to stop it at Mrs. Battersby's for awhile. I went down town to-night to see how Marj's throat was, but she wasn't home so I suppose it must be better. The wind died down a little to-night but it is still very cold. I took a walk down to Pete Holmes' rink where they were staging a hockey match between Penman's &amp; Knox Church but there were very few spectators and I thought it was too cold to watch them so I went down to Aunty's for awhile and then home. </p><p>Sunday February 1st </p><p>It was still cold this morning but has been a beautiful day and getting milder all day. I went down to Sunday school and church and stayed to dinner at Aunty's. Marj. and I went up to Miss Martin's for a little while this after noon and then I came home early. I stopped in at Newman Silverthorne's for awhile to pay Mr. Clarke's lodge dues. Marj. started over with them on Saturday but the weather stopped her when she got as far as Miss. McQueen's. Dad. Enah &amp; Tid drove out to Jim Waddle's for dinner to-night and I went down to Aunty's for tea and </p></div> <div class="mw-parser-output"><p>went to church with Aunty to-night then spent the evening with Marj. </p><p>Monday February 2nd </p><p>The old bear could have seen his shadow all day to-day if he came out of his log, he would also have got his feet wet as it has been a beautiful sunny, warm, spring-like day and thawing in the shade. I took a walk over to John Wess's this morning. Cam. was there and told me that he was coming back here to live as his father couldn't bear the thought of going to live in the city nor of selling the furniture and household effects that Mrs. McBride had bought when the first started. This after noon I went down to the mill and got some rolled oats and Dad. &amp; Tid. went down to Preston's orchard for awhile.They found old Henry Misener in there cutting too so Arthur has evidently thought we weren't going to get all the trees cut but he didn't say anything about it. Enah took Mexico &amp; the cutter and drove Mrs. Skey up to Miss. McCoy's this afternoon. Dad. took the pork out of the pickle to-day. This evening I went down as I thought the Tuxis boys were going to meet but they didn't as there was some arrangement about them going to Simcoe to play hockey. </p><p>Tuesday February 3rd </p><p>Dad. &amp; I went down to Preston's this morning and got another tree down and partly brushed up. This after noon Dad. went down and finished trimming the tree and I drove down town in the cutter and got the chimney for my brooder that Hugh McQueen has been making for me. I did up the chores after I got home. I worked at my show card work to-night. Cloudy and colder </p><p>Wednesday February 4th </p><p>Dad. and I went down to the orchard again this morning and have been down there most of the day so got quite a lot done. Tupper was in at noon to ask me to be clerk at his sale which is due to come off on the 17th. Dad. commisioned him to get him a plug of tobacco which he was to leave in the mail box on but he never came back and caused Dad. several fruitless trips to the mail box. I went down town to-night. It has not been frosty to day but a raw east wind. </p><p>Thursday February 5th </p><p>Dad. and I went over to the orchard this morning and got a big tree next the hedge down. Old Harry Misener was there and he and I took our saw over to his place and he sharpened it up a little. He got word from some where that the Dover team beat the Vet's. last night 11-2. We didn't go back this after noon but Dad. helped me with my brooder house and put on the chimney. Billy Miller was over to-night and said Chris wasn't going to let me have any baby chicks now as he was getting orders for them. Tupper was in too and brought Dad's tobacco. Snowed a little. </p><p>Friday February 6th </p><p>This has been a beautiful day. Sunny &amp; mild. Dad. and I </p></div> <div class="mw-parser-output"><p>went down to the orchard and worked there all day. Old Henry Misener had Arnold Myers helping him and we gave them a hand to shove a tree over. It slipped on the stump and fell the opposite direction to the one they intended and Dad. &amp; I had to step lively to get out of its road. Enah &amp; Tid drove Mexico down with the cutter to-day, took Aunt Ida for a drive and brought Aunty over here to tea. She and I walked down to-night and I spent the evening with Marj. who had quite a bad fall yesterday. </p><p>Saturday February 7th </p><p>Dad. and I bagged up some oats this morning and I took them to the mill while he trimmed up some of the trees we had down. I left the grist and went back to the orchard and took a big load of blocks home, then went back and got the chopper This after noon we went back to the orchard and on our return found Frank here. He came in on the three o'clock car. </p><p>Sunday February 8th </p><p>Frank and I went down to Sunday school. There was no service in our church this morning but we all went to the Presbyterian were Jack Martin &amp; some student held forth at great length on the Forward Movement. Mr. Robertson &amp; Mr. Johnson are both sick.To-night there was a Unnion Service English &amp; Presbyterian in our church and Cousin Willie gave a very nice address &amp; the same Presbyterian studen spoke for a very long time but didn't say much The church was packed. They are about to launch the Forward Movement financial drive and that is the cause of all their activity. While they very emphatically testify that the financial drive is a very insignificant part of the Forward Movement in comparison to the spiritual impetus which they hope to wake up religion, it seems to me rather unfortunate that the financial should be the first to be brought to the notice of the general run of people, as it will give Skeptics plenty of grounds for their contention that it is merely a "money making game." I don't altogether sympathize with the business end of the affair for while I feel that money should be given with out stint to feed &amp; clothe the starving people of Europe and to minister to the physical needs of all people in heathen lands. I can't feel that the real Spirit of Christianity is going to strengthened or increased by simply raising funds as Jack Martin said for such purposes as to increase the salaries of our ministers &amp; missionarys in order that more young men will be attracted to the profession. I'm not a business man and may be that is the reason that but I don't like to hear people talk about putting the work of our church on a "business basis," but as that seems to be what they intend to do I hope I am wrong. Quint. Marj. &amp; I had dinner at Aunty's. Marj. &amp; I spent the after noon there but Quint went for a drive with Bill Oakes so he said, but I think if his statement were to be analyzed it would be found that he was speaking figuratively and Bill would be passed in </p></div> <div class="mw-parser-output"><p>in the feminine gender. Dad. brought Enah &amp; Tid. down to stay to tea about five o'clock and he drove Marj. home &amp; then he and I came home helped Frank do up the chores and we all went down to church to-night. I spent the evening with Marj. Dad. &amp; Enah &amp; Tid. went out to the Shand's this afternoon to see how Flossie was, she is better, but Dad. was very surprised to hear that Fred Doane died very suddenly last night. </p><p>Monday February 9th </p><p>Dad. and Frank have been down in Preston's orchard all morning. I went down to Uncle Ward's this morning to ask him if he would like to go with Dad. out to Fred Doanes funeral. He hadn't heard that he was dead and was very surprised. He called up town and found that the funeral was to be at half-past two. I came home and practised a little at my show cards before dinner. This after noon Dad. &amp; Uncle Ward went out to the funeral and Frank and I spent the after noon doing chores. We did things up early and went down to the men's banquet in the Sunday school. Dad. drove Enah down about four and then came home &amp; stayed with Tid. We had a very nice time. Mr. Bose the Presbyterian student of yesterday, Dr. Maguire &amp; Mr. Muir manager of the Roal Bank in Simcoe gave very nice addresses and as the men from Simcoe had to leave in time to catch the nine o'clock car, we were home early. Enah &amp; I came home but Frank went to the U.F.O. &amp; W.F.N.I. dance in the town hall. Rather cloudy but mild. I just took four chicks from the incubator, so I killed them, they were crippled. </p><p>Tuesday February 10th </p><p>Dad. &amp; Frank were in the orchard all day to-day. I did chores &amp; started a fire in my brooder just to see how it worked. It certainly warmed things up in the colony house. I spent quite a lot of the day working at my show-card lessons I went down town to-night and took Aunty Alice some eggs I went up to see Cousin Loll for awhile and then met Marj. &amp; Miss Martin coming away from the Girl's auxillary meeting so I suggested that we go up to Miss Martin's and eat dough-nuts as she told us Sunday she had made some. We did and were up there till quite late and consumed large quantitys, at least I did. Aunty told me that Jack Martin had given $500.00 to the Forward Movement. </p><p>Wednesday February 11th </p><p>Dad. and Frank were down at Preston's all day. Frank took the saw down to Uncle Ward's this morning and got it set. I cleaned out the colony house this morning. This after noon George Fields was in for awhile to look at the cattle and seemed to take quite a fancy to Maple Hill Nellie. I think though that he was predjuiced in her favor because I told him she was a Pansy which is the cow his {trace} to but I remembered afterwards that I was mistaken as she {traces} to Louisa. I did some show card practising. Enah went to play bridge at Mrs. Battersby's. Jack Martin was in about six o'clock canvassing for the Forward Movement. Frank &amp; I went down town to-night and Frank went to a U.F.O. meeting which he says is worse than the J.F.I.A. They </p></div> <div class="mw-parser-output"><p>wrangled all night trying to decide whether they wanted a car of wire or not and hadn't decided when they broke up. Harry Smith &amp; Steve Powell who have been the hog-buyers are going to quit as the brethren are accusing them of making $50.00 on a car, so if things continue much longer in that direction, I imagine this U.F.O. club will find itself "on the rocks". I didn't go to Simcoe to-night although this was to be the final game of the series and the Dover team played the "Wanderers". I heard the last car come in and a great deal of cheering &amp; racket going on with it but didn't see a soul to find out the result. I have since heard that Dover trimmed the Wanderers 13-6 and so have won the series. They say the Simcoe fellows played a very rough game and Harve Leany got knocked out. </p><p>Thursday February 12th </p><p>Frank promised the "Women's Institute" the other night to haul them a load of gravel to-day as they were having a bee hauling gravel to build a monument to the boys up near the grove of elms they planted. As Jack Martin had our sleighs hauling part of his chicken house up here from Fisherville, Frank went down and borrowed Mr. Flemmings. I went down to the orchard with Dad. This after noon Dad. &amp; Frank went down there but it came up a very heavy &amp; wet snowstorm so they didn't stay long. Frank &amp; Tid. went down to Mrs. Freeman's &amp; Molly's party and I worked at my show card lessons most of the after noon and evening. Very soft &amp; cloudy. Mild all week. </p><p>Friday February 13th </p><p>Frank went down this morning and got another load of saw-dust to put on the ice and then came over to the orchard and got a big load of wood. Dad. &amp; I trimmed up the tree they felled yesterday. This after noon Dad. &amp; Frank worked in the orchard all the after noon and I went to the mill and got some rolled oats and got a small load of wood on the way home. Frank drove me down town to-night and he went down to Nanticoke I got my skates at Aunty's and went to hunt up some skating but couldn't find any so I ran across a bunch of fellows going to the Women's Institute masquerade dance so I went too and had a great time. Sunny &amp; mild. </p><p>Saturday February 14th </p><p>Dad. &amp; Frank worked in the orchard all morning. I went down to the mill and got a bag of bran and stopped in at the orchard and brought a load of wood home, unloaded it and got another load, but it was snowing hard and very soft. This after noon it was snowing so much that they didn't go back to the orchard but Dad. went down town and got his hair cut. I didn't do any thing much till about four o'clock when I started in at the chores but there had been no wind all day to pump so I waited till then in hopes that it would pump a little to let </p></div> <div class="mw-parser-output"><p>the cattle out but it didn't so they had to go thirsty. It began to blow about six o'clock and has turned out quite blustery and much colder to-night. Dad. brought Marj. home with him to tea and Lila came over. Enah had asked Zeitha &amp; Mr. Moore to come over but they didn't show up, we suppose the storm was too bad for Zeitha who has had a bad cold to be out. We spent the evening listening to Marj. &amp; Enah play duets and then I drove the girls home. Aunty Maude asked Quint to go up town and get some meat this morning so Quint by way of celebrating St. Valentine's day brought home a couple of hearts. Then as he was to be alone for tea to-night Aunty Maude &amp; Huby having been invited out and Winnie gone to Brantford Aunty Maude put a heart in the oven for him to keep warm but Quint came home and couldn't find it so didn't have any. </p><p>Sunday February 15th </p><p>It was very cold again this morning and a strong west wind which has kept up all day and night. No-body seems to relish this return of severe cold after the lovely winter weather we have been enjoying for the last couple of weeks. Frank &amp; I went down to Sunday school &amp; church but none of the rest came down. I had dinner and tea at Aunty's. I spent the after noon at the Monteiths. Quint was at Aunty's for tea and none of us went to church to-night, but I spent the evening with Marj. and then as the walking &amp; weather was so disagreeable I stayed all night at Aunty's. </p><p>Monday February 16th </p><p>I shovelled Aunty's snow this morning and as they insisted on getting up and getting my breakfast I didn't get home very early. It didn't matter though as we have not tried to do any thing outside but chores. Dad. went down before dinner and stayed till about five o'clock to-night and went with Aunty Alice up to Cousin Loll's and over to Col. Smith's with Aunty Alice this after noon. Frank and I just sat around this after noon but Frank shovelled out the lane this morning but it will drift full again to-night. It was very cold last night and froze every thing in the kitchen and pantry. It is a little milder to-night but a regular blizzard is raging. The roads are blocked and there have been no {mails?} in all day. Jim came out with a magazine that evidently came Saturday but as he soon went back I suppose he couldn't get through the side road. </p><p>Tuesday February 17th </p><p>Blizzard still on and worse than ever but not very cold. Dad. went down town this morning to see how they all were but came home to dinner. I sat around and read or slept most of the day but this morning went over to Pickford's to see if they knew what Tupper was going to do about his sale. They didn't know so I went on over to Tupper's to make sure because as I promised him I would act as clerk I wanted to be certain. The walking was a fright and I was sure he wouldn't try to have it and I was right, so I spent the rest of the day painting and listening to Dad read "Huckleberry Finn". </p></div> <div class="mw-parser-output"><p>Wednesday February 18th </p><p>The storm abated during the night and to-day has been sunny, still and cold. Dad. went down to Aunty's right after breakfast this morning and Frank and I dug the lane out and about eleven o'clock Frank drove Enah &amp; Tid. down in the bobsleighs. They all stayed down to dinner. We just did chores Jim Bannister walked out with our mail this after noon, the first we have had this week. Tom. Butler &amp; Arthur Pickford were in for a few minutes with the team Tom bought in Toronto. About half past four Frank drove down town and brought the family home. Frank and I went down town to-night. The hockey team was to have gone to Simcoe to play the Vetrans to-night but as no radials are running yet the game is postponed till Friday night. The first victim of the Flu around here for this year was young Billy Butler, Charlie's brother, who died the other day. Another rather surprising piece of news for the community was the wedding of Charlie Innes and Nellie Barber. Aparently they got into a great hurry at the last and as Mr. Johnson is sick drove up to St. John's on Tuesday during all the storm to have Mr. Ward perform the ceremony. Later - I have heard that, that last statement is incorrect. Charlie &amp; Nellie had intended going to Mr. Ward to be married, he being an old freind of Nellie's but as it was so stormy they got Mr. Johnson out of bed to do the job. Miss Newell was telling Aunty about it and said they came up in {Name} Johnsons old covered bus and she thought it was the hearse coming. </p><p>Thursday February 19th </p><p>Dad. and Frank went down to the orchard to-day and to-night reported that they have just one more tree to cut. It was down to about 12° below zero this morning and has been cold but still &amp; sunny all day. I didn't do any thing outside but chores. I read most of the morning and worked at my show card work this after noon. Tid was very busy all morning digging a snow house in a big drift out by the barn and I took some pictures of him at noon. To-night I went down to the Sunday school and we had a meeting of the Tuxis boys which was fairly successful. </p><p>Friday February 20th </p><p>Dad. and Frank went down to the orchard this morning and cut their last tree down and got it trimmed up this after noon. Dad. had to go down to Alfred's right after dinner to look at one of his cows' mouths as she can't eat properly. I did chores, read and worked at my show card lessons a little. Frank left here about five o'clock and took Hazel Ward home and spent the evening down there. I went down town to-night. I got word that the band was going to Simcoe with the hockey team but I didn't go with them although I would have liked to see the game. I think judging from the racket coming from the direction of the station that about half the town went up. I heard the car come in on my way home and heard a little cheering so imagined that the Dover boys had been victorious again, but Frank </p></div> <div class="mw-parser-output"><p>informed me when he got home that he had just met Colin Ryerse who had told him that the Vetrans had won 6-4. I was very much surprised on my way down town to meet George who had come in at five o'clock and had tea at Aunty's. We expected him to-morrow night. Dad. had a letter from Dick to-day which has created a little excitement in the family circle as he told Dad. that he had run across a William Barrett out there who he thinks is the son of Fa's brother who left home at the time of the North &amp; South war and was never heard of afterwards, and who has always supposed to have enlisted and been killed with out ever being married. This fellow told Dick that he had brothers by the names of Hugh, an old family name, and <s>George</s> Robert which was the name of the missing brother, also another named Charlie, one of these has recently died. Dick said this was a rather tough- ooking fellow owing to his need of a barber's service but that he had the large Barrett nose. If Dick has made no mistake it is quite a discovery, but it seems almost incredible that so large a branch of the family could have become so seperated for so many years, especially as there have been several attempts from this side to find traces of the lost brother and as Hugh &amp; Fred Barrett (Aunt Ella's sons) have lived out in that vicinity for so many years. Way below zero this morning but lovely day. </p><p>Saturday February 21st </p><p>We haven't done very much to-day except chores. Dad. and I to George (Broadly) out on the halter for awhile this morning and gave him a good dusting with louse killer. Frank George (Pelly) and Tid shot and dressed a couple of rabbits this morning. I practised a little at my show cards lessons. This after noon all but Dad. and me went in the bobsleighs down town and got Ada Dess and Winnie and took them for a sleigh drive down to the butter factory where Enah got some butter. I was busy doing the chores so didn't go but read and slept for awhile. To-night Frank and George went down to Aunty's for tea and from there they intended going up to Ada's to spend the evening. I read "Much Ado about Nothing." Froze hard last night. Sunny day. Cold wind to-night. </p><p>Sunday February 22nd </p><p>Frank, George, Tid and I all went down to Sunday school this morning and much to my disgust they rung me in for opening the thing as Mr. Johnson is away. Morton {Brown?} took the service in church. Marj. came over here to dinner but through some misunderstanding George &amp; Frank didn't come home but went with Ada to dinner and George brought Ada out here to tea to-night. Marj. and I went for a cutter ride this after noon and took Miss Martin. It was a beautiful after noon and we had a fine drive and nearly upset trying to pass Frank Ryerse on the side road back of Fleming's place. We lost one of Marj's new Christmas kid gloves but went back and found it where we met Frank Ryerse. I went to a meeting to-night that Frank Smith had to make plans for a big meeting Thursday. Went up to see Marj. for awhile afterwards. </p></div> <div class="mw-parser-output"><p>Monday February 23rd </p><p>Dad. and I got some hay over this morning to do to feed up to-night and Frank drove George down to catch the eleven o'clock car. We had an early dinner and I went over to Tupper's quite early but his sale didn't commence till long after the appointed time. There was quite a crowd but the bidding wasn't very keen but some of the stock sold very well. Jim Hodge was auctioneer and I was clerk. We got through with out being caught at making any mistakes and Tupper gave me two dollars for my services. Dad. &amp; Frank were both over but went home before I did. To-night I went down town and had a meeting with the Tuxis boys and we initiated Bill Barwell. I then went over to the Monteith's and found Marj. all dressed up ready to go to the Library dance so we went over there and had a wild time till 1.30. It snowed all morning and has been cloudy but mild all day. </p><p>Tuesday February 24th </p><p>Frank and I went to Simcoe this morning and got four cwt of corn chop at the Co-Operative Store. We took Joe &amp; Queen and didn't lose much time on the road. We also got our clover seed which has been at Edmond's since they cleaned it last fall. We saw Neff and Manning amd I took Neff up to the Air Line station to catch a train for Courtland. We got home about half past one and this after noon I took a sample of very nice white corn over to Jack Martin, Johnson just got it in and thought Jack would like to get some as he doesn't like to feed yellow corn to his exhibition stock, claiming it makes their plumage brassy. Jack thought it was fine looking corn. He asked me what I thought of the Forward Movement Campaign. The Bishop he said was highly delighted with Norfolk County as it was the first in the dioses to reach its objective. He said that the reports we heard were true concerning the Bishop offering Mr. Johnson two other churches and he wouldn't accept them. He is very annoyed at Mr. Johnson and Jack says the next one he refuses there is going to be trouble. I worked at show card lessons all evening. Fine, Cold. </p><p>Wednesday February 25th </p><p>We all three went down to Preston's orchard this morning and hauled three loads of wood. It was quite a job breaking a trail and digging out the piles of limbs as they were well covered with snow. This after noon Frank went down town to get his note to Massey Harris renewed or else to borrow some money to pay it and Dad. and I got over hay for to-night and did up the chores. To-night Dad. Enah &amp; Tid went down to the Pork &amp; Bean supper in the Methodist church and I went down to Aunty's for tea Marj. &amp; Win were there to tea and this evening Marj. &amp; Aunty bound a lot of old books. Frank stayed home alone. Fair day but very cold to-night. </p><p>Thursday February 26th </p><p>Dad. and Frank have been hauling wood all day although there was a biting north wind and Dad. froze his finger </p></div> <div class="mw-parser-output"><p>I carried over hay for the cattle this morning and this after noon went down to the Boy's Work conference in the Sunday school. Mr. Manning &amp; a Mr. McLaren were down and we had a good turnout of boys. Mr. McLaren made things very interesting. We went over for supper at 6.15 to the Methodist Sunday school and after supper had some very rollicking songs and toasts. I had to respond to a toast on Boy's Work but Manning fixed me up a little speech which I got off fairly well. Marj. was there helping with the supper so I went home with her and stayed there for the rest of the evening. Dad. &amp; Enah went over to a party at Jack Martin's. Freezing very hard to-night. </p><p>Friday February 27th </p><p>It was still very cold this morning and we decided it was much too cold to haul wood as Dad. &amp; Frank nearly froze at the job yesterday. We sat around the house all morning and I did another show card lesson and also wrote down to Toronto to register as a C.S.E.I. Mentor. This after noon Frank and I got some hay over and went down to Aunty's for tea so that we could go to see the protested hockey match played off between Dover &amp; the Vets. I hadn't had any intention of going but when the time came I couldn't resist the temptation, although I was too hard up to afford it. It was a fine game in every way. The referee saw every thing that happened and was absolutely impartial and both sides played for all they were worth but Dover just played in hard luck and got badly beaten 10-3. They made any amount of the prettiest shots at the Simcoe goal but the puck just simply wouldn't go in. They started off by scoring two goals in the first period. Then Joe Thompson made three or four very slick rushes and shots in the second period but couldn't score and in the last period they got one goal but Simcoe got five. However it was a fine game and nobody's fault. The Simcoe fellows put up the best game I have seen them play yet. There was an awful crowd went up from Dover, two cars packed, and they made racket enough to wake the dead. Three or four Doc. McQueen, Al. Faulkner, Hontzburger &amp; Jim Brennen got very tight and when we arrived home went up the middle of Main St. Arm in arm advising the Doverites who had followed the team to Simcoe to "pack all their troubles in their old kit bag" and then challenging them with the question "Are we downhearted" whereat Dover would reply with one voice "NO!" I came with Karl Coleman who was very amused at the condition of Huntzberger and Harbach who have to take the L.E.&amp; N. car out in the morning The former was just in good shape to put in a glorious night of it, but Harbach got so tight this after noon in anticipation of the game that Garnet his brother-in-law had to put him to bed and he couldn't go up. Karl didn't see Garnet on the car which caused him some concern as Garnet had some work to do in the morning Karl said he saw Garnet and two others lined up in the station but some body nudged one of them and they all stalked out, which is a sign these days that there is a battle some place accessible. Lloyd Wooley and old Broadley were in this after noon collecting </p></div> <div class="mw-parser-output"><p>fees for old Jason and Broadley informed us that he has gone on a big 200 acre farm at Wycome and won't be down through here with Jason any more. The Tupper family were all here to tea and to spend the evening but I didn't see them. </p><p>Saturday February 28th </p><p>It snowed all day to-day but has been much milder till to-night when the wind started to get around to the north west again and it is freezing pretty hard. We didn't do any thing much but chores and sit around the house. I worked at my show card lessons &amp; read. </p><p>Sunday February 29th </p><p>Frank and I went down to Sunday school and Church this morning but none of the rest came down. I stayed in town all day. Quint and I had dinner at Aunty's and I spent the after noon up at the Monteiths. Marj. and I went for a walk this after noon and called on the Patterson's. We then went down to Aunty's for tea and spent the evening there. Aunty &amp; Aunty Alice went to church to-night and we stayed with Aunt Ida. Dad. &amp; Enah drove up to see how Miss McCoy was this afternoon as she has had shingles badly Frank went out to Sidway's. Cold all day but sunny </p><p>Monday <s>February</s> March 1st </p><p>I had an argument with Quint yesterday about warm water freezing quicker than cold. I claimed that it wouldn't so this morning I tried it out. I took two pans the same size and put a pint of water in each, the temperature of the one was about 120° and the other about 30°. I put them both out in the woodshed and the cold water froze long before the other It had a good skimming of ice on it when the other was about 48 We haven't done anything much to-day. It has been a nice day and we would have hauled wood but Tom Butler wanted to borrow the sleighs to get some hay. Frank went over with him and helped put Pickford's rack on our sleighs. This after noon I walked down town and got my hair cut. I went around by the mill and put up a notice Neff sent of a Farmer's Institute meeting on Thursday. It has been a very nice day, not too cold. </p><p>Tuesday March 2nd </p><p>My throat has been very sore all day and I haven't done much outside. Frank went down to the sawmill this morning and got a load of sawdust to use for bedding in the horse stable. He also took a grist to the mill. He and Dad. hauled up a load of wood this after noon and Frank got his stuff at the mill. Dad. went down to Cousin Clare's to tea to-night and spent the evening. Enah and Tid drove Mexico down in the after noon and put him in John Shand's barn and they were at Cousin Clare's too. Frank and I kept house by ourselves. Edmond England left his horse in here while he went to help Dick Waddle drive a cow up from Pickford's which he bought at {Kinsula's?} sale to-day. </p></div> <div class="mw-parser-output"><p>Wednesday March 3rd </p><p>My throat has been pretty sore all day and I haven't done much except a few chores and work at my show-cards. Dad. &amp; Frank hauled wood all day and now have it all up but one load. To-night Frank and I went down to church and I went home with Marj afterwards I didn't intend to stay but she wanted me to help her fill out her report cards and then she made me let her swab my throat with some dope. Mild all day but freezing to-night. </p><p>Thursday March 4th </p><p>Dad. and Frank hauled up their last load of wood this morning there will be a little more from the dead limbs that have yet to be cut out. When that was unloaded we put a load of manure on the sleighs from the box stalls in the horse stable and after dinner Dad. &amp; Frank took it down to Aunty's. Aunty Alice walked over here before dinner. She went over to Mrs. Battersby's from here. She knew I was going down to the boys' meeting to-night so asked me down to tea but I read for quite awhile after dinner so didn't get the chores done in time. Frank and I went down to-night and Frank went to a Agricultural meeting of Neff's in the hall. I went to the boys' meeting and then down to Auntys. Marj. was there and had been there to tea. Mr. &amp; Mrs. Will Holden &amp; Miss Buckwell were there playing bridge. I went up with Marj. and then as it was raining stayed at Auntys all night. Frank came home. Very soft &amp; slushy. Raining to-night. </p><p>Friday March 5th </p><p>I woke up about half past three this morning and saw through Aunty's back hall window an awful fire so I got into my clothes as quickly as possible to go up to see it. I called Aunty &amp; Aunty Alice and Aunty Alice thought at once that it was the Post Office block &amp; found out that she was right. When I got up town the whole building was gone &amp; just the flaming brick walls standing. They told me that not a thing was saved. I didn't stay up town long but went back to Aunty's and we had breakfast. Then Aunty Alice wanted to go up and see how Cousin Loll was so I walked up with her. We thought they would have taken her to Cousin Clare's but her house was dark so we went into the Freeman's which was lit up and found Cousin Loll &amp; Willie &amp; Dick &amp; Mollie all in there. Cousin Loll was wrapped up in a quilt and said she had lost all her clothes but one stocking. Dick said the smoke was so bad he couldn't save a thing except a few clothes which he grabbed out of the bureau drawer and the hall rack. He tried to get the safe open to save what was in it but couldn't see to do it in the dark and there was no one to help him move it. The fire started in the back of Patterson's shed nobody knows how and young Johnnie Innes who is the night telephone operator gave the alarm but it was too far on when any one got there to stop it. I came home about six o'clock and found Dad. &amp; Frank up. Dad. was terribly shocked at the news of the fire and went down town as soon as he got the chores done </p></div> <div class="mw-parser-output"><p>Frank also went down after dinner to hear a trial between Lloyd Crysler and Earl Long over some hay deal. Lloyd was the defendant and won the case. I did up the chores after dinner but felt pretty tough and when I got through I was afraid I was going to have an ear-ache so I curled up on the sofa for the rest of the day and Enah kept hot salt bags on my ear which staved off the pain pretty well and I went to bed soon after tea. Dad. came home early and he and Frank did all the chores. Dad. says they have opened the Post Office down in Harold Sloan's old ice cream parlor and Patterson is opening an store and telephone &amp; telegraph office up in Coleman's little shack where Huby used to be. It was raining when I went up to the fire this morning but about five o'clock the wind switched around to the north-west and it got very cold and still is. </p><p>Saturday March 6th </p><p>I stayed in bed till noon to-day and have not been outside all day but to-night I feel better. It has been bitterly cold all day and windy. Dad. and Frank have down all the chores and Frank took Joe down town this after noon and had her shod. He also took down the bag of good clover seed to Harry Misener and he gave him $67.00 for it but didn't weigh it up then. Dad. went to the doctor yesterday to ask him about his arm as it has been paining him a lot lately. The doctor didn't know what it was but gave him some pills to take. </p><p>Sunday March 7th </p><p>Frank went down to Sunday school and church this morning but I have not been out of the house all day although I feel better. Aunty came over with Frank to dinner and was here all the after noon. Dad. went back with her to tea and I think he went up to see Cousin Loll to-night. Lloyd Ryerse came up just after dinner and he &amp; Frank went over and spent the after noon at the England's. Still very cold. </p><p>Monday March 8th </p><p>I have been in the house all day again to-day but would have gone out if the weather had been decent but it has been very windy and blustery although not very cold. Dad. and Frank just did chores. I still have quite a cold in my head but my throat is much better. I spent the day reading "Troilus &amp; Cressida" which I didn't care much for. It's representation of the Trojan war and the Grecian heroes was rather tame after the "Illiad". I went out this after noon to gather the eggs and found the two white roosters had got together and had a battle royal and were both about all in. The one that was with the pullets has died and the other one will come around I think. He is the one I was most particular about as his mother is 74 last year's best layer. He is the only rooster I have now as Dad. killed my Rock one the other day, he was sick. </p><p>Tuesday March 9th </p><p>This has been a beautiful Springlike day and sunny </p></div> <div class="mw-parser-output"><p>A great deal of snow has gone off and water is standing around everywhere. It grew very cloudy and looked like rain towards evening but the rain didn't come. I have been out a lot to-day and feel fine but as it is so wet there is nothing much but chores to do, they will begin to increase from now on however as when Frank went out this morning he found that two ewes had lambed one of Dad's ewes had two lambs and No 55 had one. It was a mild night and they are all right. The lambs are we suppose sired by the yearling that got in with the ewes two or three times last fall as old Archie was not put in till after the 1st of November. George Ryersie was in to-night to say the boys were having a meeting to-night but I didn't go down. Frank went down town with him. </p><p>Wednesday March 10th </p><p>It didn't freeze last night and has been very soft all day. We just did chores this morning and I painted a little. I got my lesson back to-day which I supposed was burned up with the Post Office. I had another one all ready to post. Tom. Butler was in and borrowed the sleighs to haul some oats. This after noon Frank went out to Lige Farr's sale. Farr was selling a lot of sheep and some stuff he didn't want. Frank said things went pretty well as they were not in very good shape. Dad. has felt very miserable all the after noon he thinks due to the pills Dr. Cook gave him. Enah has not been well either. Miss Phipps was over for awhile this after-noon. To-night Frank and I went down to church and I spent the evening with Marj. It was freezing slightly when I came home. </p><p>Thursday March 11th </p><p>There was another big ewe lamb belonging to No 15 when Frank went out this morning, they are all doing well. We did chores and I painted a little this morning. I also cleaned off the dropping boards in the hen houses as the frost was all out and they hadn't been cleaned all winter. I went down town this after noon and took 9 doz. eggs down, sold 4 doz to Aunty Alice and 5 doz to {Name?}. I stayed at Aunty's for tea and to-night went up to the Tuxis {boys'} social evening in the Sunday school and the Methodist boys were there and a lot of girls There must have been abut {40?}. They had quite an hilarious time and seemed to enjoy themselves. Marj. &amp; Mrs. Cook were there and they engineered the eating part of the affair. </p><p>Friday March 12th </p><p>It rained during the night and every thing was flooded to-day but by opening up a few ditches a great deal was run off. Frank fixed up a pen for the ewes with lambs over in the barn. He cut through the hay on the east side of the floor and threw half of it up on the other half and made a nice light pen for the lambs we moved them in and they got very playful. Mrs. Tupper came after Frank this morning to get him to go out to </p></div> <div class="mw-parser-output"><p>Villa Nova with Tupper to help him move his cattle. Tom Butler and his partner were in this after noon with the sleighs and said Tupper and Frank didn't get started till two o'clock so it would be late when they got out there. Frank didn't come back to-night. They say the water down along Shand's flat was up to a horse's belly on the road so they will have had a nice trip. Dad. and I cleaned out Moonshine's box-stall. I went down town to-night. Manning came down and we had a meeting with some of the boys from both squares to arrange about athletic activities for the summer. I spent the rest of the evening with Marj. and went over to call for Aunty Alice at Col. Smith's at eleven o'clock. </p><p>Saturday March 13th </p><p>It has been very windy and cold all day to-day and Dad. and I haven't done any thing but chores and sit around the house. Enah felt very miserable this after noon and had an earache. About six o'clock she and Tid got quite a scare as the chimbney or at least the soot in the stove pipe in the kitchen caught fire and filled the room with smoke. They called Dad. &amp; me in from the barns but we couldn't find any trace of fire up in the garret or near the chimney so nothing serious happened. I didn't go down town to-night as it was a rotten cold night. Enah had hoped to take some things down to Cousin Loll's shower which they had for her but she couldn't go. Frank got home about eleven. He came down from Waterford on the car. He had a bad trip. </p><p>Sunday March 14th </p><p>Frank and I went down to Sunday school and church this morning and Aunty Alice came over here with Frank to dinner but I stayed down at Aunty's for both dinner and tea. Quint came down at noon and he and I went down to the creek for a little while after dinner to look at muskrat holes and then we went up town. He to Joe Thompson's and I spent the after noon with Marj. who was suffering from toothache. I went around before tea to ask after poor old Tom Abbott. Huby found him yesterday on the doorstep of the cobbler shop and he couldn't move or speak and is still only semiconscious. Huby &amp; someone else got him up to Alex Simpson's They say there will not be much change till a day or two. Aunty and I went to church to-night. Mr. Base preached. Cold wind but feels like spring. </p><p>Monday March 15th </p><p>Frank and I went down to Preston's this morning and cut the dead wood out of about six or seven trees as it was part of our contract to cut the dead wood out of the tree next to the one we cut down. Dad. Enah &amp; Tid went down town this morning and were down to dinner and all the after noon, and went to see Cousin Loll. Frank and I just did chores this after noon. Very mild and showery to-night. </p><p>Tuesday March 16th </p><p>Dad. noticed yesterday that Cnocfierna was not eating </p></div> <div class="mw-parser-output"><p>properly, so he and I tried to examine her mouth. We couldn't see much but he poked around with his float and knocked the cap off one of her teeth. He said he had never heard of a cow having capped teeth like colts but didn't see why they shouldn't have. To-night he found another one so we think that from now on she will be able to eat properly. Alan Law came in while we were out there and took Dad. down to look at a caulked hock on a new horse he bought last fall and which caulked itself running through a snow bank. Dad. was down there till noon. He has not felt very well this after noon. After I did up the after dinner chores I took a walk back to the woods and across Ivey's gully into Preston's woods. The snow is about all off the level now and just in the cuts and on the north side of hills are there banks left of honey combed dirty snow. I saw Old Walker and Benny &amp; Charlie &amp; Guy Tuple working up the big trees in Preston's which the big wind storm took down. Sunny &amp; spring like but cold wind. </p><p>Wednesday March 17th </p><p>I haven't done much to-day but chores. Frank has been fixing up some old doubletree getting them ready for seeding. Dad. went over to Quanbury's this morning to see Charlie's cow which got into the chop the other day and has been bloated up ever since. He found Karl Coleman there skinning her. Poor Charlie does have tough luck. Dad. hasn't felt at all well all day to-day and his arm is paining him to-night again. Enah is feeling miserable too Frank and I did up the chores early to-night and Frank went down to Aunty's for tea. I went down right after tea and went with Aunty Alice to church to-night. After church Marj. and I went over to the entertainment put on by J.W. Bengough for the local post of the Grand Army of Canada. He was certainly amusing both as a cartoonist and talker. He drew a picture of old Fred over at the Dominion Hotel which was a very good likeness of him and which tickled the boys in the gallery immensley, he also made a {illegible} Irish {mug?} out of a potato and and English one out of a plum pudding and also a Scotch one out of a thistle. There was a dance after the show but we didn't stay. </p><p>Thursday March 18th </p><p>Dad. went over to see John Wess this morning and didn't get back till about two o'clock and hadn't had any dinner. Joh is over there all alone now as Cam. &amp; his wife have gone back home to settle up their affairs before coming back here to look after John. Frank went down to the butter factory this morning to get some butter as no one has called since poor old Tom had the stroke. Cliff Loan told Frank they had no one yet to take Tom's place. This after noon Sam Law was in for quite awhile, he brought some puss he got out of his horse's back to show it to Dad. and ask him if it was joint water. Frank said </p></div> <div class="mw-parser-output"><p>Alan was going to Simcoe this after noon to hear Roy Haven tried for stealing oats from the Norfolk Milling Co. Frank &amp; Tid spent most of the after noon clearing up the rubbish on the lawn under the old willow tree. I didn't do much but chores all day and painted a little. I went down to the Tuxis boys meeting to-night and was there till about 10.45 practising charting on {Hermon?} Cook and then only got him about half charted. I went from there down to Aunty's and stayed till about mid-night telling them about the Bengough concert. It has been sunny but rather raw to day. </p><p>Friday March 19th </p><p>Frank and I started to clean out the box stall where the steers have been all winter. We intended to haul it out to the field but it started to rain and by noon was raining quite hard so we just threw it in a pile outside the door. It turned colder about noon and to-night the ground is covered with snow again. I did chores and we cleaned out a little more this after noon but didn't finish. Frank notified all the J.F.I.A. members of the annual meeting. Dad hasn't done much all day and I think the rest his arm is getting is doing it good. I went down to band practise to-night. There were about 18 out including some new ones. Jim. Ryerse. Karl Lemmons and Joey Smith. We had a good practise and stayed there till half past ten. It is freezing quite hard to night. </p><p>Saturday March 20th </p><p>Frank and I finished clearing out the stall where the steers were this morning and hauled it out to the potato ground on the sleighs. There was just enough snow to make the first load slip but it was about gone when we took the last one out. Aunty was over here to dinner and she Enah and Tid. drove down town with Mexico this after-noon. Alan Law was up this morning to see Dad. again about his horse, so Dad. drove down this after noon. Frank and I just did chores. I painted to-night. Fine day, sunny </p><p>Sunday March 21st </p><p>Frank Tid. and I went down to Sunday school and Enah came down to church. Enah Tid. and I stayed at Aunty's for dinner and this after noon Enah went to choir practise and to after noon tea at the Barwell's. Marj. &amp; I went for a walk this after noon and saw a robin &amp; some red-winged black-birds. I have heard that robins have been around for some time but to-day was the first I saw one. Marj. and I went to Aunty's for tea and this evening entertained (?) Aunt Ida by singing hymns while Aunty and Aunty Alice went to church. Tid. stayed at Aunty's for tea but drove home with Enah right after. Mexico was in John Shand's barn. It has been fine and Springlike but with a raw west wind. Frank went over to see Tom. Butler and his pal this after noon </p></div> <div class="mw-parser-output"><p>Monday March 22nd </p><p>Frank has been down at Preston's all day trimming up the dead limbs. He also went over to Henry Miseners to see when they wanted to cut wood but Henry wasn't home. Dad. and I moved the bulls into the place where the steers were, where we can keep them clean. We took down the calf stancions and cleaned out the calves boxstall. To-night Frank and I went down to the annual meeting of the J.F.I.A. and there were just enough boys to form a quorum. Clarence Finch suggested that we dissolve the thing and use what money we had about $25.00 to buy some good agricultural book to put in the Library. Every one agreed to the proposal except Charlie Blake who didn't want to dissolve, however the motion carried. We were all surprised to-day by Frank and me receiving forty dollars apiece from Grand daddy from the sale of some property out there. It came just in time for me to get a new suit. The Northern Lights were wonderful to-night. Beautiful day. </p><p>Tuesday March 23rd </p><p>Frank gathered up all the saws he could find this morning and took them down to Dave Waddle's to sharpen them. Dave saw him the other night and invited him down so he was there to dinner. I went over to Preston's and took the dead wood out of the two trees that were left. This afternoon I drove out to Shand's and bargained for a couple of loads of hay, which we are to get as soon as we can manage it. I went from there down to the cheese factory and got some butter as no one is hauling yet in Tom's place The roads are very heavy although not deep and in some places quite dry, it was after six when I got home. I brought Cliff Lown up from the factory with me. I went down town to-night and spent the evening with Marj. Fine day. </p><p>Wednesday March 24th </p><p>I went down town first thing this morning and went to Tip's and tried on some ready-made suits. I picked on one $42.00 Navy Blue that suited me pretty well, but I told Harry I wouldn't decide till I went to Simcoe. I went up on the eleven o'clock car and went to see Neff about the books the J.F.I.A. want to donate to the Library. I then went over to Inscombe &amp; Vance and they showed me a piece of Navy Blue Irish serge they call it which the fellow said they had cut a great many suits of and he said he would guarantee it to be fast dye and all wool so I ordered a suit of it at $55.00. It seemed pretty steep but I thought the guarantee was worth something. I came home on the express car and went up to tell Col. Smith who is Chairman of the Library Board about the books and so it was about five o'clock when I got home I found Frank was away as Edmond England had sent for him to help cut wood just after I left. To-night he &amp; </p></div> <div class="mw-parser-output"><p>I went down town he went to church and I went to band practice. Aunty Alice went to Hamilton this morning to have her glasses changed and as Aunt Ida has been quite sick all day with a pain in her side I stayed down all night to-night. Another beautiful day, mild </p><p>Thursday March 25th </p><p>Frank and I went over to Henry Misener's this morning to help cut wood and were there till about four o'clock. We didn't get started very early as the cylinder of Edmond's gasoline engine was leaking and they had to take the head off and repack it, but we cut up a pile of wood when we did start. We had lots of help as besides ourselves and Henry &amp; Edmond, there was Charlie McQueen, Guy Tuple, Dick Waddle &amp; Tom Stone. They moved over and got set up at our place and we cut a little but Edmond &amp; Henry wanted to get home so we quit early. I went down to the Tuxis boys meeting to-night and stopped in on my way down to ask Jack Martin to send over a man to help us in the morning. Frank went over to {Tom Butler's?} and one of them promised to come over and help. Quite hot to-day </p><p>Friday March 26th </p><p>It was colder and windy this morning and looked like rain but it didn't come and we got started before nine at our wood and finished the pile just at noon. Tom Butler and a man came over from Jack's which besides Henry &amp; Edmond was all the help we had. After dinner we loaded up &amp; moved over to Arthur Prestons. Frank and I went down there &amp; helped but it didn't take much more than half an hour to saw Arthur's little pile up. Frank and I stayed down there for awhile talking to Arthur and then came home and did chores and I went down town to-night and about eleven went over to Col. Smith's and called for Aunty Alice. Trying hard to rain. </p><p>Saturday March 27th </p><p>We haven't done much all day but chores. Frank found two more lambs when he went out this morning one of them isn't much bigger than a red squirrel and is very weak but Dad. has it in the house feeding it from a spoon. Another ewe lambed a little later. This after noon Dad. went down to ask after old Tom, and said he was very low, and to-night when I went down I heard he was dead. Poor old Tom. we certainly are going to miss his visits and his wit, but maybe for him it would have been much harder to live and see the old lady suffer the way she is or to live with out her as she can't last much longer. I went down to Col. Smiths for tea to-night, Mrs Smith had her boys there and invited Marj. &amp; me. Mr. &amp; Mrs. Johnston were also there and we had a great time. I started for home quite early but stopped in at Frank Smiths and talked to him till near 12 o'clock Roy, Vernon &amp; the children all came up to-day to stay till after Easter. </p></div> <div class="mw-parser-output"><p>Sunday March 28th </p><p>Frank Tid. and I went down to Sunday school and church this morning and Tid. and I stayed down to dinner. Enah has a bad cold and sore throat so didn't go down to church but went down this after noon to choir practice. Marj. &amp; I went for a walk up the beach this after noon. The lake is lower than I ever saw it, the beach being from 40 to 70 ft wide in places. We also went around to Miss McQueen's for awhile and she gave us tea and cookies. Miss Martin was there, this being her birthday. Aunty Alice, Vernon and I went to church to-night and I spent the evening with Marj. Mr. Johnston announced a meeting to-morrow night to consider the question of whether to take the steeple down or not as since the sheeting blew off it last fall some of them have got it into their heads that it is unsafe. Col. Smith &amp; Jack Martin seem to think that it will have to come down and as the idea of that church without the steeple seemed like a crime to me I climbed up this after noon and as far as I could see only the sills around the posts and the sheeting are a little rotten but perfectly solid and <s>as far as I</s><s> can see</s> it would cost much less to repair it than to take it down. To remove that steeple would not only destroy the beauty of the church which really is pretty but it would take away the most outstanding and picturesque feature of the town. Roy &amp; Jack Walker looked at it too and came to the same conclusion as I did. </p><p>Monday March 29th </p><p>Dad. had to be a bearer at Mrs. Chapman's funeral to-day and as they brought her here he had to go down to meet the morning train at eleven. Frank drove him down and he stayed down to dinner. I didn't do much but a few chores and painted this after noon. Frank has been pretty busy with the sheep as several more ewes lambed to-day. To-night he went down to Aunty's for tea as they had invited him &amp; Jennie Ward down there. Marj. came over here for tea. Fine day colder to-night. </p><p>Tuesday March 30th </p><p>We spent the morning doing up the chores. The lambs are coming thick and fast now and require considerable attention. This after noon Dad. and I went to old Tom's funeral. We took Tid. down and left him at Aunty's to visit with Rebecca while we drove up to the cemetry. Dad. went to the service at the house but I stayed out and held Joe. and talked to Alan Law. Alan misses Tom about as much as anyone but like old Tom himself he takes good care not to betray his feelings by his line of talk. To-night Frank and I went down town and I went around with Marj. but soon after we went in she was seized with a terrible toothache or neuralgia so I didn't stay long. Thank's to Roy's energy the result of last night's meeting was that Huby, Cousin Willie and Barwell were appointed as a committee to have Bill Rankin, Percy Ryerse &amp; Jack Spain to look at the old steeple this morning which they did and </p></div> <div class="mw-parser-output"><p>came to the conclusion that it will not be necessary to tear it down. These three were all very anxious to have it left but Roy feels certain that if he had not urged them to go and had not examined the steeple himself that the outcome would have been that Jack Martin and a few others who don't care much would have just had it torn down to be done with it. Very mild, rained a little. </p><p>Wednesday March 31st </p><p>Frank and I have been down at Preston's all day burning brush and got the brush from 8 or 9 trees burned just by starting a fire over the stump and carrying to it. In this way we could burn the brush from several trees at once. Roy, Vernon, Aunty and the two children were over here to dinner. Aunty &amp; Roy walked back early and wheeled Walter in a go-cart they had borrowed and Enah drove Vernon and Rebecca down about five o'clock. Frank had to go over to Jack Martin's to night to get instructions in doing the chores Billy Mills is sick with flu and Hanselman is leaving to day and going up to Jack Paine's place so they stuck for help and Frank is going over to help old Bill George out. Frank and I went down town to-night and I went to band practice. </p><p>Thursday April 1st </p><p>Frank was over at Jack's all morning. Dad. and I went down to Preston's this morning and burned some more brush. This after noon Frank and I went up to Ham Thompsons and got a small load of hay, as we are not going to have enough of our own to get us through. Frank got off on our way home to do up the chores at Jack's. I went down to the Tuxis boys meeting to-night. I expected Manning to be there but he had been down earlier and sent Neff down. Neff gave the boys a little talk. When it was over I went around to see Marj. her toothache was better. She intends leaving for home to-morrow for the holidays. It has been a beautiful day to-day. Bobbie calved to-day a red &amp; white bull. Moonshine's first. </p><p>Friday April 2nd Good Friday </p><p>Dad. &amp; I didn't go down to the orchard this morning as we had several jobs around here to do. We moved Bobbie and ear-marked a couple of the lambs. The old big bagged ewe had two lambs to-day but evidently has very little milk for them so Dad. brought one of them in the house and has been feeding from a bottle. Enah went down to church this morning and I painted a little. It rained quite hard about noon but soon cleared off and Dad. and I went down to the orchard and burned some more brush. It went all right once we got it started. Frank and Tid. went down to Alfreds and borrowed his fish spear and went back to spear pike but had no luck, although we have heard wonderful stories of the fish being caught in our gully this spring. Very mild all day but it has turned colder and windy to-night. </p></div> <div class="mw-parser-output"><p>Saturday April 3rd </p><p>Dad. and I went down to the orchard this morning to burn brush but it was so windy Dad. and Arthur decided it would be dangerous to start a fire, so we came home and I walked down to the creamery to get some butter as we were right out. I went down to Ryerse's and then walked up along the creek to the second bridge. I saw several of the fellows back there working on the land either on the side hills or on the flats which dry out quickly on account of the gravel bottom. Roy Hammond was at the factory and he gave me a ride as far as his place on my way home. I came through Tom Butler's place and stopped to talk to them for awhile so it was after one o'clock when I got home. We didn't do any thing much this after noon as it was very cold and windy. Freezing to-night. </p><p>Sunday April 4th Easter. </p><p>(Martha's calf (bull) came to-day) I went down to Sunday school this morning and the rest went down to church except Frank who had to help old Bill George do chores over at Jack Martin's. Vernon came over here to dinner with Enah and Roy and I walked over after having dinner at Aunty Alice's. We didn't do any thing extraordinary for the rest of the day. Roy and Vernon left early in the after noon to go to Huby's for tea. Frank went down to the Ryerse's this after noon Lloyd &amp; George have been sick and are not much better yet. Miserable cold raw day </p><p>Monday April 5th </p><p>Dad. &amp; Tid went down first thing this morning to see Roy, Vernon &amp; Aunty off as they thought they were going at nine o'clock, they didn't get away till eleven though Aunty went back with them to spend a week. It has been a miserable day with ice over every thing from last night's ice storm. To-night I went down to the Vestry meeting as I promised Mr. Johnston I would. He asked me to act as secretary for the meeting so I had to go over to the Rectory afterwards to copy in the minutes. I had intended getting my hair cut but Mrs. Johnston invited me to crackers, cheese &amp; wine, and Mr. Johnston gave me a cigar so I sat there till too late to go to the barbers. They have had quite a day of it down there as Percy Dunkin &amp; Miss Baugley were married to-day and they entertained the party at the Rectory. It was wine that Percy brought down that we were making merry with to-night. I stayed all night at Aunty Alice's as Aunty is away although Aunty Alice said she intended to stay alone, however she had the bed ready for me if I intended to stay. Cold. </p><p>Tuesday April 6th </p><p>Dad. and I did chores this morning and this after noon Frank and I went up to Ham Thompson's and got the rest of the hay that he said we could have </p></div> <div class="mw-parser-output"><p>Frank stopped off at Jack's to do chores and Dad. and I put part of the load off in the horse stable, just as we were getting through the chores which was rather late George &amp; Marion came in. They had come on the five o'clock car and had had tea with Aunty Alice. We were expecting them some time to-night as George sent a telegram. Miserable weather, snowing to-night. </p><p>Wednesday April 7th </p><p>We haven't done much but chores to-day and I have been working on the last lesson of my show card course. It is quite a long one and I want to finish it up this week if possible. Enah drove George &amp; Marion down town with Mexico this afternoon and they got a suitcase which they had left down town. I went down to band practise to-night. I went around to Harry Dyer's first and got my hair cut. We hadn't a big crowd out as it was a rotten night freezing hard and {Grint?}, Mid. and Erney West are up the lake fishing. Bill Lemmons was in a exceptionally good humor though They say he is going to be married soon to Lou. Dixon but she hasn't got him yet. Cold and extremely rotten. </p><p>Thursday April 8th </p><p>Dad. George and I went down to Preston's this morning and burned some more brush. Henry was there burning his to-day. This after noon Dad. &amp; I went down alone and finished burning ours. I went down to the Tuxis boy's meeting to-night we didn't have a regular meeting but the boys were making plans for their father &amp; son banquet next Tuesday, we had a very short session and I got home early. It has been a nasty day. Sunny by "spells" and a snow storm every half hour. </p><p>Friday April 9th </p><p>Dad. George. Tid and I went down to the orchard this morning and helped Henry burn the rest of his brush. We got it all slicked up in fine shape before noon and Arthur complimented us on the thoroughness with which we did the job. George and I went over to see the old McQueen cemetry. I worked at my show card lessons this after noon. George went down town while Marion was asleep after dinner and invited Ada to go to the dance with him to-night. Marion went down town after him as soon as she woke up and brought him back for tea. After tea George left early to get Ada. and Frank, Enah and Marion went down later to a concert and dance put on by the Rebecca Lodge from Delhi. They said the dance was good but the concert was rotten. Dad. Tid and I stayed home and I worked at my show card lesson. A little milder but raw. </p><p>Saturday April 10th </p><p>Frank and I went out to the Shands this morning to </p></div> <div class="mw-parser-output"><p>get a load of hay which they promised us. We had to go over to Willie's place to get it and as we were going under their telephone wire which crossed the lane the back ladder of the rack caught it and broke off clean both legs. Frank and Charlie fixed it up but it took quite awhile and it was nearly noon by the time we left with our load, we took it down to Kolbe's to weigh it and as it was after twelve when we arrived there, the office was locked up and we had to wait for our weight till one o'clock, when Kolbe came along. I went over to Huby's for awhile as he stays at the office till one o'clock on Saturdays. It was pretty late when we got home with our load and didn't do much but chores after dinner after we had put off the load most of it in the horse stable. Dad. went over to Jack's in Frank's place this morning. Frank will be through over there to-morrow as Billy is feeling well enough to get out. I went down to the station to-night and met Marj. she came back on the Grand Trunk. Milder to-day. </p><p>Sunday April 11th </p><p>I went down to Sunday school this morning and Enah went down to church but none of the rest went down. I stayed at Aunty's for dinner and spent the after noon with Marj. part of it delivering maple sugar, she brought back a load of it from home and had to divide it up and give it away. We both came over here for tea and I helped Dad. milk, all the family except Dad. and Frank were out for a joy-ride in Joe Thompson's car, Quint came over here to dinner with Enah and Joe came over after dinner to get him so took them all for a drive up around by Simcoe. We all spent the evening here and Enah and Marion played duets. Tid went to bed early and was very quiet and seems to realize that to-night sees the close of the first epoch of his career, his childhood days are over, and to-morrow he will be a school-boy. </p><p>Monday April 12th </p><p>Dad. and Enah took Tid. down to school this morning and left him quite happy with Miss McQueen, who he fell in love with at first sight. Frank and I spent most of the morning clipping Mexico. It rained most of the after noon. Jim. Bannister came in right after dinner with the lower half of the circle of his buggy broken and had to borrow ours to go around the mail route. We didn't do any thing much this after noon but chores. Dad. drove after Tid. at four o'clock with Mexico and the cart. We were all home to-night. George &amp; Marion intend to leave to-morrow and George is going West right away. </p><p>Tuesday April 13th </p><p>Dad. drove Tid down to school first thing this morning and as soon as he got back I drove George down </p></div> <div class="mw-parser-output"><p>as he wanted to go and say good bye to the Harding's and Ada. Enah drove Marion down a little later with Mexico and they got off on the eleven car. I went down to Frank Smith's to ask him how the Father &amp; Son banquet was progressing and he said all arrangements had been completed. This after noon Frank and I put the ear labels in the rest of the lambs. We both went down soon after six to the Father &amp; Son banquet in the Methodist church and had a rattling good supper and as I had to leave at 8.20 to meet Aunty I got out of listening to most of the speeches. Bill Barwell &amp; Joe Smith proposed toasts and were answered by Mr. Brand and a Mr. Neil who came with Manning, then a Mr. Dollar who I think is liable to succeed Mr. Brand in the Methodist pulpit this year. They were all pretty poor, but but Frank said that Taylor Statten who spoke for about an hour after I left was very good. The train got in about nine o'clock and I went up to the house with Aunty and then went up and spent the rest of the evening with Marj. Sunny and a little milder to-day. </p><p>Wednesday April 14th </p><p>Frank and I went to Simcoe this morning to get some feed at Johnson's. We borrowed Art. Quanbury's waggon as ours had the rack on it and as we went over there after it, we didn't get started till about ten o'clock. It was nearly noon when we got there so Frank took his wheel around to Ford's to be fixed and we took some bags up to Johnson's and then put the team in at Burt's and went and had dinner at Shaw's. It was four o'clock before we left Simcoe. I got my new suit and went to Slaght who didn't know any more about the Dickey Stevens place than he did last fall We couldn't get any bran or shorts anywhere up there but got our seed potatoes and some seed corn. It was nearly six when we got home. Dad. said Roy Hammond had been in to invite us all down to a U.F.O. social meeting to-night and hear a debate on the subject of an 8 hour day on the farm. I went down to band practise to-night and went to the U.F.O. meeting after it. The debate was just about over but we heard <s>the</s> a quartette composed of Frank Lemons, Fram. Walker, Mrs. Welch &amp; Mrs. Roy Hammond sing and a violin duet. Then some old Frank Ryerson from Teeterville or some place made a long rambling agitating speech in which he made several comparisons between the poor down trodden farmer and the wealthy autocratic city-man all of which was bunk. He is a witty and comical old coon but a {rube?} in manners, looks and speech, but evidently a high man in U.F.O. circles. After this we had refreshments, which were good, and plentiful. </p></div> <div class="mw-parser-output"><p>Thursday April 15th </p><p>Dad went out to the corner field and tried to plow this morning but it was too wet and he had to come up. Frank and I cut the tails off 14 more lambs and then Frank drove Tid. down to school. I braided up the corn we got in Simcoe yesterday and hund it up in the drive house. It started to rain before noon and rained all the afternoon and night. Dad. went over to John Wesses this after noon and was there till after five. We did chores and puttered around. I went down town to-night to see if the Tuxis boys were going to meet but they didn't. I had on Frank's rubber boots so thought I would go home but I took a walk up to the Monteith's and saw Marj. near the door so knocked and she let me in. She got me old Monteith's slippers which nearly pinched my feet off and caused the old man considerable concern when he went to look for them later. Frank went down to a minstrel show composed of Simcoe Methodists in the town hall. </p><p>Friday April 16th </p><p>We started to fix up the lane a little this morning Dad. &amp; Frank plowed three furrows on each side of it and I threw the sods out in the middle. A little before noon Tom. Butler came over after Dad. to go and see a ewe that was lambing so Dad. went over and didn't get back till after three and didn't have any dinner Frank worked a little more at the lane this after noon and fixed up a lamb creep. I spent most of the after noon doing chores. Wore my new suit down town to-night and they all said it looked fine. Nice day </p><p>Saturday April 17th </p><p>Dad. and I have spent most of the day piling wood and didn't quite finish but made things look quite a bit better than they did. Frank went down town this morning and up to Miss McCoy's where he found we could get two tons of hay for $25.00 a ton. He went out to Evans and got the wheel of the old waggon which he took out there the other day. Evans had put in a piece of a rim and two new spokes and only charged $2.50. Frank put it on the old waggon this after noon and went down town and got a load of sawdust to use in the horse stable for bedding. Dad. went down to see Aunty to-night. Very windy, mild. </p><p>Sunday April 18th </p><p>Tid and I went down to Sunday school this morning and Frank came down but was too late for sunday school and too early for church so went up the beach. I stayed at Aunty's for dinner and this after noon Marj. and I went over to Prestons &amp; Ivey's woods and </p></div> <div class="mw-parser-output"><p>gathered a big bunch of may flowers. We came up through the gully to the house and found Aunty Alice here She went home before tea, but Marj. stayed here for the evening. Frank was over at the Sidway's and didn't get home till nearly seven but as I was home I helped Dad. do the chores. It has been a beautiful day, east breeze. </p><p>Monday April 19th </p><p>Frank and I went out to the Shand's first thing this morning and got another load of hay. They told us we could have enough to make up a ton but we put on as much if not more than we had last time and the last load weighed 1580, but Willie said they would call the two loads 3000 and only charged us $18.00 a ton for it. It was easily worth $25.00 according to what we would have to pay anywhere else. We put it all off in the horse stable and right after dinner we went up to Miss McCoy's and got a load. It took us quite awhile to put it on and coming out of the barn we had to make a very short turn and broke a trace but were able to shorten it and go on. We took it down and weighed it and it was 1910 but heavier hay. Fine day </p><p>Tuesday April 20th </p><p>We started work on the land to-day. I went out first thing and sowed the rest of the clover seed on the wheat and Frank went out and started disking along the side road. Dad. took Tid down to school and then went out with Belle &amp; Queen with the harrows. Frank had Harry &amp; Pommers and Pommers went off without a particle of trouble. They worked till about four o'clock when Frank came up to get the drill and seed as it looked so rainy we thought we had better put in what was worked up although Dad. didn't want to put it in without more work and without treating the seed. Just as Frank came up it started to rain and rained till five o'clock so nothing more could be done. I dug around some of the little trees in the orchard this morning and this after noon did chores and mixed barley &amp; oats for seed. Frank and I went down town to-night. I met Marj. after their auxillary meeting was over and we went to the picture show. </p><p>Wednesday April 21st </p><p>Frank and I spent the day shearing sheep but only got six done. We were quite awhile getting the machine in order and haven't got our hand in very well yet. We couldn't find our wool box so couldn't tie up the fleeces Dad. went down to the butter factory this after noon to get some butter and didn't get back till after six He said the roads were a fright. They just scraped them before the rain. I went down to band practise to-night. Cnocfierna had a heifer calf to-night. Fine &amp; warm. </p></div> <div class="mw-parser-output"><p>Thursday April 22nd </p><p>Frank took Tid. down to school this morning and went on down town to get some oil for the sheep clippers and to get me some developing supplies. He also went up to Ham Thompson's and found our wool box. Ham had borrowed it last year and had forgotten about it till he found it the other day cleaning out the drive house. I raked the lawn for awhile and then Dad. helped me shear a couple of sheep, but it hurt his arm to turn the machine. We sheared this after noon and got seven more done. Alan Law was in this morning and took the knives of the horse clippers up to be sharpened in Simcoe. Elva came over to dinner and Aunty Alice right after dinner and all the bridge club later in the after noon. Aunty Alice &amp; Elva stayed to tea and I walked down with them after tea and went to the Tuxis boys meeting. It began to rain just after we left and we had a great old thunder storm. It was still raining a little when I started for home so I went in to Aunty Alice's for the night. Saw a pair of big blue martin's on the bird house to-day. </p><p>Friday April 23rd </p><p>This has been a miserable day, rained or drizzled nearly all the time with little patches of sunshine and rather chilly. Frank and I sheared seven more sheep. Dad. went up to see Ham Thompson's cattle this morning. I went down town to-night. </p><p>Saturday April 24th </p><p>Frank and I docked the rest of the lambs this morning and then sheared three more sheep before dinner. Aunty came over to dinner and this afternoon she Enah and Tid went back to the woods and got a lot of may flowers. Frank went to Simcoe this after noon and got his wheel and rode it home. It was rather late when we got through the noon chores so instead of shearing any more sheep, Dad. went out to clean out some ditches and I went down to "Bronzie" and got some cedar trees to set out for a hedge Enah. Tid. and Aunty drove down town and I went down and got some more little cedars and left them by Mrs. Battersby's mail box and Enah brought them home in the cart. I set some of them out to-night and heeled the rest of them in. Sunny but cold north wind </p><p>Sunday April 25th </p><p>Frank and I went down to sunday school this morning I was purposely late as I had a premonition that I might be requested to open Sunday school but when I got there I found that they had not yet started so sure enough Aunty Alice pounced on me and asked me to do the job. I thought there was only one effective way of getting out of it and convincing them that I absolutely and unconditionally refused to be let in </p></div> <div class="mw-parser-output"><p>for it so I made for the door and went down to the pier for half and hour. There were several fishing down there and they were hauling out perch at a great rate. I didn't have quite time enough after I got back to get all the books distributed. Mr. Johnson had a very bad cold and there was some talk of not having church so Marj. and I thought we would go up the beach, there was church however but we walked right past much to Aunty Alice's surprise, we thinking that the fewer Mr. Johnston had to speak to the easier it would be on his voice. I left Marj. at the Bagleys where she had dinner and spent the afternoon celebrating Mr. Bagley's birthday. I came home to dinner and this after noon went over to Tom Butler's with some tobacco Frank got for him. I also took a knife over to dock his lambs, but Art Quanbury had been over this morning and done that. I found Tom &amp; Stevens in the house entertaining Bill Donald, Frank Lemons and Jack &amp; Arthur Pickford, so I stayed for about an hour and imbibed cider with the company On my way home I came through the woods and dug up some may-flower roots to send to Dorrie. I helped Dad. do chores and went down town by after church. They had a long service. The oddfellows were all there and Mr. Farney preached to them. Frank has been down at the Ward's all after noon &amp; evening. Fine day, cool </p><p>Monday April 26th </p><p>I went out first thing this morning to measure of a space in the field along the side road to put the Experimental Union plots. Then I came up and helped Frank bring out the old drill which he had rigged up as a broadcast seeder with Harry &amp; Pommer while Dad. drove Tid to school. They had broken a cog in the feed drive gear of the drill so when we got out with it we found it wouldn't run as it would stop feeding when it came to the broken cog. We came up and put Queen with the team and hooked on to the big drill and Dad. &amp; Frank went a few rounds with it but found the ground was too wet for it to work in the mud clogged up in the disks and half the seed didnt sow and it wouldn't cover well either. I opened up some ditches in the corner field This after noon Frank took the broken gear wheel to Simcoe but they were all too busy up there to fix it and the implement man didn't have one in stock but sent for one. Dad. and I took Pommers &amp; Harry out to plow in the corner field and I went a few rounds with him but it was too wet to work well and the plow not being scoured pulled very hard, but Dad. kept at it till night and finished a land. I came up and set out the rest of my cedar hedge down to the ditch. I have some left though. Cold east wind and cloudy. Rain to-night. </p></div> <div class="mw-parser-output"><p>Tuesday April 27th </p><p>It drizzled rain all morning so that we couldn't do anything outside. I worked in the shop making stakes for the experimental plots and fixing the milk stools. Frank went down to Alfred's and cleaned up some oats as we have to buy some for feed. This after noon it cleared off, the wind went from the east to west by the south and it got quite warm. We went back to the gully and fixed a little of the fence as there is enough pasture back there now to turn the steers back. I went down to-night. </p><p>Wednesday April 28th </p><p>We spent the day fixing fence back in the gully and think we have the old barricade patched up enough to hold the steers as we want to turn them out to-morrow. We <s>p</s>put most of the morning on the fence this side of the creek on Ivey's line. It was in awful shape so we took it all down, put in a couple more posts and stretched the barbed wire over again. It doesn't look very artistic but it is in a perpendicular position anyway, I went down to band practice to-night. Rotten day. Cloudy, windy, very cold &amp; rainy. Tom Butler &amp; his pal spent the evening over here to-night. They are getting tired of batching and have a chance to engage a young widow from near Simcoe as housekeeper, but don't know whether it would be strictly in accordance with the rules of society or not. </p><p>Thursday April 29th </p><p>Frank went out and harrowed this morning along the side road and Dad. plowed in the corner field. Frank thought the land worked pretty well so Dad. went on this after noon and sowed the rest of the barley &amp; oats we had mixed up. He went over what he sowed the other day again. He couldn't start sowing till quite late as Jim who brought the spare part to the broadcast seeder couldn't find it when he brought the mail and so went all around his route and found it in the bottom of his box so then brought it out, he was in his car so went around fairly quickly. I measured out 250 lbs of manure this morning to put on one of my experimental plots and then went out and staked them out. I came up at four o'clock and did up the chores as Dad. worked pretty late. I went down to the Tuxis boys' meeting to-night after which I ran across Hazen and walked up to the radical track and back with him. We turned the steers out to-day. </p><p>Friday April 30th </p><p>Dad. worked on the land all day and got in four or five acres more. Frank and I treated what oats he sowed for smut this morning. We tried the dry treatment this time which is to spray the formalin on instead of sprinkling it. We use a much stronger solution, half in half and just use one </p></div> <div class="mw-parser-output"><p>pint of the mixture to 25 bushels of grain. We did it in the granary instead of on the barn floor where there would have been a breeze and it nearly suffocated us. The fumes got in our eyes and noses even after we tied handkerchiefs over our mouths, but little by little we got the job done. We then took the sheep out to the corner field and Frank went on the land and worked. I sowed three of my experimental plots but will have to wait till I get the manure on the other one to sow it. I spent the after noon doing chores. We were very much surprised this morning when we went out to the cow stable to find a roan heifer calf behind Elgitha. She wasn't due till the 12th of May so we hadn't noticed her at all and she calved in the stanchions. We put her and the calf out back of the barn for to day and shut her in a box stall at night, she looks to have a good bag. We let the cows back to the gully for awhile this after noon. I went down town to-night. Fine but quite cool. </p><p>Saturday May 1st </p><p>It froze hard last night and has been cold quite uncomfortably so with a north west wind all day but it has been fine and Dad. and Frank have managed to finish that field out there, we think there must be about 14 acres in it. There are one or two holes with water in them that they had to leave, but Dad can sow a little closer to them by hand and Frank will cross harrow it Monday if it stays fine. We put it in in pretty rough shape just disked and harrowed it ahead of the <s>drill</s> seeder with out crossing. Dad. hates to put it in that way, but with the weather we have it seems like taking chances on not getting it in at all if we do it "a la" John Wess. This is the way Art Ryerse &amp; Alf. Pow do it every year and they thrash some great crops. I have chored around all day cleaning out the calf pens and mulching the raspberries. Enah and Tid went down to John Watts' sale this after noon. Enah said there were very few there and things went for very little. She bought some chairs and rag mats, for a little over a dollar. John Watts is leaving as Sam &amp; Alan have bought the farm. </p><p>Sunday May 2nd </p><p>Frank and I went down to Sunday school and Enah went down to church as she had to play the organ. Dad. went down to Aunty's for dinner. I came home for dinner and tea and spent the after noon and evening down town. I took 16 chick out from two hens to-day and put them in a little coop under one hen. Frank &amp; Lloyd Ryerse went down the lake shore to-night to invite folks to the Butler's Stevens party to-morrow night. Fine day but cold wind. </p></div> <div class="mw-parser-output"><p>Monday May 3rd </p><p>Frank and I went up to Miss McCoy's this morning and got another load of hay. It was after noon by the time we got it home and off. Dad. harrowed crossways on what we sowed this morning and Frank finished harrowing it this after noon and started in disking the corner field. Dad. and I hauled out the manure I had weighed up for my plot and some more which we mulched some of the little poplars along the side road with. We then brought the plow out of the corner field and ran the ditches in the sowed piece and Dad. started to plow the head land in the corner field. Winnie came over to tea to go with me to the party to-night. Frank had arranged to take Kathleen Kinsular and Jennie Ward so he had to take them out first then come back and get Win &amp; me. We had a very good time out there. Bobbie Mc.Milland was the orchestra and Fred Krill the master of ceremonies, there was a good crowd out there and lots to eat. Frank drove Win &amp; me home about one o'clock and then went back after the other girl </p><p>Thursday May 4th </p><p>Frank and I had to go back to the back field first thing this morning to get the cattle out of the woods as they had knocked down and broken a bar. I then drove Win. down to the bank and when I got home Frank and I put on a load of manure and took it down to Aunty Alice. We brought home some posts from Jack Reynolds to put along the road for a fence. Dad. plowed the head land in the corner field this morning and he and Frank worked on it this after noon. We are going to work up just half of it for oats and put corn on the rest of it. I did chores and sowed my last experimental plot with oats. I went down town to-night. </p><p>Wednesday May 5th </p><p>Dad. &amp; Frank worked on the corner field all day and hope to have it ready to drill by to-morrow after noon. I went out and burned some old rubbish in the corner field that had been along the old fence bottom, then I cleaned out some ditches in the sowed field. Frank and I treated some more oats this after noon and a little barley which Frank went down to the mill for. Remembering our last experience we were determined not to do the job in the granary again so we cleaned off the barn floor but that took a long time so that by the time we got done, there was no time to do any thing else much. Frank went out and sowed two kinds of Spring Wheat on the plots. I went down to band practice to-night. Aunty Alice was over here to tea. Fine &amp; warm all day but it freezes every night. </p><p>Thursday May 6th </p><p>Dad. &amp; Frank worked all morning on the corner field and drilled it in this after noon with the big drill. </p></div> <div class="mw-parser-output"><p>Frank didn't finish till nearly dark. I sowed all the clover seed we had left on the side road field this morning, it went over about to the first water hole. I had dinner about ten o'clock and then went up to Charlie Trinders to see the Shorthorn sale of his &amp; Ham Thompson's. I did think of going up on the eleven o'clock car but changed my mind and walked up through the Cedar Swamp and Dean's Hollow. It was a beautiful day for a walk and I just poked along and enjoyed myself. I got a ride home with Lloyd Crysler who had taken John Wess. Charlie Butler &amp; Wilbur Ryerse up. The sale was very poor. Trinder's stuff was in poor shape and small and although Hams looked pretty nice the bidding was very slow and every thing went for grade prices or less. Lloyd Crysler &amp; John Wess each bought a bull. I went down town to-night and ran races and jumped with the boys. Came home early &amp; went to bed. </p><p>Friday May 7th </p><p>Frank had a couple of bags of seed left over last night when he got the piece sowed that was worked up so as it was treated we thought we had better sow it. Dad. has been working up five more lands all morning Frank drilled it in this after noon and then disked over the plowing that was left to keep it from getting too hard. We went down to Alfred's first thing this morning and got six more bags of oats for feed, we then went down to the mill and got four bags of some new feed mixture to feed the bulls. Then as the cattle were all in the back field again, we went back and put them out and stretched some more barbed wire. Frank came up and harrowed and I went over to ask Cam. McBride if he would like us to give him a day to-morrow he seemed very pleased at the prospect. He was just finishing up his field plowing and is afraid he won't get any more in. I went from there over to Charlie McQueen's to ask him if there would be any chance of renting his place this fall but he said he guessed not. This after noon I cleaned out a few ditches did chores and went over to ask Art Quanbury if he would rent Charlies place but he said not. I went down town to-night. Fine &amp; warm. </p><p>Saturday May 8th </p><p>I went over to Cam McBride's first thing this morning with the harrows and was over there till nearly six harrowing. Cam. got his field in to-night with the broadcast seeder. I harrowed ahead of him and then went over it after him so harrowed the field nearly over twice. Charlie Munroe came over and harrowed too all the after-noon. I came home before tea much against Cam's &amp; John Wess's wishes and forgot the halters and left them in the barn where the horses had been tied at noon. </p></div> <div class="mw-parser-output"><p>so Frank rode over on his wheel to get them but found Charlie Munroe had put them on his horses so he had to wait till Charlie got through tea and had his there too. He worked up the garden to-day and his alfalfa plot. He &amp; Dad. ran out the ditches in the corner field this morning but Dad. has felt so tough with a cold that he didn't do any thing this after noon. We were till after dark getting the chores all done, then Frank and I went down town. I got my hair cut and as I was so sleepy I went down to Aunty Alices and spent the night. Very hot this morning looked rainy </p><p>Sunday May 9th </p><p>Aunty Alice called me at five o'clock this morning and I went to sleep again but got away before half past five. Dad. was milking when I got home. Frank, Tid and I went down to Sunday school. Enah drove down to church. I stayed at Aunty Alices to dinner and this after noon Marj. &amp; I walked over to Preston's woods and then over here to tea. Frank was down at the Ward's and Dad. was to sick with his cold and an awful headache to get up at all so I had all the chores to do. I drove Marj. down to-night. Fine day </p><p>Monday May 10th </p><p>Frank and I finished cleaning out the ditches in the corner field this morning and this after noon sheared four more sheep. Dad. has felt very little better and hardly went out of the house all day Tid's cold is worse too and he didn't go to school. It has been cloudy all day and rained a little this after noon. We need it badly. Frank found a lamb this morning with a big lump on its shoulder and Dad. lanced it, and got a lot of stuff out of it. I afterwards pulled a long piece of straw out of the wound which looked like a timothy head with all the seed hulls off it. </p><p>Tuesday May 11th </p><p>It rained most of the morning and must have rained a lot during the night. We needed it badly and it was a nice gentle rain. The sheep got wet during the night so we couldn't shear to-day. Frank went down town this morning to see about borrowing some money, he stayed at Aunty's to dinner and went to Simcoe this after noon to see about several items of business. He is full of business ideas these days and says he is going to make the farm hum and double production, so I tell him to "go to it". I spent the morning trying out different letterings on a memorial honor-roll for Mr. Johnson. It cleared off this after noon and I did chores and worked around out in front of the house. Alan Tibbets, Zeitha and little Helen were over this after noon and went back to the woods after flowers. Tom Butler &amp; Stevens were in for awhile too. Frank and I went down town to-night. Dad. helped me do the night chores. Tid. feels rotten </p></div> <div class="mw-parser-output"><p>Wednesday May 12th </p><p>Frank and I sheared the rest of the sheep to-day. We got five done this fore noon and the other two after dinner. Alex Jamieson was in and wanted us to go down and shear his but Frank told him we didn't have time but that he could borrow the machine if he wanted it. Dad. felt quite a lot better to-day and went down to Aunty's for dinner and was down town all the after noon. Tid has been in bed all day and to-night they have decided that he has the measles. I went down to band practice to-night. Fine but cold wind. Frosty. </p><p>Thursday May 13th </p><p>I spent the day putting in posts along the road so that we could stretch the fence along the front of field east of the orchard. The sheep are on it and with no fence up they wander up the road and pasture on Pickford's wheat, which hasn't grown any since last fall so doesn't need pasturing. Frank harrowed over the garden this morning and this after noon he and Dad. hauled manure out on it. Dad. was quite worried over Jessie all day as she wasn't progressing with calving very fast. He examined her to-night and as the calf's head was back he was afraid we were going to lose one or both but he managed to straighten it out and it came fine a big red heifer. I went down to a Tuxis boys' meeting and a {sidesmen's?} meeting afterwards. Very cold all day and cloudy. It can't aparently warm up. </p><p>Friday May 14th </p><p>It took me nearly all day to put in the two posts in the gully I dug long holes for them and nailed cross pieces on the bottom's and put stones on top of them so I don't think the wire will lift them. Frank and I strung the wire up to them to-night so that the sheep can't get out. They have taken to going up to Pickford's wheat so we have to keep them in as Pickford's wheat makes very poor pasture. Dad. and Frank hauled some more manure on the garden this morning and they disked it and spring toothed it this after noon. Frank also went over his alfalfa plot and Dad. plowed a little more of the corn ground in the corner field. I went down town to-night and met Marj. going to Aunty's with a basket which she had taken a kitten up home in so we spent the evening there. Huby Aunty Maude, Cousin Clare &amp; Col. Smith were there playing bridge. Cloudy and very cold wind all day. Freezing hard to-night. </p><p>Saturday May 15th </p><p>Dad. and Frank and I worked all morning in the garden I cut up some of the small Irish Cobbler potatoes that were in the cellar and we planted four rows of them. Dad. and Frank planted a lot of small seeds. This after noon Frank and I took the little pigs down town and delivered them to their various purchasers. Bronzie Brock got one Art Webster one, Geordie Long two &amp; Geordie Innes two. </p></div> <div class="mw-parser-output"><p>We also took the wool down and put it on a freight car and got two bags of fertilizer that Frank got from Johnson to try out on Corn &amp; potatoes. He wanted to go up to Miss McCoy's and get some hay this after noon but we didn't have time. We got some plank from Jack Reynold's to fix Joe's stall with. Dad. intended working in the garden this after noon but Lea Marshall came after him and he had to go down town to see a sick horse of Jack Richardson's. Frank went down town to-night and I started to do some show card work but went to sleep. Nice day. </p><p>Sunday May 16th </p><p>It froze a little last night again but has been a very nice day no wind and quite mild. Frank and I went down to Sunday school and church. This after noon Frank went over to Tom. Butler's and took Crusoe with him and left him there as Tom wanted a dog and we didn't want him. Jack Richardson came after Dad. to go down to Henderson's and give his horse some more attention and Dad. went from there down to Aunty's. I did chores and took some little chickens out this after noon. I only got two good ones out of the incubator and I think they will die but the old hen hatched eight. Lloyd Ryerse was in for quite awhile. I went down town to-night and met Marj. who has been in Waterford all day with Mrs. Wood and they came in on the nine car. Tid. feels quite a bit better to-day, but is well spotted up yet. </p><p>Monday May 17th </p><p>Frank and I went up to Miss McCoy's this morning and got another load of hay. Dad. spent most of the morning attending to Nellie who presented us with a big red bull calf this morning. This after noon Dad. finished plowing the corner field for corn and I cleaned up around the back yard. Frank hauled two loads of coal and a load of sawdust for bedding in the horse stable. There was a car of coal in and we thought we had better get some of it now and be sure of having it especially as the price is going up. To-night Frank &amp; I went down to Mr. Freeman's to get lists of names to canvass for the steeple fund. It has been very warm all day and looks like rain. </p><p>Tuesday May 18th </p><p>Dad. went down to Aunty's this morning and was down all day trimming up the walks and fixing the fences. I spent the morning raking up the lawn but didn't quite finish. This afternoon I went out to the garden and sowed some more seeds. Frank worked on the corn ground all day. Alan Law was in at noon and borrowed the manure spreader. I went down town fairly early and got part of my canvassing done. Mrs. Martin was the only one I approached who refused to give at all and several gave me $5.00 I spent the evening with Marj. Very warm &amp; cloudy. </p></div> <div class="mw-parser-output"><p>Wednesday May 19th </p><p>Dad. went back to the gully after the cows this morning and found Mary with a big roan bull calf, we left her back there all day. Frank went over to Tom Butler's and sheared his sheep for him this morning. I planted some more seeds in the garden and Dad. worked on the corn ground. This after noon Frank and I hauled out some manure to put on a patch which Dad. wants to work up for strawberries. Bruce came after Dad. about three o'clock to go down to Bob. Dougherty's with him to see a mare so Frank and I worked on the corn ground I worked till Frank got the strawberry patch covered and then he took the team and I planted some more corn &amp; my oats in the garden. I went down to band practice to-night. Fair and mild all day, sprinkled a little to-night. </p><p>Thursday May 20th </p><p>Dad. and I went back after Mary's calf this morning We had quite a time finding him as Mary had hidden him in the little gully running up into the field, and he lay there perfectly still with his head down as low as he could get it till I was just about on him. After quite a lot of trouble we got him up to the barn and I spent the rest of the day raking &amp; cutting the lawns and got them all looking pretty nice. Dad. worked on the corner ground and Frank spring toothed the back field as we thought it would be a good idea to keep it loosened up till we get a chance to plow it for summer fallow. I went down to the Tuxis boys' meeting to-night and finished my collecting for the steeple, and got $46.00 promised Huby gave me five dollars. I went there last and stayed most of the evening, but called in at Aunty's on my way home where I found Cal. Smith, Cousin Loll &amp; Mrs. Barwell playing bridge. Quint was there too. Very warm, shower to-night. </p><p>Friday May 21st </p><p>Dad. had to go down to Mr. Fleming's this morning as he had a new colt which he was afraid was not going to be able to suck but when Dad. got there it was all right. On his way home he saw Billy Mills who was very anxious to get Jack's sheep sheared so Dad. told him I would go over this afternoon. I spent the morning digging around my hedge. Dad. came home and plowed the strawberry patch and Frank went down to Sam Law's and got a few plants but not enough to fill the patch. I went over to Jack's with the clippers this after noon and sheared six of his sheep.They are much easier to shear than ours as there is no wool on their faces or the inside of their legs. Frank set out the strawberries this after noon and Dad. worked on the corn ground. I went down town to-night. Very warm. I saw kids in at the stump this after noon. </p></div> <div class="mw-parser-output"><p>Saturday May 22nd </p><p>I went over to Martin's first thing this morning and finished shearing the sheep. I got home about eleven and wheeled out a barrow load or two of manure to put around my hedge but as Frank had the seed potatoes all treated for scab and ready to cut, I cut them till noon. Dad. plowed the potato ground this morning and Frank treated the seed and helped Dad. fork the manure out of the road of the shear. This after noon Frank and I cut seed. It took us till after four as we cut it all. Dad. worked down the land and furrowed it out but we didn't get it all planted. We planted four rows and Frank put fertilizer on three of them and Dad. covered them. Fine and warm to-day </p><p>Sunday May 23rd </p><p>I went down to Sunday school this morning and Dad. Enah and Tid to church. Mr. Johnson dedicated the new memorial font this morning which Miss Buckwell put in the church in memory of her father &amp; mother, and we had a baptismal service when five children were christened. This afternoon Mr. Johnson invited Marj. &amp; me to go to Vittoria with him. He told Marj. to invite two more to make up a car load so she asked Miss McQueen and her mother. We had a very nice after noon and went to the woods up there while Mr. Johnson was at church. I came home and did chores and went down again to-night. </p><p>Monday May 24th </p><p>Dad. Frank and I finished planting the potatoes this morning and got in ten rows altogether running from the lane to Ivey's line. We finished about eleven and then Frank went over to Martin's and got some strawberry plants. I took the buggy down to the mill and washed the mud off it. This after noon Dad. &amp; Frank set out the strawberry plants and put a ring in Moonshine's nose but I took a holiday to celebrate the Queen's birthday and Marj. and I went up the Radical road to look for Dogwood. We didn't find any but we dug up a lot of other roots and got some lovely violets. We also saw a scarlet tanager and an indigo bird neither of which had we ever seen before. We gave a lot of our roots to Miss McQueen on our way home and she gave me some out of her garden to set out over here. I brought Marj. over here to tea. Billy Mills was over after the corn-marker this morning and said the creek was lined with fishermen. It was cloudy all morning but a beautiful day. </p><p>Tuesday May 25th </p><p>Frank and I hauled manure all day to-day and got out 19 loads on the corn ground. I put in the time between loads mulching around the hedge and cherry trees in the lane. Dad. cleaned out the cellar and had a hard job. Neff and Manning were in this after noon. Neff is making arrangements for an </p></div> <div class="mw-parser-output"><p>automobile trip down into New York State some time next month and wants to have a meeting in Simcoe to-morrow night to arrange the details. Frank said he would try to go up. I went down town to-night and Marj. and I went over to Miss McQueen's and I got some larkspur plants that they had got for me from Miss Martin's hot bed. </p><p>Wednesday May 26th </p><p>Frank and I hauled manure all day and finished covering the corn ground. I cut the lawn in between loads and got it all looking slick. Dad. did odd jobs and hoed over in the garden. Frank went to Neff's meeting to-night. He said they had about fifteen out representative of the different J.F.I.A's throughout the county and formed a sort of County association with a Vittoria boy as president and Bill Nixon as secretary. I went down to band practice to-night. Very hot to-day. </p><p>Thursday May 27th </p><p>Dad. worked on the corn ground all day. Frank went down town this morning and got some seed corn and this after noon he harrowed on the corn ground. I just did odd jobs and took my harness to pieces and rubbed it up a little. I took the back strap out of the saddle and couldn't get it back in again. I went down town to-night but none of the boys showed up. I did a show card lesson after I got home. Very hot, warm night. </p><p>Friday May 28th </p><p>Dad. worked on the corn ground all day. Frank worked most of the day but went up to Ham. Thompson's to see if he could come down and plant corn for us to-morrow but he said he couldn't come till next week so we will if all's well mark it and plant it by hand to-morrow. Tid and I drove Mexico down town this morning and I dug a patch for Aunty Alice to plant potatoes and some holes for squash and then went up to Mr. Johnson's and he gave me a lot of perenniels. We stayed at Aunty Alice's for dinner and came home right after and spent the rest of the afternoon setting out the things I got from Mr. Johnson. I went down town to-night and went to an athletic meeting in the town hall but as Ernie West Jackson, Frank Smith and Manning were the only ones there we didn't do any thing. I left at nine and went down to Aunty's for the rest of the evening. Marj. was there having had tea there. Turned cold during the night. Cold wind all day. </p><p>Saturday May 29th </p><p>Dad. marked the corn ground this morning and I went with him to pick up the ends of the marker on the turns. Frank rolled the field down ahead of us and then went around to Pickford's &amp; Mr. Flemming's and borrowed their corn planters. Billy Mills came over after dinner and he Frank and I planted this after noon. We ran out of </p></div> <div class="mw-parser-output"><p>about five rows from the end so will have to leave that much till Monday. Dad. took Billy out this after noon with the bridle &amp; surcingle on and did odd jobs. Aunty came over to tea and Dad. drove her home to-night. I read &amp; painted a show card lesson. Quite cold this morning. </p><p>Sunday May 30th </p><p>Frank Tid and I went down to Sunday school and Enah drove down to church. She stayed down to dinner but the rest of us came home. Olive Ward saw Marj. yesterday and invited her, with Frank and me, down to their place this after noon. Frank had made arrangements to go some place with Lloyd Ryerse so he didn't go down but helped Dad. as much as he could with the chores and Marj. and I drove down after dinner and spent the after noon and evening there and had a very nice time {Leggit?} was down to tea too. We got home about 11.30 Beautiful day, nice breeze. </p><p>Monday May 31st </p><p>Dad. spent the day plowing and working up the patch back of the shop where we are going to try and raise some fodder corn this year. Frank went down town and got some more seed corn and planted it this afternoon I put up my wren house and watched a pair of orioles for awhile that are building out on the lawn. Henry Misener came over with some stumping powder to blast out the big rock out in the field by the side road as Frank had made arrangements with him Saturday night to do it. I went out with him and Frank came out when he got back from town. He put three sticks under the rock and cracked it up and heaved it up out of the ground pretty well. He made two more blasts or mud caps as he called them by just putting the dynamite on top of the rock and covering it over well with mud. He split up some of the big chunks that way but there are still some big pieces to handle. There will be about half a day's work hauling the chunks away and filling up the hole. Frank had him go down to the corner field and put a stick under the old stump. He split a piece off the side of it and loosened it up. I dug around the little apple trees this afternoon Tid went back to school to-day. Very hot. </p><p>Tuesday June 1st </p><p>Frank discovered Belle with a colt this morning When Dad. went out first he looked over in the field <s>with</s> at her, and she was standing in the corner aparently the same as yesterday, but Frank came out a few minutes later and saw a colt up with her. Dad. went over and found a fine bay filly which had evidently arrived in this country early in the night and every thing was all right. He calls it Rachel after Mrs. Broadley. We </p></div> <div class="mw-parser-output"><p>spent the fore noon hauling out manure on the mangel ground. We got it covered by noon, and took the pile away from back of the barn and cleaned out the pen in the barn where we had the bulls all winter. This after noon Dad. plowed the mangel ground this after noon but didn't quite finish Frank went down town on some of his business projects and I cut the lawn. Olive &amp; Jonnie Ward were over here to tea. I went down town and spent the evening over at the Monteiths. I went down to the beach on my way home and it looked so nice I went for a swim. It has been very sultry and rather cloudy to-day but it won't rain. </p><p>Wednesday June 2nd </p><p>Clarence Finch and Dr. Duncombe from Waterford were in first thing this morning and castrated George for us. Just as they left Alex. Jamieson &amp; his son came in, in a car to get Dad. to go down to see a sick ewe or an injured one. They took Tid down to school and the boy brought Dad. back. Rus. Lampkins &amp; George Kirkwood came in just as Dad. got home to get some more of the boiler tubes. Rus. looked at the windmill and said the boxing would have to be re-bobbited again right away. Dad. went out and finished plowing the mangel ground. He didn't quite finish by noon and was most of the noon working it up. Frank harrowed the corn ground over with the little team and this after noon he went to the mill and got a couple of bags of chop for the bulls and went over to Quanbury's and got the little seed drill and then rolled down the mangel ground. I did a few odd jobs this morning and about eleven o'clock rode Frank's wheel down town and gave Aunty Alice an hour or two in the garden. She told me last night that Mr. Johnson had lent her a wheeled hoe but it was too hard for her work so I wheel-hoed every thing I could and made quite a showing. I came home about three o'clock and cut some more lawn. Pickford came over with some pumpkin seed and delayed me quite a lot. I went down to Band practice to-night and went down to Wood's to get some shoe polish and found Marj. there so Mrs. Wood told me to come back after practice I did and went home with Marj. Two of the three boats comprising Capt. Robinson's "navy" are in the harbor now. He is admiral and Captains, Bailie, McDonald and Cousins each have command of one boat. Fine and hot. </p><p>Thursday June 3rd </p><p>I spent the fore noon sowing mangel and turnip seed. I got in 10 1/2 rows of mangels and about 11 rows of turnips, running from the lane to Ivey's line. Frank took the spring tooth out and went over his alfalfa ground and helped Dad. saw up the old willow tree </p></div> <div class="mw-parser-output"><p>out in the wheat which blew down last fall and has been holding Ivey's fence down ever since. This morning Ivey's young cattle were in the wheat and got over the fence there so Dad. thought it had better be straightened up. He spent the fore noon and he and Frank all the after noon fixing Ivey's line fence in the gully from the south creek to the big elm by the mound. It was in very bad shape so they took it all down and put in a few posts and stretched it over again. I hoed the potatoes in the garden this after noon. They are just nicely up. Tid was home from school to-day as this is the King's birthday. He was back with Dad. and Frank this after noon and they discovered a crow's nest so Frank went up and took the four young ones which were just about big enough to fly and Dad. brought them all up to the house in his shirt and put them in his big bird cage. Tid is highly delighted of course. Enah wasn't home for tea as she went down to the deanery meeting. Quite cool. </p><p>Friday June 4th </p><p>We have spent the day weeding and hoeing in the garden. Most of the stuff is pretty well up now and needs cleaning out. This after noon Frank went out to Edmond England's to see a sheep dipping and castrating demonstration which Neff was putting on. I went down town to-night and called for Aunty Alice at Col. Smith's a little after eleven. They were having a little bridge party over there and I got there in time for the cake and wine. Quite a cold wind &amp; cloudy </p><p>Saturday June 5th </p><p>Dad. Frank and I went out again to the garden this morning. Frank planted some beans and Dad. set out tomatoes while I hoed and weeded. We hadn't been there long when it commenced to sprinkle and it gradually increased in intensity until finally it was raining quite hard. Dad. and I stayed out till we got pretty wet setting out tomatoes, we then came up and Dad. and Frank spent the remainder of the fore noon putting a floor in Joe's stall and I painted a show card lesson. The rain kept up pretty well all day and night. I went to sleep this after noon and the others sat around the house. I painted some more to-night. Fine rain </p><p>Sunday June 6th </p><p>Frank Tid and I went to Sunday school this morning and Dad and Enah went down to church. Marj. and I stayed at Aunty's to dinner. Winnie was there too. Marj. Aunty Alice and I came over here to the farm this after noon and Winnie came over later for tea. We all went down town before dark as Aunty Alice wanted to get some cauliflower plants at the Quanbury's. </p></div> <div class="mw-parser-output"><p>Monday June 7th </p><p>I drove down to Aunty's this morning and got the scythe as we have to start cutting grass for the stock, we are completely out of hay. I drove around by the school house and took Tid. down. Aunty gave me some forget me nots and peppers to set out so I set them out when I got home. Frank had to go with Sam Law this morning to help him take a couple of heifer's to Jarvis so he didn't get back till after dinner. He said they got down all right but when they got there the cattle ran through every back yard in Jarvis. Dad. worked up the strip we plowed for rape last year and this after noon he drilled it in with oats and vetch for sheep pasture. He also worked up and drilled the piece back of the shop with fodder corn. I cut a little grass this after nooon and just puttered around. </p><p>Tuesday June 8th </p><p>I went to Simcoe this morning on the nine o'clock car and went to see Slaght as Enah and Aunty noticed in the Maple Leaf that Kelly was asking for notification of claims against the estate of Susan Stevens and as they were all sure that was Dicky Stevens mother we thought that possibly the "sheep pasture" might be involved. However Slaght said it had nothing to do with it and that Thompson so far had done nothing. I came home at eleven and went up to Jim Moris's and had my hair cut. This after noon Frank and I hauled out manure, he and Dad. hauled out in the morning We didn't get very much done. There was a heavy thunder shower just after dinner but it only lasted a few minutes. When I got home from Simcoe I found Douglas here. He was in Jarvis so thought he would run up to look at the bulls. He stayed to dinner he thought the bulls were nice ones but at present he says there is no market for them whatever. I went down town to-night and on my way home had a wild goose chase up to the switch at Iveys being attracted by the bell on the car which Pete Furlong had in some way started going and couldn't stop till she rain out of air. Three or four other fellows ran down, their "missus" had waked them up and told them there was a fire. Hot after the rain. </p><p>Wednesday June 9th </p><p>I rode Belle up to Jim Waddle's this morning at seven o'clock and bred her to {Culver's?} horse. I was there for half an hour and Jim. was showing me Clara Belle and her colt from Hal. <s>He</s> It is a beauty. Frank had to go down to the mill for some feed and when he got back, we hauled out manure. It was </p></div> <div class="mw-parser-output"><p>slow work hauling it out of the shed and as we were late getting started we didn't get much done. I went down to band practice to-night and we had a good one </p><p>Thursday June 10th </p><p>We were late getting started at the manure this morning as it takes a long time to cut grass for the bulls and do odd jobs. Frank gave us a demonstration of the English method of castrating lambs with his teeth this morning and that look a little time. We finished hauling out of the shed though and hauled a few loads from the yard. Dad. finished hoeing in the garden and hooked Joe up to the cultivator and went through it. When they came up they both had "tummy-aches" Enah got me some poppy and daisy roots at Miss Martin's this morning when she took Tid. to school and I set them out but I am afraid the poppy won't stand it. I went down to-night to see the Tuxis boys but they didn't show up. I went down to Aunty's and they were up at Miss Martin's with the Sunday school staff presenting her with a prayer book. They came home soon and said Aunty Maude was having a great deal of pain so I took up a bottle of stuff for her from Aunty. Huby had his two customs inspectors there entertaining them so I stayed till pretty late. Hot day </p><p>Friday June 11th </p><p>We decided to dip the sheep to-day so Frank spent most of the morning getting the tank ready the way they did over at the Englands. He sank it in the ground just inside the barn doors and rigged the waggon box with the sides on it for a draining pen<s>t</s>. He had Joe Howell make him a dipping hook. We got started to dip after eleven and were through by about half past twelve. We left them in the barn for an hour or so as they told Frank over there that turning them out in the sun immediately after dipping would blister them so I suppose that was the cause of our trouble last year. This after noon Frank and I hauled out a little more manure and Dad. went over to let the cattle into the back field and went on over to John Wess's. He and Cam were both at Turkey Point fixing up the House Boat which a bunch of those old sports back there have bought. Went down town to-night. Hot. </p><p>Saturday June 12th </p><p>Frank and I hauled out manure all morning but quit at noon as Dad. thought we had better start plowing the field on Monday and get in what we have manured. This after noon Dad. Frank &amp; Tid went down town and cut the grass in front of Aunty's place and brought it over here. There was enough of it to last over Tuesday </p></div> <div class="mw-parser-output"><p>I slept for about an hour after dinner and then started to cut lawn but as I had to file down one of the knives on the lawn mower I didn't finish. Dad's last crow died last night. He left the four of them out of the cage the other night and three of them left in the night This one was sick so couldn't go with the others. Hot, looks rainy. </p><p>Sunday June 13th </p><p>Frank Tid and I drove down to Sunday school &amp; Dad. &amp; Enah went down at church time. Enah went to church and Dad. went to see Aunty Maude, who is feeling quite a bit better. After church Marj. and I drove out to the Smythe's where we had dinner and spent a very nice after noon. We started for home about four o'clock but I just got Joe hooked up when a very heavy thunder storm came up and it just poured rain for about half an hour so I had to tie poor Joe to a tree and go in the house. It cleared up beautifully and we got home about half past five. Mr. Wilson (president of Mexico) was here when we got home so I drove him down to the side walk. I helped Dad. do up the chores after tea and Marj. and I drove down town about half past nine. We took some strawberries down to Aunty which Mrs. Smythe sent her. Frank has been making arrangements to go to New York State with Neff's party to-morrow in Irvin Pow's car </p><p>Monday June 14th </p><p>Frank left early this morning to go on Neff's trip through New York State. He was to meet Irvin Pow at the Winding Hill at a quarter to seven and as he hasn't been back all day I guess they got away. Lloyd Ryerse &amp; Alex England were going in the same car and they were to meet the rest of the party at Renton or Jarvis. I spent most of the day filling in the missed hills of corn in the field and Dad. took up the dining room carpet for Enah who has the house all ripped up for house cleaning and spent the rest of the day cultivating. He took Mexico out this morning and cultivated what he could in the garden and a little of the corn with him but he was very ignorant and very slow so this after noon he took Belle, she resented leaving Rachel and so wasn't very interested in her work all the after noon but Dad. thinks she will be all right later on. I got through planting corn about four o'clock and then hoed a little in the garden. I went down to band practice to-night. When it was over I fell in with a bunch of the boys who were going down to Chiravaree Alan Law so I left my horn at Karl Colman's and went with them I went in Lloyd Crysler's car and so got a ride all the way home. We gave Alan a grand old serenade with bells, revolvers and an old steel saw which is kept for such occasions. Alan was prepared for us and treated us to wine, cider, beer and cigars. Every body was there. </p></div> <div class="mw-parser-output"><p>Tuesday June 15th </p><p>Dad. put down the dining room carpet for Enah first thing this morning and then took Belle out and cultivated corn till noon. It looked so dark and rainy that we didn't get the team in to plow corn ground as we had intended. I hoed potatoes in the garden till nearly noon and then had to go back to put the cattle out of the back field. It sprinkled two or three times but didn't ammount to much. Dad. and I cultivated and hoed after dinner till about three o'clock when we saw a terrible storm coming up from the north so we went to the house. The storm rolled up pretty quickly and when it broke it was a fierce one and lasted till nearly six o'clock. It let up at intervals and in one of these Dad Dad. went after Tid. I painted a show card lesson. I went down town to-night with Cliff Lown who came in after tea with the cream can. It was raining again when I started for home so I stayed at Aunty's </p><p>Wednesday June 16th </p><p>I got home soon after 5.30 this morning and went back after the cows. After breakfast I felt rather tired from tramping around in the mud with Frank's rubber boots on. About ten o'clock I went down to have Dr. Lemmon look at my tooth which the filling came out of. He couldn't look at it till about noon and said he wouldn't have time to fix it till to-morrow after noon. I stayed at Aunty's to dinner and didn't go home till after two as it looked so rainy. I didn't do much all the after noon except try to put a handle on an umbrella of Marj's. To-night I went down to band practice. We had it over Ted. Nicol's new garage and it was fine. It certainly is an enormous place. Every one seems to be of the opinion that Ted will never get his money back. Rainy all day. </p><p>Thursday June 17th </p><p>It rained or drizzled nearly all day so we didn't do any thing outside. Dad. &amp; Enah have been very busy house cleaning, papering &amp; painting. I "messed about" and did a little printing. I went down town right after dinner and took my horn down to Ed's as he has some fine polish down there I made it look quite a lot better but it needs a lot more yet. I went up at three o'clock to Dr. Lemon's but he couldn't fix my tooth for another hour so I went down to the lake where I found Quint and Joe fixing up their bathing houses. I took the contract to paint some signs for them. I went over to Bill's about half past four and he filled my tooth. I then came home and did chores and after tea went down town again as I wanted to see the Tuxis boys about some skin game </p></div> <div class="mw-parser-output"><p>that Mr. Johnson wants them to run at the strawberry social. I was late getting down so missed them but met a couple of them later on the street. I went down to Aunty's where I found Marj. so walked home with her. Frank got home to-day noon from his trip &amp; had a fine time. </p><p>Friday June 18th </p><p>Frank and I went down in the waggon this morning and I got the old Northern Crown Bank signs which Quint wanted me to paint over for them to put down at the beach. Frank had some other things to get and we came home by the mill and got some feed so it was nearly noon when we got home. It drizzled rain for quite awhile after dinner and was too wet to do any thing outside. I did some lettering. Frank cleaned up in the shop and Dad's time was taken up with Julien {Neins's} horse which had got something in it's foot and was quite lame. He went after him at four o'clock. It cleared off to-night and Marj. and I went up the Radical Road tacking up posters for the strawberry festival. I felt ashamed of myself all the time for helping to advertise the darned thing, but there is no use bucking it when the majority seem to think it is the proper thing. We went up to Port Ryerse and put up about fifteen posters on gates and posts and two on a water tank. We came home around by the Smythe's and returned some {ropes?} they lent us last week. </p><p>Saturday June 19th </p><p>It looked cleared off to-day and has been sunny and breezy Dad. &amp; Frank started to plow the field east of the new meadow this morning for corn and Dad. has been at it all day but says it is pretty wet yet. I spent most of the morning cleaning out the bull's pen and doing odd chores and got started to cut the lawn. I finished it this after noon. Frank did odd jobs and mulched the little trees in the orchard. He and Tid. went fishing for a little while after dinner and Tid was in the seventh heaven over catching two carp. He brought them home and cleaned them all by himself and we all had to have a taste at tea time. Enah went down town. </p><p>Sunday June 20th </p><p>We all went down to church or sunday school this morning. Marj. Quint and I had dinner at Aunty's I went up town this after noon and the band played out in the park. We had a good concert and a full band. I came home soon after four and helped Dad. do chores It began to rain about five and kept it up all evening I went down town after tea and found Marj. in at the Wood's, we went up to the Monteith's and spent the evening. Frank went down to the Ward's on his wheel and I guess is stalled down there I stayed all night at Aunty's. Very windy &amp; rather cold &amp; a drizzly rain. </p></div> <div class="mw-parser-output"><p>Monday June 21st </p><p>It rained or threatened rain nearly all day so we didn't do very much Frank got home a little before noon He came up to town with the Ward girls when they came to school and Tom Butler brought him over here. Dad. and I did odd jobs and I worked at my show cards a little This after noon Frank painted the bob-sleighs and tidied up in the shop. I went down to band practice to-night. </p><p>Tuesday June 22nd </p><p>I went down when Dad. drove Tid. to school this morning and went down to the beach to paint the letters Quint wanted on their bathing houses, but when I got there George Holden told me he had just left so I went over to the pier and saw old Quint just out of earshot beyond the end of the pier in his little boat heading for Wooley's point or beyond up the lake. I went up to the Thompson's to see if I could get the key from Joe but he said the paint was all locked up in Quint's shack and he had the key. Joe seemed rather provoked at him for leaving as he said they expected a big picnic in on Saturday and didn't have any thing ready for it. I went up to Aunty's and cut their lawn and stayed to dinner. On my way home Mrs. Quanbury gave me a lot of aster plants so I spent most of the after noon setting them out. Dad. and Frank spent their day putting up the fence between the lane and the barn-yard and made a fine job of it. I stayed home to-night and painted show card lessons. Dad. took some milk down to Aunty's but they were all away. Fine, cool and windy </p><p>Wednesday June 23rd </p><p>I spent about an hour this morning cutting grass for the bulls and wheeling it up to the barn I got enough cut to last them all day. Dad. drove Tid. to school and then went out to the garden to hoe. It was dry enough only up on top of the knoll. I started to put in some temporary posts to divide the sheep pasture as we want to give the east side of it which has a lot of young clover on it a chance to grow up I just got started when a big rain storm came up and I had to quit. It poured rain for a couple of hours and there were two or three very sharp lightening flashes one of which killed a horse of Mr. Fleming's It cleared off this after noon but was too wet to do anything. I started to paint Quint's signboard but got the letters too big so will have to paint them out. Frank helped Enah house clean our room. I spent the evening with Marj. </p><p>Thursday June 24th </p><p>I spent quite awhile cutting grass for the bulls and Dad. and I took a look at our own and Ivey's wheat The Hessian Fly is working in ours a little and </p></div> <div class="mw-parser-output"><p>more still in Ivey's and they say some fields are nearly cut to pieces with it. Cruickshanks and a Massey Harris man came down this morning and Frank helped them fix the drill up in good running order. Hermon Cook &amp; Gordon Zealand came over this morning to ask me about the peanut grab which they are to have charge of at the strawberry festival to-night and I gave Hermon a lot of my bird's eggs. He wanted to buy the whole bunch and offered me a dollar for them. This after noon Frank and I put up the fence through the field east of the orchard to keep the sheep off the east side of it and give it a chance to grow. Frank took it off the posts at the north end to run down through the centre. We made a rather sloppy job of it as the posts weren't in solid and we didn't half stretch it but it was the best we could do under the circumstances and I think it will hold the sheep Enah went down this after noon to the strawberry social and Tid went down there from school. We did the chores all up early and Dad. Frank and I drove down about seven. I went up to the band room but found no one there so thought they had gone over but they didn't start to gather till nearly eight, so we were rather late getting there. However we gave them quite a concert and they gave us a very good feed and treated us to cigars. Fine day but looked rainy. </p><p>Friday June 25th </p><p>We penned all the sheep this morning and went over them and took out the ones that looked unthrifty and shut them up in the box stall to starve before treating them for tapeworm. Frank then hooked to the mower and cut a strip of grass along each side of the road. Dad. helped him. Tom Butler was in for quite awhile. I worked for about half an hour more on Quint's sign before dinner. I spent about an hour after dinner getting hay for the bulls along the road where Frank cut it this morning. Frank put some more stakes in the sheep pasture fence and Dad. hoed in the garden which is still pretty wet. I went out to help him but Joe Thompson came over and wanted me to go down right away and paint some of the letters on the bathing house. He was very provoked at Quint who left last Tuesday for the Point and has not come back yet they still have quite a lot to do to get ready for business and expect picnics right along now. I went down and got New Bath Houses painted in big letters 18 inches high which could be seen from Main St. and promised Joe I would try to finish it to-morrow. I didn't get through till after five so I had to hurry as Aunty Alice had invited Marj. &amp; me to tea I went home milked one cow and changed my clothes and got back down town in an hour but got a ride down with Jack Martin. Fine day and quite hot. </p></div> <div class="mw-parser-output"><p>Saturday June 26th </p><p>I went down to the beach right after breakfast this morning and was down all day painting the letters on the bathing houses. I finished to-night and the boys seemed satisfied. Quint got back last night. His Yankee friends took their speedboat over to Erie and had her measured up for some race which they may enter later on. That was what kept them so long but Quint wasn't saying anything about it. Dad. has felt rather sick all day and didn't go out at all this afternoon till chore time. I got home in time to help do chores and then went down again after tea and spent the evening with Marj. Fine and hot. </p><p>Sunday June 27th </p><p>Frank Tid. and I went to Sunday school and I gave Frank instructions about running the library as Marj. is bound I am to take her class when she goes. I stayed for dinner at Aunty's and this after noon Marj. and I took a walk up the beach. We came over here for tea about five o'clock and I drove Marj. home to-night Frank went down to the Ward's with Charlie Blake and brought his wheel home which has been down there since last Sunday. Alex England rode in to-night. He was supposed to take Frank down to the Ward's this after noon but didn't show up. </p><p>Monday June 28th </p><p>Dad. and I took Belle out and cultivated the turnips and mangels this morning and then Dad. cultivated the potatoes alone while I came up to paint my sign I found Mexico caught in the orchard fence and had quite a time to get him out but with Enah's help managed to extricate him without much injury to him or the fence. I was all the after noon painting at Quint's sign and didn't quite finish Frank set his cultivator up this morning but thought there was a brace missing so couldn't try it out. Dad. plowed a little more out where we want to put corn. He said it was pretty wet still. Frank hoed for awhile in the garden this after noon. I went down town to-night to see Marj. I went down to "Porky" Marshall's to see about painting some letters for him on his shop but George Zealand had got the job. I was glad he had as I haven't got the time. Very hot to-day &amp; to-night. </p><p>Tuesday June 29th </p><p>Dad. plowed all morning and intended to cultivate corn this after noon but just after dinner a terrific thunder storm broke loose which stopped him. It rained several short but very hard showers all the after noon and a terrible wind, so we didn't do any thing all the after noon but sit around. Dad. went out with </p></div> <div class="mw-parser-output"><p>the cultivator but got caught in the rain. I finished painting the sign this morning and spent quite awhile talking to a representative of the Basic Slag people who came to look at the wheat. He admitted there wasn't any noticable change in the appearance of the fertilized &amp; unfertilized and thought it must have been due to the dry weather. I cleaned out a row of mangels when he left. Frank has felt rather tough all day owing to an overdose of green peas he had last night over at Jack Martin's field where he picked some for Enah. I went down town to-night to see if by any chance <s>Wednes</s> the band was going to the Woodhouse social but just as I got to Aunty's it began to rain again and Marj. was there so I never went up town. On my way home to-night I fell in with the chiravaree brigade on their way to honor Dock McQueen who married Lilly Greenbury the other day. I went over with them but didn't go in. They didn't make any racket as Mrs. Alex Spain is about at death's door They told me the band stayed home. </p><p>Wednesday June 30th </p><p>Frank and I took Quints sign down to him this morning and then went up and got some things (a desk &amp; some books) of Marj's. which she wanted stored at Aunty's for the summer. Frank took the team home and got some stuff at the mill and I went down to the beach to paint some more letters for Quint &amp; Joe but they didn't have things ready so I couldn't. I stayed art Aunty's to dinner and went home right after. She gave me some pansy plants which I set out and I spent the rest of the after noon raking up the lawn which was very littered after yesterday's storm. Dad. worked in the garden all day and Frank fixed the bracing at the windmill and cut the grass around the little trees in the orchard this after noon. Marj. came over to tea. She has been very busy calling on all the folks in town and saying goodbye. She is leaving to-morrow and not coming back till I go and bring her I hope in October. </p><p>Thursday July 1st </p><p>I spent most of the morning doing chores and cutting the lawn but didn't finish. I went down a little before noon and had dinner at Aunty's. Right after dinner I went down to the lake and painted a direction sign for Quint and Joe and spent the remainder of the afternoon with the band. We played in Powel park till about four o'clock and then went over to Jimmy's where we were treated to ice-cream and from there we went down and had a trip out on the "City of Dover". We went home for supper after that and Bill said we were through as the committee told him we didn't need to play after five o'clock. Mr. Bagley however was </p></div> <div class="mw-parser-output"><p>greatly incensed at the idea of not playing after tea on the 1st of July as he had never known of such a thing before so we came back for an hour and gave quite a little concert. {Doct.?} didn't show up though as he had a date with Lou. Dixon. Mid. &amp; Harry Moon ran the thing. I didn't see much of what went on all day but they had a big baby show and Dover won first money in the baseball tournament and I guess the other sports were good. It was a fine day not to hot and yet warm enough for the boys at the beach to be pretty well patronized. Dad. didn't come down town all day but came down at night. I didn't go to see Marj. off to-night but the rest did </p><p>Friday July 2nd </p><p>Rus. Lampkins came down this morning and put a new top on the windmill as the boxings were getting badly worn on the old one. Dad plowed up the old strawberry patch in the garden and worked it down and this after noon cultivated corn. I raked up the hay Frank cut in the orchard and cocked it up this morning and cut a little more lawn. This after noon I cleaned out another row of mangels. Frank has felt pretty tough all day but tried his new cultivator out It doesn't go just right yet. Mr. &amp; Mrs James, Elva and Brant were all over here for tea. Cloudy all day, warm. </p><p>Saturday July 3rd </p><p>I finished cutting the lawn this morning and spent the rest of the day thinning mangels. I just got two more rows done. Dad. set out cabbage plants all day so we should have a good supply of them. Frank still feels pretty tough and hasn't done any thing much all day. I did another show card lesson to-night but made a bad job of it. Hot this morning but very windy this after noon </p><p>Sunday July 4th </p><p>Frank Tid and I went down to Sunday school. Frank ran the library and I took Marj's class, but didn't feel as if I made much of a job of it. Dad. went down early this morning and drove Aunty &amp; Aunty Alice up to the cemetry. I had dinner at Aunty's and this after noon went with the band up to the cemetry as this was the Oddfellow's decoration day. We went up on the three o'clock car and came back on the five. Dad. Enah and Tid drove down to-night and took Aunty Alice for milk. Frank and I went to bed early. Very cool. Ade &amp; Percy Millman were over this morning for awhile. </p><p>Monday July 5th </p><p>I hoed mangels all day and just got two more rows done. Dad. and Frank spent the day cultivating corn Frank has had quite a time adjusting his two row cultivator. It seemed to pull very heavy and not dig in </p></div> <div class="mw-parser-output"><p>much but he put the big team on this after noon and I think got it working fairly well. They have got as far as our corner with Harry Misener's house. They have been over a week getting this far - from Renton.They can walk right along on the level but it took them all day to get up through our cut. It is a big frame two-story house and every one seems to think it will bother them getting it over the bridge. I went down to band practice to-night. We got paid two dollars apiece for playing on the 1st of July and the Council promised us 25 dollars a night for the summer playing Thursdays They wanted to go up to serenade Bill Wamsley but Mr. Bagley thought it would be a mistake for the band to go up and play good music as every body that got married in future would expect us out, so we didn't go Aunty told us to-night that Jack Martin has bought Mrs Battersbys place. </p><p>Tuesday July 6th </p><p>I thinned mangels all morning and most of the after noon but right after dinner Frank and I hauled in the hay that was cut in the orchard. We hauled it on the waggon and put one jag in for the bulls and one for the horses. Dad finished cultivating the corn and what stuff he could in the garden Frank disked up the strip Dad. plowed for corn and his alfalfa plot and sprayed the potatoes in the field. Dad. &amp; I worked for awhile in the garden to-night. Cloudy and raining to-night. </p><p>Wednesday July 7th </p><p>It rained hard during the night but didn't flood things at all and there has been a gentle drizzle all morning clearing off at noon and coming out sunny &amp; windy this after noon. Dad. and I spent the fore noon setting out cabbage plants. We put out about 300. We expected them all over from home to dinner as it was Dad's birthday They were going to have Mrs. John Walker bring them over in the car but as it rained she didn't come for them. Aunty Alice walked over and said Aunty &amp; Aunt Ida couldn't come but I drove down and brought them over in the buggy and Enah took them back in the cart this after noon We just visited this after noon except Frank he fixed a piece of fence back in the gully and took some plank from back there and brought them up to floor Moonshine's stall which he cleared all out this morning. Arthur Preston was over for most of the after noon. To-night Tid and I went down to the "sheep pasture" for a walk and to see if Frank Awde's sweet cherries were ripe but there weren't any. </p><p>Thursday July 8th </p><p>Still thinning mangels. I got about two more rows done I think I made a little better time by hoeing them all out first and then weeding around each plant afterwards. Dad. &amp; Enah worked in the garden all day &amp; Frank harrowed and rolled the plowed strip for corn. We all went down to band concert to-night. </p></div> <div class="mw-parser-output"><p>Friday July 9th </p><p>I hoed mangels and turnips most of the day. I have all the mangels hoed now but have to thin the last row yet. The turnips are much bigger and are a nuisance to hoe out but I can make fairly good time at it if I dont stop to thin. I took about an hour off this morning and went over and hoed down three or four patches of perennill saw thistle in Ivey's meadow to keep them from going to seed and blowing on to our place. I went down to Bronzie for a little while from Ivey's. This after noon it started to rain about half past three and as it looked as if it was going to keep it up I came up to the house and painted a show card lesson. The rain didn't ammount to much but we had quite a heavy little shower about five. Frank planted the strip we had plowed with corn this morning and has been cutting thistles in the back field the rest of the day. There was an awful crop of them. Dad. &amp; Enah worked all day till it commenced to rain in the garden. Elva &amp; Brant came in about four o'clock on their way out to see {Vance?} Walker and took Enah and Tid out with them. </p><p>Saturday July 10th </p><p>I have still been pegging away at the turnips and mangels. I have the mangels all thinned now and have most of the turnips hoed but only a row and a half thinned. Dad. has been working all day in the garden pulling weeds. Frank finished cutting the thistles in the back field and started to cut the side hill which is mostly thistles and daisys but there is some blue grass on top. Tid went to a birthday party at Gertrude Silverthorne's this afternoon. He got an invitation the other day and has been worrying about it more or less ever since. He wanted to go but was scared to. However Enah managed to get him packed off hoping that Miss McQueen and John Harris Buck would be there. They weren't but he knew the ones that were there so had a good time. Fine day and not hot. </p><p>Sunday July 11th </p><p>We all went down to church and Tid. Frank and I went to Sunday school. I took the class but don't think I taught it any thing. I didn't feel as if I was. We all stayed at Aunty's for dinner and I came home right after to do chores. Mr. Zealand took me in to show me his garden so I didn't get home till nearly three. Dad. Enah and Tid came home about five. Frank rode his wheel down to the Wards and as it rained hard for about an hour at six o'clock, he evidently got stalled down there as he didn't show up all night. Cool. </p><p>Monday July 12th </p><p>Dad. started to plow the back field for summer </p></div> <div class="mw-parser-output"><p>fallow this morning and has been at it all day. I went back with him and helped him get started and from there walked over to Tom Butler's to try to induce him to buy Oliver at beef price but he said they only had two cows so didn't think they could afford to. I got talking and Mark put on some phonograph record so I didn't get back till dinner time. Frank rode his wheel home sometime during the forenoon. This after noon He finished cutting the side hill field and cut two rounds on the five acres next the lane. I hoed a couple more rows of turnips. Tid is having a great time trying to snare a ground hog back on the mound. He and Hubert Zealand seem to be in partnership on the business. I went down to band practice to-night. Fine day but cloudy. </p><p>Tuesday July 13th </p><p>Dad. cut thistles in the corn field this morning and plowed this after noon. Frank cut hay north of the orchard till ten o'clock, then went back and raked up the back field by noon I cut some of the lawn and did a few odd jobs this morning and then went out and finished hoeing the turnips and started to thin them. I intended to go back right after dinner and cock up the hay that Frank raked but a little shower came up and I couldn't do it till four o'clock and so didn't finish. I thinned turnips while I was waiting for it to dry. Frank went over to Lloyd Crysler's raising this after noon. It proved a sad affair for this community. Mr. Flemming was killed at it.They were rising the end bent of the barn and he was shoving on one post when the frame over-balanced and the end of the post on the sill slipped and fell back and either the girt or the brace caught him across the back and killed him almost instantly. Frank was in the same position at the other post but he realized the danger of the place and got to the outside of the post a little while before the frame fell. Mr. Flemming was such a rattling good man in every way that it seems mighty hard to lose him like that, but in reality it was a great way to go as they all say he never knew what hit him. Tom &amp; Mark were over to-night and we had a little music. Cool &amp; nice. </p><p>Wednesday July 14th </p><p>It rained this morning and I spent an hour or so working at my show card lessons which I finished to-night. Dad. did odd jobs around and Frank cleaned up the upstairs of the woodshed. Tom Butler was in for awhile to have Dad look at one of his horses which has a sore eye. It cleared up after dinner and Dad cultivated the garden and the potatoes &amp; roots in the field. Tid. &amp; I cut the lawn or part of it and Frank finished mowing the meadow north of the orchard. Karl bought the 5 steers to-night for $550.00. </p></div> <div class="mw-parser-output"><p>Thursday July 15th </p><p>Frank cultivated the corn this morning and Dad hoed in the garden and I finished raking the lawn and hoed two rows and a half of potatoes in the field. Tid. went down to Aunty's for dinner and the rest of us all went to Mr. Flemming's funeral. There was about the biggest crowd there I ever saw at a funeral nearly everyone from around here and a great many from down east. Dad. was one of the bearers so went up with them. I drove up and took old Maneer up with me. We missed the procession as they went through town and we went by the mill. After the funeral Dad. and I drove home around by Jim Waddle's as Dad. wanted to see the {Hal.?} H. Colt but Jim had shipped the mare to Toronto to be bred. He was hauling in hay. It was after five when we got home. Frank had come home and raked up the first cut hay and was cocking up. Jack Ivey was over and wanted him to rake theirs up to-morrow. I went down to band concert to-night. Fine day but cold to-night. </p><p>Friday July 16th </p><p>Frank went to the mill before breakfast this morning and got some chop for the hogs &amp; bulls. He and I dosed the lambs for tape-worm after breakfast and then he went over and raked up Ivey's hay for him. Dad. and I cocked up what was raked in the field north of the orchard and started in to cock up what was left in windrow across the gully Frank came back a little before noon and finished raking this field and we spent the after noon finishing across the gully and cocking up in this field. We went out after tea and cocked up some but didn't quite finish. Old Moonshine broke out of his pen this morning so Frank had to fix it up after dinner. He upset things in the barn and got into a bag of chop but I think spilled more than he ate. Cool wind all day &amp; quite cold to-night. </p><p>Saturday July 17th </p><p>We hauled hay to-day from the field north of the orchard and would have cleared it if we had not had to put poles across in the big barn to build a mow, so that we could have the clover hay where we could get at it. We put one load in the horse stable and then had to change the car so that altogether we were delayed about two hours or more and only got in two loads this morning. We got in five this after noon. Mr. &amp; Mrs. Millman, Percy &amp; Kathleen all came up from Toronto to-day. Paw &amp; Mrs Millman are staying at Aunty's They were over here for awhile after tea with Aunty Alice, Percy's wife, children &amp; mother-in-law. Cool but fine. </p></div> <div class="mw-parser-output"><p>Sunday July 18th </p><p>It rained during the night and rained hard several times during the day and evening. It was so muddy and wet at Sunday school time that Frank Tid and I drove down and Dad. and Enah didn't go down to church. I walked down with Mr. Herring after church went in for a minute to see Cousin Clare. They have rented Mrs. {Lig?} Anderson's house for the summer and she busy as a nailer getting things settled I came home for dinner with Frank &amp; Tid. as the walking was so bad. I spent the rest of the day reading and writing. Dad. went to sleep. Frank went back to the woods. </p><p>Monday July 19th </p><p>It was too wet to do any thing with the hay this morning and it was cloudy and drizzly till noon but came out clear &amp; breezy after dinner. Dad. and Tid went down to Aunty's this morning and Dad. trimmed up the paths and cleared away a big limb which broke off the Newton pippin tree. They came back soon after dinner and Dad. worked in the garden this after noon. Frank and I changed the fence in the sheep pasture this morning and rolled it back from where we had it dividing the field to the original place for it from the orchard to the corner field. After that I set out some more cabbage plants in the garden &amp; Frank helped Enah pick the cherries, there won't be so many of them as usual as the robins have taken a lot. This after noon Frank cut down the piece of grass between the old garden and where he drilled in the strip of corn. We had intended putting corn on it but it got too wet to plough it. It is mostly couch grass. I spent the after noon thinning turnips. Went to band practice to-night. </p><p>Tuesday July 20th </p><p>Frank worked most of the fore noon on his alfalfa plot and Dad. and I turned out the hay. It wasn't wet much except around the edges, the bluegrass across the gully we didn't have to turn out at all. Enah and Tid. went back to the woods to pick berries but didn't get very many. We saw Mark Stephens going to town after one of his applicants for housekeeper. They put an ad in the Globe. about a week ago and Mark says they have been reading applications for the job ever since, so he says there is going to be a steady procession of them now to look over the situation. We hauled in the rest of the hay north of the orchard in about three loads and left the last load on the waggon Then Frank raked up the other piece he cut while Dad. and I were doing the chores. Herb Gurr came over to play with Tid. this after noon and told us that Jane </p></div> <div class="mw-parser-output"><p>Zealand died about noon, Ada told me last night that she was threatened with diphtheria but I didn't know it was so serious. Cool and windy all day. </p><p>Wednesday July 21st </p><p>Dad. and I cocked up hay all morning while Frank cultivated the corn. We didn't quite finish by noon as it is mostly bluegrass and slow to handle. Jack Ivey was over and wanted Frank to go over and rake up some hay for them, so he went over after dinner. Neff was in with a Mr. Frances on their way down to Charlie Blake's to a poultry culling demonstration and wanted me to go but I didn't. They gave me a few pointers though on picking out the poor-laying old hens. Dad. and I finished cocking our field about four o'clock and Frank got home about the same time. We started to put off the load of hay that was on the barn floor but when we got three lifts off a heavy thunder shower came up and as Dad. didn't want to get the rope wet we didn't unload the last lift. I took Aunty's milk down to her to-night and got a few pointers on the Sunday school lesson got home about ten o'clock and culled out my hens before I went to bed. </p><p>Thursday July 22nd </p><p>It was too wet to do any haying to day so Dad. plowed all day and got quite a nice strip turned over. I thinned turnips and made Tid a milk stool this morning as he is learning to milk now. Frank took Joe down town and had her shod. He brought Mrs. Johnson from Courtright over to dinner and she was here all the after noon and to tea. This after noon I didn't do much went back with Frank to fix up the fence in the gully along the road but as we took Joe &amp; Queen back with us I had to stay with them and let Frank do the fencing. He took one of the old snow barricades and put it up instead of the old gate which is pretty well broken to pieces. We all went down to-night and I went to band concert. </p><p>Friday July 23rd </p><p>Frank started to cultivate corn this morning and Dad. cut weeds along the fences and in the orchard I started cutting the lawn. Art Quanbury went by going to haul hay all alone. Dad. thought it would be too wet here to haul till noon so I rode Frank's wheel over to give Art a hand. We got part of a load on - all he could haul through his gully - when it started to rain He rough-locked the waggon going down the hill but it went a little too fast for the horses and they couldn't stop till the hind wheels were square in the ditch. They couldn't pull it out so Art had to go and get a spade and dig it out. By this time it was pouring rain and </p></div> <div class="mw-parser-output"><p>we both got soaked to the hide before we got to the barn. We lay in the straw for about an hour and when it stopped raining came home. It was cold after the rain but this after noon came out sunny and warm. Dad. plowed. I finished cutting the lawn and Frank cleared things up over in the barn. Looks clear to-night. </p><p>Saturday July 24th </p><p>Frank finished cultivating the corn this morning and Dad. hoed thistles out in the corn field while I thinned some more turnips. Aunty was over for dinner by way of celebrating my birthday. After dinner Frank went and got some lime and bluestone to mix up a Bordeaux spray for the potatoes and Dad. and I hauled out a barrel of water to the potato patch for him. We then put on a load of hay and as Dad didn't want to climb way up into the peak of the barn without any hay in to change the pulley we tried putting it off with just the two pulleys and then with the peak pulley hooked on at the gable, the first scheme wouldn't work and the second time the hook pulled out so Frank climbed up to the peak and put the pulley up. Aunty went home before tea. Fine and quite cool. </p><p>Sunday July 25th </p><p>Frank Tid and I went to Sunday school and Dad. &amp; Enah went down to church I stayed at Aunty's for dinner and most of the after noon and on my way home stopped at the Woodson's for about an hour. Several of them and two or three Zealand's were down at the pond fishing I just got home in time to help Dad. do chores. Enah stayed down at her father's all the after noon and Dad. and Tid. went after her this evening. Frank and Lloyd Ryerse went for a drive down to the Ward's. Poor Tom. Butler was over to-night in a bad state of blues He has got into a row with Pickford over something he told Pickford's sisters about Pickford's actions out here and which Mrs. Tuck who has just been over there evidently denied and told Pickford about it. Tom feels badly that Mrs. Pickford is down on him as he seems to think a lot of her and she has been very good to him. To add to his troubles Mark is getting sick of the job and wants to pull out and leave things. </p><p>Monday July 26th </p><p>We finished hauling what hay was cocked on this side of the gully this morning and there were only three more loads of it. At noon Frank changed the car to the horse stable and we hauled one load from across the gully. We didn't go back again as Harry Misener was moving the school-house in and we were afraid he would block the road between us and the barn, so Frank went to the mill and got some chop for the pigs and bulls and I went over to </p></div> <div class="mw-parser-output"><p>Jack's to borrow a crate to ship some old hens. Frank called and got it on his way home. Dad. hoed thistles in the corn. Later Frank drove down to get some gasoline for Gundry who has been working all day out here grading our road. Enah and Tid were down at Aunty's picking berries this morning. I went down to band practice to-night, very few out. Karl got the first of our steers this morning. </p><p>Tuesday July 27th </p><p>Frank and I took my old hens over to Jack Martin's this morning. There were just 16 of them and he gave me $23.00 for them after he weighed them up. He had promised some fellow a couple of dozen culls but hadn't culled his out so he said these would do as well. We hauled two more loads in this morning taking all the hay there was out. This after noon Dad. cultivated and hoed the potatoes and mangels and in the garden. I helped Frank grind a mower knife and then thinned some more turnips. Frank started to cut the rest of the hay on this sideoff the gully. Frank killed an old hen for Aunty Alice this <s>morning</s> evening and he took it down to her. </p><p>Wednesday July 28th </p><p>Frank cut hay all day. He finished all there was on this side of the gully before noon and after dinner I helped him grind a mower knife and he cut all the after noon on the 12 acre piece across the gully. Dad. hoed potatoes all morning and I hung around here till Karl Coleman came about ten o'clock and got Frank's steer which we shut in for him. I then went out and thinned turnips till noon. I finished there soon after dinner and then took the little team and raked up what Frank cut yesterday while Dad. cocked up. He and Frank cocked up some more after tea as it looks like rain to-night. I went down town with Aunty Alice's cream. Enah went over to call on Tom &amp; Mark's house keeper and Mrs. Harvey Evans also Mrs. Cam McBride and Mrs. Ivey. Fine &amp; warmer. </p><p>Thursday July 29th </p><p>Frank finished raking on this side of the gully this morning and then went over and raked up Ivey's and raked theirs up as Landon was over this morning to ask him. After dinner he went back and raked what was cut across the gully and then helped Dad. &amp; me cock up. We cocked up all day and got nearly finished. It was quite windy this morning and very hard to cock as the bluegrass is so short and heavy. About five o'clock it began to rain and we had quite a sharp thunder storm. I went down to band concert to-night. </p><p>Friday July 30th </p><p>It was too wet early to haul hay or work at it so Dad. </p></div> <div class="mw-parser-output"><p>and I weeded at the potatoes one hoed while the other pulled weeds. We only had two rows to do by noon so this after noon we finished the job although it has been a good drying day and John Wess was hauling in this after noon, but Dad. thought our bluegrass would be all the better to cure a little longer in cock. Frank worked on his alfalfa ground and the strip of corn ground that the crows demolished the corn from all morning and this after noon got Art Quanbury's seed drill and sowed his alfalfa. Winnie was over to tea and I drove her home to-night. </p><p>Saturday July 31st </p><p>It rained quite hard again last night but Dad thought the hay was dry enough to haul before noon although it has been cloudy and trying to rain all day till about five o'clock when it cleared off and got quite cool. Dad. worked in the garden &amp; cut thistles this morning and Frank sowed some buckwheat on the corn patch that the crows ate up and I cultivated my flower bed. About eleven we went out and put on a load of hay and this after noon Dad &amp; I got in three more - Frank felt sick all the after noon but was able to stay up in the mow and tell us where to dump the hay. Aunty was over to tea to-night and Enah &amp; Tid drove her home with Mexico. The end of July without one really hot day. </p><p>Sunday August 1st </p><p>Frank Tid. and I went down to Sunday school and Dad. and Enah went down to church and then out to the Smythe's for dinner and to spend the after noon. We three stayed at Aunty's for dinner. Tid stayed there all the after noon till Dad and Enah called for him. Frank rode his wheel down to the Ward's with Gilly and I came home to do the noon chores and stayed home the rest of the day. I had several callers, two with indisposed dogs requiring veterinary treatment and later Mrs. Brent &amp; Eric came over. They never seem to strike here when Enah is home. I finished reading a book of E. Philips, Oppenheim's to-night, "The Great Impersonation". It was a good one. Cloudy and quite cold to-day. </p><p>Monday August 2nd </p><p>It rained again this morning so that we couldn't work at the hay all day. Dad. ploughed and this morning Frank and I hoed the strawberries and cabbages. Karl came over and got Charlie. I didn't do much this after noon but cut a little lawn and sit around Harry Misener was over and sold Dad. another ton of Bosie Hay although he admitted there was no difference to be seen the the fertilized &amp; unfertilized wheat or potatoes nor pasture so far. Frank cultivated the little patch of corn and went down and got a load of sawdust. I went down to band practice to-night. Still very cool. </p></div> <div class="mw-parser-output"><p>Tuesday August 3rd </p><p>Frank and I went down this morning and got a load of soft coal to thrash with as Clare Deal told me last night that they had a load in and it seems to be rather scarce these days. We heard that Barwell had to buy the saw mill in order to get slabs to use on the tugs in place of coal. It is $15.00 per ton. We called at Mrs. Battersby's on our way down and took some books from there down to Aunty's which Miss Phipps wanted to send to the Sunday school library. We also took the cart wheels down and sent them to Brantford to be re-rubber-tired. Dad. cultivated with Belle while we were gone. We hauled in one load of hay before dinner and this after noon finished hauling all the hay this side of the gully in one load and a few cocks which we left on the waggon in the old barn to feed to the bulls. Frank went over and raked up Ivey's hay for them and Dad. and I went back and cocked up what there was on the other side of the gully. Beautiful day. Fine but not hot. </p><p>Wednesday August 4th </p><p>We started to cut the wheat to-day and were all day gering this side of the potatoes cut. It took most of the morning to get the binder out and oiled and in working order, then the horses were a terrible nuisance. We had Pommers, Joe &amp; old Harry on before dinner but old Harry would not act his part at all. Frank didn't have a whip and Harry knew it. He would stand perfectly still every few minutes and nod his head. We took him off after dinner and put Queen in but going across the ditches made her mad and Frank had a hard time persuading her to go across the ends every time. Pommers worked fine. Aunty Maude went to Brantford yesterday and was operated on to-day for appendicitis. Dad. Enah and Tid went down to-night and Lila had had a telephone message from Dr. Hicks saying everything was satisfactory. </p><p>Thursday August 5th </p><p>We finished cutting &amp; shocking up the wheat this morning. There wasn't much on the north side of the field but couch grass. We put the binder back in the woodshed after dinner Landon Ivey was in for quite awhile just after dinner. He wants a team to help thrash to-morrow whenever Sam gets there. He went up to Sid. Marsh's this after noon about four o'clock so won't be down here very early, likely. This after noon Dad. disked what he had plowed across the gully and Frank cut some more hay over there. I didn't do much but weed out some parsnips in the garden. I went down to band concert to-night. Stopped in at the Zealand's on my way down, they have offered me the use of their house for the winter. No more news of Aunty Maude. A red-haired heir to the house of Dillon arrived last night. Hot to-day &amp; a hot night, the first. </p></div> <div class="mw-parser-output"><p>Friday August 6th </p><p>Dad. plowed this morning and Frank finished cutting the hay across the gully. He expected to have to go and help thrash at Ivey's this after noon but as the machine didn't pull in there till to-night. He raked the hay across the gully and Dad. and I cocked up what we could. I didn't do much this morning but a little hoeing in the garden. To-night we persuaded Dad &amp; Enah to go up to the {Chataugay?} at Simcoe. There was a comedy "Nothing but the Truth" on and Dad. laughed so hard he was nearly sick. Frank Tid and I did up the chores and Frank took Aunty Alice's milk down and brought home an ice cream brick which we three demolished. Young Larry Skey came over this morning and borrowed Mexico for his father to go trout fishing. His father brought him back to-night after dark and I guess didn't have much of a day. He went to Port Ryerse in an hour and a quarter and caught about half a dozen trout. He said he didn't send Larry after Mexico but when he went to the trouble of getting him, he didn't like to disappoint him. Alan Law came in after dark and was so tired he could hardly stand up so borrowed the waggon with the rack on to ride home in. The other waggon still has the coal on it. Hot and Lazy all day. Looks rainy or else very dry </p><p>Saturday August 7th </p><p>Frank has been over at Ivey's with the team all day helping thrash, they didn't quite finish but could have easily if they had worked after six. Dad. and I cocked up hay in the back field all day and finished a little after five. We thought after dinner when we went back that we only had about a couple of hours work but there was more than we thought and as we didn't take any water back and it was very hot we were pretty dry when we came up. Enah &amp; Tid went down to the lake this after noon and I was to meet Enah at the seven o'clock car and go to Simcoe to the musical {Chautaugua?} I went down but met Enah coming home as she decided not to go. I went on down town for the rest of the evening and got my hair cut. The Lavaltre came in to-night with a lot of Yankee nets and W. J. Thompson gave me a lot of herring that they took with the nets. </p><p>Sunday August 8th </p><p>Frank Tim and I went down to Sunday school and church. We had Mr. McDonald here in Mr. Johnson's place I stayed at Aunty's to dinner, Huby, Win. &amp; Lila were also there. Win. went to Brantford this after noon to see Aunty Maude, who seems to be doing as well as can be expected after her operation. About three o'clock I went up to the stump and had a swim and then walked around the pond and lay around on Frank Awde's point till five o'clock. It was nice and cool there but </p></div> <div class="mw-parser-output"><p>very hot every where else. We had tea before we milked and Enah went down to church and Dad. &amp; Tid walked down to meet her when we got the chores done. Frank went over to call on Tom &amp; Mark's housekeeper. Very hot. </p><p>Monday August 9th </p><p>It was raining this morning when we got up so as we couldn't do any thing outside I went to Simcoe to pay Cruickshanks my insurance and see Neff about selling the bulls, as I knew he would be connected with the campain on to do away with scrub sires, but when I got there I found it was Simcoe's civic holiday, Cruickshanks was at the {Point?}. Neff wasn't at the office but Manning was and said he would tell Neff. It poured rain while I was there so I stayed in the office with Manning till it was too late to catch the 11 o'clock car. I went up to Slaght's house and saw him for awhile but he didn't know any more. I came home at one o'clock and had a little dinner at Aunty's and then went up town to put some money in the bank. I didn't do much this after noon but work at my show-card lessons and to-night I went down to band practice. Frank and Dad. fixed the barn up ready to haul in. Frank went down town this morning and got some binder twine from Billy Lang and this afternoon Dad ploughed. Cloudy &amp; rainy all day. Very sultry. </p><p>Tuesday August 10th </p><p>Dad. has ploughed all day and got a nice strip done. Frank and I went back this morning to straighten up the wheat shocks, but there weren't many down and the ones that were standing didn't seem very wet so we left them alone. We then went back to the gully and intended cutting across to Jack Paine's bridge for a swim but we saw Harvey Evans out all alone shocking up wheat which was all lyind down and soaking wet so we helped him till noon. This after noon I did a little more show card work then went out and hoed onions. Frank tried to drill in some rape between the corn rows but the little seeder wouldn't work, it was too wet, so then he took the roller back and rolled down what Dad has ploughed. Rus. Lampkins was in and got the rest of his boiler flues and a fellow who Rus. told me was Frank Schugler was in looking at the sheep. Hot. </p><p>Wednesday August 11th </p><p>Dad. ploughed all morning. Frank and I moved Moonshine over to the box stall in the horse-stable and cleaned out the place where he was so that we could haul wheat. About half past ten we went over to Mrs. Battersbys to help them move the big square piano but they weren't quite ready so I went down to the mill to pay up. Karl came and got my steer this morning and gave me </p></div> <div class="mw-parser-output"><p>$110.00 which I thought would square up but I was grieved to learn that I owed him $136.00. Frank went back home and turned out a load of wheat. We then went back to move the piano. We got Goodwin, Frank Awde &amp; a new man from Jack Martin's and Mr. Bagley was there taking some wardrobes apart so we had lots of men but it was quite a lift. We couldn't get the legs off it so had to worm it through the doors. They are getting things ready for the sale over there. We didn't get back much before noon. After dinner we hauled in four jags of wheat. It was damp but we thought it would do. Landon Ivey wanted Frank to go over and rake the wheat stubble and we let him have the rake and Joe Long raked it. They finished thrashing to-day. Jack Martin is over at Syracuse with some chickens. They tell me he took one or two of my old hens over there to the show. Hot. </p><p>Thursday August 12th </p><p>We went out this morning and turned out all the wheat. We then went back across the gully and put on a load of the poorest hay which we spread on the rails over the bulls and over the granary. As there was a heavy fog and wet this morning, we didn't get started very early, so it was noon by the time we got our load off. This after noon we hauled in the wheat which was in fairly good shape to go in, we figured there were about seven decent sized loads although we made more trips to the field than that. There will be a lot of rakings. I went down to band concert to-night and the rest all went down to hear it. Roy &amp; Vernon and the children are at Aunty's so we stayed there for quite awhile. Enah was over at Mrs. Battersby's sale all the after noon. It was a big sale and a big crowd. Tid. was down playing with Rebecca all the after noon and stayed down to tea. Very hot and muggy. </p><p>Friday August 13th </p><p>Frank went out and raked the wheat stubble this morning and we got a good sized load of rakings off it. It took longer to rake it than Dad had figured on so that we didn't have time to go back and get any hay before dinner but we got the wheat rakings in before noon. While Frank was at that Dad. and I put off the load of wheat that was in the barn and then as I had a pain in my tummy I lay down till we hauled in the rakings. We went back after dinner to haul hay. We got one load up and another half on when it began to rain. We came up with our half load but got drenched doing it. I spent the rest of the after noon painting show card practice and Frank washed out our wet clothes. Very warm to-day before and after the rain. </p></div> <div class="mw-parser-output"><p>Saturday August 14th </p><p>Dad. has plowed all day in the back field and has got past the niche in the fence so is on the short rounds. I didn't do much all day but cut a few thistles in the orchard and mow part of the lawn this after noon. Frank did a few odd jobs among which was patching the rooves of the old barn and horse stable. Tid. &amp; Enah went down town. The Millman's arrived about eight o'clock having run into some bad roads. Mr. &amp; Mrs. Millman Kathleen &amp; {Tow?}. After they had tea, they all went down in the car and Enah &amp; Frank went with them. I changed my clothes and walked down later and met the girls over at Pete Holmes' casino. We had a few dances but had more fun watching the antics of the others. The girls are staying at Percy's so Frank and I went around there with them and sat on the beach till about one o'clock. Mr. &amp; Mrs. Millman are staying over here. Very hot. We thought we were going to get a real thunder storm to-day but didn't. </p><p>Sunday August 15th </p><p>Frank Tid and I went down to Sunday school and church and after church we found Dad. &amp; Mr. Millman down at Aunty's with the car to take the whole family over here to dinner I walked as far as the bridge on my way home and then Charlie Shand picked me up and brought me all the way home. We had a great old dinner party. After dinner Roy, Rebecca and I went out and gathered some mushrooms which Roy said were good but which I always thought were toadstools. We sat around on the lawn trying without much success to be cool and about four o'clock Mr. Millman drove all but Dad. Tid &amp; me down town. Frank had left before on his wheel to go down the Lake shore with the Ward's, he got back about dark. Mr. &amp; Mrs. Millman &amp; Enah came back for tea and we all spent the evening here. Very hot. </p><p>Monday August 16th </p><p>We were up early this morning and Mr. Millman went down about six o'clock to go over to Turkey Point with Roy &amp; Percy to fish. He was gone all day and got about four or five bass and a pike or so. It rained again quite a little shower and was cloudy all morning so we couldn't do any thing with the crops. Dad. ploughed all day and Frank cleaned out the shop. I dug up some paeony roots over at Ivey's this morning and packed a box of them to send to Daerie. This after noon some Mr. Brooks from Brantford was down to look at the sheep, he may buy a few later on. Enah &amp; Mrs. Millman went down town this after noon. Kathleen &amp; Tow were over for a little while this morning and I drove them down town in the midst of a heavy shower. I went down to band practice to-night but there were very few out. </p></div> <div class="mw-parser-output"><p>Tuesday August 17th </p><p>The Millman's left for home this morning about 9 o'clock and took Enah with them to Brantford where she spent the after noon with Aunty Maude coming down on the five o'clock car, she said Aunty Maude was looking fine and expected to come home this week. Dad. Frank and I spent the remainder of the fore noon separating the ewes &amp; lambs and marking the ewes we wanted to keep We picked out 13 of the ones we considered the best &amp; the three best looking lambs, and we put the lambs and rams over in the front pasture west of the house and left the ewes in the orchard. This after noon we got the binder out and started to cut the barley in the corner field it is crinkled down and there is a lot of green stuff in it so it looks miserable, we didn't cut it out separately from the oats in the other end of the field but cut straight through. We didn't get much more than well started to-day as it was late when we got out. I went down town to-night with some cream for Aunty and spent most of the evening with Roy &amp; Quint who were fitting a pipe in Quint's new launch. Cooler looks rainy. </p><p>Wednesday August 18th </p><p>We cut oats all day, finished the strip in the corner field and started in on the barley and oats along the side road, but still have the five or six loads in the corner field that were latest sowed to cut yet. Billy Mills came over after dinner and borrowed the rack to haul alsike. He delayed me quite a bit as I had to help him put off the hay that was on it. Roy was over for awhile this evening and spent the whole time trying to prove to Frank something about a kite he is making for Tid. but I guess he failed in the attempt. Cooler but looks rainy. </p><p>Thursday August 19th </p><p>Still cutting oats, got on fairly well to-day but have quite a strip to cut yet, nothing out of the ordinary happened. I went down to band concert to-night. Cool. </p><p>Friday August 20th </p><p>We finished cutting the oats to-day. It took longer to cut the piece with the water holes in it than it did the others as Frank had to cut around them so that by the time we got the five lands in the corner field cut and the binder loaded and put away it was about quitting time. Dad. and I kept them shocked up as they were cut. Fine day </p><p>Saturday August 21st </p><p>Dad. &amp; Frank went after after a load of hay this morning while I killed a couple of chickens one for Mrs Bowlby </p></div> <div class="mw-parser-output"><p>and one for Aunty Alice. I also got some ice and put the car out of the horse stable. We hauled two loads this morning and one load of barley as we didn't have time to go after a load of hay before noon. This after noon we hauled two more loads of hay, there are still four or five loads back there I think. I went down to the dam at the grist mill to-night and had a good bath. It rained quite a shower. Hot but nice breeze to-day. </p><p>Sunday August 22nd </p><p>Frank, Tid. and I went down to Sunday school this morning and Dad. &amp; Enah went to church. I was home all the after noon. Gordon Zealand, Oliver Mann, George Ryerse &amp; young Aubrey Wilson came over to see my birds' eggs. Enah and Tid went for a drive and Frank went over to Tom Butler's. He &amp; Mark went down to church to-night. Dad. Enah &amp; Tid drove down to-night to see Roy as this was his birthday. Huby &amp; Lila went to Brantford this after noon and brought Aunty Maude home, she is going to stay at Aunt Lucy's for awhile till she gets stronger, she has got on very well so far. Or, &amp; his girl, Carlotta Turk, and Kathleen, Tow and two boys came in at noon for awhile. Very cool all day </p><p>Monday August 23rd </p><p>We finished hauling the hay from the back field to-day. We got two loads this morning and as we didn't have time before dinner to go back for another we penned the ewes and milked them all out. Then we hauled the remaining two this afternoon. Tupper was in for a few minutes this morning. I went down to band practice to-night. We have three engagements booked. Boughner picnic Thursday afternoon Simcoe Oddfellow's decoration Sunday and a garden party or some thing out at Jim Ross's Tuesday night. Roy went over to the Point to-day with Quint, Dad. {Name?} and Jack Ivey and just got back about ten o'clock </p><p>Tuesday August 24th </p><p>Dad. and I hauled in six bags of oats to-day from the corner field. Frank had to go down to Sam Law's to thrash and it made it very awkward pitching up into the mow and mowing away for just the two of us, so that we didn't get as much in as we otherwise would have. I took some milk down to Aunty's to-night and stayed most of the evening. Kathleen &amp; Tow were there. I rode or tried to ride Frank's wheel but made a bad job of it. He took Queen and went for a drive to-night. Fair and not too hot. </p><p>Wednesday August 25th </p><p>We finished hauling in off the corner field first thing this morning. The barley that was left out there made </p></div> <div class="mw-parser-output"><p>a big load and took a long time to pitch on and off. We got two loads of barley &amp; oats off the long field before dinner and put them in the barn. Frank had to go over to Pickford's to thrash this afternoon so Dad and I hauled two loads of oats and started a stack as two can't unload now in the barn. It was slow work making the stack with just two. To-night Dad. Enah &amp; Tid drove down with Aunty's milk and just as they got home Mr. Cantelon the artist rode in, he was here for a long time making a copy of a sketch Clarence did of the old Dog's Nest. He is very interested in anything pertaining to the early history of the country. Hot &amp; looks dry </p><p>Thursday August 26th </p><p>Frank was over at Pickford's thrashing all <s>day</s> morning. Dad. and I hauled in three loads of oats and pitched two off on the stack and left one till after dinner. This after noon I went down to play in the band for Boughner picnic and Dad. &amp; Frank hauled in two more loads of barley and oats. The Boughner picnic has degenerated in late years. There was not such a big crowd as usual in spite of the fact that it was a beautiful day. In olden days we used to see all roads into Dover lined with buggys and democrats at five a.m. but now every one comes in cars and they don't start till after dinner. We played to a rather small audience over in Bucks park till half past five. I stayed at Aunty's for tea and then went with Quint, Roy &amp; Vernon out in the new boat. We picked Kathleen, Tow, Enah and Tid. up down at Barwell's fish shanty and we had a fine ride out in the lake, it was the fastest boat I was ever in. It was after eight when we got in but I got up to the bandstand before they started to play. This was I suppose our last concert for the season. I went over to Pete Holme's after band concert and from there went with Kathleen, Tow &amp; Quint over to their cottage where we had some ice cream which Quint brought from his shack and cake &amp; lemonade. Frank joined us later and we fooled around there half the night then I went for a dip in the lake and walked home in my bare feet. I changed my clothes went I got home as I didn't think it was worthwhile undressing. It was after three when I went to bed. </p><p>Friday August 27th </p><p>Dad. called me before daylight this morning and I went and helped him put the sheep out of the garden. They had gone through a hole in the fence that Belle had broken. They had got well filled up on clover but hadn't done much damage in the garden We finished hauling the oats to-day. It took us all </p></div> <div class="mw-parser-output"><p>day as finishing the stack took a lot of time. Kathleen and Tow were over to dinner to-day and Enah drove them down this after noon. Mr. &amp; Mrs. Millman came up in the car to-night. They are all going home on Sunday Orm &amp; Carlotta Turk came up too. Fine day pretty hot. </p><p>Saturday August 28th </p><p>I spent most of the fore noon cleaning out the flower border and setting out a little plant of bleeding heart and some iris which Mrs. Millman brought me. This afternoon I went over to Ivey's and dug up some more paeony roots and took a stroll over to Bronzie where I poked around for an hour or more. Dad. ploughed all day. Frank went down to Sam Law's this after noon and borrowed 30 bushels of oats which he took down to the mill and had chopped. Fine day not hot. </p><p>Sunday August 29th </p><p>Frank Tid and I went down to Sunday school &amp; Dad and Enah drove down to church but Dad. couldn't go as he had forgotten the tie strap and couldn't tie Queen up. I had a very hurried lunch at Aunty's and went to Simcoe on the one o'clock car with the band as we were engaged to play for the Oddfellow's decoration day up there. We had to wait till three o'clock for the {Coutons?} the highest order of the Oddfellow's to come down from Brantford and then we marched out to the cemetry and were out there an hour or so. By the time we got through it was too late to catch the five o'clock car so we were treated to supper at the Battersby house and got home at seven. Beautiful day </p><p>Monday August 30th </p><p>Dad. ploughed all day but didn't quite finish the field. Frank patched the roof of the old barn this morning and I went up on the inside and shoved straws through to show him where the holes were. I went down town before dinner to see about getting some clothes. I wanted to get a second best suit and a light overcoat. Moses Fischer showed me some brown sample of a suit which he said would be $48.00. I went down to Tip's and bought a ready made for $25..00 It won't look as well as the other but seemed pretty good and I didn't feel as if I could afford to spend $22.00 on mere appearance. I also got Tip to send for some samples of tweed raincoats which he says are taking the place of fall overcoats. He had some there but they were all too short in the sleeves. I got a pair of shoes at Frank Smith's for $7.50. I had dinner at Aunty's and came home soon after and hoed a few strawberries. I stopped in for a few minutes to see Aunty Maude on my way home. Frank sowed some rape seed in the corn this afternoon but I am afraid it is too late for it to ammount to anything. I went down to band practice to-night. Fine &amp; cool </p></div> <div class="mw-parser-output"><p>Tuesday August 31st </p><p>Frank was down at Dave Ward's last night and as Dave has his oats all out yet Frank promised to go down and help him get them in, so off he went this morning and I don't know when he will be back. Dad. ploughed this morning and I cut lawn and after dinner Dad. &amp; I went out to the side road and got the snow fence that the township council or road officials put out there and brought it up and put it around the stack as the calves and sheep were rubbing and pulling at it. Dad. then went back to plough for a while and I wired the snow fence to-gether and didn't do any thing else much till chore time. To-night I went down and joined the band and we all went out to Jim Ross's to a Women's Auxillary garden party. It was very cold down there but we had a pretty good time. Their programme was so rotten it was funny. Tom Butcher of Nanticoke was the principal entertainer and he appears to be batty. Mrs. Hank Sinclair told fortunes and I think it was young Mason who had an old stove out under an apple tree frying hot dogs. He also sold ice cream but most people were too frozen to want to buy it. </p><p>Wednesday September 1st </p><p>Dad. finished ploughing and rolling the field this morning and I puttered around and hoed a little in the strawberries. This after noon we got the spreader out and hauled out three loads as it took a long time to get it oiled up and started and then some thing went wrong with the worm gear that turns the apron and it lifted itself out of the gear and didn't turn. Dad. tightened up a nut which we couldn't see would help it any but it worked all right afterwards. Jack Martin was in to-night to tell us that he was going to thrash to-morrow and wanted two men. Fine day &amp; cool </p><p>Thursday September 2nd </p><p>Dad. and I hauled out <s>three or four</s> seven loads this morning but as the machine moved in to Jack's place before dinner we put the spreader in the shed at noon and went over there at one o'clock. They were thrashing oats out of the stack down at the {illegible} barn and had a good run but didn't quite finish. I stayed over there to tea but Dad. came home. It was pretty late when we got the chores done. Winnie was over here to tea. Fine </p><p>Friday September 3rd </p><p>We thrashed all day at Jack's to-day and are not quite through yet. We finished the oats and then moved up to the Mills barn and started thrashing wheat before dinner. Benny Walker and I carried away. Benny would carry away three bushels and then I'd carry three so we had a pretty fair time. I came home at noon to do chores and Dad. stayed over to dinner. Still a fine day. </p></div> <div class="mw-parser-output"><p>Saturday September 4th </p><p>We finished thrashing at Martin's this morning about half past eight having about 400 bushels of wheat and 623 of oats. Dad and I came home by way of Jack Martin's to get his measuring chain but we couldn't find it. Sid. Goodwin showed his string of chickens that he is getting ready for the Syracuse Show. This after noon we hauled out a few more loads of manure. I went down town to-night and got my suit which they all thought looked all right. Frank came home some time during the night. </p><p>Sunday September 5th </p><p>Frank Tid and I went down to Sunday school and Enah came down to church. She and Tid. stayed all the after noon at her mothers as Elva &amp; Brant were down for Labor Day to-morrow. I stayed for dinner at Aunty's and was down there all the after noon, went home about five and helped Dad. do chores. Frank seems pretty well tuckerd out. Dave must have worked him pretty hard and then he wound up by going to the dance. Mark. Stephens was in for awhile on his way down to church and he stopped in on his way back and we ate part of a water-melon that Enah got this afternoon up at Cantelon's. </p><p>Monday September 6th </p><p>This being Labor Day we didn't do any thing but chores this morning but as the water has had a very disagreeable taste and odour lately Dad. thought he would make an examination and much to our disgust discovered a rabbit floating in the water in an advanced stage of decomposition, with considerable manoevering he managed to dip it up with a pail. We imagine it must have fallen through the hole we left for ventilation although there has been a box over it. Enah and Tid. drove out to the school house to the Dolly Smith reunion and about noon Dad. and I walked out. Frank still feels tough so didn't go. We weren't there long before the bell rang for dinner and we went down into the basement and had a grand feed. After dinner we played baseball and had a very good time. Girls against the boys. I don't know who won but I think it was a large score in favour of neither. We played till about four o'clock when Mr. Bagley went inside to call the roll of "Aunt Dolly's" old pupils. Dad. and I walked home through John Wess's and found Mr. Lawrie and Hubert there trap shooting. It looked rainy this morning but was a fine day. </p><p>Tuesday September 7th </p><p>Dad. and I hauled out manure all day and got the yard nearly cleaned up. Frank hoed the strawberries and the weeds out of his alfalfa. He went down to see Colin Ryerse's new tractor this after noon. Colin has left his fifty dollars a week job in Chicago to come home and run a tractor. Aunty Alice was over to-day. </p></div> <div class="mw-parser-output"><p>Wednesday September 8th </p><p>Dad. and I finished hauling out the manure to-day, we got all we could pitch out before dinner and after dinner we scraped up the stack bottom <s>and</s> in little piles and hauled it out it took a long time but made a good clean job. Dad. took the big team back and disked when we got through with that. I didn't do any thing but chores and a little painting for the rest of the after noon. Frank went to Simcoe this morning to order some photo-graphs of Dick from Moore as Dick wrote and asked for some. This after noon he took Queen &amp; Joe and mowed the big weeds around the water holes that were left in the oat stubble. Old Jonas Green was here to tea to-night. He is thinking of coming back to Dover to work in the greenhouse but as usual doesn't know what to do with the old cow, the horse and the chickens and Sairy. I went down town to-night and got my hair cut. Fine day not hot. </p><p>Thursday September 9th </p><p>Dad. went down to Aunty's this morning to help them in the garden for a day. He trimmed the paths and dug some early Rose potatoes, Aunty Alice got five pounds of seed from Bruce's last Spring and to-day they dug seven baskets or two bushels and a third by measure. Frank disked on the back field this morning but it rained more or less all the after noon so he didn't go back after dinner. It was raining hard about four o'clock so I drove down after Tid. Enah had intended going down after him and staying for tea at Aunty's with Dad. but as it was such a wet night she didn't go down and I drove down and got Dad. After tea he and Enah drove down and Enah went to a Horticultural meeting with Aunty Alice. I spent the day doing chores clearing up the lawn and painting at show cards. </p><p>Friday September 10th </p><p>Dad. went down to Aunty's again to-day and put in another day in the garden. He weighed up the yield of Early Rose potatoes, the weighed 136 1/2 lbs. Frank worked on the land all day. I took Alfred's cradle back to him this morning and then went over and saw Colin Ryerse's tractor working, from there I went over to Frank Ryerse's to see if they wanted to buy one of the bulls. I came home along by the creek and roved down as far as Flemming's woods with young Philips. This after noon I didn't do any thing much but pick a basket of plums. Ethel Phipps was over here all the after noon. Tom Butler was over here all the evening I painted a show card lesson. Sultry. </p><p>Saturday September 11th </p><p>Dad. worked on the back field all day. Frank and </p></div> <div class="mw-parser-output"><p>I went down this morning and got the basic slag Dad. ordered from Harry Misener. Chris Quanbury had found the surveyor's chain and gave it to us so when we got home we started to measure up the farm. We spent the whole after noon at the job and got all the fields this side of the gully measured. Fine day but cool and windy </p><p>Sunday September 12th </p><p>My day commenced at two o'clock this morning when I was awakened by a fierce thunder storm raging I got up and looked around to see if any thing was hit by the lightning but couldn't see any thing so went back to bed. There were several thunder claps and flashes then that shook the house and not long after I heard a dog bark and a man whistle. I then got up and saw a big blaze over at Jack Martin's I called Dad. and Frank and we hurried over and found the implement shed just about gone. They had saved one or two pieces of machinery but Billy Mill's two pigs were burned. Luckily the wind kept the sparks away from the straw stack which was only a few yards away or the whole thing would have gone barn &amp; all. Dad. and I. Art Quanbury &amp; Sid Goodwin sat there with Billy till morning to watch it. About six o'clock we came home and I went back to get the cows but Dad. called to me when I got back there that the cows were all in the stable, we shut them in last night to feed them some corn and had forgotten to let them out again. Frank Tid and I went down to Sunday school and church. Mr. James came over here for dinner and this after noon the Jim Waddle's and Uncle Ward came in. Uncle Ward &amp; Mr. James stayed to tea and Enah drove them down to-night with Mexico. Frank took Queen &amp; the buggy and drove down to the Ward's. Billy Dixon's shed was burned last night too. </p><p>Monday September 13th </p><p>Frank and I finished measuring up the back fields this morning and this after noon Frank went up to Will. Wright's to help Alan &amp; Sam with the engine. Dad. worked on the land all day and I went back this after noon and dug out a big stone that Dad. had run into with the plow I loosened it up and it was all Dad. and I could do to get it out of the hole. Mr. James was over again to dinner and Enah drove him down this after noon. I went down to band practice to-night. Mark came over to-night &amp; borrowed the spreader. </p><p>Tuesday September 14th </p><p>I drove Tid down to school this morning as he was late getting up when I got home I did a few chores and went out to the garden to dig potatoes. I dug potatoes most of the day and got four bushels and haven't got half of the two outside rows dug yet. I have been </p></div> <div class="mw-parser-output"><p>digging the two outside rows to see if there is any difference between the fertilized and unfertilized but I can't see a particle, they are all beauties and a lot of them. Dad. worked on the land all day and Frank has been off thrashing with Alan &amp; Sam, he is having a beautiful time as Alan lets him run the engine I went down town to-night with Aunty Alice's milk. </p><p>Wednesday September 15th </p><p>It was very foggy this mornng and I didn't go out very early to dig potatoes but got four more bushels dug. I went back at noon and helped Dad. take the harrows back. Dad. worked on the land all day and Frank has been helping Alan &amp; Sam. Fine day. Aunty Alice was over to tea to-night. </p><p>Thursday September 16th </p><p>Dad. finished fitting the wheat ground to-day and has it in fine shape. I finished digging the potatoes in the garden at noon and got 11 bushels. This after noon I went over to the Preston's and helped old Walker clean up 18 bushels of seed wheat for ourselves. Enah was down all day judging at the flower show. There was very little there considering the good year it was for every thing. I went down to-night and found the band playing up there so went back to Aunty's and got my horn. Fine &amp; cold wind. </p><p>Friday September 17th </p><p>Dad. and Frank have been all day and part of the night putting in the wheat. They had to haul the Basic Slag back first thing this morning, then go over to Preston's and get the wheat, chain the drill to the back of the waggon and haul it around to the gully gate on the side road, take the wheat up and unload it and then go back after the drill so it was about eleven o'clock or after when they started to drill. It took two of them as the Slag is too heavy for one to handle alone and watch the team too. They kept at it till eight o'clock to-night but finished the field. I did a few odd jobs this morning and went back as soon as I had my dinner to watch the cattle out of the field while Dad. went up to get his and then I stayed back there with Frank when he came back till Dad. arrived. When I got up to the house I found two roots of Bleeding Heart that Marj. had sent me so I put them in and then hurried over to tell Arthur Pickford that the boys were going to leave Frank Smith's store at 5:30 to go for a camp fire trip but he had decided not to go. I also cut some corn for the cows and then got ready and went down town. I picked up Gordon Zealand on the way down, he had just come on the five o'clock car from Hamilton. He was the only one of our bunch that showed up and only four of the Methodists. Manning took us down the Lake Shore in his car and we built a big </p></div> <div class="mw-parser-output"><p>fire in a ravine on the shore in front of Hurl. Powell's place. He came down and was for putting us out as he was afraid of the fire running up the gully, but we promised to watch it and put it out before we left so he let us stay. The boys visited a corn field on the way down and Manning brought a water melon and I had some sandwiches so we made out a pretty fair meal. Manning gave us a little talk on the stars and we got home about ten o'clock. Fine day fairly hot and windy </p><p>Saturday September 18th </p><p>Frank and I had to go over to Ern. Flemming's to thrash to-day and were over there all day, at least Frank was. I came home a little early as I was helping Wilbur Ryerse carry away oats and when the wheat commenced to come Ern could handle it alone so Ern. told me I could come home &amp; get ready for the machine as they moved in here to-night. Dad. was running out land furrows in the back field all day. Ham Thompson was in and borrowed the drill. Fine day </p><p>Sunday September 19th </p><p>We all went to church this morning and Frank Tid and I went to Sunday school. Miss {Treneman?} sang a solo. Enah had to play as Mrs. Andrews is away so she stayed down all day. Dad. stayed down to dinner at Auntys, but Frank and I came home. I was home all the after noon but went down to-night with some eggs for Aunty Alice. We were much surprised this after noon when Mr. &amp; Mrs. Millman drove in. They went on down to Aunty's and are staying there for a day or two. Mr. Millman is going to buy apples for his evapourator at Vittoria. </p><p>Monday September 20th </p><p>We thrashed all day to-day and got out about 830 bushels 100 of wheat 40 of barley and the rest oats and mixed grain. It wasn't as big a yield as I had looked for but the oats rolled out of the spout about 3 bushels per minute. It was very cloudy cold and drizzly all day and just as we finished began to rain so hard it threw the belt off. We only had five more sheaves to thrash, but they put it on again and we thrashed them. </p><p>Tuesday September 21st </p><p>We caught the lambs this morning and trimmed the wool out of their eyes as some of them couldn't see at all. This after noon Dad. and I went back and ran out the cross ditches in the back field. Frank had to go down to Art Ryerse's with Alan &amp; Sam when they took the engine but they didn't thrash any to-day as they wanted to go to the school fair. I started to get ready to go down to that but about four o'clock Bob. Doherty and Webb. came in and stayed for an hour or so. Frank came home while they were here and we sold him all the lambs but four and the three old ewes, 13 cts for the good lambs 9 cts. for culls and 4 cts for the old ewes. Mr. Millman was in for a minute to-night with Aunty Maude &amp; Aunt Ida. Fine day </p></div> <div class="mw-parser-output"><p>Wednesday September 22nd </p><p>Frank has been away with Sam &amp; Alan all day down at Art Ryerse's. Dad. and I took Sam's oats home first thing this morning and when we got back Rus. Lampkins was here to fix the pump so we worked with him till noon. He had to go home at noon to take his wife to Simcoe and he didn't get back till half past three. Dad. and I bagged up a grist and I took it down this after noon and when I got back Dad. &amp; Rus had the pump back in the well. Rus. put in a new valve and sucker and now it works better than it ever did. Lovely day. It has been very dry now for a long time in spite of the fact that the New Moon has been perpendicular now for several months. This moth it was south of the line. {Wee sketch of the moon shape}. </p><p>Thursday September 23rd </p><p>Dad. &amp; I spent the fore noon cleaning up around the stack. We put all the loose straw from the south side of the stack on the rack and hauled it in on the barn floor and carried it in from the north side. Then Dad. got up and put a better top on the stack as the wind was too strong the day we thrashed to make a neat job of it. This after noon we went back and cleaned some of the ditches in the wheat field but quit early and to-night I had a meeting with the boys. Hermon &amp; Jonas were the only ones there, we figured on a programme for next month. Fine &amp; hot. </p><p>Friday September 24th </p><p>I spent most of the morning doing chores but went back about eleven and cleaned some more ditches in the back field. Dad. took Tid to school and picked some tomatoes for Mrs. Law. This after noon he and I finished cleaning the ditches. Frank was with the thrashers all day. I did a couple of show card lessons to-night and Dad. Enah &amp; Tid drove down with Aunty's milk. Very warm, tried to rain. </p><p>Saturday September 25th </p><p>Frank told us that Dougherty called him up yesterday and wanted to ship the lambs this morning so we had to get the waggon unloaded, it had some coal on it and get the sheep in and loaded. We took down about 16 of the best lambs the first load and when we got there found Dougherty wasn't there yet, but we unloaded them and Frank went back for another load. He put them all on but had to take four off at Martin's as they nearly smothered, so by the time they were all down there it was noon and about one when we got home. The lambs the good ones just averaged about 68 lbs apiece and the whole bunch came to about $242.00. This after noon Frank had to go and help Sam and Tid and I dug some paeony roots and took them down to Miss McQueen and Miss Monteith. To-night I went to town and charted Hermon Cook. I found Mark Stephens and his sister here when I got home. Fine day. Very hot. </p></div> <div class="mw-parser-output"><p>Sunday September 26th </p><p>This has been one of the hottest days we have had this year. Frank Tid and I went down to Sunday school and Dad. and Enah went to church. This was {Harvest?} Home service and they had the church looking very nice. Zeitha sang a solo. Doc. Lemmons &amp; Lou. Dixon were supposed to sing a duet but Bill didn't show up. <s>Aunty came.</s> This after noon I went down to Bronzie as it was the only cool spot I could find. It was lovely down there on the point. I came home early and we did up the chores in good time. Mark and his sister and Winnie were here for tea and we all except Frank and Tid. went down to church to-night. Mr. Ward from St John's preached. After church we all went down to Aunty's and spent the evening Aunty Alice gave Mark a kitten which Miss Stephens took home in a basket and which howled terribly. </p><p>Monday September 27th </p><p>I fixed up the old corn house this morning and this after noon Dad. and I started to cut corn and got 28 shocks cut. Frank was away all day with Sam. and Alan. I went to band practice to-night. </p><p>Tuesday September 28th </p><p>Dad. and I cut corn all day and are nearly halfway across the field there are just ten rows of shocks in the field. Fine day, sunny with cool wind. </p><p>Wednesday September 29th </p><p>We cut corn all day. Jack Highland was past to-night about five o'clock and while Dad. was talking to him he heard a cow bawl so we went back to the gully and found Nancy calving. We gave her a little assistance and now have another red and white bull calf known as Bill Sykes Dad. and I drove down with milk for Aunty to-night and up around by Ham Thompson's as I wanted to see if he was going to Courtland to-morrow. Fine &amp; cold. </p><p>Thursday September 30th </p><p>I caught the nine o'clock car this morning and went with Ham Thompson to Simcoe where Manning picked us up and drove us to Courtland. The had the township fair and school fair combined. I didn't do much but help Ham judge the school kid's chickens. We had a very nice time though. The fair didn't ammount to much as there was very little stock there and not much of anything else Dean Taylor and a couple of pals were there having a great time Manning drove Ham and me back. We had supper at his place and he drove us on down to Dover, as he was coming down to a meeting. Cloudy and cold all day. Raining to-night. </p></div> <div class="mw-parser-output"><p>Friday October 1st </p><p>It has rained steadily all day and has been very raw and cold. Tom. Butler came in on his way down town and he and Frank went over to look at the stuff Flemming has for sale and then he came back here and had dinner. I didn't do any thing much but a few chores. Frank went home with Tom this after noon and stayed there for tea and all night so that he could put a fire on in the engine in the morning to finish thrashing at Art Quanbury's. Miserable day but good for the wheat. </p><p>Saturday October 2nd </p><p>Dad. and Frank went over and finished thrashng at Art Quanbury's this morning. Dad. got home before dinner and Frank went on to Charlie Munroe's with the machine. I took Aunty's milk down this morning and on my way back stopped in at the Zealand's He showed me various things about the place and told me I could have the house any time I wanted it, so I told him that would be in about three weeks I hoped. Dad. and I dug a couple of rows of potatoes this after noon. I went down to meet the Tuxis boys to-night but Jonas was the only one out. </p><p>Sunday October 3rd </p><p>Frank, Tid and I went down to Sunday school and church and Enah came down to church. Aunty came back over here to dinner. It rained this morning a little and has been cloudy and cool all day. </p><p>Tuesday October 12th </p><p>I have some way got far behind in writing this and can't remember precisely what happened from day to day so will have to make a summary of last weeks events. I think we finished cutting the field corn Tuesday the fifth working at it Monday after noon &amp; Tuesday. We cut the fodder corn Wednesday after noon and Thursday morning. There will be quite a lot of feed on it considering how late it was put in. We spent the rest of the time up till Wednesday noon digging potatoes. We just finished that job yesterday after noon and got nearly fifty bushels out of the patch in the field. We have them piled out in the field. Thursday after noon Dad. had to go to be bearer ar Mrs. Tommy Jackson's funeral and I went over to Ern. Flemming's sale. Friday Dad. and I were over at Tom &amp; Mark's all day thrashing and finished up there Saturday fore noon, from there I went with Art Quanbury down to {Ausen?} Abbot's to look at an old house which Art wants to buy to tear down and use the stuff to build his new one. Dad. went over to John Wess's for a visit and stayed there to dinner. Frank thrashed with Sam Monday morning and then they quit till after Simcoe fair but Frank </p></div> <div class="mw-parser-output"><p>stayed with Sam till Tuesday night helping him shock up his corn. He went to the fair on Wednesday and has been sick ever since, he is just beginning to get around now. I stayed down at Aunty's for dinner on Sunday and Sunday afternoon Aunty Alice came over here with me and stayed to tea. Aunty went to Scotland this morning with Dick Tibbits to see Uncle Robuck. They had to come back on the L.E.&amp;N. as Dick's car played out. The Bawlby's came down in the after noon and took Aunt Ida up with them for tea. Jack Martin was over here after tea to ask Dad. to go with him on Tuesday to a political meeting near Aylmer. Yesterday Frank took Joe down to be shod and brought Aunt Ida back with him to spend the day. It began to rain this after noon and we had quite a heavy thunder storm but it stopped before night. Dad. drove Aunt Ida home after tea. To-day I went over to the Zealand's to help him put on the storm window but he thought it was too warm yet, so I helped them make some cider Enah went over to get the curtains and wash them but as Mr. Zealand was away when she got there she didn't take them. Dad. went with Jack Martin to Straffordville and heard Mr. Meighen, but said they had a very tiresome day as they had to wait so long. I got some flower roots over at Mrs. Battersby's this after noon. Frank felt better and picked the King's. To-night I went down town to get my hair cut but couldn't get into any of the barber shops so went down to see Aunty Maude. It has been a very nice day. </p><p>Wednesday October 13th </p><p>Dad. and I walked back to the gully this morning to get a long pole that was back there for firewood and while we were back took a walk over to look at the wheat which is coming nicely since the rain and as we saw Cam McBride back plowing pea stubble went over and talked to him for awhile. Frank drove Tid. down to school. It was pretty late when we got back but Dad. castrated the four calves before dinner. The big roan bled quite a lot and to-night Dad. went to look at him but thought it had stopped pretty well, however he started up again during the night and bled to death. This after noon I went down town and got my hair cut and made the final preparations or purchases as to-morrow Aunty Alice and I leave D.O. for Haliburton where on Saturday Marj. and I are to be married. </p><p>Wednesday November 8th </p><p>There must of necessity be a considerable gap left in these records caused by the event predicted in the last entry. I was away in Haliburton </p></div> <div class="mw-parser-output"><p>and Bobcayceon for nearly two weeks and since coming back with Marj. have been so unsettled and having so much {illegible} getting our new nest feathered that I havent been able to get into my old habit of writing in my diary. There is not much use trying to record the events of the past few weeks as I don't know what has happened, all I know is that Marj. and I are married and have had a most happy time and that we are the luckiest pair alive as we are in our own house by ourselves for the winter and with the many things Marj. has had given to her and the things by the Zealand's which we may use, we seem to have every thing we want, we don't even have to pay rent for the place, which is very fortunate as being as poor as ever as far as cold cash is concerned. Mr. Zealand is still here during the day packing up fruit and making cider but he stays at night with Mr. Johnson and has his men at the Quanburys. He went to Hamilton last weekend and spent Saturday after noon giving away the fruit he had sent down. Besides the many things Marj. has had given to her privately we have had several more or less public donations. The second night we were back in Dover The band came over to the farm 17 strong with an extra to carry Karl's big drum, Karl himself being burdened with a dandy big leather rocking chair to present to us. We had a fine musical evening On Thursday November 4th we were invited to a meeting of the County J.F.I.A. at Mr. Neff's in Simcoe where we were presented with a beautiful table-cloth. Marj. says it is one of the finest she ever saw and that the like can't be bought new, this <s>one</s> being made before the war. The next night we were invited to the Sunday school where they had "kitchen shower" for Marj. and stocked her up with a fine lot of aluminum and pirex ware and rumors have reached us that the object of a combined visit of teachers on Tuesday night November 16th is to present Marj. with some forks. This is Monday the 15th and I have not had time to make an entry in this for about a week. This house keeping is very unsettling but it is a lot of fun. I am waiting now for Marj. to get dinner. I have just got of 12 bbl {barrels} of apples to Mr. Clarke which I spent considerable time last week and the week before getting ready for him. Frank and I got in the mangels and Dad. has got some plowing done. Our turnips are out yet and as we had a very cold snap (about 12° of frost) they are </p></div> <div class="mw-parser-output"><p>frozen stiff but it is beautiful again today so will be all right I think. We got in one load of corn stalks on Saturday and they are in good shape and there is some fine corn in them. I went up to a meeting of mentors which Manning called in Simcoe to-night and left Marj. here alone to go to bed early as she has a bad cold. </p><p>Tuesday November 16th </p><p>Just a month ago to-day that we were married and I am just beginning to get squared away to regular habits but we have had a good time. Marj's cold is very bad to-night, she feels quite sick I think. She got up early and has worked hard all day as she expected a joint attack from the school teacher's but Miss McQueen telephoned at the last minute that they couldn't come. Frank and I put off the load of corn stalks that we hauled in yesterday and then went down after a load of freight which just came in for Marj. It was all her things from home which her Dad. had packed and shipped to her. It made about a waggon load. I opened them for her at noon and she unpacked them and it was a very tiresome job but she was glad to get a lot of the things. This after noon Frank and I took some oats to the mill to be rolled. Dad. ploughed all day. Frank went down to stay at Aunty's to-night and is going with Neff on a judging trip to-morrow D.O. Still cold and east snow storm to-night. </p><p>Wednesday November 17th </p><p>I was up at 6.30 this morning and found a fierce east wind and snow storm raging but not very cold. We expected Frank who stayed at Aunty's all night back but he didn't come so we suppose he must have gone with Neff although we didn't think they could get through on account of the snow. I drove Tid. down to school and went on down town and got some meat and bread for Marj. Dad. and I threw the hay that was on the floor of the big barn up in the mow and let the calves in there for shelter. I didn't go over to the farm very early after dinner as I shovelled all the snow as Marj. was "receiving" Aunty Alice came over early and Enah was here. I husked some corn this after noon. Mark. came over for awhile and Dad. drove him down town with Queen and then he came back and stayed at his farm for tea. Aunty Alice had tea at our place, she being the first one to break bread with us in our own home. Much milder to-night. </p><p>Thursday November 18th </p><p>Frank didn't turn up all day but came home to-night and said they did go to London in Neff's car and saw the stock at Wildwood and Col. McEwen's. Dad. and I have just done chores all day. The snow and the frost make it impossible so far to do any thing with the turnips although it has thawed a great deal to-day and is not freezing as hard to-night. Enah had a tea party for Marj this afternoon </p></div> <div class="mw-parser-output"><p>and Dad. drove down and got Aunt Ida and brought her over. She stayed to tea. To-night Enah had to go down to practice with the "Sunny France" opera as Zeith got her to be their pianist so Marj. and I stayed with Tid till sh and Dad. got home about eleven </p><p>Friday November 19th </p><p>We haven't done much to-day but chores. Frank husked a nice lot of corn. This morning he and I took some barley down to the mill for chop but their chopper is out of order so we couldn't have it done. We got the rolled oats we left the other day and brought some potatoes down here for Marj. This was her day for receiving again and Aunty, Aunty Alice and Aunt Ida came over to help her. She had a host of callers too. Aunty stayed with us for tea. To-night we went to the Wilson McDonald concert "In Sunny France" on some complimentary tickets that Enah got. We all enjoyed it very much especially the dances by the little girls. Of course it was especially interesting to Dover folk as it was entirely written and composed by Wilson McDonald a brother of Daisys who had the honor of going to school here. He is very clever not only a poet and composer but an artist in certain lines. There were about fifty in the cast mostly Dover girls though some came down from Brantford. </p><p>Saturday November 20th </p><p>The frost being pretty well out of things we made a start at getting up the turnips. It was very muddy but we got about three loads pulled before dinner and this after noon we hauled them in and piled them in the barn to feed up right away To-night the four Tuxis boys came over and we had a very fair meeting. Cloudy and raw all day. </p><p>Sunday November 21st </p><p>Marj. and I went to Sunday school and church this morning. We have become established there as teachers I guess. She has Mrs. Smith's class and I have the Tuxis boys. We stayed to dinner at Aunty's and this after noon went up to see Miss Monteith and stopped in for a few minutes at the McQueen's. Cold wind. </p><p>Monday November 22nd </p><p>It was raining when we first went out this morning but it stopped early in the fore noon and has been cloudy and misty all day turning milder to-night. We got about three or four more loads of turnips up and started to pit them out in the field. Wilbur Ryerse was in this morning and got the ten little pigs for fifty dollars He liked the looks of Wilkins very much. Marj. wrote the greatest letter to Dorrie to-day, told her all the news in rhyme. </p></div> <div class="mw-parser-output"><p>Tuesday November 23rd </p><p>It has been a very dull damp dismal day sputting rain quite a lot, but we went out and pulled the rest of the turnips this forenoon and this after noon put them all in the pit and Dad. covered it, they appear to be all right in spite of their freezing but we don't know how they will keep. Oliver Mann came over to-night and I charted him. He charted up very well. </p><p>Wednesday November 24th </p><p>We put in the whole fore-noon just doing chores and puttering around. It was a very wet gloomy day. This after noon I stayed home and put on all the storm windows and it was quite a job to make them all fit. Marj. had a worse job as she was bound to wash them all thoroughly before I put them on, so was tired out to-night. </p><p>Thursday November 25th </p><p>Dad. ploughed all morning and got about half drowned wading through the mud-holes so this after noon Frank went out. This morning Frank went down to the mill to get the barley chop we took down on Friday but it wasn't done they not having got their chopper working right yet. He and I then went over to Jack Martin's and got his corn stalk chopping box and brought it over to chop stalks for the bulls as they don't eat them very well the other way. I spent the rest of the day doing chores and husking a little corn Winnie came over and spent the after noon sewing wth Marj. and stayed to tea. Still cloudy but not cold. </p><p>Friday November 26th </p><p>Marj. went over to the farm with me this morning &amp; Dad. drove her down with Tid. to school and she invited Miss McQueen over here to tea. Old Gladys was on one of her periodical rampages and followed the buggy all the way to the corner and I suppose would have gone all the way to school with them if I had not cut across Ivey's and headed her off. She went down to Quanbury's and then home. I did chores all day &amp; Frank ploughed. After dinner Marj. and I gathered up some russets and made a gallon or so of cider. Miss McQueen came over for tea and Dad. Enah and Tid came over and spent the evening. Frank had to go out to the school house. </p><p>Saturday November 27th </p><p>I just did chores to-day and Frank ploughed and Dad. cleaned some ditches. Lila was over here all the afternoon and to tea. The Tuxis boys were over to-night, after they left I rowed Lila across the pond, it was a lovely night. We haven't seen the sun all this week. </p></div> <div class="mw-parser-output"><p>Sunday November 28th </p><p>Marj. and I went to Sunday school and church and had dinner at Aunty's. Winnie was there to dinner and we stayed most of the after noon. We left our cat outdoors this morning and when we came home it was nowhere to be found. Mr &amp; Mrs Jas. Smythe were at the farm when I went over and as Enah asked them for tea she sent Tid over to bring Marj. over so we were there all the evening. Mark Stepens and his brother who is going to technical school in Toronto were at the farm for dinner and To-night Tom came over. Sun out but cold </p><p>Monday November 29th </p><p>Frank ploughed all day and finished up out east of the old garden. Dad. went down this morning expecting that the body of Will McQuade would be in on the morning train but it wasn't and he waited till after dinner and Geo Thompson had no word of it, so Dad. went down and visited all the scenes of public improvement viz: the dock and the swing bridge. I did chores most of the day but this after noon took a walk back to look at the wheat which is doing fine and on over to see Art. Quanbury's new house, he was pulling up the studding. Marj. went down to sit with Aunt Ida this after noon. I had dinner at the farm </p><p>Tuesday November 30th </p><p>It froze hard last night but has been a beautiful day. Frank and Dad. started ploughing in the field north of the barn. I did chores and helped them <s>run</s> throw out some ditches. We each made one strike out. {Nancy?} was an awful mess. This after noon I husked some corn. Geo Thompson telephoned over to say Will McQuade's funeral would be to-morrow at one o'clock. To-night I went to a meeting in Simcoe of the County J.F.I.A. where we chewed the rag about a ploughing match next year and winter entertainment. I wouldn't have gone if it hadn't been for the table-cloth they gave us but that is the admiration of all who see it so I felt in duty bound. Marj. went down to Aunty's and waited till I got home. Some one went in to Val. Leany's house to-night between six &amp; seven o'clock and robbed him of $800.00 cash and $500.00 in Victory Bonds. Val. was at the Point and Mrs. Leany had gone up street to get Mrs. Henry to come and stay with her all night. Jack Martin got home from the {illegible} Stole Fair to-night where he scooped everything in prizes. </p><p>Wednesday December 1st </p><p>It has been very dark and rained quite hard all day. Dad. went down this morning to attend Will McQuade's funeral but the body didn't come till one o'clock. Mary. </p></div> <div class="mw-parser-output"><p>and Annie Blaikie and Mary's husband were there. They took him to {illegible phrase} didn't get home till after four. Frank {illegible phrase} this morning but it rained too hard this after noon so he helped me husk corn. I just {illegible} and husked corn all day. Marj. was to have gone down to tea at Aunty's to-night and then go to a {illegible} meeting but she didn't feel very well &amp; the weather was so bad, we stayed home. </p><p>Thursday December 2nd </p><p>Dad. ploughed all day and Frank threw out ditch this morning and this after noon he and I hauled in a load of cabbages from the garden, they don't seem to be hurt a bit with the frost. I took a crate over from Martin's this morning and put my 14 cockrels in it and took them over to Jack. He said he would look them over and settle up with me later. I took a little prowl along the pond and through Bronzie. Marj. has scurried around at a great rate this after-noon getting things slicked up for the teachers as Miss {Jonson} telephoned her the other day that they were coming over to-night but at the last minute she telephoned again that they were not coming. Marj. disgusted </p><p>Friday December 3rd </p><p>This was Marj's birthday and a beautiful day. Sunny and mild. I spent most of the morning doing chores and Frank and I unloaded the cabbages we hauled up yesterday. This after noon Frank and I hauled in the rest of the cabbages without trimming them. About four Frank took Mexico down to Marj. and she went on down town and got Miss McQueen and Tim and they all went over to the farm to tea, where we had a birthday party and some music this evening. Marj's Dad. sent her a brace of partridge and a piece of venison and she got a good many other things as well. </p><p>Saturday December 4th </p><p>It has been cloudy and rainy all day again but quite mild. I spent the whole fore noon doing chores. I cleaned out the calf pen which took quite awhile Dad. ploughed all day although it was pretty wet and Frank threw out ditches this morning and did odd jobs this after noon. He emptied the cider barrel into another one so that we can get it filled again. Old Gladys has been making raids on the shop where I have my chicken feed and has gained an entrance several times and torn two or three bags of feed all to pieces. I stayed home for awhile after dinner to paint a show card lesson but spoiled it. The boys three of them came over to-night but it was a very bad night some didn't expect the others out. </p></div> <div class="mw-parser-output"><p>Sunday December 5th </p><p>I got up at 9.30 this morning and went over to the farm before breakfast and then Marj. and I went down to Sunday school and Church. We came back for dinner which we had rather late and then we sat around for about an hour and read some of Wilson MacDonald's poems which I enjoyed very much. I went over to the farm about four to help do chores but as they were not expecting me there was nothing to do so back I came and Marj. and I went down to the Will Wood's for tea and spent the evening. We stopped in at Auntys for a few minutes on our way home. Dull cold, drizzly and windy to-day. </p><p>Monday December 6th </p><p>Dad. ploughed all day and {Frank?} rolled over. He was up early as the top {illegible phrase} off during the night and he got up before daylight to see if anything was hurt. Luckily nothing was. I spent the whole day doing chores and husking corn. Frank helped me husk corn and I helped him put the cabbages out of the waggon down cellar and we ran the waggon into the orchard. He wants to fill it and get another barrel of cider. Marj. &amp; Enah went to a bridge party at the Harding's this afternoon I painted a lesson to-night. Dull and drizzly </p><p>Tuesday December 7th </p><p>Dad. ploughed all day. I did the chores up and then Frank and I picked up enough apples to make a barrel of cider. This after noon we husked corn. To-night they all came over here to tea from the farm and we had Marj's birthday present of partridge and venison which was delicious. Frank left right after tea to go out to a practice at Shands. Bright to-day but quite a cold wind. Auntie Alice came over at noon and brought Marj. some forks and spoons that Luby Williams sent her and this after noon the whole staff of teachers came over and presented her with half a dozen sterling forks dandies. Yesterday she got a very pretty {illegible} brass kettle on a stand &amp; burner from Elsie &amp; Walter. </p><p>Wednesday December 8th </p><p>It froze hard last night and has been freezing a little all day. Dad. finished the land he was ploughing but as the crust was so hard to turn he didn't strike out again. This after noon he covered the turnip pits more. Frank took the cider apples down this after noon and got the barrel and a 5 gal keg for Aunty filled. Marj. and I went down town to-night. She went to a Girl's Branch Meeting and I went to the to a meeting of the census committee but they didn't have it </p></div> <div class="mw-parser-output"><p>Thursday 9th December </p><p>Dad. went down to Aunty's this morning and banked the house for them. After Frank and I got the chores done we went down to Uncle Ward's and hauled in his corn stalks for him and put them in the loft. This after noon Dad. Frank and I put some straw on the strawberries and and got in a few of our own corn stalks. To-night I started on another show card lesson and Marj. &amp; I tried Zealand's mangle on some towels and things but it didn't work just right. At noon Marj. undertook to mend my pants and in order to accomplish her purpose with greater despatch and efficiency had me remove the torn garment and cover up on the lounge, all went lovely till in the midst of the performance in bounced the gas-man - much to the amusement of all present. We are being haunted by a black cat. He followed us home from the bridge last night, camped on our doorstep (metaphorically speaking) all night walked in this morning and made himself very much at home all day and in spite of being most inhospitably treated and spoken to by our cat curled himself up in the oven and went to sleep, he overstepped the line of newiness though and stole some thing so he has been ejected but is still clamouring at the windows and the {illegible} for admittance. Froze hard last night but has been a beautiful day. </p><p>Friday December 10th </p><p>I aroze at five this morning and finished the show card lesson I started last night and just as I finished I dropped a big blot of paint on it whereat I swore. It has snowed all day and has been very mild &amp; wet so we couldn't do much outside. We spent the fore noon gathering up the corn that was husked over in the barn and carried it over and spread it out above the hog pen, there were about 30 bushel crates of it and we must have fed up about ten bushels. We also bagged up a grist before dinner and this afternoon Frank took it to the mill. He took some corn down too and had it chopped. Pickford was over this afternoon and Dad. and I didn't do much but chores. Marj. was down town this after noon. I started another lesson to-night. </p><p>Saturday December 11th </p><p>I spent nearly all day doing chores and husking corn. Frank and Tid shot rabbits off and on all day. Tid shot one himself and was tickled to death. I think they bagged seven all day. Tom Butler was over at noon and they put three wire rings in old Glady's snout and twisted them up as Gladys has been getting much too independent lately. Tom. stayed to dinner. Six of the boys came over to-night and we had a debate. Very mild and sunny </p></div> <div class="mw-parser-output"><p>Sunday December 12th </p><p>Marj. and I went to church and Sunday school this morning and stayed at Aunty's for dinner. We came home fairly early after dinner and as it was such a beautiful day we just poked around the place. I in my shirt sleeves and bare headed as the weather was like April.I went over to the farm and helped do the chores and we stayed home all evening. Frank and Marj. were going down to Aunty's for tea to-night. </p><p>Monday December 13th </p><p>I got up about 4.30 this morning to work at my show cards but was rather late getting to the farm I did chores and put tar paper around most of my little apple trees. Dad. ploughed all day except for a while after dinner when Frank relieved him and he went down to Pickford's with a confirmation cup for Irene. Frank dug ditches and husked a little corn. I just did chores and husked corn this after noon and to-night I finished making a hopper for Zealand's chickens and helped Marj. make some Christmas candy It has been very mild but cloudy rained this after noon &amp; to-night. </p><p>Tuesday December 14th </p><p>Dad. and Frank finished ploughing the field back of the barn to-day. Frank stayed all night over with Tom &amp; Mark as it was pouring home when he started home. It has been very windy and cloudy all day and is getting colder to-night. I just did chores and husked a little corn. Marj. went down to a tea party at Aunty's this after noon and stayed there for tea to go to a Sunday school meeting afterwards so I stayed at the farm and went down to-night and met Marj. at Huby's. Enah stayed down too so Dad. went down and met her at Aunty's. Aunty Maude looks badly. </p><p>Wednesday December 15th </p></div> <div class="mw-parser-output"><p>Friday December 24th </p><p>I spent the day doing chores and husking corn. Dad. went down town this morning and took a ham down for tomorrow's dinner and fixed up the big turkey that Huby provided for the feast. Frank took a pie over to Tom Butler and got a Christmas tree over there which he and Dave McBride took down this afternoon Marj. has been tearing around all day cleaning up the house and making preparations for Christmas Miss McQueen &amp; her mother and Miss McNelly were over to-night just before her and brought us a mince pie. To-night Marj. and I went down and played Santa Claus we called at the Bugleys's the Monteith's and the McQueen's where Marj. delivered home made Candy for Christmas - and we did some shopping and called at Aunty's for awhile. </p><p>Christmas Day. </p><p>I went over rather late this morning and did a few chores and then we all went down to church. Marj. and I came home and had a picnic brunch and spent a very happy after noon celebrating our first Christmas in our own home and picking up things to put on the tree. I went over and helped do chores and at six we all congregated at Auntys for Christmas dinner. Mr. Johnson brought Aunty Maude down in his car and she lay on the sofa and said she had a good time. Cousin Clare &amp; Phoebe came down after dinner while we unloade the trio Marj. and I fared scrumptiously at the Christmas tree and we all had a lovely time Marj. gave me her present last night which was a pair of house shoes Beautiful day, cold &amp; snowing to-night. </p><p>Sunday December 26th </p><p>Marj. and I were very late getting down to Sunday school this morning for we slept in. We went to church and came home for dinner. Aunty Maude &amp; Huby were staying at Aunty's. We chored around all the after noon and I lit a fire in the grate. Glad Law came over for tea. I went over and helped do chores as Frank went down to the Ward's. We had a nice evening with Glad around our fireside and Marj. and I both walked home with her. The walking was fierce as it has snowed hard all this after noon. Very mild. </p><p>Monday December 27th </p><p>I arose and shovelled considerable snow before breakfast this morning It had snowed a lot during the night and was very mild. The trees were all laden with heavy snow and this place in the grey light of early morning looked </p></div> <div class="mw-parser-output"><p>as much like Fairy land as any poet ever dreamed, but it didn't last long as it thawed enough for the snow to drop from the branches. Dad drove down town in the cutter this morning and shovelled Aunty's snow for them, he said the sleighing would have been good if there had not been some wheels out which spoiled it. He and Frank got the bob-sleighs out this after noon but didn't hook up to them I did chores all day and wrapped tar paper around the rest of my little apple trees and laid down the Dorothy Perkins rose bush and covered it up. Marj. and I had a lovely evening at home to-night, she darning my socks and I reading to her from Jeffrey Farnol's "My Lady Caprice". She got a parcel from home to-day containing a pair of towells for her and two pair of Miss Bain knit socks for me and two soft collars from Dorrie. Dorrie sent her a cup and saucer a few days ago and with it a little bell from Miss {name?} </p><p>Tuesday December 28th </p><p>Frank and I </p></div> untranscribed https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/1ebd39b50af74be76050dbc24194437b.pdf b0a7122fbee41a4c55ee1463b34ff72f PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. [Inside front cover] DIARY 1921 T.B. Barrett Port Dover Ontario Cnocfierna From April 16th 1921 to December 31st 1921 {A newspaper clipping is blocking the left side of the right hand page} April 16th, 1921 ...this morning to help Pickford build...it started rain soon after he left and lllall day so they couldn't work at the cellar...stayed over till afternoon visiting. We...thing over here but chores but sat...most of the time. To-night I went...meeting and then down to the train...The train was in at 9.30 and Marj & I...to stay all night as the walking was...turning colder to-night. {April} 17th ...before Sunday school this morning...I went straight there and to church...Bishop's secretary was preaching in Mr. ...as Marj knew him having made his...last summer at Lake Couchiching, we...him over to Jack Martin's shere he...Jack's mother is sick again so...Frank stayed down at Aunty's to...I spent most of the afternoon doing https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/e4919d32a6a7339e0090c3cf367bc0ce.pdf 356c2d53f8973eeb37dd75aee6042441 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. [Left page] {April 17 cont'd...} chores. Mark was in for a few minutes on his way downtown and we had quite a heated discussion on prohibition. Tomorrow, Ontario is to decide whether or not she will allow the importation of liquor and we all have our own ideas about it. Mark and I stick up for the rights of the individual on principle while the others are more practical and think the welfare of the state should be considered first. I'm no friend of booze but I feel that prohibition is more of a Prussian ideal than it is British but as most people think the other {way?} don't care. Dad went down to night to see Aunt Ida who has been quite sick. Has been a miserable day, Snowed three or four inces that night and has been raw & rotten today. Monday April 18th Frank went down to Pickford's this morning and they finished building the cellar. I took some eggs over to Jack Martin and Dad took kids to school and brought Jack Martin back with him. Jack is canvassing the congregation to increase the revenue of the Church and is doing very well. This afernoon Marj and Enah drove down town and Marj stayed down to tea and went to the Girl's auxillary [Right page] to night. I went down to band practice to night and we came home together. Aunt Ida was sitting up to night but looks very sick. {illegibile name} dropped a roan heifer sometime during the night. Dad is going to try to milk her but she is pretty wild I have to stand and scratch her all the time Dad is working at her with great force and no warning. Lovely day, sunny & mild but windy. Tuesday, April 19th We bagged up some oats first thing this morning and Frank took them to the mill. Marj. and I pruned raspberry bushes till noon. This afternoon Frank & I went down and got a load of sawdust to put in the ice house. Frank also got a couple of boards to make a little closet in our room. I saw Aunty down town and she says Aunt Ida is worse again. Dad went down to see her to-night and Enah went over to Uncle Ward's to see Ada who is improving. Dad had a letter from Dick to-day saying that he has been ordered to report at Montreal, but doesn't know what they intend doing with him there. The returns of the polling are not all in yet but so far there is over 100,000 majority for non-importation so I guess the {illegible} have it. Dover went 150 maj. for it https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/3ca11153034b223ac0caf2414d68547b.pdf 361897ce2e3f586968d790fa1de7c334 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. [Left page] Wednesday April 20th We were all greatly surprised before breakfast this morning to see Dick coming through the field. We didn't think he would be able to pay us a visit on his way to Montreal but he landed in last night late and turned in at {Aunty's?}. He came over early to tell us that Aunt Ida had died about five o'clock this morning. Aunty was alone with her. We were all shocked as we had no idea she was so far gone the doctor was sure she would be around again. Dad went down with Dick right after breakfast and has been down all day. {Enah?} went down this afternoon. Dick didn't come back to-night. I spent the day doing chores and helping Marj house clean our room. I made the closet thing for her but didn't get it put up. Carlie Blake came in at noon to Harrow my {illegible} and his car got stuck in a mud puddle in the lane as he didn't have chains on and we were about an hour getting it out so didn't have dinner till late. Then Karl & Fred {Coleman?} came in and were here quite awhile, they took the two year old ram for 8 cts a lb and I sold them Oliver for {illegible} cts or fifty five dollars. It seems like giving him away as he is actually worth $120.00 for breeding but no one wants him apparently. [Right page] To night I took a little stroll down to the pond but didn't stay long, very pretty moon & clouds. Warm all day & fine. Thursday April 21st Dad drove {Lil?} down to school this morning and went on down town to get his hair cut and make firm all arrangements for Aunt Ida's funeral. He came back about eleven and brought Dick home with him for dinner. They drove down again about three and Dick left on the five car for Montreal. Frank and I spent the day doing chores and ploughing around in the mud. It has rained more or less all day. I finished fixing the clothes closet for Marj. Arthur & Bobbie Pickford came over to-night and bought {Lil's?} pet lamb for a quarter. It was one of a {pull?} whose mother wouldn't {illegible} it. {Maple Hill Nellie?} had a nice roan bull calf arrive to-day, a fine one. Friday, April 22nd We all went down early this morning to attend the service at Aunty's before they started for Port Rowan with Aunt Ida. Mr. Ward came down with the Bowlby's from St. John and had a prayer at 9 o'clock. Then Dad, Ruby, Doe & {illegible name} Bowlby went with the {illegible} to Port Rowan. They had Faulkner's team and double https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/4bdb61c4b30c607b9baecdc965dd0313.pdf f687b136e74c849944ef58cf39c97353 PDF Text Text � https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/952043731184eb2510d65d38f27523ab.pdf d24def826601229259f46a6d2858d77a PDF Text Text � https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/088df3b627602637d72cb52c3f0f2ae8.pdf 13a6d91af315ff0974fb506d46f9505c PDF Text Text � https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/40def161a2201a8ae673257ea6e31a1b.pdf b6bee50e63e959de15c442ba9cae3bff PDF Text Text � https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/fa877c026988317bcfe2b08074e1d750.pdf ed31f9f0ac369021c0b0edb677408e68 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Tuesday May 3rd I haven't done a great deal of an thing to day except chores and odd jobs. Dad has felt pretty tough all day and had to rest up for "Pin afore" tonight. Mary has felt miserable all day. Frank went down town and got our tickets to "Pin afore" changed from tonight till tommorow as we figured Mary would feel sick going tonight. Dad finished cleaning the brush out of the orchard this afternoon and I helped him a ittle. Tonight {illegible} Mary & me went the concert and we went for a walk down to the pond and saw Jack's deer, and licked Mary's hand. Frank took Irene {Illegible}. Went down to Aunty's from school and was {Illegible} gone to the show from there but he was sick all the afternoon in school and was too sick to go tonight. They brought him home with him and he has quite a fever. Pin afore went off fine. Ralph was in good shape and Dick dead eye's horrible looks were very impressive. The was {distinct?} with the Captain which was that he could make him laugh he accomplished this feat by hesitating in his dialoge with Capt. Corcoran to take an imaginary {cord?} out of his mouth walk to the gangwalk and toss it overboard. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/b82d701b4ca7eef1d6194408bab74598.pdf 395a2c42b0f9e26914eb1c27eb979f0c PDF Text Text � https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/8ccdb701b577a7b0002c911a998f1540.pdf daa4554b2fe1c17cabaae3acfd33f291 PDF Text Text � https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/862ca9a9e80b42c8833c492ca915c3b6.pdf b0816a983e807844f3e46ddd3af30314 PDF Text Text � https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/3394070ecd3314355985c7d41e3f6e30.pdf 3537bc753f95936dcde2b165e8079f73 PDF Text Text � https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/37a615371cadc7061a248b007e62640e.pdf 39d7d2cf942c7e2f0e19fd8a41baef55 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. he got started to drill it before dinner and finished soon after and then out the ditches. I " " after the drill spent about most of the day doing chores. 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For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary Collection Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Theobald "Toby" Barrett Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Courtesy of Archival and Special Collections, University of Guelph Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1911-1925 Language A language of the resource English Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 20th Century, Norfolk County, Woodhouse Township, Ontario Table Of Contents A list of subunits of the resource. Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary & Transcription, 1911 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary & Transcription, 1913 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary & Transcription, 1914 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1915 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1916 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1917 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary & Transcription, 1918 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1919 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1920-1921 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1921 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1925 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1925-1926 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1926-1927 Medium The material or physical carrier of the resource. Scanned Manuscript Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1921 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Theobald "Toby" Barrett Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Courtesy of Archival and Special Collections, University of Guelph Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource April 16 to December 31, 1921 Language A language of the resource English Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 20th Century, Norfolk County, Woodhouse Township, Ontario Date Created Date of creation of the resource. April 16, 1921 Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary Collection Medium The material or physical carrier of the resource. Scanned Manuscript UG Transcription Progress Scripto transcription progress In Progress Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. <div class="mw-parser-output"><p>[Inside front cover] </p><p>DIARY 1921 </p><p>T.B. Barrett Port Dover Ontario </p><p>Cnocfierna </p><p>From April 16th 1921 to December 31st 1921 </p><p>{A newspaper clipping is blocking the left side of the right hand page} </p><p>April 16th, 1921 </p><p>...this morning to help Pickford build...it started rain soon after he left and lllall day so they couldn't work at the cellar...stayed over till afternoon visiting. We...thing over here but chores but sat...most of the time. To-night I went...meeting and then down to the train...The train was in at 9.30 and Marj &amp; I...to stay all night as the walking was...turning colder to-night. </p><p>{April} 17th </p><p>...before Sunday school this morning...I went straight there and to church...Bishop's secretary was preaching in Mr. ...as Marj knew him having made his...last summer at Lake Couchiching, we...him over to Jack Martin's shere he...Jack's mother is sick again so...Frank stayed down at Aunty's to...I spent most of the afternoon doing </p></div> <div class="mw-parser-output"><p>[Left page] </p><p>{April 17 cont'd...} </p><p>chores. Mark was in for a few minutes on his way downtown and we had quite a heated discussion on prohibition. Tomorrow, Ontario is to decide whether or not she will allow the importation of liquor and we all have our own ideas about it. Mark and I stick up for the rights of the individual on principle while the others are more practical and think the welfare of the state should be considered first. I'm no friend of booze but I feel that prohibition is more of a Prussian ideal than it is British but as most people think the other {way?} don't care. Dad went down to night to see Aunt Ida who has been quite sick. Has been a miserable day, Snowed three or four inces that night and has been raw &amp; rotten today. </p><p>Monday April 18th </p><p>Frank went down to Pickford's this morning and they finished building the cellar. I took some eggs over to Jack Martin and Dad took kids to school and brought Jack Martin back with him. Jack is canvassing the congregation to increase the revenue of the Church and is doing very well. This afernoon Marj and Enah drove down town and Marj stayed down to tea and went to the Girl's auxillary </p><p>[Right page] </p> <pre>to night. I went down to band practice to night and we came home together. Aunt Ida was sitting up to night but looks very sick. {illegibile name} dropped a roan heifer sometime during the night. Dad is going to try to milk her but she is pretty wild I have to stand and scratch her all the time Dad is working at her with great force and no warning. Lovely day, sunny &amp; mild but windy. </pre> <p>Tuesday, April 19th </p><p>We bagged up some oats first thing this morning and Frank took them to the mill. Marj. and I pruned raspberry bushes till noon. This afternoon Frank &amp; I went down and got a load of sawdust to put in the ice house. Frank also got a couple of boards to make a little closet in our room. I saw Aunty down town and she says Aunt Ida is worse again. Dad went down to see her to-night and Enah went over to Uncle Ward's to see Ada who is improving. Dad had a letter from Dick to-day saying that he has been ordered to report at Montreal, but doesn't know what they intend doing with him there. The returns of the polling are not all in yet but so far there is over 100,000 majority for non-importation so I guess the {illegible} have it. Dover went 150 maj. for it </p></div> <div class="mw-parser-output"><p>[Left page] </p><p>Wednesday April 20th </p><p>We were all greatly surprised before breakfast this morning to see Dick coming through the field. We didn't think he would be able to pay us a visit on his way to Montreal but he landed in last night late and turned in at {Aunty's?}. He came over early to tell us that Aunt Ida had died about five o'clock this morning. Aunty was alone with her. We were all shocked as we had no idea she was so far gone the doctor was sure she would be around again. Dad went down with Dick right after breakfast and has been down all day. {Enah?} went down this afternoon. Dick didn't come back to-night. I spent the day doing chores and helping Marj house clean our room. I made the closet thing for her but didn't get it put up. Carlie Blake came in at noon to Harrow my {illegible} and his car got stuck in a mud puddle in the lane as he didn't have chains on and we were about an hour getting it out so didn't have dinner till late. Then Karl &amp; Fred {Coleman?} came in and were here quite awhile, they took the two year old ram for 8 cts a lb and I sold them Oliver for {illegible} cts or fifty five dollars. It seems like giving him away as he is actually worth $120.00 for breeding but no one wants him apparently. </p><p>[Right page] </p><p>To night I took a little stroll down to the pond but didn't stay long, very pretty moon &amp; clouds. Warm all day &amp; fine. </p><p>Thursday April 21st </p><p>Dad drove {Lil?} down to school this morning and went on down town to get his hair cut and make firm all arrangements for Aunt Ida's funeral. He came back about eleven and brought Dick home with him for dinner. They drove down again about three and Dick left on the five car for Montreal. Frank and I spent the day doing chores and ploughing around in the mud. It has rained more or less all day. I finished fixing the clothes closet for Marj. Arthur &amp; Bobbie Pickford came over to-night and bought {Lil's?} pet lamb for a quarter. It was one of a {pull?} whose mother wouldn't {illegible} it. {Maple Hill Nellie?} had a nice roan bull calf arrive to-day, a fine one. </p><p>Friday, April 22nd </p><p>We all went down early this morning to attend the service at Aunty's before they started for Port Rowan with Aunt Ida. Mr. Ward came down with the Bowlby's from St. John and had a prayer at 9 o'clock. Then Dad, Ruby, Doe &amp; {illegible name} Bowlby went with the {illegible} to Port Rowan. They had Faulkner's team and double </p></div> <div class="mw-parser-output"><p>Tuesday May 3rd </p><p>I haven't done a great deal of an thing to day except chores and odd jobs. Dad has felt pretty tough all day and had to rest up for "Pin afore" tonight. Mary has felt miserable all day. Frank went down town and got our tickets to "Pin afore" changed from tonight till tommorow as we figured Mary would feel sick going tonight. Dad finished cleaning the brush out of the orchard this afternoon and I helped him a ittle. Tonight {illegible} Mary &amp; me went the concert and we went for a walk down to the pond and saw Jack's deer, and licked Mary's hand. Frank took Irene {Illegible}. Went down to Aunty's from school and was {Illegible} gone to the show from there but he was sick all the afternoon in school and was too sick to go tonight. They brought him home with him and he has quite a fever. Pin afore went off fine. Ralph was in good shape and Dick dead eye's horrible looks were very impressive. The was {distinct?} with the Captain which was that he could make him laugh he accomplished this feat by hesitating in his dialoge with Capt. Corcoran to take an imaginary {cord?} out of his mouth walk to the gangwalk and toss it overboard. </p></div> <div class="mw-parser-output"><p>he got started to drill it before dinner and finished soon after and then out the ditches. I " " after the drill spent about most of the day doing chores. " " went by to night. </p></div> untranscribed https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/a965f1b127c3797df368be39070e959f.pdf bdc80806b0c10303a5bf001fa3c9556b PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Diary 1925 T.B. Barrett Donnybrook. Port Dover Ontario From January 1st 1925 to November 1925 https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/b51853c7e8e768de333eefbb8e61d4c7.pdf 26a927bc7919e26cf873889fcdb93f6b PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Thurs day January 1st, 1925 At the time of the Royal Winter Fair in Toronto last November Frank & Jonas sojourned for a few days in the city ostensibly to have a look at the fat cattle & high jumping hunters, but no doubt as far as Frank we are concerned there was a fairer attraction than an attractive Fair. Whatever his prime motive was the point in this connection in that he brought home this book for me and it resembles very closely the books that I was wont to keep diurnal records in prior to the war, but which up till now I have been unable to get. The possession of it inspires me to resume my old practice of diary writing and so I make a start with the New Year. We are still in the grip of a very cold snap which has lasted with scarcely a break now for about two weeks. The wind to-day was in the east but it has been fairly sunny. I have done very little all day but the chores, went over to Willie {Shoud's?} this morning to pay him back for the sink we got from him last fall, and this afternoon went over to the woods for awhile to find some fuel but didn’t have much luck. I started milking Mary to-day as Garnet came out Coleman came yesterday & took the calf. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/48104fb094a3cc026d814fe0e57568d0.pdf 9034e0bc9e2fbfcc641aeaef02e39662 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Friday January 2nd We contemplated going to town to-day which would have necessitated my walking over home and getting Queen or the team, but the weather altered our plans. It was snowing hard when we got up this morning and had snowed hard during the night keeping it up till this after noon. It has been getting steadily milder all day and I think is almost thawing to-night. As we now have a nice lot of skim milk on hand I began feeding the cockeels out in the colony house their fattening mash and had to make a trough for them. They have just been getting grain and I {illegible} lost flesh during the very cold weather of the last couple of weeks. I did some more fixing to my cow stable this afternoon battoned up more of the cracks and put a window in. It was quite comfortable working bare handed which was a great relief. Mrs. Tupper and Clara were in to-night for a few minutes to return the little house scales which Mrs. Tupper borrowed a couple of weeks ago to weigh her geese. Must wash up the tea dishes now and get after Rob Roy. We are reading it aloud. Saturday January 3rd This has been a busy day for me. I did the morning chores as quickly as possible and started to walk over home but got a ride on a load of lumber from the Winding Hill. Dad helped me harness & hook up the team (Queen and Joe) and we then loaded up my potatoes and buckwheat. Dad & I both got potatoes from Jim Dixon and he left mine over there. It was noon when I got home and as Marj was hoping to leave for town by one o'clock I fed the team and gobbled my dinner without much ceremony. Marj fed the chickens while I unloaded the potatoes and emptied them into {bushe?} hampers down cellar. I unloaded the buckwheat before dinner. I then put the cows in and looked up. It was nearly two by the time we started. We unloaded the kids at Aunty's by way of a birthday party for her and I drove Marj up town, left Jim Dixon's bags at Walker Evans according to instructions and drove right back to {illegible name} Walker's where I loaded up five bags of wheat and took home. Neither {illegible name} nor the man were home but the boys were there and superindended the business. I unloaded the wheat and then {illegible} across to the woods where I found a little wood. Our nice little maple https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/8cbad2d5ffbd11936e38dadcffed4794.pdf 451a642f28c689c424530f2b6f0ea9d3 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. stick, but I had quite a job of getting it. as it was green and heavy. I fell down with it once and got covered with snow getting out from under it. by the time I got my word home and unloaded and the chickens fed it was nearly five so I then returned to town for the family. Frank was there too so he came home with us and took the team back. Snowed most of the day and is still mild. The sleighing is good. Sunday January 4th The peaceful and quiet observance of the Sabbath at Donnybrook to day was uninterrupted by any excursions abroad on our part or visits from others. I just did what was necessary outside this morning helped Marj wash the dishes as she didn't feel very well and she beguiled the times and lightened the tasks by reading Rob Roy to me while I worked. We had a late breakfast and an early tea and dispensed with a middle meal and gained what ever energy such meal would have afforded us by napping. Marj insistson my writing my share of the Christmas letters of thanks, a task which has formerly devolved entirely on her so I spent about two hours this evening writing a note to Grand Daddy. Southwest wind - cloudy now but quite mild. Monday, january 5th School opened again this morning and as I had a lot of snow shovelling to do over there I got around pretty early and did most of my morning chores by latern light. I saw Mabel to-night and she said every pupil was on hand and glad to get back after their long holiday, owing to the measles. I had intended going over home, getting the team and getting a load of coal this morning but put it off till after dinner. When I got there I found Frank going off with the Pick for as to help them load straw or something so {Dad?} advised me not to take the team to-day as it would be so late before I could get out with the coal and back with the team, and they want Joe to-night as they are taking in the evangelical meetings of Mr. Robinson a friend of Mr. Cornish's. I borrowed his cutter and drove down town, posted some letters got a can of coal oil and went to interview Mr. Carpenter & Al. Faulkner about cutters which they had advertised for sale. Mr. Carpenter was in Port {Ryerse?} voting I suppose but Dr. Bicknell said he didn't think he wanted to dispose of the cutter without selling his horse buggy and harness. Al has sold one of his cutters and is keeping the other but has a pair of light bobs for sale, they have no shafts on them https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/e2bf63a0cdcd68a307a273f190c82ca4.pdf e2f8e229575b1c169ed8d324fbf0021c PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Though I don't think they would be much advantage to me as I don't want to back up a team every time I go to town. I left my coal ail at the farm and walked home from there getting a ride from the Winking Hill from Billy Watson. It was rather late when I got the chores all done and as I was tired I didn't do anything all evening but snooze. I didn't go out to vote today as I had no way of getting there except walking and I didn't consider the election important enough to warrant that much exercise. Kent and Roy are aspirants for the reeves chair and though I would have supported Reg Kent had I voted I don't think it makes much difference. Micheal was in to see dad, soliciting his vote and using the argument that he strayed "to home". https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/bfbae43420e49e93a406d28cb92291b8.pdf 175026ee249723edcfb5d8322a2ae9a2 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. lethal slumber that have all the qualifications of the greener months besides a few peculiar to them selves to implant in a fellow that very happy sensation. the {illegible} joy of being alive. Just such a day was this especially the fore noon of it. I was in an excellent position to enjoy it as I walked from here over home to meet Frank with my load of coal. There was not a breath of wind and the sun was not bright which would have been dazzling in that night's fresh snow, but {differed?} a {genius?} caught through the lightest of cloud high floating wealth of smoke. The northern part of the sky was blue, but not the steel blue of Winter but the soft hazy appearance of Late Autumn while the air might have been that of May except for a certain energizing zest to it not comparable to the chill of Spring nor its longious warmth which has a {illegible} lethargy. The roads are excillint trim for sleighing and apparently too deep for the pesky cars to spoil them. No mud of Spring. no bugs of Summer, no {illegible} of work as with fall. if all Winter weather was like this, tourist resorts in the South would have to go out of business, but what makes this weather truly appreciated is that it is a very small nugget in a large rock of quartz and the realization that for all we know an 80 mile{illegible} may be the programme for tomorrow. When I got to the tavern I found Frank had gone down for the coal and Dad was preparing the scene for the execution of his pigs He was very distressed that I had walked over as he said Frank would go right out the side road with the coal and I would have to walk back. Frank however had forgotten to take a scoop shovel and remembering that I didn't have one came back by the farm with the coal so I rode out with him. He took the train right back so as to be on time to help with the pig killing this afternoon. Pickford and {name?} are going to help. I spent the afternoon lining my chicken house with tar paper and at May’s suggestion shifting the roasts so that they are not in such a direct draft from the windows. {Ina?} was here washing today and she walked home with Mabel who came over for a while after school. Wednes day January 7th Another very mild day and so nice that May: wanted to go to town. I was anxious to finish fixing my Chicken pen but as she was afraid we might not get another nice day this week. I told her that if she would go over and {Next page} borrow the haup cutter and Houi {illegible}would go right after dinner. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/715112373feb9d08c91263d37fd54700.pdf b313dd46c1c8075b5e488b8b770cf6ae PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. May: went over and made the necessary arrangements and Mrs. Lampkin offered to keep the {haby}. I worked at the chicken pen till noon then right after dinner we loaded hay into the hand sleigh and I handed her over, left her with Mrs. Lampkin and came back with flour & the cutter for May: & the niblits. It was cloudy when we started with a raw wind but thawing more than it has any day yet. We left Harry B. at Cutep and I drove May: up to see Glad. Law who has been very much worse since Christmas. I then came back. put {I larie} in the barn and went in and had a visit with hila who has not been out of bed for the last few days although she feels pretty well. She has become fascinated breathe. much talked of and ridiculed cross- word-puzzles. Aunty & Aunty Alice are greatly elated after the courage & skill they displayed this morning in tracking down & killing a rat. They have inspected his presence for some time in the little room off the kitchen so this morning organized a hunting party. They searched through various homes, bales, baskets, bags trunks, etcetera and finally unearthed their quarry in a valis through which he had chewed him self {illegible} entraves and also helped himself to pieces of all the contents for the construction of his nest. The {puj} discovered was only half won as the real chase began, and was carried on, in, out, between, under, over, across, through and “apast” every object in the room until finally they brought him to bay and Aunty Alice, with certainly more courage than a great many women and some men poses attacked him with the hammer. {I her} onslaught though friree was not sufficient mortally wound him not to quell his cries, but {bushe} had him pinned down she feared to risk his escape by raising the hammer for another {Llaw} so she called to Aunty to come to her rescue with another weapon. She knew the sickle was in the kitchen and thought it would do the deed but in the {teuse} excitement of the moment could think of no other name for it but cutlass, for which she called. Aunty was at a loss to know where in their peaceful surroundings she could lay hands on a cutlass or any other buccaneering accouterment so failed to render the assistance so sorely needed. The case become desperate for although the crocking cries of the enemy betrayed the flitting of the vital spark, the strength of the hand that held the hammer was also waning and Who could tell what reserve of strength might he mustered {Next page} if that crushing weight were {reloned} for a moment. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/b80b14c007ed2addf35c5407d11d71cc.pdf 1684f63da15d9aa0741cbb64c0a0bd7f PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Eventually Aunty come to the scene of action without arms or ammunition but relieved Aunty Alice of her hold on the prisoner while Aunty Alice went in search of the hatchet with which she presently returned and dealt the death blow almost severing the wicked head from the ugly body. No wonder theey are exultant after having triumphed so gloriously over the forces of evil the perpetrator of nocturnal destruction and predatory invasion. They can not rest secure and happy in the memory of their hard fought but well won field. I walked over to Jim. Jannisten to see a cutter which Mrs. Lamp kin told me he had for sale but there was no body home so we stopped on our way home and I asked Jim not to sell it until I had a look at it. Dad drove Euah down and left her at Aunty’s while I was there. They are taking in the revival meetings regularly I think, Frank says they had a poor house the night of the hockey match but that was to be expected, the first intermediate O.H.A. game of the season. Dover beat Brantford. 6-5. It began to snow while we were away and kept it up all the after noon Big flakes of heavy snow coming straight down. We are certainly getting plenty of this winter. It was dark by the time I got back to the hamp kins with the {hane} and cutter after taking May: & the Niblits home and there I had to load qay up and haul her home. It was still snowing hard but very mild and she seewed to thoroughly enjoy the trip I was afraid all the time she would pitch her self out and when we turned into our lave where the track was not beaten the fresh snow came to the top of her sleigh box she gurgled with joy when she could stick her little mitt out and draw them through the soft snow until we got about half way up the lave either she gave a lurch or {que ranner} went suddenly deep a but over the sleigh went and qay went face down into a snow drift. I grabbed her up as fast as possible and tucked her under my arm, evidently none the worse, she seemed to take it as part of the fun. When we got to the house, she was as rosy, cosy and happy as any ten year old kid who has been jumping into snow banks. We put in an awful evening. Aunty Alice but May: his her new Sabitine book “The Gates of Dorm" and we started to read it out loud but I couldn't keep awake so we bath dozed far awhile and then May: sent of her book alone and read the whole thing. We got to bed almost half past two. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/ffaded82f18880cd632fcaa51801bdd4.pdf 58df57d595f17264895279257fc5c751 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Thursday January 8th I spent about two hours & a half in bed last night and consequently didn’t feel much like working today. So didn't do any thing but the chores it was a little too cold any way to do Carpenter work in the chicken pen. It has been a beautiful sunny day but the wind was quite strong and sharp. I went over to the school house before we had breakfast and William Reqise came back with me to look at the bull calf as he thought of buying him but he thinks he is too small. for service now so I think be won’t take him. We were pretty late getting through break fast and {illegible} Sat around the kitchen most of the after noon which May: told her the story she read last night. This after noon I washed the dishes while she read a little mace of Roh. Ray to me and to night we went to right after tea. but by the times we got the kids settled It wasn't very early. May: got qay a pair of stiff {souled} shoes yesterday & hopes she will soon walk alone with them Friday January 9th it was a cold night and has been sharp to day but little wind and sunny so that it is ideal winter weather. I did chores most of the forenoon and this after noon walked down town to see Jim Jannisten cutter. I met John Patterson on the road with it and as he was driving out here partly to show me the cutter and partly to exercise his horse he turned around and drove me into town. It is a shabby looking affair but seems perfectly sound and has new shoes on it which Jim says are worth four dollars so I don't think I lost anything by paying him ten dollars for it. I saw Dad. & Frank down town. Frank was all furred up in coon skin ready to start for Selkick with his theatrical troupe. I got my hair cut and walked back home getting here about seven. It was a beautiful night moonlight & sappy. I had tea which was all ready and did chores afterwards. May: has not felt well all day. The shaft boys brought down four loads 15 yards of gravel for me to day which I home to make a {caustakes} flour of when the frost {illegible} May: says qay is developing a temper like a yellow jacket with a {sore com}. She let her feed herself pudding today and the performance was so comical May: couldn't refrain from laughing where at. Miss qay flew into a passion screamed a {scudded} and made a scene like a regular picture show lady. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/7b92f4b8d167c1511157c4ed801aeb27.pdf 9c1b866e8994c9758da9615be5db6f89 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. Satur day January 10th This has been another beautiful day but is frosty to night I puttered around at the chores this morning and tore down a big {comshack} and got all the inside of it into the barn and stacked the outside along the chicken house to melt the snow & off it. Karry B was out with me and was disturbed the cosy winter qualities of several mice which interested him greatly. It seems sort of hard lines to turn them out in the cold after they had get fixed up so comfortably for the winter: The cats got some of them later I went over and swept the school house after dinner and while I was there Dad. & Jim came out in the {bob}. straight to get Queen’s harness. They came over to the school and I went back with them and waited at the farm while Dad drove Queen & my cutter down to get Aunty Alice and Miss {Qruenest} the pianist of the evangelicas company, whom he brought over for tea and their I drove my cutter straight home. Dover intermediate 416.4. team went to {Srin} we last night & beat them 8-0 Sunday January 11th We harried around this morning doing the usual chores and getting dressed up leaving about noon to have dinner at the Bugley’s. It was very bright but a cold east wind I left May & the kids at the house, then drove down, and put Queen on Aunty’s barn. This after noon Mr. Bagley and I went to meeting Mr. Robinson was having in the town hall for men only. I was averse to going but Mr. Bagley assured me we would be out early and so I couldn't very well get out of it. There was a good crowd there and Mr. Robinson spoke very well and as nicely as his subject permitted but as I heard it or read it all before and as far as I can see ann in no position to either help or hinder his work, and as the hall was cold and as it was after five when we got out I was very sorry I went. I hurried back with Mr. Bagley and got my sweater and then hurried down to get Queen as it was getting very cold. Mrs. Bagley was going to get tea for us but I wouldn't wait but thought she would give May: a cup which I was gone but she didn't. We got home about six and I guess I was the coldest of the party but I got warmed up doing chores Monday January 12th It has been milder to day but cloudy. I seem to have felt lazy and didn't do much but the chores. This {next page} Fore noon I cut down mate to the pine tree that I cut last winter just behind the barn. https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/c69a0a598231f13938a378826b8b702a.pdf 9af263083f45e46d660016caa8e57149 PDF Text Text � Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. I have about seven pines on the hill north west of the barn and they are all beginning to die at the top. This tree was leaning very much towards the barn yard fence but I got the big hay rope out of the barn and tied it as far up the trunk as I could safely reach with my 18 ft. ladder and snubbed the other end to a tree down the bank hoping to be able to pull the pine away from the fence, however I chopped till it began to crack and before I could get down to pull it fell and of course went right across the fence. smashing two or three of the old wires and cutting one strand of the rope when. it pulled taut across the branch if a little ash tree. I didn't do much this afternoon. but kill a little rooster for May: She went over to the school cans after four and mailed Mabel over for dinner to morrow and also swept. Thawing to night Tuesday January 13th Wilbur Ryan was in this morning to ask me if he could have the bull calf for the summer for his keep, leaving me the option of selling him if I got a chance so I agreed to give me the dollars to pay for his registration and said he would get him to morrow I spent most of this day fixing a hopper for the chickens. Ina was here washing and {maled} {ounce} over for dinner I drove Ina home to night and went on down town to a horticultural society meeting but as uncle Ward was sick, there was now quite mild Wednesday January 14th Wilbur came in this morning with his stock sack and we loaded the calf. I did up all the chores this morning and we all went down to aunty's {fordrima} After dinner Harry B & I went over to be farm and I filled out the application for the registration of the calf. May: did her buying and I drove back to aunty’s and got her and we called in at the farm and piched {MP} Harry B. Beautiful day but cold evening. Thursday January 15th Didn't do anything much to day but chores. It was very cold early this morning about the coldest night yet but was a beautiful day and is milder to might I sat around and we finished reading Role. Roy. 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https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/96ee8a1b64831deccc6a1d465281b2de.pdf 3e20f85c8028b202140dc98922f3af2c PDF Text Text � https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/d89e885732d2e36cd842347885650398.pdf 13f6c3a1082f2f4fa816a222d32f0bfd PDF Text Text � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary Collection Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Theobald "Toby" Barrett Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Courtesy of Archival and Special Collections, University of Guelph Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1911-1925 Language A language of the resource English Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 20th Century, Norfolk County, Woodhouse Township, Ontario Table Of Contents A list of subunits of the resource. Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary & Transcription, 1911 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary & Transcription, 1913 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary & Transcription, 1914 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1915 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1916 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1917 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary & Transcription, 1918 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1919 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1920-1921 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1921 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1925 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1925-1926 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1926-1927 Medium The material or physical carrier of the resource. Scanned Manuscript Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1925 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Theobald "Toby" Barrett Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Courtesy of Archival and Special Collections, University of Guelph Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1925 Language A language of the resource English Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 20th Century, Norfolk County, Woodhouse Township, Ontario Date Created Date of creation of the resource. January 1, 1925 Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary Collection Medium The material or physical carrier of the resource. Scanned Manuscript UG Transcription Progress Scripto transcription progress In Progress Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. <div class="mw-parser-output"><p>Diary 1925 </p><p>T.B. Barrett </p><p>Donnybrook. Port Dover Ontario </p><p>From January 1st 1925 to November 1925 </p></div> <div class="mw-parser-output"><p>Thurs day January 1st, 1925 </p><p>At the time of the Royal Winter Fair in Toronto last November Frank &amp; Jonas sojourned for a few days in the city ostensibly to have a look at the fat cattle &amp; high jumping hunters, but no doubt as far as Frank we are concerned there was a fairer attraction than an attractive Fair. Whatever his prime motive was the point in this connection in that he brought home this book for me and it resembles very closely the books that I was wont to keep diurnal records in prior to the war, but which up till now I have been unable to get. The possession of it inspires me to resume my old practice of diary writing and so I make a start with the New Year. We are still in the grip of a very cold snap which has lasted with scarcely a break now for about two weeks. The wind to-day was in the east but it has been fairly sunny. I have done very little all day but the chores, went over to Willie {Shoud's?} this morning to pay him back for the sink we got from him last fall, and this afternoon went over to the woods for awhile to find some fuel but didn’t have much luck. I started milking Mary to-day as Garnet came out Coleman came yesterday &amp; took the calf. </p></div> <div class="mw-parser-output"><p>Friday January 2nd </p><p>We contemplated going to town to-day which would have necessitated my walking over home and getting Queen or the team, but the weather altered our plans. It was snowing hard when we got up this morning and had snowed hard during the night keeping it up till this after noon. It has been getting steadily milder all day and I think is almost thawing to-night. As we now have a nice lot of skim milk on hand I began feeding the cockeels out in the colony house their fattening mash and had to make a trough for them. They have just been getting grain and I {illegible} lost flesh during the very cold weather of the last couple of weeks. I did some more fixing to my cow stable this afternoon battoned up more of the cracks and put a window in. It was quite comfortable working bare handed which was a great relief. Mrs. Tupper and Clara were in to-night for a few minutes to return the little house scales which Mrs. Tupper borrowed a couple of weeks ago to weigh her geese. Must wash up the tea dishes now and get after Rob Roy. We are reading it aloud. </p><p>Saturday January 3rd </p><p>This has been a busy day for me. I did the morning chores as quickly as possible and started to walk over home but got a ride on a load of lumber from the Winding Hill. Dad helped me harness &amp; hook up the team (Queen and Joe) and we then loaded up my potatoes and buckwheat. Dad &amp; I both got potatoes from Jim Dixon and he left mine over there. It was noon when I got home and as Marj was hoping to leave for town by one o'clock I fed the team and gobbled my dinner without much ceremony. Marj fed the chickens while I unloaded the potatoes and emptied them into {bushe?} hampers down cellar. I unloaded the buckwheat before dinner. I then put the cows in and looked up. It was nearly two by the time we started. We unloaded the kids at Aunty's by way of a birthday party for her and I drove Marj up town, left Jim Dixon's bags at Walker Evans according to instructions and drove right back to {illegible name} Walker's where I loaded up five bags of wheat and took home. Neither {illegible name} nor the man were home but the boys were there and superindended the business. I unloaded the wheat and then {illegible} across to the woods where I found a little wood. Our nice little maple </p></div> <div class="mw-parser-output"><p>stick, but I had quite a job of getting it. as it was green and heavy. I fell down with it once and got covered with snow getting out from under it. by the time I got my word home and unloaded and the chickens fed it was nearly five so I then returned to town for the family. Frank was there too so he came home with us and took the team back. Snowed most of the day and is still mild. The sleighing is good. </p><p><br /> Sunday January 4th </p><p>The peaceful and quiet observance of the Sabbath at Donnybrook to day was uninterrupted by any excursions abroad on our part or visits from others. I just did what was necessary outside this morning helped Marj wash the dishes as she didn't feel very well and she beguiled the times and lightened the tasks by reading Rob Roy to me while I worked. We had a late breakfast and an early tea and dispensed with a middle meal and gained what ever energy such meal would have afforded us by napping. Marj insistson my writing my share of the Christmas letters of thanks, a task which has formerly devolved entirely on her so I spent about two hours this evening writing a note to Grand Daddy. Southwest wind - cloudy now but quite mild. </p><p>Monday, january 5th </p><p>School opened again this morning and as I had a lot of snow shovelling to do over there I got around pretty early and did most of my morning chores by latern light. I saw Mabel to-night and she said every pupil was on hand and glad to get back after their long holiday, owing to the measles. I had intended going over home, getting the team and getting a load of coal this morning but put it off till after dinner. When I got there I found Frank going off with the Pick for as to help them load straw or something so {Dad?} advised me not to take the team to-day as it would be so late before I could get out with the coal and back with the team, and they want Joe to-night as they are taking in the evangelical meetings of Mr. Robinson a friend of Mr. Cornish's. I borrowed his cutter and drove down town, posted some letters got a can of coal oil and went to interview Mr. Carpenter &amp; Al. Faulkner about cutters which they had advertised for sale. Mr. Carpenter was in Port {Ryerse?} voting I suppose but Dr. Bicknell said he didn't think he wanted to dispose of the cutter without selling his horse buggy and harness. Al has sold one of his cutters and is keeping the other but has a pair of light bobs for sale, they have no shafts on them </p></div> <div class="mw-parser-output"><p>Though I don't think they would be much advantage to me as I don't want to back up a team every time I go to town. I left my coal ail at the farm and walked home from there getting a ride from the Winking Hill from Billy Watson. It was rather late when I got the chores all done and as I was tired I didn't do anything all evening but snooze. I didn't go out to vote today as I had no way of getting there except walking and I didn't consider the election important enough to warrant that much exercise. Kent and Roy are aspirants for the reeves chair and though I would have supported Reg Kent had I voted I don't think it makes much difference. Micheal was in to see dad, soliciting his vote and using the argument that he strayed "to home". </p></div> <div class="mw-parser-output"><p>lethal slumber that have all the qualifications of the greener months besides a few peculiar to them selves to implant in a fellow that very happy sensation. the {illegible} joy of being alive. Just such a day was this especially the fore noon of it. I was in an excellent position to enjoy it as I walked from here over home to meet Frank with my load of coal. There was not a breath of wind and the sun was not bright which would have been dazzling in that night's fresh snow, but {differed?} a {genius?} caught through the lightest of cloud high floating wealth of smoke. The northern part of the sky was blue, but not the steel blue of Winter but the soft hazy appearance of Late Autumn while the air might have been that of May except for a certain energizing zest to it not comparable to the chill of Spring nor its longious warmth which has a {illegible} lethargy. The roads are excillint trim for sleighing and apparently too deep for the pesky cars to spoil them. No mud of Spring. no bugs of Summer, no {illegible} of work as with fall. if all Winter weather was like this, tourist resorts in the South would have to go out of business, but what makes this weather truly appreciated is that it is a very small nugget in a large rock of quartz and the </p><p><br /> realization that for all we know an 80 mile{illegible} may be the programme for tomorrow. When I got to the tavern I found Frank had gone down for the coal and Dad was preparing the scene for the execution of his pigs He was very distressed that I had walked over as he said Frank would go right out the side road with the coal and I would have to walk back. Frank however had forgotten to take a scoop shovel and remembering that I didn't have one came back by the farm with the coal so I rode out with him. He took the train right back so as to be on time to help with the pig killing this afternoon. Pickford and {name?} are going to help. I spent the afternoon lining my chicken house with tar paper and at May’s suggestion shifting the roasts so that they are not in such a direct draft from the windows. {Ina?} was here washing today and she walked home with Mabel who came over for a while after school. </p><p>Wednes day January 7th Another very mild day and so nice that May: wanted to go to town. I was anxious to finish fixing my Chicken pen but as she was afraid we might not get another nice day this week. I told her that if she would go over and </p><p><br /> {Next page} </p><p>borrow the haup cutter and Houi {illegible}would go right after dinner. </p></div> <div class="mw-parser-output"><p>May: went over and made the necessary arrangements and Mrs. Lampkin offered to keep the {haby}. I worked at the chicken pen till noon then right after dinner we loaded hay into the hand sleigh and I handed her over, left her with Mrs. Lampkin and came back with flour &amp; the cutter for May: &amp; the niblits. It was cloudy when we started with a raw wind but thawing more than it has any day yet. We left Harry B. at Cutep and I drove May: up to see Glad. Law who has been very much worse since Christmas. I then came back. put {I larie} in the barn and went in and had a visit with hila who has not been out of bed for the last few days although she feels pretty well. She has become fascinated breathe. much talked of and ridiculed cross- word-puzzles. Aunty &amp; Aunty Alice are greatly elated after the courage &amp; skill they displayed this morning in tracking down &amp; killing a rat. They have inspected his presence for some time in the little room off the kitchen so this morning organized a hunting party. They searched through various homes, bales, baskets, bags trunks, etcetera and finally unearthed their quarry in a valis through which he had chewed him self {illegible} </p><p><br /> </p><p>entraves and also helped himself to pieces of all the contents for the construction of his nest. The {puj} discovered was only half won as the real chase began, and was carried on, in, out, between, under, over, across, through and “apast” every object in the room until finally they brought him to bay and Aunty Alice, with certainly more courage than a great many women and some men poses attacked him with the hammer. {I her} onslaught though friree was not sufficient mortally wound him not to quell his cries, but {bushe} had him pinned down she feared to risk his escape by raising the hammer for another {Llaw} so she called to Aunty to come to her rescue with another weapon. She knew the sickle was in the kitchen and thought it would do the deed but in the {teuse} excitement of the moment could think of no other name for it but cutlass, for which she called. Aunty was at a loss to know where in their peaceful surroundings she could lay hands on a cutlass or any other buccaneering accouterment so failed to render the assistance so sorely needed. The case become desperate for although the crocking cries of the enemy betrayed the flitting of the vital spark, the strength of the hand that held the hammer was also waning and Who could tell what reserve of strength might he mustered </p><p>{Next page} </p><p><br /> if that crushing weight were {reloned} for a moment. </p></div> <div class="mw-parser-output"><p>Eventually Aunty come to the scene of action without arms or ammunition but relieved Aunty Alice of her hold on the prisoner while Aunty Alice went in search of the hatchet with which she presently returned and dealt the death blow almost severing the wicked head from the ugly body. No wonder theey are exultant after having triumphed so gloriously over the forces of evil the perpetrator of nocturnal destruction and predatory invasion. They can not rest secure and happy in the memory of their hard fought but well won field. I walked over to Jim. Jannisten to see a cutter which Mrs. Lamp kin told me he had for sale but there was no body home so we stopped on our way home and I asked Jim not to sell it until I had a look at it. Dad drove Euah down and left her at Aunty’s while I was there. They are taking in the revival meetings regularly I think, Frank says they had a poor house the night of the hockey match but that was to be expected, the first intermediate O.H.A. game of the season. Dover beat Brantford. 6-5. It began to snow while we were away and kept it up all the after noon Big flakes of heavy snow coming straight down. We are certainly getting plenty of this winter. It was dark </p><p><br /> by the time I got back to the hamp kins with the {hane} and cutter after taking May: &amp; the Niblits home and there I had to load qay up and haul her home. It was still snowing hard but very mild and she seewed to thoroughly enjoy the trip I was afraid all the time she would pitch her self out and when we turned into our lave where the track was not beaten the fresh snow came to the top of her sleigh box she gurgled with joy when she could stick her little mitt out and draw them through the soft snow until we got about half way up the lave either she gave a lurch or {que ranner} went suddenly deep a but over the sleigh went and qay went face down into a snow drift. I grabbed her up as fast as possible and tucked her under my arm, evidently none the worse, she seemed to take it as part of the fun. When we got to the house, she was as rosy, cosy and happy as any ten year old kid who has been jumping into snow banks. We put in an awful evening. Aunty Alice but May: his her new Sabitine book “The Gates of Dorm" and we started to read it out loud but I couldn't keep awake so we bath dozed far awhile and then May: sent of her book alone and read the whole thing. We got to bed almost half past two. </p></div> <div class="mw-parser-output"><p>Thursday January 8th I spent about two hours &amp; a half in bed last night and consequently didn’t feel much like working today. So didn't do any thing but the chores it was a little too cold any way to do Carpenter work in the chicken pen. It has been a beautiful sunny day but the wind was quite strong and sharp. I went over to the school house before we had breakfast and William Reqise came back with me to look at the bull calf as he thought of buying him but he thinks he is too small. for service now so I think be won’t take him. We were pretty late getting through break fast and {illegible} Sat around the kitchen most of the after noon which May: told her the story she read last night. This after noon I washed the dishes while she read a little mace of Roh. Ray to me and to night we went to right after tea. but by the times we got the kids settled It wasn't very early. May: got qay a pair of stiff {souled} shoes yesterday &amp; hopes she will soon walk alone with them </p><p>Friday January 9th it was a cold night and has been sharp to day but little wind and sunny so that it is ideal winter </p><p>weather. I did chores most of the forenoon and this after noon walked down town to see Jim Jannisten cutter. I met John Patterson on the road with it and as he was driving out here partly to show me the cutter and partly to exercise his horse he turned around and drove me into town. It is a shabby looking affair but seems perfectly sound and has new shoes on it which Jim says are worth four dollars so I don't think I lost anything by paying him ten dollars for it. I saw Dad. &amp; Frank down town. Frank was all furred up in coon skin ready to start for Selkick with his theatrical troupe. I got my hair cut and walked back home getting here about seven. It was a beautiful night moonlight &amp; sappy. I had tea which was all ready and did chores afterwards. May: has not felt well all day. The shaft boys brought down four loads 15 yards of gravel for me to day which I home to make a {caustakes} flour of when the frost {illegible} May: says qay is developing a temper like a yellow jacket with a {sore com}. She let her feed herself pudding today and the performance was so comical May: couldn't refrain from laughing where at. Miss qay flew into a passion screamed a {scudded} and made a scene like a regular picture show lady. </p></div> <div class="mw-parser-output"><p>Satur day January 10th This has been another beautiful day but is frosty to night I puttered around at the chores this morning and tore down a big {comshack} and got all the inside of it into the barn and stacked the outside along the chicken house to melt the snow &amp; off it. Karry B was out with me and was disturbed the cosy winter qualities of several mice which interested him greatly. It seems sort of hard lines to turn them out in the cold after they had get fixed up so comfortably for the winter: The cats got some of them later I went over and swept the school house after dinner and while I was there Dad. &amp; Jim came out in the {bob}. straight to get Queen’s harness. They came over to the school and I went back with them and waited at the farm while Dad drove Queen &amp; my cutter down to get Aunty Alice and Miss {Qruenest} the pianist of the evangelicas company, whom he brought over for tea and their I drove my cutter straight home. Dover intermediate 416.4. team went to {Srin} we last night &amp; beat them 8-0 </p><p>Sunday January 11th We harried around this morning doing the usual chores and getting dressed up leaving about noon to have dinner at the Bugley’s. It was very bright but a cold east wind I left May &amp; the kids at the house, then drove down, and put Queen on Aunty’s barn. This after noon Mr. Bagley and I went to meeting Mr. Robinson was having in the town hall for men only. I was averse to going but Mr. Bagley assured me we would be out early and so I couldn't very well get out of it. There was a good crowd there and Mr. Robinson spoke very well and as nicely as his subject permitted but as I heard it or read it all before and as far as I can see ann in no position to either help or hinder his work, and as the hall was cold and as it was after five when we got out I was very sorry I went. I hurried back with Mr. Bagley and got my sweater and then hurried down to get Queen as it was getting very cold. Mrs. Bagley was going to get tea for us but I wouldn't wait but thought she would give May: a cup which I was gone but she didn't. We got home about six and I guess I was the coldest of the party but I got warmed up doing chores </p><p>Monday January 12th It has been milder to day but cloudy. I seem to have felt lazy and didn't do much but the chores. This </p><p>{next page} </p><p>Fore noon I cut down mate to the pine tree that I cut last winter just behind the barn. </p></div> <div class="mw-parser-output"><p>I have about seven pines on the hill north west of the barn and they are all beginning to die at the top. This tree was leaning very much towards the barn yard fence but I got the big hay rope out of the barn and tied it as far up the trunk as I could safely reach with my 18 ft. ladder and snubbed the other end to a tree down the bank hoping to be able to pull the pine away from the fence, however I chopped till it began to crack and before I could get down to pull it fell and of course went right across the fence. smashing two or three of the old wires and cutting one strand of the rope when. it pulled taut across the branch if a little ash tree. I didn't do much this afternoon. but kill a little rooster for May: She went over to the school cans after four and mailed Mabel over for dinner to morrow and also swept. Thawing to night </p><p>Tuesday January 13th Wilbur Ryan was in this morning to ask me if he could have the bull calf for the summer for his keep, leaving me the option of selling him if I got a chance so I agreed to give me the dollars to pay for his registration and said he would get him to morrow I spent most of this day fixing a hopper for the chickens. Ina was here washing and {maled} {ounce} over for dinner I drove Ina home to night and went on down town to a horticultural society meeting but as uncle Ward was sick, there was now quite mild </p><p>Wednesday January 14th Wilbur came in this morning with his stock sack and we loaded the calf. I did up all the chores this morning and we all went down to aunty's {fordrima} After dinner Harry B &amp; I went over to be farm and I filled out the application for the registration of the calf. May: did her buying and I drove back to aunty’s and got her and we called in at the farm and piched {MP} Harry B. Beautiful day but cold evening. </p><p>Thursday January 15th Didn't do anything much to day but chores. It was very cold early this morning about the coldest night yet but was a beautiful day and is milder to might I sat around and we finished reading Role. Roy. I did things up early the night and got ready to go </p></div> untranscribed