The Natural History of Selborne

The kings field is open to the down.  No mushrooms to be found with us: the case was the same last year.

John Hale, & Farmer Spencer begin to pick hops.

Boys bring the 22nd, 23,rd, & 24th wasps nest.  Many wasps at the plum-trees.

The dripping season has, this day, lasted six weeks; it has done some harm to the wheat, & retarded wheat-harvest; but has been of infinite service to the grass, & turnips, &c.

Martin’s & swallows congregate by hundreds on the church & tower.  These birds never cluster in this manner, but on sunny days.  They are chiefly the first broods, rejected by their dams, who are busyed with a second family.

Men house, & rick wheat in cold, damp condition.

Sam & Charles leave us.  Gleaners get much wheat.

Colchicum, autumnal crocus, emerges, & blows.

Few mushrooms to be found.  Sowed second crop of white turnip-radishes.  Abram Loe came the second time

My goose-berries are still very fine, but are much eaten by the dogs.