Fasciation
Different seasons are accompanied by particular freaks of growth in this plant and that. This summer seems to be a season of double- dealing, so to say. I have received by post a dahlia that has three close-pressed heads on one stalk; and similar oddities in the same species exist in my own neighbourhood. Again, great numbers of onions have come double, and in some the welding of the two bulbs is so close that they are inseparable. No particular harm is done, but these doubles keep less well and should be devoured first. The phenomenon of fasciatiop, or the uniting of several stalks, is, of course, not uncommon (for example, in campanulas), and is often due to over-manuring; but the weather has its say, and dahlias, beyond most flowers, are made proud by plenitude of sunshine. "Even the farmers are not grumbling," said a caustic countryman. " We must have reached the millennium." His premise may perhaps be disputed. What I have heard them say of the depredations of the sparrows is better left to the decent obscurity of the stubbles. They lament, too, that the ground is so baked that the ploughs will not enter the brick- like surface. They remember, too, that the winter killed some of the wheats. Farmers are cheerful, nevertheless Wheat, oats, barley all are good, and the harvesting is. the quickest in the annals. Most stubbles are more than usually clean, but the ploughed-in grass has here and there so successfully " staged a comeback " that stock are being grazed on the green stubble. The harvest was so flattened that much grain was spilt and the hens which share the field with cattle enjoy much the better feast. Both will be dispossessed as soon as rain gives the ploughman his chance and the field is prepared for a second grain crop.
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