Countryside questions, tips and expert answers | The Field

As clear as mud

I am trying to find the origin and meaning of the toast "Here's mud in your eye." I have been to a few parties where this toast has been used and many other guests were as ignorant of its meaning as I was. Can you enlighten?

Driven nuts

Over the past months we have shot 20 grey squirrels as they have been causing extensive damage to our young sycamores and beeches. Yet other squirrels just come and take up where their fellows once stood. Will they keep coming?

Deer devastation

My house sits in the middle of a farm surrounded by forestry. We love to see the wildlife in our garden but are unable to have flower beds as the muntjac and fallow deer come and help themselves. As we don't want to fence the garden are there plants we could have that the deer would not eat? If so, what are they?

Spring pigeon

I may be a dyed-in the wool country bumpkin, but sometimes I envy the urban gardener. Life on a town-centre vegetable plot is so pest-free.

How to trap successfully

There is a widespread myth that to be a successful trapper you need to have inherited generations of skill, learnt at your fathers knee. My father, by whom I was taught a great deal, pooh-poohed this and said that all you needed was common sense and efficient traps. He proved his point  he seemed able to catch almost anything, despite having learnt little more from his dad than how to snare rabbits and deal with mice in the larder.

Catching crayfish

While out walking, my grandchildren and I saw crayfish in the river. We are keen to try and catch some. Is there any law against this and, if not, what is the best way of catching them?

Champagne, keeping the fizz

I read that Sir John Mortimer has a glass of champagne a day and describes it as penicillin for the soul. What a wonderful idea. As Id only have a glass a day what is the best way to keep champagne when opened as a bottle gives six glasses? Or can you suggest a decent, reasonably priced half-bottle?

Moving bees

Last summer a colony of bees took up residence in my attic. I have no wish to harm the squatters, but would like them to change address. They are dormant for now. Is there a humane way of getting rid of them?

Orange gin

On a shoot recently I was given a snifter of 1997 orange gin, a great change from sloe gin. I would like to have a go at making this. Have you got a recipe?

Planting a fruit tree

In this day and age you can plant a fruit tree at any time; pot-grown plants are available all year at garden centres.

Freeze game

As my freezer is virtually full and I am now adding the profits of the current shooting season to it I feel the need to sort out its contents once and for all. Can you advise roughly how long one should freeze venison and pheasants for? I have a couple of joints of venison from 18 months ago! Also, what is the best way to freeze chicken carcasses for turning into stock at a later date?

Billiard table restoration

We have a tired and battered billiard table which we would like to have re-baized and restored for our growing grandchildren. The table has been stored in a barn with the chickens for many years.We are hoping the restored table will make future visits here more exciting as all the children are very competitive.

Storing salami

It's a real joy to be able to buy a large selection of salami on the market, but I find I am given different advice on the best way to store it. Can you help as I plan to give whole salamis as Christmas presents this year and would like to send correct storage advice with them.

In a pickle about walnuts

When do I pick walnuts to pickle them and how do I pickle them? It will be my first crop from two young trees that are six or seven years old and 12ft high.

Rowan vodka

Last year I made rowan jelly but had copious numbers of berries left over. This year I would like to try making something else using the berries. Can one make rowan vodka and, if so, do you have a recipe?

Lavender sugar

Last year I dusted my mince pies with vanilla sugar, which I had made myself. Earlier this year I read an article saying that lavender sugar was also good, but I can't find any information on the correct quantities. I assume you can use dried lavender. <br />

How to make your own Christmas crackers

Learn how to make crackers to ensure your Christmas goes with a bang.

Hatching habitat

There are stirrings in the hedgerows as the peak season for first pheasant and then partridge hatching gets under way. With this comes the biggest dilemma in low-ground wild game production  where to take the chicks?

Poinsettia points

At about this time every year I buy poinsettias to give as Christmas presents. Do they come in colours other than red or white and is it worth trying to keep them going from year to year?