A Year in a Lancashire Garden. Henry Brighton

and many of my neighbours have given in entirely, and have taken to glass-houses. I still go on; but certainly last year, in spite of the show of blossom, was not encouraging. Whether it is the increase of smoke or of chemical works I cannot say, but formerly wall fruit answered far better in these parts than it does at present. It is remarkable, however, that Sir William Temple, writing just 200 years ago, objects to growing Peaches farther north than Northampton, and praises a Staffordshire friend for not attempting them, and "pretending no higher, though his soil be good enough, than to the perfection of Plums."

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      As matter of fact, the Snowdrops were less abundant this year than they usually are. – Has it ever been noticed that the colour of the winter flowers, as that of the Arctic animals, is almost always white?