Chapters 37-38 Summary and Analysis

In Chapter 37 Herriot tells the story of Lionel Brough. Lionel is a traditional English farmer with a hodgepodge of animals he keeps in a makeshift pen made of all sorts of materials. From this start, Lionel decides he wants to become a full-time pig farmer. He spends the money he has and builds a fine piggery. Unfortunately Lionel's first batch of pigs is struck with swine fever and many die. Those that don't die must be sold at a reduced rate before they are at their prime. Despite this bad luck, Lionel decides to try again a few months later after his piggery had been cleaned and disinfected.

During his second attempt at pig farming, the pipes to the piggery are damaged and the pigs go without water for a short amount of time. When Herriot is called to...