said, "On the 27th of February I saw blackbirds and robin redbreasts; and on the 7th of this month I heard the frogs for the first time this year. Have you noted the appearance of these things?" In the reply, however, no answer was forthcoming, and in three weeks he wrote again, "I wrote you in my last that the frogs had begun their songs on the 7th; since that the bluebird saluted us on the 17th, the weeping willow began to leaf on the 18th, the lilac and gooseberry on the 25th, and the golden willow on the 26th. I enclose for your sister three flowering beans very beautiful and rare. She must plant and nourish them with her own hand this year, in order to save enough for herself and me. . . . Kiss everybody for me,
There was still another letter: "I find I have counted too much on you as a botanical and zoological correspondent, for I undertook to affirm here that the fruit was not killed in Virginia, because I had a young daughter there who was in that kind of correspondence with me, who I was sure would have mentioned it, if it had been so. However, I shall go on communicating to you, in hopes it will induce you to do the same to me. . . .
| April 14. | Apricots in bloom. |
| April„ 14. | Cherry leafing. |
| April„ 9. | Peach in bloom. |
| April„ 14. | Apple leafing. |
| April„ 14.11. | Cherry in blossom." |
[18]
