So many frosts in March, so many in May. March birds are best. APRIL. April showers bring forth May flowers. It's good both for hay and corn. 2162. The equinoctial flowers may be said to commence with the first breaking of the frost before February. These comprehend the snow-drop, the crocus, the colt's-foot, all the tribe of daffodils, narcissi, jonquils, hyacinths, primrose, cyclamen, heart's-ease, violet, cowslips, crown imperial, and many others; and every prognostic connected with these plants is of course indicative of the season of spring. 2163. Rain may be expected when the swallow flies low, and skims backward and forward over the surface of the earth and waters, frequently dipping the tips of its wings into the latter, because the insects have descended from the air to avoid the approaching rain. A superstitious respect is paid to the swallow in many parts of the country even at the present day. Their nests are protected, and it is considered unlucky to molest them even by accident. This is a very old opinion, mentioned by many writers; and the circumstance of their building so close to the habitation of man, indicates that they have long enjoyed freedom from molesta tion. This respect may have originated in the bird being the harbinger of spring, and from its inhabiting churches, temples, and other sacred places, and perhaps, in some measure, from its utility in clearing the air of insects. Swallows at one time, among the Greeks, appear to have been regarded as an evil omen, when a flock of them settled on a tent or ship-their low flight indicating rain, and their settling on buildings is an autumnal custom, previous to their departure, and to the commencement of wintry weather: hence it is, perhaps, they have been considered as portending evil. 2164. The modern husbandman smiles at the precision observed by the ancients in sowing, planting, reaping, and other rustic operations on particular days. This practice, however, till within a very late period, was common in Europe, and even to this day is observed in many parts of Britain. Ray, in his Proverbs, observes"Sow or set beans in Candlemas waddle," that is, in the wane of the moon, which is nearest to the festival of the Purification. These old rustic rules correspond to the numerous observations in the Opera et Dies of Hesiod and other ancient writers.* 2165. The only observation applicable to spring that I can find of the Shepherd of Banbury is, that, "if the last eighteen days of February and ten days of March be for the most part rainy, then the spring and summer quarters are like to be so too; and I never knew a great drought but it entered in that season." + 2166. It is in spring that certain kinds of cutaneous eruptions usually appear; and, to prevent such maladies, it used to be the practice, if not so yet, to administer purgative medicine to young people every spring. 2167. A phenomenon sometimes occurs in spring, which, under peculiar circumstances, injures plants irremediably for the season, and even kills them. When hoar-frost occurs copiously in a calm clear evening, and should the clearness of the air continue until the sun rises cloudless in the east, the sudden melting of the hoar-frost by the heat of the sun has the effect of scorching, as if by fire, upon the tender twigs of plants; and should the sap, moreover, be in a state of activity, and the young leaves budding forth, the leaves will not only be scorched, but all the branches bearing them will die in the course of a few days. This effect may be seen along the east side of a thorn hedge, after the leaves have been partially developed; and such was the general effect of this scorching, in the spring of 1837, that every beech, plane, or oak, that was coming into leaf were destroyed; and even many evergreens, that had withstood forty winters, which * Forster's Researches about Atmospherical Phenomena, p. 284. Such happened to be exposed to its influence, young therewith. Tom-tits clamber round every branch of the trees which indicate an opening of their floret buds. The swallows at length appear, giving animation to the air, and the stream of migration to the N. betokens the approach of genial weather. 2170. "By the time the season is fairly confirmed, the leisure-hours of the cottagers," and of the ploughmen, who are cottagers of the best kind, are spent, in the evening, "in the pleasing labour, not unaccompanied with amusement, of trimming their little gardens, and getting in their early crops. There is no sort of village occupation which men, women, and children set about with greater glee and animation than this; for, independently of the hope of the produce, there is a pleasure to the simple and unsophisticated heart in 2168. During a snow-storm in spring, wild birds, becoming almost famished, resort to the haunts of man. The robin is a constant visitor, and helps himself with confidence to the crumbs placed for his use. The male partridge calls in the evening within sight of the house, in hopes of obtaining some support before collecting his covey together for the night to rest upon the snow. In the severe snow-storm of 1823, several coveys used to approach my own door at sunset, and oftentimes, ere putting down the sheaf of barley for their nightly meal, at the root of an old beech-seeing things grow,' which, perhaps, they tree, the old cocks announced their arrival by the loud chirrup-like call. I believe that, had it not been for this timely supply of food, many coveys of partridges would have perished in the severity and length of that memorable storm. Hares came to the very door in the evening, and through the night in the moonlight, to receive the food set down for them; and so powerful a tamer is hunger of the most timorous creatures, that even the wood-pigeons, in large flocks, used daily to frequent an orchard immediately behind the house, to pick the tall curly greens which overtopped the snow, -their favourite food, the Swedish turnip, being then buried in the fields beneath the snow. The rooks now make desperate attacks upon the stacks, and, if allowed, will soon make their way through the thatch. Making their attacks upon the top, they seem to be aware of the exact place where the corn can be most easily reached. The sparrows burrow in the thatch; and even the lively tom-tit, with a strength and perseverance, one should suppose, beyond its ability, pulls out whole straws from the sides of the stacks, to procure the grain in the ear. 2169. Further on in the season, the insect world come into active life in myriads, to serve as food for the feathered tribes. Rooks, with sturdy walk and independent gait, diligently search the ground for them, in the wake of the plough, and feed their who feel the most are least able to explain. Certain it is, however, that it would be highly desirable, that not only every country labourer, but every artisan in towns, where these are not so large as to prevent the possibility of it, should have a little bit of garden, and should fulfil the duty which devolved on man in a state of innocence, 'to keep it and to dress it.' It is impossible for any one who has not carefully attended to the subject, to be at all aware how strong the tie is which binds man even to a little spot of his native earth, if so be that he can consider it as his own, and that he himself, and those on whom he loves to bestow it, are to enjoy the fruit. This is the very strongest natural hold which binds a poor man to his country, and to all those institutions established for the wellbeing of society. Show me the cottage, the roses and the honeysuckles on which are neatly trimmed and trained, and the garden behind is well stocked with culinary herbs and a few choice flowers, and I will speedily find you a cottager who never wastes his time or money, or debases his mind, and learns the broad road which leadeth to destruction,' in the contamination of an alehouse. If the garden is neat, one may rest assured that the cottage, however humble it is, is the abode of contentment and happiness; and that, however simple the fare may be, it is wealth and luxury in full store to the inmates, because they are satisfied with it. and grateful for the possession of it." * I believe that the contentment of the lot of the Scottish married ploughmen, and of the attachment to the farm upon which they serve, may be traced to the principles evolved in these remarks. No doubt, much yet remains to be done to inculcate on them and their families the advantages of practising habits of personal and domestic cleanliness. Hinds' houses, in this respect, might be much improved; and if they were, an air of tidiness and comfort would attend their dwellings, which at present is too generally awanting. A great deal depends on the example of the farmer himself; for while he keeps his garden and shrubbery and little avenue in a slovenly manner, it is not to be expected in servants to evince a desire to excel their master. 2171. A farmer's garden gets a trimming twice or thrice a-year, and in the mean season weeds riot on without molestation, and its produce is plucked as best suits the convenience or caprice of the kitchen-maid. Doubtless, considerable crops of vegetables are raised in these gardens; more by strength of manure than skill of culture. It is, I am aware, inconvenient to obtain the assistance of the professional gardener in the country when his services may be most wanted; but when a hedger is employed on a farm, he should learn as much of the art of gardening as to be able to keep the farmer's garden in decent order in the absence of the gardener, whose principal duty should be to crop the ground in the respective seasons. A fieldworker now and then could keep the weeds in subjection, and allow both the sun and air free access to the growing plants. 2172. Towards the end of spring, the farmer thinks of disposing of his fat cattle; but, should he not be offered the price he considers them worth, he keeps them on, and even determines to put them to grass. The dealer and butcher affect shyness in purchasing at this season, knowing the abundance of fat stock in the country; but are, nevertheless, unwilling to allow a prime lot slip through their hands, and, therefore, keep a sharp look-out on all the best stock for disposal. The ready means of steam conveyance to London for fat * Mudie's Spring, p. 274-5. stock and dead meat, gives the farmer a great advantage over the butcher, which the latter now avails himself of by closing a ready bargain on the best conditions he can make. 2173. Spring is the season for the letting of grass parks. These usually belong to landed proprietors, and form a portion of their park or lawn. The ready demand for such grass parks induces the retention of pleasure-grounds in permanent pasture, while it removes every temptation in their owners to speculate in the purchasing and grazing of cattle. It is not customary for farmers to let their grass-parks, except in the neighbourhood of large towns, where cowfeeders and butchers tempt them with high prices. Pasture grass is so convenient for the stock of those classes of people, that they will give any price for it rather than want it. In regard to the effect which letting of grass-parks by tenants has on the rights of the landlord, I may mention that his "hypothec extends over the crops and live-stock of the tenant, including horses, cows, sheep, cattle, and every description of stock raised on the farm, but it does not extend to the cattle of others taken in to graze. On this ground it has been held an irritancy of the lease, should the tenant, instead of stocking the farm, take in cattle to graze, and thereby give the landlord no security for his rent.-(MacKye, December 4, 1780, M. 6214.)" + Facility of obtaining grassparks in the country is at times useful to the farmer who raises grazing stock, by putting it in his power to give them, perhaps, a better bite or warmer shelter than he can offer them himself, on the division of the farm which happens to be in grass. 2174. The landed proprietor has also to seek a market in spring for his timber, which he annually fells in thinning his plantations. Such sales afford convenient supplies to farmers in want of paling for fencing new hedges, wood for sheep-flakes or stobs, or timber for the erection of shedding for animals, or for implements. They are also serviceable to country joiners and implement-makers, in affording them necessary materials nigh at hand. The timber is felled by the owner, and + The Farmer's Lawyer, p. 46. on a farm of mixed husbandry are about to occupy all hands for several months to come, the injunction of old Tusser, to undertake them in time, so that each may be finished in its proper season, should be regarded as sound advice; for whenever field labour is advanced ever so little at every opportunity of weather and leisure, no premature approach of the ensuing season can come unawares; and no delay beyond its usual period will find you unprepared to proceed with the work. When work proceeds by degrees, there is time to do it effectually; and if it is not so done, you have yourself to blame for not looking after it. When work is advancing by degrees, it should not be done in a careless manner, to impress the work-people with the non-importance of what they are doing. The advantage of doing even a little effectually is not to have it to do over again afterwards; and a small piece of work may be done as well, and in as short a time, in proportion, as a greater operation. Even if only one man is kept constantly at the plough, he would turn over, in the course of a time considered short when looked back upon, an extent of ground almost incredible. He will turn over an imperial acre a day—that is, 6 acres a week, 24 acres in a month, and 72 acres in the course of the dark and short days of the winter quarter. All this he will accomplish on the supposition that he has been enabled to go at the plough every working day; but as that cannot probably happen in the winter quarter, suppose he turns over 50 acres in that time, these will still comprehend the whole extent of ground allotted to be worked by every pair of horses in the year. Thus is a large proportion of a whole year's work done in a single, and in the shortest, quarter of the year. 2177. Now, a week or two may quickly pass in winter, in doing things which, in fact, amount to time being thrown awaysuch as sending away all the teams to a stock corn-market, on a day when there is little prospect of disposing of the grain, and when of course they would have been better employed at home at the plough; or driving some material on the farm, which would have been easier done when the ploughs were laid idle at any rate by frost; or setting men to thrash or winnow corn, and allowing the horses to be idle for the time; or contriving some unimportant work to fill up the time for half a day. Such instances of misdirected labour are only regarded as trifles in winter; but they occupy as much time as more important work-and in a season, too, when every operation of the field is preparatory to others to be executed in a more busy season. The state of the work should be a topic for the farmer's frequent consideration, whether or not it is as far advanced as it should be; but rather than accuse himself of neglect, should the work be backward, he consoles his unsatisfied mind that when the season for active work really arrives, the people will be able to make up for the lost time. Mere delusion; for if work can be made up, so can time, the two being inseparable; and yet, how can lost time be made up, when every moment of the year has its work, and when that period, long as it seems, is usually found too short in which to do everything as it ought to be done. The result is, that the neglected work must be done in an unprecedentedly short time, and consequently in an inefficient manner. 2178. Convinced that field-labour should be perseveringly advanced in winter, whenever practicable, I am of opinion that plan is good which apportions ploughmen to different departments of labour. some to work constantly on the farm, others occasionally to go from home-some as constantly as possible at the plough, others frequently at the cart. Thus the benefits of the subdivision of labour are extended to farm operations. When a certain proportion of the draughts are appointed especially to plough, that most important of all operations will not only be well, but perseveringly executed. This proportion of the ploughmen will only be legitimately employed at any other work when there is no ploughing to be executed. Ploughing being a steady occupation, not subject to irregular action like the cart, may be performed by the older men and horses. 2179. It may be proper to give a familiar example of what I mean by having field-labour advanced at every opportunity. The work in spring is to sow the ensuing crops; it should therefore be the study of the farmer in winter to advance the spring sowing. When the weather is tempting to sow spring-wheat, then let a portion of the land, cleared of turnips by the sheep, be ploughed to answer wheat instead of barley. If beans are desiderated, then let the particular ploughing suited to their growth be executed; and in whatever mode the beans are to be cultivated, care should be taken in winter to have the land appointed for them particularly dry, by letting off the surface-water in winter by a few additional gaw-cuts where necessary, or by deepening those already existing. Where common oats are to be sown, they being sown earlier than the other sorts, the lea intended for them should be ploughed first, and the land kept dry in winter; so that the most unpropitious weather in spring may not find the land in an unprepared state. The land intended for potatoes, for turnips, or tares, or bare fallow, should be prepared in their respective order; and when every one of all these objects have been promoted, and there is little or nothing to do till the burst of spring-work arrives, horses and men may both enjoy a day's rest now and then, without incurring the risk of throwing the work back; but before any recreation be indulged in, it should be ascertained that all the implements required for the springwork, great and small, have been repaired for work-the plough-irons new laid-the harrow-tines new laid, sharpened, and firmly fastened the harness tight and strong-the sacks patched and darned, that no seed-corn be spilt upon the road-the seed-corn thrashed, measured up, and sacked, and what may be last wanted put into the granary-the horses new shod, that no casting or breaking of a single shoe may throw a pair of horses out of work for even one single hour-in short, to have everything ready to start for the work whenever the first notice of spring shall be heralded in the sky. 2180. But suppose the contrary of all this to happen-that the plough-irons and harrow-tines have to be laid and sharpened, when perhaps to-morrow they may be wanted in the field-a stack to be thrashed for seed-corn or for horse's-corn when the sowing of a field should be proceeding; suppose that only a week's work has been lost, in winter, of a single pair of horses, the consequence will be in spring that 6 |