Crofting – Page 10 – Barrowsgate

The Milk Pool

Jan 12, 1934

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in Bitties Fae Barrowsgate, Observations, Writings

Barrowsgate’s dairy cows are unhappy. Peter, the young bullock, explains that this is because the dairy farmer only gets a fraction of the cost of a pint of milk to the consumer. The cows blame the Milk Pool for setting the price that the farmer gets at too low a value, undermining the long-term viability…

Pigs tae Perfection

Oct 27, 1933

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in Bitties Fae Barrowsgate, Observations, Writings

An extravagant claim by the National Farmers Union that Aberdeenshire farms are evolving the perfect pig leads Barrowsgate to muse on what the perfect pig would be like.

Eggs, Assorted

Oct 13, 1933

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in Bitties Fae Barrowsgate, Observations, Writings

Barrowsgate reads a Board of Trade report showing that millions of eggs are imported every year. He reflects on the humble egg in its many forms.

The Cowper

Oct 1, 1933

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in The Blethers O’ Barrowsgate, Verse, Writings

A eulogy for Robbie Tam, the cowper and livestock auctioneer

Multum In Parvo

Oct 1, 1933

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in The Blethers O’ Barrowsgate, Verse, Writings

Two farmers meet at an auction and, in a terse exchange, discuss what they are planning to buy

The Auld Folks’ Piggie

Oct 1, 1933

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in The Blethers O’ Barrowsgate, Verse, Writings

An elderly couple buy a pig and dote on him, naming him Sandy Campbell, even letting him come into the kitchen. Eventually, he meets his end and his name is changed to Pork.

“The Debate”

Oct 1, 1933

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in The Blethers O’ Barrowsgate, Verse, Writings

Which is the better animal – the horse or the cow? A countryside debate. Barrowsgate slips out before the end in case he is asked for a donation.

A Lick for Luck

Oct 1, 1933

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in The Blethers O’ Barrowsgate, Verse, Writings

Hilly’s old mare gets a boil on her leg. He tries an old fashioned cure by rubbing chicken fat on it but he startles the horse and Hilly accidentally kicks the horse’s boil. The boil bursts and the horse is OK again.