The Natural History of Selborne

Millers complain for want of water.  At the end of the new parlor a box-tree is nearly killed by the current of air; while a laurel in the same circumstance seems not to be affected at all.  from Novr 25 to Jan 18 there fell only 69 of rain, & snow!  less than 3/4 of an inch.

The ground is as hard as a rock.  The roads & fallows are dusty.

In the church-yard at Faringdon are two male-yew-trees, the largest of which measures 30 feet in girth.

Some snow on the ground.  Vast halo round the moon.

No shower since the 24th of Novemr.

Snow totally gone.

Nor rain has fallen since the 24th of Novr.  The millers complain for want of water.

Antir.  Cymbalaria still in bloom.  Two hares in the garden last night.  Snow wastes: eaves drip.  Cocks crow.

At two o’clock in the shortest days the shades of my kitchen & hall-chimnies fall just on the middle of the window of J. Carpenter’s workshop; & the shade of the chimney of my great parlor just in the midst of John Hall’s side-front.  Hard frost all day.  Covered the artichokes, & young asparagus with litter.

My well has risen lately, notwithstanding the long dry season.