PREFACE
Reading edition
It is always a pleasure to avoid responsibility and it gives me a feeling of relief to be able to announce that I am not wholly responsible for this collection of sketches. When it was suggested that I should put together the articles dealing with the Red Cow, and the other farm animals, I felt reluctant to trouble the public with a somewhat frivolous book at the present time. It seemed as if Fate were with me for when it was decided to go on with the book it was found that my file of clippings had been lost. But the matter was still urged and, remembering that at different times readers had written to me saying that they were in the habit of clipping the articles for future reference, I published a paragraph telling of my predicament. The result was that I received clippings from all parts of Canada and some were even sent from neighbouring States.
Through the kindness of my unknown friends I am able to offer a book which they have really edited. Some of the sketches used would have been rejected had I relied on my own judgment, but finding that they had pleased some readers I decided that they might please others. Having the chance to shift the responsibility for the book from my own shoulders, I accepted it joyously. The unknown friends who did me the honour of preserving these articles as they appeared are the real editors.
I can further plead in extenuation that the clippings I have used were all sent to me by people who are familiar with the domestic animals and their habits. This should protect me from any charge of farm-faking.
Ekfrid, Ontario, January, 1919.
CONTENTS
COWS
PAGE
I.A Sick Cow15
II.Cow Troubles22
III.Fly Time26
IV.The Red Cow's Calves29
V.Insurgent Cows31
VI.Cow Troubles36
VII.The Bran Habit42
VIII.The Farrow Cow and Others43
IX.Cow Enjoyment50
X.Cow Kaiserism52
XI.A Night Session55
XII.A Calf Puzzle58
XIII.Cow Character61
XIV.Calf Feeding63
XV.A Cow Trick66
XVI.Cow Cussedness72
XVII.Teaching a Calf75
XVIII.Calf Exuberance77
SHEEP
XIX.Our First Sheep83
XX.The First Lamb90
XXI.Sheep Surgery93
XXII.The Patient98
XXIII.Shearing100
XXIV.Vain Regrets104
XXV.Sheep Sculpture106
XXVI.Our Lawn Mower113
PIGS
XXVII.Clementine117
XXVIII.Feeding Pigs121
XXIX.Beatrice124
XXX.Pig Frightfulness128
XXXI.A Pig Bath130
XXXII.In Extenuation132
XXXIII.Beatrice Announces134
XXXIV.Receiving137
XXXV.Feeding Time140
XXXVI.Beatrice Belligerent144
HORSES
XXXVII.Dolly's Day Off147
XXXVIII.The Colt154
XXXIX.Horse Contrariness156
XL.A Great Scheme158
TURKEYS
XLI.The Gobbler163
XLII.His Troubles167
XLIII.His Desertion169
XLIV.His Belligerency171
XLV.His Cares173
XLVI.His Prussianism175
DOGS
XLVII.A Moral Tale179
XLVIII.Sheppy's First Coon Hunt181
XLIX.A Rabbit Chase189
L.Fights and Feuds192
CATS
LI.A Page of High History197
LII.A Spring Orgy200
BIRDS
LIII.A Disgusted Blackbird205
LIV.A Visitor209
LV.A Farewell211
GENERAL
LVI.The Whole Bunch215
LVII.Human Nature in Dumb Creatures221
LVIII.Early Observations227
LIX.Bantams232
LX.A Little Tragedy234
LXI.A Scientific Query236
LXII.A Poultry Note238
LXIII.Spring and the Livestock240
LXIV.First Snow242
LXV.A "Skift" of Snow244
LXVI.A Spring Shower247
LXVII.Doing Chores249
LXVIII.Fishing251
LXIX.A Lonesome Squirrel255
LXX.Fall Poultry Troubles258
LXXI.Thanksgiving Day263
LXXII.September Notes270
LXXIII.The Demon Rabbit273
LXXIV.The Fate of "The Demon Rabbit"278
LXXV.My Friends, the Trees282