THE DIARY OF WILLIAM SELLERS

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Dec 24^th. Owing to an epidemic of colds & indisposition no patrol of the village was made by the Christmas singers. Weather fine & frosty.
Sandy chased a beautiful black wild rabbit today.

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Jan 25^th. Have not been to plough for nearly three weeks. The beginning of the month was wet & stormy followed by snow, then by frost cold east wind. Sold two fat heifers at Seamer market just over 21 months for £38 each. Fat cows are making to £46 or £49 each. Mr Jackson of North Dale sent a fat bull to Driffield market this week which weighed at Speeton station turned the scale at one ton.
The government are commandeering oats at 47/6 per qr which dealers have bought at 51/- & 52/- per qr. January has been a bad month for field work. The first half of the month was wet with some snow followed by fine frosty weather. Land too hard to plough.
All men of military age who have obtained exemption are compelled to join the volunteer force.
Feb 17^th. The frost which set in on the 19^th. of Jan and has held since that date to the present shows signs of breaking.
During this period no field work with horses has been possible, ploughing is very backward. Turnips are scarce, very few farmers have enough. Store sheep are cheaper, cattle are dearer.
Potatoes are scarce, prices are fixed by the government at £9 per ton till the end of March then £10 till June.
The price for seed potatoes is not fixed but is higher than for ****
Gilts in pig £8 each.