II. THE FARM BAILIFF...................................... 11 III. THE HOP FOREMAN AND THE HOP DRIER..................... 23 IV. THE HEAD CARTER--THE CARPENTER........................ 35 V. AN OLD-FASHIONED SHEPHERD--OLD THICKER--A GARDENER--MY SECOND HEAD CARTER--A LABOURER......... 46 VI. CHARACTERISTICS OF AGRICULTURAL LABOURERS AND VILLAGERS........................................... 57 VII. MACHINERY--VILLAGE POLITICS--ASPARAGUS................ 80 VIII. MY THREE VICARS--CHURCH RESTORATION--CHURCHWARDEN EXPERIENCES--CLERICAL AND OTHER STORIES............. 89 IX. THE SCHOOL BOARD--RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION--SCHOOL INSPECTORS--DEAN FARHAR--COMPULSORY EDUCATION....... 106 X. VILLAGE INSTITUTIONS: CRICKET--FOOTBALL--FLOWER-SHOW --BAND--POSTMAN--CONCERTS........................... 119 XI. DEALERS--LUCK MONEY--FAIRS--SALES--EFFECT OF CLIMATE ON CATTLE AND SHEEP--AGRICULTURAL SHOWS..... 126 XII. FARM SPECIALISTS...................................... 141 XIII. THE DAIRY--CATTLE--SHEEP--LAMBS--PIGS--POULTRY........ 153 XIV. ORCHARDS--APPLES--CIDER--PERRY........................ 167 XV. PLUMS--CHERRIES....................................... 182 XVI. TREES: ELM--OAK--BEECH--WILLOW--SCOTS-FIR............. 187 XVII. CORN--WHEAT--RIDGE AND FURROW--BARLEY--FARMERS NEWSTYLE AND OLDSTYLE............................... 207 XVIII. HOPS--INSECT ATTACKS--HOP FAIRS....................... 220 XIX. METEOROLOGY--ETON AND HARROW AT LORD'S--"RUS IN URBE"............................................... 230 XX. CHANGING COURSE OF STREAMS--DEWPONDS--A WET HARVEST--WEATHER PHENOMENA--WILL-O'-THE- WISP--VARIOUS....................................... 239 XXI. BIRDS: PEACOCKS--A WHITE PHEASANT--ROOKS' ARITHMETIC.. 253 XXII. PETS: SUSIE--COCKY--TRUMP--CHIPS--WENDY--TAFFY........ 264 XXIII. BUTTERFLIES--MOTHS--WASPS............................. 271 XXIV. CYCLING--PAGEANTS OF THE ROADS--ROADSIDE CREATURES--HARMONIOUS BUILDING--COLLECTING OLD FURNITURE AND CHINA................................. 278 XXV. DIALECT--LOCAL PHRASEOLOGY IN SHAKESPEARE--NAMES --STUPID PLACES..................................... 288 XXVI. Is ALDINGTON THE ROMAN ANTONA?........................ 294 INDEX....................................................... 306 "Ah, what a life were this! how sweet! how lovely! Gives not the hawthorn-bush a sweeter shade To shepherds looking on their silly sheep, Than doth a rich embroider'd canopy To kings that fear their subjects' treachery!" _3 King Henry VI_.