reserve for the use of the stock during the storm that may be at the time portending, for storms like other

"Coming events cast their shadows before."

It also determines the quantity of straw that should be provided from the stack-yard in a given time, for the use of the animals; and upon this, again, depends the supply of grain that can be sent to the market in any given time. For although it is certainly in the farmer's power to thrash as many stacks as he pleases at one time-provided the machinery for the purpose is competent for the task-and he is tempted to do so when prices are high; yet, as new thrashed straw forms superior provender for live-stock confined in the farmstead, its supply, both as litter and fodder, is therefore mainly dependent on its use by the stock; and as its consumption as litter is greater in wet than in dry weather, and wet weather prevails in winter, the quantity of straw used in the course of that season must always be very considerable; and so therefore must the quantity of grain ready to be sent to market. All the stock in the farmstead in winter, that are not put to work, are placed under the care of the cattle-man-The feeding of that portion of the sheep-stock which are barren, on turnips in the field, is a process practised in winter. This forms fully a more interesting object of contemplation to the farmer than even the feeding of cattle, the behaviour of sheep in any circumstances being always fascinating. Sheep being put on turnips early in winter, a favourable opportunity is thereby afforded the farmer, when clearing the field partially of turnips for the sheep (in a manner that will afterwards be fully described to the pupil), to store a quantity of them for the cattle in case of an emergency in the weather, such as rain, snow, or frost. This removal of the surplus turnips that are not used by the sheep confined on the land, renders sheep-feeding a process which in part also determines the quantity of that root that should be carried from the field in a given time.-The flock of ewes roaming at large over the pastures, require attention in winter, especially in frosty weather, or when snow is on the ground, when they should be supplied with hay, or turnips when the former is not abundant. The shepherd is the person who has charge of the sheep flock.-The large quantity of straw used in winter causes, as I have said, a considerable quantity of grain to be sent at that season to market. The preparation of grain for sale constitutes an important branch of winter farm-business, and should be strictly superintended. A considerable portion of the labour of horses and men are occupied in carrying the grain to the market-town, and delivering it to the purchasers,-a species of work which jades farm

horses very much in bad weather.-In hard frost, when the plough is laid to rest, or when the ground is covered with snow, and as soon as

by frequent hoof and wheel, the roads

A beaten path afford,"

the farm-yard manure is carried from the courts, and deposited in a large heap, in a convenient spot near the gate of the field which is to be manured with it in the ensuing spring or summer. This work is carried

on as long as there is manure to carry away, or the weather continues in either of those states. Of the implements of husbandry, only a few are put in requisition in winter;-the plough is in constant use when the weather will permit, the thrashing-machine enjoys no sinecure,—and the cart finds periodic employment.

The weather in winter is of the most precarious description, and being so, the farmer's skill to anticipate its changes in this season is severely put to the test. Seeing that all operations of the farm are so dependent on the weather, a familiar acquaintance with the local prognostics which indicate a change for the better or worse is incumbent on the farmer. In actual rain, snow, or hard frost, none but in-door occupations can be executed; but, if the farmer have wisely "discerned the face of the sky," he can arrange the order of these in-door operations, so as they may be continued for a length of time, if the storm threaten a protracted endurance, or be left without detriment, should the strife of the elements quickly cease.

The winter is the season for visiting the market town regularly, where the surplus produce of the farm is disposed of,-articles purchased or bespoke for the use of the farm, when the busy seasons arrive,-where intermixture with the world affords the farmer an insight into the actions of mankind,-and where selfishness and cupidity may be seen to act as a foil to heighten the brilliancy of honest dealing.

Field sports have their full sway in winter, when the fields, bared of crop and stock, can sustain little injury by being traversed. Although farmers should not bestow any thing like a large portion of their time to field sports, and many have no inclination for them at all,—yet such sports may very properly be enjoyed as a recreation at times, even by farmers. When duly qualified, why should farmers not join in a run with the fox-hounds?—or take a cast through the fields with a pointer ?— or sound an exhilarating whoop with the greyhounds? Either of these sports forms a pleasing incident in the week's employment, gives a fillip to the mind, and a stimulus to the circulation. That inhabiter of the country, possessing leisure and a good nag, who can remain insensible to the 'joys of a tally-ho," must have a soul" dull as night." These sports

can only be pursued in fresh weather, and when the ground is not very heavy with wetness; but should frost and snow prevent their pursuit, the gymnastic game of curling and the callisthenic sport of skating then afford healthful exercise both to body and mind.

Winter is the season for those in the country reciprocating the kindnesses of hospitality, and participating in the amusements of society. The farmer delights to send the best produce of his poultry-yard as Christmas presents to his friends in town, and in return he is invited into town to partake of its amusements. But there is no want of the attractions of hospitality nearer home. There, farmers maintain a constant intercourse of the kind with each other; while the annual county ball, in the nearest market town, or a charity one set on foot to raise a fund in support of the labouring poor who are thrown out of employment during the rigour of winter, affords a seasonable treat; and the winter may appropriately be wound up by a ré-union given by the hunt to those who had been conspicuous in forwarding their sport during the hunting season.

Winter is to the farmer the season of domestic enjoyment. The fatigues of the long summer-day leave little leisure, and much less inclination, to tax the mind with study; but the long winter evening, after a day of bracing exercise, such as those I have just described, affords him a favourable opportunity, if he have the inclination at all, of partaking in social conversation, listening to instructive reading, or hearing the delights of music. In short, I know of no class of people more capable of enjoying a winter's evening in a rational manner, than the family of the country gentleman or the farmer.

Viewing winter in a higher and more serious light,-in the repose of nature, as emblematical of the mortality of man,-in the exquisite pleasures which man in winter, as a being of sensation, enjoys over the lower creation,—and in the eminence in which man, in the temperate regions, stands, with respect to the development of his mental faculties, above his fellow-creatures in the tropics;-in these respects, winter must be hailed by the dweller in the country, as the purifier of the mental as well as of the physical atmosphere.

On this subject, I cannot refrain from copying these beautiful reflections by a modern writer, whose great and versatile talents enabling him to write well on almost any subject, have long been known to me. "Winter," says he, "is the season of nature's annual repose,-the time when the working structures are reduced to the minimum of their extent, and the energies of growth and life to the minimum of their activity, and when the phenomena of nature are fewer, and address them

selves less pleasingly to our senses, than they do in any other of the three seasons. There is hope in the bud of Spring, pleasure in the bloom of Summer, and enjoyment in the fruit of Autumn; but, if we make our senses our chief resource, there is something both blank and gloomy in the aspect of Winter.

"And if we were of and for this world alone, there is no doubt that this would be the correct view of the winter, as compared with the other seasons; and the partial death of the year would point as a most mournful index to the death and final close of our existence. But we are beings otherwise destined and endowed,—the world is to us only what the lodge is to the wayfaring man; and while we enjoy its rest, our thoughts can be directed back to the past part of our journey, and our hopes forward to its end, when we shall reach our proper home, and dwell there securely and for ever. This is our sure consolation,-the anchor of hope to our minds during all storms, whether they be of physical nature, or of social adversity.

* * *

"We are beings of sensation certainly; many and exquisite are the pleasures which we are fitted for enjoying in this way, and much ought we to be grateful for their capacity of giving pleasure, and our capacity of receiving it; for this refined pleasure of the senses is special and peculiar to us out of all the countless variety of living creatures which tenant the earth around us. They eat, they drink, they sleep, they secure the succession of their race, and they die; but not one of them has a secondary pleasure of sense beyond the accomplishment of these very humble ends. We stand far higher in the mere gratifications of sense; and in the mental ones there is no comparison, as the other creatures have not an atom of the element to bring to the estimate.

66

The winter is, therefore, the especial season of man-our own season, by way of eminence; and men who have no winter in the year of the region in which they are placed, never of themselves display those traits of mental development which are the true characteristics of rational men, as contrasted with the irrational part of the living creation. It is true there must be the contrast of a summer, in order to give this winter its proper effect, but still, the winter is the intellectual season of the year-the season during which the intellectual and immortal spirit in man enables him most triumphantly to display his superiority over the beasts that perish.""*

* Mudie's Winter, Preface, p. 3-5.

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16. OF THE STEADING OR FARMSTEAD.

"When we see the figure of the house, then must we rate the cost of the erection."
HENRY IV. Part II.

(1.) Before proceeding to the consideration of the state in which the pupil should find the various fields at the beginning of winter, it will tend to perspicuity in the furnishing of a farm to let him understand, in the first instance, the principles on which a steading, or onstead, or farmstead, or farm-offices, or farmery, as it has been variously styled, intended for a farm conducted on the mixed husbandry, should be constructed, and also to enumerate its constituent parts. This explanation being given, and got quit of at once, the names and uses of the various parts of a farmstead will at once become familiarized to him. And before beginning with the description of any thing, I may here express it as my opinion that my descriptions of all the farm operations will be much more lucid and graphic if addressed personally to the pupil.

(2.) To present a description of a steading in the most specific terms, it will, in the first place, be necessary to assume a size which will afford accommodation for a farm of given extent. To give full scope to the mixed husbandry, I have already stated that a farm of 500 imperial acres is required. I will therefore assume the steading, about to be described, to be suited to a farm of that extent. At the same time you should bear in mind that the principles which determine the arrangement of this particular size, are equally applicable to much smaller, as well as much larger steadings; and that the mixed husbandry is frequently practised on farms of much smaller extent.

(3.) It is a requisite condition to its proper use, that every steading be conveniently placed on the farm. To be most conveniently placed, in theory, it should stand in the centre of the farm; for, it can be proved in geometry that of any point within the area of a circle, the centre is the nearest to every point in its circumference. In practice, however, circumstances greatly modify this theoretical principle upon which the site of all steadings should be fixed. For instance, if an abundant supply of water can be easily obtained for the moving power of the thrashing-machine, the steading may be placed, for the sake of thus economizing horse labour, in a more remote and hollow spot than it should be in other circumstances. If wind is preferred, as the moving power, then the steading will be more appropriately placed on rising ground.