THE DIARY OF WILLIAM SELLERS

1,916

Nov. 14^th. Shot a wild duck in Garends pond. The first for a number of years. At Driffield hirings on Monday a Waggoner was hired for a year for fifty pounds with board & lodging. This is the highest wage ever known in the district. Lads from fourteen to sixteen obtained from twenty to thirty pounds. Dec. 3^rd. Memorial services today at Speeton church for Nelson and at Reighton for John Evison who were killed in the war.
Large flocks of stockdoves are at present frequenting this district. A flock of some hundreds settled in the North pasture behind Garends pond. Had a shot at them, got two fine plump birds. It is unusual for these birds to frequent this neighbourhood in flocks.
4^th. Frosty, white over with snow. 9^th. South east gale very heavy rain.
Owing to the high price of horses a good number of light draught horses are being imported from America. These are sold by auction at York and make £40 to £55 each. They are from three to five years old and mostly unbroken.
12^th. Saw a pure white stockdove today.
13^th. Have eaten the first bread made from government regulation flour. It is slightly darker than bread made from best white flour, but is not at all coarse and quite eatable.
18^th. Saw a pied wagtail today. This is unusual as these birds usually are not seen here till the early spring. Weather changeable, today frosty & foggy.
Wheat is £4 per qr. Barley 77/-. Oats 56/-. Linseed cake £20 per ton.
Cotton cake £16. Beef 16/- per stone at Xmas shows.
19^th. A fall of snow about three inches thick took place during the afternoon. Hard frost.