JUNE. 153 



Peas, beans, the Anthoxanthum odoratum, or 

 sweet-scented vernal grass, now diffuse their 

 fragrance. The common jay now frequents our 

 gardens, and makes havoc in the bean-rows: 

 the fox-glove and the wild red poppy beautify 

 our fields and wastes : the fern-owl may be seen 

 about the middle of the month, in the evening, 

 pursuing the fern-chaffer, its favourite prey: 

 mackrel is taken in abundance : the elder-tree 

 is in flower, and the grasshopper is heard. 



RURAL OCCUPATIONS. 



Somer is yeomen in, 



Loud sing cuekoo ; 



Groweth seed 



And bloweth mead, 



And springeth the weed new. 



So says the oldest English song, and so the 

 husbandman finds it. In the midland counties 

 he weeds his green corn, dresses and manures 

 his fallows, keeps down weeds, especially thistles 

 in pastures, and smothering plants in young 

 fences. Turnips are sown, and in the midland 

 counties Swedish turnips. Old pastures are 

 pared and burnt: fruit-trees require clearing 

 of insects, and hops binding to the poles. The 

 fields are full of grass, and the dairy-maid full 

 of employment : compost is mixed for land : 

 sheep now require much attention and daily, 



