INTRODUCTION. 
57 
cups ; and the brilliant vases of the anemonies are open 
to the vernal showers; and then follow the many lovely 
blossoms of spring and summer. 
The trees, as they resume their foliage in the early 
part of the year, exhibit, each month, a greater richness 
and variety of colour. The young buds of the honey- 
suckle often unfold in January ; the gooseberry and lilac 
about February; and the hawthorn is getting gradually 
covered during April, and preparing for its show of May 
flowers, while the lime is at yet scarcely producing a 
leaf. Then, when the lilac-tree is full, not only of its 
foliage, but covered with its flowery clusters, and the 
birch-leaves quiver to the winds, the elm and ash open 
their young buds, and a small leaf or two appears here 
and there on their branches. The garden acacia remains 
many days longer before it shows one token of spring, 
and the summer foliage has lent a rich glory to wood and 
garden before one full green leaf decks the stately walnut- 
tree. 
It was the opinion of Linnseus that the agriculturist 
might be guided in sowing his grain by the leafing of 
trees; and several naturalists have agreed with him. The 
old proverb, often acted upon by farmers, is founded on 
a similar principle. 
When the sloe-tree is white as a sheet, 
Sow your barley whether it is dry or wet.” 
Mr. Templeton, in his Naturalist’s Report, thus re- 
marks upon the subject: “As plants vegetate according to 
the temperature which prevails, and flowers blow in a 
regular and never-varying order, we have certain means 
which can never fail for directing us when to begin and 
leave off the various operations of husbandry and garden- 
ing. Should we therefore find, after a few years’ ex- 
perience, that the best crops were uniformly produced 
when we sowed or planted at the time a particular tree 
or plant flowered, we have ever a sure guide, independ- 
ent of astronomical revolutions, and can direct others to 
pursue the same plan in whatever country they are placed. 
Thus, if we have found that on sowing peas, or other 
seed, when the gooseberry flowered, they are ready for 
