1 00:00:02,927 --> 00:00:06,203 Here in Shropshire is a farm that's frozen in time, 2 00:00:06,247 --> 00:00:08,886 lost in Victorian rural England. 3 00:00:10,967 --> 00:00:13,356 A unique project has brought it back to life 4 00:00:14,647 --> 00:00:16,797 as it would have been in the 1 880s. 5 00:00:16,847 --> 00:00:18,599 This is the way to travel, isn't it? 6 00:00:18,647 --> 00:00:19,636 Gee up! 7 00:00:20,487 --> 00:00:22,000 That smells delicious. 8 00:00:22,047 --> 00:00:25,437 Ruth Goodman, Alex Langlands and Peter Ginn 9 00:00:25,487 --> 00:00:29,400 are living the lives of Victorian farmers for a full calendar year, 10 00:00:29,447 --> 00:00:32,120 from the cold of winter to the warmth of summer, 11 00:00:33,087 --> 00:00:37,524 turning the clock back to rediscover an age gone by. 12 00:00:37,567 --> 00:00:39,683 They're an unruly bunch, they really are. 13 00:00:39,727 --> 00:00:43,322 Keep her going, keep her going. Backwards! You've done it. That's it. 14 00:00:43,367 --> 00:00:44,766 (Laughter) 15 00:00:47,967 --> 00:00:50,276 They're halfway through the project. 16 00:00:51,207 --> 00:00:52,356 This is doing my back. 17 00:00:52,407 --> 00:00:54,159 So far, they've planted wheat, 18 00:00:55,007 --> 00:00:56,998 only to see it attacked by wildlife, 19 00:00:57,047 --> 00:00:59,436 which they dealt with in true Victorian style. 20 00:00:59,487 --> 00:01:01,478 - (Makes bird call) - There's one. 21 00:01:03,287 --> 00:01:05,926 They've nurtured livestock through the harsh winter. 22 00:01:11,367 --> 00:01:13,358 And in their restored farm cottage, 23 00:01:13,407 --> 00:01:17,195 experienced the reality of life without modern conveniences. 24 00:01:17,887 --> 00:01:21,675 Bathing in a room with no central heating... it's cold. 25 00:01:22,447 --> 00:01:24,005 Now it's spring. 26 00:01:24,047 --> 00:01:26,515 Time for the animals to produce their young - 27 00:01:26,567 --> 00:01:29,684 the lifeblood of the Victorian farm. 28 00:01:36,407 --> 00:01:38,238 lt's March. 29 00:01:38,287 --> 00:01:40,562 There are lambs and pigs to be delivered. 30 00:01:41,487 --> 00:01:43,478 And chicks to hatch. 31 00:01:43,527 --> 00:01:45,882 But nothing comes easy on this farm, 32 00:01:45,927 --> 00:01:48,316 especially when the hens are under attack... 33 00:01:48,367 --> 00:01:49,641 Got another one, Peter. 34 00:01:50,327 --> 00:01:52,397 ..a prized ewe's life is in danger... 35 00:01:52,447 --> 00:01:56,360 The foot rot's got in and l'm deeply, deeply concerned about this. 36 00:01:57,207 --> 00:02:01,120 ..and a lame horse may jeopardise the crops. 37 00:02:02,847 --> 00:02:05,805 But the Victorian Age was one of scientific invention. 38 00:02:05,847 --> 00:02:07,803 The team hope this will get them through. 39 00:02:09,447 --> 00:02:11,438 Walk on, Smiler. (Clicks tongue) 40 00:02:11,487 --> 00:02:13,000 You obstinate animal. 41 00:02:13,047 --> 00:02:17,518 lf they succeed, they'll have something to celebrate at the May Day fair. 42 00:02:17,567 --> 00:02:21,116 lf they fail, all their hard work will have been in vain. 43 00:02:21,167 --> 00:02:23,317 Oh, no! l've broken it already. 44 00:02:24,047 --> 00:02:27,676 lt's make or break time on the Victorian Farm. 45 00:02:27,727 --> 00:02:28,443 Stop. 46 00:02:32,287 --> 00:02:33,879 Lambing has begun. 47 00:02:33,927 --> 00:02:35,918 Right, defocus. 48 00:02:35,967 --> 00:02:37,559 Found 'em. 49 00:02:37,607 --> 00:02:39,598 - Got the legs? - Yep, got the legs. 50 00:02:39,647 --> 00:02:41,638 l'm just going to pull it out. 51 00:02:41,687 --> 00:02:43,678 So far, just one ewe has given birth, 52 00:02:44,407 --> 00:02:46,398 but there are still nine to go. 53 00:02:46,447 --> 00:02:48,961 Alex must watch his flock like a hawk 54 00:02:49,007 --> 00:02:50,998 for signs of them going into labour. 55 00:02:54,007 --> 00:02:56,077 We've got our mobile shepherd's hut. 56 00:02:56,767 --> 00:02:58,758 So we can park it up next to the pens 57 00:02:58,807 --> 00:03:01,275 and hopefully keep watch on them overnight. 58 00:03:01,327 --> 00:03:02,726 Good boy. 59 00:03:02,767 --> 00:03:05,600 But already, things are not going to plan. 60 00:03:09,807 --> 00:03:14,119 ALEX: We borrowed the shepherd's hut from good friends over at the home farm. 61 00:03:15,287 --> 00:03:17,482 Just as l was bringing it out of the yard, 62 00:03:18,167 --> 00:03:20,158 the cartwright said to me, 63 00:03:20,207 --> 00:03:23,995 ''l was wondering whether that front would hold but it seems to be OK.'' 64 00:03:24,047 --> 00:03:25,526 (Tuts) 65 00:03:25,567 --> 00:03:28,559 l'll have to go back to him now, tail between my legs. 66 00:03:28,607 --> 00:03:30,882 l'm not going to be the most popular man. 67 00:03:30,927 --> 00:03:33,725 Peter, do you think we should leave the cart there? 68 00:03:33,767 --> 00:03:35,758 PETER: Middle of the field. Makes sense. 69 00:03:35,807 --> 00:03:37,798 Can't see the bloody sheep, though. 70 00:03:44,847 --> 00:03:47,315 Spring-cleaning was a Victorian obsession. 71 00:03:47,367 --> 00:03:52,122 And scrubbing the cottage from top to bottom is a job that will take Ruth days. 72 00:03:57,607 --> 00:04:01,156 You get a huge amount of dust doing this sort of thing. 73 00:04:01,207 --> 00:04:02,925 Rather than breathing it, 74 00:04:03,647 --> 00:04:05,365 l intend to take it out of the house. 75 00:04:06,047 --> 00:04:08,925 For that purpose, l save my tea leaves. 76 00:04:08,967 --> 00:04:10,958 l'll keep them in a pot, 77 00:04:11,927 --> 00:04:13,918 and then when l need to sweep, 78 00:04:13,967 --> 00:04:15,685 l'll just chuck them damp... 79 00:04:16,567 --> 00:04:18,239 down on the floor. 80 00:04:18,287 --> 00:04:23,441 As you're sweeping, the dust sticks to the tea leaves and they become like little balls. 81 00:04:23,487 --> 00:04:26,559 So instead of flying up everywhere, it's stuck to the tea leaf. 82 00:04:26,607 --> 00:04:28,677 You can brush it out, get rid of it all. 83 00:04:33,407 --> 00:04:36,001 Six months ago, Alex sowed wheat in this field. 84 00:04:36,047 --> 00:04:38,038 lt survived the winter, 85 00:04:38,087 --> 00:04:40,282 but he's concerned about its progress. 86 00:04:43,447 --> 00:04:46,120 ln some places, it's really come up rather well. 87 00:04:46,167 --> 00:04:49,637 But in other parts, it's looking a bit threadbare. 88 00:04:50,927 --> 00:04:53,316 Failure of this crop would be devastating, 89 00:04:53,367 --> 00:04:55,358 a year's work lost. 90 00:04:56,167 --> 00:04:59,000 For the Victorian farmer, it meant loss of income. 91 00:04:59,687 --> 00:05:03,362 And he could have found himself one step closer to the workhouse. 92 00:05:07,127 --> 00:05:11,325 ln the 1 870s, a series of wet summers ruined harvests in Britain 93 00:05:11,367 --> 00:05:13,835 and ushered in an agricultural depression. 94 00:05:16,087 --> 00:05:18,476 British grain became so scarce and costly, 95 00:05:18,527 --> 00:05:20,802 it was cheaper to import it from America. 96 00:05:21,687 --> 00:05:24,485 But Alex is determined that this crop won't fail. 97 00:05:24,527 --> 00:05:28,406 So he's seeking advice from their Victorian farming bible. 98 00:05:29,087 --> 00:05:31,965 l've had a look at Henry Stephens' Book Of The Farm. 99 00:05:32,007 --> 00:05:35,124 He talks extensively about a place called Rothamsted, 100 00:05:35,167 --> 00:05:37,727 where they set up an experimental station 101 00:05:37,767 --> 00:05:41,237 and researched all sorts of different types of fertilisers. 102 00:05:41,287 --> 00:05:44,006 This experimental station is still going today. 103 00:05:44,047 --> 00:05:48,518 So l'll see if l can get some of their experts down to give me a little bit of advice. 104 00:05:49,687 --> 00:05:55,319 Rothamsted Experimental Station was set up in 1 843 to develop fertilisers. 105 00:05:55,367 --> 00:05:59,485 And scientists like Dr John Jenkins continue this work to the present day. 106 00:05:59,527 --> 00:06:01,563 - Hello, Alex. - Hello, John. 107 00:06:01,607 --> 00:06:03,598 - Nice to meet you. - And you. 108 00:06:03,647 --> 00:06:05,717 So what do you think of the wheat crop? 109 00:06:05,767 --> 00:06:07,758 l was a bit concerned about it myself. 110 00:06:07,807 --> 00:06:11,083 Some of the other wheat crops around here are doing rather well, 111 00:06:11,127 --> 00:06:13,118 but mine seems a bit feeble. 112 00:06:13,167 --> 00:06:16,239 l think it doesn't look too bad for the time of the year. 113 00:06:16,287 --> 00:06:18,278 What can you tell me about it? 114 00:06:18,327 --> 00:06:23,447 lt's gone in after something in the region of, l think, 60 years of grass. 115 00:06:23,487 --> 00:06:26,604 l think for this time of the year that's not looking too bad. 116 00:06:26,647 --> 00:06:28,638 And after a very long period of grass, 117 00:06:28,687 --> 00:06:31,155 there will be plenty of nitrogen in the soil. 118 00:06:31,207 --> 00:06:33,516 So it won't need very much at all. 119 00:06:34,967 --> 00:06:39,677 For centuries, farmers used simple fertilisers like manure, blood and bone 120 00:06:39,727 --> 00:06:42,446 without much understanding of how they worked. 121 00:06:44,367 --> 00:06:45,766 Whoa! Stand. 122 00:06:45,807 --> 00:06:50,483 But Victorian scientists identified that elements like nitrogen and phosphorous 123 00:06:50,527 --> 00:06:52,518 helped crops grow. 124 00:06:52,567 --> 00:06:57,197 The chemical fertilisers they developed greatly improved harvests. 125 00:06:59,207 --> 00:07:03,598 So when do farmers first start sort of using chemical fertilisers? 126 00:07:03,647 --> 00:07:07,242 Well, it developed during the 1 9th century, 127 00:07:07,287 --> 00:07:12,566 particularly, l suppose, from about 1 840, 1 850, thereabouts. 128 00:07:13,207 --> 00:07:16,438 So we had nitrate of soda, a form of nitrogen, 129 00:07:17,127 --> 00:07:19,118 guano, which is bird droppings, 130 00:07:20,287 --> 00:07:22,676 and then the superphosphate fertilisers, 131 00:07:23,407 --> 00:07:26,285 which were produced on an industrial scale 132 00:07:27,247 --> 00:07:31,638 by treating minerals, mineral phosphates, with sulphuric acid. 133 00:07:34,287 --> 00:07:39,281 ALEX: So what was the true impact of all the scientific research on British agriculture? 134 00:07:39,327 --> 00:07:43,240 lt was pretty big. Everything was developing during Victorian times. 135 00:07:43,287 --> 00:07:45,084 Science developed, 136 00:07:45,127 --> 00:07:47,800 so that we understood better what crops needed, 137 00:07:47,847 --> 00:07:50,441 and the differences between different crops. 138 00:07:50,487 --> 00:07:53,877 Root crops, for example, respond well to superphosphates, 139 00:07:54,567 --> 00:07:57,525 whereas cereal crops are more dependent on nitrogen. 140 00:08:01,327 --> 00:08:06,276 l think in true Victorian scientific research fashion, 141 00:08:07,567 --> 00:08:11,446 what l'll look to do here is to do half of the field with our fertiliser, 142 00:08:11,487 --> 00:08:13,079 and then leave the other half. 143 00:08:13,927 --> 00:08:16,441 JOHN: l think that would be an excellent plan. 144 00:08:27,847 --> 00:08:30,361 ln spring, everything is growing on the farm, 145 00:08:31,047 --> 00:08:32,765 including the pigs. 146 00:08:33,607 --> 00:08:36,758 Princess, the Gloucester Old Spot, is heavily pregnant, 147 00:08:36,807 --> 00:08:38,798 and due to give birth at any time. 148 00:08:39,487 --> 00:08:41,478 Peter's monitoring her closely. 149 00:08:47,287 --> 00:08:49,801 She's been up and down here for about an hour now, 150 00:08:49,847 --> 00:08:53,556 collecting up bits of twig, a lot of hay, a lot of straw, 151 00:08:53,607 --> 00:08:55,598 and then just dumping it in there. 152 00:08:58,047 --> 00:09:03,246 l think that this is a definite indicator that the piglets are imminent. 153 00:09:03,967 --> 00:09:05,958 With Princess about to farrow, 154 00:09:06,007 --> 00:09:08,475 she'll need a bigger home for her new family. 155 00:09:10,487 --> 00:09:12,876 So her neighbours, the Tamworths, must go. 156 00:09:12,927 --> 00:09:14,918 Two will be sold, 157 00:09:14,967 --> 00:09:17,162 one will be slaughtered. 158 00:09:17,887 --> 00:09:19,479 (Pigs squeal) 159 00:09:19,527 --> 00:09:21,518 Feeling really sad, actually. 160 00:09:21,567 --> 00:09:23,683 l've always known this day would come. 161 00:09:23,727 --> 00:09:26,844 But, you know, they've been such friendly little pigs. 162 00:09:26,887 --> 00:09:28,878 And now it's time to say goodbye. 163 00:09:31,167 --> 00:09:33,283 They know something's up, don't they? 164 00:09:36,607 --> 00:09:39,360 Peter is looking for the fattest one to slaughter. 165 00:09:40,047 --> 00:09:42,038 ln Ruth's Family Save-All book, 166 00:09:42,727 --> 00:09:44,718 it says that, as a handy hint... 167 00:09:45,687 --> 00:09:48,804 48 inches in circumference around the belly, 168 00:09:48,847 --> 00:09:50,838 that equals 1 4 stone. 169 00:09:50,887 --> 00:09:53,685 And every inch beyond that is an extra stone. 170 00:09:53,727 --> 00:09:55,718 So l've got my tape measure. 171 00:09:57,847 --> 00:09:59,838 Ooh, dear. 172 00:10:01,927 --> 00:10:03,918 And she is... 173 00:10:06,927 --> 00:10:08,724 So that's 46. 174 00:10:09,487 --> 00:10:11,682 So...just under 1 4 stone. 175 00:10:12,687 --> 00:10:14,678 (Pig grunts and squeals) 176 00:10:14,727 --> 00:10:16,922 All right, l think it's time to let one go. 177 00:10:17,607 --> 00:10:19,598 (Squealing) 178 00:10:22,127 --> 00:10:24,118 Go on, out you go. 179 00:10:24,167 --> 00:10:25,964 Out. 180 00:10:27,807 --> 00:10:29,798 Come on. 181 00:10:54,247 --> 00:10:56,078 Damp newspaper... 182 00:10:56,127 --> 00:10:59,005 is really good for cleaning glass. 183 00:10:59,887 --> 00:11:01,878 Vinegar's not bad, either. 184 00:11:03,847 --> 00:11:07,203 But um...newspaper to finish 185 00:11:07,247 --> 00:11:11,638 gives the most smear-free glass l think l've ever managed to achieve. 186 00:11:12,407 --> 00:11:16,195 Although the Victorians could buy ready-made cleaning products, 187 00:11:16,247 --> 00:11:17,919 they were expensive. 188 00:11:18,607 --> 00:11:20,723 So it was often easier to make your own. 189 00:11:23,447 --> 00:11:25,438 l'm just grinding brick dust. 190 00:11:27,647 --> 00:11:31,606 The dust makes a fantastic...abrasive, 191 00:11:31,647 --> 00:11:33,638 for cleaning things. 192 00:11:33,687 --> 00:11:37,077 l thought l'd give all the pots and kettles and things a bit of a go, 193 00:11:37,127 --> 00:11:40,278 because they've got terribly, horribly black on the range. 194 00:11:40,327 --> 00:11:44,525 What l'm going to do is get a grubby old cloth, dip it in some vinegar to wet it, 195 00:11:44,567 --> 00:11:47,001 and then dip it into the brick dust. 196 00:11:53,167 --> 00:11:55,158 lt just... 197 00:11:55,207 --> 00:11:58,324 scrubs and polishes it all off. 198 00:12:00,367 --> 00:12:02,801 Just like a modern metal cleaner, 199 00:12:04,207 --> 00:12:06,516 it's an abrasive with a little bit of acid. 200 00:12:06,567 --> 00:12:09,035 That's all most of them are when you buy them. 201 00:12:09,687 --> 00:12:11,166 There we are. 202 00:12:11,207 --> 00:12:13,198 Just wash that off. 203 00:12:16,167 --> 00:12:17,964 Look at that. 204 00:12:18,007 --> 00:12:20,077 There we are, a lovely bright kettle. 205 00:12:21,567 --> 00:12:23,842 That looks a sight better, doesn't it? 206 00:12:31,287 --> 00:12:33,278 Nice and bright. 207 00:12:33,327 --> 00:12:35,318 And clean. 208 00:12:36,607 --> 00:12:39,997 With the cottage spick and span and the winter dirt removed, 209 00:12:40,047 --> 00:12:42,163 Ruth disposes of the household waste. 210 00:12:42,207 --> 00:12:44,198 The rag and bone man's due, 211 00:12:44,247 --> 00:12:47,364 so the bones that we've been building up and collecting 212 00:12:47,407 --> 00:12:49,921 are in the bucket, ready for him to pick up. 213 00:12:49,967 --> 00:12:54,836 He'll sell them to somebody who'll grind them down and turn them into bone meal fertiliser. 214 00:12:54,887 --> 00:12:57,481 lf we lived in town, l'd let him have the rag too. 215 00:12:58,207 --> 00:13:02,041 Because one of the many uses for old used-up bits of cloth 216 00:13:02,087 --> 00:13:04,078 was as fertiliser on the fields. 217 00:13:09,607 --> 00:13:13,805 Selling poultry was a good way to supplement the Victorian farm's economy, 218 00:13:13,847 --> 00:13:15,838 so Ruth plans to breed chicks. 219 00:13:17,167 --> 00:13:20,284 At the moment, the hens roam freely round the farmyard. 220 00:13:20,327 --> 00:13:22,636 But for their fertilised eggs to hatch, 221 00:13:22,687 --> 00:13:25,918 they must sit on them in a sheltered, safe place. 222 00:13:28,287 --> 00:13:31,757 l've managed to acquire an old Victorian-style chicken hut. 223 00:13:32,527 --> 00:13:34,518 lt's a mobile chicken hut. 224 00:13:34,567 --> 00:13:36,558 But it needs a new roof. 225 00:13:37,807 --> 00:13:40,924 The idea here is... l think we've got about 1 8 chickens. 226 00:13:40,967 --> 00:13:42,958 And what l want to do, 227 00:13:43,007 --> 00:13:45,077 is get some of them settled in here... 228 00:13:45,967 --> 00:13:47,559 lots of eggs, 229 00:13:47,607 --> 00:13:49,086 lots of chicks. 230 00:13:49,127 --> 00:13:50,958 And hopefully... 231 00:13:52,007 --> 00:13:54,919 ..we'll have a small poultry concern here. 232 00:13:58,287 --> 00:14:00,278 To roof the hut, l'm using... 233 00:14:01,287 --> 00:14:04,836 ..this corrugated iron sheeting, which is actually galvanised. 234 00:14:05,527 --> 00:14:08,041 And because it's so durable and easy to put up, 235 00:14:08,087 --> 00:14:12,842 you actually find it replacing thatch as a traditional roofing technique 236 00:14:14,087 --> 00:14:16,078 in many parts of the British lsles. 237 00:14:16,127 --> 00:14:18,721 lt's another one of these rural country crafts 238 00:14:18,767 --> 00:14:22,840 very much threatened by mass production in the late-Victorian period. 239 00:14:24,687 --> 00:14:26,678 The hut's all set to go, 240 00:14:26,727 --> 00:14:29,685 ready for the 1 8 chickens to roost inside. 241 00:14:31,327 --> 00:14:34,319 But there's a huge blow to their poultry enterprise. 242 00:14:36,367 --> 00:14:38,358 While roaming free in the farmyard, 243 00:14:38,407 --> 00:14:40,796 they've been attacked by a dog. 244 00:14:42,767 --> 00:14:46,396 We've got five here that are either dead or dying 245 00:14:46,447 --> 00:14:48,005 and four missing. 246 00:14:48,727 --> 00:14:50,718 (Clucking) 247 00:14:50,767 --> 00:14:52,758 l've got another one, Peter. 248 00:14:54,007 --> 00:14:55,998 We've had a duck in A&E. 249 00:14:56,047 --> 00:14:58,038 And today we've had four. 250 00:14:58,087 --> 00:15:01,682 We've come back to the farm - four. We've just seen the dog running off. 251 00:15:01,727 --> 00:15:03,524 ls that one still alive? 252 00:15:03,567 --> 00:15:06,161 He's still alive and he's making a bit of noise. 253 00:15:06,207 --> 00:15:08,960 lt's the same thing, look. The same. 254 00:15:09,007 --> 00:15:11,316 The puncture wound to the back. Oh, dear. 255 00:15:15,927 --> 00:15:19,966 l think, at the end of the day, l suppose a Victorian farmer, same as a modern one, 256 00:15:20,007 --> 00:15:22,202 if there was an errant dog on the land... 257 00:15:22,247 --> 00:15:23,839 Shoot the dog. 258 00:15:23,887 --> 00:15:26,162 You've got sheep about to lamb in that field. 259 00:15:26,207 --> 00:15:28,767 You can't have something chasing them. 260 00:15:30,767 --> 00:15:32,758 Now the chicken hut is finished, 261 00:15:32,807 --> 00:15:35,526 it should be a safe house for the remaining birds. 262 00:15:36,367 --> 00:15:39,677 lf l want the eggs to hatch rather than have them for eating, 263 00:15:39,727 --> 00:15:43,606 the chicken has to sit on them and keep them warm for an incubation period. 264 00:15:43,647 --> 00:15:45,956 lf those eggs get cold, they'll die. 265 00:15:46,007 --> 00:15:48,885 So we have to make somewhere where she wants to sit, 266 00:15:48,927 --> 00:15:50,758 where she's going to be comfortable, 267 00:15:50,807 --> 00:15:54,243 where she's going to keep her eggs in top condition until they hatch, 268 00:15:54,287 --> 00:15:56,278 and then we'll get chicks. 269 00:16:02,047 --> 00:16:04,356 These are the eggs that were laid overnight. 270 00:16:05,087 --> 00:16:08,397 And these are the ones that l'm going to put the hen to sit on. 271 00:16:08,447 --> 00:16:10,244 And it's marking the egg, 272 00:16:10,287 --> 00:16:15,566 so that l know these are the ones l've set underneath her to hatch. 273 00:16:15,607 --> 00:16:17,279 So if any new eggs pop up, 274 00:16:17,327 --> 00:16:20,637 l'll know that they're not part of this batch 275 00:16:20,687 --> 00:16:23,963 and then l'll be able to take those out for eating fresh, 276 00:16:24,007 --> 00:16:26,077 leaving these under the hen to hatch. 277 00:16:31,927 --> 00:16:33,918 ln you go. There we go. 278 00:16:33,967 --> 00:16:38,358 lt's often a good idea to put a hen to sit like this at dusk, 279 00:16:38,407 --> 00:16:42,400 because the dark makes them go dopey and happy to sit in the first place. 280 00:16:42,447 --> 00:16:46,804 They like to be nice and quiet and go to sleep overnight. 281 00:16:53,367 --> 00:16:55,278 Go for it. One movement. 282 00:16:55,967 --> 00:16:58,686 So far, five of the ten ewes have lambed. 283 00:16:58,727 --> 00:17:01,116 And the new arrivals are doing well. 284 00:17:01,167 --> 00:17:03,317 But it's not over yet. 285 00:17:04,367 --> 00:17:06,358 All the way out. 286 00:17:08,847 --> 00:17:10,838 She's trying to stand up as well. 287 00:17:10,887 --> 00:17:13,196 That's a great sign, to be honest, a great sign. 288 00:17:13,887 --> 00:17:17,880 Peter and Alex are still watching their flock from the shepherd's hut. 289 00:17:17,927 --> 00:17:24,036 ALEX: l have got a Boy's Own Paper chess puzzle from 1 897. 290 00:17:24,087 --> 00:17:25,486 Excellent! 291 00:17:25,527 --> 00:17:27,518 PETER: We'll get very good at this game 292 00:17:27,567 --> 00:17:30,479 with all the waiting we'll be doing over the next month. 293 00:17:30,527 --> 00:17:32,324 ALEX: That's all it is, isn't it? 294 00:17:32,367 --> 00:17:34,756 lt's being here with our sheep in our field. 295 00:17:34,807 --> 00:17:36,798 Waiting and watching. 296 00:17:37,847 --> 00:17:39,838 As well as watching the sheep, 297 00:17:39,887 --> 00:17:42,959 Peter's also keeping an eye on Princess the pig. 298 00:17:43,647 --> 00:17:46,036 At 2am, she goes into labour. 299 00:17:50,927 --> 00:17:52,918 So far, we've had four piglets. 300 00:17:54,847 --> 00:17:56,838 lt looks like we're getting a fifth. 301 00:17:56,887 --> 00:17:59,321 Here it comes. lt's just popped out. 302 00:18:02,367 --> 00:18:05,040 But the fifth piglet is barely clinging to life. 303 00:18:06,287 --> 00:18:09,359 This one, it really is absolutely tiny compared to... 304 00:18:10,167 --> 00:18:12,158 compared to these other ones here. 305 00:18:12,207 --> 00:18:13,959 l mean, look at this. 306 00:18:14,007 --> 00:18:15,998 Look at the size difference there. 307 00:18:17,647 --> 00:18:19,638 This one really doesn't look good. 308 00:18:20,327 --> 00:18:22,636 He's nowhere near as lively as the others. 309 00:18:26,927 --> 00:18:28,918 l mean we've got four...five now. 310 00:18:29,687 --> 00:18:31,678 Come here, little fella. 311 00:18:33,487 --> 00:18:36,001 l think this is going to be a really busy night. 312 00:18:38,647 --> 00:18:41,241 l think this one's really pulling through now. 313 00:18:41,287 --> 00:18:44,006 This is our runt. l've been helping her to suckle. 314 00:18:44,727 --> 00:18:47,400 Or helping him to suckle - l haven't checked yet. 315 00:18:48,447 --> 00:18:50,563 But l think l'm going to call him Dylan. 316 00:18:51,327 --> 00:18:53,318 Cos Dylan means runt of the litter. 317 00:18:59,287 --> 00:19:01,278 By dawn, it's all over. 318 00:19:02,527 --> 00:19:05,758 Princess has successfully given birth to nine piglets. 319 00:19:05,807 --> 00:19:08,116 And these guys are all in line for a nipple. 320 00:19:08,167 --> 00:19:11,284 Once they've got it, that's it, they don't swap around. 321 00:19:12,087 --> 00:19:15,159 Whereas this one is really going to need help feeding. 322 00:19:19,567 --> 00:19:21,558 l'm keeping an all-night vigil 323 00:19:21,607 --> 00:19:24,075 so that she doesn't squash any of these guys. 324 00:19:24,127 --> 00:19:26,322 And also, the little one needs feeding. 325 00:19:28,767 --> 00:19:33,636 Princess giving birth has been what this farm has been all about in these spring months. 326 00:19:33,687 --> 00:19:35,678 lt has been absolutely amazing. 327 00:19:46,807 --> 00:19:48,445 lt's mid-April. 328 00:19:49,487 --> 00:19:52,399 Two weeks ago, Alex fertilised half the wheat crop, 329 00:19:52,447 --> 00:19:54,915 and already the improvement is clear to see. 330 00:19:59,607 --> 00:20:03,156 The hens and ducks are finally sitting on their eggs. 331 00:20:08,247 --> 00:20:10,238 And the ewes have all lambed. 332 00:20:10,287 --> 00:20:12,278 Little friends. Look at those. 333 00:20:13,967 --> 00:20:16,037 Sadly, Dylan the runt didn't make it. 334 00:20:16,767 --> 00:20:19,440 But the other eight piglets are thriving. 335 00:20:19,487 --> 00:20:23,036 These little Gloucester Old Spot piglets are now five days old. 336 00:20:23,087 --> 00:20:26,204 And all a little curious and fluffy and cute and cuddly. 337 00:20:27,207 --> 00:20:30,404 With a Gloucester Old Spot, you might have a litter of 1 2. 338 00:20:30,447 --> 00:20:33,757 We've only got a litter of eight, but that's not a bad thing. 339 00:20:33,807 --> 00:20:36,799 They'll fatten quicker, and they'll also get bigger. 340 00:20:36,847 --> 00:20:38,758 So, l mean in the long run, 341 00:20:38,807 --> 00:20:41,162 that could actually be quite beneficial for us. 342 00:20:41,207 --> 00:20:43,198 You know, the faster they fatten, 343 00:20:43,247 --> 00:20:46,364 the bigger price you're going to get for them, and quicker. 344 00:20:46,407 --> 00:20:48,398 Throughout the 1 9th century, 345 00:20:48,447 --> 00:20:52,838 breeds such as the Gloucester Old Spot pig, like Princess here, were improved. 346 00:20:52,887 --> 00:20:57,278 And it gives them a much better quality meat, makes them far more docile. 347 00:20:57,327 --> 00:20:59,841 And essentially, you get more for your money. 348 00:21:06,287 --> 00:21:08,278 The Tamworth's been slaughtered. 349 00:21:08,327 --> 00:21:11,205 Once butchered and cured, it will last for months. 350 00:21:16,447 --> 00:21:20,326 lt's said every part of a pig can be eaten except the squeal. 351 00:21:20,367 --> 00:21:24,201 And that was certainly true on the Victorian farm, where money was tight. 352 00:21:25,647 --> 00:21:29,003 Ruth is using the head to make a popular Victorian dish 353 00:21:29,047 --> 00:21:31,561 for the upcoming May Day celebration. 354 00:21:31,607 --> 00:21:33,837 So l'm going to take the brains out first. 355 00:21:33,887 --> 00:21:35,878 There we go. 356 00:21:41,727 --> 00:21:46,755 The main body of the head l'm going to make brawn out of. 357 00:21:47,527 --> 00:21:51,236 lt's lots of little tiny fragments of meat that have been boiled up 358 00:21:51,287 --> 00:21:53,118 and then set in jelly. 359 00:21:53,807 --> 00:21:56,605 lt's also our traditional Christmas dish. 360 00:21:56,647 --> 00:21:59,115 By the Victorian period it had already gone, 361 00:21:59,167 --> 00:22:01,886 but in the early Middle Ages to the early Tudor period, 362 00:22:01,927 --> 00:22:06,000 brawn formed the dish for Christmas Day. 363 00:22:06,047 --> 00:22:08,322 So l'm just going to drop that into the pot 364 00:22:08,367 --> 00:22:10,005 and boil it as it is. 365 00:22:10,047 --> 00:22:11,605 And when it's cooked, 366 00:22:11,647 --> 00:22:15,720 all the little pieces of meat will be very easy to take away from the bone. 367 00:22:18,127 --> 00:22:21,119 l do want to actually include the brains in the brawn. 368 00:22:21,167 --> 00:22:23,840 But they're cooked much more delicately. 369 00:22:23,887 --> 00:22:28,597 So l'm going to cook them separately, just poach them very lightly in a little water. 370 00:22:28,647 --> 00:22:30,638 l'll just drop them in. 371 00:22:30,687 --> 00:22:32,166 That should be fine. 372 00:22:47,567 --> 00:22:49,558 The lambs are doing well. 373 00:22:49,607 --> 00:22:51,723 But there's one more crucial job left - 374 00:22:51,767 --> 00:22:53,758 clipping their mother's hooves. 375 00:23:02,367 --> 00:23:04,164 OK, we'll try and make this as... 376 00:23:04,207 --> 00:23:05,799 Ohhh! 377 00:23:05,847 --> 00:23:08,486 ..as painless as possible for her and for me. 378 00:23:09,207 --> 00:23:11,198 Roll her over my knee like that. 379 00:23:11,247 --> 00:23:13,238 Oh, look at that! 380 00:23:13,287 --> 00:23:14,925 Oh, look at that. 381 00:23:15,687 --> 00:23:17,405 You beauty. 382 00:23:18,127 --> 00:23:21,119 Just got to hold her steady. A lot of work needs doing here. 383 00:23:21,167 --> 00:23:24,000 And they absolutely stink, they really do. 384 00:23:24,687 --> 00:23:28,282 lt just smells...of really, really cheesy feet. 385 00:23:28,327 --> 00:23:30,204 l mean, it... 386 00:23:30,247 --> 00:23:31,805 Eugh! Jesus! 387 00:23:31,847 --> 00:23:33,917 lt's making my stomach turn, that is. 388 00:23:33,967 --> 00:23:37,562 The reason we do this is essentially because you can see here... 389 00:23:37,607 --> 00:23:39,359 you can see how it's growing over. 390 00:23:39,407 --> 00:23:44,845 Traditionally, sheep would winter... up on the hills. 391 00:23:46,087 --> 00:23:49,921 And they'd wear all of this nail down because they'd be walking on rocks. 392 00:23:49,967 --> 00:23:54,836 But, of course, out in these plush meadows there aren't the rocks to wear down the nails. 393 00:23:54,887 --> 00:23:58,084 What happens is, they grow, and the shepherd's got to step in 394 00:23:58,127 --> 00:24:02,120 to make sure they don't grow so far they go over the hoof, trap the mud... 395 00:24:02,167 --> 00:24:04,635 As you can see, this one is beginning to do so. 396 00:24:06,687 --> 00:24:08,678 Then they get infections. 397 00:24:10,527 --> 00:24:12,995 This is absolutely killing my back, this is. 398 00:24:13,047 --> 00:24:15,117 Christ knows how you do a flock of 200. 399 00:24:19,007 --> 00:24:20,884 Back in the cottage, 400 00:24:20,927 --> 00:24:24,317 the pig's head has been boiling on the range for three hours. 401 00:24:27,407 --> 00:24:29,477 The meat is falling off the bones now. 402 00:24:30,967 --> 00:24:32,958 And very, very soft. 403 00:24:33,007 --> 00:24:37,558 So l'm just picking through and finding all those bits that are good and tasty. 404 00:24:37,607 --> 00:24:40,075 This would have been quite a cheap dish to do, 405 00:24:41,127 --> 00:24:44,085 even if you had to buy a bit of pig, you know. 406 00:24:44,127 --> 00:24:47,802 The head is not the most expensive cut, by a long way. 407 00:24:47,847 --> 00:24:50,725 lf you're living in a mostly outdoor world, 408 00:24:50,767 --> 00:24:53,440 you're busily farming, doing heavy manual labour, 409 00:24:54,127 --> 00:24:55,924 you have no heating... 410 00:24:55,967 --> 00:24:59,084 then you find your body quickly begins to crave animal fats. 411 00:24:59,127 --> 00:25:02,199 Things that you might turn your nose up at in modern living... 412 00:25:02,247 --> 00:25:04,238 ''Lard, yuck! Dripping, eugh!'' 413 00:25:05,047 --> 00:25:08,801 ..once you're living a Victorian life suddenly become delicious. 414 00:25:08,847 --> 00:25:10,838 That's the eyeball. 415 00:25:12,687 --> 00:25:15,884 Many people enjoy the eyeballs, find them a delicacy. 416 00:25:15,927 --> 00:25:18,395 Seeing as that one's come out nice and whole, 417 00:25:19,127 --> 00:25:22,836 l might put it in the centre of the brawn and see how the boys take to it. 418 00:25:24,407 --> 00:25:27,205 These sorts of bits normally get turned into sausages 419 00:25:27,247 --> 00:25:29,238 or some sort of burgeriness 420 00:25:29,287 --> 00:25:31,278 or sausage rolls, that sort of thing. 421 00:25:31,327 --> 00:25:36,685 l have to be honest, anybody who thinks they've never eaten eyeballs is kidding themselves. 422 00:25:37,367 --> 00:25:39,483 l'm also going to lay the brains whole. 423 00:25:42,087 --> 00:25:45,716 Now, the gelatine is simply the water... 424 00:25:46,967 --> 00:25:50,562 ..that we've boiled the pig's head and the feet and the tail in. 425 00:25:50,607 --> 00:25:53,041 All l've got to do is strain it through a cloth... 426 00:25:55,047 --> 00:25:57,720 ..leaving the jelly behind. 427 00:26:01,927 --> 00:26:05,203 And one of the reasons for putting the gelatine on like this, 428 00:26:05,927 --> 00:26:08,043 is that it excludes air. 429 00:26:09,327 --> 00:26:11,716 And without air, bacteria can't get a hold. 430 00:26:11,767 --> 00:26:15,362 The jelly is a short-term preservation method in its own right. 431 00:26:21,127 --> 00:26:23,118 (Alex groans) 432 00:26:23,167 --> 00:26:24,680 Come here. 433 00:26:28,007 --> 00:26:30,123 Alex and Peter have a serious problem. 434 00:26:30,807 --> 00:26:32,798 One of the ewes has an infected hoof. 435 00:26:35,567 --> 00:26:38,240 We're just going to have to wash that. Good girl. 436 00:26:39,287 --> 00:26:41,801 lf it worsens, it could be life-threatening. 437 00:26:42,767 --> 00:26:44,758 Her nails had just grown too long. 438 00:26:45,687 --> 00:26:48,838 What's happened is, you can see the toe's exposed there. 439 00:26:49,527 --> 00:26:52,883 The actual toe, and the foot rot's got in and rotted this away. 440 00:26:52,927 --> 00:26:55,725 And l'm deeply, deeply concerned about this. 441 00:26:56,407 --> 00:26:58,398 Now, l'm touching that toe there. 442 00:26:58,447 --> 00:26:59,880 ls that... 443 00:27:00,527 --> 00:27:03,325 - She's feeling it, isn't she? - She is feeling it. 444 00:27:04,007 --> 00:27:05,998 Yeah, she's feeling that. 445 00:27:06,927 --> 00:27:10,124 l'm really worried now for a lot of the other sheep. 446 00:27:10,167 --> 00:27:14,046 l'm wondering whether our over-winter pasture's just been too damp, 447 00:27:15,167 --> 00:27:16,759 too muddy. 448 00:27:16,807 --> 00:27:20,800 The Victorian farmer would do whatever he could to save a ewe. 449 00:27:21,647 --> 00:27:25,117 lf she dies, her lambs will almost certainly die too. 450 00:27:25,967 --> 00:27:29,960 And of course, she has the potential to produce young for years to come. 451 00:27:33,727 --> 00:27:35,718 (Chirping) 452 00:27:37,367 --> 00:27:41,155 There's better news in the poultry hut, where the chicks have hatched. 453 00:27:41,207 --> 00:27:44,040 RUTH: We've got a nice little clutch of chickens and ducks. 454 00:27:44,087 --> 00:27:45,759 l've brought the ducks in, 455 00:27:45,807 --> 00:27:49,038 because l thought they'd be safer and away from marauding foxes. 456 00:27:49,087 --> 00:27:50,759 The hens brood them. 457 00:27:50,807 --> 00:27:53,480 Now they're past a little bit, the hens look after them, 458 00:27:53,527 --> 00:27:55,438 whether they're ducks or chicks. 459 00:27:55,487 --> 00:27:56,715 Hello, sweeties. 460 00:28:01,407 --> 00:28:04,080 Soon the farmers will be looking to harvest hay. 461 00:28:04,767 --> 00:28:08,316 To ensure a good crop, Ruth is fertilising the grass. 462 00:28:11,527 --> 00:28:14,803 The muck that l'm taking out of here is really good manure. 463 00:28:15,527 --> 00:28:18,280 lf guano was the natural wonder manure of the age, 464 00:28:18,327 --> 00:28:21,444 then this is something domestic that was very similar. 465 00:28:21,487 --> 00:28:26,800 Guano's just bird droppings that haven't had the nitrogen leached out of them by rain. 466 00:28:30,527 --> 00:28:32,722 One of the beauties of this chicken shed is, 467 00:28:32,767 --> 00:28:35,964 rather than me having to try and spread this manually on the fields, 468 00:28:36,007 --> 00:28:39,522 l just move the shed and then kick all the muck out the back door. 469 00:28:39,567 --> 00:28:41,558 So...l dunno. 470 00:28:42,327 --> 00:28:44,887 See if l can give it a shove, see if l can get it going, 471 00:28:46,287 --> 00:28:47,686 (Strains) No. 472 00:28:47,727 --> 00:28:49,718 - Peter? - Yeah? 473 00:28:49,767 --> 00:28:53,680 You couldn't give me a hand just shifting the chicken shed, could you? 474 00:28:56,527 --> 00:28:58,518 Right, say when. 475 00:28:58,567 --> 00:29:00,558 - That'll do. - Yeah? 476 00:29:00,607 --> 00:29:02,120 Lovely. Cheers. 477 00:29:02,167 --> 00:29:03,964 That's all right. 478 00:29:16,847 --> 00:29:18,917 The farm will soon need more pasture, 479 00:29:18,967 --> 00:29:22,004 grassland where their sheep and lambs can graze. 480 00:29:23,847 --> 00:29:27,556 The Victorian farmer would have scientifically created a seed mix 481 00:29:27,607 --> 00:29:31,600 to be both nutritious to sheep and withstand all weathers. 482 00:29:33,967 --> 00:29:37,880 For advice, Alex is visiting the owner of the farm's estate, 483 00:29:37,927 --> 00:29:39,918 Thomas Stackhouse Acton. 484 00:29:39,967 --> 00:29:42,765 - So this is the book? - This is the book of grasses, 485 00:29:43,447 --> 00:29:45,597 published in 1 804. 486 00:29:46,287 --> 00:29:48,755 Mr Acton, an expert on Victorian farming, 487 00:29:49,487 --> 00:29:52,877 has sought out a 200-year-old book on grasses in his library. 488 00:29:53,767 --> 00:29:59,125 This book lists all the grasses to be found in the British lsles. 489 00:30:00,127 --> 00:30:02,118 We've got some here, 490 00:30:03,087 --> 00:30:05,078 which are good yielders. 491 00:30:06,167 --> 00:30:07,646 Meadow foxtail. 492 00:30:07,687 --> 00:30:11,202 Yes, it says here it ranks high in the estimation of the farmer, 493 00:30:11,927 --> 00:30:14,441 springing early and producing plentifully. 494 00:30:15,167 --> 00:30:17,158 Wonderful. OK, so meadow foxtail. 495 00:30:17,207 --> 00:30:18,720 THOMAS: Yes. 496 00:30:20,287 --> 00:30:23,438 Sheep's fescue - Festuca ovina. 497 00:30:23,487 --> 00:30:27,162 This grass, l think, is very good for sheep's wool. 498 00:30:27,207 --> 00:30:31,564 So this would be a good grass, then, for pasture for the sheep? 499 00:30:31,607 --> 00:30:33,723 THOMAS: Yes, so we'll have some of that. 500 00:30:33,767 --> 00:30:36,440 Definitely. l mean, it all sounds very technical, 501 00:30:36,487 --> 00:30:39,001 all of these different selections of grasses. 502 00:30:39,047 --> 00:30:42,835 ls this something that a Victorian farmer would have been aware of? 503 00:30:42,887 --> 00:30:44,525 Oh, l think so. 504 00:30:44,567 --> 00:30:45,556 Yes. 505 00:30:45,607 --> 00:30:50,237 Armed with a list of grasses, Alex is now all set to sow. 506 00:30:53,487 --> 00:30:57,036 At the cottage, Ruth is also deciding what to plant, 507 00:30:57,087 --> 00:30:59,840 this time in their small cottage garden. 508 00:31:01,167 --> 00:31:03,158 According to the Book Of The Farm, 509 00:31:04,207 --> 00:31:07,244 ''Farmers, as a rule, are bad gardeners. 510 00:31:07,287 --> 00:31:10,757 Not unfrequently, the garden, or where the garden should be, 511 00:31:10,807 --> 00:31:14,117 is one of the most thoroughly neglected spots on the farm.'' 512 00:31:15,007 --> 00:31:18,716 Vegetables could be quite expensive to buy in Victorian Britain. 513 00:31:18,767 --> 00:31:21,122 There wasn't much importation of fresh veg. 514 00:31:21,927 --> 00:31:25,840 So if you wanted veg, you pretty much were better off growing your own. 515 00:31:25,887 --> 00:31:29,357 This is why when you look at recipes for feeding the very poor, 516 00:31:29,407 --> 00:31:34,162 food in institutions - workhouses, prisons, hospitals, even - 517 00:31:34,807 --> 00:31:38,038 there's almost no veg, because the veg was pricey. 518 00:31:38,087 --> 00:31:42,285 Food for the poor was about grain and starch and possibly potatoes. 519 00:31:42,327 --> 00:31:44,318 lt's all about gruel. 520 00:31:44,367 --> 00:31:47,359 So, there's this whole push amongst ordinary people 521 00:31:47,407 --> 00:31:51,719 to get as much food as possible out of the little scraps of ground they've got. 522 00:32:06,367 --> 00:32:08,358 l've put the beetroot seeds in. 523 00:32:08,407 --> 00:32:10,204 l like beetroot. 524 00:32:10,247 --> 00:32:13,922 You can plant them really close together when doing a bed system. 525 00:32:13,967 --> 00:32:17,846 You don't have to give the space you would in others, really good for a cottage garden. 526 00:32:17,887 --> 00:32:21,243 Grab as much food as possible in the tiniest possible space. 527 00:32:24,647 --> 00:32:26,717 ALEX: Clumper. 528 00:32:26,767 --> 00:32:28,758 Come on, fella. 529 00:32:29,487 --> 00:32:31,478 To sow the grass seeds, 530 00:32:31,527 --> 00:32:34,485 the farm's shire horse Clumper is essential. 531 00:32:34,527 --> 00:32:36,518 But as Alex attempts to move him, 532 00:32:36,567 --> 00:32:38,558 it's clear he's in distress. 533 00:32:41,047 --> 00:32:44,517 l spent all of winter looking forward to spring, you know, 534 00:32:44,567 --> 00:32:49,083 getting out in the field with the horse on my own, going it alone for the first time. 535 00:32:49,127 --> 00:32:50,640 And sowing a crop myself. 536 00:32:50,687 --> 00:32:52,678 Then come the big day, he's lame. 537 00:32:54,287 --> 00:32:56,278 l don't know what to do now. 538 00:32:57,567 --> 00:32:59,558 Look, he's limping. 539 00:32:59,607 --> 00:33:01,598 He can't put any weight on it. 540 00:33:08,087 --> 00:33:10,078 l'm just giving his feet a clean. 541 00:33:11,967 --> 00:33:14,640 l've got to have a good inspection of them, 542 00:33:16,127 --> 00:33:18,118 and see if there's anything... 543 00:33:18,807 --> 00:33:20,604 in the hoof itself. 544 00:33:25,807 --> 00:33:27,798 lt's a bit of a nightmare, really, 545 00:33:27,847 --> 00:33:33,046 because Clumper's so important to the effective running of our farm. 546 00:33:33,087 --> 00:33:35,396 lf we're to compete as Victorian farmers, 547 00:33:35,447 --> 00:33:37,438 we need him to be in shape. 548 00:33:37,487 --> 00:33:40,797 And if we lose him for, you know, a considerable period, 549 00:33:40,847 --> 00:33:42,838 it will significantly set us back. 550 00:33:44,607 --> 00:33:46,677 After seeking professional advice, 551 00:33:46,727 --> 00:33:49,799 Alex has been told that Clumper probably has a sprain. 552 00:33:49,847 --> 00:33:52,645 So he must completely rest for the next few weeks. 553 00:33:56,887 --> 00:34:00,402 Ruth spring-cleaned the cottage only last week. 554 00:34:00,447 --> 00:34:04,599 But already everything is grimy with coal smuts. 555 00:34:06,047 --> 00:34:08,038 Every day, and l mean every day, 556 00:34:08,087 --> 00:34:10,078 it's like this. 557 00:34:11,007 --> 00:34:13,805 On every single surface. 558 00:34:13,847 --> 00:34:15,803 To the Victorians, 559 00:34:15,847 --> 00:34:17,917 coal had become cheap and plentiful. 560 00:34:17,967 --> 00:34:20,435 Coal also burns longer and hotter than wood, 561 00:34:20,487 --> 00:34:22,478 making it an ideal fuel for a range. 562 00:34:22,527 --> 00:34:24,518 But whereas wood burns cleanly, 563 00:34:24,567 --> 00:34:26,398 coal is a dirty fuel. 564 00:34:27,087 --> 00:34:29,885 All your clothes become black, your tablecloths, 565 00:34:29,927 --> 00:34:32,487 all your napkins, all your towels, all your sheets. 566 00:34:32,527 --> 00:34:35,246 lt means you have the most enormous amount of laundry. 567 00:34:37,847 --> 00:34:41,157 But on the Victorian Farm, almost everything is recycled, 568 00:34:41,207 --> 00:34:43,198 even the troublesome soot. 569 00:34:45,327 --> 00:34:49,639 Soot from chimneys is really, really useful on the garden. 570 00:34:49,687 --> 00:34:51,678 lt's a fantastic fertiliser. 571 00:34:52,807 --> 00:34:55,321 Right up to the Second World War, 572 00:34:55,367 --> 00:34:58,564 lorry drivers would bring veg in to Covent Garden Market 573 00:34:58,607 --> 00:35:02,725 and in their return trips they'd be taking London soot back to the fields, 574 00:35:02,767 --> 00:35:05,486 in order to fertilise them. 575 00:35:07,727 --> 00:35:09,718 lt's fantastic for roses. 576 00:35:09,767 --> 00:35:11,758 lt stops them getting black spot. 577 00:35:11,807 --> 00:35:13,798 Tea leaves are good for roses, too. 578 00:35:14,847 --> 00:35:16,838 So a little bit around the base. 579 00:35:18,127 --> 00:35:21,244 And, actually, just let it shake over the plant itself. 580 00:35:29,367 --> 00:35:31,835 Alex needs a horse to help sow the grass seed. 581 00:35:35,847 --> 00:35:37,917 But with Clumper still out of action, 582 00:35:37,967 --> 00:35:41,676 he's asked the estate owner if he could borrow his horse, Smiler. 583 00:35:43,727 --> 00:35:46,161 l went to Mr Acton and said, ''l've got this problem.'' 584 00:35:46,207 --> 00:35:49,722 We thought we'd get Smiler out of retirement and back between the shafts. 585 00:35:49,767 --> 00:35:51,758 Walk on. 586 00:35:51,807 --> 00:35:56,437 Despite his name, Smiler is anything but cheerful at returning to work. 587 00:35:56,487 --> 00:35:59,081 Smiler, walk on. (Clicks tongue) 588 00:35:59,127 --> 00:36:01,118 Come on, walk on. Hup, hup! 589 00:36:01,167 --> 00:36:02,725 Come on. 590 00:36:02,767 --> 00:36:05,565 - Walk on. - Come on. 591 00:36:05,607 --> 00:36:07,279 You obstinate animal. 592 00:36:08,007 --> 00:36:09,998 - Walk on. - Walk on, Smiler. 593 00:36:10,047 --> 00:36:11,366 Good lad. Hup! 594 00:36:11,407 --> 00:36:13,796 Walk on. Walk on. 595 00:36:13,847 --> 00:36:15,439 Come on, walk on! 596 00:36:15,487 --> 00:36:17,876 Come on, fella. Come on, last... 597 00:36:17,927 --> 00:36:19,918 Last bit, come on. 598 00:36:19,967 --> 00:36:21,605 Good lad! 599 00:36:21,647 --> 00:36:23,638 That's it, good boy. Good boy. 600 00:36:24,327 --> 00:36:28,161 To sow the grass, Alex is using an enormous seed box - 601 00:36:28,207 --> 00:36:31,438 a fantastic piece of Victorian technology. 602 00:36:32,127 --> 00:36:33,719 Good lad. 603 00:36:33,767 --> 00:36:37,476 You can imagine just how quick this kind of equipment would have made this job, 604 00:36:37,527 --> 00:36:39,518 back in the late-1 9th century. 605 00:36:40,247 --> 00:36:42,363 lt's just such an enormous seed chest, 606 00:36:42,407 --> 00:36:44,318 you know, 1 6 foot across. 607 00:36:45,007 --> 00:36:49,319 You're talking about getting through about five acres a day with this thing. 608 00:36:50,127 --> 00:36:52,118 When you're hand sowing, 609 00:36:52,167 --> 00:36:53,839 broadcast sowing, 610 00:36:53,887 --> 00:36:56,685 you'd be looking at maybe an acre, maybe a bit more. 611 00:36:56,727 --> 00:36:59,036 How do you think he's done today, Mr Acton? 612 00:36:59,087 --> 00:37:02,682 Considering he's done no work virtually for eight months, 613 00:37:02,727 --> 00:37:04,524 l don't think he's done badly. 614 00:37:04,567 --> 00:37:08,037 So l think we can give him a pat on the back. 615 00:37:16,047 --> 00:37:20,962 Back in the cottage, Ruth plans to make a new dress for the May Day celebration. 616 00:37:21,007 --> 00:37:22,838 (Knock at door) 617 00:37:22,887 --> 00:37:25,560 She's invited an expert in Victorian clothing, 618 00:37:25,607 --> 00:37:28,644 Luca Costigliolo, to the farm. 619 00:37:28,687 --> 00:37:30,678 l'm very well. How are you? 620 00:37:30,727 --> 00:37:32,922 Quite well, a bit...busy at the moment. 621 00:37:32,967 --> 00:37:35,162 Are you? l'm so glad you could come. 622 00:37:35,207 --> 00:37:37,516 l really, really, really need your help. 623 00:37:37,567 --> 00:37:39,478 So this is the fabric l've got. 624 00:37:39,527 --> 00:37:41,518 l don't know what you think of that. 625 00:37:41,567 --> 00:37:43,558 lt's a nice print, a bit loose weave, 626 00:37:43,607 --> 00:37:48,123 compared to what a farmer's wife would have got then. 627 00:37:48,167 --> 00:37:50,601 lt's so hard to get that quality of fabric now. 628 00:37:50,647 --> 00:37:53,081 LUCA: Yeah, it is. 629 00:37:53,127 --> 00:37:55,322 l've got a series of women's magazines. 630 00:37:55,367 --> 00:37:57,278 And this one, for example's, got, 631 00:37:57,327 --> 00:37:59,318 ''What to wear: chit-chat on dress.'' 632 00:37:59,367 --> 00:38:03,406 And it's got various pictures of the fashion for March. 633 00:38:03,447 --> 00:38:06,086 l mean, this is a bit posh for me, isn't it? (Laughs) 634 00:38:06,127 --> 00:38:07,719 Yes, indeed. 635 00:38:07,767 --> 00:38:11,476 l reckon that a farmer's wife really would be looking at this stuff, 636 00:38:11,527 --> 00:38:14,803 - even if she can't afford to do it. - Definitely. Definitely. 637 00:38:14,847 --> 00:38:18,920 So in this page you actually get the bodice, the sleeve... 638 00:38:19,647 --> 00:38:23,037 and an apron that goes on top of the skirt. 639 00:38:23,087 --> 00:38:25,078 And on the other page, 640 00:38:25,127 --> 00:38:27,118 we have got the skirt. 641 00:38:27,167 --> 00:38:29,158 RUTH: The skirt. 642 00:38:29,207 --> 00:38:31,880 Patterns were commonly featured in magazines, 643 00:38:31,927 --> 00:38:35,840 in an age when it was expected that every housewife could sew. 644 00:38:35,887 --> 00:38:38,355 First thing, l am going to measure your bust. 645 00:38:38,407 --> 00:38:39,396 Mm-hm. 646 00:38:39,447 --> 00:38:40,436 So... 647 00:38:43,087 --> 00:38:44,406 34. 648 00:38:45,767 --> 00:38:47,439 Then down to your waist. 649 00:38:47,487 --> 00:38:49,478 Now, one of the things l read on this, 650 00:38:49,527 --> 00:38:53,998 was that a perfectly-proportioned woman's waist should be ten inches small... 651 00:38:54,047 --> 00:38:57,642 - Ten inches? - Ten inches smaller than her breast. 652 00:38:57,687 --> 00:38:59,678 Ah, yes, l agree. 653 00:38:59,727 --> 00:39:01,365 - l agree. - (Laughs) 654 00:39:01,407 --> 00:39:03,762 l don't stand a hope in heck. What's that? 655 00:39:03,807 --> 00:39:06,321 27. lt's not bad. 656 00:39:07,007 --> 00:39:08,998 Well, my natural waist is not 27. 657 00:39:09,047 --> 00:39:11,038 My natural waist is 29. 658 00:39:11,087 --> 00:39:13,521 So the corset's already doing two inches. 659 00:39:13,567 --> 00:39:18,357 Yeah, but l think that if the corset was cut a bit more shapely, 660 00:39:19,167 --> 00:39:22,443 then you could, without feeling too compressed. 661 00:39:23,247 --> 00:39:25,636 l found this book - Common-sense Clothing. 662 00:39:25,687 --> 00:39:30,681 And it's got these really quite horrendous diagrams of what corsets would do to you. 663 00:39:30,727 --> 00:39:33,036 - There we are. - Oh, l love this. 664 00:39:33,087 --> 00:39:36,443 l wonder if this is really what happens to your inside. 665 00:39:36,487 --> 00:39:42,756 l have seen Victorian bodices with a 1 7-inch waist. 666 00:39:42,807 --> 00:39:45,037 So that's...that big. 667 00:39:45,087 --> 00:39:47,078 - That's 1 7 inches. - Mm. 668 00:39:47,127 --> 00:39:49,118 Oh, good grief! 669 00:39:50,967 --> 00:39:54,596 Scaling, then transferring the pattern from the magazine to the fabric 670 00:39:54,647 --> 00:39:56,638 is a skilled and time-consuming job. 671 00:39:58,967 --> 00:40:03,165 There's such a lot of work involved in making any clothing in this period... 672 00:40:04,327 --> 00:40:06,841 ..that you couldn't possibly have a lot of clothes. 673 00:40:06,887 --> 00:40:11,119 An ordinary farmer's wife like me probably owned no more than three, 674 00:40:11,167 --> 00:40:14,284 maybe four dresses at any one time. 675 00:40:14,327 --> 00:40:17,637 You darn them, you mend them, you turn them inside out 676 00:40:17,687 --> 00:40:19,439 to keep them going a bit longer. 677 00:40:19,487 --> 00:40:22,240 Probably only embark upon a new dress 678 00:40:22,287 --> 00:40:25,916 say, after two years, something like that. 679 00:40:31,327 --> 00:40:32,806 As May beckons, 680 00:40:32,847 --> 00:40:35,156 Winter is well and truly over. 681 00:40:36,567 --> 00:40:41,197 The longer, sunnier days are helping the wheat, grass and vegetables grow. 682 00:40:41,247 --> 00:40:46,367 By June, the farmers will have the luxury of beetroot and beans to eat. 683 00:40:47,447 --> 00:40:49,563 There's good news for the livestock, too. 684 00:40:49,607 --> 00:40:53,282 The pigs, chicks, ducklings and lambs are maturing. 685 00:40:54,287 --> 00:40:59,281 And, thanks to Alex and Peter's swift action, the ewe's infected foot is clearing up, 686 00:40:59,327 --> 00:41:03,286 saving not just her life but those of her two lambs. 687 00:41:07,367 --> 00:41:11,201 lt's time for the lambs to go out to pasture and fend for themselves. 688 00:41:11,247 --> 00:41:13,715 But first there's one more job to do. 689 00:41:15,527 --> 00:41:18,997 We're gonna mark them and the mother so we know which ewe they belong to. 690 00:41:19,727 --> 00:41:23,356 You can use numbers but if you use letters, as we are, 691 00:41:23,407 --> 00:41:26,285 you save on raddle and every little penny counts. 692 00:41:26,327 --> 00:41:28,841 Cos, of course, there's nine numbers, isn't there? 693 00:41:28,887 --> 00:41:30,639 There's ten including zero. 694 00:41:30,687 --> 00:41:33,804 Right, OK, and 24 letters. 695 00:41:33,847 --> 00:41:35,360 26. 696 00:41:35,407 --> 00:41:37,318 Just testing. 697 00:41:38,007 --> 00:41:41,079 So l'm going to raddle her - l'm going to mark her - ''C''. 698 00:41:41,127 --> 00:41:42,526 Yeah, OK. 699 00:41:42,567 --> 00:41:44,205 - Her? - Him. 700 00:41:44,247 --> 00:41:47,045 - That one's a geezer. - l always get that wrong. 701 00:41:47,727 --> 00:41:50,799 This one could be a decent show ram. 702 00:41:51,527 --> 00:41:56,043 So if he turns out to be good, we want to know which ewe he's come from 703 00:41:56,087 --> 00:41:58,237 and which one to then breed from, you see. 704 00:41:58,287 --> 00:42:00,926 So it's quite important. That's C. 705 00:42:00,967 --> 00:42:02,958 You want to go back to Mummy? 706 00:42:03,687 --> 00:42:04,358 Excellent. 707 00:42:04,407 --> 00:42:08,082 The ewe is marked with the letters of her two lambs. 708 00:42:08,967 --> 00:42:10,958 The raddle's made out of a red ochre, 709 00:42:11,007 --> 00:42:15,683 which we've mixed with some linseed oil and a little bit of tallow fat. 710 00:42:16,527 --> 00:42:19,519 So...it should hold for a long time... 711 00:42:20,287 --> 00:42:22,721 ..but not stain the wool permanently. 712 00:42:22,767 --> 00:42:27,079 So when we come to shear, we should be able to still get a good price for our wool. 713 00:42:27,767 --> 00:42:29,598 The kidlets can go too. 714 00:42:31,047 --> 00:42:32,560 She's going that way. 715 00:42:33,607 --> 00:42:38,317 This is the front of the skirt which you've now prepared and tacked together. 716 00:42:38,367 --> 00:42:43,964 l'm just going to sew one of the seams, so it's like this. 717 00:42:44,647 --> 00:42:47,844 Ruth's now ready to stitch her summer dress together. 718 00:42:47,887 --> 00:42:52,677 So Luca's giving her a crash course in using a Victorian sewing machine. 719 00:42:54,447 --> 00:42:57,166 l have to say, this is a very good machine. 720 00:42:57,887 --> 00:42:59,479 lt might be old but it's very good. 721 00:42:59,527 --> 00:43:01,324 An innovation of the age, 722 00:43:01,367 --> 00:43:06,725 by the 1 880s, Singer was selling over half a million machines a year worldwide. 723 00:43:06,767 --> 00:43:09,361 - Want to have a go, Ruth? - l suppose l'd better. 724 00:43:11,207 --> 00:43:12,242 Yeah... 725 00:43:12,287 --> 00:43:13,640 Aaargh. 726 00:43:13,687 --> 00:43:15,678 Look, it's like this. 727 00:43:17,487 --> 00:43:19,762 Yeah? Carry on. Carry on. 728 00:43:20,527 --> 00:43:24,406 Unlike modern electric machines, this one is treadle-powered, 729 00:43:24,447 --> 00:43:27,837 requiring plenty of hand-foot coordination. 730 00:43:27,887 --> 00:43:30,606 OK. Just concentrate on the work. 731 00:43:31,367 --> 00:43:35,485 Hi-tech sewing machines, together with patterns in popular magazines, 732 00:43:35,527 --> 00:43:38,883 made fashion no longer the preserve of the rich. 733 00:43:38,927 --> 00:43:41,680 Don't look there any more. Use both your hands. 734 00:43:41,727 --> 00:43:45,925 - Just try to feed that into the machine. - Yeah, OK. 735 00:43:45,967 --> 00:43:48,435 l think you're actually quite good... 736 00:43:48,487 --> 00:43:49,203 Ooh! 737 00:43:49,887 --> 00:43:52,401 Oh, you see, l went immediately backwards. Why? 738 00:43:52,447 --> 00:43:54,403 - l've lost it. - You were good before. 739 00:43:54,447 --> 00:43:56,915 Yeah. Oh, don't... 740 00:43:57,967 --> 00:43:59,719 Please concentrate. 741 00:44:05,287 --> 00:44:07,039 Ah! Ah-ah! 742 00:44:10,087 --> 00:44:11,998 And stop. 743 00:44:12,727 --> 00:44:16,276 You haven't really followed the line on the pattern at all. 744 00:44:16,327 --> 00:44:21,799 Feel the machine. The machine is just an extension to your body. 745 00:44:23,167 --> 00:44:24,156 Yes? 746 00:44:27,007 --> 00:44:31,205 lt gives me heart pain every time you go in the wrong direction. 747 00:44:31,247 --> 00:44:33,397 l feel sorry for the machine. 748 00:44:34,847 --> 00:44:37,884 - When are you going? - l'm going at five o'clock. 749 00:44:37,927 --> 00:44:39,724 (Laughs) God. 750 00:44:40,407 --> 00:44:41,886 (Exhales) 751 00:44:43,887 --> 00:44:47,402 Alex treated the wheat with chemical nitrogen fertilisers. 752 00:44:47,447 --> 00:44:51,725 To the Victorians, this was the latest in agricultural science. 753 00:44:53,447 --> 00:44:55,438 But to fertilise the new pasture, 754 00:44:55,487 --> 00:44:58,365 The Book Of The Farm describes an old-fashioned way 755 00:44:58,407 --> 00:45:00,398 of putting nitrogen into the soil. 756 00:45:01,167 --> 00:45:03,965 By sowing clover over the grass. 757 00:45:05,087 --> 00:45:09,080 lt traps atmospheric nitrogen in little nodules in its roots. 758 00:45:09,127 --> 00:45:11,641 That nitrogen is then released into the soil. 759 00:45:11,687 --> 00:45:14,406 lt's a very traditional way of fertilising a field. 760 00:45:14,447 --> 00:45:17,723 lt's all part of a rotation but it's only really during this period 761 00:45:17,767 --> 00:45:21,237 that the Victorians start to understand the science behind it. 762 00:45:22,127 --> 00:45:24,118 Clumper's still out of action, 763 00:45:24,167 --> 00:45:29,161 but The Book Of The Farm recommends an innovative way of sowing clover without a horse, 764 00:45:29,207 --> 00:45:31,437 using a seed fiddle. 765 00:45:31,487 --> 00:45:32,681 Hello, Mark. 766 00:45:32,727 --> 00:45:35,480 - Hello, Alex. - Thanks for coming along today. 767 00:45:35,527 --> 00:45:40,601 Local farmer, Mark Morris, used one as a boy and has come to show Alex how it works. 768 00:45:40,647 --> 00:45:42,205 How it works is... 769 00:45:43,367 --> 00:45:47,758 ..you fill the bag up with grass seed or clover seed or whatever you're going to sow. 770 00:45:47,807 --> 00:45:52,517 There's a setting on the side which alters the gap or the hole 771 00:45:52,567 --> 00:45:57,641 for the stuff to drop, or the speed of the grass seed or clover seed to drop onto the disc, 772 00:45:57,687 --> 00:46:00,076 which, as you walk, spins. 773 00:46:00,127 --> 00:46:02,880 And it just throws it out onto the ground. 774 00:46:02,927 --> 00:46:06,806 So it's a mechanised way of doing what they'd done for years and years before, 775 00:46:06,847 --> 00:46:10,476 just broadcast sowing, so any old Tom, Dick and Harry can do it, basically. 776 00:46:12,487 --> 00:46:15,047 lf you put your left leg forward and push it. 777 00:46:15,087 --> 00:46:16,679 - And push it. - Push it. 778 00:46:16,727 --> 00:46:17,955 All right. 779 00:46:18,007 --> 00:46:21,363 And then, with your right leg, it comes back the other way. 780 00:46:22,207 --> 00:46:24,198 (Ratcheting clicks) 781 00:46:25,007 --> 00:46:26,599 Oh... 782 00:46:26,647 --> 00:46:27,636 Right. 783 00:46:29,847 --> 00:46:31,200 Oh, yes! 784 00:46:32,807 --> 00:46:36,766 These seed fiddles are actually an American invention 785 00:46:36,807 --> 00:46:39,640 and introduced to this country in the 1 880s. 786 00:46:39,687 --> 00:46:42,645 Like so many things in the late-1 9th century, 787 00:46:42,687 --> 00:46:45,247 the Americans were sort of innovators, really, 788 00:46:45,287 --> 00:46:49,758 introducing scientific practices to agriculture. 789 00:46:51,887 --> 00:46:53,878 (Chuckles) 790 00:46:58,967 --> 00:47:00,958 So, is it... Oh, no! 791 00:47:01,007 --> 00:47:04,044 - Oh, no, Mark. l've broken it already. - Oh, dear. 792 00:47:04,087 --> 00:47:06,760 Look. The handle's come off the end. 793 00:47:07,767 --> 00:47:10,327 This is the fourth thing l've broken. 794 00:47:10,367 --> 00:47:12,517 Well, you're welcome to use mine. 795 00:47:12,567 --> 00:47:15,240 (Laughs) No, cos l'll just break that one. 796 00:47:19,327 --> 00:47:25,118 lt's the 1 st of May and this evening the farmers will celebrate the new life on the farm. 797 00:47:26,207 --> 00:47:31,520 l'm making a fidget pie. This is a traditional Shropshire recipe. 798 00:47:32,527 --> 00:47:35,519 With bacon...potatoes and onion. 799 00:47:36,447 --> 00:47:41,840 This is our bacon, from the Tamworth. l've had it hanging in the larder. 800 00:47:44,207 --> 00:47:45,765 A splash of cider to go in. 801 00:47:47,807 --> 00:47:49,957 And a little bit of stock. 802 00:47:50,687 --> 00:47:53,121 Ruth encases the filling with pastry, 803 00:47:53,167 --> 00:47:55,044 using a Victorian recipe 804 00:47:55,087 --> 00:47:58,124 made from boiling water, suet and flour. 805 00:47:58,727 --> 00:48:01,036 All the fat and the water. 806 00:48:01,847 --> 00:48:05,123 Hot water crust pastry is particularly important for this sort of pie 807 00:48:05,167 --> 00:48:09,524 because it's very tough and doesn't melt when you put it into the oven. 808 00:48:10,247 --> 00:48:11,919 Traditionally, 809 00:48:11,967 --> 00:48:16,358 all pies had to stand up in the oven on their own without a tin. 810 00:48:16,407 --> 00:48:19,717 lt's only in the mid-1 9th century... 811 00:48:20,927 --> 00:48:23,487 ..that technology changes 812 00:48:23,527 --> 00:48:29,523 and it becomes possible to make cheap tins in pretty much any shape you want, 813 00:48:29,567 --> 00:48:32,286 cheap enough for the likes of us to afford. 814 00:48:37,127 --> 00:48:41,040 Fidget pie is called a fidget pie because of its shape. 815 00:48:41,087 --> 00:48:47,037 lt's thought the word ''fidget'' comes from a Shropshire dialect word meaning ''five''. 816 00:48:50,447 --> 00:48:56,044 Now we've sort of formed the pie shape, in goes the filling. 817 00:48:56,087 --> 00:49:00,558 ln some ways, by packing them really full, it helps to support it in the oven. 818 00:49:04,727 --> 00:49:06,718 Slip it on top. 819 00:49:10,207 --> 00:49:13,119 Put a hole in the centre for steam. 820 00:49:15,407 --> 00:49:17,841 OK. ln we go. 821 00:49:23,127 --> 00:49:24,765 The last of the sheep to be moved. 822 00:49:24,807 --> 00:49:27,321 - One lamb each, yeah? - Yes, let's do that. 823 00:49:29,087 --> 00:49:33,797 The lambs are now fending for themselves so it's time to move them out to pasture. 824 00:49:36,247 --> 00:49:40,365 ln theory, when the lambs are taken, their mothers should follow. 825 00:49:42,687 --> 00:49:45,679 The last to go is the ewe with the sore foot... 826 00:49:47,567 --> 00:49:50,559 ..now fully recovered and back to full strength. 827 00:49:51,327 --> 00:49:53,318 (Bleating) 828 00:49:55,287 --> 00:49:58,404 lt'll be a while before Alex's pasture is ready, 829 00:49:59,367 --> 00:50:04,487 so Thomas Acton is letting the sheep graze in his field in front of Acton Scott Hall. 830 00:50:04,527 --> 00:50:06,245 Shall we let these guys go? 831 00:50:06,287 --> 00:50:10,326 - Yeah, let's let them go and run over to Mummy. - lt's paradise field for you guys. 832 00:50:10,367 --> 00:50:12,756 (Bleating) - Oh, dear. 833 00:50:13,767 --> 00:50:15,758 (Ewe bleats) 834 00:50:16,487 --> 00:50:18,478 There we go. Go on, over to... 835 00:50:20,527 --> 00:50:23,963 - There we are. - Look, you've got a view of the hall. 836 00:50:28,887 --> 00:50:31,242 ALEX: Look at that for a success story. 837 00:50:33,007 --> 00:50:37,603 Ten happy mothers and 1 6 lambs. Go on, off you go. Go and play with your friends. 838 00:50:40,607 --> 00:50:43,246 - Well, that's it. - Yes. 839 00:50:43,287 --> 00:50:44,766 - lt's over. - Yes. 840 00:50:44,807 --> 00:50:49,198 l felt, actually, a tinge of sadness when we took that last sheep out. 841 00:50:49,247 --> 00:50:51,238 Empty lambing pen, empty field. 842 00:50:52,007 --> 00:50:55,522 And it seems a shame. Short of shearing them towards the end of the year... 843 00:50:55,567 --> 00:50:57,558 - That's it. - ..that's it. Yeah. 844 00:50:57,607 --> 00:51:01,520 But l question myself as to whether l could eat one of those little lambs. 845 00:51:01,567 --> 00:51:04,240 l think l could...after it's reached maturity, 846 00:51:04,287 --> 00:51:07,916 but as it's being born, it's all about bringing life into the world. 847 00:51:07,967 --> 00:51:11,277 - You're not seeing the pound signs. - No. You're seeing a helpless... 848 00:51:11,327 --> 00:51:13,363 Or the nice lamb shank with mint sauce. 849 00:51:14,327 --> 00:51:17,399 But l think, really, for our first time round, 850 00:51:17,447 --> 00:51:22,123 l think we could hold our heads high at a kind of Victorian livestock fair 851 00:51:22,167 --> 00:51:25,398 and say, ''Look. Nine ram lambs, all in good shape.'' 852 00:51:25,447 --> 00:51:27,722 - Yeah. - And make ourselves a few bob. 853 00:51:27,767 --> 00:51:29,758 Plus seven ewes to breed off of. 854 00:51:29,807 --> 00:51:31,843 - So our flock has increased. - Yep. 855 00:51:31,887 --> 00:51:34,082 Looking forward to this May Day festival? 856 00:51:34,127 --> 00:51:36,118 - Yes. - Excellent. 857 00:51:38,727 --> 00:51:40,638 Why didn't that...? 858 00:51:42,127 --> 00:51:43,526 (Groans) 859 00:51:43,567 --> 00:51:48,960 Ruth got to grips with the sewing machine... in the end, and finished her new summer dress. 860 00:51:53,247 --> 00:51:58,321 lt's taken an age. lf l add it up, l think l'm on nearly 60 hours now. 861 00:51:59,327 --> 00:52:03,878 lt's all very well if you can sit with nothing else to do for a couple of weeks and just work on it, 862 00:52:03,927 --> 00:52:05,599 but... (Sighs) 863 00:52:05,647 --> 00:52:09,037 ..amongst everything, it's been hard. 864 00:52:10,927 --> 00:52:14,636 So this is my first time l've had this on properly. 865 00:52:16,087 --> 00:52:18,555 That should be the straight panel at the front, 866 00:52:18,607 --> 00:52:22,919 then pleated at the side and gathered at the back to help give the shape. 867 00:52:27,207 --> 00:52:29,243 This fits quite nice, actually. 868 00:52:30,807 --> 00:52:32,286 Quite high at the back. 869 00:52:36,407 --> 00:52:38,841 This is all my leftover fabric. 870 00:52:39,807 --> 00:52:43,004 Some of the pieces are big enough to do something useful with. 871 00:52:43,047 --> 00:52:48,485 But these little bits, the little scraps, l can sell these to the rag and bone man. 872 00:52:48,527 --> 00:52:53,203 All these bits of cut fabric will be sorted and then shredded down into fibre... 873 00:52:53,927 --> 00:52:56,236 ..respun and made into new clothes. 874 00:52:56,287 --> 00:52:58,323 Shoddy. That's the name of the fabric. 875 00:52:58,367 --> 00:53:02,679 The modern word ''shoddy'', meaning something of poor quality, comes from this fabric. 876 00:53:02,727 --> 00:53:04,445 lt didn't wear very well. 877 00:53:04,487 --> 00:53:06,284 lt didn't last. 878 00:53:06,327 --> 00:53:07,885 But nonetheless, it's cheap 879 00:53:07,927 --> 00:53:11,556 and people can have clothes who perhaps couldn't have had them otherwise. 880 00:53:13,527 --> 00:53:15,563 Ooh-ooh-ooh! 881 00:53:15,607 --> 00:53:17,802 l'm really pleased with it, actually. 882 00:53:19,247 --> 00:53:21,522 Hey, May Day, here l come. 883 00:53:26,967 --> 00:53:29,925 Good morning, lords and ladies 884 00:53:29,967 --> 00:53:32,527 Good morn to you l say 885 00:53:32,567 --> 00:53:35,081 We've brought for you a garland 886 00:53:35,127 --> 00:53:37,516 For now's the month of May 887 00:53:37,567 --> 00:53:40,240 Oh, it is the first of May 888 00:53:40,447 --> 00:53:42,403 Oh, it is the first of May... 889 00:53:42,447 --> 00:53:46,076 John Kirkpatrick is an expert in English folk traditions. 890 00:53:46,127 --> 00:53:48,925 He's providing the entertainment for May Day, 891 00:53:48,967 --> 00:53:53,085 traditionally one of four important days in the farming calendar. 892 00:53:53,127 --> 00:53:56,119 You get the 2nd of February, which is Candlemas, 893 00:53:56,167 --> 00:53:58,556 May Day, which is a huge, huge festival, 894 00:53:58,607 --> 00:54:00,404 2nd of August is Lammas 895 00:54:00,447 --> 00:54:05,521 and end of October, early November, you get Halloween and Bonfire Night all mixed up. 896 00:54:05,567 --> 00:54:08,877 So May Day was a huge cause for celebration. 897 00:54:08,927 --> 00:54:12,556 The animals are out in the field and everything's starting to bloom and blossom, 898 00:54:12,607 --> 00:54:16,566 so it's kind of a relief that everything's working as it should. 899 00:54:16,607 --> 00:54:19,075 ..and a penny for our cheer 900 00:54:19,127 --> 00:54:21,516 And if we live to tell the tale 901 00:54:21,567 --> 00:54:23,876 We'll call again next year 902 00:54:23,927 --> 00:54:26,316 Oh, it is the first of May 903 00:54:26,367 --> 00:54:29,086 Oh, it is the first of May 904 00:54:29,127 --> 00:54:31,925 Remember, lords and ladies 905 00:54:31,967 --> 00:54:34,276 lt is the first of May 906 00:54:38,967 --> 00:54:40,958 (Cheering) 907 00:54:41,007 --> 00:54:45,956 As a gift to his tenants, Mr Acton has donated some of his famous cider. 908 00:54:46,007 --> 00:54:48,999 - Here's to May. Here's to... - Spring! 909 00:54:49,047 --> 00:54:52,039 - Here's to Spring. - No more cold weather! 910 00:54:52,087 --> 00:54:54,282 (Laughter) - A joyful Spring. 911 00:54:55,007 --> 00:54:57,680 - This is absolutely fine. - lt's an acquired taste. 912 00:54:57,727 --> 00:54:58,398 Yeah. 913 00:54:58,447 --> 00:55:01,484 l really think this is a very scrumptious drink 914 00:55:01,527 --> 00:55:05,236 and l shall look forward to drinking many tankards of it tonight. 915 00:55:06,367 --> 00:55:07,846 (Lively music) 916 00:55:10,727 --> 00:55:14,197 As life on farms and everywhere became more mechanised, 917 00:55:14,247 --> 00:55:15,919 and more scientific, 918 00:55:15,967 --> 00:55:19,004 there was a sort of movement back, a sort of sentimentality 919 00:55:19,047 --> 00:55:21,197 about these older folk traditions. 920 00:55:21,247 --> 00:55:25,843 Celebrations like these were usually alcohol-fuelled raucous affairs, 921 00:55:25,887 --> 00:55:29,675 something that Victorian clergymen were keen to stamp out. 922 00:55:30,447 --> 00:55:35,043 Towards the end of the 1 9th century, May Day was cleaned up and romanticised, 923 00:55:35,087 --> 00:55:38,477 leaving these earlier, drunken celebrations behind. 924 00:55:42,207 --> 00:55:45,995 l find the Acton cider is kind of like the Marmite of the cider world. 925 00:55:46,047 --> 00:55:47,605 You either love it or hate it. 926 00:55:48,327 --> 00:55:51,603 - And l love it. - l can tell from your cheeks. 927 00:55:56,887 --> 00:55:59,242 (Chatter and laughter) 928 00:55:59,287 --> 00:56:01,642 - Anybody want something to eat? - Yes, please. 929 00:56:01,687 --> 00:56:05,646 We've got fidget pie, brawn, and bread. 930 00:56:05,687 --> 00:56:08,281 Can l interest you in a nice bit of brawn. 931 00:56:09,647 --> 00:56:13,162 - The brawn tastes fantastic. Fabulous. - lt was a good pig. 932 00:56:13,207 --> 00:56:15,596 - Where are the eyeballs in this? - There's an eye. 933 00:56:15,647 --> 00:56:18,445 There's an eye, isn't it? There's some brains in the middle. 934 00:56:18,487 --> 00:56:20,523 - Give me that eyeball. - There we go. 935 00:56:21,367 --> 00:56:24,279 lt's not gonna burst open and spray all over my face? 936 00:56:24,327 --> 00:56:25,885 (Ruth laughs) 937 00:56:27,727 --> 00:56:30,002 - Mmm. - They're all right, aren't they? 938 00:56:30,047 --> 00:56:32,402 - lt's very tasty, actually. - Mm. 939 00:56:33,087 --> 00:56:35,601 - lt's fine. - l spent, you know... 940 00:56:35,647 --> 00:56:39,037 quite a long time with those eyeballs looking at me lovingly... 941 00:56:39,727 --> 00:56:42,002 ..every time l came round with the food bucket. 942 00:56:42,047 --> 00:56:44,163 Staring said eyeballs in the face. 943 00:56:47,807 --> 00:56:51,686 Some May Day games involve the new life of the farm. 944 00:56:51,727 --> 00:56:53,718 (Squealing) 945 00:57:00,207 --> 00:57:04,564 We're going to try singing for a pig, a popular game at May fairs and so on. 946 00:57:04,607 --> 00:57:08,156 You hold a piglet under your arm and you sing a song. 947 00:57:08,207 --> 00:57:12,166 Whoever sings the longest before the pig squeals wins the pig. 948 00:57:12,207 --> 00:57:14,198 Brace yourself. Here we go. 949 00:57:17,047 --> 00:57:19,607 Whose pigs are these? 950 00:57:20,647 --> 00:57:24,117 There's little chance of anyone taking this piglet away. 951 00:57:24,167 --> 00:57:27,045 (Squealing) ..in the vicarage garden 952 00:57:27,087 --> 00:57:29,362 (Laughter) - Oh. 953 00:57:30,767 --> 00:57:32,883 - Sing, quick. - (Squealing) 954 00:57:32,927 --> 00:57:34,918 (Laughter) 955 00:57:34,967 --> 00:57:37,845 She knows your game. She knows your game. 956 00:57:38,967 --> 00:57:41,162 (Footsteps thudding on floorboards) 957 00:57:43,927 --> 00:57:48,443 As the party carries on into the night, the farmers now look forward to summer, 958 00:57:48,487 --> 00:57:51,399 where a whole new set of challenges await. 959 00:57:54,327 --> 00:57:56,318 Back the other way. 960 00:57:58,767 --> 00:58:01,440 Next time on Victorian Farm... 961 00:58:01,487 --> 00:58:02,920 it's Summer. 962 00:58:02,967 --> 00:58:04,605 (Whistle) 963 00:58:05,407 --> 00:58:07,557 This is the most fantastic train. 964 00:58:08,607 --> 00:58:10,598 There are sheep to shear... 965 00:58:11,967 --> 00:58:13,559 ..and cheese to make. 966 00:58:13,607 --> 00:58:16,201 Women's work. Doesn't make it any easier. 967 00:58:17,007 --> 00:58:19,362 Alex takes up a risky new enterprise. 968 00:58:19,407 --> 00:58:21,921 How long is it going to be before l get stung? 969 00:58:21,967 --> 00:58:24,925 And it's time for the all-important hay harvest. 970 00:58:24,967 --> 00:58:27,322 Get it right, you've got a hayloft full of hay 971 00:58:27,367 --> 00:58:30,006 for your cows, your sheep and your horses. 972 00:58:30,047 --> 00:58:33,676 lf you get it wrong, it could spell disaster for a farm.