INTRODUCTION. 



are known to meteorologists and botanists as phenological observations, 

 have been made for many years past in this country and on the Con- 

 tinent for the purpose of distinguishing local climatic conditions, and the 

 Royal Meteorological Society has a standing committee which is engaged 

 in collecting and discussing observations of this description. 



The scientific value of the Diary depends on the care with which the 

 observations have been made, and on the value which is to be attached 

 to averages of observations extending over a period of twenty years. 

 Considerable experience in dealing with averages of observations of a 

 similar kind made at Marlborough and elsewhere, has given me the 

 fullest confidence in this method of arriving at the most probable results 

 when dealing with such complicated phenomena as are here dealt with, 

 and the plan of placing the phenomena side by side will be the best test 

 of their trustworthiness, and afford facilities for eliminating, by further 

 observations, any errors which may exist. The meteorological observa- 

 tions are, with very few exceptions, the results of twenty years,' those of 

 plants of not less than seventeen years', observation, while those referring 

 to birds and insects vary in number, and also in the years in which the 

 observations were made. To add variety, and form centres for further 

 observations, a few entries are given from Gilbert White's Diary ' and 

 Mr. C. Whitehead's Reports.' 



To persons engaged in country occupations, whether for profit or 

 pleasure, a systematic study of the phases of vegetable and animal life is 

 of the greatest interest and importance, and the Diary has been arranged 

 with a view to such a form of study. The character of soils as well as 

 climates is best judged by their vegetable products, and the periods at 

 which grasses, plants, and trees blossom and attain maturity. Not only 

 has each district, but each farm, and often each field or garden, a 

 character of its own ; and it is only by observing, recording, and com- 

 paring with some ascertained standard, the specific products of each 

 locality, that their peculiarities can be determined and turned to profitable 

 account. It is well known, for instance, that one field will grow clover, 

 and another will not ; that one pasture will fatten sheep quickly, while 

 another will do so slowly; and a good deal of what is called " practical 

 farming" consists in remembering facts of this kind and taking advantage 

 of them; or, as is too often the case, in ignoring or forgetting them, to the 

 certain disappointment and loss of the farmer. Peculiarities of this kind, 

 although remotely due to the soil and climate, are really peculiarities of 

 vegetation, and should be studied and recorded in a systematic manner 

 to be properly understood and utilized. 



'White's "Natural History of Selborne." These entries are distinguished by the 

 letters (G. W.). The dates are about a week earlier than at Marlborough. 



= " Reports on Insects Injurious to Hop and Corn Crops," &c., made to the Agri- 

 cultural Department of the Privy Council. Nos. I. and II. 1885. Distinguished by 

 the letters (C. W.). 



