The book of the farm; detailing the labours of the farmer Farm-steward ploughman shepherd hedger farm-labourer field-worker and cattle-man 1889

by Henry Stephens

19th-century reference, referred to by the historians working on the BBC series Victorian Farm . It covers the complete farming year, from sheep shearing to harvesting, and includes advice on practical farm skills, equipment, and rural life.

Genres: Nonfiction, Gardening

Paperback

Reviews

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

Started reading after watching the BBC Historical Farm series, but aside from the chapters on building techniques it's all detailed agricultural directions, which interest me considerably less.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

If ever I decide to run a farm...I'll have an inkling of what to expect.

[Anastaciaknits · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fascinating non-fiction book about farm life and living off the grid, back when everyone had to live like that in order to survive. The version I read was a newly printed, much cut book of the original.

This book is fascinating because it offers us a glimpse into what life was like back then, complete with sexist commentary. The text is rather dry and straightforward at times, but it's meant to be a manual on farm living, not a book you'd read at the beach.

There's lots of artwork included in the book, some fanciful drawings of farm scenes and others that just cracked me up, like a drawing of a milking stool (but was useful for such tools like a mattack, which I never heard of before).

I do admit to skimming much of this book, because though most of it is interesting, it's just much more detail than what I wanted to know - which is why this modern printing is cut as much as it is.

[Kasey Cocoa · Rating 3 out of 5]

A considerable amount of information for those who work the land. Well written with a variety of photographs to accompany the information. That said, it's clearly overly condensed and I got the feeling I was missing out on a wealth of information.