His system, so far as the seasons were concerned, was something like this.

He took a loan (or renewed an old one) at the bank on the security of the first draught of lambs for sale, say, in June.

This paid the labourers and the working expenses of the hay harvest, and of preparing for the corn.

He took the next upon the second draught of lambs in August, which paid the reapers.
He took a third on the security of the crops, partly cut, or in process of cutting, for his Michaelmas rent.

Then for the fall of the year he kept on threshing out and selling as he required money, and had enough left to pay for the winter's work.