There are times when we are forcefully reminded how, over the last 100 years or so, the advances in science have created the knowledge to produce modern labour-saving equipment.

We have designated a small acreage of the farm to grow a mix of plants to encourage bees and other insects. The mix is mainly different varieties of clover and trefoil but I thought it would be good to add some wild flowers.

Unfortunately, it is not easy with the modern sowing equipment to evenly sow such a mixture – as all gardeners will know, some seeds are very small and round and others are long and thin –  so I decided to revert to using a “fiddle drill”. It is an antique farming device that you carry over the field whilst moving a “bow” backwards and forwards in time with your strides. This makes a spinning disc throw the seed out evenly – that’s the theory anyway.

After spending half an hour trying to fathom out how best to adjust the setting to ensure an even spread, I set off at a good pace to get the job done quickly.  I only had to sow 3 acres but by the end of it I was pleased that we don’t have to sow all the farm like this; the farmers years ago must certainly have been a lot fitter than me!

Rob