366 NATURAL HISTORY OF SELBORNE 



30. A high barometer, & N : E : wind, with some dry 

 days : but frequent fogs, & some sunshine. 



The first-sown Cucum"- have now a rough leaf. There 

 is now a good Quantity in the earth-house of mould for the 

 bearing-cucum r - bed, consisting of some old melon-mould, 

 some from the bottom of the faggot-stack, & some earth 

 cast-up by the moles on the Common ; all well turned & 

 blended together. The Hepticas are well-blown : & some 

 Crocuss are blown-out. 



31. Sowed my own ashes, which were sufficient for 

 what used to be called the great mead. Bought ten bushels 

 of M r - Etty, which sowed the slip. 



Feb. i. Sowed a box with Polyanth-seed from Bp's 

 Waltham said to be good. Dry but dark weather. 



4. Carry'd into the melon-ground 8 loads of hot dung 

 for the bearing Cucum r - bed. 



A very severe frost all day with a great rime. The 

 ground was so very hard that the carting all day made not 

 the least Impression. There has been some frost for 

 several days. 



Empty'd the dung hole. 



7. Very hard frost still, with great white dews. Things 

 begin to freeze within. The sun shines hot & strong all 

 day. The glass fell much some days agone ; but rises 

 again. It is most probable snow fell farther north: 

 here was a little scattering one morning. The sun now, 

 just before setting, shines plumb into the Dining-room- 

 Chimney. 



9. A very swift thaw. 



10. Rain all day : this second frost lasted just a week. 



Feb. 12. Made the bearing Cucum r - bed for two two- 

 light frames of y e 8 loads of dung. 



The dung has never shewed any great Heat. The bed 

 is of a good thickness, & is well made. 



The Cucum re - have one broad rough leaf ; & shew a 

 second. 



13. Sent-down a large portmanteau full of all sorts 

 of perennials to my Brother Harry at Fifield. Gave the 



