THE DIARY OF WILLIAM SELLERS

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March 23^rd. Khaki uniforms were served out to the local volunteers at Speeton school tonight.
28^th. Sale of Mr. Ellbeck’s furniture
29^th. Mr Ellbeck left to live with his daughter at Lutton. The month of March has been very cold with numerous frosts, grass & wheat & seeds are very backward in fact they have made no progress during the month. 100 guineas is a common price for horses at farm sales. Wheat is 90/- per qr, oats 60/-.
April 1^st. Severe snowstorm, about 8 inches of snow fell between 6 a.m. & 6 p.m. 2^nd. Hard frost, snowing for six hours, drifts a yard deep behind field hedges. 5^th. Been to Beverley for medical examination, passed fit for general service.
6 p.m. heavy snowstorm wind North.
8^th. The week just ended has been the worst for farmers for a long period. No field work has been possible. Hard frosts every morning. A large number of lambs have died owing to the cold and the scarsity(sic) of labour. Daylight saving begins today. A beggar called at the house today. It is so long since we saw one that I thought I would make a note of it.
9^th. White over with snow.
15^th. Local volunteers inspected at Hull by Fieldmarshall Vicount (sic) French. 20^th. Started harrowing 23^rd. Sowing barley. This is the latest date on which sowing was started on record.
All farmers have to make a return of all farm implements, cattle & horses before May 1^st.
The government have withdrawn the order which prevented the killing of calves under the age of six months.
In spite of the war there is at present more livestock in the United Kingdom than at any previous time.