The Natural History of Selborne

We have never had rain enough to lay the dust since saturday June 13: now five weeks.  By watering the fruit-trees we have procured much young wood.  The thermometer belonging to my brother Thomas White of South Lambeth was in the most shady part of his garden on July 5th & July 14th: up at 88, a degree of heat not very common even at Gibraltar!! July 5: Thermr at Lyndon in Rutland 85.

The little pond on our common has still plenty of water! ponds in bottoms are dry.

Bestowed great waterings in the garden.

Finished cutting the hedges. Watered the garden. Many ponds are dry. Much hay ricked.

* The young martins that were hatched June 11th began to come-out of their nest July 7th, so that they arrive at their maturity in somewhat less than a month. A colony of black ants comes forth every midsummer from under my stair-case, which stands in the middle of the house; & as soon as the males & females (which fill all the windows & rooms) are flown away, the workers retire under the stairs & are seen no more. It does not appear how this nest can have any communication with the garden or yard; & if not, how can these ants subsist in perpetual darkness & confinement!

The thunder-clouds sunk all away in the night; & we have had no rain.  My well sinks very fast.  Watered the garden, which is much scorched.

We have had no thunder-shower all this summer, tho’ many have fallen in sight of us.  Much mischief by this thunder in distant parts.

Thatched the hay-ricks: delicate hay.

The meadow-rick sinks fast.

Finished-off my great parlor, & hung the door.  The ceiling, & sides are perfectly  dry.

Ricked the meadow-hay, six jobbs, & fine, & free from weeds. Did not mow the little mead.