126 
RURAL HOURS. 
vers," are all introduced. The question regarding the white 
clover has not been clearly settled, but it is usually considered, I 
believe, as indigenous, though some botanists mark the point as 
doubtful. The buffalo clover found in the western part of this 
State, and common still farther westward, is the only undoubtedly 
native variety we possws. 
Wednesday, 20th. — Very warm day ; thermometer 93 in the 
shade at three o'clock. The locust flowers are perfuming the vil- 
lage ; one perceives their fragrance within doors, throughout the 
house. In many parts of the country these beautiful trees have 
been very much injured of late years by a worm called the horer, 
which is very destructive wherever it appears. In the pleasant 
villages at the westward, where locusts are so much in favor for 
planting in the streets, they have been very much injured, and 
their blighted branches give quite a melancholy look to some of 
these towns. Fortunately for us, the trees in our neighborhood 
are yet unscathed ; these borers have not, I believe, appeared 
anywhere in the county.* 
Thursday, list. — Extremely warm ; thermometer 92. Hap- 
pily, there have been pleasant western breezes through these warm 
days. Strolled about the village in the evening; saw an old 
neighbor of threescore and fifteen at work in his garden, hoeing 
his dozen corn-liills, and weeding his cucumber vines. 
One always loves a garden ; labor wears its pleasantest aspect 
there. From the first days of spring, to latest autumn, we move 
about among growing plants, gay flowers, and cheerful fruits ; 
and there is some pretty change to note by the light of every sun. 
* These borers are the young of different beetles, some of which live several 
years in the wood before their transformation. 
