190 JUNE. 



our gardens, and makes havoc in the bean- 

 rows : the fox-glove and the wild red poppy 

 beautify our fields and wastes : the fern-owl 

 may be seen about the middle of the month, in 

 the evening, pursuing the fern-chaffer, its fa- 

 vourite prey : mackrel is taken in abundance : 

 the elder-tree is in flower, and the grasshopper 

 is heard. 



RURAL OCCUPATIONS. 



Somer is yeomen in, 



Loud sing cuckoo j 



Groweth seed 



And bloweth mead, 



And springe th the weed new. 



So says the oldest English song, and so the 

 husbandman finds it. In the midland counties 

 he weeds his green corn, dresses and manures 

 his fallows, keeps down weeds, especially this- 

 tles in pastures, and smothering plants in 

 young fences. Turnips are sown, and in the 

 midland counties Swedish turnips. Old pas- 

 tures are pared and burnt: fruit-trees require 

 clearing of insects, and hops binding to the 

 poles. The fields are full of grass, and the 

 dairy-maid full of employment : compost is 

 mixed for land: sheep now require much at- 



