Dorothy's Observations for March

Dorothy’s observations for March are still slim. It seems that the snowdrops are the only flowers that have begun to bloom, but gardening is on her mind.

snowdrops [Galanthus nivalis] — On 4 March 1802, Dorothy reports: “ I have set Molly on to clear the garden a little, & I myself have helped. I transplanted some snowdrops — The Bees are busy.”

apples [Pyrus malus] — Also on 4 March 1802, Dorothy is cleaning up after William has left. She finds his half-eaten apple and says: “O the Darling! Here is one of his bitten apples! I can hardly find in my heart to throw it into the fire.”

fir [Pinus sylvestria] — On 4 March 1802 Dorothy mourns the fact that they are cutting down Benson’s wood: “They are making sad ravages in woods—Benson’s wood is going and the wood above the River.” It appears that nature is doing some pruning also. She goes on to report that “The wind has blown down a small fir tree on the Rock, that terminates John's path. I suppose the wind of Wednesday night.”

mosses [Phylum Bryophyta]— The day after William left, on 5 March 1802, Dorothy “First walked in the Garden & Orchard — a frosty sunny morning. After dinner I gathered mosses in Easedale.”

green moss [Phylum Bryophyta]— On 19 March 1802, Dorothy, looking forward to William’s return, gathers moss to decorate Dove Cottage: “A very rainy morning. I went up into the lane to collect a few green mosses to make the chimney gay against my darling's return.”

Posted on Μάρτιος 06, 2018 0456 ΜΜ by melindacreech