Random reminder

Press, 24 February 1986, Page 16

Random reminder

SPOKEN IN JEST He runs a mixed farm on almost two hectares in the Prebbleton .area. His cropping ventures not only keep him amused but a little less obese than he otherwise might be. His most noteworthy contribution ■to better farming is the sophisticated style in which he has successfully trained his wife to obey his whistles and curses to round up the sheep. She is equally efficient with poultry. And when it comes to the farm animals requiring medical attention — Injections, drenches and worse — her years of experience as a registered nurse are not wasted. However, although reasonably selfsufficient, a while ago he had occasion to look elsewhere for his flock’s (he had more than one) winter feed. So he hitched trailer to car and

drove deeper into the countryside where the bigger farms are. He found an obliging farmer who could let him have a trailer load of baled hay and after an hour’s chat — generally speaking those holding under 2 hectares don’t talk as long as bigger farmers — he was about to leave when the seller of the hay asked whether he was aware that he had 13 bales aboard and did not think that number rather risky. Our man laughingly denied belief in any such silly superstition, waved farewell and drove off for home. twenty minutes later he was back to ask another favour of the fanner. Could he borrow his trailer as the one with thirteen bales of hay aboard was stuck down the road with a broken axle. ’