The Natural History of Selborne

Vine-shoots have been pinched by the frost.  Two house-martins up at Mr Yalden’s.  If bees, who are much the best setters of cucumbers, do not happen to take kindly to the frames, the best way is to tempt them by a little honey put on the male & female bloom.  When they are once induced to haunt the frames, they set all the fruit, & will hover with impatience round the lights in a morning, ’til the glasses are opened.