66 ORMISTOUN'S LETTERS 



good second flight by first of Harvest or corns colouring and 

 then the earliest flyers will get the most strength before Winter. 

 If any near flying now you may let them go, but don't let what 

 are now young fly. As soon as corn offers to colour you may 

 let them fly again. 



Dont clean up any trees now that have put out side shoots 

 for ten will come where you cut one. The beginning of 

 Winter or in frosts in Winter is the time for cleaning the 

 bodies of trees. The frost checks their putting out Buds and 

 hardens the wounded places, whereas at this time of year the 

 sap bursts out all round the wound. Nothing but necessity 

 excuses sneding at this time of year where we dont wish any 

 thing to grow. As I am writing it thunders with snow and 

 hail. I hope it will change the Weather. A change must be 

 for the better. Worse we can't have. 



5 May 1740. 



This day calm but the Wind at N. Sunshine but I am told 

 cold out of the Sun. 6*^ May 1740. 



XX 



3 Feby. 1741. Charles, — 1 had yours of 23^. ... If you would read my 

 Letters over it would save me much of writing, as from your 

 not reading of them I am obliged to write the same things over 

 and over and frequently the last time of writing the same thing 

 comes too late, as I fear what I am now to write will do. 

 Besides I frequently ask Questions in order to take measures 

 according as I find things, and if you do not answer me, I can't 

 give distinct orders and in time. For example I wrote a good 

 time ago to know how many thorns you had left for planting 

 out this year more than would serve for the Hedges about the 

 House. Your answer was that as soon as you had near 

 supplied all wanted about the House you would let me know. 

 Now you write that you have done about the house, and 

 without telling me what number you have over or knowing 

 how I designed to dispose of them had I known what number 

 you had. You tell at once you have to make good the fences 



