'Style of farming; tell you with pleasure.' [Rings the bell.] 'John' (to the manservant), 'take this key and bring me account book No.

6 B, Copse Farm; that will be the best way to begin.' If the visitor knows anything of country life, he cannot help recollecting that, if the old type of farmer was close and mysterious about anything, it was his accounts.

Not a word could be got out of him of profit or loss, or revenue: he would barely tell you his rent per acre, and it was doubtful if his very wife ever saw his pass-book.

Opening account book No.
6 B, the explanation proceeds.
'My system of agriculture is simplicity itself, sir.

It is all founded on one beautiful commercial precept.