Received another letter from Mr Stone about the proposed gardening lectures, and replied to it and wrote to Poulton in enclosing it. A very bright but intensely cold day. I did not go out.

Cutting from the Banbury Guardian, 14 February 1895

SIBFORD FERRIS.

A LARGE RAT.—During threshing operations on the farm of Mr. R. H. Lamb on Friday last, an unusually large rat was killed. Its length, including the tail, was 19¼ inches and it weighed 17 oz. It would be interesting to know whether specimens of this size are often found in a wild state.