1-1--: I spent a quiet day at home Mother in Law came over.
2-1--: Stayed at home and rested.
3-1--: Picked pines and did some hoeing also got ready for town tomorrow.
4-1--: Ted and I went to town with pines.
5-1--: Gathered pines also started to make a small table for myself, loaded up ready for tomorrow.
6-1--: Went in with pines.
7-1--: Worked about the farm.
8-1--: Did a little about the place.
9-1--: Stayed at home all day except for going to the dairy.
10-1-: Gathered pines etc up for tomorrow and also hoed weeds.
11-1-: Took pines to town.
12-1-: Gathered pines and also did a bit more hoeing.
13-1-: Took the pines to town. We sold out fairly early and got home at about the same time, as we are generally finished.
14-1-: Finished hoeing the pines below the old passion fruit row. Frankie Morrell came down and stayed with me for a while, and took a couple of pines home with him gave Lily 6d for them.
15-1-: Lily went in with Martha and did some much needed shopping. She seems fairly satisfied with herself so I suppose it is all right. I hoed a row of pines and also gathered some.
16-1-: Went for milk. Stayed at home and rested after tea.
17-1-: Gathered pines also hoed 2 rows near the gate. After dinner I did a little towards making my gate and also got things loaded up ready for an early start tomorrow. It was very like rain this morning but after a bit of a drizzle passed over.
18-1-: Went to town with pines. Had a fairly good day although I was short of pines they sold so rapidly. I get a new axle put under my cart which made me late home. It was just on 6 when I got home and had fed the horse.
19-1-: Gather pines and hoed weeds.
20-1-: Went to town with pines could have sold a great number more than I had. Made a good thing out of them considering the sample. Went up to Gracemere and paid for my paper also got a bit of corned meat. Weather awfully close but no rain.
21-1-: I finished hoeing a row of pines that I had commenced on Wednesday and also hoed about half of the one above as well as runnin g a Facia board around the Pro. tem dining room. The weather is past understanding. It comes up like rain but blows away every time, alas.
22-1-: Did some hoeing. Did a little towards my table and also gathered 20 dozen pines and a few tomatoes. I also went over to Bunnages and got a tin of honey. Mother in law and Becky were there.
23-1-: The day has opened up showery, hope it will develop to something big in the way of wet.
24-1-: Hoed amongst pines.
25-1-: Arose at 5 oclock and fed Bob felt awfully full of gas, blown up like a frog in fact. Ted and I went to town with pines and tomatoes, I bought a pair of shafts for the pine cart pair of scissors for Lily a dozen neck studs, ball for Beryl, lead pencils etc.
26-1-: Hoed amongst the pines and finished making a ladder and nearly finished making my table. I have a couple of traps set for paddy melons or whatever it is that are after my pineapples. My word today was a scorcher I couldn t work out in it.
27-1-: I hoed amongst the pines. I finished making my little table that I am going to use for writing on. The weather is very hot but rain seems as far away as ever. Mother in law and Becky came over to see Lily, had a cup of tea and went home.
28-1-: I hoed some weeds and picked a few pines. Sent a case of pines to the Mount. I suppose it will be the last case I shall send to A.M. Johnson as I hear he is selling out. I put the gate I am making together that I am going to put up the top of the garden also saw to Bobs wants.
29-1-: I finished making my gate. Afternoon I worked at the pump round the hill. Had an awful job and did not do much good, also got a little firewood for Lily. A few small storms are sailing round this evening.
30-1-: Beastly hot day. Took 12 pines to the dairy for A. Huff.
31-1-: I have had Bob in 9 weeks today. I hoed cobbler pegs, they thrive when all else fail.
1-2--: Went on with the hoeing.
2-2--: My word today was a corker with regard to heat I could not bear it and had to keep indoors during the greatest part of the day.
3-2--: Hoed form 7 to 9 then came in and put 6 bolts in the new gate. The heat is some thing terrific. It is hard to understand how it is that it doesnt rain.
4-2--: I hoed amongst the pines and rode the bike to city, took a few pines to town for Mrs Dunlop. Paid a l ady 4/ - that she had given me to forward pines up the line as pines are off I had to return the money. I also procured a book on carpentry for beginners.
5-2--: Did a bit with the hoe and went to Newmans and got my spikes. Afternoon went to the Mount took sick in the evening and could take no tea.
6-2--: No sleep last night. Had a dose of whisky that eased the pain in my stomach came home.
7-2--: Spent another sleepless night, feel awful today. Lily is doing best for me.
8-2--: No sleep last night. These days are terrible for a sick person. Tom Trebiles got me some medicine, which isnt very nice, maybe that is a sure sign of its virtue.
9-2--: No sleep again – Oh dear. I cant sleep in daytime either. Spent another beastly day hot as blazes but no rain comes.
10-2-: Got a little sleep last night and feel a bit better in consequence but the day has been a most trying one hot as fire even though windy.
11-2-: Had a much better rest last night, as the day wore on I was better and worse till night when night came on, it is that being so close and the skeeters so bad you have to be under the net which makes it closer still.
12-2-: I woke up none too good the weather is beastly and no rain. It is simply awful being so dry at this time of year. It looks like drought that we have had so long already.
13-2-: Lied about the house all day. The weather and sickness has about got me mad.
14-2-: Put in another day to the bad, I am too giddy to do anything.
15-2-: Fixed up a block at one of the doors to block Beryl getting out and also burned a bit of pear.
16-2-: Burned some pear. I am that weak after my sickness that I cannot do much.
17-2-: Went to town for groceries as soon as I could get ready after breakfast afternoon I felt too crook to do anything. Very drought conditions prevail, it looks nothing like rain. My few mango trees are dying one by one.
18-2-: Got up feeling rather seedy there is a cool feeling in the air but the sun is coming out hot and strong. I burned a bit more pear. I still feel as weak as a kitten from the affects of Dengue. The complaint has almost visited every home in the district.
19-2-: I went up and did a little more to the pear. Afternoon I went and had a look at Arthurs place. In the evening I took photos of Arthur and Beryl. The need of rain is being felt more and more each day, things are looking simply awful.
20-2-: Stayed at home and Ted and his family were here for tea. Annual at Gracemere Mrs Newman and Mothers lot went we didnt. Binnings farewell.
21-2-: Last night a pain came in the side of my right foot just round the inside from the instep. I wonder if it is Rheumatism, the joint is very sore. I put in the day fixing the pump round at the front. I printed a few photos after tea.
22-2-: Worked at the pump. It is a bad job for me as I am still weak after the dengue.
23-2-: Got the pump in pretty fair working order.
24-2-: Worked with Ted at prickly pear. It is absolutely awful stuff to have on your place. Costs more than the land is worth to clear it. The rain seems to have sidled off and left us in the lurch as usual.
25-2-: Put in another day at the pear. It was an awfully hot day. We had to keep going into the shade as our fires made it a terrible lot hotter than it would other wise have been.
26-2-: We had a storm last night and to day it looks awful as though we may get more here the day is over. Ted and I went and helped Arthur to put in a post for his pump.
27-2-: Very light rain fell during the night. Stayed at home.
28-2-: Helped Ted with pear.
29-2-: Worked at Arthurs, commenced putting up a black smiths shop.
1-3--: Worked at the pear. A, E.Newman worked with us.
2-3--: I cut wood during the morning. Afternoon Ted and I worked half time at pear and the other half at cleaning out my well.
3-3--: Ted and I dug out burrs and also posts remaining from the old killing yard. About 3.45 afternoon a terrific storm came up and caused us to cease work for a time. After the storm had passed I put out 200 tomato plants, but I have not good too much faith in them coming too much.
4-3--: I planted smooth leaf pines.
5-3--: Went over to Newmans and had a look around.
6-3--: Ploughed between pines also planted smooth leaf pines. The weather is awfully close but rain hangs off.
7-3--: Planted smooth leaf suckers. Very cloudy and like rain.
8-3--: Hoed amongst the pines I ploughed between Monday. The weather is hotter now than it was at Xmas time.
9-3--: I put the roof on Arthurs smiths shop, it was awfully hot but got cooler about 4 oclock.
10-3-: Commenced making a fowl run for Arthur, also went down and fixed up the verandah on the old chows humpy so as the seed potatoes will not get wet if it rains.
11-3-: Worked at the fowl run during the morning. After dinner I went down and had a yarn with Ted came back and had a shave and bath and got a bit of wood for tomorrow.
12-3-: Stayed home and rested. Mother in law came over and saw us for a few hours.
13-3-: Building fowl run for Arthur. The day was warm.
14-3-: Worked for A, M. Johnson.
15-3-: Worked Blythe Farm.
16-3-: Finished fowl run and also a house for them to camp under except a piece of ridge capping to put on.
17-3-: During the morning I hoed 3 rows of pines.
18-3-: Finished hoeing the lot of pines I ploughed amongst last week. Afternoon Lily and I drove to Depot Hill and visited Mrs Dunlop. We had a nice time and came home. It was a nice moon light night.
19-3-: Took Mick back cleared out the bails and came home.
20-3-: Was sick in bed all day, I was up 10 times with bowel trouble. It left me rather crook. I have been bad all day too. I had absolutely no sleep, which always makes one worse.
21-3-: I had a little sleep last night and feel a little better today. I feel too low to work and that is what worries me is there is such a lot needs doing.
22-3-: I had a fairly good night last night my bowels seem more settled and I have been able to do some work. My bones however are rather achy and pains. I am afraid old age is slowly but surely creeping upon me, oh dear.
23-3-: I hoed pines above the house. Also turned a penholder for myself out of rose wood it turned out very well. Lily put out 3 of her Stephanotis plants on the eastern side of the house.
24-3-: Hoed a row of pines and then went to the city and paid a debt I owed Williams Limited. Also had a talk with J. R. Crane bought 4 pair of sox for myself at Harris 2 pair 2/- and 2 pr 3/6. 5/- the lot came home and hoed 2 more rows of pines.
25-3-: I finished hoeing another lot of pines near the house cut some firewood and also afternoon I helped Ted to burn some pear on Cecils place. A terrific wind has come up it is awful.
26-3-: Took things quietly and stayed at home reading etc.
27-3-: Helped Ted burn pear and about 11 we knocked off and cut a block for the anvil. After dinner we fixed up all the hoes we could, also fixed the anvil up in a fresh place.
28-3-: Fixing up the pineapple cart, put a pair of new shafts in. It has come up like rain. We are faring very badly lately for that much needed article.
29-3-: Was drizzling. I fixed up an affair for stacking cases on and tried to tidy a little about the shed.
30-3-: I put out 100 tomato plants and dug 3 trenches for pines pulled 200 suckers and carried half of them up to the trenches and layed them out ready to plant. Also went to Zimitats for the papers and butter, soap, bloater past es and salmon. It has been cloudy all day no rain.
31-3-: Planted 200 suckers. Also got the gate hung at the top of the garden. After this I started to pull down the line where I had Passion fruit. I got all the posts out except 2 and was then called in to tea, which was accepted.
1-4--: I finished clearing away the old passion fruit trellis. The rest of the morning I burned pear. Afternoon I made and put on the shafts of my pines cart a pair of hooks to pull by and also took Dick Johnsons photograph.
2-4--: Lazed around at home.
3-4--: Did some hoeing and also picked pines and suckers for tomorrow.
4-4--: Ted and I went to town with pines. We averaged 4/- per dozen. Bought a 50 lb. flour and 12 lb. sugar.
5-4--: Put the beam in the small plow I am fixing and also cleared out pines and started to dig the ground above the water closet.
6-4--: I went on with clearing and digging where I was yesterday. After dinner I went down to Teds scrub and cut a tea tree for a clothes prop and also to make a pair of plough handles for the plough I am doing up. We had a nice little rain last night.
7-4--: I finished getting the place ready for tomatoes and also hoed 3 other rows of pines.
8-4--: I hoed pines and also ploughed a piece of land ready for sowing peas cut a bit of wood for Sunday and went and had a look if I could find a shear for the plow I am renewing.
9-4--: Went to church and listened to a fine discourse by Rev Walker.
10-4-: Dug couch grass out of the pines and also gathered pines for town.
11-4-: Got up very early so as to get off to the city. We got on all right with the pines but did not bring back so much cash, as I thought we should. Ted did not have as much to hand over at the end as he seemed to expect he would have had.
12-4-: Splendid rain fell last night. I fixed the handles on to the plow and otherwise fixed it up I believe that when it has a share put on it will do fair work. It rained through the day. I put out 190 tomato plants.
13-4-: I rode the bike to town and got various kinds of seeds also called at Mrs Camerons and got some mango and other trees.
14-4-: Ploughed the ground where I had bananas and also ploughed some at the back of my pine cart shed, after this I went to the top of the hill and cleaned 3 rows of pines. The rain has cleared awa y again I think we got about 1 inch out of it. It was rather warm to day.
15-4-: I ploughed ground round near Cecils well, made a bed there for carrots and also put in some custard squash seeds, also went to the top of the hill and weeded 2 rows of pines. The weather has taken a cool change although it gets rather warm during the day.
16-4-: Went up to C.E. Anniversary it was a very fair meeting.
17-4-: Pulled nearly 400 suckers, finished weeding the pines at the top of the hill also finished the ploughing round near the well. Gathered the pines for town and loaded up ready for morning. Altogether I put in a rather solid day.
18-4-: Town with pines. The day opened up cloudy. Pines sold well, but it took the day as I spent a good time shopping. It was rather stormy but when we got home we found that none had favoured us with a visit.
19-4-: Helped a chap off with suckers. Sowed various kinds of seeds round near the well. After dinner I dug trenches for pines, the ground where I had bananas before.
20-4-: Finished the trench digging and also carted manure and put in each of them. After that I dug couch grass from amongst the pines.
21-4-: I poked around during the morning and afternoon. I went fishing caught 11. It was rather windy for good fishing but towards night they bit very well.
22-4-: Had our fish for breakfast. I dug couch grass out of 2 rows of pines and planted about 60 suckers. The rest of the day except for watering the beds I spent quietly.
23-4-: Knocked around at home.
24-4-: Made a jack and gre ased the axle of my pine cart. I got up early and watered the beds. After breakfast I picked my pines and pulled a bag of grass for Bob. I then got ready and went to the picnic. It came on to rain and spoiled the picnic we finished up at Wards the townie s went home by the 3 train.
25-4-: Ted Read and I picked and planted 550 suckers. I also sent 2 cases of pines up the line.
26-4-: Went to town with pines. I bought myself a pair of tan boots and also a pair of sand shoes for Lily to take to Emu Park.
27-4-: Hoed smooth leaf pines.
28-4-: Went by bike to Mt Chalmers and round by Cawaral to Emu Park. I spent the weekend there. Mr Humphries took us out to Zilzie in his car on Sunday. It was a nice ride. I bought a tog to bathe in and only had 1 swim.
29-4-: All in yesterdays report.
30-4-: In Fridays report.
1-5--: Rode bike to Mt Chalmers and started pulling down a building.
2-5--: I worked at the same thing as yesterday. We did not get on very well on account of being short of tools.
3-5--: I rode the bike to here and gathered up tools and tackle and went back by train to Mt Chalmers.
4-5--: Mt Chalmers.
5-5--: Mt Chalmers. Arthur says I can have anything I require out of the material from Mt Chalmers at what it costs landed at Gracemere. Timber 10 or 12 shillings per 100 super feet.
6-5--: Worked at Mt Chalmers and rode bike home, got wet coming through Rocky.
7-5--: Stayed at home.
8-5--: Gathered pines and got ready and rode to Mt Chalmers, as I went through Rocky I bought a gunmetal watch 3/11.
9-5--: Mt Chalmers.
10-5-: Mt Chalmers.
11-5-: Chalmers.
12-5-: Chalmers.
13-5-: Mt Chalmers. Came home and as I came called at the New Market hotel for a rifle for Arthur.
14-5-: I went to church, it was what is termed as Mothers Day. Richardson was in the pulpit and young Cavell sang.
15-5-: Gathered pines, hoed tomatoes and other jobs. Settled up with Charlie.
16-5-: Took the fruit to town. We got through them fairly well and finished by a little after 2.
17-5-: Hoed pines up near the wooden gate. Also put out a bed of lettuce plants. Herbert Williams and his spouse and daughter motored out and got some pines.
18-5-: Hoed amongst the pines also put a bolt on the verandah gate and made a gate for the top of the stairs. Rain is again hanging around. I dont know when we are going to get some but we need it very much.
19-5-: Went and saw to the carrots etc before breakfast, after that I hoed amongst the pines. It was again like rain but it keeps off some how.
20-5-: I put Bob between the shafts and went to the station expecting to get my pickets but they hadn t come so I helped Tom to load and brought the glass ware, after which I went back and got Claras luggage for her, I had my little cart loaded.
21-5-: Went and had a look at Ted, came back by the dairy and home stayed home all the rest of day.
22-5-: Picked 22 dozen pines. I also hoed the row of mangoes near the well.
23-5-: Went in with pines. We sold fairly well and averaged 2/6 dozen finished about 3 oclock but as we had to do shopping it was about 5 before we got back home.
24-5-: Hoed among the pines. I also started drilling a hole to put a shot in the well.
25-5-: Grubbed out spear grass and did a bit of hoeing. Put shot in and got it off about dinnertime. Ted and I worked at well during the afternoon. We got out 32 drums of stuff.
26-5-: Put the day in at the well. Took out 59 drums of stuff.
27-5-: We worked during the morning at the well and after dinner I snigged some fire wood down the hill.
28-5-: Went and had a look at Tom and Daisy also called in and saw Pete Beal.
29-5-: Picked pines also got a shot off in the well and loaded up ready for tomorrow.
30-5-: Went in with pines. We sold out very well. Had 46 dozen and sold out by 3 oclock.
31-5-: I hoed pines near the gate. After that I chipped spear grass along the track to the house.
1-6--: Worked at the well.
2-6--: Worked at the well. I got the loan of Arthurs tape and measured it and found that I am just about 40 feet down. That being so I kick on to get very near water by going about another 10 feet.
3-6--: Put a charge in the well 18 inch deep and let it off. After dinner Harry, Eddie. Crilly and myself went round by Skinners lane and got some wood and coal. The weather has taken quite a warm change.
4-6--: Went to church and heard Rev Bibby he preached very well to a good crowd.
5-6--: Picked pines and sent 35 drums of stuff out of the well loaded up for morning and sent a case of pines to Miller had tea and went down and got a couple of tins of new potatoes to sell.
6-6--: Went in with our produce. I sold pines at 9d per dozen and French beans at 2d per lb at the finish of the day and a hard job then.
7-6--: I did odd jobs during the morning and after dinner I plowed amongst pines.
8-6--: Last night I was bad in my bowels and it has kept me going through the day. Such awful pains as I have suffered are fairly awful. Mrs Newman went home today. To days paper had the news in it that Kitchener and his staff have gone under the sea, they were on their way to Russia.
9-6--: I was pretty crook and did very little work.
10-6-: I carted pickets from the station and helped Tom unload the trucks.
11-6-: Knocked about the house.
12-6-: Gathered pines and started putting bearers up for placing the pickets round the verandah. This morning it was a lot like rain but seems to hang off.
13-6-: Took pines and new potatoes and beans to town we sold out very well considering the times are so bad.
14-6-: Picked pines and got ready for town tomorrow. I put the rails round the verandah ready for doing with the pickets.
15-6-: Went to town with 26 dozen pines and a couple of bags of new spuds and sold out very well indeed, of course we sold the pines cheap as they seem so plentiful for this time of year. It is on account of having had a poor summer crop.
16-6-: I started putting the pickets up. I have been rather unwell lately and not up to much for toil.
17-6-: I finished picketing up to the corner and then went to town and banked money and saw the Doctor got some medicine and got a terrible splashing as I came home it was raining which was making it a bit wet.
18-6-: Watched Bob on the hill. The wind blew rather cool.
19-6-: Picked pines etc.
20-6-: Town with pines etc.
21-6-: Rained throughout the night we have had a real nice rain. I picked 10 dozen pines and poked round at other jobs.
22-6-: I went in with my little cart, sold out very easily could have sold twice as many pines and I had thought it might be a bad day. After I got home I finished the form I made out of a Chalmers plank.
23-6-: I knocked around doing odd jobs. There was a horrible wind blowing all day.
24-6-: I saw the first frost this season and it was a good one came right up to my well.
25-6-: Went and saw Pete.
26-6-: Picked pines Ted and I started hoeing the pines at the top end of the garden.
27-6-: Town with produce.
28-6-: Started painting round at Mothers. Ted Read is knocking out suckers on my place.
29-6-: Painting house.
30-6-: Painting house. Went to town about 4 oclock and bought linoleum and blankets.
1-7--: Half day painting and the other half getting wood and chaff.
2-7--: Went to church. Also had a glance through Eddies house.
3-7--: Picked pines also got 13 drums of material out of the well.
4-7--: Town with pines etc. Brought home a terrible lot of stuff from various shops.
5-7--: Put in a big day painting and fixing the chaff cutter.
6-7--: I planted a packet of watermelon seeds. Watered the seeds I have sown such as beet and carrots etc, also did a little towards finishing the fowl run gate. Went to the S. S. Picnic after dinner and took a couple of photos.
7-7--: I did some painting and made crooks and eyes for the fowl run gate.
8-7--: Worked round at Mothers. Made a frame for mosquito net of Teds bed. I felt almost too crook to work at all day.
9-7--: Went to church and heard Rev Potter.
10-7-: Watered the garden and did some painting, gathered up some pines and peas etc for town tomorrow.
11-7-: Town with produce.
12-7-: Painted and renewed the end of the dining room round at the front. Ted Read worked amongst the tomatoes on Cecils place in the morn and in the afternoon on my place.
13-7-: I painted. Ted Read planted pines on the top of the hill. Went to C. E.
14-7-: Painted house the boys went on with planting pines on the top of the hill. I feel rather unwell whatever is the matter I do not know. Bought pair gloves from Clara.
15-7-: Painting during the morning. Afternoon I watered the neglected.
16-7-: Stayed at home.
17-7-: Ted Read sick didnt toil. Gathered pines and sprayed tomatoes. Ted and Ada Johnson were up at Mothers painting.
18-7-: Went in with pines etc. Bought old buggy for £5.
19-7-: Painted ceiling of dining room and put another rail at the back of the house also had to go down to Charlie and get his okay of while.
20-7-: Watermelons are coming up. Had a splendid rain last night. To day I have the ceiling another coat and Laura and I got round the wall once. Ted Read planted potatoes and French beans.
21-7-: There has been quite a change in the night it is now like frosty weather, quite clear in the west and cold in the air. Painted diningroom.
22-7-: Painting doors and putting up a window shade. Afternoon we went and got my engine.
23-7-: Stayed at home.
24-7-: I was painting.
25-7-: Town with produce.
26-7-: Painting etc.
27-7-: Painting during morning and afternoon started building a shed for engine.
28-7-: Spent nearly all day at a shed I am making for the engine.
29-7-: Put 2 shades over mothers windows and worked at the shed also fixed the 2 side posts for a windlass.
30-7-: Went to church and heard Trebiles hold forth.
31-7-: Poking around at various jobs.
1-8--: Painting all day.
2-8--: Painting half day and worked at engine shed during afternoon besides doing a little ploughing.
3-8--: I went to the city with produce after I got back I lighted the forge fire and straightened some spikes for fastening down the foundation for the engine.
4-8--: Worked at levelling the bed for the engine and put the windlass up and also went down and cleaned a lot of stuff out of the well.
5-8--: Ted Read and I put the engine in the shed and I worked at odd jobs the rest of the morning. After dinner I did a bit of ploughing. The weather has turned a bit cool again.
6-8--: They tell me there was a little frost this morning. Lily and I and mother in law went to church. Saw Eddie and Laura present with a family bible.
7-8--: Worked at fixing things ready for the party also did some ploughing on old pineland.
8-8--: Went to the city paid the rates and bought a present for the going to be happy pair. Came home and took a photo of the cake and fixed up other little jobs.
9-8--: Lauras wedding day. Fooled around.
10-8-: Went to Brisbane.
11-8-: Brisbane.
12-8-: Brisbane. Herb Opperman and I went to Mt Cootha and I took a photo of Herb on the road to the top of the hill.
13-8-: Brisbane.
14-8-: Brisbane.
15-8-: Brisbane.
16-8-: Brisbane.
17-8-: Brisbane.
18-8-: Brisbane.
19-8-: Brisbane.
20-8-: Brisbane.
21-8-: Brisbane.
22-8-: Brisbane.
23-8-: Brisbane.
24-8-: Brisbane.
25-8-: Caught train for home. During the day I was down town fixing up about Ripley suckers and also out to Alderley and took Mrs Thompson some of Lauras wedding cake.
26-8-: Arrived home from Brisbane. I feel pretty crook, as I have brought back a bad cold on the chest.
27-8-: Knocked around at home not feeling very well on it.
28-8-: Sick.
29-8-: Sick.
30-8-: Sick.
31-8-: I have been crook ever since I got home from Brisbane.
1-9--: I poked around at odd jobs. The weather is awfully funny it is trying to rain but very little comes. Old Hoge took a load of pines in. I wish I had some ripe.
2-9--: Poked around the place and did a few little jobs.
3-9--: Was rather wet looking and I stayed about the house.
4-9--: Sent 400 pine suckers away and did a bit of hoeing. Ted Read was working with me. Afternoon we carted manure ready for the Ripley suckers when they come.
5-9--: Banked potatoes and hoed between the grapes. Afternoon we run manure along the rows where we are going to put suckers. Had the first 3 shots with my new rifle hit 2 out of 3.
6-9--: Digging in manure for the suckers.
7-9--: Ted Read hoed pines and I fixed side pieces on the little cart ready for carting rubbish off the land. I also did a little fixing to the stove round at mothers.
8-9--: Ted Read carted the old pines refuse round for mulch for the grapes and melons.
9-9--: Pulled cobbler pegs from amongst some pines. Afternoon we went and tried to get a wallaby but only got the walk for our trouble.
10-9-: Stayed at home and rested.
11-9-: Ted Read and I did hoeing. I went over to Newmans after tea and paid Harry for the job he did for me with regard to the C. saw.
12-9-: We hoed during the morning and afternoon I ploughed and Ted started to mulch the grapes. Old Bob and I were both knocked out by knock off time.
13-9-: Ted Read was down the w ell and I was attending to him, this was during the morning. Afternoon I did some hoeing and then we went for thistles. Claude Press called in and I gave him a photo of Cecil in the Sergeants mess. Heard to day that Wilfred Bunnage had been killed in France.
14-9-: I put a shot in Cecils well. Ted had drilled the hole. After dinner we were both digging ground for the Ripley suckers.
15-9-: Ted and I worked at the well during the morn and afternoon I dug couch etc out with the vine hoe ready for suckers while Ted went in with 100 lbs of tomatoes he brought back 11/ 9 for the lot.
16-9-: Ted and I dug weeds out of the ground where the Ripley suckers are going in. Ted also went and got the suckers from the station. I shot a Kangaroo rat on the top of the hill with my new 22 rifle.
17-9-: Harry Newman came and had a look at us. I went down to the dairy and got some milk.
18-9-: Planted the bulk of the suckers. Had Ted Read working for me. It came on a bit like rain but cleared off after merely letting down a few drops.
19-9-: Finished planting the Ripley suckers and mulched grapes. After dinner I got Ted down the well drilling another hole I hauled water out and put on melons also picked 3 buckets of French beans.
20-9-: Ted went to town with tomatoes and beans. I worked at the grapes and fowl run.
21-9-: Got another shot off in the well. Afternoon we hoed pines till 3.30 and then went and got 3 drums of stuff out of the well.
22-9-: During the morning we were at the well and got 11 drums of stuff up which makes o ur total for the shot 14 so far. Afternoon we hoed pines on my place and I took the engine and magneto over to Harry Newman also tomatoes for Eddie. Ted cut thistles, which we brought back with us.
23-9-: We hoed pines on my place afternoon Ted went for thistles. I took his photo about 5 oclock.
24-9-: I went and had a look at Arts potatoes.
25-9-: We worked at the well all day.
26-9-: Worked at well half day and hoed on my place during the afternoon.
27-9-: Ted took tomatoes to the city in the morn and I hoed. Afternoon Ted worked at the pines in front of mothers house.
28-9-: Worked at Cecils well I did some hoeing afternoon and so did Ted on Cecils place. I went to Presss after tea and had a look at the way he does his enlarging. Went to C. E. meeting.
29-9-: Worked at well during the morning, lowered pump 2 feet. Afternoon we hoed a row each on my place.
30-9-: Fixed up the pump so that it will work again. Afternoon Mother and Ted went and visited B. Society inmate with C.E.
1-10-: Took a ride over to Newmans and had a cup of tea with the new wed Newmans. Went to church also.
2-10-: Irrigating our melons with the hand pump it is a bit of a stiff job. I sent 10 drums of stuff up from the bottom of the well it is a nasty job as the pump wets you so.
3-10-: I hoed amongst the pines. We also finished watering the melons and fixed the pump at the piston so that it does not squirt up at it did before.
4-10-: Ted Read went in with 3 tins of tomatoes and brought flour sugar and kerosene for us. Afternoon we did some hoeing.
5-10-: It was raining a very little during the morning. I made holes for tomato plants and put a bottom under my bench for putting odds and ends on. The rain cleared off with out doing anything in the way of making things moist so the plants could not go out after all.
6-10-: I hoed 3 rows of pines. Ted hoed round on Cecils place.
7-10-: I hoed a row of pines and went to town and got back for dinner. Helped Eddie to get the piano over.
8-10-: Went to church afternoon and night.
9-10-: Worked at the well during the forenoon afternoon I hoed and Ted Read worked on Cecils place.
10-10: Morning at well and afternoon I hoed and Ted did the same as yesterday.
11-10: Sprayed pear for Arthur.
12-10: Spraying pear. I went to C. E. it was a nice meeting.
13-10: Spraying pear during the morning and afternoon I sprayed the grapes and was on my own place the rest of the afternoon.
14-10: Did a bit of hoeing and nailed pickets on the front of the house. Got thistles for Bob and firewood for the house.
15-10: Granddad was over by gum he was for sure. OH. What a surprise.
16-10: Worked at the well, let the pump down another foot and took 10 drums of stuff.
17-10: Worked at the well during the morning and afternoon we pointed a couple of picks and Ted cut the dead wood out of the rose trees. I did a little more to the picket work. It came up like rain and is awfully close.
18-1-: Rain came on last night and has continued all to day so far at 2 oclock. I put out all tomato plants there were and as I was damp I came inside. West swamp and the swamp in Barnards are both rather full and the water has run down our hill and washed stones etc down.
19-10: I sowed maize between the Ripley suckers. I also planted 40 smooth leaf suckers and went to the top of the hill and pulled the weeds out of 6 rows of pines. The effects of war are being felt here more now than before. There is a wave of anti-conscription passing over and it is making things pretty crook.
20-10: I was sowing cowpea most of the day. However I found time to do a bit to the lattice round the house.
21-10: Finished the lattice at the corner. Pulled weeds out of the pines at the top of the hill. Also cut a bit of wood for Lily.
22-10: Went to church and heard Bibby also at night and heard Tudman.
23-10: Hoeing amongst the pines.
24-10: I pulled weeds out from the pines and did a little hoeing in the fore part of the day and afternoon I pulled over 300 suckers for George Smith. The weather is so awfully close that one can hardly breathe. It must be going to rain.
25-10: I was pulling suckers all day and Ted helped me. George Smith carted 900 to his place and we have 500 or 600 pulled ready for tomorrow. There is no doubt that the weather is awfully warm and muggy, it must surely be gong to rain again.
26-10: I pulled suckers again Ted helped me during the afternoon only George didnt turn up for any to day. I fixed the cart ready for carting.
27-10: I took a load of 650 suckers out to Smiths and George took 2 loads out. I pulled about 400 more, rain came on and made the day short.
28-10: I filled a few spaces with suckers amongst the pines running down to the fence. I then went up and recorded my vote for yes. Afternoon I went and caught some fish for tea and breakfast. George Smith came and got 300 more sucke rs. We had another nice rain last night.
29-10: Went and heard Rev Martin hold forth up at Gracemere. Miller and her mum were out here for the day.
30-10: I was pulling suckers. Ted planted cowpea and after he helped me with the suckers. George Smith carted 900 and I want 170 more and will have a load for myself. I will then have supplied 4000 to him.
31-10: I pulled suckers and also carted a load out to Smiths I had 650 on board and old Bob did not require more.
1-11-: I worked about the place at different jobs. The weather is awfully close I fancy more rain must be coming.
2-11-: I pulled pines for Raglan Station. I also went to Holdens to see about smooth leaf suckers and he took me round the farm.
3-11-: Worked at home except pulling suckers from Cecils and pines and carting them out to Smiths. I have now supplied 4600 to them I also sent 300 suckers to Mac Donald Raglan Station.
4-11-: I planted a few Queen suckers etc. Afternoon Tom Johnson and I went and did a bit of fishing and caught a nice few.
5-11-: I went over to Newmans. Afternoon I stayed home.
6-11-: I ploughed a bit of land and started ploughing between pines.
7-11-: Finished plowing between the pines I started yesterday. I also hoed a good few of the Ripley. It was a rather tiring day.
8-11-: I put grips on the handles of the cultivator and did a row of pines. Afternoon I went and saw Cruickshanks and ordered 3 teeth for the cultivator.
9-11-: I finished hoeing the Ripley suckers and roused about doing other odd jobs about the place. Mother in law was out. The weather is pretty dry just now.
10-11: I got the cultivator teeth today and cultivated all the land I had ploughed. The teeth dont seem as well made as the pattern I took Cruickshanks but so far they work well.
11-11: I hoed pines during the morning. Afternoon I went up to the church and took a photo of the Gracemere C. E. Society. Ted Read went to the city with melons and pines the day was a rather hot one and I think rain is near.
12-11: I didn't go to church, as it seems like rain and about 4. 30 it came on steadily and is now falling nicely.
13-11: I dug a strip of ground above the narrow row of pines. I also went to the top of the hill and cut rubbish among the pines up there.
14-11: I started ploughing a piece of land where cowpea was a few months ago. It turned over very well considering the state it was in. Although it rained pretty well all Sunday night we did not get many points not nearly an inch.
15-11: I finished ploughing the land that I started yesterday.
16-11: I put in a day at Arthurs pear.
17-11: Woke up pretty stiff and full of pricks. I gathered the rubbish on the land I ploughed and put in heaps. I run over 4 rows of pines with the push hoe.
18-11: I put in half a day at the pear and brought home a small load of wood for the house. Afternoon I burned the heaps of rubbish.
19-11: I went to church and listened to Rev Cockett preach very well.
20-11: I run the disc over the piece of land I ploughed last week. I also cut the largest part of my maize crop. The day w as not too bad but it seems to make me tired what with one thing and another. Eddie Crilly came and said farewell and went to Brisbane.
21-11: I run the horse hoe over the piece of land I am working and also started ploughing between another lot of pines. I had early tea and drove over to Eddies and got tins, boxes and some timber, he got me to make a cot.
22-11: I dressed the timber for the cot and cut it in the required lengths, also carted the maize and ploughed between more pines. After tea I printed ph otos of the C. E. Society. There is a stormy appearance in the southwest and it is also very windy.
23-11: I put the morning at the prickly pear in Arthurs paddock. Afternoon I run some beads on the pieces for the legs of the cot I am making. A storm worked up from the west and we are now getting a little of it.
24-11: I did a little bit of harrowing during the morning and afternoon I put in at the prickly pear. My word it was a fair corker to day for heat.
25-11: Put the morning in at the pear. The weather is most warmly hot as is usual at this time of the year afternoon I did a bit to Beryls cot and ate watermelon. The weather makes one feel sick.
26-11: I rode the bike down to Teds for some milk. Stayed at home the rest of the day.
27-11: I put the day in making the cot for Beryl. My foot was too crook to go outside working. The day opened with rain and seemed as if it could set in and rain all day but it passed off and the day was a perfect roaster my word.
28-11: I was lying down all the forenoon and afternoon I worked at the cot, but rain came and blocked me. My left foot is swollen at the instep I don t know what is the matter really. It might be rheumatism or the result of a pear thorn I run in it last Saturday.
29-11: I put out 2 lots of tomatoes, also did a little to the cot. Afternoon I sowed 10 rows of cowpea and 2 rows of sweet potatoes. Rain came and stopped me and I could not cover the cowpea seed. However I did a bit on the cot. Creek came down.
30-11: The rain we had yesterday afternoon made the water in the creek rise much more. I covered the cowpea seed and gathered some tomatoes. I also finished planing the pieces belonging to the cot. The rain has cleared, but it is still very hot.
1-12-: Put the morning in helping Arthur to erect shed posts. Afternoon I run out rows and sowed the rest of the patch of cowpea. It now needs the harrow running over it and it should soon be up nicely. A letter from Herby came to hand.
2-12-: A little rain fell during last night and I suppose it will be rather wet for harrowing. Put in a very solid afternoon helping Arthur to erect poles for his shed. A big storm fell and blocked us considerably.
3-12-: Felt crook and spent a bad day lying about the house.
4-12-: I pulled weeds amongst the pines up the hill and fixed a couple of uprights for an entrance to the front of the house. I was going to plow but a tremendous storm came along and put a stopper to it.
5-12-: I pulled a few weeds from amongst the pines. Did a little to the entrance and also ploughed a bit of ground in the corner down near Thorsens. We had another storm and the weather is awfully close.
6-12-: I was again pulling weeds and did a little towards the entrance and also put out a little Rhodes grass. We did not get a storm to day but it drizzled a bit and is still awfully close. I took Harry Holdens cultivator tooth back.
7-12: I put out a bit more grass and pulled out a lot of weeds, also went and hoed amongst the pines at the top of the hill. I also put the lattice at the entrance at the fr ont of the house. I then went and had a look at the grapes and pulled 12 melons I also picked a few tomatoes.
8-12-: I hoed and pulled weeds from amongst the pines. I also cut the balusters out ready for the cot and put the frame of the cot together it looks very well, but will need to be strengthened some what before it will hold our young brumby.
9-12-: I put 4 angled ties on the cot and made 3 more, also ploughed a bit of ground, cultivated a patch of pines and also cultivated the cowpea, the rain has cleared but it seems quite probably that it may rain again shortly.
10-12: Spent a lazy day lying about the house.
11-12: I hoed pines and did about 2 hours work to the cot. Charley got his piano out to day and it seems to be a tiptop one.
12-12: I did hoeing and also ploughed between pines and cut the remaining rows of maize in the pines running down to Holdens lane.
13-12: I dug out couch till rain came and stopped me. It was raining pretty well through the day. I turned some knobs for the cot and also did a few other little jobs.
14-12: I hoed weeds at the top of the hill also hilled one side of each of my 2 rows of sweet potatoes. It was not so hot today and the rain seemed to have cleared away.
15-12: Took Beryls photo. I had an awful job too. I seem to have 2 fair ones out of 3 exposures. I also ploughed and did some hoeing amongst the tomatoes the weather is muggy like more rain.
16-12: I dug along the rows of tomatoes, which took all the morning. Afternoon I fixed a rest for an extension to an old table for Ada.
17-12: Stayed at home. Got some bacon etc from Ted.
18-12: Picked 3 dozen pines and also hoed 6 rows of the Ripleys. I went over and got the wheel of the engine and took Eddies pickets over and some grapes for him to sell.
19-12: I ploughed and cultivated a piece of land I wish to plant with sweet spuds also finished the handles of the cultivator and fixed the tricycle, also cut a basket of grapes while Ted took pines to the station.
20-12: I hoed the patch of tomatoes amongst the Ripley pines. Also went to the top of the hill and gathered pines and tomatoes. It was rather warm. Lily has stained the cot and also the little table I made for myself.
21-12: I went to the city with the bit of fruit and paid R. Cruickshank for the cultivator teeth. Also bought a pr of pants 10/6 and mattress 7/6 second hand to make up for the cot. Afternoon I sharpened the cross cut and tried it and it cut well.
22-12: I sawed a few blocks of firewood and went down to the farm for milk picked tomatoes and hoed a few pines. It was very warm. Grandad brought the daughter a Xmas present.
23-12: Got a fairly early start and went in with pines. We did fairly well and I had to go back with 3 dozen for Mrs Mc Gladday I got back about 6 oclock. Filled in claim forms enrolment on Federal electoral roll.
24-12: I went to church and heard S. Army chap say a few words.
25-12: I went down to the farm and most of the time I spent with Arthur. Lily went down also and we had tea with the family. The day was rather a sultry one and seemed to make one to believe it may come on to rain at any time.
26-12: I sowed Rhodes grass seed and framed a certificate for Ted and went and got some sweet potato slips and planted 2 rows and ran a few more to put in but as it is a holiday knocked off a bit early.
27-12: I planted the few sweet potato tops I had left and cut rubbish among the pines top of the hill. It has rained all day and is still going strong. Wrote to Cecil.
28-12: I cut cobbler pegs with the sickle and planted a mango and 9 Kapok trees also gathered a few pines. It has rained all day as yesterday and it was also raining all last night.
29-12: Rained all through last night and is raining to day. I gathered pines and did a few other jobs
30-12: Ted and I took 32 dozen pines in. We were going rather late but got through them all. Came home rather late through talking so much.
31-12: Rained I went down to the farm and got some milk etc.
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