IN JUNE. 245 



One of the earliest rural employments of this 

 month is the shearing of sheep ; a business of much 

 importance in various parts of the kingdom, where 

 wool is one of the most valuable products, and 

 yields much rustic mirth ; as, 



" Rang'd in Iu c -ty rows, 



The shepherds sit, and whet the sounding shears. 

 The housewife waits to roll her fleecy stores, 

 With all her gay drest maids attending round. 

 One chief in gracious dignity enthron'd, 

 Shines o'er the rest, the pastoral queen, and rays 

 Her smiles, sweet beaming, on her shepherd king ; 

 While the glad circle round them yield their souls 

 To festive mirth, and wit that knows no gall." 



England has for many ages been celebrated for 

 its breeds of sheep ; which yield wool of various 

 qualities, suited to different branches of the woollen 

 manufacture. 



In the hedges the place of the hawthorn is suppli- 

 ed by the flowers of the hip, or dog rose, the differ- 

 ent hues of which, from a deep crimson to a light 

 blush, and even pure white, form a very elegant 

 variety of colour ; and of some the smell is peculiar- 

 ly fragrant Some time after the woodbine and 

 honeysuckle begin to blow ; and these, united with 

 the rose, give our hedges their highest beauty and 

 fragrance. 



The several kinds of corn come into ear and flow- 

 er this month ; as do likewise the numerous species 

 of grass. In Europe the principal kinds of corn are 

 Y 2 



