74 
THE COTTAGE GARDENER, 
[Mat 2. 
and the Cowslip (P. verb), are all in the height of their 
glory, ornamenting every dell and woodland with their pale 
yellow flowers, and suggesting a thousand thoughts and 
associations of the most pleasing kind to every one except 
such as Wordsworth’s hero, of whom the poet says— 
“ A primrose by a river’s brim, 
A yellow primrose was to him ; 
Ami it was nothing more.” 
The common Knot-grass (Polygonum avicnlare), in its 
varied forms abounds beside the habitations of mankind, 
appearing wherever human operations have disturbed the 
' surface of the soil, or where human footsteps have effaced 
the original vegetation. The Sheep’s Sorrel ( Rumcx ace- 
toselki) reddening the dry pastures with its unhealthy hue, 
j tells of barren soils and meagre crops. The Dog’s Mercury 
(Mercurialis perennis) frequents the closest shade of the 
j woodlands; and the early browsing cattle that eagerly pluck 
! its vernal herbage often fall victims to its poisonous proper¬ 
ties. The weeping Birch, “with long dishevell’d hair,” now 
delights the eye with its beauty, and throws its fragrance on 
the breeze; and a number of the willow family (Salix) are 
also richly adorned with their Catkins. The Cuckow-pint, 
or Wake-robin ( Arum maculatum), has now sent up its 
curiously sheathed flowers from among the arrow-shaped 
leaves on the shady woodland bank. It is a curious but 
well known fact that, all the species of Arum are very acrid, 
but entirely lose their acrhlity on being dried. Hooker tells 
us that the tuberous root of our native species affords an 
abundant starchy substance, which, if properly prepared, and 
the acrid juice expressed, proves an excellent substitute 
for bread-flour, and is sold for that purpose in great quanti¬ 
ties at Weymouth and in Portland Island. The curious Herb- 
Paris ( Paris quadrifolia), and the more beautiful Star of 
Bethlehem ( Ornithogalum umbeflatum), are also both in 
flower this month. The wild Hyacinth ( Hyacinthus non- 
scriptus) adorns the green grass of the woodland with its 
cnerulean blossoms, and must be considered to be the true 
hairbell of the poets, and to have derived its name not from 
“ occurring in places frequented by hares,” but from the 
ringlet-like appearance of its drooping racemes of flowers, to 
which the poets have referred. Altogether, this flower is a 
great favourite with poet and proser, and is one of the most 
delicate gems of our woodland: 
“ E’en the slight hairhell raised its head, 
Elastic from her airy tread.” 
Several of the earlier native Orchids have already produced 
their remarkable blossoms, mimicking the animal tribes; 
but the months of June and July are richer in these curious 
flowers, and we shall reserve our remarks upon their history 
till a future occasion. Many plants of the truly lovely order 
Liliacea are also in blossom: the Narcissus of the poets 
(Narcissus poeticus), and the Pale Narcissus (N. biflorus), 
join with their somewhat earlier ally, the “ dancing Daffodil” 
(N. pseudo Narcissus), in giving a lively loveliness to the 
woods and fields; and the Summer Snowflake (Leucojum ecs- 
tivum) adorns the meadows with its snowy flowers, reminding 
us of the pale Snowdrop that came in mid-winter to cheer 
our flowerless paths, and tell us of the coming spring. 
Such is an account of the Wild Flowers of May. We have 
not, indeed, enumerated the whole of the wildlings that are 
to be found during the flowery month; that would have made 
our paper extend far beyond the limits assigned to it, and 
might, likewise, have rendered it of less interest with many 
of our readers. We trust, however, that these remarks may 
lie the means of adding a relish to many a rural walk, and of 
directing many an eye, in an idle hour, to dwell upon the 
humble things of the waysides and forest paths that are 
often passed by unseen, uncared for, and unadmired.—G. 
LiWSOX, Assistant Curator of But. Hoc., Edinburgh. 
DOMESTIC MECHANISM. 
PoLiTtcAJ. economy has long been practically studied, and 
undoubted benefits have resulted therefrom, but of late 
years a new science, more closely connected with the con¬ 
cerns of every day life, has sprung up, and is fast becoming 
of importance ; it may be termed, that of social and domestic 
economy. Whatever may lie the causes, it is certain that 
it is now the interest of all possessing, wluit may lie termed, 
limited incomes to look well to their outlay; not only to 
endeavour in all things to avoid unnecessary expences, but 
to study closely the best means of “making a little go a 
great way.” Too frequently, economists have contented 
themselves with attempting to save in large outlays, neglect¬ 
ing the consideration of the “little things about a house.” For 
instance, a person may congratulate himself upon saving so 
much by adopting a proper method of cooking certain dishes, 
while he remains ignorant of the fact (or, at least, pays no 
attention to it) that, by certain mechanical arrangements, he 
might have succeeded in effecting a considerable saving in 
the article of fuel by which he prepared his meal. And the 
same may be said to be the case in many other departments. 
If it be true that a “penny saved is a penny gained,” and 
that it is worth while to gain a penny, it is no less true that 
it should be the endeavour of every one to pay attention to all 
means proposed to save even a penny. As the world is made 
up of little things, we hold that when attention is paid to 
small affairs, that a step in the right direction has been 
made. We have made these remarks, as we are aware that 
with many considerable apathy exists in connexion with im¬ 
provements which they are pleased to call trifles. We trust 
that* however unimportant any proposal at first sight may 
appear, it will be considered worthy of some degree of atten¬ 
tion. It may not be exactly suited to all wants, but some 
useful hint may be derived from it that may be turned to 
good account. 
We have elsewhere given a series of descriptions of im¬ 
provements under the same title of the present article ; we 
intend to continue giving such. We trust that the readers 
of The Cottage Gardener may derive some information 
therefrom, and may through them succeed in effecting some 
saving, in deriving some benefit from this branch of do¬ 
mestic economy. The season is fast approaching when the 
maintenance of continual fires will no longer be necessi¬ 
tated. Food, however, is required to be cooked, and many 
domestic arrangements require supplies of hot water, 'lfi 
supply such quickly, and without involving the necessity of 
kindling a fire in the grate, is the object of the following 
contrivance. 
Summer Water Boit.er.— Take a tapered tin pan, as 
shewn in the cut, and place, running 
up the centre of it, a tapering tube; 
]/ this must be open at the top and bot¬ 
tom, the top projecting above the lid 
of the pan. There will thus be a com¬ 
munication (water-tight) through and 
through the centre. Within two inches 
of the bottom of the tube, place a small 
grid made of iron wire. A tinsmith 
will have no difficulty whatever in constructing the whole 
concern; by simply examining the woodcut he will at once 
understand the minutim of its construction. The pan must 
be provided with a tight-fitting lid, w ith an aperture hi the 
centre to let the narrow end of the internal tube pass 
through. This aperture should be no larger than necessary. 
By putting the pan in the fire place, or the hob of the grate, 
and kindling a few pieces of sticks, turf, or charcoal, laid on 
the grid, the water in the interior surrounding the internal 
tube, will be heated, nay, boiled, in an amazingly short period. 
By using a contrivance made on this principle, five or six 
panfuls might be boiled before a common lire could be 
lighted. The expense of maintaining a charcoal fire for five 
or six hours a day would be very trifling. The whole affair 
will not cost half as much again as the price of . the pan 
without the internal heating tube. The draught of the tiny 
fire may be increased by having the tube projecting further 
above the lid than is shewn in the cut. A handle and spout 
should be added for the convenience of lifting and pouring 
out. By the use of this, a very decided saving in fuel (not 
to take into account the trouble) will be effected in the sum¬ 
mer mouths. B. 
BREWING AT HOME. 
Though an admirer of teetotallers, and always recom¬ 
mending, when practicable, the habit of drinking cold water, 
still, ns there are some people who cannot work without the 
assistance of a glass of beer, and many others who fancy 
they cannot do so, I, therefore, think neither time nor space 
