OPERATIONS FOR AUGUST. 
167 
Between Albany and Lake Champlain^ the ground in general is in an excellent 
state of cultivation ; and, being well watered, is rendered, in consequence, an 
agreeable situation for the settler. There it Avas that we first caught a sight of the 
Ahies Canadensis (hemlock spruce), and the lofty white-barked American elms, in 
native stations. 
Entering another steam-boat upon Lake Chanfiplain, from the westward, the 
; course is winding and narrow. The woods on both sides, for the first sixteen 
I miles, are very various, the principal trees being the wild cherry {Prunus Vir- 
giniana), elms, walnuts, sugar-maples, with the aspen poplar (^Populus tremu- 
I hides). The rocky grounds again abound in the arborvitse. After having fairlv 
: entered upon the expanse of the lake, the appearance of the lofty white or Wey- 
mouth pine {Pinus strohus)^ towering above the deciduous trees, on rising grounds 
at the base of the hills, of a dark aspect, nearly destitute of branches, was 
remarkable. 
About Essea;, half way along, the lake widens much, and all at once the 
wooded rocky lane by the water's edge is changed for a rich fertile country. The 
different farms having their fields laid off in squares, and a large orchard attached 
: to each, render this tract, with its natural beauties, very agreeable. The soil 
around seemed a light-coloured clay, and the wood on the lower grounds was not 
very plentiful ; but the rising grounds behind were densely studded with scraggy 
! pines. 
On reaching St. Johns^ the northern extremity of Lake Champlain, the forests 
presented the same appearances as they did when we first entered upon the Lake, 
with the addition of the Ahies halsamea (or Balm of Gilead fir), and the sugar- 
; maple, which is here in greater quantities and larger than we had hitherto seen. 
Notwithstanding the great mutilation which the trees are subjected to in early 
i spring, for their juices in the manufacture of sugar, they appear all in the most 
i perfect state of health. 
Passing onwards to Lapr aire, on the St. Lawrence river, the only tree observed 
of any interest, and deserving of notice, was the Canoe birch (^Betula papyracea). 
Several dense masses of these trees occupied the lower ground; but from their. 
closeness, none had attained a great size. Till reaching this point birches were 
by no means plentiful. 
OPERATIONS IN THE FLOWER GARDEN FOR AUGUST. 
Anemones, planted in the beginning of this month, will flower about the end 
. of November, or in December, and will continue to flower till Christmas. If 
planted at the end of the month they will scarcely bloom before February ; or, if 
the season be very cold, the beginning of March. Vol. II. p. 16. 
Biennials. — Several of the hardy species, as Erythrcea aggregata, Eutoca 
muUiflora, and Franklini, &c., ripen their seed this month, and should be sown 
as soon as ripe ; also, this is a good time for sowing many of the more tender 
kinds. Vol. I. p. 66. 
