Farming Through the Ages

This is the last book by S. L. Case and was completed by his wife Christine. At the time they were living in Rutand village of Stretton close by the A1, north of Stamford. The village has a fine little church of Norman Transitional style. A former Rector was Edward Barclay better known as the Victorian novelist Cuthbert Bede. People from Stretton were amongst seventeenth century settlers in New England. At the time the book was written, Rectory Farm Stretton was farmed by the three Crowden brothers.

One chapter in the book describes life on Mr Eric Crowden's farm, and explains the tasks in both arable and livestock farming through the calendar of the farming year. There is also a glossary of farming terms. The book contains details of the Agricultural Revolution in Britain and is rich in pictures and diagrams

From Chapter 21: Mr. Crowden's Farm
The sheep kept on Mr. Crowden's farm are the Suffolk short wool breed. The flock is made up of 68 breeding ewes, two rams, twenty two of this Spring's lambs and six non-breeding ewes. The sheep are grazed on open grasslands but are given extra food like hay and marigolds at important times of the year such as lambing and severe weather. (A Sheep-Farming Calendar follows).

From Chapter 4: Anglo-Saxon Farming
In each village there was a man known as a reeve who acted as farm agent for the lord of the manor. The reeve organised the sowing and harvesting of crops and the tending of the animals.

From Chapter 7: Enclosures for Sheep
When landowners began to enclose land for sheep grazing, everyone was affected. One writer at the time said that "enclosures make fat beasts and lean poor people".

From Chapter 9: Better Crops
(Jethro Tull).....suggested that instead of broadcasting seed, which was haphazard and wasteful, a seed-planting machine or drill, could be used. The new drill would sow the seeds in straight lines which could later be hoed using a horse drawn machine, which was another of his inventions

From Chapter 14: Dig for Victory
Young British girls were called up to join the Land Army. They received an official letter, just as their boyfriends, husbands and brothers had done. They were given a uniform of riding breeches, green jerseys and felt "pork-pie" hats.