The Natural History of Selborne

Frost on the mead behind Gilbert White’s house, Selborne.

• 1793: February 19, 1793 – Sowed half a barrel of American Gypsum, which was sent for in the autumn by Bro. Tho., over the fourth ridge of Tim Turner’s wheat, as you reckon from the walk in that field. The powder strewed about two thirds of the ridge from the Ewel S.E. ward.
• 1792: February 19, 1792 – Frost comes within doors.
• 1790: February 19, 1790 – The moon & Venus in the S.W. & Jupiter & Mars in the E. make nightly a charming appearance.
• 1789: February 19, 1789 – A large bank in Burrant garden covered with winter-aconites, which have been there more than 40 years.  Missel thrush sings on one of the firs.
• 1788: February 19, 1788 – Bror Thos & Molly White went to London.  Mr & Mrs Clemets & two children came, with Zebra, the Nurse-maid.
• 1787: February 19, 1787 – Sowed Baker’s hill, & the great mead with ashes.  Crocus’s make a glorious show: bees much out.  The air full of insects, & gossamer.  Bat appears.
• 1785: February 19, 1785 – Thick ice.  Ice in warm chambers.  Boys slide.  Ground as hard as iron.  Snow on the ground.
• 1783: February 19, 1783 – Men busy in plowing for pease. Timothy the tortoise awakes.
• 1782: February 19, 1782 – Thomas kept an account of the rain in my absence.
• 1778: February 19, 1778 – The dry air crisps my plaster in the new parlor.
• 1775: February 19, 1775 – Vast flocks of hen-chaffinches.  Honey-bees come forth, & gather on the Crocuss.
• 1774: February 19, 1774 – These great rains retard the preparations for a spring-crop.  Grey crows still on the downs.

Notes:

‘Thomas’ was White’s manservant Thomas Hoar, who appears from time to time throughout the journals. Gypsum is still used to improve clay soils. This is earliest date for Timothy the tortoise to emerge from hibernation– probably he went back to sleep!