PREFACE. ossess a green-house. This, however, common, is by no means a costly addiatry residence, and when well managed ards compensating for its expense, in the pleasant employment which it affords, in ent and the scientific information which o all who visit it, and in the real value of s productions. ho loves a garden, loves a green-house too The ruddier orange, and the paler lime, Peep through their polished foliage at the storm, And seem to smile at what they need not fear."-Cowper. s we proceed from New England to the middle d southern states, the directions contained in this work, in regard to times and seasons, will admit of more direct application. A little experience, however, will enable our young friends everywhere to perform their horticultural labors at their appropriate seasons, and to derive health and happiness from their employment. While learning to admire the beauties of nature, we hope they will also accustom themselves." to look through nature up to nature's God," and to entertain habitual love and reverence for Him, whose power and goodness are so strikingly manifested in all his works. These they will never fully enjoy until, with hearts warmed with filial affection, they can say, "Our Father made them all." AM. EDS. CONTENTS. JANUARY. Mr. Stock retires into the country.-True notion of in- dependence.-Adam prepares to become a gardener.-Origin of the names of the months.-Celebration of new-year's.-Labors of January. -A snow.-Winter birds.-Sunset.-Hunting of hares and rabbits.- FEBRUARY. Rain and blustering winds.-The name of this month.- Labors of the garden.-Birds of February.-Protection of buds.-A walk.-Mr. Wildman's bees.-Comparison of the soldier and the plough. MARCH. Variable weather.-March named from Mars.-Habits of bats. Varieties of bees.-Lambs at play.-Rooks.-Cruelty and death APRIL. Origin of the name.-April fool.-Dreary lives of operatives. -Labors of the month.-Song to the cuckoo.-Migration of swallows.— MAY. Celebration of May-day.-Origin of the custom.-Dragon-flies and ants.-The oak, mountain ash, fir, maple, and walnut.-Monthly JUNE. Early rising.-June from Junius Brutus.-The wild ass.-The plane-tree.-Washing and shearing sheep.-Happiness as connected JULY. Flies.-Bathing.-A thunder-storm.-Labors of the garden.→ AUGUST. August from Augustus Cæsar.-Migration of the swift.- Gnats.-Wonderful structure of animals.-Wheat harvest.-Ceres.- SEPTEMBER. Partridge-shooting.-Severity of the game-laws.-Birds of autumn. The woodcock.-Gathering nuts.-Twirling for larks.- OCTOBER. Attractions of autumn.-Labors appropriate to this month. -Migration of birds.-Dormant animals.-Monthly catalogue.-The NOVEMBER. Character of this month in England.-Influence upon the feelings.-Work to be done.-Duty of the rich in furnishing employ- ADAM, THE GARDENER. CHAPTER I. JANUARY. "Dread Winter spreads his latest glooms, How dumb the tuneful!"-Thompson. ADAM STOCK was the eldest son of a gentleman, who, having retired from London to the southern coast of our island for the improvement of his health, had there purchased an estate consisting of a house, a large garden, a field, and a poultry-yard. He knew the value of industry, and that, to an independent and contented mind, few things are really necessary for our comfort; he therefore determined to cultivate his own ground; and, as nearly as he could, to do every thing for himself. This is the true meaning of being independent. He bought a cow, and some pigs; chickens, and ducks and geese. Mr. Stock understood the principles of gardening, and possessed great taste and knowledge in the cultivation of flowers; his garden was, therefore, always beautiful to look at, and the more so, because you knew that it was the work of his own hands, and that all you saw, was done with pleasure. This is the reason why a cottager's garden is a more pleasant sight than a rich man's: for though the rich man's garden may be larger and much more NAMES OF THE MONTHS. handsome, yet we do not know that he is pleased with it; because it is only his money which makes it look beautiful. But when we see a neat and pretty garden belonging to a poor man, we may be sure that that man is contented and happy; and a happy poor man is one of the most charming sights in the world. Little Adam loved his father very much, and was fond of being near him whenever he was at work. When Mr. Stock was employed in the garden, little Adam would always be at his side, asking him the names of the different flowers that were in blossom, together with many questions about the way of cultivating them. He showed such delight in the amusement that his father told him one day, if he would be a good and obedient boy, he would teach him to become a complete gardener, so that by the time he grew up to be a man he should be able to do every thing for himself, and know how to direct others. Adam was delighted. "Well then," said his father, "this is now the first month in the year, and to-morrow we will begin. There is at present no snow upon the ground, and the frost has given way. I will buy you to-day a spade and a rake and a hoe; and then I think you will be set up. One thing only you must promise me;that you will attend to what I tell you; and endeavor to do every thing in the best way you possibly can." This you may be sure he promised to do. He then wanted to know why the month was called January, and why not "First month." 'Because," said his father, "the Romans, who gave the names to the months, (and which names we also have used, ever since they conquered this island,) gave them in honor of a particular god or goddess whom they worshipped: and on the first day of the month they performed sacri 66 |