The time that they appear varies with the weather: in a mild winter some may be found early in January; if the frost has been severe there may be none till March.
These the moucher gathers by stealth; he speedily fills a sack, and goes off with it to the nearest town.

Turnip tops are much more in demand now than formerly, and the stealing of them a more serious matter.

This trade lasts some time, till the tops become too large and garden greens take their place.
In going to and fro the fields the moucher searches the banks and digs out primrose 'mars,' and ferns with the root attached, which he hawks from door to door in the town.

He also gathers quantities of spring flowers, as violets.

This spring [1879], owing to the severity of the season, there were practically none to gather, and when the weather moderated the garden flowers preceded those of the hedge.