APRIL. 85 



There is a singular appearance often observed 

 in spring, which has excited many a supersti- 

 tious terror in the minds of the simple country- 

 people, and in reality is very striking. It is the 

 print of footsteps across the grass of the fields, 

 as though they had been footsteps of fire. The 

 grass is burnt black in the foot-prints, present- 

 ing a startling contrast with the vivid green 

 of that around. The common people have con- 

 sequently concluded these to be the traces of 

 the nocturnal perambulations of Satan, whereas 

 they are those of some one of themselves who 

 has crossed the fields while the night-frost was 

 on the grass, which at this season is very ten- 

 der, and is as effectually destroyed by the pres- 

 sure of a foot, in its frosty brittleness, as by fire, 

 and with much the same appearance. 



RURAL OCCUPATIONS. 



Feeding cattle in the yard still continues, 

 from deficiency of grass. Fields intended for 

 mowing are cleared of stones, bush-harrowed, 

 and shut up; all ditching, hedging, and drain- 

 ing, better done last month, but if unfinished, 

 to be concluded. Water-meadows, which have 

 been eaten, closed at the end of the month. 

 Sowing still continues of spring corn, peas, 

 tares, sainfoin, lucerne, and grasses ; also the 

 sowing and planting of woad, madder, flax, 



