1784 HOPS SHOULD BE NIPPED 133 



proved a great advantage to each owner. For these plants, 

 being nipped off, have thrown out much side-wood^ and have 

 produced much fairer and larger hops than any in the 

 parish ; and a vast crop. Qu8e. Should not men, when the 

 binds are very strong, nip their tops ? we do so with melons, 

 and cucumbers. Hopping begins this day : Sep, 1st. 



Ptain Aug. 20th — 1*61. Eain in the month of Augst., 3*88. 



Edmund, and Mr. Clement launched a balloon last night 

 in Mrs. Y[alden's] stair-case, with some success ; but it would 

 not succeed abroad. 



From the Naturalist's Journal — 



"Sept. 11. Mr. Eandolph, the Kector of Faringdon, 

 came." 



To Miss White. Selborne, Septemr. 24, 1784. 



Dear Molly, — We have made a post with one of your 

 arms:* but as the material is young and tender, it will not 

 last long. My wall-fruit is now fine : but the rains, and the 

 bees injure it. We have gathered good grapes once. The 

 latter harvest, and the hops are finely got in. Poor Moses 

 Terry, a bed-rid paralytic, was found dead in his bed this 

 morning : it is to be feared that he strangled himself in his 

 wife's absence with a leathern thong, part of which, being 

 broken, was found round his neck ! Tell your father that I 

 have saved all the after-grass of the great meadow for his 

 horses : it is fetlock deep. We hope you will come not long 

 hence. Mrs. Etty has been gone some time: but as you 

 come so late, you may probably see her, before the end of 

 your visit. October is often fine : I hope the next will prove 

 so. November is also often fine : so we hope you will stay 

 with us a good long time. Pray do. 



Mr. Taylor has not been here yet to take possession 



* i.e. of the sycamore planted by her. 



