Practical Science. 147 
sional fine seasons, when we do get them. There is a feeling 
about the spring months, after all, be they bad as they may, which 
is peculiar — which can never be annihilated — and which, there- 
fore, amid all shivering winds, sleet and snow, and flitting sun- 
shine, has something pleasant in it." 
Cold as the winds are, the buds of many trees are daily swell- 
ing and growing more conspicuous, as if they must come forward, 
be the weather what it will. The peach, the pear, the cherry, and 
the curiant will bloom this month. We may also expect to have 
the daffodil, crocus, violet, and hyacinth in full bloom. Lettuce, 
spinnach, and asparagus may be found in our market. Pigeons, 
robbins, swallows, and martins will greet us. Butterflies, bees, 
and wasps will make their appearance. 
Such is April. It is not winter — it is not summer — it is spring 
— the fickle and chilly spring; and is accompanied by its peculiar 
objects and aspects. 
' Towards the latter part of the month, especially if April showers 
fall, what a change! What a greenness in the grass! How the 
buds and leaves will have advanced! On such days set forth, all 
you that love nature and yourselves. Take an early breakfast, 
and immediately set forh. Away to the lawn, woodlands, over the 
hills and through the vales. The robbins and thrushes, perched 
upon the tree-tops, are filling the air with their delightful music. 
The laugh-like cry of the woodpecker "tapping the beech tree," 
and the harsh note of the jay, awaken the forest; and the dusky 
wings of the crow and blackbird glance in the sun as they are 
driven from the new-sown fields. Bees will be seen diving into 
the bells of flowers, extracting their sweets. The fields will be 
enlivened by the farmers pursuing their labors; some are plowing, 
some harrowing, some sowing, some rolling, and others picking 
stones from the grass. 
Such is April; and, with variable winds and rains, it now 
marches on gloriously to the end. 
Phactical Science. — It is not uncommon, even in this enlight- 
ened age, to ridicule book-knowledge as connected with farming, 
and to speak of the application of science to agriculture as some- 
thing new and of doubtful utility. Such, however, is not the case. 
Science was more than 2000 years ago united with practical agri- 
culture, and has continued to be in all ages and civilized countries, 
though not so extensively as at the present day. In fact, science 
does not consist in names or a kaowledge of names. Every man 
who farms systematically, w-hether he is aware of it or not, he 
conforms to the laws qfJVature, and that is practical science. 
