COUNTRY LIFE
FROM the base of Dale Fort, that most gracious field-studies centre, the company went forth to see how many species of plant they could find in flower as the New Year opened. The final sum astonished even the organisers of the expedition ; it amounted to fifty-seven species. The West, and not least the shire of Pembroke, of course, excels the East in winter mildness. Primroses were out in the third week of December. The list of New Year flowers included snowdrop, lesser celandine, red tampion (very distinctive of the West), ragged robin, sea-pink, geranium pyrenaicum and erodium, to mention a few that are characteristic of the district. Three grasses were included ; and in an eastern garden I have noticed, not with pleasure, how very freely that irresistible weed poa annua continues to flower and seed. It pays as little attention to the almanac (though it may wither in August) as the hawkweeds. The list of flowers is concluded with this comment: " Such a list goes to show how splendid is our winter climate. Six consecutive picnic lunches from January 1st give the same evidence." And yet many of us continue to grouse about our weather.
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