MARCH. 59 



northern counties, where the cold is greater, 

 and the grass not so early, lambs are later also, 

 even till far in May. 



Planting and plashing of hedges should now 

 be finished, if not done before ; so also the 

 pruning and grafting of fruit-trees, and the 

 planting of deciduous trees. Timber is felled, 

 coppice-wood cut, and plantations thinned, if 

 not done in February. Hop-plantations are 

 formed, and the old hills are cut and dressed. 

 Osiers are now cut, preparatory to peeling : 

 when cut, they are set on end in sheaves, in 

 standing water, a few inches deep, till, by the 

 ascension of the sap in May, they will readily 

 peel. Birch trees are tapped in this month, and 

 Birch wine made : some trees will run twenty- 

 four gallons in as many hours. There are many 

 operations in the garden this month; digging, 

 planting, and sowing. Water meadows are 

 closed for the first crop. 



ANGLING. 



The fresh-water fish which are about spawn- 

 ing, or are more or less out of season, are trout, 

 salmon, chub, pike, and perch; roach is now 

 excellent, and may be found and baited for as 

 in last month. 



As fine days come out, the angler becomes 

 anxious to renew his acquaintance with his old 



