288 



FOREIGN NOTICES. 



land, when only half srrown. If the use of this 

 vegetable were fully known, it is probable that the 

 jrardeners would allow all the small ones to reach 

 the size of an oranje ; their vines would be less ex- 

 hausted, and they misfht realize from them an addi- 

 tional profit of some importance. I should even bo 

 disposed to think that, as the culture of the small 

 green cucumber has been undertaken solely for the 

 purpose of pickling, so several vigorous kinds of 

 melon might be cultivated advantageously, in a 

 simple manner, with a view to this new production. 

 It is only necessary that it should be known, and 

 this might easily be accomplished, if our market 

 gardeners would take some of the vegetable to any 

 well known restaurateurs, and engage them to of- 

 fer them to their customers. Revue Horticole. 



tic fowls flock together and squeeze themselves into 

 the dust. When toads are heard crying in elevated 

 places. Glenny's Almanac. 



Changes of Weather indicated by Ani- 

 mals. — The common house spider, on the approach 

 of fine weather, puts out its head and stretches its 

 legs out of its hole ; and this the farther, the longer 

 the fine weather will continue. Against bad wea- 

 ther it retires farther back, and before more tem- 

 pestuous weather it turns quite round, showing 

 nothing but its hinder parts to the observer ; thus 

 acquainting him with the approaching storm. At 

 the commencement of fine weather, the web with 

 which it surrounds its corner is but of moderate ex- 

 tent ; if the fine weather is to be lasting it enlarges 

 it two or three inches ; and if it do this several 

 times consecutively, we may be certain that the 

 weather vv)ll continue fine for some days. In win- 

 ter they are ascertain prognosticators of approach- 

 ing cold. If frost and snow be coming on, they 

 either seize upon webs already made, in which case 

 obstinate battles often ensue, or they make new 

 ones, and labor diligently at them. 



If animals show signs of fear and uneasiness 

 while the weather is very calm and close, it is al- 

 most certain that a storm will ensue. Rain may 

 be foretold from the actions of various animals, as 

 follows : When birds are seen more employed 

 than usual in searching among their leathers for 

 insects, which, on account of the unusual currents 

 of electricity in the atmosphere, torment them. 

 When sea-gulls, and other aquatic fowls, particu- 

 larly geese, make a greater noise than usual. 

 When swallows fly low, and seem to skim the sur- 

 face of tiie earth. When pigeons return to the 

 pigeon-house before accustomed time. When cer- 

 tain fish, such as porpoise, sport at the surface of 

 the water. When bees do not quit their hives, or 

 fly only to a short distance. When sheep bound in 

 an extraordinary manner, and push each other with 

 their heads. When asses shake their ears, or are 

 very much stung by flies. When flies and gnats 

 sting more severely and are more troublesome than 

 usual. When a great number of worms issue from 

 the earth. When frogs croak more than usual. 

 When cats rub their heads with their fore paws, 

 and lick the rest of their bodies with their tongues. 

 When foxes and wolves howl violently. When 

 ants quit their labor and conceal themselves in the 

 earth. When oxen, lying together, frequently raise 

 their heads, and lick each others's muzzles. When 

 cocks crow before their usual hour. When domes- 



The Necessity of attending to all Seed- 

 ling Crops. — Nearly all our new vegetables, and 

 many other new and good subjects, have been dis- 

 covered by accident. How many more, then, may 

 have escaped than have been noticed? Acres of 

 p 'as, cabbages, and other subjects, have been 

 sown, planted, cut. and marketed, without so much 

 as a single inquiring ii,spection as to their claims 

 to notice on account of novelty. Probabl}' some 

 of the finest and most valuable improvements might 

 have been discovered, had they been inspected at 

 those critical periods which show off" their qualities 

 to the best advantage. But large growers look 

 only to the general complexion of fields and large 

 plots; they look to the general bloom, the general 

 condition, and judge by the bulk as to the season 

 for marketing. Probably, had the peas been exa- 

 mined at the proper time, there might have been 

 one in flower a fortnight before the rest. Perhaps, 

 if generally examined when in pod, before gather- 

 ing, there might have been some as large again, or 

 as long again, or half the height, or double the 

 height of the rest, sulBciently distinct to be worth 

 notice and marking, and growing separately ano- 

 ther season. Perhaps among cabbages there might 

 have been one more hearted, and ready for market 

 a fortnight before the rest ; a larger or smaller, or 

 in some way distinct from the rest — for this has 

 been the way new things have been found ; but as 

 they have been found without looking for, many of 

 more importance may have been lost, because they 

 were not seen, and went to market among the rest. 

 When we consider the value of a new and good 

 subject, we think it would pay any grower to pay 

 a visit of discovery; not that he need go up and 

 down every row of peas and cabbages, but he might 

 go up and down every twentieth row, and cast his 

 eyes right and left, to see if any one subject differed 

 materially from the rest ; to observe if colour, form, 

 habit, or other striking difference distinguished any 

 plant within sight ; and if so, to mark it with a 

 bush, or stick, or a tie of some kind, that it may be 

 left standing when the rest are gone. In all the 

 cabbage tribe this is very important, because the 

 whole family is apt to sport ; and it is these sports 

 that have produced us so many excellent varieties, 

 from the common ragged jack to the finest Brus- 

 sels sprouts. Besides, there are so many good 

 points wanting. Hardiness in the brocoli tribe 

 and the cauliflower — earliness, lateness, size, fla- 

 vor, beauty, colour, — in short, there is no end or 

 limit to the varieties there is room for in the Bras- 

 sica family; and much of which that is desirable 

 may have existed and been overlooked, and lost 

 again, all for want of timely inspection. Those 

 who set to work to obtain new varieties by cross- 

 ing, are quite out of this range of observation ; it 

 does not apply to them, for they look anxiously 

 enough for the result of their labors ; but many a 

 really great improvement might have been disco- 

 vered in the midst of things grown in the ordinary 

 way; and without any such motive, we know that 



