THE CHAFFINCH* 
277 
which showed itself when the clay had become dry ; 
and this resisted for a sufficient length of time the 
effects both of sun and rain. The sickly parts, now 
effectually freed from the enemy which had been 
preying on their vitals, were placed in a state to be 
cured by the healing process of Nature ; and that 
Nature has done her duty, my apple trees amply 
testify. 
Probably this nostrum is too simple, and not suf- 
ficiently costly, for me to expect that it will attract 
much notice. Still I think there is no harm in 
committing it to paper. It may yet prove the best 
friend to the cultivator of apples, when all his more 
scientific and expensive resources shall have failed 
in their effect. I may say of it, what was said of a 
certain book of medicine in the olden time: — 
— — " Venena 
Enecat, morbos fugat, atque sanos 
Protegit artus." 
THE CHAFFINCH. 
* The thrushes chatter'd with afflright, 
The nightingales abhorr'd his sight ; 
And every beast before him ran, 
To shun the hateful sight of man." Gay. 
Time was when the pretty denizens of air had no 
friend to encourage them to settle in this part of 
T 3 
