The Natural History of Selborne

Began planing the floor-battins for my new parlor: they are very fine, & without knots; 500 feet.

Men stack their turneps, a new fashion that prevails all at once; & sow the ground with wheat.  They dung the fields in summer as for wheat.

Gathered in all the grapes for fear of the frost.  We have now enjoyed a dry good season, with no more rain than has been useful, ever since the first week of August.

Beeches love to grow in crouded situations, & will insinuate themselves thro’ the thickest covert, so as to surmount it all.  Are therefore proper to mend thin places in tall hedges.  Strong N. aurora, extending to the W. and S.W. some streaks of fiery red.

Planted a number of small beeches in the tall hedges.

Bees come-out much from their hives, & are very alert.

Large field-fares abound: vast clouds of them on the common.

Thatched roofs smoke in the sun: when this appearance happens rain seldom ensues that day.  This morning they send-up vast volumes of reek.

Put the first coat of plaster on the battin work & ceiling of my new room.

Put the sashes into my new room.