The Natural History of Selborne

Hay lies about in Berkshire & Oxforshire.

Grey & mild.

Barley abroad at Faringdon.

The grass cut the last week in Septr. all lies rotting.  My well begins to raise. It has been so low all this autumn as not to afford water sufficient for the occasions of the family.  Had it not been for the frequent rains, we should have been at a loss, when we wanted to wash or brew.

Mr S. Barker left us.

Brother Henry, Bet, & Charles left us.  Finished turning the mould in the mead.  Received from Mr. Edd Woods 5 gallons, & 1 pint of French brandy.

Gathered-in the swans-egg pears, a bushel; more to be gathered.

Bror. Henry comes.

Will Tanner thinks he saw in the high wood marks where a wood-cock had been boring.  Mr Barker, who rode this day to Rake, Rogate, & Furley-hill, saw much grass, & clover cut, & cutting.  Some barley out.

Several ring-ouzels on Nore hill.  Farmer Tull mows mill-mead, a second crop, which it is expected will prduce near 3 tuns on an acre.  Men mow also clover, hoping to get some hay at last.  Timothy the tortoise spends all the summer in the quarters of the kitchen-garden among the asparagus, &c. but as soon as the first frosty mornings begin, he comes forth to the laurel-hedge, by the side of which he spends the day, & retires under it at night; ’till urged by the encreasing cold he buries himself in Novr amidst the laurel-hedge.