get in their harvest with little difficulty, in conse-
quence of the clear settled weather which generally
prevails during their long summers. Unsound
grain is a thing scarcely ever heard of.

7th Month, 2d.

I spent the afternoon and
drank tea at H. B's. His bee-hives having been
considerably annoyed by bird, called the Bee-
eater, he took out his fowling-piece, and shot one
of them; and on opening the craw, we found
many bees which it had devoured. So destructive
are these birds, that a nest of them would destroy
several hives in the course of a summer, if left
undisturbed.

7th, Month, 3d.

I attended the Preparative
Meeting at Merion

, and in the evening had a
pleasant walk to Dr. H's. A considerable part
of the road leading to his house, is lined with
cedar, sassafras, shumack, sweet chesnut, &c. &c.
but what has a most singular and pleasing effect
is, that most of the higher trees are entirely over-
grown with vines, which spread over them with
great luxuriance; and, when the grapes are ripe,
present a very inviting appearance. They are of a
small black kind, and very pleasant to the palate,
particularly in pies and tarts; in which, according
to the taste, they exceed almost every other kind
of fruit. They are often preserved in jars, for
this purpose to be used in winter. Some of the