CHAPTER II. 



THE ASHLEY MEADOWS, AND THE LOWER BOLLIN VALLEY. 

 SPRING VISIT. 



O Proserpina, 



For the flowers now that, frighted, thou let'st fall 

 From Dis's wagon ! 



Pale primroses 



That die unmarried, ere they can behold 

 Bright Phoebus in his strength. 



SHAKSPEARE. 



HE part of the country round Manchester 

 which supplies the greatest number of 

 different wild-flowers, and of rare kinds in 

 particular, is unquestionably the neighbour- 

 hood of Bowdon. Next in botanical interest 

 come the Reddish valley, extending from 

 Stockport to near Hyde, the Disley hills, and 

 the delightful woods in the neighbourhood of Marple; and 

 next to these again, and perhaps equalling them, Worsley, 

 Tyldesley, the northern side of Prestwich, and the 

 vicinity of Clifton. Bowdon, however, with the adjacent 

 districts of Lymm and Cotterill, stands ahead of all. It 

 holds precedence, too, in respect of its early seasons. 



