338 On natural Phenomena. 



plants and trees^ — arc all enlisted into the service of 

 the husbandman ; and rules suggested, drawn from 

 natural phcenomena^ which are practically useful, as to 

 times of seeding, and other operations in agriculture. 

 So far are circumstances not appearing directly appli- 

 cable to the practice of husbandry, from being uncon- 

 nected with it ; that there are few subjects which are 

 not, in a greater or less degree, related to it. True, 

 there are few persons, who can either observe or ad- 

 vise, in so masterly a manner, as the prince of poets, 

 and the great philosopher and naturalist. But there 

 are few, indeed, who cannot furnish some materials for 

 men of science to work on. I have made these re- 

 marks, in excuse for my humble attempts to accumu- 

 late facts ; as they, from time to time, fall under my 

 notice. Let others usefully apply, or reject them. 

 Natural phcenomena should be turned to uses, with 

 which the superstition and folly of astrologers and lu- 

 nologists, have no concern.^ 



* Virgil was much addicted to the study of astrology ; and ei- 

 ther believed, or affected to have faith in, the fortunate or unlucky 

 days of the J7ioon's age. It was the fashion of his day. His advice, 

 to cut dry grass and stubble^ by moonlight ; was not, however, the 

 effect of this kind of credulity. Two men are now living, who, 

 very many years ago, for several seasons, cut, of choice, my dry 

 meadows by moonlight ; in very hot weather. They declared they 

 worked with more ease than in the day ; and found the dampness 

 of the grass, with the dews of the night, of great utility. I paid 

 them by the acre ; and never had my grounds better mowed. 



I might have cited the Plato of poets, as Virgil was called, on 

 several subjects, which I have had occasion to mention. 



The doctrine of changes of crops is as old as the Georgicsy at 



