What happened between 1881 and 1891 to the ag lab's ?

[stockman fred]

The little book with the figures is an old pocketbook that was left behind by grandad, but I would guess it was given to him by his grandad as it gives facts and figures up to about 1882, when they were dairying around Sturminster Newton.
Sadly the cover is missing, but it has 500 pages of useful info. that would be of assistance to a Victorian farmer.It has sections on Labour, buildings, soils, animals, crops and so on with the figures you would need for running a farm.
When we were at college, we had a modern equivalent called "The Agricultural Notebook" which claimed that it had been in existence since 1883, so I wonder if that's what my old pocket book is.
Grandad also left a copy of "Day and Sons Everyday Farriery" with graphic Victorian engravings of animal diseases, but I don't look at that one before meals
Fred

[Lydart]

Thancs again Fred.

Do you thinc its this booc ??   (Sorry about lacc of a certain letter !)


http://www.rootschat.com/links/049m/

[stockman fred]

The book in the ad looks like the 15th edition from 1968. They updated it for each edition with the latest farming knowledge so I'm not sure if it would be very useful for Victorian facts. I have a 1982 version from college which is excellent for modern(ish) stuff, but when I decided to get a new 20th edition in 2003, I was disappointed that they had removed most of the useful bits (which chemicals kill which weeds and which medicine treats which disease).I think the authors are conscious that their recommendations could lead to mis-use and don't want to held accountable.
I reckon it would be worth keeping an eye out for a pre-war edition from the days before tractors took over as there is lots of very useful info in there.
Fred
ps I hope the ceyboard gets well soon, then you'll be OC!

[stanmapstone]

See English Farming Past and Present
THE GREAT DEPRESSION AND RECOVERY, 1874-1914
http://www.soilandhealth.org/01aglibrary/010136ernle/010136ch18.htm

Stan

[Lydart]

Fred ... I've got a copy of that book !!   Found one cheap on the internet ... 6th edition, 1897 !!

First thing ... its by a Primrose McConnell ... a woman ??

No ... the dedication inside says "To Archibald McConnell, a Scottish tenant-farmer, this note-book is affectionately dedicated, by his SON, the author"

Poor Primrose, going through life with what even in the late 1800's must have been a female name !



Secondly ... the information in it is delightful and very useful as you said.   Amount of work expected in one day, wages paid, descriptions of vegetables and crops ...

Did you know, for e.g. that one woman 'cutting sets' of potatoes (i.e. cutting the seed potatoes so that each piece had so many eyes) was expected to be able to cut 8 to 10 cwt a day, and that 15,000 to 20,000 'sets' could be dibbled (planted) by two men in one day ...

A man was expected to be able to dig wth a spade an acre of land to a depth of 9 - 12 inches in 14 to 20 days ...

Phew, they knew how to work in those days !

[stockman fred]

I'm glad the little book is of interest. I love looking through it because there is so much forgotten knowledge in there. It shows that they were just as business-like as modern farmers within the limits of their scientific knowledge.

The current edition is still called "Primrose McConnell's Agricultural Notebook." Maybe his father wanted him to "Grow up mean" like the Boy named Sue in the Johnny Cash song.
Fred
 

[Lydart]

Hey ... a Johnny Cash fan !!


Poor Primrose though ...



I'm entralled by the book ... 90% of my ancestors had to work like that ... it certainly fleshes out their lives

[trish251]

Hello Fred

Many thanks for your so interesting explanations - much appreciated

I am wondering if Primrose, was in fact a family name - as I have been researching a family of this name recently - perhaps he used it as the book author for impact - A man called Primrose will be noticed!

Trish

[kerryb]

See English Farming Past and Present
THE GREAT DEPRESSION AND RECOVERY, 1874-1914
http://www.soilandhealth.org/01aglibrary/010136ernle/010136ch18.htm

Stan

Interesting link, thank you - more information to add to the files of information 

Kerry