xii PREFACE. 



in which vegetation is almojl as early as 

 the lands in general near Lo7tdon, 



It may aljo be necejfary to inform the 

 Reader^ that the calculations here 7nade^ 

 are not taken from a7^y particular feafon^ 

 but by comparing a diary which the au- 

 thor has kept 7na7ty years ; and from a 

 medium of feveral years objervation^ the 

 whole has been compiled. For there is 

 frequently the differe7ice of a fortnight 

 or three w^eks^ betwee^i one feafon and 

 a7tother^ i7i th& ti77ies of fruit ripent7ig^ 

 aftdalfo in the 7naturity of efculent plants. 

 But in many of the wi72ter fruits^ there 

 is ofteTi 7nuch more j for infome feafo7ts^ 

 the pears of a tree which grew to afouth 

 eaft afpetl^ were ripe the 7niddle of Oc- 

 tober^ a7id by the e7idof thefa7ne month ^ 

 thofe which wers 7iot eaten were beco7ne 

 rotte7t ; and in fever al other years ^ the 

 fruit of the fa77ie tree were itot eatable 

 before the e7id of Dece77tber. Therefore 

 the Reader is defired to excufe the author ^ 

 when he fmds fG7ne forts of autu7nn or 

 winter fruits-^ r/ientioned to be in eatings 



at 



