JUNE 99 



There is, besides, a beautiful plant whose botani- 

 cal name is crambe cordifolia. It stands from three 

 to four feet in height, and is covered with clouds 

 of white flowers somewhat resembling the bulbous 

 saxifrage in shape and size. It will hold its own 

 in the grass if a suitable station is prepared for it. 



We have had a week of intense and airless 

 heat after a fortnight of windy heat. I believe 

 the mysterious instrument called a hygrometer 

 measures more moisture in the air than it did 



HAYMAKERS 



a few days since, but it is still hardly beyond 

 normal. Yet the sound of trains to the south is 

 very distinct ; a donkey is braying in the village 

 below ; smoke is blowing down from the chimneys 

 on to the lawn ; the swallows are flying lower ; the 

 moon will change to-morrow so surely we are to 

 get rain at last. Things are beginning to show 

 signs of distress for want of it, and peas would 

 really begin to fatten and strawberries to swell more 

 quickly if we could get half an inch or so. But it 

 has been a glorious season for the haymakers. 

 June 28. The welcome rain has come, and we 



