HOPS. 299 
bore them. The timber and bark of these trees are so very like 
oakj as might easily deceive an indifferent observer, but the wood 
is very shakey, and towards the heart cup-shakey (that is to say, 
apt to separate in round pieces like cups) so that the inward 
parts are of no use. They are bought for the purpose of cooper- 
age, but must make but ordinary barrels, buckets, &c. Chestnut 
sells for half the price of oak ; but has sometimes been sent into 
the king's docks, and passed off instead of oak. 
LIME BLOSSOMS. 
Dr. Chandler tells, that in the south of France, an infusion of 
the blossoms of the lime tree, tilia, is in much esteem as a remedy 
for coughs, hoarsenesses, fevers, &c., and that at Nismes, he saw 
an avenue of limes that was quite ravaged and torn in pieces by 
peonle greedily gathering the bloom, which they dried and kept 
for these purposes. 
Upon the strength of this information we made some S:ea of 
lime blossoms, and found it a very soft, well-flavoured, pleasant, 
saccharine julep, in taste much resembling the juice of liquorice. 
BLACKTHORN. 
This tree usually blossoms while cold N. E. winds blow ; so 
that the harsh rugged weather obtaining at this season is called 
by the country people, Blackthorn winter. 
IVY BERRIES. 
Ivy berries afford a noble and providential supply for birds in 
winter and spring ; for the first severe frost freezes and spoils all 
the haws, sometimes by the middle of November ivy berries 
do not seem to freeze. 
HOPS. 
The culture of Virgil's vines corresponded very exactly with the 
modern management of hops. I might instance in the perpetual 
diggings and hoeings, in the tying to the stakes and poles, in 
pruning the superfluous shoots, &c., but lately I have observed 
anew circumstance, which was a neighbouring farmer's harrowing 
* I imagine, however, that they are by no means spoiled, but, on the contrary, rendered 
more nutritious, after freezing. — Ed. 
