176 JUNE. 



the first month of the sun's descent. Lida, it is 

 added, has been affirmed to mean smooth air. 



Peas, beans, the Anthoxanthum odoratum, or sweet- 

 scented vernal grass, now diffuse their fragrance. 

 The common jay now frequents 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 

 favourite prey : mackerel is taken in abundance : 

 the elder-tree is in flower, and the grasshopper is 

 heard. 



RURAL OCCUPATIONS. 



Somer is yeomen in, 



Loud sing cuckoo ; 



Groweth seed 



And bloweth mead, 



And springeth the weed new. 



So says the oldest English song ; and so the hus- 

 bandman finds it. In the midland counties he weeds 

 his green corn, dresses and manures his fallows, 

 keeps down weeds, especially thistles in pastures, 

 and smothering plants in young fences. Turnips 

 are sown, and in the midland counties Swedish tur- 

 nips. Old pastures 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 attention, and daily, almost 

 hourly, watching to defend them from the fly, or to 



