CALENDARIAL INDEX. THOUGH agricultural operations, in general, require less nicety as to the exact time of performing them than many of those of gardening, yet there are exceptions in respect to some field crops; for example, beans and turnips. It is proper to observe, therefore, that the almanac time in this Calendar is calculated for the meridian of London; but as a Calendar of nature is given for the metropolitan district, the almanac time may, in every part of the empire, be varied to suit the local climate and vegetation. In general, other circumstances being alike, four days may be allowed for every degree, or every 70 miles north or south of London; in spring, operations may be commenced earlier in that proportion southwards, and later northwards; but in autumn the reverse, and operations deferred as we advance southwards, and accelerated as we proceed to the north. In every case allowing a due weight to local circumstances. Our notices under each month extend only to a few of the leading features of countrywork; - to attempt to insert every thing, or even most of the things that require attending to, we conceive impossible; and, if it could be done, quite useless. A man will always act better when guided by his own judgment, than when following implicitly that of another. Calendars should only be considered as remembrancers, never as directories. JANUARY. 1. Calendar of Animated Nature round London. In the first werk: shelles snails (Hèlix) and earth-worms (Lumbricus terrestris) appear. Steund weck: redbreast (Motacilla Rubicola) whistles, nuthatch (Sitta europa) chatters, missel thrush (Turdus viscívorus) sings, and wagtails (Motacilla alla et flava) appear. Third week: the common lark (Alauda arvensis) congre gates. Fourth week: snails (Heix hortensis) and slugs Limax ater et hyalinus) abound in the sheltered parts of gardens; the hedge sparrow (Motacilla modularis) whistles, the large tit mouse (Parus major) sings, and flies appear on windows. 2. Calendar of Vegetable Nature round London. In the first reeek: some plants accidentally in flower; and others, as the Laurustinus, continued from December. Second week: winter aconite (Eranthis hyemalis), Christmas Tose (Helleborus for tilus) in flower, and hazel (Corylus AvelYana) catkins beginning to appear: common honeysuckle Lonicera Periclemenum) buds begin to appear. Third werk: primrose (Primula vulgaris) flowers in sheltered places: daisy (Bellis perennis) and chickweed (Alsine média) begin to flower. Fourth week: mezereon (Dáphné Mezèreum) begins to flower; i and sometimes spurry (Spergula arvensis), pansey (Viola trí. color), white scented violet (Viola odorata), archangel (Lamium rubrum), and coltsfoot (Tussilago purpurea et odorata) show blossoms. 11 3. Farm-yard. (902) Attend to cattle, whether in the open yard on straw and a few e turnips (3411.), in hammels for feeding (6856.), or in stalls 1-46852). See that the weak are not driven from their proper share of green food by the strong; notice any in bad condition, and put them in a place by themselves for a few weeks. When the hay or straw is of inferior quality or flavour, sprinkle with salt water, which will make it more palatable. Threshing (3199.) goes on pretty regularly at this season for the sake of a supply of straw. In some districts it is common to thresh an hour every morning by candle-light during the three winter months, the candles being hung up in lanterns. See that the gudgeons and other places are kept olled, and the teeth of wheels greased or soaped, or coated with antiattrition. Implements not now in use may be repaired, also harness greased, ropes spliced, and various evening jobs executed, where it is customary to work a part of the winter evenings. It is REMARKS. A cold January is reckoned seasonable; the air being drier during a low state of the thermometer than when it is a little above or below the freezing point: winter-cold is generally less felt by animals than that of March. Winds often prevail during this month. The calendar of animated nature is much more to be depended on than the vegetable calendar; for except the carkins on trees, the state of the other plants during this month depends much on the character of the preceding autumn. to the rest; one may instract the others on any subject; a master may be got in for mm hour or two every evening, who would teach them all. A master suitable for this purpose will often be found among the married servants, or among the village mechanics. To serious studies may be joined recreative ones, such as the flute, violin, story-telling, singing, speechmaking, dramatic attempts, &c. The bailift or farmer should Occasionally come and examine each lad, and bestow some mark of approbation on the most deserving, 4. Live Stock. (6216.) Store farms (7191.), whether of sheep or cattle, require con siderable attention during the winter and spring months to supply straw and hay, with such green food as can be spared, to stock on scanty pastures; and to shelter during storms, especially of snow. Lambs are dropped during this month by the Dorset sheep, and near London are generally kept in the house and fed. (7224.) These require regular attention." Calves fatting at this season (6845.) should be kept very clean, and their supplies of milk liberal. Calves to be reared as stock should never be dropped sooner than April. Pigs (7283.), poultry (7435.), and stock in general, should be kept in good heart at this season, otherwise in the spring months they will be fit for nothing, and half the summer will elapse before they recover the bad effects of winter starvation. Fish, when the ponds are covered with ice, require attention, to break holes to admit air. (7572.) Bees if dormant do not require to be fed; but if the weather is so mild, or they are placed in so warm a situation as to occa. sion their flying about, they should be examined, to ascertain if feeding be requisite. (7602.) 5. Grass Lands. (5643.) Dry soils and uplands should alone be stocked with cattle or young horses at this season. (5539.) Sheep should not be allowed to graze either on wet marshy meadows or on young elovers. (6543.) Grass lands, under a system of irrigation, may now be kept covered. (4387.) Clayey soils and others not properly drained should now have that operation effectually performed on the surface (4294.) or under it (1282.), according to circumstances. Worms (7704.) on some soils do considerable injury to grass, Where the labour is not considered too much, and there is a water barrel at any rate, they may be killed by mixing powder of lime with the water, at the rate of one pint to ten gallons. On lawns, and in small paddocks, or in the case of fermes orners, getting rid of worm casts is an object worth attending to; and this month, February, and October, are the best seasons for the operation. 6. Arable Lands. (4925.) Men's lodge. (4160) In some districts the unmarried farmservants have a common living-room in the farmery, with a sleeping-room over, or sleeping rooms over the horses. the duty of the farmer or bailit to see that these young men are properly occupied during the long winter evenings. A portion of every man's time will be taken up in mending his clothes or shoes, and sometimes in oiling and cleansing horse harness; the rest they ought to be encouraged to pass in read. ing, or otherwise instructing themselves. One may read aloud | freely, and answer their respective ends. Plough when the soil is not too wet. Lead out dung and form field dunghills, also compost heaps, with peat or other matters. See that drains, ditches, and water-furrows run Beans (5222.) are in some dry situations planted in the last week of the month; and also peas, and sometimes oats, are Bown. On the whole, however, it is better to defer the beans and peas till the first and second weeks of February, and the oats till the two last weeks of that month. Spring wheat of the common kind (5025.) may be sown where the soil is suitable. 7. Fences (2960.), Roads (3523.), and Drains. (4213.) Hawthorns may be planted in fence-lines, in any of the dif ferent modes. (2972) Ditches, walls, palings, and all other fences of the common kind may be formed; but none where hollies or other evergreens are to be used. Repair by the dif ferent modes. (2987.) Roads and drains may be formed at all times and seasons. 8. Orchards (4079.) and Hop-grounds. (5997.) Prune trea and free them of moss. Where digging round each tree is practised, this is a good season. Stake and te newly planted trees. Plant orchards. Trench ground for hop plantations. (6007.) 9. Wood-lands and Plantations. (3906.) Prepare the soil for planting. Plant deciduous hard-wooded trees in mild weather. Plant and sow the larger tree seeds, whether in places where they are finally to remain, or in nursery-grounds. Fell timber and coppice not valuable on account of its bark. Stock up roots, stack them, and char them. Prune deciduous trees; fill up vacancies. Cut hawthorn hedges. (2983.) Gather any tree seeds not before gathered. Drain wood-lands and cut paths or other openings required through them, the leaves being now off the deciduous sorts. 1. Calendar of Animated Nature round London. In the first week: bees (Apis mellifica) come out of their hives, gnats (Culex) play about, insects (Insecta) swarm under sunny hedges, and the earth-worm (Lumbricus terrestris) lies out; hen-chaffinches (Fringilla) flock, and the song-thrush, or throstle (Turdus músicus), and common lark (Alauda arvensis) sing. Second week: the buntings (Emberiza alba), and linnets (Fringilla Linòta), appear in flocks; sheep (0'vis Aries) drop their lambs; geese (Anas A'nser) begin to lay. Third week rooks: Corvus frugilegus) begin to pair, and resort to their nest-trees; house-sparrows (Fringilla doméstica) chirp, and begin to build; the chaffinch (Fringilla cœlebs) sings. Fourth week: the partridge (Tétrao Pérdix) begins to pair, the blackbird (Turdus Mérula) whistles, and the wood-lark (Alauda arvensis et arbórea) sings; the hen (Phasianus Gállus) sits. 2. Calendar of Vegetable Nature round London. In the first neck: the snowdrop (Galánthus nivalis), whin (Ulex europa), white deadnettle (Lamium álbum), polyanthus (Primula veris) flowers; and the elder (Sambucus nigra), and some roses and honeysuckles, begin to expand their leaves. Second week: common crowfoot (Ranúnculus rèpens), dandelion (Léontodon Taraxacum), and the female flowers of hazel (Corylus Avellana) appear. Third week: Verónica agrestis in flower; many of the poplar and willow tribe show their catkins; and also the yew (Taxus baccata), alder (Alnus communis), the tulip (Tulipa), crown imperial (Fritillaria imperialis), and various other bulbs, boldly emerging from the ground. Fourth week the Erica carnea, wood strawberry (Fragaria vésca), some speedwells (Verónica), the groundsel, and sometimes the stocks and wall-flower (Cheiranthus) in flower. Some sorts of gooseberries, apricots, and peaches, beginning to open their buds. 3. Farm-yard. (2902.) See last month. In taking in stacks to thresh, destroy vermin as inuch as possible. (6632.) Clear away the bottoming of straw, faggots, or other temporary matter, and leave the site perfectly neat and clean: the poultry will pick up what grains may have dropped. Be vigilant in keeping stock of every description in order; wintering cattle by frequent supplies of fresh straw and turnips, or other reots; horses by sound corn, and good peas-straw, or clover-hay, dispensing as much as possible with wheat and oat straw. The evening food should, occasionally at least, be of carrots or potatoes, Poultry now lay freely; and if some indicate a desire to incubate, so much the better where an early brood is an object. Men's lodge. There are still a good many hours for mental improvement. 4. Live Stock. (6216.) REMARKS. This month (the spring or sprout kale month of the Saxons) is usually subject to much rain or snow; either is accounted seasonable: the old proverb being, " February fill dike with either black or white." Round London, the sap in vegetables shows evident symptoms of motion about the middle of the mouth, and sometimes a week earlier. The animal calendar, and inflorescence of native trees for this month, will generally be found very 6 Arable Lands. (4925.) Beans should be put in during this month. (5222.) Peas for podding, and for a ripened crop, may be sown at different periods (5121.), and tares for soiling or seed. (5257.) Oats sown from the middle of this month to the middle of March (5120.) unless on very old turf, where they may be sown later. It is a common but erroneous opinion, that old grass lands intended to be broken up and sown with oats or beans, should be ploughed as early as possible, so as the frost may have some effect on the furrow before sced-time. But this, though most plausible, is a most dangerous doctrine, it being found from experience, that lands so ploughed and sown are always more subject to have the plant of corn destroyed by the grub, wire-worm, or other larvæ. The only safe mode with such lands, is not to plough them till about the middle of March, and then to plough, sow, and roll immediately afterwards. It would ap pear that by this practice the larvae of insects are buried so deep, that they have not time to reach the surface before the grain has germinated and grown out of the reach of their attacks, or probably they may be so deeply buried as to be obliged to remain another season under ground; it being known to naturalists, that the eggs, larvæ, and chrysalide of many insects, like the seeds of many plants, will, when buried too deep, or otherwise placed in circumstances not favourable for their immediate hatching or germination, remain there, retaining their principle of life, till they can make their way, or are by accident placed in circumstances favourable for their development. The safest plan, however, to break up old grass land is to pare and burn. (5865.) Spring wheat of the common kind may now be advantageously sown (5004.), and barley is also sown in some warm spots in the last week of the month. 7. Fences (4213.), Roads (3523.), Drains, Ditches (2960.), Ponds. (4467.) Hedges may be planted (2978.), grown ones pruned (2981.), old ones plashed or cut down (2987.), and imperfect ones repaired. Walls built (3056.), water fences and ponds forined. (4467.) 8. Orchards (4079.) and Hop-grounds. (5997.) See last month. 9. Wood-lands and Plantations. (3906) As in last month. Where there is a nursery store, nut and Sheep generally begin to lamb during this month, and re- I kernel tree seeds may now be sown. Pourth resek: the yellowhammer (Emberiza Citrinella) and green wood-pecker (Picus viridis) sing; rooks, ravens (Corvi), and house pigeons (Columba) build; the goldfinch (Fringilla Carduelis) sings. Field-crickets (Scarabai) open their holes; and the common flea (Pulex irritans) appears. 2. Calendar of Vegetable Nature round London. In the first week: various species of the pine, larch, and fir tribe in full flower; the rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), the willow (Salix) and bay (Laurus nobilis) in blossom; various trees and shrubs beginning to open their lands. Second week: the common honeysuckle (Lonicera Periclýmenum), and some roses in leaf; Crocus vérnus, and other subspecies, and some Scfllæ in flower. Pilewort (Ficària), and creeping crowfoot (Ranunculus repens), Hepatica, and elder (Sambucus nigra), sometimes in leaf. Third week: Saxifraga oppositifolia, Drába vérna, Daphne póntica, and collina; and Lonicera nigra, in flower. Fourth week: the peach, nectarine, apricot, Corchorus japónicus, Pyrus japúnica, crown imperial, Saxifraga crassifolia, Buxus sempervirens, and other plants, in warm situations, in flower, or just advancing to that state. 3. Farm-yard. (2902.) Wintering cattle should be liberally supplied with food from this time, till they can be wholly turned to grass: as straw and hay gets drier at this season, more should be given, and the supply of turnips, or other roots, rather increased than diminished. Where oil cake, brewers' grains, and similar articles can be obtained, they are valuable auxiliaries. Fatting cattle (6852.) and milch cows (6863.) require continued attention to food, cleanliness, and moderate exercise. Working horses must be kept in good condition; if they fall off now, they will not recover themselves for several months. Potatoes may now be cut into sets preparatory for next month. 4. Live Stock. (6216.) Sheep now drop their lambs freely; and none pay better than such as are turnip fed at this time, and finished off in April, on forward pasture. As turnips begin to run to flower about this time, they are apt to prove more than usually laxative, and therefore the stock supplied with them should have an extra supply of hay. 5. Grass Lands. (5643.) Meadows intended for mowing (5768.) should now be shut up, their surface having been freed from stones or other extraneous matters, the furrows or water gutters made completely eflective, and, if the weather will permit, the surface bush-harrowed, and rolled. Meadows which have been flooded during winter will, in favourable situations, show a considerable crop of grass by the beginning of this month. Turn off the water a week or ten days, till the surface gets firm; then feed with ewes and lambs, giving a little hay in the evening. Calves may also be turned on these meadows, but nothing heavier. The best mode is to hurdle off the grass in strips, in the manner of eating turnips or clover in the places of their growth. Moles (7631.) and worms (7701.) are best destroyed at this season. 6. Arable Lands. (4925.) There are few hardy seeds, whether of agriculture or gardening, that may not be committed to the soil during this month. Spring wheat of the common kind (5001.) may still be sown; but if possible, not later than the middle of the month; oats (5120.), rve (5069.), barley (5080.), canary corn (5169.), buckwheat (6111.), beans (5222.), pens (5121.), tares (5257.), &c. Clover and rye grass (5621.) may now be sown among young wheats after naked fallows, or among spring com in funds m good heart and fine tilth. Field beet (5482.), carrots (5443.), parsneps (5471.), and Swedish turnips should be sown the last fortnight of the month, provided the land is dry enough to be sufficiently cleaned, and pulverised to the depth of at least a foot. It more frequently happens that this cannot he got done till the beginning of April, and hence this class of seds is seldom got in before the middle of that month. The carrots should be first sown, and the Swedish turnip will bear to be the latest. Lands intended for potatoes, carriages, turnips, transplanted Swedish turnip, and other plants of the Brássica kind should be brought forward by such ploughings, cross ploughings, and workings with the grubber, as their nature and state may require. It is one great advantage of the common white turnip, that it admits of two months more time for preparing the soil than other root or Brássica crops. Summer or wheat fallows require at least one furrow in course of the month. 7. Fences (2960.) Roads (3523.), and Drains. (4213.) Thorns and other hedge plants may be put in, but the earlier in the month the business is completed the better. This is an excellent season for making or repairing roads (3727.), drains, ponds, embankments, &c., the ground being still inoist, and the days sufficiently long to admit of a man's labouring ten hours, or from six to six. In January, the ground is often too wet, or frozen, or covered with snow, and the days too short for advan. tageous day labour. In July and August the ground is too dry and hard for spade work, and day labour high on account of the proximity of hay time and harvest. 8. Orchards (4079.) and Hop Grounds. (5997.) Finish pruning fruit-trees (4111.), and also digging round their stems, if that is practised. (4119.) Where young orchards are grazed, see that the guards or fences to the single trees are in repair. Form plantations of hops (5997.), and open up and dress the hills of established plants, returning the mould to their roots. (6025.) 9. Wood-lands and Plantations. (3906) In the tree nursery, finish sowing acorns, keys, nuts, mast, berries, stones. Sow also the lighter trees, as poplar seed (where it can be got), willow, birch, alder, elm, &c. Transplant from the seed bed, or from narrow to broader intervals, and attend to other parts of the usual routine culture, New plantations may still be planted, endeavouring if possible to finish putting in deciduous trees with the month; using the puddle in dry weather (3940.), and fixing by water. (3952.) Where large trees are introduced, the latter generally require to be staked. Evergreens of the harder kinds, as the Scotch pine, spruce fir, &c. may be transplanted in the last week of the month, but not safely before. They are often put in during any of the winter months, but the result shows the impropriety of the practice. Fill up blanks (3983.) in young plantations and hedges, and fell timber, cut over coppice woods, and thin out young woods as in last month. When plantations are to be raised from seed where they are to remain for timber (3926.), this is the month for most seed, but April is better for the pine and fir tribe. Sow the others in the second or third week of the month; and if resinous trees are to be mixed, a sprinkling of their soods can be sown over the others in Aprif. 1. Calendar of Animated Nature round London. In the first week: the viper (Coluber berus) and woodlouse (Oniscus Asellus) appear; the misseltoe thrush (Túrdus visefvorus) pairs; frogs (Rana) croak and spawn, and moths (Phalænæ) appear. Second week: the stone curlew (Charadrius Edicnémus) clamours; young frogs (Rana temporária) appear. The pheasant (Phasianus) Crows, the trout (Salmo Trutta) rises, and spiders (Araner) abound. Third week: the crested wren (Motacilla Régulus) sings; the blackbird (Turdus Mérula), raven (Córvus Corax), pigeon (Colúmba doméstica), hen (Phasianus Gallus), and duck (Anas bóscha) sit; various insects appear; and the feldfare (Turdus pilaris) is still here. Fourth week: the swallow (Hirundo rústica) returns; the nightingale (Motacilla Luscinia) sings; the bittern (Ardea rotellaria) makes a noise; the house martin (Hirundo úrbica) appears; the blackcap (Motacilla Atricapilla) whistles; and the common snake (Coluber Natrix) appears. 2. Calendar of Vegetable Nature round London. In the first week: the daffodil (Narcissus Pseudo-narcissus), the garden hyacinth (Hyacinthus orientalis), the wallflower (Cheiranthus Cheiri), the cow slip (Primula officinalis), the periwinkle (Vinca), sloe (Prunus spinosa), and various other herbs and trees in flower. Second week: the ground-ivy (Glechòma hederacea), gentianella (Gentiana acaulis), Pulmonaria virginica, the auricula, Ibèris sempervirens, Omphalodes vérna, and most of the common fruit trees and fruit shrubs in flower. REMARKS. The weather of this month is distinguished by the ra pidity of its changes. It is generally stormy, inter. spersed with gleams of sunshine, hail, snow, some frost, and occasionally violent storms of wind. It is a month of the utmost activity to the cultivator of arable land, who during its course finishes the sowing of spring coms and grasses, and begins that of roots and leaves. Fourth week: the beech (Fagus) and elm (Ulmus) in flower; ivy-berries drop from the racemes; the larch in leaf, and the tulip and some white narcissi and fritillaries in flower. 3. Farm-yard. (2902) This month will in most situations terminate the wintering of cattle in the straw-yard. Straw is now very dry, therefore turnips, or other green food or roots, should be added in proportion. Horses should be kept in high order, on account of the hard work and extra exertion often required of them during this month. If there are carrots or potatoes to steam for them once a day, that will greatly aid hay and corn; if not, steam a part of the hay The accidental supplies of food for store pigs and poultry are less abundant during this month, because less time can be spared for threshing. There are fewer wintering cattle, and the yards are generally now cleaned out for the field dung hills. 4. Live Stock. (6216.) The end of this month is a good time for mares to foal (6629.), and they should have the horse accordingly. (6631.) Attend at the proper periods, first to moderate working, and then to entire case before foaling time. (6641.) Cons must still be well fed with roots or steamed food, within doors, letting them taste the grass occasionally towards the end of the month. (6863.) Sheep and lambs generally require a good deal of artificial food during the first half of this month. When the turnips are expended, clover hay, grains of barley which have been malted, rape cake, or linseed cake, are the next resources. (6694.j About the end of the month they may be turned on the pa tures, and then it is that mutton generally drops in price :- a hint to the farmer to sell all he can in the early part of April. Third week: some Robinie, Andrómeda, Kálmie, and other American shrubs; Daphne Lauréola, Ulmus campestris, Chrysosplenium oppositifolium, Mercurialia perénnis, and other plants in tlower. Where there are water-meadows, the sheep and lambs will have been fattening on these during the whole of the month, -an immense advantage to a farmer. Poultry of most kinds have now hatched their broods, and require looking after, to see they do not injure one another, nor are attacked by stronger enemies. 5. Grass Lands. (5643.) See that the fences are kept up, and the gates regularly shut and fastened; as cattle newly let out are very apt to wander, and more ready to break through fences than when the herbage is more abundant. Water-madows (4371.) are generally shut up for hay about the end of the month, the ewes and lambs being then turned on young artificial grasses, or common provincial pastures, in a sufficiently for vard state. Mowing-meadows of the common kind (5768.), and clovers, and mixed grasses for hay, should be hand-picked, bushharrowed, and rolled, early in the month, and then shut up for the scythe. 6. Arable Lands. (4925.) Finish sowing all the spring corns (5080.), peas, tares, lucerne (5571.), saintfoin, and all other herbage, plants, and grasses. (5643.) Summer wheat (5001.) may be sown during the whole of the month, also barley in late situations (5050.), peas for late podding, and under peculiar circumstances, tares for cutting green in October and November. Manufactorial plants, as woad, madder, flax, hemp, mustard, &c.; oil plants, as rape, poppy, and such plants as are grown for medicinal purposes or peculiar uses in domestic economy, as rhubarb, liquorice, buck or beech wheat, cress, &c. may all be sown or planted from the middle of last to the middle of this month. The first week in April will, in the greater number of seasons, soils, and situations, suit the most of them. Carrot (113.), field beet (5482.), parsnep (5417.), and Swedish turmp (5409.), if not sown the last week of March, should be finished during the first ten days of April. A bed of Swedish turnips should be sown in the garden for transplanting in the field by the end of the month, or the first week in May. The last fortnight of the month is the best season for planting potatoes (5316.); in the earliest situations this is soon enough for a full crop; in the latest, the middle of May will answer better. For very early crops for the supply of summer markets, dry rich sheltered fields may be planted in March. In the moors of Scotland they often plant in June, and still have a crop; there the potato is alike obnoxious to late spring and early autumnal frost. 7. Fences (2960.), Roads (3523.), and Drains. (4213.) All these should have been put in order before, so as to leave the hedger of the farm (7714.), and the labourer of all work (7711.), time to assist in getting in planted crops, as potatoes, cabbages, &c. in the fields, cropping the garden, mowing, or otherwise dressing the orchard, shrubbery, lawn, or such ornamental or enjoyment ground as the farmer indulges in round his house. 8. Orchards (4079.) and Hop-grounds, (5997.) In some cases fruit-trees may be so over-run with insects towards the end of the month as to make it worth while to bur wet straw under them; but this rarely happens before the middle of May, and even then form orchards may almost always be left to the birds and vigour of the trees. Hojis are generally poled in this month, and the ground between the hills afterwards stirred with the cultivator or nidget as it is called in Kent. (6026.) 9. Wood-lands and Plantations. (3906.) All planting and pruning of deciduous trees should be finished the first week of the month. Afterwards the planting and pruning of evergreens may commence; first the common pine and fir, and afterwards the holy, yew, and other forest evergreens. (3957) If these can be watered, and staked, so much the better. Barking oaks may in some warm situations be felled the last week of the month, but May is the more general time. (1050) 1. Calendar of Animated Nature round London. In the first week: the titlark (Alauda pratensis) sings, the cuckoo (Cuculus canòrus) is heard; the gudgeon (Cyprinus Gobio) spawns; the redstart (Motacilla Phoenicurus), swift (Hirundo Apus), whitethroat (Motacilla Sylvia), and stingingfly (Conops calcitrans) appear. Second week: the turtle-dove (Colúmba Túrtur) coos; the red ant (Formica rubra), the laughing wren (Motacilla Currùca), the common flesh-fly (Músca vomitòria), the lady-cow (Coccinella bipunctata), grasshoper Lark (Alauda Locustæ vòcis), and willow-wren (Motacilla salicària) appear. Third week: the blue flesh-fly (Musca vomitòria) appears; black snails (Helix nigra) abound, and the large bat appears. Fourth week: the great white-cabbage butterfly (Papilio brássica) and dragon fly (Libélula 4-maculata) appear; the glow-worm shines, and the fern-owl, or goat-sucker (Caprimalgus europaeus), returns. 2. Calendar of Vegetable Nature round London. In the first reeek: Geum urbanum, Artemisia campestris ; lily of the valley (Convallaria majalis), water-violet (Hottònia palustris), tulip-tree (Liriodendron tulipifera), and numerous other plants in flower. Second week the oak, ash, sweet chestnut (Castanea vésca), hawthorn (Méspilus Oxyacántha), the common maple (Acer campestre), horse-chestnut ('sculus Hippocastanum), barberry (Berberis vulgaris), and the A'juga réptans in flower. Third week: the water scorpion-grass, or forget-me-not (Myosotis scorpioides), lime-tree (Tilia), milk wort (Polygala vulgaris), nightshade (A'tropa Belladonna), and various American shrubs in flower, and rye (Secale hybernum) in car. Fourth week: oaks, ashes, and beeches now generally in leaf, and the mulberry (Morus nigra) beginning to open its buds. The cinnamon rose and some other hardy roses in flower; and also the bramble (Rubus fruticosus), moneywort (Lysimachia Nummulària), columbine (Aquilegia vulgaris), and various other trees and shrubs in blossom. 3. Farm-yard. (2902.) Feeding and wintering on straw and roots generally ends, and soiling (5542.) or pasturage (5562.) commences, in the first fortnight. Where high-flavoured milk and butter are preferred to quantity, then pasturage on dry-bottomed uplands is to be preferred; but where quantity and richness is the object, soiling with clover and tares, and two or three hours' pasturage per day, for the sake of exercise, is the preferable system. Even on farms where there is nothing to mow but old meadow, soiling with that will be found more economical than pasturing it. A field of meadow in good heart, mown and eaten green, will, at a rough estimate, produce treble the quantity of milk it would have done if pastured, and four times as much as it would do in the form of dry hay. The yards and pits are generally cleared of dung, urine, &c. at this season; and if no seiling goes on, they should be kept REMARKS. Vegetation now goes on with great vigour, though there are often very cold and even frosty nights, which materially injure the blossoms of fruit-trees, and sometimes the young shoots of the hop and potato. Man, in common with other animals, being now full of life and vigour, the consummation of animal desire is frequent; but marriage is better deferred till September, when the offspring will be born in the May or June following, a season of the year when the poor man can better support the expenses of an accouchement than in the cold month respondent to marriages in May. As most grasses send up their flower-stalks during this month, it is of importance so to stock pastures, as to eat these down. This is only to be accomplished in recently sown down lands by overstocking, and not then completely if rye grass prevails. When grass lands are to be mown, the best crop of hay will be obtained by not pasturing after the middle of April. Some may think that where cattle and sheep are fed till May or June, the stalks left will come in as hay; but as such fields cannot be mown till the end of July, the stalks have long be fore shed their seed and become dry, and so shrivelled as to be unfit for food. Where paring and burning are wanted, this is a favourable season. (3209.) Water-meadows, having been eaten down in April, are generally watered for the first three or four weeks of this mouth, to bring forward the crop of hay. (4429.) 6. Arable Lands. (4925.) Summer wheat (5001.) and grass seeds (5873.) may still be sown, but not profitably after the first week or ten days. Swedish turnip (5109.), marygold, and yellow turnip may be profitably sown, and also early crops of common white turnip where the soil is clean and duly prepared. (5594.) The preparation of turnip fallows is the great business of this month, and next the stirring of naked fallows (4944.), and the culture, by horse and hand hoes, of corns and pulse in drills. In late situations potatoes may be planted during the whole month 5316.); and hemp and flax sown during the first fortnight. (5880. and 5922.) Tares for successional supply. (5257) 7. Fences (2960.), Roads (3523.), and Drains. (4213.) Clean young hedge-rows. (2982.) Drains may now be advantageously designed, as the springs show themselves more conspicuously during winter. The rest in this department is mere routine. 1. Calendar of Animated Nature round London. In the first week: the sedg-parrow (Passer arundinacea), the fly-catelier Mu-cicapa Atricapilla), the wasp (Vespa vulgaris), and several species of the bee and butterfly appear. Second week: the burnet moth (Sphinx fil péndulæ), and forest-fly (Hippobosca equina) appear; bees swarm. Third week several flics, butterflies, moths, beetles, and other insects appear. Fourth week: insects abound; and singing-birds begin to retire to the woods, and leave off singing. 2. Calendar of Vegetable Nature round London. In the first neck: water-lilies (Nymphæ'a et Nuphar) flower; also Iris Pseud-ácorus, A'nthemis Citula, Polygonum Persicaria, Málva rotundifolia, and numerous other plants. Second week the vine, rasplarry, and elder in full flower; also various Scotch roses (Rosa spinosíssima), broom (Spártium), nettle (Urtica), and wheat in the ear. Third week. the Orchis, Epilobium, Iris Xiphium and riphioides, the hardy I'xim and Gladioli, and a great variety of garden and field plants in flower; also the wheat and many of the pasture grasses. Fourth week: some black and red currants ripe, strawberries in abundance; young shoots of trees and shrubs have nearly attained their length. Oats and barley in flower; blue-bottle, scabious (Centaurea Cyanus), and numerous others in bloom. standing the close feeding of April and May, should now be mown (772); thistles and similar weeds cut out close by the root (6202.); pare and burn as in May (3209.); clean out ponds, water-courses, wells, &c. See that clovers, tares, or other soiling crops are mown close to the soil. 6. Arable Lands. (4925.) Great part of the turnip process goes on during the three first weeks of this month and the latter half of May. (5373.) Dung fallons and otherwise bring them forward (4568), draining (4213.), levelling, altering ridges, &c. as the case may require; weed broad-cast crops, and stir the soil between such as are in rows. Warping, where it can be practised, may now be commenced (4450.); thin out the first sown turnips. (3406.) 7. Fences (2960.), Roads (3523.), and Drains. (4213.) Weed hedges, but avoid clipping them, which only creates a close surface of feeble shoots, that in the end becomes so thick as to exclude light and air from the central stems, and occasions their languishing and death. (2985.) Dig and otherwise prepare materials for roads (3635.) and drains. (4284.) 8. Orchards (4079.) and Hop-grounds. (5997.) Insects, or other effects of what are called blights, can seldom be destroyed on so large a scale as that of the farin-orchard or hop-garden. Burning weeds or wet straw, litter, &c. will do something; and on a small scale, washing with lime-water, soap-suds, tobacco-water, or a mixture of these, will prove effectual. (60536.) Those who tie the binds or vine of the hop to the poles, instead of leaving them to nature, have generally completed the operation by the middle of the month. In some early spots the superfluous shoots are cut off about the end of the month. 9. Wood-lands and Plantations. ($906.) The woodman is now chiefly employed in trussing up the branches of barked trees, and otherwise disposing of what is unfit for timber purposes. (4049.) Old copses or stools of trees, woods, or hedges, may now be advantageously stocked up stacked, and when dry, charred for fuel. (4068) 1. Calendar of Animated Nature round London. In the first week: the cuckoo (Cuculus canòrus) leaves off singing; the stone-curlew (Charadrius Edicnemus) whistles occa sionally late at night, and the golden-crested wren (Motacilla Regulus) now and then chirps. Second werk: the quail (Tetrao ferrugineus) calls; the cuckoospit, or frog-hopper (Cicada spumaria), abounds. Third week: young frogs migrate. Hens moult. Fourth week the great horse-fly (Tabànus bovinus) appears; and partridges fly. 2. Calendar of Vegetable Nature round London. In the first week; enchanter's nightshade (Circa'a lutetiana) and lavender (Lavandula spica) in flower, and pinks and car. nations in full bloom. Second week: the fallen star (Tremélla Nostoc) appears; also puff-balls (Lycoperdon Bevista), and sometimes the common mushroom (Agaricus campestris). Third week raspberries and gooseberries ripe, potatoes in flower, asparagus in betry, the liliums in perfection. Fourth week: the truffle (Tuber cibarium) now hunted or dug up in commons and forests; nightshade (Solanum nigrum), devil's bit (Scabiosa succisa), burnet saxifrage (Pimpinella Saxífraga), and a great number of plants in flower. 3. Farm-yard. (2002.) As in June; between hay and corn harvest is generally a very good time for the farmer to make a tour to observe more extensively the practices of his own district, and to witness those of other districts. 4, 5. Live Stock (6216.) and Grass Lands. (5648.) Lambs are now weaned (7161.) when not fattened off; at first they require the richest keep. As green food will now be abundant, every animal al out a farm that can live and thrive or answer its end by the soiling system, should be so treated. The weather being hot, cattle or sheep in fields must be fre quently looked to, as to shade, water, and abundant keep. Suffering from thirst, or a want of food, they are very apt to break through fences, which at this season is more than usually injurious, on account of the state of the corn crops. 6. Arable Lands. (4925) Attend to weeding, hoeing, and otherwise moving the soil between rowed crops, more especially potatoes and turnips. Towards the end of the month, the first-sown white turnips will be in a state to thin out; and a farther thinning may be advantageously given to field beet, carrots, &c., at this season. Where peas are sown for podding, they will now be in abund ance for gathering; in warm situations sooner. Buck-wheat may now be sown for autumnal food for game. (6111.) 7. Fences (2960.), Roads (3523.), and Drains. (4213.) As in June. 8. Orchards (4079.) and Hop-grounds. (5997.) Cherries, strawberries, gooseberries, &c., where grown 2S field-crops, are now in gathering, and towards the end of the month, fallen apples and ums for tarts. Hop-grounds are looked over, and the superfluous vine pruned off, &c. In Keut |